CKD Interiors

December Issue of Dallas Home Improvement

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 06:43:00 +0000

Open publication - Free publishing - More bathrooms

CKD is Makeover of the Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:44:00 +0000

http://issuu.com/dallashomeimprovement/docs/dec2011?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage

We made the December issue!

CKD Interiors is proud to be a part of Dallas Home Improvement Magazine!

24 Hour Data Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:37:00 +0000

I just want to thank Pete and his team at 24 Hour Data for recovering my computer and allowing for business to run as usual. You guys are the best! Unlike some I do promote everyone that impresses me with their services.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:03:00 +0000

We made it to Groupon!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:03:00 +0000

$150 for Two Hours of Interior
Design Consultation and Sketches from CKD Interiors ($300 Value)

http://www.groupon.com/deals/ckd-interiors

Larger Demand for Green Materials

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:35:00 +0000

CKD Interiors has increasingly become more involved in the green movement as homeowners are catching on to a longtime trend of saving energy and our environment. One of the greatest gifts we've had lately is an interest in our green knowledge. Cathy and I have both studied LEED and have both worked on LEED projects. We take pride in trying to implement simple materials that can put a greener home on the map.

Take for instance this article.

Growing Demand

The Green-Building Industry Seeks Rapidly Renewable Materials

By:: Jeff Stephens

Green-building practices are transforming the built environment. New materials with recycled content or low-VOC levels are helping to incrementally reduce environmental impacts. But in this era of climate change, larger and more sustained change is needed. Product manufacturers must look beyond petroleum-based feedstocks to rapidly renewable or bio-based materials. Building products manufactured from rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo, cork, wheat straw, hemp and others, have tremendous potential to meet the industry’s demand for greener products—though it’s important to understand the full picture.

Kirei is an engineered panel product made from sorghum stalks that has been used for wall coverings, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural and interiordesign uses since 1995.

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Kirei USA

What Are Rapidly Renewable Materials?
Rapidly renewable materials have a regeneration rate of 10 years or less. Bamboo and cork are the two most widely known rapidly renewable materials, though building materials made from agricultural-waste byproducts, including wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse, or fiber crops, like kenaf and hemp, are becoming more common. As sunlight is generally the primary energy input, these products may be less energy-intensive to produce. However, energy used in processing and transportation from areas in which some of these products are grown, such as China and the Mediterranean, also must be considered.Rapidly renewable materials are recognized within the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system in the Materials and Resources Credit. Within the LEED framework, use of rapidly renewable materials is intended to “ … reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable material.” It is, however, important to acknowledge that because many products made from rapidly renewable materials are relatively new, their long-term performance characteristics may be less known.
Life-Cycle Effects and the Move to Bio-Based
There is a widely held assumption that rapidly renewable materials are beneficial and should be preferentially used in green buildings. USGBC’s Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group, or MR-TAG, contracted with Burlington, Vt.-based BuildingGreen, publishers of green-building information, and North Bermick, Maine-based Sylvatica, an environmental- and social-impact consulting firm, to determine whether there is environmental justification for a credit that rewards the use of rapidly renewable materials instead of longer-rotation bio-based materials, such as wood. The study found that rapidly renewable bio-based materials may not be any greener than long-rotation bio-based material. An information sheet titled “Dealing with Wood and Biobased Materials in the LEED Rating System” summarizes the research effort and is available on USGBC’s Web site at www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1423.
The study notes products derived from corn, soybeans, cotton and certain other products often carry significant environmental burdens across their life cycles from fertilizers, pesticides, energy use in farming and processing, and soil runoff. According to Michelle Moore, USGBC’s senior vice president for Policy and Public Affairs, any changes to the rapidly renewable credit will be influenced by how USGBC incorporates life-cycle analysis into LEED. A proposed LCA approach is expected to be released for public comment sometime in summer 2008.
Rapily Renewable Products
The range of rapidly renewable products is limited only by one’s imagination and the cost effectiveness of commercial production. Some rapidly renewable materials may capture multiple points in LEED; products made from agricultural waste may be produced within 500 miles (805 km) of a project and contain no added urea formaldehyde, which would earn credits MRc6, MRc5.1 and MRc5.2, and Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.4, respectively. The following are some rapidly renewable materials you may be considering for your next green-building project.
Cork
Cork is considered a rapidly renewable material because bark from the cork oak tree can be harvested every nine years. Because of its cellular structure, cork works well for flooring; it provides acoustic and thermal insulation and is a resilient building material that is less affected by impact and friction.

Kirei is an engineered panel product made from sorghum stalks that has been used for wall coverings, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural and interiordesign uses since 1995.

