The Benefits of Concrete Polishing

Prior to having any concrete polished, both home and business owners often ponder exactly what the benefits of having polished concrete are. Many erroneously believe that there are many benefits and the benefits that do exist are of only minor concern. Nothing could be further from the truth however as polished concrete carries with it a great number of benefits.

First and foremost is the elimination of dusting. Unpolished concrete floors release tiny particles of dust that can force epoxies off of surfaces and even concrete floors which can lead to very costly repairs. Having concrete polished however eliminates concrete dust problems altogether. Home and business owner should also remember that with greater amounts of concrete come greater amounts of dust, maintenance and repairs.

Unpolished concrete is generally porous and soaks up oil, water, debris, and even promotes mold and mildew growth. Having concrete around a home or business professionally polished completely inhibits these things from ever penetrating concrete which ultimately means that things like the dusting mentioned previously, home and business owners won't have to spend additional money on maintenance and repairs nor will they be left with unsightly looking concrete.

Individuals don't often juxtapose concrete and illumination in the same thought though they should. Unpolished concrete is rather dull and absorbs almost all light, be it light in the visible spectrum or ultraviolet. When concrete is polished however it can actually enhance the beauty of a floor and reduce the cost of lighting. This is because it reflects the vast majority of light it receives and depending on where it is located will disperse it to walls, floors, and even ceilings.

Individuals who own a driveway can surely attest to the troubles concrete driveways carry with them. Things like tire marks, leaking oil and other automotive fluids, and even scratches and gouges from tools can really take their toll on a concrete driveway. Polished concrete driveways however are all but immune to these issues and are far easier to clean and repair when oil and tire marks are left behind.

Cleaning concrete floors can be a costly affair and they often require quite a bit of maintenance. Additionally there's a good amount of drag on the cleaning equipment used to clean concrete which is ultimately reflected in a concrete cleaning bill. Polished concrete however leaves less drag on cleaning equipment and even better, requires far less maintenance and cleaning than it's unpolished contemporaries do.

There are a great number of other benefits to having concrete polished which include cost effectiveness, negating the need for stripping and waxing, aesthetics, and longevity of concrete. While some home and business owners might look at the initial cost of concrete polishing and forgo the process it actually will cost them more in the long run to leave their concrete unpolished. Maintenance, repairs, and even replacing concrete are things that home and business owners must face when they leave their concrete unpolished.

Stellar Surfaces specializes in polished concrete NZ, concrete floor finishes and concrete floor polishing.

How to Get Energy Tax Credits

Be careful, be cautious and save every single piece of evidence that you receive from the manufacturer. Don’t throw anything away, save it all so if and when the IRS audits you, you can prove that your energy tax credits are accurate. Otherwise, well you know what will happen if you can’t prove your case.

To refresh your memory, the energy tax credit was signed into law on August 8, 2005. AKA the EPACT and allows homeowners to claim a tax credit based on certain environmentally friendly home improvements that are made to your home. You absolutely have to know what improvements qualify and how to claim them on your yearly taxes.

With the added tax incentive many homeowners are choosing to pay more for the required energy efficient building products that will improve the efficiency of their home. Not only will the government help pay for the products by giving you tax credits on your yearly taxes, but the energy efficient products will help the environment as well.

Energy Star Tax Credit will be given for all Energy Star Products. You will be able to claim a tax credit based on a percentage of your home improvement costs. The government checks your qualifying improvements, and they determine any tax credit you claim. Don’t think you can get away with any old tax credit; because you need to know the guidelines.

Some of those qualifying improvements include: exterior doors, windows and skylights; metal roofs; insulation systems; energy efficient HVAC; solar power and solar heating systems; and fuel cell power systems; and of course Energy Star products.

Before you hire a contractor to do any Energy Smart Improvement make sure he knows the requirements so you will be able to claim your tax credit. The contractor needs to be able to provide you with all the necessary paperwork or your tax credit will not be allowed. He also needs to know the energy efficient building products to use in every aspect of the project.

When you count on the credits to pay for part of the products if the contractor tries to cut corners, the government will not allow the credits to go through.

That is just one reason to hire a contractor who is licensed, bonded and insured. Check his references to be sure his customers were happy with the tax credits they received because he followed the rules closely.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County solar power.

Is Your Deck Wood Good? Pros and Cons of Common Deck Materials

In today’s world, there are more choices for your deck than just wood. However many prefer the beauty of a good wood deck, but know what you want and where to get it. Some woods are treated with chemicals, depending on the company, and you’ll find differences in quality and price. The chemicals keep the wood from rotting and also free from insects.

The most popular wood material is cedar and pine, and they are used more often in outdoor construction. Pine is less expensive, sturdy, and easy to work with, and is usually chemically treated. While cedar is naturally weather and bug resistant due to the substance within the wood itself. It is cost effective and beautiful as well.

