Clearing the Air on What to Look for in an Air Purifier

If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality of your home, you’re
aware that there are certain steps you need to take to reduce the amount of
allergens and airborne particles. Two of these, source control and ventilation,
you may have already addressed. But the third, finding a good air purifier, can
be confusing if you aren’t sure what to look for in this type of home appliance.

Fortunately, once you understand the basic types of air cleaners and how they
work it becomes easier to select the right style of air purifier for you and
your family. There are also organizations like the Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers (AHAM) who review and certify air purifiers annually using a
standardized testing and ratings system to make it easy for you to compare
different models to one another.

What Kinds of Air Purifiers Are There?

• Ozone Air Purifiers These release small amounts of ozone
  (positively charged oxygen molecules) into the air to reduce airborne
  pollutants. They also are very effective at reducing odors, and will
  sometimes give off a fresh, sharp scent rather like the odor after a
  thunderstorm.
• Electrostatic Air Purifiers These use static electricity to draw
  airborne particles to the filters contained in the unit. The particles stick
  to the filter. (Who knew something so annoying could be so handy?) When the
  filters are full, you throw them out and replace them. These are usually
  used as a furnace filter or as a pre-filter component on some other type of
  air purifier (such as an ozone or ionizer system).
• Electro-Static Precipitators Similar to an electrostatic
  purifier, these also use a static charge, but there are no filters to throw
  away. Instead, two metal plates create two opposite electrostatic charges.
  These attract airborne particles, including dust, smoke and pollen, to one
  of the plates. When the plate is coated, you can remove it, rinse clean and
  use it again.
• Ionizers These release a magnetic charge into the air that will
  cause airborne particles to stick to the filter.
• HEPA Filters HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air
  Filters, and are designed to remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants as they
  pass through the filter. Trapped germs die from lack of moisture, making
  them ideal for operating rooms and electronic labs. HEPA filters are
  sometimes added to an existing system such as your heating and/or air
  conditioning unit.

Each of these types is good for different situations, and you can also find
many air purifiers that combine two or more methods for greater efficiency. More
important than the particular method you choose is how effective it actually is.
No matter which kind you have or how much you paid for it, if it isn’t doing the
job, you’ve wasted you money.

How Do I Know if the Air Purifier I’m Considering Will Do the Job?

There are two things to look for any time you shop for an air cleaner: the
MERV and the CADR. These are ratings developed to help you compare one brand and
style of air purifier to another, regardless of whether they are ionizers,
electrostatic, or ozone, and get an idea of their relative efficiency.

What’s a MERV?

MERV means Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) developed a range
of numbers to help consumers compare filters. The higher a MERV number, the
better a filter performs.

A filter generally has two features that will be important to you: how
quickly the air can flow through it and how well it filters out pollutants. The
higher a MERV number, the more dense the filter and the more particulates it
will capture.

Okay, what’s a CADR?

We mentioned CADR earlier, and it is the most important rating to look for
overall. It stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate, and is exactly what it sounds
like - it tells you how quickly it will circulate clean air throughout the room,
filtering all of the air through the filtering system once. Currently,
twenty-nine manufacturers of air purifiers list their CADR rating on their
packaging so that you can easily compare them to each other.

You should look for an air purifier with a CADR number that is equal to about
two-thirds the size of the room you will be using it in. For instance, if you
have a 10′ X 15′ room (150 square feet), then you should get a purifier with a
CADR number no less than 100.

If you get a rating higher than you need, you will simply have your air
cleaned even more quickly and efficiently, but if you get a rating lower than
recommended, the efficiency won’t be there and the air purifier will struggle.

There will actually be three CADR numbers: one for pollen, one for tobacco
smoke, and one for dust. For the best results, use the number for tobacco smoke,
which is the smallest particulate in the ratings system.

But What About Cost?

