Home Improvement Series 4/4: Weather Stripping for Energy Efficiency

Meredith TerHaar, WZZM 10:57 AM. EDT July 30, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - The WZZM Weekend Morning News team is in the midst of a 4 week series about simple home improvement projects you can tackle yourself. We're getting some help from the experts at Home Repair Services.

Home Repair Services offers an extensive list of free classes at their 1100 South Division location in Grand Rapids. They even offer walk-thru inspections to look for necessary repairs for any homeowner living in Kent County.

Throughout this series Self-Help Program Coordinator Mike Zamarron will offer tips and assistance to show that it is in fact possible to take on many home improvement projects yourself.

This week, Mike shows Laura how to install weather stripping on a door frame. This easy improvement can result in significant savings on your heating and cooling bills.

For a schedule of classes and to learn more about Home Repair Services and what they offer, click here.

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.

2017 WZZM-TV

View original post here:
Home Improvement Series Week 4: Weather proofing - WZZM

Hardwood floors can add quality and value to nearly any room in the house. Though theres no substitute for an experienced professional, you, too, can install hardwood floors with a little elbow grease and ingenuity. Take a cue from the experts at Don Dickel Floors and follow these instructions to install new hardwood flooring.

Step 1) Remove all base trim and undercut all door jambs. Sweep or vacuum the subfloor.

Step 2) Establish a starting point. (Pro tip: starting parallel to the longest wall will give you the best visual effect, as long as the subfloor is free from sagging). If a moisture retardant is used, overlap the seams by 2-6 inches.

Step 3) Measure the room across from where you want to start. Check the manufacturers recommended expansion for the product you are installing. Measure back from the wall that distance and snap a chalk line.

Step 4) The first two rows should be long straight boards. Lay the first row on the chalk line. Predrill the first row. (Pro tip: if you nail the first row behind the base trim line, you wont see the hole the nail makes.) Then blind nail the same board and the second board. Nailing should be 8-10 inches apart, closer for wider boards.

Step 5) Rack (lay) the floor. When laying out the floor, the end joints should be 6 inches apart. (Pro tip: for the best appearance, open the boxes and lay out the floor 10 rows at a time. Remove the boards you dont like.)

Step 6) Install the floor. (Pro tip: you are the final inspector of the wood. Check all pieces for dents or finish irregularities before you nail it down). Begin flooring installation with several boards at a time, nailing every 8-10 inches and 1 1/2 inches from the ends. (Pro tip: if you come across a board that is warped and doesnt want to fit, tip your nailing gun a little and hit it. That should bring the board in.)

Step 7) The final rows that cant be blind nailed will need to be top nailed. Predrill the hole with a bit slightly smaller than the nail, then nail it to ensure holding power (an 8d finishing nail is recommended). (Pro tip: always make sure your cuts extend close enough to the wall to be covered by the base molding.) Rip the last row so there is proper expansion parallel to the end wall. If it is less than 1 inch, glue it to the board preceding it.

Step 8) Install the base molding. Clean the floor and enjoy. (Pro tip: check with the manufacturer for cleaning instructions. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations for best results.)

To see this special section as it appeared in print, click here.

See the rest here:
Bangor Daily News - Bangor Daily News

MICHIGAN CITY When it comes to the scoop on product knowledge, long-term customer relationships and expert craftsmanship, owners John and Suzie LaRocco have it covered.

Their 41-year-old business, LaRocco Floor Coverings at 1615 Franklin St., is easy to spot. Theres a giant old-fashioned milk bottle on the roof.

An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.

