Have you been dreaming of an inground swimming pool? Before you dive in head first here is some advice to help you in making the dream a reality.
1) Consider all the things you want in your new pool. In creating a dream list nothing is too big or too small. Find out about the newest, latest and greatest in the swimming pool industry. Contact local swimming pool builders. Let the builder look at your landscape layout and offer suggestions on material, styles and designs that will fit in items from your dream list.
2) Collect pictures of inground pool shapes, materials and features that you like. Add in different materials and styles you like in your everyday life. Professional builders will be able to incorporate all of your ideas into one better when then have a visual on elements that appeal to you.
3) Research the similarities and differences between the three types of inground pools; concrete (Gunite with Marcite overlay), fiberglass and vinyl. You will also want to look into the options available in tile, coping, cleaning systems, filters and different artistic elements that can be incorporated. Do research and be able to communicate with the pool builder in their language. You will feel so much more confident in the experience than going in blind.
4) Determine what shape you want the pool to be. You want function, aesthetics and something classic. From rectangles to kidney beans with free-form thrown in for fun, a shape is out there for your landscape. Consider where to place the hot tub and waterfalls too! If you are planning parties surrounding the pool consider a swim up bar/seating area. How much fun would that be for your guests!
5) The weather in your area can dictate some of the features you will want for your pool. If you live in a colder climate are you going to enclose the pool for year round use or close the pool at the end of the season? Consider adding a heater to the pool in areas with short swimming seasons to extend the swimming season. If you live in an area with high winds therefore an increase in tree debris a screened in enclosure would be helpful in keeping the area clean and bug free.
6) What is the pool going to be used for? Children and fun consider adding a slide and diving board, adults and entertaining consider lighting and built in water features with a negative pool edge. You will be a pool builders best client if you are prepared with your wants and desires for the area.
7) A budget will clearly be needed. In order to establish a budget that is reasonable and allows for the extra goodies you want to incorporate talk with a professional pool installation company. The information you gather will be useful in establishing the amount of funds you are willing to put aside for the extras. Is a pool worth the extra depth needed in the pool as well as the cost of the slide?
There are so many different concerns in pool ownership that need to be remembered before the ground is dug. Things such as long term cost and maintenance does it increase your home’s value, local building codes, extra homeowners insurance and the costs associate with it, being energy efficient as well as eco-friendly and green and safety elements such as aluminum pool fencing. When you send out invitations don’t forget mine!
Month: August 2013
Trimming trees is a mess most people would prefer not to have to deal with. Leaving dead tree branches on a tree however makes the tree aesthetically unpleasing and a hazard to your home and yard environment. The best time to take note of tree limbs that are ready to be trimmed is near the end of the summer season right before the leaves drop. It is easier to note dead limbs while the leaves are still intact on the living limbs. Mark the limbs and after the foliage has dropped it will be easier to maneuver in and around the tree to cut the dead limbs.
There are a few reasons you may want to trim limbs and branches that are still alive. If you note that a limb is diseased, crossing over another limb, rubbing on other branches, growing inward or over a structure the limb should most likely be removed. It sounds simple enough to cut the branches off of the tree however there is a right way and a wrong way to prune trees. A tree will recover quickly when trimmed in the correct manner however cut the limbs incorrectly and you may be creating a snowball effect of negative consequences.
Below I will present you with the proper way to cut tree limbs to ensure the health of the tree is not disturbed during the process.
The first step is to make sure you don’t cut the branch close to the trunk. Make sure the first cut on the branch is done one to two feet from the trunk and make sure to begin the cut from the underside of the limb only about a third of the way through the branch.
Next you will want to make a second cut on the outside of where the initial cut was made. This cut can be made all the way through the branch. It will break away as you saw the limb, since the initial cut was made this will allow the branch to fall off without tearing any of the trees bark away. If the bark were to tear off the tree it would make the area that is left exposed susceptible to disease and would leave an access entry way for bugs and tree pests.
The final cutting process is done by cutting the bit of limb that is left where the branch meets the trunk. This area will heal and “scab” over with new bark in the shape of a donut. This is how you know the tree is properly healing.
