Author Archives: Boston Roofer

Solar Water Heating and Bathroom Remodeling

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Here are three easy steps to a solar water heater for your tub.

  • Move to a part of the world that’s consistently hot and sunny, like the Middle East.
  • Install your tub on the roof and fill it with water.
      • Wait a day, and then enjoy your warm bath.

    No? Okay, but a similar principal is involved if you live in America, in a state that has actual seasons, and your tub is enclosed in an indoor bathroom. Your bathroom remodeling project can, and should, involve solar powered water heating. You’ll be saving money, and the earth, by lessening your reliance on fossil fuels.

    solar water heating

    Solar Water Heating

    Solar powered water heating is a very real option for all of us, even during the cold months, and even at night. Solar panels on roofs are common in Greece, Japan, Turkey, Australia and Israel, and not all of those climates can claim consistent sunshine 365 days a year.

    It’s time we saved some money, and cut back on non-renewable resources, by investing in solar power when we do our bathroom remodeling. Technology has evolved since the late 1800s, when water tanks, painted black, were perched on a home’s roof to absorb some of the sun’s rays. In fact, technology can now provide hot water, courtesy of the heat of the sun, using two different systems. The passive system, called the compact system, and the active system, called the pump system, with the occasional back-up of an auxiliary energy source, can easily provide hot water at any time of day, in any season, for you and your family.

    Which system you need depends on where you live. The change in temperature between day and night, and between summer and winter, will factor into your bathroom remodeling plans for installing solar water heating. The possibility of the water overheating, and the possibility of the water freezing, are also climate factors to consider.
    Passive systems circulate warm water during consistently warm seasons, and if you live in Florida or Southern California, this can be an easy and inexpensive system to install. Active systems, however, circulate the water using pumps, and contain antifreeze valves or drainback tanks to prevent the stored water from getting so cold that the pipes would burst.

    The active system allows for the homeowner to have control over the pump and the temperature with a programmable, electronic controller, which can often also calculate and log how much energy has been saved. The controller reports the difference in temperature between the collected water, heated with solar power, and the water in the storage tank. Typically, the pump will be activated when the collected water is ten degrees warmer than the stored water.

    When the water gets too cold, an antifreeze system, using nontoxic propylene glycol, circulates the glycol to prevent freezing. Or, a drain-back reservoir collects the water inside the home and holds it while the outdoor temperature is low.

    The active system is more expensive to install, although do-it-yourself kits are widely available and instructions for installation can be found on the internet. If you have a solar water heating system installed professionally during your bathroom remodeling project, you may not offset the installation cost with your energy bill savings for several years. But in several years, you’ll thank yourself. The earth will thank you too.

    Special thanks to Budget Bath for this informative article. Please visit their website here, Bathroom Remodeling MD.

    How To Install Crown Molding

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    Difficulty level – Beginner

    Learning how to install crown molding can provide a two fold advantage to you; being able to save money by not having to hire a professional home improvement company to install crown moldings for you, and the satisfaction of improving your own home with your own hands.

    By knowing the correct installation steps and being comfortable with doing basic home improvements in your home, you will not have to hire a contractor anymore to do the job for you. Contractors usually charge a high price, and their labor is a rather high proportion of the total cost of crown molding installation. Why not do it yourself and save?

    Before you get started, you should prepare for the job, first.


    The Preparations

    1. Take the measurements and add ten percent to the figures for when you make mistakes.

    2. Choose the style and finish that you want. Many sizes and shapes are available for you to choose from. Make sure that they match with your personal preferences, living room decorations, and the overall color scheme. The finish that you choose should be applied first before you begin cutting and fitting the crown molding.

    3. Buy the size that will need the least amount of splices. Splices may be unavoidable in some cases, but the fewer splices there are, the more appealing the end results will be.


    Cutting The Corners

    1. The first and most difficult part in learning how to install crown molding is cutting the corners. The easiest way to trim the corners is by using a coping saw, since a mitered joint is less tight than a coped joint. If there is any gap in a coped cut, this can be concealed with some caulk.

    2. Another tool that you can choose to cut the corners is a power miter saw. Not only is it accurate, it also provides a cleaner cut.


    Measuring And Marking The Wall

    Take the measurements of the wall for the length of the very first piece of molding. You have to mark the wall so that it shows the bottom edge of the molding.

