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Posts Tagged ‘motion detectors’

  1. Handy Tips For Your Home Improvement Project

    January 26, 2021 by Thomas Herr

    There are many benefits to doing home improvements on your own, including the money you will save, as well as the ability to design your home to your specifications. There is a lot to consider when making home improvements yourself though, so consider these helpful tips.

    Always personalize your goals when it comes to home improvement. While this is a good idea, you should also make sure that each improvement is practical.

    TIP! Roofs can get little leaks in them at any time, so using some 3 inch aluminum tape can help you to patch them up quickly and very effectively. Take the paper from the back of the tape and stick it on a clean place.

    Use these two steps to make your ceiling look higher. Paint stripes in the room or add a floor lamp that is tall. This will give something for the eye to marvel at. Your ceilings will look higher and your rooms will look bigger.

    For an affordable way make your bathrooms look better, try purchasing metal fixtures. You can find shower curtain rods, cabinet knobs and towel racks in a lot of different styles. You can find complete, coordinating packages of these items in many home improvements stores.

    Downspouts, gutters and chimneys often do not get the attention they deserve in an annual maintenance schedule. It is essential to make repairs if necessary. If your chimney is not cleaned regularly it may catch fire, and downspouts and gutters may become obstructed with debris, this can result in water damage when not addressed.

    TIP! Lampshades with simple designs give no life to the room. By using stencils, creativity, and paint, you will be able to transform your boring lampshade into a masterpiece.

    Padding sharp corners of furniture is a small improvement you can make that is especially important if you have young children. You can choose to purchase corner protectors from your local store, or use foam tape to lessen the effects of sharp edges on your furniture. Another thing that you should do is tape down loose wiring that can strangle your child.

    Motion Detectors

    Put in motion detectors around the front door of your residence. Since the light won’t be on constantly, your energy bill will be lower. A secondary benefit to installing the motion detectors is that they may deter thieves. Should someone break into your home, the lights will automatically come on and alert neighbors to their presence.

    TIP! Paint is a simple way to renovate a room. Freshly painted rooms feel crisp and new with very little investment of money or time.

    Add new handles and knobs to your cabinets in your kitchen. Cabinet knobs are easy to install and they do wonders in sprucing up a tired looking kitchen. After you have removed the dated hardware, use that time to thoroughly clean the surfaces of your cabinetry and drawers. Then add your new knobs, your home should look great after this.

    These tips will aid you in becoming a master when it comes to home improvement projects. The more you know, the more likely you will be to end up with a living area that lives up to your expectations of style, function and value. Your home improvement project will go smoothly if you utilize the techniques shown in this article.


  2. Do You Already Own Your Dream Home?

    October 1, 2020 by Thomas Herr

    If you own a home, you are sure to have some interest in home improvement. Everyone has a drive to make their home a better place to live, but actually picking up the tools and doing it can seem frightening at first. The information in this article will help you gain the knowledge needed to take on some basic home improvement projects.

    When you’re doing work on your roof, three-inch aluminum tape can help you deal with any minor cracks that you find in the roofing surface. Clean the surface, then separate the tape from its paper backing. Apply it carefully over the cracks. Your cracks will then be waterproof.

    TIP! Stained wood baseboards are more appealing than painted ones. Not only are stained baseboards more classic, the warm wood tones complement any decor.

    Most lampshades are actually quite boring. Brighten up the room by making your own personal designs on your lamp shades and adding a bit of color. This will add a personal touch, making the room reflect your personality. This can take a boring room and make it more exciting.

    Sealant Strips

    To keep heated or cooled air from leaking around your windows and doors, install sealant strips and draft excluders. You put draft stoppers under the door to keep air from getting in or out. Sealant strips fit around door frames and do the same function. You can find them at many hardware stores.

    TIP! Organize your garage using some clear boxes made of plastic and arranging your items by type and use. Label the boxes and stack them.

    Add exhaust fans in your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen. By getting rid of moist air, you can limit the opportunity for mold to grow in the house. Not only does it do that, it also doesn’t allow condensation to become trapped within walls and that keeps them from rotting.

    Glass jars like baby food jars make great organizers in your workspace. Glue the screw tops underneath some shelving. You can add little things that you use regularly to the jars, like nails or beads. You can then put the jars under your shelf. This helps take full advantage of a wall shelf and small jars you didn’t think you would ever need.

