ALL DIY INFO - Home Improvement Blog » family

Five Basement Finishing Challenges

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:32:40 +0000

When you first look at an unfinished basement it can be difficult to see the many possibilities for creating wonderful living space for your family. At first glance, a basement offers a huge amount of undefined space that is rough and bare and empty. On the one hand, it has unlimited possibilities, and it offers enough space for everything you can imagine. On the other hand, however, all that unfinished space can make it hard to imagine what your basement can look like when you finish remodeling it. The major challenges of most basement refinishing projects and plans are: 1. C eiling height. You will probably encounter visible duct work and/or a low ceiling level. You can decide to either live with a lower ceiling or you can frame boxes around the duct work and have the rest of the ceiling higher. You can also move the duct work, but that is an expensive job. 2. Dampness. A dampness problem in a finished basement can open the door to all kinds of problems. The dampness will make the area feel cooler or warmer. But more important, the dampness will breed mold and mildew. So the first step in finishing a basement is to correct any dampness problems and then seal the floor and walls carefully. If your budget allows, one way to deal with this is to install radiant floor heating with a waterproofing membrane. If your budget doesn’t support this, a de-humidifier will be a wise investment. 3. Support beams or posts. You may discover two or more support posts or beams in the basement. You will need expert assistance if you decide to try to remove them, and doing so will be costly. The better solution might be to lay out your floor plan so that the support beams are in walls or closets. If you can’t work with them in this way and you want something more attractive, then either put a fiberglass column around them or build a square box around them with drywall. 4. Concrete floors. Concrete floors may be hard on your back, legs or feet if you plan activities that require prolonged standing. Choosing floor covering can take a little more time and effort than for other rooms. First, attend to potential dampness. If your basement does not have a drain to prevent water build-up under the basement, you might want to start with a layer of plastic. Then you will probably want an extra layer of padding under carpet, and even under hardwood floors. 5. Access to plumbing. Access to plumbing, wiring, and some appliances may begin in your basement. Before you decide how to finish your ceiling, you will need to consider how you will achieve the look you want and still have access to these areas. You might find that a drop ceiling is the best option. But it is also possible to place small doors in the ceiling to make these areas accessible.

See the original post here:
Five Basement Finishing Challenges

A Real Housewife of New Jersey Auction

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:35:56 +0000

Want to live like your rich? One way to get luxury items for less is to keep an eye out for upscale auctions. If you’re a fan of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey , you will definitely want to mark your calendar for August 22. Teresa Giudice is the New Jersey housewife famously known for flipping a table in a restaurant. On August 22, she is putting several of the family’s possessions on auction. According to iVillage Entertainment , the following items are going to be up for grabs: chandeliers, wine-making equipment, leopard print loveseat, solid pine kitchen table, gilt-framed mirror, two all terrain vehicles and his-and-hers gold wedding rings. Apparently, the housewife is selling this luxury items in order to pay some family debts.

Read more from the original source:
A Real Housewife of New Jersey Auction

Portable Folding Hammock Makes Kicking Back Easy

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:28:23 +0000

So, you want to enjoy the summer weather and the cool breezes wafting through the yard, but there’s just not enough space to have a hammock set up all the time. If that’s the case, the answer may be a portable folding hammock . The model shown here is easy to put up and take down, so enjoy it when the weather is hammock-friendly, and fold it up for storage when you need that space for something else. This version comes with a tote bag, so you can take your hammock on the road (why settle for the picnic table at the campground when you can whip out your own lounger?). There’s even a removable pillow, so you can stay extra comfy while you enjoy the breeze. Under $100 at Amazon: Strathwood Portable Folding Hammock

Continued here:
Portable Folding Hammock Makes Kicking Back Easy

4 Tips to Protect Your Lawn From the Heat

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:12:29 +0000

With August around the corner, temperatures are scorching throughout the country. Just this month New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. broke records on the east coast. National heat waves are not only wrecking havoc on power grids and exacerbating drought conditions, but they are challenging our lawns as well. Here are four tips courtesy of John Deere to ensure your lawns survive the summer months and look great this fall. * Thirst Quenching – Signs of a dehydrated lawn include curling grass blades and “foot printing” (you can see footprints in the grass). During short droughts, water infrequently, but deeply, to encourage a strong, deep root system. * Vacation – Before your family leaves town, John Deere recommends watering the lawn deeply to protect it from the sun and give your lawn a fresh mow with a higher cutting height to shade the soil and hold moisture in.

