Architectural door handles Chrome | door furniture

Author:

Dave Allaire

When it comes to caring for a log home, keep in mind that these homes are far different from conventional homes. Here are a few things to consider about maintaining your log home.

Like any wood sided home, a log home must be protected against the elements. How often this treatment takes place will depend on a few things.

The quality of the previous stain job will have a lot to do with how long the stain will last. If the surface is prepared and coated properly, you will get maximum life from each stain application.

The exposure of the home is important. A home that is out in the open, exposed to the sun and wind will need more frequent maintenance than one that is sheltered by surrounding trees and hills.

Finally, the color or pigment of the stain will make a difference. More heavily pigmented stains will last longer than lighter or clearer stains.

Professional log home care service starts with a visit to your home. With a thorough examination of the condition of the logs and any prior protective stain, the service person will determine what type of log home maintenance is needed. In some cases, the existing stain can be cleaned and renewed with additional coatings of the same or a similar product.  In cases where the stain is partially worn, it may need to be completely removed in order to allow for a uniform coating of any new stain product.

If the home has not been previously stained, the steps to protecting the new wood are as follows. Rinse the log walls to remove any contaminants which may prevent good stain adhesion. Apply wood preservative, if none is pre-applied by the log home manufacturer. This material can be applied by brushing or spraying. Coat the log walls with the semi-transparent stain of your choice.  Once again, brushing or spraying (followed by back-brushing) will work.

It is good to know that today there are many high-quality products available to preserve log homes. And these products are safe for both the applicator and the environment. Even the products used to clean log homes have become far more environmentally friendly in recent years.

Log home care is as unique as the log home itself. Proper maintenance can lead to a home you can enjoy for many years.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/log-home-maintenance-tips-4826929.html

About the Author

Visit Log Home Headquarters to learn more about log home maintenance. Here your find quality Sashco products to help you care for your log home.

Author:

knock-knock

Bathroom and kitchen fans are an important part of your home\’s ventilation system. They remove odours from your house, which improves indoor air quality. They also remove moisture, which decreases the level of humidity in your house. High humidity can damage building materials and can cause mold growth. Mold may affect your family\’s health.

Common Fan and Exhaust Systems

The two most common types of fans are impeller fans and blower fans.

Impeller fans move air with blades similar to airplane propellers.

Blower fans look like hamster wheels — they are often called squirrel cages — and generally do a better job of moving air than impeller fans.

Most exhaust systems consist of an exhaust fan, ducting and an exterior hood. Some houses have a central exhaust system, in which one fan draws moisture and odours from several rooms of the house using a network of ducts.

Kitchen exhaust systems usually have the fan and fan motor in the exhaust hood. Other systems use an in-line fan, which is in the exhaust duct, or a fan outside the house. In-line and outdoor exhaust fans are usually quieter than systems with the fan in the room.

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) also exhausts moisture and odours. An HRV is a self-contained ventilation system that provides balanced air intake and exhaust. Like a central exhaust fan, it can be connected to several rooms by ducting.

How Good Is the Fan I Have Now?

CMHC\’s research shows that many houses have exhaust fans that:

• are too noisy
• move very little air
• are not energy efficient
• may cause backdrafting of combustion appliances
• use high-wattage lighting

Are There Better Fans?

Yes. There\’s a new generation of effective, quiet, energy-efficient exhaust fans and controls.

How Do I Choose the Best System?

First, choose the quietest, most energy-efficient fan in the size range required. Most fan labels have Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) ratings so you can compare noise and energy efficiency. Look for a fan with replaceable parts and permanent lubrication. A fan suitable for continuous use is preferable. Be prepared to pay more for a quality fan.

Second, select low-resistance (smooth) exhaust ducting. Seal the joints and insulate sections that run through unheated spaces.

Third, place the exhaust hood where it will not cause moisture damage on exterior surfaces.

Fourth, if you have heating appliances with chimneys, make sure that fans won\’t cause the appliances to backdraft.

Fifth, install the proper controls.

Bathroom Fans: What Should I Look For?

Fan exhaust capacity is rated in litres per second (L/s) or cubic feet per minute (cfm). A normal bathroom needs a good-quality fan that draws 25 L/s (50 cfm). A poor-quality fan won\’t exhaust enough air and will be too noisy for regular use. The best fans have sound ratings of 0.5 sones or less and consume about 20 watts. Older units typically run up to 4 sones and 80 watts.

