Introduction to Attic Insulation

When it comes to finding ways to keep your heating and cooling costs down, there is nothing better than installing attic insulation. This is especially true for those who have problems with their heating bills climbing through the roof.

While attic ventilation is an extremely important issue to address, you want to make sure that the insulation in the attic is up to par or else you will continue to see your heating bills climb at a crazy rate. With the cost of everything else on the rise and the economy looking a little shaky, it is important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to make sure that you are saving money.

Installing an attic ventilation system will be easy and take you only about a day. The attic insulation could be a different story depending on the current set up of your attic. If you have a finished attic with drywall or plaster up then you can pick one of two ways to get the insulation in.

You can rip out all of the drywall or plaster, install the insulation, and then put the walls back up. Or you can cut small holes throughout, fill the walls with insulation that is blown in and then simply repair the holes in the wall.

If you are trying to figure out which way is best for you, simply think about the money and the time involved. If your walls in the attic are pretty beat up but it is a big enough space that you could transform it into an active room then you might as well tear out the old walls and install new ones once the attic insulation is properly installed.

But if your attic is nothing more than a crawl space that no one is every really going to see then you may want to cut holes in the walls to blow insulation in, even if the walls are not that pretty to look at. This is the time to think about pricing though.

If you are able to rent the machine to blow the attic insulation in yourself then that is great. But if you are looking at having to hire someone to come out to do it then you will be looking at a project that just doubled in cost.

For those who have a limited budget and know how to drywall on their own, going the route of ripping out and replacing walls may be the option that makes more financial sense, even if it does mean you are going to be spending a little more time on this particular project.

You need to make sure though, that no matter what you do, that the attic insulation is not left exposed. Too many times, people have done this thinking that they will get back up there later and complete the project but find that they never do. Even with an attic ventilation system in place, tiny pieces of that insulation can get into the air.

This is not something that you or your family needs to be breathing in as major health problems can occur. If you have to take a break between installing the insulation and the drywall make sure that you are at least covering the walls with thick and heavy plastic.

AtticInsulationGuide.com is the premier resource for attic insulation on the Net, with information on subjects such attic ventilation, as well as on where to buy materials, and how to install them - click the links above to find out more!

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Please Help Us with Your Remodeling Advice

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Building Contractor Books
Home Organization Books

How to Prevent the Need For Surgery For Rotator Cuff Repair

Surgery for rotator cuff repair is no walk in the park, but then again neither are the conditions and injuries that lead up to the need for this type of operation. There are things you can do to prevent problems and even fix them if they exist. It's important to take the right steps to prevent the pain, discomfort and all around inconvenience that shoulder conditions can present.

To best understand how you can prevent the need for surgery for rotator cuff repair, it helps to understand a few of the major issues that can have normally active people lying on their backs and being wheeled into an operating room. Some common issues that can present the need for surgery include:

• Frozen shoulders - In this very unusual condition, the shoulder itself locks up. This is generally due to the buildup of scar tissue around the rotator cuff. Surgery can correct this, but it is often possible to use other remedies to break through the problem and restore range of motion.
• Tears - Surgery for rotator cuff repair quite frequently follows accidents that lead to rotator cuff tears. How extensive the surgical procedure will need to be to repair a tear will depend on the tear itself. Laser surgery is not at all uncommon in minor tears. Unfortunately, open surgery is sometimes required even for minor tears.

Although it's not always feasible to prevent the need for surgery for rotator cuff repair, there are some things you can do to improve your chances. For example:

• Take care during activities - Rotator cuff tears frequently happen during sports and other physically strenuous activities. Try to take care and avoid overextending the shoulders to prevent tears. Unfortunately, not all tears are consciously preventable, but some are. Minor tears can sometimes heal over time and with therapy. Major tears, however, commonly require surgical repair.
• Seek alternatives for frozen shoulder - Frozen shoulder surgery can often be prevented through the use of physical therapy, at-home exercise, anti-inflammatory medications and other similar treatments. If preventing the need for surgery for rotator cuff repair is the plan, exhausting all other options first is a very good idea.

If you want to prevent the need to undergo surgery for rotator cuff repair, there are things you can do to help yourself. To learn more, click here:

http://www.102Tips.info/rotator-cuff.html

How to Build a Lean-to Storage Shed

Let's begin with the materials list that you'll need to build this shed :

- Pressure treated skids (4x4)
- Pressure treated floor joists (2x4)
- Exterior grade plywood flooring 3/4''
- Top plates, bottom plates, studs, header, trimmer studs, cripple studs, rafters, subfascia (2x4)
- T1-11 exterior siding 5/8''
- CDX roof sheathing 1/2''
- Fascia (1x4)
- Corner and door trim (1x3)
- Drip edge and 15 lb roofing felt
- Asphalt shingles
- Galvanized nails
- Door hinges and latch
- Paint or stain

Step.1.FRAME THE FLOOR
Cut two pressure treated 4 by 4s to 5 feet long for skids.Do the same with two pressure treated 2 by 4s for the rim joists.Cut six floor joists to 45 inches long and position them between the rim joists, 16 inches on center; secure with 16d nails.Place the frame on the skids, shim it level as required, square it up and toenail the floor joists to the skids.Cover the frame with 3/4 inch exterior plywood.

Step.2.BUILD THE WALLS
For the back wall, you must cut 6-foot-long top and bottom plates and lay out studs 24 inches on center.The wall studs are 8 feet long, with their top ends angled at 18 degrees.Build the back wall and nail to the floor frame, bracing as necessary.

For the front wall, cut the top plate 6 feet long and two bottom plates each 1 foot long.Mark a 4-foot-wide door opening and the stud positions.Cut four wall studs to 81(1/4) inches long, plus two 71(1/2) inch long trimmer studs.Also cut two 51-inch-long 2 by 4s, plus a same size strip of 1/2 inch thick plywood as a spacer, and nail them all together for a header.Assemble the wall and attach the header, then add four criple studs on top as shown on the facing page.Secure the front wall to the floor and brace as needed.

Build the side walls with 41-inch long top and bottom plates and 81(1/4) inch long studs.Attach them to the floor.When the wall sections are square and plumb, nail or screw the corners together.

Step.3.FRAME THE ROOF
The roof framing consists of 2 by 4 rafters that rest on the front and back top plates.Cut four rafters as shown on the facing page.Toenail them to the top plates every 24 inches.Then cut a 2 by 4 gable stud to fit between the end rafter and the top plate of each side wall.Next, cut the 2 by 4 subfascia to length and attach it to the front ends of the rafters.

Step.4.ENCLOSE THE WALLS
Next cut pieces of T1-11 siding to cover the front and the sides; save the cutouts to make the doors.Position the siding flush with the bottom of the rim joists and attach it with 8d galvanized nails every 8 inches or so.

Step.5.INSTALL THE ROOF
Use 1/2-inch CDX plywood to sheath the rafters, using 6d nails.Cut the side (or rake) trim to cover the exposed edges of the roof sheathing, and attach.Also cut and install the front fascia, aligning its bottom edge with the bottoms of the side rakes.Install drip edge and 15-pound roofing felt, and apply the shingles.

Step.6.ADD DOORS AND TRIM
Using left-over siding scraps, build a pair of doors to fit the opening, trimming them out with 1 by 3s.Cut and instal 1 by 3 trim along the shed's front corners and back edges, then around the top and both sides of the door opening.Prop the doors in the opening with wood shims or blocks and check the fit; they would be snug on the side and have about 1/2 inch of clearance top and bottom.Finally attach, the doors with strap hinges and add a door latch.

RESUME : The floor frame for this small shed will rest on pressure-treated skids instead of a fixed foundation.If your site is sloped or has poor drainage, first excavate soil to a depth of 4 inches and replace it with gravel, then place your skids and floor atop that.Next, frame the walls and roof on top of the level platform and enclose them with plywood siding and asphalt shingles.Finally, build and hang a simple door and tidy things up with a little trim.

PS: Enjoy your new lean-to shed.

So ... do you want to learn more about outdoor sheds? eCopyus can help you with free knowledge about storage sheds, gazebos or garages.Also we can help you selecting the best Arrow Sheds for your home or business.

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

Cost Effective Roofing

Modern roofs are much more than coverings to keep out the elements; they are an investment and can be a costly expense if not well cared for. Roofs of the past let hot summer air and the winter cold into the uppermost regions of a facility or private home. As facility managers looks for ways to reduce overhead and maintenance costs, roofing is becoming a focal point for those who need to manage the health of their buildings as well as their energy costs.

Choose the Material for your Climate

There has been a marked increase in roofing manufacturers since 1970 till now there are about 500. New energy efficient roofs have taken the place of the old chemically based sheets of shingles. Not only do they save energy but they last anywhere from ten to forty years longer than their predecessors. With proper maintenance a new, energy efficient roof can protect a business for up to fifty years!

