Sunrooms have come a long way from the glassed-in porches of the 1960s. Todays versions are full-fledged year-round rooms featuring cathedral ceilings, skylights, energy-efficient windows, tile flooring, heat, and air conditioning.

Also known as Florida rooms, sun parlors and solariums, sunroom additionsbring the outdoors inside but without the bugs and bad weather. As a result, they usually become the familys favorite hangout spot, says Atlanta architect Rick Goldstein. Heres how to evaluate whether a sunroom addition fits your house and your budget:

Whats a sunroom?

The defining feature of a sunroom is the vast amount of glass. Some versions, known as solariums and conservatories, consist of walls and a roof built entirely of windows that are held together by a strong cage of metal, wood, or vinyl.

But the traditional sunroom is built like any other addition using standard construction techniques and a roof that matches the rest of the house just with a lot more windows. A sunroom usually has 20 or more windows, plus skylights.

How much will it cost?

A 200-square-foot sunroom addition, including footings and slab-on-grade foundation, post-and-beam construction thats exposed on the interior, efficient windows, 10 operable skylights, a tile floor, window shades, and a ceiling fan costs an average of $72,179 according to Remodeling magazines 2013 Cost vs. Value Report. You can expect to get about $33,529 of that investment (46.5%) back at resale, according to the study.

Youll need to set aside at least 12 weeks for this project, plus time for planning, and will need the help of an architect or a design-build contractor to create a room that ties in well with the houses style, flow, and structure.

As with any addition, youll need a building permit from the town and youll need to follow zoning rules about how closely you can build toward property lines, how big your home can become, and other restrictions.

Where should it go?

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Sunroom Addition Evaluation | Sunroom Addition Home Value ...

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. It is used for cooking, entertaining guests, intimate conversations, and a bonding area. Whatever your lifestyle is and whatever your main purpose is for your kitchen, the goal for any kitchen remodeling project and for your kitchen remodelers is to make your kitchen a place where you want to spend time. The challenge of your Pennsylvania home remodeling contractor is to present the best design ideas, the longest lasting appliances and products, and be up to date on the latest kitchen trends so you can make the most informed decision possible.

If you choose us as your kitchen remodeling contractor and design team for your remodeling project, we will provide a comprehensive list of options for your kitchen from custom cabinetry down to its decorative hardware. Whatever your design style is, traditional, modern, or contemporary, it is our job as your remodeling contractor to present you all styles and create a beautiful kitchen. From counter tops to flooring to lighting to windows, our kitchen remodelers will find the right design to suit your taste and lifestyle. With every Pennsylvania kitchen remodeling experience, we bring:

Remodeling your kitchen is not an easy task because of the multitude of decisions that go into it. If you choose us as your remodeling contractor, we will make your decision as easy as possible by only presenting you with the best choices. When we meet you, we will estimate your costs and find the right style for your budget. Let us inspire you to help design the kitchen of your dreams.

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Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Remodelers, Remodeling Contractor ...

Hansons stands behind the work we do; that is why we spare no expense in guaranteeing quality installation. The best product in the world will not do its job, unless it is installed properly. Cheap, shoddy work is common in the siding industry, but at Hansons, you will get top quality products installed as they are meant to be, all at a low price. We guarantee our work in writing!

The work surface is inspected prior to starting; any loose boards or nails are secured to prevent denting and creasing. The underlying insulating layers you have selected are then installed, and finally, our Guardian siding and trim is artfully applied to your home.

We caulk and seal all of our siding and trim with the best product on the market, Solar Seal a terpolymer rubber sealant), for maximum flexibility and durability. The work area is then cleaned and all job debris is hauled away.

We offer an amazing array of colors and styles, all designed to give your home a complete makeover, overnight. Hansons vinyl siding is special because it gives your home a sleek, stylish look that will get people talking. We can make your dream look a reality, at the cheapest prices around!

Since 1988, Hansons has been making homeowners like you happy with our top grade siding products. Thats over 25 years of success! We use a simple but effective method: We offer the best vinyl siding products in the business at the cheapest prices around and we stand behind all our work with the strongest warranties possible.

Customer Testimonials

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Vinyl Siding. Best low price replacement vinyl siding & trim

Free Roof Estimates Rensselaer,IN 219-866-9564
RB Contracting is a full service roofing replacement and roof repair contractor serving Rensselaer, Indiana and the surrounding area. RB Contracting also pro...

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Free Roof Estimates Rensselaer,IN 219-866-9564 - Video

With our furnace blower replacement guide, you can do it yourself and save. The typical service call for a hvac technician to do this would cost several hundred dollars but you can save most of that money by doing it yourself. Our guide will walk you through the process of diagnosis, motor selection, and replacement.

