One of the major concerns in the world today is depletion of energy. As concerned citizens all of us must make a concerted effort to be conscious citizens and save electricity. Electricity has become integral to life but imagine having to live without power.

Conservation of electricity benefits you personally as you will pay lower bills. Consider:

1. Doing an energy audit. This will tell you how and when you use energy and where the wastage lies. You will be able to make an “energy savings plan” by pinpointing exactly how you can cut back on energy consumption. Some ideas may be as simple as don’t leave the coffee machine on at all times.

2. Think about resetting the thermostat ten degrees lower during the night. If you can do this for say approximately eight hours a day you will save 10% on electricity without sacrificing comfort. Insulate the home in winter by drawing shut the drapes.

3. Check all insulation in the house. If you increase attic insulation to around 12 inches the electricity consumption will reduce by 20 percent.

4. Plant more trees around the house these will cool the house in summer and insulate the house in winter. Studies show that a green cover benefits in many ways.

5. Have all electricity wires and outlets checked for leakage. Check all fuses and appliances.

6. Fluorescent light bulbs are energy efficient. They use 75% less energy than ordinary light bulbs. These have a longer life and contribute to great savings.

7. Use energy efficient appliances. These use less energy and believe it or not a high efficiency refrigerator uses less electricity than a light bulb.

8. When you are away even for a few hours or days you should turn off and unplug all electrical appliances and turn settings on the thermostat, water heater, and refrigerator to the lowest setting.

9. Ensure that you use a water-saving shower head. Water heating costs for a family can be lowered by at least US$ 250 a year.

10. Weatherize your home. This helps reduce heating bills by 20% and cooling by at least 10 percent. Even when building a home or decorating it use weather friendly materials—those that are not good conductors of heat and cold. Install windows and glass panes in the roof in such away that you use sunlight to light up the rooms during day light hours. Make an effort to switch off lights and fans when leaving a room. Ensure that the filters in air conditioners and heaters are always cleaned and free of clog and dust.

If you live an energy efficient lifestyle you will see the numbers on the energy bill actually reducing. The power to cut energy costs is well within your control. It is as simple as only washing full loads and that to in cold water. Use the hot wash option only for very dirty clothes. Cook food only just before you are ready to eat that way you can save reheating costs as well as refrigerating costs of storing the food. Turn the thermostat of the refrigerator to minimum in cold or cool weather. Switch off freezers if they are not in use. Small contributions can all add up to significant amounts of power saved. And, power saved means money in the bank.

Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.

I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence.

It is so important that before attempting any of these basic electrical wiring projects that people are aware of how dangerous electricity is and how important safety is for you and for your family and family home.

90 percent of the time I recommend hiring a licensed electrician over doing your basic electrical wiring yourself. Not doing this will usually end up costing even more money than before and increase the risk of bringing your family into danger without even knowing your doing it.

But doing your own basic electric wiring really isn’t that hard to do if you “educate” yourself on the topic.

Licensed electricians had to learn the stuff themselves too. So as a ‘do it yourself person’ this isn’t different. There is no escape possible.

You will see that the more you read about it the easier it will become and the more confidence you will get.

Just to give you an idea, here are 3 questions I recently got from people just like you who tried doing their own electric wiring:

Question 1: I installed a grounding probe in your aquarium and every time anyone in the house turns on or off the lights, the fish jump. What’s going on?

A couple of suggestions:

1. (easiest) Pull out that grounding probe and return it from whence you purchased it.

2. Check the wiring on your outlet. You may actually have ‘Neutral’ instead of ‘Ground’.

3. Check the wiring throughout the rest of the house. There are some people out there that insist on doing their own home repairs, yet don’t understand basic electrical wiring.

Outlets are easy to check by getting a $7.95 outlet tester from the hardware store. Wired-in appliances, lights, heaters, etc. are tougher.

4. Check all your electrical fixtures to make sure they aren’t leaking some voltage to Ground.

Question 2: What is the NEC? Where can I get a copy?

The NEC is a model electrical code devised and published by the National Fire Protection Association, an insurance industry group. It’s revised every three years.

The 1993 version has been released. You can buy a copy at a decent bookstore, or by calling them directly at 800-344-3555.