Obviously cost is an issue to most of us - if we were made of money, we’d
simply hire someone to come in and sterilize our homes and install whole-house
air purification systems, hire daily cleaning teams, have someone follow the
dogs around sucking up the pet dander….where were we? Oh! Cost!

The cost of air purifiers can vary widely, and it’s a bit surprising to note
that you can’t always judge the value of an air cleaner by its cost. There are
several things to consider when you buy one that will impact your decision.
While you may pay less for one over another initially, operating costs and
accessories can add up over time, making some systems much more expensive in the
long run.

Filters If you choose an air purifier that uses paper or fiber filters
that are disposable, be sure that they are HEPA filters. These are 99.97%
efficient for dust and mold spores and well worth the cost. Anything less is
throwing money away. Also check to see if you can order replacement filters in
bulk for a discounted price.

Plates An air purifier with cleanable plates may cost more initially,
but figure out the cost of filters over a few years’ time and compare. Will you
save money by paying more up front and cleaning the metal plates rather than
worrying about the filters?

Operating Costs Always try to find out what the estimated operating
costs will be. What does the manufacturer estimate the monthly electrical usage
will be? Will the air purifier run constantly or will it cycle?

Extras If you have someone in your family who is particularly
sensitive to environmental changes, such as a migraine sufferer, you may
consider some extras such as a programmable ozone monitor, worth the extra money
in order to prevent sensitivities being triggered.

With so many excellent air purifiers on the market and the Internet available
as an excellent information resource, there’s no excuse not to invest in
improving the quality of your home’s air. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to
cut down on colds, respiratory infections, asthma attacks and a host of other
health problems by allowing everyone in your house to breathe easier.

About the Author
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer. Right now she knows a little bit
about almost everything and a lot about
electrical
air purifiers,
ozone air
purifiers, and
whole house air purifiers. She is a reformed ex-smoker and regularly offends people by sending
them outside to smoke.

The Latest Trends in Interior Decorating for Your Home & Office

In this time period, people are as busy as ever. Mom’s and dad’s working overtime can be very hectic and hard to handle at some points. Include the kids after school activities, family and work stress and you have a full schedule to fulfill. That’s why many people rarely think or have time to decorate and take care of their homes. Flower can be a great way to decorate any room in the house. A simple flower arrangement or vase can make the room warm and inviting to guests in your home. This years flower trends are modern, elegant and simple. Even if you are not gifted in designing and creating professional flower arrangements, today’s flower trends are geared for those who like “laid-back luxury,” yet simple and easy to create arrangements. If your style is stylish, modern and simple, then these year’s trends are perfect for your liking.

Studies show that flowers can make anyone smile and lift their mood and spirits. People who has bounties of flowers in their homes or an exquisite garden usually have less bad days. After a hard day of work, most people would like to relax. Flower in any room can be noticed. Although new trends come along each year, the main idea of flowers stay around for years. If you are at a loss for knowing what the current flower tips are, then read on for ideas.

1. The Modern Look

The modern look is becoming very popular in young families and students. Wall color, furniture and carpeting are already become more “modernized.” Flowers are the same way. A single flower in a long, tall vase looks very good in kitchens and living rooms. A single rose, orchid or daisy looks like a bouquet in itself if paired with a decorative vase or candles. White flowers are very plain, yet elegant.

2. Country Cottage

Soft purples, pinks and yellows flowers are all included in this theme. Many people love this look because of it’s relaxing idea. These type of flowers look good in a low, round tabletop centerpiece. This arrangement is good for creating a relaxing feeling for a room. Creating a small arrangement looks better on a dining or eating table. Remember, uniqueness is what interests your guests.

3. Summer Colors

If you are more of the wild type, bright colors are for you. Summer and spring are great season to brighten up your home with flowers. Even during the winter months, flowers can remind you of the beautiful summer days. Bigger arrangements and centerpieces can look alright with these type of flowers, just remember not to over do it. Exciting flower colors can look great, but if they are all in one basket, it takes away from the rest of your home.

