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Basement remodeling could be an intimidating notion, but it’s an area of interest that comes up frequently when you get a new home. It could be a pricey endeavor that could be very beneficial, if done the right way. There a couple of things you should think about when you decide remodeling a basement is right for you. For starters, in these tough economic times the values of homes are dropping at an alarming rate. If you are trying to sell your home one must try to persuade the buyer the best way they can. But not that many people spend the time or the money remodeling a basement, therefore making your home more desirable to future buyers. Having a fully remodeled basement can dramatically increase your property value. This means that you can not only recover the money you will spend on the basement, you could also make a possible profit.
Existing problems
The number one thing you must do when you decide that remodeling a basement is right for you is to assess your basement. Find out any existing problems that you may have so you can spend your money the best way possible. Look for leaks, holes, mold on walls and any water damage that might have happened in the past years. Don’t forget to check out the temperature of the basement; is it too hot or too cold? Trying to take care of the existing problems will prevent damages to your new basement and ensure that your property value goes up and make the project run smoother.
Chose good flooring
Picking what goes in your basement can be quite overwhelming. For floors you have the option of choosing hardwood, ceramic tile or carpet. Hardwood floors are the best choice for it gives an extravagant appearance at is often considered luxurious. There are two options to consider when choosing hardwood, natural or synthetic hardwood. Both are brilliant and can survive substantial water problems. Ceramic tiles is the second best for it has a stylish appeal and most designs can be quite attractive, it is also good if you have a basement that suffers from constant leaks or floods. Finally there is carpeting, which is very popular among a bunch of people, however it can cause some problems. The only option I would advise you not to take is concrete. It does not look good and it is unpleasant to walk on. It gives the basement a low quality look that you do not want. The materials you chose are very important so please pick them with care.
Be aware of darkness
Lighting is very crucial if you have a dark basement. It should be your highest priority when remodeling a basement. It would be a good idea to install some sun lights that would mimic natural sunlight. You can try to install some small basement windows; this will give extra brightness to the room. Try to paint the drywall in light and neutral colors that are pleasing to the eyes. You want to create a pleasant space. A lot of people make the mistake and paint the basement a dark color, hoping to make it edgier and unique only resulting in making it look murky and smaller than it really is.
You want to make the basement as comfortable and bright as possible for potential buyers.
Using some of these ideas with flooring and lighting will ensure that your home has a good chance of selling and also creating a loving and relaxed environment that you and your family can enjoy.
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Whether you’ve just moved into a newly constructed home or decided to start from scratch on a trouble-plagued lawn, there are some secrets to enjoying easy to manage sod grass. If you have a lawn maintenance service care for your grass, you may want to review these tips with them to make sure they tend to your investment properly. If you’re taking care of your yard yourself, it’s a good idea to print and post these tips near your mower until you’re completely familiar with them.
When your sod is first installed:
• Water the sod twice a day during the first two weeks. Keep the sod moist – not drenched, not with water puddles.
• Stay off the grass! Any traffic that treads on your sod risks seam separation and root detachment. If you must cross your yard, walk as gently as possible.
When you first mow your sod:
• You can usually mow your sod three weeks after it is installed, or when it grows to a height of about three inches tall – whichever happens first.
• Set your mower height to two and a half inches so you don’t cause distress by cutting the grass too short.
• Never cut the sod if it’s wet. Cutting wet sod puts the yard at risk for developing a matting problem, which leads to an ailing root system.
• Mow once a week as long as the sod is growing. Never cut more than a third of the grass blade’s height during a single mowing.
How to weed and feed:
• After you first mow your sod, feed it with a nitrogen concentrated fertilizer. In subsequent years, use a pre-emergent each spring and fall. This should help keep any weeds from getting out of hand.
• Fertilize every six to eight weeks during the growing season. Be sure to follow all the directions so you don’t use too much nitrogen. A light application of fertilizer is far more beneficial than applying too much. Try using organic fertilizers that are generally lower in nitrogen content.
• Combat crabgrass with a post-emergent herbicide, not with weed and feed. Weed and feed will only make crabgrass grow and spread.
Water smart:
• Water your sod less frequently, but for a longer period of time. This promotes healthy roots that are able to grow deep and keep your grass looking healthy.
• Water in the winter. When your sod is first planted, watering is especially crucial – even in areas that don’t experience a freeze. Once a week if it doesn’t rain is a good rule-of-thumb.
• Water in the morning. Watering early in the day helps you avoid evaporation. It also helps to prohibit the growth of yard fungus, which often happens in yards that are watered in the late afternoon and evening.
By following these tips, you can enjoy easy-to-manage sod grass that’s the envy of your neighborhood. With a little maintenance, your grass can become healthy, hardy, and lush – just the kind of yard you hoped for when you first planted your sod.
