Creative Blogs

It’s an exciting time when you are planning to have a swimming pool built in your backyard. There are lots of options to consider; size, heated or not, enclosed or open etc. People are often so excited (granted, with good reason) that they neglect to give any thought to what happens when the contractors leave. Chances are the garden will need a complete re-landscape job and of course there is the question of pool decking.

Don’t think of pool decking as simply a way to get in and out of your pool. Think of it as a means of connecting your indoor living space with your outdoor space. Your new pool will be a great place to have summer parties and BBQ’s or to just sit by and relax while watching others in your pool.

If your new pool is to be in ground and built in concrete, consider a concrete deck. This type of pool decking is poured at the same time as the pool and forms part of the structure of the pool. It can then either be left as a concrete finish, block paved or tiled depending on your choice and budget. If you tile or pave, be sure to choose something with a none slip finish. If you decide against concrete and prefer a traditional type of decking, there are now specially designed composite boards that look like natural timber but are designed to not get slippery. For above ground pools the decking is constructed after the pool is finished.

Traditional pool decking

Wooden decking is still a favorite for above ground pools due to its natural look and feel. If you decide on a wooden deck it may be best to go for a hardwood. The initial cost is more but it will last a lot longer compared to a pressure treated softwood constantly getting wet. The deck can either just be on one side of your above ground pool or can surround the entire pool. Entrance onto the deck would be via a stairway built into the deck.

Options To Timber Decks

Vinyl, aluminum and plastic decking are all now available for pool decking. The fact that there is no danger of rot setting in or termite attacks due to being constantly getting wet makes them a good choice. Couple that with the fact they are virtually maintenance free and it is easy to understand why they are becoming more popular.

While these types of deck are a long way from replacing wood in the typical patio deck, when it comes to pool decking these type of decks have distinct advantages which are hard to ignore when it comes to pool decking. A wash down every now and then with the hose is about all you will ever have to do to this type of deck.

DIY Deck Building

If you are handy with a saw, tape measure and the odd power tool then a self build will certainly keep the bank balance looking a lot sweeter. As with any large do it yourself project, check with your local building control officer to find out what specific building regulations apply to your area.

Redecorating a room or taking on a renovation project can be your fondest dream, but when it comes time to roll up your sleeves and get the job done, it can quickly become your worst nightmare.

Decorating and U-Build-It shows on TV make the hard work seem easy. You finally find a home just right for your family, one that you can afford, but it needs a little work. In the blink of an eye, between commercials, the home is transformed into an oasis. No one even had to break a sweat. If only life could be so easy!

When you’ve moved into your new home, and settle in, you may start to realize that a few changes would make your life far more comfortable. It is best to make these changes in the beginning. The first thing to determine is the size of the project that you want to have done. If you don’t have the knowledge and skills required for the job, go to a professional. A home improvement contractor can make your life a lot less stressful. Take the time to find the best person for the job.

Choosing a Contractor

It may be hard to admit, but you may not be the best person to get the little jobs done around your new home. Most home improvement projects require some knowledge or expertise. The extent to which you rely on How-To books or web sites depends on how handy you are to begin with. If in doubt, admit that the task is not right for you, and find a professional. Home improvement contractors often have years of experience with a variety of projects. Some specialize in specific more challenging jobs. Replacing flooring, upgrading plumbing, installing drywall, and doing carpentry all require experience to be done properly. You will feel more confident turning your home over to a trained experienced professional. Ask to see credentials and look for someone who is bonded and certified.

Negotiate the Costs

A home improvement contractor runs his or her own show, and is able to set his/her own prices. They can charge as little as they want or as much as they want. By shopping around, you’ll be able to find a service that meets your budget. Once you’ve found the right one, you can negotiate the prices based on how much work needs to be done, and how much time it will require. Spending a little bit of money is much better than using the wrong materials or hurting yourself with power tools. It’s money well spent!

