If you live in a small home, it is possible that you feel overwhelmed with clutter and aren’t sure what to do. Thankfully, even the smallest of areas can be turned into great living spaces. Get rid of the notion that you must have a large house to be organized.

The first thing you need to do is weed out all of the unnecessary items in your home. Many people accumulate things over the years without getting rid of the other items. If you want to make the most of your living space, you must only have items that you actually need or want. You’ll be very surprised to find out how much better you feel just by taking this first step!

Go through every item in your kitchen. What tools are out of date, broken, or you just plain don’t use? Go through your closets. There are probably many things you could donate to charity if you just take the time to do it. Go through everywhere you store things in your home and get rid of all that is non-essential.

Some people find this to be a very difficult step. It is understandable that you may have developed attachments to certain things, or just have a pack rat mentality. In this case, put everything you simply can’t get rid of but just don’t use in a box. Leave it there for one year, if you don’t need anything out of it, get rid of it.

You will be amazed at how much space this will reveal. Now you have room to organize your entire home, with only the items you actually need. One way you can utilize a small storage space is to purchase under the bed storage boxes. Make sure you neatly pack anything away that you put under there. Remember, don’t fall back into bad habits and shove things here and there in a haphazard fashion.

Another great way you can create more space is to add shelves to your walls. Look up and not down for your storage solutions. Put things on the shelves in a neat, organized fashion and you’ll be able to find things a lot more quickly than you could when you were just stacking things on top of one another.

Another great way to save space is to get a storage shed to put outside. You can gather up belongings that are not very temperature sensitive and organize them inside of the shed. While this is a workable solution for people with a yard, it is not very likely for those who have a very small yard.

Fortunately, there is a solution to that problem as well. Getting a lean-to shed is a perfect way to clear that clutter. A lean to shed is unique because it attaches to your home and can fit in the smallest of areas. With a door on one of its three sides, a lean to shed will give you the ability to store the things that you want to keep, but not necessarily indoors.

There are many ways you can create storage solutions for small homes. Get rid of everything that is unnecessary and work on organizing the things that are left over. Things like shelves and under the bed storage are perfect for the inside, while lean to sheds are perfect for the inside. Get out from under that clutter today!

Get more information regarding storage solutions

The manufacturers of steel roofing shingles have specialized processes which allow them to texture the steel and layer its finish, nearly eliminating the natural shine of the steel so that even on close inspection it looks like the material it is being used to imitate.

this shingles, however, are not usually installed as individual shingles. They are really big sections measuring about 4′ X 4′, designed for fast and easy installation. While there are some individual steel shingles, they are rare because the demand for them is limited.

The Advantages of Steel Roofing

There are many reasons why a homeowner might prefer steel shingles to natural wood shake or tile, and one of the most important is cost. All is cheaper than the it is meant to resemble, and any homeowner faced with having to replace an entire roof is undoubtedly going to find this fact attractive.

Steel is exceptionally light when compared to other materials like tile or slate. Weighing 1.5 pounds per square foot as opposed to the 7.5 pounds of tile and the 9 pounds of concrete, steel can in some cases be installed directly over r an existing roof without without the roof’s structure having to be reinforced to handle the extra weight.

Another factor in the decision to choose steel over tile or wood shakes is that has high fire resistance. In fact, is certified as having Class A (the highest) fire resistance when it is installed over the right kind of underlayment materials. Homeowners using any roofing will experience much greater peace of mind if they use the most fire-resistant underlayment.

As we mentioned above, large panels of steel roofing can, in some instances, be installed directly over an existing roof, but it’s more common for shingle steel to be attached to a roof after the old roofing materials have been removed and the roof surface thoroughly cleaned. Steel roofing, in additions to its low cost and ease of installation, is also a low-maintenance roofing material which will look new for years. It can be kept in pristine condition with an occasional hosing down.

The Drawbacks Of Steel Roofing

The biggest drawback of steel roofing
steel roofing is that if left untreated, it will be susceptible to both corrosion and rust. To over come these defects the manufacturers of steel roofing have taken to coating it with Kynar, a type of plastic available in a wide range of colors, so that there is almost certainly one to complement every home. But steel roofing treated with a rustproof finish makes an inexpensive, lightweight, strong, and remarkably durable roof.

You can also find more info on http://roofingbliss.com/roofing/getting-to-the-bottom-of-roofing-labor-rates roofing labor rates

Roofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about roof.

Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Referring to asphalt roofing as “shingles,” however, is somewhat misleading. Although asphalt roofs have the appearance of being composed of row upon row of individual shingles, they are actually covered with sheets of one yard long which have notched to make them look as if they contained individual shingles.

The major factor accounting for the popularity of asphalt shingles in the United States is their reasonable price. Which are also marketed as either composition or fiberglass shingles, cost less than almost all other kinds of material. They are, in addition to being inexpensive, easy enough to install that a homeowner will some basic carpentry skills can do his or her own asphalt shingle installation!

Composition is also known as organic asphalt shingles, because they are made from wither wood or organic cellulose fiber dipped in asphalt and coated with ground minerals. Fiberglass, or inorganic, asphalt shingles have a base mat of synthetic fiberglass, also given an asphalt and ground mineral coat. Because both types of shingle receive the asphalt treatment, they are lumped together as asphalt shingles. The biggest advantage inorganic asphalt singles have over organic ones is that their fiberglass base mats increase their fire resistance ratings.

Metal Roofing Shingles

While asphalt shingles are far and away the best-selling residential materials in the United States, they are certainly not the only type of shingle roofing available to homeowners. While it may not sound terribly attractive, is now being manufactured to resemble wooden shakes without saddling homeowners with either the price tag or the fire hazard associated with natural wooden shakes.

The metals most commonly used in faux-wooden shakes aluminum, which is both very lightweight and rust-proof. These aluminum roofing shingles, however, will be more expensive than asphalt roofing shingles.

Metal roofing shingles of any kind, when installed correctly over the proper underlayment, can receive the highest class of fire resistance rating, an A-class. This feature makes metal roofing shingles very attractive to homeowners who live in areas of the Untied States where drought is common and wildfires are a serious concern.

Wood Roofing Shingles

Wooden roll roofing shingles and shakes are another attractive home roofing alternative which home-owning handymen can install with a bit of effort, but they are both far more expensive than asphalt shingles and far less fire-resistant than metal roofing shingles. Their biggest selling point is that they can be installed over existing asphalt shingles, saving the costs of shingle removal and disposal. Wood roofing shingles and shakes are great for adding natural rustic looks to homes.

You can also find more info on fiberglass roofing Roofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about roof.

While you may have read various claims that rubber roofing is perfectly fine when installed over existing shingles, the reality is that most self installed rubber roofing manufacturers will not honor the warranty on any roof which is not installed on a completely clean surface. So before you begin installing your rubber roofing, you’ll have to tear up and dispose your existing shingles, and put down a fresh plywood underlayment if your roof requires it.

Advantages of Self Installed Rubber Roofing

Self installed rubber roofing comes in a variety of styles, in both rolls and shingles of different colors, but all of them are installed in a similar manner. Self installed rubber roofing, if laid correctly, will protect your roof for years in all kinds of weather, and will not be vulnerable to splitting nor cracking. Self installed rubber roofing is an ideal roofing material for large flat roofs.

Because self installed rubber roofing is flexible, it can “breathe” with your roof as the roof expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature. Because of this, self installed rubber roofing experiences much less stress than traditional asphalt roof shingles, and the first rubber roof which was installed in Wisconsin in 1980 is still performing perfectly after nearly three decades of Wisconsin winters!

All self installed rubber roofing, whether shingle or roll style, is attached to the roof’s surface with adhesive. So the roof itself must be as clean as possible and have nothing protruding which could piece the rubber roofing when walked on.

The adhesive used to secure the self installed rubber roofing will not set up properly on a damp, dusty, or dirty surface so all water, oil, debris, and dirt should be scrubbed or cleaned up, with a leaf blower used to rid the roof of dust.

Installing The Rubber Roofing

The rubber roofing should then be unrolled onto the area being covered, and cut to fit around any pipes or vents. The roofing should be completely cut and shaped to the roof before adhesive is applied to it, and when it has been cut, the roofing should be rolled up approximately halfway and the adhesive applied thinly to the surface of the roof with a deep nap paint roller. The glue should be applied evenly so that it dries flat, and then applied to the self installed rubber roof and given time to set up.

Once the glue has set for a few minutes, the rubber roofing can be rolled out onto the glued roof surface. It’s essential to place the roofing material smoothly, because it will be nearly impossible to lift it once it is attached to the adhesive on the roof. Allow the first half of the self installed roofing to dry for an hour and repeat the entire process with the other half!

You can also find more info on roofing tiles. Roofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about roof.

What constitutes a ‘custom home?’ If you build anything that is not an exact standard cookie cutter floor plan, then your home has crossed the line into being custom. The vast majority of homes are actually based on a standard floor plan and then it is modified some to fit the homeowners ideas. This modification results in a “custom home”.

