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Building Your Own Home: Who to Get in Your Corner

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:35:00 -0500

Building your own home is not a task for everyone. It takes money, hard work, knowledge, and, above all, patience. For those willing to embark on this adventure, there are certain people to put in your corner. Consider the following:

A Door Company: One of the biggest elements of a house are the doors. For this reason, finding a knowledgeable door company is important. Whether you are going with uniform doors or doors that are custom made, a door company that offers you variety, satisfaction, reasonable prices, and durability is the best way to go.

Landscapers: Just like a door company can help you with all kinds of doors, landscapers can help you with all kinds of yard work. Getting the walls up at your home may be a priority, but eventually you - and your neighbors - will want a yard. Landscapers can help with everything from backyard pools to gardens, from flower beds to oak trees. They can help build a yard that your whole family will enjoy.

Hardware Store Workers: Not only is a hardware store a great place to go for supplies, but it is also a great place to go for information. The people who work at hardware stores are highly knowledgeable in a variety of areas. They know about paint, they know about lumber, they know about electricity, they know about plumbing, they know the ins and outs of home building. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from anyone who will offer. Many employees of hardware stores are more than willing to provide some tips and certain stores even offer classes and seminars.

Friends…particularly those with trucks: Anyone who has friends knows one thing: they help each other out. They watch their dogs, they run their errands, and - perhaps on occasion - they even help build a house. Ask your friends if they have any experience in construction, repair work, or carpentry. For friends who have trucks, ask for assistance carrying supplies: supplies from a door company will fit inside a Dodge Ram a lot easier than they will a Toyota Camry.

Credible Contractors: You probably wouldn’t patronize a door company known for poorly constructed doors, and you probably shouldn’t hire a contractor with a shoddy reputation. But, this can be difficult: unless you are doing everything yourself, you can’t get around soliciting help. Rather than hiring the first name in the yellow pages, ask around. Ask neighbors, ask friends, and search the Internet for contractor ratings. If a contractor seems unreliable or overpriced, keep on searching.

Check in with your TV: In this day and age, home improvement is all the rage. With this interest peeking, home improvement shows are all over the television. While some of these shows might not be helpful or applicable, many may be exactly what you are looking for. Tune in….you just might learn something.

Front Doors: How to Choose the Right One

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:10:00 -0500

When a person is choosing a brand new house or a brand new car, it’s fair to say they shop around. They look and flyers, they ask for advice, they study prices, they search the Internet, they make carefully thought out decisions. In other words, they take their time.

However, when it comes to purchasing front doors, the same dedication is usually not demonstrated. Front doors are simply more an impulse buy. Front doors might not be as flashy as a new BMW, or as roomy as that new Brownstone, but choosing the right one is still important.

To help in your decision, consider the following:

Durability: Above all, front doors must be durable. They have to be able to withstand the elements of weather, including rain, wind, hail, snow, and direct sunlight. Not only do they need to be able to keep these elements out - and keep more comfortable elements in - but front doors need to be strong enough not to wither under the pressure. A front door that is going to crack, leak, or break the second the wind chill goes below forty degrees is going to be more frustration and less protection.

Security: In addition to keeping elements out, front doors must also keep out intruders, those of the animal, insect and human kind. For this reason, installing front doors that are strong, sturdy, and not easily kicked in or kicked open is essential. Intruders are much less likely to attempt access on doors that look strong and sturdy: they won’t waste their time and effort trying to break in. Strong front doors are the first defense in keeping your loved ones safe.

Appeal: Front doors serve the logical purposes of being secure and strong, but those are not their only intent: they also should be visually appealing. Front doors are the first thing people see when they enter your home and you want a door that is welcoming. For some people, the best types of doors are made of hand carved doors, others prefer doors made of glass. Whatever it is you like the most, purchase front doors that are going to help make your house beautiful.

Uniformity…at least enough of it: Anyone who has ever lived in the suburbs knows one thing: home association organizations rule with an iron fist. Some suburbs are more stringent than others, but, chances are, your association has at least some rules. When purchasing new front doors, make sure they are uniform enough to keep your community of your back. A bright yellow door in an otherwise blue house might not go over too well. It’s fine to purchase front doors with personality, just make sure their personality isn’t going to get you fined.

Made from Scratch: Building Your Log Cabin and the Appeal of Knotty Doors

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0400

For anyone looking to build a vacation home, or perhaps an investment property, a log cabin is a great way to go. Not only are they generally affordable to build and maintain, but they can provide a great outlet inside the great outdoors. However, some cabins can’t help but be better than others; they simply have a branch up on the competition.

