Category: Driveways Waterford

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Men living alone need not be holed in unkempt pads and live like Neanderthals. The recent metrosexual trend actually encourages men to be more stylish both in their looks and their lifestyle. However, this is not reason enough to totally give in and be regular Marthas. Interior decorators emphasize that the trick to decorating and styling men’s pads is to maintain a balance of function, comfort, and masculine appeal. Speaking of masculinity, lacy curtains are definitely out f…

wood blinds, interior design

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Men living alone need not be holed in unkempt pads and live like Neanderthals. The recent metrosexual trend actually encourages men to be more stylish both in their looks and their lifestyle. However, this is not reason enough to totally give in and be regular Marthas. Interior decorators emphasize that the trick to decorating and styling men’s pads is to maintain a balance of function, comfort, and masculine appeal. Speaking of masculinity, lacy curtains are definitely out for windows. Drapes may do but they require washing and at times, look heavy and dark. Most decorators’ usual and common choice for window treatments for men are wood blinds because they are functional but sturdy enough to be masculine. They are the perfect alternatives to shutters. Wooden blinds are inviting and warm. They also lend natural flair with their rich stains and colors.

Wood blinds come in different makes. There are vertical, woven wood, faux wood, and even minis. They are designed in different stains, colors, and texture, depending on material and the kind of wood used. Aside from the option of having them custom-made, they can be made with other features like cord tilt motorization, fabric tapes, light and UV control, and static prevention.

Just any wood blind won’t do; there are several things to consider before purchasing these shades. Basswood and ramin are the common wood blind materials. Ramin is less expensive but basswood is considered as premium quality for wood blinds because of its distinctive grain. For better stains, durability, and strength, basswood is usually preferred. Designers advise to pick blinds which come with no-holes feature. This ensures that the blinds pull together closer, leave no gaps between the slats, and make rooms darker, thereby, saving more energy. However, only basswoods come with this feature. Valance is also an important factor to consider because it provides cover for unsightly metal rails. Conventional wood valance is usually pegged at 2 inches and is common with ramin blinds. The 3-inch valance is found with basswood blinds and is considered more intricate. The shape of the blinds’ tail determines how close the slats pull together when closed. Trapezoid tails provide the maximum closeness possible and comes with basswood. Rectangular tails are the signature structure of ramin blinds. A set of basswood blind is the best choice for style, function, and durability. The price matters in wood blinds. The more expensive basswood blinds are considered the best and most functional. Ramin blinds work well for a cheaper price and the right maintenance.

It doesn’t matter what kind of wood blind is chosen, what matters is that it should be properly maintained to preserve its stain and overall look. Wood blind shops usually offer blind maintenance services. Proper maintenance is necessary because the natural materials used in wood blinds make them more sensitive to changes in the atmosphere. Rotting blinds are not decorative.

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This article is chocked full of helpful information to aid in the selection of a qualified building contractor for your project. Gain insight on ways to get a quality job for less money.

building, building contractor, general building contractor, home building contractor, building contractor license, metal building contractor

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You ve decided on your building project, whether new construction or remodeling. Perhaps you have chosen a new building to house your business, and you will need either a general building contractor or a metal building contractor.

Carefully choosing the right home building contractor is important to the success of your project, while an unqualified contractor can turn your plans into a nightmare. Here are some tips for selecting the right contractor for the job:

A candidate should have a valid building contractor license, and up-to-date liability insurance. Ask to see certificates; check with your local licensing authority for past problems or violations pertaining to any potential candidate.

Ask for references of recently completed projects; check each out.

Make sure the contractor will acquire necessary permits and arrange for any required inspections and certificates.

Give identical copies of detailed project plans to each potential candidate to get a quote for the project. You should get at least three different quotes before making your selection. Be sure the quote includes materials and fixtures that meet project specifications. Avoid contacts that allow of like kind substitutions.

The Contract

After you have selected a building contractor, make sure that all detailed information is included in the contract, such as complete names, addresses, and phone numbers of both parties, as well as the physical address of the project. Be sure that project start and finish dates are included, and that a payment plan is described in detail. It is normal for a contractor to ask for 10-33% in advance, with additional funds paid as work progresses.

How to Save on the Total Bill

If your project does not have to be completed on a priority basis, you may want to consider offering it to a contractor as a fill in job. Most contractors will take such projects at a reduced price, insuring they have other work in the event of adverse weather or materials delivery mix-ups at another project.

