Special Ways to Celebrate Father's Day

The third Sunday in June is a special day that is set aside to honor our fathers and the other special men (stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, etc.) in our lives. You have probably heard the saying The way to a mans heart is through his stomach. This Fathers Day you can make that saying come true. Plan a barbecue and make and bottle some homemade barbecue sauce for dad. (Go to kidssoup.com for instructions) Invite family as well as friends who are close to your dad or just let it be you and your dad. For dessert, set up an ice cream sundae bar. No dessert could be simpler than the ice cream sundaea scoop of ice cream, a sweet topping, a dollop of whipped cream, and a cherry at the top. Provide a variety of flavors of ice cream (make sure that Dads favorite flavor is there) and toppings (crushed cookies, small candies, sprinkles, nuts, crumbled candy bars fruit toppings, hot fudge, caramel topping, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries).

Things to Do with Dad
With children, make a list of things that they can do with their dads or other special men in their lives (fly a kite, plant a vegetable garden, lie underneath the stars, build a birdhouse, play catch, make popcorn and watch a favorite video, pack a picnic, go for a bike ride, read a book or spend time on the computer together, etc.).

Treasure Hunt
Take a walk and pick up as many neat treasures as you can find while you are walking (like bottle caps and bits of wire). Make a picture with your findings and add some glue. Place it inside a frame with no glass.

Fathers Day Cards
If youre having some trouble choosing a card, why not make one yourself? A handmade card or note from the heart speaks more of your feelings than the store bought variety. We have several card patterns from which to choose on our site.

Fathers Day Coupons
Make a book of tickets that Dad can redeem for things like One board game with me or One free hug. For a special presentation, wrap them up in a small box and tie with ribbon or yarn.

Games Day
Have a Games Day. Get together with a few other people and play games. Each person brings a favorite board game to share or picks an outdoor game everyone can have fun with like soccer or croquet.

Crown Dad King for the Day
Have children make Dad a crown. Get a big sh521eet of paper and draw a crown shape. Decorate it with glitter, yarn, ribbon, pom-poms, fancy buttons, sequins, or whatever you have on hand and staple it together.

To find other easy-to-make Fathers Day gift ideas, quotes and poems visit fathersdaycraftbox.com.

Jolanda Garcia is a former teacher and educational content designer. Her goal is to provide parents and teachers with quality resources to promote their children's development and creativity. Visit her websites at: Preschool activities and crafts, and Father's Day gift ideas

Electrical Books

How Efficient Are Electric Heaters

With the cost of utilities bills going up... Home owners are looking at the efficiency of heating equipment. Learn how efficient electric heaters are.

2 X 6 Wood Framed Ceiling

Mold Testing - Forensic Science Investigation for your Family's Health

If you have reason to believe you have a mold problem in your home, you may need to consider getting professional help. Investigating your own home for mold problems is certainly a step you should take, but if your sleuthing does not come up with solid evidence then you will need to get mold testing done. Though it is an expense most homeowners would prefer to avoid, mold can be a serious health issue and should not be taken lightly.

Investigating on your own before bringing in a professional is fine, so long as your investigations do not end up disturbing mold and spreading the dangerous spores into the air. The easiest way to begin searching for mold is to follow your nose; mold and mildew have a distinctive smell, which is generally associated with damp surroundings. Indeed, mold needs moisture to survive, so the best place to start is any area where you know there has been water leaking or seeping into the home. This could be something 2206as large as a roof or plumbing leak, or simple condensation from constant steamy showers or an improperly tuned air conditioning unit.

Surface mold is easily detected, and generally easy to dispose of. Many commercial mold killers exist on the market and most do a fine job. The more insidious types of mold, however, are often hidden behind walls or under carpets, and this is where mold testing comes in.

Professional mold testers have the tools and expertise to uncover mold hidden in many parts of the household. Often they will take cultures and grow the mold spores in a lab, to discover what kinds of mold are growing, and whether they are benign or dangerous. Though scent is a good indicator of mold, it is not always practical to sniff around the entire home, and sometimes areas are missed. Also, some types of molds are less 'nose-worthy' than others, though no less damaging to your families health.

If you have had a leak or flood or other water intensive problem in the home, there is a good chance that mold has had a chance to grow. Mold spores simply float around in the air, and it doesn't take much to allow them to thrive. However, unless the area remains moist, the mold will dry up. This doesn't mean the problem is necessarily solved, as the spores still end up airborne, and ultimately breathed in.

If your own investigations have proved fruitless, but you are still convinced there may be mold in the home, then mold testing is imperative. The cost can be significant, however, so it is best to try and find out as much on your own as possible. However, the cost is often worth it, when hidden mold is discovered in places you might not have expected.

It is also a good idea to have mold testing done when buying a home, as part of the general building inspection, as the history of the home is not always disclosed. In the event of a flood, professional mold removal services can be quite ruthless, often cutting out large pieces of wallboard to remove and sanitize mold breeding grounds. Some homeowners prefer to avoid the expense of this kind of large-scale disaster relief, but the result can often be hidden mold in the walls. As a home buyer, you want to be sure that you are not buying hidden mold as well.

Though mold testing can be expensive, if you suspect there may be mold but you have not been able to find any, it may be worth it. Mold can cause many serious illnesses, particularly respiratory sickness, so removing mold is imperative. The cost of not testing for, and removing mold will ultimately be born by the health of your family.

For more information on mold testing and household mold, please visit:
http://www.HealthyHomeFacts.com
Brent Craig is a writer and researcher with an interest in healthy home options.

Home Remodeling Ideas

Millions of People With Arthritis Unnecessarily Suffer From Pain

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 46 million adults suffer from arthritis, and almost 19 million adults have to curtail their activities due to arthritis. The CDC projects that, by the year 2030, 67 million adults will have arthritis and 25 million will limit their activities because of the condition.

Conditions and Causes

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease characterized by joint pain, and comes about as the result of and injury to or infection in the joint, or the aging process. Essentially, joint pain is caused by inflammation that arises when the cartilage that cushions the joints lessens.

In contrast to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack and inflame the joints. Whereas osteoarthritis can be limited to a single, injured joint, or to a pair of joints (such as the knees or hips) in instances where the cartilage is worn out, rheumatoid arthritis usually affects multiple joints and can generally affects people at a much younger age.

Arthritis Pain and Symptoms

For people with osteoarthritis, arthritis pain typically increases over the course of the day, as the affected joints are used or overused. On the other hand, people with rheumatoid arthritis typically experience the most arthritis pain in the morning (or after waking), with the pain lessening throughout the day.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, rheumatoid arthritis can be characterized by three stages, and over time progresses from one to the other: swelling, growth of cells, and the production of enzymes that can digest cartilage and bone.

Arthritis pain typically worsens over time for both those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and those with osteoarthritis. According to the CDC, 40 percent of adults with arthritis report that at least one out of nine daily functional activities is difficult or impossible to do. These activities include bending, standing, walking, carrying, and grasping. Studies have repeatedly proven that those with arthritis have a poorer quality of life and suffer both a physical and emotional toll from the condition.

Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis treatment can range from using topical creams to over-the-counter analgesics to prescription drugs to joint replacement surgery. To improve the quality of life and decrease the incidence of debilitating pain, the most effective treatments focus on arthritis pain relief. Many peer-reviewed medical journals have documented the efficacy of a topical treatment that works by penetrating the sub-epidermal level of the skin, thereby blocking out pain transmitters and starting localized healing.

This topical lotion for arthritis pain relief is especially effective in reducing joint pain in the knees, hands, and lower back. It is also effective as a preventative measure for muscle pain and cramping before and after physical workouts, and can reduce the pain of tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and menstrual cramps.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Arthritis Pain Relief or Majon's Health and Beauty directory

Trash Enclosure With Tile Roof

Plantar Fasciitis - A Continual Foot Pain

Plantar Fasciitis is a rather common condition of the foot causing significant heel pain and proximal foot arch pain. The most common presentation of plantar fasciitis is when a patient experiences pain with their first step in the morning. This initial step incurs the most pain that the patient will feel throughout the day, but there will be continual pain in those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Typically people describe the pain as relating to the sensation of walking on glass. These initial steps incur tremendous pain near the proximal aspect of their foot where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel bone.

