Fit the Best Sunroom Design for Your Home

Sunrooms are becoming more popular in homes all over the country. People are starting to acknowledge the benefits they offer for their physical and mental health. If you don't have one already, it isn't too difficult to add one to your home. There are a variety of floor plans to choose from. You also have the option of doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor to take care of the work for you. Make sure you and your family discuss what you want before any work begins. Do you want a formal or casual area? Do you want the walls to be made of glass? Where will the room be located? These are all important subjects to discuss.

With so many different sunroom options, it is possible to find a design that suits your tastes as well as serves the intended purpose. Large families that have children and/or pets general do better with a casual sunroom instead of a formal set up. It is must easier to take care of. Your budget for the sunroom will also play a vital role in how it is designed. If you want one that is mainly made from glass then it will be the most expensive. You can compromise by only installing a glass roof or skylights.

There are more sunroom options available than most people realize, so use the internet to take a look at all the options you have. There are different entry ways including a traditional door, sliding door, or French doors to give it a unique look. The windows you choose are important as well. Do you want them to be able to open? If you live in a warmer climate and want them to open then consider adding screens. The more time you take to plan your sunroom options the happier you will be with the results.

Kitchen Cabinet - 4 Design Ideas For The Fussy Homemaker

Have you ever been struck by a seemingly brilliant idea to design your home kitchen, only to find yourself stumped by how you should position and paint your cabinets? Here are some kitchen cabinet design ideas that you might want to use as you design your home kitchen.

1. Before planning out a design, be sure to use only materials that are suited to your climate and weather. If you live in a region of high humidity, moisture can destroy your cabinets, so be sure to select wood that will not be easily damaged by water. Such woods may include teak. On the other hand, if you live in a dry region, you will need versatile wood that does not easily chip or become brittle.

2. Decide whether you would want a large number of small cabinets, or only a few large ones. Small cabinets can allow you to keep smaller things in smaller spaces that are easy to clean; large ones, on the other hand, can allow you to store many large appliances or stored foods and thus keep your kitchen from being cluttered. Cabinet size and quantity can determine if you will need to have a kitchen island installed, or if you can eschew the island and use the wide floor space.

3. Your cabinet color patterns should match the theme of your house. As a rule, the cabinets should match the wall or the floor in color. The lighter the colors of your cabinets, the wider your kitchen can appear. You can also choose to have glass cabinets along with your wooden ones, as these can give your kitchen an appearance of depth.

4. Choose your cabinet wood carefully if you want your kitchen to have a natural look. Use soft colored woods, such as beech, oak, chestnut, or ash, if your kitchen is not well lighted. If your kitchen has strong lighting, opt for darker woods such as cherry.

Design Your Home With Pets in Mind - Use Your 5 Senses

Most of us would agree that we want homes that are stylish, clean, fragrant, and harmonious. When our Evaluation of the home using the 5 senses as a guide, helps make sure that the needs of all the household members are taken into consideration at the beginning of the design planning process. A thorough assessment about how you and your pets currently live together, determining what is working well, and what is less than ideal is made in order to optimize your new interior design.

One of the aspects of the assessment is an evaluation of the home from the perspective of the 5 senses for both the 2 legged and 4 legged family members.

Smell, Sight, Touch, Sound, and yes, even Taste

The questions that need to be asked and answered are:

Sight

How do I want my home to look?
This is the one sense that is more important to
the two legged family members. While your dog certainly could care less
whether your neighbor will ooh and aah over your new paint color or wallpaper,
there are considerations for the 4 legged members too. Both cats and dogs like
a sunny place to gaze out a window and watch the world. This has implications
for the types of window treatments that we recommend.

Smell

What do I want my home to smell like?
What type of cleaning products are being
used? Candles being burned? Air fresheners being sprayed?
Dogs and cats have a discrimination of smell that humans can only imagine. We
should not forget to consider this reality when answering the question.

Touch

What types of textures and materials feel good to us?
Chenille fabric feels warm and cozy to all of us, what are the pros and cons
of using this type of fabric when your household is composed of 2 and 4 legged
family members? What do we want our bare feet or paws to tread upon, and
what are the pros and cons of the different options in a home with 2 and 4
legged family members?

Sound

Are there noises that I want to highlight? Mask?
Don't forget, hearing is highly acute in dogs and cats.
There are soothing sounds that can be brought into your home that also can serve a dual function for the 4 legged family members. Don't forget the expression 'music soothes the savage beast'.

