If you’re like many homeowners these days, the struggling real estate market may be keeping you in your starter home. If your dreams of moving to a larger or better-appointed house have been put on hold, creative landscaping can help you make the best of a bad situation while putting you in a position to sell quickly when the market improves. Before you dismiss the idea of investing money in an already devalued property, consider these points:
Return on Investment
According to CNN, an initial investment of as little as $500 can significantly increase the resale value of your home. A few carefully chosen and tended plants and trees will mature over time and continue to improve in appearance for years. Dollar for dollar, landscaping is one of most affordable and financially rewarding DIY home improvements available.

Improve Quality of Life
Spring is here with summer well on the way. Why not escape cramped indoor quarters and do more living outdoors? Rediscover why you fell in love with your home in the first place. Attractive plants and trees create a serene environment that is perfect for relaxing with family or entertaining friends.

Create Curb Appeal
Any real estate professional will tell you that first impressions often make the difference between so-so and sold. Homes with eye-catching, quality landscaping look polished and inviting, luring buyers indoors and convincing them to sign on the bottom line.

Once you’ve made the decision to invest in landscaping, follow these simple steps to get started.

1. Find a Look You Love – Consider the overall architectural style of your house as well as your personal taste before making a decision. Maybe you’d prefer a lush suburban oasis, manicured hedges and beds, a palette of evergreens or borders filled with beautiful blooms. Study home and garden magazines for ideas and find plants and trees on nursery websites.

2. Study Up – The success of your project will depend on many factors, including your climate and soil composition and the growth rates of the plants you choose. Annuals provide instant seasonal color but need frequent replacement. One or two mature trees can give your home a finished look without waiting for years. The friendly professionals at your local nursery center are usually happy to answer any questions you might have.

3. Consult a Professional – Hiring a landscape architect will add to your initial investment, but it will also almost certainly improve the results. The key to great landscaping is using plants that work together to create a seamless whole. Your landscape architect will be able to choose plants that complement each other without overpowering the finished look. If you fall in love with something that won’t grow well in your setting, your landscape architect can usually suggest a similar, workable alternative.

Author Bio:
Pat Hogan is a Florida landscaping enthusiast, owner of websites helping homeowners create the perfect home surroundings. Flowering, Fruiting, Shade, Citrus or Palm find the one for you at Orlando trees or Miami trees.

Carrying proper motorcycle insurance is essential before you can ever even think about taking your bike to the road. There are a lot of options to consider when buying motorcycle insurance, so make sure you take the time to go over all the bells and whistles beforehand to make sure that you have all the coverage you need.

Don’t think that just because a motorcycle is smaller you will pay less. Motorcycles are considered high-risk for a variety of reason, but there are a few steps you can take to lessen the impact on your wallet.

The Five Steps to Saving Cash

• First, ask yourself if your motorcycle is going to be your primary or secondary mode of transportation. By only using it on nice days and/or weekends you can reduce your premium.
• You can take a safety course to lower your premium. While this is obviously good for your pocketbook, it also increases your awareness about the overall safety in general when riding a motorcycle.
• If you aren’t going to be riding your motorcycle in the winter, you should change your coverage to “storage.” Caution: Make sure you change your coverage back before you ride it again! You may also want to get some heated motorcycle jackets if you do take the bike out on the road during the wintertime, after changing your insurance back, of course.
• You may be able to bundle you motorcycle insurance with your current auto, home, and/or health insurance and you may get a discount simply for having health insurance.
• Depending on your insurance company, you may be able to lower your premium costs if your premium by wearing protective clothing. There is a lot of specialty clothing out there, including jackets that actually contain airbags, so make sure you ask your insurance company about it!

Safety First

It doesn’t matter if you are a veteran or neophyte rider, you have to have the right coverage when it comes to motorcycle insurance. You may want to cut corners, but this is not the place to do so. You have to be safe when riding your motorcycle and you simply can’t count on other drivers to make the right choices. So make sure you always wear protective clothing and a helmet. Make sure you take a motorcycle safety course for your own good and for the good of your wallet.

About the Author: Mike Ellero is a motorcycle salesperson who also rides daily. He helps consumers with their bike purchases and assists them in finding the lowest insurance premium available to get them out and on the road as fast as possible. On his website you will find information about motorcycle safety and motorcycle leather clothes.