4. Plants

Plants are always widely used in offices and homes. Cactus and exotic type plants are very unique for any decorating. If you are interested in exotic style plants, be aware that they will need extra support if they are not used to your climate. Read the instructions you receive when you purchase the plant. Bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms are all perfect for displaying your plant collections.

Flowers are defiantly true nature’s beauty. Even indoors, in an office or room space, flowers can bring out your best personality and taste. I hope you are able to choose a theme that you can use in all parts of your home and office. You personal space should be about you. Your flowers can be an excellent addition in interior designing.

Janna Hagan is the webmaster for Flower Delivery Service Online. With tons of great tips for designing with flowers and great deals on roses, silk flowers, bouquets and flower arrangements. Visit the site here to find great information, resources and tips for flower delivery online. http://www.flower-delivery-service-online.com

Remaking An Empty Nest Into A Dream Room

© 2006, All Rights Reserved

Empty nest syndrome can be quite depressing for parents who have kids going off to school for the first time. But melancholy moms and dads can now rejoice. When your child leaves for college, you can renovate his/her room and turn it into your own private sanctuary or workshop.

It’s not as drastic as it sounds. No, you won’t actually kick them out of their room permanently, but you will free up a good deal of space to use while your children are away.

Before you begin, discuss your plans with your children. Ask them what they want to keep. Obviously, their bed will need to stay for when they are home on weekends and holidays. A chest of drawers will most likely also stay for storing some of their clothes. But use this time as a sort of spring-cleaning to get rid of meaningless junk that has accumulated in closets or under beds over the last 18 years. Allow your child to keep whatever s/he feels important and then donate the rest to charity, if possible.

Now comes the fun part… to make a room of your own. Where a desk used to be, a new sewing table can be placed. Where the Game Boy and DVD were stored can now become a mini-library. The beanbag chair can be replaced with a comfortable wing chair. The possibilities are endless.

If you want a home office, look into self-contained office units like those from IKEA, West Elm, Levenger or Hold Everything. They can lend a great deal of flexibility without taking up a lot of floor space, and options are endless for any budget.

Colors are often one of the touchy points. What decorations go on the walls is another. Here, it is important to come to an agreement with your post-teen. You will see, after freshman year, that the attachment to the old posters will fade. Maybe you can each choose walls and decorate them in the ways that you like. Just position your writing desk or sewing machine so that your back is toward the walls your child has decorated.

With a little work and some creativity, you can make good use of the otherwise empty space left behind by college-bound kids. Then you can immerse yourself in your newfound playroom - and freedom - to help lift your spirits

Kaja Gam offers interior design in New York and surrounding areas. Featured on HGTV.com, Kaja is famous for designing rooms that are comfortable, functional and make a distinct statement about your personality. Sign up for Kaja’s free ezine today at www.kajagamdesign.com.

How to Budget for Home Improvements

Home improvement projects often scare people away. The typical homeowner will believe that it will cost thousands of dollars to remodel one room since they often lack the skills to do the job themselves. They may also feel that the project is too expensive since many materials and tools are needed.

To the contrary, home improvement does not have to be expensive at all. Of course if you hire a contractor or subcontractor to do the job, you will pay a fortune but if you have the patience and the ability to read and follow directions then you can remodel an entire room in your home for less than one hundred dollars. Of course this will depend on the type of remodeling you want to accomplish and your definition of remodeling. If you believe painting a room is considered “remodeling” then your costs will be inexpensive. If you want to expand a room or redesign it then your costs will rise. So to help you save money, you will need to decide the type of remodeling then you will need to contrast and compare materials.

Before starting the process of improving your home, you will need to setup a budget and a plan to get started. You will need to consider various notions when considering and planning home improvement. For example, do you intend to paint your home? Do you intend to tile your home? Do you want carpet and/or hard wood in your home? How many rooms do you plan to remodel? What material will you need? How much material will you need?

