When choosing the material for the floor of your bathroom, you should put safety before aesthetics. Here is a bit about some of the more commonly used floor surfaces in bathrooms:

Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and will last at least 20 years.

Marble on the floor is also easy to maintain and will last a lifetime.

Tile, if installed properly, will also last a lifetime and is easy to clean.

Laminate flooring will last at least a decade and requires only a bit more maintenance than vinyl.

Hardwood (oak or pine) floors are beautiful, warm underfoot, and will last a lifetime in any room, including the bath, if and that’s a big if -you’re willing to invest the time in its regular upkeep - especially around the base of the toilet.

Carpet lasts about a decade and though you may like the way it feels on your toes - water and carpet don’t mix. A better idea is to get some fluffy throw rugs to accent your floor.

About the author:

The House Designers award winning residential house plans, architectural home designs, floor plans, blueprints and home plans will make your dream home a reality!

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DIRECTV will give you a free satellite TV system - a satellite dish and a four-room satellite receiver setup - when you subscribe to their service. They’ll even throw in free installation.

But if you want to watch satellite TV in HD (high definition) format you’ll need to get an HDTV receiver. The good news is DIRECTV is currently offering their basic HDTV receiver for free.

Here’s what you get …

DIRECTV HDTV Satellite Receiver Features

* Transmits HD broadcasts to your TV giving you the clearest picture available.

* Dolby Digital surround sound for three-dimensional audio.

* Combination tuner lets you watch both satellite and over-the-air HDTV channels.

* DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide lets you access all your HD channels with the touch of a button.

* Universal remote allows you to operate your satellite TV receiver, your television, your VCR, and your DVD player.

* Video and audio connections so you can hook up your satellite system to your stereo or your home theater system.

DIRECTV HDTV Satellite Receiver DVR Combination

The DIRECTV HD/DVR (digital video recorder) receiver lets you watch satellite TV in high definition and lets you record your favorite shows in digital format. This receiver costs $199, and comes with all the features of the HD receiver plus:

* You can pause and replay live TV, and digitally record your favorite programs with a click of your remote.

* A 250 GB hard drive lets you record up to 200 hours of regular programming or 30 hours of HD programming.

* Record two programs while watching a another program or a previously recorded program.

Bottom Line

If you want the most life-like picture and the most realistic sound when you watch DIRECTV, then you need a DIRECTV HDTV receiver. And if you want to record your favorite shows in digital format, and can afford the extra $199, you’ll want to purchase the HD/DVR receiver.

Visit http://TheSatelliteTVGuide.com. for more DIRECTV HDTV information - HDTV programming and ordering information. Click on the following link to compare DIRECTV vs. DISH Network.

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Being a Custom Cabinetmaker and Finish Carpenter I’m frequently asked what I think about refacing cabinetry as opposed to demolishing the old cabinets and starting from scratch.

I generally pride myself as someone who has an open mind. While I have strong opinions on a variety of topics… I like to offer options to people rather than to come off as someone who knows it all. Besides, I don’t “know it all.”

That being said, to say I’m not a fan of refacing cabinetry would be an understatement! I’ll give you the Pro’s and Con’s and let you be the judge.

If you have a refacing specialist in your home you are likely to hear something like…

Refacing cabinetry is an inexpensive way to update your kitchen’s look with a minimum of inconvenience and without all the dirt, debris and noise associated
with demolishing your kitchen and starting over.

Now, to be fair, there is some truth in the statement above. Refacing does typically cost less than having a custom cabinetmaker, like myself,
completely redo your cabinetry. (Though it’s not inexpensive!!!) The project will also be completed in less time than a custom cabinet job.

The problem is, they make no mention of quality or durability or improved functionality and forget getting a decent warranty!

In order to understand the problems with refacing cabinetry you need to know a little about the process. They typically remove and throw away the: doors, drawer fronts, door hinges, drawer slides and cabinet door knobs (if any).

Then, the cabinets are “roughed-up” by sanding and sometimes a chemical stripper is used as well. The refacing installer then adheres a wood veneer to the exposed surfaces. Typically, the veneer has a PSA backing (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) and it is firmly pressed to the old wood surface to make it’s bond.

The veneer is trimmed and detailed. A new wood stain and protective finish is applied. The final touches include installing the new doors, drawer fronts,
miscellaneous hardware and possibly the attached moldings.

The Con’s come down to Quality and Freedom! The PSA wood veneer is very thin and very frequently starts to bubble or lift off the old wood surface within a year to 18 months.