As previously mentioned the best time to remove limbs is after the leaves have fallen. The cooler weather that is present in the fall and winter months kills off diseases that are more prevalent in the summer months. Some trees, when cut, will ooze. This is unsightly and looks as if great harm is being caused to the tree however this is not true. The ooze is most common in beech, birch, elm, maple and yellowwood. Covering the wound with tree paint or other liquid sold as treatment in unnecessary. Trees can adapt to this condition and heal just fine if left alone and untreated.
Tree trimming and pruning limbs greatly improves the look and health of the trees and landscape. Don’t take shortcuts when trimming trees as larger problems can ensue if not done properly. If you are unsure of exactly what you should do even after reading this look into hiring a local tree removal contractor. They are equipped with everything to make trimming trees simple.
There is no doubt that choosing a pocket knife comes down to personal preference. Women and men alike need to have a pocket knife handy at all times. It is a multipurpose tool. Pocket knives come in handy because they are compact and can easily be stored as the name applies in a pocket or purse. Whether you need it to open a package, slice a string, peel and apple or sharpen a pencil a pocket knife proves its purpose over and over again.
I often get asked how someone would go about choosing the perfect pocket knife. Most pocket knife owners are not looking at the knife for collectability but instead for ease of use and longevity. If this is what you are looking for I guarantee you won’t find it at the local five and dime or corner mart. You can find quality options online and fairly inexpensive. Most distributors of specialty knives offer free shipping and their products are backed not only by their individual warranty but also the manufacturers.
A quality, folding pocket knife is not difficult to find. There are many top knife companies that offer widely different characteristics in pocket knives. Some things to consider are if you are looking for something simple, tactical or something traditional. If the knife is to be carried in ones pocket it is preferable to have a knife that folds. Other things to consider are the thickness of the blade, the length of the blade, the way the knife locks as well as the material the handle and blade are made out of. Here are some top brands to look into when considering a pocket knife:
1) Boker Tree Brand Knives
Boker is a German based knife supplier and is known throughout the specialty knife community for manufacturing high quality blades at all different price levels. They are popular among knife enthusiastic for their tactical, sport, pocket and collectors knives.
2) Smith and Wesson Knives
Smith & Wesson is widely known for their production of handguns along with their presence in the law enforcement community. S & W knives are made of the same attributes as their line of handguns and rifles. They also offer a variety of pocket knives in varied price ranges. You can’t go wrong with a Smith and Wesson pocket knife.
3) W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery
Case is a popular American manufacturer of premium, hand-crafted pocket knives. They offer an intense selection to choose from in regards to the metal and handle materials on their pocket knives. You can find anything from Carbon Fiber to Mother of Pearl. Blade variety as well is varied amongst the pocket knives that hold the Case brand name; whether looking for a pocket knife with a gut hook and saw blade or hoof pick and clip blade.
You can find a pocket knife for everyday use from any of the three brands mentioned or from thousands of other manufactures such as: Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, Swiss Army and Victorinox. There is a knife for every user, the goal is to identify the uses you have for a pocket knife and to find one that represents you and that will meet your needs.
Knife Mule is an industry leader in pocket knives and specialty knives, for more information on knives of any kind http://www.knifemule.com.
Your home is your fortress. The first layer of protection on any fortress is the roof and siding materials. It is the first layer enemies have to penetrate before damaging the structural materials holding the home together. Many people don’t recognize the enemies that the home’s outside layer are forced to protect against day in and day out. When it comes to protecting your home and roofing material it is important to know what types of opponents it will be facing.