The code exists in several versions. There’s the full text, which is fairly incomprehensible. There’s an abridged edition, which has only the sections likely to apply to most houses.

And there’s the NEC Handbook, which contains the “authorized commentary” on the code, as well as the full text. That’s the recommended version. Unfortunately, there’s no handbook for the abridged edition. And the full handbook is expensive — US$65 plus shipping and handling.

Question 3: Can I do my own wiring? Extra pointers?

In most places, homeowners are allowed to do their own wiring. In some, they’re not. Check with your local electrical inspector. Most places won’t permit you to do wiring on other’s homes for money without a license. Nor are you permitted to do wiring in “commercial” buildings.

Multiple dwellings (eg: duplexes)are usually considered “semi-commercial” or “commercial”. However, many jurisdictions will permit you to work on semi-commercial wiring if you’re supervised by a licensed electrician – if you can find one willing to supervise.

If you do your own wiring, an important point:

Do it NEAT and WELL! What you really want to aim for is a better job than an electrician will do. After all, it’s your own home, and it’s you or your family that might get killed if you make a mistake.

An electrician has time pressures, has the skills and knows the tricks of the trade to do a fast, safe job. In this FAQ we’ve consciously given a few recommendations that are in excess of code, because we feel that it’s reasonable, and will impress the inspector.

The inspector will know that you’re an amateur. You have to earn his trust. The best way of doing this is to spend your time doing as neat a job as possible. Don’t cut corners. Exceed specifications. Otherwise, the inspector may get extremely picky and fault you on the slightest transgressions.

Don’t try to hide anything from the inspector.

Use the proper tools. Ie: don’t use a bread knife to strip wires, or twist wires with your fingers. The inspector won’t like it, and the results won’t be that safe. And it takes longer. And you’re more likely to stick a hunk of 12ga wire through your hand that way.

Don’t handle house wire when it’s very cold (eg: below -10C or 16F). Thermoplastic house wire, particularly older types become very brittle.

As you can see, getting the right answers to your questions can make the work a lot easier.

You save time by doing it “the right way” from the first time and you save money because you won’t need to hire an electrician to either do the entire job or to fix your screw-ups.

In any case, no matter what you, be very careful when working on electricity! If needed cut down the entire power of your house just to be sure.

Keep It Safe,

Are you tired of accessing the bathroom or the bathtub just because you are a handicap? Weep no more because technology has definitely created a way for you to enjoy your bathing session.

Through the help of technological advancement and the remarkable ideas of some brainy maniacs, the manufacturing of special bathtubs that were exclusively made for the handicaps were established.

This is in response to the overwhelming complaints of handicap people who simply cannot get in and out of the tub easily. Because of their situation, handicap people find their bathing session a big nuisance. 7 out of 10 people who were interviewed explained that they find taking a bath such a big burden because they cannot simply get in and out of the tub easily.

Bathtubs for the handicap or simply dubbed as “walk-in-bathtubs” are remarkable solution for the easiness and comfort of the handicaps. Best of all, these special kinds of bathtubs are especially made to ensure the safety of the handicap as well.

Some people thought that they could easily convert their existing conventional bathtubs just to accommodate the needs of the person concerned. This may pose as a temporary solution, but the safety will always be in question.

Hence, it is best to utilize these special bathtubs that are ergonomically designed to provide utmost protection to the handicaps without having to impede their comfort.

For this reason, different manufacturers have created these bathtubs for the handicapped in order to provide the comfort and easiness that these people have long been wanting to experience whenever they take a bath.

The main features of this kind of bathtubs are:

1. Walk-in door

Bathtubs for the handicapped do not differ much from that of the conventional tubs. The only difference that they make is that these special tubs have “walk-in” doors. This means that the person can easily get in and out of the tub without difficulty.

One of the best things about these bathtubs is that the individual will no longer have to step on the edge. All he has to do is to open the lid, walk in, close the door, and start refreshing.

2. Water-tight door

The inclusion of doors in these special bathtubs are not just additional features but more of an asset. This is because the “walk-in” doors are made with water-tight seal that initiates compressed water inside the tub. This ensures the condition that there will be no leaks outside the tub.

