Frank Fekonia built his own three level home with a million dollar view for very little money and a lot of concrete. This is an excellent video on how far a little money, a lot of elbow grease, and a solid imagination can take you.

When shopping for a basement dehumidifier, you should first consider the size of the unit you need. All dehumidifiers are rated by their water removal capacity per day, and these ratings often have corresponding coverage areas measured in square feet. Be sure to also consider the operating conditions under which the capacity rating was determined. Some manufacturers rate their dehumidifiers at saturation, or 100% relative humidity. Others rate them under more realistic AHAM conditions, or 60% relative humidity at 80°F. Knowing this information will help you choose the best unit for your needs and ensure that you achieve optimal results. Read more about how to choose the right size dehumidifier below our product comparison chart.

This Santa Fe dehumidifier is our top-rated unit for large basements that are plagued by excess humidity. Efficient and economical, this unit can remove 100 pints of moisture per day (under AHAM conditions) for the same operating cost as a standard residential dehumidifier. It can be run as a standalone appliance or integrated into existing ductwork to treat multiple rooms. Covers up to 2,500 sq. ft.

This compact crawl space dehumidifier (Model #4029900) fits into tight spaces where no other dehumidifier can. Extremely powerful and efficient, this unit will tackle excess humidity and curb mold growth in even the harshest conditions. The unit removes 65 pints of water per day under AHAM conditions and services medium-sized basements and crawl spaces sized up to 1,600 sq. ft. Low-temperature operation, superior air filtration, and a variety of optional accessories provide complete flexibility.

Ideal for residential dehumidification, the DeLonghi DE650P Dehumidifier offers a 65-pint capacity, low temperature operation, and an efficient Energy Star rating. The unit also includes a patented condensate pump system that automatically removes moisture from the water collection tank. You’ll never have to empty a water tank again!

This ultra-efficient Energy Star dehumidifier removes 70 pints of moisture each day from medium to large residential spaces. Top features include automatic humidity adjustment, two fan speeds, a programmable timer, electronic controls, flexible drainage options, and much more. Because of its valuable energy-saving and convenience-boosting features, the DDR7009REE model has been highly reviewed by a leading online consumer reporting firm.

This high-capacity, 65-pint dehumidifier can combat your toughest moisture problems in medium- to large-sized spaces. The unit has an abundance of capabilities, including low-temperature operation, automatic restart and shut-off, a humidistat, and digital controls. It dehumidifies in temperatures to 41 degrees F.

For more information on dehumidifier comparisons, check out the people at Sylvane

If the caulk around your bathtub is growing mold, it’s a good sign that it’s time to put in new caulk. Learn DIY home repair tips on how to caulk around your bathtub, shower and bathroom sink in this free online home improvement video.

Expert: Greg Lim
Bio: Greg Lim is a professional handyman and residential property manager. In the seven years hes been a contractor, he has fully renovated two houses

Your carpet and rugs. You walk on it, play on it, drop things on it…you might even sleep on it. But while you’re down there, consider this: a neglected carpet can contain up to four times its own weight in dirt.

More than 90% of the germs, dirt, pollen, or other toxins in your home were tracked in on your shoes. That doesn’t even include flakes of dead skin, on which dust mites can thrive all year round, potentially giving you allergies, asthma, or emphysema. And vacuuming won’t do the trick.

Your rugs and carpets should be deep cleaned at least once every 12-18 months. Every rug or carpet requires unique care, but just remember these basics:

Don’t believe it.

It’s a myth that washing rugs and carpets, especially woolen ones, ruins or shrinks them. In fact, when properly cleaned, colors should be more vivid, no shrinkage should occur, and your carpet should last longer.

Invest in the future.

If your carpet is light-colored, or you have kids and pets, it might be worth your while to invest in a carpet-cleaning system for your home. While not as powerful as those of professional carpet cleaners, they do the trick nicely and keep stains to a minimum.

Obey your carpet.

Carefully read the instructions from the manufacturer as to how to properly clean your carpet or rug. Otherwise, you may nullify your warranty.

Redistribute the weight.

Moving your furniture around once a year gives carpet’s heavy-traffic areas a rest and ensures consistent aging.

Hire a Pro.

A professional carpet cleaner often cleans more quickly and with less hassle. Insist that any professional carpet cleaning company send a rep to your home first, to scout the location and provide a written estimate. The Carpet & Rug Institute says “under normal circumstances, there should be no extra charge for moving furniture, preconditioning, and routine spot and stain removal.”