Large bathrooms, or those with bigger fixtures, such as spas, need larger fans. Place the bathroom fan as close as possible to the source of moisture or odour. For in-line fans, as long as the intake grille is properly located, the fan itself does not have to be close to the bathroom. Some bathroom fans have lights or heating lamps. If you choose a fan with integrated lights, look for efficiency. Any fan installed in an insulated ceiling — for instance, if the attic is above the bathroom ceiling — must not leak air and must be rated for use under insulation.

Make sure that exhaust fans, lights and heaters in bath or shower enclosures are rated and approved for wet conditions. Newer units approved for wet conditions may include ground fault protection.

Noise

Noise determines whether people use a fan. Many people won\’t use a noisy fan. Select the quietest fan in the size you need. Look for fans labelled ‘low noise’ or ‘quiet,’ and check for the HVI rating. If it is not rated, there is a good chance that it will be noisy. In-line fans, due to their potential remote mounting, can also be very quiet.

Fan Power Requirements and Airflows

There is more to energy efficiency than selecting an energy-efficient fan. Ducting can affect fan performance. Uninsulated, undersized, or droopy flex ducting, ineffective or dirty backdraft dampers and exhaust louvers can cut rated airflow by more than 50 per cent.

To find out if your exhaust fan is drawing air, hold a piece of toilet tissue up to the grille. The exhaust air should hold the tissue tightly to the grille. You could also check the outlet to make sure the air is leaving your house. CMHC has developed a simple test to measure flow and published it as an About Your House fact sheet titled CMHC Garbage Bag Airflow Test.

Controls

Bathroom fans connected to light switches start running when the light is turned on. Often, users turn the light off before all the moisture is exhausted after a bath or shower. An electronic timer, which is usually quieter than a mechanical timer, offers a wide range of settings. Make sure the time instructions are easy-to-understand and the timer is easy to use. You can use motion or humidity sensors, or a combination of both, to control the fan. Controls which allow you to specify operating times or maximum humidity levels are preferable to those where the operation is pre-set by the manufacturer. Use a delayed fan shut-off to keep the fan running for 15 minutes after you leave the room.

Cleaning

Fans create static electricity which attracts dirt like a magnet to the fan and its housing. The dirt can encourage mold growth and restrict air movement. Clean fans, housings, backdraft dampers and exterior flaps seasonally. A typical bathroom fan can be cleaned by pulling down the grille, and unplugging and removing the fan module. Fans in ducts and exterior fans may be difficult to clean.

Kitchen Range Hoods

A kitchen range hood must move more air than a bathroom fan — about 50 to 140 L/s (100 to 300 cfm). As a result, they are noisier, with the lowest sound rating of about 4.5 sones, although they can be relatively quiet on low speed.

The most useful units have a low noise rating, an energy-efficient fan, fluorescent lights, sound insulation, anti-vibration mounts and duct connections. For heavy duty use, select non-corrosive materials such as aluminum or stainless steel. High quality hoods may have heat sensors and a safety shut-off.

Kitchen exhaust systems should discharge outdoors. Recirculating range hoods rely on filters to capture some odours and grease. The filters are generally made of carbon which must be replaced frequently to be effective. Grease will coat carbon, making it ineffective. With recirculating fans, cooking moisture and odours will usually remain in the house.

Positioning

Range hoods are most effective when they extend out over the stove surface and are close to the stove top. Island units are less effective than wall units.

Cleaning

Range hoods usually have washable, aluminum-mesh grease filters. Better quality filters have a smaller diameter mesh over a larger surface area and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Clean or replace grease traps and filters frequently. There are now range hoods available that allow you to remove the fan, but not the motor, for cleaning in a dishwasher.

Fire

There is always the possibility of a grease fire with a kitchen range hood exhaust. Smooth metal ducting, preferably galvanized steel, is safer in a fire than lighter assemblies.

Installation

Install fans and exhaust systems so they make the least possible noise, vibrate as little as possible and leak as little air as possible.

Anti-vibration pads or foam tape can isolate the fan housing from wood joists and drywall. You can wrap fan housings and some duct sections in rubber or vinyl noise barrier mats.

Ducts

Install exhaust systems according to the building code and manufacturer\’s recommendations. Straight, short duct runs, with few turns, will result in the highest fan flow.

