Home Related Questions and Answers: 2013-04-28

Saturday, May 4, 2013

How can I sound proof my home.?

Q. I need to sound proof my home.
My exterior walls are brick.
My interior walls are drywall.
My roof is composition shingle.
They built an outdoor gun range by my house.

A. It is an expensive proposition to insulate against noise of this type. It is you who should complain and get them to move to a commercial area.

You have every right to peace and quiet enjoyment of your home. You should not consider moving.

Otherwise, you sue them and sue the government department that gave them the permit. The govt. department is supposed to send a notice to everyone in the neighborhood and should have held a public meeting to hear any objections. I do not think this was done.

Otherwise, get them to insulate your home to your specifications (call a sound engineer for specs) including the basement walls. The shock travels to your foundation too.

Your moving from there is not an option. (unless you hate the neighborhood etc.. and for various reasons you wanted to move - that's diff.)

How much does a professional home exterior and interior paint sprayer cost?

Q. I am about to buy a professional paint sprayer that paints I can use to paint houses. I will be doing interior and exterior paint jobs. Thanks for the help.

A. My graco gas powered sprayer was $5000, no electric required, very nice to have. A good tall boy electric from graco or titan should be about $ 2000 - 3000 based on volume of paint you will. E using per job. You can get an ok (just ok) unit for about 1200. DONT GET A CHEAP SPRAYER OR SPRAY GUN. Make sure gun is rebuildable.

Is there any way to seal brick on your homes exterior?

Q. My house is in need of help. I have a sandy textured brick on the exterior (about 30 years old). The brick seems to have lost its coating and is crumbling off and spaulding out. It gets especially worse during the winter as it freezes and thaws. Is there any product that I could spray on the brick to seal it and stop this?
Thank you for all of your responses. I found more info on the net. Cosmo, you were right about the mortor tuck. Without that done first, trying to seal the brick won't do a thing. I'm having a mason look at it and quote me. I dont want to paint the brick, even though it probly is the longest lasting solution, and my wife is dead set against it. So it looks like Im going to get the mortor joints right first, and then apply the Behr sealer.

A. I am afraid your bricks may be too far gone for a sealer. Thompson's would be one step better than water and, in my opinion would be a waste of good money and even more valuable time.

Your home must be pretty old to have this ocuring. If your brick is to the point of crumbling, I think you are past the point of help for anything that can be applied with a brush or a spray gun. I would consult a mason. Perhaps the damage you are seeing is more cosmetic than structural. A mason may suggest a mortar tuck. This is where you dig out any loose mortar and replace it with new. Its a big job, but at some point in any stone building, it is necessary.

I don't want to alarm you, as your brick is still likely to outlast you.

Do salt lamps really clean the air?

Q. I just heard about these Himalayan "salt lamps." They're supposed to ionize and clean the air. Have you ever used one, and do they really work?

A. I don't think so. You could try placing dishes of salt around your house if you want to test this theory before purchasing one, particularly if the lamps are expensive. Honestly though, I think it takes more than a chunk of salt to clean air.

How can I get the value of my Tiffany lamps without paying for an appraiser?

Q. I received 2 dragon fly lamps and I am curious of their value One is an tall telescoping type with 6 bulbs and all bronze base, The other is a lot smaller with bronze dragonflys of the base the shade rest of three bronze armsThe taller lamp has number eched in the underside of the base with a bid z and a little c brand in felt pen,

A. These sound like "Tiffany-style" lamps. If they are real tiffany they would be marked with the Tiffany Studios mark. There are other makers from the late 19th century and early 20th that are also very valuable. I hope yours are worth $100k. Beware of taking them to an antique dealer. If they are valuable, they will give you a figure high enough to make you want to sell them, but FAR below their actual value.

What are some good stores to buy lamps at?

Q. I am looking for some lamps to go on the night stands in our bedroom. What are some good stores to buy them at? I would prefer to buy on-line, but I like to go shopping too!

A. Hi, try this. Go into Google or Yahoo image search. Key in lamps or whatever you think best describes the item you're looking for. Voila, you now have thousands of photographs to choose from. Most images link to a website for more information.

What does it mean when a guy tells you that you have nice living room furniture?

Q. So this guy was my boyfriends bestfriend. It was the first time I had ever met him. He goes "Hello, My name is *blah blah* you have nice living room furniture." He has never been to my house!

A. If he said it right after saying hello, as in there was no pause in between, he was probably nervous or feels attracted to you, if he actually looked around for a moment then he probably just meant it as what it was.

Inexpensive living room furniture?

Q. I am moving in October and would like to buy new living room furniture. Basically I would like a sofa, chair, some type of tables (but not committed to anything). ottoman and TV armoire. Because I bought all of this only a few years ago, I don't want to go overboard, but want something modern and comfortable. And of course not too expensive.

A. try the ikea website for ideas.

Reupholstery or slip cover for living room furniture?

Q. I am in desperate need of living room furniture but do not have the money. Which is easier and looks better reupholstering or putting slip covers on my furniture? What is the average cost? Do you have any suggestions of where to look? Also any suggestions for where to find furniture. I am in North Carolina. Thank you.

A. I would try this website for slipcover information: http://www.allaboutslipcovers.com. This will give you all the information you need on slipcovers- price, colors, fabrics, etc. Personally, I think slipcovers are best because upholstering is hard and it can look bad if not done right. Also, slipcovers are easy to put on and throw in the washer if they get stained. Slipcovers look very Pottery Barn-ish or contemporary... they are perfect and I believe they run a bit cheaper as well.

Who has decorating tips for choosing sofa & love seat colors?

Q. I already own a nice black dining set, black accent furniture, and a black entertainment center. The living room and dining room are both one large room, so the black furniture seems connected. I really love black leather sofas, but it seems like it may be too much black. I'm also considering deep brown, tan, or beige leather. Suggestions?

A. have them be the same or variations of the same color. And choose that color in relation to the walls, carpet or another color that is prevalent in that room.

Ok will this theme work and and where can i get it?

Q. Ok I want to re-do my room. I want to the walls to be red, the comforter to be black, the sheet set to be white with red and black plaid on it and black accent furniture. Does that go together nicely? Where can I get that stuff CHEAP? Are there any sites that have a virtual room-put-togetherer? Any answers are appreciated.

A. look here

http://kidsthemebedrooms.com/skater/punk-bedroom-decorating.html

http://teensthemes.com/black-and-white-contemporary-bedrooms.html

Where can I find a TV Bed? Where the TV pops out of the footboard?

Q. I want a black or white tv bed really bad!!! Where can I order one from in the U.S.? I have mirrored nightstands and accent furniture, so I want something to go with it. Any suggestions?

A. If you can afford a bed like that this is how much the lift cost they have some here

http://www.importadvantage.com/Uplift-3500

What is the best way/place to get an entire kitchen remodel done?

Q. Where should we go to get the best possible kitchen remodel done? Criteria:
1. Budget
2. Service
3. Choice
4. Timing

A. First do your homework...You should not even think about hiring anyone until you know : What exact cabinets youwant,what sink you want,counter tops,faucets.....appliances, Etc warming drawers to keep food warm, wine fridge,microwave drawer,..........If you know nothing of the above spend some money on a "kitchen designer". A designer would be a good start and they should be able to give you a "ballpark " figure on how much project would cost. Next get estimates from local builder or remodeler. "GET REFRENCES" Check if they have INSURANCE.!!!!!!!Good luck

How much deposit and payment percentage for kitchen remodel?

Q. What percent to order and install a kitchen remodel. My contractor wants 50 percent to order and 40 when install begins and 10 at completion. Is that about right for licensed and insured contractor in Florida?

A. I am a kitchen designer in Boston. Our installers are all fully licensed and insured . If we are selling you cabinets and our guys are doing the install, we charge 30% the day you order, 30% the day your cabinets are delivered, 30% the day your countertops are templated or delivered and 10% whe nthe whole project is complete.

I think that's an extremely fair deal. I got my start as a designer at Home Depot. When I worked there, they took 100% the day you ordered. Now THAT"S scary...

Exploring Options for uising a General Contractor for a kitchen remodel?

Q. We are considering a kitchen remodel. We've hired a general contractor and a kitchen designer for the DESIGN PHASE (a seperate agreement will be presented for the BUILD PHASE). We would like to explore other paths in lieu of hiring a GC.

