The world we live in today can be a scary and dangerous place. Your home is the one place where you should always feel safe and secure. For that feeling of safety and security many people take steps to protect their homes and their families by installing various security devices. One simple and low cost way to get some peace of mind is to install window bars.

Window bars are exactly what they sound like, a set of bars in the window frame to help keep intruders out. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Many sets of window bars available on the market today have a locking mechanism so that intruders can’t get in but you can unlock it if you need to get out through that window in case of an emergency. Window bars are also a good thing to have if you have small children. These bars allow you to have the window open without worrying about a child falling out of the window.

The downside to window bars are that many don’t have any easy to use release mechanism. If there is a fire or some other emergency it may not always be easy to find a key to unlock the bars and the bars would then blocked a potential escape route. In the case of a fire, the bars could possibly block an entry point for firefighters.

If you do choose to use window bars for home security, look for an option that does have an easy quick release mechanism. Preferably a release mechanism that would be easy to use in an emergency and yet something that a child would not be able to release themselves.

Home security window bars may be an inexpensive option but should only be one part of a larger home security plan. To protect your home and your family you should include other components as well such as outdoor lights turned on by motion detectors and possibly a burglar alarm system. There are many things that you can do to protect your home and family and there are a lot of inexpensive home security options available today. A thief is always going to look for the easiest target so anything you can do to make your house more difficult to break into will make your house that much less appealing to a potential thief and they are more likely to move onto an easier target.

Antiques are sought for their mature beauty and the elegance they bring to a room. The antique trend that exists in the world of home design has even influenced floor lamps. Manufacturers create designs to mimic the sometimes flowery or ornate styles of antique furniture to provide fixtures to match the various types of antique home décor.

Many of these so-called antique lamps have a gilded base and ornate cloth or stained-glass lampshades. Sometimes, the word “antique” is used simply to describe a hue in the finish. Antique brass is a popular finish in floor lamps. In truth, these are simply reproduction lamps. True antique floor lamps are much harder to find and are substantially more expensive, depending on their history and design. In fact, some French antique lamps sell at auctions for thousands of dollars.

A popular antique floor lamp restoration technique is to replace the electrical workings with contemporary parts to make these lamps safer and more functional. Converting a vintage floor lamp into a halogen or a compressed fluorescent floor lamp combines the benefits of modern lighting technology with the beauty of antique design.

Antique floor lamps are rarely chosen for their light – they really are more aesthetic than functional. A vintage floor lamp pleases the eye and accentuates much of the furniture around it. Brass trim in a floor lamp’s base can call attention to the brass handles of a nearby chest. The carved wood of a maple floor lamp adds to a room’s warm tones and blends in with the rest of the dark wood furniture.

A piece of furniture can be effectively used in design, and floor lamps are no different. Selecting an antique or a reproduction floor lamp has the potential to bring the style in a room together. Choose these lamps if you have lots of brass detailing or a consistent theme of dark wood and warm fabric tones in your furniture.

Do you know that there are many ways to make the interior ceiling and walls of your home look sparkling and beautiful? You can do wonders and tricks to these important parts of your house by simply applying the right kind of textures and you can be sure they will look great!

While interior ceiling and walls are only some of the many parts of the house, their feature and appearance also add up to the overall attraction and appeal of the house.

Here is your guide to make a good quality ceiling and wall texture that could transform your old fashioned home to an extra ordinary and classy one. First of all, prepare the following:

1. Select from the variation of textures ranging from a thick, medium and thin set.

2. Get the ceiling or wall measurement that you want to have textured.

3. Buy enough texture supplies like a joint compound, a trowel and a basin with the right size to mix the joint compound and primer.

4. Use large plastic or paper sheets on the floor to hold the mess, and tape the edges to make them firm.

5. Remove the stains in the ceiling or walls and cover bigger cracks with a tape which you can texture later.

Getting Started on the Job

Make sure that you have purchased and prepared all the necessary materials for texturing process and they are available on hand for easy access. Now, you are ready to do the job:

· Start rolling the water-based primer over the ceiling or walls until they are completely dry.

· While you are waiting for the primer to dry up, experiment on a piece of wood or cardboard the kind of texture you want. You will find out that thru practicing your strokes, you would be able to make an even and uniform texture.

· When the primer is dry, you can begin dipping the trowel into the bucket of joint compound and apply it on the ceiling/wall.

· Spread the compound evenly by repeated strokes of the trowel in a fanning movement. As you put more pressure, the texture will become thinner and finer. Use the same procedure all over the area covered to get the uniform texture.

· Do not paint if the texture is still wet. You will know that it has dried up if it becomes chalky.

There are two most popular and widely used types of texturing. They are:

· Orange peel or knock down

This process involves the spraying of thinned drywall compound onto the ceiling or wall. The end result is a rough texture which is similar to the skin of an orange.