Your rugs and carpets take care of you. Take proper care of them, and your relationship is sure to last longer.

Home Improvement Ideas

A good example of the glass vanity is the Solace.

The solace features sturdy chrome construction and, as with most modern vanities, features a very sparse look. But just because it is simple, do not assume that it is unattractive. In fact, the simplicity of the Solace’s design is one of its more endearing qualities.

The countertop is glass, and it supports a glass countertop vessel sink and a towel rack. The glass is available in four colors: amber, blue, frosted (a sort of light blue), and grey.    The Solace has one shelf beneath the countertop for storage, so if you are a serious organizer by nature, this may not be the vanity for you. The shelf should give you plenty of room to organize your toiletries and hygienic products, but the fact that these are clearly visible (as the Solace does not have cabinet doors) may be a bit deterring for some designers and homeowners.   The shelf is approximately 30” wide, as opposed to the countertop which is 35” wide. The entire vanity stands at about 20” in height, though this may change depending on the faucet you choose to install. It should be noted that the Solace and the faucet are sold separately, which is an important budget consideration.   The Solace is a relatively affordable vanity though, with a price tag of about $650.

FRESHOME

There are additional types of vanities and counters that you may use.  The whole point of replacing such an item would be to create beauty and value for the people living there and/or the ones that might be interested in buying your home and for them the bathroom is very important.

On the other hand, there are a few differences between these two stones that you should seriously consider before choosing between them. Rather than making this decision for you, why don’t we let the facts speak for themselves.

The Pros and Cons of Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock -  the basic ingredient can be found everywhere from limestone to baking soda, from calcium carbonate to lime (white wash). The basic ingredient goes by many other names depending on its application and its form. Limestone, a sedimentary form of calcium, which is found naturally in the earth, undergoes intense heat and pressure within the earth to be formed into what we know as marble.

This rock can also be exposed to heat and grinding to become a filler ingredient for medications, writing paper, plaster of Paris, lime (white wash), and cement hardener. This means that marble, although beautiful and durable, is porous and very easily destroyed by any type of acid, heat, or water. Even with a seal coating applied religiously every year, no types of chemicals may be used to wash the countertops made from it. It cannot take much abuse from water, acids such as lemon or orange juice, or high heat from pans. These will all destroy the seal coating and the marble beneath.

Since marble is so porous, it is also easily stained. One single scratch can allow liquids or even oxidation from the air to leak under the seal coating and stain the marble. This doesn’t mean that it should not be used. Marble is ideal for use in low traffic areas or for sculpting amazing art out of. But for the high traffic use of a kitchen countertop, a floor, or a bathroom countertop, marble just means high maintenance.

The Pros and Cons of Granite

Granite is also a metamorphic rock – it’s a composite of quartz, silicon, feldspar, mica, and several other minerals. It too is formed under high pressure and heat. It is also just as beautiful. It is not as porous as marble and is resistant to chemicals and acids. The presence of quartz in granite provides the granite with a durability and hardness unlike that of soft marble.

Granite is more stain resistant and wear resistant than marble. While it is not perfect, granite holds up far better in high traffic uses such as counter tops and flooring. With a proper seal coating on granite and with proper care, granite will last for many years without scratching, staining, chipping, or wearing away. If properly cared for, granite may not need to be resealed every year.

Granite can also be quarried locally. This means that, unlike marble, granite will not have to be shipped from South America or Europe. Granite can be quarried in Arizona, New Mexico, and some northern states. Granite is also easier to ship. Even if the granite you select comes from South Africa, China, Asia, or Europe, there is more granite available. This means it’s easier to obtain and less expensive to use.

Ultimately It’s Up To You

Whether you choose granite or marble is up to you. When asked which one is better for the high traffic use of countertops, the answer should be clear, granite will simply hold up better. When properly cared for under normal conditions, granite is easier to care for and is resistant to staining, chemicals, heat, and fracturing.

Granite is available in more colors and patterns and can be custom ordered for less than marble.

EZINE Articles

Door knobs can be found made out of all kinds of material; iron, steel, wood, glass, crystal, aluminum, nickel, and so forth.  Below are some of the most beautiful door knobs we could find.  Enjoy!

This crystal door knob is produced by a company in New York.  Not only is it made out of crystal, but it also glows when touched.  They have these in almost any color you can imagine.  If you’d like to look at more of these, visit Crystal Touch NY for more information.

A beautiful wooden knob.

Our ornately carved ebony door knob with swirl design and chrome trim is understated and elegant.  These are distributed by a company in England – visit Graham and Green to see more.