We are interested in hearing from homeowners who have done kitchen remodels as to the options they pursued? How many served as their own GC's? How did that go? How many worked with the local home center for cabinets, floors, etc and left the structural stuff to someone else? How did that work? We're not interested in being our own GC, but there has got to be a less expensive way! We're making quality decisions and downgrading OUR choices for OUR kitchen just to pay the GC's fee and overhead costs. For example, we did all the work to select over $10K worth of appliances (which will be delivered and installed) and the GC will stand to earn quite a bit for what appears little work (enough for another appliance). Are there any other options?

A. best thing is go to places research your materials price them out & compair prices through differant places to save money, then go home measure then measure again! sometimes sandpaper, new paint & hardwear, with some ellbow grease goes a long way man save alot of money to then you can buy new appliances lol to go with new look!

How do other contractors get repair and remodeling leads?

Q. I specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodeling and I'm always looking for more business. I'm hoping to partner with some of the local plumbing companies in order to generate more leads (esp. bath remodels). Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I've tried print advertising but all I get is telemarketer calls.

A. Word of mouth is your biggest friend. Have you a builders association to join? Other trades can recommend other trades. Is there a BNI close by? It s a business network that tries to to business within their own network. Join any Lions or Kiwanis clubs and stay fairly active.. GL

best home remodeling company in Minneapolis?

Q. I am in the process of buying my first home and the basement needs to be finished as well as a few new windows put in and the gutter replaced. I'm looking for a company that can do everything for me (maybe also some bathroom remodeling). Someone who is not ridiculously expensive, reliable, and timely. The rehab loan I am taking out requires that the work be done by an approved contractor and within 30 days of closing. All suggestions welcome! (the home I am purchasing is in Bloomington so a local twin cities company is preferred)
Thanks!

A. I offer a referral service that will put you in contact with bathroom remodel professionals in your area - you may access the referral form here - http://www.diy-bathroom-remodel.com/professional.html.

Angie's List is also another great alternative to find professionals in your area....http://www.diy-bathroom-remodel.com/angies-list.html

Good Luck on your bathroom remodel project.

How do I care for my new granite bathroom sink top?

Q. I just got my bathroom remodeled and I spent the extra dollars for a granite countertop. It looks beautiful but I need to know how to care for it. I know granite is porous and over time it can lose its shine if not cared for. How do I clean it(what products & where to buy) and what products do I use to keep the shine? I spend a lot of time in Lowes,Home Depot and in Bed Bath and Beyond. Let me know if any products are in these stores. Thanks

A. Here are some helpful links to help you.... congratulations on the new remodel!

http://www.ehow.com/video_18200_clean-granite-countertop.html
http://www.countertopspecialty.com/granite-counter-top-care.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/granite
http://www.onlinetips.org/granite-countertops
http://homeimprovement.superpages.com/kitchen/how-to-care-for-your-granite-countertops.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cleaning-Granite-Countertops&id=66329
http://improvementweb.com/5-ways-to-take-care-of-granite-countertops/36/

That should do it... ;-)

Full set of used Living Room furniture for sale - where to find buyers?

Q. I have a full set of good quality Italian used living room furniture for sale. Can anyone let me know where to find buyers? Thanks.

A. Ebay, local newspaper, consignment shop, our town has a radio swap meet that sells everything! If you live in a lg. town there's a lot of venues open to you!

Where to buy living room furniture on budget?

Q. I am going to medical school and am buying my first condo. I have saved substantially for this moment, but I am by no means rich. I will be renting out a room in the condo to pay the billls. The point is, I don't have a lot of money. Where can I buy living room furniture on a budget? I've tried rooms-to-go. Any other suggestions??

A. Ikea often has very cheap but good and fashionable furniture. You could also try a local Salvation Army thrift store or one run by a similar charity.

Certain pieces can be got on the cheap from places like Target - they may not sell couches and armchairs, but they have cheap and durable coffee tables, shelves and TV stands.

I'd also suggest yard sales and a local classified ad section, and asking friends if they have any furniture to get rid of. Look also for estate sales.

Where in columbia south carolina can i get some free living room furniture for my friend?

Q. I have a friend who recently got her own place,but she's on SSI and don't have any money right now.She's been working part-time and still looking for a more stable job and most of her money goes toward paying rent and household utilities.She's not from columbia so she don't have from direction on which way to go to find living room furniture for free.I'm not from here either,but i told her that i would ask around.

A. free cycle.com

Where is the best place online to purchase outdoor patio furniture?

Q. I am specifically looking for a complete outdoor furniture set that includes a sofa, loveseat, chairs, coffee table, etc. Most of the places I have found either do not sell direct, are expensive, or sell lower quality product than what I am looking for. Any suggestions?

A. hi there! so, you are looking for complete outdoor furniture set. I can suggest you the link below.

Take your time looking around and make sure you sit in the furniture and it is comfortable. We got new patio furniture last year and it took awhile to find a set we both found comfortable and attractive.

Where to Buy Nice, Affordable Outdoor FURNITURE in South Florida (Miramar) or Online?

Q. I am looking for a nice set of outdoor furniture to put around my pool. Preferably looking for a place to buy the furniture in Miramar, but willing to go anywhere in Dade or Broward County to purchase as well. My spending limit is set at $450. Thanks :)

A. Check out this site:
http://furniture.buy-stuff.us/Florida/Miramar

It has used furniture for sale in or near Miramar. You can buy and then pick up yourself.

Would a picnic blanket be considered as outdoor furniture?

Q. I am doing a furniture project and I am trying to find out if a picnic blanket would be considered a kind of outdoor furniture? I read online that furniture is the mass noun for the movable objects ('mobile' in Latin languages) intended to support various human activities such as seating and sleeping in beds, to hold objects at a convenient height for work using horizontal surfaces above the ground, or to store things.

A. A blanket is a 'soft furnishing' rather than 'furniture'.

Friday, May 3, 2013

How can I camouflage a bright stainless steel washer?

Q. It's in the middle of my kitchen cabinetry, next to the dishwasher, thanks to my landlord who really should have stuck a cabinet door in front of it. Something solid like a mirror won't work, given the fact that the washer already sticks out a bit from the surrounding cabinetry. I'm thinking of an attractive appliance film of some kind, cut to allow for all the hills and valleys; maybe just a darker shade of metal would hide it. Any ideas?

A. If you put other stainless steel items in your kitchen, like the face of the dishwasher, the refrigerator, etc. Then the washer may not stick out as much. Also if you could paint the lower cabinets to either match or gray, that might help. Roxanne

What color dining room table should I get for my nook?

Q. My entire kitchen cabinetry is oak wood that is stained a medium-mojagany. In my nook area, I have a ton of cabinetry in there, so I'm thinking if I try to match the table to the cabinets, it may be too much. I was thinking a lighter color table... does anyone have suggestions? It cannot be glass of any sort because we have 5 young kids that will use the table for each meal. Thanks in advance!

A. Go with something painted that coordinates with your kitchen outside of the cabinet color/grain -- cream, blue, green, yellow, red, or black. Or change materials -- get a metal and slate/tile table. Or, mix light and dark wood tones so it breaks up the look, but looks deliberate, not mismatched. Or go ahead and match your cabinets for the top of the table, but have the rest be metal or painted another color.

I have a split level home built in 1986. What changes can I make to update it and increase my resale value?

Q. Upper Level - 1 master with small 3/4 bath; 2 guest bdrms; 1 full bath
Mid Level - front room and kitchen
Lower Level - office; 3/4 bath; and family room with fireplace.

We recently had a new roof and siding put on and plan on landscaping the front for "curb-appeal" in the spring. In the meanwhile, we were hoping to get some ideas on how to spruce up the house DIY style.

Initial thoughts are:
1) Replacing vinyl flooring in all bathrooms with ceramic tile.
2) Refinishing kitchen cabinetry (their all wood)
3) Putting in laminate wood flooring in kitchen.
4) Replacing appliances (they're all probably 10 years old) if there's money left.

Any advice or other suggestions.

A. Kitchen remodel is your best "bang for the buck" people really look at the kitchen when looking for a home a up to date kitchen is your best option!

What is the best cleaner and or way to clean ceramic tile floors?

Q. What is the best solution and mop to use when cleaning ceramic floors, what makes them shine the best and what cleans them the best. Everything I seem to try is to soapy and does not clean good. Thank you.

A. I've had ceramic tile floors in the whole house for over 25 years and agree, soap doesn't work. I've always used warm water with white vinegar in it. It cuts grease and puts a great shine on the floor -- also, does NOT make the tile slippery like soap can.
Hope it works for you.

how can i clean my ceramic floor so that it is stainless?

