Green Home!

Archive for August, 2009

Imagine the home of your dreams. Is the old colonial style home that has historical significance but could use some updating? Perhaps it is the 1960s rambling ranch that gives you more single floor living space than you’ve ever dreamed of. If you have or would like to have an older home, chances are it could use some updating. One of the best ways to add value to your older home is by replacing the windows. Vinyl replacement windows are energy efficient, easy to clean, and add maintenance free beauty to any home.

Why Replace Windows?

Older windows that are generally made with wooden frames can warp or rot over time. They may at one time been well sealed, but over the years caulking flakes away and allows water to seep in. When water gets into the wood it expands and can rot, leaving spaces though which water and air can get into the house. Basically you have an aesthetic nightmare as well as horribly inefficient insulation against the elements.

Vinyl replacement windows take care of it all. The best part of the whole deal is that they will never rot or warp. The paint won’t peel because there isn’t any! The only maintenance they will ever need is cleaning ? and that is many times easier than on old wooden windows with separate panes.

Vinyl Replacement Windows ? A DYI Project

If you know how or are willing to learn how to replace a window, then you can install vinyl replacement windows. This great do-it-yourself project is an easy construction task.

First, you will need to remove the old window. If there is still a seal from the caulking you can cut it with a utility knife around the perimeter. Then with the help of a second person, push the window in or out with gentle pressure.

Once the old window is removed, then you will need to clean up the area around the window box by scraping off all old paint and debris. A clean surface is important in getting a good fit and seal for the new window.

Next check your measurements. If old windows have become a bit lopsided, then you can square it up with shims. This extra step will make the windows fit better.

Windows then are securely attached with screws. Finally, run a seal of silicone caulking around the edges for an extra strong seal.

Caring for Vinyl Replacement Windows

To wash replacement windows is so easy. The windows tilt in so cleaning the exterior side can be done safely from the inside. This is especially convenient for second story windows. Any storm windows that came with the old windows are no longer needed. The new windows are double-paned and insulated. Between the panes there can be decorative trims, so the surface to be cleaned in one smooth surface.

When it comes right down to it, there is no down side to installing vinyl replacement windows. They will add carefree beauty to your home for decades.

Bathroom maintenance is an integral part of good housekeeping. For some, bathrooms signify privacy and intimacy. Bathrooms are often decorated with a wide range of accessories. The objective is the same — generate a feeling that bathroom is no different from the rest of the house.

Choosing bathroom accessories may be a difficult task for amateur housekeepers or families that have moved into houses independently for the first time. It is a difficult task since the bathroom might be crowded with a huge number of accessories, eventually reducing the space for the users. So make sure that the bathroom is not cluttered with accessories.

It is recommended that every household employ the services of a professional house decorator to decide what constitutes bathroom accessories. Professional house decorators can also assist in buying accessories. However, if that is not a choice, then purchasing bathroom accessories can be made busy by employing research work.

Most of the stores selling bathroom accessories are registered on the Internet. It is easy to visit any of these sites and check out the accessories. Most of the stores transact business through e-commerce. Create a personal account on the website for easy transaction. Most stores offer this facility of creating accounts on their websites.

Once you are convinced with the product, book it online. The stores will home deliver the product. Payment can be made online using a credit card.

It is always good to do a thorough examination of the products before deciding to purchase them. First decide, whether you really need a particular product. Evaluate its use and then purchase.

Some of the most common bathroom accessories at every home are: Shower curtains, clothe hangars, mats, waste baskets, toilet brushes, levers, shelves, holders, towel ring, shower accessories, bath tub accessories and mirrors. Ensure that there is adequate space in the bathroom for all these accessories.

If the house owner intends to go ahead and create an ambience of great quality in the bathroom, there are many options. However, there should be adequate space to create such an ambience in the bathroom.

The bathroom can be decked up with fashionable and ornamental lighting. Window furnishings and door textiles can be of high quality and colored in various combinations. Uninterrupted fragrance can be flowed in the bathroom using special dispensers. Bathroom can also have indoor ornamental plants.

Bathtubs come in various shapes and color these days. The bathtubs can have flashy and trendy external fittings like taps and shower tubes.

Many a person who is interested in crafting and creating a lovely lawn and garden spends a great deal of time scratching his or her head trying to figure out exactly how to get started on the landscaping process. Perhaps you find yourself in such a position at this point in time. Perhaps you have decided that you want to better and beautify your yard but you do not exactly know how to get started.

In this regard, if you are like most people you do not have unlimited funds to invest into gardening and landscaping. Consequently, you may not feel as if you are in a position to hire a professional landscape consultant or garden expert. In short, you may feel rather adrift on a what might be coined a sea of bare dirt.

One tried and true solution that you might want to seriously consider when it comes to gardening and landscaping is the utilization of landscape design software. Indeed, in the 21st century, an ever growing number of men and women who are interested in creating lovely garden spots are relying on landscape design software programs to further their efforts.

Many a gardener wrongly assumes that typical landscape design software programs are out of their reach for two reasons. These people assume that these software programs will be too expensive. Additionally, these people conclude that a landscape design software program will be complicated and difficult to utilize.

