Home Related Questions and Answers

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

what companies are major producers of commercial roofing material?

Q. can anyone help me find out what companies are the main manufacturers of commercial roofing material (BUR, singly ply, etc)

A. Mexico and Canada have the best ones.

Which company makes the best 30yrs composition roof materials?

Q. I'm looking into re-roofing my home soon and with all the different manufacturers out there, I'm confused as to which company makes the best 30 years composition roof materials. There's ELK, OWEN CORNINGs, and CERTAINTEED. Which one should I pick? I'm looking for the thickest shingles with the best look that makes your house stands out....curb appeal.

A. Look into the Tamco Heritage line.

Why have a reflective roof and lots of ventilation in a cold climate?

Q. We ordered light-colored/reflective metal roofing materials to get tax credits, and our carpenter cut out the top of the A in the frame to allow for more venting, stating: "it will be cooler in the summer." I told him summer isn't what increases our energy consumption; we don't even use an airconditioner. What is the best way to save energy?

A. you can ask some advise from your local suppliers - get different advises from different people - if you can. to get the best advise, the location (city or town) of the house must be known.

as your locality is a cold region, reflective foil might not be needed as they are for hotter climate. you must insulate the roof but ventilation is good for summer so there should be at least one opening in attic. you can either use simple opening or a fan or whatever suitable. you should be able to close it in winter from heat loss. usually there are vents in attic and you can have fan in the ceiling to suck out heat from the rooms into attic so insulation is not everything but necessary.

always think about 'passive design' - i.e. natural ventilation and natural heat gain or loss.

more openings in summer and less openings in winter - it should be adjustable. double glazed windows are better than single glazed windows in winter.

too much insulation can be a problem especially for summer but ventilation can solve the problem.

your carpenter can be an expert but i dare not say so - you have to check it.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Is it possible to bypass door sensor of a GE Simon Home alarm from the inside?

Q. I originally purchased my GE Simon for home safety. Now, with a 15 year old daughter who has become fond of sneaking out at 2am, itâs become more of a child safety tool. As soon as I set it back up, I caught her trying to bypass the alarm on the front door by sticking a magnet between the piece on the door and the piece on the wall. This did not work, but I am not sure why as its only a magnet inside the plastic piece on the door. Is there any other way she could bypass the alarm?

A. This is not an electronics issue. If your 15 y/o daughter is sneaking out of the house at 2:00AM, you need to be in the child care area asking for help in remedying a problem that started a long time ago. Take your daughter to the doctor for a full physical exam, including drug screen & pregnancy test. Find a family counselor, and drag her there.

What is your favorite weapon of choice for securing your home? I'm about to make a purchase.?

Q. I'm about to purchase a Mossberg 500 Tactical Persuader and a Glock 21 .45 or M&P45. Let me know if there are any better selections for personal and home safety.

A. Moss 500 is excellent with either pistol grip only or fold out stock. Glock in .40 S&W is tops. a S&W M&P .45 is a good choice too.

However, I personally prefer a standard Gov't 1911A1 and for a long arm, nothing makes them think twice like racking back an L1A1.

What kind of gun is not lethal but can stun/immobilise a victim? (specifically i'm thinking of home security)

Q. It is specifically meant for personal and home safety. Should not be lethal - hence free from hassles of licensing but have power to stun or immobilise victims; it should be simple and cost-effective enough to make, preferably on our own; it may use chemicals, minor explosives or electronic devices etc but should not be dangerous to keep it; also handy enough to carry around
It should have a reach of at least 30 meters.

A. The very first thing that you need to think about is your safety and the safety of the others in the house that you live in. That also includes any small children that may get a hold of such a thing.Then why non-lethal? Because you would rather not kill a person, if that is your view I completely respect that, or is it the permit issue? Tazers and other non lethal devices can kill or seriously injure a child as easy as a gun. You will need to think about where to store it, how easy it will be for you to get to it, and how effective it will be. They make guns that shoot rubber bullets, or nets that are very effective, but they cost a lot. The cheapest and most reliable device you could use is a 12 gage shotgun. Typically there is no permit issues because they are primarily used for hunting. You can get them with shorter stocks and barrels so they are easier to maneuver in your home. Remember what ever is dangerous to intruders is dangerous to you. If this device is not strong enough to keep them under control until help comes then you only have an angry, injured, criminal which is not a good thing to have in your house.