Q. I get alot of stains on my ceramic floor even though my shoes are clean! I only mop it using light detergent.. is there a way to make it stainless? it's very irritating you know

A. I've seen a vinegar/water mix work wonders on some tile before.....

How Close Together can you Set Ceramic Floor Tiles?

Q. We are reflooring our entryway and hall with ceramic floor tile. We want to create a "seamless" look with the ceramic tiles. As a result, we want to set the tiles as close together as possible.
I like to have no space between the tiles, it look nicer.

A. use sand under & I think it will work

Can I take out a home loan for land and a manufactured loan?

Q. By home loan I mean a home loan and not a personal property loan like on a trailer home/manufactured home in a trailer court. I qualified for a home loan and I want to keep it cheap, so I want to purchase a piece of land and a manufactured home. Wil this work as a home loan if its on private land?

A. A 'home loan' is for only a 'stick' built house - NOT a manufactured home.
A lot of financial institutions will NOT loan money unless it is a 'land package' deal.
You really need to talk to the financial institution who you are getting the loan through.

Does the home loan interest rate vary between online quotes and the real ones ?

Q. - I am planning to buy a home
- i have put an offer on a house and almost 100% done deal

Now I have to look out for a home loan. I am looking at several online interest rate quotes what lenders are giving based on my facts.

Some of them are sending quotes for 4.78% 4.5% , now does these rates change when we actually sign there application or do they have to stick with the rates what they have quoted me online ?

A. John Paul,
First, I hope you contacted a good, reputable loan office BEFORE putting an offer on a home. And I hope you are getting good professional guidance through the process. The home buying process can be a thorny one if not handled properly...and the same is true of the home loan process.

There is no question that there are some great deals out there...and some great rates. But you have to think of the online deals as "big tent" offerings ... while they may well apply to your particular circumstance ... they also very well may not. Every lender, online or off, has their pool of offerings ... some broader than others. Each has certain criteria that must be followed in securing that loan. And not every loan is available for every borrower. Are you self employed? Do you have a regular salary? Do you get hourly pay? How long have you been working for your current employer? What other fixed debts do you have? Do you pay child support or allimony? Do you have any positive or negative offsetting factors? What are your credit scores? These things, and many other factors, impact what type of loans you may qualify for ... and what types may not be available to you at all.

I've never been a fan of "shopping rates" for the simple reason that they don't tell the whole story. I remember a buyer of one of my listings "got a great deal" from a particular lender (which he happened to find online). Problem was when he got to closing NOTHING in the loan package bore any resemblance to the loan he THOUGHT he was getting! He thought it was a fixed rate loan ... it was not. The rate he'd been quoted was not the rate he actually got. He'd never heard of "negative amortization", and his loan had it. He never gave any thought to a "prepayment penalty" ... his loan had that, too! With a lot of work we were able to get the prepayment penalty waived (this is a BIGGIE because the penalty was over $7,000 in the event he sold his home or refinanced within the FIRST 3 YEARS of the loan!) Even though the terms were horrible, he DID close on his purchase ... and went right out and immediately refinanced his new home!

My point is that WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW can cost you big time. This is not something to "wing it" with. Talk to friends & coworkers & family who've dealt with reliable lenders in the past and ask for recommendations. Most certainly if you are working with a real estate agent, ask them for recommendations as well. We deal with lenders all the time and if the agent is experienced, they have an assortment of lenders they know are professional, reliable, ethical people ... and they also know who to avoid!!!! Talk to a few recommended lenders ... have them prequalify / preapprove you, making recommendations on programs they think your financial profile best fits. As long as the rates they offer are "in line" with with the market in general, I wouldn't worry about getting the best "deal". When you're looking at just raw numbers, you don't know what is being "cut" to get to that number. Quite often it's reliability and/or service.

By the way, my preference is to ALWAYS deal with a lender who will shephard you through the process from application to closing on your purchase. As the process moves along, you want to have a real live person you can call to answer questions, follow up to be sure all the proper steps are being taken, and to hold accountable if/when they're not.

Good luck! I know this is an exciting time and I hope all goes well for you!

What will happen to my home loan if WaMu closes or gets bought?

Q. I have my home loan, home equity, checking and savings accounts at WaMu. I know my checking/savings in insured by the FDIC but I am concerned about my home. Is it safe?

A. Your home loan would get bought up by another bank. For instance, Bank of America would buy it from WaMu. Often at a discount, but that has no roll down effects to you. They'll contact you and tell you the loan has been sold and where to send your monthly payments.

how to get rid of cigarette smell in furniture?

Q. I bought some dining room furniture and the previous owners were smokers. It is glass and wood. I have cleaned all surfaces but everything still smell the smoke.What can I use?. Air freshners, Fabreeze and plug ins just mask the smell. It is still there.

A. You can get rid of the smoke smell with White Vinegar.

Vinegar destroys cigarette smell on a molecular level. It doesn't just cover it up, like air fresheners do. It destroys it.

Pour undiluted White Vinegar into a spritzer bottle and spray the furniture with this.

The vinegar works best at 100% strength.

Yes, vinegar stinks, too, but unlike cigarette smell, it dissipates within hours. And once it does, the cigarette smell will be gone, too. It works every time.

-

I need a wall color that will work with a sage green sofa & loveseat. The living & dining rooms are 1 area.?

Q. The dining and living rooms form a "L" and both areas are open to the kitchen. The dining room furniture is dark brown wood. I plan to purchase an entertainment center or armroire in the near future that I may paint or stain. My kitchen cabinents are red oak and so is the flooring throughout all 3 spaces...help!

A. I would go with a soft beige color; that color goes well with any decor.

Help with color scheme for living room/dining room combo room?

Q. I need help with picking the colors for the rugs, curtians, pictures and pillows.....Sadly the walls must stay white, but I have white leather furniture, a mahogony wood with a cherry colored stain shrunk. In the 2 curio cabinets in the shrunk I have crystal and Lladro porcelian figurines. My dining room furniture consists of a china cabinet and hutch and a dining table that seats 6 the wood is mahogony with a cherry stain. In my china cabinet I have diffrent sets of crystal glasses along with china. The pattern on the china is pink and red roses set on what looks like an opal color the way an opal kinda shines and has that translucent effect. However, I do not want to decorate in pink and red, the roses do not stand out enough to have to pick these colors.
The style of the wood pieces can best be described as british coloniel with a slightly updated touch to it. I hope that makes scence. Thanks for your help.
I hope I dont have to buy new as I just spent 8,000 on this new stuff.....

A. How about adding curtains/ area rugs in a golden wheat tone, the white of the furniture will play nicely off it, and you could add a few inexpensive accessories with your china to tie it all together. Amber hue'd wine glasses, sixties art glass in a golden tone. Fresh white or stargazer lilies in a vase will immediately make the rooms feel more modern, elegant & pulled together. Mixing less formal stoneware with your china, will help to make the china pattern a lovely accent. Also painting a large inexpensive canvas with an accent color is a great solution for adding color without painting a wall.

http://www.benjaminmoore.ca/colours/designer_classics.aspx

golden tones:

summer solstice
cc 214

barley
cc-180

or a light sage green accent

maid of the mist
cc 728

Amber Glassware

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25439&CatID=40281&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=0f69cf9&ProdSeq=10&Cat=beverageware&Dep=Housewares&PCat=TABLEWARE&PCatID=25876&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=34&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=WindowSolutionHOM%252Easpx&RefCatID=25876&RefDeptID=25439&Page=2&CmCatId=25439|25876|40281

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25439&CatID=40281&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=0ef7f8e&ProdSeq=16&Cat=beverageware&Dep=Housewares&PCat=TABLEWARE&PCatID=25876&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=34&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=WindowSolutionHOM%252Easpx&RefCatID=25876&RefDeptID=25439&Page=2&CmCatId=25439|25876|40281

Amber stoneware

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25439&CatID=40985&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=C&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=0f1f731&ProdSeq=19&Cat=casual&Dep=Housewares&PCat=Dinnerware&PCatID=40286&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=33&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=40286&RefDeptID=25439&Page=3&CmCatId=25439|25876|40286|40985

amber vase/ art glass

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sommerso-Faced-Cut-Golden-Amber-Blown-Art-Glass-Vase_W0QQitemZ280126862919QQihZ018QQcategoryZ994QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/TIARA-AMBER-SANDWICH-PUNCH-BOWL-12-CUPS_W0QQitemZ190125707537QQihZ009QQcategoryZ14QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.amazon.com/Badash-Crystal-AMBER-VASE-FEATHERS/dp/B000PSY4EU

http://www.celebrationsca.com/pics_products/House/Vases/GlassVases/VScrollAmberzy.jpg

art

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--11815642/SP--A/IGID--1071403/Pink_Peach_Tree_in_Blossom.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=24607&ui=19088C4D743D47CD90C2C3B1610CCD88

