Cave Run Resort & Stables

Archive for the ‘Building’ Category

Imagine all your outdoor clutter compiled into one organized space. Storage sheds will give you that extra space, and at the same time allow you to start parking your cars in the garage again. The common idea when you think of a shed is a dull box-like structure, which sits in your backyard and never fits it’s surroundings. Thanks to the modern times, sheds have refurbished themselves into a more stylish and appealing look. Sheds are now made with many different types of material such as, cedar, vinyl, laminated polyethylene covers and they even can be made to look like little houses. Use your sheds for any purpose; organizing your lawn equipment, being a poolside cabana, protecting vehicles or boats or even a tucked away retreat in the backyard. If I have not convinced you already, here are some great tips to know, when looking for that “perfect” shed.

First, take a long look at your backyard and try to picture what kind of style your shed should be. Also, consider the size too, because that will play a major part in your decision. Today, sheds come in many different designs from barn look-a-likes to country cottages. Keep in mind it is all about the detail, so find out what kind of options are out there for add-on accessories. Shutters, flower boxes, shelves, functional windows, lofts, and double doors are just a few additions you can think about to customize your shed. In addition to detail, another thing would be to figure out the purpose for the shed. Finding out the function before you start looking, will help you eliminate most of the sales questions and get you in the category of sheds where you need to be. For instance, if you wanted a shed for your lawn equipment, you would probably be looking at sheds with double doors, shelves, and maybe a few functional windows for ventilation purposes. All together style, options and even function should be recognized when purchasing a shed.

Once the over all style has been selected, you must look into the materials that are being used. Technology has allowed us to use many different types of commodities to create long lasting sheds. However, cedar is the most popular, because it is known for its warm wood characteristics, beauty, durability and outstanding weather resistance. Vinyl is another good choice and it is weather and rust proof, fire resistant, and does not fade. If you need to store large items like motor homes or boats, laminated polyethylene covers are great source for protection from the outdoor elements. Always make sure that wooden sheds are evaluated, so it can minimize the wood deterioration along the base.

It is easy to love a shed that is already assembled at the store, but the real test is when you bring it home. Assembly is the factor that will make or break a sale; so make sure you ask about how to construct the shed first. The best choice is to find a shed that is built by panels and uses simple hardware. By using the panels, there is no dangerous, wasteful, or time consuming cutting required. Windows are already attached to the wall and the shingles are attached to the roof panels making it a stress free process.

This is just a simple guide to help you start searching for the shed you have been waiting for. By laying out the basics in style, function, materials and assembly, you should be able to create an idea of what you may want in a shed. Think of it this way, a shed can help organize, organization minimizes the workload, less work equals more fun.

Today’s log homes can be just as big and luxurious as traditional stick-built homes, and they’ve got something your neighbor’s home doesn’t: logs. What kid didn’t dream of having a lot home (or maybe a log tree fort) out in the woods somewhere? Well, some adults share that dream.

Whether you like the rustic look or just want to live in a house built from natural materials, a log home may be appealing to you. But are they a good investment? Are they a smart choice?

The short answer is yes. In fact, log homes have some benefits stick-built homes lack. Let’s take a look.

1. They generally are made to a higher standard with superior craftsmanship and custom touches. Because of this, log homes regularly appraise higher than comparably sized conventional homes. Basically this means that, square foot for square foot, they have a higher resale value.

2. Log homes are sturdy, stand up well to the elements, and generally speaking last a long time. There are many stories of these houses surviving the worst Mother Nature has thrown at them, including the big 2005 hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. This shouldn’t be surprising. Unlike walls in traditional homes, which are just frames covered with insulation and drywall, log homes are solid wood. There are still-standing, still-occupied log homes in Europe dating back more than 800 years.

3. The notion that log homes are warm and cozy isn’t just fanciful thinking. Compared to a cold piece of drywall, wood is warm to the touch. Logs also have something called thermal mass going for them; all that dense, solid wood is energy efficient, keeping temperatures inside the home comfortable year around.

4. If your log home is built and sealed properly, it will be very energy efficient. This means you spend less money on heating and cooling throughout the year. Many log home manufacturers create kits designed to be 15-20% more efficient than a conventional home.