Taste

What items in your home can your pets 'eat'?
Cats are notorious for eating houseplants. The reason is that cats are hard-wired
to crave green grass. There are attractive solutions to provide a tasty treat for
your cats,without destruction of your houseplants.
Most dogs have a reputation for eating just about anything they can get their
teeth on. With that in mind, there are smart, attractive choices for how and
where to keep your garbage cans, laundry baskets and kitty litter boxes even if
you don't have the luxury of keeping them behind cabinet or closet doors.

A few facts about cats and dogs versus humans when it comes to the 5 senses:

Cats and dogs sense of smell is far superior to humans.

Cats have 19 million odor sensitive cells in their noses, dogs have 200 million and people only 5 million.

While dogs can smell better than cats, a cats sense of sound is better than a dogs.

You know how some dogs seem to be willing to eat almost anything, but cats are often referred to as finicky eaters?

Well that is because a cats sense of taste is keener than a dogs. This is one of senses that is actually stronger for people than for a cat or dog.

Garage Doors - A Short Guide To The World Of Garage Doors

When people think of garage doors today, they usually picture automatic garage doors, and almost always the overhead door type of garage doors. Automatic garage doors are preferred to other types because of their convenience and safety. You operate the automatic garage doors with a garage door opener from the comfort and security of your vehicle.

As you near the automatic garage doors in your automobile, you simply press a button on the garage door opener and the automatic garage doors slide smoothly open. Once you've pulled your car inside and shut the motor off, you can operate the automatic garage doors with another signal from the garage door opener. You can use either the on site garage door opener, or the mobile unit that stays in your car.

Automatic garage doors are definitely a convenience when the weather is bad, or when you're coming home to an empty house. With a garage door opener and automatic garage doors, you don't need to get out of your automobile until the automatic garage door is closed and secured.

There are some disadvantages to using automatic garage doors though, especially with a garage door opener. Because the power in the remote unit is battery operated, you must make sure to have batteries for your remote garage door opener unit. Secondly, some signals may be close enough to those of your neighbor that more than one garage door opener can be activated at the same time.

Third, automatic garage doors occasionally do get "off the track" so that they no longer move up and down on the rails correctly. It can be difficult to accomplish the garage door repair to get the automatic garage doors back on the rails without an extra pair of hands, and in the meantime, the automatic garage doors may need to be left in an open position so that they cannot be secured. Garage door repair is a rather specialized service, but garage door repair should be provided by the manufacturer of your automatic garage door opener unit.

Automatic garage doors should have another safety feature. They should always have a automatic stop feature built in. This will stop the automatic garage doors from coming down on the back of your automobile, or on the neck or chest of a toddler. A panic stop button is provided on some units to prevent further damage to vehicles or other objects obstructing the path of the door.

Concrete Countertops Offer Durable Beauty

Concrete isn't just for structural building. It's the stuff counter tops are made of. Concrete counter tops, in fact, are sweeping the kitchen design industry with their beauty and versatility.

Thanks to the properties of concrete, this building material can be worked and molding into almost any shape, size and design. The benefits of concrete counter tops are many, but rest assured, they are not gleaned by compromising beauty. Those who have these counter tops find they are almost impossible to differentiate from other hard surface materials favored by kitchen designers.

There are a few basic looks that concrete counter tops can take on thanks to the use of different colorings, aggregates and coatings. These include:

Marbleized: Using different pigments and creation techniques, master counter top makers can take concrete and make it virtually indistinguishable from a slab of marble. The beauty is sealed in.

Trowel: Offering a rougher surface than most counters, this design is one that many adore for its unusual beauty.

Terrazzo: By adding glass or marble into the mix, concrete counter tops can take on a variety of different looks in terrazzo. This can add an extra dimension of beauty to the countertops.

In addition to having a variety of appearances, these counter tops do have some ups and downs. They are, overall, quite comparable with other single sheet designs. Things buyers should know about concrete tops include:

* Sealer. Concrete counter tops must be sealed to ensure staining and other damage are avoided. When a sealer is well applied, the counter tops can resist all sorts of problems. Despite this, there are things that can compromise the sealer, so it's important to make sure the job is done correctly and it's protected from damage. The rules associated with concrete care aren't much different than most regular counter tops come with even most of the "high-end" designs.

* Cutting issues. While some counter tops are meant to be cut on directly, concrete is not one such creation. While the concrete can handle direct cutting, the sealer cannot. When cutting is done directly on the surface, it impacts the sealer, which could lead to stain problems down the road.