3. High seats

Unlike the conventional bathtubs, these special bathtubs that are made for the handicapped are characterized with high seats. In this way, the person will no longer have to strive harder just to get up or down the tub.

Moreover, the height or the depth of the bathtub is also increased. In fact, most of the bathtubs for the handicapped have doubled the depth of the conventional bathtubs. In this way, the person concerned will be able to experience optimum soaking contentment.

4. Easy-to-adjust temperature knobs

Some elderly people are having difficulty to adjust the temperature of the water. But with bathtubs like these, they can easily manipulate the water temperature according to their preference. This is because most of the special bathtubs have “thermostatic mixing” features that allow people to adjust the water temperature without trouble.

Indeed, these special bathtubs are one of a kind. They do not only provide comfort and easiness to the handicapped, but they are also innovative to people who wish to experience a new style of taking a bath. With these items available in the market, taking a bath will never be the same again.

Many people spend a considerable amount of time in the bathroom.

Some people feel that spending time in the tub rejuvenates their energy and revitalizes their spirit.

Whatever the reason for spending some time in the bathroom, one thing is certain, the bathtub is one of the most important aspects of the bathroom.

If you are building a house, or if you are renovating or redesigning your house or bathroom, you shouldn’t just choose any bathtub. Apart from considering the color that will go well with the color of the bathroom, or the latest design, or the manufacturer, there are other things that should be considered.

* Size of the tub

Aside from the obvious point, that this is important in checking how the bathtub will fit the designated space, this also needs to be considered for other reasons. Should you go for a one-person or two-person bathtub? Remember that if you choose a two-person tub, this will consume more water than a one-person tub.

The bathtub size is also interdependent with the capacity of the water heater. A bathtub usually requires 65% hot water. For some bathtubs, the hot water content may require up to 40 gallons. Consider then if after dispensing 40 gallons of hot water, will your water heater still have sufficient hot water for the rest of the household, or will it have enough time to reheat some water for consumption.

In this case, you may have to choose a smaller bathtub or upgrade your water heater so it will be able to supply enough water for a bigger bathtub. Another option is to install an instant water heater to the water source leading to the bathtub.

Also make sure that, with the bathtub’s size, you get enough support for your head, neck and back.

* Material

Choosing the material for your bathtub depends on several factors: on how often you will use the tub, durability, ease of maintenance and budget.

Fiberglass is a cost-effective material, however, it doesn’t have the durability of acrylic or porcelain bathtubs. Wooden and marble tubs are good-looking but these require much maintenance and may not last long. Cast iron tubs are the most durable, although these cost a little more than other materials.

* Depth

The bathtub’s depth is important if you are considering using the bathtub for therapeutics. Many people enjoy soaking in a warm bath to rejuvenate the lost energy and to ease the pain in tired muscles. Soaking in a tub even reduces the stress levels that most people resort to a warm bath before going to bed.

However, few people know that there are special tubs designed for this purpose. Soaking tubs are designed to allow a person to immerse the whole body with comfort unlike that with a standard tub that is only designed to soak the lower part of the body.

* Functionality

Tubs with jets, such as whirlpool tubs, look very enticing, but will you be using the jets often? Consider the importance of the additional features and how will these features impact your power and water consumption.

* Features for the handicap and the elderly

People with handicap and the elderly rarely use the standard bathtub due to risks for additional injury. Check bathtubs that have features that allow easy entry and exit from the tub. These tubs also have grab rails and grab bars to prevent accidents while soaking in the bathtub. Check for ADA compliance if you want these features for your bathtub.

* Design

Most bathtubs come in cream and white, but are also available in other colors such as brown, maroon, pink, green and blue. Shapes are usually rectangle, oval, and round, but heart-shaped designs and corner styles are also offered.

These are important so the bathtub will match the color and the design of the bathroom. It also makes the bathtub inviting and makes soaking a comfortable experience.

With these tips, you can surely choose the bathtub that fits you.

The first step is to plan the design – as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the room’s dimensions and your particular requirements.

If you’re sticking with the same layout, measure your bathroom suite carefully before you go shopping for a replacement so that you know the new items will fit.

Re-plumbing and re-wiring will push the cost up so stick with the existing service points if possible – although this may be unavoidable if you want to change the position of the bathroom suite.