For bathroom fans, use duct with a diameter of at least 100 mm (4 in.). For long runs, use larger, 150 mm (6 in.) diameter duct to improve airflow. It is usually best to avoid fans with 75 mm (3 in.) exhaust ports and ducts. Follow manufacturer\’s instructions for kitchen exhaust duct sizes.

Seal all duct joints and connections with aluminum duct tape or duct mastic (available at contractors\’ supply shops) to prevent air, moisture and noise leakage. Standard cloth duct tapes tend to dry out and fall off.

Seal and then insulate all ductwork running through unheated areas to avoid moisture problems. The best practice is to slant horizontal runs of duct down toward the exterior outlet to drain any condensation outside.

Exhaust air should not be released into the attic, into a wall or ceiling cavity, crawl space, basement or in the roof soffit. These locations can promote condensation damage and mold growth.

Weather Hoods, Grilles and Backdraft Dampers

Even when fans are off, stack effects and wind loads may cause outside air to enter or inside air to exhaust through fan ducting. Fans are equipped with backdraft dampers, usually in the fan box exhaust port. Check damper flaps from time to time to make sure they are clean and working. The exterior exhaust flap or louvers should be clean and in good repair to maintain unobstructed airflow and reduce air infiltration. Most exhaust ducts are fitted with a single flap exhaust hood or triple louver aluminum or plastic exhaust grille. Use weather hoods that lie flat on the wall in driveways and other places where hood-type units could be damaged.

Plastic hoods break down over time and need to be replaced. Clean exhaust hoods of lint and nesting materials seasonally to ensure that the flap or louvers are not blocked or stuck open.

Some Dangers

Chimney Connections

Some older bathrooms have static exhausts which look like upside down funnels on the ceiling. If these exhausts are hooked into the furnace chimney, disconnect them from the chimney, seal the hole in the chimney with hydraulic (expanding) cement, and install a new powered exhaust. If these static exhausts go directly outside, they can still be used, but a good fan will be more energy efficient and less drafty.

High Capacity Systems

High capacity, industrial or oversized exhaust fans, and range-top barbecue fans can cause chimney backdrafting. Backdrafting occurs when air is drawn down the chimneys, bringing dangerous combustion exhaust gases into the house. Avoid backdrafting by selecting sealed combustion heating appliances. If you have appliances with chimneys in your house, and you wish to install high capacity exhaust fans, you will need a matching supply air fan to balance house pressures.

Many ventilation contractors or salespeople are unaware of the effects of large exhaust fans on other house appliances. Make sure that your system is properly installed with supply air. At the very least, make sure that you have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to warn you if you have severe chimney backdrafting.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/the-importance-of-bathroom-and-kitchen-fans-4782575.html

About the Author

John Carle RE/MAX Real Estate Edmonton 102 12650 151 Ave Edmonton, AB T5X 0A1 John@Knock-Knock.ca http://www.knock-knock.ca 780-937-7534 / 780-701-9090

Author:

dan

12 Tips for Going Green

Going green tips are really all of the in thing. Almost everyone has heard of going green or eco-friendly but what exactly are a couple of simple environmentally friendly ideas most of us can use right now? It would be great if most of us could buy solar power systems for our homes. When they cost much more than many of us can easily afford, most of us will have to have simple eco-friendly methods which we could implement on nearly almost any earnings level.

You will find several steps you can take for your home to really make it more effective, whether you rent or own your home.

A common 2 stroke, gas lawnmower produces as much pollution into the environment in a half-hour as a car or truck will do in an hour and a half Change to an electric powered lawn mower.

An Liquid crystal display flat panel Television uses less than one third of the electrical energy of regular TV .

Do you stay in a very hot shower? Stand beneath the pulse jet with a solar energy hot water system and save energy and water.

Replacing traditional bulbs with neon ones can easily cut five from a regular electricity expenses. Buy the high quality fluorescents that have a a natural light or gold colored light.

Stop using all the pesticides or herbicides and make use of nature\’s method of pest elimination: other wildlife. Set up bird houses to shelter birds who eat bothersome bugs.

Spending less on your bills, with one of these eco-friendly tips for homes , is not the complicated or overwhelming task lots of people appear to believe it is. Take a look at these going green eco-friendly ideas for homes to help you go eco-friendly easily, and inexpensively. Remarkably, the savings could be large.