Asking questions is part of analyzing and planning for home improvement. One of the best tools to have when considering home improvement is knowing what you like and knowing what you want. When I improve my home, the first thing I want to do is to roam around my brain to search for my favorites and what excites and appeals to me. Thus, when I go to the home improvement stores I already have in mind what I am going to purchase, thus this relaxes my quest to improving my home.

If you are lacking the cash to improve your home then setting up a budget will help you get what you want as well as save you cash. You may even consider purchasing materials and tools for home improvement at the stores that offer discounts and/or purchases with no payments until a particular date. This notion will give you time to get your home improved while saving the cash to payoff the improvement materials and tools. If you have more then one hardware or lumber store, then look for the best possible deals. Sometimes if you purchase at a local hardware store instead of a large brand name, you may be able to work out a nice deal.

Unfortunately, many people go for secondary home loans, i.e. home equity loans, to improve their home. Getting loans from lenders often lead to debt, and secondary home loans for improvement only leads to paying off your home twice. Thus, avoid those high interest rates and loan payments and learn to budget to improve your home. It may take you longer to make those home improvements but it give you less stress and will help keep you out of debt.

Let me give you an overall view of what one room could cost you for repairs. Say you want to paint a room in your home. You will need plaster, sealers, primer, paints, paint thinners, scrapers, screwdriver, paint opening (often comes with your paint purchase), patches, paintbrushes, tray, and so forth. Now you may think this is going to cost you a fortune to improve your home, but to the contrary, you are wrong.

The paint and tools will cost you the most while the other items will cost less. Primer, sealers and plaster could cost around fifteen dollars if you go to the right store.

Paint thinners, trays, brushes and screwdriver will cost around fifteen if you visit the right store. Thus, the patches should be purchased with a plaster kit, which will save you a few pennies. The paint will cost around twenty per can, depending on the type of paint purchased. Therefore, for around a hundred bucks you could remodel a room in your home without hiring anyone to do the job providing you follow the instructions.

What about the bathroom? Can you remodel the area on a budget plan? It will depend on the size of the area an the type of remodeling but if you wish to tile your bathroom and paint the walls you could get the job done for around a hundred bucks give or take a few dollars. If you visit the right stores and know what you are doing, you could remodel a small bathroom or medium bathroom for around fifty bucks.

Learning to budget and plan can help you remodel your entire home (if the home is in good standings) for a few hundred dollars. Furthermore, doing the work yourself will save you thousands of dollars.

K Hoyng is the web master and operator of www.quickcash2u.com which is a good source of financial, travel, remodeling, and much more information. Visit at www.quickcash2u.com/

8 Reasons Why You Should Buy Wool Rugs

Wool has been around for a long time, in fact it is one of the
oldest textile fiber known of. Because of its natural properties
wool rugs have been known to last for generations. In our modern
world there are many other textile fiber used for rugs but
nothing is as durable, unique, and lasting as wool. Here are 8
reasons why you should buy wool rugs. 1. Fire Resistant

Wool is a natural fiber that is very safe because it is
naturally non flammable so it does not need to be treated.
Although wool can burn it cannot flare up to cause a flame that
spreads. So where ever the burn starts will be where it ends as
well. Wool won’t melt either so it won’t stick to the skin and
cause a burn. That is why wool blankets, carpets, and even
clothing for children are so popular. They are like having fire
prevention insurance. 2. Water Repellent

Because of the tiny scales on the outer edge of wool it is very
good at repelling liquid. So wool rugs are an excellent choice
for high traffic areas or areas where the kids hang out. A drink
spilled on a wool rug will simply need to be dabbed up. It will
not absorb into the rug. If you don’t believe me try it. Grab a
wool sweater and pour some water on it. You’ll see the water
beads on the surface. The wool will absorb moisture but not
liquid. 3. Versatile