* Heat issues. Again, concrete itself can take the punishment, but the sealer might not. With this in mind, it's recommended that hot pans and bowls not be placed directly on the counter tops. Just like working with Corian or other similar counter tops direct heat is worth avoiding to protect the beauty of the counter tops.

Offering a remarkable beauty, concrete counter tops are amazing to behold. It's very difficult for anyone who doesn't know what they're made of to tell by appearance. When crafted by masters, the designs can be simply fantastic.

Although concrete is well known for its building properties, the fact is this material isn't just for under surfaces anymore. Concrete counter tops are taking the kitchen industry by storm. Known for their durability and beauty, these counter tops are comparable in looks to some of the top designer choices, such as granite, quartz and beyond.

Vinyl Flooring is A Risk Reward Type of Flooring

There are many wonderful benefits to using vinyl flooring, but there are also some draw backs that you might consider before you buy and install vinyl flooring for your next project. This article will attempt to give you some good pointers to this type of flooring surface so that you can make an educated decision.

If you are considering installing vinyl flooring you need to be aware that this type of flooring is installed using adhesive. What this means to you is that if your flooring surface will be subjected to extremely cold temperatures it may not be the best choice of flooring material to go with. The possibility of the vinyl flooring adhesive coming loose is a factor to consider.

The next thing to consider is the fact that vinyl tile flooring does not often adhere well to certain wood sub flooring surfaces. If you discover that your sub flooring is made of chip board or if the sub flooring has been treated with any kind of chemical there are some solutions you can use to remedy the problem. If you are set on installing vinyl flooring you can install some ¼ inch plywood on top of the sub floor, and then the vinyl flooring adhesive will stick much better.

Vinyl flooring can be very finicky about the type of surface it adheres to. The general rules is -- the smoother the surface the better your success rate. You must take extreme care with the surface of your sub flooring when installing vinyl flooring by taking a few extra steps in preparation. If the sub flooring is plywood (recommended) then you should sand the surface smooth and then clean it thoroughly before you try to stick the vinyl flooring to it.

One nice benefit about vinyl flooring is that you can install it over old flooring. You still, need to make sure that the old flooring is smooth and very clean. Once you have prepared the existing flooring the new vinyl flooring should stick nicely.

UPVC Windows - An Attractive Home Improvement Option

Everyone wants their home to be visually appealing, but in some cases, this requires a bit of remodeling on the part of the homeowner. Not only do windows and doors provide natural lighting for the home, they also lend beauty and personality to otherwise ordinary homes. So if you are thinking of remodeling, an attractive update to your home may come in the form of upvc windows.

There are several different replacement windows to consider when you are updating your home. The styles of replacement windows usually vary to fit with the style of the home architecture. Some of the most popular styles of replacement windows include casement windows, sliders, double hung windows, bay windows, bow windows, garden windows, and skylights.

Casement windows normally consist of one or two panes and are hinged on one side. They are opened by rotating a crank and generally only open 15 to 30 degrees, which is enough to let in light, but not much else. Slider windows consist of two offset sashes and operate much like a sliding glass door. Double hung windows allow air to flow either from the top or the bottom of the window. They consist of two offset slashes that move vertically.

You would normally see bay windows in the living rooms or other formal areas of the home. They are three sided window arrangements that extend from the exterior wall of the house. Such windows allow a room to feel larger and also offer a little extra space for seating and more.

Bow windows are somewhat similar to bay windows in that they project from the exterior of a home. The difference is that a bow window consists of a series of windows with each sash set at an angle, so that the window curves gracefully outward.

To replace an older kitchen window, many people choose garden windows. Like the bay window and the bow window, these windows also extend from the face of the house. However, they are much smaller than bay windows and bow windows. Many homeowners place their potted plants in garden windows achieving the effect of a mini garden indoors.

Skylights are set in the roof of a home and provide direct lighting from the outside. They are often used to improve the lighting in rooms that are naturally dim and include weather tight seals to keep out the elements.

Each of these options has recently become available in the popular upvc windows style. Upvc windows are now available in such a wide array of styles and colors that they do not detract from the style and architecture of the home, as many homeowners complained they did when they were first introduced to the market.

Double glazing upvc windows are a popular option with homeowners wishing to update their homes via replacement windows. These windows are highly efficient as they are constructed from two panes of glass that create an insulating pocket of air, keeping out drafts and providing a weather tight seal.

