April 2020
Green Home Plans Save Money and the Environment
Join the latest trend in construction with green home plans that are good for the environment, better for your health, and easy on your pocketbook. With an increase in demand for eco-friendly and energy efficient homes, more builders are becoming educated in this area and offering a variety of green options that will help you do your part in preserving the planet without compromising quality or style. Recycled and environmentally friendly products are more aesthetically pleasing than ever before so it is easy to build your dream home while also saving money, conserving natural resources, achieving energy independence, and ensuring a safer and healthier world for future generations.
Whether you are building a new house or renovating an existing one, green home plans offer many benefits that make them a wise, responsible, and stylish choice.
1. Energy cost savings.
Build your house with energy efficient windows that are made from recycled glass and tinted to help regulate indoor temperatures in every season. Also, incorporating the use of active or passive solar concepts will decrease energy costs by using the sun to reduce dependence on costly and toxic fuels. Passive, or climatic design is a natural way of generating energy and allows the residence to store heat in the winter and release it in the summer so you can use the weather to your advantage and enjoy maximum cost savings. You can even purchase appliances that operate on solar generated energy, lowering electricity bills while protecting the environment.
2. Conservation.
Green homes are usually built with sustainable design in mind, using materials that are non-toxic, recycled, or quickly renewable. Also, systems can be installed to prevent soil erosion and focus on water conservation. Installing low-flow fixtures, collecting rainwater, and using filtration systems that allow water to be reused for non-drinking purposes such as laundry and cleaning are features that can be included in your green home plan and will help you save money as well as the environment.
3. Health benefits.
Our homes are often filled with toxic materials, chemically treated or finished wood, products that contain formaldehyde or other dangerous substances, and heating and cooling systems that emit unhealthy by-products. Wouldn’t you like to know that you are protecting yourself and your family by providing a healthy environment that uses natural energy, non-toxic materials, and ventilation and purification systems that ensure pure water and good air quality? Look into the options and find out how green homes can make you happier and healthier.
4. Mortgage savings.
Many banks and lending companies are now offering “Green Mortgages” for homes that are built or improved using energy efficient or environmentally friendly products and systems. Such things as solar panels, wind turbines, water conservation features, and high quality windows can translate into greater borrowing power or a discount on rates. Some areas even offer tax incentives for eco-friendly construction. Building a green home can offer better resale value, reduced utility bills, and lower mortgage payments while also giving you the peace of mind …
The Main Benefits of TPO Roofing
Are you evaluating the roofing options available? Are you looking for a single-ply roofing membrane that is also affordable and energy-efficient? If so, you should consider TPO roofing. This roofing offers an array of appealing benefits, with some of the best ones listed here.
Affordability
When you choose to install TPO roofing Los Alamos NM you will find an affordable material that provides a high level of value. This material is a great option for both residential and commercial properties. While the cost can vary, you can expect to pay between five dollars and seven dollars per square foot for this material.
Durability
Unlike other popular roofing materials, TPO can easily resist dirt, algae, debris, and bacteria. It is also immune to damage from chemical exposure or ultraviolet rays. Along with the material’s resistance to debris, TPO has a flexible membrane, which ensures it can withstand other damage, such as tears, punctures, and impacts.
A Simple Setup and Installation Process
Thanks to the flexible and lightweight properties of TPO, it is easier to install than other materials. Also, the finished product has fewer seams. When the roofing team can quickly install the roofing material, it also means savings in labor.
Energy Efficiency
TPO roofing’s energy efficiency is attractive to many homeowners. In fact, it provides significant savings for cooling costs and is good for the environment. The white reflective surface of the TPO also exceeds the energy star requirements from the EPA.
As you can see, there are many reasons to consider using TPO for your roof. If you are considering replacing your roof in the near future, no matter if it is for your home or business, you should consider all the benefits that TPO has to offer. It is a material that will last, is affordable, and is good for the environment – what more could you ask for?…
Services to Use in a New Home
When you move into a new home, you take on the responsibility of keeping it in the best shape possible. However, you can’t do all of this yourself. For jobs like plumbing and roofing, having professionals that you know you are able to hire can go a long way. Here are a few essential services you’ll want to get to know in your neighborhood so you can have your home restored when needed.
