bathroom remodels

home additions

home improvement tips

patio and deck additions

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the December 23, 2009 edition of home improvement carnival.

The Smarter Wallet presents Compare Credit Card Offers: Find The Best Credit Cards For You posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “thanks!”

June Tree presents Ally Bank (GMAC Bank) Review posted at The Digerati Life.

TSW Blog presents Compare Credit Card Offers: Find The Best Credit Cards For You posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “Thanks!”

home improvement tips

Gin G. presents Fire and Flames posted at Sense Scribe, saying, “Learn of products that help in fire safety for you and family, home and cottage. Read more.”

Tyler Tervooren presents Give Yourself the Right Tools for the Job posted at Frugally Green, saying, “Ever started a project you were sure was going to be a breeze only to end up knee deep in a mess you never expected? Maybe you followed through and finished it anyway, but wish you’d never started?

Whether you’re just installing a dishwasher or saving for retirement, taking the time up front to really get clear about what your goal is and what you need to accomplish it will better ensure that your success is something you can be proud of because, as many of us have learned, there’s a difference between just finishing and really succeeding.”

Katy Unitek presents Historic Energy Legislation – Boots on the Roof posted at Boots On The Roof, saying, “Another article for possible consideration, thanks Katy”

HtF presents How to Fix a Refrigerator Running Too Cold posted at How To Fix.

Jeff Williamson presents Basement Flooding Cleanup posted at Basement Flooding.

Metal John presents Rockwell RK9000 Jawhorse posted at eShopper’s Blog.

Mark Donovan presents Hot Water Baseboard Heating Systems posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com discusses the anatomy of, and the pros and cons of hot water baseboard heating systems.”

Jeff Williamson presents Refinishing Old Hardwood Floors posted at The Carpenters Workshop.

Luke Spencer presents Unclogging A Toilet posted at That old house, saying, “Get that clog out of your toilet”

Luke Spencer presents What Is A Water Meter Key posted at That old house, saying, “Get a Water Meter Key”

BWL presents Proposed details about the Home Star stimulus program posted at Christian Personal Finance, saying, “The government is getting ready to offer some rebates for those making energy-efficient home improvements…”

HtF presents How to Fix a Deer-Attracting Lawn or Garden posted at How To Fix.

pbmedia presents How to Clean Out Your Dryer Vent posted at jammer(six).

kitchen remodels

Ryan Hawkins presents All You Need To Know About Cabinet Refacing posted at Timber & Textiles, saying, “Cabinet refacing is a great way to give your kitchen a face lift without ripping it all out and starting from scratch.”

SwissTgallery presents Fireplaces Now | Buy Wood Burning Fireplaces, Inserts, Stoves posted at A blog Wood about Burning Fireplaces, Stoves, Inserts, and Gas Logs., saying, “FireplacesNow.com is dedicated to offering different types of fireplaces, fireboxes, stoves, inserts, gas logs, glass doors, and others.”

patio and deck additions

Samantha Marks presents Deck Design Software Makes Designing a Deck Easy posted at backyardsandgardens.com.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of home improvement carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the November 18, 2009 edition of home improvement carnival.

Craig Brewster presents Deck Handrail Options posted at Carpenters advice.

bathroom remodels

shaniqua presents Home maintenance Contractor posted at Home Maintenance Contractors.

shaniqua presents What is an Electrical Contractor? posted at What is an Electrical Contractor?.

home additions

Claude presents Thousands Of Help Dollars For Solar Energy posted at Solar Home – Solar Systems for Homes.

Brad presents Storage Shed Plans posted at Storage Shed Plans, saying, “A look at building a storage shed from good quality storage shed plans to reduce the clutter around your home and yard.”

Joe Manausa, MBA presents How The Cap And Trade Bill Affects Real Estate posted at Tallahassee Real Estate Blog, saying, “I believe that if the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is enacted, new home construction costs will go up, and home affordability will decline. It appears as if a “national building code” will be created, thus usurping some of the rights of State’s to control building quality as they see fit.”