    Cutting The Pieces

    1. After determining the length of the molding, cut it in a straight line at a ninety degree angle. This will make both ends hit against the side walls.

    2. Cut the next piece so it fits an inside corner. You can do this by moving the miter saw guide to the forty-five degree angle point and then setting the molding into place.

    3. Know how the pieces fit together. The edge against the vertical fence is the bottom part of the molding while the edge against the table is the top. Imagine that your table is the ceiling.

    4. Cut the molding at a perfect forty-five degree angle using a ten inch saw blade. For an inside corner, the bottom should be longer than the top. For an outside corner, the top should be longer than the bottom.

    Coping The Joint

    When you cope a joint, you have to scribe the end of one molding to the face of another. Mark the front edge using a pencil, and then with the help of a coping saw, cut as close to the line as possible. Be sure to cut at a slight angle.

    Checking For Gaps

    Any gaps that have to be trimmed will be revealed if the fit is checked against a scrap piece of molding. To get rid of these gaps, cut off the high points using the coping saw.

    Attaching The Molding

    The last part on how to install crown molding is attaching the molding. Take the molding to the wall once the fit is perfect. You will need some help holding a long piece. Attach it to the wall by pushing the end into the corner. Ensure that the fit is as tight as possible. If there are any gaps, cover them using a caulk gun. Use optional blocks to cover the spot where the outside corners should meet.

    Easy Home Improvement Ideas with High Impact

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    Home improvement projects range from things you need to things you simply want. Nonetheless, whatever project you go for, it is important that you consider your budget, the length of time needed to finish the project, and the rate of difficulty. If you think your own skills won’t do, then it is best to hire a professional to do the work for you.


    Illumination

    The first on the list of top five home improvement ideas is changing the illumination in your home. Illumination can heavily affect the interior of your home. The visual perception of warmth and comfort can vary greatly depending on the type of lighting being used. You can apply task lighting in the work area of your kitchen, or change the fixtures used for general lighting. With so many attractive lighting fixtures to choose from, you will surely find ones that fit your style and needs. There are recessed lights which are placed in the hollow openings in the ceiling. There are also surface mounted lights that give a 360 degree illumination to provide better illumination in dark areas of the kitchen.

    Flooring Ideas

    You might want to change the flooring in your home if it is starting to become unattractive and/or too worn out to serve its function. One option is laminates. They are resistant to moisture and their surface is protected against staining and scratching. Commercial grade Vinyl flooring tiles are among some of the most durable and can last you a long time, but they require a subfloor. Ceramic tiles are another option, but they also require an appropriate subfloor, but their downfall is that they can be cold to the touch. You may also opt for linoleum, which is easy to clean and comes in a variety of styles. A linoleum flooring should be should be adhered correctly installed plywood. Hardwood is a good option, since it gives elegance and traditional feel to your home.


    Basement Remodeling

    Contrary to what some may originally think, redesigning basements is also one of the top 5 home improvement ideas. Instead of it being merely a storage area, you can turn your basement into a usable room in your house. You just have to repair any existing damages and waterproof it to make sure that water does not get there, as water can cause mold growth. To refinish your basement you may have to change/install new flooring, set up new framing for the walls, apply drywall, and then paint the walls. After that, you will have plenty of options on what to turn your basement into, such as a guest room, a home office, a workshop area, an entertainment center, a gym, or a bar.


    Kitchen Remodel

    Remodeling the kitchen does not always require a huge budget. You do not necessarily have to buy new cabinets. You can simply repair damages, if any, and repaint them. You could also replace the knobs with more fashionable handles. Repainting the walls is a good alternative. If you want to get a more attractive look, you can try installing wallpaper or getting a wall treatment. The walls can help you attain the overall style that you desire, whether it is Scandinavian, traditional Italian, or contemporary. Replacing your kitchen stools, adding some colorful kitchen rugs, and renovating your kitchen’s backsplash are just a few of the other simple and affordable options that you can do.

    Home Safety

    A wireless home security system is one of the most important home improvement ideas that you should consider. It protects your home against calamities, such as storms, floods, and fire, as well as intruders and burglars. Since it does not entail the use of wires, the system is easy to install. It doesn’t need heavy maintenance as well. The good thing about a wireless home security systems is that it cannot be easily noticed. There are no wires for anyone to see, and the security surveillance cameras can be concealed inside everyday objects.