Shower Enclosures Are All the Rage

Living in the modern world, showers have become more of a luxury compared to the ancient days in Greece where pull cord showers were taken outside and only a cold water supply was available due to lack of plumbing. More than a welcomed change occurred towards the latter part of the 80s and into the early the 90s when new technologies were introduced into the bathroom remodeling industry where bathroom suppliers saw a splurge in shower and bath sales, indicating more homeowners were looking to upscale their bathrooms.

Shower enclosures were popularized in part of the design boom with bathroom suppliers exhibiting sleek trendy designs. Not before long homeowners were demolishing their existing bathrooms down to the bare walls, thus creating an increase in demand for home contractors and renovation firms brought on by the bathroom design frenzy. The emergence of shower enclosures became a key point of interest as it gave way to opening up a bathroom where the shower no longer had to be attached to the bath and only required additional plumbing be installed in order to accommodate the placement of the shower enclosure.

Todays remodelers are going big and going all out when it comes to redesigning their bathrooms since there are far more design concepts available especially for the smaller bathroom. Typically the average size of a bathroom is approximately 130-140sq ft, according to the National Interior Design Council when the new market trends came into play, homeowners looked to shower enclosures as a means to give bathrooms a more spacious appeal. A pivotal factor in helping revolutionize the shower industry was due in part to homeowners moving towards replacing single showers with two-person showers and eliminating adjoined bath/shower units.

The desire for homeowners to express their individual design flare is largely expressed in the increased number of sales in relation to shower enclosures where people are looking to go beyond the traditional sliding glass door shower or shower certain. Since shower enclosures have undergone a tremendous change in the past several years, people are quickly discovering frameless shower doors and enclosures are all the rage and that taking a relaxing shower in one of these elegant easy-to-clean shower enclosures is an oasis of sheer pleasure.

Staying with the trend towards openness and airy spaces, the eminent range of shower enclosure designs add a stunning appeal to any bathroom remodeling project, from frameless quadrant shower enclosures for an ultra modern look or uniquely designed frosted glass corner shower enclosure adorned in chrome or stainless steel. The dazzling spectacle of shower enclosure designs directly lends to the success of the bathroom and shower industry and has often been reported at times difficult for bathroom suppliers to keep supply in stock, indicating there is supply in demand and is on a steady upward climb. According to interior designers with more homes being built, people are customizing their bathrooms prior to completion to incorporate the latest trends in bathroom dcor with shower enclosures leading the way not only because of their timeless elegance, but are easily maintained and with everyone leading lifestyles that is an added bonus.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of http://www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

Shelley Murphy brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BAs in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.

Home Remodeling Books

Vinyl Picket Fences

Vinyl products like vinyl picket fences and privacy fences are designed mainly for outdoor purposes. Vinyl picket fences are used in homes as domestic boundaries for confining children and pets to a limited area. These fences transform the appearance of the home and bestow a new look. They are good alternatives to wood picket and rails.

There are different styles of vinyl picket fences such as traditional, 1C5Fclassic, and contemporary fences. The picket fences are available in a variety of choices: colored, white, and differently styled. Among these, the white picket fence is widely preferred. Four factors are taken into consideration for the picket styles: height, board width, board profile, and spacing. Vinyl picket fences are maintenance free and do not require painting, sanding, or staining. They are short but safe, strong, and durable. They have proven to be functionally better than traditional wood picket fences.

An added advantage of vinyl picket fencing is easy installation. However, before undertaking the installation of the picket fence at home, several factors need to be considered. The primary concern is the question of suitability. In the case of a residence, it is important to ensure safety and security. The fence should afford protection and serve to keep strangers out of the premises.

Vinyl picket fences do not need chemical treatment with insecticides. The price of vinyl picket fences is more than wood fences. However, this is negligible since there are constant periodic expenses associated with wooden fences, including maintenance by painting and sanding. Wooden fences are also susceptible to damage by seasonal effects.

The vinyl picket fences offer several benefits in terms of ease of use, effortless maintenance, and high quality. In recent times, they have gained popularity and achieved a strong reputation in the market, substantiating author Robert Frosts remark, Good fences make good neighbors!

Vinyl Fences provides detailed information on Vinyl Fences, Vinyl Picket Fences, Installing Vinyl Fences, Vinyl Lattice Fences and more. Vinyl Fences is affiliated with Ornamental Aluminum Fences.

