Home improvements spruce up your home this season

With a few simple improvements you can add character and curb appeal to your home at a reasonable price and make it the envy of the neighborhood.

Tidy up perimeter landscaping. Collect and remove all weeds, loose leaves and litter from the property. Put up a fence or replace an old one in disrepair. Today's attractively priced vinyl fencing is one option that is easy to install, easy to care for and looks good for years. New styles and darker colors give you a wealth of options.

Inspect your home's siding. Is it chipping, staining or rotting? Your siding may just need a power wash or it may need to be replaced. If it's the latter, talk with your local contractor about low-maintenance vinyl and fiber cement siding options. New styles, such as CertainTeed's Board and Batten vertical vinyl siding, mimic the look of traditional siding and come in a wide range of colors.

Look at the roof. Asphalt shingles can last many years depending on the quality of the shingle, the slope of the roof and proper ventilation. To be sure your roof is in tip-top shape, use binoculars to look for missing, cracked, curling or decaying shingles. If any are spotted, it may be time to replace your roof. Consider asphalt shingles as new styles can add dimensional appeal to your home. They're long lasting and feature a Class A fire rating.

Picture your home online. Home improvements are also home investments. If you want to see how your chosen fence, cladding, roofing or other selection fits on your house, go to certainteed picturemyhome. com to give your home a virtual makeover.

Table pads - i think this covers everything

The term table pads refers to a number of different things, all of which are essentially table top pads that serve to cover and protect the surface of the table somehow. Normally table pads go beneath a table cloth, if there is one. There is some variety in table pads available, ranging from rigid-surfaced table top pads that fold up along hinges, to soft vinyl covers that simply sit over the top. The materials used can vary a fair bit, as do the intended purposes.

The range of materials used includes simple cloth, vinyl or hard plastic, water-proofed weave (much like a mattress protector), soft felt, and wool for poker tables.

As well as serving as a surface protector it is possible to find certain themed table cover pads that serve to add some functionality to your table. For example, card game enthusiasts may be interested in felt poker table pads which go over the top of whatever table you're using and give the effect of a card table that you'd find in a casino. Avid card players are rewarded with a more convenient playing surface suited to the task and a more authentic feel.

There are smaller pads available called dining table pads, or place-mats, which are small cloth or vinyl table pads that sit on top of the table cloth or table surface, one at each position on the table. The purpose is simply to catch any drips or spills that may occur at the dining table and prevent the table cloth from being soiled, since it is easier to clean small dining room table pads than the whole table cloth each time there is a minor accident.

In addition to the ones mentioned you can find large, hard, table cover pads that fold up along hinges. These are particularly useful if you have a fine wooden table that you wish to prevent damage to the surface during day to day use so you have an undamaged surface to present guests with on special occasions. If a loss of authenticity concerns you, you may consider table top pads in a wooden veneer finish so as not to spoil the effect.

Due to their fairly simple construction, most table top pads start at about US$30 and reasonable quality dining table pads can be bought for as little as $5. The folding rigid table pads will cost more especially if they have a pattern like imitation wood veneer. You can get higher quality pads tailor made to your table if you're willing to pay more still. The most expensive of the table pads are usually the felt poker table pads which vary greatly in quality, but can cost as much as $200 or possibly even more if you have a large custom-order.

Patio attachments and benefits

A patio is an outdoor place adjoining a house, which is often used for recreation. It is usually roofless and is paved. The base of the patio is formed of layers of sand and cement. On top of this base, the concrete and stone slabs are placed.

Since patio is an open space without any roof, it becomes difficult to enjoy yourself in the patio during rains and during hot temperatures. Thus, to enjoy all types of weather outside, a patio awning is essential. The patio awning gives your protection from adverse weather conditions. With the help of this shade, you can enjoy the patio anytime you want to without having to worry about getting wet, or the harmful UV rays.

The patio awning provides you the ideal way to have meals outside, under the shade. Under the protective awning canvas, you can enjoy meals with your family and friends. A patio awning is cheaper compared to a pool and a gazebo. The patio awning comes in different sizes, fabrics and colors to suit the style of your patio.