Not only do you have a wide variety of materials to choose from, there are many different roofing materials to serve different needs. Those in climates with long, hot summers might want to choose a new tile roof that draws hot air in at the eave level and expels it at the ridge, using hot air's natural cycle of rising to keep the building cool. Chemical roofs were once the norm but now roofs are more complex-cool roofs, metal roofs, even green roofs are becoming more common. Cool metal roofing would be more efficient for tropical climates and save up to forty percent on energy costs. Old asphalt roofs trapped heat whereas metal reflects it. These cool metal roofs can also reduce the temperature of a neighborhood by about twelve degrees!

How Modern Roofing Works

A roof that keeps hot air away from the building can save thousands on indoor climate control. The temperatures on a roof can reach 150-190 degrees and new energy saving materials can keep that heat away from the interior of the building. During the replacement cycle that all roofs have, replacing old school roofing with new energy saving materials and extras can save a significant amount of money. By keeping the hot air moving away from the roof, the air conditioning unit doesn't have to work as hard, extending its life and saving on maintenance costs.

Extras Will Save More than they Cost

Extras that can be added onto an existing roof, such as sky lights and vents, can also extend the life of a building. Tinted skylights will reflect harmful UV rays while making use of natural lighting while un-tinted skylights can allow in the warmth of the winter sun. Many facility managers are staggering both types of skylights and adding interior shields in order to take advantage of natural light in all seasons and solar warmth during the cold season.

Regular inspections, especially before or after severe weather incidents will extend the life of your roof while the cost of such inspections are actually investments in your roof's longevity and efficiency. Inspections can catch a few loose shingles or tiles before they turn into costly repairs.

Rialto Management Corp. manages properties in New York city. For more information about NYC building management or New York City building management please visit their website.

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Common Problems With Roof Repairs

A home's roof is the most vital part, next to the doors, windows and of course, the walls. But the roof also poses plenty of problems since it is exposed to the harsh conditions of the outside world on a 24-hour basis. Unlike interior walls and the rooms inside, the materials and components of the roof easily wear out.

Leaky roofs

The roof usually leaks when the gutters are clogged. The gutter is the metal passageway that leads water away from the roof. Often, this vital component of the roof structure gives way because of animal activity like birds nest and leaves.

A gutter requires cleaning (usually some mild sweeping will do) every two weeks, to keep the whole passageway litter-free. However, most people don't even look at their gutter unless something's already wrong.

DIY expert Donny Sheridan shares a tactic to deal with the problem:

"Products such as Evo-Stick Flashband can provide a temporary repair. This is a self-adhesive, bituminous flashing that has an aluminum face to reflect direct sunlight and should last for 15 years. You can easily apply this yourself. It comes in a roll and all you need to do is stick it over the hole in the lead flashing."

Tiling the roof

Tiling the roof is definitely not a DIY project for the faint of heart. But it doesn't mean that it can't be done. For a medium-sized, low-lying home built of traditional stone, you will need around 800 to 900 tiles.

The first step in tiling (or retiling) a roof is by laying down the tough planks of wood that would be handling the weight of the concrete and the clay tiles. These are called tile batons. The length will vary depending on the entire length of your house.

Tile batons may be placed over the concrete fixings of the old roof, given that the clay tiles have already been removed completely. The tile batons provide a so-called "breathable membrane" that allows for ventilation to take place.

Laying down the tiles

Be careful in using tall ladders when tiling your roof. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents: "220,000 DIY daredevils have to go to the hospital for treatment for cuts, breaks, falls, concussions after their handy dandy activities go wrong."

Now, if you think you're fairly safe up on your roof, begin the laying down of the tiles. The concrete or the cement should be placed between the gaps of the baton as well as on top. Fill the spaces completely before placing the tiles.

Work from the bottom of the roof toward the top. This way, you won't have to worry about accidentally destroying the tiles you've laid down. Also, work vertically, column after column. This way, you can easily remove the clay tiles if something goes wrong.

The cement or concrete fillings should be even especially on the side of the roof. Imagine making a sandwich- you wipe off excess sauce on the side of the slices of bread to make the sandwich more appetizing. This applies to tiles- because a badly tiled roof is not really pretty to look at.

For DIY and home improvement projects Benedict recommends Dekorbeton Decorative Concrete and Roof Bond Roof Insulation.

Buying A Functional House

How to Credit Repair Yourself

You therefore feel that you can credit repair yourself. This is by all means possible and you should congratulate yourself for identifying your problem as well as deciding to actually do something about solving this problem.

There are some guidelines that one should follow, and one needs to acquaint yourself with these rules, regulations and procedures before you attempt to credit repair yourself.

The first and most important task is obtaining a credit report of your current standings, by obtaining this report you will be establishing a starting point and you can formulate your strategy of credit repair from this base of knowledge. You may even pick up a mistake on your credit report that should not be there, so therefore it is quite important that even after completion of this credit repair process, you keep an eye on this report on a yearly basis.

Now that you have established exactly where your credit health needs attention, the next phase is to communicate with these creditors, this is also vital in the credit repair process, as these are the companies that have entered the adverse comments and details regarding your account; which they are entitled to as the accounts have not been run or managed correctly.

You will find that the companies are often quite open to discussion and negotiation, the key is that you will have to commit to these companies and remain committed in your process of credit repair, even if this entails tightening your belt on expenditure.

If you are having problems in meeting your repayments, and this is one of the reasons you have identified for credit repair, you can make what is known as a buydown to your creditor or creditors, provided you have a capital lump sum available. Essentially a buydown is a payment made to a creditor to reduce the monthly or periodic payments to that creditor. This in turn will enable you to meet the monthly payments and possibly speed up your credit repair process.

Alternatively if you do have some sort of capital lump sum, you could employ it to one specific account and once that is settled you will be able to pay more into other accounts. The credit repair process really is for your own benefit, due to the price of capital purchases like cars and houses, it is almost impossible for one to pay cash for these. Should one have a bad credit report, this will hinder you in the loan application when seeking finance for such capital purchases.

Credit repair yourself, and maintain a healthy credit rating, it really is in your own interest in both the short and long term. Try and discipline yourself to maintain your expenditure within your means, I know this is more easily said than done, but you really do not want to continue going through the credit repair process again.

For more resources about Credit Repair or even fixing your Credit Report about please review this web link creditrepairme.com.

Please Contribute Helpful Information to Our Blog

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Awfulizing Creates Negativity

Do Windshield Repair Kits Make Sense?

To help repair a crack or chip on a windshield yourself, use a windshield repair kit. This works easily and quickly - perfect for the do-it-yourselfer -and saves you the expense of replacing the entire windshield. Windshield repair kits enable you to repair chips and cracks up to several inches long, and also clarify and strengthen the windshield. Windshield repair kits come with instructions that explain how to remove the damage yourself in very little time, saving you the trouble of going to see a windshield glass repair service.

Windshield repair kits are lightweight and compact, making them convenient to take to any location. The kits are also reusable, allowing for multiple repairs with a single repair kit. Bull's eyes, cracks, star breaks, and combination breaks can all benefit from windshield repair kits.

Available basic windshield repair kits typically include a windshield resin that helps bond the glass, making it become stronger and preventing further damage. UV lights are provided by heat lamps to ensure proper curing of the resin. Most windshield repair kits include a bracket with a built-in suction cup pump that adheres to the windshield, as well as a drill bit that can create a tiny opening into the damaged area for the repair resin to flow into. The kit may also include a battery powered drill, polishing wheel and compound, mirror, pit, drill bits, 12-volt extension cord, glass pick, and assorted seals.

A variety of windshield repair kits are available to suit different individuals' needs and budgets. A windshield repair kit may range from $10 for a basic kit to over $2,000 for a professional auto glass repair kit. A criterion for the selection of a particular kit could be the number of windshields that can be repaired using one kit, or simply the price of the kit. Evaluate the various windshield repair kits on the market yourself and choose the most appropriate one for your immediate windshield repair needs.

Kathy Hildebrand is a professional writer who is easily bored with her "day job" assignments. So, she researches anything and everything of interest and starts writing. Writing about an extremely wide variety of subjects keeps her skills sharp, and gives her food for thought on future paid writing assignments.

More of her research and articles can be found at http://www.lasertargeted.com/glassrepair and other sites around the internet.

Lowest Construction Bids

Need To Repair Credit Scores? Get The Tips Here

You need to repair your credit score, if you have a poor credit rating and a low score on your credit report. Generally, you need to have a high score, somewhere between 575 and 650 for creditors to see you as a good risk for them to loan money to. If your score is in low 500 range or even as low as 400, then you need to start taking steps to repair credit scores.