Wool is one of the most versatile textures around. And there
are many different types of wool from the fine style that is
used to knit a beautiful sweater to the heavier styles used for
rugs and carpets. The mix of sizes and colors available limits
rug designs only to the imagination of the designer. Wool is so
versatile it can be found in mattresses, coats, carpets, rugs,
blankets, and even some paint rollers. If you want a rug that’s
going to look beautiful, stay fresh, and last forever buy a wool
rug. And because wool is so elastic it can shows little wear,
and virtually no footprints so it springy. 4 Wearability

Wool wears for a very long time staying fresh and new looking.
It will not look flat or shabby for a long time. Wool has a
natural coil spring built into it so rather then breaking down
it springs back making it wear well, keeping its shape for a
long time. 5. Resists Dirt

Because wool has a natural ability to resist dirt it stays
clean a lot longer and the scales of the fiber stop dirt from
penetrating the wool. This means you don’t have to shampoo and
clean your rug nearly as often and it will stay looking fresh
and new for a lot longer. 6. No Static

Wool naturally absorbs moisture in the air which means it is
very unlikely to build a static charge. So you can walk across a
wool carpet with no worry about getting zapped. It’s also an
excellent choice around computers which can be damaged by a
static charge. 7. Insulation

Wool is an excellent insulation absorbing sound and reducing
noise. That’s why you’ll see wool carpets in offices and
airports where there is a high level of noise that needs to be
muted. Wool also works well in theaters or other arenas where
acoustics is important. 8. Dyes

Wool is very easy to dye so you have a wide range of colors
available to choose from. Wool holds color very well and lasts
forever.

———————–

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying
process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To
learn more and receive your free mini-course visit the carpet
rugs website

Log Home Design Specialist - 3 Places to Find Designers

A log home design specialist is a professional who can design your log home. If you want to design your log home from scratch, a log home design specialist will gather your desires and wishes and create log home plans that are the basis for building your home.

There are several kinds of designers for log homes based on their education, experience, professional credentials and the company they work for. Of course, you’ll want to be hiring someone that’s good at what they do, someone that you’ll get along with and someone who will listen to you.

You’ll want to see their past projects and be sure that yours is not the first log home design the designer has done. Log home design and construction present special challenges, and you want your log home design specialist to have verifiable experience in this kind of design.

Here are three major places you can find a log home design specialist:

• Architect Log Home Design Specialist - the most educated professional designer will be an architect. If you want to create your log home from scratch, you may wish to use the expertise of a local qualified architect. Ask to see their past designs, check their references and determine if they really do have the education and experience to be considered as your log home design specialist.

He or she can meet with you face to face, and they can oversee the construction process to help ensure that your log home is built as intended. This option will likely cost the most, and their fees will likely be a percentage of the project cost or based on square footage. Ideally, you’ll find and investigate several architects, then choose the best one for you when designing your log home.

• Log Home Company Design Specialist - many log home companies have in-house architects, designers and draftspersons that can work with you to create your log home design. Draftspersons may be doing most of the design and drawing. If this is the case, verify that a qualified architect or designer is overseeing their work to be sure it meets code and is structurally sound.

Log home designs using manufactured logs can vary considerably in shape and appearance because the logs have different shapes, are made of different woods and can have different corner styles. You can obtain log home kits ranging from just the logs and fasteners to more complete systems that include the roofing materials, doors, windows and even more. You may be pleasantly surprised at the flexibility in designs and variety in log home plans that exist today with log home companies and their log home packages.

• Plans Service Log Home Design Specialist - reputable online national plan services exist that provide ready-to-build log home plans at a price considerably below what an architect log home design specialist must charge to create custom log home plans from scratch. Most quality plans services have in-house staff that can make modifications to the plans so that your plans become the log home plans that are just what you want.

As you visit plans services online, see what criteria you can enter so you only see the plans that interest you. You should be able to search by log plans, by square footage, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, one-story or two-story and so on. If you find log home floor plans you really like, then examine the plans company and plans prices to get comfortable with how the process works.

