How to Measure Your Windows For Window Blinds

A savvy shopper looking to find the best price on window blinds would be wise to do a little research. Stores like Walmart and Target will usually have competitive prices, but a limited selection of blinds from which to choose. The biggest advantage of walking into a discount store to buy your blinds off the shelf is that there is no waiting to get them. Just pay for them, take them home and put them up.

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For those who are not limited by an immediate need to have something covering their windows, there are some rewards to shopping online. There are many internet retailers who have a wide selection of window treatments available that can be purchased "as is", "cut to order" or custom made. You can also price shop while at home in your skivvies enjoying a glass of wine or a beer. That's much better than driving around town to Target, Walmart, Home Depot or Lowes, plus you'll probably be able to save money as well as gas. Internet shopping is "green" shopping.

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If you're going to order blinds online, knowing how to measure your windows or doors is important. Carpenter's have a saying "measure twice, cut once". In this situation you could say "Measure twice, pay once". If you order custom blinds and don't order the right size, you can't send them back, so if you want to reorder you'll be charged again.

If you're measuring for vertical blinds, here are a few tips so that you get the measurements right:

When you're writing down the measurements make sure to clearly note which number is the width and which is the height and always indicate the widthbefore the height (W x H). Plastic or cloth measuring tapes that are typically used by seamstresses for measuring cloth, or in my case, thighs, have a tendency to stretch, so use a steel measuring tape and measure to the nearest 1/8 inch. Measure the width in at least two places and take the smallest width. Depending on the width of the window, measure the height in at least two places and take the smallest height. If you're measuring for a sliding glass door, they usually only use a one-way draw. The tracks for one-way draws are usually reversible. Inside mount valances will not align flush with the wall. They will extend into the room an inch or two.

Should you choose and inside or an outside mount?

Make your decision on whether you will have an inside mount or an outside mount before measuring for the blinds. An outside mount can help conceal an old, unsightly window. An outside mount can make your windows appear larger. An inside mount provides a neater look. If you prefer an inside mount, make sure the window has enough depth to install the mounting hardware. For an inside mount, be sure to allow for the height of the blinds headrail in your measurements.

How to measure for an inside mount - Measure the width at the top, center and bottom of the window opening and record the narrowest width. Measure the height left, center and right and record the shortest height. Provide exact measurement when ordering your blinds because they will deduct 1/16 to 3/8 of an inch from the width and up to 1/2 inch from the height to make sure the blinds fit inside the window frame. Also, make sure the window has enough depth for the mounting brackets.

How to measure for an outside mount - Measure the width of the window opening and if there is room, add at least 4 inches to each side to try to minimize any leaks of outside light. Next, measure the height of the window opening and add at least 2 ½ inches to the height so that you can mount the brackets above the opening and allow for some overlap at the bottom of the window. If the blinds will hang down to the floor, make sure that you have about ½ inch clearance so that they open and close properly. When you specify an outside mount, no deductions will be taken and the blinds will be cut to the exact measurements you provide.

Now that you know the advantages to buying vertical blinds online (better selection, lower price and less hassle) and how to get the proper measurements, you can pour yourself a beer or a glass of wine, sit down at your computer and start surfing for the best blinds at the best prices. Oh! One additional bit of advice is to measure first and drink later.

How to Measure Your Windows For Window Blinds

Marcia has been an internet publisher for over five years. Having experienced the frustration of measuring windows wrong when ordering vertical blinds online Marcia wrote this article to help make this process easier for others You can visit Marcia's latest web site to learn more about using window treatments to decorate your home at http://www.blackverticalblinds.com/ where you can find information on buying Black Vertical Blinds

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Choosing the Right Shower Stall Can Make Your Bathroom a Showroom!

Do you know something...of late more and more people are eying the shower stall rather than a tub in their bathroom. In fact, most people opt for this approach because they don't have much time at their hand to relax and enjoy a bath, hence they look for easier options like shower stalls.

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Do you fall into the same category and want to redecorate your bathroom by installing stalls? If that's the case they you need to go through this article at least once. Let us proceed...
To begin with there are different brands like Lowes, Aqua Glass, Lasco, Home Depot from where you can choose one. However, whichever brand you choose make sure that is an attractive one and helps you enjoy your bath. You may also use free standing curtains to give a new look to your bathroom. You may go in for curtains with unique themes and colors. This approach helps you get a soothing feeling as well as take a refreshing bath. They can be clearly defined an enclosure that in constructed inside your bathroom particularly to prevent the leakage of water when an individual takes a bath. They come in a variety of designs and may be also made up of acrylic. They give your bathroom a new look or rather add a touch of elegance to it. If you're having a door less one, then prefer purchasing elongated shower curtains as it prevents the seepage of water. In fact, in recent times almost all curtains are water repellent so make sure to go for one that best suits your requirement. Good shower stalls prevent your bathroom from getting messy and wet. So, if you are planning to purchase one then you may either pay a visit to the nearest shopping mall or carry out a search online. Here you will find a wide collection of shower stalls displayed right in front of your computer screen. To be more specific, you'll find shower stalls of different brands under one roof from where you can make the necessary selection. go for one now!

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Choosing the Right Shower Stall Can Make Your Bathroom a Showroom!

Jared Ingram writes about choosing the right shower stall at http://www.showerexperts.net/.