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--12341893/SP--A/IGID--810051/Oat_Field_with_Cypress.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=24607&ui=19088C4D743D47CD90C2C3B1610CCD88

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10019208/SP--A/IGID--670017/The_Artists_Garden_at_Giverny_c1900.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=24935&ui=19088C4D743D47CD90C2C3B1610CCD88

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10278273/SP--A/IGID--953968/Le_Pont_Japonais_a_Giverny.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=24935&ui=19088C4D743D47CD90C2C3B1610CCD88

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10047760/SP--A/IGID--679665/Water_Lilies.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=24935&ui=19088C4D743D47CD90C2C3B1610CCD88

Drapes

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=109bb1b&MD=RN&GRT=SIZ&E=&SA=T&VT=ZV&I=0900631b81139615M.jpg&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=&AST=&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25437%7c28501%7cDEP%7cC%7cSIZ%7c109bb1b%7c2%7c16%7csilk%7cWindow%7c%7c28498%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25437|28498|28501

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http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=107927c&MD=&GRT=ENS&E=&SA=T&VT=ZV&I=0900631b80e8c95dM.jpg&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=&AST=&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25437%7c28499%7cDEP%7cG%7cENS%7c107927c%7c2%7c30%7csolid%7cWindow%7cdrapes%7c28498%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25437|28498|28499

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25437&CatID=28499&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=107927c&ProdSeq=2&Cat=solid&Dep=Window&PCat=drapes&PCatID=28498&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=30&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=28498&RefDeptID=25437&Page=1&CmCatId=25437|28498|28499

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=1079150&MD=&GRT=ENS&E=&SA=T&VT=LCV&I=0900631b80e18f05M.TIF&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=0900631b80dd6c87W.jpg&AST=Almond&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25437%7c28499%7cDEP%7cG%7cENS%7c1079150%7c7%7c30%7csolid%7cWindow%7cdrapes%7c28498%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25437|28498|28499

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25437&CatID=28499&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=1079150&ProdSeq=7&Cat=solid&Dep=Window&PCat=drapes&PCatID=28498&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=30&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=28498&RefDeptID=25437&Page=1&CmCatId=25437|28498|28499

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=110ba96&MD=&GRT=ENS&E=&SA=T&VT=ZV&I=0900631b811fc506M.jpg&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=&AST=&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25437%7c28504%7cDEP%7cG%7cENS%7c110ba96%7c5%7c38%7crod+pocket%7cWindow%7cdrapes%7c28498%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25437|28498|28504

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25437&CatID=28504&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=110ba96&ProdSeq=5&Cat=rod+pocket&Dep=Window&PCat=drapes&PCatID=28498&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=38&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=28498&RefDeptID=25437&Page=1&CmCatId=25437|28498|28504

Rugs

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=114b191&MD=RN&GRT=SIZ&E=&SA=T&VT=ZV&I=0900631b80e7d870M.TIF&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=0900631b8104c9d5W.jpg&AST=Autumn+Gold&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25438%7c28769%7cDEP%7cG%7cSIZ%7c114b191%7c1%7c29%7csolid+rugs%7cHome+Accents%7cRUGS%7c28240%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25438|28240|28769

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25438&CatID=28769&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=114b191&ProdSeq=1&Cat=solid+rugs&Dep=Home+Accents&PCat=RUGS&PCatID=28240&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=29&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=28240&RefDeptID=25438&Page=1&CmCatId=25438|28240|28769

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=1153aa9&MD=RN&GRT=SIZ&E=&SA=T&VT=ZV&I=0900631b80f204afM.TIF&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=&AST=&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25438%7c28769%7cDEP%7cG%7cSIZ%7c1153aa9%7c22%7c29%7csolid+rugs%7cHome+Accents%7cRUGS%7c28240%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25438|28240|28769

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25438&CatID=28769&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=1153aa9&ProdSeq=22&Cat=solid+rugs&Dep=Home+Accents&PCat=RUGS&PCatID=28240&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=29&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=28240&RefDeptID=25438&Page=3&CmCatId=25438|28240|28769

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductImageview.aspx?IT=G&ID=1149f71&MD=RN&GRT=SIZ&E=&SA=T&VT=LCV&I=0900631b80ed5bdaM.TIF&VAS=&AV=T&HM=T&RGB=&AS=0900631b80ed5bd4W.jpg&AST=Honey+Gold&BID=&VID=&RU=HOME%7c25438%7c28769%7cDEP%7cG%7cSIZ%7c1149f71%7c23%7c29%7csolid+rugs%7cHome+Accents%7cRUGS%7c28240%7cCategoryAll%252Easpx&CmCatId=25438|28240|28769

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25438&CatID=28769&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=1149f71&ProdSeq=23&Cat=solid+rugs&Dep=Home+Accents&PCat=RUGS&PCatID=28240&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=29&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=28240&RefDeptID=25438&Page=3&CmCatId=25438|28240|28769

What is a good blueprint for a balsawood building to support alot of weight?

Q. What is a good blueprint for a balsa wood building to support alot of weight?

In class im going to have to build a balsa wood structure (don't know how much wood or materials i get ) but it has to support alot of weight. Any ideas?

A. This sounds like a standard hands-on assignment for strength of materials class...it's pretty good, too, cause it helps you really get a feel for things.
--Use triangles in your design.
--copy other designs you see around you that carry lots of weight--high tension power towers, TV and radio transmission towers, water towers.
--give it as wide a base as you can, keep it as short as you can.
--if they are going to load it (with bricks or something) like for a contest, build a deck at the top to take the first brick. If one part of one leg breaks, the whole thing could collapse, even if it's an excellent design.

Where do I buy wood to build a catapult?

Q. I want to make a catapult out of wood. Where can I find a store that sells wood for building around California. I live around Los Angeles. Also it would be helpful from people who had experience mention what type of wood would be best suited for building a catapult, budget wise also.

A. I would go to a local hardware store and tell them what you are building and let them assist you in deciding what materials to use. Also, do you have some printed blueprints for it or are you trying to design it yourself? If you have blueprints, maybe the designer of the plan should recommend what materials to use.

What type of company would you call to repair the outside wood area of your chimney?

Q. When it rains, the guttering spills over and down the wood built around the chimney...yes, i know the gutters need repaired, but i'm looking at the wood part for now.

A. Just about anyone with carpentry skills. Your safest bet is to contact a reputable remodeler in your area. Ask your friends and neighbors. There are, also,a lot of great carpenters who are not as easy to find as bigger name contractors who usually can be less expensive due to lower overhead. ALWAYS get references and CHECK THEM no matter who you hire.

How much do home contractors make?

Q. I want to know how much a custom/ luxury home contractor would make per year, and possibly per job. Any help is appreciated.

A. This is a very lucrative business the exact income amount various. However there is a lot of responsibility that comes with this profession. You sure be experienced or have someone with experience to work with you.

How to write a letter to home contractors?

Q. Hi, need some help here. how to write a letter to home contractors?
the content must include that the home owners will submit the keys to the contractors and the contractors will be liable upon any loss.

Thank you in advance.

A. DRAFT LETTER

........................................................
Name and Address of writer of letter

Date ................

...................... Name of contractor
...................... Address of contractor
..................... Place

Dear Sir,

Repair and painting of Flat No. ........, .......... (Name of building, ................. (Address)

1. Please refer to your letter No. ............ dated ............... giving your quotation for undertaking the repairs and painting the the my Flat No. ........, .......... (Name of building, ................. (Address).

2. I approve your proposal at the rates quoted by you.

3. I am handing over possession of the flat and its keys to enable you to carry out the work.

4. Should any loss or damage occur to the effects of the flat and to the flat, you will be liable to make good the loss.

5. A list of inventories in the flat is annexed.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

(.....................)
Your name and signature

HANDED OVER

(.........................)
Your name and signature

TAKEN OVER

(....................)
Name and signature of the contractor

ANNEXURE
List of inventories in the Flat:

1.
2.
3.
etc.

.

looking for a reputable mobile home contractor in dallas tx area?

Q. Im looking for a reputable mobile home repair contractor in the dallas area.I have a kitchen floor that needs to be replaced. this contractor has to be bonded and licensed..Anyone know of any contractors??