Save Time

These days, most of us feel that we need more time in our lives to spend with family and friends, and to take a little time for ourselves. It is enough to work all day, and to come home to daily chores. Why take on the added burden of renovating your home. A home contractor will get the job done with a minimum of fuss, and leave you with more time to do what is really important, taking care of your family and yourself. Enjoy the surprise of coming home to plumbing that works, a sparking clean bathroom, or freshly painted walls, without all the fuss.

Know yourself, and know your limits. Admit that you’re not the best person to renovate your home, and hire an expert to do the job right the first time. Rest easy in the knowledge that a professional is taking care of you and your family.

You get all of the rewards without any of the mess. Take pleasure in entertaining friends in your beautiful, newly renovated home. Congratulate yourself on your good decisions.

Tired of throwing money at oil companies and your local utility? You can fight back by eliminating the energy waste in your life. Consider the following:

1. If one part of your home gets toasty while another stays cold, you can circulate the heat using your heating system. Instead of turning on the heater, just turn on the fan. This saves money and should even out the temperature in your house.

2. If you heat your home with solar energy, foldable shutters can really make a difference. They should be open during the day when the sun is penetrating the windows. At night, shut the shutters to seal off heat loss through the windows.

3. Choosing Oil For Your Car

Bamboo flooring is often the choice of home owners who prefer its look and environmental quality. Being naturally resistant to bugs, it is also durable and adds beauty to the home. If bamboo wood is your flooring choice, here are tips on how to choose, install and maintain them:

Choosing Bamboo Flooring

The first thing to consider when buying bamboo flooring is the color. Because it comes in many colors and hues, it’s a good idea to consider the space where you’re going to set it up.

For the best deal consider different suppliers. Looking at what they have to offer not only in price but also in terms of quality will ensure you get exactly what you want for how much you want.

After determining the color that you want, you need to decide on the style of bamboo flooring that you need. You can choose from 3 different makes. There is engineered bamboo floor, which is in fact the laminate version of bamboo. Secondly, the most durable version is strand-woven bamboo floor. Third is solid bamboo flooring, which is in fact similar to hardwood flooring in that it is made directly from the bamboo material and is available in varying lengths.

Another consideration you need to take is the size of the room where the flooring will be installed. If it’s a small room, you will want to go with fine-grained bamboo, also known as vertical grain. For bigger rooms, you will be better off with horizontal grain because this provides wider grain for the bamboo flooring.

Installing Bamboo Flooring

Once the bamboo flooring has arrived, place the planks in the room where you will be using them and let them air for about 2 to 3 days. Acclimatization is important in most natural flooring to make sure they adjust properly to the room’s temperature and humidity level. The bamboo can then shrink or swell accordingly, so you will be ready for any warps or gaps later. Make sure the room temperature is maintained during the acclimatization period and that no moisture is present in the room.

Before installing bamboo flooring, make sure that you have a sub-floor. This is usually a concrete or wood surface on which you will be placing the bamboo planks. Keep this surface as smooth and as even as possible. An uneven sub-floor causes installation problems later on. Keep the sub-floor dry to prevent any moisture from seeping through the bamboo planks.

To further ensure that unwanted moisture becomes a problem in the future, you could take the extra step of including an underlayment with a moisture-resistant material such as vinyl. Note too that if you are going to have radiant heat sub-floors, it is a good idea to implement floating installation as you don’t want the bamboo to be directly in contact with the heat. On the other hand if you have a smooth concrete sub-floor, gluing the bamboo boards will work well. If your sub-floor is made of wood, nailing the bamboo down is probably the best option.

Before you start affixing your bamboo flooring permanently, lay it out to see which arrangement will look best. Natural fibers often have a slight variation in color and knowing where to put what will help you achieve the look you want. When you have your sub-flooring prepared, choose the straightest wall and start from there.

Measure about ” or ” from the wall and mark with a chalk line. This gap will make room for expansion later on and will be filled out by molding. Choose the straightest bamboo planks and use these for the first row. Drill regularly spaced pilot holes for the finishing nails near the walls and face-nail the planks through the sub-flooring. Blind-nail the first row. Make sure the first row is straight and even. This is a critical point in the installation of the bamboo flooring and will determine whether the next rows are straight or not.

