by admin on December 10, 2009
The National Board of Realtors recently supported a study that found that adding a fireplace increase the value of a home as much as 12%. A whopping 60% of all new single home construction includes at least one fireplace. Fireplaces are definitely on the “want” list of home shoppers.
As with all home remodel projects, taking the time to plan and learn about options is important when building fireplace. Think about what is most important to you in a fireplace, the look, the size, efficiency and economy, or heat output? Carefully research your community’s building and environmental regulations as well as the location factors within your home.
The most common choice is still the traditional wood burning fireplace, but if economy is important to you this may not be your best selection. About 90 percent of the heat generated in these hearths goes right up the chimney. It is possible to revamp this type of fireplace with a factory built insert that recirculates the air and has glass doors. Vents draw in the cold air, warm it up and then push it back out into the room.
Gas fireplaces are another popular option and don’t require the manual labor and clean up that a wood burning fireplace does. Many come with switches or even remote controls to turn them off and on. These hearths also can be put in almost any room in the house as long as they are directly vented.
by admin on December 9, 2009
Blueprint. A traditional shed is rectangular. However, if you are contemplating putting together a shed with a mixed purpose, you may wish one of the zones inside to be smaller, and as such want more of an ‘L’ shaped design. The more complex the layout, the greater the challenge.
Ingredients. As the shed will be outside, the materials necessary to make it should be tough and treated with a suitable chemical to prevent damp. You do not have to buy pricey wood; if you have kept some off-cuts from a previous woodworking project, use that.
Apparatus. Ensure you have apt tools for the task. If you do not possess all the necessary tools, ask around your friends to see if you can borrow theirs. It goes without saying, hiring the tools is less money than buying them, however think about whether you will do any similar projects in the future and if you could sell the tools after you have finished using them.
Point. You should possess a good plan of the purpose of the shed. This will have an impact on many aspects of its design. E.g., a shed made to store garden tools will have varying considerations from a shed built as a home office. It’s ok to have a mixed purpose shed, but ensure you know what part of the structure will be for every purpose, because you’ll need this information when you calculate how many materials you require.
Laws. You will need to make sure that your proposed construction fulfils all necessary local rules and regulations. A few governing bodies ask that you have prior formal written approval to put together the shed. Elements which are taken into account would be the square footage (smaller footage plans are approved more frequently than larger sheds), how close the shed is to your home and the houses of others (sheds away from houses appear to be more readily permitted) and if the shed is taking the place of a shed which is already there or is brand new (usually, if a permit is necessary, where the new shed replaces the old, it is more simple). Most states offer guidelines about how to build a shed which go over the necessary requirements.
Placement. If your shed is built from wood, a position further away from water would be a great idea. This does not mean under a cover, but on ground which is higher to keep away from the possibility of flooding. In addition, it is better to locate the shed on ground which is firm rather than soft.
Support. The number of support necessary depends on the ground’s firmness and the shed’s weight. A larger shed will require larger foundations, as will a shed which looks after larger items. Where you are thinking about parking a car in your shed, a concrete foundation will be essential.
Coverage. There are heaps roof designs available. Take some time to take into account whether the shed’s design should mirror your home. If you determine this is required, matching the roofs is an easy method of achieving continuity. Knowing how to build a shed roof can be hard, however there are heaps of guides online.
Sides. Typically, you will require four walls of equal sizes. Nevertheless, this is dependant on the dimensions of your structure. You will need to consider the number of access points you want through the walls. Most sheds have just one door. In spite of this, perhaps it would be a good idea to have one normal-proportioned door for access and a bigger access panel to make lumbering equipment in and out easier. This is obviously motivated by the purpose you intend to put your shed to.