How can I raise my credit score? The first step to be on the road to repair a credit score is to request a free copy of your credit report. There are many online companies claiming that they will raise your credit rating to a good credit score, but the truth is that no one can do that but you. If you have a lot of bills, getting a consolidation loan to pay off all the outstanding loans is one way you can lower your monthly payments. However, this alone will not raise your credit score immediately or repair your bad credit right away.

When you decide that a consolidation loan is the answer to your question How can I raise my credit score? you do have to prove yourself. The fact that you are consolidating debts puts you in a high interest bracket. You do need to be diligent about making the payments on time, because this is what will help repair the credit score.

Looking to borrow money or applying for credit at many places is detrimental to your credit score. In order to have a good credit score or to repair credit score, you should not have a long list of creditors making inquiries about you. Each of these shows up on your credit report and does result in you getting a lower score. If you want to raise or repair your credit score, start pinching pennies and paying your bills on time.

Paying more than the minimum monthly payment is also another way to repair a credit score. Not only will it help to give you a good credit score, but it will also help you to pay off your bills before the actual due date. This is because you are paying more on the actual balance and thus lowering the amount of interest that you are charged each month. When creditors check out your credit report, they see you are conscientious and this looks good for you. It really helps to repair a credit score.

Need to repair a credit score? There are lots of ways.

To download a free copy of Peter's Credit Repair book visit Peter's Website Credit Repair Answers and find out about Credit Bureaus and more, including Credit Repair Services, Free Credit Reports and Online Credit Repair.

Small Crack In Roof Rafter

Building a Grandfather Clock From a Kit

People always want to have an eye-catching detail in a room and today they are using Grandfather clocks to create a stunning and elegant decorating statement. Not only can one of these unusual timepieces add a stunning focal point to the room of your choice, your guests will be amazed when they find out that you made this beautiful accessory with your own two hands. With one of the available grandfather clock kits, it is easy to assemble one of these majestic accents in just a few hours. You can discover enormous personal satisfaction as you work to build one of these classic clocks

Ordinarily, the construction of such a detailed project would take a great deal of painstaking work and experience, but with grandfather clock kits, the entire assembly process is both easy and quick. These kits require only the most common household tools, and if you have a hammer and a screwdriver, you are ready to start putting your clock together. Everything is plainly labeled for easy identification and even the clockwork mechanism is fully assembled and ready to be used. The only thing for you to do is follow the simple directions and you will soon be proudly watching the rhythmic movement of the swaying pendulum.

These grandfather clock kits are available in an array of choices and you can find the one that suits your own style and decorating taste. As you browse through the selections you will find different wood colors and grains for the outer cabinet, and you can even choose the clock facing and pendulum that you like best. With the ability to individualize your project with any of these distinctive choices, it is easy to see why these grandfather clock kits are becoming so popular. Grandfather clock kits are a great way to add style, function, and beauty to any room with a stunning timepiece that can be enjoyed today, but this heirloom clock and the story of its construction will also become a treasured part of family history for future generations.

Jeen van der Meer is the author of various articles on grandfather clocks, you can visit him at http://www.grandfather-clock-info.com

Upside Down Room Vent

Remodeling Professionals Needed

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Stair Building Books
House Lighting Books

Wall Framing 2 x 4 Spacing Tips

Remodeling and building homes over the years I have seen all sorts of stud spacing measurements in bearing and non-bearing walls.

How far should we space a framing stud in a bearing wall?

Most plans will give you this information. If you have a structural shear wall the plans will tell you what size of lumber to use at the plywood breaks. The normal spacing on a bearing wall will be 16 inches on center unless otherwise noted on the building plans. This is the most common spacing for studs in a wall.

How far can we space framing studs in a nonbearing wall?

I have seen studs spaced as far as 24 inches on center in a nonbearing wall. Over the years looking at the building code books I have found this to be acceptable for most framing applications. Do not confuse a nonbearing walls with a structural shear walls because there is no weight sitting on the shear wall.

Interior structural shear walls will require 16 inch on center spacing or less depending on the structural engineer and your local building department.

What are the disadvantages of spacing the studs 24 inches on center?

Using half-inch drywall with 24 inch on center stud spacing can give the wall a week or spongy feel. I have been in houses that have 24 inch on center's stud spacing and can actually push the wall and see it move. Using 5/8 drywall will solve this problem in your walls.

What are the advantages of spacing the studs 24 inches on center?

The only advantage in spacing the studs farther apart is the fact you will be able to save a few dollars on the overall cost of building or remodeling your house. I personally do not recommend this process because the savings is miniscule compared to the overall cost of building the entire house.

If you look on a measuring tape between 19 and 20 inches you will usually find a little diamond. This little diamond is another measurement for laying out eight-foot walls or floors. So instead of using 16 inch on center layout you can use 19 1/4 for stud spacing. This will save you an additional stud in your wall or floor joist every 8 feet.

I have been writing more articles on home construction problems trying to help contractors and homeowners build safer stronger houses.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as

well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes in San Marcos Home Building

Wet Carpeting In Hallway
Carpet Damaged At Threshold

Free Grant Money For Home Repair and Improvement

The government provides free grant money for a lot of different reasons, and home repair grants are one of the many ways that American citizens can take advantage of these programs. Depending on the programs your local community government offers, and the state or federal grant programs you choose to apply for, you could receive the cash you need to fix and update your home for free.

What exactly does it mean to get money for free? Just that. When obtained, this is cash that you can spend and will never be asked to pay it back. That is, of course, as long as you use the funds for the intended purpose of the grant.

You can visit your City Hall to check with your local government agencies and inquire about the home grants that you may qualify for. Some of the grants that are available will provide you with the cash you need to completely rehabilitate your house or even expand your home. Other grants may help you pay for labor or material costs. In some cases you may simply receive a tax credit for installing energy efficient appliances.

Whatever the case, there are numerous government grants available, and home improvement grants are just a small sliver of the money that has been allocated to be given away. And since this is money that never has to be repaid, it may very well be worth some minimal effort in finding the cash that is available for you to claim.

Instantly access to the database to find your real estate grants. See how much you can qualify to receive and obtain your check in as little as 7 days just by asking for free grant money...

Own Your Time

There are many things you can recover in your life, money, power, possessions but never your time. Guard it like a chest of jewels for that is what it is. Rich and poor are all bound by the same rules of time that cannot be changed for any price.

There are many time eaters in life, even in a very focused life. Each day is a blessing to be treasured and budgeted wisely allowing specified increments of time for work, play, prayer, and especially time with your loved ones. Balance in life is a difficult task for anyone to master, especially the driven achievers.

1. Many elements must come together for a sound body mind and spirit. The budgeting of time is a key element for maximizing our given potential. Time management is essential for all progress.
2. Focusing on one project at a time will produce higher quality results than multi tasking.
3. Holding to the scheduled amount of time for given tasks will ensure more tasks are accomplished. It is amazing how many solutions present themselves while working on something else.
4. Create a time bank in your world and never be in debt to time.
5. Leverage your time with the help of others, networking is the elemental tool for getting great results in everything.
6. Discover meditation, quiet time in this busy world is essential for recharging.
7. Exercise faithfully, physical exertion enables the brain to release endorphins that create a sense of peace.
8. Give some of your time to those around you who need it.

Enjoy your time, make it your time, all the time, and own life today!

"In the cocoon of failure await the wings of opportunity."

William Muncrief 2007

All About Replacement Windows

A replacement window is nothing but a window which replaces your old window, but this is not done on one to one basis, when you are taking out the old window this is not entirely replaced by a new window. While you are removing the old window you would only remove the sash and the other parts. You are definitely not going to remove the entire window which was completely installed; it is not possible to extract each bit that was used in the previous window so some of the materials do remain attached. The replacement windows perform the same function as the new construction windows but they are smaller than the original windows. The replacement window may be a double hung window which moves up and down, or a casement window that swings in and out.

Tips to find replacement window companies:

While you are screening some of the replacement window companies then let me tell you that there are two kinds of companies falling in the window industry: local companies and the franchised or the corporate operation. The local companies would favor some particular manufacturers but however they would allow a wide variety of options of the manufacturers of windows. On the franchised or the big corporations offer a wide variety of options within their own brand itself. Examples of such companies are Sears, the home depot, etc.

But the replacement window industry is highly competitive, and here are some of the basics that can help you find a good replacement window company so that you could purchase windows with good strength as well as windows which last long.

Get the estimates of more than three companies: As a known fact no person likes to get estimates, but it is essential that you get the estimates from a minimum of three companies so that you get a fair deal. You would be in the driver's seat if you get the estimates from a number of companies. It is a very easy task to get the window's estimate although some companies do charge some amount for this.

Be informed as to which windows are to be replaced: Do not allow the salesman to tell you which are the windows which require a replacement. There are complete chances that even an honest salesman would try to sell a few more windows.

Do not immediately act on the estimate: It is essential that you do not react immediately on the estimate, because this is an industry that has in built system for dealing with the prices.