When building there is almost always a lot of attention devoted to these five words, “How much will it cost?”

That is a very good question. We all need to make the most of our money. In the topics I am going to address there are MANY different opinions. But as general contractors, here are some ideas that we typically tell individuals who have limited resources.

AREAS TO ECONOMIZE IN:

1. For flooring, consider using a mid-grade carpet instead of hardwood floors. Or use the hardwood floors to accent your living room and install carpet for the rest of the home.

2. If choosing ceramic tile watch for discounted tile. I have bought lots and lots of tile that is very nice, but is deeply discounted due to overstock in a store or a change of products. Any time you buy tile be sure to buy at least 2 or 3 boxes more than you estimate you will need. Then if a tile gets broken you and replace it. I had a 20 pound turkey fall from my freezer onto my brand new hunter green ceramic tile. Four broken tiles later, I was very glad for the extra boxes in the basement. Tile is very durable, but a 20 pound turkey is unusual wear and tear.

3. You can economize on counter tops. Use marble top vanity tops which are regular stock items. Typically they come with the vanity cabinet. For kitchens consider using Formica instead of granite, marble, or a solid surface. There are some very nice tops that don’t have to cost thousands of dollars.

4. Consider using a good vinyl window that is not name brand. It is amazing how much more a window costs just because of the label on it. The name brand windows are very good, but there are also some less known manufacturers we have been very happy with.

SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR THINGS SUCH AS:

A counter top, carpet, or bath vanity can be replaced without too much of an ordeal, but things such as a timber roof system, adding attic trusses over a garage and finishing it later, making a spacious master suite, or putting in a fireplace are things which can’t wait. They increase the value of your home as well.

So think log and hard about your custom home and the decisions you will be happy with.

For more ideas and building tips, visit our site located at About Custom Homes or Cowboy Log Builders for more on our homes. Thanks for reading, Sue Lemmon

What goes into figuring the costs to build a home? Most of the time all we want to know is the bottom line, total cost or the cost per square foot. But, when we get the total we begin to question why.

I thought it might be helpful to take one of my Owner-Builder clients and break down everything that factored in when figuring his cost to build. I think it will serve to help you understand the various components of the process as well as provide you with fodder when questioning any quotes you get.

Home Owner Builder – Darren G.

Darren is as typical as I could find for an owner builder. He used some of his own labor and that of friends but he also hired many subcontractors to provide the needed labor. He built his home using some panelization for the wall framing but most of the materials came from purchases from local lumber yards, contractors, and other suppliers.

Here is the breakdown of his project. Your project will vary … maybe significantly, but it’s a good start. I’ve included percentages to give you a look at how the money is spread throughout a project.

• Cost/Pay-off for the land: 18%

Land costs often vary considerably from project to project and market to market. I’ve encountered percentages anywhere from about 5 – 50% of overall costs.

• Permits, fees, inspections (local building authorities): 4%

In some markets, the cost for permits and fees can be very high. Always check with your local building department as they will provide you with a complete breakdown.

• Architect & Engineering fees: 2%

You have many choices for your home design from purchasing stock house plans or getting plans “free” from your materials supplier, to hiring an experienced architect to design a truly custom home. The costs for this can go much higher.

• Land Improvement – Utilities, hook-ups, surveys, etc: 5%

Drilling wells, building engineered septic systems, and planting power poles are examples of how the cost of preparing your building site can be significant.

• Financing Costs & Reserves: 10%

I recommend that you always factor in the points, appraisals, fees and interest charges on your construction loan. A construction loan is really just another cost of building. Can be tens of thousands of dollars.

• Complete Materials Package (included some labor): 30%

Some materials purchases come with installation included as it did for Darren.

• Labor for construction (included some materials): 25%

In many cases, subcontractors supply their own materials. This is often the case with plumbers and electricians.

• Coach/Advisory fees: 4%

As an Owner Builder, Darren used professional help to guide him throughout the project. One major mistake avoided is worth it. This advisory fee is well under the cost of most General Contractors fees and therefore represents a savings.

• Miscellaneous (deliveries, insurance, etc.): 2%

Hopefully this view of Darren’s project will take some of the mystery out of what goes into pricing out a home building (or even a remodeling) project.

If you’re in the process of having a General Contractor quote you on a project, make sure you know what he is quoting and what he is omitting. For instance, he may not be factoring in financing costs or land costs among other things. If you’re remodeling, you can eliminate the land costs and probably lower the financing costs.

