Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Land clearing work is varied in its scope and size. Land clearing can utilize mulchers, track or wheeled carriers, stump grinders, tree shears, grapples, deck mowers, Log Jaws, and chippers to reduce and remove trees, brush, stumps, and roots.

Terrain, density of the vegetation, soil stability, moisture, species to be treated, environmental concerns and obstacles to work around are some of the considerations when choosing the right machine for the application. The required finish and the needed production rates can also be a factor when determining the correct tool for the construction project.

The successful land-clearing contractor will usually approach the job with a variety of units including tracked or wheeled mulching machines, excavator mulchers and skid steer tractors equipped with mulching attachments as well as other tools to handle the many tasks found on the average land-clearing site.

Commercial or large acreage jobs could require the high production capabilities of the higher horsepower tracked or wheeled mulching tractors. For wet or swampy conditions, low ground pressure mulching tractors would fit the bill. These tractors are used by successful high production land clearing contractors in a variety of climates and in extreme ground conditions.

Residential or urban interface projects could utilize smaller and lighter tracked mulching tractors effectively on softer ground conditions or where more work in confined space is needed. A variety of undercarriage specifications can reduce the ground disturbance or enable crossing of paved surfaces while offering the production rates needed.

Land Clearing Services

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Land Clearing Equipment | FECON

In This Guide:

Installing siding of any kind is a big investment in your home so its important that the installation be done properly to ensure that it is watertight, looks great and will stand the test of time.

Vinyl siding is one of the most durable and affordable ways a homeowner can protect their property from storms, moisture, and insects. One way to save money on the installation of siding is to avoid some labor costs by doing some of the removal and installation yourself.

With this guide, a few tools, and some DIY experience and confidence, you can remove and install vinyl siding yourself.

Installing any kind of siding involves a lot of time and effort, and there are many details that must not be overlooked. However, vinyl is much easier to remove, modify and install than any other type of siding, so dont let it deter you if you want to add a new window, move a door or build an addition.

Here, well describe how to rework vinyl siding around a new window. This will give you the basics for an entire job, and cover the finish areas as well. For in-depth instructions and advice specific to the style and type youre working with, ask the manufacturer or retailer for a copy of their complete installation manual.

In this guide well discuss:

Besides the tools listed below, you may also need a snap-lock punch if you plan to install siding in new areas, such as on an addition or a boarded-in space where the old window resided. The zip (unlocking) tool is a specialized tool that is needed for reworking areas.

You will also need new trim pieces, because those usually break when they are removed, and are not reusable. For this example, well need J-channel for around the new windows as well as undersill trim.

Tools & Equipment Required

Materials Required

Dont scrimp on this part. Its always better to have a few linear feet of siding left over than to run out before you finish the job. Besides, you want enough to make repairs if necessary.

Using a measuring tape from the ground or a ladder, do your best to get measurements of each section that will have siding installed.

To calculate the area, simply multiply the height by the width of each rectangular section in feet. This gives you the area in square feet.

Measure/approximate the width and height of gables and other triangular sections by measuring at the highest and widest points. Multiply the height by the width and divide that number by 2 to get the area of the triangle.

Dont subtract any square footage for doors and windows. You may need this extra to get the perfect fit for your siding. Once you have all your measurements, add them together for the total square feet.

Now that you have the total square feet, divide by 100. That number is how many squares of siding you will need. One square = 100 square feet.

Here youll learn how to remove the existing siding, apply the moisture barrier and window flashing, install a J-channel, and lastly secure the siding.

a) Unlock siding using a zip tool

Mark the strip of vinyl you want to remove. Then, slide the zip tool under the butt edge of the strip ABOVE the one you want to remove. Youll hook the edge that is locked to the lower, damaged strip. Slide the tool to the side, and it will unzip the seam.

Unzipping the vinyl may be difficult if it is old, because it may have become quite brittle. If you cant get the zip tool into the preferred spot, try moving up one course. Dont be horrified if the siding unzips without a tool. With newer siding, you can often just use your hands.

Once you unzip the two pieces, you can lift the upper, undamaged strip and see the nail strip to the damaged vinyl.

