Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Apple introduced some major changes to the iPad with its iOS 11 beta earlier this week. While you can use the iPad just as youve always been able to, there are some additional multitasking changes that really make the iPad Pro more of a laptop contender. Apple has created a dock that acts more like something youd find on macOS, and refined its side-by-side apps interface so its even more similar to Windows 8. These changes make the iPad a lot more useful, but also a lot more confusing than it has ever been before.

The new dock extends the amount of apps you can pin to the bottom of the iOS home screen, but it also acts as the main way to control what apps can float or be used side-by-side. It replaces the old app picker from iOS 10, and instead of swiping from the right to access apps, you swipe up from the bottom of the display (even if youre in an app) to access the dock instead. After being familiar with iOS 10, the first time I tried to use the dock I was confused how to get apps side-by-side. I kept swiping from the right or swiping on the apps on the dock, but nothing happened. Its not immediately obvious how to even activate multitasking, and I had to watch our own hands-on video to even figure that out. Not a great start.

Multitasking on iOS 11 gets a little confusing

Placing apps into the Split View is simple once you know how you have to tap and hold on app icons to drag them into Apples Split View. This might seem like youre about to move an app icon on the dock, as thats how iOS works, but it actually turns the app youve grabbed into a floating app that can snap to the side of an existing one. This works if you activate the dock by swiping up, but if youre on the home screen then holding down an app will simply move it around with no options to create a split view. You can also activate a Slide Over view by dragging an app from the dock onto an existing one, which creates a hovering window you can arrange on the left or right on top of either a single app or split view apps. This means you can have three apps open in multitasking view. And its where things start to get truly confusing.

If you have a hovering app open on top of other apps, the interactions with that app are messy, even for a beta. Theres a little handle at the top which hints you can swipe down on it, but if you miss the tap target then the Notification Center (that now looks like a lock screen) activates. Likewise, closing the app from this view is extremely frustrating. Youd expect you could swipe down on the app to dismiss it, but that swipe down action will actually snap it into a side-by-side view or replace whatever other app you had snapped. To dismiss a floating app you actually have to swipe on the very left edge of the app and push it towards the right-hand side of the screen for it to disappear. To get it back, you then swipe from the right-hand edge of the screen. If that sounds confusing, its because it simply is. Swiping from the right-hand edge of the screen normally without any apps floating does nothing, so Apple has re-purposed an edge swipe gesture for a super specific reason.

You can ignore the gestures, but iPad Pro users will expect them to work

The split view also includes some oddities when you try to activate a third floating app. You have to drag an app to the bar that controls the split size for it to trigger the floating ability. If you dont then it will simply replace whatever app is in view. These multitasking controls for three apps are now very similar to Windows 8, and they suffer from the same problems. The gestures arent obvious, and managing the different snapped apps states isnt easy. Apple has taken many of Microsofts better ideas with Windows 8, but implemented them in an equally confusing way.

You might be sitting there and thinking well, who cares if you can use the iPad as youve always done, just ignore the multitasking or its a beta, it will get better. Those are both good points, but the iPad Pro wants to be more than an iPad. Apple is trying to convince iPad users to upgrade to more capable iPad Pro devices, and it really wants existing laptop users to switch. If youre buying an iPad Pro then you want the powerful hardware and the powerful software capabilities to match. Apple wants the iPad Pro to be considered as a real computer, but a mixture of its hardware and software is still holding it back from being a true laptop replacement.

Sure, you can ignore these gestures if you want, just like thousands of Windows and Mac users ignore keyboard shortcuts they dont know about. The problem Apple faces here is that its trying to convince everyone that a touch interface is just as productive as using a keyboard and mouse. In many instances thats true, and as apps adapt to buy into Apples world view then that will only improve. With iOS 11 though, these gestures are designed to replace the need for a mouse and theyre getting too complicated. iOS 11 is still in beta so things might improve, but the fact that Apple is struggling to make this stuff easy to use is a fundamental problem with touchscreens and productivity when it comes to precision.

iOS needs better precision touch support

Microsoft attempted to force its Windows 8 interface onto traditional PCs in a vague hope that it would get more tablet apps and boost its mobile efforts. Windows 8 users hated this, because they were used to using a keyboard and mouse for tasks and precision. Equally, Apple is forcing people to use a touchscreen for productivity and its confusing its message with optional keyboard and stylus additions to the iPad Pro. This keyboard doesnt have a trackpad for precision, and youre forced to move your hands from the keys to reach out and touch most of the time you want to interact. Yes, there are keyboard shortcuts that help, but a lack of mouse input feels unnatural if youre used to a laptop.

