Home Improvement Articles

Home » Home Improvement | By Corbin Newlyn @ Friday, 16th May 2008 @ 11:03 PM

Solar water heaters are comprised of a primary collector that accumulates solar energy and a storage tank that is insulated that collects hot water. Depending on the system that the collector uses, the solar water heater might be one of two different kinds that is based on either Flat Plate Collectors or based on Evacuated Tube Collectors. Two Primary Types The Flat Plate Collector solar water heater permits solar radiation to be assimilated by the flat plate collectors that are co... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Dave Joa @ Friday, 16th May 2008 @ 4:01 AM

Solar Lighting can be used in many ways Here are just a few examples of practical applications for outdoor solar lighting: Solar Accent Lights For specialist use in the yard or garden these are designed for accent lighting along the edges of driveways, walkways, paths and entrances to homes, garages and other buildings. They can also be used to enhance any other features which you want to illuminate within your garden. Solar Lanterns Typically these solar light... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Corbin Newlyn @ Wednesday, 14th May 2008 @ 12:40 AM

In terms of water heaters, there are quite frequently a large debates for which one of the two are the better type; the electric water heater or it's competitor the gas water heater. From among the two, you will find both differences as well as similarities, and also both pros as well as cons. In the end, what it boils down to is which kind of hot water heater an individual prefers since both the electric hot water heater as well as the gas water heater carry out the a very similar function... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Tuesday, 13th May 2008 @ 11:51 AM

Exterior paintwork may not sound as exciting as decorating a room, but it'll give your house a new lease of life. And until the neighbours join the bandwagon you'll be the proud owner of the smartest house on the street. Summer time is the right time to get the work done - the job won't get rained off and your painters won't be miserable and shivering. Straight afterwards you can fill some window boxes and really show off your home's fantastic new facade. E... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Lee Starusta @ Saturday, 10th May 2008 @ 4:34 PM

If you're like me, you've been sitting around the house all winter keeping a mental list of the home improvement projects you want to start. Now that spring is here, it's time to get started. Not only will home improvements beautify your daily surroundings, they also add to the resale value of your home. So, there's no time like the present to pull out a paintbrush or two and start making home improvements. The easiest and least expensive way to dramatically improve bo... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Wednesday, 7th May 2008 @ 9:21 AM

"Don't move; improve" is the new mantra of the property sector. Mortgages are more difficult to come by and house prices may be teetering on the edge of collapse. And with high stamp duty thrown in to the bargain, it really does make sense to make the most of what you've already got. There are all sorts of improvements that can be made - loft conversions, cellar conversions, extensions and new kitchens and bathrooms. But there are smaller projects too, some of which star... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Anna Stenning @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 10:59 AM

People are becoming more eco-friendly. Local councils have instigated a recycling policy for all households in specific areas to practise and implement in the daily running of their home. One of the key elements on becoming more energy efficient is the heating system of your home. Many homes in the UK use radiant heating, which in this day and age has proven to waste more heat than conserve. More public buildings and homes have taken the initiative to approach underfloor heating speciali... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 9:36 PM

Windows are all about both appearance and function. On the outside they help define the character of a building and on the inside they let in light according to their size and aspect. So windows have a dual purpose and dual settings too. And getting it right both inside and out and in terms of what works well and what looks right is an interesting challenge. If you're considering changes to your windows then take time to assess what you'd like your window fitter to achi... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 9:13 PM

Much is written about interiors - doing up kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms to increase the value of your home. But what can a good builder do to improve the appearance of the outside? The front of your house is the first thing visitors see so it makes sense to give a good impression from the start. First and foremost deal with any structural and surface problems. If you have any concerns about damp, settlement cracks, brickwork or old render get your builder to fix these first. Simil... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Giovanni Rueda @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 8:43 PM

Earthquakes, fires, floods, tornados...all God's way of reminding us that we live on an Earth that's alive and dynamic. But for us homeowners, natural disasters can be (at the minimum) severe on our finances. This is why we always need to be aware of our surroundings, protect as much as we can, and follow the best process of damage control in case things do happen. While any natural occurance can be costly, there's perhaps none more destructive than hail damage. It'... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 8:22 PM