First decide on the right place for the bath and/or shower. If your loo is in your bathroom, decide where this will go and then position the washbasin.

Once the fittings are planned you can work out how to use the remaining space which, in modern bathrooms, may be quite limited. Some kind of storage, either cupboards or shelves – preferably both – is required for toiletries, cleaning products, toilet rolls and children’s bath toys. If your bathroom is spacious you may also keep clean towels and your linen basket in there.

Choosing the bath and basin can be a time-consuming task. Even if you’re not opting for something like a jaccuzzi or indoor hot tub, baths come in all shapes and sizes – standard oblong, rolltop, corner, curved, wider at one end than the other – and colours. Unless you desperately yearn for a particular colour it’s best to stick with white. It’s clean-looking, inoffensive and will go with any colour you decide to use for paint and furnishings.

Taps, too, come in a bewildering array of styles – choose a design that will complement your bathroom.

Before making your final decision on the bathroom suite it is helpful to check your plans with your plumber to see if there are any potential snags with the designs you have picked.

Even if your window has frosted glass make sure you have a curtain or blind with ‘blackout’ lining unless you want neighbours or passers-by watching the silhouette of you bathing, washing or worse.

When it comes to decoration, remember to use – or specify, if someone else is doing the work – grout that is resistant to steam and water. Similarly, choose paint and wallpaper that will stand up to heat and steam – look in the ever-expanding ‘kitchen and bathroom’ ranges.

Pale colours brighten a small bathroom, especially one with no natural daylight but it’s fun to experiment with colour. And a large mirror across one wall, especially the wall opposite the window, will help make a small bathroom look and feel much bigger and lighter.

Floor coverings, too, come in all types of material and colour – but avoid carpet which is impractical and unhygienic in a bathroom. Vinyl, cork tiles or lino are good choices – warm underfoot and easy to clean. However, if the surface you choose is shiny always use a non-slip washable rug for extra safety.

If you’re installing a shower – either as a separate feature or above the bath – investigate the different types before deciding which to choose. If you have high water pressure you could opt for a thermo shower which is connected direct to your heating system and keeps the water temperature even.

An electric shower system heats the water itself and is mostly used above the bath. Power showers will give you the ultimate shower experience, even if you have low water pressure.

Look for a non-slip surface in both bath and shower. Check with your plumber that the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing – an overflowing shower tray can cause serious problems.

Above all, the main thing to remember when redesigning your bathroom is – choose a design that works for your lifestyle.

In an effort to help consumers in the Atlanta area combat high utility bills, RS Andrews provides this consumer awareness release to advise homeowners on seven ways that they can conserve energy to save money each summer.

Tip Number One: Set the temperature on your thermostat a little higher. Most people can be comfortable with a setting of 77-79 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, you will save on average 6-8% of your cooling costs for each degree above 77 degrees.

Tip Number Two: If you are leaving for the day, turn up your thermostat a couple of degrees. Do not turn your air conditioning system off unless you will be gone for an extended period of time because your system works best when it can maintain a steady temperature, instead of making large adjustments. For this situation, a programmable thermostat combines convenience with energy conservation. You don’t even have to remember to turn up the temperature before you leave for work. The programmable thermostat can be programmed to automatically adjust during the day while you are not home. Before coming home, your thermostat can then be programmed to return to your comfortable room temperature.

Tip Number Three: Clean or change all filters on your heating and air conditioning system. This needs to be done every thirty days. A clogged and dirty filter can cause airflow problems and could result in a system breakdown.

Tip Number Four: Annual service and maintenance of your HVAC system can reduce the operating costs as much as 20%, extend the life of your system, and enhance the quality of your indoor air.

Tip Number Five: If you have never had your air ducts inspected or cleaned, it is a good idea to have a professional HVAC company take a look to see what is hidden in your ductwork. Your system’s ductwork can harbor dirt, debris, construction materials, small toys, and other items that get dropped in to the vents that can obstruct airflow. Having your ductwork professionally cleaned can improve the efficiency of your system by protecting your system from dirt and debris build up.

Tip Number Six: Use ceiling fans or portable fans to help supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to five degrees cooler so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on energy costs. Use fans in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms. Be sure to turn your fans off in unoccupied rooms.

