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Are your beautiful hardwood floors not so beautiful anymore? Maybe they just need a refinishing job. It can be a daunting task, but here are some ideas to make it a little easier.

If your hardwood floors are in dire need of
refinishing, get a few estimates from professionals.
You may be surprised at the figures. You’ll want to
sit down when they tell you it will cost you $1200 to
have your living room redone. You could carpet over it
for less, but doesn’t carpeting over beautiful hardwood
floors seem, well, wrong?

Contrary to what you may have heard, the finish doesn’t
take days and days to dry. It’s quite simple actually.
Go to your favorite local home improvement store,
Lowe’s, Menard’s, Home Depot or other. Rent a sander.
You’ll need a drum sander, a belt sander or both. They
will explain to you how to use the machine and tell you
what kind of sand paper to purchase. They will also
tell you what kind of stain and finish to get. Make
sure you also pick up some dust masks because you will
have saw dust everywhere.

The sanders are very easy to use. They’re a bit on the
loud side. The key is to keep it moving at all times.
Do not stop or you will get a divot in your wood.
Think of it like a clothes iron. You need to keep it
moving or you will burn your clothes. Same deal with
the sander. It creates a lot of heat and you will
burn or dent your floors if you hesitate in one place
too long.

You will feel like a Zamboni driver smoothing out your
surface. Word of caution, you do need to maintain
control of the machine at all times. It is self
propelled, like a lawn mower or a basset hound on a
leash. When you power it up, hold on to the machine
tightly. Don’t be afraid of it and after a few passes,
you’ll start to even have fun.

First you need to remove the old finish, basecoat,
color, and top coat. You may opt to forgo the color
(stain) and just use the nature color of the wood. You
will still need to apply a finish to it.

There are basically two types of floor finishes: one is
oil-based and the other is water-based polyurethane.
Oil-based is available in a satin, semi-gloss or gloss
finish. Satin works well on floors because it hides
small flaws and lets the natural beauty of the wood
show without a bright shine. Oil-based also produces a
warm amber look that gives you the traditional glow of
wood floors. Water-based polyurethane dries clear and
resists yellowing. Water-based also dries quicker.

Make sure you let each coat thoroughly dry before
applying the next; same as you would nail polish. Give
your floor at least 24-36 hours before moving furniture
back on it. It will continue to harden in the first
couple of weeks.

Don’t be overwhelmed. Instead of looking at
refinishing your hardwood floors as a humungous job,
look at it as giving your room a manicure, one step at
a time. You’ll also save yourself as much as $1,000
by doing it yourself.

Luz Madera loves to work with wood. She is the
webmaster of http://www.funwoodworks.com which is the
premier woodwork and woodworking site on the internet.
Please visit http://www.funwoodworks.com for some
excellent woodworking resources.

[tags]home,home improvement,woodworking,floor covering,wood[/tags]

Flat screen displays have infiltrated into our lives, and it is no surprise why. One look at that sleek thin profile, and truly stunning picture quality, is usually all it takes for one to be sold on this totally cool technology. Most people will agree that the real benefit to a flat screen display is its mounting flexibility. For the first time we can mount our TV’s directly on a wall freeing up valuable floor space.

Perhaps the one room in our homes that can benefit the most from flat screen technology is the kitchen. People tend to gather, and spend a lot of time in their kitchens, making it the perfect spot for a TV. Unfortunately, kitchens are designed around food preparation, and therefore tend to be less than ideal areas for watching TV. Putting even a small TV on the countertop can occupy some vital real estate. Even a flat screen may take up too much space if left on a countertop stand.

But wait there is hope for even the most crowded of kitchens! Many aftermarket manufacturers specializing in display mounting hardware have devised some really great wall mounts for flat panel TV’s. Brackets can be purchased that will let you mount the TV directly to the backsplash. This method will suspend the TV over the countertop, allowing full use of the counter’s surface during food preparation. Some of these mounts can be extended and swiveled for even more viewing flexibility. You may choose to angle the TV towards you when working at the sink, then swivel it for viewing at the table.