5. Log homes are usually more quiet than stick-built homes. Remember that thermal mass we talked about? Well, aside from being energy efficient, it’s sound efficient. Those dense logs have sound-deadening effects. That means you can block out everything from outside noises to your kid’s basement drum solos. No need for ear plugs, thank you.

6. One last benefit, is that it’s easy to maintain log homes and keep them free of mold, mildew, and insect infestations. In traditional homes, there are sealed wall cavities where everything from mold, termites, and rats can get in and thrive. Log homes don’t have those dank hollows. To inspect for problems, all you have to do is take a walk around your home and check out the condition of the logs. This makes it easy to catch problems earlier and get them taken care of before they become costly situations.

Generally speaking, the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to choosing a log home. Whether it’s for your primary residence, a vacation rental, or a place to retire down the road, a log home can keep you and your family warm and comfortable for years to come.

If laying ceramic tiles is totally new to you, “5 Steps to complete a successful ceramic tile installation” is a set of basic but important tips that you will help you avoid making costly mistakes on your next bathroom or ceramic tile installation.

” Plan which Tile
” Shop around if you want to save
” Prepare the surface for a long lasting job
” Lay the tiles
” Finishing touches

Plan which Tile

This step is often underestimated and sometimes even forgotten (can you believe it?). Planning your ceramic tile installation from A to Z is probably one of the most important steps for a smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

Some things to take in account are;

” Suitability of the tile
” Pattern /colour of the tile
” Size of the tile
” Size of the area to be tiled. (This is important data that will be vital to know how much tile, grout, etc, you have to buy)
” Adhesive, mortar or grout to suit your needs

Not all ceramic tile installations are the same, different tiling installations may require different mortar or grout. DO NOT feel shy about asking the suppliers for advice or help in calculating how much you need. They will gladly help you, as they are likely to make a sale.

Shop around if you want to save

This isn’t as difficult as the first step, however when the budget is tight it can be tricky to find the right tile for the ceramic tile installation you want. You are going to have to make some compromises and so don’t get carried away by the beauty of some of the ceramic tiles. Prices can vary a lot between different tiles, so some end up rather expensive for only a few square metres.
Always shop around, it has never been easier. Just sit in front of the computer and use the Internet. Use local directories to find the suppliers close to you and pay them a visit.

Before making your final decision always check the chosen tile under different lights as the results can be surprisingly different.

Prepare the surface for a long lasting job before laying the ceramic tiles
The surface to be tiled (floor, wall or any other) will often need to be prepared, this can include work like filling, levelling, smoothing, priming and sometimes water proofing.

The right preparation will be directly affect the lifespan of the ceramic tile installation. Unless you want to be tiling again soon, you want to get this right from the start.

This is probably the most important point to ensure a long lasting tiling job. Don’t rush it.

Laying the ceramic tiles safely

The technique of laying ceramic tiles is not especially difficult. It only takes a little bit of practice before anyone can easily master it. Clearing the room to be tiled before starting will help you to do the job safer and easier. Don’t forget to wear your safety goggles when cutting or chipping tiles.

Laying ceramic tiles can also be a bit messy, if you don’t want dust all over the house we suggest sealing the room you want to tile whenever possible. A large piece of plastic tacked to the door frame will do the job quite well.

Try not to allow any adhesive to get on your skin and never forget to read the manufacturers directions before even opening the tin. If some ends up on you, just clean it with water as soon as possible. Even though tile adhesives aren’t usually abrasive, if you leave it for some time it may cause an allergic reaction.

Use a spirit level to help you with the depth & level of the tiles and spacers to maintain an even distance between them.

The finishing touches

Once the tile adhesive or mortar has cured (dried) and the tiles are firm and even, you can start with the finishing touches.

You’ll have to fill the spaces between tiles with grout making sure you don’t leave any gaps as these cause damp problems, in a shower for example.

The technique is very simple, use a rubber faced trowel to spread the grout and a cotton cloth to clean the excess grout from the tiles afterwards.

There are many different types of grouts; you’ll have to choose the right one depending on the surface and chosen tile.

Now that you have your ceramic tiles laid down, you only need to take care of them, usually manufacturers provide information on taking care of their tiles and only minimal effort is required. Most household cleaning products will do the job well, if some particular stain is stubborn, there are many commercial stain removers, just make sure you use the right product for the right tile.

You are now closer to discovering how satisfying it can be handling a tile installation yourself; just follow these 5 steps to get the best result.