Which Type of Radiant Floor Heating is Best For Me?

If you are looking to warm your floors with a radiant heat system, and have typed "radiant heat system" into a search engine, you might find yourself scratching your head at this point.  There are dozens of products available to purchase, and there are even more companies telling you that their product is the best.

So which product is the best?  Should you install a hydronic heating system that pumps hot water through your floors, an electric cable heating system, or a low voltage screen system?  The answer lies in the type of project you are doing.  Not every system is ideal for every project, but there is an ideal system for every project.

Hydronic Heating Systems

Hydronic floor heating is the oldest and most popular type of radiant floor heating.  These systems are comprised of a boiler or hot water heater, pumps, manifolds, pex tubing, thermostat, and either gypcrete (a concrete-like material) or wood panels.  Hydronic heating is the most complex of all radiant heat systems.  These systems require trained professionals to design and perform the installation.  Your best economies of scale are achieved for hydronic systems in large areas or entire homes because of their expensive components and operational costs. 

Hydronic systems can be installed under any type of flooring.  Most hydronic systems require hot water tubing to be installed in a 2 to 4 inch bed of light concrete and are best installed during the initial construction because of its weight load demands and adjustments to floor height. Recent low-mass products have been developed to avoid these challenges by fitting the tubing into pre-cut wood panels making hydronic systems more convenient and possible for most major remodeling projects.

If you want to heat smaller areas like a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor heating system may not be the best value for your project.  The complexity and cost of installing the system, along with the long-term maintenance and up-keep required, is not worth the small amount you will save in operational costs.

Electric Cable Heating

Electric cable heating systems, often called line or high voltage systems, are gaining  popularity and are ideal for heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms.  These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable.  On some systems, the cable will be shipped to you as a large spool of cable.  These systems are often times less expensive, and give you the ability to space the cable how you want and customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor.  Other systems have the cable attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a mat to maintain its proper spacing. 

Every available cable system is equally effective, and so when determining which system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation.  Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thin set. Most cable systems can only be installed under tile. However, on others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete, any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete.  When heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating system.

Low-Voltage Screen

Finally, there are low-voltage radiant heat systems.  These systems are ideal for mid-size to larger areas (300-3000 square feet) and are comprised of a control box, transformer, heating screen or cable, and thermostat.  The main advantage to a low-voltage screen (Zmesh) system is the extremely low profile of the heating element.  Zmesh is a 12 inch wide bronze-wired mesh that resembles screen door material.  This mesh is practically paper thin and does not buildup floors during the installation.  Zmesh can be installed directly under any type of flooring including hardwood, tile, and carpet.  Whereas most cable systems must be installed on top of the concrete board when installing tile, Zmesh can be installed underneath it.  These systems are easy to install and don't require maintenance like a hydronic system.

Radiant heat technology has made significant advances over the years and is an excellent way to supplement your existing heating system or be your sole source of heat.  One good way to be assured that you're being sold the best system for your project is to buy from a company that offers all of the available types of radiant heat.

Research Concerning Color in Homes and Workplaces

Over the years, many studies have been done in countries around the world to try to discover how human color preferences affect the choices we make in decorating our homes and workplaces, and one dominant fact has consistently emerged: our choice of colors seems to be based largely on the intended use of the space, whether it's in our homes or at our places of business. Here are a few of the findings from various studies:

A Japanese study found that people prefer warm colors in the interiors of their homes, which was mirrored by a study in England, although the English were a bit more eclectic, preferring warm colors in their bedrooms and neutral colors in their living rooms. English rooms were also somewhat more likely to be painted according to their function than Japanese rooms.

In the United States, an extensive study looked at workplace colors and discovered that office workers preferred low intensity colors such as light blue, aqua, or off-white for their cubicles. Another American study showed that workers were actually more productive when surrounded by light-colored walls.

Scientific research is one thing, and the results of various worldwide studies can be fascinating, although sometimes conflicting, especially when it comes to color preferences among people of different cultures.

But what does it all mean when it comes to choosing colors for your own home? After all is said and done, the bottom line really comes down to this: When choosing colors, the choice is ultimately personal. So don't listen to "the experts." Trust your instincts and preferences, and then surround yourself with the colors that make you feel the most happy and secure.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

Colors: Their Connotations and Perceived Meanings

Throughout the ages, colors have been used to evoke certain emotions, and an examination of the history of color offers fascinating insights into the human condition, as well as showing how different cultures have developed different attitudes about color. Here are a few examples of what various colors have come to represent over the years:

Red

Red has traditionally been associated with courage and love in Western culture, but in China, red is the color of happiness and good fortune. In fact, white has traditionally been the color most preferred for wedding dresses in America, but the Chinese prefer to dress their brides in red.