The sky is the limit when it comes to mounting your flat screen display. Don’t feel that you must settle for the cheap stand that came with the screen. Look around at some of the available mounting solutions designed to get the most from flat screen technology. A sleek display deserves a sleek mount.

© Written By: Michael Casamento

For more information please visit my site: http://www.shoptvmounts.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the above resource box is included in its entirety.

[tags]TV Wall Mounts, LCD TV, LCD Mounts, Plasma TV, Plasma Mounts, Flat Screen TV, Flat Screen Mounts[/tags]

Everyone wants a kitchen that has character and one way to give your kitchen character is with unique and interesting accessories. While canister sets, potted plants and potholders can add interest to your kitchen, it’s the kitchen rugs that can really give it some zing.

No matter what kind of kitchen floors you have, you can use small area rugs to unify your theme or color scheme. For a country kitchen, braided rugs or rugs with a theme like sunflowers or strawberries can help add interest. A modern kitchen could use a sisal rug. And even in Oriental rug could be used to add color and splash to Victorian kitchen. No matter what style your kitchen is, there’s sure to be rug for you.

Kitchen rugs can be a great solution for a kitchen that has a worn or damaged floor. But these rugs are not only for decoration or to hide imperfections, they can also help to keep people from slipping on the floors when they are wet and also add comfort when you are standing at the counter for long periods of time cooking or preparing foods. Rugs are most often placed at the door when you come in, in front of the sink, in front of the refrigerator, and in front of the oven.

Choosing a kitchen rug can be a challenge as there are many styles shapes and colors to choose from. Before you go shopping for your rug, it’s a good idea to bring a color swatch from your kitchen so that you can be sure to get something that matches exactly. Be sure to also buy a rug pad that will prevent the rug from slipping and will also make your rug last longer.

Taking good care of your kitchen rug can make it last a long time. Most rugs can be machine washed and in fact this is something you should look for when purchasing a rug. Care must be taken when washing rugs with colors as the colors could fade and might also run and stain other parts of the rug or other things that you have in the wash. Most rugs should not be machine dried as they are fragile and can be damaged so hanging them outside is the best bet.

A kitchen rug can help add a warmth to your kitchen and it can also be a fun way to change or your d

Good concrete pond construction means not taking shortcuts. Improper methods can lead to more money spent on maintenance, repairs, or replacement than on the cost of the initial construction. Since good concrete pond construction equates to having one that lasts a lifetime or longer, follow these rules of thumb to get it right - the first time!

Keep in mind that for suitable concrete pond construction, you need to pour the concrete to a thickness of four to six inches. After deciding on the dimensions and outlining the area, all soil (and rocks!) should then be dug out. Forms then need to be built and placed where concrete is to be poured, along with the proper placement of cut-to-fit reinforcement bars (rebar).

For digging out the area for concrete pond construction, you will need shovels, picks, a crowbar, and, of course, a wheelbarrow. Some other necessary items include a carpenter’s level, string, stakes, sheets of plastic, and a long two-by-four.

Pouring the cement in concrete pond construction should be done in one day, unless the pond is very large, and then it must be poured in sections. Pour cement in the bottom of the pool first, then the sides. If shelves have been dug out, pour cement there, next. Finally, pour cement for the top of the pond and for any coping that may be involved.

After you have completed these first steps of your concrete pond construction project, you need to let the cement cure for several days under plastic. Treating with muriatic acid at this stage helps prevent high pH levels in water later, which benefits fish and plants. After the acid treatment, apply several coats of paint made for pools or masonry sealant, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly.

Concrete pond construction can be a true learning experience. It’s best to start with a smaller pond, then if you meet with success, you can then move on to a larger project. But once you get the hang of concrete pond construction, there’s no limit to where you can go from there. So learn, build, and then build some more!

Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.Org, where you can read tips on
ceramic tiling,
metal roofing and other home/garden topics.