Ipe is a tropical hardwood. It takes a special high-end saw blade to cut. The wood is dense and is often pre-drilled for screws. Ipe is more expensive than other deck materials, and they claim that it will last 3 times longer without the use of sealant. It is naturally resistant to bugs and weather. It is also less combustible, but is not fireproof.

Before you make your choices for a wood deck, check out the other deck materials. Plastic lumber has many advantages over wood. You can cut or drill it just like wood, and it won’t rot or draw bugs. It is also low maintenance and you’ll never have to seal it. Plastic lumber will make a nice deck for you, but remember it is not suitable for support capacities.

Composite deck material is just what it says, and it falls between plastic lumber and wood. Usually it is made from scrap wood fiber and recycled plastic. Because of that it is resistant to water and rot as well. It looks and feels like wood, and is a good choice in wet climates. The composite will withstand water and is slip resistant.

When you’re planning on doing the work yourself and if you don’t have much experience at building decks there are deck plans you can buy to help you plan and build the deck.

If that is more than you want to tackle, try hiring a deck contractor. They will get the job done long before summer and they have the knowledge to build the deck that will fit in your back yard. They’ll use the wood that is best suited for your area and instruct you in the ways to keep it in good condition for the life of your home.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County decks.

Carefully Selecting Blinds For A Home Or Office

Choosing blinds for a home or even for an office is a task that leaves many an individual scratching their head and somewhat stressed. The task can be daunting simply because there are so many different options you choose from and questions that must not only be contemplated but answered as well. Homeowners and those individuals looking to make their offices more comfortable must first decide what type of blinds that they want to use or whether or not they want to use blinds at all. While blinds are an effective method for setting atmospheres and even controlling the climate within a home or office, there are those individuals who prefer curtains or even shutters to blinds.

Once an individual has decided what type of blinds they want to utilize they then must turn their attention to the many different architectures and designs that are available. Blinds such as Roman shades, vertical blinds, Supreme Roman shades, and even light blocking unfringed blinds are all available for purchase from a wide variety of retailers. The aforementioned choices are just a small portion of what's actually available. Due to the high number of different types of blinds available many individuals benefit from consulting with a professional contractor in order to ascertain exactly what type of blinds will work best for their home or office.

After an individual decides on which type blinds he/she would like to utilize they then must turn their attention to what their ultimate goal is with these blinds. They must ask themselves whether their blinds are meant to obtain a little privacy, give better control over light flow in and out of a room, help keep a room warm or cool, or even block out light completely. Depending on what an individuals ultimate goal is for their blinds there are very specific types that they'll need to utilize if they wish to achieve those goals. Again homeowners and those looking to install blinds in an office can benefit greatly from consulting with a professional contractor.

After all of these questions have been answered and choices made, individuals must then turn their attention towards retail vendors. There's no shortage of vendors both on and off-line that sell window blinds. Individuals will have no problem finding a local vendor but may have a difficult time ascertaining which company offers the highest quality product at the fairest prices. To help weed through what is sure to be a long list of vendors, individuals will need to spend some time reading reviews, carefully perusing different websites, and even speaking with past clientele online to determine whether or not a company and its blinds are reliable.

While it may seem overwhelming to shop for new window blinds, the process isn't overly difficult; it simply requires careful planning and a critical look at all the companies that sell blinds. Should an individual take the time and do things right they will end up with blinds that serve the purpose for which they were selected. Rushing through the process on the other hand can lead to frustration and even necessitate purchasing another set of blinds to correct the problems found in the first hastily selected set.

Raymonde Draperies specializes in San Diego blinds, hunter douglas blinds, and window blinds.

Artisan Painters Turn Empty Nest Into Creative Haven

Whether or not you have the ability of Artisan Painters, you can still turn your empty nest, by simply utilizing color, to make a creative haven. Check out ideas online and compare magazine pictures to pick the colors to match or contrast your existing color schemes. Your local paint store will have those pictures and samples of paint that will bring your home into the twenty-first century without destroying the past.

You’ll love the clean look especially when you remove all the old wallpaper that long ago served its purpose. You could start in the kitchen to upgrade the color there where you spend so much of the day and remember dark colors make the room appear smaller. Smart bright colors work well in most rooms even if you paint one wall a contrasting color, while the remaining walls pick up the existing colors in the furniture or rugs.

When the idea of choosing different colors of paint in each room is a daunting idea, you can do as many do and go online to find a painting contractor who has the knowledge to do what you’re afraid to do. They will make many suggestions, show you color schemes, and work together with you to create that artisan painter look in your entire home.

There is nothing like fresh paint in one room of your home to make you want to upgrade every single room to replace that empty nest feeling. When your grown children return home, hopefully for just a visit, surprise them by changing out your entire house. When you hire the work to be done, they’ll finish the entire house before you even get started in one room.