Orange

Orange is considered a warm color, perhaps because it has evoked the feeling of fire, all the way back to mankind's earliest beginnings. Painting walls a subtle orange, leaning toward a warm brown, stimulates the appetite and can reduce tension. However, as the orange color becomes brighter, it begins to take on a high energy feel and can lead to anxiety.

Brown

Brown is another warm and comforting color, stimulating the appetite and actually making food taste better. That makes coffee brown, in all intensities, with or without the cream, an ideal candidate for dining rooms.

Yellow

Since it's always been associated with the sun, yellow has traditionally been considered a cheerful color. Yellow is also the first color most people see in early spring, when the daffodils begin to bloom. However, there seems to be an East/West cultural difference when it comes to yellow. The Chinese revere yellow enough to have considered it the imperial color since the 10th century, yet several Western studies have shown that yellow is many people's least favorite color.

Green

Green is another color that has both an up and down side. It's associated with the new growth of spring, prosperity, and clean, fresh air, yet it can also carry a negative connotation, in terms of mold, nausea, and jealousy. Throughout the ages, green has most often been considered to represent fertility, and during the 15th century, green was the most popular choice of for the wedding gowns of European brides.

Blue

Because it's associated with the color of the sea and the sky, blue has come to symbolize serenity and infinity. That's especially true of the more greenish shades of blue, such as aqua and teal. On the other hand, cooler shades of blue can have a tendency to cause feelings of sadness.

Purple

Over the millennia, purple has been associated with royalty in Western civilizations, due to the difficulty and expense involved in producing purple dye, which was made from a particular species of mollusk shell. Even today, when purple can be produced just as inexpensively as any other color, the use of purple is still considered to represent elegance and sophistication.

There are stories and connotations for every color, and different cultures assign different meanings to colors. For instance, American brides generally prefer white wedding dresses, while many Asian cultures dress their brides in black, reserving white for funerals. But regardless of what culture on is from, one thing is certain: colors will always have effects on human beings and should be carefully considered when decorating a home.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

Selecting Color Schemes

Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a daunting task at times, especially if nothing about the room initially jumps out at you. If you find yourself without a particular color preference for a room, you might begin by picking color combinations that are inspired by a favorite fabric pattern. Patterns usually have a group of complimentary colors, and using variations within the same group of colors throughout the house will lend your entire home a sense of harmony.

Another method for selecting a color scheme when you have no real preference is to start with the colors you already have in the flooring and on other surfaces that aren't going to be replaced. Ignore any color that you really dislike; in this case, everything doesn't have to match.

Go to your local paint store and find paint chip cards to match your colors. Then cut out the color samples and secure them into a personal loose-leaf notebook. But remember: paint chips aren't big enough to give an accurate picture of how a color will feel under specific lighting conditions, so you may need a larger sample before you make your final selection. The artificial lighting in paint stores also affects the appearance of color chips, and colors generally appear darker when seen on big expanses of walls compared to paint chips, so be sure to check your samples in the room and under the lighting conditions where your plan to use that color.

Balance the depth, darkness, and intensity of colors, mix cool and warm colors, and add enough diversity to avoid monotony in your color scheme. Adding variety to your color combinations will support your desired emotional and seasonal needs. You can change color emphasis with the changing seasons by varying a room's accessories and lighting.

Bringing Exterior Colors Inside

Blending your home's exterior colors with the interior ones will make the transition from outside to inside feel comfortable and natural. The welcoming color of your front door should be brought into the home through at least two small details or areas, to create balance and harmony. That doesn't mean the colors should match exactly. In fact, you don't want your colors to shout out their presence. The transition from outside to inside should be subtle, providing emotional support and creating a welcome feeling of balance.

Whatever colors you ultimately choose, remember that harmonizing those colors throughout the entire home is a combination of science and art. The key to success is in small doses of repetition, and adding touches of Design Psychology to the emotional undercurrents of color will assure a joyful home.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

Color Help: Many Factors Affect Color Preference

Understanding color psychology helps home makers choose colors for home decorating.

Color affects human beings every day of their lives, even during their very earliest childhood. In fact, studies have shown that babies respond more readily to bright, primary colors than to pastel colors.

The favorite color of most preschool children, up to the age of five, is bright red. Young children, between five and ten years old, show a preference for bright yellow. Adult women generally prefer blue-based colors, whereas men tend to prefer yellow-based tints.