Tip Number Seven: When investing in a new air conditioning system, consider the most efficient cooling systems. Choose systems that include energy saving features, like fan only options, change filter indicators, and automatic timers.

RS Andrews, founded in 1965, employs 55 expert technicians specially trained in customer service. For more information go to http://www.rsandrews.com

Motion detectors are in use all around us in both residential and commercial locations. There are many common uses for motion detectors that most people find convenient and helpful in very common, everyday situations, and there will be some new and innovative uses that we may see more and more of in the future.

Residential Uses

Residential consumers are putting the motion detector to a variety of uses. They can greatly enhance the exterior lighting to any home and add to the security once inside.

If your concern is coming home to a dark house and tripping on the steps, motion detector controlled floodlights can create well-lit paths lighting up your yard, driveway, sidewalk and steps. This makes for a safe path to welcome both you and your guests. Floodlights should be mounted high up on the wall to keep the light out of your eyes and to illuminate a wider area for increased security. The same flood of light that walks you and your guests to your door safely will deter would-be-intruders. When the lights are triggered by motion this gives the impression that someone within the house is able to see and watch the burglar’s every movement.

Once inside, motion detectors placed in key areas can detect any violators and alert the proper authorities. Usually, one placed properly on the main floor and one on the lower level, if you have one, will serve as good traps. Stairways are often a good area to consider when placing the device, since you will be better able to prevent unauthorized passage from one floor to the next.

One innovative use in the home is to install an alarm or medical alert system that detects any health or safety issues with the elderly. Included is a motion detector that signals the central station if it does not detect activity for more than a certain number of hours. Once this alert has been made an operator can contact someone to look in on that elderly person.

Commercial Uses

Motion detector technology is being used in a variety of ways in the commercial world. Some of the more common uses can be found by taking a trip to the mall. As you approach the front entrance your presence is detected and the door slides open. Also, some stores place an invisible beam across the entrance that, when crossed, triggers a ringing bell. Later you decide to go to the bathroom and as you are finished and are preparing to exit the stall, sensors on the toilet detect that you are finished and the toilet automatically flushes for you. Then you approach the sink to wash your hands and the water turns on as you place your hands underneath the spout. Upon exiting the building the door opens up automatically once more to let you out. Finally, after hours the stores are all locked up and the motion detector security system is turned on to alert authorities on any intruder break-ins.

One innovative idea regarding motion detectors has been devised to suit the needs of car dealers. Occasionally, potential car buyers like to stroll around after hours looking at cars. To decipher between potential customers and thieves, streaming video and two-way audio are tied in with motion detectors. When the detector is tripped, a central station operator can take control of the camera, assess the situation, and take action if needed.

As you have just learned, motion detectors have a wide variety of uses to suit many different needs of various users. Since motion detectors are so versatile and have so many uses, they provide feelings of safety and security for the average homeowner as well as a large commercial establishment. Motion detectors have evolved a great deal over the last few years to incorporate more features that are useful to more people, and the development and expansion of motion detector technology and functions will continue to expand and grow to provide more ways to keep your home and businesses safe. What will they think of next?

Laminate Flooring has made the most significant change to the flooring industry in the last 25 years and continues to make tremendous changes and improvements over is hard surface counter parts.

In Europe they have been enjoying its features and benefits for several decades but not as laminate flooring as we know today. Decorative laminate was really the origins and the beginning of what now is known as laminate flooring. The decorative laminate was widely used in kitchen counter tops and furniture. As the technology evolved in the counter top laminate industry it clearly became apparent that with the endless number of decors that could be created, could also be created and used on the floor.

The idea of laminate flooring was born. There have been many technical challenges the first of which was how can you take a simple counter top laminate and create a flooring product, the flooring product will take far more abuse by being walked on and a wear layer was created.

There has really been no stopping the technical tidal wave of improvements and ideas that followed. Led mainly by the European countries laminate flooring gained more market share year after year, no market experienced such rapid growth as North America. Massive marketing campaigns led by such brands as Pergo who are now synonymous with laminate flooring introduced laminate flooring to the American Public in the early 1990s.