If you are in the market for a log cabin, consider the following when building:

Stain Away:
Anyone who has put anything made of wood outside without staining knows why staining is important. In short, wood that is not stained is subject to the elements. Not only can rain and snow rot it, but the sun can fade the wood, making it look pale and lifeless. Staining may be time consuming, and can get expensive, but it is an absolute necessity when finishing a cabin. Stain the exterior walls, the knotty doors, the garage door and the roof. Make sure no piece of wood goes unprotected.

Build a Deck:
There are certain things essential to cabins: a roof, a floor, doors (such as knotty doors), heat, plumbing, and walls all come to mind. A deck might not be essential to a cabin, but it might be essential to your happiness. A deck can enhance your living, or vacationing, experience, providing an outlet for you to sit, relax, have a glass of wine, barbeque or view wildlife. A deck can also enhance your resale value should you ever decide to sell.

Use Knotty Doors:
Nothing says “cabin” quite like knotty doors. Made of knotted and sometimes twisted wood, knotty doors are the perfect accessory to give your cabin a rustic, natural look. They blend in nicely, making your cabin look perfectly at home in the great outdoors. Knotty doors are also strong and resistant. They will help keep the elements of mother nature on the outside where they belong.

Make Sure Everything is Sealed:
Knotty doors will protect the entry ways to your house, but they are certainly not the only things needed to keep your house safe. Because cabins are often in the middle of nowhere, they are subject to invasion by raccoons, bears, cougars, mice, and all kinds of insects. The best way to keep your house safe is to keep everything sealed - windows, garage doors, hot tubs, and trash bins.

Use Fake Stone:
Knotty doors aren’t the only thing that will enhance your home: stone will as well. Whether you are using it as a walkway, or for your fire place, stone is a great way to give you cabin a beautiful look. The only problem is that stone is pricey, sometimes very pricey. Rather than shell out a bunch of money, try using faux stone. Not only does it help your finances, but faux stone also looks very real, to the point that most people can’t even tell the difference.

It's Elementary: Logical Things to Put In Your House

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:22:00 -0400

When it comes to owning a home, many people find themselves intrigued with decorating, where to put the crystal vase or what color to paint the master bedroom. While decorating is essential, there are other parts of home ownership equally essential, but maybe not as fun: these are the logical aspects.

When redoing your house, consider making your home one of convenience by adding the following:

Double Entry Doors:
Not every doorway is equipped for double entry doors; these types of doors may simply not fit in your bathroom or closet. However, main entry ways, those to the house, to the living room, and to the kitchen or dining room, are a great addition to a house. Not only do double entry doors add to the visual appeal of your home, but they are also logical. Because they open much wider than a standard door, double entry doors make it easier to transport furniture and large items in and out of the house.

A Laundry Shoot:
Like double entry doors, a laundry shoot is all about convenience. Not every house needs, or is even equipped for, a laundry shoot. If your laundry room is upstairs and you live in a one story house, a shoot is not necessary. However, if your laundry room is on the main floor, or in the basement, a shoot is a great way to add convenience. Rather than piling up laundry in bathrooms or bedroom closets, you can simply send your dirty clothes to the laundry room, where they belong.

A Trash Compactor:
Let's face it, nobody likes to take out the trash. Husbands forget it, wives ignore it, and children complain whenever asked to remove it. Something about trash is just not very appealing. The idea of a trash compactor, however, is. A trash compactor, like double entry doors and a laundry shoot, can help make your life easier by drastically increasing the amount of trips devoted to garbage. And, because trash compactors allow for a great deal of trash to fit inside one bag, they are helpful to the environment.

A Peep Hole:
These days, not every door comes with a peep hole. Many new houses are filled with doors that are solid, all the way around. However, installing a peep hole is a simple procedure. More importantly, peep holes are particularly important for children, as they allow kids to see who is at the door before answering. Installing a peep hole in your double entry doors, front door, or garage door helps assure your safety and your ability to dodge solicitors.

A Pet Door:
A pet door might not be the most logical thing to have if you, for instance, do not have an actual pet, but for pet owners, a pet door is essential. Pet doors allow your dogs to come and go as they please, leaving your free from having to rush home to let them out (or face the consequences). If you are worried about people coming in through the pet door, simply install one that is as small as possible or lock your pet door up at night.

From double entry doors to pet doors, the above can help make your house a home of convenience.