Originally posted 2011-01-11 18:27:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Do you have a concrete slab that is old and ugly that you would love to replace? You might not have to. There are a number of different types of concrete coatings designed to beautify and extend the life of your patio, walkway or pool deck.

Decorative concrete or epoxy coatings are the perfect choice for concrete surfaces including driveways, patios, pool decks, sidewalks, garages or basement floors. The application offers:
• Salt, rust, oil and mildew resistance
• Easy maintenance
• Slip resistance
• Extreme durability
• A surface applicable to all climates
• Freedom to create your own designs in any color, pattern or texture

Would you like to liven up that plain old concrete basement floor? There are new options in concrete coatings available for your interior rooms.

Reflector Epoxy flooring is an application that can beautify any interior room. This product offers:
• Extreme durability for high-traffic areas
• Very low maintenance
• Quick installation
• Seamless flooring
• An application that can be applied to new or existing floors
• The “Wow” factor: Virtually unlimited designs, dramatic colors and patterns

Whether you choose either or both of these exterior or interior coatings – you are sure to be pleased with the beauty and dramatic transformation to your home or business. Instead of plain gray concrete, you’ll have a fab slab!

Design-Tec Custom Coatings is a family-owned business in the St. Louis, Missouri area with 14 years of experience, and their installers are factory-trained and certified in “Stardek” Products. They have recently expanded their services to include the exciting and beautiful new line of Reflector Epoxy interior floor coverings. Design-Tec offers full service for all concrete needs: tear out, replacement, concrete restoration, and personal design assistance on patterns, colors and textures of concrete coatings. For more information, visit their website at www.DesignTecCoatings.com.

As summer brings the double punch of high temperatures and low rain to many parts of the country, a smart gardener steps up his or her game, too. Check out these tips for a long-blooming summer border:

Deadhead regularly. Remove the flowers off your plants after they fade, usually with a small pair of snips. If the blooms are not removed, the plant will expend energy producing seed. When deadheaded properly, the energy is redirected to other parts of the plants, and can often result in a second round of blooms.

Fungal disease is cause by two principal ingredients: high heat and humidity. While not usually lethal, fungus certainly can make your plants less attractive. Promote air circulation between and through plants by spacing them several inches apart. Try not to water your plants from above; use a soaker hose instead.

Pay attention to your watering schedule. The best way to promote a deep and healthy root system is to water deeply on an infrequent schedule. The amount of water varies based on a number of factors. However, it is safe to say that under normal conditions, established perennials need little supplemental water. Annuals, though, require about an inch of water each week.

Follow these practices regularly and you’ll find your beds and borders in top form and with blooming plants through the season.

Originally posted 2008-06-06 16:21:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Do you have an older, out-of-date bathroom that just doesn’t work for you anymore? Many people find that standard sized 60”x30” tub/shower units are rarely used as tubs. Often a tub is too shallow for a comfortable adult bathing experience, and stepping over the side of the tub for showering can be uncomfortable, difficult or just plain annoying. Until fairly recently, shower pans were only made in a 32” depth with a center drain. If the bathroom could even accommodate the larger 32” base, it still resulted in costly installation fees to change the end tub drain to a center shower drain.

Well, times have changed! You can now get shower bases or complete shower units to take the place of standard tub/shower units without costly plumbing, flooring or wall changes. Materials can be purchased as a base only for tiled walls or as a complete shower unit. While at least one tub in a home is still recommended for bathing young children, many people are changing their tubs out for larger showers. Now bases with left or right end drains are available to fit the same footprint of 30”, 32” or 36” width tubs. Shower thresholds can also be reduced for a sleeker, easier entry without compromising water containment. As most adults prefer a larger shower to a cramped bathtub, this is particularly welcome in master bathrooms.

Unlike fiberglass or cultured marble, this material has a true lifetime warranty. Bases are solid poured, so there is no “bounce” or possibility of cracking. The surface is not going to chip, peel or discolor over time. With over 65 colors, four textures, a variety of soap and shampoo holders, seats, grab bars and towel bars created from the same material, and walls that can easily accommodate tile inserts, the designs are endless. This product gives you a truly beautiful shower that will have a lifetime of function as well as beauty for years to come.

