Home Improvement | devo digest

Fireplace Refacing for a Fresh New Look

On 09.10.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

There are a range of styles and designs for fireplaces today. The entire look of a living or bedroom can be changed by having an older fireplace given a fresh face. A new fireplace box and/or surround is just one solution. Yes, these will dramatically alter the look of your fireplace and room as a whole. The complete replacement project is quite costly. A more effective solution, at least budget-wise, is with a fireplace refacing project.

You can find any number of natural or cultured stone veneer options to do this project. Quality tiles can be used as well. You will be very pleased with your finished look using even the cultured stone veneers.

The first step is cleaning the area, like with most remodeling jobs. Debris, grease, grime or broken bricks or tiles all need to be cleaned away before proceeding. Once you’ve got a good cleaning job performed, you are ready for the next step.

The next step involves preparing the area and/or mixing the mortar. Hanging the cement backer board is the next step to follow. Applying the mortar directly to an older brick is another option too. A mortar mix with the consistency of peanut butter is the ideal mix.

The third step is to apply your mortar mix to the back of your stone veneers in a process known as ‘back buttering’. This is just the technical term for the process used before actually setting your stones in place. Make sure that you are laying your stones on a level line before setting them. Stacking these stones right on top of one another is possible because you don’t need to worry about grout lines. The natural – or manmade – shape of the stones gives them their natural spacing.

You’ll want to make sure that the joint lines are staggered to give you a more natural, stacked look. You can use smaller stones in a smaller room. In a larger space, you can utilize a similar logic and use larger stones pieces. It is both more robust and proportional looking. Remember, having fun with this fireplace refacing project is important. It’s going to turn out wonderful!

If you want to find out more about fireplace refacing then please visit Home Bedroom Decor.

Which Traditional Rug Is For You?

On 09.03.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

A traditional rug is a name used to refer to Oriental or European floor rugs, as these rugs provided the designs for the so-called traditional rugs. That is why when you look for rugs under the traditional category, you will see many Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, Indian, as well as Aubusson and Savonnerie style rugs.

Today, we can find these traditional rugs which are popular with their geometrical shapes, curvilinear and intricate designs to use in our homes. The good news about these traditional rugs is that we can use them regardless of the décor theme in our homes. So you can use the rug even if you own a contemporary home.

As traditional rugs are available in many different types, how do you decide which one is for you? If you want an area rug, you can pick from Persian rugs, Kurdish rugs, Turkish rugs, Tibetan rugs, Indian rugs, Chinese rugs and also Aubusson and Savonnerie rugs. It all depends on your personal tastes and preferences. If an area rug is too big for you, you can choose an accent rug or even a prayer rug. These make great additions to the home too. Or if you want something for your hallways, you can opt for a rug runner instead.

A traditional hand knotted rug can be very expensive. This is because the weaving of the rug takes many months to complete, and is normally done by very skilled craftsmen using techniques, designs and patterns that have been handed down to them from generations of weavers. You can choose this hand woven rug if you don’t mind paying a large sum of money and want to enjoy the beauty of a hand knotted rug.

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the look of a traditional rug without paying the high price, then perhaps you would be more interested in the alternatives to the hand woven rugs. There are many rugs today which are made from wool and are in the traditional designs, but are machine woven instead. And then there are those rugs which have been hand woven but are made using synthetic materials like polypropylene instead. These rugs are much cheaper and can provide you with the same look.

So if you don’t mind spending a lot of money, then go ahead and get that truly authentic hand knotted traditional rug. However, if you are limited on cash, you can opt for the many traditional rugs made from synthetic materials or those that are machine woven.

Tagged with: traditional area rug • traditional rugs • traditional wool rug

How to Solder Pipes: Tips from an Atlanta Plumbing Expert

On 08.26.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

Soldering is one of the most common tasks used in almost all kinds of plumbing jobs. Plumbers usually carry soldering tools along with their important work tools. Soldering is not a difficult task. Anyone can do it if you have the necessary tools with you. Learn to solder your pipes and fittings which could be useful at some point of time. Some of the important tools required for soldering are pipe cutter, sand cloth, sand paper, propane cylinder and torch, lead free solder, fitting brush, small brush, solder paste, safety glasses, gloves and a fire extinguisher. Before starting to solder you have to wear the safety glasses and also keep the fire extinguisher handy. Wear your gloves too.