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Kirei USA

Grown principally in the Mediterranean, a cork oak tree must be at least 25 years old before the bark is harvested for the first time. Cork must continue to develop until the third harvest to achieve wine-stopper quality. Cork building materials typically are made from wine-stopper scraps. On average, each cork oak tree is harvested 15 to 18 times in its lifetime with the largest trees yielding up to 1 ton (0.9 metric ton) of cork per harvest.According to the Gland, Switzerland-based World Wildlife Fund International, cork production provides a vital source of income for thousands of people and supports one of the world’s highest levels of biodiversity among forest habitats with plant diversity reaching as high as 135 species per square meter. In an ironic twist, the increased market share for alternative wine stoppers could reduce the value of cork oak, leading the areas in which cork is grown to be converted or abandoned. It also may contribute to the end of the cork ecosystem.
WWF International and the Bonn, Germany-based Forest Stewardship Council have established programs to promote and encourage responsible cork use to save this natural resource. For more information, visit www.panda.org and www.fsc.org.
Agricultural Byproducts
Waste byproducts of several agricultural commodities, such as wheat, sugarcane and sorghum, have great potential for rapidly renewable building products.
Life-cycle analysis of wheat board by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md., demonstrated new wheat-board products actually have a positive impact on the environment. Carbon sequestered during the raw-materials stage of wheat board’s life cycle far outweighs the carbon released during manufacture and transportation of the product combined. Wheat board rated the best for overall environmental impact across 230 products evaluated by NIST.

Because of its cellular structure, cork works well for flooring because it provides acoustic and thermal insulation, and is a resilient building material that is less affected by impact and friction.

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Ceres & Toli International

Worldwide, more than 1 billion tons (907 million metric tons) of sugarcane was grown in 2005 with the U.S. producing 25 million tons (23 million metric tons). Bagasse, the crushed cane fibers resulting from milling, can be used for agri-fiber board. In the late 1990s, Seminole, Fla.-based Acadia Board Co. tried and failed to produce commercially viable bagasse board under the tradename Duracane. A study conducted in 2003 by Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, demonstrated anefficient way of transforming bagasse into high-quality industrial panel products but concluded that successful commercialization depended on cost-effective manufacturing.Kirei is an engineered panel product made from sorghum stalks, an edible grass grown around the world. After harvesting the grain for food, the stalks are compressed, washed and woven into sheets. These sheets are then stacked and heat-pressed with a formaldehyde-free adhesive to create blocks, which are cut to the desired size. Kirei has been used for wall coverings, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural and interior-design uses since 1995.
Kenaf and Hemp
Kenaf is a warm-season annual fiber crop harvested for its stalks. It has adapted to most of the southern U.S. and parts of southwest California. Although known for its use in paper products, kenaf fiber also is used for engineered wood, insulation and clothing-grade cloth. Through its Biokenaf Project, the European Union is conducting extensive studies, including life-cycle impacts, of kenaf as a non-food crop.
Industrial hemp also is proving to be a practical, inexpensive, fire-resistant construction material. It is made by heating and compressing plant fibers to create strong construction paneling. Research conducted by Washington State University, Pullman, demonstrated the superior strength, flexibility and economy of hemp composite building materials compared to wood fiber.
The Suffolk Housing Society, Bury St Edmunds, England, undertook a unique project in early 2000, exploring the building potential of hemp. Four identical houses were built in Haverhill, Suffolk. Two houses used hemp mixed with hydraulic lime, a variety of slaked lime that makes mortar, as the principal material. The others were constructed of brick and block. Watford, England-based Building Research Establishment, a building consultancy, prepared a detailed evaluation of the hemp homes, examining structure and durability, thermal and acoustical performance, permeability, waste minimization and construction costs. The hemp homes were found to be as durable as those of traditional construction. The study concluded that while the hemp homes have less impact on the environment because the material is less energy intensive to produce and creates less waste, the homes cost about 10 percent more to build than brick-and-block houses. A full copy of the report can be found on BRE’s Web site at www.bre.co.uk/pdf/hemphomes.pdf.
MOVING FORWARD
Rapidly renewable and bio-based materials hold the opportunity to grow the next generation of building products. To ensure the best possible products move into mainstream production and use, building-product specifiers must understand these raw materials and their embodied energy, as well as how quickly the resources can be renewed. The BEES program established by NIST will help determine the best rapidly renewable products for the next generation of green-building projects.
Jeff Stephens is principal of Oakland, Calif.-based Planet Relations, a public-relations consultancy for Earth-minded businesses. He can be reached atjeff@planetrelations.comor (510) 663-4462.