    Motion detectors should be installed near the entrance to your home. It will turn on your lights only when someone is there, reducing your electricity costs. You can use motion detectors to prevent thieves from breaking into your home.

    TIP! Be creative when it comes to choosing a coffee table. You can use an old chest as a coffee table, for instance.

    Water resistant drywall should be used in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent moisture from getting into the walls. Water resistant wall board, also referred to as “green board” to contractors, is better able to withstand wetness and humidity. Additionally, the material is treated with a special chemical that can inhibit the growth of mold, a common household allergen and toxin.

    If you live in a rural area, think about installing a tall fence around your yard. Doing this will keep wild animals, including coyotes, rabbits and skunks, from entering the yard. This is especially important if you intend to have a garden in your yard.

    You should now understand that not all home improvements are for professionals. As you proceed through a project, you’re improving your home and getting practice for other projects you can do in the future. If you keep the tips you just learned in mind, you will have the knowledge you need to complete all the home improvement projects you can handle.


  3. Home Renovations – Tips To Create Your Own Oasis

    January 2, 2020 by Thomas Herr

    Many people feel overwhelmed or even intimidated at the idea of beginning a home improvement renovation or project. With a few tools and the right information, you can successfully complete almost any project. Use the information in this article to tackle that home improvement project that you have been considering.

    When creating a home renovation, you should consider both the investment value and the intrinsic value of your proposed improvement. Highly customized projects may not be a potential buyer’s taste and may even detract from your home’s value.

    TIP! Before you buy your home, have a licensed professional do a thorough home inspection. It is always good to have a professional and neutral opinion on the home you are interested in buying.

    Add weather stripping to doors and windows to give your home’s energy efficiency a big boost. This is an inexpensive material purchased at the home improvement store, and seals out exterior cold and hot air to stabilize inner temperatures so that your heater and cooling systems do not need to work as hard. You will notice the difference on chilly nights.

    Installing Paneling

    Prior to installing paneling, paint stripes on the old wall. Regardless of the care you take when installing paneling, the old wall can sometimes be seen showing through the paneling. To avoid this put up the paneling and measure where it meets. Paint the walls at these joins with a color that matches your paneling.

    TIP! Improve the look of your home by adding an unusual addition. Putting in a wine cellar with built-in shelving can work wonders.

    If you seal any openings and cracks in your home, you will be able to keep vermin out and heat and cool in. Caulk the baseboards, areas around windows and any other areas that require it. Once the caulk is dry, air will be sealed in, and bugs will be sealed out.

    Upon selling a home, every part of the home should have a clearly defined purpose. A family room should have appropriate furniture and accessories, as should an office. Buyers can then picture themselves living in the home more easily. Well defined spaces make a house more attractive and set it up to sell faster.

    Motion Detectors

    TIP! Do some research on your own if you can’t pay a designer. The Internet, library, home improvement store and bookstores are great tools for increasing your knowledge.

    Make a point of installing motion detectors on your porch or entrance to your house. You can lower your electric bill by using the lights only when necessary. Motion detectors can detect thieves as their lights turn on due to their presence.

    Do not assume you cannot complete any project without a contractor to help you. If you take the information that was in this article, you will likely be able to tackle at least some of the projects, without any help at all.


  4. Home Improvement 101 – Read This Before Beginning

    June 16, 2019 by Thomas Herr

    Doing home improvement projects can be very rewarding, because they boost your confidence and pride in your home and increase the value. Home improvement isn’t a field where expertise comes naturally, though; it’s perfectly reasonable for a newcomer to require a little guidance. You may want to know how you can gather the information you need to make it simpler. First, you can simply digest the tips that follow.

    The commercially available shades for your lamp tend to be mundane and lack creativity. Use some basic stencils and paint to give your boring lamp shade something extra. Doing this will add personality to your room and take away from your boring lampshades.

    TIP! It’s expensive to refurnish a home. Look at yard sales and thrift stores for furniture to update the look of your home.

    Use a sponge to help install drywall. By sponging your drywall, you avoid the dust of sanding. After you practice a little, you can get good at smoothing the seams with a sponge just as easily as with a sander. One advantage to sponging is no dust is created as happens when you use sand paper.

    Be sure to protect your flooring when you paint. Don’t let wet paint stain your carpeting or flooring. Layering newspapers in one inexpensive option. Drop cloths and plastic sheeting are also available to protect your floors from paint drips.

