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It was the perfect spot. Our California ranch style house had a large picture window in the front room. The window extended from a few inches above the floor to only a few inches below the cathedral ceiling. The walls and ceiling were redwood stained knotty pine and the floor was a matching hardwood. The window looked out over a flower bed, shrubs and the expanse of front lawn. It was the perfect window to be replaced with a bay window.
The window was nearly square. It was 72 X 72 inches. We considered a bow window, but elected to install a bay window instead. We just felt that our particular house looked better with three panel bay window rather than the multiple panel bow windows. Our intent was to fill the seat board of the bay with potted plants we had sitting in front of the current picture window. The new arrangement would give us a little more space in the room and improve the overall appearance of the house. It was time to go shopping.
Scratch vs. Pre-built
When we first got the idea of installing the new window, I began gathering plans for building a bay window. Thumbing through books and magazines, and the Internet search engines, I found several plans for building a bay window from scratch. I also found that undertaking such a project was going to be unnecessary. Most of the major window manufacturers, such as Pella, Milgard and Anderson make both completely pre-assembled bay windows as well as pre-built components for bay windows.
These days very few contractors will take on the project of building a bay or bow window from scratch. It simply isn’t practical when for the same or less money they can install a high quality pre-built window. If the contractors use pre-built windows or components for new house construction or renovation projects, then we could do the same for our remodeling project, we reasoned.
Installing a bay window can easily be a do-it-yourselfer project. Before you go the diy route, however, you may want to line up a contractor to help out if necessary. This is not going to be a job that you can complete during a Saturday afternoon. Chances are you are not going to finish it in a weekend, for that matter.
You are also going to want to line up some help. Bay windows and window components are heavy. At least they are too heavy for one person to manage.
Be sure and check out the weather forecast, including the long range forecast. Installing the window means opening a hole into your home. It can take a couple of days to get the new window in place and sealed. The last thing you want is for rain to come pouring in on your floor, walls or furniture.
Be sure and check your city or community construction codes. There may be special local requirements, such as having safety glass in low profile windows. You are probably going to need a building permit anyway, so that is also a good time to check the codes.
Tools and Materials Needed
The tools you will need for this project include a tape measure, a framing square that you can also use as a straight edge, a circular saw or miter saw, crow bars, drill and bits, level, stapler, utility knife, tin snips and a caulking gun.
The materials you will need include the bay window unit, the support brackets, nails, roofing paper, shingles, roofing nails, exterior grade silicone caulking and fiberglass insulation. You will also need 1X6 inch boards for the window skirting. If you are enlarging an existing window, or if you are installing the window in a space that was previously the wall, you will also need 2X4s for cripple studs and additional framing.
Basic Installation Steps
1.Establish window position in the wall. Remove the existing window. Measuring the bay window, mark on the exterior of the house the opening needed for the new window. Using your circular saw, cut the required opening.
2.Framing. Build the framing for the new window. This will likely include cutting through existing studs and putting in a new header, rough sill, jack studs and cripple studs.
3.Install the support braces. A window up to five feet wide will take a minimum of two support braces. A wider window will need three.
4.Set the window in place. Lift the bay window on the support braces and slide it into the rough opening. Shim as necessary to level the window. Anchor in place.
5.Build the window roof. Set the roof frame on top of the bay window unit and nail in place. Fill the space between the roof and the top of the bay window with insulation. Fasten the roof sheeting to the frame and cover with roofing paper. Install the drip edges and the flashing and then shingle.
6.Install the window skirting around the bottom of the window. Fill will insulation and then attach the skirt bottom to seal the underneath side of the window.
7.Seal the edges with silicone caulking.
This is a list of the basic installation steps and they have been abbreviated in the interests of simplicity and space. The window unit you buy will have complete installation steps. Take it from the voice of experience; it really makes the project go much more smoothly and it will be completed in much less time when you read and follow them.
In our case, I had two friends helping with the project. We have worked together on other projects and work together well. We had the old window out and the rough framing completed on Saturday afternoon. We buttoned up the hole with plywood overnight and went back to work the next day. By Sunday evening we had the new window installed and the roof and skirting completed. On Monday afternoon I finished sealing up the outside and completed the trim work for the inside.
And, we were right. It was the perfect spot for a bay window. It looked great from the outside. Inside, it became the focal point of the room and added a special charm to the house. The window gave the house added character and value.
When it came time to sell the house, it was one of the features that were particularly attractive to the buyers.

Bathtubs
Modern Bathtubs
The bathtubs that one usually sees nowadays or bathtubs that are more commonly used are replete with waste or overflow drains and whats more taps are mounted on them. These taps could be of the free standing or the built in variety. Till a short time ago, the shape of the bathtubs was starkly rectangular, however, with the advent of acrylic thermoformed bathtubs, you are now offered a variety of shapes.