RESOURCES
BEES, Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, D.C., www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/bees_USDA.html
CORK

American Cork Products Co., Houston, www.amcork.com
Amorim Flooring North America, Hanover, Md., www.wicanders.com
Cork Direct, Lithonia, Ga., www.corkdirect.com
Expanko Inc., Coatesville, Pa., www.expanko.com
Globus Cork, Bronx, N.Y., www.corkfloor.com
Jelinek Cork Group, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, www.jelinek.com
Portuguese Cork Association, Santa Maria de Lamas, Portugal, www.realcork.org
Solida Cork, Mississauga, Ontario, www.solidacork.com

AGRICULTURAL BYPRODUCTS

Agriboard Industries, Wichita, Kan., www.agriboard.com
Environ Biocomposites, Mankato, Minn., www.environbiocomposites.com (To read about wheat board’s positive rating as a building material by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, D.C., visit www.environbiocomposites.com/nistLetter.pdf.)
Kirei USA, San Diego, www.kireiusa.com

KENAF AND HEMP

BioKenaf, www.cres.gr/biokenaf
Hemp Lime Construction Products Association, Aldershot, England, www.hemplime.org.uk
Kenaf Eco Fibers Italy, Guastalla, www.kenaf-fiber.com
Kenaf Green Industries, www.kenafibers.com
Suffolk Housing Society, Bury St Edmunds, England, www.suffolkhousing.org

Tis the Season?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:13:00 +0000

Well it's February again, the season of love and black history month. It's also that time that the weather turns ugly and decides to beat our homes into submission. While we are picking up and recovering from the christmas season we tend to notice the things that need finished around the house. Some of these small repairs are necessary to keep your home energy efficient. At least once every 2 years you should do a blower test on your home to catch any air leaks that are occurring around your doors and windows. This is the leading cost of high energy bills. The other side effect is utilizing more of our precious resources. Simple fixes such as replacing window seals and resealing your door surround can make a huge difference.

Another quick way to check for leaks is to use soapy water on the window seals and door thresholds. The bubbles show where silicone seals have come loose. Just caulking around the edges can be a temporary fix until the weather is willing. In northern areas of the U.S. and North America caution should be taken in the warmer months because the cold weather can be harsh enough to prevent any repairs at that time. For more tips visit your favorite search site and type in home energy conservation.

Bathrooms: Planning for the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:46:00 +0000

Do you enjoy an elaborate bathroom with a spa tub and walk-in steam shower? Have you thought about how these might accommodate you in your later years? Assuming you are staying in your current home and won't be moving for a long time, your bathroom might need adjustments before you reach that age. I personally love ergonomics. Ergonomics are the studies of human interaction with the world around them and how we can adjust to fit our world to the people in it. For instance, one of my favorite ways to make a spa tub more accessible is to find a tub with a step and raise the tub on a platform ever so slightly as to accommodate a comfortable entry without slipping.
Another up and coming favorite of mine is the walk-in tub. Long to be thought of as geriatric and boring, you can really spice it up with a custom teak surround or stone work. Also you can switch out the plumbing fixtures for a truly unique feel.
Yet another item that is necessary is a grab bar. Not to name names but Moen does have an attractive grab bar that is almost pretty enough to be a decorative element. It serves a function but not everyone is ready for a grab bar. What? In my home? Never! You won't be saying this when you are in your 70's. For now placing the proper wall bracing and blocking inside your wall can prepare your bathroom for this vital step without installing the bar.
Other ways you can make your bathroom more comfortable would be varying height countertops to accommodate sitting and standing positions. I like to make one counter at least 36" in height if there is a couple in the home. Most of the time men enjoy a countertop that meets them on their level. Strategizing your cabinetry for varying levels of organization also helps keep the back aches away. A product I am longing for at the moment is the hot tool under-cabinet organizer. If you have not seen this product please Google it. The drawer consists of a hot tool pull out shelf that pulls out from the bottom cabinet and rises to meet the counter height. The container keeps all of the hot tools organized and is tough enough to take the heat if you know what I'm saying. Last but not least I'll give you one more tip. Make sure your tile work is 6x6 or smaller if you don't have a non-slip surface. The small tile will give you a better grip and better chances of staying out of the ER.

http://www.ckdinteriors.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kait_Downey

37f3d84d9aa64dadb0c5270b91bb8aa1

WBENC Parade of Stars

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Recently we attended the WBENC Parade of Stars Awards Banquet (cocktail hours). Cathy and I spent an hour hobbing and knobbing with some of the best Dallas leadership whom also happened to be women. The event was held in the hall of the Ritz Carlton here in Dallas last Thursday. We met many interesting people outside of our field and had some great food to boot. We'd like to give a shout out to those we met and we look forward to seeing them in our upcoming meetings.

Now that said, the WBENC has already sent us a lead for a project on the DFW airport. Granted this opportunity is outside of our expertise we are excited that the WBE has been so engaging. Please visit their site for more information on upcoming and events and how you can becoming a sustaining member as a business in our community.

http://www.wbenc.org/Opportunities/

Fun Fun for Fridays Food

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:48:00 +0000

There’s nothing like an escape to T.G.I. Friday’s^®for delicious food and fun to warm you up, so here’s a great offer you can come in and enjoy today … 20% OFF YOUR TABLE’S ENTIRE PURCHASE. Post it, tweet it or forward it! Offer ends January 27, 2011.