Soldering brass and copper pipes

The section of the pipe which has to be soldered needs to be completely dry. First, cut it to the required length. Clean the ends of the pipe using a sand cloth till they become shiny. If there is some dirt left, the solder may not work properly. With the help of a brush clean the inner side of the fittings. You can use a sand cloth also to clean it. Apply the soldering paste to the inside of the fittings and end of the pipe with the small brush. Ignite the torch and hold it about half inch far from your fitting. Place the solder to the fitting and heat. When it melts you can see it moving round the fitting. Stop the torch and use the solder to level the fitting. Use a wet cloth to wipe the excess paste. For testing your work, turn on the water and check.

Now that you know to solder pipes and fittings you may not require the assistance of professionals in case of a broken pipe or leakage. Now some jobs will require professional assistance and if you do need a pro, make sure to check out top companies like Champs Atlanta Plumbing.

Tagged with: diy • home improvement • plumbing

The Toughest Plexiglass Sliding Wardrobe Doors

On 08.15.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

Are you craving to purchase the most classy-looking glass door for your own wardrobe? Take note that there are tons of options available. These range from clear to smoked glass bypass sliding door panels. Be aware though that such panels are a bit fragile, so any type of blunt object could easily shatter these glass panels. Essentially, it is the fragility of such doors which makes homeowners wary of purchasing glass sliding wardrobe doors for their closets. There is a specific type of glass which could serve as an effective alternative – Plexiglass.

Plexiglass is produced using acrylic-based matter also termed as synthetic glass. Though these were made for commercial and heavy industrial applications, it has similarly been seen in various home applications. One specific application is in the making of plexiglass wardrobe doors. If you want to know how sturdy such glass panels are, note of the many uses where Plexiglass is most often used: hockey rink glass protective panels, aircraft windows, police riot shields.

There are also tons of designs and styles where sliding plexiglass doors are used. They could also be smoked panels, patterned glass configurations or clear glass panels. Fortunately, installation is not as difficult as it may appear to be. Unless you do know how to specifically do the installation yourself, it might be best to leave the actual installation to a professional contractor. Also, there are a lot of sellers who provide installation for an added fee.

All in all, plexiglass wardrobe sliding doors could cost a lot more than their conventional or wooden counterparts. Tons upon tons of suppliers of wardrobe doors or merchants are easily accessible online with a few offering excellent customer support. This can be very convenient in cases where you might have questions on door installations, promos, discounts, or prices. If you are specifically looking for convenience and quality in your search for the best supplier of plexiglass doors, it is best to deal with reputable, responsible and credible merchants whether they may be online or offline.

Tagged with: plexiglass sliding doors • sliding doors • sliding glass doors • sliding wardrobe doors • Wardrobe Sliding Doors

Where to Buy Carpet Shampoo and Carpet Shampooing Products

On 07.02.10, In Home Improvement, By Ric

Carpet shampoo is a little like choosing your hair shampoo product because there are so many types of carpet and so many brands of carpet shampooing machines that may work better with one product than another. To simplify, know what type of carpet you need to clean and what machine will be used. The most common home carpet shampooing equipment is Kirby, Hoover, Bissell and Electrolux. For these machines you can then choose some different items that are specific for stains or have pet odor control or are scented to freshen the home. You can buy them at supermarkets, home improvement stores, hardware stores or online through companies like TotalVac who specialize in vacuum and carpet shampooing products by all the top brad names as well as generic cleaning solutions to help you save money.

Kirby, Hoover, Bissell and Electrolux Carpet Shampoo

For a gallon of Kirby Allergy Control carpet shampoo you can expect to pay about $30. This is the original economy size bottle with the Kirby Suds formula and a special something new against dust mites. The generic version of the Kirby carpet shampoo by the gallon is a bit cheaper at $21.

Hoover Carpet Shampoo – Dry Foam Carpet Shampoo

Hoover carpet shampoo comes in smaller spray bottles for stains that costs about $12 or a larger 32 oz bottle specific for Hoover carpet shampooing, for about $17. You can also use Stain-X Ultra Dry Foam carpet shampoo for Hoover, Electrolux and Kirby shampooers, and a gallon of this product cost about $22. It should stretch to do a lot of carpet shampooing because it’s a concentrated formula of detergents and emulsifiers that makes a foam that attracts dirt and is fast drying. When the foam dries, it turns to powder and can be vacuumed up. This is a versatile and affordable carpet shampooing product that eliminated the worry of residue and, trapped moisture and quick re-soiling of the carpet.