Now for the second row, align the planks unevenly from the first. The end of each plank should be at least six inches along from that of the previous one. Drill pilot holes at each end at a forty-five degree angle and then drill spaced every ten inches on the tongue of the plank. Make sure each board fits closely against each other. To do this you need to tap it, but use a piece of tapping wood. If you hit the bamboo directly you may harm it.

Follow the same steps when installing the next planks, being careful to tap them into place to keep them tight against the previous row. Use a pry bar and a block to tap the final row before installing the baseboard molding.

Maintaining Bamboo Flooring

You only need to use common sense to keep your bamboo flooring spic-n-span. Its biggest enemies are sand and grit, for these can result in accelerated wear and tear specially in heavy traffic areas. So use a broom or even a vacuum cleaner to regularly get rid of the dirt and your flooring should last a long long time.

When you do your vacuum cleaning, you should be mindful to get the dirt that insinuates itself between the gaps in the flooring. As they say, a stitch in time saves nine, so immediately wipe up any spills and also do not delay touching up the floor finish as soon as you notice any wear. Floor wax is another good thing that you should use regularly to keep you floor in top shape.

Let’s face it: when it comes to home improvements, some of us are all thumbs. Despite our best intentions or most valiant efforts, it can take a professional to get the job done right. If you’re one of these people, you need to protect yourself by gaining a good understanding of home improvement estimates.

The most important thing to remember about a home improvement estimate is that it is an “estimate”. It’s a price given to you that may vary one way or the other. It’s not set in stone. That being said, a home improvement estimate is what you’ll seek when you’re just not sure how much it will cost for a home repair or renovation job.

Experienced contractors will give you “ballpark figures” to estimate the total cost of your project. This home improvement estimate is the best way to figure out how much money you’ll need in your budget, before you get to work.

Calculating the Calculation

A home improvement estimate is the total cost of the project, based on the exact dimensions of your home. You will not find a reputable contractor who will give you an estimate without first visiting the property, inspecting the area and taking dimensions.

With this information in hand, your contractor will then determine the materials required to complete the job. He or she will explain the markup system, and compare the job to regional pricing. Each of these steps will contribute to the final cost of the job, or your home improvement estimate.

Material Prices

A professional contractor will base his or her material costs on information gathered from researchers. These figures may be calculated using compiled costs gathered from hundreds of different lumberyards throughout the United States. Researchers will also compile labor costs by tracking the labor trends and collecting certain data from professional remodeling contractors. The contractor that you choose should have access to this information and use it in his or her calculations.

Costs, fees and prices are gathered from different sources and areas, and used to determine your home improvement estimate. Each job is unique, so these costs should reflect the price of your specific project. Your contractor will take other factors into account, such as your residential area, to calculate a truer estimate. Be as helpful as possible. The closer the estimate is to actual costs, the easier it will be to get the job done.

Your home improvement estimate price is based on basic information that you share with your contractor. It’s a good indication of what your project will cost, but your actual price may vary just a little bit.

As you work with your contractor, he or she will be able to make accurate measurements and add to any of the details you have already received. These additional calculations and extenuating circumstances may affect the end price. Factors like impeded access to work areas, unusual terrain, scheduling and season weather conditions can also impact your estimate.

When calculating your home improvement estimate use the current retail price for materials. These are the prices you’d pay if you purchased the materials at a store. Then, if your contractor offers you materials at a discounted rate, it will be like getting a little bonus when the job is complete.

Keep in mind that if you insist on certain products for their quality and style, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. Materials purchased at contractors’ rates may not offer the same guarantee, so it can be worth the extra money for your satisfaction and peace of mind.

Never agree to hire a contractor until you’ve seen a home improvement estimate. If the quoted price doesn’t fall within your budget, feel free to haggle. You may be able to bring the price down just a little.