· Knock-down or the skip trowel

This is done by spraying spots of thinned drywall compound onto the area. When the spots have stuck, they can become finer by flattening the tops of larger spots. This process produces small, flat and smooth areas within the texture.

When the job is accomplished, you can see a lovely new finish of your interior ceiling and wall textured with the finest sensitivity of your own hands, a product of your discriminating taste. Job well done!

The bathroom is the most private room in the house. You can relax by taking a shower, and let your mind roam free to generate great ideas. Why not turn it into a room where you can relax and pamper yourself?

Why after the local spas or other rejuvenation treatments for a steam bath, when you can have one in your own home? If you are building a new home or remodeling an old one, all you have to do is install a residential steam shower in your bathroom. The installation of this steam-generation unit is easy. It requires moderate plumbing and electrical skills, and the ability to follow directions. These showers have adjustable temperatures and are available as entire units; they even come with multiple shower heads.

There are a few things to be considered when you install a steam shower at your place. First and foremost is that shower-enclosure walls and ceilings must be covered entirely with water-resistant materials, such as ceramic tile or stone. Another requirement is that the door should be designed in such a way that it reaches to the top and has a sealed frame to keep the steam in. The shower can also have an on/off switch on a timer, or can even have a thermostat to maintain a steadily steamy environment. An existing shower can be converted into a residential steam shower with the help of a residential steam generator.

With these steam showers, bathrooms are a far cry from the very utilitarian rooms we used to have; they also add aesthetic value to your home. So step into your personal steam room and turn your master suite into your private spa, where you can indulge in the refreshing and exalting warmth of steam.

Steam trains were the first mechanical form of transport which first hit the United States soon after the civil war. These amazing machines were are turnaround for people everywhere making it so much easier for people to travel as well as making it easier to ship goods and services across the country.

Most people are aware of the train’s history and the significance of the train and how it has helped build today’s society. Know body is more interested about the steam trains history than railway enthusiasts and model steam train collectors.

Trains were traditionally powered by coal, the kinetic energy created after burning the coal powered the trains forward. This was a very simple design that was used in hundreds of trains, some of which are still in use today.

After the steam train dominated travel for such a long time the much faster, much cheaper electric train was introduced and today has almost replaced the traditional steam trains. These trains continue to be very cheap to run and much faster than old traditional trains. The old steam trains were replaced and much of our history was lost forever.

There were so many people who were sad to see the steam trains go. People soon began building and buying model steam trains. Today these are very popular and model train collecting is a hobby that lots of people are very passionate about.

Many of these model steam trains are exact replicas of those that were used all those years ago. Model steam train collectors spend hours and hours making sure that there model trains are exact replicas – it is amazing the amount of time these collectors spend making sure there model steam trains are perfect!

Classic steam trains look very stylish and this can be seen in most model steam train collections, books as well as images online. Some of these trains are fascinating and are a job to look at. The traditional trains are ideally what you are looking to buy, the main parts of these trains are the wheels, firebox, cab and also the chimney. They are also usually black or green in color.

Model steam trains can be expensive to buy from specialist stores however there are other options such as discount stores and online shops where you can also browse and buy model trains. I highly recommend that you don’t spend a lot of money right away buying the model train of your dreams.

You may not be too keen about the thought of adding a vinyl shutter to your home and that is understandable. Most people still have the idea that they are only found on old home and they are in vivid greens or reds against a white colored home. However there are plenty of beautiful vinyl shutter options available now. They come in various colors and they can be used both inside and outside of your home.

The type of vinyl shutter you want to purchase depends on where you intend to put them. If you want them on the inside of your home you should consider going with a bamboo type of vinyl shutter. They work amazing if you have French doors or patio doors because it can dramatically transform the look of any room in your home.

The basic white vinyl shutter is very popular because it blends well with most anything. They work very well in the kitchen or a bedroom. If you already have a color scheme in place the white works very well. You also have plenty of options for exterior shutters.

You will find vinyl shutters for the exterior of your home are very durable. They hold up well to the weather and they can transform the look of your home. You may want to select a neutral color so that they will match the décor of your home. There are beautiful vinyl shutters offered with a wood grain look. They will look like real wood but they won’t be damaged by the sun or the rain.

Take a look around and you will find plenty of vinyl shutter options that that can dress up the look of your home. You can find out what is available by looking online or at your local window treatment center. If you contact them for a free consultation they may be able to bring them to your home before you commit to buying them.

In this article ” how to tile a shower” the intention is to provide you with 10 easy steps to follow if you’re planning to tile your shower. DIY at home can be very rewarding, but can also be incredibly frustrating if you get it wrong. As well as being frustrating it can also end up costing you money if you then have to call in a professional to finish the job. When learning how to tile a shower there are 10 steps you should try to follow. Here they are.