See the rest here:
4 Tips to Protect Your Lawn From the Heat

How to Finish a Kids Picnic Table

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:00:17 +0000

A kids picnic table is a great purchase. They give the little ones a great way to enjoy the back yard with the family. Home Improvement, THE source for home improvement information.

Read more here:
How to Finish a Kids Picnic Table

How to Finish a Wooden Kids Table

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:00:17 +0000

A wooden kids table is an ideal surface for a child to play, eat or work, which will require you to finish the table in a safe and non-toxic way. Home Improvement, THE source for home improvement information.

More here:
How to Finish a Wooden Kids Table

How to Program a Basic Garage Door Remote

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:00:03 +0000

Programming a garage door remote is essential if you are adding an extra one for your family members or you are replacing a lost remote control. Home Improvement, THE source for home improvement information.

See more here:
How to Program a Basic Garage Door Remote

Kitchen Remodeling with Accessibility in Mind

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:14:42 +0000

Many new homes are built today to incorporate at least some of the main considerations for accessibility in kitchen design. The kitchen, especially, must be functional as well as attractive and comfortable. Someone with a disability or with physical limitations can find many kitchens both inaccessible and dangerous. A kitchen remodel or enlargement can be the perfect time to think about accessibility and safety for everyone in your family. The primary considerations in kitchen accessibility are: Space – enough open space in the appropriate parts of the kitchen to allow someone to turn a wheelchair or a scooter. Access – counter height, appliance design and storage design that is accessible to someone with reaching, bending or standing limitations. Safety – think about and plan for alternative ways to do things, such as moving heavy items, reaching across cook tops or ranges, ability to reach needed items from a wheelchair. If there are young children in the home, you will also need to consider their safety in your new kitchen. Many things — knobs, faucets, etc. will be too high for them to reach for a while. But if they cannot understand the dangers present in a kitchen, you might need to seek out some help in choosing appliances and making areas accessible. Your contractor , architect or designer will be well versed in accessible design. If you are doing your own design and planning, there is help available from a number of agencies, including the Arthritis Foundation, the MS Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation and agencies on Aging. These organizations can also help you find architects and certified kitchen designers in your area who have the knowledge and experience to help you make good choices in creating an accessible kitchen. These organizations can also help you find manufacturers who make the appropriate styles of appliances. With some research and thought you can create an accessible and stylish kitchen remodeling design that will be fully accessible and safe for family members with mobility limitations.