Need an account? Create one now.

kAmxED 2 =67E@G6C J6DE6CJ62C C6>:?56C @7 E96 52JD H96? $49@== s2:CJ 3F:=E E96:C `h[___ DBF2C67@@E 3F:=5:?8 😕 `hba] ~?46 56=:G6C:?8 >:=< 3J 9@CD6 2?5 3F88J[ E96 3FD:?6DDD A@AF=2C :46 4C62> A2C=@C H2D 2 9:89 D49@@= A=246 E@ 36 😕 E96 Vd_D 2?5 Ve_D] %92E 7C@?E 4@C?6C @7 E96 3F:=5:?8 ?@H D6CG6D 2D @?6 @7 {2#@44@ u=@@C r@G6C:?8D EH@ D9@HC@@>D]k^Am

kAmp=>@DE 6G6CJ@?6 @G6C 286 e_ 6 H:== 4@>6 :?[ A@:?E E@ 2? 2C62 2?5 D2J[ %92E H2D >J 3@@E9]k^Am

kAm%96 {2#@44@D H6C6 :?EC@5F465 E@ E96 7=@@C 4@G6C:?8 3FD:?6DD E9C@F89 y@9?D 72E96C[ y@9? $C] w6 3682? 2 5CJ 4=62?:?8 3FD:?6DD 😕 2 D>2== D9@A 😕 E96 `g__ 3=@4< @7 uC2?<=:? $EC66E :? `hcc E92E >256 4FDE@> 5C2A6C:6D 2?5 6G@=G65 :?E@ 7=@@C 4@G6C:?8D] p7E6C 4@>A=6E:?8 9:D 3FD:?6DD 568C66 7C@> x?5:2?2 &?:G6CD:EJ[ y@9? ;@:?65 9:D 72E96C 😕 3FD:?6DD 😕 `hfe 2?5 E@86E96C E96J AFC492D65 E96 $49@== s2:CJ qF:=5:?8 😕 `hfh] p7E6C H@C<:?8 2D 2 ?FCD6 2E $2:?E p?E9@?J w@DA:E2= 7@C `b J62CD[ $FK:6 ;@:?65 y@9? yC] 2E {2#@44@ u=@@C r@G6C:?8D]k^Am

kAm%96 3F:=5:?8 92D 366? 8C62E 7@C FD[ y@9? 4@?E:?F65] xE 92D 2==@H65 FD E@ 8C@H @G6C E96 J62CD 2?5 D9@H AC@5F4ED H6==]k^Am

kAmy@9? ?@E65 E92E {2#@44@ u=@@C r@G6C:?8D 5:776CD 😕 E96 AC@5F4ED H6 5@?E 42CCJ] (6 E9@C@F89=J E6DE AC@5F4ED 2?5 D6== @?6D E92E 2C6 >256 H6==[ 92G6 E6DE65 H6== 2?5 A6C7@C> H6==] (92E D6ED FD 2A2CE 😀 H92E H6 C67FD6 E@ 42CCJ]k^Am

kAmp?5[ :ED 5:DE:?4E:@? 2D 2 =@42=[ 72>:=J@H?65 3FD:?6DD 😀 ?@E6H@CE9J 2D H6==]k^Am

kAm(6 2C6 2 ECF6 |@>2?5!@A 2?5 AC@F5 E@ 36 E92E H2J[ y@9? D2:5] (96? J@F 42== FD[ J@F E2=< E@ $FK:6 @C y@9? ?@E 2 G@:46 >2:=] *@F 86E E@ E2=< E@ D@>6@?6 H9@

kAm%96 4@FA=6 92D D66? >2?J 492?86D 😕 E96 :?5FDECJ @G6C E96:C 7@FC 564256D 😕 3FD:?6DD]k^Am

kAm%96C6D 366? 2 ?2EFC2= 6G@=FE:@? 2H2J 7C@> D@7E6C AC@5F4ED E@ 92C56C[ =@?86C=2DE:?8 7=@@C:?8 49@:46D DF49 2D =2>:?2E6D[ 92C5H@@5D 2?5 46C2>:4D E92E 2C6 36EE6C 7@C 2==6C8:6D 2?5 62D:6C E@ 4=62? 2?5 >2:?E2:?[ y@9? 6IA=2:?65]k^Am

