:Forest Folk

Besides providing your home with more living space, a home addition can be a terrific investment. However, before embarking on such a project the homeowner should first consider several important items. These items include: home market values in the neighborhood, financing, size and scale of project, architecture, timetable for completion, personal disruption/inconvenience threshold and the sweat equity commitment level.

Size of Addition and Market Value

Prior to actually breaking ground on a home addition, it is best to first determine what you are looking for in terms of additional living space. For example: How many square feet? What types of rooms? Once this is understood, it is then important to find out the market value of homes in the local area with similar size and features to the new and improved home. With this information the homeowner can then calculate the difference between their current home market value and the new and improved home market value. This difference should represent the maximum budget for the new addition if a positive investment is desired. For example, a homeowner would not want to spend $50,000 on a new home addition that provides only $25,000 in increased market value to the improved home.

Financing

The next important question involves how to fund the home addition. Unless the project is being funded via cash/savings then financing will be required. If current mortgage rates are higher than the existing mortgage, then a home equity loan will probably make the most sense. If current mortgage rates are lower than the existing mortgage, then refinancing the entire home, including the cost of the home addition project, may make the most sense.

Architectural Considerations

Once the financial items have been addressed it is then time to focus on the size and scale of the project, as well as the architectural and aesthetics of the new addition. The addition should be of size and scale such that it aesthetically melds into the original house. It should not be too small or too big. Frequently, homeowners get carried away and add large amounts of new living space without sufficient thought on the outside appearance. From a market value, there is more to a home than just pure living space. A home needs to maintain its exterior aesthetics as well. It is important to consider such items as siding, doors, windows, rooflines, and elevations. All should meld into the existing home exterior seamlessly and aesthetically.

If an architect is not planned for the project, then the homeowner should at least make some sketches of the home exterior with the new addition. The building inspector will probably require them anyways during the permit process. Also, there are many Home Design software packages on the market today that can help create such drawings.

Schedule and Sweat Equity Commitment

The next two items that should be considered include the timetable for completing the project and the homeowner sweaty equity commitment level. Many homeowners assume they can do a lot more than they are either skilled to do or have the time to do. From personal experience, I would suggest contracting out the site/ground work, rough framing, roofing, siding, heating/cooling, and the drywall. All of these tasks require skill, time and brawn. If local laws permit, electric and plumbing may be tackled by the homeowner. However, both require skill and can be life threatening if not performed properly. Other tasks that a homeowner could tackle include installing interior doors, finish trim, painting, cabinet installation, tiling and hardwood flooring. Prior to a homeowner signing up to any specific task however, they should first honestly assess their skill and available time, and compare them to their project schedule. If they don’t match, hire the contractor.

Threshold of Inconvenience and Disruption

Finally, a homeowner should consider their threshold for inconvenience and disruption. A home addition, particularly if it involves the kitchen, is very disruptive to today’s busy lifestyles. It is also a dusty, dirty and noisy endeavor. In addition, dealing with subcontractors can be challenging at times. For a typical addition anticipate several months of effort and inconvenience.

If after assessing all these issues you are still willing to move forward with the project, contact your subcontractors, pull your permits and get ready for an exciting time. For most homeowners tackling a home addition is a positive experience that provides both new living space and a great investment.

For more help on building a home addition, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Room Addition Bid sheet. The Room Addition Bid Sheet will help ensure that your room addition project goes smoothly and is completed on time and budget.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit www.homeadditionplus.com and www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

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If you enjoy sitting on your patio and relaxing then you’ll need something to give you shelter during the rainy seasons. Many people find the sound of rain comforting especially when they are sitting on their patio. In order for this to be possible your patio will need some type of patio cover. Patio covers come in many different styles and many different colors. They are generally made from cotton, vinyl, acrylic, polyester yarn and polyester fabric. They are most commonly support by wood, aluminum, iron, or steel rods or columns. As the name implies their main purpose is to cover a patio.

