Bathroom Design Plan - How To Make a Small Bath Look Bigger

What will you do if your perfect bathroom plan is bigger than the space you actually have? Instead of tearing down the wall to make up for that much needed space, why not use these simple yet effective ideas to make your design look bigger...

1. Multi-purpose cabinet and display shelf

One cabinet with display shelf that is both functional and decorative is enough for your plan. Use thin and long cabinet to create an illusion of open space. Maximize the wall by going long instead of going wide.

2. Better floor management

Open up your space even more by showing as much floor as your can. A floating vanity creates an illusion of additional floor space. Also, use lighter color flooring materials to make the room appear larger.

3. Use proper materials

One of the better ways to create a spacious bathroom is to install simple yet elegant wall tiles. It could be made of glass, marble, limestone, or ceramic. Use a minimalist wall treatment approach so that it can achieve a clear and spacious look. Another tip is to make your bathroom cohesive to the entire house. Install in your bathroom the same wall material you use on the room next to it. But do not limit yourself to these options alone. Be creative. Employ some elements such as window, glass wall, or mirrors to generate a more open feel.

4. Work on the ceiling.

If you are stuck with a limited floor area, think above your head. Let the natural light to come in by constructing clear glass ceiling on one area of the bathroom, for example the bathtub. If the budget permits, set the ceiling higher than your original plan. A 10ft. by 10ft. bathroom constructed with an additional foot of ceiling is equivalent to 100cu.ft. of free space. A high ceiling will definitely give you the feel of open space.

5. Use appropriate equipment, fittings, and fixtures.

Sink, bathtub, toilet, basin, vanities, shower, faucets, knots, and bots should not overwhelm one another. The perfect plan is the one that give attention to both big and small details. If you can't find commercially available equipment, fittings, and fixtures that will fit to your plan, hiring a contractor or customizing them yourself is a viable option.

For bathroom design ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com

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Exterior Shutters - Nine Reasons To Remodel With Louvered And Rolling Shutters

Exterior shutters are top-rated window treatment transformers. When remodeling your home, interior design ideas should be balanced with attention to exterior home improvements. With the installation of custom exterior shutters, a benefit bonanza awaits both your family, and your furnishings.

1. Curb Appeal Skyrockets With Exterior Shutters

Whether you use exterior shutters to create a fresh focal point, or to subtly enhance the architecture of your home, the benefit is likely to be seen in an increase in the value of your property. Lightweight, fixed vinyl shutters are inexpensive, yet particularly effective if your aim is simply to add aesthetic appeal. Functional window shutters are more versatile, and feature a number of additional perks.

2. Complement Architecture With Custom Exterior Shutters

Shutter manufacturers thrive on the challenge of designing the perfect window covering for your home. The architecture of your home may come to life with the addition of airy, Caribbean style Bahama shut1249ters. Alternatively, your property may benefit from an introduction to functional fibreglass exterior shutters. These colorful shutters have a wood-like appearance, but are low-maintenance, and often robust enough to warrant storm certification. Perhaps you live in an older home, and are looking for historically accurate window shutter replicas. Home improvement contractors or shutter manufacturers will be able to assist you in making the perfect choice for your property.

3. Set Up A Storm-Shield With Exterior Shutters

Any homeowner in an area known for lashing tropical storms or strong winds, has experienced the devastation that accompanies these onslaughts. The presence of storm shutters or hurricane shutters are reassuring. Wood shutters are commonly seen, as are fibreglass exterior shutters with storm certification. These are reinforced with aluminum, for superb strength. Well-crafted ranges also include a storm bar, which can be engaged from inside your home. This feature serves to protect your window panes. High-caliber aluminum rolling shutters often double as storm shutters.

4. Step Up Security With Exterior Shutters

One of the measures to take if you want to deter would-be intruders, is to install exterior shutters. Wooden shutters can be used for this purpose, or you may consider aluminum rolling shutters. These automated window coverings lock into position when closed. Accordion rolling shutters with their interlocking slats are another popular security choice.

5. Improve Insulation With Exterior Shutters

To have a comfortable home interior, it is important to maximize heat gain during the colder months, while keeping it to a minimum in summer. Exterior shutters are highly efficient in this regard. Wood shutters, or other ranges with operable louvers, offer versatility. Shading is controlled and adjusted according to your preferences and needs. Bahama shutters will refresh you with a cool ocean breeze...

6. Update UV Protection With Exterior Shutters

Functional shutters allow you to limit sun damage to your furniture and furnishings. This constitutes a major saving over time. You will also be spared many a wrinkle, as you will no longer be squinting as a result of glare!

