Bathroom remodeling should start at the studs

Some do-it-yourself experts recommend a fresh coat of paint, new tile, a shiny new sink and great cabinets to transform an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary spa - but that's just what the eye can see. Yes, your refinished bathroom will look different but will it hold its value? Not unless you think first of what's behind the paint and tile and consider how to protect it from the greatest threat in a bathroom: moisture, mold and mildew.



Upgrading your walls, ceilings and subfloors before you paint, install tile or hang a fancy new mirror can ensure your new bathroom will stand up to everyday splashes, showers and relaxing tub soaks, as well as dreaded mold and mildew that can come from these steamy, wet environments.



Anitra Mecadon, host of DIY Network's "Mega Dens" and spokesperson for National Gypsum, is on a mission to prevent major mold and mildew problems by recommending homeowners start at the studs. Here's her advice when it comes to the No. 1 room people remodel in their homes - bathrooms:



Look for ideas



Popular upgrades include decorative tile or stone in the tub and shower areas. You can also consider multiple showerheads or steam enclosures to give your bathroom "spa appeal" without the worry.



Budget and plan



* The average cost of a bathroom remodel is around $16,000, so create a budget so you know how much you can comfortably spend.



* If you plan to have someone do it for you, get an estimate from a contractor before you start.



* Shop on your own, with a contractor or interior designer to select building materials, fixtures and appliances.



* Remember that bathrooms require two kinds of materials to help protect walls and floors: mold- and moisture-resistant drywall for areas behind mirrors, sinks or vanities, and cement board for the critically wet areas, such as tubs and showers.



Be careful



* Prepare for a demolition phase to tear out the tub, sink, tile, walls and flooring.



* Be careful of pipes, air ducts and electrical wires behind the walls, ceilings and under the floors.



* Measure twice, cut once.



* You can never be too safe - use appropriate safety gear.



Add value with walls and floors



* After adding insulation, install mold- and moisture-resistant PURPLE XP drywall in your bathroom.



* The PURPLE color is easy to spot in the drywall aisle of your local home improvement stores, and provides value and peace of mind that lasts.



* For a strong base that stands behind every great finish - like tile, slate or marble - use one of National Gypsum's PermaBase Cement Board options in critically wet areas around tubs and showers.



Other notes to consider



* Ask a friend to help for easier installation.



* Forget traditional green board because it's no longer approved by most building codes.



* Instead, ask for PURPLE XP drywall to ensure yours is moisture-, mold- and mildew-resistant.



* Remember that PermaBase Cement Board provides a hard, durable surface underneath ceramic tile or decorative stone and can withstand prolonged exposure to moisture.



* Seal areas around the tub and sink with mildew-resistant caulk and grout to discourage discoloration.



* Paint walls with mildew-resistant primer and paint, which can cut down on future maintenance.



* Add an exhaust fan for additional moisture control.

A few tips when fitting wooden flooring

Laminate and wooden flooring looks great in almost any room. If you are considering fitting the wooden flooring yourself then there are a few tips that may help you to fit it easier and may add a more professional finish to it. With some hard work, patience and the right flooring tools it may not be as difficult to achieve a good finish as you imagine.



Before laying the laminate or wooden flooring ensure that your under floor is in good condition and is as flat and bounce-free as possible. Uneven areas should try to be repaired. The flatter the surface the better the wooden flooring will look.Ideally you will want the new wooden flooring to run length-ways along your room as this looks better than width-ways, however if your existing floorboards also run length-ways it is a bad idea to fit them directly together as this can lead to joint separation and unevenness. If this is the case then fit plywood over the entire floor surface so that you have a flat surface to then work on.



Once your existing floor is ready, lay an insulating membrane across the entire flooring area. This keeps heat in the room and dampens noise when the wooden flooring is walked upon and is highly recommended. Once this has been laid you are ready to lay your new wooden flooring panels. The easiest way is to work from farthest wall from the door inwards as this is the most seen part of the room. If possible remove skirting boards and door architraves so that you can work from the wall. If this isn't possible then beading can be fixed to these areas afterwards to give a tidy finish.



When laying the flooring panels always stagger joints by using random length flooring pieces as this will add to the strength of the flooring and the aesthetics. Ensure that all pieces are firmly locked together before re-applying skirting and architraves or adding beading. Flooring can contract and retract based on the heat of the room and moisture levels so do not fix skirting or beading to the floor. Fix skirting to the wall and fix beading to the skirting.



by: Xander Palmer

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6471.shtml

Style and sustainability: Two ways to really raise the roof

While green is increasingly a factor in today's roofing choices, having the ability to choose from a wide variety of colors in sustainable roofing is also a point of great satisfaction for discerning homeowners.