10 Tips for Keeping Your Ceramic Tiles Looking Great

You enter the bathroom. You turn on the lights. You dream of having a nice, relaxing bath or a cold, invigorating shower. What you get instead is a strangled shriek and despair.

Yes, ceramic tiles sure brighten up any bathroom or kitchen with their artistic and wonderful designs. We all love that glossy finish and the pearl-like shine. But moldy and dirty ceramic tiles are a big turn off, especially to those who have a fetish about bathing in a spotlessly clean bathroom.

What about your kitchen? Can you bear placing your food atop a surface that looks dubious? Can you imagine the germs sticking themselves to your favorite vegetable? Ewww

Alas, help from professional cleaners may cost us hundreds to thousands of dollars. That money can be better spent on other worthwhile items. All we need to know is how to properly care for our ceramic tiles so theyll keep looking clean and brand new.

1. Wipe Em Daily

Keep this as a mantra to yourself. This is easy enough to do, especially on kitchen counters, and it wont take you more than 15 minutes. All you need is a wiping cloth and some water. Always wipe surfaces after use. This is the best method from keeping dirt and debris from piling up. Dry tiles with a cloth or a sponge to prevent mildew formation.

2. Felt and Pads

Do you have heavy furniture made of wood, metal, aluminum or even plastic? Try to place felt or similar pads to their legs. This111C will help reduce the wear and tear on the tiles and will also facilitate easier shuffling and movement.

3. Protection with Mats

All houses have spots where heavy pivoting occurs. This could be your doorstep, or in front of the kitchen sink or the bathroom door. Situate mats of good quality to protect your tiles from pressure, weight or friction. These mats can also reduce dirt, grit, sand and oil that is deposited in your tiles since the fibers of the mat trap them nicely.

Make sure to wash the mats every once in a while to remove the deposits. Replace worn mats if possible.

4. Weekly Appointments with the Damp Mop

Aside from the daily regimen of wiping them, your ceramic tiles can also benefit a great deal from mopping them with a solution of vinegar and water. Mix cup of vinegar to a gallon or so of water and use this to mop your floor.

Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then mop the floor again with tap water to remove most of the vinegar and odor. The mild acidity of the vinegar will promote the death of mildew. Also, refrain from using soaps on the tiles as they will dull they surface.

5. Kiss Grime Away With Bleach

Ooh, your neighbor tracked his mud-soiled boots on your spotless white tiles. Even though you want to beat him up bad, you might want to hold in the urge because you need to act on that dirt, fast! Wipe off most of the dirt with a wet cloth. If there are stubborn streaks remaining on your beautiful tiles, its time to bring out the bleach.

Add about half a liter of bleach to a bucketful of water. Make sure you have your rubber gloves on, since bleach is very harsh on the skin. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After that, try rinsing it with water.

If stains still remain, repeat the process until you get back your shiny, sparkly tile. Remember to wipe it dry with a clean cloth after the procedure.

6. Clean that grout!

Grout is the cemented space between your tiles. White tiles usually have a white grout and white grout is a breeding ground for mildew, molds and dirt.

If you already spot mild discolorations on your growth, its time to mix about of a mild detergent to a bucketful of water. Splash some on the grout and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. After that, try scrubbing the grout with a soft cloth. The color should fade away quickly. Again, wipe your tiles with a dry cloth after the procedure.

7. Abrade me not

NEVER use abrasives and harsh soaps on your tiles. They reduce the shine and polish as well as make cracks and pits that would be a more ideal ground for dirt and grime to settle in. Use only mild soaps and detergents. Always dilute strong acids before using them on your tiles.

8. Can you hand me that toothbrush?

Stubborn dirt and grime in your grouts? Well its time to give them a little push. This will involve getting down on you hands and knees but its all worth it when you see your tiles looking like theyre newly installed.

Again, make a mild detergent solution from cup of detergent to a bucketful of water. You can add a small amount of bleach if you want, but remember to protect your hands and knees. Let it sit for a few minutes.

After that, get a used toothbrush and start scrubbing your grout. Be careful not to damage the side of the tiles. The ugly dirt should give way even with only a little force. Rinse with water and wipe dry.

9. Stock on Drying Cloth and Sponges

You might have noticed that every procedure call for wiping your tiles dry. Thats because there is no sense in performing the task yet leaving molds and mildew for a chance to attack. Remember that these organisms grow best in moist surroundings.