[If the above link doesn’t work, copy and paste this link, http://fridays.qrs1.net/greatdealsapp/15j4pe8k.html?CMP=30414, into your browser.]

WBE Certified

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:41:00 +0000

We are on our way! The meeting was great and went without any bumps. CKD is moving forward and seeking 8a qualifications to further our business interests in government and commercial work. We hope to improve our services to other firms as well by having these qualifications. If you don't know already, look up Women's Business Enterprise for more information. It's a great organization to belong to for networking.

Today is the Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:07:00 +0000

CKD is being interviewed to be a certified Woman Owned Business! We are super excited to be on this track and hope to share more news with you later.

Trading Week Outlook: January 17 - 21, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:37:00 +0000

Important information regarding the up and coming housing market. Unemployment, selling and buying are all connected so please read on for important information by Ilian Yotov.
In the week ahead, the U.S. housing reports coupled with inflation and economic growth data from China, will shed light on whether there is a recovery in the U.S. housing market and could confirm the expectations that the fastest-growing economy in the world may be slowing down.

In preparation for the new trading week, here is the outlook for the Top 10 spotlight economic events that will move the markets around the globe.

1. GBP- U.K. CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation preferred by the Bank of England, Tues., Jan. 18, 4:30 am, ET.

The U.K. inflationary pressures could remain stubbornly above the Bank of England’s 3.0% ceiling for another month with the consumer inflation gauge forecast to rise by 3.3% y/y in December from 3.3% y/y in November.

2. EUR- Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, a leading indicator of economic conditions and business expectations in the Euro-zone’s largest economy, Tues., Jan. 18, 5:00 am, ET.

The consensus forecasts are pointing to an increase in the ZEW index with a reading of 6.0 compared with 4.3 in the previous month.

3. CAD- Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement, Tues., Jan. 18, 9:00 am, ET.

Although the Bank of Canada is expected to keep rates on hold at this meeting, with the economy improving and commodity prices and inflationary pressures on the rise, it would be important to find out if policy makers feel that it might be prudent to soon resume the campaign of interest rate hikes, which started in 2010.

4. GBP- U.K. Jobless Claims and Unemployment Rate, the main gauges of employment trends and labor market conditions, Wed., Jan. 19, 4:30 am, ET.

The U.K. labor market could see a month of rising claims for unemployment benefits by up to 2,000 in December from -1,200 in November, while the unemployment rate stays unchanged at 7.9%.

5. USD- U.S. Housing Starts, a leading indicator of housing market activity measuring construction of new residential properties, Wed., Jan. 19, 8:30 am, ET.

Throughout last year, the U.S. housing data has been either weak or mixed, at best, and this report could have a similar outcome with the housing starts registering a slight decline to 554K in December from 555K in November.

6. NZD- New Zealand CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation, Wed., Jan. 19, 4:45 pm, ET.

New Zealand’s biggest trading partner, Australia, is dealing with terrible floods which could slow economic growth this quarter and may also have a negative impact on the economy of New Zealand. However, the Kiwi dollar could attract some bids on expectations for further RBNZ rate hikes to curb rising inflationary pressures, as the inflation gauge is forecast to double in Q4 2010 to 2.3% q/q from 1.1% in the previous quarter.

7. CNY- China CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation, and GDP- Gross Domestic Product, the main gauge of economic activity and growth, Wed., Jan. 19, 9:00 pm, ET.

The Chinese government’s attempts to cool things off in the world’s fastest-growing economy may have succeeded with inflationary pressures forecast to pull back to 4.7% in December from 5.1% in November and economic growth slowing to 9.4% q/y from a previous reading of 9.6% q/y.

8. USD- U.S. Jobless Claims, an important gauge of employment trends and labor market conditions, Thurs., Jan. 20, 8:30 am, ET.

After last week’s unexpected spike in the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits, the jobless claims could resume their trend of improvement from the last couple of months with a reading of 423K from 445K in the previous week. To indicate a significant decline in unemployment, economists estimate that jobless applications would need to fall to 375K or below.

9. USD- U.S. Existing Home Sales, the main gauge of the condition of the U.S. housing market measuring the number of closed sales of previously constructed homes, condominiums and co-ops, Thurs., Jan. 20, 10:00 am, ET.

This report could instill some optimism for future improvement in the U.S. housing market with sales of existing homes expected to increase to 4.83M in December from 4.63M in November.

10. EUR- Germany IFO Institute Business Climate and Expectations Index, a leading indicator of economic conditions and business expectations in the Euro-zone’s largest economy, Fri., Jan. 21, 4:00 am, ET.