One roofing manufacturer, InSpire Roofing, of The Tapco Group, takes the combination of style and sustainability to new heights, offering the widest range of slate colors in the industry, including Standard, Premium, Blended (in-tile blends), Mixes (multi-color palettes) and Cool Roofing colors that can help homeowners save hundreds of dollars in energy costs every year. Its newest sustainable solution is the Wintergreen InSpire Cool Roofing Mix; a factory-collated blend of the traditional Evergreen, Ash Grey and Granite slate colors. This roofing can help reduce peak cooling demand by up to 15 percent to create energy savings for homeowners.



InSpire Slate's traditional and cool color choices both feature enhanced sustainability with virtually zero maintenance, extreme durability, recyclability and a limited lifetime warranty. The tiles' UV-protected blend of virgin resins and natural limestone delivers Class A fire resistance, Class 4 impact resistance and a 110 MPH wind uplift rating - all with the artistic, detailed texture of tiles cast from real slate.



'InSpire gives you a handsome slate appearance without the cost and substantial weight, but adds consistencies with color, texture and toughness that you can't find in real slate,' says Jonathan Wierengo, vice president of marketing for The Tapco Group, maker of InSpire Roofing. 'The range of Traditional and Architectural color choices with InSpire allows it to fit a variety of styles, including log cabin or Mediterranean style, where most people wouldn't even think of installing a slate roof.'



Texas custom builder Sheldon Robinson likes to use multiple InSpire colors for his homes - he's used up to eight colors on one roof. 'When people pull up to see a home, it just presents a whole different look. When people see that roof, they're just - pardon the pun - inspired. It delivers more of an authentic slate look. We can lay out a pattern for a client and say 'here's the concept, here's what's interesting,' as opposed to a typical all-black or grey roof,' Robinson says.



Color and durability are also the hallmarks of InSpire Shake, which uses a proprietary color process producing subtle color variations for each of its three authentic shake tile choices - New Cedar, Cedar Brown and Weathered Grey. Locator tabs that prevent moisture intrusion combine with Class A fire resistance and a limited lifetime warranty to provide protection and peace of mind for homeowners who want beautiful shake roof style without the need for constant upkeep.

This year's homes will mix old and new designs under one (smaller) roof

Today's consumer mindset is steeped in common sense and careful decisions. When making a purchase, individuals aren't looking to accumulate "stuff." They're looking to buy an experience. That experiential purchasing behavior is especially true when it comes to selecting items for the home. Current home decorating is not about flashy, over-the-top design; rather, it's about decorating for real life - a home that's smaller, more well-equipped and custom-made for its owners' lifestyles.



"Homeowners are getting back to basics," says Rebecca Kolls, senior director, consumer strategist of home and garden, Iconoculture, a leading consumer trends advisory firm which presented at Moen Incorporated's INSPIRE Design Seminar. "They are putting roots down and investing in items to increase their quality of life."



How are homeowners making their spaces more practical and livable for the long term? What exactly are the hot trends for this year? Kolls points to several distinct ideas, including: practicality, rightsizing, style-telling and universal design.



Practical and perfectly sized homes

Today's average new home is smaller than those from recent years at 2,135 square feet. It emphasizes inviting, livable spaces, and downplays the formal, untouched rooms of yesterday. Despite a decrease in overall square footage, kitchens are growing, homeowners are adding more porches, ditching the conventional living room concept and embracing fewer - yet larger - rooms.



To fill those rooms, homeowners are looking for products that provide function, as well as fashion. They are no longer buying for the sake of buying. "The first question consumers are asking is, 'Do I need this or do I want this?'" says Kolls. They're looking for more practical solutions for everyday life, like items that promote health and overall well-being, versus over-the-top indulgences.



Instead of one purely decorative element, homeowners are springing for more affordable luxuries with experiential benefits. In the bedroom, these purchases include new mattresses for increased comfort and a better night's sleep, plus items like improved lighting and window coverings that facilitate a gentle transition from sleeping to waking. Bathroom remodels include items like towel warmers, steam showers and multiple body spray outlets that promote relaxation and spa-like indulgence. Moen Flushmount Body Sprays are especially appealing to the remodeling consumer looking for added wellness benefits: Each body spray is equipped with an adjustable spray face, allowing the user to position the water sprays exactly where he or she desires by pivoting up to 20 degrees in any direction, for the ultimate in customized relaxation and rejuvenation.