Customizing Your House: Make Your Home Scream "You"

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:59:00 -0400

In the day and age of cookie cutter homes, it s hard to find a house that stands out from the rest. So many people are afraid to customize their houses, opting instead to do simply what everyone else is doing. However, if you are one of those creative souls looking for something that makes your home a little more yours, customization isn't too hard to find. Consider doing the following:

Get Custom Doors:
Custom doors, whether for the inside of your house or the outside, are a great way to give your home a little sense of uniqueness. Custom doors are also a way that you, as a home owner, can participate in the craftsmanship process.

Perhaps you have a vision of exactly how you want your entry way to look or maybe you know exactly how the door to the master bedroom should complement the walls. If you are looking for something to meet your vision, custom doors might just be the right choice to make.

Do Something Unique On the Outside:
Just as custom doors can give your entry way and home interior an exclusive look, customizing the outside can do the same. Adding something as simple as a customized mail box, a creek, a lighted pathway, or a flower garden can make your house get noticed. But, beware, some areas are strictly governed by the Home Owner s Association. If you live in one of these areas, try customizing your backyard, and leaving your front yard uniform.

Have Rooms With Themes:
Custom doors will only get you so far: what s behind the doors count too. One of the best ways to showcase your personality is through the rooms of your home. Taking a few of your rooms and adding a theme will do the trick. For instance, if you are a huge Denver Bronco fan, try having an orange and blue room. If you can't get enough of the 80 s, try having a room dedicated solely to that decade. If you have kids, try having a princess themed room or one dedicated to monster trucks.

Get Picture Perfect:
Like custom doors, pictures are also a great way to make your home scream you. Pictures are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to spice up the uniqueness of your house. This doesn't mean you need to fill up every square inch of bare wall, but hanging pictures of your friends, your family, and yourself will surely make your home look like no one else s.

Let Your Personality Shine:
One of the best things about your home is that it s just that: your home. Whether this means you want to hang custom doors or you want to have inflatable furniture in your living room doesn't matter: your house should shine with your unique personality. Don t be afraid to decorate and furnish how you want. If visitors don t like it, don t worry: they are not the ones who live there.

Affordable Ways to Improve Your Home

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:49:00 -0400

Anyone who has ever engaged in home improvement will probably tell you that it's not something for those pinching pennies: renovating your home can be expensive. But, luckily, this doesn't mean home improvement is a guarantee to leave you up to your ears in expenses. The following are great ways to give your home a face lift, without lifting the limit on your Visa card.

Dive Into Discount Doors: Like everything else in your house, doors don't last forever. They rust, they splinter, they fall off their hinges. With a packed curriculum of opening and shutting, many doors succumb to wear and tear.

Unfortunately, replacing doors isn't something drowning in affordability: doors can be expensive. However, discount doors can offer you the same quality for a lower price. Discount doors are a great option for people looking to open a door to renovation without opening the door to debt.

Paint It On Up: Like discount doors, paint has something going for it: it's cheap. Even if you choose to use designer paints, repainting your house isn't going to put a burning hole in your checkbook.

A new paint job is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to give your house a facelift. Repainting the interior a different color can do wonders for a living room or bathroom, while the outside of your house can shine with two or three fresh coats.

Go for Outer Beauty: Improving the exterior of your house is the most essential way to improve your home s overall look. Not only is the exterior the first thing visitors see, but it's also the only thing most people will ever see. Chances are everyone that passes by your house is not going to be invited in.

Improving the outside of your house can mean many things. It can mean getting discount doors for the front and back, it can mean redoing the landscape, it can even mean doing something as simple as planting flowers. Luckily, the majority of tasks involved in fixing the outside of a house are very affordable. You don't need to install a marble fountain in your front lawn to make your house look beautiful; start with something like Aspen trees, build to marble statues.

Bid Your 1970 s Refrigerator Goodbye: Updating your appliances is a simple way to give your house an updated look. Your appliances might need updating if they no longer work, are ridiculously colored (don't kid yourself, pea green is no longer in fashion), or if you re pretty sure they were the first of their kind ever made.

Unlike purchasing discount doors, getting new appliances can be expensive. But, that s only the case if you don't know where to look. Rather than searching online for a brand new refrigerator or microwave, try places like Craigslist or EBay. These places are often filled with affordable appliances that have either never been used, or have been used sparingly.

Do Things Yourself: Nearly every aspect of home improvement can be contracted out. You can pay someone to paint your house, to hang your discount doors, to do your landscaping, to retile your bathroom floor. But, contractors add up and add up quickly: the more you hire the more you ll spend.

Rather than paying someone to improve your house, do it yourself. If you need assistance, ask friends or family for a helping hand. Offer to pay them back with returned favors or a six pack of beer. Remember one of the keys to saving money: never pay someone to do something you can do yourself for free.