Whether you are just beginning to organize your ideas for designing and building a log home or are well along in the process, investigate your options. A well-designed and well-built log home can provide many years of comfort and pleasure of ownership. Before designing and building a log home, learn as much as you can about the building process, about controlling costs and how to work with a log home design specialist who will be helping make your dream of log home living become a reality.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Learn more about log home design, visualizing traffic flow, home orientation, fireplace ideas and finding a log home plan just right for you at http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of this popular website for log home lovers.

Learn Your Way to a Successful Interior Design Project

Good ideas, knowing where to shop, and a good eye aren’t enough to guarantee you a successful interior design project. Knowledge is the key, and your knowledge has to extend beyond the “stuff” that goes into an interior. You have to know what you want, know how to get what you want, know how to use what you get, and know how what you’re getting is going to work for you and your space. To put that into an easier-to-digest sentence, knowing what you want is only the first step. Interior design is a process; it is not a concept that is put together at the snap of one’s fingers. At the same time though, it is not a process that one should have to agonize painfully over for months and analyze to the point that it is no longer a pleasure.

Generally speaking, all design choices are made for either, or both, of these reasons: purpose/function/use, or aesthetics/appearance/look. The more your project leans toward décor, rather than design, the less important the purpose, function and use become. And the reverse is true as well. Interior design is the creation and planning of an interior space or room, while décor is the embellishing or ornamentation of that space. Décor can be applied to any designed space, but without the designed space you have nothing to decorate.

Prioritizing is the most crucial step of planning a project. Not only do you have to prioritize in terms of “needs” and “wants”, sequence or scheduling, and budget, but also in terms of what you expect of the project’s end result. The use of environment-friendly materials might be very important to you. Or you might insist that all materials and items are easy to clean. You might know that you are planning to move within three years so durability, or a timeless look, are not necessarily big issues. You might want to make sure that your design encourages family togetherness. If you have a problem with your shoulder it could be quite practical for you not to have anything located out of your comfortable range of motion. The possible “personal priorities” for a design project are endless, and you should invest a fair amount of time creating and reviewing this list.

At this point, you should have lists. Aside from your “personal priorities” list, you should have a list of “needs”, “wants”, “likes”, and “don’t likes.” It is now time to make sure that what you are intending to do does not contradict with what you have established in your lists. Presumably, you are working with floor plans or other drawings; review the drawings as you go through your lists. What has been left out from your plans? Have you included things that are not important to you or that you really do not require?

Once you have made sure that your plans satisfy your needs and priorities, it is time to move on to the choices that will develop the décor of your design. Consider materials, looks, colours, textures, patterns, and such. They have to make sense with your design - it is the design that sets the stage for the décor. If you have a minimalist design, it would make no sense to fill it with busy prints, heavily textured items, and lots of stuff. When planning your design, it is important to be true to your preferences, because in planning the décor you must be true to your design to a great extent. An exceptionally simplified way of looking at this is that your design includes the items that are fixed in the space: the walls, floors, ceilings, cabinetry, built-in furnishings, doors, and so on. The removable items and the finishes applied to the fixed-in-place things are your décor. It is often said that “a good design speaks for itself,” meaning that a well-designed space requires very little decorating work to be done for it to look great.

Part of putting the project together is knowing where to shop, and how to shop. Honestly, there is rarely a right or wrong place to buy something; evaluate quality and price to decide if you are in the right place looking at the right thing. Knowing how to shop is a little more complex sometimes. It is so easy to become frustrated at walking out of a fifth store in one day empty-handed. A good shopper will not purchase something that doesn’t quite meet their expectations of it just because they are frustrated or tired. But you also have to know to be honest with yourself if it happens that you reach a point of indecision. There is such a thing as over-shopping when you are not quite sure of what it is you are looking for. When you head out to go shopping, keep as detailed a shopping list with you as possible. My own shopping lists often have things like “incandescent semi-flush-mount light fixture, maximum 15 inches high, stainless steel or brushed nickel finish, modern/transitional, textured shade - glass or other material.” If I were to have trouble finding something that matches that description, any experienced salesperson would be able to direct me to the few choices that would suit my needs. Also keep a small tape measurer with you, as well as samples of colours or materials being used in your project - it really is amazing just how many shades of each colour exist, and the most difficult tend to be the off-whites and beiges.