Bissell Carpet Shampoo — OxyPro

The Bissell carpet shampoo is called OxyPro, which is a carpet shampooing formula that is activated by oxygen and works both as a spot and stain remover as well as a carpet shampoo that will lift really touch dirt and stains that are greasy and oily or color intensive like those from wine and fruit juice. This is a new type of carpet shampoo in aerosol form that sells for about $8. The other good Bissell carpet shampooing product to keep in mind is the highly concentrated Little Green Shampoo that can be used for small spots and stains as well as used in carpet shampooing machines to clean large areas of carpet in the home. It can also be used on upholstery. It does dry quickly, but it is water based, so don’t use it on upholstery that isn’t safe for water. A 16 ounce bottle costs about $8.

Electrolux Turbo Carpet Shampoo

Electrolux Turbo Carpet Shampoo comes in two sizes, one is a 1 liter format that costs about $16 and the other is a gallon jug for about $43. This formula can be safely used for overall carpet shampooing in the home using the portable carpet shampoo machines by Electrolux, however it can also be used in other equipment, but to be sure read the directions carefully and check your specific machine’s carpet shampooing instructions to verify what products are best.

Tagged with: Buy Carpet Shampoo • Carpet Shampoo • Carpet Shampooing • carpet shampooing machines • Dry Foam Carpet Shampoo

Other Lighting Options Aside from Outdoor Ceiling Lights

On 06.29.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

When it comes to the lighting options you have for your outdoor spaces, you should know that your choices are not limited to outdoor ceiling lights. Depending on the kind of lighting you want for the outside of your house, including the overall design of your house, your landscaping and your budget, you can choose to combine a few different styles of outdoor lighting to illuminate your house properly and to give certain areas of your home the kind of light that best suits you. Included in the list of lighting options you have for the outside of your home are outdoor post lights, bollard lights, wall sconces, hanging lights, attached ceiling lights, antique style lights, landscape lighting and column mount lighting.

The kind of lighting you choose to use outside of your home dictates the kind of ambiance and illumination it gets. If you want to have the path to your house well lit, you can choose to have outdoor post lighting, flood lights, column mount lighting and even bollard lighting installed. If you want your back porch or patio to be well lit, you have a number of choices as well. Wall sconces, string lights, landscape lighting, hanging lamps and ceiling lights with fans are just a few of your options.

What you choose can depend greatly on what you want, the kind of budget you have and the designs that you feel will best suit your home. You might want to consult with a lighting professional if you are not sure about the choices you can use for your home and for your outdoor lighting needs. You should inform the lighting professional of your choices and ask about the other options you might have for your outdoor lighting needs and their suggestions as to which kinds of lights are best for your home.

Tagged with: back porch lighting • lighting outdoor • outdoor ceiling fixture • outdoor ceiling light • outdoor flush mount ceiling lights

Why You Should Consider An Electric Underfloor Heating System

On 06.26.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

People who live north of Dallas, Texas usually have pretty strong winter months. Keeping warm especially in an old home can be a feat in itself, not to mention trying to keep utility costs down at the same time. One method of keeping the whole family toasty warm is to install an electric underfloor heating system the next time you are ready to do a home renovation where it involves removing your flooring. Using this type of heating with Travertine tile will assist your furnace or central heat in a huge way, and as heat always rises, it is starting at the perfect point of your home.

Keeping your home comfortable can be a costly affair if you do not properly insulate. If you do not have regular maintenance done to your heating and cooling systems it becomes even more difficult. Underfloor heating is not a brand new technology but the advances in product optimization in the last year or so, have made it vastly more reliable and cost efficient. Having a system such as this in place will prevent your heater from cycling as often, and prevent that forced-air motor from running up your electrical bill. Under tile heating comes in many variations but for larger rooms rolls of mesh that connect in a daisy chain fashion complete a circuit that will cover the entire floor.

Wire type systems are also used in small awkwardly shaped areas and rooms, where the installer can custom fit the heating system in various formations. This allows the creation of equal heating wherever it is needed most. Previously, systems of this caliber were actually coated in a thick layer of cement on top the foundation. This proved to be inefficient, as the foundation would siphon the heat away from it’s targeted area.

Usually, the flooring company that is selling you new tile floors can also facilitate the sale and installation of an underfloor heating system. Electrical systems are preferable to hot water radiant heat systems, as the electric model will not require maintenance, and there is no fear of water damage from the hot water if the pipes rupture. It is also not uncommon to a receive twenty to thirty year warranties to cover the complete heating system. Of course, even under warranty, the homeowner will be responsible for the labor costs of pulling up the flooring and having it reinstalled after the work has been completed.