Apple has caved on keyboard and stylus support for the iPad, so it might seem obvious that the company will eventually implement some type of mouse support. Im not convinced it will, as Apples iOS hardware is primarily designed around touch. Apple sees touch as the future, and the iPad is slowly heralding that future. Drag and drop in iOS 11 is an excellent example of that, and a window into the future of the iPad. Software developers have been eagerly awaiting such a feature, and perhaps now they'll start to invest in more complex and productivity-focused app for the iPad. There are some, like the Aviary photo editor, that are truly great examples of our touch future, but there aren't enough.

iOS 11 marks a bigger departure from the familiar interface between iPhone and iPad, and it could help better define the iPad in the future. The big question of "who is the iPad for?" is never ending, but iOS 11 seems to signal that Apple is willing to make the fundamental interactions on an iPhone or iPad very different. That could help set a new direction for the iPad. While Apple left it up to software developers to create millions of apps and define the iPhone, the iPad has struggled to generate the same interest from developers thanks to slowing sales and its position between iPhone and Mac.

The complex gestures we see in iOS 11 will only get more tricky in the future as Apple continues to build them out instead of supporting a mouse. If Apple does want the iPad Pro to be considered as laptop contender, then it will need to refine its keyboard hardware and its software gestures and features. Apple still needs to prove that the touchscreen can truly replace a keyboard and mouse for professional productivity, so get used to remembering lots of gestures and swiping around on an iPad display instead of simply pointing and clicking for the foreseeable future.

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iOS 11 on an iPad still won't replace your laptop - The Verge

REHOBOTH Rehoboth voters in a special election Tuesday approved two ballot questions for tax increases to fund improvements to school buildings.

The first ballot question was a capital exclusion, or one-time tax increase for one year only, for $87,203 for the installation of door security systems at Palmer River Elementary School, Beckwith Middle School and Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. It passed 579 to 386 votes.

The school district, in a June 18 letter to parents, said the measure will increase taxes by mere pennies over the course of the year.

The second ballot question was a debt exclusion, or temporary override of the states Proposition 2 tax levy-limiting law, for $3.6 million for roof and window replacement at Palmer River Elementary School and window replacement at Beckwith Middle School. It passed 556 to 409.

According to the school district, the cost to the average taxpayer will be approximately $48 annually for an average $300,000 home, or $4 per month extra in taxes.

Superintendent Anthony Azar said it was a positive outcome for everyone involved.

I believe its a win-win for the students. Its a win-win for the staff and its a win-win for Rehoboth taxpayers, Azar said.

We appreciate the support from the Rehoboth taxpayers and its an exciting night for the district, Azar added.

Turnout for the election was 11 percent or 965 of the towns 8,544 registered voters.

The district had sent a one-call alert to families on Monday reminding voters to go to the polls.

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Rehoboth voters approve override for schools, money for security system - The Sun Chronicle

The Sun Herald

Appeals court says judge was wrong to rule for USAA in Katrina insurance case The Sun Herald The engineer's confidential conclusion said USAA could owe for replacement of all windows, also creating the possibility that the company would have to cover contents damaged by openings in the house that the wind created. The policy excluded ...

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Appeals court says judge was wrong to rule for USAA in Katrina insurance case - The Sun Herald

ELKO Drivers on Idaho Street saw a downtown storefront get a makeover in recent days, yet it wasnt part of the Citys Redevelopment Agency grant program.

Cucina Investments LLC recently spruced up the faade of the former Gypsy Cupboard and The Moon Bar storefronts at 452 and 460 Idaho Street.

The Moon Bar, owned by Miguel Castro, opened earlier this month, leasing part of the building from Gwen Uhlig, owner of Cucina Investments.

The space at 452 Idaho St. has been vacant since this spring when Gypsy Cupboard closed its doors.

Approved in May, the Citys Redevelopment Agency offered a matching fund grant for eligible improvements such as window replacement, doors, siding, signage and awnings to storefronts within the redevelopment area.

The City Engineering Department verified that Cucina Investments did not turn in a grant application.