Normally, the plantar fascia acts as an anchor for the foot arch. While this is the role it naturally plays, simply acting as the anchor subjects the plantar fascia to significant strain over the course of a day. This strain is most significant when people aren't wearing proper support in their shoes.

Commonly, those who suffer from plantar fasciitis will come in for help after the pain has been present for around three months. Frequently, physicians recommend some stretching and some ice and some non-steroidal anti-inflamatories.

Frankly, these regimens have not been shown to be particularly useful in studies. Certainly for a few people with a minor condition such a minor treatment will help; particularly the icing aspect. And don't get me wrong, it is a great idea to keep muscles stretched for those who are looking to stay healthy in their general lifestyle, but it is not usually an effective treatment for such a serious condition. Even the drugs that are commonly prescribed have been shown to be of little help in this condition.

Effective treatment consists of an introduction of the arch support, whose absence contributed to the condition in the first place. This can take the form of over the counter arch supports, no special supports are necessarily required for plantar fasciitis. As one can assume without seeing the commercials, there are numerous reasonable arch supports on the market.

Dr. Scholls has a good product heel pain relief orthodics that are reasonable. There are a few others that are available, and certainly if you go to your local drug store, youll find some non-Dr. Scholls products that may beat the price. Most of the good products will run about 2/3 the length of the foot. Theyll have a degree of firmness to them, and they will have some obvious arch support. Introducing arch support is likely to be helpful in easing the pain of plantar fasciitis and even healing the condition when used in conjunction with other therapies.

Another therapy that can help patients who's conditions aren't taken care of with a simple arch support device, the night splints can be effective. One thing to understand about plantar fasciitis pain is it becomes a recurrent problem and really becomes a little bit of a vicious cycle. The cycle occurs during the day.

Someone will cause wear and tear on their plantar fascia at the insertion on the heal bone, and at night this strain is relieved when they lie horizontally and allow their feet to go limp. From this orientation, their foot and leg are in a position totally different from the one found through much of the day. This relaxed position causes the plantar fascia to become similar to a relaxed rubber band. The reason the first step hurts so much more than the rest throughout the day is that the healing thats been going on over night to try to rebuild bridges where there has been micro tears, are all ripped out with those first few steps as the rubber band that was healed in a lax position becomes stretched. With all of the healing that occurs during sleep being destroyed every morning, the restorative nature of sleep is no longer found in the heel, and the pain continues.

The night splint addresses this issue by maintaining the L shape of the foot over the course of the night. There are numerous pictures of this on the internet. Frankly there are products over the internet that would address this. They can be given through a doctors office with a prescription and theres quite a markup on these non-custom fitted braces when they are obtained in the traditional way through medical insurance, etc.

In summary, when your heel starts hurting and it hurts with the first step in the morning, immediately start icing at night and get yourself an over the counter foot orthodic. It provides significant arch support described above. If this doesnt work, then I would consider talking to your doctor and possibly adding the night splint. If these fall short, then you may need a steroid injection to sort of get you over the hump and start this healing process.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He also has an interest in shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, specifically with regards to rotator cuff tendonitis Dr. Carroll is the author of Shoulder Pain Talk, a forum dedicated to educating those who suffer from shoulder pain about common treatment options and the condition that afflicts millions of Americans.

Fallbrook Siding

New Homes Georgetown Texas - Building A Better Home

Georgetown is a growing city that has the real estate to fit each residents needs. Located about twenty minutes from downtown Austin, Georgetown is a small city with developing real estate. Georgetown continues to benefit from the annual population increases in central Texas. This city has become popular for residents looking to avoid crowded town around the city like Pflugerville and Round Rock. Georgetown real estate ranges from apartments to ranch land to master planned communities. All of these home choices are available in and around the Georgetown area.

There are two master planned communities within Georgetown. One is a master planned active adult community that has strict age restrictions on home buyers in their community. This master planned community has private golf courses and fitness centers to make sure their residents are active adults. The other master planned community is a luxurious community with a private championship golf course and world class fitness facilities. Homes range well into the millions and can be as large as 7,000 sq. ft. This is a resort community that offers residents the best amenities to accompany their world class homes.

Town homes around downtown area of Georgetown are very popular. These homes located along Highway 29 and resemble a farm town community where mail men deliver mail to your doorstep each day. Most of the homes in this area were built in the 70s and 80s and provide home owners with a historic living situation. Many of these homes are owned or rented by Southwestern University students. Some of these town homes are smaller and college students benefit from the low cost, close to campus locations.

Apartments and condominiums have become popular in this area. The apartments in the area are located around the downtown area of Georgetown. Apartments in this area give residents a chance to live in a small town, and many tenants are college students. There is one condominium complex within Georgetown. This complex overlooks the San Gabriel River and gives residents the chance to enjoy the environment from their back landing.

Area neighborhoods give Georgetown residents the chance to live within communities and enjoy the communal atmosphere that neighborhoods have. There are many neighborhoods in the Georgetown area. All students are given the chance to attend the public school system and Georgetown High. Georgetown residents understand the history of the town, and the history of the people who built the town. This is why Georgetown has been able to keep its small town atmosphere as the city continues to grow.

For more information about new homes Georgetown Texas as well as new homes Austin Texas, please visit DR Horton.

Fallbrook Siding

Article Writers: Traveling This Summer? Here's What to Shoot Part 2

Granted, youve accepted and applied that shooting your own art to accompany your articles and add depth to your queries is an essential tool of the article writer. Perhaps you have a slant or two specifically in mind. But why not add even greater range to your efforts on location and explode your options and possibilities for writing? In part 1 of this two-part article, we looked at slants for shooting people pictures in a variety of ways. Here well consider other options to help bolster your multi-media research package. Use these ideas to expand your photo essay shooting range.

Food

While youre on assignment for goodness sake, dont eat at the hotel restaurant everyday. Get out there and sample the local fare. Check out farmers markets and supermarkets too. Shoot food platters, local fruits and vegetables. Im shamelessly notorious for taking photos of not only everything I eat, but shots of other peoples meals on occasion as well. If you dont know the local foods chances are your readers wont either. While youre at it, get a few recipes too. Talk to the cook or chef. And yes Bunky, get their pictures. If you discretely record your conversation, these interviews can fuel personality pieces for trade and technical publications dealing with that locale or theme area. In Oaxaca, Mexico, I actually had people coming up asking me to photograph and interview them. It provided me with enough raw input, quotes and photos to write more than 20 articles and shorts from just that one trip.

Architecture

A variety of local architectural styles might make for a good photo shoot. Architectural, building supply and construction publications are potential markets. Flower-adorned porches, balconies and staircases, decorative plants, gardens, leaves and blooms can all add a splash of nature to your portfolio. Storefronts or displays of goods can be editor-pleasing shots too.

On a recent trip, I noticed that an overwhelming number of houses were made of wood, from the most expensive-looking ones to the shabbiest and poorest abodes. I started shooting examples of different types of wooden homes along with architectural details of stairs, doors, balconies and trim winding up with scores of interesting shots that included a two-story house designed to look like a boat. The resulting multi-media package can be milked from now on without the need to travel again to the exotic location I shot from.

Nature

Visit the zoo, aviaries, wildlife preserves, gardens and other promoted sites. Use a fresh eye and your inquiring mind to generate questions, elicit opinions and capture quotations. I almost never miss a chance to spend time in the local zoo. When I heard of an Iguana Park in Cali, the Salsa music capitol of Colombia, I couldnt resist. From Ambato, Ecuador to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ive ogled animals of all types with photo ops leading to numerous assignments on creatures from Ants to Iguanas to Three-toed Sloths. Features and shorts for childrens magazines, animal lover rags and educational pieces with an on location flare await you on your next trip or vacation.