June Tree presents Curb Appeal: One Of My Best Investments Yet Or How I Turned $80 Into $5,000 With Minimal Risk posted at The Digerati Life.

home improvement tips

Kerry Fletcher presents What type of flooring should I get? posted at Examiner.

shaniqua presents Home Fencing posted at Hire a Home Improvement Contractor.

Steve Schafer presents How to Choose Outdoor Solar Lights posted at Solar Lights Site.

shaniqua presents Home Flooring Ideas posted at Hire a Home Improvement Contractor, saying, “The right flooring for your home is as important as the right décor or furniture for a beautiful and well-maintained home. It is important to choose the right type of flooring suitable for you and your family taking into consideration factors like durability, level of maintenance required, and of course the cost of the flooring.”

Shawn Taylor presents Nanny Cam Top 5 Tips for Ensuring Children?s Safety Using One posted at Hidden Surveillance Camera.com.

HtF presents How to Fix a Wet Basement posted at How To Fix.

Katy Unitek presents California Leads the Charge! – Boots on the Roof posted at Boots On The Roof, saying, “Hello.

mmresources presents Finish a Basement posted at Interior Projects Online, saying, “Finish a basement, tips and advice for getting started on what can be a large undertaking.”

Gin G. presents Fire and Flames posted at Sense Scribe, saying, “Learn about further safeguarding home, work and cottage. Read more.”

Mommy’s Life presents Painting versus Staining your home posted at Mommy’s Life.

Terry Thrower presents handyman services phoenix posted at Terry Thrower, saying, “tips for chosing a handyman Az”

Terry Thrower presents handyman services phoenix posted at Terry Thrower, saying, “handyman tips”

Kathy Torline presents ILC versus a Survey, what?s the difference? posted at Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog.

emancave presents Setting up a mancave on a budget posted at e-ManCave.com.

Mark Donovan presents Green Window Treatments Reduce Home Heating Bills posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “Mark Donovan of www.HomeAdditionPlus.com discusses a new Green Window Treatement product that is Eco-Friendly, and that can reduce home heating bills by up to 35%.”

Kerry Fletcher presents How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree Like a Professional Designer posted at Interior Design Info.

Mark Donovan presents Hazardous Chinese Drywall posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “In this article Mark Donovan of www.HomeAdditionPlus.com discusses hazardous Chinese drywall that was imported into the United States between 2001 and 2007, and the heath concerns surrounding it.”

kitchen remodels

Mark Donovan presents Inexpensive Kitchen Remodeling Ideas posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “Mark Donovan of www.HomeAdditionPlus.com discusses kitchen remodeling ideas that won’t break the bank, but will transform your kitchen.”

patio and deck additions

Case Ernsting presents How To Care For Outdoor Patio, Porch or Deck Solid Wood Furniture | Home and Decor posted at Home and Decor, saying, “Here are some tips on preserving your finest Patio & Deck pieces. The weather is about to get even tougher on your deck furniture, so it’s time to take extra precaution and prevent weather-related damage.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of home improvement carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the October 7, 2009 edition of home improvement carnival.

Ken Cotten presents Tips for Hiring Professional Waterproofing Contractors posted at Basement Waterproofing Information.

Ben presents Should you buy a tankless water heater? posted at LP Tankless Water Heaters.

bathroom remodels

home additions

Joe Manausa, MBA presents Housing Market Bottom Reached In Tallahassee posted at Tallahassee Real Estate Blog, saying, “It is obviously premature to call the bottom of the market, as we only have a 10 day up-trend. If this ends up being the true real estate market bottom in Tallahassee, you can record August 23rd, 2009 as the day the market turned! I really suspect that we are closing in on the bottom if we have not hit it already. My earlier predictions were for this to occur in November, but I’ll certainly take an earlier result if we can find it.”

home improvement tips

Alan presents Square Recessed Lighting, Another Design Option posted at Recessed Lighting.