A. All you need is a handyman or carpenter. Anyone who can replace floors can do manufactured homes. Ask a friend for a referral.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

How do I replace wood flooring with tile in entrance way?

Q. In my entryway, we have wood flooring that has been warped do to water. My entryway also goes into my dining room using the same wood floowing flow. So, essentially I just want to take a small area (3x6) at the entryway to replace the wood flooring with tile. How would I go about this? Is it possible to cut the pre-existing wood flooring to make an area to lay the tile?

A. It is possible, as a matter of fact I've done it several times. Do you have an idea of the thickness of your wood floor - is it 3/4" or the 1/4" or 3/8" stuff. Knowing the thickness will help to determine what thickness of underlayment - tile backer board and/or your tile can be so your tile will not be thicker than your wood.

To cut the area out, I'd suggest you use masking tape and mark off where your lines to cut will be. The tape will make it easier to see the lines when you are cutting and it will also help to prevent splintering on the end grain cuts.

Once you have the area masked and SQUARED up. Emphasing squaring the area up - usually off the door. If your area isn't square then your tile won't look good. I'd suggest you take a hammer and chisel and remove some of the wood floor in the center of your area to determine the exact thickness of the wood. Once that is determined, take a circular saw with a plywood blade and set it for just a little shallower than that depth (to prevent cutting into the subfloor and weakening it). If the wood floor is oak, I'd suggest you take a utility knife and scribe along the lines you have and then using the saw cut just inside those scribed lines.

You must be careful not to cut beyond your lines - the area that can not be cut with the circular saw can then be cut with a sawzall or a sabre saw. The sawzall with a fine toothed blade is the best way to go. Again be very careful not to cut beyond your lines or cut through the subfloor.

Once the lines are cut, remove the wood and chisel and chips on the edges that the saws missed. Now, I'd suggest that you apply some polyeurathane to the newly cut edges to prevent any moisture from setting and grouting your tile from getting into the wood floor and staining or causing it to warp again.

Now that your area is cut out and the edges are sealed, You are ready to put down backer board and tile. I'd use hardi-backer, durrock, or a similar product - may only need 1/4" thick or could need 1/2" depending on the tile and thickness of your floor. Don't forget to allow for the thickness of thinset ( 1/4" usually) when deciding on tile and backer board thickness.

Set your tiles in the pattern you want and your entrance will look new again.

I hope that this helped answer your question.

What is the best machine to clean my wood floors?

Q. Almost all of my house is covered in wood flooring and there are about 8 people in the house. So you can imagine how hard it is to clean massive wood floors that get ALOT of traffic. I need some kind of machine to effectively clean my wood floors. I've been researching steamers and steamer vacuums, but I want to know which machine will work best. Also, my wood floors are surface sealed.

A. Use a damp mop with vinegar and water mixed 10 to 1. Why waste money on a machine that may ruin your floors? If there is any break in the finish on your floor, a steamer is forcing moisture into the wood. This will cause stains and possibly rot. You want as little moisture on your wood floors as possible.

What is the best place to start a wood flooring business?

Q. I had success running a wood flooring biz in Colorado, but I moved to San Diego and I'm finding that th pay vs cost of living arent too good here, plus alot of work is taken by immigrants. I dont want to mov back to Colorado so I'm looking for a city I could have the same success. Thanks

A. Excellent question. My sand and finish guy moved from Nebraska to Central Florida when Central Florida was having a housing boom....now that times are tight, he's looking at moving to Texas. He quickly found out the cost of living there is not great, plus...he has to start over from stratch. Personally, I think he's going to have the same problem there.

I fully appreciate what you're experiencing, fighting the substandard labor market. The problem is, when times get tight - new home builders start looking for ways to cut costs, and that usually means quality goes as well. Focus on retrofits....people with wood floors who need them redone. Make sure you visqueen off any areas not getting redone. Make sure you put plastic over the kitchen cabinets. Make sure your equipment is in perfect working order. Make sure you have sanding equipment with a vacuum attached, and then after you're done....vacuum with a heavy duty vacuum again. Make sure when you say you're going to be there Tuesday the 6th at 9:00am...You are there the Tuesday the 6th of the month you discussed at 9:00am...not 9:30 - not 4...but 8:45am to 9am. You and your crew should have matching shirts, khakis(they do sell them at WalMart), no visable tats, piercings, a sign on the van, and look like you can walk into a 5 million dollar home or a $5,000 home, with no issues whatsoever.

In this day and time of things getting tighter...NOTHING is going to go as far as customer service. Setting yourself as better than the rest. And word of mouth, is the most powerful advertising form. If you cost a bit more...make sure you have a reason why, and be able to back it up. This is not a quick solution, but one that takes time and patience. We've all had to take a second job to support our passion, but quality in workmanship, with the right clientele will always win out....you might have to do a job or two for "the fun"....and tell them....I'm doing this at a reduced rate - to prove what I can do. Of course, you'll always have your tight wads, who don't care if their floor has swirls, and bubbles - but most people want their friends to come in and say...Wow...who did your floors! NOT ....ummmm..so who did your floors?

So, while that didn't answer your question as to geography...if you're happy in the area....work your butt off....call on commercial companies as well, don't forget - to keep up with your education on every product.

Good Luck!

What type of cleaning technique should I use on bamboo wood flooring?

Q. I just recently bought a house and the house has bamboo laminate flooring what type of cleaner should I used to clean the floor. Will a steam mop do the trick? I was told Murray's oil is a good cleaner for wood flooring.

A. Do not use Murphy's. Use Bona wood floor cleaner. They even make a spray mop that is similar to a wet swiffer.

How do I remove asphalt tar sealant from wood flooring?

Q. We removed tile from the original wood flooring in our bedroom but they layed it down with asphalt tar sealant and it is stuck to the wood floor. We have bought a sealant stripper but it is coming off with difficulty. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A. You'll be lucky to remove enough of it to save the floor beneath it. This is bad news. The commercial stripper is time-consuming, but it is the better option if you're even considering trying to rehab the wood floor.

If the wood floor is not that great of a concern, cosmetically speaking, you have at least one other option, but it is no less back-breaking or time-consuming than using chemical stripper - heat stripping. Use a heat gun to loosen the tar sealant and scrape off the wood with a steel putty knife or tile scraper. Try to scrape the loosened sealant in the direction of the wood grain as much as possible.

There are several risks involved with this method, the most significant being fire. Improper use of a heat gun can set fire to the sealant and/or the wood beneath it. The best way to guard against this is to work in small areas, scraping what is completely loose before moving on to another patch of floor. Never put the heat gun directly on the surface of the floor, no matter the surface covering. The other, less deadly, risk is the chipping, gouging and scratching the wood floor itself endures from the scrapers. Most light surface damage can be sanded out, but gouges are forever.

If you've already made the investment of time, energy and money to remove the tile from your wood floors, I'm guessing that you're up for the challenge of restoring your floors. I hope this alternative method helps and wish you good luck in pursuing the results you want for your home.

How much should i charge to install wood flooring ?

Q. As a handyman, how much do i charge per sq.ft to install oak wood flooring? They all need to be glued and there will be alot of cuts because the wood needs to curve in an s shape. There is 1000 sq.ft. I installed 1600 sq.ft before but did not charge my father in law. Thanks for your help.

A. For glue down wood flooring, 4 dollars a s.f. is about what you should be charging.

How much can you spend without asking, and without your husband or wife getting upset?

Q. What is that magic number you can get away with spending at the mall, at the bar, at the electronics store, in the Apple store, at the home furnishing store, etc etc, without your spouse getting upset that you spent way too much? $50? $100? $500? Just curious as to what point you stop and ask yourself if maybe you should run it by your husband or wife first?
Maybe I'm not articulating this the right way. I didn't say that ME AND MY WIFE don't communicate, have issues, or that there should be a set amount that all couples should follow. I'm simply asking how much is too much? If you went out and spend $475 on a new iPad or $350 at the mall, would your husband be upset that you didn't ask him first? If you spent $500 on a new watch or $100 at the sports bar with your buddies, would your wife be upset that you spent too much without asking?

A. We still keep separate accounts, because it has been working for us that way. We each pay half towards the bills and that money goes into a joint account. Anything that comes out of my personal account, I don't have to check with my husband

What should I get my mom for her birthday?

Q. I'm not really sure what to get her. Sephora recently had their "Best of 2008" thing so I was thinking about getting some of those products but they're all like $25+ and I'd like to keep it within the $50 limit and I think it'd be a little cheesy to get her just two products. She likes home furnishing, she likes jewelry. I don't want to get her clothes and she doesn't like going to spas. Thanks for the help!