Depending on the elements in which your fortress is built you will face varying obstacles when it comes to your roof. The performance of the roofing material is affected by many factors and choosing the right material for your climate is crucial for the roof to perform well for you.
o Sun: The sun is an enormous enemy of you your roof. The rays of the sun cause roofing material to deteriorate at a faster pass when exposed directly to them. This is the number one reason that asphalt shingling is rarely seen in climates where the sunny season is the majority of the year.
o Rain/Condensation: Moisture can wreak havoc underneath shingles and cedar shakes. Water can also work underneath the barriers used to install a new roof, if not properly installed, and cause damage to the roof deck and cause structural damage as well. When performing your yearly home maintenance check be sure to look for signs of moisture in the attic around the roofing beams so that water issues can be immediately taken care of at the roofing level.
o Wind: Another of Mother Nature’s evil elements from the view of your roof. Wind damage can occur when high winds lift shingles leaving a void or damage shingles peeling at the corners. Once the roofing material is damaged form the wind, the roof is more susceptible to water, debris and extensive damage to the roof.
o Snow and ice: Winter weather is another major issue when it comes to keeping your roof intact. If your home is located in a winter weather climate it is important that you prevent ice dams from building up at the edge of the roof. Roof dams prevent proper drainage and can cause the water to seep underneath the roofing material. This can cause issues with the material on the roof, the gutters and downspouts.
o Moss and algae: Moss is an issue from any home without adequate light to allow the roofing material to thoroughly dry. It is a catch twenty two, too much sun and your roof deteriorates, too much and you get algae. Both moss and algae can cause your homes roof to rot and deteriorate faster than it should. More than anything the growth is unsightly and a nuisance to remove. If you choose to have the substance removed hire a professional roof cleaning company. It is a delicate process. Then prevent the moss from reappearing by trimming trees that shade the roof and make sure the roof has proper drainage.
Your roof takes a beating as the first layer of protection for the homes structure. It is important as homeowners we do our best to take care of issues as soon as they begin rather than waiting until a problem exists. If you are aware of outside elements that are beating up your roof you will be able to keep an eye out for damage and fix it right away, prevent issues from accumulating. New roofs are expensive, roof repairs aren’t and will increase the lifetime of your roof.
Home Pro Roofing MI installs and repairs Michigan roofs. As general roofing contractors Home Pro specializes in residential and commercial roofing needs using asphalt shingles and metal roofing. In order to request quotes visit http://www.homeproroofingmi.com/.
Every homeowner has a preference in how they want their home and space to function and flow. This is true in every room in a home especially the kitchen and bathroom spaces. Every year you will notice that there are trends and fads that are incorporated into remodels and new construction that update spaces and give a fresh look and feel to the space. It also dates your home without trying.
I don’t consider a kitchen and bathroom space having the look and feel of a certain time or era as a bad thing. To be honest this is what makes a home unique. Yes, there are times when it looks plain out dated but can easily be updated adding a few minor tweaks to the space and an entire overhaul or room renovation is not needed.
A home I recently went into was very much reminiscent of an older eighties style kitchen. The yellow coloring, oak cabinets, laminate counters and linoleum flooring. Dead give a ways to a space that had seen its hay day. The couple grappled with many decisions. The cabinets were in great shape, the function of the kitchen layout was perfect and everything was still in incredible shape. The space needed minor updates however not every aspect of this eighties kitchen needed to be removed.
The solution was to add in some changes from trends that are up and coming this year. Trends in cabinetry are on two opposite spectrums wither bright white or dark finishes. The couple really liked the idea of a dark finish especially since the linoleum countertop was lighter and was not going to be replaced. We decided to go with a cherry/black finish and add a super glossy glaze. This is an incredibly up to date look for cabinetry. We replaced the eighties gold handles with some super sleek dark satin stainless steel cabinet hardware and installed a new touch activated faucet.
Another element that we added to update the cabinetry is to remove the center of the cabinet door and replace it with glass. Using glass elements in kitchens adds a modern element and really makes the space updated. The cabinets that had their small middle sections replaced with glass were then filled with pieces that were used often and pretty enough that they needed to be visible. We also added glass elements in the form of vases filled with stones. This couple collected rocks from their adventures and they were currently stored away. This gave the couple a place to display their finds while bringing in an element of nature.