The advantages of hiring the painting out are numerous and one will be the quality of paint they choose to use that will fit exactly in each room. Hallways where fingerprints seem to gather will be washable paint and cover the stains left by grandchildren.

The cost will be more of course, but it won’t be as high as if you went and bought the paint and bought either too much or too little. Matching special paint is easier today than in the past where they had to guess the exact shade of the paint. Today they use computers for that match and the skilled painter knows the amount required to get the job done.

Another advantage, they’ll clean up their mess and you won’t find smears anywhere. What more could you want?

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County painting professionals.

How to Increase Your Kitchen Space

Nothing is worse in a modernized kitchen than to have no place to store your larger items. There are easier ways than remodeling the entire kitchen by tearing everything out and starting over. When you want your countertop completely clear of items that need to be out of site; figure out ways to change things without changing everything.

For instance if your cabinets don’t go all the way to the ceiling, consider adding new cabinets above your current cabinets. Then if you reface your existing cabinets the entire kitchen will match and look new. Usually when a contractor does that, he gives you new doors and new drawers, and your kitchen not only looks new, it is new.

You can make other changes if you aren’t interested in the refaced look. A kitchen cart on wheels can be moved totally out of the kitchen and placed in an adjoining hallway or even the laundry room.  Most carts have storage areas where a large mixer or pan can be stored. There are also microwave carts with the same features.

Is there a hutch in your dining room? Is there room in the kitchen for the hutch? If so, there are normally glass doors with shelves, then bottom drawers for useful storage. You could also put the hutch in another area like the kitchen cart or it could even stay in the dining room with the treasured dishes on top and the larger storage areas in the bottom.

Another consideration would be to install drawers under the kitchen cabinets. When the drawers are in the closed position, it opens the countertop up for use. Whether you place the drawers on top of the countertop or attach them under the cabinets, either way you’d have new storage areas. In order to clear your countertop no matter how small, consider wall hanging knife racks, wine racks, or even a flowerpot that will brighten the area.

Nothing makes your kitchen seem smaller than stuff stacked on your countertop. It’s harder to clean and just looks messy. With a little ingenuity you can change all that by finding other places to store the things you don’t use every day. A spare bedroom or hall closet may have space, and that’s what you need. Bedroom closets usually have tons of storage space on top, so consider adding more.
If you’re tired of your kitchen looking like a jigsaw puzzle, contact a contractor who will give you new ideas, and you’ll be amazed at the amount of the storage space you’ve gained within the same space.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County kitchen remodeling.

The Importance of Air Duct and Vent Cleaning

Out of sight, out of mind, and if it works properly leave it alone. Those may be true statements, but simply don’t apply to the air ducts or vent cleaning. Many homeowners have no idea when their air ducts and vents were last cleaned, if ever. Many others have no idea why they even need cleaning because they are in a closed system.

So why do the job yourself, or pay for someone else to do it.

There are good reasons why the vents and ducts need regular cleaning. Now we aren’t talking about weekly or even monthly cleaning, but once a year or every other year may be advisable according to the experts. They have found harmful molds, fungus and other microbes in infected systems. It is also a fact that cleaning the vents and ducts regularly will not harm your system.

There are a couple of ways to clean the vents and ducts. They connect one system to the ducts to provide suction and a high-pressure air hose is passed through the ducting that provides suction. The other system uses a special vacuum attached to a hose and brushes through the ducting.

That isn’t all, a proper cleaning should also include: cleaning the registers, and the interior of the heating and ventilating system. The furnace fan and the coils should be cleaned thoroughly. They often put a disinfectant into the system to eliminate any mold, bacteria and/or dust mites that remain in the system.

After your system is clean, the quality of air in your home should improve, and for homes where people with asthma and sinus problems live, the job of cleaning the vents and air ducts becomes absolutely necessary. Pets who share the living space within a home is another reason to keep the air clean. The mold, bacteria and dust mites can make the system life threatening for those with breathing problems.

Proper cleaning of the entire system should take between three to five hours, but it depends on the size of the home. Of course when there is more than one unit or the unit is on the roof, the charge of $90 to $125 will be higher, and the hours it takes to get the job done will increase as well.

When a company gives you a price to clean the entire unit that should include a thorough cleaning of the inside of all the ductwork, the fans, coils, and registers. Be sure to check out the prices and cleaning structure before you hire them.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County home remodeling.

Recoup Remodeling and Addition Investments

Many things enter into the equation when it comes time to remodel or add an addition to your existing home. Do you plan on staying in your home for a period of time, or do you plan to sell it within a year or two.

If you plan on staying in your home, then it would make sense to do whatever will make your family more content. You can add additional rooms and baths that will accomplish that. You can paint the bright colors you like and forget about others who may not agree with you. You can change the outside to be the best in the neighborhood because you like it that way.