If you happen to catch something on an edge of the veneer you may very well peel it back or tear it altogether. If someone, say a child, happens to scratch
the veneer surface it will most likely expose the old wood surface as the veneer is very thin.

As far as freedom goes, you didn’t get to change the cabinet’s interior. If you had fixed shelves before, you probably didn’t get to upgrade to adjustable
shelves as this is too much work in retrofitting.

If the old kitchen layout wasn’t to your liking, your newly “updated” kitchen isn’t going to work any different.

The list goes on and on…

By the way, if you’re still not convinced, ask around and find someone who refaced their kitchen two years ago or more and find out if they’d do it again. Just make sure they don’t work for the refacing company!

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They are the background; they set the tone for your bathroom; they are the first way that you begin creating your environment—they are your walls. With recent technological advances, fashioning a new mood has never been easier—or more fun. From paint to wallpaper, today’s wall coverings are only limited by the imagination.

Paint will last 5 to 10 years and gives you a wide variety of decorating options. You’ll want to be sure you purchase a paint that is designed for bathrooms and is mildew-resistant. Almost every reputable paint manufacturer has a bathroom specific paint.

Solid-surface material lasts a lifetime and comes in a multitude of colors and styles. Depending on the size of your bathroom this wall covering can get costly.

Wallpaper should last at least 7 years, if properly installed. If your bathroom is on the petite size - wallpaper may not be your best choice - since the moisture can easily start to ruin even the best of wallpaper.

Ceramic tile will last a lifetime but … not to pick on grout again… requires lots of regular maintenance. There’s nothing like relaxing in your tub or whirlpool and staring at mildew.

Mirrors may give a nice contemporary look and 3-D view of you from head to toe, but after several years they start to loose their luster and fall apart.

About the author:

The House Designers award winning residential house plans, architectural home designs, floor plans, blueprints and floor plans will make your dream home a reality!

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Vanities are basically cabinets which hold built-in sinks and faucets. Generally the vanity is a smaller, more specialized version of the kitchen cabinet, and are available from all kitchen cabinet manufacturers. Vanity types can be divided into three categories: North American Frame (standard), Euro Style (frameless), and Furniture.

North American Frame is generally mass produced by kitchen cabinet manufacturers and is similar in style and construction as the kitchen cabinet. Framed cabinets have a “face frame” attached to a box from which the doors hang. Less expensive cabinets will have MDF (medium density fiberboard) or plywood face frames while higher grade cabinets will have solid wood frames. Solid wood is rarely used for the sides of the cabinet box because the high condensation in your bathroom will cause it to warp over time.

Euro-Style (frameless) cabinets don’t have a face frame and the doors are hung directly on the cabinet box. Doors are often made of particle board covered with high pressure laminate. Furniture-grade flakeboard offers a stronger alternative to particleboard, because it’s very rigid and not subject to warping or splitting with age.

Furniture is a new trend as bathrooms become more luxurious. Vanities are beginning to take on the look of fine furniture rather than a standard box. Many furniture manufacturers are starting to design and craft furniture specifically for use as high-end vanities. You can have a vanity custom-designed or you can have a small antique dresser converted into a vanity, by a qualified cabinet or furniture maker.

Materials

Most vanities are made of wood or synthetic materials which may be veneered, laminated or painted. Maple and cherry woods are being used frequently, although oak is the long-time favorite of the natural woods. White painted cabinets are very popular, but biscuit is gaining ground. For an attractive and durable door, there’s the moisture-resistant thermafoil door, which is made of medium density fiberboard and then coated with opaque plastic.

Cost

Cost for vanities range from $95 to $1000 depending on whether it’s a stock, semi-custom (built at a cabinetmaker shop to your specifications, not on site) or custom made by a carpenter on-site. The material and design will also affect the cost.

Medicine Cabinets and Accessories

It’s your bathroom details which will really make it a striking room. These details include cabinets, the towel bars, soap and tissue holders, and shower doors. If everything matches, and if all the elements complement each other, the results can be a bathroom that is eye-catching.

Medicine cabinets can be recessed or flush mounted, with or without integrated lighting and with multiple doors and mirrors. Some come with double doors, mirrored on both sides to let you view yourself from behind.

Shower doors may be sliding, bi-fold, or swing type. They come in standard sizes for tub-shower combinations or for standard one-piece shower enclosures, but they can also be engineered on-site for custom-built showers.