Many contractors will accept a project as a reference contract. This is a win-win situation for the property owner; work is completed at a reduced price, and since the contractor will use the completed job to showcase his expertise to potential clients, only his best work goes into your project.

Finding the Right Contractor

There are at least three sources for finding a qualified building contractor in your area: word-of-mouth references from people that have recently had a similar project done, local licensing authorities who provide a list of contractors with appropriate building contractor license, and Internet web sites that make referrals. For instance, Canadian residents can visit http://www.handycanadian .com to locate a qualified contractor in their area.

By following these simple steps, you can avoid a potential nightmare, and insure your project is a pleasant experience for all parties involved.

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Wreaths are sometimes thought of as a Christmas-only decoration. This is a short-sighted view, as a beautiful wreath can be used to decorate a home for any season. Wreaths made to celebrate the autumn months can be very attractive home decorations.

wreaths,home decor,decorating

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Wreaths are sometimes thought of as a Christmas-only decoration. This is a short-sighted view, as a beautiful wreath can be used to decorate a home for any season. Wreaths made to celebrate the autumn months can be very attractive home decorations.

Autumn wreaths often attempt to take the most beautiful elements of the fall season and to combine them in one artistic statement. They will often feature the striking colors of fall foliage and often reflect an “outdoors” or “country” look.

Autumn wreaths can be based on any number of foundations. Some have found the rustic and neutral look of a grapevine wreath makes a perfect foundation for an autumn wreath. Others may prefer to work from a woodier twig base. It is even possible to start with a basic wreath form (often made of foam and available at craft and hobby stores). Whatever option is used can work wonderfully as a springboard for beautiful fall decorating.

Autumn wreaths can be made from the season’s fallen leaves. Such projects, although beautiful, are short-lived as the leaves dry and crack. As such, many wreath makers rely upon silk and other artificial leaves to decorate their wreaths. Accents are often provided by simple homemade bows. Small seasonal decorations (for instance a miniature scarecrow) are sometimes attached to the finished product with a glue gun as a way of commemorating the autumn months.

There are no rules or limits one must obey when creating an autumn wreath. The idea is to capture the essence of autumn in the wreath, and that can be accomplished in any number of ways. An autumn wreath is an exercise in creativity and many beautiful decorations have been produced around the theme.

Wreaths are not exclusively for the Christmas holidays. A decorative wreath can brighten any home, and wreaths celebrating autumn provide a unique opportunity to bring the essence of the outdoors into one’s home.

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Making sure your attic is well insulated is a great way to save money on energy costs and to make your home more comfortable. The type of insulation you choose can make a big difference in how well your attic is insulated.

attic insulation, insulating, insulate, attic

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Attic insulation is designed to keep heat in your home in the winter and out of your home in the summer. Heat rises and, in the winter, any air that is heated by your furnace goes up and out through your attic. In the summer, your roof becomes very hot and, with no place for the hot air to go, your attic can become the hottest space in your home. Without attic insulation, that heat would quickly get into your home.

So attic insulation is probably the most important insulation in your home. The type of insulation you choose is also important because they are not all created equal.

Fibreglass batt insulation is probably the most popular type of insulation for attics. It is easily installed by homeowners and it fits perfectly between the joists of your ceiling. Installers need to be careful to make sure that the batts fit every crevice and corner snugly or a lot heat will get through the gaps.

Moisture in your attic will reduce the degree of insulation you get from fibreglass batts. Any leaks, condensation problems or other sources of moisture must be fixed before installing batt insulation.

Loose-fill fibreglass and cellulose is another popular type of insulation for attics. Spread by hand or with a blower, loose-fill insulation can be blown into corners and hard to reach areas, so there is less of a problem with gaps . However, moisture also damages the fibreglass and cellulose in loose fill and you must fix all moisture problems before installation.

Spray foam is an increasingly popular type of insulation for attic applications. Not only does it get into hard to reach places, it expands to fill every gap and hole, so heat can t pass through spaces in the insulation.

Spray foam is also waterproof and often, because it expands, it will stop small moisture leaks. Condensation isn t a problem because of how well spray foam seals your attic.

Other spray foam benefits include support for the structure of your house, fewer airborne pollution and irritants in your home, and less outside noise.