The patio gazebo is the ideal way of making your patio look more attractive and cozy. They are available in various shapes, sizes, materials and qualities. It is important to locate the place on the patio where to position the patio gazebo. If you have a small or a mid-size patio, then it is best to place it in the corner. In this way it will be out of the place and yet noticeable.

If you have a large patio, you can easily place the patio gazebo in any place you like according to the design. Being placed in the middle of the patio with the other patio furniture surrounding it can highlight the patio gazebo. The patio gazebo can be installed by bolting them to the surface. You can even cut postholes, place the poles and then cement the posts into the ground. The method of installing a gazebo on the patio depends totally on the design and the weight of the gazebo.

Certain metal or wrought iron gazebos do not require digging of the base to install it. They are simply placed on top of the patio and are freestanding. It is advisable to buy a heavy gazebo that will be freestanding to avoid it from being blown away with winds.

Selecting a canopy

A canopy can add a touch of sophistication as well as provide shelter from the elements. A canopy should provide optimum shade and also be a stylish extension your living space. A canopy can help you create your very own outdoor room. There is a wide choice of colours, styles and models to choose from so that your canopy will be a perfect feature for your garden. Whether you want it to be an eye-catching feature or to blend in with the rest of your house and garden there is bound to be one that suits your tastes.

A canopy has to be designed and built to cope with the demands of life outdoors. It needs to be tough and stable to ensure that it will look great for years to come - no matter what the weather. A canopy needs to have strong frames and should have casings manufactured from heavy-duty aluminium that will not bend, twist or buckle during operation. The finish should be highly resistant to cracking, chipping and peeling. Experienced canopy makers have used extensive research to develop superior fabrics that resist fading and temperature extremes. A canopy should be coated with Teflon to make them stain resistant and have a regular anti-mildew treatment to reduce unsightly spots and markings. There are special water-resistant coatings available so your canopy can be used in wet weather too.

Gardens come in many shapes, styles and sizes and that's why a canopy should be made to measure so that it is as individual as your garden. The most expensive types of canopy are handcrafted so that it can be tailored perfectly to meet your needs. Special brackets and fixings can be used to cater for any special requirements and a top of the range canopy will even include a remote control unit so you can adjust your canopy without having to get up, giving you extra shading, privacy or cover in seconds. There are even some canopy manufacturers that incorporate light and wind sensors into their canopy designs meaning that it automatically adjust in line with the weather. This is especially useful if you are in an area that is prone to heavy winds. If the canopy is open and the wind speed detected exceeds the safety limit then the canopy will be automatically retracted to prevent it from damaging your property.

10 home decorating ideas to quickly update any room

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:

1. Rearrange The Furniture - Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room look wider.

2. Paint A Wall - Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.)

3. Bring In Plants - Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don't have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality has gotten so good that its hard to distinguish them from the real thing.

4. Lay An Area Rug - An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.

5. Hang Pictures or Mirror - Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects and nice view or an interesting architectural element.

6. Group Figurines - Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.

7. Add Decorative Pillows - The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.

8. Replace Lamps - Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.

9. Add A Throw Or Afghan - Similar to decorative pillows, throws and afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.

10. Eliminate Clutter - Clutter has a way of eliminating the desired mood and effect of any room. Find storage spaces for papers, toys, and other items that take from the personality of a room.

Exterior wood shutters

Many times during the long process of planning and executing a home improvement task the exterior of the house is neglected, this happens mainly due to the reason that most people think that they will be unable to perform home improvement tasks, and also because these seem like major tasks in terms of budget and work.

The truth is that a lot of these tasks are indeed demanding, but you need to separate the costly and energy consuming work from the work that will make a significant change in the exterior of the house and that will probably make you feel very satisfied with your work and investment for a long time.

Wood shutters are a wonderful thing for houses, they create a uniform look for the houses windows, the good thing about wood shutters is that they really help cover up a lot of the houses windows flaws, like making small windows appear larger and create a theme that connects all the houses windows, so if you have a small window that disturbs you or if you have a very large window that seems to be to big in contrast with the other windows, wood shutters will solve that.