Talk with curators, animal keepers, biologists, environmentalists, horticulturalists and gardeners, local green thumbs anyone who could add depth to your proposed articles. Dont forget to photograph everyone you can preferably in action. Get their contact information to expand their quotes and bios if you need to later.

So article writers, if you are traveling this summer, by all means, take a camera or two along on your next trip or vacation as part of your article writing research equipment. Shoot high-resolution digital photos. Shoot color slides and some prints too. Photograph people, food, nature and architecture. Record those interviews and quotes to flesh out and deepen your resource pack materials. Offer editors a multi-media package that includes art and article text. Youll find that your acceptance rate just might start changing for the better.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

General Remodeling Tips
Use A Contractor For Intricate

The Commercial Real Estate Investor Team Member That Makes YOU the Most Money- The Property Manager

The right Property Manager can dramatically boost your profits and is key to your success. The wrong one can make you wish you never bought a property in the first place. Property Management Companies play a BIG part of any commercial real estate investors business plan.

So, how do you find the right Property Manager and what should a Property Management Company focus on to make YOU the most money?

Rental property can be an extremely profitable investment when managed correctly.
The best management comes from an experienced professional Property Manager. Find the best local Property Manager before you start buying, meet them in person and interview them. Once you make a choice establish good rapport and make sure they have a good reporting system and use industry standard management software. Please dont manage your own properties. You are almost certainly not good at it and Property Management is NOT the best use of your time as the head of your Investment Business.

Experience is one of the defining qualities of a Certified Property Manager. (CPM)
Candidates for the designation CPM must have a minimum of five years of effective full-time decision making activity in real estate management before earning the designation. Ongoing training is also an important piece of the right management balancing act that makes sure your manager keeps up with both the urgent daily tasks AND your long term business plan for the property.

Great Property Managers greatly reduce your risks at the same time they increase your profits.
They keep your tenants happy, focus on increasing rents and decreasing vacancies. They take care of maintenance issues promptly without you needing to get involved in repairs. They stay up to date on the latest changes in Landlord-Tenant and Fair Housing laws so you always operate in compliance with the rules.

Your Property Management Company cost is not an area where you want to shave the budget.
You get what you pay for so make sure your dollars are spent wisely. Look for Property Management companies that contain the following key traits and your profits will grow, while you simultaneously reduce monthly and annual expenses, and maintain or grow your tenant lists.

A great Property Management Company stays focused on three main areas to maximize return on investment.
1. The Investor - by increasing profits
2. Your Customers or Tenants - by providing a positive experience that results in their continued tenancy
3. Other Professional Associates - their support network that insures operating policy and procedure are adhered to.

You can not serve the needs of one of these groups at the expense of another. Ultimately, the right Property Management Company is adept at balancing all divisions and relationships that contribute to successful management and Return On Investment from a property.

Property Management success should be a shared experience within the company.
By this I mean every employee should exhibit a good attitude whether they are new to the business or have years of experience. Every employee in the management company should be willing to grow and learn. Periodic training through coaching or education should be available to maintain and upgrade service delivery. All these efforts transfer to increased customer satisfaction and tenant retention.

The right management company will also be networking with the immediate community.
Chambers of Commerce membership and various community organizations and should be able to provide a minimum of five references to you from properties they manage. They should have a track record and strong management portfolio, and have experience working with multiple investors on a single property. They should be strong communicators and be willing to work with you and your investment strategy. If your management company treats the property like they own it directly, and are spending investors money like it belongs to them they become a valued resource that contributes to both the tenant experience and the investors bottom line.

Property managers have to understand how to increase returns within an owner's specified time frame, and know how to add value by enhancing income and cutting expenses. They will conduct due diligence for you and provide you with reports as well as know how to take over a property after acquisition. The right property manager is also a financial manager and will understand how to analyze financial statements and utilize yield management technology that provides monthly updated rent rolls, income expense reports as well as annual operating budgets and income forecasts.

Choose a Property Management Company with proven abilities, integrity, reliability, industry knowledge, and management expertise needed to enhance the value of your commercial real estate assets. Investors own property for one reason - as a financial investment. The RIGHT Property Manager is the one team member that can improve your investment by positioning your property to achieve its highest and best use and make you the most money.

Learn more from a proven Investor Education Resource:
Investor Tours University is a dedicated resource helping investors build wealth and achieve their defined level of success. We offer state-of-the-art commercial real estate investing education, tailored to meet the needs of investors with varied backgrounds and experience levels. Our faculty consists of a network of national experts in legal, tax, investment strategy, property management, acquisition and sales professionals who practice what they teach investors, which is how to achieve generational wealth using commercial real estate.

Monte Lee-Wen is an author, mentor, CEO and the Founder of Investor Tours University. His website is http://www.investortours.com

ITU is a subsidiary of the Partnered Property Acquisitions Group, The PPA Group, of Austin, Texas. The PPA Group has holdings of over $40 million in commercial real estate with a projected target of over $100 million in commercial real estate acquisitions by the close of the forth quarter of 2007. Visit http://www.theppagroup.com

The PPA Group does business in all 50 states. Monte may be contacted at (512) 651-0513. ITU is the #1 educational resource for in depth commercial real estate investment education offering a proprietary investment system taught by Monte Lee-Wen.

Investor Tours University currently offers:
Free bi-weekly teleclasses
Investment Education Seminars
Investor Tours Events
Investment Webinars
And much more . . .

You are welcome to share this article, unedited, in its entirety with anyone. You may not remove this text. 2007 Investor Tours University.

Introduction To Woodworking
Mastercarpenterdecks

Building Deck Steps Now That Outdoor Entertainment Season Has Arrived

Planning a summer barbeque...reading a great book out on your new or remodeled deck...creating a new season tan have gotten easier and classier with the New Age materials available for building deck stairs that deliver a design statement plus create value for your home and property.

Cool Contemporary Trends In Materials For Building Deck Stairs. When is a step not merely a step? Answer? When it's designed into a larger deck and entertainment area for every day use along with entertaining friends. No longer a "tag-along after thought" for a deck, deck stairs and deck stair railing systems create robust design statements...materials include traditional wooden deck steps such as pressure treated lumbers or more expensive but durable Western cedar...eco-friendly long lasting composite decking in subtle earth tones...and even high density vinyl.

How To Build Deck Stairs. All good, and all great deck step designs...especially when the "finished look" will be architect inspired with a textured composite and color-balanced material...rely exclusively on the quality of the support structure. Here, you and your builder are thinking about how to build deck steps supported by concrete support pads, structural timbers such as 2 in. X 12 in. pressure treated "stringers", anchor bolts, hangar and joist support hardware brackets, 16 in. center tread support studs, and of course laser-sighted layouts to determine pitch and angles so that each stair is level and "true".

Deck Stair Plans. Do-it-yourselfers can obtain remarkable and detailed deck stair plans online...from "big box" hardware and building supply retailers or local builders and architects. To design deck stairs, you'll need some form of PC-based cad program, in order to model different design iterations...adjusting width, height or rise or considering graduated width or even spiral deck staircase layouts. Look for programs, or service providers who can input your raw dimensional data...work up a complete bill of materials, from lumber lengths to deck screws...and then create a number of design "looks" for you to consider. Take your time. Decide slowly.

Deck Spiral Staircase. When building deck stairs and you want to make a huge visual impact, here's where the unusual wrap-around effect of spiral deck stairs becomes a design option. The positive argument says you'll create the same deck access, long life and load carrying capability plus you're adding seriously cool looks which may translate into improved home values. The less sanguine argument states that you'll find someone who has a physical difficulty or even a certain mental hang-up about approaching a deck spiral staircase, and of course seriously large objects (think huge grills, furniture, pianos, a team of Sumo wrestlers) generate difficult access-use problems.

Deck Stair Railing Systems - A World of Choice. No longer rough milled logs strung up outside Lincoln's Illinois cabin, modern decks get incredible finishing treatment options including metal deck railings (think steel, alloys)...cable deck railings (think thin-profile high strength steel safety cables held taut between upright posts)...or ultra-modernist see-through safety glass deck railings. Safety tip: check with your town's building code to learn about deck stair railing "code" requirements...spacing and layout which reduces risk of accident to you or guests or delivery guys.