kAmr6C2>:4 E:=6 :?DE2==2E:@? 92D 2=D@ D66? D@>6 5C2DE:4 492?86D E@@[ >:8C2E:?8 7C@> E96 962GJ EC25:E:@?2= 4@?4C6E6 3@2C5 E@ E9:??6C[ =:89E6C AC@5F4ED] %96 4@>A=6E65 E:=6 7=@@C:?8 :D?E 2D C2:D65 2D :E >66ED @E96C 7=@@C:?8 EJA6D 😕 E96 9@>6[ 2?5 E96C6D =6DD H6:89E 7@C E96 9@>6 E@ 362C]k^Am

kAm(6G6 366? FD:?8 E96> 7@C J62CD] (6 <66A FA H:E9 E96 E649?@=@8J =:89E6C[ 36EE6C 2?5 DEC@?86C AC@5F4ED 7@C E:=6 :?DE2==2E:@? 3642FD6 7=@@C:?8 :D E96 @?=J E9:?8 E92E H6 5@[ 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm~?6 ?6H AC@5F4E 25565 E@ {2#@44@ u=@@C r@G6C:?8D 😀 %F7E6I[ @776C65 3J E96 42CA6E >2?F724EFC6C $92H u=@@CD 2?5 >256 😕 r2=:7@C?:2]k^Am

kAmxED E96 =2E6DE 2?5 E96 8C62E6DE :??@G2E:G6 2?5 E96 >@DE FAE@52E6 😕 DEJ=6 2?5 BF2=:EJ[ D92C65 y@9?]k^Am

kAmp?5 E96C6D E96 :>AC6DD:G6 6IA6C:6?46 @7 E96:C :?DE2==6CD[ H9@ 2C6 BF2=:7:65 E@ :?DE2== 2== E96 AC@5F4ED E96J D6== :?4=F5:?8 42CA6ED[ =2>:?2E6D[ 46C2>:4[ E:=6[ G:?J=[ 92C5H@@5 2?5 4@C< 7=@@C:?8 W2? 6?G:C@?>6?E2==J 7C:6?5=J AC@5F4E >256 7C@> E96 32C< @7 2 4@C< EC66X]k^Am

kAmx 5@?E D6?5 @FE 2?J@?6 x 5@?E ECFDE 6IA=:4:E=J[ DEC6DD65 y@9?[ 255:?8 E92E 9:D :?DE2==6CD C@FE:?6=J E9@C@F89=J 4=62? FA[ :?4=F5:?8 G24FF>:?8[ 27E6C E96 ;@3 😀 7:?:D965]k^Am

kAm~?6 :?DE2==6C[ (:==:2> #FDEJ v6:D=6C[ ;FDE C6E:C65 😕 a_`e 27E6C c_ J62CD H:E9 E96 4@>A2?Jj 96 3682? H:E9 y@9?D 72E96C] #FDEJD D@?[ (:==:2> yC][ ?@H 7:==D 9:D D9@6D]k^Am

kAm(:==:2> 😀 G6CD2E:=6[ :?DE2==:?8 6G6CJE9:?8 D@=5 3J E96 DE@C6[ ?@E65 y@9?] %96 :?DE2==6C 92D 2=D@ 366? 46CE:7:65 E9C@F89 E96 z2C2DE2? W42CA6EX r6CE:7:65 x?DE2==6C !C@8C2>[ 2 5:DE:?4E:@? E@F89 E@ @3E2:? 😕 E96 :?5FDECJ[ y@9? D2:5]k^Am

kAmy@9? A@:?E65 @FE {2#@44@D u=@@C:?8 ~FE=6E[ 2 ?6H D68>6?E @7 E96 DE@C6 E92E 6DA64:2==J 2AA62=D E@ 4@?EC24E@CD[ 3F:=56CD[ 9@>6@H?6CD 2?5 5@:EJ@FCD6=76CD] xED D=@82? 😀 {u~ H:== D2G6 J@F 5@F89Pk^Am