Even education levels and the degree of sophistication seem to affect people's color preferences. In general, highly educated and sophisticated people favor complex colors, while those with less education and lower income favor low intensity, simple colors.

Ethnic Traditions Affect Color Preferences

Our personal history also has a significant influence on our color preferences, and using heritage colors has been proven to make people feel more contented by making them feel more connected to their ancestry.

Colors and Climates

Climate affects color preferences, too, and people respond differently to various colors, depending upon the climatic conditions in which they live. For example, Scandinavians have a preference for light yellows, bright whites, and sky blues, in contrast to their long, dark winter nights. San Franciscans, who live in an area that is often foggy and overcast, generally aren't fond of gray, but gray is a popular color among people in Miami.

Historic Colors

Color preferences have also changed over the course of history. In the mid-1800s, very bright colors were popular, but they were replaced by more subdued tertiary colors such as muddy reds, greens, browns, blues, pinks, and ambers in the 1870s and 1880s. The darkest shades could be found in dining rooms.

Pastel and cream colors came back into fashion in the 1890s, and were popular during the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign. But as fashions changed and furniture began to become more ornate, heavier, and more elaborate, room colors also began to change, becoming richer and darker, although Victorian bedrooms remained light and cheerful.

Color affects human beings in many ways, on both the conscious and subconscious levels, every day of our lives, and a thorough understanding of the effects of color is very important when making interior design decisions for the home.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Interior Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and blog, see http://www.joytothehome.com/

Warm & Toasty Outdoors with Patio Heaters

The Heat is On with Patio Heaters

Any outdoor lover will tell you that the right patio heater will allow you to extend your love of the open-air life all year round.

A 15-20 foot circle of heat can easily increase the outside temperature by 10-25 degrees Fahrenheit and that makes all the difference between having to stay inside and eating out.

As with most patio equipment, the choice of the right heater for your needs isn't always such an immediate process. First thing to know is whether you really need or want one. Some factors to consider are your lifestyle. How often do you eat or entertain outside? What is the weather predominantly like?

Now a few words concerning your budget.

How much are you willing to spend?

Prices for free standing models generally start at around $200-$250 and can go up to and over the $1000 mark. For normal domestic use, most sources indicate a $300-$400 model as being perfect.

The more expensive models are generally intended for commercial use. The newer, better-made patio heaters offer a selection of safety features and temperature controls. They will allow you to entertain in the early spring evenings. Just take a family breakfast set outside, or simply have a barbecue anytime you feel like it.

Modern patio heaters are:

• so safe, you needn't worry about fire
• very quiet
• really make having a patio or deck worthwhile

Freestanding heaters are usually about 7 feet tall and resemble a lamppost with a conical umbrella type housing on top. This helps radiate heat downwards. Some electric models are available but the majority use propane or natural gas, and these are by far the best type to consider. The gas canisters are contained in the base of the heater.

A quality patio or garden heater will generate around 45-50,000 BTUs, and that would be enough to keep you warm when you sit anywhere within a 20-foot diameter.

Most models now come with wheels, which facilitate moving your heater from one place to another while some even come with carrying cases. When it's not in use, you can put the patio or deck heater in its carry case, or under an appropriate cover, and just wheel it away!

Many retailers are also able to offer smaller tabletop, or footstool, versions of the freestanding models.

So, apart from the price, the main things to look out for are the BTUs and temperature controls. The rest is really just design. Choose something you like ... and prepare to enjoy more quality time outdoors.

In summary, garden or patio heaters will allow you to enjoy the outdoor life all year round.

 

by Nicholas webb

Your Candles Are Killing You and Your Furniture - Substitute It!

Even though most of the houses are well lighted with electric powered lights, we can't escape using candles at home. Whether it is for a romantic candlelit dinner, for festive season such as Deepavali or Christmas or as back up when electricity cuts off, we know that candles are useful for every household. What we don't know is that candles are a common unrecognized cause of poor indoor air quality.

To be specific, the ingredient used to produce candles such as paraffin contains a host of toxin. This makes candles the major cause of black soot deposition, which damages home interiors, not to mention skin and lungs. Other dangerous ingredients in candles are lead wicks, synthetic scents and colorants.

