Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Cat folks know their precious furball deserves the very best, but feral kitties are often left to fend for themselves. So FixNation, a non-profit dedicated to spaying and neutering street felines, commissioned a group of LA-based architects to design custom outdoor accommodations for an event raising awarenessand cashfor their cause.

The results are predictably awww-worthy; of course, it doesn't hurt that the shots were staged with cute cats exploring the digs. But they're also noteworthy in the scope of the constructions themselvesnone of them look even close to similaras well as how the variety of materialswood, faux-grass, bits of carpeting, shingled tubes and metal hoops and concrete boxesall came together in these wildly different forms.

Architects seem to enjoy taking on these kinds of mini side projects, like the adorable Architecture for Dogs a few years back (seriously, you're going to want to click that link) and A Doll's House, which both saw big names going way small. I'd like to see them take on birdcages next.

These cat homes made their big debut at an event last week; rather than being auctioned off to the highest bidder, however, they'll be donated back to FixNation facilities which offer free trap-neuter-return services for wayward pussies (which could probably use a little love).

What's your fave of the bunch? [ Gizmag]

By Formation Association and Edgar Arceneaux

By HOK

Read more here:
Architects Designed These Intricate Cat Shelters Because Cats

GTA 5 - If a Psychopath did home restoration
I seriously died of laughter when I rewatched this. But today, we review 4401 Procopio Drive in Paleto Bay. Part of the Independence Day DLC for GTA 5. The c...

By: Ninjaman349

Read this article:
GTA 5 - If a Psychopath did home restoration - Video

Question: My 20-year-old kitchen cabinet doors are wood composite with a white plastic coating. I recently got a new gas range, and the heat melted and warped the plastic on an adjacent cabinet door. I cant find a manufacturers name anywhere on the cabinets, and I am told that the design on the front, with rounded corners, is no longer made. I dont want to have to replace all 16 of my cabinet doors. Is there any way to repair this or reproduce one door to match the others?

Falls Church

Answer: From the pictures you sent, its clear that the plastic coating is thermofoil a colored layer topped by clear vinyl thats applied to the door in a process that uses a vacuum and heat. Unfortunately, if this kind of finish gets too hot, it melts and deforms. You cant just reheat it and press it back into shape.

There are a few things you can try short of replacing all the doors. First, look around the kitchen or even other rooms to see if you have matching doors the same size and swing direction. If so, you might just need to swap the damaged door for one in a less noticeable place.

You can also try trimming away the melted finish with a sharp utility knife. Fill in for the finish layer with wood putty or an auto-body filler, then prime and paint. (Get matching paint by taking the door to a paint store.)

As a third option, buy a new thermofoil door thats as close a match as possible. Matching the color is relatively easy; the hardest part is finding a matching profile, according to Tom Fowler of Toms Cabinets & Design in Springfield (703-451-2227; http://www.tomscabinets.com).

As youve learned, many manufacturers of thermofoil cabinets have moved beyond the door style in your kitchen. Theyre trying to better mimic the traditional panel-and-frame door, which has a crisp-cornered frame of solid wood around a separate panel. A thermofoil door, by contrast, typically consists of a single piece of medium-density fiberboard shaped with a router to resemble a frame and panel. The rounded corners on the frame arent there as a style statement; theyre just the shape that routers cut.

Although manufacturers now try to minimize rounded corners, doors similar to yours are still available. The home page on the Toms Cabinets Web site has a link to a thermofoil door catalogue that includes doors with rounded corners. (See the Advantage Series.)

If you do decide to replace the door but cant find an exact match, consider replacing nearby doors so everything at close range looks the same. If doors across the room are a little different, only those with young eyes will notice.

Question: My wife inherited a corner cupboard from her grandmother. Unfortunately, the carved marble top has cracked in two. Is there anyone in the D.C. area who can repair or remake it?

See the original post here:
How to replace a discontinued cabinet door

Okinawas gubernatorial election is now two months away, and Governor Hirokazu Nakaimas challenger says hell vigorously oppose the planned project to relocate the controversial Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to sparsely populated northern Okinawa.

Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga says to meet the expectations of people is what a politician should aim to do at the end of the day. He believes Okinawa should not be carrying the bulk of the burden of hosting American bases, and has told the Naha City Municipal Assembly that Japans security should be ensured by sharing as a country. Okinawa has reached its limits and cannot shoulder more.

The 63-year-old Onaga sees the election as a referendum of sorts on building the replacement airfield facility on Camp Schwab and the adjacent waters of Oura Bay in Nago Citys Henoko district. Governor Nakaima has already given the green light for landfill work. A third candidate for governor, former Diet member and 53-year-old former minister in charge of privatizing the countrys postal services, Mikio Shimoji, has called for a prefecture-wide referendum to settle the issue by directly getting citizens input.

In Tokyo, Yoshihide Suga says Okinawas gubernatorial election will have no effect on the airfield replacement project moving forward. Suga, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, says the Futenma ~ Henoko issue has already become an issue of the past, and adds I dont think this will be an election issue. He says governors nationwide have authority to approve or toss out reclamation projects in their prefectures, and notes Nakaimas approval with not-so-subtle infusions of money from the central government for infrastructure projectsis already in place.