It is not essential that you only look for the branded windows ask the salesmen to show you the different varieties of windows available be it branded or the local windows.

Do consider the inexpensive windows also because the window industry is very competitive and you can even get the good quality stuff at cheap prices.

Vinyl is perfect: There is an old saying that vinyl is final because even vinyl windows will last for decades even if the wooden windows rot away.

Michael is the seo copywriter for custom vinyl windows . He has written various articles like vinyl windows, new construction windows, vinyl replacement windows and more. For more information visit our site. Contact him through mail at customorderonline1@gmail.com

Creating Fear at Work

I have been watching one company , within nine months, let over 40% of their workforce go and this is creating fear, for some of the employees. This is pretty common as we start to head deeper into hard times, I don't really know what causes economic cycles but they never have made much sense to me.

Fear seems to feed off of more fear as it's creating even more fear in the workplace. Most people that work, and enjoy eating food and drinking water and probably enjoy the shelter of their home or apartment, do not want to see this life style end. Nobody does.

As a employee and employer I would like to give both the employer and the employee some valuable advice, I've learned working as a contractor.

Let's start with the employee, it's very easy to become complacent and expect your job to be there forever while contributing just enough to get by and keep your boss happy or content. This attitude is normally okay when the economy is going gangbusters, but now that we're in hard times and businesses seem to be suffering, you're going to have to put a little more effort into your job, if you want to keep it.

Is there a way, where you can help your company develop a new product, come up with a new innovative idea, figure out a more efficient way of doing something or can you at least focus your attention on your job while you're working. Don't think about this once and quit, make a little sign for your office and put it in the lunch room or by the water cooler, that says something like, "Helping Our Company Is Helping Ourselves, Let's Work Harder and Smarter." If your company needs inspiration this could be considered a new innovative idea and could help the company.

Most employees look at their employers as rich and undeserving of their services, yet stay in their employment for many years. Even in good times, you should change your thinking or change your job. No one should be miserable or unhappy in a place that requires 40 hours out of every week of their lives.

Now it's the employers turn. I can't stand an employer that fires someone on a day's notice, because they're worried about something the employee is going to do to their business. This doesn't seem fair to the employee or give them enough time to find another job.

Most employers don't even fire the people that work for them, over the years I've noticed more companies hiring someone for this unpleasant task and it seems to alienate them from the people who have contributed to their wealth or misfortune.

Creating fear in the workplace is no way for people to be treated or thriving companies to continue to operate. The company I mentioned above is a motivational and self help performance company. It's kind of an oxymoron if you think about it.

Employers should treat their employees with a little more compassion and employees should try to spend some time understanding what their employers are going through.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Post Your Ideas Here On Home Remodeling

To would appreciate any home remodeling tips for ideas that you have that could help other homeowners, building contractors and other people involved in home remodeling. Post all your comments below .

Home Selling Books

Building Your Dream Game Room

When deciding to remodel or add an addition to your home, many people would like to include a game room. Whether it is in the basement or first floor of your home, a game room adds a place to unwind and have a good time. It can be used for guys or girls nights, family time, holiday gatherings or just any night of the week.

Once you have decided to create a game room in your home, you must decide what types of games you would like to include in it. There are a variety of gaming tables you can buy including poker, blackjack and roulette. You can find any of these items and their accessories online or in a store in your own area. If you order these items online, some sites will even let you customize the tables or accessories with your name or phrases.

Another item you can add to your game room is a pool table. Pool tables come in three sizes, starting at 7 feet and going to 9 feet. You should pick a table that best fits the size and needs of your game room. Once you decided on your pool table, you can then purchase your table accessories such as billiard balls, ball rack and pool cues. A pool table is fun for people of all ages.

Another gaming room item that is fun for people of all ages is a dart board. You can either get your standard cork dart board or an electronic one. You can get standard dart boards complete with wood cabinet and chalk board score board. This keeps up the appearance of your game room when the game is not in play. You can purchase dart boards online or at your local store. For the casino lover, you can add some slot machines. There are a variety of slot machines available for purchase online or at your local store. You can choose from a variety of themes and types of slot machine you would like to purchase.

Once you have chosen all the games you would like to include in your game room, you should decide if you would like to include a bar. If you choose to include a bar, you can either have a custom one built and installed or you can purchase one from your local home store. You can include game themed glasses, dishes and bottles to make your bar game room friendly. Now that you have all your games and maybe a bar, you can now decorate the room. You can choose from gamed themed pictures and signs. If you have a bar you can decorate with signs of your favorite beer or liquor. You can buy your signs and pictures online or in the store. If you buy your signs online, most sites will let you customize them with your name, picture or phrase that you like.

Now that you have everything that needs to go in your game room, all you need to do is set up, decorate and enjoy!

Purchase your poker supplies and billards equipment at Cards and Cues. Article written and Distributed by Steve Cancel at Secure Link - Michigan Website Design.

Major Bathroom Remodeling

The Best Way to Get Rid of Raccoon

Everywhere in the world, there is always a friendly pet for every family. Humans and animals coexist in a single place in most places and some men just can't live without their pets near them as if they are part of their families. People always want to have a connection to their animals. The most common among pets are the dogs. Having them in the house gives the feeling that the home is complete. In North America, there are special visitors that always want to be in your house, the raccoons. They are rampant in most parts of Northern United States and in Canada.

Raccoons are referred to as not-so-friendly "pets" that are always coming and coming in to the house and some buildings like restaurants and schools. Raccoons are always looking for food in urban areas. They are always climbing in the garbage cans, inside the garbage bins, in the lawn, behind the house where there are leftovers and even inside the house where they can sneak into the dogs door. For many, raccoons are considered to as pests because they always want to eat and scattering things all around just to eat. For a house owner who want to get rid of raccoons, consulting an expert may be the best thing to do but that could cause a fortune. The best way to get rid of raccoons is to prevent them from coming into your premises. This is to use some repellent to let them go away when they smell the chemical. For many, it is inhuman to kill them that's why they use traps to catch the raccoons and give them to the animal care centers.

Every animal is important in the balance of the ecosystem, so we should not think of some animals as pests but just another animal who needs food. We wanted our home to be as clean and well organized as possible. We should be careful to the animals that come and always think that they also have their own life and needs welfare. Raccoons are sometimes destructive but they also are very useful in the ecosystem. We should not kill the raccoons and should use some animal-friendly techniques in controlling them.

More information why people are always finding ways to get rid of a raccoon.

Are There Any Good Contractors out There

I would love to hear your good contractor stories. I'm so tired of hearing about contractor nightmares, is there anyone out there that has a good contractor story. Place it in the comment area underneath this question.

Deck Building Books

Solar Lights For Your Backyard

The continuing increase in the cost of electricity is creating a renewed interest in the use of solar energy.Heating and cooling our homes and office buildings using a renewable energy source such as solar would be a huge benefit in cost savings and environmental safety. However,many of us may not be ready for a project of that size.

We can start with a much simpler project.

If you have a backyard, patio or deck, a garden, pond or maybe a swimming pool to whichyou would like to add decorative or utility lighting, solar lights would be an ideal choice.

• Solar lights do NOT require digging trenches to install wires.
• They are much safer since they are not connected to powerful electric current.
• Most solar lights can be easily moved as they are mounted on stakes or posts that can be pushed into the ground whereever you want them.
• Solar lights for landscape, deck and patio lighting are extremely versatile because they can be mounted on deck rails, set on tables, or embedded in steps and paths to ensure safety.
• There are some wonderful colored solar lights that can light yourpatio and tables with rotating colors; vases and bowls to accent your outdoor party with colorful lights.
• Look for a special patio umbrella fitted with solar lights in its stays to brighten your patio table for delightful entertaining.
• Solar spot lights mounted near an entrance or in dark corners of your property are ideal for deterring unwanted visitors.
• A new addition to the solar light arsenal is the solar lit house number sign. It can be mounted near a doorway or at thedriveway entrance.
• Solar lights work very well to light a garden shed or greenhouse located out of the range of your current electric wiring.

So where can we start?

As consumers interested in cleaner, cheaper, and yet reliable energy, a new look at the emerging solar energy field is a good choice. We have a very strong voice among the movers and shakers of this emerging industry. If we want something, we have to just keep asking. Those who are anxious to sell their products to us will give us what we want.

New to solar lights? Begin with a set of path lights. Set them along a sidewalk or path or around a pool or pond. You'll love the versatility and flexibility. http://www.lightedlandscapes.com/catalog/item/5625528/5546110.htm.

