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Upgrading a ranch home with a front addition adds curbside appeal and function. The awkward traffic pattern created by two levels of stairs in the split-entry foyer is improved with the right design. A new room on the front of the house can improve roof design as well. A decades-old house will likely need a curbside-view remodel to give the house a contemporary look.
The HTC Evo 4G has multiple toggle widgets that can be added to the smartphone's home screen. The widgets can toggle certain features, such as GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Airplane mode, on or off. Toggle widgets provide shortcuts to these features, replacing the need to navigate the Settings menu to enable or disable them. Toggle widgets can be added at your leisure for individual features; add them for the services that you use most often.
The Android operating system supports using multiple applications at the same time. Your applications stay open and active whenever you switch between apps, whether through your applications panel or through your notification bar. The background applications use less system resources than the active applications, so you can have several apps running at the same time without affecting system performance.
In the massively multiplayer online game, "Wizard 101," Nightshade is considered the strongest and most difficult boss in Wizard City. Lord Nightshade is a wizard from the death school making it difficult for other death school students to defeat him. As a reward, Nightshade drops a plethora of items including gold, clothing, jewelry, treasure cards or mounts. There are several quests to finish before locating Nightshade in "The Dark of Nightshade" quest.
Plecostomuses, commonly called plecos or algae eaters, are an armored catfish from the Loricariidae family. Native to South America, they are very popular with aquarium hobbyists for their ease of care and because they can be voracious algae eaters. Their armored skin also makes them ideal for keeping with larger, more aggressive fish. Since their introduction to aquariums, collectors have been importing more exotic colorings and ornate designs on the sucker mouth, bristle nose and sailfin varieties.
Adding space to your home has the potential to open the flow of your home, boost your property value and provide much needed living space. However, an unplanned project can also easily spiral out of control, with hidden costs and a lagging time line. The difference comes down to planning.
The hours you spend each week cleaning your home may result in shiny counters, but chances are you are still missing quite a few germs. Germs travel on bags, clothes, shoes and anything else moved from one location to another. They also thrive on often used devices such as remote controls, cell phones and laptops. The most diligent cleaning will not eliminate all germs, however, you can significantly reduce them by combining your cleaning efforts with a disinfectant fogger.
Split entry homes are generally defined as being homes with an entry at one main level of the home, while two other portions of the home are shifted a half-story either up or down, with stairs connecting the three sections. Renovating these homes usually involves updating the style of the home, which dates from the 1960s. The usual renovations include finishing unfinished areas of the home, updating the kitchen and bathrooms, and creating a master suite in the home.
If your home doesn't have a garage, you can still keep your car, truck or motorcycle protected from the elements with a carport. A carport provides a sturdy roof to shade your vehicle from the sun in the summer and shield it from rain and snow in the winter. There are two types and a good variety of materials to choose from. Your carport doesn't have to be boring or unattractive and can serve as more than protection for your car.
Split-level homes first appeared in the 1930s but became popular after World War II, in the 1950s and 60s. Today, many split-level homes feel dated and in need of remodeling. The classic split-level home generally includes a one-story side and a two-story side. In the single story, you may have the entry, living room, kitchen and dining room. On the two-story side, you usually have bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs, and a family room, laundry room and garage downstairs. As a result, you have three (sometimes more) levels in the home, with half-flights of stairs connecting each level. Another common split-level…
Homeowners often do not give much thought to the roof over their head until a problem develops. Replacing your roof is a significant investment, so choosing the right option for your home and budget is important. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a new roof, including your budget, but the key to finding the best fit for your home is identifying a roofing system that fulfills all of the needs on your checklist and doesn't break the bank.
Giving your dog the freedom to roam in a yard provides mental and physical stimulation for it, essential to the health of any dog. However, the yard must be safe and secure if your dog will spend time unattended in it. While not a difficult task, choosing the right fence for your yard requires analysis of both your dog and the surroundings.
Termites are insects that utilize swarm intelligence to infest a home. A cellulose food source such as wood is the diet of termites. Measuring only a fraction of an inch, these wood destroying insects can grow to a colony of more than three million strong. Utilizing a termite checklist helps determine if the residence is infested.