kAm#64@8?:K:?8 E92E >2?J 9@>6@H?6CD 2C6 sx*@C:6?E65[ y@9? D2:5[ (6 8:G6 5:D4@F?ED E@ A6@A=6 H9@ 2C6 :?DE2==:?8 E96>D6=G6D] x7 J@F 2C6 5@:?8 :E J@FCD6=7[ H6 H:== 96=A EC2:?[ 65F42E6 2?5 4@249 J@F 2D H6== 2D 8:G6 J@F 36EE6C AC:46D 3642FD6 J@F 2C6 5@:?8 :E J@FCD6=7]k^Am

kAm{2#@44@D 2=D@ @776CD 7C66 6DE:>2E6D 2?5 2 7F== D6=64E:@? @7 7=@@C 42C6 AC@5F4ED 7@C 42CA6E[ G:?J= 2?5 =2>:?2E6 AC@5F4ED]k^Am

kAm(6 92G6 62C?65 @FC 3FD:?6DD E9C@F89 A6C7@C>2?46 2?5 H@C5@7>@FE9[ $FK:6 6>A92D:K65] (6G6 DFCG:G65 E9C@F89 C64@>>6?52E:@?D 2?5 E96 AC@76DD:@?2= D6CG:46 H6 @776C ?@E E9C@F89 2 =2C86 25G6CE:D:?8 3F586E]k^Am

kAmu@C >@C6 :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE {2#@44@ u=@@C r@G6C:?8D[ 42== a`hgfa_ehc[ G:D:E k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^HHH]c=74]4@>QmHHH]c=74]4@>k^2m[ @C 8@ E@ U=5BF@j{2#@44@ u=@@C r@G6C:?8DUC5BF@j @? u2463@@<]k^Am

Continued here:
Proud to be a Mom-and-Pop - News Dispatch

Photographed by Ana Kamin for Lonny.

Floors are the foundation of a room. But while living with an unsightly fifth wall can cause some serious interior angst, (get outta here, 70s linoleum!), updating it can also be a major undertaking. So, to help make the prospect of an underfoot overhaul a little less daunting, we turned to Homepolishdesigner Ana Claudia Schultz.

Below Claudia gives us a flooring 101, sharing everything from quick fixes to timeless materials to exactly what professionals you should hire for the job. (And yes, in most cases, Claudia does not recommend updating your floors solo.) If youre tired of that cheap, outdated, or otherwise eye-offending situation happening south of your feet, read on and remedy that frightful floor with confidence.

Whats the first thing to consider when choosing a new floor?First you have to consider the room and its use. If the area is part of the rest of the space, then you need to consider whether you want to match it for fluidity or break up the space.

How much does replacing your floor typically cost?It depends on the material and price per square foot, and on the contractor's bid. It can be as low as $1.50 per square foot for flooring, to up to hundreds per square foot. Some contractors take the price of the material and match that for installation costs, or it's a flat fee. If the design is mosaic and a lot of labor, then it will cost more no matter what.

Photographed by Nicole Franzen for Lonny.

Can you pick out and install new floors yourself, or should you hire professionals?Do not install yourself unless you are more than handy, but also have amazing talent to do so. Even with engineered wood floors [you should hire help], because the installation may be easy but the finishing touches are just as important. How did you finish the edges? Does your baseboard cover the edges or do you not have baseboards and need to cut the wood perfectly on the edge? What about transition on a turn? All things to consider.

Who, if anyone, should you hire?A great contractor makes a great designer look amazing. Always hire a great contractor, with or without a designer. One of the roles of the designer is to make sure we help you make the right decisions once for the overall look for the room and home instead of re-doing and replacing it in the near future.

What materials are most durable? Best bang for your buck?Bang for your buck is porcelain, even for faux wood, and it's more durable than engineered wood. Natural stone is most expensive and least durable. You will need to constantly maintain it.

Are there any quick-fix options to improve the look of your floor without replacing it?If you have wood floors, always consider keeping them! Don't cover them up and re-stain them, even if they have a parquet pattern. Parquet has a bad rap, but it adds texture. Plus, it's always better than carpet.