To learn more about the high quality sod grass that Modern Turf grows in South Carolina visit their website at http://www.moderntuf.com. Schedule a consultation today to end your search for the perfect high-quality sod- the most durable grass you have ever worked with, guaranteed
Round picture frames add an artistic dimension to any picture frame collection. There are many different kinds of decorative round frames however, not every photo will look good in a round picture frame. After you have read this article, you will have a better understanding of what type of pictures to avoid in round frames and which ones will look the best so you’ll always select the right frame for your photos.
Round picture frames are a fun way to display photos, but sadly most people display the wrong type of pictures in them. So, to help you avoid the pitfalls of using round frames, it’s best to start off with the types of photos to avoid using in round frames.
What to Avoid With Round Frames
Round picture frames are a great choice in certain circumstances, but there are times when you should avoid using a round frame. Here are the two top things to avoid in round picture frames:
1) Close-up Headshots: The round shape of the frame tends to give faces a more full appearance. No one wants to look round or have a full looking face so never put a close up head-shot in a round frame. In almost every case it will be unflattering to the person in the picture so don’t do it. The only case where up close pictures look good in round frames are pictures of babies.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t do headshots of people in a round frame but just don’t get too close. If you’re a good distance away, headshots look good but you should always be conscious to how the frame makes the person’s face look.
2) Cropping the Photo Too Tight: When cropping your photo to fit in your round frame be careful to not crop the photo too tight to the subject in your picture. You want the subject in the photo to have some space around them so they never look like they’re crammed inside the frame. Any picture you display in a round picture frame needs to have the subject positioned with an equal amount of space around them so the picture and frame complement each other.
Remembering not to crop your pictures too tight and not to use close up shots are two important rules that are easy to follow. That leaves a whole bunch of photos that you can use in round picture frames.
The Types of Photos to Use in Round Picture Frames
There are lots of photos that will look great in a round frame. Round picture frames help add a unique look to your decor and your photo no matter if you display it by itself or as part of a wall display. Here are just a few ideas of what will look great in a round picture frame:
1) Landscape pictures are wonderfully suited for a round picture frame. Framing a landscape image in a round picture frame makes it look like you’re looking through a small window at the beautiful scenery outside. Round frames are best to use with landscape scenery taken at a distance so it best fits the dimensions of the frame.
2) Pets are a favorite choice for round decorative picture frames. No matter if it’s a picture of their head or their entire body, the compact size of most pets makes them a great candidate for a round picture frame.
3) Drawings, sketches, needlepoint or other artwork can be beautifully displayed in a round picture frame. If you are looking for a unique way to enhance and display your artistic creation, consider using a round picture frame.
4) Baby pictures are an excellent choice for round picture frames. Round frames and the cute round shape of babies look great together. Just make sure to center your baby’s picture properly within the baby frame for best results.
5) Don’t limit your thinking to pictures. Photos and artwork are not the only items that look great in a round frame. Mirrors are great to put in a round frame as they add light and depth to any room. Not only will you have a useful item on your wall, but it will add a beautiful stylish touch to your decor.
If you’ve never used a round frame, now is a good time to try one. Now that you know what to avoid and what type of photo looks best in a round frame you will feel confident selecting a round picture frame that will add a stylish beauty to your home.
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames.com and loves taking pictures. Your Picture Frames offers a large selection of quality picture frames in a wide variety of finishes, styles, colors and sizes. Shop for frames and see our selection of round frames and square photo frames now.
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In August of 2005, President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law. This Act tackles several energy issues and lighting is certainly affected. The purpose of the legislation in general is to reduce energy consumption and provide tax deductions for commercial buildings installing energy efficient systems from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. NEMA further estimates that the provision will generate about $500 million in additional sales of lighting systems and products alone.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that lighting accounts for 25 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States. An average household spends 5 to 10 percent of its energy budget on lighting, and commercial buildings can spend up to 40 percent of an entire annual electricity bill. Upgrading a facilities lighting system can be an easy way to lower energy costs and reap the benefits of the tax deductions offered by the EPAct 2005, for more information, visit www.energybillinfo.com.
Lighting products to be affected are:
Exit signs – must meet ENERGY STAR© Version 2.0 efficiency levels
Torchieres – will be limited to using light sources that total no more than 190 watts
Ballasts – mercury-vapor ballasts cannot be manufactured or imported and will eventually be eliminated entirely
Ceiling fan light kits – the elimination of medium based bulbs in ceiling fans and ceiling fan kits, new bulbs must meet ENERGY STAR© Version 3.0
Medium-base compact Fluorescent lamps – must meet ENERGY STAR© performance requirements
Electromagnetic Ballasts – as of January 1, 2009, manufacture of electromagnetic ballasts must cease
Last year alone, ENERGY STAR© , helped Americans save enough energy to power 10 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions from 12 million cars – all while saving $6 billion. No other electric systems have a greater impact on energy savings than lighting, and lighting provides the highest return for your investment. Upgrades can pay for themselves in 3 years or less. This allows us as professionals to create a demand for energy efficient lighting technology and to be sensitive to our customers changing lighting needs.