The wood shutter is also a very practice shutter to have, you can protect it as with all other wood products, with different colors and sprays, there is such a huge wood color and protection products market that you will be sure to find the right product for you, and if used properly these products can make sure that you use the wood shutters for a long time.

The easiness of wood painting will allow you to change the house look from time to time, in a relatively easy task of painting it a different color, you can also skip the cleaning process and just decide that you will paint your wood shutters every 4 months, it will not save you money but it will make your house look great all year long.

The cost of wood shutters is directly linked to the windows you have at your house, if you have a lot of windows you will need to place shutters on all of them, and if you have unusual window sizes in you house you will probably need to order custom made window shutters, although some experts keep a large verity of sizes, most regular home improvement shops have a limited selection of window sizes. This may prove to be a budget problem, but than again, if your windows are out of proportion this is probably one thing you would like to solve and the costs of wood shutters is still much lower than the cost of replacing your windows.

One more thing to consider is the type of wood that the shutter is made of, you should try and find the material that is best for your house environment and area climate, cedar is usually recommend by default, the cedar wood is very strong and durable, making it a perfect fit for an exterior shutter, bare in mind that you will still need to get all of the wood protection and maintenance product to take care of it.

Advantages of pre engineered wood flooring

For starters, engineered wood flooring tends to be stronger than regular solid hardwood flooring. It can also be installed over just about anything - concrete slab, existing wood floors, ceramic tile, etc. This certainly makes it attractive to someone looking to put in a wood floor with as little trouble as possible.

New advances have made it possible to put real wood as the top layer of each engineered plank. This makes engineered flooring almost indistinguishable from traditional solid wood flooring. This also means less wood is required for each plank. And even better, the finishes used by the factory are generally more durable than a finish you would apply yourself if you were installing solid plank flooring.

Since the finishes are applied at the factory, that means you can avoid all the mess, extra time and vapors associated with applying your own finish. You also don't have to worry about sanding or taping plastic sheets up all over your house. With engineered wood flooring, you can walk on it as soon as it is installed. There is no waiting period, it's instant gratification. And you don't have to stain it!

The factory also puts multiple coats of finish on each wood plank which dries to a much harder protective layer than a finish you would apply yourself. This added protection means less maintenance for you over the years. It also means engineered floors are more scratch resistant than solid flooring. If you have kids or pets, engineered wood flooring is likely your best investment. It will save you time up front and over the life of the floor.

Engineered flooring offers strength, ease of use, and looks that rival solid wood flooring. In many cases the cost of engineered flooring is comparable to that of real plank wood. You can't ask for anything better.

Steel shelving a work of the master class

The sleek lines of modern furnishings tend to dominate the look of contemporary interiors today. In most modern houses, an astonishing range and variety is available. The spectrum includes an array of lines, shines, and rigid classic designs.

Who would have thought that an ordinary steel bar could create such brilliant masterpiece?

This is, indeed, the art of contemporary organization, one that is commonly know to the industry as steel shelving.

Steel shelving is, basically, a choice of shelving matter. The other type is wood shelving. Though, both were made to provide the same function – a modern way of organizing things.

Steel shelving is generally composed of dazzling with minor details of steel. The steel is treated with either a powder coating or a paint coating. This treatment is made to protect the item from scratches and the possible accumulation of rust.

Unlike its typical counterpart, steel shelving offers versatility and affordability all at the same time. In most cases, steel shelvings come in do-it-yourself kits to accommodate various sizes of closets, and purchase of additional individual components is possible.

Basically, steel shelving can be mounted either as static or mobile shelving.

Static shelving is more affordable than mobile shelving. This type of installation is best for small offices where there is no added space to change its location.

On the other hand, mobile shelving is installed with wheels at the base of the structure. Because of this feature, the shelving can be easily transported. It renders mobility and ease of managing the place used for storing the items.

Conversely, the main function of steel shelving is commonly focused on industrial settings. It provides ideal storage for most offices and warehouses.

As an industrial tool, steel shelving has different kinds. These are:

1. Closed Steel Shelving

Closed steel shelving has a metal back and edge plates as supplementary to the primary open part. Closed steel shelving is manufactured through an innovative fabrication line that starts with plane steel blank and finishes with a comprehensive shelf.