**NOTE** ONLY YOU CAN ASSESS YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS TASK. THIS IS A GUIDE AND CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE DETAILS FOR EVERY SITUATION.

Most modern furnaces use a direct drive blower motor. Therefore this guide is for that type of furnace blower. The testing and diagnosis would be the same for a belt drive blower but the replacement process would be different.

**NOTE** ONLY YOU CAN ASSESS YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS TASK. THIS IS A GUIDE AND CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE DETAILS FOR EVERY SITUATION.

Most modern furnaces use a direct drive blower motor. Therefore this guide is for that type of furnace blower. The testing and diagnosis would be the same for a belt drive blower but the replacement process would be different.

If you suspect your motor is bad, you should check to make sure before you replace it. Begin diagnosis by shutting off the power to the furnace. Then, try to spin the blower by hand.

If it will not spin freely, check to see if it has oil ports on the blower. If it has oil ports, you should add a few drops of oil to see if it helps the motor to spin freely. If there are no ports or it still does not spin freely after adding oil, the motor should be replaced.

If the blower spins freely, feel the motor to see if it is hot. If the motor is hot to the touch, allow it to cool. Check all the wire connections to ensure they are tight, check the run capacitor and replace it as necessary.

Then you can check to see if the motor works properly. Turn the power back on and turn the fan on at the thermostat. If the blower does not start or fails to get up to full speed, shut the power back off to the unit and continue with furnace blower replacement.

To begin the removal of the old motor, you should write down the motor wire colors and where they are connected. Then you can disconnect them. On newer furnaces they will be connected to the furnace control board by spade connectors. Most older furnaces have a wiring control box with a relay and the wire connections.

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Furnace Blower Replacement, A Homeowner's Guide

Window cleaning, or window washing, is the cleaning of architectural glass used for structural, lighting, or decorative purposes.

Commercial work is contracted variously from in-person transactions for cash or barter, to formal tender processes. Regulations, licensing, technique, equipment and compensation vary nationally and regionally.

Chamois is used to loosen and remove dirt, followed by a buffing with cheesecloth, or scrim.

Generally, chemicals are added to water, and a device such as a brush or cloth-covered handle is dipped into the resulting solution and used to scrub glass. A squeegee is then used to sluice dirt and water mixture from glass.

Any of a variety of types of telescopic poles, fitted at the upper end with a brush and water jets, fed either from vehicle-borne tanks of deionised water or by on-site production of deionised water using a domestic or commercial water outlet.

Where glass is found are window cleaners, and methods of access and equipment related to both access and cleaning vary nationally and regionally.

Ladders ranging in size from a single step to the extent (and beyond) of local regulations are used to access windows for cleaning purposes.

Not to be confused with suspended scaffolding, these are temporary work platforms typically erected from a lower level to gain access at height.

Machines variously configured and powered, designed to deliver workers to otherwise inaccessible areas.[1]

Not to be confused with supported scaffolding. Devices designed for ascent and/or descent via rope (wire or fiber [synthetic or natural]) by mechanical or manual means.

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Window cleaner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heating Contractor In Media PA - Media PA Heating Contractor - (610) 534-8771
http://www.CoolItHVAC.com - Heating Contractor In Media PA - Media PA Heating Contractor - If you #39;re looking for a top rated heating contractor in Media or Springfield, Pennsylvania Cool It...

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Heating Contractor In Media PA - Media PA Heating Contractor - (610) 534-8771 - Video

By Joseph Boyle , last updated April 7, 2011

Installing an outdoor water fountain in your yard or garden can be a wonderful way to enhance the atmosphere around your home and bring in a sense of wonder and beauty. Before you begin, it is important to bear in mind that fountain installation can be an in depth process, as depending on the size of the fountain, it can be quite heavy and difficult to move since they are generally made of concrete or stone. If you would like to install a water fountain in your yard, here are some tips on how you can go about doing so.

You want to be sure that your fountain will be able to withstand all kinds of weather, make sure it is perfectly level, and have adequate access to electricity so that the water pump can function. First and foremost, the essential aspect to be aware of is a solid foundation. You want to place your foundation on firm, well-drained ground. Most ground area you might choose will be susceptible to some change depending on weather or temperature, but do your best to position the fountain on solid ground that will not shift too much. If the ground shifts, it is likely to upset the level of the fountain, which can be problematic, especially with fountains that require an even water flow.