A. Please look jewelry for mom at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_jw?url=search-alias%3Djewelry&field-keywords=mom&x=0&y=0&tag=discount.save-20

Hope this help.

Good Luck.

What should I use my gift cards on?

Q. I have a good amount of gift cards from a well known home furnishing store. My plastic containers fall out at me from the cabinets, as do my pots and pans. We have a small condo. I'd also like a metal trash can (which are expensive) or a nice toilet brush set. I love vacuum cleaners, but already have a Dyson and Hoover (so I think I don't need another?). We are expecting a baby next month too. What are some good items to get?
Does anyone have an ideas on what to use them for as far as decorating or remodeling the interior goes?
Bed Bath and Beyond doesn't have all those things. Their sister store might, but its too far.

A. Baby crib, mattress, blankets, clothes, bottles, formula, bottle sterilizer, potty, diapers, stroller, car seat....they do cost a lot, don't they.

How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

Q. How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

A. contact bath fitters they are quick, fast and approachable.

How to price a bathroom remodel?

Q. Contractors,

I am playing with the idea of starting my own little contracting firm. I have some theories on how to price out jobs but was wondering how you guys do it. Say I had a customer who wanted a bathroom remodel that included (assuming a 10X10 bathroom

Replace the vanity and sink, and fosset
replace the toilet
rip and replace floor tile,
rip and replace tile around the tub
rip and replace light fixture
rip and replace mirror
Paint the walls and ceiling

How would you guys price this job out?

A. The best thing in to do is to get free price estimates from contractor directory sites.
I use the renov. experts - they have local contractors that they pre-screen so you only get estimates from those who made the cut.
You can contact them to get free estimates for your job. If you want, here is the link I used - http://best-offers-online.com/estimates

How to find a good local licensed house remodeling contractor?

Q. To do the following work:
1.Bathroom remodeling.
2.Fences.
3.Hardwood flooring.

Any suggestions on the related websites much appreciated.

A. Try the BBB if you are in the US

What is the biggest difference between building materials and building assemblages?

Q. Building materials include the fasteners.

A. The mind of the beholder.

At the right level of scale, any material becomes an assemblage. For example:

1. concrete

Concrete consists of a cement holding significantly stronger materials together, just like fiber-reinforced plastics. But clearly, when you start with separate cement, sand and aggregate, it is an assemblage.

Add in steel reinforcement, and it it even more clear that as a construction process, it works like an assemblage.

But from the perspective of the overall design, it just a material.

2. wood

Wood itself is just a bunch of oriented cellulose tubes in a matrix of lignin, etc.

But what about plywood? Is is a material or an assembly?

What if I take a number of long boards and laminate them together with glue to form a beam that is much longer, thicker, and wider than any of the individual pieces. Is that an assemblage or a material?

What if I assemble a floor by gluing the sub-flooring (oriented strand board, plywood, etc.) to the joists. Most would still consider it an assemblage, but how is it different?

3. steel

Steel is generally considered a material. If I were to rivet or bolt two pieces of steel together, that would be considered an assemblage. But what if I welded them together?

Then there is the a type of welding where the goal is not to join to pieces of metal but to add more material to an existing piece of metal.

Sometimes the material added is the same as the rest, sometimes it is a special coating. Is the result a material or an assemblage? Or does it depend on the material added?

What if the steel is treated in such a way that parts of it change their nature? For example the outside may be made harder, leaving the inside soft and tough. Is the result a material or an assemblage?

If individual fasteners, are materials, then so are I-beams, but what about prefabricated trusses? What about wire rope (an assembly of individual wires)?

And if steel I-beams are materials, what about wooden I-beams?

Where can I find used building materials?

Q. I am looking for a website that sells used building materials in the Syracuse NY area anyone have any idea of a link for them?
I tried to do a search for building restoration materials but everything comes up from out of state or in Canada.
I am looking for the material in or near Syracuse NY Not Canada

A. I usually go to FreeCycle.org to find used building materials. Instead of throwing stuff away people post their things on this site. It is set up locally by chapter and I believe the Syracuse area has one. It is a great resource.

In the past I have found tons of old deck materials and other lumber that is in great shape.

The best part is that it is free!!!! People are not allowed to charge for their products. It is very cool.

What local building materials are available in Haiti?

Q. What building materials are readily available to construct housing in post-quake Haiti? Is their concrete production local or imported? Do they have wood available and if so what kind (hardwood, softwood, timber)? Also are earth-made dwellings common in vernacular architecture?

I'm doing a school design project on this topic and I'd like to her from preferably a first hand source who has been there and had a chance to see for themselves what the situation is like.

A. There is still lots of rubble.

And still so much devsataion (n Port-au-Prince), that they can't get machines and backhoes to help clear it up.

But some have been very cleverly been using hand-cranked rubble crushers. It takes 2-3 guys to operate, two to crank, one to put chunks into the hopper. But they are slowly clearing their own neighborhoods - AND using the crushed rubble as a building material for concrete, foundations, new bricks, and the like. Ingenious.

How long should I wait to refinance my home? We bought it 2 years ago.?

Q. I pay extra principle each month on it and would like to refinance enough to pay off my vehicle and to do some remodeling on my home, painting, etc. I would appreciate all insight. Thanks!!

A. There is a great chance you have built up enough equity over the past two years to make this possible. Keep in mind your rate will more than likely go up and so would your payments but it may still save you some money. If your not sure if you have a prepayment penalty you can always check your original documents you signed. Many home owners do debt consolidation like you are considering as the interest you pay on your vehicle is not tax deductible like the interest on your home is. Make sure you consult a CPA to go over the pros and cons. If you need any help or have any questions feel free to email me tadgeman@yahoo.com.

How do you remove paint from ceramic tile?

Q. The previous owner of our home painted all the ceramic tile in the bathroom and now it is a peeling mess. Is there any way to remove this paint without damaging the tile?

A. try not to damage the tiles so use a putty knife or razor blade to scrape the offensive paint off the tile surface. use harsher abrasives only as the very last alternative. when the paint has been removed they may look very dull. so insted of replacing them you may want to try using some tile wax. this site has some very helpful advice if you plan to take that route

Removing paint overspray on interior home windows?

Q. we had the interior of our home painted several years ago and are planning on selling it now but there are some bad paint overspray sections from a paint gun on the sides of the interior windows. will paint thinner work or is there another way to do it? what about on the bathroom tile?

A. Use nail polish remover (acetone) on a soft cloth, You could also try alcohol. Don't let it run & drip on Painted or varnished surfaces or set the cloth down on anything painted or varnished. It won't hurt the glass.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

How do I install LED lights into my new car?

Q. I recently got a package deal on LED Neon lighting accessories for my 2001 Chrystler 300M. I dont have much running through the car, I've never had any power problems at all. My question... if I were to install everything that came in my package (White Underbody Neon, White Interior Under Dash Neon, New Blue Halogen Lights, and White Blinker Arrows that attach to the Side-View mirrors) do you think it would put a drain on my battery? I know lighting doesnt take too much to run, but is that pushing it a little too much?

A. No. You should be fine.

I have no idea why you'd want to mess up your underbody or under dash with neon lights, but you'd have to install much much much more than just lighting to put enough drain on your altenator to keep it from charging your battery.

Also remember that LED lights draw much less current than regular incandescent lighting.

Install your lighting and enjoy your new found artificial daylight.

Hope this info helps.

Is it legal to add light accessories to a motorcycle (or driver) in the chicago area illinois?

Q. I'd like to add some lights to my bike, jacket, and backpack, to make myself more visible at night, but I can't find the local (chicago area, and northern suburbs) laws regarding light accessories. Anyone know the ruling on this?

Like this: http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-add-EL-wire-to-a-coat-or-other-garment/

A. As long as they are not flashing or red or blue, you should be ok.

What are industry standard rates for home staging?

Q. I've been asked to stage a few homes for a builder/contractor. I have interior design experience through furniture sales companies so my compensation has always been commission on sales. The spaces are vacant and someone else has already ordered upholstery and case goods and supposedly lighting, accessories and rugs as well.... should I charge an hourly rate? per square foot? flat fee per home? should I include a materials allowance if there aren't enough lamps or if they forgot bedding or a tablecloth or candles for the candlesticks?