The flooring is where the couple decided to spend their renovation funds. The linoleum flooring dated the space in an unbelievable way, the material, the pattern and the colors all reminiscent of the eighties. For this couple ceramic flooring was the look and feel they were interested in. They choose a rustic slate tile in twelve by twelve squares. The larger tiles looked great in their space as the dining room and kitchen were blended into one space as many eighties kitchens were designed.
These few upgrades really brought this couples eighties kitchen into the twenty first century. The space did not need a complete renovation as the space functioned perfectly with the current layout. Thankfully this space had good bones to begin with making this update a whole lot simpler.
The Home Doctor is an expert in a variety of home renovations including kitchen and bathroom remodeling. For more information on home renovations or for a local general contractor you can find information at http://www.glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/.
Kitchen flooring, Kitchen remodeling, kitchen renovations, bathroom remodeling, bathroom renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, kitchen updates, kitchen upgrades, kitchen renovation ideas
Before you purchase a fence for your home, yard or pool side consider the following; why you want the fence, the material, will you install it and style.
Before you purchase and install a fence question the motives for adding a fence to the yard. Are you adding a fence to keep the dog from relieving himself in the neighbor’s yard? Then perhaps a chain link fence is the route for you. Are you installing fencing for pool safety? If this is the case you might be looking into a more decorative black aluminum pool fence. If privacy is your concern wooden privacy fencing is available.
The material for the fence is an important piece of the equation. Everyone thinks of the perfect little white picket fence however, do they consider the upkeep needed to paint a wooden fence white each and every season? I am assuming that for the most part they don’t. If you are going for the quaint little white picket fence consider vinyl. Wooden fences hold up well once sealed but will take upkeep every few years to keep them looking fresh. A good power washing and sealing stain can do the trick however maintenance is required. If looking for maintenance free fencing materials choose wrought iron, aluminum, chain link or vinyl. These options require a general light spray cleaning to look fresh season after season.
If you are looking to fence in your entire yard and cost is a factor you can consider mixing materials. Chain link fencing is inexpensive and can be used to enclose an entire backyard for a lot less than aluminum or wood. Use your money wisely and place the fencing that is meant for aesthetics at the front of the house. Use a combination maybe a vinyl picket fence in the front, where it is seen from the road, and chain link in the back, hidden from street view.
Before purchasing any type of fencing talk with local municipalities and your homeowners associations. Some dictate that certain fence types must have the face side (the pretty side) of the fence face outward. Some dictate that the posts can’t face public property. I have heard of some home owners associations that do not allow fencing at all on the property as it distracts from the open air feeling of the community. Before outlaying the funds consider the rules and regulations governing fencing in your area.
Are you going to hire a professional to install the fence or try to do it yourself? This will play a role in the type of material you choose for installation as well. Certain fencing is more difficult to install than others. Wood fence is fairly simple to install where as aluminum fence is best installed by a licensed fencing contractor.
Once the fence has been chosen and installed make sure to take time to blend it into the landscaping. Fencing can stick out like a sore thumb if homeowners don’t take the time to make the fencing a part of the yard. You may do this with stain on wooden fence, crawling plants with chain link fencing or pretty shrubs and flowering plants that are perfect with vinyl picket fencing. Your landscape and fencing should be used as an extension of the curb appeal of your home. With the right material, professional installation, up keep and blended landscaping yours should like it was always there.
Forever-Fence offers a variety of aluminum fencing options including ornamental, decorative and pool fence for homeowners to choose from. You will find a variety of fencing options online at http://www.forever-fence.com/.
Men’s jewelry and accessories are always a bit trickier than women’s. If a women over accessorizes she is eccentric when a man over does the jewelry and accessories he sticks out like a sore thumb. When choosing jewelry for the men in your life consider the following tips. Men can wear jewelry and still maintain their masculine look.
1) There should be a reason to all men’s jewelry
• Most men don’t wear jewelry for the look. Usually jewelry will have a sentimental value or be a status symbol. Before purchasing pieces consider what purpose or value the piece will hold to the male recipient. Important life events are usually symbolized with jewelry and for men this is no different. Marriage is symbolized with wedding bands, belief in faith is symbolized with a cross pendant and often times the birth of a child is symbolized with a piece that includes the gemstone of the baby’s birth such as cuff links.