Assuming that you are replacing an existing shower, remove all of the previous tiles, adhesive and backing board. Strip everything back to the bare walls/stud and if you are replacing your shower pan remove the old one now.

When you have stripped everything right back the first thing you need to do is install a vapor barrier. A vapour barrier is typically a material that is made of a plastic or foil sheet that resists the diffusion of moisture through a wall. Vapour barriers have a varying degrees of permeability and it is best to use an impermeable one, rated (< perm).

Next, you need to erect your cement backer board. Cut it to the required size and screw it to the studs, leaving a 1/8 gap where the panels meet. Make sure you cut holes to allow for your shower head and safety handles. Where the cement board meets the shower pan seal with a waterproof silicone.

Starting at the bottom measure on the backer board the height of one tile. Remember that this first row of tile has to overlap the tile lip on the shower pan. Mark the backer board at the top of this tile right around the shower. This mark is where your first row of tile will finish and serves to keep everything else level.

The next thing to remember when learning how to tile a shower is to mix just enough thinset to apply to your bottom row of tile.

You now need to moisten the back board. The reason for doing this is to ensure that the board does not draw too much moisture out of the thinset. If that were to happen the thinset could crack. Use a sponge to moisten it.

Using a notched trowel apply the thinset to the backer board and set your tile into it. Do not slide the tile but twist it slightly as you push it into the thinset. Check that the thinset has applied to the back of the tile by removing it and having a look. Then reapply the tile and set the remainder of the bottom row, making sure to use tile spacers between tiles to keep each tile equidistant. For best results you should let the bottom row set for 24 hours.

When they have set continue on with each subsequent row until you reach the top of the shower stall. When learning how to tile a shower only apply the thinset to the row that you are currently working on and remember to use your tile spacers at the corner of each tile.

When you have all the the tiles applied let everything is set for 48 hours.

Finally you now want to grout your tile. Mix your grout according to the instructions on the packet and used a sponge float to apply. Make sure all of the joints are filled with grout. After about 40 minutes wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge in circular motions. You will need to repeat this several times until the tile is clean. Let the grout set for 24 to 48 hours before applying any sort of sealer.

Anyone who has a family member that suffers from a physical disability knows that showering is one of the major tasks of the day. It takes me about 1.5 hours each day to get my partner ready in the mornings. The majority of this time is spent in the shower.

I sat down and calculated this time out last week and to my amazement I will spend 23 full days in the shower in the next 12 months.

Well that really motivated me to carefully consider the design of the showers in our new house. The house is being renovated using the principals of Universal Design so that it is suitable for both able bodied and disabled people. The principals of Universal Design are:

• Principle 1:
  Equitable Use – The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
• Principle 2:
  Flexibility in Use – The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
• Principle 3:
  Simple and Intuitive Use.Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
• Principle 4:
  Perceptible Information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions of the user’s sensory abilities.
• Principle 5:
  Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
• Principle 6:
  Low Physical Effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
• Principle 7:
  Size and Space for Approach and Use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

So using these principals we put some thought into designing the ideal shower that is going to save time and reduce effort. Here is the checklist that we developed:

Size – The shower needs to be larger than normal. It needs to accommodate a shower chair with plenty of room so an aid can circulate without having to be a contortionist. A double shower is ideal.

Floor – The floor needs to be non slip when dry and wet.

Drainage – Gutter drains are better than central drains. A gutter drain allows you to have the fall on the shower floor to fall only one way rather than two. The advantage of this is that a shower chair will sit on a floor with a one way fall without wobbling.

Approach – The approach to the shower should have no sill and there should be clear delineation between what is shower and what is bathroom.

Shower head – The shower should have both a fixed head and a hand held components.

Shelves – You can never have enough shelves for towels. Make sure they are within easy reach of the shower. Heated towel rails can save days of washing in the average year.

Doors – None is best. You can design a shower that does not need doors or curtains.

Faucet – A single mixing faucet is best. This can be operated with one hand.

Thermostat – Make sure your hot water system has a safety thermostat installed to avoid any nasty accidents.

Easy clean - Talc’s , creams and lotions can make areal mess. Being able to wash or hose down the entire bathroom floor is a real time saver.

Designing our new shower to incorporate these features will not only save me days a year but make the task of showering more pleasant for all concerned.

Rustic decorating can be a great way to get a comfortable and unique look in your home. While many people are afraid to decorate in a specific theme, you can easily get a great rustic look if you know the right furniture, colors and accessories to use.

Stick with earthy and natural colors – browns, greens and brick reds work well with the rustic theme. You can get paint cards at the local paint store with the different color tones you want for the room. Bring the cards with you when you are shopping for furniture and accessories and be assured that the colors will match.