So if you are considering updating your home, double glazing upvc windows may be just the thing to give your home a new look without putting a major dent in your bank account. Be sure to shop around in order to find a reputable supplier and get the best value for your money. Just remember to be as diligent as you would with any major purchase when looking for replacement windows.

Stick With Your Local Home Improvement Retailer

When it comes to practical home improvement projects there is no better place to visit than your local home improvement retailer. There is no better time than now to get started on that new home improvement project. This article will help you create some good ideas using your local home improvement retailer.

The best value you can add to your home is by fixing up your kitchen or bathrooms. These tow rooms are probably the most used rooms in the entire home. You may think that your living room is important, and it is, but the living room relies much more on the electronics you place in it to improve the quality of the room.

When you visit your local home improvement retailer they can often provide some wonderful advice on how to make inexpensive improvements to your bathroom or kitchen. You can even find some great deals at your larger home improvement retailer stores.

The best times to watch for killer deals at the home improvement retailer will be at the end of each season. When winter is ending and spring is just around the corner they will often reduce prices considerably on items that would be easier to liquidate rather than restock and have to go through the inventory process.

The next best time to buy from your home improvement retailer would be at the end of summer. You could possibly get some great ideas for future projects by checking out the stock they want to rid themselves of at this time of season. You must remember supply and demand. You should plan your home improvement projects well in advance with this knowledge. Buy your items when the season is out, and then do the repairs or improvements later.

You should try to support your smaller locally owned home improvement retailer whenever possible. Sometimes it is just impossible for them to compete with the big store prices on many items. However, the friendly helpful advice they can offer my far exceed the price you pay if it makes a considerable improvement to your homes value and lifestyle.

Water Treatment Supply Middle East

Did you know that if you have well water, you have to get it tested on a regular basis? There are so many people who end up getting sick because of water contamination and they don't even know it. In fact, 26% of all well waters can cause people to become sick. Although your well is not a public system, most states will have laws on the books about wells. Before you purchase a home with a well or drill a well, you should see what your state laws are. It is completely up to you to make your water safe, so take that in consideration as well.

You should have your water tested in the springtime. This way you can see what the winter has placed in your well system. Not only should you test in the spring, but also you need to test your water at least once every two years for changes in chemicals or mineral compounds. You should always test your water if there are any disturbances, like mining near you, or if you are in a flooded area. You will not only need to test your water, but repair or re-drill a well to fix the problem.

You can get your water tested at any of you local environmental laboratories. You may be surprised, but anything can cause a change in your well water, including the animals that inhibit your local area. You will not only need to get a water filtering system, but you should also keep in mind about your septic system.

You will not want your well next to your septic system or anywhere near it. You may want to have them at opposite sides of the house so that you have no worries about a leak getting into your water. Some of the things that you will end up testing for to make your drinking water taste better, as well as, be healthier for you are Coliform, E. Coli, Nitrate, VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), and pH.

If you think that your water has a weird or different smell or taste, you should get your water tested as soon as possible. Not only will testing the water save you from illness, but it will also taste better. Once you have pinpointed what is in your water, you can remove or reduce the amount of containments and then you can improve your water's drinking quality and characteristics.

Home Improvement With Replacement Windows And Doors

Home improvement projects are an easy way to give your home a face lift and add value at the same time. Replacement windows and exterior home doors will also save you money. That's one reason why vinyl windows and doors are a popular choice for remodeling projects.

There are many home improvement articles that will guide you if you are thinking of replacing your exterior doors and house windows. A key question when undertaking a home improvement exercise is the choice of material for replacement windows and doors. Whether you're talking about front entry doors, French doors, sliding patio doors or outside doors, your choice of material is generally between wood and PVC or plastic doors.

Exterior doors made of wood are available in a wide variety of designs and colours, which may be a deciding factor for some home renovators. However, there is no denying that wooden external doors require considerably more maintenance than vinyl or PVC doors. For one thing, wood will eventually rot and will need to be replaced. It is highly susceptible to weather damage and constant weathering means you will need to repaint exterior home doors at regular intervals. With the need for an undercoat and a gloss coat, this can quickly become expensive.

In contrast, exterior home doors made of PVC or vinyl require comparatively little maintenance. They are resistant to weathering, and exterior doors will maintain their finish even after years of constant exposure to the elements. This is one reason why with exterior doors PVCU may be the better choice. In addition to front entry doors, PVCU can also be used for other outside doors, French doors, sliding patio doors, conservatory plastic doors and doors leading to the porch. While the colour choice is not as extensive as with wooden doors, there is still a wide range of designs and finishes, as well as decorative touches such as stained glass panels an frosted glass panels. These let light in while maintaining your privacy and are ideal for doors leading onto dark hallways.

