Home Related Questions and Answers

Monday, January 7, 2013

is there an inexpensive or free home design software out there for a normal homeowner?

Q. its just that I want to play around with some home design ideas with my house for a small addition, & I need some kind of basic program to use. Thanks!

A. I know they can be hard to find. I think Lowes has one on their website, I used it for a kitchen once, but it takes some patience. I have always done my design ideas in The Sims 2, because it is much more user friendly and quick. I never really get around to playing the actual game though. The only problem with this is sometimes the location of things isn't exactly where you want it, but it's a good way to get the idea of what you want to do.

what is the difference between interior design and professional home design?

Q. i am interested in becoming an architect. i know what kind of architecture i want to be. but i dont know what its call. i just want to draw a single homes w/ rooms, bathroom, living room and ext from foundation up. what is it call? interior design or professional home design?

A. That is called an architect.
An interior designer is a licensed professional (as is architect) who is the type of person who helps out on the show trading spaces. They "design interiors." They will usually be knowledgeable in fabric, color, material, and geometric organization.
A professional home designer is usually a person who is not licensed or registered and draws up house plans. They call themself home designer because they are not licensed and not allowed to use architect.
An architect is a registered professional licensed to practice architecture and design buildings (including homes)

What is the best home design/home fix-it show?

Q. Just bought a house and I want to do some work on it in the future. I would like to start watching a good home design/home fix-it show to give me some ideas. Can someone suggest a good one to watch that is on a basic cable channel? I only have 78 channels.

A. All of the best one are all gone now. all that is out there is like game show ones

So if you find one please let me know. I don;t even watch them any more. There are way to fofo and only decorating stuff. But before there was this old house, bob vilias home again, michal halagans, that guy and girl team that sells the cutting thing infomercial, I learn more from the tv show "home improvement with time the tool man taylor" then I do from all of the shows that are on now.

What are good websites or place for home decorating ?

Q. I just bought a home and I want to decorate in brown tones, but I dont know how to organize everything. I want to see what places I can shop at or websites for interior design and home decorating.

A. http://mariesmanordecorating.com/

Any good home decorating magazines?

Q. My husband and I just moved into a new house. I am so confused about how I want the place to look. Does anyone know of any good magazines for home decorating?

A. Lowes has a great selection. I went through 50 or so magazine and books while we were building our home. Something I found that made it easier, cut out the ideas you like and put them in a folder. This saves you from flipping through the book over and over again.

I found Lowes had one of the best collections. Borders has good one also. My favorite is anything by HGTV. You can go to their website for ides also.

Need help finding a website like Pinterest but is about home decorating only?

Q. A while back I found a website that was like Pinterest but for home decorating/planning your dream home... if you know what it is, please help.
Thank you for yalls help, I found the website it's www.houzz.com :) thanks again!

A. I don't know of one but try these boards :

Nice homes :
http://pinterest.com/kaitdelallo/dream-home-decorating/
http://pinterest.com/smoutsatsos/decorating-home/

http://pinterest.com/search/boards/?q=home+design

More a teen girl style-
http://pinterest.com/onlyforforever/drop-by-when-you-can/
http://pinterest.com/nstanford28/home-decorating/

Sunday, January 6, 2013

How would you tear carpeting out of your house , is it possible to do it yourself?

Q. What tools are required for tearing out your own carpeting and how would you do it?

A. Of all home improvement products, ripping out carpet is the best!!

I first tape off section of carpet. I wouldn't say that everyone does this, but it's what we do.

Then you take a very sharp hooked carpet knife and start to cut. Between that and a box cutter, you have to be careful. Just cut away until you reach the end, roll up the carpet and toss outside!! I can't say a pro would do it like this, but it's fun. It's great. And it works with the padding too.

If you have hardwoods underneath, I would use a different rolling method to avoid injury to the wood.

I am desparately in need of a way to remove the odor of dog urine from carpeting. Solutions ?

Q. Carpeting is BERBER ... 1 year old. Has been cleaned professionally and by myself.

A. There are a couple of new products out there - One is called "Urine Gone". I think the other is called "O". Both are supposed to work really well, and go through the carpet to the under pad to get rid of the entire smell. I've seen the "Urine Gone" at our local JC Penney's before.