Misc. Towel bars, soap and tissue holders, toilet paper holders and holders for glasses and toothbrushes are all available in a number of finishes to match your faucets. Other items you may wish to consider are things such as built-in soap dispensers, hot water dispensers and water purifiers. Almost all faucets have coordinating accessories, but be sure to buy all of your items from the same manufacturer because all similarly-named finishes are not identical. If you really want to pamper yourself when you get out of the bath or shower, check out a towel warmer, which resembles a standard towel rack except that it‚s heated. These units are quite costly and require an electric or hot water connection, but many people consider them worth the added cost.

About the author:

The House Designers award winning residential house plans, architectural home designs, floor plans, blueprints and floor plans will make your dream home a reality!

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If you’re seriously interested in knowing about Gardening, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Gardening.

1. Planting Methods: There are several methods for planting. Choosing any of these methods depends on the vegetable, the size of your garden, and your preference. Three methods of planting, namely, single rows, wide rows, and hills are explained as follows:

A) Single Rows: In this method, seeds are sown in rows or lines that are spaced equal distances apart. The distances between the rows and between the seeds within the rows differ from vegetable to vegetable. If you want the rows to be straight, which gives a pleasant appearance to your garden, stretch a string between two stakes and sow the seeds along it. If you think this is too much work, use a stick to mark a line on the ground and try to make the line as straight as possible. With some practice, you will get it straight.

B) Wide Rows: In wide row planting, seeds are sprinkled at equal spacing in both directions over a wide area. The width of the row varies from 6 to 16 inches. The row’s width is limited by your arm’s reach to the area in the middle of the row while standing at the edges. We find that wide rows are convenient and productive for peas and beans. In addition to giving high yield per unit area, they cut down on weeds. Wide rows are also good for starting leaf vegetables like lettuce and spinach. When the seedlings emerge, they can be thinned and transplanted elsewhere. Double rows are a special form of wide rows.

C) Hills: In hill planting, 3 to 5 seeds are sown close to each other. They need not be sown on a formed hill, as the name implies. This method is used for planting zucchini and cucumbers.

2. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of planting each vegetable in a different location each year. The advantages of crop rotation are:

A) The chances of transmitting diseases and insects to next year’s crop are reduced. Specific diseases and insects attack specific vegetables. These diseases and insects move from the plants to the soil, where they winter. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot the following year, the diseases and insects will emerge from the soil and attack the new plants.

B) Each vegetable absorbs trace amounts of specific minerals from the soil. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot year after year, the minerals the vegetable needs to grow healthy plants will be depleted, resulting in a poor harvest.

C) The roots of legumes (peas and beans) have bacteria that absorb nitrogen from the air and fix it on the roots of the plants and in the soil. To take advantage of the nitrogen they fix in the soil, the legumes should be followed by a leafy vegetable, such as lettuce and spinach, which needs nitrogen-rich soil. This is one of the techniques organic growers use to grow vegetables without the use of chemical fertilizers. It may be impractical to rotate every crop each year if your garden is small.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

This problem can be overcome by taking the following measures: (1) choose disease-resistant vegetable varieties, (2) keep your garden clean of debris, and (3) watch for insects and diseases. If a plant becomes infested with insects, pick them by hand; if a plant is infected by a disease, pull it from the ground and discard it.

3. Gardening Tools: Many gardening tools are available. The basic tools you need are a shovel, trowel, steel rake, tomato cages, and water hose or can. The shovel is used to till the soil, mix potting soil, move soil around, and cut the weeds if they grow big. Some gardeners use a fork instead of a shovel to till the soil, but we don’t.

The choice is yours. The trowel is used for cultivating the weeds, transplanting the seedlings, mixing soil or fertilizers, and filling containers with soil. The steel rake is used to grade the soil and to compact the soil over the seeds. Tomato cages are essential for supporting tomato plants. You can also use them to support running plants such as cucumbers and peas. Without them the plants will fall on the ground and their fruit will get into contact with the soil and rot. A hose or a can is used to water the plants in the garden and containers.

4. Proper Gardening Clothing: In the course of gardening, your footwear and clothes are likely to be soiled. You walk on dirt or mud, your clothes get in contact with plant leaves and stems, and your hands are soiled. You are also exposed to the sun. Your shoes collect mud and will soil the floor if you walk directly into the house. Therefore, you should have a pair of old shoes set aside for gardening. Put them on before going into the garden and take them off before entering the house. Leave them in the garage or put them in a bag until you use them again.