How do you remove laminate flooring that was put down and glued to the floor?

Q. I have this horrible laminate flooring in my house but it's hard to take off the sub-floor because the laminate is glued to the floor. I have been taking it out with a screw driver and hammer and it kinda damages the sub-floor. Is there a way to take out the laminate with little damage to the sub-floor?

A. That is a very tedious job. You will be sitting there forever with a pry bar though. You can also buy a floor scraper for about $20 at any hardware store. Generally found in the flooring dept.

Take my experience though, all depending on what you re-cover with (ie. tile, carpet, etc) if you are going with tile, you need to have a glue free surface. Plywood is inexpensive and easier to remove that your laminate, Not to mention the time and aggravation you will save.

How do you remove laminate flooring that was put down and glued to the floor?

A. Depending on the glue used and the subfloor material it is very likely that the subfloor will suffer considerable damage and may also need to be replaced before a new floor can be reinstalled.

New flooring generally will require a subfloor that is clean, sound and level (flat really).

Laminate flooring is generally a âfloating floorâ system and should not have been glued to the subfloor. It should probably have had an underlayment installed prior to the laminate being installed.

Sorry to say it looks like you have quite a project on your hands.

G. Borders
Home Repair, Improvement,
& Handyman Services

Plano Home Repair

What are good flooring options for a cottage that won't be winterized?

Q. We were hoping to put down laminate flooring but have been told we'd have to heat the floor at all times as stepping on it if it's been exposed to freezing temperatures could cause it to crack (shatter?) open. Real hardwood flooring is expensive and we don't really want carpet or linoleom. Any suggestions or advice?

A. Most quality laminates are meant to serve interiors which are not environmentally controlled all year long. You just have to make sure you're getting the good stuff. Ask your seller about the laminate floor's AC rating, to make sure it's likely to be durable enough for what you've got in mind. For a residence, you shouldn't settle for less than an AC3 rating. Generally, the fiberboard core of a quality laminate floor will help it to weather temperature changes.

Also, you're going to want to choose a type of flooring which is low-maintenance for a cottage. You don't want to be spending too much time with refinishing and waxing flooring when you're meant to be relaxing. Laminate flooring requires dry or damp mopping or a vacuuming, but otherwise retains its look without too much intervention on your part.

Don't ever install hardwood flooring in an area which is not environmentally controlled. The wood will expand and contract radically when in non-controlled conditions. For hardwood, this spells disaster - warping, cupping, the works! The great thing is, laminate flooring has really come a long way in terms of look. You can get laminate flooring which looks almost exactly like solid hardwood - even a "handscraped" look, or a beveled edge effect. And you still get that look without having to worry about the practicalities of maintaining a natural product in a less-than-friendly environment when it comes to extreme conditions.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your new floor!

What furniture maker makes solid wood bedroom furniture?

Q. I'm looking for furniture makers/brands that make solid wood bedroom furniture without veneers, and preferably ones that use old-fashioned carpentry techniques like dovetails, mortise and tendon, etc... Also, on another note, is Broyhill a good furniture company? My sister is looking into getting the Fontana collection for her room and I wanted to check that out for her. I'm still trying to see if I can find solid hardwood furniture before I give up and go with something else that uses veneers. Thanks.

A. A-America has really nice solid wood furniture. We just bought a bedroom set made from New Zealand Pine....it is very nice and reasonable. www.a-america.com

Where can I find good quality bedroom furniture for cheap?

Q. I'm getting some new bedroom furniture, but I don't have that much money to spend. Any suggestions for stores or sites? Thanks :)

A. Someone suggested thrift stores, and to that, I'd add consignment stores that carry furniture. Sometimes you can find nice pieces at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Someone suggested Big Lots, and they are worth a look, too.

Bear in mind that your furniture does not have to "match" - it doesn't have to be a set. For instance, you could have a wrought iron or a wicker headboard ( these are pretty inexpensive), an inexpensive round table covered with a tablecloth for a night stand/bedside table, and a dresser or chest of drawers, small chair, etc. Pier One has some cute wicker chairs that are reasonably priced.