Bathtubs are available in a variety of colors and a decorative appeal. Today, they have become an intrinsic component, which not only has practical use but also increases the visual appeal of the bathroom. The most common color is white, though you can pick from an array of different colors. It was Scottish born American, by the name of David Dunbar Buick who discovered the process of the enameling cast iron bathtubs.
Bathtubs Styles
There are two major styles of bathtubs around which are configured the various designs of bathtubs. The first one is the western style bathtubs wherein the person who is bathing can lie down. Such bathtubs are more commonly used and generally are shallow and long. The Second style is the eastern style of bathtubs wherein a bather sits up. They are small in size but are deep.
As aforementioned, western style bathtubs are more popular than eastern style bathtubs. While selecting the style not only must you keep your own personal preferences in mind, but also the size of the bathroom. If you want a bathtub, but your bathroom is not large enough, then you might want to go for an eastern style bathtub.
The Claw Foot Bathtub
You might have come across an authentic Claw Foot Bathtub while watching a movie. These bathtubs typically made up of cast iron were once considered an item of great luxury. However, with the advancements in modern technology and the appearance of the acrylic versions of this bathtub, there has been a severe drop in prices of the Claw Foot Bathtub.
The real antique Claw Foot Bathtubs are still a collectors item and worth quite a bit of money. These are bought, restored, and then installed in a bathroom, but most people these days veer towards the new version of Claw Foot bathtubs that are easily available in the market today.
These bathtubs are available in five major styles.
The Modern Tubs Hot Tubs and Whirlpool
With the rapid advancement in plumbing technology emerge various types of bathtubs that are not only used for bathing but for the purpose of massage and relaxation as well. You can install these massage bathtubs in your bathroom and get the benefit of a health spa right in your home.
There are typically two types of massage bathtubs that you can choose from a Water Jet or Whirlpool massage bath tub and an Air massage bath tub.
In an Air massage bathtub, thousand of air bubbles will massage all parts of your body, while you soak inside the tub. In the second instance, jets of water will strike your body, from the various holes on the sides of the bathtub. This will offer you an incomparable body massage and go a long way in invigorating your body.
Once you start your search for a bathtub, you will come to realize the innumerable choices offered to you by the market for bathtubs. Research the market and the prices, as well as the quality, of various bathtubs before making your choice. After all, you are not going to buy a new bathtub again and again.

Bathtub Inserts – How to Install Correctly
Bath tub inserts enable a user to have an easier time while taking a bath. This is especially useful for young children and the very old. It is very handy for disabled persons too. Tub inserts are usually easy to install with just a minimal number of bolts used and does not require any need to modify the tub.
What to look for in a bath tub insert
Choose bath tub inserts that are made from gel coat and is reinforced by fiberglass materials, can be installed by a single person without any fuss and without changing anything on the existing tub, exhibits a non-slip surface which is also soft and pliable for the user’s comfort, and a reasonable warranty which normally lasts from a year up to three years.
Instructions on installing the tub insert
1. First, check the tub insert kit if all the necessary components are present. Look at the tub’s bottom to ascertain that its drain gasket is in place.
2. Cleaned the whole bath tub assembly, including the shower unit with the use of a non-abrasive cleaning agent. After cleaning, make sure that the whole thing is dry before continuing the installation process. This is important since any moisture left may cause damage to the floor.
3. Fit the insert to find it if it fits properly. After testing if the insert fits, remove the insert. Apply silicone caulking to the shower drain’s upper part as well as the tub bottom’s gasket. Make sure that the bead of silicone which encircles the drain brass is at least half an inch.
4. With utmost care, gently place the tub insert on the shower unit by sliding it into place. Apply ample pressure to aid in setting the insert. Fill the tub with water, the water’s weight will help in putting the insert in place while the silicone is setting.
5. When the silicone has cured, it is time to drain the water. After draining, clean the tub and the insert using a mild cleaning agent as well as warm water. It is a strict no-no to use liquid abrasives or even scouring powder. Congratulations, you may now use your new bath tub!
Cleaning and maintenance
Again, it is important to keep in mind that you should not employ abrasive cleaners. This is because abrasive cleaners have the potential to scratch as well as dull the unit’s surface. It is advisable to use liquid detergents like Mr. Clean, Ajax, or Top Job. These cleaning agents that have been mentioned may be used for daily cleaning of the tub. Never use sa metal scraper, steel wool, or wire brushes because these tools can easily damage the whole setup. Periodically, you can scrub any mineral deposits or soap stains using gel gloss or even a dishwashing detergent. Waxing it periodically with a liquid wax can improve the luster and finish of the tub and insert.