The bottom line, according to the Chief Cabinet Secretary, is that we need to remove danger from the Futenma base as early as possible. The project has alternately stalled and lingered since first being approved in 1996. It remains a flash point for opponents, and political observers think Onagas position, which draws support from the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party, could attract some normally faithful Liberal Democratic Party members.

The project itself may again see the timelines slide a bit, although government sources say the schedule calling for the runways and bank protection at the Oura Bay site will still be complete within five years. Governor Nakaima approved the project late last year, while urging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to stop Futenmas operations and close it within five years.

For its part, the U.S. military is becoming more proactive, shifting the Marines 15 KD-130 air refueling tankers from the prefecture to mainland Japan. The tankers and the military crews and maintenance teams are now flying from Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Officials note this is the first time U.S. military personnel and units have been moved from Okinawa to the mainland. Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda supported moving the Marine unit to his city. Within the next three years, the U.S. Navy will also move 59 carrier-based aircraft to Iwakuni from Atsugi Naval Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture.

View original post here:
Futenmas replacement heating up political landscape

Schaumburg, IL (PRWEB) September 18, 2014

The new BuildClean Dust Control System is proving itself a boon to contractors and homeowners alike as it eliminates the top remodeling complaint: construction dust that overtakes the home, causes potential health issues, and makes it unlivable during the project. Now available nationwide, the BuildClean system allows contractors to virtually eliminate airborne dust that results from demolition, sanding and other standard remodeling tasks.

BuildClean removes up to 90 percent of the airborne dust generated in the remodeling process, which minimizes the migration of dust and preserves home livability even in the most challenging remodeling projects. The system is a first-to-market construction dust control system for the residential remodeling industry. It was developed after years of on-site market research and testing and is built around the unique needs of the remodeling contractor and homeowner.

The BuildClean System allows contractors to address the No. 1 issue that both the client and contractor share during home remodeling projects construction dust, said Brian Paich, Business Development Manager for ITW BuildClean. For many firms, managing homeowner expectations is the remodelers primary method of managing dust. Thats a problem because approximately 90 percent of homeowners stay in the home during a renovation.

Failure to control the dust can cause health issues, damage belongings, harm repeat business or referrals, and damage a companys reputation. Construction dust is an emotional issue for the homeowner. With BuildClean, contractors can reassure their client that they are doing all that they can to minimize the dust.

About 82 percent of remodeling contractors surveyed by BuildClean said, Leaving less dust behind would likely improve overall satisfaction of customers. Of the homeowners surveyed, 85 percent confirmed this belief and 68 percent noted that they dread remodeling dust.

Remodeling and demolition dust can trigger asthma attacks, allergic reactions and problems for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Jobsite dust can also have an adverse effect on the health of pets that are in the home during construction. In addition, particles from sawing, scraping and sanding can contain hazardous materials such as arsenic or lead.

The BuildClean unit keeps airborne dust in the job work area and out of the rest of the home and then eliminates it. The system, which can exchange the air in a 6,000-cubic-foot room six times in one hour, draws air in through two particle-trapping filters, and returns clean air into the space. BuildCleans 360-degree design and two-stage filtration system helps maximize coarse and fine particle collection on the jobsite.

We use BuildClean because it ensures customer satisfaction, said Eric Thorson, founder and owner of Thorson Restoration and Construction, LLC, a new construction and remodeling company serving the Boston area. Our clients really appreciate that were bringing in something that will make their house more livable during remodeling.

In addition, this little supervision needed system acts as a contractors best friend. Just plug it in, turn it on and go. Dynamic fan speed control increases the motor speed as filters load ensuring that performance is consistent and the desired CFM air flow is maintained. Auto Mode monitors the air and lets the unit work without supervision; the machine runs at high when dust is detected in the air. Filter cleanliness status is provided via stoplight-style LED lights that tell you when to clean or replace filters.

Continued here:
New BuildClean System Brings Livability Back to Home Remodeling

Provided by Networx.com

If your home no longer fits your needs, it may be time to think about remodeling. Even with a limited renovation budget, there are a number of very practical ways that you can improve your house's appearance and functionality. Find out how.

Prioritize

Start by brainstorming all the changes you'd like to make in your home. When you look at the ideas that you've come up with, you'll find that most of them (the practical ones, anyway) can be organized into one of three categories. These could be described as:

1) What drives you crazy. It may be a hideously old-fashioned master bathroom or a kitchen with the traffic flow pattern from Hell. Whatever it is, you want it fixed yesterday!

2) What you need. Two bedrooms and a single minuscule bathroom were fine when you bought the house as newlyweds. But at this point, a decade and four kids later, you're feeling awfully strapped for space.

3) What will add curb appeal. Whether your home is actively listed with a real estate broker or you are just starting to toy with the idea of selling, you know that certain upgrades -- garage door replacement or revamping your shabby front porch, for instance -- are important if you want to attract buyers.