A. OK depending where you are in the country, and what neighborhood your in. You can do several things. If they are supplying all the furnishings you can't up charge a fee on that, you can put a contingency in the contract that if all materials supplied by the other party are not on site, you can charge a fee for that per day it is missing. I wouldn't do an hourly rate, I would either do per square foot or flat fee for the home. Say if the home is 1800 sf and two floors and in an OK area and must be sold ASAP! Also it should only take 4-5 days to stage I would charge about $2,000. If it's your first and want to cut them a break, and you don't have a certification in home staging then probably only $500-$800. Hope I was helpful!

Is there a way to coverup the harmful effects of exterior paint on interior walls?

Q. I painted my grandson's room with left over exterior paint to save $ and thought it would be more durable. Because of the strong smell it got me thinking it could possibly be harmful and so looked up info on the internet. I feel like such an idiot! Could I possibly cover it up with paneling?

A. At this point I think the best thing to do would be to leave it and make sure that you get good ventilation in the room for a while. The odor is from the solvents in the paint which will eventually evaporate. If you tried to cover them up, all you would be doing is slowing them down and spreading out the exposure over a longer period of time. Admittedly, the exposure at any given time would be lower but you would probably want to do something about the ventilation over that time period as well so it would only be making this take longer. If it's possible to keep the window open or at least cracked and run a fan blowing out the window, it will draw the odor out. If you have the option for your grandson not to sleep in there until the solvent odor is gone, that would be the safe thing to do.

As for calling ourself an idiot....don't. You are certianly not the first person to bring up this exact thing on this mesage board. You made a mistake but it shouldn't be a problem in the long run.

When is it too cold outside to do exterior painting?

Q. How cold does it have to be for the temperature to affect the drying process of exterior paint? It is supposed to be in the fifties this weekend and I want to do some outside painting, but the temps are going to drop back in to the thirties again. Should I just wait til spring? If I paint now, what could happen to my paint job if it gets too cold?

A. I would wait till spring. The temp needs to stay above 50 for at least 48 hours straight for the paint to dry properly.

How to deal with small hole in wood when doing exterior paint?

Q. Hi, I am doing exterior paint by myself, paint wood trim, door. In some place I find there are small (very small) holes. How should I deal with it? Leave it there? Or use something to fill it before I paint? Thanks!

A. I would use an auto body filler for an exterior door. You can find it at any hardware store like a home depot or Lowe's. You can put more hardener than the directions say. This will make it dry faster and allow you to keep working. Careful not to add to much hardener because you will make the filler week and will cause it to fall out. You can sand the extra off with some 80 or 120 grit sandpaper. It comes in two different sizes. One gallon and quart size. From the size of your project a quart will be plenty enough. Good Luck!

Does the home loan interest rate vary between online quotes and the real ones ?

What will happen to my home loan if WaMu closes or gets bought?

Q. I have my home loan, home equity, checking and savings accounts at WaMu. I know my checking/savings in insured by the FDIC but I am concerned about my home. Is it safe?

How long does someone have to wait after applying for a home loan?

Q. After applying for a home loan, and all the information is in for them, how long does it take? An average would be nice.

A. Oh ok... I got this for you...

better check on it... Im pretty sure you'll discover something

http://www.home-loan-made-ez.com

need to find out how to wire a transformer and outdoor lighting?step by step?

Q. i installed outdoor lighting and im not sure if my wiring is right because i get a huge voltage drop. someone keeps telling me to loop the wiring and im not too sure what they are talking about. if someone can h thank you

A. Looping the wiring means connect both ends of the wiring together....ex: you have a 20ft wire....you connect one end to the transformer and tape up the other end,or bury it etc. so instead of tape it or burying it run the end back to the transformer so you have a "loop" or closed circuit. However if the lights keep cycling on and off it means that the transformer is overloaded. a quick fix is basically just add 1 or 2 more lights to lower the voltage going back into the transformer.

How to replace one of the three regular outdoor lights for motion sensing light?

Q. I have three outdoor lights operated by one switch and I'd like one of them to replace with motion sensing light. I do not want the rest two lights to be ON all night, i just want one light to bi sensor operated over the night. And again, all three are on the same switch. How do i do this?

A. Well.........since all 3 are currently on a switched system (all the same) then you need to rewire the one you want to be "constant" as not to be on the same switch control.

You first need to determine if the wiring goes directly to the switch or to a basement/attic junction box.

If you can locate the wiring that goes out to the one you want seperate, you are halfway home. Now you need a voltage meter for the next part as you need to find a 115vac that is not on the load side of that switch. If all 3 go to the switch box, its as simple as removing the one you want constant from the wire nut (or however all 3 were tied together) and instead place it on the line side of that switch instead (the other side of the screw.

If they do not go to the switch, but instead to a junction box,....then its the same process as in the switch box except you dont add it to the line side of a switch but merely wire nut it to the constant hot (which can be determined by measuring the voltage with the switch off and the one that still reads 110~120vac is your "constant"). If none give a reading with the switch off then you only have the switchlegs in that junction and you will need to run a new wire to get the constant 115vac. Difficulty varies but this is a job best suited for an electrician.

If this seems foreign to you then DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF as it is something that should be done by someone with electrical understanding.

Does anyone know where I can buy an outdoor lighting fixture?

Q. I want to replace my outdoor wall-mounted light by my front door. The one I have now also has an outlet on it. I find this very handy to plug in my weed whacker, etc. I can't seem to find an outdoor light that comes with the outlet. Have they been discontinued?
Thanks HVAC, I did check in those stores. I guess they don't make them anymore.

A. I have not seen one in a long time. Check at Lowes? home depot? Another thing you could do is when the light is replaced have an outlet wired into the light circuit in the wall, it should not be very difficult for an electrician

How do I find an honest contractor to do some work on my bathroom, at home?

Q. Bathroom work,plus more storage room inside.

A. There is no way to be 100% sure to know if you are going to hire an "honest" contractor. There are things to protect yourself though.
>get references
>check with the BBB to check on any negative reports
>Check to see if the property is owned by the contractor where they reside. AND if they own their home. Be sure they are not a traveling road show.
>When the person whom shows up to measure, estimate, or to sign the contract and collect the 1/2 down works for the company and that they have been there for a while. Many theifs work for reputable companies or get their information from an insider within the company. Everybody loses except the theif.
>MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT with everything that they are going to do and everything you are willing to do ... including how payments are made. Most contractors ask for 1/2 down BEFORE any work, this is where a theif makes most of their money ... having a contract with a company that fits with the above pointers protects you.
>Don't accept proposals like
"REMODEL BATHROOM = $8,000.00. 1/2 Down, remainder upon draw system"
GET DETAILS --- IN WRITTING! Don't accept verbal "Ya, I'll do that" You will get a bill for $20,000 at the end of the job that was supposed to be $8,000 and once you read the small print, you will find you will owe every penny - and they will get it.
>Where do you look? Service Magic does not recommend companies that they don't have insurance and licences from. This is a good place to start, and it is free to the consumer. http://servicemagic.com/
>Yahoo does have a similar "find a company" type of service, although there are no "checks" that Yahoo does to make sure these are "real" companies.
>HAVE FUN! I have been servicing the building industry since 1980, and although remodeling and building a home for yourself is one of the most stressful parts of life, the people that allow the FUN to be in the project usually enjoy the finished product for many many years ... Many of my customers that don't have FUN doing the remodel end up with personal problems that you don't want, such as divorce, illness, heart attacks, miscarrages, and loss of jobs because of time spent on the project. I have seen all of the above problems with my customers. It's much better for the customer to have FUN!

what is the best way to get rid of bathroom mold in the caulking, tile grout and textured ceiling, for good.?

Q. bathroom has no exhaust fan. Family of six, one bathroom. tile around tub, swirl textured ceiling.
Is this a gut and redue or can this be done with minimum cost?

A. I recommend Tilex; it really cuts deeply into the mold. If a ceiling fan is too hard or costly, ANY fan in the bathroom can help move the humidity out.

Mold spores are everywhere; they simply need water to grow. Install a big fan in the ceiling, put a stand-up fan near the door and clean often. If you have a window, you could get a window fan too.

My bathroom has a really strong urine smell what could this be caused from and what is a way to get rid of it?

Q. I know it's a bathroom of course it's gonn'a smell like urine but it's so strong I can't barely stand it. I clean my bathroom about 3-4 times a month.

A. Do you have men or boys in your home? If so, the floors and walls around the toilet need to be cleaned regularly, as well as the toilet itself. You may need to replace the toilet seat and any bath mats or rugs that you have in the bathroom.

If you have carpet around the toilet it should be cleaned with something that will neutralize the urine. I've found that spraying white vinegar on the carpet works well. The vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries and you can then clean the carpet with something a little more fragrant.