How do you remove mildew stains from carpeting?

Q. We live on a boat, and there is always some degree of mositure inside the boat. There is carpeting on the walls, so I need to remove the mildew, but I don't want to use a cleaner that may change the color of the carpeting. Any ideas?
We live on a boat, and have carpeting on the walls. There is moisture constantly inside the boat, and mildew stains have grown. I need a home made remedy, as we are traveling on the Meditterean sea, currently in Spain. So USA store products are not available here.
We live on a boat, and have carpeting on the walls. There is moisture constantly inside the boat, and mildew stains have grown. I need a home made remedy, as we are traveling on the Meditterean sea, currently in Spain. So USA store products are not available here.

A. There are commercial mildew stain removers available. Before moistening the carpeted walls with any product, check to be sure that under the carpet is not wood. Moisture soaking into the wood and not drying will compound your problem.

I have noticed large stars on home exteriors. What do they stand for? Is it like the Mason symbol?

Q. These stars have been painted different colors on different homes. They are five pointed stars and I only see one on a home's exterior. My mother thinks that it means "Order of the Eastern Star." Is this true?

A. I know what you are talking about. I have seen them as well. I am a Mason, and although the women's Masonic group called the order of the Eastern Star uses a star symbol, the symbols you are referring to are actually North American Barn Stars, originally hung on barns and houses by the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish for good luck, and have no Masonic connection. They have become popular as a decoration, even for the non-Amish.

Please feel free to contact me with any other questions.

What website can I upload my own photo to and choose paint colors?

Q. I'm trying to choose colors for my homes' exterior and I don't want to use the photos that they give me. For example Lowes allows me to use a paint tool on their website with given photos, but no option to use my own.

A. Behr Paint's website will allow you to do this for $4.95. You choose your color first, and then click "preview" and then it will give you the option of uploading your own photo.
http://www.behr.com/behrx/workbook/

You can also post a photo of your house on Roomvues.com. You can either tell them specific colors that you would like to see or get color suggestions from them, and they will photoshop them onto your house for you. It's free:
http://www.roomvues.com/

What is the general installation cost for a home monitoring system?

Q. 5 cameras for a 2 story home. 2 exterior and 3 interior cameras.

A. Wireless cameras from trendnet are about $150, I would recommend those for the exterior and run ethernet cable to the others unless you can run ethernet to all of them. Then you can access all cameras from a computer on your home network or even have them set up to view away from home. The good thing about POE cameras is you don't need to run power to them, they get their power over the ethernet line.

wireless
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ProView+Wireless+N+Internet+Camera&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14539041441216387408&sa=X&ei=hvenT6ztCo2btweQrZiWDA&ved=0CMYBEPMCMAI

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=Wireless+N+Day%2FNight+Internet+Camera#q=Wireless+N+Day%2FNight+Internet+Camera&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=LvinT5vIJYfHtgffqJmXDA&ved=0CLABEK0E&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=db1187cf115279fd&biw=1121&bih=914

wired (POE power over ethernet)
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ProView+PoE+Internet+Camera&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7096260418526820499&sa=X&ei=gfinT5qZEsmltwfL-dCqDA&ved=0CKYBEPMCMAI

If you get the wired ones they are cheaper, and you would just need to make sure they aren't exposed to direct rain and they will work and are about half the price of one designed for exterior use.

Also if you put a pan and tilt one on a corner outside it may do the job of 2, another way to save $$.

Looking for contemporary log home interior pics?

Q. My husband and I were looking to build a log home, but only if we can have a somewhat modern/contemporary look for the interior. Neither one of us are really into the primitive or Americana decor, but we do like the look of the lighter log home interiors like this one:

http://www.mhwood.com/images/image41.jpg

Anyone know of any log home interior pictures that have a modern look?

A. http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=contemporary+log+home+interior+pics&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Can you help me identify and locate an old home interior picture?