With all that cleaning going on, youll get tired from washing and drying the same cloth everyday so stock up for convenience.

10. Be Patient.

The thing is, people look up handy tips and tricks to cleaning their tiles. But some mail back, feeling very unsatisfied with the results. The usual problem here is PATIENCE. If a specific procedure tells you to wait for 15 minutes, its best to follow it. See, waiting allows the solution to seep into the layers of dirt and grime. The solution loosens up impacted dirt and facilitates removal. This is the key to a successful clean3ABing venture.

With that said, have fun in cleaning and remember: Always wipe it dry.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://tile.pagechic.com where you can learn more about types of tile and tile installation.

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Permanent Waterproofing

Basement Remodeling Starts With Permanent Waterproofing
By: Robert Clarke
Basement remodeling can add lots of extra living space to your home but beware; basement water leakage could put a real damper on your hopes if not properly corrected.
There are two conditions you must address for a dry basement, actual water leakage and condensation. Water leakage is a pretty obvious concern to homeowners but many are unaware of the problems that high humidity can cause to a finished basement.
Humidity Problems

Because a basement is below ground, it will be naturally cooler than the floors above ground. When warmer air from upstairs or outside enters the basement, it shrinks in volume as it cools. This shrinking or “condensing” of the air volume results in higher humidity. Everything porous in your basement will absorb the extra moisture in the air and cause a foul odor. Dehumidifiers are appliances which mechanically remove the unwanted extra humidity from your basement. A good dehumidifier is a must if you plan on remodeling your basement. Even a basement that doesn’t leak will benefit from using a dehumidifier.
Water Leakage
Without doubt, water leakage into the basement must be permanently corrected before you start your remodeling project. Start by correcting obvious sources of the problem; broken or non-existent rain gutters, down spouts emptying next to the foundation, ground outside sloping toward the home, uncovered underground windows, etc.

After you exhaust all preventative measures outside, try to identify areas inside where you are experiencing the leakage. If a corner of the basement seems to be a particular problem, again, look outside at your rain gutter downspouts. If you see cracks in the walls leaking, some of these can be repaired with hydraulic cement or crack injection. If water seems to be coming in from an isolated area, installing a sump pump below floor level can lower the water table and underground hydrostatic pressure in that area. If you are unsure or your problems seem to be widespread, it might be best to call in a buildig inspector, engineer or other professional to help you identify and solve your problem. There are a variety of services available to solve your leakage problems. These include; outside excavating, re-parging your walls, interior or exterior drainage systems, interior cove systems, grout or epoxy injection and others. Most of these options will require a professional.
Basement Remodeling Begins
I like studding the walls out with 2X4s. If you can spare the extra space, 2X6s are even better because they allow room for more insulation. Never, under any circumstances, nail furring strips onto the walls. Penetrating the foundation will compromise its barrier against water.
Use construction adhesive rather than nails or screws to adhere your bottom wall plate to the floor. It’s ok to nail the upper wall plates into the upper floor joists.

Don’t glue down your basement carpet. Carpet is something that is going to wear out and eventually need to be replaced. Glued down carpeting creates a real problem later on when trying to remove it. Tell your carpet installer to use construction adhesive to install the carpet tack strips around the perimeter. Do not allow them to drive nails into the cement floor.

Summary
With some common sense construction techniques, a reliable waterproofing system and humidity control, you can enjoy a lot of extra living space by remodeling your basement.

About The Author
Robert Clarke has owned B-Dry System NEPA, a basement waterproofing company, for the last 20 years. Visit http://b-drybasementswaterproofingnepennsylvania.com/basement-remodeling.html for more information. He has also served as President of the B-Dry Owners Association, a nationally recognized group of basement waterproofing contractors. Visit http://www.basementleakage.com/basement-waterproofing.html for details.

Hardwood Floors 101

By: Josh Harmon



Hardwood floors can be installed anywhere in a home and can be prepared from several species of wood such as elm, ash, oak, amendoim, cypress, teak, cherry, walnut, rosewood, hickory, and maple. The hardness, stability, color, and alterations in color vary with wood type. Chestnut, Douglas fir, and North American Cherry offer low hardness whereas hardwood from Brazilian Walnut, Caribbean Cherry, and Bloodwood is extremely hard. The stability of hardwood flooring has an inverse relation with the moisture inherent in the wood and is independent of the engineering. The appearance of unfinished hardwood flooring plays an important role in the grading process. The commonly assigned grades to hardwood flooring include clear, select, common 1, common 2, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3.