Be sure to mark the top of the course so you know where to place the replacement vinyl. This helps with level, too. Then, you are ready to start pulling nails.

b) Pull out the nails

The nails have not been driven in tightly if the previous installation was done correctly. Its important to leave a little wiggle room so the vinyl strips can expand and contract with temperature fluctuations.

Since the nails are not flush with the wall it will be easier to fit a pry bar beneath them to pull them out. It is important, at this point, to remember to keep the pry bar or claw hammer off of the siding. Otherwise, you may break the strip.

Now that you have the nails removed, it is time to lower the strip of siding. Be sure to number it so that you know where it came from and where it should go. Lower the strip so that it releases the vinyl below it. If the end of the strip is tucked into trim, bow it to pull it out. Right around the window, you may have to move shorter pieces up and down to get them to release from the J-channel.

Continue in this manner until you have removed enough siding to replace the window.

c) Matching Your siding

It is important to save all of the siding you remove. You may need to reuse it. The trim pieces can be replaced, and are hard to remove without damaging them. Take a section of siding to your home improvement center and see if they can match it with new siding.

Vinyl siding will fade as it ages. Professionals will often remove faded siding from a less conspicuous section of the house, and use it on more visible window sections. You can put the new siding on the less visible spot. In some cases, you may need to put replace an entire wall with new vinyl.

d) Surface preparation

Check all wood trim and replace any boards that are damaged or rotted. Make sure all loose boards are nailed into place.

Thoroughly scrape all of the old caulk off of the doors and windows. This old caulk can get in the way when you are trying to position the new trim.

Go ahead and take down any attachments to the outside of the area you are working on. Downspouts, moldings, lights, or decorations will interfere with your work. They need to be reinstalled on top of the new siding, anyway, to make them watertight.

You may want to cut off any window sill extension. This will allow you to install new trim, flush with the casing.

Protect landscaping. Any shrubbery should be tied out of the way.

As mentioned before, vinyl siding is designed to be installed loosely, so it can respond to temperature variations without damage. You want to keep the individual panels from buckling. To do that, fit it in this way:

There should be a inch gap at each end. The trim pieces will cover the gap. It is crucial that the panels are able to expand and contract behind the trim without being inhibited.

You will lock the panel into the panel below it. Pull it up snugly, without creating a great deal of torque. Nail it into place.

There are slots for the nails. Center a nail in a slot and drive it in, leaving a little wiggle room for the panel. The shank of the nail should be exposed by about 1/16 of an inch.

Proper installation of the building paper and flashing are crucial to protecting your investment. It serves as a moisture barrier that keeps any moisture that gets past the siding from saturating the walls of your home.

The flashing is crucial for creating a watertight seal around windows and doors. With vinyl siding, aluminum is the best material for flashing. It usually comes in 10-inch-wide rolls that can be cut into 5-inch-wide strips with the tinners snips. This will be used at the top and sides of your window.

a) Install the building paper

Starting at the bottom of the wall, install the building paper. Overlap the next piece over the lower piece as you move up the wall. If there are any tears in the paper, tape over them with housewrap tape. Tape the overlap, too.

b) Install the flashing under the window

Place the new window in its opening, and tack it into place. The width of flashing you use beneath the window will be based on the placement of your vinyl strips. It should be wide enough to slip under the bottom edge of the fin and overlap the nail strip of the siding below it. When installed this way, any moisture will be redirected to the front of the siding.

c) Install flashing next to the window

Cut 5-inch strips of flashing that are 2 inches taller than the window and will overlap the bottom flashing by 2 inches. Install the flashing from the bottom up.

The 5-inch-wide flashing should slide right under the nailing fin on the window. Secure it.

d) Place flashing over the window

Once you have the bottom and side flashing installed around the window, cut a slit in the building paper 2 inches above the window.

Remember, at this point, you still dont have flashing above it.

Now you will take a 5-inch strip of flashing and slide it up under the slit above the window. The bottom of the flashing should overlap the side strips of flashing and the nailing fin. Secure the flashing.

Here is where you step back and study your work. Imagine water running down the side of your house. The building paper and siding should overlap top to bottom, so that any water will slide down the side, rather than building up in seams of paper or flashing.

The next step in waterproofing your window is to install the J-channel. This goes all around the window, and youll need new strips. You work from the bottom up with this step as well, overlapping top to bottom.