    When doing any projects that are near or involve a gas line, it is imperative that you shut the line down before beginning. It is also important to exercise extreme care in these circumstances. Safety is the number one priority in these situations and you don’t want anything bad to happen.

    TIP! Before starting your renovation, make sure that you have a well-designed plan in place. When you plan things out, you ensure that you stick to a budget and get everything done properly.

    A way to stop bugs from getting into your home, and saving money while you’re at it, is to simply seal openings or cracks. Apply the caulk around windows, baseboards and doorways to seal any cracks. After your caulk is dry, the bugs will not be able to get in as easy, and your air will stay in better.

    Motion Detectors

    Install some motion detectors in the entrance of your house. When the lights turn on only when needed, instead of staying on, your electricity bill will be lower. Motion detectors can also be a detractor to thieves, as the lights will turn on in their presence and alert others that they are there.

    TIP! Prior to tackling a major home improvement project by yourself, it might be wise to solicit a professional opinion. A little information from a professional can be a great help, especially if it keeps you from wasting valuable money and time.

    Never forget the value in owning high quality doors. Guests will see your door both coming and going. A door that is not properly fitted or insulated can bleed a lot of heat in or out of your home. A quality lock and a secure door frame can increase your security and help you feel safe in your home.

    Now you can see how home improvements can be enjoyable and fun to do to your home. Armed with the right tools and information, anyone can enjoy tackling an exciting project in their home. If you keep these hints in mind, do it yourself projects can become your new passion.


  5. Tips To Follow When Planning A Home Improvement Project

    May 12, 2019 by Thomas Herr

    So you’ve found this article. Are you really committed to making a change and sprucing up your home? Well, there is no better time than the present. If you’re serious about starting on a new home improvement project, this article will help you to prepare yourself and set the stage for success. The following article will illustrate techniques to aid in your home improvement project.

    When choosing home improvements, balance your need for personalized touches versus the boost to your home value. When your changes are very personal, others may not appreciate them.

    TIP! If you are considering a renovation on your home that adds a personalized aspect, think about the value and return that the investment will make. Buyers may not want to invest their money in your home if it is too individualized.

    It’s expensive to refurnish a home. Garage sales and thrift stores can add a new flare to your room! Sometimes you can find some great treasures in the used items in these stores. You may have to clean them up a bit, but it’s worth the time you take.

    An over-the-range microwave is a great way to save space in an already cramped kitchen. Installed in place of your stove’s range hood, these microwaves come in many different prices and feature configurations. A lot of units use a filter and not a vent; these are meant for those who do not need a lot of ventilation.

    Tile can get worn down and begin to look old. A mixture of vinegar and water will safely clean most floors. This will help mop your floors effectively. This will get rid of the grime and dirt, making your floors look gleaming and new.

    TIP! Without much decoration and personality, simple lamp shades are sometimes very boring. You could easily create an original lamp sage with some acrylic paint and some stencils.

    Do not buy furniture that is upholstered with strong patterns. If you choose a love seat with an elaborate floral print pattern, you just decided on your home decor in advance. Choose solid tones for your furniture such as blue, brown, green, beige or black and choose your accessories carefully. Pattern can be introduced through pillows, throws and other items.

    A wood fireplace is not the best way to heat your home. While aesthetically pleasing, they are not overly efficient. In addition to this, the fire requires plenty of fresh air, which will be provided from within your house, essentially eating up much of the oxygen inside your home.

    Motion Detectors

    TIP! Think about using stain instead of paint on your baseboards for your next home improvement. Warm, natural wood brings classic style to any decor.

    Put in motion detectors around the front door of your residence. Your electricity bill will come out lower when your lights are activated only when needed. Motion detectors can also be a detractor to thieves, as the lights will turn on in their presence and alert others that they are there.

    After reading this article, you should be better prepared to tackle a home improvement project. After reading this article, include the information that you learned in your next home improvement project. It is our sincere hope that these tips have given you the basis for a strong start on your home improvement plans and a happy and successful completion.


  6. Home Improvement Does Not Have To Be Hard

    February 24, 2019 by Thomas Herr

    You naturally want your home to look good. If you educate yourself on the subject of home improvement, you’ll be in a position to make a positive change in the quality of your living space and the value of your home. Start with this article and grow from there.

    Keep an eye out for deals on carpet installation offered by national chains. Often, they will reduce the cost of installation to extremely low levels to help sell the actual carpet. When you see this type of sale, it’s time to have that new carpeting put in your home since full-priced installation can cost more than the carpet itself.