Photographed by Amy Bartlam.

Current trends?Natural oak finish is back! And it's the least expensive way to finish your natural wood floors. White and bleached oak is "out", which was one of the most expensive options for staining.

Any flooring that never goes out of style?Wood, no matter what finish, because it can go out of style one year and a few years later, come right back.

Anything else to consider in choosing a new floor?You need to love it! Ignore trends. Love everything in your home and it will always put a smile on your face.

Photographed by Nicki Sebastian.

Related Articles:

Read more from the original source:
Expert Advice: Help, I Hate My Floors! - Lonny Magazine

I was one of those kids with perpetually grass-stained knees who reveled in the acquisition of new scrapes and bruises and the accumulation of mud under my fingernails. Being dirty was an accomplishment. My big brothers were always dirty when they got home from work, always covered in sawdust or mortar and stinking of sweat and construction site dust. They were two of the coolest people I knew and I wanted nothing more than to be dirty, just like them.

With age came invitations to accompany them on jobs, which was inevitable. It was a family flooring installation business, and it belonged to all of us, even me. At work during my preteen years, I wore whatever clothes I owned that were too old or ill-fitting for school. I was fragile and spindly back then and did not look the part of a construction worker, but I took pleasure in dressing up (or down, as it were). I liked fetching tools and earning the rips in my pants and pulling splinters from my palms. I liked the fatherly banter from strange men on job sites, pointing out how I was really something and shouldnt my parents be proud.

At school, I experimented with different kinds of clothing. Id always loved reading The Baby-sitters Club, a series in which a main character crafts outlandish outfits, so I figured it would be fun for me to do the same. Homemade jewelry, oversized sweaters with leggings, vibrant skirt-and-tights combos. My creations werent well-received. Once, a classmate asked me out on a date as a joke while his friends stood nearby and snickered. Another poured a pile of outdoor debris, literally sticks and stones, into my backpack when I wasnt looking. As a middle-schooler, these moments felt excruciating. I retreated into my books and spent most of my time in the library, the second safest place in the world after my beloved construction sites.

At 16, I worked after school as an actual, paid flooring installer. I nailed hardwood and built tile showers and eventually started directing crews of men twice my age. I made decent money and bought work clothes that were practical and made me feel attractive. Low-cut, flare-legged jeans that looked good with a leather belt and tool pouch. Tees slim enough to show off my figure but loose enough for me to stick my hand under and fold them up to wipe the sweat off my forehead.

I felt confident in those clothes. I liked that I could walk into a hardware store or lumber yard and be taken seriously. I liked how the strange men had started looking at me with intrigue, as if I was really something but in a way that was different than before. By my junior year of high school, I had figured out how to dress for the acceptance of my peers: polos with logos, denim skirts, overpriced leather sandals. I made friends and even dated a couple of the more popular boys but I clung to the edges of their world with difficulty. It was only after the bell rang, after I slipped out of my itchy teenage skin and back into my grimy work one, that I felt comfortable. Everything else was just pretending.

Homecoming was in October. Id stopped by a little mall boutique after school, on my way to help one of my brothers install porcelain tile in a kitchen, and I had a small selection of dresses draped over my arm. I approached a saleswoman.

Hi, can I try these on?

She evaluated me slowly. Her gaze cascaded from the top of my head (ponytail tucked under a baseball cap speckled with dried thin-set mortar) to my T-shirt and jeans, which were technically clean but had seen better days, and on down to my crusted-over work boots. She cocked her head to the side and gifted me with a pitying smile that was somehow also a frown.

Aww, honey, she whispered. Of course you can.

She thought I couldnt afford them.

Another time I walked into the restroom of a busy lunch joint. A little girl was sitting on the edge of the counter waiting for her mother, who was in a stall. I smiled at the girl and took to washing my dirt-caked hands at the sink. The girl stared at me, her eyes wide with concern.

Mommy!? There's a man in here.