Wine Cellar Doors: A Name is Just A Name

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:49:00 -0400

Clint and I sometimes get email questions or comments about our blog posts. We always enjoy reading these as we are delighted that our readers want to engage with us.

A recent email came in about my blog post around our wine cellar project. After typing out the response and pressing the send key, I thought that many of our dear readers may also be interested in my response.

Always great to hear from a fellow wine enthusiast. I ran into the same issue you did when I started to look for wine cellar doors. They were quite pricey. So I went another route – I just looked for exterior grade doors. There is not much difference between a wine cellar and exterior door besides the style, all concerns of insulation etc are there. Once I did this, the selection not only expanded, but so did the price ranges. I got the door pictured in the blog entry from ETO Doors (www.etodoors.com). They are based out of LA so depending where you live, the shipping costs will vary and so will whether you have to pay taxes.

The door I got was $599, getting it prehung was $270 (well worth it as they did all the weather stripping etc and made sure there was a great seal), and shipping to my location was $114. I had to pay sales tax of ~$71 because I live in California. Great price for a solid mahogany door – the door was very substantial (heavy).

ETO Doors is great about giving an estimate via email as long as you go onto the website and pick out exactly what you want and send them email or call – they can get you a quote quite quickly. The door ships from a manufacturing plant they have in Brazil from what I understand. The lead time was 3-4 weeks and really depends on what time of year you order – patience is required but I was busy with so many other things that it felt like one day, it just arrived on our driveway.
Make sure you have a good staging area for the arrival of the door, it comes with very substantial packaging to ensure the door arrives in good condition. It took up a whole driveway slot for a while until we were able to get our contractor to install it.
Good luck with your cellar project and love to see pictures of it when its done.
Thanks for visiting StarkSilverCreek,
Loni

In this particular case, the reader was interested in finding out from where I got the wine cellar door. You’ll find that sometimes a name is just a name. The same exterior grade door that is deemed a “wine cellar door” may be priced much higher because the marketing person has figured out that that particular segment of the market has a more inelastic demand curve. Same thing those for invitations to a party, call them “wedding invitation” and you’ll probably be paying at least twice as much for the same card stock. I am a believer of paying for quality and service and for those, I don’t like to compromise. It is nice to see beyond the name and imagine the potential.

The wine cellar door example was not that far fetched. The item I am most proud of in our home is a long piece of copper drain piping that I am using as an outdoor drappery rod from Home Depot for our Sunbrella drapes in our courtyard.

Getting an Edge When Selling Your House :: Exterior Hand Carved Doors

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:49:00 -0400

In today's housing market, many people are finding that they have a better chance of selling an ice cube to an Eskimo than their house to a buyer. One reason for this is because the present market is geared towards buyers. But, that s not the only reason. The market is also very over wrought with people who want, or need, to sell. A journey down any neighborhood USA can leave you finding For Sale, For Rent, or even Foreclosed.

This means one thing to people who are trying to sell: you have to get an edge on the competition.

Short of spreading rumors about the others houses on the market (did you hear what that Victorian was doing at the bar last night?), there is no foolproof way to get an edge. However, the following can get you started:

Buy New Windows: Believe it or not, new windows can make a world of difference to a house, particularly an old house. Windows, over time, wear out. This can leave them leaky, cracked, or fogged. Not only can old windows leave your house cold (and increase your heating bill), but it can also leave your house looking less than appealing. The downside of new windows is the price: they aren't cheap. However, they are an investment, an investment that just might help your house get noticed.

Add an Exterior Hand Carved Door: When you think of home improvement, chances are an exterior hand carved door is not on the top of your list; you re probably a tad more occupied with fixing a plugged up toilet or a leaky sink. But, when preparing to sell, don t overlook the outside of your house. Adding something such as an exterior hand carved door can give your house a whole new look, and open up doors (exterior hand carved and otherwise) in the process.

Try Hardwood on for Size: Just like an exterior hand carved door can give the outside of your house a little zest, hardwood floors can equally improve your inside. There is a reason hardwood floors are becoming increasingly more popular (and it s not just because they re pur-dy). Hardwood floors are easy to clean, efficient, and most of them will last a lifetime.

Don t Forget Landscaping: As discussed above, the outside of your house is as important as the inside when you are trying to sell. In fact, since the outside is what prospective buyers first see, it may be your best bet at making a good first impression. This makes landscaping important. Nothing will show a buyer you aren't really that interested in selling faster than unkept shrubbery or a lawn that doubles as a parking spot for your truck.