The actual history of laminate flooring is quite short in North America, because Pergo had achieved household recognition with the new flooring products Laminate flooring in North America was widely referred to as “Pergo” floors again the synonymous status and the ‘holy grail’ of all brands.

In 2000 laminate flooring was a glue product; even so the market share within the flooring industry in North America continued to grow at a double digit pace. Many of the other US traditional floor covering manufacturers of carpet and vinyl added laminate flooring to their portfolio of products.

Then so was born the private label laminate. Laminate flooring was easy to private label you simply changed the insert or the packaging and then that created another brand or line of flooring. This was especially useful for the hardwood and carpet manufacturer’s to get on board with this new product. The traditional manufacturers of carpet and hardwood have huge distribution networks and with their own branded line of flooring were able to place thousands of new flooring displays in a matter of months and new brands started appearing everywhere. This continued to drive the growth in the USA.

As traditional US manufacturers of carpet and vinyl presented themselves as laminate flooring manufacturers, advertised the products, placed laminate flooring displays and drove sales.

Time Line in the US Market The next stages of growth were equally fast and I will break them down chronologically:

2000 was particularly painful for the Carpet Manufactures in Dalton, Georgia they were completely blindsided by the aggressive marketing of laminate flooring against their carpet and that is where the laminate took most of their market share from touting the Laminate Flooring product as hypo allergenic and showing close ups of carpet mites and bugs did nothing to help the domestic carpet manufacturers.

All hard surface flooring companies benefited. It was an exciting year for laminate flooring salesmen, even with terrible installation demonstrations and glue together flooring.

2001 Every year that preceded 2000 involved new, exciting and innovative changes to the laminate flooring market. The first change really started in 2001 glue free laminate. This was first introduced with metal clips on the back and during sales presentations as you tried to put it together you almost needed a sledge hammer, it was more difficult than the glue together method. Not very popular but the concept was created all we needed was the design and solution.

2002 A year later the technology of glue-less laminate flooring arrived, introductions of glue-less laminates began again revolutionizing the floor covering industry. Unilin Industries of Belgium introduced Quick-Step into the US market. Quick-Step utilizes the patented Uniclic joint system. Several other manufacturers bought licenses to use the Uniclic joint technology thereby acknowledging Uniclic as the industry standard for Glue-less technology.

Still 95% of the USA market was using glue together laminate, it took yet more aggressive marketing and this time mainly led by the home centers with names like ‘Easy-Lock’, ‘Quick-Lock’, ‘Speedy-Lock’, etc, to drive the consumer towards the exceptionally friendly D.I.Y. glue-less laminate flooring ranges.

It was predicted in 2002 that buy 2004 100% of the laminate flooring industry will be glue-less.

2003 This again proved to be a dynamic year within the laminate flooring industry, sales of the product per square foot continued to climb, but lawsuits with regards to patents over the locking system and who created and who could use it surfaced and would continue on for many years. Aside from the lawsuits the technology now happy with the glue-less free install and now a particularly D.I.Y. friendly product focused on creating the product to be as realistic as hardwood as possible.

2004 This saw some dramatic changes in the quality of the laminate product itself. The standard glue-free laminate flooring product was 7″ wide by 54″ long and it had a light ‘ticking’ effect, the panels went together with glue-less free locking system. Mostly all of the products were imports and mainly from Europe.

Towards the end of 2004 laminate flooring factories (though not fully integrated and small in comparison to the European counterparts) started appearing across the USA. The larger US manufacturers of carpets invested in laminate flooring facilities though they were not fully integrated (we can explore the importance of vertical integration later). But this showed the US retailer and distributor that the product was here to and it was time to start backing a horse.

This led to more innovation from overseas, the first was a wood grain texture – the laminate itself had heavier wood texture but it was random and not too realistic in effect a modest upgrade, at first all manufacturers tried to sell this improvement for $0.20SF to distribution but the reality was their was no manufacturer cost increase to produce this texture – it was just a different pressure plate.

2005 The lawsuits over the locking system continued, incidentally the locking system lawsuit is not about the easy angle long joint of the laminate flooring, all the law suits focus on the end locking joint.