Sign up for my newsletter "Tips and Tidbits" where I have gathered information on all forms of solar and LED lighting.
http://www.lightedlandscapes.com/lighted_landscape_news.html

From Winifred at Lighted Landscapes.com

Post Beam Soffit

Comparing Remodeling Bids

So you have decided to remodel your kitchen and you've done your research. Several kitchen remodelers have visited your home and provided you with bids, and now you are trying to decide the best path to take. You would like the project to stay close to your budget and not have a bunch of surprise costs tacked on at the end. Here are some things to look for and some questions to ask before you pick a remodeler and proceed with the project:

1. The proposals should be written and provide all the required details. The bid should not be verbal or hand written on a scrap of paper.
2. The proposal review should be an "Apples-to-Apples" comparison. Are all the contractors bidding on the same work to be completed, and the same style and quality of material? Of course a bid for off-the-shelf oak cabinets will be less than a proposal with well made cherry cabinets.
3. Is there significant detail describing the work that will be completed so that you clearly understand what will be done? The proposal should say more than; "Install New Floor". What? On top of the old floor? What kind of floor? Does the bid say that all work will be done to code? You deserve details and a qualified remodeler should be able to provide them.
4. What is a qualified remodeler? How long have they been in business? Are they insured? Are they licensed? What does the Better Business Bureau say about them or one of the quality customer based review websites? Have they been involved in litigation?
5. What happens to the trash? Is the contractor going to have a bin on-site, use a haul away service, or leave it in your yard for you to deal with? The proposal should spell out how the trash will be disposed of.
6. The proposal should not only spell out the obvious project material such as cabinets, counter top and floor material, building, plumbing and electrical supplies, but who is providing them. You or the remodeler.
7. Smaller items should also be in the proposal like the knobs and/or pulls for the cabinet doors, under cabinet lights, back splash tile, and miscellaneous trim.
8. Are you going to act as the general contractor and manage all the sub contractors or are you hiring a general contractor? What labor is included? Is disconnection and re-connection of your appliances and plumbing? When do you need to present? During the entire project, for the delivery of materials, templating and installation of the countertop?Has the contractor asked how to reach you in case issues arise?
9. Who is doing the labor? Does the remodeler have employees or is everything being sub-contracted out? Are the sub-contractors licensed and insured? Has the remodeler ask to have the sub-contractors, like electricians or plumbers, come by to perform a survey in order to provide an accurate estimate? Is workman compensation insurance a concern? You do not want to be sued if someone is injured and there is no insurance.
10. If you are acting as the general contractor, who will repair drywall if it needs to opened up by electricians or plumbers? Do not assume they will repair the drywall.
11. Is the project price all inclusive? Has tax, delivery and handling and permits been included in the price? Many municipalities require permits to be filed before the start of a project. Has a payment schedule been established? What is the payment schedule based on: work completed, material delivered, or some arbitrary scheme?
12. Is there a process defined in the proposal for changes in scope and cost to the project? Do you have a tentative project time line that says when work will start; materials will be delivered, and lists important project milestones?
13. Does the written contract match the final proposal for scope of work, materials, and price?

If any of these items are missing or they aren't clear, go back to your remodelers and ask that it be fixed. Be sure you understand the project and what each remodeler is proposing. The items listed in 1 through 13 are intended to help create a professional business relationship with your remodeler Issues always crop up in every project, but being prepared ahead of time makes it easier to find solutions. Good luck!

Scott Hanson is the owner of Kitchen Tune-Up, an award winning kitchen and bath remodeling company in Chicago. You can find more helpful hints at http://www.kitchentuneup.com

Ceiling Repairs

Clear Approach to Conservatories

A conservatory or orangery is something of a 'must have' item for many of us today. Whether used as a garden sitting room for dining, as a playroom or just a place to relax it can be a valuable addition to any home. Whatever your preference you need to choose wisely if you want to gain extra living space that will greatly enhance the value and style of your home. The alternative can be be a leaking eyesore so it is always sensible to carefully choose quality products and service to the highest safety standards.

When it come to choosing a location there are many factors to consider, such as the amount of sunlight your new extension will receive and convenience of access. You also need a conservatory or orangery in keeping with the style of the house or garden, with double glazing windows, heating and ventilation other important considerations. Those thinking of filling the conservatory or orangery with plants may consider a water tap or maybe even a small pond or fountain.

To consider such options after your conservatory has been built is far more expensive. It is all too easy to go with the conservatory or orangery style you'll find on a glossy brochure, but find out what other styles are available in a showroom. Consider its a place where you plan to spend a lot of time, be that pottering with plants or enjoying a leisurely evening with a glass of something refreshing. Maintenance and safety of your conservatory or orangery are also important and don't ignore security.

Ensure the conservatory or orangery design does not allow glass to be removed easily. PVC doors should be lockable and consider window locks. Finally there are many finishing touches to consider for your conservatory or orangery, from the choice of flooring, lighting and window blinds.

Contact us today and discuss our Conservatory & Orangery range or if you prefer, visit our Cheshire or Lancashire showroom http://www.theconservatoryoutlet.co.uk We guarantee you won't be disappointed!

submitted by j delacey

Why a Successful Bathroom Remodeling Plan is Necessary?

If anyone of you is interested in bathroom remodeling, he must also be interested in saving his money, which gets spent without letting you know if you are unaware of depths and heights of bathroom remodeling strategies. The most essential thing you would need for remodeling is a proper plan. If your plan has been perfectly made, taking in notice all the problems that might occur, there is rarely a chance that you would come across any kind of troubles. Besides, your project would be adored.

If you follow the step-to-step guide for bathroom remodeling, the very first thing to reckon is the purpose of doing such a project? The whole remodeling plan would be made upon your choice that whether the purpose of remodeling is to enhance the resale value of your property or your own convenience and taste. If you have a clear-cut idea about this, your bathroom remodeling plan is going to be very successful. This is what majority of people don't pay attention to. They just start planning a bathroom remodeling plan without going through several minor but important points.

However, just knowing and realizing the purpose of your bathroom remodeling plan is not going to help you in all the cases. Sometimes, your desired plan exceeds your budget; and making a budget is a whole different story. It includes costs of materials, contractors, plumbers, electricians and several other things that become the basic constituents of a bathroom remodel. You need to align your plan with your budget. Asking a local home improvement store's owner would be helpful for you if you are not market savvy. However, compromising on bad quality with a low cost is the most rejected idea. It will keep your pockets heavy for a while but later, you would always be in trouble until you plan a new remodel.

Besides, you need to keep extra money available for your budget. There are cases when something unexpected happens. Costs may increase and your project may get delayed. In such cases, you need money the most. You can also come up with new ideas in between the project. Making them possible won't just be a theory; it would only work with money.

You need to keep these basic things in your mind when making a bathroom remodeling plan. You can do some of the remodeling projects yourself but not all of them. In case you don't know anything about carrying out any such operation, don't make false assumptions that you would be able to do it because it won't be a time of experiments. Saving money and brilliantly completing a bathroom remodeling project must be your basic motto.

For knowing more about bathroom remodeling, you can visit http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/remodeling/index.php

Home Door Books

List Building and Traffic Generation - Why You Can't Have One Without the Other

List building is the key to your Internet Marketing success.

List building can be one of the most profitable aspects of your online business. The general idea is that you build a list, then build a relationship with the members on you list through email.

On average, you can expect to earn about one dollar each month for every subscriber in your list. Naturally this doesn't happen immediately as there are a number of skills to master first.

List building can happen automatically and should be a viral process. If you produce a quality list that offers something of value, others will want to tell their friends about you. This is good.

List building can be difficult for any marketer, but especially the beginner marketer. The main thing to understand is that list building is really tied in to traffic generation. You cant have one without the other.

Once you have a successful affiliate marketing campaign going, failing to build that list of loyal subscribers to You Inc. will make you miss out on 1000's of dollars a day. In effect that is money left on the table, left to other smarter marketers who are already building their wealth empire.

While list building can be an automatic process once correctly set up, maintenance of your list shouldn't be. Naturally some say all you need to do is write your email sequence and load it to a good autorepsonder, and this is part of the truth.

But look around and you will see that truly great internet marketers do much more than this. They concentrate on building huge value. Offering it freely to their subscribers and often in real time.

Think of it as a garden you need to fertilize and water to see it grows and you'll soon be thinking of ways to make your list building efforts to take root.

While list building of itself can be a powerful way to create an income online, the real secret to building a big list is to get a ton of traffic to your site so you also need to learn traffic generating strategies of which there are many, some paid and some completely free.

So if you are intent on building an online business, whether it is affiliate marketing or MLM, list building is something you absolutely must master. The sooner you take this challenge, the quicker you will see results and the more effort you put into learning the right way to do this, the better your results will be.

Probably the easiest way to increase subscribers and build your list is with an effective squeeze page that offers visitors something for free in exchange for their contact details. In effect this gives you permission to contact them at a later date.

List building is just one way of monetizing the traffic you send to your site, so if you fail to learn traffic generation strategies, your list will fail to grow.

In case you have missed the link, building a website not only does it give you an opportunity to build a list, but also to make yourself different from your competitors, and offer more value. It also allows you to market more than one program.