Your home improvement and remodeling project might also include windows replacement. Again, you have the choice of wood or PVCU and UPVC windows win hands down because UPVC double glazed windows are so effective. The membrane that provides the insulation in vinyl windows can be of varying thickness. It is sandwiched between two panes of glass, hence the name 'double glazing' or 'double glass windows'. These windows are weathertight and will reduce heat loss from your home, helping your central heating system to function more efficiently. And in the summer, you will still be able to keep cool. Many double glazing windows allow you to leave a small space for airflow while locking the window for security.

There are several window styles that are available for your UPVC home improvement and remodeling project. Casement windows and sash windows are both options for your replacement house windows and you may also want to consider tinted windows if you live in a sunny area. Finally, to complete your home improvement project, consider adding a conservatory with UPVC windows and UPVC doors. This is guaranteed to add value to your home.

Remodeling Porches Is Easy

Remodeling porches can create great benefits for your home. This example from DoItYourself.com shows that you can make more of your outdoors with these fresh-as-air ideas that use paint, stain, and basic carpentry skills to spruce up a plain backyard. Mosquitoes, plus the desire to enjoy spring, summer, and fall relaxing outside, prompted the owners of an Atlanta, Georgia home to transform their back porch from a concrete slab to a screened-in showcase. The decision was simple; the solution wasn't quite so easy.

Though they knew they wanted to screen the existing back patio -- a square of concrete tucked under a roof overhang -- complications arose. The porch needed to blend in with the existing house and still withstand the local insects, high humidity, and scorching summer temperatures. The concrete slab had a slight drop for rain runoff, so the homeowners had to trim the inside of the frame to fit that slope.

Here?s a step-by-step of what they did:

1. Cut the paneling. Pre-primed 4x8-foot sheets of beadboard ceiling paneling are cut to fit.

2. Install the ceiling panels and fan. A nail gun makes quick work of installing ceiling panels and is easier than holding a panel while swinging a hammer. Before all of the paneling is installed, the ceiling is wired for a fan and light. The fan enables the homeowners to keep their porch 8 to 10 degrees cooler than the outdoors, while the light allows the porch to be used at night. One person held the fan while the other connected the wires then screwed the fan into place. The ceiling's finish trim hides the seams in the paneling.

3. Frame the porch. The 2x4 frame of the homeowners' porch was sized to fit the standard-width screens that were installed later. Crosspieces can be either nailed directly through the vertical braces or toenailed in place.

4. Attach interior paneling. A staple gun secures the interior pine-and-plywood beadboard paneling. Though the panels are level across the top, they had to be trimmed at the bottom to follow the uneven concrete floor, which slopes to accommodate rain runoff.

5. Attach and level exterior paneling. The hardboard exterior panels are added one at a time, from the bottom up. The builders custom-cut the first one to follow the bumpy ground line. It took some practice tries to get the paint the same tone of pale yellow as the weathered version on the house. The weather-resistant exterior paint requires only a washing with soap and water to maintain its color.

6. Finish off the screen. Vinyl grids are screwed directly into the wooden frame. The screens attach to the channels in these grids, creating a stapleless installation for fiberglass or aluminum screens. Once the screens are rolled into the grid channels using a spline, excess screen is simply trimmed off. A mallet snaps the caps over the vinyl channels and locks the screens in place.

Considering a Do It Yourself Solar Power System for Your Home?

Evaluating a do it yourself solar power system on your home? Imagine converting freely available solar power into electricity that can be used to power your home. The amount of electricity that will be generated depends on the number and wattage of the solar panels and the number of direct sun light the solar panels receive.

If the solar panels are producing more electricity that what is needed to run your home the excess solar power can be sold to the electric company. This is a great situation to be in, be selling electricity back to the utility district.

There are a few things that you need to consider before deciding on installing a solar power system on your house.

In order to recoup the initial investment you need to determine how long it will take. You don't want to move out of the house before having recouped your investment.

Do you have a large enough space on your roof where the solar panels can be installed on that receives at least six hours of direct sun light each day? Solar cells work best in direct sunlight. If most of the south facing roof space is covered by nice large trees a photovoltaic system is not going to produce much electricity.