Plumbing
Making sure your pipes and plumbing are all functioning well is a priority of having a home that you need to keep in shape. Plumbing is a skilled trade that requires years of schooling and training to master, so the most efficient way to have your home plumbing secured is by using plumbing services Berlin MD. The plumbing services
Roofing
Another aspect of your home where you’ll need to hire a trained professional is roofing services. Whether you’re looking to repair a broken segment of your roof or planning a full roof redesign, you will need professional roofers to come to your home for you.
Outdoor Surfaces
As the months get warmer, it can be appealing to want to put in a patio or back deck to have a space to spend time and entertain outdoors. For these projects, there are a number of specific deck and patio companies that can help you achieve the outdoor space of your dreams. These services will have numerous customization options as well and should be able to make the outdoor space you want a reality regardless of how unique your home is.
For plumbing, roofing repairs and outdoor surfaces like decks and patios, it will be more efficient and effective for you to hire outside services than to try to take the projects on yourself in your new home. And through hiring trained professionals, you can be assured that you are getting a quality job done.…
3 Ways to Make Money in Real Estate
Some see real estate as a way to secure their dream home. Others see it as a necessary evil they need to go through to find a decent place to live. And for another unique group, they see it as an industry to make money. Here is a look at three ways to make money in real estate.
Own a Rental Property
One way you can make money in real estate is by owning a property that you rent out to tenants. When you own a rental property, you purchase the property with the explicit intent of making it an attractive place to rent. You can ensure that it stays in good shape through keeping close tabs on any feedback your tenants have regarding the property and through hiring a service that can handle the less glamorous aspects of owning Northwest Indiana rental properties so you can worry less about having to cater to your tenants around the clock.
Flip Houses
Another way to make money through real estate is to flip houses. In this practice, you can purchase older homes in need of renovation, renovate them with new and improved features, and then sell them for presumably more money than it cost to purchase and renovate the home. Flipping houses is risky, but if you have an eye for renovation, can be a great way to have some income through real estate.
Invest Long Term in Properties
Real estate properties are also places where you can invest your money for a long period of time, one day looking to sell off the property for far more than you bought it for.
Owning a rental property, flipping houses and investing long term in properties are three ways that you can try out the real estate market as a way to make money.…
How to Determine If You Have Termites
Termites can cause an immense amount of damage in your home once they’ve settled in for the long haul. You might not even notice at first that they are present. When you do start to find oddities around the house, you may not know how to determine termites from other invasive pests like carpenter ants. Here are some top signs that termites have invaded your home.
Termite Damage
Termites are capable of causing a lot of destruction in a short period of time. They constantly chew away at the wood of your home, creating unstable walls and jeopardizing the structural integrity of the building. Along with walls, they may work away at insulation and paper. While they may injure some living vegetation in or around the house, they are more apt to go after drier wood that is dead or almost dead.
Signs of Termites
If you see any small, winged and pale insects around the house, you may be looking at some of the worker termites. These flyers are likely to swarm. You may also notice mud tubes around the house, built under floorboards or running up walls, a common structure that termites build to access their meal. Try knocking on the walls of your home to see if they sound hollow. That could indicate termites have eaten away a significant amount of the wall from within, and the wood may even break when you tap it. At the first signs of a termite infestation, contact a termite treatment near you by searching online (e.g. termite treatments fort myers fl).
Time of Year
Termites are more likely to be busy around springtime, so be extra vigilant when the temperature starts to warm. This is when flying termites scatter to find new homes.
A termite infestation can be a big problem, but it can also be handled properly and efficiently. Be on the lookout for these indications so you can get them out of your home before they do real damage.…
Secrets To Installing Laminate Flooring On Top Of Floor Tiling
There are many people who want to change the way their flooring looks, especially if they have old style tiling. This is when laminate flooring is the perfect way to go ahead. It is very simple to install one on top of the other one by simply laying the flooring over. Any person can do it as a weekend DIY project.
However there are some things you need to know before installing it, so you get the best job for your home flooring. Maybe the most important aspect is to adjust the actual temperature for your floors and the room level of humidity. The room temperature should be anywhere between 68 and 85 degrees. Also the best humidity level should be between 45-65%. Anything above or below that will warrant using a humidifier or dehumidifier for regulating it.
When it comes to actual installation, you need to take off the molding and then check that the tiles are all dry, clean and level without any extra bumps. If you feel any bumps on it, you can level it using leveling cement so that you have a smooth surface ahead of you. The next step is to rollout the floor underlayment avoiding the edges from overlapping. This should exactly match the size of the room.