This is just one step in understanding the complexities of costing out a project.

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* e-course that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

It is a fact well-proven that water heaters are one of the best users of energy in a household. Whether you are out looking for a water heater, or are looking for a new one to replace your old unit, make sure you consider the energy consumption of water heaters and how this affects your bills. Aside from choosing a water heater that does not consume too much energy, you can also save energy once you install any kind you chose.

First of all, if your water heater is old enough, you should start thinking about replacing it. Don’t wait until it breaks down. This will put you in a rushed and pressured situation where you have to choose a water heater in such a short time. This is not good, since choosing one should take time. Also, in case you have some problems with your old water heater, you can take that into consideration when you choose a replacement. Then, when you’re out shopping for a water heater, don’t go right ahead and buy the cheapest one you can find. The initial price you pay is not what matters. The operating costs are more important. Think long-term, not short-term.

Also, once you bring home that water heater, don’t go and install it just like that. There are still plenty you can do to save energy, such as placing insulating jackets around the tank and the pipes. This will help save energy and costs by reducing the amount of heat that gets lost through the walls of the tank and the pipes as the water is stored there. Insulating jackets are way cheaper, considering that using them can reduce your energy consumption by up to 40%.

Here’s another tip, and one that you won’t instantly think about when your attention is all on your water heater. Well, you must be forgetting that your water heater works directly with your shower equipment. The amount of water that comes out of your shower heads affect your water heater’s energy consumption. Aside from insulating, you also have to make some revisions with your shower equipment. Consider installing shower restrictors that can limit the amount of water that gets through your shower head. The less water you consume, the less heating the water heater needs to do. And this equates, of course, to lower energy consumption and, yes, less expenses that you need to pay.

Now you’re ready to go on and install your water heater. Once it’s up and running, however, you should still exert some effort to save energy. There are two surefire ways to do so. First, lower the temperature while you’re using one. This can help save some energy. However, the best thing you can do is still to conserve water as much as you can. When you conserve water, you can never go wrong.

Of course, there are a lot more you can do. However, the tips enumerated above are the easiest and cheapest ways to save energy when you’re using water heaters. After all, in the effort to save on energy consumption of your water heater, you should not waste your own energy on difficult methods and techniques when you can save a lot of energy using the hassle-free tips above.

James Brain is the marketing associate for Fast Water Heater A repair and installation service company specializing in traditional and tankless water heaters.

For anyone familiar with my writings, you know I’m a big supporter of the owner builder process. I’m also a huge supporter of getting professional help along the way. One element of home building or remodeling you can’t afford to slight is the design.

Good design precedes a good building process and getting what you want. Throughout my years coaching and advising home owners, I’ve learned that most people are simply not aware of the value that proper home design and blueprints provide. It has proven to be a big hurdle for people who don’t pay attention and gloss over this aspect. There are enough hurdles in the process of home building, don’t exacerbate the problem by starting with poor design.

Sources of House Plans and Home Designs

Quality design can come from various sources. Many people will be satisfied with well-developed and drawn stock house plans from plan books or online resources. For more custom type home designs an architect or residential designer is often preferred. Once you get into the higher end and uniquely customized homes an experienced architect is the choice for most.

Higher end custom home house plans will cost you. It is not unusual for these to cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, the majority of home builders and remodelers can find good plans or professional help in the range of several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on their project and the source of the plans.

Typically, you cannot buy stock plans for a remodel. It’s going to take a drafter, designer, contractor/builder, or an architect. The existing design and structure have to be analyzed and the additions have to dovetail nicely with them.

Let’s take a look at three specific benefits of good design.

These are three of the more important advantages of good design. We could come up with many more but these will, I hope, convince you of the need.

Building Materials Specification

The way to ensure that you get the type materials that you want is to get them specified in the design and blueprints. Whether you act as your own builder or hire a General Contractor, the way to convey to the workers what you want is to have your materials choices within the plans. This not only includes the lumber and structure, but continues on to windows, doors, siding, roofing, and finishing materials. Close work with your home designer is the way you get this.

The Feel of the Home

Most homes have a unique feel to them. Good designs create a feel that is very apparent. What you really want is the look and feel that really suits you. This doesn’t happen by accident. You’ll likely have to look at many homes before you know what you want. From the exterior to the interior, from the size of the home to the size of the room, from the location of spaces to the location of various rooms, many factors go into the feel that you get. Its all in the design.