[tags]water garden, pond, fish pond, concrete pond, landscaping,construction[/tags]

Come to think of it, we spend one quarter of our lives sleeping on our bed. So do take the trouble to get as comfortable as possible on that bed of yours.

Here are some tips for your bedroom.

When you are choosing a mattress, the most important thing to note is whether it is comfortable to lie on. And the only way to know is to actually lie on the mattress and roll around on it for at least 10 minutes.
Secondly, when choosing the bed make sure you lie down on the bed too. Make sure that your feet do not stick out of the bed. I rather go for a longish bed than a wide bed.

Try not to put your bed in a corner. Otherwise the occupant sleeping next to the wall will have a hard time getting off the bed. He has to crawl on the bed before being able to step onto the floor.

Also don’t position your bed facing your windows. The sunlight will be pouring directly onto your eyes and disturbing your rest. Even if you draw the curtain you can still see the glare and brightness of the sun behind the curtain. Ideally the length of the bed should be positioned parallel to the window.

Are you exasperated by the loose bed sheets disrupting your beautiful sleep? Consider tying the excess bed sheet cloth at the corners of the bed when making the bed so as to prevent the bed sheet from slipping out due to excessive movement on the bed

Is your wardrobe full and unwieldy? Consider putting away seldom worn clothes into separate storage bins. In this way, your wardrobe consists only of things which you need to access and wear daily. It also makes it easier to keep and store freshly ironed clothes and choosing a particular outfit.

Lastly, go for a duvet rather than a comforter as it is easier to clean . You can also slip on different duvet cover to match the new bed sheet or curtains. Lastly, the duvet can be used as a substitute for a blanket too.

My last tip is to put on the mattress protector to protect your mattress against dirt, dust mites, liquids like urine and sweat and stains. It will not only be more hygienic but will improve the lifespan of your mattress too.

Here is where you can find duvets. You can also find bedding sets and bedroom decorating ideas at http://www.beddingsets.net.

[tags]bed, mattress, wardrobe, duvet, comforter, bedsheet[/tags]

The vast majority of homes today have kitchen cabinets for storing food, dishes, and cookware. These come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, materials, and designs. Since they are used so extensively, though, they probably need to be cleaned at least once or twice a year in addition to any wipe-ups of spills or drips. Although most of us probably spare little time for planning our cabinet cleaning, here are a few tips in case you do take time to plan ahead, which will save time over the long run since you will be ready and organized.

1. Set aside a time to clean the kitchen cabinets when you won’t be bothered. Ringing phones, fussy toddlers, and uninvited guests or hectic schedules will only put you under pressure to finish the job quickly. Sometimes things come up during a cleaning job of this size, so give yourself plenty of time and space to manage this task without interruption. Turn off the cell, don’t answer the door, and keep a snack handy so you won’t have to cook anything.

2. Organize your materials. Depending on your housecleaning style, you may want to assemble a clean sponge or cloth, a bucket of warm water mixed with a small amount of mild detergent, a wire brush for stubborn stains, and clean shelf paper. Keep a trashcan handy so you can easily discard outdated or unused items.

3. Start with the top cabinet shelves. Take everything out and set items on the counter or the table where you can sort them. If necessary, use the wire brush to loosen dried spills or clingy crumbs. Then wipe away all debris, using a damp cloth or your hand to gather the crumbs. Use the cloth or sponge that has been dipped in your soapy water mixture to wipe out the shelf, top and bottom, as well as the sides and front of the cabinet. Keep the cabinet doors open and allow the area to fully air-dry. In fact, you may want to open your kitchen windows or run the ceiling fan or air conditioner to circulate air throughout the kitchen and cabinets for a fresher feeling.

4. While the cabinets dry, sort the items set out on the counter or table. Check expiration dates and discard those that are no longer good. Do the same for products that have set open too long or have remained unused for several months. Wipe off any trickles or stains on containers that you wish to keep, such as syrup or oil bottles. If you find an excess of certain products or items you don’t need or won’t use, set these apart as a donation to the local food kitchen or homeless shelter.