    TIP! If you can, put in actual wood flooring rather than laminate. Laminate floors may look like real wood and be easier to clean, however they cannot be refinished.

    If you are looking to reduce you energy costs, you could change your lighting system to operate on motion sensors. Depending on the brand you choose, you may be able to decide on the sensitivity and lighting time frames.

    Apply striping to the walls prior to doing a paneling installation. No matter how careful you are when installing paneling, the old wall still peeks through. To help camouflage this effect and keep this from being distracting, measure out where each panel will meet before your installation. Paint wall strips with a color that is going to match the paneling color.

    Punch holes in the paint can rim with a nail. The rim tends to fill up with paint, which will leak over the can and onto the floor when the lid is replaced. Creating holes on the rim of a can of paint will reduce spillage of paint when you replace the lid by creating places where the small amounts of excess paint can drain into.

    TIP! Changing your air filters is really essential. This makes your air better to breathe, but it also helps out your air conditioner and heating system too.

    Without spending too much money, you can make freshen the appearance of kitchen appliances. Stainless steel may be popular, but why trash your refrigerator that is still working because it is not a “cool” color? You can buy spray paint for your appliances in any color that you like. You can make your room look better immediately.

    You can use empty 2-liter soda bottles for storage containers. They are transparent and will protect nearly anything, such as dry goods like sugar, flour, and corn meal. You can keep them in the freezer, on your shelf or in the refrigerator. When you need something all you need to do is take the lid off and pour.

    Motion Detectors

    TIP! You can freshen up the look of any room by changing the flooring. Many contractors can install new flooring in a day.

    Make a point of installing motion detectors on your porch or entrance to your house. It will turn on your lights only when someone is there, reducing your electricity costs. A secondary benefit to installing the motion detectors is that they may deter thieves. Should someone break into your home, the lights will automatically come on and alert neighbors to their presence.

    Make sure you accentuate your home’s selling points. Don’t block any spectacular views or hide any elegant fixtures. Whatever you wish to do, you really have to show off the main selling points. Doing those extra things will allow a buyer to see your home’s full potential and make it more desirable to buyers.

    Now you can follow through and accomplish some of the excellent ideas presented here. Take notes, prepare your supplies, and get ready to start! The results will make the hard work worth the effort.


  7. Simplify Home Improvement With These Great Tips

    October 31, 2016 by Thomas Herr

    Home improvement can have a big impact on your home. That can cover your outdoor structures and landscaping too. This article is chock full of tips you can use to help you make your home look like a dream.

    Keep an eye on the major home improvement chain stores and wait for a carpet sale that includes discounted installation. These kinds of stores like to boost carpet sales by offering significant savings on the installation costs. It is the best time to invest in new flooring for your home because the cost of installation can be more than the materials themselves.

    Aluminum Tape

    If you need to patch some small cracks in your roof, a roll of three-inch wide aluminum tape can take care of the job. Aluminum tape requires application to a surface that is clean once you’ve removed the backing. This will help cover those cracks and keep water out.

    When replacing a lock in your home, you have the choice of removing the whole assembly, or just the cylinder. If you don’t know, the piece that actually locks the door is the cylinder. If you have lost your house key, you can change the cylinder without having to change whole lock. If you want to install an upgrade, then revamp the entire unit.

    Motion Detectors

    Make a point of installing motion detectors on your porch or entrance to your house. You can lower your electric bill by using the lights only when necessary. A lighting system that uses motion detectors to illuminate the exterior of your home can be a useful theft-deterrent.

    To give your house more curb appeal, you can try to paint the doors for your garage. Most garage doors look worn out because of constant exposure to the elements. A new coat of paint will change the look of your home. Rather than choosing a predictable color, try an eye-catching hue for the garage door.

    TIP! When considering home improvement projects, choose one room to tackle first. If you improve your rooms one-by-one, you can better manage your budget and your time.

    Prior to starting an interior painting project, be sure and run a damp cloth on all walls and baseboards to get rid of dirt, grime and dust. The paint will better adhere to the cleaned wall, helping you steer clear of splotches and multiple coats.

    Now that you know what home improvement is, you will know how to go about it. No matter what sort of home improvement project you choose, we hope you’ll have a great deal of fun with it. By improving the appearance of your home, it will be more pleasant to come home at the end of the day.