Once you have chosen a sufficient area for the foundation, be sure to clear away anything loose until you have nice solid ground. The most important thing to pay attention to is the state of the ground you have chosen in rainy weather. Be sure that rainwater will run around the foundation, and that the foundation will not sink should the surrounding area become muddy. With the area selected, you can build your foundation in one of three ways: with a concrete slab, bricks, or concrete blocks. In order to properly level the foundation, you can use sand, adjusting the amount of sand until the concrete or brick is level. Once you have used a sufficient amount of sand, place some landscape fabric over the sand, which will help keep the sand from being washed away. On top of this, place the slab, bricks, or blocks.

Next, you need to figure out how to run your electrical supply to the fountain. For this there are two common options. The first is to just simply bury the cable itself. The second is to use PVC pipe, through which you will run the cable. Either way, bury the cable at a minimum of 18 inches. In general, the PVC method is much safer in terms of ensuring that the cable will not be damaged if any digging is done in your yard.

The last thing to be aware of is whether or not you want to install a timer for the fountain. You can locate it anywhere along the length of the electrical cable above-ground.

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home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Garden & Lawn Lawn Ornaments How to Install a Water Fountain

Sara Gilmore

Sara Gilmore is a freelance writer who has been creating web content for the last four years. Her writing has appeared on eHow and her own blogs and websites. Gilmore has a degree in paralegal studies from Kaplan College.

A water fountain can add ambiance to your back yard. It even serves as white noise to block out any traffic sounds. This is a DIY project that can be done in a weekend & enjoyed for years to come. You can create a water fountain for any style of garden. When the water feature isn't turned on, it acts as a piece of garden sculpture.

Decide whether you want to circulate water. You'll need a special circulating pump to install a water fountain. This means that the water will be pumped from the basin, back up to the spout, and fall down all over again. This uses a lot less water. Otherwise, your water fountain will need a drain and a place for the water to flow to.

You will need to waterproof the fountain. If you are building the water feature directly into the lawn, you'll need to line it with a pond liner. Before you lay this down, dig out a trench so you don't have any rocks or weeds poking out. Seal any terracotta pots and the inside of the base of your water fountain, so it won't leek.

Attach the flexible vinyl tubing to the water pump. Place this on the inside of your water feature. You can disguise the tubing with a copper pipe or even a piece of hollowed-out bamboo. Wherever the tubing ends is where the water will come out, so play with different heights. This will add drama and even change the sound of the water flow.

Fill your fountain with water, and then plug it in. If the pump sounds like it is working too hard, add more water. This should be done any time the pump is buzzing or making an unusual sound. The pump should always be submersed in water.

Landscape after you install your water fountain. This will turn your store-bought fountain into an outdoor oasis. You can place plants around your fountain so it has more of the feeling of an outdoor stream. For a rustic look, gather up river rocks or stones from around the yard. If you want a more modern feel, try using slate tiles or even glass pebbles. Make your fountain the focal point of your backyard or patio.

You can still install a water fountain even if you aren't handy. You can buy table top fountains inexpensively. They just require you to pour water into the base and plug it in. These work both indoors and out.

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How to Install a Water Fountain | eHow

Wood moldings are the trim that is installed alongside the margins of ceilings, floors, doors and windows hiding the seams between different sections of the room and different materials. Even though is it used to conceal the seams, it can also be used as decoration, with an extensive range of styles and profiles to choose from. Whatever style you select, the tricky part is going to be cutting the corners properly. If you do not have much experience, practice by cutting some miters before you use the technique on your wood moldings. In this article, we will talk about how you can cut and install wood moldings correctly.

First of all, measure the wall, at the floor, from the corner outward. Transfer these dimensions onto the wood moldings. Mark the location on the top edge of the wood moldings. Next, place the wood moldings on your miter saw platform, positioning it on its bottom edge in such a manner that it is oriented in the same way that it will be installed onto the wall. Adjust the molding with the intention that your mark is directly under the blade of the miter saw.

Turn the blade around to a 45 degree angle pointing outward from the mark for the outside corners and turn the blade around to the 45 degrees angle pointing towards the inside for the inside corners. Using the saw, make the cut, holding the wood moldings firmly with your free hand. Cut the wood moldings in one smooth, swift motion, bringing the blade all the way through the wood moldings.

Repeat the steps for the other pieces of wood moldings that will be installed on the other side of the corner. Cut it from the opposite end in the same manner as you did the first one, and place the wood moldings on the opposite side of the miter saw blade as you did earlier. Adjust the blade in order to point it away from the wood moldings for the outside corners and towards the trim for the inside corners.

Set the two pieces of wood moldings on the wall, with the mitered cuts converging at the corner in order to make a 90 degree angle. Secure the wood moldings firmly to the wall using trim nails and a hammer. Do not drive the nails all the way in as this may damage the surface of the wood moldings and stop when the nail heads are just above the wood and then drill them slightly under the surface with the use of a nailset.

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#1 Floor Trim And Moulding