Hardwood flooring enhances the look of a room and when laid in harmony with the furniture and other elements in the interior design of a room, it bestows an elegance that synthetic flooring is unable to match.

Hardwood flooring can be installed using the following methods:

Nail Down: Nails are used to attach hardwood to the subfloor either on grade or above grade. Nails are usually used for hardwood with a thickness of 3/4”.

Staple Down: Nails can be substituted with a pneumatic stapler for attaching the hardwood to the subfloor. Stapling is easier to accomplish as compared to nailing and is therefore favored by DIY enthusiasts.

Glue Down: Patterned wood panels or parquets can be glued to the subfloor on, above, or below grade. The subfloor can be either wooden or concrete.

Floating: Engineered and Longstrip floors can be installed using the floating process in which a pad of foam is placed between the floors and the subfloor. The hardwood boards are held in place by means of adhesive that is applied in the tongue and groove portion of each board. Floating enables the installation of hardwood on uneven surfaces.

Hardwood flooring is easy to maintain and the following guidelines should help homeowners to ensure the beauty and longevity of their hardwood flooring.

• The flooring must be swept and vacuumed regularly to prevent the accumulation of dust that may scratch the finish

• Doormats and rugs at entrances prevent sand particles from abrading the hardwood flooring

• Furniture and chairs should have padding on the legs in order to prevent scratching the floor while dragging/moving furniture

• The dimensions of hardwood flooring are liable to change with humidity; a relative humidity of around 45% should be maintained all year round

• A rug or mat should be placed in front of workstations, washbasins, kitchen sinks in order to prevent scratching and staining from utensils, detergents, and water

• Hardwood flooring should be protected from direct light, whether natural or artificial. Intense direct light can lead to discoloration of the floor

Hardwood floorings can be treated with surface finishes that lend it a gloss, increase resilience, and make it water-resistant. The finishes consist of urethanes and polyurethanes. A hardwood floor with a surface finish does not require waxing.

Wax finishes penetrate the cells of the wood and offer a low-gloss finish. Periodic buffing helps to restore the sheen of wax-finished floors. Hardwood flooring used in areas of high traffic such as stores and restaurants are impregnated with acrylic finishes that increase its hardness and durability.

About The Author


Josh Harmon recommends that you visit http://www.ifloor.com/cat_8/hardwood-floors.html for more information on hardwood floors.

Hampton Bay Lighting

… Only The Best!
By: Mike Yeager



Hampton Bay lighting is the only source you will need to find high-quality fans and lighting fixtures, for very low prices. Hampton Bay lighting has been the premier name for fans and light fixtures, and with good reason. Hampton Bay lighting provides a quality of service that is unsurpassed by all other companies. Whether you want a fan or light fixture for your bedroom, bathroom, dinning room, Hampton Bay will be sure to find something that fits your needs. Also, be aware that Hampton Bay lighting is on the cutting edge of technology. Recently, Hampton Bay introduced a four way metal solar light that produces a super bright white light that powers itself from a combination of batteries and solar energy. Or, Hampton Bay lighting also sells more traditional looking fans and lighting fixtures if you are looking for a more traditional look to your house.

Some of the uses for Hampton Bay lighting can include:

Accent Lighting : directional lighting to emphasize a particular object or to draw attention to a part of the field of view

Back light : Illumination from behind (and usually above) a subject to produce a highlight along its edge and consequent separation between the subject and its background

Ballast : A device used with an electric-discharge lamp to obtain the necessary circuit conditions (voltage, current and wave form) for starting and operating

The right Hampton Bay Lighting for your home.

Regardless of what type of home or apartment you live in, Hampton Bay lighting is sure to have something that you need. For example, Hampton Bay sales many lighting fixtures that works solely on solar energy for people who are environmentally friendly. If you are considering buying a new lighting fixture or fan, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, be sure to check out the number one name in lighting fixtures and fans: Hampton Bay. Create a different mood in every room with our selection of lamps, chandeliers and ceiling fans. Whether it's a warm wood fan or an icy crystal chandelier, you'll find countless ways to illuminate your home.

About The Author


Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.a1-lighting-4u.com /