It will look much better if you miter the corners. This gives it a clean, professional look. Be sure that the top channel fits correctly over the side pieces, because this area will channel a lot of water.

a) Notch the J-channel

You will cut a strip of J-channel that is 2 inches longer than the window is wide. Mark a spot 1 inch from each end, and use your utility knife to score the J-channel on those lines.

b) Finish the notches with tin snips

Youll make the last 2 cuts with your tinners snips. To get the tab off, bend it forward and back until it snaps.

c) Install J-channel underneath

Hold the J-channel beneath the window, then cut and position the undersill trim if you are using it. (Check the section When to Install Undersill Trim.) Youll now drive roofing nails into the slots, spacing them about 8 to 10 inches apart. As with the siding, dont drive the nails in flush. The trim pieces need to slide back and forth a little bit.

d) Cut J-channel for the sides

The sides piece of J-channel should also be 2 inches longer than you actually need, based on the height of the window. Youll make the same miter on the bottom. Youll also cut that 1-inch notch on the top end. Be sure to lap the side piece over the bottom, then secure it with roofing nails the way you did the bottom.

e) Side J-channel detail

Cut 45-degree in the side J-channel.

f) Cut J-channel for the top

This piece will be 2 inches wider than the window. Cut both ends and bend them, lapping them over the side pieces. Nail it into place.

g) Top J-channel detail

To finish the J-channel, cut and notch the top piece to fit above the window.

The siding is beveled, and the cut edge beneath a window may end up gapping as much as a half inch. If this edge is within inch of the edge, an undersill trim will lock it down. If it is over inch from the cut edge, just use the J-channel.

This is where it can get a little tricky, because it can be hard to maneuver those long strips of vinyl into place. Start at the bottom of the wall and work your way up.

Start with fitting the end under the trim. Then, bow the strip of siding and place the other end under the trim. One the ends are tucked in, slide the strip upward and snap it into the locking edge of the plank below it.

Around the window you will feed the shorter sections at the sides into the channel located at the top. Slide each piece down and snap it into place.

In our example, we needed to remove one more course above the window. We ended up cutting the piece and placing a joint above the window, and then completed the row with a longer length of vinyl. Overlap all of the butt joints by 1 inch and do not caulk the joints. If you have to use new vinyl, the colors wont match.

a) Mark the cuts for siding under the window

Place the siding that has to be notched under the window. When you mark each side, add a inch to the width to allow for expansion. To get the depth of the notch, measure the distance from the locking tab on the siding below to the undersill trim.

b) Cut the siding to fit under windows

Use the snips to cut through the nailing hem. Then, use the utility knife to score the plank, and bend it to snap off the notch.

c) Install the notched siding

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How to Install Vinyl Siding in 21 Steps | Siding Authority

Thank you for doing a very good job, in a timely way and for leaving the site in a very good condition.

Eleanor Fusaro

Dear Mr. Rafferty- I am very pleased with the roofing work you recently did on my home. Our company does outstanding work at a fair price, and my wife and I found Javier and your crew courteous, professional, hard-working and excellent craftsmen. I have taken the liberty of recommending Style Roofing to several of my []

Scott A. K.

Dear Mr. Rafferty- My husband joins me in thanking you for completing the job of replacing our roof with speed, efficiency and professionalism. As I explained to you on the phone, we had difficulty finding a company even willing to provide us with an estimate. In todays world there are few services offered with the []

Susan and Arthur A.

Thank you for the speed at which you were able to schedule the work to be done, as well as the efficiency in actually replacing the roof! It looks great and your presence was barely detected!

Andrew R.

My wife and I were very impressed with the quality and timeliness of your work. Your work crew showed when they said they would, did the job in short order and to a high standard, and then cleaned up after they left. I would highly recommend your company to anyone who asks me. You all []

John and Elizabeth W.

Dear Mr. Rafferty- The roof looks great, you are to be commended on the professional process and appearance. The crew did a fine job of cleaning up as there was no debris left lying around. The roof went up extremely fast, the crew began around 7:00 AM removing the existing roof and by 1:00 PM []

Bryan & Evelyn R.

Thank you for a wonderful job. You were fast and efficient. It looks great!

Glennie R.