Following a stronger ZEW sentiment survey, the German IFO index could confirm the positive outlook with a reading of 110.0 in December, compared with 109.9 in the previous month.

About the author: All Things Forex

Ilian Yotov is the creator of The Quarters Theory, FX Strategist and internationally published author of "The Quarters Theory: The Revolutionary New Foreign Currencies Trading Method". Ilian is one of the leading Forex educators in the world and has trained thousands of Forex traders... More

Website Rebuild

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:01:00 +0000

Rebuilding a website is tough. I give all the kudos to my brother for the first one. CKD Interiors is trying to update the site in a flash format to make our portfolio a bit more accessible to people. Bare with us as we are under construction. (Funny if you think about it.) Stay tuned!

Back from the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:32:00 +0000

We enter a new year with positive attitudes and good wishes for all! We wish you well and will update you on a few things about CKD Interiors.
We are updating our website so please stay tuned! Also we are offering specials for all referrals and new clients so please don't hestitate to contact us and we will give you all the latest information.

Remember to be safe while taking down your holiday decorations. The number one reason for accidents is the step ladder! Please take the time to utilize it correctly and follow all instructions.

That's all for now.

Kitchen Project in Richardson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:02:00 +0000

Just a few pictures from one of our kitchen projects. The last photo is a picture of the two project managers we worked with on a daily basis.

Slow Time in Design Land

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:03:00 +0000

Such a slow time for us! Holidays always bring a slow down but we are continuing to market ourselves and hope to launch our new website sometime after the new year. We will share more with you as we go and hope you will stay tuned to learn more about our business and us as individuals. Happy Holidays!

Trusted Professionals

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:45:00 +0000

By Kait Downey:

Many times CKD Interiors comes across a few housewives that are kept well and have great taste. These same individuals seem to think that their knowledge of interiors/staging/taste in general my be more expansive than our own. I am sad to say that this is a great disservice to themselves. Don't think of a designer as just an artist, they are a broker, a manager of sorts. The designer is there to organize and move tasks along quickly ensuring a safe and beautiful project. We come across individuals with great taste all of the time and believe me they are just as fun to work with as someone that has no idea what they want. People with their own opinion about their surroundings are creative in their own right but not qualified to work in the professional construction industry.

My questions to the public are this. Would you allow a self-proclaimed surgeon operate on you? Let's say he/she possesses the confidence and knowledge but you never actually see a degree or certification. Another example; allow your neighbor to write up and execute your will and manage your estate. Your neighbor seems very organized, why not?

If you make these comparisons you will understand my point. A decorator or anyone with decorative knowledge, taste, etc, is just that, a decorator. Designers are not decorators. Though they can provide the same services Interior Designer are qualified to take apart your walls, plumbing, and electrical and orchestrate all of this in an orderly manner. They are college educated and most likely state qualified. If they are not state qualified look at the number of years they interned in a professional office learning the construction and architecture part of the business.

So I leave you with that thought for today. I wish I could personally educate everyone on this subject matter, but alas, I cannot. Most individuals think I'm speaking myself up or trying to sell something when I start down the path of this conversation. People will find that I and other professionals in this trade do care about you and your home. We do not want a self-proclaimed quack coming in to tear up your hearth! So take that into consideration when you are looking at pricing and bidding your bath or kitchen. Shall you pay the handyman, neighbor, decorator, housewife, or hire the pro?

P.S. CKD Interiors adds 20 percent on all goods and labor in your project. You pay retail amounts and the 20 percent plus our hourly is how we are compensated. Trust me it's well worth it!

Ten Easy Ways to Save Energy This Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:23:00 +0000

Ten Easy Ways to Save Energy This Winter

By Elle MacKenna

Winter is a great time of year but brings with it increased costs of homeownership. Cold winds, winter snows, less sunlight all present challenges to keeping warm. But there are easy ways to help ease the cost of heating your home and keeping it running throughout the winter months.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Typical buildings usually heat with fuel-fired appliances. Just like any other operating system start up and shut down require a lot of energy. For this reason, constant temperatures or temperatures that heat and cool gradually provide the most efficient heating.

Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to use this principle to save energy and money. Set it to cooler temperatures at night and to start heating before you wake up. Your home will be warm during waking hours and you’ll shave money off of your heating bill.

Keep Temperatures Lower

A few degrees in temperature does little for thermal comfort but can make a big difference in heating costs. For every degree you take the thermostat down you can expect about 3% savings on your fuel bill. Optimal indoor temperature is 68 degrees during waking hours and 5-8 degrees cooler while you’re sleeping. Set your programmable thermostat and forget about the 70s. Come spring you’ll still be cozy and have a warm fuzzy feeling about all the money you saved during the winter.