The step on laying the laminate flooring is usually done from left to right and spacers can be used to keep the spaces, or gaps that are between the planks. The space for expansion should be around 1/4 inches. The firs plank should be laid by first placing the plank right against the wall. The second plank should be 1/3 of the size of the first to give your flooring a nice alternate plank look that is so popular nowadays. The third plank will easily be able to connect the first plank right at the end to be locked in place the right way. Then you add the next (fourth) plank that will connect to the end of the previous one to be locked in place as well. Basically this will be the base upon the rest of your flooring will be built further.
What you really need to pay attention to though is to ensure that the very last row is exactly the same with the initial one. Also create a 1/4 inch space between the plank and the wall for expansion. Once you replace the trim, your laminate flooring is readily installed upon the old tiles.…
How To Design A 21st Century Kitchen
The demographic
The first thing an outstanding designer does when putting pen to paper on a home design is find out exactly who is going to live in that home–the exact demographic of the inhabitant. This is specially true about the kitchen which is often the most lived-in space in the house and around which many more activities occur any more nowadays than just cooking. Luckily, today’s demographic in the kitchen ‘mass market’ is easy to define–it is mostly ‘baby boomers’ aged 55-65, followed by ‘leading edge GenX’ers’ aged 45-55 years old. These two demographics between them make up the bulk of the folks looking to design a kitchen as opposed to simply taking what comes with a new house. People older than 65, the ‘seniors’, are no longer the dominant home owning demographic and don’t spend as much time in the kitchen while those younger than 45 are considered entry-level homeowners and are also not as numerous as the first two.
Activities in and around the kitchen
A baby boomer’s kitchen is very likely to have a large flat screen TV as part of it that is easily visible from several activity areas surrounding it. The kitchen is no longer a ‘room’ but a space around which a lot of family activity revolves. This activity could be video games, watching the news, searching for data and even doing homework with access to outdoor grilling and a deck just a step or two away. The common factor is that it all revolves around the kitchen. This often manifests in a ‘living room’ or ‘family room’ area complete with sitting or lounging furniture joined to the kitchen with an informal ‘dining’ area, both divided and united by a cabinetwork peninsula, perhaps with a sink and cooktop on one side and an open area on the other with tall stools for the kids to do their homework on or simply help make dinner.
Baby boomers are no longer willing to risk a back injury by bending down to open an oven door and will likely have wall ovens installed at a carefully measured height. Similarly, the efficiency-demanding boomer will insist on having the pantry close at hand at most 3 or 4 steps away, not in another room and certainly not behind another door. This can manifest as another ‘area’ adjacent to the cooking areas, perhaps with a dividing wall of overhead cabinets and counter spaces open to both areas.
The GenX’er is even more tech savvy and may have several appliances hooked up to the internet with sensors and alarms to remind and warn of upcoming events, like a “cake is ready” message flashing on TV screens all over the house. She may switch on the oven with her phone on her way back from work and set the temperature for baked fish when she is 10 minutes away. Her priority is “get it done quick” and therefore all appliances will likely be electric with a few being dual fuel, all …
Home Decorating Choices – Your Home is a Blank Slate
Let’s face facts here. Even though your home may not look exactly how you’d planned it might look it’s still your home. So if your sitting room is a bright shade of green or you have pink carpet in your bathroom you have nobody to blame for this but yourself. Not really when it comes down to you’re honest with yourself. But hey it’s OK we all make interior decorating mistakes (nightmares perhaps?) The good news is that you can take action to turn these bloopers into blessings; with just a little effort.
Firstly, any feature of your space no matter how distressing, often focuses heavily on the color, right? Instead of cursing it, why not work around that color? Make it work for your theme, not against it. For instance, having a blood red floor doesn’t have to look like a murder scene exposé. To complement this striking floor color, invest on accessories in black and white to capture that modern vibe. A black leather couch with striking ivory colored pieces will lend instant class to your living it’s also because of that red floor you so dreaded! Now nobody will notice that it was a decorating disaster, they might even praise your decorating courage for choosing that bold color.
Now about that moss green bathroom, well there’s a solution for that too! Instead of hating bath times altogether, why not involve this tile color in your overall theme? Think about natural and calming combination. Get a shower curtain that doesn’t clash with the tiles when it comes to color. You can add accessories in beige or tan and even some pale blue colors to depict scenes from nature. When you’re done, this tile color will be the star of your bathroom design instead of a total embarrassment.