Pitch of your roof. Are you comfortable walking on your roof? Is it too steep for you? When installing a do it yourself solar power system you will be spending some time on the roof installing the solar panels and wiring them together. If you are not comfortable working on the roof for a day or two you might want to consider hiring someone to install the solar panels for you.

How to find do it yourself solar power retailers that you can work with. Start with the yellow pages and contact the local solar retailers in your area. Check out each retailer with the local BBB.

Another option is to search for solar retailer sites with the search phrase 'do it yourself solar power system'. Check out the result sites. Be sure to verify that the site is reputable and secure.

Before purchasing a do it yourself solar power system from a retailer be they local or online there are a few questions you should ask them. Will they help you determine the load of your home and size the solar power system to your home's electrical needs?

Will they allow you to review the installation instructions before purchasing the solar power system? Since this is a

Do they offer telephone technical support?

How long is the warranty on the equipment?

Who do you contact for warranty work?

You are now ready to find the right retail outlet that will provide you with the best do it yourself solar power system and great customer service. Even if you decide not to install a solar power system yourself, consider hiring a local company that specializes in installing solar power systems in homes. It will be more expensive, but in the long run the cost savings will be well worth it.

Bathroom Fans – All About Bathroom Fans

Bathrooms were considered to be a place in a house where people tend to give less importance while designing. But lately even bathrooms are being given a lot of attention while designing and building. But still proper bathroom ventilation is missed out by many while designing. Bathrooms tend to be a lot more humid and the bathroom air tends to have excess moisture. This excessive moisture can cause rotting of walls and ceiling and also cause some structural damage. Also, moist surroundings encourage the growth of mildew, bacteria, moulds and many other microorganisms.

To overcome this problem, your bathroom has to be properly ventilated. Some bathrooms have normal ceiling fans installed in them, but they do not do the required job of removing moisture from the bathroom. The best fans that can be installed in bathrooms are exhaust fans. They can eliminate foul odors, remove moisture and also help clear condensation off bathroom mirrors.

An effective bathroom exhaust fan has some standards that have to be met. If you already have an exhaust fan but are not sure about its efficiency then you can go ahead and do this simple test. Just hold a piece of tissue paper up to the grill of the exhaust fan. If the exhaust fan is efficient, the tissue paper will be held tightly to the grill by the fan. Or you can try out the exhaust test. Just place a plastic bag over the exhaust hood and switch on the fan. The plastic bag should be filled with air in a few seconds.

Bathroom exhaust fans are rated by identifying the amount of air it can pull out per minute. They are measured with cubic feet per min (CRM). Bathroom exhaust fans should be rated above 50 CRM to be an efficient and effective one. The Home Ventilating Institute recommends that an effective exhaust fan should be able to provide 1 CFM per square foot. Also if your bathrooms are larger or have bathroom accessory fixtures like steam rooms, sauna or hot tubs, then you will have to invest in a larger exhaust fan. The length of the ductwork to the outside also determines the strength of the exhaust fan that your bathroom should have. The longer the exhaust vent, the stronger your exhaust fan has to be.

Since bathrooms tend to remain closed and compact, noisy fans would test your patience when inside the bathrooms. Make sure that you pick an efficient, quiet exhaust fan for your bathroom. HVI ratings on exhaust fans can be used as a guide to pick the exhaust fan you'll need. Lately bathroom exhaust fans have been launched with light kits embedded in them. Such new varieties of exhaust fans are getting popular as they are multi functional.

So when you go about designing your bathroom don't forget to add the option of an exhaust fan to the design. They will help you to keep your bathrooms less moist and fresh for years to come. Do remember to select the right exhaust fan for your bathroom and regularly maintain the fan to ensure that your bathroom is just the way you want it to be.

A Guide To Bathroom Towel Warmers And Radiators

A Guide to Bathroom Towel Warmers and Radiators

A towel warmer or radiator is becoming an essential part of a standard bathroom installation. They come in different shapes and sizes so how do you make sure that you make the right choice? Read this quick guide for an overview of the different types of bathroom towel warmer.

Bathroom towel warmers or radiators are generally fed by 3 types of heating supply:


1. System fed (through the hot water central heating system)


2. Electric only


3. Dual fuel – electric and system fed.

System fed can be supplied in two ways; open or closed circuits. A closed circuit is the most common. The radiator is part of the designated heating system from the boiler, which circulates hot water to all the radiators in the house, and is protected by the presence of an anti-corrosive agent such as Fernox. This is possible because the closed circuit is separate from the domestic drinking water supply. All radiator types are suitable for this system.