When embarking on the list building journey, remember it is all about opt-in conversion rates and the value of each subscriber over the life of the relationship. This is where valuable content comes into play? Valuable content that helps others will build a strong relationship between you and your list members. In time this will be the key to monetization of your list. It is a simple skill yet cannot be mastered without first appreciating its role in online success.

So the focus is on building relationships and what better way to start than to give them something of value? You might even want to create your own product which you give away free to opt-ins. But if that sounds scary, don't worry, there are plenty of other peoples products you can use which will also pay you a commission for every copy sold or given away to your subscribers.

So how do you get started? Find a good product to give away or sell in exchange for contact details, load those opt-ins to your autoresponder and begin compiling some messages that will help people newer to this game than you. That's it. It's that simple.

Just remember, start small and build up as you gain confidence. It's ok to have a list of 5 if you learn well and offer great value. Soon you will have a list of 50, then 500 and so on. That's how it happened to me.

Francine Pullman is a stay-at-home mum, an internet marketer and coach, who teaches others how to build a huge team through Attraction Marketing and never ever, ever cold call again. And it pisses her upline off! Download your free video tutorials now at http://www.LeadsAutopilot.com or go to http://www.FrancinePullman.com to learn more.

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Tips on Building a Custom Home

So a traditional tract home is not for you. You would like to have a custom home built just for you. The first step in being able to have and build a custom home is to find a suitable lot to build your home on. Lots for your home could be a large portion of the cost. Depending on how close to the city you want to be will also be a variable on the cost of the lot.

In Arizona land closer in is either very rare or if it is available to build on it is very expensive. You won't find a empty lot ready to buy in very many areas. For instance, Tempe is pretty much land locked and no available land to build to suite. The cities surrounding Phoenix like Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert have available land for purchase of building your custom home. The cost will depend on many different things. Some of these variable will be how close utilities are to the lot, does it have paved streets, is it a high end Mountain View lot or on a county island.

Financing for land is still available today but usually you will need a minimum of 30% down with the stiffer lending rules after all the fallout of recent years from the laxity in lending rules. Another way to go is to wrap the lot in a construction loan which is basically purchasing the lot along with funding to build the home. The builder then takes draws on the loan at various stages of building the home in order to pay for the building costs. You will generally be paying interest on the loan shortly after taking out the loan which means you are paying on the home before it is even finished.

Once you have the lot you desire you must next consider the floor plan and the builder to build the home. You may have considered this before you even went shopping for your lot but most find the lot first and then look for the builder and the plan they desire. There are hundreds of custom homes that already have approved plans that can be somewhat modified to meet your needs.

Be sure and find a reputable builder. Get referrals as well as look closely at their previous work and quality and check with the registrar of contractors for reports of violations or complaints. Anyone can call themselves a custom builder and when the housing market was booming a lot of builders came out of the woodwork calling themselves custom home builders but had very little or no experience.

Believe it or not, some actually build the home themselves. Maybe not each and every step on their own; but bid out the specific subcontractors such as plumbing, concrete, roofing and electrical. If you are serious about taking this project out on your own be sure you know what you are doing or risk spending a lot of time and money re-doing the work or end up with a lower quality build.

The cost to building a custom home will depend on the upgrade you choose; generally from $125-$215 per square foot. As costs for copper and cement as well as various other materials go up so does the total cost of building your dream home.

Nancy Niblett is a highly successful Real Estate Agent specializing in the Chandler area. She credits her success to hard work, integrity and honesty. Clients continue to refer her over and over again. Nancy is one of the most successful award-winning agents with Keller Williams Realty, East Valley. If you are not ready to take this step, you may want to check out Gilbert horse property. For a low maintenance homes, check out Ocotillo condos for sale in Chandler, AZ.

How Tough Are Concrete Epoxies

List Building Secrets - How to Add 100 Subscribers Per Day

You probably know by now that list building is essential to most any reliable online business model. The reason list building is so important is because it allows you to have customers that you can market to over and over again, which can result in a lot of sales with little effort. To build a huge list fast you need to get 100 subscribers per day, but how can you can do this?

There are list building secrets that can help you accomplish your goals, and here they are.

1. Take advantage of social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and twitter. The key is to join groups that could potentially be interested in your niche, and become part of the community. Do not just simply spam people, but find out who is interested in what you have to offer and market to them.

2. Article marketing is a great way to build a big list fast. This method is not really a secret, but it amazes me how many people do not take advantage of this method. If you want to get 100 subscribers per day this is a good way to start.

3. eBay classified ads are great for list building purposes. One single classified ad can easily bring you many targeted visitors, so why not try to build a list in this manner? You know that you are getting targeted traffic, and even better than that these people are searching eBay which means they are in a buying mood when they sign up for your newsletter.

See The Exact Methods I Use To Rake In Massive Amounts of Cash From eBay Classified Ads.

Visit http://www.marketingprimetime.com For Instant Access!

Plaster And Drywall Cracks

Inerrancy of the Bible - Are There Mistakes in the Bible

What does the word inerrancy main? Inerrancy would refer to text that is accurate and totally free of any errors or without any mistakes. Does this sound like any book that you have ever read or have knowledge of. Maybe there is a one sentence book that could fall into this category.

Most books however and even this article has mistakes. If I made a decision to base my life, my entire life and that of my children and grandchildren, I would want to make sure that it was accurate as possible.

Is the Bible, 100%, 90%, or even 50% accurate. Are these stories that were written by people many years ago and the lessons have been helpful but now need to be rewritten.

Does the Bible actually contain the will of God? Some scholars believe that certain sections of the Bible meet this criteria while others do not. How can these people judge if they are not God and how can we believe in this stuff is not true.

If the Bible was inspired by God but written by men, this could actually mean that God had complete control over writing the Bible or does this mean that the man wrote the Bible with gods inspiration. I'm inspired by God daily and often write about it, but don't seem to have enough followers to make it into the biblical Hall of Fame. I'm writing with inspired beliefs right now.

If there are errors in the Bible, how extensive or how many errors are there actually. There are actual stories that can be documented as historical facts. This doesn't mean the rest of the Bible is factual, nor does it mean it is historically inaccurate.

The Bible has some errors in it and some facts that we can prove but leaves us with the question, is this a book from the Creator of the universe or a book written by men, to make us believe, it was written by God and if so why are we still believe being in it. Why do some people read this book and other religious text daily? What motivates them to read holy Scripture regularly but doesn't seem to allow them enough time to find out if they are reading accurate information.

The biggest problem I have with the inerrancy of the Bible is the fact that most people tend to ignore certain truths and cling to their childhood beliefs about religion. If this is not the way or the truth, I would want to start looking for it, instead of following someone else's dreams or religious doctrine.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion. Religious Education And Fear

Retrofit a Basement in Dublin, Ireland - Case Study 1 of 3

When talking to architects and home owners we often find that people do not believe that they too can have a basement. So we have produced some brief case studies to show people what we have actually done.

Location: Mount Street Crescent.

A 3 story terraced house on one of the finest Georgian crescents in Dublin overlooking the pepper canister church in (Dublin 2). This 3 story family home was totally refurbished and extended by the basement specialists, both above and below ground.

Focusing on the basement: The existing basement was extended both underneath the fabric of the building and underneath the garden. One issue with this property there was no natural light entering the rear of the basement and it is in a conservation area. By extending under the garden much more space was created and that space could be lit naturally by using massive roof lights.

The construction phase took 12 weeks and involved removing 15 12 cubic yards skips of spoil and implementing 21 meters of under pinning to a depth of between 0.6 and 1.2 meters.

At the conclusion of this project the clients has a massive and magnificent family room sporting a feature stove and naturally lit from above. Along with several other rooms plus a feature staircase. The feature staircase runs from the Entrance level down to the basement and functions of the banisters and uprights are performed by sheets of toughened glass. This gives a light and delicate touch to the stairs while permitted large amounts of light to flow up or down the stairwell with the minimum of obstruction.

If we could show you a way to get more space in your home, without the hassle of moving would you be interested?

The specialists for retrofitting basements under existing buildings in Dublin. Contact us for a free consultation.... http://www.TheBasementSpecialists.ie

Kitchen Counters - The Latest Trend

I have visited a lot of homes since I have been with Re/Max Houston over the past 20 years. I've been selling Houston real estate now since 1981. For most of these years, I have been advising homeowners on the proper "staging" of their home in order to facilitate a sell. Heck, back in the dark ages, staging was not even in our vernacular. If memory serves me, we called it, "Hey lady, you need to do something with your home if you want to sell it." Staging sounds much more professional.

During this time, there have been a number of hot button trends that have come and gone with time. I should say, with the passing of decades. With another of my landmark birthdays on the horizon, let me just say that trends come and go. A wise seller and Realtor will be in tune with these trends if they want to maximize the value of their property much less sell it as well.