Kerry Fletcher presents How much paint do I need? posted at Examiner.

Donald Rickerby presents Turn Your Garden Shed Into A Sanctuary posted at Best Wooden Sheds, saying, “No space left in your home? Turn that garden shed out back into livable space.”

Mark Donovan presents Ridge Vent Installation posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “Mark Donovan of www.homeadditionplus.com discusses the purpose of a roof ridge vent, and the types and methods for installing ridge vents.”

Tyler Tervooren presents How to Waste Time, Money, and Resources Building a Compost Tumbler, or a Lesson in Simplicity posted at Frugally Green, saying, “A project is not just something to keep you busy. It’s also a means to an end. Without a thoughtful and specific objective, the means can get awfully foggy and the end can be less than useful. When I first began my journey into sustainability, I built a compost tumbler that taught me a lesson about simplicity that has transcended more than just my environmental goals.”

Alan presents What You Ought To Know About Recessed Lighting Kits posted at Recessed Lighting.

jammer(six) presents How to Repair a Leaky Delta Shower Faucet posted at jammer(six).

patio and deck additions

Steve Faber presents Wireless Outdoor Speakers – Get Your Tunes Outside With No Wires posted at Home Theater Gear, saying, “A patio or deck is so much better when you can enjoy your favorite music. The problem has been running all the wires is an expensive pain in the neck. Until recently wireless speaker offerings left a lot to be desired in terms of sound quality. Now, however the latest crop of wireless outdoor speakers can get you great sound out on your patio, without running any wires. Check them out.”

Darolyn Wall presents BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME? NEVER TOO EARLY FOR PLANNING AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE posted at Woodridge Custom Builders LLC, saying, “There has always been a fascination with an outdoor fire while camping or spending time outdoors. In Arizona, this fascination has been brought home to the backyard. At Woodridge Custom Builders LLC many of our custom homebuyers want full fireplaces or built-in fire pits incorporated in the landscape of their custom home.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of home improvement carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the July 13, 2009 edition of home improvement carnival.

les Donovan presents Battery Maintenance posted at Les Donovan, saying, “How to maintain your batty”

GoByOwners presents Homes For Sale By Owner – FREE LISTINGS posted at Sale By Owners.

GoByOwners presents How To Write Ads That Will Sell Your FSBO Home posted at Sale By OwnersSale By Owners.

GoByOwners presents Sale By Owners posted at Sale By Owners.

home additions

Bruno Vigneault presents Why should you build a homemade solar panel and wind power generator posted at Green Renewable Energy Technology.

Bruno Vigneault presents Build a solar hot water heater for your home posted at Green Renewable Energy Technology.

home improvement tips

jen from windy ridge presents Main Street Station posted at The Chronicles Of Windy Ridge, saying, “Acquire things you absolutely love and incorporate them into your home.”

Jeff Longlad presents Do it Yourself Play Structure – How Hard Can it Be? | Rentcharlie.com Rental Blog posted at Rentcharlie.com Rental Blog.

Mark Donovan presents Outdoor Storage Sheds posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “Mark Donovan of www.homeadditionplus.com discussess the use of outdoor storage sheds when the family outgrows the garage. An outdoor storage shed is a great place for storing yard tools and bikes, however it is important to first consider the size, location and type of shed to either build or buy.”

diradmin presents Basement Mold | Basement Mold Removal posted at Every Fact About Mold Removal, saying, “Mold is an invisible threat to both the building and the people living in the building. Mold is very harmful to our health and can cause severe medical complications. Mold is usually found in damp areas like basement and bathroom. Basement mold is very common after flooding. Thus learn to implement basement mold removal yourself can save some big bucks by hiring mold removal contractors.”