5. When the cabinet shelf is fully dry, put down shelf paper or newspaper if desired. Then return the food items to the shelves, placing the largest or little-used items in the back. Do the same for each kitchen cabinet. When you get to those containing dishes and pots instead of food, inspect each item for chips, cracks, or other signs that this item should not be used any longer or that it requires repair.

Keeping your cabinets clean will discourage insect infestations and dust accumulation, helping to keep food products and cooking utensils clean and wholesome.

For more information visit Kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet hardware and more.

[tags]kitchen cabinet[/tags]

Someone once told me that buying a mattress is like buying a new car. I don’t agree. A new SUV, a sports car or any new car is a lot cooler then buying a large heavy mite collector.

One similarity was a mattress salesman that I had a while back. He reminded me of a used car salesman. There are way too many choices in the first place, to have a guy manipulate me into buying a mattress that I don’t need.

He had me kicking the tire on a lower price mattress and then sitting in a Cadillac. Sure I can tell the difference of a $200.00 mattress and a $1200.00 one. But isn’t there a happy medium.

The best advice would be to do as much online research as you can. Find beds that advertise for what you are looking for. The size, pillow type and even firmness are just a few to name. Find a forum that has real life experiences. Be an informed buyer.

When you get to the store, you tell the salesmen what bran and styles you are looking for. Try them out. Ultimately it’s how you feel on the bed that matters.

This is the best way to find the best deal. If you go to a mattress store uniformed and you’re trying to shop by price, you might go home with a bed that turns into a lumpy rock in no time.

So remember if you don’t want a used car salesman trying to sell you model that was owned by a little old lady from Pasadena, become an educated consumer. Use the internet, find what you want and get an idea what things are priced.

Richard Amburn is the contributing writer for http://www.popularmattressfactory.com a resource on the subject of mattresses. Be sure to visit http://www.popularmattressfactory.com for more information on mattresses!

[tags]beds, bedding, mattresses, air beds, futon, pillow top,[/tags]

Also called wallboard, gyproc, or plasterboard, it is used to cover interior walls and ceilings, and sometimes as an underlay for ceramic tiles. Composed of gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) sandwiched between two layers of kraft paper, it has a fire rating of approx. 30 minutes, and offers reasonable soundproofing, especially when installed in two layers.

Hanging drywall can be fairly heavy work, but not overly difficult to master. It ranges from 1/4″ to 5/8″ in thickness, with 1/2″ being the most common in residential work. The sheets are normally 4 feet wide and 8, 10 or 12 feet long, conforming to standard measuring increments, such as framing studs placed at 16 or 24 inch intervals.

Standard drywall sheets have tapered long edges and the shorts ends are squared off. One face is rough, and one face is smooth, for painting and papering. Water resistant drywall also has tapered edges, and is used for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Use cement-based backer board under tub surrounds or ceramics, in tub and shower areas. Some drywall comes pre-finished in different textures, colors and patterns, and some are vinyl-coated.

Wallboard (drywall) sheathing has tongue and groove edges, and is used under exterior claddings, including masonry to provide water and wind protection.

Wallboard sheathing and water-resistant drywall will both sag if used on ceilings - use standard drywall on ceilings, and cover with alkyd primer to water-proof the surface.

Drywall must be carefully measured and cut, before fastening to wood or metal studs, preferably with special drywall screws applied with a drywall gun or a drill, fixed with a drywall “dimpler” to properly counter-sink the screws. Use Type W screws for fastening to wood studs, Type G for fastening one sheet to another, and Type S for fastening sheets to metal studs. The joints are finished with joint compound (mud) and tape (paper or fibre mesh). Outside corners are covered with a metal corner (drywall “bead”). A T-square and utility knife are used for cutting, and a drywall knife (a smooth, broad spreader) is used for applying the compound.

To estimate quantities, add up the square footage to be covered, and divide by the number of square feet in a sheet (eg. 32 for a 4X8 sheet). One pound of nails or 1/2 pound of screws will fasten 200 square feet of drywall. Have a friend help you with the heavy sheets, especially when hanging a ceiling!