2) Mr. T went out with the eighties
• Less is more when it comes to men and jewelry. Only Mr. T could get away with gold chains encompassing his entire chest. Gold jewelry should be purchased and worn in a complimentary fashion for the men in your life. When considering the purchase of gold necklace for your man take into consideration the size of his neck and where the chain will lay.
3) Compliment your current style
• If the man in your life is a bit more artsy he can probably get by wearing a few pieces that compliment the look. Some rugged pieces layered in a necklace or bracelet would work for him. However if he is more clean cut and has a pulled together, proper look simple platinum piece may work better.
4) If unsure, forget it
• If the man in your life is uncomfortable with wearing jewelry don’t push him. When you are not in your comfort zone it will show. Each piece of jewelry should be an extension of who you are.
5) Practicality is a good choice in men’s jewelry
• Watches are a great option when in doubt regarding a jewelry purchase for the man in your life. It is also a way to exemplify status and convey wealth. Watches also help convey the message that a man is confident and in a position of power.
6) Sentiment in rings
• Celebration of an event is a classic reason to purchase a piece of jewelry. Wedding bands, class rings and fraternity rings all have a sentimental value and can be worn by men without looking over the top. Just make sure that they are worn in moderation. A man wearing a hand full of rings looks like Mr. T not a classy entrepreneur.
Men’s jewelry is a tricky purchase. Be sure to consider the man in your life when choosing a piece. Cuff links, tie tacks and watches are perfect for men that wear a suit and tie every day while not as practical as the man who is tearing cars down on a daily basis. Of course, if your purchase is not viewed with excitement on the man’s behalf don’t be hurt; take the jewelry back and move to a purchase that better suits your man.
If you are going through a divorce the state in which you live will dictate what the process will be like for you. This article is designed to give you a brief look into the divorce process in general, the events that will occur and what you can expect throughout.
One of the first step in the divorce process is the separation process be it legal or agreed upon by the two parties. Depending on the circumstance the separation could occur when the courts legally negate for it or one party decides to leave the family home. A legal separation is an agreement that is put in place to protect both parties and any children. If you live in a state in which a legal separation is not allowed your first step will be to obtain a divorce attorney who will file a motion for a temporary separation to be put in place.
To begin the actual divorce process you and your attorney will file a petition for divorce with the local courts. This document identifies the two parties involved, any children between them and reason for divorce. In most state there are two main reasons for divorce, irreconcilable differences or incompatibility.
Whoever files for the divorce is known as the petitioner/plaintiff while the other party is referred to as the respondent/defendant. The individual starting the divorce process will serve a letter of complaint to the respondent. Once this has been done the respondent has thirty days to find and hire their own divorce attorney and respond to the original letter of complaint.
Once this is done a temporary order of divorce is issued addressing issues with temporary custody, support and other important issues that are immediate. Once this has been put into place any party violating the agreement can be held in contempt of court and jailed and/or fined.
The next step is considered the discovery phase of the divorce process. This is a legal way to gather information. The steps include: disclosure, interrogatories, admission of fact, request for production and depositions. In a smooth divorce this is hopefully the end for you. It is hopeful that during mediation that the parties involved along with their attorneys will agree upon a settlement.
If you are not able to mediate an agreement that is suitable to both parties you will be given a trial date where both parties will go before a judge and argue their case. The judge will examine all the evidence and a decision will be made based on what he/she feels would be the best resolution.
A final decree is signed after the court has ruled. It will lay out how the property is to be divided, custody arrangements, support both spousal and custody as well as any other issues that are pertinent to dissolving a marriage.
Most divorces require a period of time between the initial filing and any rulings surrounding the case. This period of time increases if children are involved. The period is set to give both parties time to consider reconciliation. Such is considered a cooling off period for the parties to make sure a decision to divorce has not been made in haste.
Divorce is not a simple process and should not be taken lightly. Contact a local divorce attorney for more information regarding the divorce process in your state.