Brooklyn White presents Top 3 DIY Home Improvement Mistakes Most Beginners Make posted at Construction Management Schools.

lkodanko presents Glorious Guest Room posted at Words On Wendhurst.

lescyn presents Cleaning Crusty Shower Heads and Faucets posted at Les Donovan, saying, “Cleaning Crusty Shower Heads and Faucets
 

lescyn presents Light Bulb Replacement posted at Les Donovan, saying, “Incandescent Light Bulb Replacement

nickel presents How to Repair a Leaky Delta Shower Faucet posted at jammer(six).

patio and deck additions

Chris presents Outdoor entertaining areas posted at Home I Own, saying, “Types of outdoor entertaining areas explained”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of home improvement carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the May 30, 2009 edition of home improvement carnival.

Vichuda presents Medan Luxury Homes posted at Kota Medan City Indonesia, saying, “see designs and facilities of medan luxury homes”

bathroom remodels

Julia Ritzenthaler presents Discount Vanity Mirrors posted at Discount Bathroom Vanity, saying, “A simple and inexpensive way to change the look of your bathroom is by adding a discount vanity mirror. Bathroom vanity mirrors come in so many shapes, sizes and colors today, the options are almost endless.”

home additions

The Happy Redneck presents Gardening Can Be a Snap posted at Should You Marry Her?, saying, “Here is a few gardening tips as planting season is in full swing.”

Cash Tree presents Modern Sofa Sectionals posted at sectional sofa, saying, “The sectional sofa used to dominate whatever room it was in. The huge, three piece sofas curved around a wall or through the middle of the room, and they were often large and bulky. After that, the sofa sectional was redesigned to include rocking recliners on one end or a sleeper sofa section. Some even featured fold-down sections in the middle that acted as a table. However, modern sofa sectionals have lost the curved look, and many are now streamlined and no longer feature so many built-in things.”

home improvement tips

Elizabeth Alexander presents Pull Up A Chair: Going Native posted at Pull Up A Chair.

Mich Po presents The Reliable and Inexpensive Moore Heating Repair and Services posted at Truetechhomeservice, saying, “Informative blog about the reliable and inexpensive Moore heating repair and services”

Anthony McCune presents What Happened To Your Yard? posted at The Lives and Times… of Anthony McCune.

Anthony Kuo presents What is Home Automation? | Smart Home Automation Guide posted at Smart Home Automation Guide, saying, “Introductory information to home automation and smart home technology.”

Mark Donovan presents Basement Conversions posted at HomeAdditionPlus, saying, “Mark Donovan discusses the benefits of a basement conversion project.”

Robert Rice presents Garden Shed posted at how to build a shed, saying, “Cool blog about building your Garden Shed”

vic nagy presents Painters Toronto posted at Save Your Money DO IT YOURSELF.

Chris presents Selling a house without an agent? 3 things to think about posted at Home I Own, saying, “This post is about reasons to sell your home via a real estate agent”

Maria Garza presents Great Flooring for DIY-ers posted at The Wiser Side of Life, saying, “This article was written to share helpful installation tips on what I consider to be a great flooring, particularly for novice DIY-ers.”

Sylvia Dickens presents How To Live Off The Grid – By Building Solar & Wind Options posted at Product Review in Real Time.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of home improvement carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the February 23, 2009 edition of home improvement carnival.

Heather Johnson presents 100 Tips, Tools, and Legal Resources to Be Your Own Real Estate Agent posted at e-Justice Blog.

home additions

Dog Lover presents Alternative Wedding Meal Options posted at Affordable Wedding Planning, saying, “With the recession, why pay hundreds or thousands of dollars on a home security system when good ole Fido can be trained to be a good watch dog!”

home improvement tips

Aparna presents Beware of dust mites on your pillows posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, “Dust that gets accumulated in our houses is a host to millions of germs and microorganisms. Dusting and cleaning the house in itself is a cumbersome task, what with dust settling on sofas and beds, carpets, curtains and clothes. We all bother so much about insects, mosquitoes, houseflies and do our best to get rid of them. But we often forget about the tiny, almost invisible creatures called dust mites, which are present and booming in millions in the cozy comforts of our homes.