Style-telling solutions

Gone are the days of perfectly-matched rooms and pristine homes. Today's homeowners are looking to tell a story through their decorating, with pieces that put a personal stamp on their spaces. People are stylizing the most-used room in the home - the kitchen - by adding workstations, artwork, photography and more furniture-like cabinetry enhanced by decorative cabinet knobs and pulls, like those offered by Moen.



Homeowners mix-and-match more now than ever before, complementing a great-grandmother's antique dining room table with modern, geometric dinnerware; putting vintage photos into new stainless steel frames; storing K-cup coffee pods in antique coffee bins. "Homeowners are adding pieces that make sense: items that enhance their experience and put a personal stamp on a room," Kolls says.



Flexible design

Baby boomers are the first generation to collectively fight aging. These individuals are caring for their parents, their children, and even their grandchildren, all while making plans for their own future. Boomers want to spend the rest of their lives in their own home and they're looking for universally designed products to help them do just that. In the bath, boomers are incorporating ADA-compliant products, like new Weymouth lever-handle faucets and custom showering options from Moen. The Weymouth collection brings elaborate, traditional styling to the bath, plus reliable, nearly effortless operation for individuals of all ages and abilities.



In addition to more accessible everyday items, homes with several generations under one roof are also utilizing technology to help keep all members of the family safe and well. In fact, according to Kolls, wireless home health monitoring technologies are expected to grow by $4.4 billion by next year. Smart mirrors that can monitor day-to-day health, including changes in appearance, plus alerts that report whether an aging parent has commenced his or her daily routine, are just a couple of examples of how technology is bringing additional security and flexibility to the lives of caregivers.



Today's home may have a smaller footprint, but it is much more personal and memorable than houses of the past. Families are spending more time in the home and incorporating multiple generations under one roof, which makes for richer design - and even richer experiences - than ever before.

Tips for the perfect summer evening in

Sometimes, after a long week at work or a vacation road trip, all you want to do is unwind in the comfort of your own home. -What's better than dressing down in those yoga pants, kicking back and reveling in some "me-time"?



You don't have to go out and spend half your paycheck to have a good time - some of the best summer nights are spent at home with a glass of wine, delicious snacks and a comfy couch. The perfect summer night can be as easy as taking the night off to relax and recharge with some good food and stress-free activities.



Here are some easy ideas to consider this summer:



* Treat yourself to a DIY spa night. Summer calls for bursts of color, from soft pastels to glowing neons, especially on your nails. Whip out your favorite nail polish colors, and turn your living room into a spa to complete your summer look. Flip through your favorite gossip magazines while your nails dry, or even make a homemade facial mask for the full spa experience at little to no cost.



* Summer movie marathon. One of the best ways to end a busy week is to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie or two. The newest blockbusters are exciting, but try revisiting some of your chick flick favorites. Settle in for the night and watch a variety of movies to keep you crying, laughing and shrieking - you'll be surprised how classics still resonate no matter how many times you've already seen them!



* Mix savory and sweet. No night in is complete without summer refreshments, so pair your favorite savory snack with a sweet finish. To spice it up, think outside of the box with snack favorites like Lay's Classic potato chips drizzled with chocolate or caramel; or a glass of crisp white wine with Lay's Wavy Garlic & Sea Salt flavored potato chips. Check out the-Frito-Lay website-for more fun snack ideas.-



* Do something crafty. You may "pin" those creative projects you are eager to try, but never seem to get around to execution. Stop by the craft store and pick up everything needed to complete that one special idea you've wanted to try. Perfect or not, it's always exciting to try something new - and if it turns out well, brag to all of your friends about it on Instagram!



Summer can feel crazy with work and travel, but try to make time each week for some downtime fun. So whether you invite a close girlfriend over (or just go it alone), be sure to bask in the moment and enjoy a perfect summer night in.

Five smart steps to maximize bathroom space

In spite of its heavy use, bathrooms are often some of the smallest areas in a home. Cross tight square footage with limited storage, and it quickly becomes cluttered and cramped - far from a pleasant place to start and end each day. Adding function doesn't require changing your bathroom's footprint. To maximize your bathroom storage and make it work best for you, consider these design and organizational tips.



Tip 1: Install a floating vanity

A big trend in small bathroom design is the floating vanity; its wall-mount installation leaves floor space below open and uninterrupted, which tricks the human eye into reading the space as larger than it actually is. Floating vanities come in a variety of materials and designs that offer plenty of counter top space and storage solutions.