Houses fill up, then garages fill up, and at some point homeowners need to decide how they should store the accumulation of items saved over the years. Options are usually divided into two categories: storage in your home, or paying a fee for off-site storage in a public storage facility.
Millions of split-entry homes were built in the United States from the late 1960s into the 1980s. The style offered a step up from the small ranch and cape homes built to meet the needs of returning World War II veterans. As families outgrew their small "starter homes" in the 1970s, the economic climate created a demand for new larger homes at the lowest possible price. The result was a home design often lacking curb appeal and featuring an awkward interior floor plan. The basic boxy shape provides a good base for a variety of stylistic improvements.
Many people struggle to keep important paperwork organized. However, a home filing system can save you time, minimize mistakes in bill paying and other important activities, and provide you with a general sense of accomplishment and clarity. Make your filing system convenient, not complicated, for best results.
You don't have to be an architect to design a room addition. Your idea can start as simply as wanting to add a small guest bedroom to developing a nursery and playroom for a newborn baby. However you choose to design the new room, take planning the addition seriously. Check local zoning laws and follow all saftey guidelines for home addtions.
A well-designed home addition may add significantly to your home's value. Increased floor space that provides room for a bigger family room or master bedroom suite, for example, will be appealing to future buyers. Invest a significant amount of time in the planning process, because there are many excellent options for home additions. Look at interesting floor plans, materials and building techniques to see what's possible for your home. Great ideas don't necessarily cost any more money. Visit homes of friends and associates to review possibilities up close.
A pet door is a very useful home addition for pet owners who don't like spending their days (and nights) as a doorman for feline and canine wanderers. Pet doors can be installed in most doors as well as in walls. A pet door allows an animal the freedom to come and go without bothering the humans of the household.
Decide on the necessity for a home addition before you begin planning in depth. Know the exact reasons you are making the addition. This will drive your design and construction will go much smoother if you have a solid concept of how the addition will be used. Once you've established the reason for the addition, you'll have to answer a few other questions.
Constructing an addition for your log home is a wise move. Not only does an addition make your home more comfortable and spacious, but it's a wise investment that typically increases the value of your home. Let the inherently rustic quality of your log home inspire you when it comes to choosing the proper addition.
Releasing a stuck bolt from its hole or nut can be a simple job or very difficult, depending on the bolt's tightness and condition, and whether it was overtightened or has simply rusted. Rusted bolts are particularly tough to release from material. You may encounter a stuck bolt on a home appliance or on a vehicle. There are a few tricks you can employ to release a stuck bolt.
The International Residential Code sets insulation requirements for new homes and additions to existing homes. These requirements are in the form of R-values; R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. Different insulating materials have different R-values. The higher the R value, the greater the insulation. The IRC does not specify insulation thickness or type of insulation. R-values specified in the code are minimums; builders are free to exceed these values.
Carports are always a welcome addition to any home. These structures, although not as expensive to construct as a garage, protect vehicles, boats and bikes from the weather. Carports offer the home owner a protected area under which vehicles can be stored. These structures also add value to a home and can be used in bad weather, as a focal point in which to barbeque or as an outdoor entertaining spot. The most solid part of a carport, is normally the ceiling and there are fortunately a variety of materials that can be used for this important component of the…
Whether flying a large flag in front of a municipal building, or a more modest version in front of your home, there are a number of styles of flagpoles in the U.S. Flagpoles were originally made of wood. Today they are predominantly made of aluminum, steel or fiberglass, though wooden ones can still be found. The height of the pole and size of the base determine the maximum size of the flag that can be flown. When selecting a flagpole, in addition to size, strength is an important factor to be considered, especially in regions known for frequent high winds.
Day by day planners are the most comprehensive means for keeping track of daily work and family obligations, but they can be expensive. Since everyone's schedule is different, it can also be challenging to find a planner format that fits your family's needs precisely. A calendar you make yourself, preferably one that can be viewed in a daily, weekly or monthly format, will quickly become a family necessity. There are several options for creating such calendars online.