Henry Plumbing began in 1946 and has grown to become the premiere destination in St. Louis for fixtures and design. For nearly 70 years they have offered the best in plumbing supplies, kitchen faucets, bath fixtures, whirlpool baths and kitchen cabinets. Look to Henry Plumbing Kitchen and Bath Galleries for expert design and installation services as well. For more information, visit www.HenryPlumbing.com.

Home canning is gaining in popularity as homeowners look for ways to preserve their gardens' surplus.

Inspired by the rising popularity of locally grown food plus a desire to be thrifty during these iffy economic times, many homeowners have begun growing their own fruits and vegetables.    

Come harvest time, however, even a modestly sized garden can produce a bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans and radishes that one family can’t possibly consume in a season.     

Rather than letting a summer’s bounty go to waste, gardeners are preserving perishable produce by canning it themselves. 

 Food Preservation Is a Rediscovered Kitchen Art

We’re definitely experiencing a renewed interest in our products, even though Mrs. Wages has been on the market for 40 years,” says Laura Strickland, Product Manager for the St. Louis-based company. “Our customers tell us they are teaching their children to preserve pickles, tomatoes and green beans, just as they remember their grandmothers canning decades ago.” 

There are various methods of preserving fruits and vegetables, but all of them involve halting the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast that can cause fresh produce to spoil. Often that is done by removing the oxygen in the jar in which it is preserved, along with adding an acid such as lemon juice, vinegar or citric acid. 

Because improperly canned produce can be a breeding ground for the deadly botulism bacteria, those looking to try their hand at canning need an expert to guide them through it. As a result of this resurgence in food preservation, university extension classes specializing in canning have grown in popularity. 

Moms, Students Retirees Signing up for Home Canning

 ”I’ve taught food preservation and canning for more than 35 years, and all of our educators throughout the state are seeing young mothers, college students, retirees and even dads signing up to learn how to can and preserve food,” says Shirley Camp, a University of Illinois Extension Wellness Educator and a Master Food Preserver Instructor. “We used to offer a few classes a summer, but we honestly can’t keep up with the demand, and our classes are filling up faster than in recent memory.” 

The National Center for Home Food Preservation, which is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is another excellent resource that includes tips for safe canning on their website. 

Different produce requires different methods of canning. For example, most vegetables are considered low acid and should be canned using a pressure canner, which heats water to temperatures high enough (roughly 240-250 F) to kill botulism spores. 

Canned Pickles, Canned Tomatoes Require Safe Processing

Fruits, such as peaches or pears, are high acid and can be safely processed using a boiling-water canner. The benefits of canning your own fruits and vegetables are many. Not only can you enjoy healthy produce from your garden throughout the winter months, but the costs of canning your own are roughly half of purchasing commercially canned products from the store. (That estimate, of course, does not include the value of your labor.) Perhaps the greatest benefit, however, is learning a skill that you can pass down to future generations.

Originally posted 2010-08-22 08:00:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

It’s amazing how flooring can set the mood of a room at the very first glance. When I first began research for this article, I pictured warm, ceramic tiles, with sunlight streaming in and birdsong filling the air. I suddenly had a craving for gelato! It probably had something to do with the fact that in my real life it was cold, and pouring down rain.

A Short History of Tile Flooring

A “tile” is defined as a thin slab used in a grouping to cover a floor, roof, or wall. Though tiles can be made of many materials, from clay to linoleum, rubber to cork, Italian tile flooring is typically made of baked clay (terra cotta, ceramic, or porcelain) or stone (marble, slate, etc.).

Tile flooring originated in the Mediterranean region thousands of years ago. It enjoyed extreme popularity during the height of the Roman Empire, when elaborate mosaics were fashioned from tile to decorate floors and walls. Though only the wealthy could afford high-end, custom designs, modest, “off-the-rack” designs found their way into the homes of middle-income families.

The use of tile to create ornate works of public and private art can be seen to this day throughout the region, where stunning mosaics cover floors and walls of churches, mosques, palaces, museums, etc.

In the 1800s production of tile became mechanized. Tile flooring again gained popularity, both in Europe and the U.S., first finding its way into palaces and public buildings, then back into private homes. Over time, the words “Italian Tile Flooring” have become synonymous with a style of flooring, rather than place of origin. These tiles are manufactured all over the world in countries like the U.S., Mexico, India, China, Spain, and Italy.