Dear Mr. Rafferty- As I said on the phone, we are extremely pleased with the job. The work was performed in a professional manner, the roof and trim look great, the job site was left cleaner than when you found it, and, of course, the roof doesnt leak. Please feel free to use us as []

James and Anne Marie Sh.

Dear Bill- Thank you so much for the excellent job you did on the roof etc. I think my neighbors are enjoying the change in scenery more than I am. Happy Holiday Season!

Audrey J.

We are so happy with the new roof!! Thanks for adding the finishing touches turbine painted and antenna removed. Those finishing touches mean a lot!

Kelly R.

I wish to thank you for a good job on replacing our shingles and fixing the roof. The men were fast and knew exactly what to do. The clean up was also good. Thanks again for a very sufficient and good job, its appreciated.

The Finchams

Dear Bill- Just a note to thank you, your crew and Style Roofing for the outstanding job done on our new roof. Everything was excellent, from removal, replacement and most of all the clean up of debris. The speed and professionalism of your crew needs to be commended to the highest degree. I would have []

Ann S.

Dear Mr. Rafferty- On behalf of the Board of Directors, volunteers, and families of Fauquier Habitat for Humanity, I would like to thank you for providing your services to install shingles at lot 14 in Botha Village. With the assistance of volunteers and contributors like you, Habitat is succeeding in its efforts to provide housing []

Jack Flikeid, Executive Director

Dear Mr. Rafferty- We want to thank you for the excellent job you did no the roofing of the three condominium units. The work was done quickly and professionally. The type of material you recommended looks great.

Bill W.

Dear Mr. Rafferty- Thank you very much for your superior service to us regarding our new roof. It was truly a pleasure to be served by excellence! Above and beyond!

Margi G.

Bill- Excellent work. Please give your crew my compliments for a job well done. They were extremely efficient, completing the roof quickly, cleaning up and moving on as unobtrusively as they arrived. Both days your crew cleaned all debris from their work extremely well, including removing materials unavoidably trapped by trees in the back yard. []

James

Bill- Thank you and your staff for doing such a wonderful job on our roof. We are very pleased with the quality of your work it looks great!

Thank you, the Sanfords

I wanted to write to tell you how much we enjoyed working with your company. All the work was excellent quality, you were very responsive and the crews were very nice people. The clean up was great. If we can ever be a reference for you please feel free to give our names and number.

Jacky and Steve M.

I want to thank you for the excellent work that you did on my house and the other two townhouses that you re-roofed in my neighborhood. Your work is very impressive. You finished three roofs in one day! That is really remarkable and very much to your credit. Clearly you know how to manage projects! []

Mary R.

Thanks again for the great service & quick turn around. Were very happy to have the new roof before all the spring rain. Youre welcome to add us to your reference list.

Wendy

We are so pleased with our new and much improved roof! We would like to thank you for the outstanding job and your impeccable craftsmanship. We will happily refer your company to friends and neighbors. Heres to your continued success!

Robin and Michael

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Residential Roofing Contractors | Northern VA | Style Roofing

Why We Love Landscape Lighting

Landscape lights allow you to continue to enjoy the beauty of your yard even when it's dark out. And it can even make your landscape more dramatic, with well-placed outdoor spotlights and washes casting intriguing shadows and highlighting the best plants, water features with underwater lights and other aspects. While focusing attention on your landscape's most important details, landscape lighting also helps people to safely traverse across it with path lighting and deck lighting guiding the way.

Most outdoor landscape lighting is unobtrusive, designed to discretely illuminate and keep the landscape at the center of attention. As such, landscape lighting fixtures are best hidden within bushes or rock formations and properly oriented to highlight the leaves in a tall tree or wash up a textural wall. Arrange glare-free downlights -- specifically path lighting or deck lighting -- at regular intervals to ensure safe travel along pathways and up and down stairs. Backyard ponds benefit from underwater lights, while in-ground well lights provide an elegant, warm glow. Lastly, use bollard lights in place of pathway lighting anywhere you need extra illumination for safety or direction. With the right selection of fixtures, you'll have no dressing up your landscape to the nines.