Now review your wish list and decide which are absolute priorities. You may well realize that you are focused on one or two things that desperately need improvement but are happy with the rest of the house as is. In that case, changes like simply finding space for an additional powder room might turn out to be within your budget. Get remodeling quotes and see whether the work is affordable. On the other hand, if you are irritated and unhappy with your home in general, it could be time to start a "sanity saving" fund to pay for larger scale remodeling costs (or a move) further down the line.

DIY -- to Do or Not to Do?

Doing part of the home remodeling yourself will help save you money. Consider the free time you have available, your physical capabilities, and your DIY skills to determine whether your share of the project will include kitchen remodeling and climbing ladders to put up sheetrock or will be limited to tasks such as hunting down bargain tile and fixtures, for example. Bear in mind that the trickiest remodeling jobs, such as major electrical or plumbing work or structural repairs, should always be left to the pros.

Continued here:
Yes, you can remodel on a tiny budget

There are many topics more exciting than homeowners insurance, I'll grant you that. But since your house is likely to be your biggest asset, it's wise to periodically examine coverage, to ensure that you're adequately covered against damage and liability.

This is especially important if you're planning a major project, such as remodeling, rebuilding or building new.

Anytime you hire a contractor to work on your home or property, take time to verify that they and any subcontractors are appropriately insured, as well as licensed and bonded. While it's a gooAd idea to ask for a contractor's certificates of insurance, an even better practice -- because certificates can be faked or altered -- is to contact the insurers to confirm coverage. Some experts recommend that contractors carry at least $1 million in coverage for each insurance type.

Meanwhile, highly rated insurance providers tell us that you should consider an extra step: Get yourself named as an "additional insured" on the contractor's general liability policy. This ensures you're fully covered against liability for damage that can occur during your project, such as workers breaking a water line that causes a neighbor's property to flood. Getting yourself added to the policy may cost you little or nothing. Also, it means the insurer will alert you if the contractor's policy lapses.

It's important to realize that some home improvements can affect your homeowners insurance premium or coverage. For example, a major kitchen remodel could mean that your home would cost more to replace in case of disaster. Many policies include a replacement cost endorsement that guarantees sufficient coverage to rebuild your home. It's a good idea to periodically review your homeowners coverage, to be sure you have replacement coverage and that the amount is in line with current costs.

Another renovation-related insurance consideration arises if you transform an unused room into a home office. Standard policies rarely extend coverage for accidents, theft or other hazards that can happen on property used for business. If this is a concern, talk to your insurance company about extending coverage or buying a separate policy.

It's important to inform your agent or insurer when you make significant changes to your home. Building a pool, for example, is likely to raise your insurance rates because it probably will increase your liability risk as well as your home's replacement cost. However, some upgrades might reduce premiums. This can happen if you improve an older home's wiring, roofing or plumbing.

The typical homeowners insurance policy is not sufficient to cover risks associated with building or rebuilding a home. Top-rated insurance experts recommend that you take out a builder's risk policy to insure your property and on-site building materials during construction.

For instance, if half of your house was destroyed, a typical homeowner policy will cover the intact half and a builder's risk policy would cover what's being rebuilt. Agents will base the builder's risk policy cost on building plans and estimated construction costs.

If you're in the market for home-related insurance, be sure to get quotes from several companies that have good ratings from both consumers and from independent rating organizations.

More:
Are you properly insured for remodeling?

UPDATE September 18, 2014:

STOKERS Siding residents campaigning against the installation of a NBNCo wireless internet tower have this week again complained to Telecommunications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

This time, they have serious concerns about the psychological distress they say the issue is placing on a local family, with concerns held for their welfare.

The family fears health impacts from a 36-metre wireless internet tower.

The residents have not alerted health services or the police, but they have contacted the office of Federal Richmond MP Justine Elliot about the family's plight.

However, a NBNCo spokesperson said the towers emit "the same kind of radio frequency signals as AM/FM radio, television and police car radio radios".

Resident spokesperson Carolyn Boniface said the location of the tower was close enough for the community to be worried about radiation.

"They've done the research and have major concerns about possible cancer links," she said.

"We have contacted Justine's office to make sure Turnbull knows, so then nobody can say we didn't have a high level of distress here."

A spokesperson for Elliot's office said the relevant authorities have been contacted.

Read this article:
Welfare concerns in Stokers

FOX19 Business Spotlight: Ray St. Clair Roofing - Problem Solver
Company VP Kevin St. Clair prepares us for the coming winter, highlighting the importance of experience, when discussing the Ray St. Clair Roofing difference...

By: Wayne Jung

Original post:
FOX19 Business Spotlight: Ray St. Clair Roofing - Problem Solver - Video

HomeStars U -- Roofing 101
Gordon Bailey from Academia Roofing Attics walks us through a checklist of items homeowners should know before hiring a roofer.

By: HomeStars

See original here:
HomeStars U -- Roofing 101 - Video