Benefits of Tile Flooring

From the warm, Mediterranean feel I mentioned in the first paragraph to a cool, sleek, modern look and everything in between, you can create just about any mood with the vast array of tile flooring choices. Other benefits include:

• Tile flooring does not retain odors, allergens, or bacteria and does not emit toxic fumes.
• Most tiles are produced using environmentally-friendly manufacturing and natural materials (this will vary depending upon the company).
• Tile flooring is fire and heat resistant (again, we are assuming the “Italian-style” flooring here made of ceramic, terra cotta, porcelain, or marble or other stone).
• Most tiles are water-resistant.

Installing Tile Flooring—Overview

Of course this short article cannot hope to offer comprehensive installation instructions, just a brief overview. Most tiles are installed on a prepped surface by first applying a layer of thinset. The tiles are laid in their final pattern and then grout is spread over the tiles. Once the grout has dried, excess is wiped away, leaving the finished floor. Some floors are sealed to further protect them from damage.

Caring for Tile Flooring

Whether you already have a tile floor or are the proud owners of a brand new installation, here are some tips for care:

• Put felt or rubber pads under furniture legs to prevent them from scratching your floor.
• Regular sweeping will take care of most dust and dirt.
• Clean up spills immediately to avoid staining the grout.
• Doormats can help reduce the amount of dirt tracked across the tile and minimize surface wear.
• Tile floors can be damp-mopped. Use a manufacturer-recommended cleaner.
• Spot cleaning with sponge, soft brush, or cloth can take care of extra-dirty spots.
• Don’t use steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasive cleaners. These can scratch the finish of the tiles.
• Don’t use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, which can discolor your grout.

A Lifetime of Beauty With Italian Tile Flooring

Perhaps archeologists will one day excavate your floor and hail it as a stunning example of 21^st Century artistic sensibility. Well, maybe not, but properly installed and cared for, Italian-style tile flooring can easily outlast the rest of the house! And you can enjoy putting your own spin on a very old marriage of art and practicality.

The most commonly used whole house dehumidifiers are either desiccant or mechanical.

Humidity levels vary from place to place.

Humidity levels at or around 50%, apart from being uncomfortable, lead to growth of fungus and mold in homes which increase health risks, such as asthma and allergies.

Additionally, high humidity is an ideal breeding environment for moths, fleas, cockroaches and termites, all of which can wreak havoc in your home.

Dehumidifiers are electrical household appliances that reduce the level of humidity in the air. These household appliances are perfect for use in humid and hot conditions where the water vapor percentage in the air is very high.

The most commonly used dehumidifiers are either desiccant or mechanical.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

Desiccant dehumidifiers, rather than employ the use of compressors, expose a desiccative substance to an air stream with high relative humidity. They are ideal for use in areas with relatively low temperatures and low humidity levels. Mechanical dehumidifiers draw moist air over a fan and a coil and work best in places with high humidity and warmer temperatures.

Mechanical Dehumidifier

Smaller areas may only require a desiccant dehumidifier, but larger areas that have issues with humidity necessitate the use of a mechanical dehumidifier that utilizes either thermo-electric peltiers or compressors. Dehumidifiers featuring thermo-electric peltiers use thermo-electric technology by transferring heat through the passing of an electric current through two dissimilar metals.

Thermo-electric dehumidifiers are almost completely noiseless because there are no moving parts but they aren’t as energy efficient and aren’t ideal for larger areas. Dehumidifiers with compressors utilize coils that move compressed air or refrigerants through. These types of dehumidifiers are extremely effective and energy efficient, even in large areas, but are relatively loud.

Most dehumidifiers will get the job done, but some dehumidifiers have features that can help you get the job done more efficiently and even save you money in the long run. Some key features that a dehumidifier should have include:

• Humidistat. A humidistat is an electronic or digital control that allows you to control the humidity level.
• Large Tank Capacity. A large tank capacity enables your dehumidifier work more efficiently and effectively.
• Washable Air Filter. Most dehumidifiers come with air filters, but choosing a model with a washable air filter will make the maintenance process easier.
• Hose Connection. A hose diverts the condensed water into a sump pump or floor drain so you don’t have to be constantly be emptying the condensed water.
• Portability. Purchasing a dehumidifier with wheels or casters incorporated into the design will help you easily move the unit when necessary.