In a statement to the Free Press, Uhlig confirmed that she did not participate in and/or did not apply for the Redevelopment program, and said the project is expected to be done at the end of the month.

Broker Kelly Higgins with Investors Realty confirmed this week that the property is part of a single building and is available for lease or sale.

Higgins also said Uhlig used her own funds to remodel the storefront as the timing for the grant did not work out.

Im excited for the buildings to have a fresh, new look, said Uhlig.

Four Downtown locations the Hesson Building, J.M. Capriola Co., Gerber Law Offices, and the Western Folklife Center were approved in May for RDA grants totaling $66,175.

The grant went over its budget of $50,000, the monies of which are raised by taxes within the redevelopment district.

Last week, 52 windows in the historic Pioneer Hotel building were replaced after receiving $20,000 from the grant.

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Idaho street business receives makeover - Elko Daily Free Press

Ashburnham and Ashby are among the seven communities to receive Green Communities Competitive Grants, which they'll use to make municipal building more energy efficient.

Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, a member of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, announced the grants last Monday.

"Congratulations to these seven communities on being awarded grant funding through the Green Communities program," Sen. Gobi said in a statement. "It takes hard work on the part of municipalities to be eligible for these awards and these communities all did their part for the greater good on the Commonwealth and the environment."

Ashby was awarded a grant totaling $100,981. The money will be spent installing two new boiler systems, in Town Hall and the Ashby Free Public Library, said Town Administrator Bob Hanson.

The Town Hall heating system costs $65,071 and includes the large-capacity tank and new programmable thermostats. The town will spend $35,910 on a new boiler for the library.

Ashburnham was awarded a $217,300 grant to install a new heating and cooling system in the town library, which, according to Town Administrator Heather Budrewicz, is "by far" the least energy efficient building in the town.

The library's current 30-year-old HVAC system is "obsolete by today's standards," according to Budrewicz.

The grant will help the town inch closer toward a goal set in 2013 to reduce municipal energy consumption by 20 percent.

From 2013 to 2016, the town cut energy expenditure by 11 percent.

The new HVAC system is expected to reduce consumption by another 5 percent, bringing the total amount cut to 16 percent.

The HVAC system is expected to improve air quality in the library and make way for the removal of a 50-year-old underground oil tank. Town plans to apply for additional grant funding to finance the removal of the 3,000 gallon tank.

Green Communities Competitive grants are administered by the Department of Energy Resources.

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Ashburnham, Ashby win 'Green Communities' grants - Sentinel & Enterprise

Today, using the internet-of-things channel for building CRM victories seems to be a demonstration of more hype than reality. But there is vast potential, as early adopters reap wins, executives said at a recent Salesforce IoT demo.

No topic is off limits in this expert guide devoted to Salesforces much-hyped cloud-based BI platform.

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"A lot of companies are still figuring out what their strategy is," Chris Weld, Salesforce IoT Cloud go-to-market director, told SearchSalesforce after presenting at the Boston stop of the Salesforce World Tour. While he acknowledged "not a huge amount of companies" have figured out a game plan for monetizing IoT, many Salesforce customers are trying to figure it out. Today's data systems are more agile, making them more conducive for IoT than just a few years ago, he said, and narrowing the scope of implementations that can affect business goals.

"[Enhancing] service is the low-hanging fruit we've seen for IoT," Weld added. "When you look at the operational change that's required for connected device data, that's where we've seen the highest value."

Some of the early adopters showcased in the Salesforce IoT demo included Emerson Climate Technologies, a connected-thermostat maker that added value to its product by conducting diagnostics on newly installed heating and cooling systems. While many new home heating and cooling systems feature potentially excellent efficiency specifications, Weld said in his presentation, improper installation begets poor performance and inefficient energy use. When a thermostat can measure efficiency and report performance metrics back to consumers, it's a reality check and new data point about the job a household's local installer performed.

In the future, Emerson plans to expand those diagnostics beyond new system installs to more general efficiency tests to help consumers conserve energy and lower their bills. In this way, the company hopes to prove to consumers the worth of its "smart thermostat" that typically costs twice as much as ones that aren't IoT-connected.

Also in the Salesforce IoT demo was a hypothetical large-format printer manufacturer using a combination of Salesforce IoT Cloud and Service Cloud features to track wear and tear on printers and help the businesses using the printers troubleshoot and replace parts as they wear out.