These dust mites often play safe by sneaking into spaces between bedclothes, carpets, stuffed furniture and similar soft objects”

Mich Po presents The Edmond Air Conditioning Repair Quality Performance « Truetechhomeservice posted at Truetechhomeservice, saying, “Great blog on the quality performance of Edmond Air Conditioning repair”

Fred presents Hardwood Flooring Installation Tools (Nailers, Saws, Compressors, more…) posted at One Project Closer, saying, “This article is a compilation of all the tools required to install hardwood floors, with our top picks for these tools.”

Lindsay presents How a Tankless Water Heater Saves you Money posted at Off the Urban Grid.

Mich Po presents The Plumbing Repair Helpful Tips to Client’s Common Plumbing Dilemma posted at Truetechhomeservice, saying, “Great blog on the Edmond City home improvement helpful tips”

Lindsay presents 10 Low Cost Home Security Improvements for Your House posted at Home Security Beat.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Doing A Home Improvement Project? Know Your Return On Investment posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “Thanks!”

kitchen remodels

dave presents Kitchen Cabinet Makeover posted at Woodworkinghints, saying, “Over the years I have had a lot of people ask what can I do to update my cabinets without completely replacing them. The thing that makes the biggest difference is to replace the doors and drawer fronts.if you stand back and look you will notice there’s very little of the cabinets themselves showing. So by updating and replacing your doors and drawer fronts you can create the illusion of having replaced your cabinets”

Kathryn presents houzz – How to Choose the Right Kitchen Island posted at Kathryn Vercillo on Houzz, saying, “Ideas for choosing the best kitchen island for an open kitchen design.”

patio and deck additions

Jack Clifton presents Building a Deck Low to the Ground posted at How to Build a Deck, saying, “One thing that was a bit unusual about our original redwood backyard deck is that some of its supporting pieces are bolted to the foundation. It you look at some of the books and magazines about how to build a deck, you will see a lot of free standing decks that are supported on post and pier systems.”

Jack Clifton presents Upgrading a Redwood Deck Design posted at How to Build a Deck, saying, “When we moved into our twenty-plus-year-old middle class home in Santa Cruz, we liked the deck that was framed by the U shaped single story ranch style house. However, we knew that some renovations on the deck were in order.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of home improvement carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: home improvement carnival, blog carnival.

However, one area frequently overlooked, not thought about, or not considered as in depth as it should be, is the driveway. It is easy to overlook the driveway when one is making the hundreds of decisions about a new home. Yet the driveway is the ultimate welcome mat to a home. It gives an immediate impression of the home and the homeowners and it should bear the brunt of significant wear.

There are so many uses these day’s for concrete and because it is one of the strongest, longest lasting surfaces on earth it is being used for a lot more than just sidewalks. In recent years with the addition of color and the ability to polish or add stamp work to concrete it has become one of the most popular surfaces for just about everything. Interior uses for concrete to name a few are; floors, countertops, fireplace surrounds, walls, sinks and furniture. Outdoor uses for concrete are vast; patios, driveway’s, pool decks, pavers, fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor kitchens are some examples.

A concrete driveway is a symbol of quality. It is a great investment. A concrete driveway should last a home owner at least 30 years, while other paving options frequently will need to be replaced every ten years. By the time one factors in how much longer a concrete driveway lasts and how little maintenance it requires, a concrete driveway is not only cost competitive, it is clearly the better bargain.

Beyond the structural integrity of concrete there are also ecological features to consider. A finished interior concrete floor doubles as the foundation. This means no carpet or other surface is needed. This will save time and money as there is very little maintenance, no upkeep costs and a cleaner environment.
Concrete is produced from some of the world’s most abundant resources and without toxic byproducts. The concrete industry recycles and reclaims throughout the manufacturing process. It has a superior lifespan compared to other products. Its thermal mass plays a role in energy efficiency. It helps keep our urban areas cooler. Its light reflectiveness also helps conserve energy. From the homeowner to the largest urban areas, concrete is playing a major role in protecting and maintaining our environment.