For example, in the 1980's, new carpet was a must for the proper staging of a home for sale in Houston, TX. That orange or green shag carpet from the previous decade just had to go. Peace, love and Jimmie Hendricks lives, but not if they wanted to sell their home. It was time to move on, tune in and change the carpet. Oh! That butcher block laminate kitchen counter was to die for. Try to sell a production built home in Houston then without butcher block. Forget it!

The early 1990's was all about tile. Just install tile on the floor, the counters, bathtub, walls and even the front porch and you were all set. Ok, a little wood flooring here and there could not hurt either. Now, that was staging, 1990's style.

Today, one of the significant hot-button trends are kitchen counters. What Re/Max Houston professional doesn't hear daily, "Is there granite in the kitchen," the buyer asks? Your home in Katy, Texas or Sugar Land for example, needs to have four bedrooms, a game room or media room and it would be really great if it had granite kitchen counters. While granite seems to be the soup de jour, granite is not the only game in town. In fact, you might be surprised what countertop still reigns at the top of the heap.

As you can imagine, homeowners have a plethora of kitchen counter options. Have small children? You might prefer a counter that be cut, eat, spill, and even do homework on. Ok, is has to look good too and it must fit into the family budget. Just keep in mind, when marketing a home in the Houston real estate market, the appearance of the kitchen is very important today. A nice countertop can add pizzazz to your kitchen and facilitate a sell. So, here is the "low down" on the current "up town" kitchen countertops.

When touring homes, buyers are quite surprised to find lovely stone backsplashes and-laminate counters? That's right! Hold on to your hat because laminate, not stone is still the most common material used for kitchen counters. Laminate tops are inexpensive, durable, come in an array of colors and are easy to install. Did I mention less expensive. Manufacturing technologies have improved the appearance providing a variety of looks. Many production builders in the greater Houston real estate market still rely on laminate counters to keep their costs down. You want granite? Well, here is your upgrade price.

Fifteen years ago, granite was still somewhat of a rarity. Today, due to greater availability and an increased number of fabricators, granite tops are much more common and more affordable. On the average, the retail price of a typical granite countertop will run about $30.00 to $35.00 a square foot installed. A little more exotic granite could cost about $80.00 a square foot installed. Granite is available in many colors. Since each piece of granite is unique, it is important to visit the fabricator to select the exact slabs you would like to use. Granite requires little maintenance, but you must be careful with unsealed granite being damaged by hot grease. Granite is usually installed by a professional.

Engineered stone, such as "Corian" and "Silestone," combine the beauty of natural stone and the functional benefits of a solid-surface material. They are composed of a blend consisting of crushed natural stone bound together with synthetic materials. They are non-porous countertops, difficult to stain and have excellent scratch resistance qualities. These products are typically installed by authorized contractors of the manufacturer which can increase the cost of installation. The retail price of these engineered stone products can run about $55.00 a square foot and more. A natural stone such as granite can actually cost less depending on which stone you select.

Acrylic and polyester tops such as the old cultured marble that is installed in many bathroom counters, are available now in hundreds of different colors and textures. They are non-porous which makes them excellent for food preparation. They can be formed into many shapes and sizes. Correctly installed, these products appear seamless as well unlike laminate. If burned or scratched, the damage can usually be buffed and sanded out. They are durable products, and they typically should be installed by a trained professional.

Of course, there is always tile. Tile now comes in a huge variety of colors, materials and prices. Tile does offer great design flexibility too. Granite, porcelain and glazed tiles are the least porous and work well in the kitchen environment. Marble, unglazed clay and limestone tiles are softer and more absorbent. These products are best used for bathrooms. With tile, grout is part of the equation. The proper grout material and color must be selected with the appropriate tile.

It's now decision time. As a homeowner, what kitchen counter do you install that adds value, looks nice and will facilitate a sell in the future? Oh, it must fit your pocketbook too. If we have learned anything, the answer can depend upon what decade you decide to sell your home. Today, the smart choice is probably with granite based on demand, cost and appearance. In 2010 however, it's anyone's guess. Best recommendation: install and enjoy. You are the one who has to live there now. If you have the right home in a good location, a buyer in the future will still buy your home, even if aluminum foil is the product of choice. Trends, after all, come and go.

Contact Richard Elkowitz for Houston Real Estate and Searching Homes for Sale in Houston, TX

Hiring the Best Professional For Your Home Improvement Project

Are you looking for a professional to do some work for you in your home? Here is my take on what you need to know before you commit to hiring someone.

First things first, do your homework. Don't just hire someone because they are the cheapest in town. Ask many questions. How long have you been in business? Are you listed with the Better Business Bureau? Do you provide free estimates? Can you provide a list of references that I can call on? Can I check out some of your work? Do you do the work yourself or do you hire subcontractors? Do you have a license to do plumbing and electrical? ARE YOU INSURED? Whatever else you can think of to ask, ask!

Here are some other things to consider:

Red Flags: Signs of the Un-Professional Remodeler
Doesn't have license and insurance.
Doesn't write contracts.
Requires cash or payment in full before starting the job.
Vastly underbids all other contractors.
Cannot provide customer references.
Poor credit.
Difficulty contacting the remodeler.

You are online right now. Do some research on how to hire a professional. I've heard too many horror stories from my clients and have my own horror stories as well, both as a consumer and as a professional.

Professionals will present themselves as such. His/her appearance might say a lot about the quality of their work ethic, but he also might show up in work clothes because he hammering away at a job. That tells you that he doesn't only sell the job, but works it, too. A professional should also explain the process, a reasonable timeframe for completion, and should be able to handle events and occurrences beyond their control.

Another thing to consider is the number of ongoing projects. A number of factors come into play here. A professional wants to remain productive at all times. If a contractor can work two or three jobs at a time and can do so effectively for all of his/her clients, excellent! Some pros just wish to work on one project at a time. Either way, feeling confident that you will get the best from your pro is very important. Some parts of the job include processes, for example, tilework and drywall; one can only do so much before having to wait for the adhesive or mud to dry. In that down time, a professional may go on to another project and begin to work the next phase, sanding or grouting for instance.

All in all, know your pro before you hire him or her. Get a couple of estimates and compare them. If you have questions as to why one is higher than another, ask. Every pro is different in the way they handle their business and none should be offended by your education.

What kind of experiences have you had in the past with pros you hired? Post them here for others to see.

My name is Ryan M. Bruzan. I own and operate my own home improvements business, Little Things Home Improvements, LLC.
http://www.littlethings.biz

Surface Protection Products Save Builders Money

Houses are expensive to build. From the basic framework to the finishing touches of the perfect flooring, the right cabinetry and the decorative front door, everything costs money. Contractors know that even with the best of intentions, accidents happen, and something expensive needs to be replaced or repaired. Contractors and builders can save time and money by using surface protection products to prevent damage to fixtures.

Surface protection products will more than pay for themselves in the time and money saved by not having to replace or repair anything in the home. Products are available to protect just about any surface in the home during construction. As word spreads that these surface protection products are used and save the new homeowners money by preventing costly delays, a builders image will improve.

FLOORS/CARPETS - Instead of nicking that beautiful wood floor that was just laid, or tracking stains all over the pure white carpet the homeowners have chosen, floors are easily protected while the rest of the job is finished by using surface protection products. Tacky mats are also available to trap dirt and debris from being tracked through the new home.

WINDOWS - Window protection prevents scratching of the glass while allowing natural light inside. It is easy to install and easy to remove, providing protection with UV resistance.

DOORS - Doors can easily be wrapped in a protective sheet to prevent dirt smears, dents and paint overspray. Door protection is light colored, so any important site information can be written on it by the construction crew without damage to the door. Door protection is cost effective and can be ordered in custom sizes if needed.

COUNTERS - Easily modified to fit any surface, counter protection products come in economy, standard, deluxe and premium varieties. All but the economy style are made of thick durable corrugate attached to strong plastic sheeting to provide protection not only to the countertop but to the front of the cabinetry as well.

CABINETS - Durable cardboard sheeting is easily attached to cabinet fronts to protect them from dings, scratches, overspray and dents. It can be re-used until it is torn.

BATHROOMS - Tub damage is a very common event and can really add unexpected costs to building a home. There are various styles of tub protection on the market from liners to covers. Each has their merits but the keys to preventing damage are eliminating the use of bath tubs as garbage cans and preventing contractors from standing in the tubs, grinding screws or nails into the finish of the tub or shower pan.

Toilet protection is available as well. It locks on securely and protects the entire fixture during construction.

HVAC - Inexpensive HVAC protection is worth its weight in gold - it keeps screws, nails, dust and debris from falling into the heating ducts. This simple product can save you a lot of money spent in cleaning the duct work after construction is finished.