Investing in a dehumidifier will help your home be a healthier and more comfortable living environment. Consider all the options available to find the perfect match for your home and start dehumidifying today.

Originally posted 2010-10-29 07:00:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

In the Pacific Northwest, early spring is often a time of grey skies and rain with the occasional warm day. And on those warm days there is nothing like the smell of Daphne wafting through an open window. Daphne odora is one of those white bloomers that add sparkle to an otherwise monochromatic pallet. Below is a list of other white flowering gems for early spring:

1. Snowdrops are great for deep shade; often the first to bloom.
2. White crocus are fun to plant directly into your lawn if you aren’t one of those people that use weed killers.
3. Fawn lilies will naturalize well in shady native gardens, can take full sun in early spring but need to be shaded as days get warmer.
4. White flowering plums will drop their pedals like snow when encouraged by spring winds.
5. White camellias add evergreen structure in the winter and white stars in the spring.
6. Evergreen clematis, like Daphne, has extremely fragrant blooms. You’ll need a sturdy fence for this one.
7. Candytuft is great for garden borders and rock walls.
8. Star magnolia bursts into color long before the leaves appear. Too bad the color doesn’t last longer.
9. White narcissus needs little care other than sun.
10. Flowering Quince – ‘Jet Trail’ and ‘Nivalis’ are both white.

This recycled carpeting looks red - but it's actually green!

I’m not crazy about using green in my home. My favorite color is brown, because it is warm, and almost neutral, which means I can switch out accent colors as I please. Our brown carpet also conveniently matches the dog, but that’s another article.  

I recently learned, however, that I could go green while keeping my brown color scheme. Michael Rose of Classic Carpet & Flooring of St. Louis, MO, has clued me in on how to recycle my existing carpet and padding, and then choose from an ever-growing selection of recycled carpeting which will keep my feet warm, stay out of the landfills, and still match my dog.
  

Environmentally Friendly Carpet

The first issue to deal with when buying new carpet is what to do with the old one. Before we knew better, the carpet and pad would immediately go to the landfill. Now that we know better, there are other options.  

Michael’s store was one of the first in the St. Louis area to recycle the carpet padding from their customers’ homes. Once removed, the padding now goes directly to the manufacturer where it is recycled into a new product. Michael also sells the recycled carpet padding, which he says, “happens to be the most durable cushion on the market.” Carpets require a bit more planning to recycle, but Shaw Industries now recycles nylon carpet, and they have a network of collection sites throughout the country.    

Organic Carpet?

Michael assured us that soft carpet is becoming more and more popular, as are darker and richer carpet colors. Whatever style of carpet you prefer, though, there are many different ways to acquire it while being environmentally responsible.  

• Since now you know that Shaw Industries recycles carpeting, buy your carpet from that company with recycled content. Shaw’s Anso carpeting is also fully recyclable at the end of its service life.
• Mohawk’ s Smartstrand carpeting is not so much recyclable as renewable. You see, carpet fibers are normally made from petroleum byproducts (yes, that means oil). Smartstrand carpeting is primarily made from corn, which is obviously easier to come by and sustainable.  

Michael’s company can also help you with specific problems relating to your floors or carpeting. For instance, if you have pets, he can recommend a new padding which has a vapor barrier and an antimicrobial treatment to safeguard it from mildew.  

Other Green Flooring Options

Of course, there are green flooring options beyond carpeting, and many carpeting stores offer them as well. Michael says, “We are seeing customers using more hardsurfaces in their homes versus carpet primarily due to its durability.” Not to mention easier on allergy sufferers.  

• Bamboo is becoming very common with environmentally aware consumers, because it grows back much more quickly than most North American hardwood.
• Cork is also easily replenished. Since it is made from the bark, and not the heartwood of the tree, cork is harvested without even cutting the tree down.
• EcoTimber is a manufacturer which does use more traditional wood products, but because they maintain the highest level of environmental stewardship throughout the harvesting and manufacturing process, these products are still considered green.  

I find it comforting that I can dispose of my old carpet and padding without further clogging my local landfill. I find it even more comforting that, regardless of the materials or texture I choose for my replacement flooring, I have many green options to choose from - which will still match the dog.  

Classic Carpet & Flooring is a featured exhibitor at the Builders St. Louis Home & Garden Show. For more tips, read about these green building products.

Originally posted 2010-03-01 09:00:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter