windows and doors installation

Different types of window treatments

The curtains are the type of treatment for most popular windows for many reasons. Frame a window with fabric provides attractive aesthetic and functional. Curtains can soften rigid lines, add color, and texture, colorful landscapes little block, give privacy and gently filter sunlight. There are many types to choose curtains for your windows, from traditional favorites to contemporary.

Curtains barrel

Barrel curtains create an aesthetic gathered clasping curtain fabric in barrels above the window. This treatment may have a header (fold) over the rod, or having no header. Barrel curtains can have holes of 1 inch (2.54 cm) to 1/2 inch holes 4 (11.43 cm). They are one of the most popular types of curtains. These curtains can be purchased from any vendor of home decor or can be tailored to any type of fabric available.

Curtains with stitched pleats

Curtains or curtains with decorative folds sewn pleats have on top. They are a traditional type of treatment for curtains. The header is created with a series of folds that are passed through barrels. They can be hung by hooks or rings of said Barrel. They can be worn under skirts or on shutters for a complete treatment. An alternative for stitching fold is the fold box. Headers box pleat curtain folding upon itself in the total length of the curtain.

Curtains clips

The curtains with loops at the top enhance the beauty of decorative barrels, since much of barrels seen through this arrangement header window. Loops or circles fabrics are sewn to the top of a flat panel and give a very contemporary image. The clips can be made both of a fabric that matches or contrasting fabrics. These curtains come in wrinkled or plain versions. Fabrics made of any kind of weight are suitable for this type of curtains.

Cafe curtains

The cafe curtains are short panels covering half the length of the window. These curtains are hung from barrels suspension or coffee from the middle of the window, leaving the top of the window naked. The cafe curtains are popular for their simple, casual and clean style in bathrooms and kitchens. The cafe curtains can be combined with one side (window topper) for a cohesive look.

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How Much Does an Interior Decorator Cost?

There is no easy way to estimate how much it costs to hire an interior decorator because costs go beyond just paying for the services of the decorator. For example, any products purchased by the decorator needed to complete your project will be added to your bill. Decorator’s fees also vary widely, and depend partly on their experience and location. The best ways to predetermine the fees of a decorator is to request an estimate for your project, but some costs are standard throughout the industry.

Decorators vs. Designers

Determine if you need an interior decorator or an interior designer before hiring someone. Interior decorators work strictly with the decor, so they chose the colors of paint, furniture arrangements and perform other tasks that are related. Interior designers have to be licensed to work in your state because they are more involved with architectural design and construction of buildings, which requires them to have knowledge of building codes. Services decorators and designers are qualified to provide usually affect the cost of them. For example, a project that involves adding a specialty wall requires a designer who also hires people to plan and build the wall. Additional support will increase the cost of the project.

Fee

Interior decorators and designers charge for their services in a similar way. Some charge a flat rate, but also earn commissions based on a percentage of the cost of furniture and other decorative items they use to complete a customer’s project. A magazine article from “Smart Money” entitled “10 Things That Interior Designers Are Not Going to Say” notes that customers who are not charged fixed rates can pay hourly rates ranging from $75 to $250.  Costhelper.com estimated rates of interior decorators ranging from $35 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates can become expensive if you have a big project, and you may also be charged for work related to your project carried out by the assistant decorator or designer.

Decorator Pricing

Decorators usually receive discounts on furniture and other items they buy for client projects. However, it is likely you will receive a bill that only displays the total project cost. Tell a decorator in advance you want to know how much you will be charged for the furniture and other items before they’re purchased. The “Smart Money” article says the cost of such things can be given up to a 40% discount despite decorator.

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Design Styles For Hipped Roof

Normally you see houses with sloping roofs; roofs that are simply flat on the sides that are located at the top at an angle. The types of hip roofs, include simple design styles which are pyramid, four cross, four semi waters where no two sides are the same size: generally they have four sides (two pyramids and two polygons).

Single

Choose a simple design style four water roof for your home if you live in an area known for high winds, so you do not have to worry about whipping wind or lifting roof materials which will pull them off your home. Select this style, too, if your home is a structure in which two sides are longer in length than the other two sides.  When the shapes of these two shorter sides and the long sides, they will be a good fit for a triangular hipped roof.

Pyramid

Place a pyramidal roof of four waters in your home if all four sides of your house have the same length in measurement. This four waters design is a unique pyramid for each side of the house, sloping upward until each is at a specific point on top of your home. Pyramidal roof designs and other styles of hip roof are recommended in geographic areas that experience hurricanes. Due to the steepness of your four pyramidal roof, it is more difficult for strong winds in hurricanes to lift up the tiles when they are oriented in this specific way, according to Roof 101.

Four crossed waters

Your house may not be a typical square and can have the standard base structure with a protruding section sticking out from the rest of the house, similar to an “L” or “T”. If so, put a cross water roof design on this type of home. Like the styles of four simple and pyramidal roofs, this will prevent strong winds or hurricanes from removing the roof from your home. In addition, this design style, like other hip roofs, are good choices for homeowners building in areas with strong sunlight or snow conditions as it’s the best in protecting your home from these elements, due to the unique shape of the roof. Four waters roofs not only have two crossed triangles and two polygons but they also have an additional section of the roof (or union) known as “hoya line.”  This piece connects the two roofs, keeping the hipped roof design.

Semi hipped

The semi hipped roof looks exactly like the simple four waters roof on the two longer sides, with projections on each. Although it differs from the two smaller sides, it looks more like a gabled style roof. The two shorter sides of this style of roof offer protection against rain. The semi hipped roofs and other hipped roofs have some common disadvantages: they offer less space in the attic and make it harder for repair because maneuvering is in a tight area.

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Cleaning the Chimney Flue of a Wood Stove

Your fireplace could be connected to your chimney to draw the smoke from your home. If this is the case, there will be a need to clean and maintain your stove. The chimney draft is a type of tube that releases the gas that escapes your stove. The draft is necessary so that the stove operates properly and safely, so you must be careful when cleaning it.

Instructions

  1. Remove the plate if the regulator is blocking your access to the chimney flue. You may have to remove some bolts to do so.
  2. Shine a flashlight into the chute to see if something’s clogging. Get everything you can see and reach.
  3. Unplug the stove pipe chimney before continuing. Then cover the opening with a sheet.
  4. Use a ladder to access the top of the chimney chute, which is usually located on the roof.
  5. Push a wire brush made for fireplaces throughout the shaft. You must choose a brush size that fits appropriately. You must attach it to a rope with a weight that allows you to easily move it up and down to clean all of the chute and debris from the burning firewood.
Concrete

Calculating Square Meters of Concrete

Concrete is a need for many projects throughout the home. If you’re going to make an entry or edge to a pool, one of the first things you should know is how much concrete will be needed to complete the work. To calculate the square footage of a concrete project, all you need to do is a few simple calculations.

How to

  1. Measure the length and width of the place where you’ll be placing the concrete.
  2. Multiply the length by the width to get the square footage. For example, if you plan to pour a concrete entrance that is 25 feet (7.6 m) long and 12 (3.7 m) wide, it will be 300 square feet (28 m 2).
  3. Measure all sides by an area that has no rectangle or square.
  4. Make a scale drawing of the area on graph paper.
  5. Divide the drawing into rectangles, squares and triangles.
  6. Look for an area for each section. For squares and rectangles, multiply the length by width. For triangles, multiply the base by the height and divide the product by two.
  7. Add the areas of ​​each section to get the total area.
  8. To determine the thickness of the concrete by dividing the inches by 12, For example, if you want your entry to be 4 inches (10 cm) thick, divide 4 by 12 for 0.333 feet (10 cm) of concrete.
  9. Multiply the area by the thickness. For this example, multiply 300 times 0.33 to obtain 99.99 cubic feet (2.83 cu m) of concrete.
  10. Change cubic meters to cubic yards because that’s how the concrete is usually measured. Do this by dividing 27 (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet). The equation looks like this: 99.9 / 27 = 3.7 cubic yards (2.82 cu m). You will need 3.7 cubic yards to pave an area 4 inches thick which is 25 meters long and 12 wide.
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Carpentry tools

Hand tools used by carpenters today have been used throughout civilization. Tools that do not require electricity were all carpenters and craftsmen had for centuries; thus they contrived to create the intricate work of art and architecture that have endured over time. Imagine what you could do with a combination of hand and power tools next time you go to the hardware store.

Tape measure

The standard measuring tape can be locked in place and retract once done using it making it one of the most essential hand tools. If your initial steps are deleted before you start cutting, you will work twice as hard to get where you need to make your project.

