Plan for Winter Plantings
August 31, 2008
Part four in a series
It’s hard to think about winter when our gardens are in full bloom and the vegetables are ripening on the vine! But we must keep winter in mind when we are planning our landscape. Afterall, we have to look at our landscape all year long, including winter. (Unless, of course, you are fortunate enough to be able to move to warmer climates in the winter or live in a climate that is tropical all year long!) But for most of us, we have to contend with four seasons and the life cycle of our landscape.
So when you are planning your landscape, keep in mind this life cycle of the plants you choose to add to your landscape design. Some plants, like flowering trees and shrubs look their best in Spring, others reach their full beauty in Summer, others still attain stunning and vibrant color in the Autumn, and yet, some evergreens look beautiful in the Winter, offset by a striking snow-covered landscape.
Installing Windows in New Construction
August 31, 2008
Installing Windows in New Construction
by: Mike Merisko
Installing a window in a freshly framed opening is one of the more simple tasks in a construction project.
Most new construction windows have what is called a nailing fin. These are found on vinyl or aluminum clad windows. This nailing fin is either vinyl or metal and has nail holes every 4 to 6 inches and about 1 and 1/2 inches wide. Nailing fins take the place of brick moulding which can still be found on primed wooden windows.
Not only do these fins make installation easier, but also make a better seal against water and air infiltration. These windows can be flashed if desired but not deemed necessary. A window that does not have the benefit of a soffit or porch roof above it may need flashing or a drip edge above it.
When getting ready to install a window, make sure the sheathing is not hanging into the rough opening. This could cut down the size of the opening and not let the window go into the opening. Once this is done, measure the rough opening to make sure the it is big enough for the window. You don’t want to lift a heavy window to an opening only to find it won’t fit. Rough openings are usually 1″ wider and 1/2″ taller than the window unit. Rough openings are spect and provided by the window manufacturer.
Home Loans For People With Bad Credit - When you Should Wait and When You Should Get a Home Loan
August 31, 2008
Home loans may seem like a bad idea for people with bad credit, but there are times when a home loan can help your credit score and your budget. To know if a home loan is best for you, consider factors such as your current financial situation, current rent payment, and future goals.
Raising Your Credit Score
Home loans build up your credit score when you make regular payments. Unlike credit cards or short-term loans, a home loan shows your long-term responsibility. With a higher credit score, you can then refinance your mortgage for a lower interest rate.
However, if your financial situation is currently shaky, it is better to wait to apply for a home loan. You don’t want to risk a lower credit score with missed payments. A better idea is to pay off short-term debt and save for a down payment on a house.
Building Equity
With your own home, your monthly payments are investments in your home. Through mortgage payments, rising real estate prices, and sweat equity, you can watch the value of your home rise. If you are paying rent, you are building equity for the landlord, not yourself. The better financial choice is to buy your own home or condo rather than pay rent.
Tips to Build an Energy-Efficient Home
August 31, 2008
Tips to Build an Energy-Efficient Home
by: Ricky Domalewska
Building an Energy Efficient Home
With energy costs rising and concern for the environment, more and more people are expressing an interest in building energy efficient homes. Not only are the effects positive from an environmental standpoint, but they can also positively affect the wallet, saving money in heating and cooling costs. By following a few guidelines in building and landscaping, you can have an energy efficient home.
Tight construction tightens the air penetration from home exterior and in the process improves the energy efficiency of the home. Tighter construction ensures that the air gaps, generally caused during framing are enveloped well by air sealing. This also improves the home air quality since the polluted outside air will not be able to affect the cleaner inside air. Thus, cooling in winter and heating in summer is aptly prevented.
Make use of improved insulation to stop heat transfer through the home. If insulation, that is free of crimping, gaps, and compression is carefully installed it can help keep warm air inside during winter months and cool air inside during the summer. This way you will have much less need of the heater or air conditioner because your house will retain the desired temperature. It will save you money in energy costs.
How To Install A Prehung Door
August 30, 2008
How To Install A Prehung Door
by: Mike
Hanging a door these days is easier than its ever been. In the days before prehung doors, it took more tools and knowledge to hang a door than it does now.
Imagine getting a door slab, an unassembled door jamb, hinges and door hardware and having to do all the mortising, drilling, rabbeting on site.
No longer do you need an array of tools such as a drill, a mortising jig for hinges, strikes, and bolt plate. No jig for drilling the backset for the doorknob and bolt.
Nowadays all you need is a hammer and hard trim nails or a finish nail gun and some shims.
The first thing you need to do is check the opening you’ll be hanging the door in for the correct size. It should be 2″ bigger than the door size. Even though it’s a rough opening it should be reasonably plumb and square.
If the opening was framed by someone else, you may want to break out your level and framing square and check this also. Drywallers sometimes believe the rough opening was meant for them and will let the drywall run into the opening. If this is the case use a drywall saw or sawzall to cut it back.