7. Learn About Light Filtering With Exterior Shutters

With exterior shutters in place, you are able to turn your bedroom into a dark, shady, sleep inducing haven in the middle of a bright summer day. Or how about creating the perfect atmosphere for a popcorn-and-movie session on the living room couch? Whether these are benefits, may become debatable!

8. Protect Your Privacy With Exterior Shutters

If inquisitive neighbors or prowlers are a headache, exterior shutters again come to the rescue. They offer complete privacy when and where you need it.

9. No Noise Niggles With Exterior Shutters

One of the many benefits of an exterior shutter is its noise damping effect. Almost all the shutter styles have this quality. Aluminum rolling shutters are especially effective in this regard, due to the double-walled construction, with its unique foam filling. Shutters with a honeycomb structure are also known for this attribute.

Home improvement projects often focus on bathroom and kitchen remodeling, but exterior shutters seem to deserve a spot on the revamp roster!

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Some Ideas for Remodeling Porches

Fixing up a porch is a great idea that will extend the use of your home considerably. Using just some paint, stain and basic carpentry skills, you can make your porch a pleasure to spend time on.

An example shown on DoItYourself.com shows a couple from Georgia who wanted enjoy their extended warm seasons of spring, summer and fall, but avoid the problems of mosquitoes and decided to take their slab concrete patio and make it into a screened in area they could enjoy almost all year long.

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The patio was just concrete square under a roof overhang. They wanted the porch to blend in with the home, as well as protect the family from the heat, humidity and insects of the Georgia summers. The concrete slab declined slightly to allow for runoff, so there had to be some adjustments made to accommodate this feature.

Here is their step by step solution:

Step One. Cut pre-primed 4X8 sheets of beadboard ceiling paneling.

Step Two. Install the celing paneling and the ceiling fan. They used a nail gun to make the installation of the ceiling panels faster and easier than trying to swing a hammer upward. Before all of the panelling was installed, the ceiling was wired for the fan and light. This will allow the porch to remain cool and the light will allow the room to be used at night. This was a two person job, with one person holding the fan and the other connecting the wires and screwing the fan in place. The finish trim hid the seams in the paneling.

Step Three. Frame out the porch. Using 2X4 boards, they spaced them to allow for standard width screen to be installed. The crosspieces were nailed directly through the vertical braces.

Step Four. Install the interior panelling. Pine and plywood bead board paneling was secured by staple gun. These had to be trimmed along the bottom to accommodate the uneven floor.

Step Five. Install and level the exterior paneling. The harbor ad exterior panels wear put into place, from the bottom up. The first one had to be custom cut to allow for the uneven ground line and then the rest followed. These panels were painted to match the existing exterior of the house, so there was a lot of trial and error to match the aged yellow paint exactly. But weather resistant exterior paint was used so that it can be easily kept clean by rinsing Wit soap and water.

Step Six. Do the screening. Vinyl grids had to be screwed directly into the wooden frames. Then the screens were attached to the channels in the grids, so the fiberglass or aluminum screens could be slid in without using staples. When the screens were rolled into the grids with a spline, the extra screening material was cut off. With a mallet, the caps over the vinyl channels were banged into place.

Being really passionate about tree trimming and saw sharpening, Ray Walberg wrote plenty of detailed articles in this specific field. Sharing his passion in detailed publications, the author improved his experience on topics like chain saws and saw sharpening.

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Whole House Remodel Problems

Home Improvement Equity Loans

By: Talbert Williams



Homeowners often need extra cash for home improvements. And often a homeowner will opt to take out a secondary loan, otherwise known as a home equity loan, to remodel the home. Some borrowers stay up-to-date on loan choices and elect to choose the home improvement equity loans. The equity loans for improving home value offer cash to homeowners to make repairs or remodel the home, including external and internal repairs, carpeting, tiling, floors, borewell, painting outside and inside structure, roof repairs and renewals, pipe repair, structural modification, structural repair, and structural remodeling.

The maximum loan amount given to customers depends on the customer’s status with the lender. If the customer had prior loans and showed good faith, then the lender may offer 100% equity lending, while new comers may receive 85% more or less on equity lending. The loans are often extended 15-years; however, few lenders will offer longer terms or shorter terms, depending on the lender and the outcome of the application. The lenders present joint and single packages, however, are responsible if more than one party applies for the loan.

Home improvement equity loans come in fixed rate or adjustable rate options. Thus, the fixed rate is often the first choice, since the loans interest will remain constant–and the borrower will not be subject to the vacilliations of the market.

However, the few that take out the adjustable rate loans are subject to pay higher or lower interest rates per quarter on the loan. Many home improvement loans require that an “independent contractor” oversees the improvements of the home; and thus home improvement loans are intended to improve the home, forcing the borrower to utilize the cash only for repairs and improvement. Few lenders will place penalties on home improvement equity loans to guarantee the loan is used for its intentions.