Reverse the Spin

Ceiling fans are great for keeping cool in summer but they are also useful during colder months. Most fans come with a tiny switch that sets the paddle direction. In summer this should be set so the lower part of the paddle goes first around the fan. This draws air up. In winter, flip the switch so the fan pushes warm air down. This helps keep living spaces comfortable and will help take a load off of the furnace.

Add a Thermal Layer to Windows

A quick, inexpensive way to seal up leaky windows is to install shrink wrap, clear plastic films. These are available at most hardware stores and easy to install. Even if you just apply this to some windows throughout your home, you will notice a difference. The plastic creates insulating air pocket while still allowing the sun in.

Less Heat to Hot Water

We tend to use more hot water in winter because we’re cold. Showers get a little longer, we use hand washing as an opportunity to warm up a bit. To take the bite out of the bigger hot water bill adjust the temperature setting of the hot water heater. You can take it down even 20 degrees and still be comfortable. Who knows, you may not even notice the difference and keep it there year round. You will however notice a savings on your bill, about 10%.

Let the Sun In

Solar gain is a challenge in summer but in winter it should be invited in. Using the heat gain from the sun’s energy can help increase thermal comfort inside the home. If you’ve got long drapes or blinds, open them up to take advantage of this free heat source – especially on the south side of your home.

Do a little Maintenance

Forced-air HVAC systems usually have a simple filter integrated in the ducts near the furnace. These should be changed every couple of months to keep the furnace clean and running efficiently. This is especially important during winter months when the furnace is already working overtime. The filters are inexpensive and readily available so buy them two at a time and mark the calendar for change dates.

Seal Your Home

Even small leaks in walls and windows can be energy black holes where your money is literally out the window. Weatherstripping and caulk are two inexpensive products that will save you money. Use them around windows, doors, chimneys and anywhere two surfaces meet to stop drafts and seal up your home. The efforts will come back in noticeable energy savings.

Replace Old Elements

If your furnace is older than your teenager it’s likely time for a new one and it best to switch it out before the cold months. Hoping the old one will get you through one more season is a short-sighted approach to savings. Look for the Energy STAR label and increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Switch Bulbs

It’s darker in winter, the days are shorter and so we use more electricity for lighting. Switch out bulbs for energy saving Energy STAR products.

WBE Here We Come

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 22:27:00 +0000

We just finished our application for the WBE. Hopefully it won't take the full 90 days to be certified but we are well on our way to becoming an official Woman Owned Business!!!

Cool and Innovative Kitchen Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:39:00 +0000

Cool and Innovative Kitchen Ideas

By Kait Downey

Article Word Count: 591 [View Summary] Comments (0)

Innovation is not always a new fancy gadget or appliance for your kitchen. Have you ever considered that your layout may be the most important part of your work space? As an Interior Designer I divide kitchens into two categories, and believe me, being in either of these categories carries no shame. There are the cooking enthusiasts or those interested and then there are the entertainers. Entertainers are looking for aesthetic only; the microwave is their best friend. The cooking enthusiasts want function. Here is how you can have both!
First of all figure your work triangle. The work triangle consists of your sink, refrigerator and range top. These three items are the major functions and therefore should not be more than 9'-0" apart from each other. If you were to draw a line from the middle of the sink to the middle of your refrigerator and then connect to the range you should have a triangle. The purpose is to keep the cook within a range that is comfortable for food prep and cooking obviously. I, personally, like to put the dishwasher to the left of the sink when possible. I also like to elevate the dishwasher and put it in a built in floor to upper cabinet. This not only keeps me from bending to load but the unloading process is much easier. The sink is centrally located most of the time. When it is not I do my best to locate the range and refrigerator within the constraints mentioned above.
Another innovative idea would be to install a floor heating system to keep your kitchen warm in the cold winter months. Not everyone likes the idea but when you consider that the average kitchen is open these days, the heating system will save you some electrical bill nightmares. I also like to incorporate fluorescents under the cabinets for task lighting and now days energy saving bulbs here will help give the kitchen a designer glow without the fuss of incandescent.
Benches with pet supply storage and built-in closets that look like pantries are just a few of the features we include for our clients. One suggestion we make is, if you cannot afford it now, plan ahead by leaving the space for that future appliance in the cabinets when the cabinet maker is making his/her installation. This will allow you to put a level one appliance in its place so the space remains functional and pleasing until you make that purchase. Also adding trim to cabinets and base moulding to the floor helps really make the kitchen look expensive without breaking the bank. For those that truly want that designer look and won't settle for less we have an option for that too.
In today's economy we like to do what is called phasing. A plan of which a kitchen or bath is executed in phases. This allows the client to make choices that are pleasing and pay for the process in steps instead of all at once. This eases the pocket book and doesn't leave the space disastrous. People can assume that designers will cost you more money than doing the job yourself. This is a myth. Interior Designers can broker your project out to the best vendors and build it at cost. You will pay for our services but you will also save the money that you would have spent at the big box store. The time and labor is usually cut in half, so take those factors into consideration when you renovate your kitchen.