Builders and contractors everywhere can benefit by using surface protection products during the construction process. Many of the products are reusable from job to job, and can be printed with the name and/or logo of a business for promotional purposes. Time and money is saved by reducing the amount of replacement and repair needed when finishing up a construction job.

Mike Blake is co-founder of Blake Products and has several patented and patent pending surface protection products. Through his experience in the construction industry, he recognized opportunities to save builders money through preventable damage. For a complete line of surface protection products, please visit http://www.blakeproducts.com your Surface Protection Center.

Vinyl Siding Melting Damage

Dryer Vents - Reduce Fire Danger

The dryer vent pipe is an often overlooked fire hazard and energy eater. Moisture and lint can gather in the folds causing a potential fire hazard and restricting air flow making your dryer run longer consuming more natural gas and electricity. I see over 200 houses every year and one of the most common and potentially dangerous problems are incorrect dryer vents.

You need to replace your dryer vent pipe if it

• is made of flexible plastic or foil
• has more than two 90 degree elbows
• is more than 12 feetlong
• uses metal screws
• the laundry area is moist, humid and covered in lint

Flexible foil or plastic vent pipe looks like the arms on the robot from the TV show Lost In Space. People use these because they are so easy to install. Every turn or elbow will slow the exhaust air. Longer lengths will cause moisture in the air to condense giving lint a chance to catch and build up in the pipe. The longer length will also make your dryer work harder. The sharp point of metal screws in the pipe will catch lint. If there are leaks in the pipe the added humidity will provide a perfect environment for mold and mildew growth and Carbon Monoxide will also be pumped into your house if you have a gas dryer. Asthma and allergy sufferers should pay special attention to the dryer vent pipe.

A proper dryer vent will

• be made of solid metal pipe
• not have more than two 90 degree elbows
• not be more than 12 feet long (check local building codes at your city building inspection department)
• use metal tape to seal and secure all joints

All the supplies and tools can be bought at the local hardware store. Aluminum pipe is much easier to work with. It comes flat for cutting and then is rolled so one edge can be inserted into the other crimped edge. Pre-made elbows are used. The pipe and elbows both have one end crimped so you can fit the smaller crimped end into the larger non-crimped end.

The metal tape has a backing that peels off and sticks to the pipe holding it securely. You will need to buy tin snips or aviation side-cutters (this type looks like it has a 45 degree bend and will keep your hands above the material) and a crimping tool to reduce the diameter of cut edges. Remember to fit the small end of the pipe into the large end so the edges do not block air flow and catch lint inside the pipe!

I once saw a condominium with a vent pipe that was over 30 feet in length. You may have to move the dryer across the basement near an outside wall which would mean the gas and electric supplies will have to be altered by a licensed contractor. Homes with first or second floor laundries may need special attention. And never exhaust the dryer into a garage or attic!

Frank Kalinski is a licensed builder in the State of Michigan and has run a gutter repair service for five years. Now doing home residential rental inspection for property owners he has seen many homes and how people live in them. He sees many products and designs years after construction; some things work well and some not. Simple, basic, tried and true generally last the longest and are most economical. Please visit my new web site at http://frg-s.com/

Double Hung Window In Wall Framig

Types of Foundations - San Diego Construction

The foundation is the first part of a home that is constructed. It creates a base for the rest of a home's parts. If a foundation is not good, the rest of the house will have problems. Because there are options for choosing a foundation type, builders and home owners have an important decision to make. Any decision concerning a foundation should be made while keeping in mind the cost, market demand, soil composition, and weather conditions of the area.

There are three main types of foundations: full-height basement, crawlspace, and slab-on-grade. All of these foundations do a more than adequate job of supporting a house.

Full-Height Basement

Full-height basement foundations provide an accessible space between the soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. This space can be finished to provide extra space for a family or left unfinished and used primarily for storage. This type of foundation provides more head room for individuals than a crawlspace will allow.

This foundation type is typical in an area with a colder climate where the foundation needs to be below the frost level. A foundation needs to be below the frost level to prevent it from cracking.

Crawlspace

A crawlspace foundation creates an accessible space with limited headroom between the soil and the bottom of the first floor. This type of foundation is predominantly used in areas with heavy clay content in the soil.

The crawlspace foundation does not provide a new room for a family to use but it does allow for ample storage.

Slab-on-Grade

Slab-on-grade foundations are the least complicated of the foundations. It is just a structural concrete slab poured directly on the dirt. There is no accessible space between the foundation and the dirt because the foundation sits on the dirt.

This type of foundation is popular in areas that have a high water table. The water table is the depth to which an individual must dig before he or she can find water.

All of these foundations are generally constructed from concrete. There are options to concrete though. The two main ones are Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) and Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs).

Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are hollow, concrete blocks similar to cinder blocks. The hollow portions are filled with concrete from top to bottom to hold the blocks together and to hold the wall together.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are rigid foam insulation forms into which concrete is poured. The insulation forms are made of a mold, hardware, and any necessary bracing a wall or foundation could use.

After the concrete hardens in the form, the outside, the inside, or both forms are removed. This type of construction is common in areas that have building codes which require insulated foundations. The biggest benefit of this type of foundation is that the homeowner or builder can immediately finish the basement without adding studs.

Joseph Devine

If you would like more information concerning foundations or the home building process, please visit http://brchomes.com/article_choosing_a_custom_builder.aspx. Their team will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have concerning foundations or any other aspect of your home

Structural Shear Wall Inside

The Perfect Conservatory - How Best To Get The Most Out Of This Wonderful Home Add-On

As the good old media whip up the economic slow-down into a frenzy fewer and fewer of us are willing to part with our hard earned money and look to move home. Instead this year the bulk of the population that were looking to upgrade their homes for new and bigger versions will be staying put and instead trying to re-model their homes in the hope of adding extra living space to them as well as increase the market value of the property when the housing market finally does get the feel good factor back. Within a house there are many tasks that can be carried out to improve the value of the home, some are easier to carry out than others, some are more expensive to carry out than others and some will yield a higher return when it comes to sell the property in question. So what options have you available if you are in this position and are looking to progress?

Whatever you do you need to think long term, adding value to you property so that you see a return on your investment has got to be the overall objective but adding something to your home that makes it a more pleasant place to live should also be a major consideration.

One such addition that fits the bill is adding a conservatory to your home. Depending on the climate of where you live adding a conservatory could add a touch of outdoor living to your home for most of the year without having to worry too much about the outdoor elements. A conservatory should create a light and airy room with the feeling of the outdoors but with the security of the indoors. A conservatory is a multi functional room that if constructed properly can be used all year round, although there are a few very important things to bear in mind if you want to achieve the perfect conservatory.

Heating a conservatory is a concern for many people, those of you that have ever been in a greenhouse will appreciate that when the sun is not shining and it is cold outside a greenhouse is freezing but when the sun comes out it is sub-tropical. The same can happen with a conservatory if not constructed with the correct materials. The problem lies within the glass that goes to make up the bulk of the construction of the conservatory. If cheaper quality glass is used then in winter when you go to heat your conservatory the heat will disappear as types of cheaper glass do not have any insulating properties at all hence the heat disappears out into the atmosphere. Likewise, in summer as the glass has no reflective property the heat from the sun streams through into the conservatory and makes it unbearably hot. However a glass has been developed that minimizes this effect by reflecting heat waves back into the conservatory during the colder months as well as reflecting the heat waves away from the conservatory in the summer months. This helps to keep the temperature manageable all year round.

Of course in the winter months it is always advisable to have some form or other of heating in the conservatory but what are the best options open to you? Many people tend to go with the small conservatory convector heaters which heat up air and then via a fan within the heater distribute it around the room. These are quite effective as long as your conservatory is not too big but they can be expensive to run. A cheaper alternative to run but more expensive to install would be to add a radiator or two to the room. If you already have gas central heating with radiators in your home it is not too big a job for a heating engineer to add a couple of radiators to a conservatory. The heat from radiators can help to give a nice cozy feel to a conservatory. The final option that is proving to be more and more popular is the installation of under floor heating within the conservatory. This is probably the most expensive option to go for but can give the best results as well as making the conservatory feel the most livable.

As anyone who has ever spent any time in a conservatory will tell you they can be a little bit like being in a goldfish bowl, completely open for everyone to observe what is going on. To minimize this effect it would be an idea to fit some conservatory blinds, these come in many different sizes and colors and it is generally pretty easy to get a style that fits in with the rest of your house decor. You can go for the conventional curtain or drape style window covering or you can even go for the more fashionable venetian blinds type covering. Whatever window covering you go for the most important thing is that it enables the conservatory to blend in with the rest of the house rather than looking like an afterthought or bolt on.

For more info on all things conservatory, blinds and kitchen please visit our site - http://www.kitchen-blinds.com
Conservatory Blinds
Please feel free to republish this article providing a working hyperlink remains to our site
Harwood E Woodpecker