Insulation is the first type of defense when you\’re trying to help save energy. So, it is among the extremely important energy strategies for homes. You\’ll find guides that will focus on how to get it done at any book shop or online. Have serious consideration in your own home Made Energy since it is one of the very real workable going eco-friendly strategies for homes.

Closing blinds might help maintain a comfortable temperature in your home and/or office and save energy.

Using regular light bulbs during the cold months might help cut heating cost but don´t use them in the summer time simply because they can increase your Air conditioning expense .Cauking around all your doors and windows can help cut energy cost both in summer and winter.

Some simple eco-friendly ideas for shopping will be to use Amazon . com or E-bay along with other sites to locate eco-friendly items and cut costs. What about Habitat for Humanity? Yes, Habitat has stores in towns all around the US that sell a myriad of stuff for the house as well as for construction. Look them on the web and will also be amazed at that which you find. Habitat re-sell stores is one of individuals win, win, win, situations.

Whenever you buy there you keep things from our landfills, individuals have good stuff to purchase they are able to afford, and also you help create affordable housing.

When you\’re at the shop, will they still request if you would like paper or plastic? What about neither? Get yourself re usable bags. It can be for just anybody to get this done. These bags can be part of the eco-friendly ideas you should use inside your everyday existence. They are simple to keep in your car and you will use them for groceries, clothing, hardware, and just about anything where you are able to use a bag. You can buy these kinds of bags almost everywhere for example the supermarket, , pharmacies,Wal-Mart as well as others

Water conservation and growth and development of alternative water resources is important to meet the growing interest in freshwater

Make use of a water filtration to purify plain tap water rather than purchasing bottled water . Also, setting up Refrigerator Water Filters rather than consuming commercially made bottled water, reduces waste. The simple fact, as a result, is the idea that this sort of water saving water filters will reduce a little regarding the flow of water.

One more easy little tip would be to place brick in the water tank of the commode that will reduce the amount of water used whenever people flush .
As you can tell going eco-friendly can also be about conservation and also the things you can do to cut your time and expenses.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/12-tips-for-going-green-4791400.html

About the Author

As you can see I\’m an advocate for the environment with one caveat   I don\’t believe in global warming as it is presented today. I do believe we need to do all we can to stop polluting or plant. We no longer need non renewable energy because it can be replaced with clean non polluting   Solar Power in the Home I truly believe that this is one of the best things people can do for their selves and for this reason when you go to my website you can get 2 free informational books on the subject. There is also a link there for my review of the top five DIY  Going Green solar sites on line. Going Green is not something for the future it is here and now. So now the only thing you need to ask is what are you waiting for?

Author:

Thom Lempner

Everybody is trying to find another for electric energy source because of rapid growth and inconstant increase in electric usage charges with cost inside the traditional electric source. That\’s why now day\’s people uncover items that are friendly inside our atmosphere. Another of people discoveries might be the wind turbine. It is something which transforms kinetic energy inside the breeze or wind to create mechanical energy. The mechanical energy might come to terms with create electrical energy. This has the capacity to use to make use of vehicle machinery, such for crushing grain or pushing water. This may develop for more than a thousand years present day wind machines built-in several vertical and horizontal axis styles. The small turbine is numerous turbines you should utilize for charging of batteries or supporting energy on sailing watercraft, because the huge energy power grid-connected groups of turbines are reasons within the progressively large method of getting household current that contained in some business institutions or commercial structures.