The most complicated side of knowing how to shop is when it comes to the custom-made items. Think about every angle and aspect of custom-made pieces before you go to place an order: top, bottom, sides, inside, outside, upside-down if you must. Down or foam stuffing? Metal or plastic zipper? Three drawers or four? Left or right opening? One- or three-hole faucet? Polished or honed? Custom-made items do not have the same rigid pricing as shelf items in a department store, and the more information you are able to provide right away, the higher your chances of being able to get a better price. If the sales staff has to guide you through the options for finishing choices, materials, or other details, your price might be a bit higher because of the extra time involved.

It is not uncommon for suppliers of custom items to charge a fee for design work, and by helping inform you of certain choices they are in fact doing a part of the work they would be doing if they were handling the design of the item. Advice and information won’t necessarily show up on your bill as a “design fee”, but you will pay for it by not being able to talk the price as low as you probably would have otherwise. It is not advisable to have one person designing your cabinetry, another designing your stair railings, a third designing your window treatments, and so on. It is absolutely impossible that each person involved will have the same vision of your space, and the final outcome will suffer.

No matter your project type or size, planning ahead is imperative. Your whole concept can come about from a place you have seen, either in person or in a magazine, or based on what you know you like and dislike. But if you cannot organize your ideas in such a way that they act like a neatly laid path to follow throughout your design and décor project, there is no telling if you will actually end up with what you had envisioned for your space.

Karen S. Weiner is the owner and principal interior designer of Idealspace Design in Montreal, Quebec (Canada). http://www.idealspacedesign.com

Chosing to Buy Between Different Types of Ladders

There are many different types of ladders available for all your
construction and home needs. When you’re in the market for a new
ladder you need to look at all the options available to you
before you determine just what type of ladder will work best for
your purposes. If you need a ladder for a job that you only
think you’re going to be doing once, you may want to think about
hiring a lift company to do the work for you.

One of the most common and versatile ladders on the market is a
step ladder called a “platform” step ladder. This type of ladder
will give you a great solid base for working from while at the
same time giving a platform upon which you can lay your tools
and other equipment. You’ll be able to adjust the height of the
ladder so that you can adequately work on the job without
bending lower or stretching higher. The steps on this ladder are
very strong and solid, making it easy for you to climb up and
down with tools in your hands. When you’re not using the
platform step ladder it folds up neatly and can be easily stored.

Another ladder that is very common for those people working in
the construction industry is the combination ladder. The
combination ladder has the functions of a step ladder, a stair
ladder, and an extension ladder all in one. When this ladder is
being stored it folds down much like the platform step ladder
and is easily stored and put away. With three functions in one,
the combination ladder is almost expendable on any job site
since it eliminates the need to have three different types of
ladders in your inventory. Still another ladder that also serves
more than one function is the extension ladder, which is great
for working at higher heights. All three of these ladders will
make your construction jobs much more flexible and easier to
manage.

Ten Questions You Need To Ask When Hiring A Remodeling Contractor

These are questions To Ask Before Inviting a home contractor Out
To Your Home:

Are you licensed? Make sure your contractor is properly
licensed. In the State of Delaware, all contractors MUST be
either certified by the State (if they have a statewide
license), or registered with the State (if they have a
countywide license). Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the
contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving
you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date, and the
county if It’s a countywide license. Being licensed is the law.
If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, DON’T HIRE
HIM!