  8. Home Improvement And You: Tips For A Better Home

    October 6, 2016 by Thomas Herr

    No matter if you want to sell your house or are going to stay, you should always want to make it better. The simplest home improvement projects will increase the value of your home. This article goes into the different techniques used to upgrade your home.

    When choosing home improvements, balance your need for personalized touches versus the boost to your home value. When your changes are very personal, others may not appreciate them.

    TIP! Fix bubbling vinyl flooring with a slit and a shot. Simply cut a small slit in the bubble to release the air pocket.

    Repainting the porch may be necessary in your home improvement efforts. It is important that you do not scrimp on quality when purchasing this exterior paint. Choose a paint similar to the old one; do not apply an oil-based paint over a water based-one or the other way around. Oil paints work work well for trim because of its durability. However, oil-based paints are slick and slippery, so they are not good for walking areas.

    To stop squeaks, use construction adhesive. You will need to work out of your basement or a crawlspace, but it would be worth the effort. You just need to run a bead of glue down the floor joist seams to help secure the sub-flooring.

    Luggage Rack

    TIP! Spackle and paint can repair wall holes made by paintings. First, go to a home improvement center and buy spackle.

    If you’d like to re-purpose a luggage rack, try transforming it into a side table! Using photo frame glass, make a top for the used luggage rack by attaching it with sturdy adhesive. Place a lamp and some magazines on top of it, and you have a beautiful, usable new side table.

    Install a lighting system that is enabled by motion detectors. You can save on your electric bill since the lights only turn on when you need them. You can take your home’s safety up a notch by installing motion detectors that cause lights to turn on when a thief is present.

    If you want to paint your house, use no-VOC paints. No-Voc paints are free of harmful chemicals: this is better for the environment and for your health. These paints are a little more expensive than other products, but you will be satisfied with them.

    TIP! Don’t dispose of bedroom doors simply due to a dirty appearance. Instead, remove them from their frame and sand them down.

    Never lose sight of how important good home improvements can be. A simple weekend of projects can change your home’s appearance. Use the ideas you have encountered here to make some excellent home improvements. Choose a project and begin today!


  9. Awesome Ideas For Your Next Home Improvement Project

    August 26, 2016 by Thomas Herr

    Home improvement may be just as simple as a fresh coat of paint in a room or as hard as remodeling the home. Either way, these tips should help you avoid any unnecessary headaches and frustration.

    When doing exterior home improvements, consider your neighborhood. A Victorian house on a block that is otherwise full of saltbox cottages will stick out in a bad way. A home that blends into the neighborhood will be easier to sell if you should decide to move.

    TIP! Repainting a porch may be necessary. The paint you use should be high-quality and formulated for exterior use.

    Use a sponge on your drywall. Rather than sanding drywall seams, just sponge them. A wet sponge can be as effective as careful sanding when it comes to smoothing out seams. Sponging holds an advantage over sanding – no dust.

    Change your door hinge as a start to your home improvement projects. You can buy one at a hardware store. Just take it apart and mount it on the door frame. Then, just line up the hinge pieces and place in the pins.

    Solar Panels

    TIP! It is very important to change air filters. In addition to making your home’s air more healthy, it’s also helpful for air conditioning and heating units.

    Solar panels can improve your home. The upfront costs may be large, however, you should see that it’s a smart investment with the costs of electricity rising. Installing solar panels will lower your overall utility bills. It is the natural, planet-friendly way to power your home.

    Use a couple two-liter bottles for storage in your kitchen. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can keep them in a freezer, refrigerator, or on a shelf. You can pop off the cap and the contents will pour right out.

    If you want to free up the space on your tables and nightstands, try buying a floor lamp to replace your table lamps. Floor lamps can be moved to your desired location, while a table lamp uses table space. Select a lamp that complements your decor.

    Motion Detectors

    Put in motion detectors around the front door of your residence. You can save significantly on your electricity bills by only turning on lights when they are needed. You can take your home’s safety up a notch by installing motion detectors that cause lights to turn on when a thief is present.

    One thing you must do when tackling home improvement projects is allocating a specific budget. Your home will look better and stay trouble free if you actually spend a little on it each year. If the budget is not completely used up one year, put it towards a bigger project the following year.

    TIP! Be creative when it comes to choosing a coffee table. An old storage chest can actually be an attractive coffee table.

    Home improvement doesn’t have to be daunting and frustrating! You can make better decisions when you have the proper information. Some effort can take you far when it comes to home improvement, whether you or someone else is making the repairs.