Of course, there are a number of high end landscape design software programs that are designed for garden and landscape professionals. It is true that these types of programs can require a significant financial investment and it is likewise accurate to note that some of these programs can be quite complicated in their operation. However, in recent years, a new generation of landscape design software has been created with the typical consumer in mind.

As a result, there are now a number of different, reliable landscape software programs on the market today that are both economical and easy to use. These programs allow a person with only rudimentary computer skills to be able to design truly attractive and appealing landscaping schemes.

There are a number of different outlets through which a consumer can purchase user-friendly, economical landscape design software programs. Of course, the Internet is a natural resource for such software (as it has become for so many items and services in the 21st century). Additionally, an ever increasing number of garden supply shops and stores in the brick and mortar world have taken to adding tried and tested landscape design software to their stocks and inventories. Indeed, many of these merchants offer classes and training in the use of landscape design software for their customers and patrons.

The crocus is almost ready to peek through the partly snow- covered ground. It won’t be long now and the earth will bring out a burst of colors to herald the beauty of Spring as Nature wakes up from its winter slumber.

It’s that time of the year when gardeners can hardly wait for the snow to disappear from the ground. The balmy weather these past few days started to melt some of the snow revealing the brown color of the grass. It is not too early to start thinking of your garden.Take a look at the pictures of your garden of last summer.You did take pictures!

Think of what you liked about your garden.What new projects do you have in mind? Each year, there are wider varieties of plants to choose from. It is very tempting!

Color

The colors bursting from the garden is one of the most attractive features. Be inspired to try a different mix of colors. This can easily be done by looking at the pictures and do a little re-arranging of your plants. I know I have to move the sundrops and the iris and some of the day lilies this Spring. These plants tend to take over the garden. I’d like to have more blue color this year. This is a relaxing color.

Think of the plants that have to be thinned out,or perhaps were in the wrong spot last summer. Experiment with different varieties of plantsfor an exciting display of colors in your garden.

Soil

Is it time to amend your soil? Plants will do better with proper soil nutrients. Compost is a very rich source of nutrients and it is also good for the environment. Do you need to check the acidity or alkalinity of the soil? There are commercial kits, but I find them too expensive. There are tests that you can do to check it yourself. Check out gardening books and the internet. Be sure to pay attention to your window boxes and other pots and planters. It is recommended that the soil in these containers be changed at least every five years.

Design

Do you have a theme or motif in your garden? Something that is a centerpiece of all the centerpieces. This is what’s creative about gardening. It allows you to express yourself and enhance your creativity. This is where you incorporate features like garden ornaments. But don’t make your garden too busy. Do you have a bench or chair where you can sit and relax, or rest as you work in the garden? Do you like the sound of wind chimes? There are endless ideas to enhance the beauty of your garden and turn it to a work of art and a place for you to relax and meditate.

Budget

How lucky for those who do not have to worry about dollars and cents. Gardening can be an expensive hobby. You can start saving a bit for your gardening expenses now. Think outside the pot, to quote Martha Stewart. You can use your imagination and come out with containers that will blow the mind of your family and friends.

Garden ornaments can be costly. I found some good and tasteful ornaments at the dollar shops and at garage sales.

Pesky animals

Be prepared. If a deer has discovered your garden, chances are it will be back every year. There are plants that are resistant to most animals.I know that geraniums and marigolds are safe. Roses attract the deer. There are ways and means to protect your garden from these destructive intruders without causing them harm. You might consider plants that repel these animals.

I gave up planting tulips. The chipmunks love them. There are other Spring bulbs that repel these creatures. Daffodils and other members of the alium family are just as colorful and lovely to look at.Take time to explore the possibilities and experiment.

Happy gardening.

Laying your bathroom tiles with a dynamic flooring pattern or a deep wall color can make the difference as you remodel your bathroom floor. A nice bathroom needs a ceramic tile floor.

Before laying the bathroom tiles, start by removing your old carpet and carpet strips. Use a cutoff saw to make room for the bathroom tile to slip under the doorjambs. Place a portion of the tile pattern starting at the doorway to set up a centerline and then strike a chalk line.

Cut the bathroom tile with a wet saw or tile snips. Work your way up one side of the room and down the other. Allow 1/8″ for grout lines; spacers can be used for consistency. Mix the thinnest using an electric drill with a mixing bit.

Mix small amounts at a time, adding water slowly to maintain the right consistency. Mix enough to lay down a dozen or so bathroom tile at once, and be ready to go to work as the thinnest dries quickly using a trowel to apply the thinnest to the floor.

When the bathroom tiles are all in place and some-what dry, use a grout saw to scrape the excess thinnest out of the joints where the grout will go. A shop van will clean most of this up, but use a wet sponge to get the surface clean. Once dry, begin applying the grout with a rubber trowel.

One more sponge cleaning will be required to get up the film once the bathroom tiles is dried completely. It’s recommended to apply a grout sealer after about 48 hours or so to help avoid any staining problems that occur during normal use.