Find Out More About Deck Stair Designs, Materials And Whats Necessary For Building And Installing Deck Stairs.

Please go to the following links for the latest in deck stairs and deck stair design strategies for your outdoor living space.

Deck Stairs: http://www.wise4living.com/hgdeck/stairs-steps.htm

Decks in general: http://www.wise4living.com/hgdeck/

Author Robin Derry is publisher for http://www.wise4living.com/ a specialty knowledge site that gives insights and solutions on building deck stairs, home and gardening projects such as decks and deer fencing, plasma and LCD TV stand design trends, wall mount and TV ceiling mount systems, HDTV and home entertainment systems, specialty academic camps, auto tire and wheels technology trends, medical spas, technology trends, unique gift designs, technology gifts, tips for families committed to youth summer camps, body health, household, sport, travel, footwear, education, spendthrift trusts and family law legal needs, and much more.

Front View Of Wood Siding Bell
Gable Vent Built From Wood

Overview of Swimming Pool Filter Pumps

Any swimming pool setup requires a pump for filtering and heating. It is important to make the correct choice when purchasing a pool pump, and you might not be pleased with your purchase if you don't first do your homework.

A swimming pool pump is responsible for circulating water through heating and filtering unites with efficiency and at the lowest energy costs as possible. The right pump for your size and type of pool will achieve this.

Pool maintenance is more involved than assembling parts to pump water at the correct flow rate. Other factors come into consideration in order to achieve a system optimized for power usage and quick circulation.

Before you purchase a new pool pump, try to keep the following in mind. Make sure the pump you buy as capable designed to operate efficiently with your size swimming pool. Follow that one simple rule and you can't go wrong.

The right pool pump for the job

Even the most efficient pool pump can use up a lot of power, on the scale of household air conditioning. At an average of about 3/4 horsepower, a swimming pool pump represents a significant power consuming device. The best strategy is to use one that is most efficient for your pool size.

The first step is to ensure the pumps capacity is a match for your pool volume. It might be tempting to buy a larger pump than is needed. This usually results in only in higher electrical bill without any benefit to pumping efficiency. A better strategy is to use a pump that optimize the power and duration in order to circulate the water in as short amount of time and with as little power as needed.

Pump functionality

In addition to the correct horsepower, an efficient pump for your pool will have efficiency ensuring functionality - regulator and timer functions are highly desirable for achieving maximum efficiency.

Brand names:

A couple of brand names come to the fore front when it comes to pull pumps. Most notably, names like Hayward and Intex have developed state of the art technology in every system they make. Both of these companies have pumping systems for your pool type and size. You can consult with these companies directly or with your local dealer to pick out the right pump for your pool.

Hayward Pool Supply

Hayward is a best of breed when it comes to swimming pool pumps. Each pump purchased from a Hayward dealer comes with over 80 years experience in swimming pool pumps.

Established in the 1920s, Hayward Pool Supply provides the industries top pool equipment to this day. Filters, heat pumps, or any other circulation related items can be purchased from Hayward for Hayward products, so you know every item is designed as part of a systematic approach.

Intex Pool Supplies

The Intex Recreational Corp. has been in the business of swimming pool recreation supplies for over 40 years. Anything having to do with water fun and sports can be had through Intex.

Intex makes terrific inflatable pool products, swimming gear, water toys, floating mats, and other fun accessories. In addition, they are well known for superior quality swimming pool pumps and sport a large array of pumps for every need your pool may have.

In conclusion

The first step to swimming pool pump efficiency is to match the pump with the pool needs. Next is to setup the timer, regulator or other efficiency features to achieve the lowest possible power consumption while still getting the job done.

Dave Marx wrote Swimming pool pump overview for http://www.Pump-And-Filter.com - The world wide resource and database reference guide material for industrial and residential use pumps and filters.

Trash Enclosure With Tile Roof

2007 Job Market for Database Administrators

The Database Administrator is responsible for working with management system software and insuring the availability and security of data. It is an area of the Information Technology field that has experienced explosive growth in the past decade. This field shares many of the same problems as almost every other area of the IT career field when considering the current job market. Several factors are involved in a critical examination of both supply and demand of qualified Database Administrators for the year 2007 and in the coming years as well.

From the supply perspective, employers have been searching for college graduates for entry level positions in the Database Administrator field. In many cases, advanced degrees have been the minimum requirement. This approach has not met with total satisfaction. One of the reasons for this is the rapid advance of technology within the IT field and the increasing integration of the Internet into the business sphere. This has created a situation where traditional educational curriculum has tended to lag behind technological development. The result has been highly educated by vastly inexperienced managers. Many employers have begun to look more to experience and to Certification programs such as the Oracle Certification program to find applicants who are more up to date with the current demands of the profession.

This same idea applies to potential Database Administrators as well. Oracle training that leads to Certification has become the accepted way to demonstrate competence in database management skills. The holder of an Oracle database administrator certification would often be seen as more prepared to step right into a job situation without extensive break in time. In the rapidly changing and highly competitive IT field, this is being seen as a necessity more often than not.

Although continued growth is expected in this field through 2007 and for the next decade, the growth is being slowed somewhat by the outsourcing of routine jobs overseas. How this impacts the job market is that it has created a gap between advanced management positions and entry level ones. This fact makes Certification and other advanced training even more essential as the opportunity to work your way up through the ranks in the Database Administration field might be disappearing overseas as well. Only well trained and certified technicians will be able to make the jump directly into the upper level positions and challenging positions.

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer. Several factors are involved in a critical examination of both supply and demand of qualified Database Administrators for the year 2007 and in the coming years as well. Oracle training that leads to Certification has become the accepted way to demonstrate competence in database management skills.

Fallbrook Siding

Fast List Building - How to Build Permission Based Mailing List

It is very important that you get the email address of your clients. This will help you make sales to those people who are already interested on your products or services. In this line, it is also important that you acquire the email addresses of these clients with their permission so that you will not be branded as spammer.

Here are some tips on how you can build permission-based mailing list.

1.You need to update your list as soon as a client changed their companies or their ISPs. This is to make sure that you would still contact them.

2.When you do direct marketing, make sure that you would include an email registration info so that you can add up to your list.

3.You can also get the email addresses of your clients once they buy the product. You can get their email address at cash registers. This only shows that they want your product and that is why they are buying it.

4.If you are sending in brochures or cards to your clients via US mail, then provide an opt in or clients to be included in your mailing list.

5.Provide a squeeze in to your site where potential customers can add their email address in your list.

Remember that you cannot build your list within a day. This takes time and a lot of effort. But this will really give you the best results after you have dedicated your time and effort.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide

Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion

Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 1574 articles in print and 11 published ebooks.

Fallbrook Siding

New Trends in Clad Wood Windows

Simply put windows...are what you put in the holes in your house. Think about that. Holes in your house. It seems to me that if you are going to have holes in your house, you want a very good quality window to prevent the those holes from letting the conditioned air out and the cold air in and rain from destroying the interior of your house.

Their are three basic categories of windows:

• Wood
• Aluminum
• Vinyl

I will discuss wood windows in particular in this post and specifically clad windows as very few people wish to put unclad windows in their house due to the added maintenance of having to paint them every 3-5 years.

Wood windows are made of wood, (primarily pine) but are sold primarily with a cladding on the exterior to reduce the exterior maintenance requirements that attach to all windows (no painting). The cladding is typically Aluminum, however their are increasing options in this regard in the form of extruded and sheet noble metal claddings such as Bronze, Copper and Zinc.

The last 3 materials are generally sold only on custom windows which are very expensive and typically can only be justified on hard budgets of over $ 400 PSF. If your like me (and most others) you will not be building a home in this range.

However, there are a few copper alternatives manufactured by commodity window manufacturer's that might in fact fit into your budget. I will discuss these in greater detail in a later post. Anyway back to clad wood windows.