Developing a wind turbine is an easy venture. It will help your atmosphere on eco-friendly technology furthermore to lessen your electric consumption and charge. Wind a turbine is managed to help you in creating free energy for the home. That\’s less pricey if you will probably build one. Really the only what exactly you need to bear in mind is to determine what items of items construct your wind machines. Building Wind Machines?  In developing a wind machines you required to incorporate some necessary pieces that should be develop to create a final part. People parts are include rotor blades recognized to as rotor, and setup along with a raiser turbine plate together with the generator itself. The rotor blades using the rotor really are specialized for setup. It takes a very specific figure and volume being effective.  The rotor blades area and figure is very small but easy to get most current listings for that\’s the key reason why people choose to obtain a DVD pieces readymade produced to start their wind turbine.  Should you choose to construct the rotor blades yourself, you\’ll uncover various kinds styles on the internet you need to choose the terms.  Mostly of recent wind machines are frequently produced from the 3 major-edge style to provide the very best balance of alternative and firmness.  -for individuals who\’ve already your rotor blades and rotor reform, it needed you need to elevated the raiser to make sure it have the ability to whirl inside the breeze.  If you are using an average horizontal wind turbine axis, the rotor blades is required always to take care of t into the wind to begin whirling.  The raiser they are elevated is should have the ability to turn rotating to accomplish this.  Additionally, you\’ll need to lift a vertical wheel in regards to the rear within the raiser to take advantage from the career into the wind. After you have finish lifted the rotor blades and rotor, you need to set the most effective generator suitable for the wind turbine. You\’ll uncover variations of generator would depend on its choice of sources, dimensions, production, and kind of current they are creating. You\’ll uncover 2 types of output the Electricity output that are mostly used and AC output an entirely latest version. After you have already selected the right generator for the wind machines it must be elevated becoming a connection of getting a beam that\’s whirled while using turning or rotation inside the rotor setup. The generator will in many probabilities generate basically something once the wind turbine will whirled inside the specific direction. So make certain the rotation inside the generator goes when using the whirl within the rotor. Once you have already the generator lifted and elevated becoming an connect of for your rotor, you are prepared to location your brand-new wind turbine inside the site acquiring a ongoing steady wind and relish the energy it produces to satisfy your needs.  Should you select a Electricity version of generator, technology-not only in control some batteries, or energy some small Electricity machine.  If you want AC energy generator, make use of the simple inverter to alter the Electricity to AC electricity right for running any usual connected electrical device.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/build-wind-turbine-techniques-to-venture-4780346.html

About the Author

A lot of people are seeking about Build Wind Turbine and other alternative source of energy at the same time the renewable one. The topic on Build Wind Turbine are just a few of the many alternative energy source available thus can be built on your own.

Author:

Fem Mascenon

The exterior of your home is one area you should not neglect. The exterior of your home also represents the kind of person you are and reflects your personality. This is also that area which is constantly exposed to the harsh natural elements while protecting you and members of your family. Hence, there should be no compromise when it comes to the exterior paints and you must ideally choose the best outdoor paints for your exterior walls. If these exterior walls are neglected, the home will look dirty and unfinished.

Choosing the Exterior Paints

It is important to choose the outdoor paints very carefully and you must try and choose the best outdoor paints irrespective of whether you are hiring a professional to do the job or you plan to do it yourself. You must have some prior knowledge about the emulsion paints and the ones that might be best suited for your exterior walls.

Maintain Quality

The first thing that you should focus on is the quality of the paint you buy. Even when you hire a contractor to do the job, you will have to buy the paints yourself. So, you must ensure that you buy only the best quality and never compromise on that front. When you invest in good quality paints, it will last for years and you will have trouble free maintenance. Poor quality paints will fade and peel very quickly.

Choose the Color

Ensure that you choose the color with care. The colors should neither be too dull or too bright. You could take a good look at the houses in your neighborhood and check out the colors. The color you choose will also reflect your personality and it is important that it fits into your neighborhood as well. If you belong to a housing association, you might have to follow a set of rules and guidelines as to what colors you can choose and the colors that you cannot use. You must ideally choose a neutral shade or a color that fits in well with the surroundings and don\’t choose harsh or bright colors that will stand out.

Premium Brands

The best outdoor paints should be chosen depending on the kind of surface you want to paint. Good quality paints will be able to withstand the harsh elements of nature and will help protect your exterior walls. Preparing the surface is very important before you begin with the painting job. This is one of the most difficult tasks that are carried out prior to painting. You must ensure that you choose premium brands as they will really last. The old paints must be peeled off and cracks and dents must be carefully covered before the actual painting job is undertaken.

It is important to prepare the walls thoroughly before you start painting them. Merely choosing the best outdoor paints will not give the desired effect. You must prepare the walls to help absorb the fresh coat of paint.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/what-should-you-look-for-in-the-best-outdoor-paints-4790645.html

About the Author

My name is Fem Mascenon and I thoroughly research and write about house paint colors. Please visit my site at http://www.exteriorhousepaintingdepot.com to learn how to do exterior house painting by yourself and save tons of money.