Solution? Always go back to the nature! Try natural wax such as beeswax, soy, bayberry and palm. There are many goodness in beeswax which is derived from flowers and bees. It is nontoxic, naturally aromatic (Hey! After all, its from the flowers!) and when burned emits beneficial negative ions that actually help purify the air.

by Michele Lum

How To Ward Off House Thief

To most of us, security at home is very important. Ever experienced coming home one night and found your belongings scattered around? Or maybe you heard funny noises while you were sleeping and wondered if it was some thieves in your house? Would you like to worry less and enjoy your home better? Well, besides house alarm or sealing up your house with grills and locks, why not place an interesting home decor, which will help to ward off house thieves?

Chinese culture believes that by placing umbrellas in the lobby or at the front of the house, your house can be prevented from being the thief's target. Umbrellas placed into a nice urn near the front door not only add a spark to your lobby but also make the area organized while you can reach for an umbrella easily. There are many urns in the market but we highly suggest that you get one that matches your door, wall and size of your lobby. If you can't decide, get a plain ceramic urn that will match any background. Chinese Feng Shui also mentioned urns next to the front door will help to capture the energy (chi) flowed into the house. Besides urns, you can try using baskets, umbrella stands and vase.

by  Michele Lum

Get Rid Of Air Pollution In Your Home With House Plants

Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can cause severe health effects to us? Sources of formaldehyde are:-

environmental tobacco smoke and combustion sources (burning wood, kerosene and by automobiles)

preservatives in some paints, cosmetics and coating

finish used to coat paper products

pressed wood products and furniture made with these pressed wood products

certain insulation materials such as urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and fiberglass insulation

durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues.

Wow! Looking at the list, there must be plenty of formaldehyde in our homes! The scary part is formaldehyde can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing when exposed at elevated levels. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma.

Since research shows that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, be sure to keep our homes well ventilated all the time. Besides that, try placing the following plants in your home:-

- Chrysanthemum
- Dracaena
- !vy
- Boston fern (Nephrolepsis Exaltata)
- Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus Lutescens)
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
- English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Apparently, NASA in 1973 has made an experiment to find a solution to maintain air quality inside confined spaces and the results show that the above plants are able to remove pollutants from the air. Since different plants absorb different pollutants, it will be a good idea to mix a minimum of two plants per 100 square feet of floor space. Of course, there are no harms in having more (not in bedroom though, you will need the oxygen at night!) as long as you know where to place them.

by  Michele Lum

Breaking Away from White Wall Paint

Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an overwhelming task.

Paint, accessories, fabric, furniture, and flooring should all blend, so take a good look at the room you will be working on, preferably before you choose a paint color, and decide what will stay in the room, and what you may want to move out of the room.

The first thing you should do when choosing interior colors for your home, is look around at colors that make you feel good, happy, and relaxed. These colors are probably already in your home. A few examples are the colors you love to look at in your flower garden, the colors in your jewelry, or pottery, or they can be found in the colors of the clothes in your closet.

The second thing you should do is go to your local paint store and pick up a color wheel, and or sample cards, pick the sample cards that really catch your eye, and don't be afraid to get as many as you want. Take these cards home and look at them at different times of the day and night, to see how the color will look when the sun shines in on them, or at night when you have lamps turned on, or candles burning. Study this for several days. Be patient when deciding which color feels best to you.

• Complimentary colors - are the colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel.

• Harmonious colors - are the colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Like blue and purple.

• Tints - are colors with white added.

• Shades - are colors with black added.

• Saturation - is the amount of color used. The more color, the more vibrant.

• Color tone - is the degree to which it changes.

• Pastels - use only a hint of color.

  by Lisa French

How to Buy a Home with Good Feng Shui

Buying a home is usually a stressful experience.  So much rides on a new home because this is where you relax, have fun, sleep, eat; in short, it's the place central to your life. Not only that, but homes usually cost a whole lot of money and represent our single largest investment.   Most homebuyers can usually find the objective requirements of house hunting, such as location, size, and price.  But, there are also intangible factors when searching for a new home, but most people don't know what to look for. 

Helping you find the flaws
This is where feng shui comes in.  Using feng shui, you'll be able to spot the problems ?or the potential -- in a house that exist outside of the objective requirements of number of bedrooms, amount of storage, etc.  These are features that you might not notice, and a realtor will seldom, if ever, point out to you.  But, with this checklist, you can at least feel more confident about your decision to go with a particular property.

Look at the space with "feng shui eyes"
When you are looking at a house ? or any space for that matter ? and considering whether to buy it, it helps to look at it with "feng shui eyes."  You will want to do this once you have considered all the other objective aspects of the house, such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, living areas, location, price, etc. 

The next step is to run down a checklist of the subjective feng shui considerations that will help you make a feng shui assessment. Even if you aren't house hunting, this list can give you some important information that might be very revealing about the house you are already in!