The best known names in this field (due to huge marketing budgets) are Anderson, Pella, Weathershield, Jeld-Wen and Marvin. They probably comprise about 65% market share between them and each of them have their own specific advantages and disadvantages. Only a careful review of the features and benefits of each window will reveal what is best for your project. A brief description of the features that I consider important when reviewing the various windows follows below:

Anderson - unique in that the wood window made by Anderson is clad with a PVC vinyl cladding. The cladding is bound to the wood substrate with an adhesive type mechanism which has shown effective, but in some extreme climates worries me that it could detach.

The window is backed by a top-notch warranty and I have anecdotal experience that the company takes its warranty obligations seriously. A good thing indeed. There was manufacturing problem with the welding of the corners of the vinyl cladding some years back on a lot of windows that made its way to Colorado. I was selling Anderson windows at that time and know that the Company spent a very healthy sum of money to find the windows with the problem and fix them before the owners knew there was a problem. It is not that usual to see this kind of pro-active attitude in any company.

The other features of the window include a proprietary glazing system that will require that you will always have to go the Anderson for replacement and a reticence by the company to put breather tubes in their glazing system (critical in high altitudes). Anderson is the largest manufacturers of windows (under one brand) in the U.S. Anderson sells their product through a dealer network composed of lumber yards, window dealers and home-improvement contractors. Anderson mow also sells a line of composite windows made from the waste wood derived from manufacturing its wood windows,

Pella Pella manufacturers windows clad and unclad in Iowa and markets them through primarily authorized distributors although they have recently started to distribute their builder grade line through Home Depot. The Pella product is distinguished by the availability of buit-in roll-down insect screens, between-the-glass window blinds and and an exclusive distributorship for the clearest window screening material made in the United States.

Pella's clad system is roll-formed and loosely attached which can cause problems such as oil-canning in very hot climates and the possibility of condensation forming underneath the cladding in high-humidity locales leading to rot of the underlying sash. Otherwise Pella makes good quality window. Pella now manufactures a line of composite windows which show promise from a performance perspective.

Jeld-Wen - sells wood windows under a variety of brand names including Jeld-Wen, Pozzi, Wilmar and a few others. All of these brands were more or less regionally well-known brands and Jeld-Wen has made a weak effort to unify the brands either from a marketing perspective or from a manufacturing perspective from what I can tell. The various brands have quality reputations that you will have to judge for yourself. The Jeld-Wen moniker is a holding company for a broad range of construction products that make Jeld-Wen a very large presence in the construction products category, a great many of them in the commodity category. They are an excellent manufacturer.

Marvin is an old line family owned firm that manufactures a broad line of wood windows and composite windows. One of the distinguishing features of the Marvin brand is that the aluminum clad version is actually an extruded aluminum sash with a Wood insert to the interior. This scenario is also a feature of the Weathershield line and the Window Technologies line in the Midwest. This method makes for a more rigid sash, and eliminates the possibility of oil-canning and reduces the chances of moisture forming under the cladding. It also places a barrier dead air space underneath the sash which should add somewhat to its performance in cold climates.

These are the (4) largest manufacturers of wood windows in the United States based on market share. The relative value of their products is affected by a range of factors that will make your choice dependent on your specific needs. There are also a great many regional manufacturers that make good quality windows that will be equally prevalent in your locale. I will discuss those in another post.

My personal selection for the highest quality wood clad window available would be Loewen Windows. Loewen is a Canadian company that is based in the far Northwest so I am not sure you will find them widely distributed in your area of the country. A few things that distinguish the design of the Loewen is that it is built out of Vertical Grained Doug Fir which is a moderately durable wood (better than pine) and is more beautiful than pine if you are staining the interior.

The window also is designed to meet the Canadian standards for Air infiltration which are the toughest in this hemisphere. The window is very well made and they are still a small enough company that customer desires and satisfaction are central to the operation of the company. I would highly recommend them.

Randy Covington has over 30 years experience in construction. Formerly Licensed as a Residential Builder in Florida and an unlimited General Contractor in South Carolina, he has built small commercial and residential projects in the Southeast and West. Randy has spent the last 15 years selling construction products from lumber to custom windows with Bronze and Copper cladding to some of the most expensive residences on the planet. If you have question on constructing your own home or on windows, or need to source something really unusual for your home, you may reach him at www.myhomespace.biz or at rancov@yahoo.com.

Indexsidingpictures

Home Tips And Hints: June 2003

Some industries are keeping current with innovative packaging technologies better than others. Packaging innovation can move your business from a commodity driven product into a premium product category. Not only that, it can build sales and create its own unique niche with little or no competition. Entire new categories of product have been created around a single niche market that may not have existed a few years ago.

Why are so many companies not paying attention to this? They rely on the old industry standbys or packaging campaigns that are "tired" and "trite." Businesses tend to stay with the tired campaign and then wonder why sales are in a slump, or at the best, a status quo. Competition is fierce in the retail environment whatever the product. Its not enough to just create a new product or revitalize an old one you have to get it to SELL too. That's where packaging comes into play. It is your best sales tool. It needs to capture the consumers attention while informing them about the contents.

A good example of creative thinking in packaging is how the wine industry is transforming packaging innovation into more sales. They have explored several options and created products based around an unfulfilled need. They have redesigned and created new packaging that satisfies the consumers wants and desires. This is creating a demand in previously untapped markets. They are creating brands with a synergistic approach, new bottles, new packaging materials, new shapes, new labels, new dispensing features, new closures, and consequently new customers.

Here are a few examples of how the wine industry is meeting consumers needs.

The Trend: Convenience and Portability
Wine packages that can go places glass packaging can't go. There are a lot of restrictions on glass packaging. Wine has created new packages made from paper and other materials that can be easily transported and are non breakable. They also have developed a whole new market of single serve package products.

The Trend: Marketing to Women
They are now marketing to largest consumer demographic. Women purchase more wine than men yet the packaging was never geared toward women. Many new offerings have appeared capitalizing on "feminine" appeal.

The Trend: Socialization
This approach takes wine out of the category of fine dining or serving only at a special occasion. The new packages are adding to wine drinking becoming a fun experience and a part of every day life by introducing funky labels and memorable characters. The array of wine labels with an animal theme is quite astounding.

The Trend: Luxury Market
The luxury market is booming while some brands are down scaling product packaging others are moving up to more luxurious packaging. The industry is working to keep wine equated with the luxury experience.

Whatever the trend in your industry, you can capitalize on it with your product packaging. Think about an unfulfilled need and how your product packaging can capture that consumer. Don't get caught with slumping sales by not staying on top of consumer trends. Pay attention to the consumer. They know your business and might be the driver in transforming sales into profits though product packaging.

If you have an example of packaging that created increased sales through a package design change, please let me know. I'm working on an article on the subject and would love your input. Email me at PackagingDiva@aol.com

Don't wait until its too late. Make packaging your first thought--not your last.

I get hundreds of inquiries a month asking how to package products. Most of the time, they are in crisis mode because they did not think about the package until crunch time. I just got a call from an entrepreneur whose packaging was a disaster. She never thought about the role packaging plays in her products success until her retailer said "NO WAY" to her product packaging. She had to start over. As a result, she lost a great deal of money in the process.

To help others learn that lesson before it is too late, I have come up with a basic workshop offering education on packaging products to sell. Whether you are an entrepreneur, inventor, work from home mom, or a small business person with an idea or product it is imperative to understand the role packaging plays in a successful product launch. Packaging 101it is simple and offers the basics of what you need to know.

The "Nuts and Bolts" of how product packaging works and "How To" of packaging. Visit http://www.packaginguniversity.com.

Metaphysical Schools

Find Metaphysical Schools in the United States and Canada. Metaphysical schools are geared towards the study of metaphysics, or the science or philosophy which systematically examines the beginnings of all existence, eventual reality, knowledge, being and the nature of the universe.