See the original post:
Kitchen Remodeling with Accessibility in Mind

5 Simple Ways to Modernize and Restore Your Home

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:25:43 +0000

Whether your home is 10 years old, or 110 years old, modernizing your home can be a challenging feat. Depending on your extent of renovating, modernizing can be a simple or intricate task. Your home can be modernized for cosmetic or aesthetic touches. These touches can be ones in which only what you see and feel will be considered in updating. Some will choose to modernize down to the structure of the home, and this type of modernizing can turn into a full home renovation. Here’s some simple ways to bring your home up to date, without breaking the bank! CURRENT CONDITIONS: Analyze your home and observe what areas of your home need modernizing. Often times the current condition of furniture and appliances makes us think that the home needs more work than really necessary. Look at the conditions of the walls of your home. If made with gypsum board and studs – light patching of holes and updating paint color may do the trick. Concentrate on the house itself, not your belongings in the house. MODERN DETAILS: Flip through your favorite home magazine, or visit home websites that give you inspiration to find modern home detailing. Simple details like yellow light switch plates can date your home. Changing them to white or a matching décor color will instantly bring your room into the modern day. LIGHTING: Home light fixtures usually are made for the current times. Updating ceiling, sconces, and bathroom fixtures will modernize your space and possibly bring better and more efficient light to the space. Lighting fixtures may be able to be reduced or removed with the introduction of more natural light into a space. Consider adding skylights, and solar tubes into areas that once were dark. MATERIALS: Flooring, wall paper, kitchen/bath counters, and sinks/bathtubs are an instant attraction of age. Since these items are usually chosen by the current colors and patterns of the times, your home could be looking much older than you desire. Replace carpet if it is worn, discolored, or is in an outdated color. Remove dated wallpaper and replace with modern styled wallpaper or paint the walls instead. Often times an old brick wall can become a new accent wall with cleaning and restoring its original beauty. For kitchen and bathroom fixtures with outdated colors consider replacing with neutral colors that will not show time as quickly. Consider refacing counters and cabinetry to save on the expense of a major overhaul of your kitchen or bath. MODERNIZE FOR YOU AND THEM: If you are tired of looking at the same outdated home, then modernizing can be for you and your family to enjoy a familiar home and uplift in its character. On the other hand, home sellers may be updating their home to be able to put their home on the market, and boost up their appeal. Whichever your personal reason for modernizing, it’s a great idea to make your home safe, look better, and to bring the inhabitants of your home pleasure when enjoying your home. What recent home renovation projects have you done on your home? Have any simple tip suggestions for other Freshome reader’s on modernizing their homes? We’d love to hear from you! Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Here is the original post:
5 Simple Ways to Modernize and Restore Your Home

4 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Flooring for Your Home

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:07:20 +0000

Most of the concentration in a home is on the décor and feel of the home. Believe it or not, the flooring has a major role in the look, feel, and the ambiance of a room. Depending on your lifestyle, budget, and the amount of traffic your floor will endure, will dictate the perfect flooring for you. Whether you are renovating or choosing flooring for your existing home here are tips that will help you choose flooring that you will love. LIFESTYLE: How you and your family live and use your home is the most significant factor in choosing flooring. If your family has heavy traffic, pets, kids, and is very active – plush carpet will not be ideal. Heavy traffic areas should consider resilient flooring, such as ceramic tile, vinyl, or wood flooring. If your home has minimal traffic, and you enjoy having softness underfoot, carpeting or area rugs over wood flooring may be ideal for your home. There are several choices for flooring in between carpet and resilient flooring. Placement of these materials should also be a factor in your decision. LOCATION IN HOME: Flooring that is at the entry or foyer of your home should have a “wow” factor, but be durable to outdoor elements. If snow, rain, and mud is a factor in the entry to your home, consider using durable flooring, such as slate, tile, or wood. Entry mats outside of the home should be placed to remove the majority of outdoor moisture; this will help keep your floors cleaner too! Flooring in bedrooms, and kid’s rooms should be comfortable for bare feet. Flooring in utility, laundry and bathrooms should be able to resist water. Hardwood and laminate wood flooring in not recommended in areas of high moisture, as warping and damage can occur. COST: Flooring is priced per square foot and can add up quickly! All flooring materials have ‘grades’ of quality. Synthetic carpet is cheaper than Berber carpet that contains big and small tufts of pile. The plusher or more durable the carpet – naturally the more expensive it will be. When choosing carpet, don’t forget about the carpet pad beneath. The carpet pad will make your steps more comfortable, and will make your carpet last longer. Ceramic, slate, and marble tile is generally more expensive than carpet. Tile is very low maintenance and doesn’t usually have to be replaced, unless it cracks. Wood and laminate flooring has become more affordable over the years, due to new products entering the flooring market. ECO-FRIENDLY: Would you like to have flooring that is good the environment and looks great? Consider flooring such as: recycled glass tiles, bamboo wood, and cork flooring. Each has unique properties – Cork flooring is great for sound absorption, but is not good for high heel wearers! Do you have a loft or industrial type home? Exposed concrete, or stained concrete flooring is also great for the environment. What type of flooring is in your home? Are you looking to change it? Tell us your advice on choosing great flooring in your home! Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

View original here:
4 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Flooring for Your Home