Picking your accessories and furniture wisely will help hone your rustic look. Choose furniture that has the look of a mountain cabin – perhaps items that are made from rough logs and twigs or tables that are made from slabs of trees with the bark intact. Accessories can be fun to buy and you can scour yard sales and fleas markets for old snowshoes, fishing creels and other cabin accessories to add ambiance to your look.

When you use rustic decorating in your home, you want to pay attention to all the details, not just the accessories. Your window treatments, flooring and lighting is important too and you should choose items that are in keeping with the rustic theme.

Window treatments for the Rustic decorating style should have a natural look You might think about decorating your windows with wood blinds or simple curtains or sheers.

Wall art can be fun to buy for any decorating theme and the rustic one is no exception. Think about using photos of the woods or outdoors in twig or log frames as well as other outdoorsy items that you can hang right on the walls.

Another thing to have in mind is the right lighting. Go for lighting that is earthy with natural themes or made from deer antlers to compliment the rustic decorating scheme.

Flooring is another vital element to any design theme and hardwood floors are ideal for this style but adding area rugs can add warmth and comfor to your home. The type of area rugs you should have for your natural and cozy style is organic, woven or oriental rugs which you ought to purchase in earthy colors.

To finish off your décor, consider adding deer antler lamps and chandeliers about the room or woodsy outdoors prints in wood bark frames as well as taxidermy, snowshoes, and red and black plaid throws to complete your theme.

Rustic decorating for the home can be easy if you spend most of your time planning out what you want in the room and where to put it. Simply purchase the furniture and accessories on your plan and put them in place – your room with have the feeling of a mountain cabin in no time!

Cement & Clay Tile Roofing:

Available in many different shapes and colors, manufactured from clay or concrete, roofing tiles are increasing in popularity as a finished roofing material throughout North America. They bring a rich, elegant and beautiful aesthetic quality to any property and definitely increase the value of any home. More and more builders are using roofing tiles on new construction to enhance and improve the marketability of the property. A tile roof gives instant credibility to the feeling of quality construction and produces an excellent property eye appeal.

The flexibility and creativity in the manufacturing process as lead to a variety of tile shapes textures, and sizes. Some the more popular designs being, rounded, shingle, shake and slate. The manufacturing processes have been so well refined that in may cases tile roofing does not look like tile at all. Spanish mission, rounded, style tiles are very popular in the southern US states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California.

Tile Roofing Drawbacks:

Similar to slate tiles, the primary drawback to concrete or clay tiles are their weight. It is important to verify, with your contractor or a consulting engineer, that the rafters and trusses used to form your roof have the inherent strength to support the load created by clay or concrete tiles. The cost of installing a concrete or clay tile roof is not unlike that of wood shingles. However, tiles have a life expectancy of more than 50 years, are noncombustible, and do not require a lot of maintenance.

When installing any roof the price of the material and installation has to be taken in context with other factors including ongoing maintenance costs, warranty and the value added to the property should you wish to sell. Because it is noncombustible, the concrete or clay tile itself has a Class A fire rating, which provides you and your family with a level of safety that is difficult to put a dollar value to. Some insurance companies will reduce the premium for fire insurance to homes that have clay or concrete tiles installed on their roofs. The installation of concrete or clay tiles should reduce heating and cooling costs, as they are very energy efficient.

Slate Tile:

What is more beautiful or aesthetically pleasing than a natural slate roof? A slate roof is one of the most durable roofing materials available. When properly installed, and maintained, a slate roof will last for hundred’s of years. The specific life of a slate roof is dependent upon a lot of variables and it is wise to discuss your requirements with a local professional installer.

Life Variables:

• type and origin of the slate
• roof style
• climate

Another consideration is the weight of slate tile. Many roofs are not structurally designed to handle the load represented by a slate tile installation. Before committing to the installation of a slate roof, ensure that your rafters and/or trusses have been designed and installed to handle the additional weight.

Considered to be the most stylish and sophisticated roofing materials, slate comes in a wide range of colors, textures and quality levels. Because a slate roof installation requires skilled, professional and experienced roofers (actually an expert slate installer is not a roofer, they are stone masons – craftsmen), slate is not an inexpensive roof covering. In addition, because of the products weight special handling equipment is required and freight charges will add to the cost. You can expect to pay in the order of $100 per square foot or a $1,000 per roofing square.

Because of the high investment made in installing a slate roof, they should be inspected yearly and after major storms. Most companies that supply and install slate roofs offer annual service contracts, which include inspections at regular intervals. If properly maintained and cared for slate roofs have an indefinite life.

If you are considering replacing your current roof with a new slate installation, check the reputation of the contractor you are using and make sure that the slate they will install comes from a reputable high quality quarry. The capabilities of the contractor and the quality of the slate will be the biggest factors in determining the longevity of the roof.

Planning and knowledge are the keys to any successful home improvement, remodel or landscaping project!