To figure out if investing in IoT to boost CRM capabilities is worthwhile, Weld said Salesforce customers he's worked with on IoT projects have to innovate rapidly. This means, typically, they have to fail fast and iterate again if the original concept doesn't quite work out in real-life tests.

They also need to add customer context -- examples include service history and service-level agreements (SLAs) in place -- to be able to act upon data the IoT sensors are outputting into the CRM system.

It is early in the game, early in the technology evolution. Wayne Kurtzmanresearch director, IDC

The most forward-thinking customers, Weld said, take advantage of real-time tech and thinking about IoT service implementations as proactive instead of reactive. "If we were doing this session four years ago, we'd be talking about Hadoop and HBase and [retrospectively analyzing] this incredible amount of data," Weld said. "We want to shift away from that and say, 'It's great to know what happened two days ago, but I really want to know what's happening right now so I can prevent problems before they occur.'"

The potential problem with IoT for CRM: thinking too big. Wayne Kurtzman, research director for social and experiential solutions at IDC, said the trick for companies to turn their CRM IoT pilots into money-making implementations is picking the right spots. Getting too ambitious too quickly can potentially eat up returns on investment before the projects get off the ground.

"That is a challenge," Kurtzman said. "It is early in the game, early in the technology evolution -- there's some risks at the beginning of any adoption curve. But if you play it right, if you play it where you are versatile, you can in fact reap significant benefits."

Salesforce Einstein: What's the benefit?

Tired of Salesforce password reset tickets?

IoT, Salesforce and VR meet your field service crew

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Salesforce IoT demo shows it's becoming easier to meld CRM and IoT - TechTarget

The Northeast branch of the Reading Public Library will be closed for the summer because the building will not have air conditioning.

The library is expecting the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system, but it won't be ready in time for the hot summer months.

Bronwen Gamble, executive library director, said the delay is frustrating for everyone involved.

"The city has been very proactive in trying to get this done, but it's a big project with many moving parts," she said.

The system will cost more than $150,000 to install, which is being paid for in a Keystone grant and community development block grants, each of which have specific requirements in the bidding process.

To lessen the inconvenience, Gamble said the Northeast branch will have outdoor hours on the front porch of the building where people can check out books, including new releases, and a selection of other media.

In addition to the regular hours, the Northwest branch will be open Mondays and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gamble said the newly revised bid specifications were released Monday and that the city is eager to expedite the process as quickly as possible.

"We're sorry for the inconvenience," she said. "We know it's frustrating. We're doing the best we can."

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Lack of air conditioning forces Reading's Northeast branch library to close for summer - Reading Eagle

Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology is relatively new to the U.S., yet it has quickly become a very popular option in the commercial market.VRF is now moving into the residential market as well as more and more high-end homeowners and custom home builders are learning about the technologys ability to provide on-demand heating or cooling in multiple zones.

Many manufacturers are responding to this trend by offering VRF systems that are designed specifically for residential applications. These units often feature smaller footprints, lower profiles, and quieter operation as well as higher efficiencies, which are designed to appeal to the most discerning homeowner.

Homeowners do not lack options when it comes to choosing HVAC equipment for their high-end homes, so why should they consider VRF? It all comes down to efficiency, said CJ Corbet, southwest sales engineer, Fujitsu General America Inc. Our products, such as the J-II line, use algorithms to optimize highly efficient components, such as variable-speed compressors and fan motors, internal subcooling, and electronic expansion valve modulation, which help VRF systems out-perform traditional central heating and cooling in like-for-like applications.

But in residential applications, zoning is where VRF systems really shine, noted Corbet.

With VRF, we are able to put a unit in each room and only heat or cool the room that is occupied, he said. This eliminates heating or cooling rooms that arent occupied, which saves energy.

Energy savings, precise temperature control, and exceptional comfort definitely make VRF systems attractive to homeowners, said Chuck Hughes, director of commercial sales, LG air conditioning technologies, LG Electronics USA Inc.

Unlike conventional systems, which set a single temperature for an entire home, VRF systems offer the flexibility to create dedicated zones that allow for precise temperature control based on homeowners preferences. This lends itself to increased efficiency and improved comfort in a way that conventional systems simply cant rival.

Some VRF systems, such as LGs Multi V S line, also offer heat recovery technology, which enables homeowners to heat and cool different areas of their homes simultaneously. This is especially beneficial for homes that have gyms, for example, which the owners would like to keep cool during the winter, even though heat is required for the living areas.