The chase to create an exact wood replicate of hardwood flooring continued and this led to a technology called ‘Register and Emboss’ or ‘Embossed and Registered’. The idea of this was for the pattern of the oak for example to be perfectly indented into the wood panel, so the grain of the Oak or Cherry was realistic to the touch.

All the manufacturers soon chased this technology, it required a relatively simple process, create the correct paper (décor pattern) and then have a press plate and the end of the manufacturing process to match that paper décor and then you have the grain embossed.

Legal arguments over who came up with that technology all ensued.

2006 The year of branding, distributors with ‘own brand’ tried to position themselves as manufacturers – one of the biggest being a vinyl manufacturer tried to position themselves as market leaders. Acquisitions also followed, Mohawk Industries bought Unilin ‘Quick-Step’ in 2006. This also became the year of the home center business, where having your labeled product in one of the three main US home centers was the ultimate goal.

One of the major carpet manufacturers and distributors with there factory in Dalton gained the business with Home Depot. Pergo was well positioned with a vinyl manufacturer you had private labeled their laminate line into Lowes Home Improvement Stores. Being a vinyl manufacturer and not a laminate manufacturer create a major problem and a crucial weakness as Lowes Home Improvement shifted their purchasing policy to ‘only’ buy factory direct.

A major Swiss group and manufacturer of laminate flooring also with the world’s largest factory in Heiligengrabe, Germany had been quietly building a factory in Barnwell, SC and at the right time were able to replace the vinyl manufacturer as supplier to Lowes Home Improvement.

2007 This really saw the legal issue on the locking system end as two legal systems emerged, one under Valinge Innovation and Uniclic Licensees each with approximately 100 partners paying royalties of roughly $0.04SF to $0.07SF. Licensees were granted all over the world and this led way to the re-emergence of Chinese laminate flooring.

In the mid 1990 China was one of the fastest growing laminate flooring markets in the world and most of this was supplied by shipping in container from Europe, there were huge distributors in China 100 containers a month in size – or 2,400 pallets a month. It did not take long for Chinese ingenuity to copy the process and buy 2001, China had a slew of factories (with large Government subsidies), some of this product came back as imports in to the USA, but the legal issues with locking systems and potential freezes of stock, cease and desist letter flying about scared off most distributors.

2008 China was back, this time the large factories had license agreements and were legal, the machines that made the laminate flooring were from Europe and the product quality was excellent.

There market tactics were equally excellent, instead off going after the low end dog fighting market of the 7mm and 8mm, they created a new look. A narrow plank and beveled the edges, this new narrow plank was approximately 5″ wide compared to the standard 8″ from Europe, the 5″ wide was a one plank look and combined with the bevel, register and embossing they had created the ultimate flooring.

This was it, everything over the last 25 years culminated to this point a flooring that had a narrow board look 5 inches wide, beveled or micro beveled on all four side, realistic textured surface and a lifetime warranty.

The European’s adjusted, but they were for once on the back foot, China instead of going after the low end market aimed high with a high quality, the highest quality laminate you could buy and they could make it and make it affordable to the US market.

2009 It is not clear where we can go from here, but the same was probably said in 2005, laminate flooring is now so good in appearance that you cannot tell it apart from real hardwood, the only clue is the price laminate flooring is far less expensive than real wood with more color choices. 2009 will be a difficult economic year and so will 2010. Consumers will focus on quality and price. Brand will become less important as the consumer becomes more educated. The huge price fluctuations four sided beveled and narrow plank from one distributor priced at $5SF and from another $0.89SF and yet absolutely no technical difference in the product. Consumer will research and the gap will close.

Laminate flooring in the US market is a remarkable story of growth and ingenuity. I do not think that a couple of tough economic years will have much impact on its future survival. It is an excellent product and with some effort and research by the consumer you can get incredible value.

When you hear of chimneys, the picture that forms in your mind is that of a long, dusty metal chute above the fireplace, usually the way Santa Claus uses to slide in on Christmas! Well, chimneys have come a long way since then! Today you can incorporate an electric chimney in your home, in your kitchen, so you can get rid of unwanted smells while you cook.