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Energy efficient homes that go easy on the environment are turning heads in Georgia with their low-maintenance appeal, cost efficiency and natural good looks. With Georgia Tech’s recent success in the 2007 Solar Decathlon and world-class community projects like Atlantic Station, Metro Atlanta is well on its way to being a model of eco-building in the Southeast.

energy efficient, green power, environmental, environmentally friendly, georgia tech green power

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Energy efficient homes that go easy on the environment are turning heads in Georgia with their low-maintenance appeal, cost efficiency and natural good looks. With Georgia Tech’s recent success in the 2007 Solar Decathlon and world-class community projects like Atlantic Station, Metro Atlanta is well on its way to being a model of eco-building in the Southeast.

Georgia’s green power was most recently demonstrated by Georgia Tech at the 2007 Solar Decathlon. The innovative contest, sponsored by the US department of energy, is a green building competition with an emphasis on solar energy. Twenty teams from universities all over the world were handed the task of building the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home they could imagine.

Over the five day judging period, the Decathlon Homes had to demonstrate the ability to use nothing but solar energy to power a washer dryer, oven, TV, computer and generate hot water. The homes also had to be architecturally sound, marketable and they had to look good.

Though it was their first year to participate in the contest, the Georgia Tech team won 6th place for their innovative light-house, a completely off-the-grid solar powered home. First place went to a team from Darmstadt Tech in Germany. Though the Georgia Tech team didn’t take home first place this year, the house is part of the significant contribution that that Atlanta’s architects and engineers are making to what we know about building smart.

“Many of the advances that are demonstrated in this house will come to the mainstream,” said associate professor Russell Gentry of the Georgia Tech house, “they will have to come to the mainstream if we’re going to save the energy that we promised to.”

The innovations in the Georgia Tech house set a new standard for energy efficiency and eco- friendliness for Atlanta homes. Atlanta already has a number of model solar projects like the EcoManor, the Southern Living Idea House, and the Brookhaven Zero Energy Home.

“35% of the energy consumed in the US is consumed in buildings. It’s important for us to develop technologies that save that energy,” says Gentry. “Everything we do here is about making buildings more energy efficient and smarter.”

The Georgia Tech Light House is steel and wood construction with a modern open floor plan, hardwood flooring, and a semi-transparent solar roof that subtly lets lights into every room in the house while it insulates and generates power. Designed to be easy to build, expandable and accessible, the plans accommodate from one to three bedrooms and up to two baths. The cost of the prototype is $280K.

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Asphalt and concrete are the most popular types of material for paving driveways. Asphalt driveways and concrete driveways both have their unique advantages.

Asphalt versus Concrete Driveway, Asphalt paved driveway, Concrete Driveway, Asphalt Driveway

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Asphalt and concrete are the most popular types of material for paving driveways. Asphalt driveways and concrete driveways both have their unique advantages. If you live in a cold climate and are considering a concrete driveway you need to make sure the base for the driveway is heavily laid with gravel and it is compacted first. Otherwise the driveway will run the risk of cracking due to frost heaves. In addition, concrete is susceptible to salt damage, a material frequently used on roads in cold weather parts of the country. On the other hand, if you live in a warm or hot climate and are considering asphalt paving, then you need to consider the fact that asphalt can become soft in the hot sun and is therefore susceptible to ruts.

Asphalt paved driveways are typically cheaper to install than concrete paved driveways. However, asphalt paved driveways need significant more care over time to protect them. Asphalt paved driveways need to be sealed at least once every 3-5 years. Each sealing, though easily completed by a do it yourself homeowner, costs money and time. In addition, the sealer needs typically 2-3 days to dry before you can park a vehicle on it. Also, a newly asphalt paved driveway should not be sealed for at least 6-9 months, as the light oils associated with the asphalt need to evaporate first. If an asphalt driveway is sealed too soon it will remain soft forever.

Asphalt driveways do not need to be always black and concrete driveways do not always need to be off-white. Both asphalt and concrete driveways can be tinted to various colors. Check with your prospective paving contractors first to see what color options there are for your driveway project.

Asphalt driveways, if maintained can typically last 25-30 years. Concrete driveways can last even longer. However, both require a solid foundation to be laid on. If not laid on a solid foundation both will crack over time, especially in colder weather climates. Asphalt cracks are easier to repair than concrete driveway cracks.

Consideration for the slope of the driveway should also be considered when contemplating concrete driveways. Over time, concrete driveways can shear off of the foundation they are poured on which can lead to unwanted cracks.