These moments didnt hurt my feelings the way the rocks had years before, but I do remember them. I remember thinking about my brothers, how Id been to restaurants and clothing stores with them at their grimiest, and Id never seen them on the receiving end of a pitying smile. And while I can't confirm this, I would bet their degree of cleanliness (or lack thereof) never caused onlookers to mistake them for women.

I installed full-time for a few more years and then quit. I didnt stop enjoying it, but tides do change and Im the type who can get tired of anything. I worked in retail for a while, then transitioned to office life, where, like in high school, I learned how to dress for acceptance. Cardigans, dresses, flats, funky accessories that doubled as conversation starters. Now I work from home as a writer and am pleased to once again have the rare luxury to wear only what is needed. Because I live in Florida, that means shorts and tank tops.

Somewhere along the way, I tossed my dirty old work clothes. I miss them at times.

I miss them on nights when a gang of blue-collar workers are laughing over a round of beers at the bar. I miss them on mornings when Im feeling particularly nostalgic, when I stop at a gas station and crews are fueling up, chugging cheap coffee, and icing down coolers of bottled water. I've missed them on so many occasions when looking like a man or at least like a member of the mens club would be more beneficial than looking like a woman.

I could always get some more clothes like the ones I used to wear, rub dirt on them, maybe pull a few threads loose at the seams. But of course, it's not really about the fabric. I miss the camaraderie of my crew, the weight of a tool pouch against my left hip, and how unbreakable I felt wearing outfits meant to be broken in. I miss being a dirty woman who made clean people uncomfortable. I miss using my jeans as napkins.

I could dress for the reactions I want, but theres no practical reason for me to wear a pair of crusty work boots out to the bar or mall. And if theres one lesson I learned from my roots, one thing about myself Ive come to terms with once and for all, its that I just like practicality no pretending.

Recently, I decided to install a backsplash in my kitchen. It had been years since Id used any of my tile tools, and when I dug them out of storage, I realized my sawblades were dull. I drove to a home improvement store to buy replacements.

There are multiple ways to cut tile. You can use a wet saw, which looks like someone flipped a table saw upside down and stuck it in a tiny bathtub. You can use a tool called a scorer. Or you can use nearly any small, handheld dry saw as long as you switch the toothed blade out for a smooth diamond blade. (Teeth are for cutting wood.) I prefer the last option, though it works best if the tile isnt too dense otherwise it will heat up and chip all to hell.

At the store, I asked an employee where to find their diamond blades. I was wearing a floral tank top, nice shorts, and a pair of Vans. He must have misheard me. He must have thought Id asked not for blades, but for a long-winded lecture about how they work and how tile can only be cut with a wet saw, no exceptions. After 10 minutes of this I went off to find the blades myself.

The backsplash looks great, by the way.

View post:
I Miss the Clothes I Wore as a Construction Worker - Racked

This article is published in collaboration with Scutify, where you can find real-time markets and stock commentary from Robert Marcin, Cody Willard and others. Download the Scutify iOS App, the Scutify Android App or visit Scutify.com.

There are several reasons why a San Antonio Bathroom Remodeling project is highly popular among the residents. Most households are looking forward to achieve trendy bathrooms in order to suit the changing lifestyles and evolving bathroom styles. A trendy bathroom in your home can meet the overwhelming expectations of your family members besides significantly increasing the resale value of your property. However, when you plunge into a bathroom remodel project, you must follow some guidelines so that you get the best outcome expected as well as minimize the spending you do on the project. Here are some expert pieces of advices on how to approach your bathroom remodeling project.

Decide on the objectivesEvery project should be tuned perfectly to meet its objectives. First identify your goals from the project. Take into account the needs and tastes of your family members too. Visit some trendy bathrooms or browse through the pictures of some great bathrooms. These steps will equip you with the basic idea to decide what to look for in your bathroom remodeling project. Also, discussing with a professional bathroom remodeling company will give you some useful ideas.

Plan the spaceEstimate what you wish to remove and what you wish to get in newly. Based on this consideration, work on the space available to see whether you are going to gain or lose. Any attempt to ruin the existing comforts is a total waste on the money and effort you spend. So, right from the planning stage, be focused on what you wish to achieve.