Students enrolled in metaphysical schools are instructed on the belief that all things are a part of a whole -- and that each thing, alive or not living, should be respected. Metaphysical schools are also founded on the principles that all things are interdependent with one another and are all complimentary to one another.

Persons interested in enrolling in metaphysical schools will learn that interpretation and understanding of life on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes are all interconnected.

Metaphysical schools usually offer different forms of education. Personal Growth, degree programs and NAMI certification programs are all types of education curriculums in metaphysical schools. Those wishing to study diverse metaphysical courses without enrolling in degree or New Age Ministries international certification programs can enroll in personal growth courses.

In order to obtain a degree in metaphysical schools, one can enroll in the degree program to attain an Associate, Bachelor, Master or Doctoral degree. Others who are seeking NAMI certification must enroll in the degree program prior to attaining practitioner certification as Metaphysical minister, Spiritual Healer, Teacher, Pastoral Counselor, Psychic, Spirit Medium or Past Life/Age Regression Facilitator.

To obtain an Associate degree in metaphysical schools, one must successfully complete at least 60 semester credit hours of metaphysical studies. A Bachelor's Degree requires completion of at least 120 semester credit hours, a Master's degree requires an additional 30 semester credit hours beyond the Bachelors degree, and a Doctor's degree requires 60 semester credit hours beyond the Master's degree.

Some courses offered in metaphysical schools are as follows: Angel studies, comparative/contemporary religion, complementary healing, parapsychology studies, esoteric studies, holistic healing arts, metaphysical education, ministerial studies, music and esoteric sound, mysticism studies, Neo-pagan studies, Native American spiritual studies, naturopathic studies, Neuro-Linguistics Programming, pastoral counseling, psychic sciences and spiritual sciences -- just to name a few.

If you are interested in metaphysical schools, feel free to peruse our healing arts schools' directory for metaphysical schools near you; and begin your journey of life's understanding today.

Find your dream job! Let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Metaphysical Schools
Copyright 2007
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Healing Arts Schools, Metaphysical Schools, and other Alternative Medicine Schools.

Fallbrook Siding

Subprime Hybrid Mortgages

Subprime hybrid mortgages offer temporarily low rates for borrowers while they work to rebuild their credit. With a sub-prime hybrid mortgage, you dont have to pay PMI, saving hundreds a year. After two or three years of on time payments, you can then refinance for conventional mortgage rates.

Hybrid Mortgage Basics

Since so many people refinance their home loans after they have reestablished their credit, lenders created a mortgage to offer maximum flexibility for borrowers. Hybrid mortgages are typically 1.5% lower than a conventional loan for the first two or three years, depending on your mortgage terms. After that, the rated becomes adjustable, rising and falling based on indexes.

Lenders usually require a prepayment fee if the mortgage is paid off before two or three years. Since most borrowers use this period to establish good credit, the fee isnt a problem for most. You may also be able to waive the fee by paying a point upon the loans settlement.

A hybrid mortgage also allows you to borrow more than with a fixed rate mortgage since your monthly payments are lower. You may also decide to increase your down payment to lower your rate or increase the amount you qualify to borrow.

Hybrid Mortgage Lenders

Hybrid mortgages are offered by conventional and sub-prime lenders. Rates, fees, and terms will vary with each lender. In order to find the best financing package, you should request quotes from several lenders before making a decision.

Typically online financing companies waive or reduce fees, so they are well worth checking out. You can also request quotes from traditional companies through their websites. Online mortgage brokers also make comparison shopping easy by offering several side by side quotes.

Refinancing Options

After you have had your hybrid for at least two years, you should begin shopping to refinance your mortgage. If you are planning to move within seven years, an adjustable rate mortgage may offer you the lowest rate. If you plan to stay put, a fixed rate mortgage can guarantee you a low rate over the course of your loan.

As with a sub-prime loan, compare lenders and finance packages to find the best deal.

To view our list of recommended subprime mortgage lenders online, visit this page: Recommended Subprime Home Finance Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

Trash Enclosure With Tile Roof

Plantar Fasciitis - A Continual Foot Pain

Plantar Fasciitis is a rather common condition of the foot causing significant heel pain and proximal foot arch pain. The most common presentation of plantar fasciitis is when a patient experiences pain with their first step in the morning. This initial step incurs the most pain that the patient will feel throughout the day, but there will be continual pain in those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Typically people describe the pain as relating to the sensation of walking on glass. These initial steps incur tremendous pain near the proximal aspect of their foot where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel bone.

Normally, the plantar fascia acts as an anchor for the foot arch. While this is the role it naturally plays, simply acting as the anchor subjects the plantar fascia to significant strain over the course of a day. This strain is most significant when people aren't wearing proper support in their shoes.

Commonly, those who suffer from plantar fasciitis will come in for help after the pain has been present for around three months. Frequently, physicians recommend some stretching and some ice and some non-steroidal anti-inflamatories.

Frankly, these regimens have not been shown to be particularly useful in studies. Certainly for a few people with a minor condition such a minor treatment will help; particularly the icing aspect. And don't get me wrong, it is a great idea to keep muscles stretched for those who are looking to stay healthy in their general lifestyle, but it is not usually an effective treatment for such a serious condition. Even the drugs that are commonly prescribed have been shown to be of little help in this condition.

Effective treatment consists of an introduction of the arch support, whose absence contributed to the condition in the first place. This can take the form of over the counter arch supports, no special supports are necessarily required for plantar fasciitis. As one can assume without seeing the commercials, there are numerous reasonable arch supports on the market.

Dr. Scholls has a good product heel pain relief orthodics that are reasonable. There are a few others that are available, and certainly if you go to your local drug store, youll find some non-Dr. Scholls products that may beat the price. Most of the good products will run about 2/3 the length of the foot. Theyll have a degree of firmness to them, and they will have some obvious arch support. Introducing arch support is likely to be helpful in easing the pain of plantar fasciitis and even healing the condition when used in conjunction with other therapies.

Another therapy that can help patients who's conditions aren't taken care of with a simple arch support device, the night splints can be effective. One thing to understand about plantar fasciitis pain is it becomes a recurrent problem and really becomes a little bit of a vicious cycle. The cycle occurs during the day.

Someone will cause wear and tear on their plantar fascia at the insertion on the heal bone, and at night this strain is relieved when they lie horizontally and allow their feet to go limp. From this orientation, their foot and leg are in a position totally different from the one found through much of the day. This relaxed position causes the plantar fascia to become similar to a relaxed rubber band. The reason the first step hurts so much more than the rest throughout the day is that the healing thats been going on over night to try to rebuild bridges where there has been micro tears, are all ripped out with those first few steps as the rubber band that was healed in a lax position becomes stretched. With all of the healing that occurs during sleep being destroyed every morning, the restorative nature of sleep is no longer found in the heel, and the pain continues.

The night splint addresses this issue by maintaining the L shape of the foot over the course of the night. There are numerous pictures of this on the internet. Frankly there are products over the internet that would address this. They can be given through a doctors office with a prescription and theres quite a markup on these non-custom fitted braces when they are obtained in the traditional way through medical insurance, etc.

In summary, when your heel starts hurting and it hurts with the first step in the morning, immediately start icing at night and get yourself an over the counter foot orthodic. It provides significant arch support described above. If this doesnt work, then I would consider talking to your doctor and possibly adding the night splint. If these fall short, then you may need a steroid injection to sort of get you over the hump and start this healing process.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He also has an interest in shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, specifically with regards to rotator cuff tendonitis Dr. Carroll is the author of Shoulder Pain Talk, a forum dedicated to educating those who suffer from shoulder pain about common treatment options and the condition that afflicts millions of Americans.

Fallbrook Siding

Give Your Deck A New Look With Decorative Lighting

Fitting of a deck on the house can allow you to use extra working space and there must be appropriate wood outdoor deck lighting which serves both the purpose for security and illumination. If you have outdoor pool where you would like to enjoy by sitting around and have some leisure, you can use wood outdoor deck lighting. You can decorate the deck by placing tables and chairs where you can not only enjoy quite dinner but also doze off in the summer evenings.