Cooking, especially Indian meals, emits all sorts of aromas. While some delicious ones can be delightful, most smells are better left in the kitchen only. Exhaust fans were earlier used to suck out these aromas, but they are extremely slow and render ineffective is the smells are too strong. Electric chimneys, on the other hand, are placed strategically, right over the stove. So, even the slightest of aromas get quickly sucked in, leaving your kitchen absolutely smokeless. This even prevents harmful spicy fumes from getting into your eyes.

There are two types of electric chimneys that you can choose from – traditional and designer. The former is for utilitarian users, which means they focus basically on performance. Designer chimneys combine performance with good looks that add a touch of elegance to your kitchen. For Indian cooking, it is advisable to go for a chimney with higher suction capacity of odor and oily vapor, since it includes a lot of frying.

The best electric chimneys are not big and bulky like one would imagine. Made purely of stainless steel, they are, in fact, very sleek and go well with almost any kitchen décor. They are conical shaped with two filters: grease and charcoal. These chimneys are fitted with a motor that ensures fast suction of gases around, with minimum noise. They are installed using chimney pipes that come with the purchase. Most chimneys also come with a lifetime warranty.

There are many popular brands that offer some of the best Electric Chimneys including Faber, Cater, Glen, Hindware, Siemens, Inalsa, Sunflame and lots more. Most of these brands charge extra for installation. The most preferred brand of all is Faber, with over 42 varieties of chimneys on offer. Online electric chimneys prove to be a great option. You will be able to find chimneys to suit almost any budget, with prices ranging from 4000 to even 1 lakh rupees. You can buy electric chimneys from a good internet shopping portal that may even offer great discounts on the best brands.

We all have a favorite room in our home. For some it’s a warm cozy kitchen. For others it’s a sumptuous living room or a comfortable bedroom. When is the favorite room ever the basement? You can transform a boring basement into a getaway room and create a new favorite place. Upgrade that lost space and get more out of your home’s square footage.

Did you know that the cost of remodeling your basement is significantly cheaper than adding on an extra room? The savings are even higher if you are able to start with a dry basement. With the average cost of a basement remodel at about $20 per square foot, basement transformations are a real space solution for some. There are a few things to consider before starting a basement remodel. If you are unsure about where to get started, it’s wise to consult a local general contractor. Estimates are usually free.

The Official Basics

Most city and county regulations require basements to have 7-foot ceilings. Without the right ceiling height, you might have a difficult time getting a building permit. If your ceilings come close to that height, check with a local contractor. They will be able to offer you some ceiling solutions that can help you find more head space. Don’t be too concerned about overhead pipes and wiring. Pipes and wires can be moved or drop ceilings can be hung. It’s also great to have a qualified contractor who can educate you on building codes for your getaway room. He’ll be familiar with what’s important to local inspectors.

Damp or Dry?

The next concern should be basement dampness. Some older homes have significant dampness and even occasional flooding. Of course, it would not be wise to remodel your basement without addressing these serious issues first. Flooding occurs mainly because of runoff problems. You’ll have to reroute drainage away from your basement. You may also have to make gutter repairs to keep water away from your home. Any foundation cracks will have to be addressed as well. Cracks in your foundation will allow rainwater to accumulate in your basement. Repairing and installing drains are important too. Also have your contractor check for radon before building. Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that can be found in settled water like underground pipes. It would be a good idea to check for radon before beginning a basement remodel.

Ventilation in Your Getaway Room

Ventilation is a must in your newly remodeled basement. You’ll need cold air returns and heating. Your contractor will be able to run ducts, set registers and adjust any outflow piping. Or you can purchase a basement ventilation system. Check with your contractor about which is right for your situation.

From Dark to Light

Your getaway space will need some light! With windows out of the question in many basements, recessed lighting is a great way to fake natural light in your new room. Check local stores for lighting fixtures that best suit your overall decorating scheme.

Fabulous Flooring

To fight a damp feeling in your new room, you may consider installing heated flooring. What a cozy way to keep your feet warm! However, there are tons of great flooring choices available from hardwood to tile. Even carpet is a great accent and brings a level of coziness to your new room.

Which Room?

You can change that dead space into a busy family room or create a home theater. Underground game rooms and party rooms are also popular choices! You should also consider a workout room, an extra guest room or just your very own artist’s retreat. Whatever you choose, your getaway room will be perfect with a little help from your local contractor.