For more tips or to check out some of the renovation work we do please visit us at http://www.ckdinteriors.com/.
CKD Interiors is a residential and commercial firm located and working in Dallas, Texas. For more information please go to http://www.ckdinteriors.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kait_Downey

Beach Meets Contemporary

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Just a few pictures from our latest and greatest bathroom project. The client was unhappy with the tub she currently had and requested a 6 jet tub deep enough to soak in. She also wanted to convert the adjacent shower into a frameless surround with built-in bench. By incorporating the bench into the tub surround we created a unique and contemporary bathroom space with a carefree beachy feel. For more pictures or questions about this project please feel free to contact us.

Home prices falling faster in most metro areas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:59:00 +0000

AP – In this photo take Oct. 26, 2010, a sold sign is displayed outside a house in Mayfield Hts., Ohio. Home …

By JANNA HERRON, AP Real Estate Writer Janna Herron, Ap Real Estate Writer – 20 mins ago

NEW YORK – Home prices are falling faster in the nation's largest cities, and a record number of foreclosures are expected to push prices down further through next year.
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index released Tuesday fell 0.7 percent in September from August. Eighteen of the cities recorded monthly price declines.
Analysts say high unemployment, tight lending standards and millions of foreclosures will weigh on home prices.
"Unemployment is still high, people are afraid of losing their homes and credit is hard to get," said Maureen Maitland, vice president of S&P indices.
Still, Americans are gaining more confidence in the broader economy, a new report Tuesday showed. The Conference Board, a private research group based in New York, said consumer confidence rose to a five-month high in November.
Yet the housing market remains depressed.
Among the cities in the Case-Shiller index, Cleveland recorded the largest decline. Prices there dropped 3 percent from a month earlier. Prices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, which had been showing strength this year, also dropped in September from August.
Washington and Las Vegas were the only metro areas to post gains in monthly prices.
The 20-city index has risen 5.9 percent from their April 2009 bottom. But it remains nearly 28.6 percent below its July 2006 peak.
And home prices have fallen in 15 of the 20 cities in the past year.
Prices in Tampa, Fla., fell to their lowest point since the index was created in 2000. Portland, Ore., Charlotte, N.C., Miami are also near their low points since the U.S. housing market collapsed in 2006.
Prices were on the upswing in many cities from April through July, mostly boosted by government tax credits which have since expired. Job worries and record high foreclosures are dampening buyer demand and weighing on prices.
The national quarterly index, which measures home prices in the nine U.S. census regions, dropped 2 percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter.

Pets and the job site.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:12:00 +0000

I love animals. People should be aware that some chemicals used in construction are harmful and toxic to your fur babies. Boarding is a good solution during the day but always notify your project manager about their location and existance. Even after the workers are gone you should keep the pets away from the area under construction. Large dogs in particular can cause problems if the subcontractors are not notified. For more tips please visit the aspca site and don't be afraid to ask your professionals about the processes used on your project.

Giving the Man Cave a Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Craig Schuelke's Forest Hill, Md., basement is a testament to manliness. There's the Arnold Schwarzenegger pinball machine and about $30,000 of signed Michigan and Maryland sports memorabilia the construction superintendent has enshrined on the walls. An air-hockey table commands one corner, flanked by a pool table, shot-glass collection and dart board.
It's a quintessential "man cave," except for one feature: Mr. Schuelke's wife, Melanie.

Slide Show: Enter the new 'Man Caves'
"He doesn't know what we're doing when he's not home," says Mrs. Schuelke. "My female friends, we shoot pool, drink beer and throw darts down there."
The man cave has a secret: Women use them, too. Their new interest comes as these spaces have morphed from cold garage outposts into tricked-out comfy spreads, complete with flat screens TVs, fully stocked bars, arcade games and plush (clean!) furniture.

Red-hot Coja Malibu recliner $1,493: CSN stores.

As a result, men are learning to share with the family while combating the inevitable intrusion of scented candles, flowers and kiddie toys. While couples often cozy up together or party in caves with friends, a growing number of women say they retreat there-even holding the occasional quilting party-without the guys.
The struggling housing market is partly behind the evolution of the man cave into a multipurpose space. Rather than trade up or build on, more homeowners are squeezing the most out of their existing living quarters-but splurging on the decor. As a result, today's man caves are desirable and even luxurious pads that the whole family wants to enjoy.