Tip 2: Make your mirror work harder

Is your bathroom sporting an old bulky medicine cabinet? Replace it with a smarter option designed with innovative storage that makes life easier. Robern, the industry leader in bathroom storage and grooming, recently introduced the R3 Series Mirrored Cabinets, a perfect solution for DIY-ers looking for a fast, affordable fix. The 1-inch flange around the cabinet's perimeter covers imperfections, eliminating the hassle of re-tiling or re-plastering, making it a project you can easily complete in a day.



Tip 3: Use hidden space to your advantage

In a small bathroom it might be hard to imagine where you might find even an inch of extra space, but there's one secret area you can access and use to your advantage. If you have a blank wall, the space between the studs offers a plethora of potential storage space. You can build shelves directly between the studs, which adds lots of extra space for items like washcloths and toiletries, all within the existing footprint.



Tip 4: Get wired for modern practicality

Your morning routine charges you for the day ahead, so make sure items like electric razors and toothbrushes are fully charged, too. Cabinets equipped with outletskeep personal care items fully juiced and concealed, leaving counter tops and sink surfaces clutter-free for a clean and organized space both you and guests to enjoy.



Tip 5: Revamp the storage drawer

Vanity drawers in disarray steal precious time from your morning and evening routine. First step to function: Purge. Toss old or unused cosmetics, personal supplies, grooming tools or other items you don't use. Next, reorganize with inserts that transform drawers into organizational powerhouses. Look for inserts that will streamline how you use your bathroom, such as options with different sized compartments or even one made specifically for your hair dryer.

Take steps to protect your home and family during severe summer weather

(BPT) - The warm summer brings about plenty of fun in the sun with picnics, camping and backyard parties. However, these months can produce severe weather, from tornadoes to hurricanes. In addition to planning fun outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer heat, Americans should also prepare their homes for the worst that Mother Nature can bring.



Recent weather events like Superstorm Sandy along the East Coast and the tornadoes in Oklahoma have heightened awareness about emergency preparedness and the importance of having reliable backup power. Severe summer storms can strike at any moment anywhere in the U.S., so it's important for all homeowners to develop an emergency plan now, before the next big storm hits. Here are a few tips to help people protect their homes, belongings and families during severe weather events.



* Consider emergency backup power - During Superstorm Sandy, more than 8 million homes lost power up and down the East Coast and in states as far west as Michigan. Power lines are easily damaged by high winds, heavy rains and even lightning. A permanent standby generator is often viewed as the best option for homeowners to maintain power during and after severe weather, because it provides automatic, whole-home power during extended outages.



"When the power goes out, it completely changes the way you live," says Ed Del Grande, a master contractor, syndicated home improvement columnist and host on the DIY network. "A standby generator can power an entire home during an outage, which means your life continues uninterrupted. This is particularly important for homes with small children, the elderly or home-based businesses."



A standby generator is recommended by most professionals because it turns on automatically when power is lost from the utility and is permanently connected to the home like a central air conditioning unit. Because of this, homeowners do not need to be home to turn the generator on or have to go out into severe weather to set it up. The unit also connects to existing fuel lines in the home, running on propane or natural gas, and can power the entire home, including essential items like air conditioning, lights, refrigerators and freezers, security systems, electronic devices and more.



To learn more about standby power, visit KohlerGenerators.com to view educational videos and access a sizing calculator to determine what kind of a standby generator is needed for your home.



* Establish an emergency plan - Involve the entire family in your emergency plan, which should include details about the safest room in the home during severe weather, evacuation routes from the home and a predetermined meeting place in case your family gets separated during an evacuation.



As part of this plan, create a storm kit for your home and keep it replenished all summer long. To start a kit, get a plastic bucket or backpack and fill it with emergency supplies - water, first aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries, a radio, nonperishable food and cash. In addition, scan all of your important paperwork, like financial documents, insurance papers and birth certificates, and save them to a USB drive or CD. Once your storm kit is assembled, store it in a secure location in the home where all family members can access it. For more information and suggestions for building a storm kit, visit www.GreatHurricaneBlowout.org.



* Stay informed - During the summer, stay tuned to local weather forecasters when threatening weather is on the horizon and follow directions provided by local emergency officials to help keep your family and your home as secure as possible. Invest in a weather radio that alerts you and your family of potentially dangerous weather in your area. This is especially important when severe weather strikes in the middle of the night.