A sun room is an addition to your house that is partially or fully enclosed in glass. Sun rooms can be new structures built onto your home or existing areas that you repurpose. There are different kinds of sun rooms to choose from and they come all sizes, shapes and price ranges.
The gasoline in the tank of a vehicle or storage container can become an operational issue when left unused for a period of time. In as little as 30 days, the gasoline in a fuel tank can begin to deteriorate and start developing gum. This gum can deposit itself in lines and on parts, causing difficult starting and damage to engine parts. Adding a fuel stabilizer will help reduce or even prevent gasoline deterioration and breakdown and can greatly reduce any maintenance issues resulting from prolonged storage.
Adding floor space to an existing home can add market value, but above all else, it provides a small space that your family needs to play, relax, entertain or work. It's important to design the addition to be attractive, but also functional and solidly built. An ideal plan will make the addition look as if it's always been in place. Invest time in visualizing every aspect of the new structure, so that it harmonizes with the architecture and style of the existing house.
Also known as "bug bombs," insect foggers are insecticide products that create a fog of poison inside your home that effectively kills all or most insects inside or in the walls of your home. Their safety may lie in the brand of fogger you use as well as how closely you follow package instructions.
People with physical disabilities face the challenge of completing daily tasks that are easy for those without handicaps. Young and old alike are affected by the limitations of their own homes. Opening a door may be problematic due to arthritis. Stairs can be impossible for a wheelchair. You can ease some of those burdens when designing a home addition. Universal design and accessible design offer guidelines for creating a living space that is comfortable for everyone.
Ranch homes have been in existence for many years. Ranch homes are on one level. They are compact and have easy access from room to room. This style began in the West and mid-West, since in many ways it emulates a western ranch. It later spread to the Eastern seaboard as well.
Designing your own home addition can be a fun and challenging process. Only you know exactly what your family needs in the area of extra space. Once you have jotted down all of your ideas, it is time to put them into prospective and determine if you can make your expansion dreams a reality.
Due to financial strains experienced by many people in the past several years, home renovations are few and far between. Many people don't have the money or time to complete major renovations to improve the look or size of their home. There are home addition options, however, that can assist even those with a meager budget in giving their home a whole new look and feel without a long wait or extreme expense.
Many people move from their homes to gain extra space. Instead of moving, building an addition can add extra space and give the home a brand new feel. There are many different types of additions, from the simplistic to full-blown construction projects. Talk to a qualified construction company to review the many options.
The main home-addition tip is to know what you want. Go into a home-addition project without a clear plan and you end up building on-the-fly, and that gets expensive and troubling. Follow these tips on doing thorough research and planning in the early stages so you understand exactly what you are getting into and what the rewards will be.
Home addition projects affect the market value of a house. This effect may be positive, but the dollar-for-dollar return may be less than 100%. Home additions with the highest return on the investment are those that increase square footage, make better use of existing space or raise the standard of your home to those of newer homes.
Rain gutters are open pipes that are installed around the edge of a roof. Their purpose is to catch runoff from rainwater and divert it to the ground, minimizing any water damage to the home and environs. There are several methods of attaching rain gutters to houses. One method is to suspend them by straps. These types of rain gutter systems are referred to as "strap-hung" gutters.
According to Barbara Ballinger in an article in "Realtor Mag," the first Cape Cod style homes "...were small, one-and-a-half story structures with a steeply slanted, wooden shingle roof." Ballinger continues to explain that these homes normally have simple, practical interiors, pine or oak floors and small windows to conserve heat. Because Cape Cod homes have such a distinctive look, you should make sure that all additions have a compatible design, style and scale.
If you have a split entry on your home, you can create more space and gain some curb appeal by adding an addition. Known for their small spaces and cramped staircases, split level, bi-level and tri-level homes often feature a split entry. An entry doorway located on a small separate landing from the floor above and below, split entryways normally have both a stairway leading up and one leading down, causing a tight spot when you first enter.
A cedar chest also goes by the name "hope chest." In the past, a traditional practice was for a young woman and her future husband to fill a cedar chest with items for their future home. Even if you think this idea is antiquated, you are never too old or too young or too single or too married for a cedar chest, which can be a beautiful addition to your home as well as being very functional.
A split-foyer home, where the entry foyer is halfway between the ground and second floors so that visitors must walk up or down to the rest of the house, is already carefully balanced, so a poorly planned addition to the house can make it look awkward. There are several ways, though, to add to a split-foyer home in a manner that enhances (or creates, in some cases) beauty and gives the homeowner more living space.
If you want to build a second-floor addition to your home but you are not exactly sure what you want to build, there are several creative ways to turn that elevated space into a relaxing or multipurpose addition that takes advantage of new technologies, better views and open skies.
Although a large-scale addition to your home may seem like an impressive and foolproof way to add value and attract a good price from buyers, smaller additions and improvements are usually a better choice. Homeowners need to weigh their decisions carefully. An addition pricing a home above the neighborhood's average can hurt the seller's profit, and smaller improvements increasing curb appeal can boost value quickly and easily.
If you like your home and neighborhood but need additional space, it might be worth adding on to your home versus moving. Begin the process by calling your county courthouse to determine if your building permit needs to be issued by your city or your county. In some localities, a home improvement permit is issued by a state agency. Obtain a list of residential building codes from the department issuing the building permit.
For homeowners planning a home addition, estimating costs can seem like the biggest frustration of the whole project. Contractors generally provide estimates based on cost per square foot, though these estimates vary depending on the house's location, materials used and contractor/subcontractors employed on the project. Estimates between the contractors/subcontractors also vary widely, but by taking a few precautionary steps a homeowner can determine a total average cost per square foot for the project.
When planning to add a garage onto a home, you should consider several things. The size of the garage will determine whether it is a one-, two-, or three-car structure. The style of the garage is mostly determined by roof construction, since the body of most garage additions is basically a large box shape. All garages have doors, and doors come in many different styles as well.
Newspapers sometimes mysteriously begin showing up in your mailbox or on your doorstep. Little did you know, the newspaper company decided to give you a free subscription. While you may think this is a courtesy to you, it is actually benefiting the newspaper company, as the more newspaper readers they have, the more the newspaper company can charge advertisers for their services. Take just a few steps to opt out of this free newspaper delivery.
Prefab additions for Cape homes help to address the historical small size of these homes. Cape homes arose in colonial times in the Northeast. Before you purchase a prefab addition for your home, consult the engineer at the manufacturer. Your free consultation helps to ensure the addition is feasible to attach to the existing structure of your Cape home.
Even before contacting a subcontractor for a home addition, you first must have a full set of plans prepared by an architect or engineer; the plans should specify all architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical requirements needed to complete the addition. For a home addition, you will typically need a shell contractor, an electrician, a plumber, a mechanical contractor, a roofing contractor, a glazing contractor, a drywall, plaster and insulation contractor, a finish carpenter, and a flooring contractor.
An addition can increase the value of your home and add to your quality of life. It could be a bigger kitchen, another bath or bedroom, an additional living space or an in-law or rental suite. However, before you get your home equity loan and sign with a contractor, there are several things to keep in mind.
Adding a room on to your home can create more space for a growing family, and it may help increase your home's value. Building a room addition yourself means that you do not have to spend money on a contractor, and you can add your own creative touch to the design. Do-it-yourselfers thinking about undertaking this project, however, should understand that it is no easy task. Building an addition can be as difficult and time-consuming as building a new home, especially if it includes a bathroom, kitchen and/or washer and dryer hookups.
If you're considering a home addition, first determine how long you intend to stay in your home. If you're looking for resale value, then you'll want to think about those improvements that will add the most value to your home. If you're not planning on leaving your home for quite some time, then you may want to prioritize your projects based on your family's more immediate needs rather than resale value.
The addition of a new feature to a home can be a matter of convenience, aesthetics or necessity. However, no matter what the reason, they all have one thing in common. They have the potential to be quite costly. While they will add to the value of the home, the average cost of home additions can vary greatly. Determining the average cost means taking into account a number of variables, such as special features, size and even geographic location.
Mobile homes are often an inexpensive solution for a place to live for many people when they are buying their first home. Yet mobile homes are often small, and residents will often have the inclination to expand, due to additions to the family, more things that have been gathered or added to the household or just the need for more space in general.
Creating an addition to the rear of your home is a project that requires an idea of what type of addition you want to build, a financial plan and knowing who is going to construct the structure---you or a contractor. Determining what type of addition you want is the first step in the project. From a family room to a larger master bedroom, there are several rear addition ideas available for you to choose from.
It all started with one simple idea, and now your vision for the room of your dreams has grown into an enormous project. How do you keep all your thoughts together? If you carefully implement the following steps, you should have the perfect home addition plan before you go to bed tonight. Here's what you need to do.
Mississippi is an appealing location for many reasons, including its rich musical culture, its vibrant nightlife, its coastal scenery and its filling and flavorful cuisine. And although the seaside towns that once were hot tourist destinations have taken a hit due to hurricane activity, reconstruction has helped bring the damaged areas back from ruin. If you're looking to make a move to or within Mississippi read this helpful guide to help you determine where to call home.
Adding on to your home is a huge and, potentially, expensive step. You have to keep in mind your budget and what additions would be serve you and your household. Keeping in mind the increase in your home's resale value is also a good idea when you are wanting to make a profit. There are several ideas for additions that will make your home more of what you need it to be as well as increasing your home's resale value.
Deciding on the right floor plan for your home addition requires research, planning and careful thought. Many homeowners consider décor and paint more important choices more than the floor plan. But the layout of your room is far more important. It will be with you for a long time and is an expensive undertaking to change.
Before you start to build that addition onto your home, make sure you have secured the proper building permits required by your municipality. Dealing with the government can be frustrating, but you can reduce the level of frustration by following the tips below. Although no article can be definitive for every area of the country, following the steps here can at least help you prepare the necessary documentation.
There are several ways to build a home addition. You can be the general contractor and hire trades to do the work, you can hire a remodeling / build firm, or you can do all or some of the work yourself. Before any construction begins a well thought out plan needs to be created. Your home addition must meet local building codes, your homes structure should be analyzed by a professional architect and your budget should be realistic.
There are few things in life that are as rewarding as designing and building an addition onto your home. It not only demonstrates your creativity but it will provide you and your family with more valuable space. The process starts with understanding why you need to add on, followed closely by your designing a useful and aesthetically pleasing addition to your home.
Home additions provide homeowners an excellent way to increase living space, add an extra bedroom for a growing family, or increase the resale value of their home. Home additions are typically wise financial investments but should only be done by licensed and experienced professionals to avoid potential problems such as permitting errors, electrical dangers and plumbing issues. Whether adding on a family room, enlarging an existing space with a seating area or building on a sunroom or home office, home additions provide long-term gains that exceed the time and expense required for their construction.
A home addition is a construction project carried out on an existing home that adds to the amount of space in the home, usually by creating additional rooms, or extending existing rooms. Homeowners make additions for various reasons, which often include the need for more space due to a growing family, the desire for a larger home while not wanting to sell or move, or a desire for certain specialized rooms that do not normally exist in a home.
Even with the wide range of discounts and sales offered by major retailers, the cost of furnishing an apartment or home can be extremely high. Finding a low-cost alternative is often the best way to go. This article will offer some tips on where and how to find good furniture at a bargain price.
A number of factors contribute to the calculation of home addition costs. Many home owners think solely of the cost of new appliances, building supplies and other materials without thinking about labor costs. You need to calculate all of the costs of a home addition in order to create an accurate budget.
If you love your home but need more space, a home addition might be the answer. You can increase the square footage of an existing room or create an entirely new room by adding on. Just remember, it's unlikely this will be an inexpensive or short-term project. Follow these steps to plan a home addition.
You have a lot of great options when you finally upgrade that address book you've had since college. Paper-based planners, contact management software, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones can all help you get your contact information in order.
