The Service Solution

There’s nothing like the feeling that comes with adding to your home with your own two hands. One popular project for amateur home improvers is adding a deck. These construction projects offer a great chance to show off your skills to your significant otherand to the neighbors when you invite them over for a cocktail party. With wireless internet service, you can even work outside when the weather is nice.They say the hardest part with any project is getting started. With deck-building, that’s both true and false. Obviously, if you want your deck to stand, you’ll have to do a lot of preparation in the beginning. Ask for help and do research to make sure all your questions are answered. This article is not meant to be a how-to guidefor that, see “How to Build a Simple Deck” at www.thisoldhouse.com or an equally reputable resource. Picking out materials and plotting out the location of your deck is actually relatively easy. Common decking materials include Southern pine, redwood, western red cedar, Hem-fir, and Northern white cedar. The size and type of lumber you choose will help you determine the spacing of your joists. Once you select a spot for your deck, you can attach the ledger, which will help secure the deck to your house. After these early steps, that age-old adage becomes more appropriate, because that’s when you’re faced with the prospect of digging post-holes and pouring concrete. After the posts are secured, though, it’s relatively easy to construct the frame and then lay down the decking. Read the rest of this entry »

When you are moving into either a new place or if you are living in the same place you have for year then it might be time for new floor coverings. No matter if you have carpet, hard woods, tile, or linoleum you can find something cost effect that will go great with your furnishings. The first thing you have to look at id your color palette.

You don’t want colors to clash or for things to look off because of a runner or area rug. Be sure to bring sample colors with you Read the rest of this entry »

Installing new tiles is not as difficult as it may sound; it just requires some patience and time to do the job.
The things needed to install tiles are, floor/wall tiles, a tape measure, chalk line, level, trowel, tile cement and grout.
Start by cleaning the area where the tiles are going to be installed. If it is, floor tiles that are being installed use the tape measure to find the center of the floor by measuring from one wall to the Read the rest of this entry »

Modern design is growing in popularity as many people enjoy its sleek, simplistic look. If you’re thinking about updating your bathroom to reflect a modern design, here are several unique fixtures you can include for a stylish space.1. Globe LightingGlobe lighting is one of the easiest ways to integrate a modern look into your bathroom. The round shape of the lamps has an inherently modern style, while the soft lighting also reflects the design. You can get the look with a single overhead lamp, track lighting or dual lamps on either side of the mirror.2. Stainless Steel FaucetsStainless steel is another prominent aspect of modern design, which makes it one of the best options for your faucets. You should choose an elegant, sleek shape for the faucets, as this will contribute to the minimalistic look of the bathroom. Use these in your shower and on the sink.3. Novelty DoorknobsSome people have found effective novelty doorknobs to complement their modern bathroom designs. Choose a doorknob that coordinates with other fixtures or paint colors in the bathroom. It should be simple and utilitarian, while still offering a fashionable look in order to get the modern look.

Any doctor will tell you that prevention is the best cure. The same goes for keeping pests out of your house.Human laziness is often one way that pests find their way in. Even though you may be exhausted after that huge Thanksgiving dinner, don’t be lax in cleaning up afterwards. The same goes for any other meal, and even snacks. If food is left out, someone of the creepy-crawly variety will find out, and they’ll tell all their friends. Other things that attract insects are standing water sources and garbage. Also, eliminate hospitable pest living places, both inside your home and close to the house outside. Don’t keep piles of wood near the home, and keep tree branches from touching the house. Read the rest of this entry »

House painting can be a time-consuming but rewarding task. If done right, it can completely change the way your house looks, and coincidentally also add value to your home. You can find many sites online where professional painters and builders share their expertise, such as House Painting Guide and Ask the Builder. Here are some of our favorite tips.

• Read the paint can label. The label will let you know what primers work best with the paint, as well as the drying time. It will also tell you to only apply it to a clean surface, which leads to our second tip. Reading the label will also let you check the ingredients. Make sure that the paint contains urethane and acrylic resins.
• Clean thoroughly–by hand. While pressure washing may give the illusion of completely cleaning your home, it’s just that: an illusion. There’s no substitute for hand-washing, even though it takes a little longer. Another benefit: pressure washing runs the risk of injecting water into the walls and causing paint failure. Read the rest of this entry »

When people think of “home improvement,” most inevitably think of the television series first. With the image of Tim Allen bumbling around in their heads, it’s no wonder that the idea of house renovation quickly becomes intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be if you follow these steps.

1. Run the numbers. Even if money won’t be an issue in your renovation, it’s still important to look at the project financially. First, it will help you determine whether it makes sense to go through with the project, or whether it’s more effective to purchase a new home. Secondly, it’ll make sure you at least have a pretty good idea of what you want to accomplish.
2. Visualize. This is a two-part process. It starts with researchlooking through magazines, stores, websites like LetsRenovate.com, and even friends’ homesto see how the finished product should look. Then, it’s your job to draw up plans. Don’t worry, this isn’t a blueprintjust a guide for the contractor. There are a variety of programs online you can use to help. Read the rest of this entry »

Lawn care for some is a blessing, for others a curse. While you may love spending your fall evenings on the lawnmower, others may look at the darkening sky and tremble. Luckily, we’ve compiled a group of lawn care tips for the coming season that’ll satisfy both groups.

• Know your grass type. Knowing whether you have a cool- or warm-season grass will help you know what you have to do to take care of it. Cool-season grasses include bluegrass, bentgrass, fescue, and ryegrass. Warm-season grasses include Bermudagrass, Saint-Augustine grass, zoysiagrass, and buffalograss.
• Don’t forget fertilizing cool-season lawns. Although it may seem counterintuitive, fertilizing cool-season grasses before the winter hits will help with the root growth that occurs at that time. The best fertilizers will be those that are high in both nitrogen and potassium. Don’t fertilize warm-season grass, as it could interfere with the hardening process these species undergo. Read the rest of this entry »

Since 1994, HGTV has been drawing in viewers looking to improve their homes. Many of their programs are worth checking out, from “Property Virgins” (focusing on first-time home buyers) to “Design Star” (where contestants compete for their own HGTV show). One, however, offered viewers themselves a chance to participate: “Rate My Space” with Angelo Surmelis. While there’s no word on an upcoming season, the show is still worth remembering, and the site is still active.The process begins at HGTV’s “Rate My Space” website, where users can upload videos and pictures of their own living spaces. Those images are then rated and commented on by the community. Visitors can find whatever type of rooms they’re interested in with the easy search function, or by browsing one of the categories such as “Basements” or “Closets”. High-rated spaces net their owners a feeling of pride and accomplishment. Read the rest of this entry »