Improve a golf swing at halftime: Electric-Spin

An entire marketplace has emerged in recent years to outfit these spaces. There's Man Cave LLC, modeled after Mary Kay cosmetics, where guys hold barbecue parties dubbed "meatings" to sell steak and cave accoutrements, such as bacon-scented candles and beer pagers to locate lost brew. Online retailers mancavemarket.com and themancaveoutletstore.com hawk essentials, such as beer kegerators, pool tables and Skee-Ball games.
Higher-ticket items make women feel more proprietary over caves, originally intended as spots where guys could be alone or hang with pals, says Mike Yost, who runs cave community site mancavesite.org. "If the guys spend on the big-screen TV and chairs, the wife typically is going to have to sign off on it, too."
Further stoking female cave envy is cable TV's "Man Caves" show on the DIY Network. Episodes feature bling such as a pool table that rises out of the floor. "These are really, really nice spaces, and when the guys want to spend time there, the family wants to spend time there," says Andy Singer, DIY Network's general manager.

Neon signs are a popular touch: Alex Bellus.

That's the case in Robert Butterfield's Sierra Vista, Ariz., home. His retreat is a 400-square-foot homage to Nascar racers Dale Earnhardt and his son. It also sports a 50-inch TV, couch, hundreds of Diecast model cars, even a Christmas tree decked in Earnhardt ornaments-about a $50,000 investment. Mr. Butterfield, 43, calls it "my space," but it's often where his wife Maria and sons also congregate when he's home from his overseas government-contracting job.
Says Mrs. Butterfield, 45: "I enjoy being in there because it's kind of like a little getaway from the rest of the house. When I'm in there, I'm not reminded about dishes or laundry." That's cool with her husband: "Sure, I like time to chill alone, but I started a family because I wanted to be with them."
Still, the gender cohabitation raises a nettlesome question: When does a man cave stop being a man cave and become just a family room? "There's a real blurring of the line between man cave and family room," warns Minnesota decorator Sue Hunter, who runs mancaveinteriors.com. "I think guys are going to start taking charge back in that area."
And certainly purists remain, such as Tommy "Buck Buck" Sattler of Islip, N.Y., who rigged his 325-square-foot getaway with New York Giants football paraphernalia, seven TVs, a red-oak bar top, and urinal in the bathroom.

Hockey-themed NY Rangers chairs: DIY Network

Mr. Sattler flips on an outdoor blue light to let the neighbors know when his "underground lounge" is open, but jokes that women, including his wife, typically stop by only if "they are dropping off food or bringing cleaning products."
Most guys, however, seem game for co-ed caves-so long as there are ground rules, such as no potpourri or decorative pillows. Ms. Hunter, the man-cave decorator, steers clear of big glass vases and baskets in favor of art, she says, that means something to a man, such as "I want to go kill the buck in that picture."
Then there's the "no touch" rule that's reigned in Mr. Butterfield's Nascar sanctuary since he found his 4-year-old son's fingerprints on the display cases with his model cars. "It's a little bit of an ownership thing," he says. "I'm really detail oriented, and this is the way I want the room."
Other regulations are trickier to enforce. Karen Dixon gladly turned over her Friendswood, Texas, garage to husband Shawn, even though parking outside means unloading groceries in the rain. "I'm not controlling, and it makes him happy," she says. Inside, he's stationed his Harley Davidson motorcycle, a 1967 Cavalier Coca-Cola machine, pay phone painted Harley orange, and heavy-weight punching bag.
The Dixons, both 38, often play cards together in the cave, but she balks at his suggestion that usage is by "invitation" only. "Really? I think that he doesn't own it," says Mrs. Dixon, who believes her husband would be secretly "flattered if I brought my friends in there to have crafts and a book club." Mr. Dixon's concern: "I'd be afraid something would be moved and I'd never find it."
The stickiest time can be during cave construction. Mrs. Dixon advises other women to negotiate time limits. "When Shawn is focused on something, it consumes him. Looking back, what I should have done is said, 'Spend as much time with your family as with the man cave. If you work out there for an hour, then come inside for an hour.' "
Indeed, compromise is critical in any man cave negotiation. Married 36 years, Steve and Pam Flaten, both 56, share space in AutoMotorPlex Minneapolis, a compound of high-end garages ranging from 1,000- to 6,500-square feet for fixing up and storing specialty vehicles.
In the loft living area the Flatens constructed inside their garage, Mrs. Flaten typically quilts while her husband tinkers with his race cars below. Recently she held a quilting party.
Despite the domestic influence, Mr. Flaten has stood his ground on certain points. The racing flames on the toilet seat, those get to stay. The flowers she wanted for an end table, those got moved outside.
Women's interest in the man cave phenomenon is sparking a logical next step: woman caves. The DIY Network is exploring development of a new show around the concept. Retailer HomeGoods just launched a campaign to outfit what it dubs "Mom Caves."
To some, that's redundant. "A chick cave?" sniffs Dan Cunningham, owner of the Monroe, Mich.-based mancavemarket.com, "That's what the rest of the house is."
Click here for more photos of 'man caves.' Other popular stories on Yahoo!:

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