Levels

Levels are a hand tool used in woodworking more than sculpturing, and just like the measuring tape. is a vital tool. Levels are used to verify both horizontal and vertical surfaces to ensure close alignment. Crooked levels can lead to abnormal positions of frames or pictures and wall instability in a whole construction project.

Chisel

A set of chisels is required in carpentry to make elaborate and decorative sculptures. There are a variety of chisels available, each designed for a specific job. The main chisels are the toughest: the shroud, the cutting and separating.

Hammer

Woodwork requires a quality, standard hammer weighing 28.35 grams which is reliable for driving nails with a point and to removing them. When your project requires the destruction of an existing wooden structure, the side of the hammer with the clip of this tool is also useful.

Keyhole saw

The keyhole saw, or jigsaw, is used for cutting curves and making slender marks on corners to give a professional look. This saw is composed of a very narrow blade it allows you to cut corners with very narrow diameters. The adjustable blades allow versatility, so your woodworking project may also include materials such as metal and plastic that has been cut with the jigsaw.

Hand drill

A hand drill can be used instead of an electric one to make small holes in wood. The handle involves a large motor, which causes the rotation of a three-jaw chuck. One turn of the hand drill causes the crank to rotate ten times. According to Woodworking Wisdom, a hand tool known as an auger, which is used for boring larger holes, does not turn as fast as you do with this type of hand drill.

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Estimating the Cost of Removing a Tree

Felling a tree is another way of saying cutting and removal. Many services exist to remove trees of various sizes in a safe and professional manner. Costs can range from under $200 to over US $1000 each including taxes and additional fees. You can get yourself a budget to consider some elements , but you can also consult a service tree removal for an estimate in person.

Instructions

  1. Determine if the tree is on public property or is considered protected by federal, state or local law. Your local government may provide this information to residents. In some cases a botanical shall inspect the tree, which can add a consulting fee which can vary greatly.
  2. Estimate the height of the tree to be felled by using the surrounding buildings to estimate tree height. The higher the tree’s height, the greater the cost. For example, a tree less than 30 feet (9.14 m) is on the cheaper end of the price range, while one of 100 feet (30.5 m) is the highest. Intermediate heights trees have varying prices.
  3. Check for utility lines, poles and buildings or structures in contact or very near the tree. The closer the tree to these structures, the higher the cost.
  4. Take into account additional costs such as the destruction of the trunk, pruning of branches and removal pruning. Some companies include these services, while others may charge a fee based on the size of the trunk and the number of branches and pruning to clean.

Tips & Warnings

Look for tree removal companies that are licensed and insured.

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4 signs that tell you your siding needs to be replaced

Your home exterior walls (also known as ‘siding’) is what people see when they first approach your house. Depending on how it looks, it can either leave a negative or positive impression among those who see it.

You want your home to look good always so that people get a good impression about it and about you. If you are about to put your house in the market, you will only attract good prices for it if you have improved how the siding looks.

Well-maintained siding is not all about aesthetics. It’s also functional as the interior of your house will get better protection against heat, rain, wind, pests, cold, snow, dust and dirt.

If you have not replaced your siding in a while, look for the following signs to know whether it’s time:

  1. Do you notice any warping, swelling or buckling?

Your siding is not supposed to retain any moisture. If you notice swollen, warped or buckled areas, these are indications that moisture is leaking into your walls.

If this is not fixed immediately, it will result in molding, rotting, and eventual collapse of your walls. Before you replace any damaged siding, fix the source of the moisture first.

  1. Check for fungi, mold and mildew

The presence of mold, mildew and fungi is yet another indication that moisture is passing into your walls. The water could be leaking from piping that passes within your walls, from your house’s foundation or from cracks on your exterior walls.

  1. Dry rot

Dry rot is a dangerous type of fungi that if not eliminated, can cause your walls to weaken and eventually collapse. It might not be obvious just by looking at your exterior walls whether they have been attacked by dry rot. Hire a specialist to inspect the space between your exterior and interior walls and if any pieces show presence of dry rot, replace them.

You might need to reside your entire house if the dry rot attack has spread too far.

  1. Holes and gaps

Holes indicate that your walls have been attacked by insects. Note that the damage caused by insects might not be obvious from the outside, because insects burrow and feed on siding from the interior.

Even after you exterminate insects, the holes will still remain and if not sealed, will allow water, dirt and dust to leak into your walls. If the holes are numerous, be on the safe side by replacing your entire siding.