If you are planning a new asphalt driveway and need help on how to hire an Asphalt Driveway Paving Contractor, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid sheet. The Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid sheet will help ensure that your hire the right contractor so that your driveway is paved correctly and you get the finished driveway you are looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that the installation of your driveway will be accomplished on time and on budget!

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Did you know that eating up to 600 mosquitoes each in an hour, bats are the best insect control there is? There is little in nature more invigorating than watching bats flutter about at dusk, occasionally dive-bombing the insects that annoy us so much. Even so, very few of us are willing to let bats make their homes in our homes, apartments, or other buildings.

commercial bat control, get bats out, bat control, bat removal, pest control bats, bat guano clean up

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Did you know that eating up to 600 mosquitoes each in an hour, bats are the best insect control there is? There is little in nature more invigorating than watching bats flutter about at dusk, occasionally dive-bombing the insects that annoy us so much. Even so, very few of us are willing to let bats make their homes in our homes, apartments, or other buildings.

Unlike mice, bats do not chew holes in buildings. They really don t have to! It takes a space less than an inch wide for a bat to easily come in or out of a building. So holes to the roof or walls are not damage caused by bats. Rather, there are more insidious risks of bats inhabiting our spaces like: the spread of disease, the bat mites and the structural damage (because of their urine and dung).

Ignoring the bat control (humane, live, professional) problem, it will not go away. Bats will not go away. Instead, they will proliferate and cause more damage over the years. Also, it is highly recommend that you avoid handling the bats yourself. If you must, please keep in mind that bats are legally protected! Killing them can result in large fines. Second, two percent of bats carry rabies. Bats mouths and teeth are very small, and a bite mark may not be detected. Any contact with bats should be treated as a possible exposure to rabies. If you exclude them effectively, they will try to find their way back in over the next several nights (be aware of windows that are not properly screened). Bats are persistent, driven by instinct.

Even a professional bat removal (exclusion, extermination, performed by a technician with years of experience, can result in bats ending up inside the building or house. Also, remember some bats do migrate – other species hibernate in their nest. Sealing up your house in late fall after you think they’ve migrated should only be done if the species has been confidently identified. Otherwise, you and the bats will have a surprise next spring.

The most logical route to go is calling a professional pest control bats company. A professional in this area will know just how to find the holes bats use. He will then get bats out (house, building, school, warehouse, attic) by inserting specially designed doors in the holes that allow the bats to leave, but not re-enter. After a few days, when he is sure the bats are all excluded from the building, he will close up all the holes so that the bats (and any other creatures looking for a cozy home) will not be able to enter. At that point, the bat guano clean up (histoplasmosis, danger, toxic, safe, disease) and urine and the control of the bat mites can be completed, making the area available and safe for removal and repair of any damaged property.

It is possible that your local pest control company does some bat work ‘on the side’. Bat exclusion is a very specialized niche – much different from regular pest issues. To safely and properly handle bat work, a company must work from ladders and/or manlifts. Knowledge of construction standards and codes is important to prevent sealing up areas incorrectly that allow a building to vent properly.

By calling in a commercial bat control (removal, exclusion) professional, the owner has saved himself the hassle and expense of hiring exterminators, the risk of exposure of his employees to disease, and additional expense of further property devaluation.

In the end, bats are wild, persistent animals. There is no substitute for experience!

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Asbestos is used as a building material due to its lightness and durability. It is hazardous to health because asbestos particles in the air form lung depositions and increase the risk of respiratory tract diseases including mesothelioma cancers and lung cancer. The asbestos test is performed on Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) that have asbestos percentage ranging from zero to hundred percent. Laboratories do the asbestos test through polarized light microscopy at an EPA …

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Asbestos is used as a building material due to its lightness and durability. It is hazardous to health because asbestos particles in the air form lung depositions and increase the risk of respiratory tract diseases including mesothelioma cancers and lung cancer. The asbestos test is performed on Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) that have asbestos percentage ranging from zero to hundred percent. Laboratories do the asbestos test through polarized light microscopy at an EPA approved testing laboratory.