About The Author


Talbert Williams offers debt consolidation referrals and advice. For more information, articles, news, tools and valuable resources on debt solutions, visit this site: http://www.1debtfreedom.com .

Bathroom Sinks

Home Building - Bathroom Sinks & Lavatories
By: Tammy Crosby




Bathroom sinks, also called lavatories, are available in an infinite range of colors, patterns, styles, designs, heights, depths, widths, and materials. They can be pedestal style, wall hung, under-counter mount, above counter vessels, integrated, self-rimming, or freestanding. This variety affords you a great opportunity to express yourself.

Materials

Sinks are available in many materials including vitreous china, enameled cast iron, fireclay, glass, stainless steel, brass, nickel, copper, marble, and both real and synthetic stone. Each material has its own unique characteristics.

Clay is one of the oldest material used for sinks, but can be chipped or broken.

Earthenware has a very porous clay body and is usually glazed and decoratively painted. Because it tends to crackle over time, most people opt to use china and cast iron.

Fireclay, which is sometimes called ceramic offers a smooth, non-porous surface that won't fade, discolor or rust. These sinks can be plain, sculpted, or hand-painted to produce many different looks.

Vitreous China is an earthenware product that is cast and glazed to provide a glossy, durable and stain-resistant surface. It is available in many different colors, as well as in hand painted, etched, hammered, matte, and carved finishes.

Glass and crystal sinks are the hottest trend in high end bathrooms. They are available in vessel, pedestal, wall mount, over-the-counter and under-the-counter models. While glass sinks are a little more durable than you may think, they will and do break. Visually your bathroom sink may be stunning, but practical it is not. Even the best of tempered and laminated glass will crack and break - the only comforting thing about it is it won't shatter into a million pieces. Glass sinks come in a variety of finishes like textured, colored, frosted and etched. If it's a must have on your design list then caution would be the advice of the day.

Metal is the most durable of the sink materials and is available in stainless steel, cast iron, copper, brass or a combination of these metals. (see kitchen sink materials for more information)

Styles

Pedestal sinks feature a basin that rests on a pedestal base to conceal the drain and supply lines. They are generally made from vitreous china, but can be found in porcelain coated steel. They may look good, but the provide basically no counter or storage space. Because pedestal sinks require specific placement of supply and drainage lines, it is best to select your sink before construction of your bathroom begins.

Vessels are very elegant and usually made from spun glass, lead crystal, china, fireclay, earthenware, cast iron and stainless steel. Vessels can rest above the countertop, be wall-mounted or installed in a self-rimming application or under-the-counter. Because these vessels are usually fully exposed it's not the type of sink you want in the family bathroom.

Wall-mount sinks feature a basin that is hung from the wall at a desired, functional height. They can be mounted flush to the wall, recessed or semi-recessed. They are available in a wide range of sizes, including small hand sinks, but afford little to no storage space.

Self-rimming sinks are the least expensive and most common option. It edges lap the countertop.

Undermounted and integral sinks are sinks where the edges are hidden. Undermounted sinks attach below the countertop. An integral sink is made out of the same material as the countertop and is fused to it, creating a seamless transition. Stainless steel, solid surface, and composite materials are flexible enough to mold integral sinks. The benefits of both these sinks is that they give a clean look and provide easy cleanup - no rims to push crumbs over.


About The Author

Tammy Crosby - Editor, Dream Designs
http://www.thehousedesigners.com/ are independent architects and designers who joined together to provide you the best home plans at the best price.

Grout Cleaning Made Easy

By: Bobby Walker




Have you ever tried to clean tile and grout yourself? If you have, you know how time consuming and labor intensive it can be! If it is within your budget, I would seriously consider letting a trained professional handle this chore for you. However, if you simply can't afford the .50 sq. ft. that most companies charge, there is a way to effectively clean your own tile and grout without breaking the bank.

Your main focus should be on choosing quality products to make your job as easy as possible. Having these materials will literally save your hours of time and labor. Hopefully, you already have some of these items tucked away in your garage somewhere just waiting to be found. Of course, anything that you don't have can be purchased at your local Home Depot store.

Sulfamic Acid
Citrus Degreaser
Chemical Pump Up Sprayer
Grout Cleaning Brush w/pole
Mop and Bucket
Masking Tape
Shop Vac w/attachments
Brass Bristle Toothbrush
Latex Rubber Gloves
White Vinegar
Disposable Shop Towels

Before cleaning, you should measure the sq. ft. of the floor you are cleaning as you will need this information so you buy enough sulfamic acid to clean with. Cover any stainless steel appliances with several rows of masking tape or plastic wrap to keep the acid from etching the stainless and ruining the cosmetic appearance of your appliances. Dust mop and sweep your tile to remove large debris and dust from the floor. Mix your mop bucket with 4 oz. of white vinegar for each gallon of water used. Make sure your mop head is brand new, so you won't smear any dirty water on your clean floor. You will use your mop to help clean up the acid after scrubbing the grout.