When searching for the necessary shelter to keep yourself dry while resting on your patio you have two options. The two covering options are an attached over or a freestanding cover. You budget, house, and current patio will help you shape your decision. Attached patio covers are popular because they come in many different styles. Attached models can be purchased online or at your local hardware store. This type of cover is usually supported by an aluminum frame with different materials in many different colors covering the patio. These are great for small patios and deck areas but usually don’t increase the value of your home.

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I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for $100,000 profit. My family and I did not have time to wait for professional help. We sold our investment property before finishing the work and needed the home ready for appraisal.

While stripping the wallpaper, I realized that many homemakers get wrong advice for this horrendous task. After years of experience on over 30 houses, I offer my tried and best tips:

1. Use a clothes steamer or rent a professional steamer
2. Soak a large section of the wall
3. Run a “Paper Tiger” scoring tool across the damp section
4. Steam the section again
5. Spray the section with fabric softener and hot water
6. Score the section with the paper tiger again
7. Steam again
8. Remove any curling edges (sometimes large areas peel off)
9. Scrape with a six inch sheetrock blade
10. Repeat the above steps on the section until most scrapes off easily
11. Scrub with hot water, TSP, and a sponge with a scratchy surface

Cautions: Use the Paper Tiger gingerly so you don’t scratch or gouge the walls. Use gloves with the harsh chemical TSP.

Don’t live with ugly wallpaper any longer!

P. S. Please email me if you have any additional tips on stripping wallpaper that would help others!

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author’s information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher loves to help home makers create homes for glorious living. For free ebook on Interior Design Psychology go to http://www.joytothehome.com

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A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty - sweet, succulent and an
amazing shade of orange-red. Orange and red continue to be
popular colors in decorating this year but 2004’s shades are
softer and more vibrant, like ripe persimmons and pomegranates.

Don’t limit these jewel-tones to the inside of your house. They
can be incorporated into a beautiful outdoor theme by using the
rich and exotic influences of Morocco.

•In countries such as Morocco, which line the balmy
Mediterranean, curtains are often used in place of doors to
allow breezes to circulate freely. Use gauzy fabric such as
mosquito netting or scrim, a light, sheer, loosely woven cotton
or linen cloth used for upholstery lining. Since it’s
inexpensive, you can install luxuriously full draperies without
going broke.

•If you’d rather not have curtains, consider using the same
fabric as a tent over a table or a chaise. Some nettings come
with a center hanging unit, or you can easily make one of a 2′
square piece of plywood and some rope.

•Intricate latticework is another element often seen in Morocco.
You can emulate the look by edging pieces of plain lattice (the
closer the weave, the better) with old carved porch posts. Paint
roughly with turquoise or azure and then further distress the
finish with sandpaper. Alternatively, you can install a carved
wooden room screen.

•Wood furniture will give you the most authentic Moroccan look.
Don’t have wood furnishings? Try constructing a simple low-slung
chaise from a used solid core door with six fence post tops
screwed into the bottom. Paint or stain it to look like rich
wood and top with a thick cushion (use an 8″ foam mattress cut
to measure). Use a heavy-weight fabric for the cushion cover and
make sure it’s a bright orange or red color!

•You can improvise a table from a hollow core or solid core door
set on cement blocks or stacks of bricks. Cover it with layers
of rich cloths in your chosen colors. You’ll find this table
sits low to the ground and you’ll be able to eat in the
traditional Moroccan way: sitting on pillows and rugs. Cover the
cushions with co-ordinating or contrasting fabrics in rich
finishes. Use azure, persimmon and lots and lots of gold fabric.

•Tiles are an absolute must in Moroccan style. If you cannot
incorporate them in the floor of your space, by painting a tiled
pattern on a wooden deck, laying tiles on a patio, or edging
your pool-side cabana, be sure to pick them up in a tabletop, a
plant pot, a wall-hanging or a large tray. Mix bright turquoise
or azure blue and goldy-orange tile pieces in intricate patterns
to capture the Moorish look.