The asbestos test is done to find the various forms of hazardous asbestos in our surroundings. Chysotile, Amosite and Crocidolite are the commercially viable forms of asbestos. Anthophyllite, Tremolite and Actinolite are less commercially viable. Chysotile ( white asbestos ) constitutes a major portion of buildings in the United States while Amosite ( brown asbestos ) is given second preference and Crocidolite ( blue asbestos ) is used for specialized high temperature applications.
Sampling for Asbestos Test

The role of asbestos test lab is to advice on the amount and procedure of taking samples and the use of right container for asbestos testing. This is very important because the wrong use of sampling process may release asbestos particles leading to increased exposure risks. Hence, it is necessary to take the help of qualified asbestos professional for sampling.

Follow the safety precautions if you are doing the sampling for asbestos test on your own. Switch off any heating or cooling system and spray fine mist of water containing a little detergent on the suspicious material. The spray of detergent water prevents spreading of asbestos particles. Wear disposable gloves before handling the material. Take recommended sample amount using a small knife or any sharp object and place it in a clean airtight container indicating the date and place of sampling. While taking the sample of asbestos test, cover the surrounding area with plastic sheet and clean with a damp paper towel after sampling. Carefully dispose the material according to the state and local procedures and patch the sampled area with a duct tape to avoid further release of asbestos particles.

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Introduction:

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Introduction:

Asbestos rooftile is basically an Asbstos contaminated roofing material. It is made up of natural minerals that are fiberous in nature.Fiberous quality of Asbestos was considered useful in various building materials. For example Pipe insulation,floortile, and fireproofing. Other roofing products such as shingles,tars,pitch and roof tiles were also prepared with the help of asbestos.

Dangers of Asbestos Roof Tile:

Asbestos roof tile are hazardous for health because asbestos particles released from the tiles could cause respiratory health hazards.These health hazards occur when respirable fibres are released into the air and then inhaled in your body. Materials that contains Asbestos are divided into two categories Friable (able to be reduced to a powder by hand pressure) and non-friable . Usage of Non Friable asbestos containing materials is not that harmful because , they do not release dangerous asbetos fiber into the air. This class of materials does not relase fibers unless you impact them mechanically with the help of tools, drills and saws.

Protection Steps:

Five steps of protection are helpful to prevent asbestos fiber release during removal of asbestos roof tile. At the first step, roofing materials must be mixed with non-friable materials (tar, pitch, asphalt). This mixing hardens the asbestos fibers, prevents their release, and avoids inhalation. The second step includes the safe methods of removal wherein only hand made tools like shovels and hammers are used to strip the roofing material from the building. Third step recommends that asbestos should be made wet before disturbing it. Fourth step of protection covers how the materials are handled during and after removal. Fifth step says that workers removing the roofing materials should be trained and certified in accordance with an EPA recognized training program.

Regulations for Asbestos Roof tile Removal:

According to OSHA regulations all persons working with asbestos containing materials should wear respiratory and other personal protection equipment during the removal process. There are diffrent state and even federal regulations that regulate the removal of asbetsos roof tiles and other asbestops containing materials.

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Learn about the asbestos removal process and safeguard yourself against contracting mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, asbestos, cancer litigation, cancer

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Asbestos has long been known to be tied with mesothelioma, a rare but deadly cancer that spurs the development of tumors on linings surrounding vital organs. Asbestos, while not used in construction today, is still known to be contained within numerous old structures, among them schools and older factories. Although not dangerous in a non-agitated state, its still a bit worrisome knowing that many buildings still contain the dangerous material, whose fibers can be dispersed into the air during lackluster constructions projects or accidents (such as fires or earthquakes).

If you know your home or your business structure contains asbestos, it might be time to remove it. The asbestos removal process is quite lengthy and complicated. Special steps are taken to completely eliminate the possibility of asbestos fibers being release into the air. If such an event would occur, the asbestos fibers would put everyone in the immediate vicinity in danger of contracting mesothelioma. This fibers are difficult to detect as they are microscopic and aren t accompanied by any particular taste or smell. The dangers that the removal process entails have recently been subject to controversy. Many are against removing asbestos from older buildings as a result of the problems which could ensue as a result of improper removal.

Many companies worldwide have already taken the initiative to remove asbestos from older buildings. Even the government has been involved in contracting with companies to remove asbestos. The controversy surrounding removal is not likely to subside anytime soon. However, people will soon need to begin understanding that the risks involved in removal may far outweigh those involved in keeping the asbestos as-is. In the end, it is the choice of a the specific owner of a structure whether he or she wishes to remove the asbestos that may be contained within the structure. While this decision is not always straight-forward, it is agreeably necessary.