Tagged with: electric underfloor heating systems • underfloor heating • underfloor heating systems

Using Ready Made Window Blinds in your Home

On 06.26.10, In Home Improvement, Uncategorized, By Stevie Wonder

There are many choices available when it comes to using window treatments. You will find a wide range of curtain styles as well as blinds and shades. Some of these products are designed to be used alone, while others can be used in combination with other items. Many styles of curtains work well when used with a basic roll up style of shade. Lone panel curtains can be used in conjunction with simple blinds, such as the wooden styles or the basic white vinyl types. When it comes to blinds, you will find a few variations on styles.

Blinds come as roll up styles that have an attached cord. There are some new designs that also allow the unit to be pulled down from the top, rather than rolled up from the bottom. Some of these are referred to as top down bottom up blinds. The Roman style of blind is the most popular, because it fits with a lot of different room settings. You might choose to purchase some ready made roman blinds or have some custom created. The custom styles are a good choice if you have an unusually large window area.

In addition to the various styles for adding to a room’s décor, you will see these blinds available in various textures and slat construction. Some are created to be more energy efficient than others and actually help trap air so your home stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Using these shades or blinds can reduce your overall energy bill, so they actually save you money. Although blinds can be used in any room of the house, they are most often used in bathrooms to provide a degree of privacy, while not being an overpowering type of window treatment. Using blinds in your home is a great way to have some privacy, while adding a touch of décor to the room.

Tagged with: ready made roman blinds • ready made window blinds • roman blinds • window blinds

Decorating With Grey Is Not So Gloomy

On 06.26.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

Though grey is often considered to be a rather gloomy color, this should not stop you from making it your own in your home decor. If utilized properly, the color grey can be a very subtle yet contemporary addition to any decoration scheme.

Just as Winnie the Pooh’s Eeyore is often glum yet likable, grey is very easy to love. It carries a wide variety of tones ranging from cool to warm, and you can easily find a tone of grey to match just about any theme, without the slightest hint of the gloominess often associated with the color. It is a sophisticated color, and can be utilized to offset a particularly loud couch, for example, by adding a much more muted atmosphere to an otherwise boisterous room.

To avoid muting a room too much, however, you would be wise to stay away from featuring the color prominently in exceedingly playful rooms, and it is probably best to avoid using it as the centerpiece in your primary room, or family room. However, grey should not just be cast to the side and forgotten about. A particularly smart option is to theme a bathroom around it, or combine it with another color for such a theme.

Bathrooms themed in grey appear clean and serious, so this is not a viable option if you like your bathroom to retain a sort of playful atmosphere, but that is not to say that a grey bathroom cannot be fun. As previously mentioned, grey is easy to match to another color if you find the perfect tone, and this is a wonderful tool to utilize in your bathroom, as it is a room that is often very muted and blank to begin with. Any sprucing up of such a room will speak volumes.

Grey bath rugs would be a simple yet effective item to showcase in a grey themed bathroom. You should take texture and tone into consideration, avoiding using too many different shades of grey, which would confuse an otherwise solid theme. Do not be afraid to be creative, however! Many people shy away from grey, but it is not a color of which to be afraid. With a little forethought and creativity, your grey themed room will be anything but gloomy.

Tagged with: bath rugs • Grey bath rugs

Western Cowboy Home Decor

On 06.16.10, In Home Improvement, By Stevie Wonder

There are many ways to decorate a home and it is up to you to decide how you want it to look. After all, it will you who has to live there! Every room in the home can have the same look or you can vary each room. The possibilities are endless if you use your imagination. Because you and any guests who come to your home most likely spend the most time there, the kitchen is probably the most important room to decorate and, like any other room, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the type of look you choose. A popular look today is cowboy western home decor and, as the name suggests, your kitchen will have an old west feel to it when you are done! This look has always been popular and I suspect it will continue to maintain it’s timeless appeal in the future and you do not need to live in the West to have a western-themed kitchen!

There are many ways to incorporate this look into your home and here some ways you can you can do that:

When it comes to the kitchen table, you can use western placemats and western table runners to dress your table.
A wood floor and panels always helps a home have a western feel.
The colors orange, brown and black are most associated with the western look but it is possible to overdue it if you use them too much in one room!
Place western themed ornaments in various places in the room.

Of course, there are many other things you can do to get this look. The best way to get ideas and decide what you want is to read magazines, take note of other people’s kitchens and do some research over the internet.

Tagged with: cowboy decor • cowboy placemats • cowboy western home decor • western decor • western placemats

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