•Moroccan-style lanterns usually have some sort of filigree
work, whether wicker, metal or some other material. They are
often pointed at both ends, necessitating hanging. Most often,
they will enclose a flame, either of candles or small oil
torches. You can also use white or ivory pillar candles instead
of, or in addition to, hanging lanterns.

•Use accent pieces of dark wood or brass. Pile a brass tray high
with exotic fruit such as persimmons, tangerines and glossy
pomegranates.

•For greenery, use succulents such as banana trees and
mother-in-law’s tongue, and tropicals like palms and ficus. You
can also add more color to your space with lush pots of bright
geraniums.

Use the rich color and sensual textures of Morocco in your
outdoor space and this summer you’ll be escaping to the casbah!

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Cedar shingles are by far the most aesthetically appealing shingles available on the market today. Traditionally built out of red cedar from the coniferous forests of northwestern North America, they are the ideal roofing material for house owners who prefer giving their roofs a natural look.

Original cedar shingles are naturally resistant to the elements, which is the primary reason why cedar shingles are used widely across varied climatic conditions. They are mainly available in two distinct qualities. One of them is the shingle made out of red cedar while the other is made out of the white variety. Red cedar shingles are made out of tight-grained particles that are previously saturated with tannic acid which experts say is a natural preservative. Red cedar shingles that are dipped in creosote to prevent corrosion and are preferred by homeowners since they add a rich and charming look to one’s property.

It is important to note that red cedars usually turn black if exposed continuously to coastal weather. Thus, seaside houses should have white cedar shingles. Red cedar shingles are usually much more expensive than the white cedar ones, although the price factor does not diminish its popularity in anyway. They are ideally suited to traditional New England homes while white cedar shingles seem to be picture perfect for bungalows and cottages that have been built in Nantucket style.

Over the years, traditional cedar shingles have lost out in some extent to synthetic shingles that emulate the cedar look. Advanced technologies are used in order to make these shingles have a longer lifespan compared to original cedar shingles. Most come with advanced UV inhibitors and have about five decades of steady warranty. These shingles are usually superb insulators and some advanced ones provide a cooler inside in the summer months and a warmer inside during harsh winters.

Cedar shingles, mostly available in honey, cinnamon, and silvery gray hues, need some amount of maintenance. They require initial treatment before installation. White cedar shingles for example, may be treated with bleaching oil and this should be done every six to seven years to increase their durability.

Shingles provides detailed information about shingles, cedar shingles, fiberglass shingles and more. Shingles is affiliated with Home Foundation Repair.

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Making vacuum cleaner comparisons is an important part of choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home. There are two sorts of examinations you can make of the cleaners available today, vacuum cleaner comparisons and vacuum cleaner contrasts. To ensure you find the best cleaning system for your home, you should both contrast and compare vacuum cleaners before making your final choice.

A comparison of vacuum cleaners should be left until you have determined which overall type of cleaner is right for your home. This is where the vacuum cleaner contrast comes in. Look at the larger picture before you look at the more detailed one involved in making vacuum cleaner comparisons, to ensure that you compare vacuum cleaners of a similar type. This allows you to make sure you really are getting the best of the bunch.

Examine your home setting before making more detailed vacuum cleaner comparisons. Do you have mostly carpeted floors in your home? What are you mobility requirements - would you be able to carry a bigger, possibly more powerful vacuum up the stairs, or would a more lightweight cleaner be suitable? Contrast the different types of vacuum cleaner available today to help you narrow down your choices. This will help you make more useful vacuum cleaner comparisons.

A comparison of vacuum cleaners is most effective when you select a few cleaners that appeal to you and then look more closely at the features they offer. Once you have chosen between a canister and upright vacuum, for example, you can compare vacuum cleaners more effectively. If the main feature you are looking for in a vacuum is a lighter weight, then compare vacuum cleaners of this type.

Performing vacuum cleaner comparisons between a smaller selection of cleaners is a more effective way to find the right vacuum for you. Remember to contrast the main features available in cleaners today, and once you have selected the most important vacuum traits for you, you will be able to make vacuum cleaner comparisons more accurately.

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