House Design News
| Spend Less on Your Home Improvement Plans with 5 Simple Tips Posted: 27 Jan 2014 05:44 PM PST If you are thinking about starting any type of home improvement project in the near future, then you are probably already thinking about your budget. There are five simple tips to help you spend less on your home improvement plans that just might help keep you right on budget.
Hire a Professional
Unless you are an experienced contractor, hire a professional to complete your project. If you start a project on your own and cause damage or run into a problem, you will wind up paying more to have the problem fixed than if you had just hired the right person for the job from the start. Avoid pricey repairs, and call a licensed contractor for your home improvement plans. Compare Quotes
Instead of hiring the first professional that you meet, take the time to get quotes from several contractors in your area. It is always best to ask for written estimates, so you know the price has already been negotiated when you call the contractor you choose to do the work. Get a Roof Inspection
Before you start any home improvement plan that involves an addition to your home, have your roof inspected by Vancouver flat roofing professionals, so you don’t run into any pricey, unforeseen roof problems that can eat into your budget. Affiliated Roofers will make any needed repairs before you start your project. Perform a Cost Analysis
When it is time to purchase the materials for your home improvement plan, perform a cost analysis on the materials you buy. The cheapest materials may cost you more in the long run because they wear out faster or don’t have a long warranty period. Look to see how much you might have to spend replacing cheaper items in the long run versus buying more expensive items now that carry extended warranty periods. Keep All Receipts
Purchase a folder for the purpose of keeping up with all of your receipts from your home improvement plan. Many people tend to buy extra materials in the beginning that can be returned if they are not needed. Also, you will need the receipts if any materials you purchase are defective or break during the warranty period. Make sure you also keep the receipts from the contractors you use in case there is a problem with any of the work in the future. Your home improvement plans do not have to cost a fortune. Following these simple tips can help you spend less and save more.  |
| Wedding Arch Ideas Posted: 27 Jan 2014 11:34 AM PST When planning your wedding you may be considering adding a wedding arch for you and your loved one to stand in front of when exchanging your vows. Wedding arches are a nice addition because they ensure that you are properly centered in front of your guests, and they make an excellent backdrop for wedding photos. When it comes to arches you have many different types of materials, décor, and shapes to choose from. If you are searching for the perfect arch for your special day here are a few ideas to consider. 
Traditional Arch
A traditional rounded arch is a nice option that can be decorated with flowers, ribbons, and embellishments in your wedding colors. You can choose from pre-made wooden or iron arches, or you can have an arch made out of a natural material such as twigs found in the forest. The base of the most traditional arches is often painted white, or a gray or black metallic color. You can cover your arch almost completely to disguise the material it is made from, or allow the material to be part of your décor.
Draped Arch
Another option to consider is an arch draped with flowing chiffon and fabrics. Draped arches can be made out of the same materials as traditional arches, they just take on a much different shape. Some draped arches are part of a canopy with four legs, while others have two legs. The legs of your arch can be statement pieces like columns, or made with a fairly slender design. While the drapery will be your primary decoration, you can further embellish the top and corners of your draped arch with flowers, ribbons, and other decorations. Wooden Pergola
If you will be getting married in a warm climate you may be looking for a way to create a beautiful focal point that will also provide shade. The last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day is sweating in your dress or tux. This would not only be uncomfortable, it would be apparent in the wedding photos you want to cherish for years to come. An elegant way to achieve shade is to have a wooden pergola built. Wooden pergolas can be left their natural wood color or painted any color you desire. You can weave vines, greenery, and flowers in between the wood to further create shade. You can even use the techniques mentioned above to frame and soften the edges of its square shape. Eclectic Arch
Most wedding arches are pre-made or are custom made in traditional styles. If you are looking for a way to create an arch but want to use nontraditional or repurposed materials to create an unexpected arch you have many options to choose from. Consider using old doors to create a decorative screen, wooden ladders to create an arch with unique shelves, or combine multiple repurposed materials to create a custom arch. You can even string outdoor lights or lanterns from your arch to give it a soft illumination. Whether your wedding is classic, elegant, artsy, high-end, or low-budget, a wedding arch is the ideal place to exchange your vows. Article written by Jaret Miret, (new) husband and home handyman. Jared built his own wedding arch, but recommends you check out Wood Crafters, your leader for pergolas in Houston for both special events and just to improve your home.  |
| Building a Raised Garden Bed Made Easy Posted: 26 Jan 2014 11:34 PM PST For many gardeners, moving onto the next level of their craft will mean planting in raised garden beds. Those who have made the switch watch their vegetable gardens benefit from richer soil, effective drainage, increased aeration, and reduced weeds. The gardeners themselves may find they suffer less back strain tending gardens one to two feet off of the ground. If you want to claim these advantages for yourself, you can easily build your own raised beds within a single morning. 
Choose a location
Look for a level area for your new garden bed. The ideal location will give the plants plenty of sunlight and keep them free of debris and falling leaves from overhanging trees. Start with a space that is 3 x 6 feet or 4 x 4 feet. The bed should not be wider than four feet so that every plant is accessible without having to step inside the bed. Beds longer than six feet will need extra braces to prevent the sides from bowing out with the soil’s added weight. If building multiple beds, leave walkways between the plots so you have space to work.
Prepare the area
Once you have a location, clear the area of turf and weeds, digging down a few inches so that the bed’s walls can be set into the earth and level with each other. For better drainage and to avoid weeds, you may then add layers of gravel and landscape fabric over the area. Galvanized mesh is recommended to prevent burrowing garden invaders such as moles and gophers. The mesh can be secured to the walls of your bed with staples or nails. Add walls
Raised garden beds can be made with a variety of materials—including concrete, bricks, or corrugated metal—but the typical bed has wooden walls. Cedar and redwood resist rotting and last longer than other options but are more expensive. Whatever wood you choose, be careful not to use any that might release toxins into the garden soil. The Old Farmer’s Almanac warns against pressure-treated wood or railroad ties treated with creosote. To begin building, first anchor wooden posts in the ground at each corner. (If the bed extends six feet or longer, a post should be placed halfway along each side for added stability.) Next, set 2×4 planks cut to size a few inches into the ground and attach them to the posts with nails or screws. These planks can be stacked on top of each other up to two feet high. As you place the walls, make sure to keep the sides at right angles to each other. To finish off, saw the posts level with the walls and smooth the earth around all sides. Put planking around the top edge if you want a convenient place to set down tools or a glass of iced tea while you work. Fill with soil
With the garden frame sturdy and ready for use, fill the area in with a blend of peat moss, compost, and soil mix. This is your chance to create a nutrient-rich environment for your plants to thrive. Remember that watering will settle the soil over time, so be generous and fill to the top of the walls. Plant your new garden
Tomatoes, squash, string beans—the options are only limited by the space of the bed. Map out your plans for the garden space and start planting. This article was written by Fergie McLachlan, organic gardener who grows her own organic veggies and has a fully organic flower garden. She recommends perusing the selection at Bayou City Lumber to find the right materials for your garden at the lowest cost.  |