If your bath is in any way damaged, you can easily have it repaired. Contact the nearest service center and ask for a professional repairman. If ever the services of a repairman is not available in your area, you can always contact the manufacturer of your bath tub insert as well as that of the tub itself. Repair kits can also be bought from the manufacturers or from do it yourself shops. Repair kits usually include a gel coat.
These are some of the pointers that you must consider when getting a tub insert as well as installing it. Instructions on cleaning and maintaining the whole setup is also included to add years to your bathroom components.

Bed Buying Magic
A variety of websites will publish selected pages for beds, if a consumer should require a futon bunk bed or a wood and iron sleigh bed simply locate the most appropriate bed section.
With the right method bed knowledge may easily be accessed extremely rapidly, if you take your time when implementing your bed research and you will not go far wrong, if you require specialized advice on merchandise like metal futon bunk beds then see if you can find a number of specialist bed reviews.
For consumers searching for items such as king size beds or futon bunk beds, you would be wise speaking to a mixture of home furnishing specialists in advance of your search, you could be searching for a special item like a youth loft bed or even wood working plan loft bed yet because of a lack of advice choose the wrong product.
It is a fact that your town library can be an ideal place to get hold of info on bed products, advances like the web can cause us to neglect the many other home improvement resources that are presently freely accessible to all of us, take advantage of such sources of free bed data, good bed product knowledge can very often be hard to locate.
If you will be buying something like a king size water bed mattress it will not always mean purchasing from a bed or bedding associated website, say you are residing in Puerto Rico for instance, a bed internet directory ought to be able to provide you with the relevant contact information of regional bed suppliers who might just be able to assist you to find the bed you need.
A sizeable number of bed focused searches might certainly have led you to a bed or home improvement targeted portal, searches like “deals on heavy duty bed frames” or “low cost adjustable twin beds”, the main trick with any bedding site is to go directly to the site category map, if you do this you will not be side tracked because of bed reviews which are not connected to the bed you require.
This bed search tip is especially valuable, instead of simply using a research term like “beds “, you should make use of a more specific search engine phrase such as”bed and bedding suppliers” or “antique bed dealers”, in doing this your results are going to be highly targeted to your particular bed needs
Because of the web, access to a whole bunch of bed details can give you guidance on any number of great many items, say you want a particular product, lets say a twin metal bunk bed, you may be wiser looking in a interior design or bed portal, these sites will contain specific categories so locating a king size iron bed, metal frame bunk bed or possibly a full full bunk bed should not be a problem.

Bed and Bedding via Online Shopping
You might like to consider that a town book store might possibly be an obvious place to obtain guidance aimed at bed products, internet availability might often cause us to ignore the numerous other bedding resources which are currently freely available to all of us, take advantage of such sources of good bed data, prime bed merchandise info may quite often be difficult to locate.
If you couldn’t get the home improvement advice you require from a bed manufacturer then it is likely you are regrettably searching in the inappropriate place, for example, lets say your area of focus was queen size beds, it would probably be best to check a specific bedding portal.
The bed experts will be able to give you some reliable niche advice on issues such as obtaining the most competitive prices on metal twin full bunk beds and how to get the proper merchandise guarantee when ordering a bed, such quality bed guidance will surely ensure you get the right item for your requirements.
A varying range of bed targeted searches might very well have led you to a bed or bedding related internet merchant, searches like “bargain heavy duty bed frames” or “write ups on water bed pedestals”, the real trick with any home furnishing portal is to go straight to the website menu, if you do this you should not be side tracked by bed guides which are about an area of beds that is not applicable .
A wide range of bed related searches might possibly have led you to a bed or interior design targeted directory, queries like “deals on heavy duty bed frames” or “articles on adjustable twin beds”, the real trick with any home furnishing portal is to navigate directly to the site menu, if you take this advice you should hopefully not be side tracked by bed guides which are about an area of beds that is not applicable .
It has to be said bedding is a subject that spans a vast assortment of diverse bed products including heavy duty bed frames and adjustable electric beds , say that you wanted expert assistance on any area of beds, lets suppose a product like metal frame bunk beds, this may possibly be sourced via bed expert.
A sizeable number of bed associated searches may perhaps have led you to a bed or home furnishing focused site, searches like “find heavy duty bed frames” or “reviews on water bed pedestals”, the main secret with any interior design directory is to go straight to the site menu, if you take this advice you should not be side tracked because of bed write ups which are not connected to the bed you require.