Wall paper will also absorb urine and I've tried lightly spraying and wiping it with vinegar and it helps, but I've also had to completely strip the paper and paint the bathroom to get the smell out of the walls. Good luck. I hope you find something that will solve your problem.

How can i get home building materials at builders cost?

Q. all home building supplies at the best price and home blueprint

A. The idea of material suppliers giving wholesale or discounted prices has to do with perceived volume of business. If you are building a house, take the total material list to a couple of lumber yards for a bid on the total package. Most of the time, a lumber yard will bid a complete house material package at or near the wholesale price. Builders who buy half a million dollars a year from a lumber yard are going to get the best prices and likely have an assigned salesman to cater to him. Having an apartment building or a contractor's license is not going to give someone the right to demand any significant discount. If you are a high volume buyer with the money to pay, that will the only credential you will need for the best service and the best prices from any business you walk into.

If you are just wanting wholesale prices on small quantity odds and ends, your best bet is to go to a place like Home Depot. I have found the level of service at Home Depot to be in line with the volume of my business there, which is minimal.

Where to begin the custom-home building process?

Q. Can someone point me to a good consumer-oriented website or offer advice on the steps toward getting a custom home built? My wife and I have a couple lots in mind, we're narrowing down a list of floor plans. We could use some guidance as far what tasks â and in what order â we should be planning for.

A. the process is going to be different for different areas. i would recommend going to amazon.com and buying a few books on how to be your own general contractor, and how to build your own home. (i have i think is called "building your own home on a shoe string") some go into more detail than others. but read a few and get aquainted with some of the terms and such. they will also go through the steps.
but here are the basic steps.
1) find /buy land. make sure it meets all of your requirements, and the local requirements for building. consider a perk test, septic planning, access roads, frontage, any minimum size requirements.
2) site planning. where is the septic located (or are you on town sewer and water). where is the house going, where is the well going (if not on town water) where is the electric going to come in from. and which way will the house be oriented (stake out the corners)
3) excavation and foundation (this will go off the plans that you have decided on) (be prepared for the unexpected, who knows what they will find when they dig)
4) framing
5) skinning (roof and exterior walls and maybe siding, windows) inside is now protected from the elements)
6) electric, plumbing, hvac
7) insulating
8) interior walls, floors, ceilings
9) appliances, painting, finish electrical and plubing fixtures.
10) final walkthrough, cleanup, touchup.

those are the basics

What is the recent economic activity on HOME BUILDING?

Q. Recent ecnomic activity (taxes or spending) done by the U.S. government and how it effects the home building industry.

I am doing a paper for school and not having much luck on this topic. Anything helps! Thanks guys!

A. growth is all most zero

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

How much walking space/clearance do I need when laying out living room furniture?

Q. How much walking space/clearance do I need when laying out living room furniture?

We are moving into a new, unfurnished house -- it's a big blank slate! I am excited about decorating everything, but I don't want to cram too much into the space and make it feel small. What's a good clearance around furniture, so that it doesn't make for a cramped waking flow through seating areas?

Specifically, how much space should there between a coffee table and the couch? And how much space should be between a built-in wall unit and a couch that sits perpendicular to it? The doors on it are 12", so I'd need at least 12" to allow the doors to open; I don't think just 12" is enough, but is 20" too much?

TIA to everyone!

A. Between the coffee table and sofa, you should leave at least 18". That distance provides enough clearance, but still anchors the table to the sofa.

Between the sofa and wall unit, you may find that 20" is just enough to get into the wall unit and still be comfortable while peeking in the door. I recommend actually opening both doors and then see what room you need to maneuver around to access the storage comfortably, especially if you are storing items you will need frequently. Pulling the sofa back also makes viewing the TV easier when the sofa is perpendicular to the TV. If you have an end table or floor light at that end of the sofa, adjust your distance accordingly. Make sure to leave a pathway in and a pathway out of your furniture grouping, it will feel less claustrophobic that way and be more visually pleasing and functional. At *least* 36" if you don't have to worry about access for people in wheelchairs or walkers, etc.

If you arrange your furniture and it still seems too spread out, one thing you can do is find a big area rug to tie all the pieces together visually. This also helps to divide a larger room (like an open kitchen, great room situation.) Make sure the rug touches all furniture pieces of the grouping. But don't spread things out too much, or it wont be comfortable or functional. If the room is very big, consider two separate groupings, the second doesn't need to be more than two wing chairs, a small side table, and a reading lamp (don't forget the rug!) for quiet conversation/reading. Lighting also can make things more intimate.

good luck!

Do my dining room furnitrure have to match the colors of my living room furniture?

Q. My dining room is part of my living room (its a combo). Do u think my dining room furniture has to match the colors of my living room furniture, or can it be a different color scheme?

A. Since it is one room there should be something similar in the design or colours. Example..if you have espresso coloured tables in the livingroom, then a dark or espresso dining set would be nice with the same lines as the livingroom furniture. You can use the same curtains in both ends of the room, or pick up similar colours in art or photos on the wall, or use the same runners on tables..that sort of thing. You can be different, but if you are doing that, then make it a colour for example of the chair upholstry that will match well with the livingroom. Just keep something uniform between the two rooms to unify them.

Where can I get fairly good living room furniture, for a good price?

Q. hey im 20 and getting ready to move out of moms for not twice but the THIRD time ;p anways this time im living on my own without roomates, we rented really nice leather furniture last time.....but this time i dont want to go down that route again, where can i get GOOD cheap living room furniture/tv stands etc.?

A. You are going to get your best furniture for the money second-hand.

I used to sell new furniture and I was surprised to find the $3000.00 bedroom sets I was selling were attractive veneer over pressed wood. (A corner chipped from the footboard of the bed and exposed the pressed wood.)

I used to be in the antiques and collectibles biz and your best furniture for the money will be from the 1950's and before. It will be solid wood. The dresser drawers will have solid wood sides, backs, and bottoms. The back of the piece will often be wood, also. They may even have dovetailed construction attaching the sides of the drawers to the front of the drawer. Check out drawers nowadays. The sides and back are not wood, and neither is the back of the piece. They use this cardboardish stuff a lot of the time.

The dining tables will be solid wood, as will the cocktail and end tables. Find a piece with the shape or design you like. You can always spray paint it and/or change out the hardware. One or both of those two steps can completely transform a piece.

I had an incredibly unattractive chest of drawers once-they were in brown and yellow. I was going to get rid of it but before I did that, I examined it. It was superbly constructed-I just hadn't paid much attention to it because I had found it at a great price and bought it for resale. I re-did it for a child in my family in blue and white with pewter looking Winnie the Pooh hardware (knobs). It looked great.

You can get armoires from the 1940's that are sturdy and can be used for your TV and other electronics. (Make sure the sides and back can support the strong shelving you need.) Since they are not that old or valuable you don't have to feel badly about drilling holes in the back (for the cords) or installing shelves. Dealers order this furniture from England in big shipping cartons. Find someone who does that-you can probably get the piece for $150 or less. You can change out the piece later and install bookshelves or as a hanging closet (it's original use) if you choose to.

Another TV stand option is a sofa table, cocktail table, or chest of drawers. The drawers can be used to store music and DVDs. You can paint it a flat black and put silver or pewter hardware on the drawers for a contemporary look. You can even put a piece of clear glass or mirror on top for more sparkle.

Thrift stores, garage sales, consignment shops and even the curb (you can't believe what I have found on people's curbs that they were discarding) are all good furniture options. Think outside the box, look at the lines of the furniture and what it can be, not what it currently looks like. (That's what paint is for). Avoid cheap furniture-anything of pressed wood or with pseudo wood grain on it.

Note: There are some specific techniques to spray painting:
1-Initially shake the can upside-down for three minutes. I know it is boring but it makes a difference.
2-Do not try to cover the piece in the first coat. Each coat must be light. The first coat will leave much of the original finish showing. Count on at least three coats. Four if it is a surface that will get handled or used a lot. Shake often. If you get impatient and coat it too heavily, it will run. Not attractive and easily avoided with care and patience.
3-Unless it is a small,inexpensive, decorative piece that will rarely get handled, don't buy the cheapest spray paint at $1.00 per can. There is a quality difference. The more expensive paints have more pigment and cover better.

Good luck with your new place.
You'll have more success if you don't worry about furnishing it instantly and take your time looking. Great things will pop up if you are patient.
It does not have to be done in one week or even a month.

If your room seems empty as you are looking for furniture, add a couple of large trees or plants to the space. Tell people you are going for the minimalist look :)