The additional accessories are flanges, for additional potency.

Advantages:

1. Ideal for most offices.

2. Perfect when you need a key control.

3. It is firm and hard-wearing.

4. It provides sanitation because it has enclosed units.

5. It has three post styles that can fit any conditions.

2. Combo Open and Closed Steel Shelving

This type of steel shelving provides flexibility of compatible elements for all closed and open steel shelving products. This is because there is a preference on connecting using bolts and nuts, instead of clips as used in wire shelving.

Advantages

1. It is convenient.

2. It is more flexible to construct.

3. It has a wide array of uses.

3. Open Steel Shelving

This is the most common type of steel shelving. Because of its open design, open steel shelving is considered as an all-purpose type of compartment.

Advantages

1. It provides easier safe keeping and stacking due to its open design.

2. It provides steadiness because of its side and end bend support.

3. Perfect for big items

4. It can be modified to 1 and Ѕ inch increments.

5. It can fit any conditions because of its three post styles.

6. It is best for movable and “high-rise” storerooms.

4. Bin Unit Shelving

This type of steel shelving is used whenever miniature storage containers are required.

Advantages

1. It is best for separating boxes and other items, especially in a warehouse.

2. It can be modified to 1” increments.

3. It is available in different bin settings.

On its entirety, the great thing about steel shelving is that it maximizes the space in your office or any industrial structures.

Usually, the most wasted area in a storage room is the space between the top shelf and the ceiling. With steel shelving, you can store more items on the top of the shelves. Plus, this extra space can be utilized for excess items and other stuffs that need support.

Indeed, steel shelving is the modern way of keeping things organized and managed. It provides ease of work flow because people can easily spot the things they need.

With steel shelving, you can be assured of wise storage solutions that present the handiness of customisable storage compartments.

The home doctor is in

The Home Doctor has the answers to your building questions.

Q: A recent storm wreaked havoc on my roof and I'm now facing a roof replacement project for the first time. What should I know about shingles before diving into the reroof with my contractor?

A: Before I answer your question, I want to be sure you're working with a reputable contractor. Ask your roofer if he has insurance and get a written estimate for the work. It's a good idea to ask for a couple of references to follow up on in advance of signing a contract. The Better Business Bureau can also alert you to any complaints that have been filed against the company.

Once you are comfortable with the contractor, it's time to investigate shingle options. Interestingly, I've found that contractors will frequently recommend a shingle identical to the one they are replacing. There are so many new options in roofing that you'd be remiss not to investigate. From dramatic color blends to high-end "luxury" looks and outstanding warranty terms, make sure your contractor gives you a number of choices.

For most homeowners, I recommend asphalt roofing versus slate or wood. Generally, the more traditional materials are more costly and require a significant amount of upkeep over time. Asphalt shingles tend to endure the elements much better and some even come with impact-resistant features. They are more affordable in upfront costs. Plus, new styles of luxury asphalt shingles replicate the look of wood or slate with a likeness and affordability that are hard to beat.

As far as finding a quality shingle, CertainTeed has built a good reputation with its extensive line of asphalt shingles. This is the company that pioneered the increasingly popular multilayer shingle and is known for its innovative design and bold shingle color choices, such as variegated reds, blues and greens. When investigating shingle styles, their Web site is a good place to start.

The style of your home and your personal preference will determine the appropriate shingle for your house. If you want a roof built of high-quality materials and a dramatic, statement-making look, it may be worth looking at CertainTeed's new Centennial Slate™ or Landmark TL Ultimate™ luxury shingles. The former has a look of true blended slate, the latter is a wood-shake style. Both luxury shingles come with outstanding warranties and use color and layers to capture authentic style

Dress up your home with a wall fountain

Slowly but surely, many are beginning to realize the sort of effect indoor water fountains can have on their home – and that is to say a very dramatic one. Given that indoor water fountains can be had quite inexpensively, there exists no excuse for any homeowner not to have one gracing a room in their home.