However when you plan on moving in a relative short time, remodel with the goal of recouping your investments. A suggestion you may not have thought of is to contact a realtor in your area who can give you advice. They will be able to tell you what to expect before you begin to remodel or build additions to your home.

One of the mistakes people make is to focus only on what they like and don’t take into consideration other potential buyers. Major kitchen or bath remodels would bring approximately 92% return on your investment. However minor kitchen or bath remodels could bring up to 125% return. When you consider how long your home would be torn apart for the major remodels, you may decide against doing the major ones and stick to the minors.

Basic color schemes work in the same way by blending the walls, ceilings, and floor. Wallpaper has the opposite effect. If your remodels are extreme they may turn the conservative prospective buyer totally away from buying your home.

Don’t neglect the curb appeal to the front of your home. Prospective buyers look for attractive homes with well thought out landscaping. Many don’t want the home to stick out in a modest neighborhood, but will look elsewhere to find a home that fits in well with the neighbors.

Research is the best and smartest way to find the answers you’re looking for. If you plan on reselling in the near future, whatever you do to your home will be the deciding factor whether or not you receive the 100% return on your investment.

So choose wisely, but if you remodel only for your family’s enjoyment and aren’t interested in total returns, go for it. In that case, you and your family are the only ones to please.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County home remodeling.

Checklist: How to Hire a Handyman

One of the first things you’ll want to do before you hire a handyman is ask if he has references. Take down the number and call to make sure he is honest and reliable. Check him out when you hire a handyman to do any job. Be sure he understands the job. Does he charge by the job or by the hour and how much does he charge? These are things you need to know before you hire him.

Another idea to find a good hard working handyman is to check with your neighbors, family and friends. Their handyman may be the perfect fit for small jobs around your home. In today’s world a good handyman is similar to a good mechanic, and once you find them you’ll want to keep them busy. They’ll do the projects that will free the homeowner from working the entire weekend.

Next you’ll need to know what you want him to fix so check around your home, and make a list of the things. Normally he’ll do things like paint, tile & caulk, small plumbing and electrical problems. He’ll need to be qualified to do any number of jobs around your home.

When you finish checking the inside of your home, look outside as well. The gutters may need to be cleaned out and/or repaired. The windows and door insulation need to be in good condition in order for your home to run efficiently. Your sprinkler system may also need repairs. Many may prefer your gardener, if you have one, to take care of that. Pressure washing your home may be another project for a handyman.

Other outside jobs may include cleaning out and replacing the pads on the water cooler and that will be a messy job that many homeowners don’t want to tackle.

You’ll be able to find many small jobs for a good honest and dependable handyman. Many may work under the umbrella of a contractor who handles the insurance, license, and bond issues.

When you find a good handyman hang on to him and tell your friends about him. He may even give you discounts if you refer him to others. Just be sure he is a good fit for your home and family by checking him out before you hire him. Then you may want him to do one small job and as time wears on and trust enters the picture, give him more things to do. When you take care of your handyman, he’ll take care of you.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County handyman.

Charge up Your Electrician To-Do List

When you find it necessary to have an electrician come to your home or office, understand how they work, and you’ll save yourself money in the long run. Most electricians charge a trip fee for every visit they make to your home or place of business. On top of that they charge an hourly service fee even if they don’t work the full hour.

The wise thing for a homeowner to do is find other areas where the electrician can bring your home up to date and be prepared before he/she gets there. That especially holds true if your home is older and still has the 60 amp outdated service. Because of the new electronics in most homes even the standard 100 amp panels may be overtaxed.

Start by checking existing outlets and have them changed to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. That may also be a good time to add outlets where they are needed, like in the kitchen or bathroom where there are never enough.]

Dimmer switches are great to replace the old-fashioned toggle switches and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them. You’ll totally enjoy a dimmer switch over the dining room table where the dimmer light encourages you and your guests to remain at the table for hours on end.

Don’t stop there though, dimmer switches work well in bedrooms or even in the bathroom where the lighting is normally bright and foreboding. Dimmer lights while you soak away the day’s stresses will welcome you.

In your kitchen as you prepare recipes you may prefer the brighter lights, but later under cabinet lighting takes the glare away.

New phone jacks may improve your telephone service, and your electrician can install them without problems.

Now how about that thermostat that keeps getting changed? You’ll save money if you have the electrician install a new programmable thermostat, then cover it so no one else can change the temperature in your home.

Exterior outlets are often ignored. If you can’t find one have the electrician install one or more so you won’t have to use extension cords outside.

If you have all of things covered even before the electrician gets there, you may want to warn him so he/she will bring the necessary tools to get the job done the first time. You don’t want him to charge you miles for going back and forth.

We certainly don’t want to imply that electricians are after your money for most   are hard working and eager to do a good job.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in home improvement specialists, local home remodeling pros and Orange County electrician.