Whether your backyard is traditionally styled or boasting with ultra-modern outdoor furniture pieces, you are sure to find an assortment of landscape fixtures that will fit your aesthetic. Hinkley Lighting offers a complete assortment of every kind of fixture you need to decorate your landscape in style. From bollards to recessed wall lights and all of the necessary hardware, Hinkley offers the ideal contemporary solution to landscape lighting. Traditional landscapes find a congruent style in the fixtures from Kichler and Troy Lighting. And if you love the benefits of energy efficiency in your space, look to the selection of fixtures from BEGA. LED landscape lighting is a great way to be eco-friendly and cost effective with your outdoor lighting design.

In addition to the cost savings you'll notice, the use of LED landscape fixtures require very little maintenance on your part. LEDs are rated to last for a very long time, meaning you won't have to change out your landscape lights every summer. Plus, many LED fixtures offer a higher brightness output, which is ideal for outdoor applications.

There are several considerations that go into selecting the right kind of landscape lighting for your front yard, back yard or commercial property. Use these quick tips to help you get it right.

Depending on your application, you'll have a few different options of landscape lights to use including bollards, path lights, in-ground lights, spotlights (great for bushes and shrubbery) and floodlights. Decide where you will plan to use landscape fixtures and the type of light you expect them to provide - uplighting, silhouetting, grazing lighting, wall washing, etc.

Landscape lights are also available in different voltages - 12 volt and 120 volt. You'll need to determine the application of your landscape lighting and make sure you have the right voltage you need. Be mindful of other fixtures in the space too.

Landscape fixtures are offered in a variety of colors and finishes, which allow them to blend into your yard and color choices. Metallic finishes (aluminum, brushed nickel, chrome, titanium) are always popular, while understated white and black finishes offer a minimalist appearance.

Be sure to check the UL rating of the fixtures you are interested in. While all of the landscape lights in this assortment are save to use outdoors, some are available as damp-rated (they are safe to be exposed to water occasionally) and others are wet-rated (they can be exposed to any amount of water without harm).

Lastly, if you live in an area that promotes dark-sky compliance in outdoor lighting, be sure to select fixtures that are specifically rated as dark-sky compliant. These designs are meant to minimize the amount of glow emitted by shielding glare and light trespass.

Any outdoor lighting scheme isn't complete without more decorative lighting -- wall, ceiling, portable and post-mounted fixtures add to the functionality of landscape lighting, as well as to a home's exterior decor. And enjoy grilling on the barbecue with the proper amount of light with a BBQ light from Focus Industries. The line of grill lights from Focus complement outdoor and landscape lighting, while also serving a much needed purpose. Finally, enjoy your landscape lighting into the evening hours with comfortable and stylish outdoor furniture including sofas, lounge chairs and hammocks.

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Landscape Lighting | Landscape, Path & Deck Lights | Lumens

Home / Patio, Garden and Outdoor / Outdoor Lighting

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BJ's Wholesale Club Outdoor Lighting

The right choice in lighting solutions can make your exterior backdrops more inviting for relaxation and entertainment. Create the ideal outdoor oasis for an evening of good times with family and friends with the special selection of outdoor solar lights and motion sensor lights now in stock at BJ's Wholesale Club. These energy efficient lighting options are made to illuminate your outdoor spaces when you need them and shut off when you don't, offering substantial savings in energy costs over comparable standard models. Line your walkways, stairways, driveways, and garden paths in smart lights to ensure your family and visitors can safely enter, exit, and enjoy your outdoor entertainment spaces when the sun sets. Outdoor string lights, solar lights, and motion sensor lights can transform your deck, lawn, or garden spaces, and you can find the ideal option for your home in the latest stock at BJ's Wholesale Club.

An outdoor motion sensor light or solar light is a convenient resource for upgrading your exterior spaces, and you can shop the extensive selection at BJ's Wholesale Club to discover the possibilities for your home. String lighting such as the Sylvania 15' Metal Orb String Lights can give your backyard or other green spaces rustic appeal, and can be connected end to end so you choose the size and scope of your display. You can also find distinctive lighting solutions like the Berkley Jensen 5-Lumen Solar Pathway Light 8 pack, made with durable stainless steel for excellent weather resistance. This option is available in your choice of finishes to accent the chosen aesthetic of your garden or patio. You can even give your home added security with a 1,000-Lumen Solar Motion Security Light, featuring motion sensing technology to alert you to visitors approaching your home after dark. Your property will never be left in the dark because this set offers up to 8 hours of light on a single day's charge. Bring your outdoor lighting ideas to BJ's Wholesale Club to discover the range of practical possibilities for your garden and outdoor spaces.