The Ease and Speed of Construction

If your subcontractors are not given the proper instructions they will not know how to bid or build your home. You won’t know what you’re getting and you will endure delays and mistakes. The process could very well bog down in the process. Long, drawn out building projects, especially when remodeling, are the curse of home building.

CONCLUSION

Spend the extra time up front to get good plans. Do whatever homework you need to do to make your decisions about style and materials before you launch into building. Start with great plans if you want a great home. Now, go create the home of your dreams!

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* eCourse that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

A central air conditioning system for the modern home isn’t considered a luxury any more. Only people from generations past still hold this belief. So what changes have occurred to make the average home a refuge from the temperature highs and lows?

Increased efficient manufacturing processing as well as offshore placement of the facilities have dramatically improved the manufacture of machines as well as increased the technical ability of the air conditioner. Modern central air conditioning systems are able to adjust to temperature fluctuations, keep operating at extreme temperatures and deliver all this at a less cost to the home owner.

Having decided to install a central air conditioner in their home most owners are at a loss to know where to start in their decision process. This situation is not alleviated by the plethora of detail and technical jargon being poured onto the decision maker. But if you can find the right company to align yourself with the process is not as dire as one would think.

Which central air conditioning system is right for you?

Everyone’s home is different, and as a result everyone’s quoted price and type of unit will differ slightly. But some aspects will always be the same. Knowing how many rooms are to be conditioned, how large the rooms/house is, and where in the world you are living are some of the basics that will aways be taken into account in the quoting process.

So which contractor should you choose?

Air conditioning contractors are all over the place, it seems that when you finally decide to allocate the funds to the project you start to see them everywhere. But which are good and which will offer you a white elephant. Firstly your best option is to never go with the smallest company and the cheapest quote. Although this is a given to most people it can be alluring to some to see the low installation quote being offered by some companies. Do not be fooled by this. Secondly, try to get some testimonies from people who have already been where you are now, but do not accept a competing company’s customer testimony as it will always be a glowing account of a perfect trouble free installation. What you need is someone who had a few problems and how the installation company responded to them.

After all the dust has settled the customer should have an environment in their home that will provide comfort and respite from the ravages of the climate we live in today. Central air conditioning industry is a billion dollar industry which employs many thousands of people around the globe. It will always be around doing it’s best to gain your respect and patronage. If you have decided to install a ducted system in your home do it right from the beginning and all the rest will fall in place from there.

Save yourself money and frustration. Do the homework before making any decision to install a central air conditioning system. There are many pitfalls to cause your wallet harm, protect yourself with knowledge, forewarned is forearmed.

Granite is a very popular material that is used for kitchen and bathroom countertops all over the country, and even around the world. Their popularity is largely due to the natural hardness and resilience of the stone.

Because of these remarkable characteristics, granite countertops are the top choice of today’s homeowner. But even though granite seems to be impregnable, it is still a stone, and all stones have a natural absorbent quality. This is why it is necessary to seal granite countertops to prevent chemicals or other damaging substances to seep through the stone and cause staining and discoloration.

If you have just bought a granite countertop for your kitchen or bathroom, you probably wouldn’t have to worry about sealing it until after several months. Most countertop dealers sell granite countertops that have already been sealed, but you can ask the dealer just to be sure.

The general rule is that you have to seal granite countertops twice a year. But the actual frequency depends on where your granite countertops are located and how much they are used. For more frequently used surfaces, you must seal granite countertops as often as every 4 months. If they are in a place that is not used very often, for example, the bathroom in the guesthouse, then it is enough to seal granite countertops once a year.

It is really not that difficult to seal granite countertops. Oftentimes, home owners do this task by themselves, unless they are probably too busy, in which case they will hire people who seal granite countertops to do the job.

Some people seal granite countertops using special granite sealants. But if you are on a tight budget, you can always use car wax. They are less expensive, and applying them will be just like applying wax on your car’s exterior.

Once you seal your granite countertops, it is important to practice the right daily cleaning practices to promote their durability. Take note that anything acidic may damage the sealant. It doesn’t matter if the acid comes from chemical cleaners, or food such as orange juice or coffee. Acid in any form can cause the sealant to wear away, therefore, the granite will be exposed to possible staining and discoloration.

Because of this, you must take care to choose a non-acidic cleaner to use on your granite countertops. Also, be vigilant with regard to spills on the surface. Mop or wipe them right away to avoid aggravating the problem.

You can also find more info on Granite Tile Countertops and Marble Granite Tile. Kitchengranitecountertophelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Kitchen Granite Counter Top.