Designer Shower Curtains
August 30, 2008
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make over your bathroom, consider buying a new shower curtain. Shower curtains are available in a variety of styles, materials, and prices. Shower curtains can be whimsical, floral, traditional, or a host of other styles. And, of course, they can be designer.
Many of the big-name designers have taken part in shower curtain designs. Liz Claiborne, for example, offers a Cable Knit shower curtain in Ivory or Aloe. If you decide to have a Liz Claiborne master suite or guest room, matching accessories include duvet covers, towels, shams, wastebasket, lotion pump, and more.
Nautica offers a sophisticated shower curtain in classic colors. It is offered with matching sheets, duvet, and bed skirts.
Regent also offers shower curtains. Their embroidered shower curtain is multi-colored and offers many matching accessories, including wastebasket, lotion pump, tissue box, towels, toothbrush holder, soap dish, and tumbler.
Eddie Bauer offers a nice selection of shower curtains, including a denim curtain. They also offer towels and robes in coordinating colors.
Tommy Hilfiger has also entered the home décor arena. Their shower curtains have a retail price of $90. Hilfiger also offers many color-coordinated accessories like towels, lotion pump, wastebasket, soap dish, and tumbler.
5 Steps To A Better Lawn And Garden
August 30, 2008
5 Steps To A Better Lawn And Garden
by: George Chapman
If you’re lucky enough to have a lawn with a good topsoil base, much of the hard work of keeping a lawn beautiful is already done for you. But many of us do not have this luxury, and besides, even with a good topsoil base, you still have to work hard to keep a beautiful lawn and garden.
1. The best time to mow a lawn is when it is cool and dry. Wait for the morning dew to dry off, and before the afternoon heat takes hold. Alternatively, late afternoon or early evening following a watering in the morning is also a good time.
2. A hedge is a much better boundary divider than a fence. It will provide better privacy and keep pets and children in - or out. It will attract birds to its shelter, and provide a great backdrop for plants and flowers.
3. Bring the beauty of your garden to you; plant hyacinths near walkways and doors. Their magnificent perfume will swamp the spring air and make your garden really come alive.
Pigeon Forge Cabins
August 30, 2008
Pigeon Forge is rapidly becoming one of the major tourist destinations in the South. Located in eastern Tennessee within walking distance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is an ideal destination for a fun family vacation.
The cabins in Pigeon Forge provide a fun and unique lodging experience. In the 1930’s residents lived in stone cabins along the bank of the Little Pigeon River. Now, there are a wide variety of cabins and other lodgings to choose from, starting with simple, traditional log cabins, to chalets, modern condominiums, and hotels. Numerous beautiful campgrounds are available for travelers who would like to be as close as possible to the great outdoors. Families of any size can find the perfect accommodations for their trip.
There are countless attractions in Pigeon Forge. The city is home to a number of theatres featuring family-themed music and fun. Restaurants ranging from unique locally owned diners to fast food to elaborately themed eateries provide hungry visitors with a number of dining options. Shopping is another major attraction in Pigeon Forge. The city is home to several outlet malls featuring over 200 stores as well as a huge number of smaller shops selling homemade arts, crafts, and souvenirs. World famous county singer Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood is also located in Pigeon Forge.
Layer Your Plantings
August 29, 2008
Part three in a series
In our last article, we helped you layout your new landscape. In this article we’ll explore which plants to put where and what makes an effective landscape.
If you think of your landscape as a stage, you can easily imagine the basics of layout. On a stage, you have a nice background or backdrop in the back. The backdrop is usually large and fills your entire view. In front of the backdrop, you have some smaller items that set the scene. These may be small pieces of furniture. And then in the very front you have your actors?your stars. They take the front and center to get the most attention. So, looking from back to front, you have your backdrop, your accent pieces, and finally your stars.
Laying out a good landscape uses the same principles: we start with a backdrop in the very back, then we add some accents, then finally, our stars!
The Backdrop
Mortgage Loans For People With Adverse Credit - How Much Should You Borrow
August 29, 2008
"How much should you borrow?" is a question people with adverse credit wrestle with. The answer is simply as much as you can afford. This is probably less than what you will qualify to borrow from a mortgage lender. To determine what you can afford, factor the mortgage payment and other home costs into your budget.
Cost Of A Mortgage
Your mortgage payment is not just the loan payment; it also includes real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and private mortgage insurance premium if you borrow more than 80% of the home’s value. These three items often add several hundred dollars to your monthly payment.
Cost Of A Home
Unlike renting, you will be responsible for utility payments for your home. Home utilities are usually higher than an apartment since you have more area to heat and usually a lawn to water. You will also need to plan on making unexpected home repairs. This can include fixing a leaky faucet, replacing appliances, or remodeling.
Plan A Budget