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Outdoor Lighting | BJ's Wholesale Club

HID or High-IntensityDischargeis a general term used to designate four different types of lamps commonly used for outdoor lighting: mercury vapor, low-pressure sodium, high-pressure sodium and metal halide. HID lamps require a warm-up period to reach full light output. A momentary loss of power can cause the HID fixture to re-strike and have to warm up again a process that can take up to 15 minutes.

Inductionlighting systems are electrode-less and are very similar to conventional fluorescent lighting systems. Induction lighting systems are composed of an electronic ballast (used to generate a high-frequency electronic current), a lamp or discharge vessel (filled with a mixture of gases, including mercury), and a power coupler (an induction coil to convert the high-frequency electronic current into a magnetic field within the discharge vessel). Induction outdoor lighting systems are energy-efficient when compared to mercury vapor, but not when compared to HPS, and provide white light with good color rendering (80+ CRI), quick ignition and re-ignition, and a rated life of up to 100,000 hours. Photometric performance does not compare well to HPS for outdoor lighting applications.

LED or Light-Emitting Diodetechnology is rapidly becoming competitive with high-intensity discharge light sources for outdoor lighting applications.Well-designed LED outdoor lighting luminaires can provide the required surface illuminance using less energy and with improved uniformity compared to HID light sources. LED luminaires may also have significantly longer life (50,000 hours or more) with better lumen maintenance. Other advantages of LED include that they contain no mercury, lead or other known disposal hazards and they come on instantly without a warm-up or re-strike delay. LED technology is improving rapidly in areas of efficacy, color quality, optical design, heat management and cost, and is compatible with dimming and controls systems.

LEP or Light-Emitting Plasmatechnology is an emerging light source and a possible choice for high-lumen outdoor lighting applications. The LEP system consists of an emitter, driver and power supply.LEP is a category of solid-state lighting but is not an LED. With LEP, a solid-state device is used to generate radio frequency energy which powers a plasma light source (quartz capsule embedded in a ceramic puck). Light emitting plasma technology promises high-lumen output, good color rendering, long life, energy efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements, and compatibility with dimming and controls systems.

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Outdoor Lighting | For Your Business - Georgia Power

Comprehensive outdoor lighting ideas guide setting out the 15 types of outdoor lighting options you have. We cover it all.- Advertisement -

Between outdoor furniture, gardening accessories and other types of exterior decor, its easy to have a stylish and presentable yard, especially in the spring and summer months.

The front and back of your home are equally important, being that the front is the first thing seen and the back is where people tend to gather.

Just like decorations, lighting is significant as well. Implementing lights may sound obvious, but it seems as though many homeowners use them for one function only, light. While this is the most important function, they can be used for decoration at the same time. Dont just illuminate your yard to see, illuminate it for style.

Welcome yourself home with beautiful front door lighting options. Since its most likely the main entryway, these lights will not go unnoticed. Depending on the style of your home or the type of front entryway you have, there are different ways to go about choosing the most fitting option. This includes style, size and placement.

Whether you choose to hang lights, mount them to the siding or both, its important to choose a style that best suits you and the home. Although having proper outdoor lighting plays a significant role in safety, dont let that be your only consideration. This is the time to be creative.

Hanging lights, such as lanterns and pendants, are ideal for tall entryways and porches. Without a hanging fixture, the space may look too empty.

Another idea is mounting the fixture on some kind of post. These are often referred to as pier mount lights, because theyre created for piers and columns. This light fixture makes the stone or brick pier stand out, potentially making it the accent piece of the yard.

Piers arent only placed near the front door, they can be placed in the walkway leading up to the front door, as well as the driveway. An illuminated walkway has the power to create a serene experience when walking towards the door.

Front door with hanging light (centered).

Front door with lights flanking both sides of the door.

Along with driveway lighting, garage lighting can make an impact as well. To illuminate the garage, add flood lights. Flood lights are typically placed higher up, which makes it acceptable to line them up with the highest point of the garage. These lights can highlight an attractive garage or help to light up the outdoor basketball court.