Indoor water fountains add a great degree of sophistication and aesthetic appeal to a home. Those who own fountains know first hand the type of effect they can have on a home, not just from their own experiences but those of others. Every fountain owner is likely to share with you the number of compliments they have received from guests visiting their home.

If the aesthetic value is not enough to convince you, remember that water fountains can act as great stress relievers. Many have found the sound of rushing water very soothing after a hard day at the office or a frustrating day at home. What better way to relax than to sit back and turn on your water fountain. You may be laughing at the thought of this, but the fact is that an indoor fountain can be very therapeutic.

Modern day indoor water fountains come in variety of styles, are constructed of various materials, and come in different sizes. Since many fountains utilize vertical space, they put very little space to waste. Be sure to examine the room in which you plan to place your fountain very carefully. You want to ensure that the fountain you choose is adequately sized for the room and compliments the overall dйcor.

Indoor water fountains can be purchased through a variety of ways. Many home improvement stores stock them as do smaller stores. If you want a bigger selection of fountains, or are looking for something more customizable, you’re best bet is to look to the internet.

Breaking the home theater surround sound barrier

Once upon a time, in the good old days when I was a boy, you would head off to the cinema in the weekend with your siblings in tow, allowing your parents a few hours of relief from the highly stressful realities of parenting in the seventies. Or something like that. To be honest, I don't think my parents knew how good they had it back then. We lived at the edge of the world, or as close as you can get to it before falling off the map--in the trouble-free little city of Auckland, New Zealand. Either way, off to the cinema we would go, every weekend. Like dutiful clockwork children of the corn fields, sunshine or rain, good movie or total stinker. Actually, it's a wonder my force-feed diet of Tarzan, Clint Eastwood, and Bruce Lee did me no lasting harm. Somehow I survived to adulthood, retaining my childlike indulgence for suspended disbelief in a darkened viewing room, minus the mandatory box of chocolate-centered Jaffas, which I have neither seen nor tasted now for perhaps thirty years.

Now, there's a reason people go to movie theaters, and it's one that likely factors into why I remember that part of my childhood so well. Watching movies in a cinema is nothing like the experience at home. At least, it was not back then. The big screen was essential to "losing yourself" in the fabricated reality of a big studio production. But, contributing just as much to the success of this movie magic was the concept of surround sound--having the aural component of the experience assault you from multiple directions at once. If I was an engineer I'd probably tell you that, by combining the sound from a number of separated speakers in a coordinated way, it is possible to create a spatial imaging component to the movie-going experience that your television just cannot reproduce. In layman's terms: surround sound just pulls you into the screen.

Today, wireless surround sound systems exist to do exactly this in your home theater, helping to reduce the difference between the movie house and "in house" movie viewing. More exciting, however, has been the recent development of an audio technology much simpler than any wireless surround sound system. I'm talking about tactile transducers, or Bass Shakers, as they are more commonly known. Instead of depending on a wireless surround sound system to deliver the sensation of "being there", tactile transducers generate very low frequency vibrational energy that can literally be felt throughout your body. Bass shakers allow you to experience every thump, thrust and shaking motion that the characters in your movies are feeling. By attaching a transducer to a solid surface, like the hardwood backing of a home theater lounger, these vibrations pack an emotional wallop when the storyline action steps up.

When that *thing* jumps out of the closet on screen, you'll be jumping out of your chair! When those naval guns start pounding in "Sink the Bismarck", or that T-Rex bellows in "Jurassic Park", you'll feel it in your bones. Once you have experienced a Bass Shaker at play, that plain old home theater surround sound system simply will no longer be enough for you.

If you are really adventurous, handy with tools, and have lots of time on your hands, you can buy tactile transducers separately and install them any place where you might also hook up ordinary speakers, including inside your car, if you like. But for the rest of us there is an easier option. Wireless Bass Shakers are built into many models of home theater loungers, including the Metro, Garrick, Este, and Rodeo models found on HomeTheaterSeatingGuide. com. No wires, no installation, no fuss. In fact, there's no need even to send your kids off to the movie theater by themselves anymore. Not when your family can share together all the thrills, and now spills, of modern day movie viewing in the comfort of your own home theater.