Also, have special clothes for the garden. If you don’t, your ordinary clothes will be soiled no matter how careful you are. To protect your hands and fingernails from collecting dirt, use a good pair of gloves. Some are washable and can be reused.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing–the more you understand about gardening, the more you will be able to share with others.

Brought to you by,
John Gulick
www.gardening.jlgsr.com

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With the advent of newer options everyday, furniture buying has turned into a real chore. It has become really difficult to pick the best from the good enough. There is metal, glass and the good old wood. Even the types of wood, the qualities and strengths of each, the durability and moisture content can leave anyone terribly confused. In this situation, it is not wise to completely trust the salesperson at the local store. It is important that you do your basic homework before stepping out to buy wooden furniture. What the salesperson calls solid wood might just be plywood or particle board topped with a veneer. There is a big difference between Amish handcrafted furniture and plywood cabinets with oak doors.

Now one would wonder why so many furniture manufacturers use plywood instead of solid wood. Here is why. One reason why veneered panels of plywood are used extensively in furniture making is the cost of plywood versus solid wood. Plywood can be got at a small fraction of the cost of really good solid wood. The more expensive solid woods like cherry can cost as much as 3 to 4 times the price of sheet goods. Manufacturers have now begun calling their cheap plyboards and flakeboards as ‘Furniture Boards’ just to enhance its image.

Another reason is the cost of labor to machine and assemble solid panels versus just cutting a rectangle of plywood or veneering a panel. It is cheaper to work with sheet goods than solid lumber in terms of man hours spent to put the piece together. Many high end tabletops are simply veneered plyboards with a wood edge. Despite the difficulty, true Amish furniture is handcrafted out of solid wood and stained and finished to perfection to give you a piece to last a lifetime.

Another reason is that it is easy to get thousands of plywood sheets all looking identical. Solid wood by its nature would differ slightly in terms of grain, color, shade and moisture content. Cabinet parts, to many people, are more attractive in the form of matched veneer than the random color and grain matching of solids. Some people prefer the color variation of solids and the sometimes wild grain patterns and try to use these differences to make unique looking details.

In the USA, the Federal Trade Commission regulates the furniture industry and its sales pitches, etc. They have ruled on solid wood versus plywood and have indicated that there is a difference. That is, plywood is not solid wood. Specifically, The Federal Trade Commission has accepted for public comment a consent agreement with Taylor Woodcraft, Inc., settling charges that the company violated Section 5 of the FTC Act by deceptively claiming in promotional materials that its household furniture was constructed of solid maple or oak, when a number of its pieces contained some veneered exposed surfaces.

So while plywood may be cheaper and easier to construct, it is no match for solid wood furniture. It is more of an escape route towards convenience and higher profits. Beware of manufacturers who claim to be selling solid wood furniture but use plywood or particleboard for most of the internal parts. Do not feel shy to ask for details from the salesperson before buying a piece. Buy something only if you are absolutely sure. If the salesperson is not forthcoming with genuine information, it is time to check another store.

For more information visit: http://www.amish-furniture-home.com

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A swimming pool offers relief from hot days, and gives us an opportunity to unwind, enjoy ourselves, and exercise. Even though they are generally common with summer days, swimming pools are also fantastic indoors as well, offering year round swimming.

Indoor swimming pools are a terrific way to cool down after heavy exercising, such as weight lifting, or an excellent way to get in cardio work out. Unlike outdoor pools, you can use indoor pools all the time, without having to worry about the weather conditions.

If you do not like gyms or if you consider indoor swimming pools to be crowded, you can have an indoor pool at your home. This is achievable these days, because indoor pools are more affordable than ever. The first thing you must do is find place for it. If you do not have enough space to put a pool inside, you can add a room onto your house.

If you have some extra money, an in ground indoor swimming pool is a great option. It will give you with plenty of room to swim. This usually cost a great sum of money though, which rules it out for the majority of us. You also must have a big room for this type of pool, since as it covers a lot of space.

If you do not have some extra money to spend, you can choose an above ground pool instead. However, you still must have a room to put store it.

If you make a decision to have indoor swimming pool, you must hire a professional to do the entire job. If you try to do it yourself, you will find that it is a bit more complicated than you think. Professionals know exactly what they are doing and they will also contact the officials to ensure that your indoor pool conforms to local and state laws.

Indoor pools have a lot of benefits, not just providing you with a lot of fun and excitement. They can help people who have back trouble or other medical ailments. Even if the pool is indoors, you still need to buy a heater to keep the water at a certain temperature.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Swimming Pool Covers. To read about mesh swimming pool covers visit his website right now.

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