You can modify the basic structure of the house through various stuffs available in the market for designing the house. If your priority is safety then subdued light of 12 volts will be the right one for you for wood outdoor deck. Such a light will not be harmful for the kids playing around who might unknowingly touch it and it is also safer for pets as well. And it is not hazardous if situated near the pool area incase of it falling into the water.

One of the best alternatives is the use of fiber optics as it is heatproof and electric shockproof. It is safer in the under water fittings and is really helpful in designing pools. Another benefit for wood outdoor deck lighting is the graphics of the color. It can be made to change accordingly with the change in the season but only when it is used in fiber optics.

Beautification and Security-Hand in Hand

Deck can be used for stairways walking into the house or into the pavement; it will create remarkably good sense for wood deck lighting and also avoid the injuries by falling from the stairs for visitors and family. You can also decorate the mounted deck by installing railing which can be decorated with small and soft lighting which will not only provide illumination of the stairways but also give facelift to the wooden deck.

You can make use of different structures of wood outdoor deck lighting to give definite designing of illumination in different styles. Light fittings can be separated and put apart which will provide illumination to a larger area and can be changed accordingly with your requirements. Here you can also have choice for 20 volts and 120 volts lighting for bright or soft illumination. You can create a different look every few months by installing the different types of lights according to different whether conditions.

You must keep in mind that wood outdoor deck lighting should be fitted in such a way that it completely matches the design of the house. There are lots of choices available for wood outdoor deck lighting in different elements, shapes, shades fittings and easy-to-use guide through which you can design it by your own. This saves money for hiring any professional for it.

You can also find more info on Outdoor Lighting and Gas Lighting Fixtures Outdoors. Outdoorlightinghelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Outdoor Lighting.

Prehome

Ready To Assemble Kitchen Cabinets

Ready to assemble kitchen cabinets are modular kitchen cabinets that are available in industry standard sizes of 3" increments the same as pre made kitchen cabinets available at your local home improvement center, or kitchen cabinet outlet.

Ready to Assemble cabinets have the same quality of material and hardware components as pre made, or custom cabinets and look identical to the kitchen cabinets you see on a showroom floor at your home improvement center.

These cabinets come in a wide selection of designs from contemporary to rustic and more in between with choice of color finish. You can even choose the type of drawer guides and pulls, or knobs you prefer to match your decor or taste.

Advantages of Ready To Assemble Kitchen Cabinets

A) Home owners can save money by eliminating the manufactures cost of assembling the kitchen cabinets and pass those savings directly to you the home owner.

B) Ready to assemble cabinets are less expensive to ship from the factory to you because the packages are smaller and compact allowing a better shipping rate from shipping companies.

Ready to assemble cabinets come with all the parts to assemble the cabinets with easy to follow directions and all you need are minimal tools like a hammer and screw driver for assembly.

Purchasing a set of ready to assemble kitchen cabinets online could not be any easier and there designers are there to help you every step of the way from laying out your kitchen, ordering the right cabinets and components to assure all the proper parts are delivered to your satisfaction and ready to assemble for a perfect installation.

A new set of ready to assemble kitchen cabinets can increase the value of your home and the usability of your kitchen while providing the do it yourselfer with sense of pride and satisfaction of a job well done.

More information on Ready To Assemble Kitchen Cabinets can be seen on our website in the Interior Home Improvement section.

Chet Holcomb of Home Improvement Handyman is a experienced carpenter and contractor with many years doing home repair and specializing in cabinetry and considered an expert in the field of home improvement.

Remodeling Tips and Advice

Sunroom Installation

You need to take several things into consideration when you're thinking of a sunroom installation and there are many options to choose from. Maybe the first thing that will come to your mind is the price, but this all depends on how big you want your sunroom to be and what type of material she will be using. For example, if you want an aluminum sunroom and you're just thinking of adding a few windows, then it is going to cost you much less than if you had the entire sunroom constructed out of glass and wood. So there are a few factors that you must consider before you get started.

When building a sunroom you start with the foundation and it is important to build its foundation to the building codes of your local area. These codes will vary depending what kind of climate to live in. If you have a lot of freezing during winter, then it stands to reason that the foundation has to be deeper in the ground and this will mean more expense in labor and materials. But if you have an existing patio then the expense won't be as much.

Of course the major expense in a sunroom is the number of windows that you intend to use and also the type you have in mind. For example, if you are going with fixed windows will be less expense than if you order custom installation. Another cost difference would be in the type of glaze that you choose to put on the windows. This glaze can control sunlight and block out damaging rays but keep in mind the more your windows can do the more expensive it will be. You will find a difference in the materials that you choose and this will affect costs also. The cheapest material is PVC and the next one up the line is aluminum with the most expensive being wooden material.

For lots of information on how to build a sunroom and other sunrooms related topics, visit DIY Home Advice at home remodeling

Step Ladders

Stepladders are ladders with wide steps that are specifically designed to provide foot comfort while climbing or standing. Stepladders are mostly used for painting, repairs, industrial work and household jobs. They come in an A-shape model with either one side having steps or both sides having steps. They are made from steel, wood, aluminum or fiberglass. The steps are lined with corrugated rubber or have slip-resistant texture. Generally, the depth of steps ranges from 3 inches to 10 inches. If the steps fold up, it becomes compact to store the ladder. The foot of the ladder should have slip-resistant molded footpads or rubber cups for better grip. Usually step ladders range from 18 inches to 20 feet height. Stepladders can carry up to 375 lbs of weight, depending on the model.

Some stepladders have a high railing for support at the top and wheels for rolling at the bottom. A few have an adjustable height of about one foot that can be incremented or reduced per requirements. A platform on the stepladder provides an ideal working place to keep tools and materials. Most stepladders can accommodate accessories that can be used while working. The assortment of accessories consists of paint can/bucket hanger, conduit holder, tool holder and ladder caddy. A special type of stepladder that can fold up to the length of a step is known as the Telescopic stepladder. It uses a patented lock and release mechanism for opening and closing the ladder.

Even though stepladders provide a better standing space, they must be used carefully. There should not be any extra loading on the side, since they can easily overturn. Stepladders can be purchased at a hardware store or over the Internet.

Ladders provides detailed information about ladders, pool ladders, boat ladders, step ladders and more. Ladders is the sister site of School Playground Equipment.

16d Nails

New Construction Windows

Hello, my name is John Rocco.I grew up around the window and door business. My father owned a glass shop that dealt in every aspect of residential and commercial glass.Naturally, when it came time to choose a profession, i wound up in the window and door business.I have been in the business for about 27 years, and i have been self employed for 20.

One of the things that separated my company from my competitors was my willingness to show my customers how to replace their windows themselves. Whenever i would encounter a customer with a curiosity or willingness to learn how to install their own windows,i would offer to sell them the labor on one window,using them as my helper.Then,they would install the rest of the windows using the knowledge gained from helping me install one.Most window companies would never do this because there is so much money made on the labor.But i was always so busy,i never felt like it was costing me money.

Eventually, i made an installation video for those homeowners who wanted to do their own windows.While the video is for sale on my website, i decided to take excerpts from the video and write an article once a week covering some part of the window replacement project.This article is going to cover the difference between window frames used in new construction homes, and the window frames that are used to replace existing aluminum or wood windows.

When a new home is being built,the windows are nailed to the wood studs that make up the house frame.In order to accomplish this, new construction windows have a fin around all four sides of the frame that rests against the outside of the stud and nails are driven into the studs through the nailing fin. After that,flashing paper is applied to prevent water leaks,then the exterior material is applied. That material can be stucco, brick, siding, etc.

Now,imagine 10 or 20 years later when you want to replace those windows. If you were going to install your replacement windows the same way the original windows were installed, you would have to remove the exterior material around each window in order to get to those nails holding the frame in there. You can see how this procedure could cause many problems, not to mention all the labor involved. I have seen homes in california with stucco exteriors where the homeowner had the stucco cut out in order to remove the old windows.The problem was they were unable to match the stucco colors after patching. Its just not a very efficient way to replace windows. So the replacement frame was designed.