Drywall is easiest to install and finish if you hang it sideways, although if your ceiling is higher than 8′1″ you might be tempted to hang the sheets vertically.

CAUTION

If hanging sheets vertically, you will be screwing very close to the tapered edge, and if the framing is not perfect, your vertical joints might be weak, or not line up at all!

Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights reserved.

Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.

“The Home Reference Book”
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won’t find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It’s the first tool you should have around the house!

[tags]drywall,sheetrock,gypsum,diy gypsum,diy sheetrock,hanging drywall,drywall tips,diy home repair[/tags]

Have you ever looked at the soil in your garden and considered it as anything more than soil? If not you should because there is a lot more there than meets the eye. It performs many functions that you may not be aware of and having good quality soil in your garden is essential for your plants. In this article we will look at the functions of soil, what different types there are and finally some ways to make it healthier.

Functions of Soil
The most immediately apparent function of soil is a medium to support plant life. It provides support both physically and biologically. Physical support is provided by allowing the plant to grow its roots through the soil to hold itself in place. Biological support is provided by its ability to hold nutrients and water that the plant needs. It also supports other types of life as well. Microorganisms and insects live in the soil and they in turn aid plant life by helping to decay organic material and adding structure to the soil. Soil allows the growth of food crops which are consumed by humans and also plants used in the creation of medicines. Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria that live in soil and are used to produce antibiotics. All life on earth is dependant on it either directly and indirectly. This includes the plant life in your garden.

What is Soil Made of?
The four major components of soil are mineral matter, organic matter (humus), water and air. Mineral matter refers to the inorganic elements in the soil e.g. stones, gravel and makes up to 40%-60% of its volume. This part of the soil usually originates from the bedrock that lies beneath the soil. Organic matter (humus) is the decayed remains and waste products of plants and animals and has a great effect on the chemical properties of the soil e.g. availability of nutrients. Almost 40%-60% of a soil’s volume can be space and this is occupied by water and air.

Different Types of Soil Texture
Soil texture is defined as the size distribution of different mineral particles. These mineral particles are at their most basic level the following: sand, silt and clay. Sand particles are 2 to 0.05 mm diameter, silt particles are 0.05 to 0.002 mm diameter and clay particles are
[tags]soil, nutrients, lawn, garden, texture, clay, sand, silt, loamy, compost, manure, fertilizer[/tags]

A closet organizer system can bring order to a messy closet, providing dedicated storage spaces and compartments for all kinds of clothing and shoes, helping you to sort out your clutter and stay organized! Closet organizers are the perfect solution for those of us suffering with untidy closets that sometimes seem like they’re bursting at the seams. With a well-designed combination of hanging space, shelving and shoe storage, a closet organizer can help you make better use of the limited space available in your bedroom closet, so you should always be able to find that favorite outfit, without having to rummage around in a pile of crumpled clothes!

There are loads of different types of closet organizers, from adjustable ones for reach-in closets, to larger units designed to make sense of the chaos that’s all too often found in big walk-in closets. Many come with several tiers of hanging rods for storing garments of differing sorts and sizes. Shelves are useful for keeping folded garments neat and within easy reach. Other useful accessories when it comes to organizing closet space include plastic storage bags for protecting rarely-worn or out-of-season clothes from dust, damp and insects, and various types of shoe racks. Something as simple as a shoe rack attached to your closet door, or a shoe cubby, can make all the difference. You need never waste time searching for that missing shoe again!

If the mess in your closet is getting you down and you’re tired of being unable to find what you want to wear, then how about you get organized? Closet organizers are easy to install, and once in place your new organized storage system can transform a chaotic closet into an oasis of neatness! A closet organizer really can make a difference and help stop the clutter piling up in the future. What are you waiting for - start getting organized today!

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to GetClosetOrganizers.com - an online resource offering a huge selection of closet organizers, as well as garage organizers, laundry organizers and other storage solutions.

[tags]closet organizers,closet organizer systems,bedroom closet organizers,garage organizers[/tags]