In this case, heat recovery systems could repurpose the return heat from the gym to warm up the living area, which in turn, increases the energy efficiency, said Hughes. The return heat can also be used to heat a pool, which means homeowners are getting multiple uses for the energy they are paying for.

In addition to energy efficiency and personalized comfort, VRF systems offer design flexibility and quiet operation, inside and out, said Michelle Robb, director of residential marketing, Mitsubishi Electric US Inc. Cooling & Heating division.

VRF systems feature a compact footprint, which requires less outdoor space, and with long line lengths, the system allows maximum flexibility in installation, she said. There are also a variety of indoor unit styles available depending on the preference of the homeowner or the installation requirements.

While some might think VRF systems are expensive, they can actually cost less over the course of their lifetimes than traditional systems, said Robb. In a retrofit, there is existing infrastructure that may be reused depending on the choice of indoor units. In new construction, the initial cost of the equipment is typically slightly more expensive, but between reduced installation, labor costs, and operational costs due to impressive efficiencies, VRF systems can quickly become a more economical option all while providing better comfort.

Thanks to advancements in cold-climate technology, VRF systems can now be installed in just about any geographic area. For example, Mitsubishi Electrics S-Series and CITY MULTI VRF systems, both of which can be used in residential applications, can provide up to 100 percent heating output at 0F and 83 percent heating capacity at minus 13F, thanks to its Hyper-Heating technology.

With this technology, VRF systems are now a good fit for any home regardless of location, layout, or homeowner needs, said Robb.

It also does not matter whether VRF systems are being installed in existing homes or in new construction, as they work well in both types of applications.

With older homes, space often doesnt allow for the addition of bulky ductwork, but with our duct-free VRF, homeowners are able to preserve architectural features without requiring a redesign of the space or any major construction, said Hughes. In the case of new construction, owners desiring a clean aesthetic can eliminate building soffits for ductwork, which also translates to more usable square footage.

In Corbets opinion, all large homes would benefit from a VRF system rather than a traditional system, because the more rooms there are in a house, the better options there are for zoning.

VRF systems are also very well rounded for both extreme heating and cooling situations, so they cover a wide variety of geographical locations. And homeowners benefit from low energy costs and the comfort of on-demand heating or cooling through zoning.

And the good news for contractors is that VRF design is handled the same way in both residential and commercial applications.

Zone loads are required to select the appropriate unit for specific spaces, and once the units are selected, our design tool is used to lay out the configuration, said Corbet. That tool will catch any limitations that the project might exceed so that each project is designed correctly. For all VRF applications, controls are universal in that they can be used in any configuration.

While the controls for VRF systems are basically the same for all types of applications, residential controls may be slightly different.

Since VRF can be installed in large-scale commercial applications, such as school campuses, we offer additional controls for those types of installations, said Robb. VRF systems are also compatible with our kumo cloud programmable controller app, which offers remote control from anywhere in the U.S. through a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The interface has the ability to control multiple locations and indoor units, program cooling and heating events, indicate filter replacement, and monitor errors in the system.

For any VRF installation, be it residential or commercial, contractors still need to run a room-by-room load calculation to determine the number of indoor units required to appropriately condition the space, said Hughes. Since VRF systems can be ducted or non-ducted, contractors are able to select the systems that work best for each application, and end users can choose the indoor units that best complement their interior dcor. Combine that flexibility with zoning control, energy efficiency, and low maintenance, and there is no question that homeowner demand for VRF will continue to grow.

Publication date: 6/26/2017

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VRF Moving Into High-End Homes - ACHR NEWS

Board Member James Bibbs, second from left, joins with others from GLEAMNS and SCE&G in a cooperative effort.

By James Bibbs, GLEAMNS Bd.Member

For over 50 years, GLEAMNS has been committed to helping improve the living conditions of our low-income families. Our services in Edgefield County include:

Head Start/Early Head Start promotes school readiness of children ages birth to 5 years old from low income families by supporting their development in a comprehensive way through: Health, Education, Nutrition, Disability Family Services, Parent Involvement and Mental Health.

Workforce Development Program which provides services to youth, adults and dislocated workers, who fall within the poverty income guidelines. This program assist with Workkeys testing, job search/employability skills, counseling and career planning, on-the-job-training, referrals, internship, and education assistance.