In most parts of the country it's simply a new construction window frame with the nail fin removed. In the west, where stucco is a common home exterior,a retrofit frame was designed. If you're going to be replacing the exterior material on your home, then you might want to consider going with the new construction window since the nailing fins will be exposed anyway. Also, chances are that a contractor will be doing your exterior replacement,and it would be wise to let the contractor install the windows as well.Since my installation videos deal with window replacement only, these articles will focus on replacement frames and retrofit frames. Using these two frame styles,a do it yourselfer can replace their old windows without any damage to existing interior and exterior surfaces. And the job can be done using common tools such as a drill,tape measure, and caulking gun.

In next weeks article,we will discuss the replacement of wood sash windows.

John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978

To learn more, visit http://www.vinylwindowsforless.com

Exterior Wood Stair Problems

Kitchen Pendant Lighting - For Flexible Uses Inside Your Household

If you are looking for the best kitchen lighting fixture, there are many options for you. But if you want to narrow your search, why not just consider pendant lighting, or also usually called as light suspenders or light drops? They are called such, since a mounted pendant light typically dangles from a ceiling through the use of metal chain or rod. Kitchen pendant lightings are popular choice because not only they serve as better task lighting solution for kitchen functions, but they also complement well the overall aesthetics of the room.

Pendant lights are best used over the kitchen lighting applications, specifically over the island or countertops. They have the right level of brightness just enough for whatever purpose your kitchen has. You can adjust this level of brightness because of the dimmer switches they typically come together with. The switches will bring just the right amount of brightness when you are preparing the ingredients of the food you are cooking. Brighter illumination is most ideal when chopping your vegetables, cutting meat, and mixing the ingredients. Similarly, it is what you need when you are on the actual process of cooking.

When you are done with the preparation of the meal and is ready to be served, you can turn the switch to adjust the brightness into more subdued effect when the family is about to eat. To some households, the kitchen is best place for children to study school lessons, for the mother to study bills, and even for the father to read his newspaper at night. Therefore, kitchen pendant lighting must be carefully designed to provide them proper illumination each time. The pendant light with its dimmer switch allows the entire household to adjust the illumination level just according to their specific needs. The flexibility of this type of kitchen lighting is the main reason why it is most popular and more preferred by many.

When it comes to aesthetics, the pendant lightings are available in a wide variety that surely all kinds of kitchen designs will have just the right type to complement them. Some of the designs available are traditional pendant lightings, transitional pendant lightings, crystal pendant lightings, tiffany-type pendant lightings, and a lot more. From these choices, it really is not a problem if your home needs a kitchen pendant lighting that incorporates classic and timeless design, artistic expression fused with timeless design, unique and elegant design, bold and contemporary style, and signature-type integrated with an architectural distinction.

All of these designs are not tough to achieve. They are available in the market and they will surely create the most desired aesthetics you prefer for your home. Of course, your preference will also rely on the budget you are willing to spend for this project. Kitchen pendant lightings are available in different price marks, mainly running around from $30 to as much as $500. So, even if you are trying to keep low on your budget, there is really no problem when choosing for the right kitchen pendant lighting. All of these pendant lights are creations that will provide what your kitchen needs, functionality- and aesthetics-wise.

For kitchen lighting ideas, visit http://www.kitchenlighting101.com

Home Remodeling

Five Simple Bathroom Decorating Ideas

Even if you're working to a tight budget, these five bathroom decorating ideas will work for you. They'll make your bathroom seem bigger and more relaxing and won't break the bank. Plus, they're simple. No re-plumbing involved! And a redecorated bathroom is a great way to add value to your house when you come to sell it.

1. Smarten up the walls

Painting walls is one of the simplest bathroom decorating ideas I have: it's quick to do, and makes a huge change. It's the first task you should consider. Find painting boring? Get a friend to come along and help. The two of you will finish a bathroom in a couple of hours. You'll have a good laugh together, and you're friend won't charge for his or her time! Paint the walls lighter to make your bathroom bigger. Pastel colors work best. Light blue or green creates a relaxing tranquil feel.

2. Add another mirror

Mirrors make rooms suddenly seem twice the size. It brightens up the space and increases the light in your bathroom. Have one mirror above your sink, and another on the wall directly opposite it for best effect.

3. Replace the fixings

Change all the temporary fixings in your bathroom: the toilet roll holder, shelves, handles, towel rails, rugs, door knobs, hooks or hangers, shower curtains, and so on. They're only small items so don't cost a lot to replace. It's simple to do too -- there will only be a couple of screws holding each one to the wall. Go for glass shelves and silver fittings for a modern look, or wooden items if you prefer something a little more traditional. Make sure everything matches!

4. Buy new towels

This is one of my simplest bathroom decorating ideas, but certainly an effective one. Throw out all your old towels and replace them today. Buy the biggest towels you can afford, and make sure you get a complete matching set. This small trick really makes a difference to how your bathroom looks. Try it and see!

5. Re-grouting

The first part of any bathroom to get damaged is the protective seal between the edge of your bath/shower and the wall. It cracks and breaks and looks horrendous. But it's a simple fix. Scrape away the old grouting and vacuum all the dust away. If you're re-grouting your bath, run it full of water so it has a load of weight inside it -- this will prevent the bath from moving once the new grout has dried. Apply new grout from a tube available from any DIY store. Don't over do it. Leave for 48 hours and it's done.

These five bathroom decorating ideas are simple to do, cost next to nothing, and will transform your bathroom.

You can read more bathroom decorating ideas at my blog

Stair Stringer Laid Out
Decorative Concrete In Tradition

Paying Contractors And Subs

If you decide to use a contractor or subcontractor, often referred to as a sub, then you will want to understand how to pay them. Your leverage on them to get the job done and done right is payment and their good name. If they don't have a good name then payment for their work is your only leverage. Hence, you will want to determine before you hire them how you will compensate them for their work.

You must understand the basics of how the laws are written to understand the dynamics of paying a contractor. If a contractor does work on your home and you don't pay them, they can file a lien against the house in order to get payment. They can even foreclose on the house if you refuse to pay them. A lien will also keep you from refinancing or selling the home. Hence, you will want to make sure you cover yourself when you pay your subs and contractors.

If you are using a general contractor to do a remodel, he may bring in specialists to do portions of the work. If you are paying him a set rate for the remodel, he is using your funds to pay the subcontractors. However, it is possible for him to take payment from you and then not pay for the work done by the subcontractor. The subcontractor could then in turn put a lien against your house even though you have already paid for the work done.

You can avoid this issue by paying each subcontractor directly. When you make the contract with the general contractor, you can demand to pay off each sub that works on the house. Then when you make payments to the sub, require that they write a release for the work done before giving them the money. This gives you an opportunity to inspect the work first to make sure the work is up to standard. Now that you have the release, they should not be able to file a lien.

Also, when paying the general contractor, you may want to pay for all of the materials directly too. This prevents the suppliers from filing liens for non-payment. Additionally, you should never pay the entire amount to the contractor up front. What is to keep him from skipping out on you and not completing the work? You should pay him in segments as the work is completed. This will motivate him to keep working and if something does go wrong and he leaves, you are only out a portion of your money and you still have enough funds to hire a new person to finish the remodel.

You will want to screen your contractors and subcontractors before you hire them. If they have a history of poor payment activities then you want to avoid working with them. You will want to ask for references and then check them. Also, inspect the work they have done. If you do your research properly, you shouldn't have to deal with shoddy work and mechanics liens.

Even though you may hire a general contractor to handle all of the day to day worries, you will want to pay close attention to the remodel. Inspect the work periodically and make sure that the work is being performed correctly. If you don't, you may be surprised by a few errors before the work is completed and after the work is completed.

In summary, you will want to work out the details of payments before hiring any work done on your house. When you do pay for the work, you will want to have letters of release signed so that contractors will not be able to enforce liens on the house.

HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality home building, remodeling and home decorating information.

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