Garage door with recessed or pot lighting illuminating the garage door.

Garage with sensor-lights.

Garage illumined with interior lighting through the garage door windows.

Luminescent garage doors emitting light. I love this effect.

Check out more garage designs here.

Enhance your landscape with post lantern lights, path lights and well lights. Even during the day, when theyre not yet lit up, they add that something extra and bring attention to the green grass and/or garden. These lights bring curb appeal to the front yard and sophisticated style in the back.

With landscape lighting, you can enjoy the garden late into the evening, especially if you spend a great deal of time outside or host gatherings in the yard.

Adding lighting beyond the typical one or two lights can provide extra security as well, especially if theyre motion sensored or automatically light up when the sun goes down.

Read more: Extensive garden lighting guide

Flower garden trough with short light post.

Lighting can make time spent on the porch more enjoyable. For those cloudy days youd like to spend outside or a beautiful summer night, let porch lighting provide the brightness that the sky lacks. One of the best options is an outdoor fan light, ideal for both cooling down and brightening the porch space.

Lighting has more of an impact than you may think. Its no longer just a safety element, its a decorative element. With different styles, sizes, colors, and placements, lighting fixtures have the ability to make a difference in the homes appearance.

Pot lights on backyard porch/deck.

Porch with fan light.

You have many options to illuminate your deck including lamp posts, lanterns attached to your home, hanging lanterns, string lighting, fire pits, candles, tiki torches, surrounding garden lights and more.

If you have a walkway from the street/driveway to your front door, its a good idea to illuminate it.

Fortunately you have many options including low-to-the-ground lights and/or light posts.

Fabulous lights built into concrete walls lining front walk steps to the front door.

One of the most beautiful effects you can create in your yard is lighting for a pool. I think a lit pool looks fabulous.

You have many options including lights beneath the water, on the surrounding deck and/or elevated posts.

I think a tremendous touch is to add lights in several places on your home exterior so that it lights up like a Christmas tree. Check out these examples surely you agree they make the home look fabulous at night.

There are two main placement options for outdoor step lighting. They are:

Below are examples of both.

This showcases outdoor steps with lights on the risers.

This outdoor staircases illustrates steps with lights on the side.

Another location for outdoor lighting is on a railing. Heres an example.

Source: Zillow DigsTM

One final outdoor lighting consideration is illuminating your address whether the address is on your home, a post or on a mailbox. Its very helpful that people be able to see and read your address at night. This lighting is often forgotten.

There are many types of outdoor hanging lights including the following:

We have a dedicated article showcasing and explaining all the different types of hanging lights here.

Wall lighting outside is very popular and as a result there are many options to choose from.

For this reason we published an extensive article explaining and showing 19 types of outdoor wall lights here.

In addition to hanging lights (of which many technically fall under the ceiling lights category, there are two others you should be aware of. They are:

Recessed: Outdoor recessed lights are just like those used inside. Theyre only possible with covered outdoor areas. Heres an example:

Flush-mount: The flush mount light sits flush against the ceiling but the lighting fixtures drops down.

Semi-flush mount: The outdoor semi-flush mount light attaches directly to the ceiling and then expands below (i.e. fans out).

Because landscape lighting alone has many types, styles and options, we published a massive guide on landscape lighting here.

We discuss power sources for outdoor lighting here.

Author Bio: Valley Lighting is an electric supply and home decor company located in Ansonia, Connecticut, offering high quality products and great service to its customers for over 50 years.

Home Stratosphere is an award-winning home and garden online publication thats a result of our talented researchers and writers who work directly with hundreds of professional interior designers, furniture designers, landscape designers and architects from around the world to create helpful, informative, entertaining and inspiring articles and design galleries.

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15 Different Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Home (All Types)

In the photo above is a very spacious traditional style kitchen with a contemporary update brings together both contemporary and classic styles. The traditional style kitchen cabinets in light cream comprises the main kitchen cabinets, while the massive kitchen island adapts a bold cobalt blue finish. All counters are topped with a slab of marble for an elegant touch, while the walls of the kitchen are clad with marble subway tiles. The ceiling with exposed wooden beams is also interesting as it uses a textured wallpaper instead of a plain paint finish.