An open circuit is where the radiator is included on the domestic water feed; this water has no anti-corrosion protection, and most radiators are unsuitable for this type of installation. The few radiators recommended still carry many restrictions to their suitability, and is the responsibility of the installer to check thoroughly. These would include contacting the local water authority to check the water quality is not prone to dezincification in the area, and that there is not a water softener included on the system.

Many of the biggest manufacturers in the industry do not have any radiators suitable for an open circuit, and I would only recommend Vogue as a reliable source of suitable radiators because they clearly identify their range and lay down the installers' responsibility. Vogue do offer special materials and manufacture for any special needs which can be quoted individually.

Electric only radiators come supplied sealed with a factory fitted electric element. Alternatively an element can be supplied separately for the fitter to install using an appropriate mixture of fluid, such as Glycol and water, to the required volume for the radiator, allowing for expansion. These should be installed by a qualified electrician. Most electric radiators are safe in zones two & three with special IP66 rated elements for zone one but no electric radiator should be fitted within a shower cubicle.

The right model of electric only radiators are very much under utilised; the ideal bathroom would include an electric only radiator with the sole purpose of drying and warming towels. The electric only radiator is designed with a fewer rails giving less output, and this can be as little as 50 watts (no more output than a light bulb). This is sufficient to dry the towels, but will not give the unwanted background heat for the summer months that the normal size radiator would give and is economical to run. Under floor heating would be the perfect partner to the all electric radiator where space is a problem.

Dual fuel radiators are a popular choice but should be treated with caution. The main supply would come from the main closed circuit system, and would then be backed up by the electric element when the central heating is switched off. The main problem arising is when the main system is switched off the circulating water supply can drain from the radiator in part or fully, and the electric element must always be fully immersed in water. The element must also never be switched on when the main system is active. The element is often designed to burn out quickly to prevent fires, about 4 seconds with some makes, which will allow no real time before irreparable damage to the element occurs ( a change of colour to the element would indicate the radiator has been operated while dry.)

Another disadvantage with dual fuel is caused by the size of the element supplied; it needs to have approximately 80% of the radiator's full output, resulting in an element of 300 watts or more. This gives an uncomfortable amount of background heat during the summer when it is used the most!

Seven Mistakes Homeowners Make When Redesigning a Bathroom

Redesigning a bathroom can bring comfort and luxury into your home—and could also add considerable value if you decide to sell. But a bathroom redesign can be complicated. If you're considering giving your bathroom a makeover, here are a few pitfalls to avoid.

Choosing a plan that doesn't suit your space. The amount of space you have makes a big difference in your redesign options. If you have a very small space, you'll know you can't add a Jacuzzi tub. If your space is large, you'll know have a little more flexibility. But with a medium-area bathroom, you could assume a certain feature will fit—but you'll never know unless you measure everything carefully and work out a realistic floor plan for your new bathroom.

Choosing a style that doesn't match your home. A sleek, modern bathroom will look a bit out of place in a historic home. A style mismatch might not matter so much to you while you're living in the house, but if you ever try to sell, it could seriously decrease the value of your home. Buyers look for a consistent look throughout a house, and if they're drawn to an older home with a lot of character, chances are they won't appreciate your minimalist bathroom design. Make sure the fixtures you choose don't clash with the rest of your house.

Thinking you can do it yourself—if you don't have the experience. Redesigning a bathroom is a major task—often more complicated than redesigning other sections of the home. To do it right, you need to be a competent plumber, electrician, tile installer, carpenter, and more. Some intrepid homeowners believe they can do it all themselves. But even experienced contractors who don't specialize in bathrooms can make serious missteps. Unless you have experience in bathroom redesign work, save yourself the hassle—hire a pro.

Hiring the wrong person. The success of your redesign project hinges on the contractor you hire. Look for one who specializes in bathrooms. Don't just ask for references—check them. And ask to see an example of finished work. Only hire someone whose work you love, who has a strong list of references, and who has lots of experience. Many homeowners decide to hire a friend or family member, whether to save on cash or to do a favor. But unless your friend or family member is a professional with plenty of experience redesigning bathrooms, this is a bad idea.

Keeping a tight budget. Beware of the assumption that you'll stay within budget. The average redesign project costs about 20% to 30% more than homeowners planned. Work some extra cash into your redesign budget, and you won't get a nasty shock if you find out that your project will cost more than planned.