Ensure the harmony of the various elementsAfter all, the ultimate purpose of any bathroom remodeling project is to see that the final result is awesome and appreciated by others. So, ensure that the different aspects of your planning, the amenities you will install, the kind of tiling and colors you bring in, the utility aspects you will install are in harmony with each other resulting in a overall compatibility without striking some dissonance.

Plan for economyEconomic planning does not mean compromising with the quality output. You can still have a great bathroom by minimizing the spending through a proper planning. For instance, when you install new features or relocate the existing features, ensure you disturb the existing plumbing lines the minimum. This will ensure you save on the costs of the project.

Buy branded accessoriesWhat you achieve must be durable and trouble free in the long run. So, though economy should be one of your considerations, it must not cripple your choice of branded fixtures and accessories. Products that carry a warranty will save you enough money in the event of some troubles or faults. Also, sometimes, the price decides the quality and you must never settle with some inferior options.

Choose the right bathroom remodeling companyThe ultimate results of the bathroom remodeling project will depend on the quality of the company you choose. Right from their industry experience, planning skills, expertise, knowledge of the latest trends and designs, capable workforce and customer centered working model, the merits of the company will work to your benefit. Looking from these angles, the residents find us the best San Antonio bathroom remodeling firm.

Safeshowers is a Leading bathroom remodeling Company In Austin & San Antonio, TX provides Tub To Shower Conversion and Safety Shower Austin.

This article published in collaboration with Scutify, the best app for traders and investors. Download the Scutify iOS App, the Scutify Android App or visit Scutify.com.

More:
Owner's Guide To Bathroom Remodeling - Minyanville.com

"Many Americans choose to age in their own homes where they are familiar with their environment," said Joe Todaro, Director of Operations of Gold Medal Service. "People of all ages value their ability to live independently and remodeling a bathroom in preparation for retirement will ensure convenience and safety."

Things homeowners can do to adapt their bathrooms so it is safer for anyone with limited mobility to use include:

Having your bathroom remodeled may appear to be daunting, but certain companies, like Gold Medal Service, can create a fully customized bathroom with minimal difficulty in as little as one day. Bathroom remodeling is a timely and cost-effective solution for homeowners who need to adapt their bathroom making it safer and more convenient for someone with physical impairments to use, while increasing a home's value.

For more tips and advice on one-day bathroom remodeling solutions, contact Gold Medal Service at 800-576-GOLD or visit http://www.goldmedalservice.com.

About Gold Medal ServiceGold Medal Service was founded in 1994 with a vision to provide homeowners with a reliable and trustworthy home service company customers could count on to fix just about anything that could go wrong in a home. Since then, Gold Medal has grown to include more than 195 Service Expert Technicians, Installers, and employees solving plumbing, heating, cooling, electric, drain, sewer and waterproofing issues for homeowners across the state ofNew Jersey. Gold Medal Service is aDave LennoxAward recipient, exclusive to the top 25 Lennox Premier Dealers throughout the Unites States andCanada. For more information, call 800-576-GOLD or visitwww.goldmedalservice.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:Heather RipleyRipley PR865-977-1973hripley@ripleypr.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bathroom-remodeling-tips-making-aging-in-place-in-your-own-home-safer-and-easier-300494163.html

SOURCE Gold Medal Service

Home Page

Read this article:
Bathroom Remodeling Tips Making Aging-in-Place in Your Own Home Safer and Easier - PR Newswire (press release)

"Well-planned and executed home improvements make your house more livable while you live there, and they boost your home's resale value," says Angie's List founder Angie Hicks. "If you're investing in your home specifically to help sell it, focus your dollars on the things that will really wow a potential buyer."

Home remodeling projects with the highest ROI include:

THE KITCHEN

Whether it's a major overhaul or just a simple makeover, putting a fresh face on your kitchen is your best investment. Many homes on the market still have cabinets, appliances and fixtures dating back to the 1990s or longer.