Mix your sulfamic acid with water in your pump up sprayer according to directions, wearing rubber gloves. You should have at least a 2 gallon sprayer as this will cover around 700 to 1000 sq. ft. of tile when mixed 50/50, We recommend the powdered crystal acid from Home Depot. I have personally used this on many of my jobs when my chemical supply company was out of my regular brand. You can also use the brand I currently clean with called StoneTech Restore. Either way, you want a 50/50 mix ratio, half water and half acid as this is most effective.

Set your pump sprayer nozzle until it becomes more of a mist than a stream. Do not pump up with too much pressure, it will splatter on everything if you do. Just enough to make a mist when you squeeze the trigger. Spray about 50 sq. ft. completely covering all the tile and grout lines. Do not spray a larger area than this when cleaning, the floor must stay wet or you will have to repeat the process if it dries before you are finished cleaning.


Using a grout cleaning brush w/handle, start at one side of the tile cleaning all the vertical grout lines with a back and forth cleaning motion, using short strokes, while slowly walking forward. Then clean all the horizontal grout lines using the same method. Cleaning the grout lines this way is less confusing and will prevent you from missing some of the area. You may need to scrub dirty areas longer or use a citrus degreaser in a spray bottle using a brass bristle toothbrush to help remove stubborn areas that aren't coming clean right away. Make sure your brush is on a handle to keep you off your hands and knees.

After the area is clean, use your shop vac to remove the dirt and acid from the floor before it dries. Make sure you vacuum very well and don't leave any dirty residue behind. Once you have cleaned up with your shop vac, you are ready to mop with your vinegar and water solution. This rinses off any of the remaining acid and dirt from the tile. Placing a fan on the floor after you have finished will help the floor dry faster. You may not notice a huge difference in the grout lines until they have fully dried, which takes a few hours sometimes because of how porous the grout is. You are now ready to repeat the process on your next 50 sq. ft. of tile and grout.


About The Author

Bobby Walker is a 14 year cleaning industry veteran who owns and operates Carpet Cleaning of Dallas, a carpet, tile and upholstery restoration company. He is also a webmaster for 4 websites, including 2 do it yourself sites. His passion for helping people has been his motivating factor for his love of the service industry.

http://www.groutcleaningtips.com/

http://www.spotcleaningtips.com

Bathroom Counter Tops

Granite is Tough; Taking Correct Care of It Isn't
By: Edward Green



Crystal like granite countertops and spa type bathrooms built with natural stone are all the rage in home interiors, but not surprisingly it will lose its investment value fast if not properly maintained.

Up to now, only ammonia based cleaners were the granite cleaning choice outside of soap and water for homeowners, regardless of the fact that these products in reality damage natural stone.

Marble Master’s stone cleaning product line safely cleans and conditions countertops, floors and wall surrounds made of granite, marble, travertine and other natural stone. For more information, visit www.marblemasteruk.com

"Ammonia-based products remove the seal of natural stone, allowing stains to penetrate the surface and set more easily," said Edward Green, Technical Director of Marble Master. "The damage caused by these products increases the chance that the stone will have to be refurbished or replaced, which is a costly undertaking."

Natural stone is hard-wearing, but still needs appropriate care to continue its inherent beauty. When treated correctly, it is a low maintenance surface that will hold its gleam longer than any other surface known to man, and can enhance the value of your home.

Marble Master's set of non ammoniated, inexpensive products features its Daily Cleaner, Daily Cleaner Wipes, Polish/Protector, Stone Soap and Penetrating Sealers. The line protects and extends the life of stone countertops and gives customers high quality cleaning power. The line is non toxic, safe on all food preparation surfaces, features a streak-free formula and is easy to use.

Marble Master Products are also effective when used on natural quartz surfaces and engineered stone and can be safely used on ceramics or porcelain tile and grout. This exclusive product line, which contains the highest grade of quality ingredients, is user friendly, non toxic and safe for the environment.

The Marble Master Stone Care System is specially formulated and developed by stone care professionals with more than 40 years of experience in the natural stone industry. For more information or to purchase the products, visit www.marblemasteruk.com or call 020 8807 8889.

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as the byline is included and the article is included in it's entirety. I also ask that you activate any html links found in the article and in the byline. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to: support@marblemasteruk.com

Website: http://www.marblemasteruk.com/

About The Author


Edward Green owns and operates the highly successful Marble Master Ltd company. Marble Master specializes in Restoration and Refinishing of all types of natural stone and consultancy services to Architects, Restoration Companies and Interior Designers.