If you are handy at refinishing furniture, you could pull together a shabby-chic look with used pieces that you strip and paint ivory or white.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to have an attractive room. Your accessories will make all the difference.

What color paint will go on walls with black bedroom furniture?

Q. My bedroom furniture is very feminine and ornate. My favorite color is red. I don't know how to choose a color or colors that will go with the black furniture

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

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.

Where do you get the heat lamps they use in industrial buildings?

Q. Would like to buy and install one of those industrial type heat lamps - like the ones that you walk under at the front door when you go into a Costco or other large shopping building. We have a ten year old Ridgeback and Doberman and last winter they spent the days and nights in the basement when it got below freezing- I would leave one of the portable heaters on that turn off if you knock them over. My husband picked up a puppy from the pound and I am now back working so we do not trust to leave the heater on with the crazyness of the new puppy- but the Doberman has arthritis so i'd like to get some heat going in the basement. We thought a large heat lamp we could install above them would work great. Any ideas?

A. The product you are describing is not a heat lamp. They are infrared heaters. There are different types but the best and most commonly used are gas fired. Here is a link to a descent manufacturer but there are others.

http://www.rezspec.com/catalog-rihn.html

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 color should i paint my living room?

Q. I have a brick red couch, tan carpet, black accent furniture and earthtone decor.

A. play around with the Sherwin Williams color visualizer to find something that you like. It is the best paint visualizer on the web, imho. I like how their color palette is laid out, I like that you can search by color family & color name, the "painted" rooms look the most realistic, and it suggests coordinating color schemes. You can literally spend hours:
http://www.sherwin.com/visualizer/

I think it would look wonderful to paint your room a color called "perfect greige" (# 6073) It's a neutral tone - a combo of gray & beige & I think it would look gorgeous with the brick.

Difference between Automotive and Home paint sprayers?

Q. I know the spray pattern's different, (Which makes me wonder too, doesn't the house one overlap too much?)

But could I use a car sprayer for home painting? (Just no latex paints?)

Thank you for your time.

A. A car sprayer propels the paint through force of air. Your typical car paint is thinned out to allow easy flow through the tip onto the surface. Home paint is very thick and dense. Especially exterior. You could use the sprayer but you would have to thin it out so much it would not be worth the effort. Or the price of the thinning agent. You might even ruin the paint. Small home sprayers usually require you to thin the paint. Contractor grade sprayers use a piston driven system that forces the paint through the hose with more pressure negating the need to thin.
It would probably work just fine with a stain though.

How much do I charge for painting and repairs?

Q. I am looking in to doing some interior home painting jobs. I am not sure what to charge? Do you base it on the size of the rooms? How and what do I charge? How much should I charge for small repairs, putting in a new faucet, new fan?

A. Whether you bid the job or do T&M (time & material) you have to figure out what you are willing to work per hour. This may not be what you are worth per hour, as competition, location and economic times sometimes dictate terms.

The easiest solution I recommend to people in your situation, is to look over each aspect of the individual job (fan instillation, painting, etc) determine how much time it will take to complete each job from start to finish â¦â¦then double the time âyou thinkâ it will take. It may seem excessive, but it is a simple formula that has proven itself time and again.
There are many variables that go into bidding a jobâ¦â¦ but using this formula should assure you of being within the market range of a bid.
Whatever you determine your hourly at, plus material (and any mark up you put on material) would be your estimated price (and donât forget to figure any time spent at the store)

Having a home painted on the outside?

Q. When having your home professionally painted ( I assume with a gun ) how far can the fine mist travel? I realize there are varying factors, but am looking for a generalized answer. Typically how many feet?

Thanks
Alyssa - worthless!

A. Painters will take every precaution from overspray as they are responsible and accountable.

On a windy day I have seen overspray from soffits go over buildings and mist coat cars some 100 feet away.
A little heads upâ¦ and question to ask your painters. Ask them if they back roll when they spray.
This is something I require from all the painting contractors when doing homes, it extends the longevity of the job; although not as much so when shooting a nonporous job