Community Services Program available services are Rental assistance, residential heating and cooling bills, air conditioners, HVAC repair/replacement, and educational assistance.

Weatherization Program The programs goal is to reduce energy costs to low-income persons by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety. Weatherization specifically focuses on assisting low-income people primarily the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, and households with high energy burdens.

Weatherization specialists inspect and test combustion appliances; air seal ducts, holes and cracks; insulate attic, sidewall, floor and hot water heater and install base-load measures for electricity reduction. You may qualify for Weatherization if your total household income falls within the Poverty Income Guidelines listed below:

Family size ONE; Gross Monthly Income is $1980.00; for each additional person add $690.00.

Applications are available at our main office in Greenwood. To request an application, please contact us at 864-229-8836 or 864-229-8818.

As a GLEAMNS Board member, representing Edgefield County, it is important to me to make sure Edgefield County citizens are aware of the services GLEAMNS provides and has full access to those services. It is also important to me, that GLEAMNS continue to develop partnerships that help to leverage our limited resources for our communities.

GLEAMNS joins with SCE&G

Today, GLEAMNS joins SCE&G in helping ensure low to moderate households are using energy as efficiently as possible. We applaud SCE&G for their efforts, as all measures and supplies provided today are at no cost to our residents. We are thankful for our partnership with SCE&G and look forward to increased collaboration in the future.

Like today, and always, you have my full commitment to continue working with GLEAMNS and other partners to further develop and improve our communities.

Read more:
GLEAMNS' Commitment to Low-Income - Edgefieldadvertiser

Homeowners dont always want to tear apart their kitchens when they remodel. Often its because they like the layout and the cabinets are very strong and solid.

So here are ideas on refurbishing and remodeling while leaving cabinets in the same general place. There will still be work and it will cost something, but work can be finished more quickly:

Have your cabinets refaced. Cabinet refacing is much more economical than complete replacement. Some expert companies say having it done costs slightly more than a third of what it would cost to replace cabinets. Some companies that specialize in this process, but many remodelers can do it.

Be sure the contractor will use refacing material and veneers that are really wood and that these new items will be well-fastened to your cabinets. Its best to have all-new drawers installed. Some refacing companies just put new fronts on old drawers. You should get new doors that have top quality new hinges installed as well.

Have your cabinets repainted or re-stained. The cost of repainting or re-staining can vary depending on the size of your kitchen, but generally its about a quarter of the cost that replacement would be, according to Ray Hernandez of Ray of Light in Tempe. Hernandez company strips and sands existing cabinet fronts down to bare wood before refinishing them. Drawers and doors are taken out to be stripped. He can color or stain cabinets and sometimes adds new molding to the cabinets as well.

Take out some cabinets out or rebuild some cabinets. Some companies doing painting or refacing will also change the shape of cabinets, rebuild them or remove some cabinets. For example, Ray of Light will rebuild a small island to make it larger. Some renovators will build a new island in the middle of a very large kitchen. Or some will take down a partial wall of cabinets that a homeowner wants removed to open up a living area and make it more spacious.

If you keep the cabinets, you can also install new countertops, sinks, faucets and appliances. If youre planning to do any of these jobs, take them on at the same time that the work is being done on cabinets. After all, changing countertops later could wreck the newly painted or refaced cabinets.

If any plumbing or electrical work needs to be done, use professional contractors. You may have to change gas and electric lines to complete the work. In cases like that, permits are also required from the city or county.

Repainting yourself? If so, first remove hardware and doors and drawers. Label each knob, hinge, door and drawer with info that will tell you where to put them back on later.

Youll need to use fine sandpaper to sand down the surface of the old cabinets to get the new paint to bond properly. You dont have to remove all the old paint. But you need to sand whether doors were painted or not.

After sanding, wipe off the surfaces carefully and spray on high quality latex paint. Temper the paint with water or latex extender. Youll probably want to rent a sprayer to make things go more quickly. If you work with a roller, you want it to be short-napped; a brush needs fine bristles.

Give the paint an hour to dry. Then put on a second coat. After that put on a couple of coats of clear coat to protect the painted surface and help the paint last longer.

For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 29 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8 to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and from 9 to 11 a.m. on KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.

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Rosie on the House: Redo your kitchen, keep same layout - Green Valley News