Maximize your return by limiting your project cost to no more than 20 percent of the value of your home. Expect an 85 percent return on your investment.

THE BATHROOM

An outdated bathroom can spoil a sale. Current trends have homeowners installing large showers instead of garden tubs. A major update by a reputable bathroom remodeling contractor costs less than $20,000, but it should yield an 80 percent return.

DECKS

A new deck can cost a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on size and materials used. Before you build, look at other homes in your area and build accordingly. If the deck is in good shape, your return could be more than 80 percent.

SIDING

If your home's facade is siding, and it's not in good shape, replacing or repairing it can bring instant freshness. You'll likely spend at least $10,000 for vinyl, more for fiber cement, but you should get at least 80 percent back.

WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The energy efficiency of new windows is a clear benefit to switching out older windows, but in some cases, it's a safety feature, too. Costs depend on the number of windows you're replacing, of course, and the type. Expect a return on your investment of at least 70 percent.

HIRING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Do your due diligence when hiring a contractor for any improvement. Visit Angie's List for consumer reviews on highly rated contractors, builders and other service professionals.

"Don't settle for a company without a great local reputation or references you can verify," Hicks says. "Wait for the right contractor."

Excerpt from:
What remodeling projects have the highest return on investment? - Duluth News Tribune

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., July 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Controlling the temperature of the home is an important part of daily comfort. Outdated and inefficient units can leave the home uncomfortable during the dog days of summer. T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, a family owned and operated home services company serving the Hudson Valley, offers advice for homeowners to determine if a ductless air conditioning system would make a good fit for the home.

"We are often asked by homeowners if we think the ductless air conditioning system is right for their home or transforming their garages into a living space," said Tommy Webber, owner of T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. "There are many benefits to having a ductless mini-split system; it will not only save on energy costs, but it can assist with peace in the home when it comes to individual desired room temperature."

Webber offers the top five benefits of installing a ductless mini-split air conditioning system:

For Hudson Valley-area residents who would like more information on the ductless mini-split air conditioning systems, the professionals at T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning are ready to assist. For more information visit http://twebber.com/ or call 1-845-265-1400.

About T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air ConditioningT. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a family owned and operated home services company serving the Hudson Valley area, including Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Orange and Ulster counties. A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, T. Webber has been the company of choice for commercial and residential repairs and services for nearly 30 years. Tom Webber founded the company in 1989 with the vision to exceed customer expectations and provide exceptional service with integrity, competence and objectivity with every service call. T. Webber provides timely, same-day service for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, well system, water quality, bathroom remodeling, and sewer and septic repairs. For more information, call 1-845-265-1400 or visit http://twebber.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather RipleyRipley PR865-977-1973rel="nofollow">hripley@ripleypr.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/5-reasons-to-install-a-ductless-heating-and-cooling-system-300492257.html

SOURCE T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

The rest is here:
5 Reasons to Install a Ductless Heating and Cooling System - Markets Insider

July 28, 2017

iStock photo

As heat and humidity grip many parts of the nation, controlling the temperature of the home, be it a single or multi-family structure, is an important part of daily comfort. But outdated and inefficient units may leave thehome uncomfortable during the dog days of summer. The desire to keep cool can be lose tothe desire to avoid a huge utility bill next month.

But there may be a solution that lowers your energy bills while keeping homes comfortable.T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, a family owned and operated home services company serving the Hudson Valley in New York, offers adviceto determine if a ductless air conditioning system would make a good fit.

Owner Tommy Webber offers the top five benefits of installing a ductless mini-split air conditioning system:

Topics: Architectural Firms, Automation and Controls, Building Owners and Managers, Construction Firms, Consulting - Green & Sustainable Strategies and Solutions, Energy Saving Products, HVAC - Heating & Cooling & Ventilation, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Interiors, Technology, Ventilation

View original post here:
5 reasons to install a ductless heating, cooling system - Proud Green Building (press release) (registration) (blog)