Q. I can remember almost 30 years ago my mother bought me a home interior picture that was in a very heavy metal frame with a rounded glass, the print was a small boy kneeling and praying into a beam shining down on him.
I know that I have seen the picture in some bibles and I would like to know the name of the print. I would also know how I might be able to buy the picture, frame, glass etc. that was purchased for me. I have tried the homeco and the home int. web site but without the name of the print I'm having no luck.

A. http://www.sonyaharrisgiftsandcollectibles.com/images/tn_Boy_Praying.jpg

is that the picture? You may also want to go to art.com and search praying

Finding out how much home interior is worth?

Q. I have some 70's era home interior and need to see if it is worth anything. I can't find anywhere to figure that out.

A. Look around your local antique dealers....many are dealing in the retro items now..ask them..it will give you a start, then you can price the piece accordingly if you wish to sell them. You can also google searches for items similar to what you have to see what people are asking for them. Just remember, you can ask what you want, but you might not get it, so there can be a large variance in the prices you see...take the middle ground to be safe.

What type of floor finishes would you recommend for the following cases?Justify your answer please...?

Q. What type of floor finishes would you recommend for the following cases?Justify your answer.
a) A chemical laboratory
b) A hospital
c) A garage
d) A bath room

A. a) Chemical resistant coating on a concrete floor.
This will allow for a variety of spills without degrading the concrete's strength

b) Jointed flooring system
This will allow for an easy installation on a large surface area. It will also allow spills to be cleaned up easily without any seeping through.

c) Concrete floor with a standard sealant
This will keep the dust down and allow for easy cleaning or such things as oil spills. It will help prevent permanent staining of the concrete,

d) Ceramic tiling
With the large amount of moisture that this flooring will be subjected tom you need a material that is impervious to moisture. Ceramic deters the growth of mold and mildew as it is a nonporous surface.

Hope this helps!

how do can i repair a deep scratch in my hardwood floor?

Q. we recently moved some furniture and scratched a long gouge in the hardwood floors right in the middle of living room. the floor finish is varathane. can i do a touch up job over the existing finish and if so, how do i do that or will i have to sand down the entire area and refinish the entire room?

are there any good quick fixes to this type of problem?

A. A quick fix is wood putty and sand paper, then use an Old English that matches the wood.

Can anyone estimate how much it costs to finish an attic? About 1200 sq ft.?

Q. The attic is unfinished, not fully insulated, unwired, unventilated... but quite large - with floor finished covered. A couple of windows, maybe 8 feet in the center, but fairly steep roof with rafters. Decent staircase up - but would also need a spiral or other additional staircase. Bathroom upstairs would be bonus, but not required. Any estimates? Anyone have anything similar done?

A. with wiring, insulating, ventilation, finishing windows and trim, hanging sheetrock and finishing drywall and painting, and carpet you are probably looking at twenty thousand or so.

Where to find forecast of building materials prices?

Q. I work in a construction company and today my boss just threw an assignment on my desk. I am supposed to find out price forecast of building materials such as Steel Rebars, Ready Mixed Concrete etc.

I am v v new in the construction industry, barely 2 months, and I really have no clue where to start. I've already found analyst reports on BMI on commodities (steel) but that's not what he's looking for.
Someone help me pls?

A. There is no one that I know of to make such forecasts, except the National Association of Home Builders and at the bottom of the web link below you will find 2 links to free samples of such forecasts (without fully subscribing to their service for the real McCoy):

http://www.nahb.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=133

How can I find out what company supplied the cement and building materials for a state construction project?

Q. If anyone knows about the building materials used in Boston's Big Dig... that would be helpful. I am very interested in the cement...not the bolts holding up ceiling.

A. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of separate contracts for the project known collectively as "the big dig". "Aggregate Industries" supplied much of the concrete, but virtually every plant in the New England area supplied at least some of the mix used on the project. Many construction contracts included both construction and materials, so the concrete supplier did not submit a separate bid, but was priced in with the contractor's bid.

The custodian of records at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has a list of all bid opportunities and all bidders selected. The material is public record.

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
Suite 4160
Boston Massachusetts 02116
617-248-2800

What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Q. What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Environmental and effects on the material itself???

A. The material ends up in a new location.