Fluorescent lights no longer provide just a dull flicker. Yes they are the environmental alternative to incandescent light bulbs, but they can also be funky and are a favourite of modern designers. So why are they a good environmental choice, and what's so cool about them? Any electrician will tell you that fluorescent lights tend to last four to ten times as long as incandescent (filament) light bulbs and use approximately 20% of the energy. The trouble with incandescent light bulbs... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 5:46 PM

Want to hear some great news? It's more environmentally friendly to use a dishwasher than wash dishes by hand! So throw out those marigolds, get the plumber in, install a dishwasher and get ready for more "me time". Recent research, approved by the University of Bonn in Germany claims that the average household does two to three hand washes a day. Including rinsing this uses around 60 litres of water daily. A good modern dishwasher uses only 12 litres per wash (some manufactu... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 5:01 PM

Choosing windows is no straight forward task. There are so many styles, types of frames and glass to choose from, so here's a quick guide so you know what window fitters can offer. Firstly, there are eight basic types of window. Box sash windows are common in period homes. The windows are divided vertically in two and are corded. Either both windows (top and bottom) can run along the cord and be opened, or sometimes just the bottom half can be opened. Sash windows which allow... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 4:55 PM

It's always exciting to get a craftsman in to do something special to your house. The choice is endless but one area where craftsmen can do work to stunning effect is glass. Of course most glass in your home needs to be clear and without pattern. Windows in particular need to let in light and give you a clear view. But sometimes privacy or even frivolity calls for something different. The simplest way to make a glass window more private is to have it frosted. This can be done with a ... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By India Cooper @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 4:51 PM

Isn't a new kitchen every home owner's dream? Designing a kitchen from scratch is a great opportunity, but it can be a daunting one. Where do you start? What are your priorities? Who else do you need to consider? Traditionally, kitchens were a utilitarian space where food was prepared behind closed doors before being presented in another room dedicated solely to eating. But things have changed. Now the whole gastronomic experience takes place in one setting. The kitchen is the ... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Ki Gray @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 4:22 PM

One of the most timely and costly home improvement projects any homeowner can take on is a kitchen makeover. Whether a homeowner desperately needs a kitchen revamp, or is tired of the dated look of the kitchen, there are several options to freshen up the area. The easiest fix for a sparkling new(ish) kitchen is a good thorough cleaning. Over years of use, kitchen cabinets take on food, heat, and grease that tends to build up. Though it might seem simpler to leave cabinet doors attached... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Annie Costa @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 3:42 PM

There is truly no concern for alarm about the potential of lead leaching out of artificial turf yarn fibers, either now or in the future - however - sometimes a person (or a group, association or agency), just has to know themselves, right? Available studies, reports and industry statements are available on the Association of Synthetic Grass Installers (ASGi) website and you can go there from the link below. Other industry groups and resources are also available at the site, along with se... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Annie Costa @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 3:38 PM

Reported in several east coast news providers, a school in a mature neighborhood, located next to an iron works plant, had to have their artificial turf surface removed because it appeared to have been contaminated by lead. The field's surfaces, built in the early days of artificial grass technology, were examined and fibers tested positive for high levels of surface contamination though no one can conclude where these kinds of results would come from. The specific field tha... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By Annie Costa @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 3:19 PM

The report's author John Nash, Managing Director of AMI Research, says that 'Soccer and residential landscaping applications were the hot spots in 2007, but strong demand was enjoyed in most regions of the world and in most applications for artificial grass'. While many will remember the fields they played on as kids and think artificial turf is a niche market, today's reality is quite different. Gone are the hard surfaces that caused friction burns and impact injuries... more...

Home » Home Improvement | By jonathan zemeckis @ Friday, 25th April 2008 @ 12:21 AM

If you have ever signed a contract for a home remodel, then you know how frustrating it can be when working with a general contractor and his entire team of subcontractors. As a former contractor in the Los Angeles area, I know exactly what you are up against when you hire a builder to work on your house. The contractor ultimately wants to turn a profit while the homeowner wants his or her house built or remodeled exactly as they want. Both parties want something but ultimately the homeo... more...