Many homeowners these days are looking for open concept kitchens that can bring the entire family together and allow for easy entertaining and conversation. One of the great things about an open concept kitchen design is that even small kitchens can feel larger with an open layout.

Here are some of the best benefits of an open kitchen layout.

Single Wall open kitchens usually bears a set of cabinetry on one side allowing ease of circulation and space serving. The storing and food preparing happens on the side of the single wall creating an expansive view of the open kitchen space overall. Single wall cabinetry including a sink addresses a more compact layout of the work triangle which is between the refrigerator, store and the sink.

A kitchen island on the other hand functions as a storage space, food preparation area and a dining space while minimizing furniture, yet creating a collaborative view of the whole kitchen interior. If a Kitchen Island doesnt seem like the ideal solution for your space, there is always an option to shape the open kitchen with an additional table or peninsula that serves the purpose.

The idea of having an open kitchen is another reason that guests feel comfortable not leaving the living or the dining room. This is especially useful for those wanting to keep an eye on young children, spending more time with family members or for entertaining guests.

Some open kitchen spaces are divided considering the wet and dry areas of a kitchen. As a solution for the emerging problem many homeowners extend the tabletop to the living room or the dining that prevents the problem. The extended tabletops or the kitchen islands could be easily converted into a mini bar area with an addition of few bar stools to fit your need. Installing open ledges instead of closed cabinetry are a modern approach that many of the homeowners adopt to.

Open concept kitchens and the rest of the home areas can be designed to be easily merged, when in doubt separating the areas with an object such as a couch or a rug or in terms of lighting, placing a large chandelier or an existing interior feature such as an attached wall are options at hand.

The open concept kitchens aesthetic are of vital importance. The lighting, color palette, flooring are some aspects that needs to be addressed sensitively. The most interesting feature of open spaces is the unobstructed view that is visible from one end to the other. This helps to maintain a regular aesthetic throughout the home by merging the open concept kitchen within the entire household. Considering certain situations, designs range in tow island kitchens that comprises of a work triangle for both islands.

Even though open kitchen spaces lack privacy the modern day world where gender roles are neutralized demands an open kitchen. The interaction provoking layout is a wise strategy to be used in modern day household. The smell of the open space kitchen can be a real practical problem. The problem can be solved by installing a half wall with a glass partitioning on top that functions as an open kitchen all at the same time.

Open concept kitchens have their own pros and cons. For instance ease of accessibility and circulation are positive attributes of having an open space layout. Encouraging communication and an expanded view of the whole house lists under the advantages that is a result of minimalist walls. The ease of storage and space management is of vital importance to any household. The aesthetic that it carries with a modern, sleek appearance are interesting elements that adds up to the design of the house. Even though the open kitchen had been designed in a particular way that lacks privacy the pros are definitely at advantage to dedicate a space of the house for an open kitchen.

Designs layouts with the kitchen and living area in the same room have become very popular for those who like to entertain, spend more time with family, or just keep an eye on small children. An open kitchen is great for someone who doesnt want to cook alone or feel isolated during meal preparation. For even more ideas visit our page showcasing open kitchen designs with living room here.

Original post:
30 Open Concept Kitchens (Pictures of Designs & Layouts ...

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Read more from the original source:
Shop Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Willow Lane Cabinetry

Kitchen Design

Welcome to the kitchen design layout series. Part of the design a room series on room layouts here on House Plans Helper.

Ive got so many ideas and suggestions to share about kitchen design layout. The idea (as always on HousePlansHelper) is to give you ideas, inspiration and knowledge about kitchen layout and kitchen function so that you can make sure that those great looking cabinets youve got picked out will be both beautiful to look at and a pleasure to use.

The How to Design a Kitchen page guides you through the whole process. If you want to jump straight to a detailed section, heres what Ive got for you.

The aim of a great kitchen design is to maximize counter space and storage and be a pleasure to use.

Here's a few kitchen calamities to avoid...

Circulation cutting through the work triangle. If you can make your kitchen the road to nowhere. Accidents happen when cooking and foot traffic mix.

I like cruising Houzz as much as anyone and here's a collection of kitchen layouts with a few comments, all to illustrate some of the ideas made on this page.

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Kitchen Design Layout - House Plans Helper