If you’re still ranting about your pathetic pink carpet, then here’s reason for you to give that rant a rest. It wouldn’t look half that bad if you added accessories in colors that complement rather than contrast with your carpet. How about adding a touch of yellow or a hint of green in the items you use? This way you would be able to balance out the solid pink color of the carpet with similarly calming colors in the furniture or the appliances. No one can ever tell that your pink carpet was actually a big mistake!
Now when you’re trying to work a new feature into a room you don’t need to color match exactly but you should be aiming for a color that is in the shame color palette. Having any single room one color can be overpowering where as mixing other colors in can give a room more depth.
Patterns can also be used to add the extra color you need to a room. Each color that you decide to use in a room should be used 3 times. You could have red roses in a jar or vase, a dash of red in your curtains and maybe …
Know A Lot More About The Different Kinds Of Septic Tanks
The tanks are in charge of storing the wastes gathered from the lavatories, washing stations, bathrooms, as well as kitchen. Septic tanks have a self-contained built-in system. Inside, the solids and liquids are split up as wastewater enters in the tanks. The lighter solids float on top of the tanks which make up the scum layer. The heavier solids settle at the bottom of the tanks which make up the sludge layer. The liquid which stays in the middle forms the effluent layer.
The natural anaerobic bacteria that’s inside the septic system will be responsible in breaking down the solids as well as converts them into liquid or gaseous form. These microbes are known as coli-form that are present in the human waste. The tanks are buried underground and has an inlet opening as well as an outlet opening. The wastes which are discharged in the tanks would go through the inlet opening as well as be broken down by the anaerobic bacteria. The partially treated liquid will go through the outlet opening as well as would go to the drainfield. Before the installation of the tanks, one must be aware of types of septic tanks available which will be suited for one’s necessities. There are two kinds of tanks in general, the conventional and alternative. The kind of system which must be set up will depend on the site and soil conditions of the area.
In the conventional gravity system, it is is made up of network of drainfields that lie in gravity. Underneath the tanks, these trenches are fixed in the soil. The liquid passes in the drainfields by gravitational pressure. In this set-up, the drainfields must be underneath the outlet of the tanks. The measurement of the drainfields will depend on the volume of the inflow of sewage base on the use of water, the number of individuals and the soil condition.
The pressure distribution drainfields system is normally installed if the condition of the location doesn’t enable the drainfield to be set up underneath the tanks outlet. The tanks system design will be almost comparable to gravity drainfield, the only distinction is the usage of mechanical effluent pump. This pump is needed to pump the effluent from the pumping compartment to the drainfields.
The professional company could set up any type of septic tanks system depending on the location of the house, the available space and the kind of soil in the area. You must find a dependable company to install the right septic tanks in your location. You can locate many expert service provider firms that could set up the proper septic tanks system depending on the area and the type of soil. These companies can be found on the internet and you can select the right company that could set up the septic tanks system at a reasonable cost. You could ask the service providers all of your questions about the system and they could provide tips on the type of system that’s right …
How to Negotiate With Home Warranty Companies
After you have purchased a home warranty, at some point in the future, there is no doubt that you will file a claim with the company in question. Negotiating with the different companies can be a hassle, but most of the reputable ones will deal with you professionally, but the outcome concerning your claim may not make you happy. What I am talking about here is claim denial and this is where I am going to give you a few pointers.
One thing that you should remember is that any type of insurance company has to deal with a great deal of fraud, so they have many protections put in place to roadblock fraudulent claims or frivolous complaints. But these policies sometimes frustrate homeowners with legitimate claims.
Here is the first thing that you should remember.
When you call in to report your claim, you must remember that the person that you are talking to is just doing their job. You should make sure not to exaggerate your situation or have an unnecessary attitude with the representative. You will catch more flies with honey. Always remember that.
After you have calmly reported your claim, you need to consider the fine print on your policy. If your problem is due to neglect or improper installation, you may just be out of luck, but if you feel like your claim is legitimate and you feel like you are being dealt with unfairly or in an unprofessional manner, then you have another option that many people don’t think about.
If you purchased your home warranty at the closing of your new home, then you probably bought it from your real estate agent. And chances are, he or she has made a commission off of its sale. And that means that the real estate agent has a relationship with the company and you can use this to your advantage. Call them up and see if they can offer you some assistance. Mostly likely they will be a little reluctant but willing.…