1. If you live in a townhouse, villa, or high rise condominium
building with four or more units, only a Building Contractor or
General Contractor are permitted to perform remodeling work. Do
not hire a Residential Contractor; he would be operating outside
of his license. Furthermore, hire a specialty contractor (trim,
carpentry, drywall, glazing, aluminum, plumbing, electrical,
mechanical, roofing, etc.) to do only the type of work the
license specifies.

If you have any questions or doubts, call the Delaware
Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or the New
Castle County Construction Industry licensing board.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance? Make sure
your contractor carries general liability insurance. This type
of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by
the contractor and/or his employees. The insurance company will
pay for the cost of replacing and/or repairing any damage that
occurs.

Anyone can say they are insured. Make the contractor prove it by
having their insurance company FAX or mail to you a certified
copy of his insurance with you named as the certificate holder.

3. Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? Your
contractor should provide you with a written lien waiver at the
end of the job. This is a legal document, which says you the
homeowner have paid the contractor in full for the services
rendered and the contractor waives his right to place a
mechanic’s lien on your property. If during the course of
construction you receive any Notice to Owner documents from
material suppliers or sub-contractors, it would be prudent to
ask the contractor for a Final Release of Lien from each one
prior to paying the contractor his final draw. This protects you
in case the contractor doesn’t pay his material suppliers or
subcontractors after you have paid him in full.

4. Are you a member of NARI or NAHB? NARI stands for the
National Association of the Remodeling Industry and NAHB stands
for the National Association of Home Builders. It’s always a
good idea to consider hiring a NARI or NAHB contractor. In most
cases, both organizations only attract conscientious contractors
interested in bettering the industry and in weeding out
unprofessional contractors. In order to become a member, the
contractor’s background and references are thoroughly
investigated.

5. Will you pull all the required building permits? Make
sure your contractor pulls all required permits. This is very
important. When a contractor pulls the required building
permits, you know things will be done to “code’. Also, many
homeowner’s insurance policies require pulling a permit on any
major remodeling to keep your home properly covered. Not all
contractors will do this. Many prefer not to pull permits
because of the time involved and the “hassle” with the
inspectors. Some contractors may ask you to get the permits.
This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the
permit because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside of
their license. A reputable contractor will permit every job
where a permit is required.

6. Do you guarantee your work? Your contractor should
guarantee his work for at least one year from date of
completion.

7. Who will be In charge of the Job? Make sure the
contractor or his foreman is on the job whenever work is being
performed, - especially if sub-contractors will be used. The
responsible party must be intimately familiar with every aspect
of your project. If you won’t be home during the construction
and must leave the house unlocked, or leave a key with the
contractor, you must feel comfortable. You can’t be worried
about what is going on when you are not there.

8. Will you provide me with written references? A good
contractor will be happy to provide you with references. You
should look for a well-established contractor who can give you
several client references from the last 6 months to one year.
Ask for the name of the contractor’s accountant or banker. You
want to ensure the contractor is financially sound and won’t be
declaring bankruptcy in the middle of your project.

9. What percentage of your business is repeat or referral
business? When a significant source of a contractor’s
business is derived from repeat and referral business, it
usually indicates that his clients are pleased with the work
they have received.

10. How many projects like mine have you completed in the
last year? Your contractor should have experience in the
type of remodeling project you want done — not just
“contracting experience”

11. How do you handle “dirty work”? Construction is dusty
and dirty; it gets everywhere, especially if any sanding is
being done. Make sure the contractor will make an honest effort
to keep the dust contained, or notify you when the heavy dust
generating operations will take place so you can place sheets
over furniture or move sensitive belongings. Make sure the
contractor agrees to sweep up and place all construction debris
in a predetermined place or refuse container at the end of every
day.

Guide to Buying a Refrigerator / Freezer

When it comes to buying a new refrigerator, or refrigerator-freezer combination, there are a number of factors that need to be considered before you make your purchase. Factors that will, influence the best buy for you are in three broad categories: