понедельник, 9 мая 2011 г.

Home-my-Home

Home-my-Home


Детали и вопросы обслуживания

Posted: 09 May 2011 08:50 AM PDT

by Robert Wright

There are always things that need to be worked on or required on your home. This is the time of year when you really see what happens to your home when you have not taken care of certain things.

It's all about home maintenance.

After the winter has had its way with your home, it always looks dirty and you always find damaged things.

This is also the time of year when most people take an inventory of what needs to be done and also start to plan larger projects and renovations. This is when you see damaged roof shingles, or split fence boards, or the deck boards are broken, and now you see why the cold wind was blowing around the windows and doors.

All of these little items need to be addressed and looked after, because if you don't repair them, they can become much larger problems. If you don't repair and/or paint the window, you will need to replace it when it rots. Or the small opening in the siding will let rain into the wall and you will get water damage and mold problems. Does the eaves- trough still flow in one direction? Is the down spout clogged with last years leaves?

One area that most people miss is the HVAC equipment. Does the air filter need cleaning and/or replacement? When was the last time the HRV was serviced? Does the furnace and fan motor still run smoothly? Is the a/c unit ready to go for another summer? It can be very expensive to replace these pieces of equipment; and also you can greatly extend their service life with regular check ups and cleanings.

One thing to consider is to ask your renovation contractor to do a condition survey of your home. That way you can have a professional look at things to ensure you have not missed something. You can also discuss your immediate needs, future wishes and then plan for the completion of the various repair and renovation items in a systematic fashion.

Some of the rules of thumb I have heard are that you should invest between 2% and 5% of your homes value a year in your home for maintenance. That way you know your home will be in good condition and you will protect your investment in your home. If you don't spend some time and/or money in your home, you could be in for a nasty surprise one day. As it was said in the commercial "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later".

About the Author

Rob Wright has grown up around construction and in the mid 1990's, Rob joined and took over Citadel Renovations in Ottawa. Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects and is a contributor to the Home Renovation Guide. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and previously served as the Renovation Council Chair. For more information, visit CitadelRenovations.com.


Looking for a local contractor? Visit the Home Renovation Guide's Complete Directory or Get a Free Quote.

Красивейшие дома пляжа

Posted: 09 May 2011 05:20 AM PDT

What could be better than spending a day at the beach. How about living in a house on the beach! Imagine, being lulled to sleep every night by the sound of waves hitting the shore. Inhaling the clean fresh air. Having the whole ocean as your backyard. Paradise! We’ve managed to find some truly amazing examples of beach houses that will truly make your mouth water but first here are some tips to keep in mind when planning the construction of your own beach house:

  • For a better view of the water and easier access to those ocean breezes, consider building your house on stilts. The height of the stilts will also also protect the house from possible flooding during stormy weather.
  • As any interior designer will tell you, when you have a great view, make the most of it. Therefore, install as many windows as possible to get a glimpse of your oceanview from as many rooms as possible. Also consider installing a screened in porch for when insects are a problem.
  • With a house on the ocean, you know you’re going to have friends and family begging to stay over, so make sure you have an extra room or two built for these guests.
  • Have an outdoor shower installed to make washing off the beach sand a lot easier and convenient.
  • Besides having easy access to the beach, living in a beach house has many other advantages two of which are all that natural light and those amazing ocean breezes. To better take advantage of these benefits, work with your architect to design an open floor plan that will allow all that natural light and air to penetrate each common area of the house. Also have ceiling fans installed in every room to keep the ocean breezes flowing.
  • A beach house is not your basic, boring house. Therefore, this is when you can go wild with colors. Try painting the facade of your beach house bright mediterranean colors that really expresses your creativity. If you like the more subdued look , then use weathered wood to mimic the appearance of driftwood.

Now that we’ve given you the practical information, here are some glorious examples of beach houses that are sure to make your mouth water:

California cool! That’s what we call this Southern California beach house designed by architects Richard Meier and his partner Michael Palladino. With views of the Pacific Ocean, an open courtyard and natural light as far as the eye can see, this is beach living at its finest!

Beach house designed by Richard Meier

Beach house designed by Richard Meier

Beach house designed by Richard Meier

What could be better than a spectacular beach house in Costa Rica? How about a spectacular beach house in Costa Rica that’s also eco- friendly. Designed by Robles Arquitectos, this beach house is 100 percent self sufficient and made from all natural materials. How lovely!

Eco friendly beach house by Robles Arquitectos

Eco friendly beach house by Robles Arquitectos

Eco friendly beach house by Robles Arquitectos

Eco friendly beach house by Robles Arquitectos

Like a little lush greenery with your beach house? Then you’ll love this house located on the outskirts of Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Designed by Marcio Kogan this amazing beach house, which is built into a tree covered slope, is also minimalism at its finest letting the incredible green views speak for itself.

Brazil beach house-designed by Marcio Kogan

Brazil beach house-designed by Marcio Kogan

Brazil beach house-designed by Marcio Kogan

Brazil beach house-designed by Marcio Kogan

Conceived to frame the beach front views during the day and spectacular sunsets at night, this beach house designed by Peruvian architect Jose Orrego is located on Palabritas Beach in Lima, Peru and has a minimalistic style all its own.

Palabritas beach house designed by Jose Orrego

Palabritas beach house designed by Jose Orrego

Palabritas beach house designed by Jose Orrego

Palabritas beach house designed by Jose Orrego

When your house is located on a beach in New Zealand, you want a beach house that allows you views of the ocean from as many vantage points as possible. Well, that’s what Pete Bossley Architects Inc. did when they designed this house that’s situated at Tatapouri Point in New Zealand. With its its awesome views of both bay and ocean plus the elegant furnishings, this house is just the epitome of cool.

Beach house in Tatapouri Point New Zealand by Pete Bossley Architects Inc.

Beach house in Tatapouri Point New Zealand by Pete Bossley Architects Inc.

Beach house in Tatapouri Point New Zealand by Pete Bossley Architects Inc.

Beach house in Tatapouri Point New Zealand by Pete Bossley Architects Inc.

Now we want to hear from you: would you want to live in any of these beach houses?

Вводить подземелье мамы

Posted: 09 May 2011 04:45 AM PDT

Мы поговорили перед около «подземельем человека» по мере того как типичный космос парня для вант и их приятелей для того чтобы сделать вещи человека совместно. Но мы хотел были бы предложить оборотную сторону медали к той монетке -- специфически, подземелье мамы. В любом вочеловечении, «подземелье мамы» космос для самомоднейшей мати для того чтобы получить маленькую отсрочку от монументальных задач которые сопровождают parenting (специально немного одни). Если вы или кто-то вы знаете умирают для того чтобы высечь меньший космос вне для себя, то мы имеем некоторые предложения на как вы можете создать маленький ломтик права рая mama в вашем собственном доме. Сделайте им твое Независимо от того, какой космос вы должен работать с, ключ к внушительный подземелью мамы сделать им unapologetically твое. Покрасьте стены любой цвет делает вас счастливым. Заполните его с вещами которые всегда не сумеют сделать вами усмешку. Не скомпрометируйте на типе или комфорте. Все, что угодно она что вам нужно этот космос быть -- убежище, счастливое место, место вполне затишья и мир -- сделайте чего оно принимает для того чтобы воспитать то для себя. В противном случае, как раз другая комната в доме.

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