Not ensuring easy access to piping. If you do find that water leaks out of your newly-tiled walls when you turn on your brand-new shower, the plumber will likely need to break through the walls in order to reach the faulty pipes. This can be costly and time-consuming. To avoid this pitfall, request access panels to be installed so that plumbers can reach the pipes easily and quickly in case of a problem.

Not keeping a close eye on your contractor. If you've gone to a lot of trouble to hire the right contractor, you should be able to trust that the job will get done right—right? In a perfect world, maybe so. But in reality, you often need to hover like a hawk to get the best results. And it's best to know what to look for while you do it.

Water leaks can be a big problem with bathroom redesign projects. To keep an eye on things, check out the new plumbing your contractors are installing. The simpler it is, the better—you'll want the shortest pipe lengths and smallest amount of joints possible, because water leaks are most likely to occur at joints and bends in the piping. Take pictures of the piping as it's being installed, so you can find potential problem areas before they cause trouble.

You'll want your tiling hung the right way, as well. Watch to see that your contractor spreads the adhesive evenly over the wall with a notched spreader, instead of simply putting a blob on the back of each tile. You want your adhesive spread evenly because when it's done right, it acts as a second layer of waterproofing. Over time, movement in your tub can cause cracking in the grout between the tiles. If the adhesive isn't evenly applied, water can seep straight between the tiles.

Redesigning a bathroom can be a big project—but it can be worth it, too. Be prepared, choose the right person, supervise closely, and have a plan that works for your bathroom space and for your home, and you should be delighted with your finished bathroom.

Go For The Trusted Quality Of A Top Brand Bathtub

Most people are very particular when it comes to their bathtub, especially when it comes to different brands of bathtubs. In one way, it is fair enough, who would not want to have a branded, sophisticated bathtub?

Well, this article is going to take you through some of the brands of bathtubs that are not only sophisticated but they are durable and worth having.

Kohler Bathtubs

The Kohler bathtub is named after John Michael Kohler, founder of the Kohler company, in the year 1883. Since than, Kohler have been known for their bathtubs. The premier material used for the Kohler's bathtub is cast iron.

Kohler bath modules are known for the combinations of bath and showers that are designed for modern homes. These modules come in different shapes and sizes that are designed to install in variety of configurations.

The biggest benefit of Kohler bathtubs is their easy to install designs, slip resistant finish and each bath has its unique touch for safety, comfort and convenience. Fiberglass and Acrylic are the two durable materials used for Kohler's shower and bath modules.

Kohler also has a large selection of whirlpool bathtubs designed for you to relax and reinvigorate you.

American Standard bathtubs

American Standard has their brand name all over the world. They are known for their perfected enameling cast iron bathtubs. Since the year 1883, American standard bathtubs have been popular because of the various designs and their easier to clean bath tubs.

There are various kinds of American Standard bathtubs. These include the Standard Collection bathtub, also known as a soaking bathtub, the Enfield tub, the Reminiscence Slipper Soaking bathtub, the Town Square bathtub, the Savona Oval bathtub, the Spectra Cast Iron bathtub, the Ellise Oval bathtub, Cadet corner bathtub, Scala corner tub, Princeton Above-floor Cambridge tub, Colony bathtub, Huron Recess bathtub and Solar Recess bathtubs.

The cost of all the tubs mentioned above ranges from $500-$1500.

Porcher Bathtubs

The leading designers have created Porcher bathtubs. These tubs will make you comfortable in helping to design your own bathroom that makes your own style statement.

So if you are into making a one-of-a-kind bathroom, then Porcher bathtubs are recommended for giving your bathroom an exclusive look.

Porcher bathtubs are offered in four different collections - The Classique Collection, The European Fashion Collection, The Traditional Collection, The Designer Resource Collection.

MAAX Bathtubs

MAAX was founded in 1969 and is a Canadian company based in Quebec. MAAX has since been producing variously designed bathtubs. They are the third largest manufacturer of fiberglass tub showers.

Some of the Collections of MAAX in the US:

• The MAAX Pearl collection is specially designed for hydrotherapy at home and these come in about twenty-five different styles.

• The MAAX villa are acrylic bathtubs designed for new construction (they can be found in twenty-seven different styles)

•The Advanta line of MAAX bathtubs has a contemporary design and features, and these can be found in sixteen different styles.

• The MAAX Collection bathtubs have distinct features and are available in eighteen different models.

In conclusion, it's worth it when you spend your money on the good things that deserve to be brought home. These four brands are worth every cent you spend on them!