Remember the Details: Little things count when it comes to a house. Something as seemingly insignificant as an exterior hand carved door, a vegetable garden, a basketball hoop, or new kitchen counters may be what turns a prospective buyer into a definite one.

Windows: Believe it or not, new windows can make a world of difference to a house. Windows, over time, wear out. This can leave them leaky, cracked, or fogged. Not only can old windows leave your house cold (and increase your heating bill), they make your house more vulnerable to break-ins. Investing in new windows is an upgrade that guarantees return on your money over time.

Lock it Up: Tips on Securing Your House :: Wrought Iron Doors and Other Techniques

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:30:00 -0400

Your house is your home, your fortress of safety. It s a place where you keep your most important belongings: your checkbooks, your jewelry, your heirlooms, your important documents and, most importantly, your family. This makes the security of your house extremely important.

There are simple things you can do to secure your house: lock your doors, lock your windows, keep lights on when you are away, for instance. But, there are also more extensive things you can do, things that are sure to leave you, and your house, feeling a little bit safer.

Get a Dog: To amp up your security, you don t have to get a dog that looks scary or even one that is large. It s not the size of the dog that typically scares away would be robbers, it s their bark. Any pet owner will probably tell you that dogs tend to bark at everything, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. While this can sometimes get annoying, it s also a highly effective way to keep burglars at bay. An assailant is much more likely to burglarize a house where they can work in peace and quiet than a house with a four legged warning system.

Get a Wrought Iron Door: When it comes to security, it doesn't take a math genius to know that two door are better than one. Installing a wrought iron door in your house, whether it s in the front, back, or side of your house, is a great way to add more sanctuary to your home. A simple wrought iron door gives burglars another obstacle to overcome, and another reason to leave your house alone.

Get a Burglar Alarm: Yes, a burglar alarm may seem so 1980's but security never goes out of style. Not only do burglar alarms secure your house when you are away, such as on vacation, but they also keep you safe when you are home. Just telling others that they are there, such as with a sticker in your front door window or a sign on your front lawn, is a great deterrent.

Get a Door Viewer: A door viewer, or peephole as they are sometimes called, in your front door is an important addition to you house, particularly if you have children. By installing a door viewer, you, and your kids, are able to see who is at the front door before opening it. If a door viewer isn t your style, a wrought iron door, one that remains locked while you talk to your visitors, can also help keep unwanted people from entering your living room.

Replace What is Broken: One of the most common reasons people are burglarized and assaulted is because of things that are broken and not fixed. Time after time, assailants are able to enter a house through a broken window or door that no longer locks. Do yourself and your family a favor and don t wait to fix things: fix them immediately and sleep sound at night.

Rustic Decorating Tips

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:46:00 -0400

Decorating in the rustic style is not always an easy task. Finding the right balance between many different elements with a great deal of character can be a daunting task. This article will give you a few pointers on some of the best ways to bring rustic charm to your home.

Add some character to your walls

A quick and easy way to add rustic style to your home is with some easy and affordable wall updates. Hand plastered walls are the perfect rustic accent and are not too difficult to recreate. Start by adding texture to your wall with pre-made texture compound, which is available in most large hardware stores. A multitude of tools can be used to apply texture to your walls but sponges, brushes, and trowels do the job just fine. Try your hand at adding texture on some scrap wood first before moving to the wall. Once you have your texture up, finish off with a nice coat of an earthy paint color and enjoy your new rustic look.

Revaluate the doors in your home.

Doors have character, and if you want your home to be rustic, you need doors that are as well. Rustic doors are made with rougher, more textured wood and often include metal accents. Clavos (decorative nails) are a wonderful accent on your entry doors that will set the stage for your home's look and feel. Don't forget the interior of your home, however, and consider installing mahogany interior doors in order to carry your theme throughout.

Choose rustic furniture

Rustic furniture comes in many styles, but the key here is to choose pieces that add texture and interest to your space. Whether log bed frames or distressed handmade tables are more your style, there is no lack of rustic furniture out there. A few staples that should be in any home with a rustic style are rocking chairs, wooden benches, and adirondack chairs for the porch. An antique country kitchen table makes the dinning room comfortable and a butcher-block will add extra workspace and rustic charm to your kitchen.

Rustic Home Accessories

The rustic home is all about comfort and worn charm. Quilts add warmth and style to any room, but work especially well on the back of the sofa or at the foot of the bed. A handmade quilt chest to store your quilts in over the summer is also a nice home accent. Handmade goods, like picture frames made from reclaimed wood, are becoming easier to come by and create a wonderful display when grouped together to display black and white family photos. Plants add color, fresh air, and a little of the outdoors to the interior of your home, bringing unity to your rustic style.