The list below provides some of the more serious feng shui problems.

Exterior
Street: Is house at the end of a cul-de-sac, dead end or T-junction? 
Topography.  Is the lot sloped away at the back?  Avoid yards that slope down toward the rear.  Select home with a rise at the rear.  Is house below street grade?  This will make for a constant "uphill" struggle while you live here.
Landscape.  Is there a tree or pole directly in front of the front door?  Dead trees or shrubs?  Dead lawn? 
Garage.  Is it ahead of the house or front door? 
Neighbors.  Is this house smaller than houses on either side? Do neighbors' houses have sharp angles pointing at this house or appear to overpower or dominate the house?
Views & proximity.  Can you see or is it close to church, temple or other house of worship?  Can you see or is it close to funeral home, cemetery, hospital, police station, sewage treatment, abandoned building or run-down house?
Water.  Is water, lake, river, ocean at the back of house or too close to front? 
Lot.  Regular or irregular-shaped? House sits too close to the front of lot? Does backyard fall away from the rear of the house?
Paths.  Driveway ends at house instead of garage?  Walkways end straight at door?

Interior
House style.  Split, bi-level, or center hall colonial? 
Front.  Front door lines up with back door?  Does front door face stairway? 
Structure.  Overhead or exposed beams? Ceilings too high or are they low and slanted?  Skylights over sleeping areas or kitchen? Foundation cracks or problems?  Serious plumbing or electrical problems?
Entrance.  Do you see toilet/bathroom door from the entrance?  See the kitchen/stove from the front door?  See the dining room from the front door?  See the bedroom from front door?
Toilets.  Located in NW, SW, center, or corners of the house?   Bedroom, dining area or kitchen located under or over toilet?
Staircases.  Spiral staircase?  Staircase stops at front door? Split or scissor-style staircase? 
Hallways.  Too long?  Divide the house into two sections?  Too dark?
Bedrooms.  Over garage?  Over bathroom or laundry?  Have empty space below, i.e., patio area? Is master bedroom too close to the front door?
Fireplace.  In the NW portion of the house?  Is it in the Southeast (wealth) sector?
Major locations.  Problems with or missing sections in Northwest (man), Southwest (woman), North (career), or Southeast (wealth)? Bathroom, laundry, kitchen in center of house?
Odor.  Smells musty, smoky, putrid? 

Enlist a professional
Still not perfectly confident?  Well, a home is a major purchase and we must always consider that important point.  Most people take a used car to their mechanic before buying it - and its purchase isn't as important as a house.  So, if you're still confused or just want to proceed with the sale in confidence, why not talk to a feng shui specialist about looking about the prospective house? 

A professional feng shui consultant should be able to tell you what you can expect from this location, such as good financial or business opportunities.  Or, maybe you'll find out that buying this house means your health will suffer, you'll discover an afflicted portion of the house, such as a toilet in the SW sector that can hurt your marriage.  Give serious consideration to hiring a professional. 

Fortunately, most problems have a feng shui fix
It's important to know that every house has "feng shui flaws" and that no house is perfect.  However, you should be aware of what you are buying so that you are knowledgeable about what kinds of problems might be associated with the house. The good news?  Most feng shui flaws can be corrected. 
 

by Kathryn Weber

Trading in Corporate Office for Home Office

Six years ago, I had not yet turned on a computer. Today I run several successful Internet Businesses and by me being a single parent of 4 children my friends calls me a marketing expert.

My road to success was one of perseverance. Twelve hours a day, Seven days a week, learning code, mastering submission techniques, building web sites and databases. To think only six years age, I was stuck up in a office eight hours a day and not at home. Here's my story...

It's 1998.....In my office Mentally and Physically burnt out all I can think about was trading this environment in for my Home. (of all things)

Well to make a long story short every program I have ever been involved in has been a learning experience.

My successes have inspired me while my failures have challenged me. In five years, I have vecome experts in running an Internet business.

I attribute my success to my willingness to learn and my commitment to help the people that put their confidence in me.

What did I learn?

*I learned to build a community, not a business.

*To offer something of value first, something for

sale later.

*To do more, not less.

*To be persistent and dedicated.

*To follow up, but not push.

*To learn the things I did not understand.

*To track all advertising campaigns.

*To promote...promote...and then promote

some more!

And with all of that I can honestly say that I can hardly wait to get in

my home office everyday. There is nothing more exciting than running your own business from your home.

I hope I can continue to help other Internet Marketers share that same feeling.

As always, I wish everyone great success.

 

by Barbara