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7 factors to consider when hiring a Tree Services company

If the trees in your front or backyard are overgrown, it’s time to call in professional tree services. As tree trimming and removal is a dangerous and complicated job, you shouldn’t just hire anyone. When hiring, ensure they meet the following criteria:

  1. Check their licenses.

Hiring a service that works with unlicensed employees can cause a lot of damage to your property. Note that when hiring people who are not qualified, you do so at your own risk. It’s also important to remember that it’s illegal for anyone to do any tree removal without a license.

  1. Make sure they have a valid insurance cover.

Any damage done to your house by uninsured workers will have to be replaced by your own insurer. Note that your insurer might also refuse to cover damage done by an unlicensed company. A good tree removal service should have worker’s compensation insurance and liability insurance.

  1. Check referrals to confirm their previous work history.

Checking referrals will allow you to know the quality of work you should expect. Only previous customers can give you an accurate picture of what it’s like to work with a tree service.

If the company has a website, also check, ensuring to read through all the reviews. If you notice any negative reviews, follow the communication trail to see how the company handles disgruntled customers.

  1. Ask the company to give you official cost estimates.

You should let the company know that a cost estimate does not bind you to use their services, but is just a part of your due diligence process.

You should compare estimates from a few companies. Note however that cost should be the last thing you consider. First, think of the kind of service you’ll get. Cheap is not always good.

  1. Ask the tree service what equipment they’ll use.

You should not hire an under-equipped company, especially if the trees in your yard are too tall or too large. Confirm that the kind of equipment the company uses will be sufficient for handling the job without endangering you, your house or your neighbors.

  1. Find out what type of service you’ll get for the cost quoted.

Some companies will offer some extra services such as stump grinding. While with other companies, you might have to pay for additional services.  The more services you get within your budget, the better. Therefore, when interviewing the tree services company, find out what to expect for what you are paying.

  1. Confirm how much experience the employees have.

This can be either in terms of individual experience or combined years of experience within varied skill groups. Note that sometimes, though a company might not have that many years in tree services, their employees might be very good at working together and have a good record of successful service even within a short time. Therefore, when looking at experience, don’t forget to look at how well the teams work together and how varied their skills are.

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4 key things to consider before you start painting a room

One of the best and easiest ways for making an old room look good and fresh again is applying a new coat of paint. But before you jump right into cleaning the walls and filling in any holes, there are a few things you need to do first so that your project proceeds without a hitch.

Start by working out the following details about your project:

  1. What type of paint should you buy?

Not all paint will give you the look or feel you want. Paint can either be water based or solvent based. Both types are available in a variety of finishes, such as glossy, matte, satin and low sheen.

Some types of paints and finishes might not be suitable for some surfaces. For instance, solvent based paint is not good for ceilings. A wall with imperfections should not be finished with a glossy paint. You should instead use paint with a matte finish because it will mask imperfections.

Water paint dries faster and it tends to have a milder smell than oil based paints. Therefore, if you want to do a quick paint job or if you have allergies, it’s better to go with water based paints.

Solvent based (also known as oil based/enamel paints) are good for high traffic areas because they are tough. Surfaces finished with enamel paint are also easier to clean. Such paint is also good for door and window frames.

Walls with imperfections might not do well with oil based or water based paints. Acrylic paint is better for such walls as it will spread on better.

Choosing the right type of paint should be a task you take seriously.

  1. What colour do you want your room to be?

Paints come in many colors and the colors also vary in shades. If you want a room to be bright, then you should go with bright colors because light will bounce off them better.

Darker colors are probably better for corridors or offices. If you are not sure how a color will look in your house, get a sample quantity from the store and test on a small patch before you buy a large can.

  1. How much paint should you plan for?

Talk to your painter to give you estimates of the amount of paint you’ll need. While you don’t want paint to run out in the middle of the project, too much paint might go to waste especially if you don’t have any other immediate plans for it.

  1. Do you have material for covering surfaces that should not be painted?

Paint can be very hard to remove, so you should avoid getting it on items and surfaces by covering them.

Tape over your trim, skirting, door frames and window frames. If you are painting window frames, cover the glass. Buy enough paper or cloth to cover furniture and floors. Also tape around sockets because scrubbing the paint off later will be difficult.

When you have considered and done all these things, then your painting project is ready to begin.