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Installing Garage Doors in Your Home

Replacing or installing garage doors can be accomplished by a homeowner that has good tool handling skills and basic mechanical knowledge. In many cases you can save as much as 40 percent of the cost by installing the garage doors yourself. Many garage door manufactures will try to discourage you from installing your own doors. In some cases they will even use fear as a tool to keep garage doors pricing high. Garage door installation is a very lucrative business. In general installation or replacement of a garage door is a two person job that may require multiple days to complete.

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You can find all the assistance you need using the Internet and by visiting one the large home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. It is very important that you correctly measure your door opening including the header clearance above the door. You will need about 12 inches to correctly install the torsion spring and garage door opener. If you have less room there are several low headroom kits available that will be necessary for installing garage doors.

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The main point of risk from installing garage doors comes from the torsion spring that is used to assist in lift a heavy door. This spring is located on the header wall on the inside of the garage. This spring when correctly installed essentially makes the garage door weightless when opening and closing. When the garage door is in the down position these springs are tightly wound as the door opens they will unwind to help lift the door. These springs do break with a very loud noise that can be frightening. Due to the amount of stored energy in the spring not loading or unloading it correctly can cause serious injury or death. However if you follow the installation instructions correctly there is no more injury risk than that of working with any power tool. Many garage door manufactures like Clopay have very good online installation instructions.

If you are not handy with tools or are uncomfortable with the risk then by all means hire a professional to replace the spring or for installing your doors. The other type of garage door spring is sometimes called extension springs and they are very easy to replace with minimal risk. Again simply follow the instructions and you will not have any problems.

Installing garage doors for the first time will require a degree of patience to complete. Hanging the tracks correctly may require a making corrections several times. Do not cut corners as a garage door may often weigh as much as 500 lbs and will be supported by these hangers and tracks.
Some of the tools that you will need include:

Cordless reversible drill
Hammer
Ladder
Several feet of 1 ¼ inch punched angle iron
Pliers
Level
Saw Horses
You will also need a number of fasteners that will be prescribed by the installation instructions.

Installing garage doors is really not that hard to accomplish if you are good at fixing things around the house. However if you are unsure about the process then we suggest you hire a contractor to do the job. If at all possible you should spend the time to watch the installation taking notes and pictures. This education will come in handy the next time you will be replacing or installing garage doors. It is always easier to do something once you have all ready seen it done. Installing garage doors on your own will not only save you money but also help you in maintaining your new door and assist in making any necessary future repairs.

Installing Garage Doors in Your Home

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Garage Doors Pricing Website located at http://www.garagedoorspricing.com Providing information on installing garage doors and the purchasing and operation of a garage door.

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Finishing the Basement by Installing a Ceiling

After you have your walls constructed in a basement remodel, you may want to consider finishing off the look of the ceiling. Here are a few options that you can use to add that finishing touch, and there should be a solution here to fit any budget.

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Drop Ceiling Installation
By far the most popular basement ceiling solution is the drop ceiling. There are many different styles from which to choose, and they are relatively simple to install. One of the things that makes them so simple to install is that they easily hide all of the wiring, plumbing and ductwork, but the panels can be easily removed for access any time. A drop ceiling is a simple project for a homeowner to do without professional help, and unfortunately they are also one of the more expensive ceiling options. While some tile systems are cheaper than others, they are still at the upper end of the budget spectrum overall.

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Drywall Ceiling Installation
Another option when you are installing a basement ceiling is installing a drywall ceiling. This type of ceiling finishes off the look of your newly remodeled basement beautifully, and it is probably the least expensive finished ceiling options. Like the drop ceiling, it can hide all of the wiring, pipes and ductwork housed in the ceiling beams. However, if you need to access anything behind it, you will want to use screws to install your drywall panels. For example, if there is plumbing or wiring behind the drywall, you will want to screw in that section of the ceiling for easy removal. Plan the layout of your drywall ceiling carefully so that you can minimize the number of sections that may need to be removed to make a repair at some future date. Since drywall is heavy, you will want to use lighter quarter inch drywall for any overhead application. Once installed, this surface is easy to clean and paint.

Adding a Coat of Paint
There are times when the basement ceiling is pretty clear of ugly looking wires and ductwork. If this is the situation that you find in your basement room, then you may decide to simply paint the ceiling a single, solid color. Using a single color lets everything blend together, which minimizes the look of any pipes or ductwork that are present. While simply painting the ceiling is not as finished looking as a drop ceiling or a drywall ceiling, it is by far the least expensive ceiling treatment. Depending on how finished the rest of the room is this may or may not be a viable option for your basement ceiling.

Things to Consider
Before deciding what kind of ceiling you want to use to finish your basement space, consider your available budget for this project and consider how your want your room to look when it is finished. Also keep in mind if you are planning to sell your house any time soon, how this project affects the resale value of your home. Then you are ready to choose your ceiling.

Finishing the Basement by Installing a Ceiling

Angela Glancy is an award-winning designer and contributing staff writer at American Artisan Art. She offers many practical ideas that add style with floral sculptures and wood wall decor.

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Wrought Iron Railings and Deck Railings

Do you need to replace the railings in your house? Perhaps on your deck? Have you considered wrought iron railings?

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Having the right railings in your house is important because you want to keep your deck safe. You don't want anyone to be leaning on your deck and fall over!

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If you want to protect your deck and your neck, you might consider iron railings. This kind of material keeps your deck safe and sturdy and will protect your loved ones against falling.

Decks are great for parties and such, and you want a material that will be able to withstand the test of time. If you've already seen a problem with your railing, it's important that you fix your deck immediately.

You can find more information about deck railings online. You can go to a Home Depot or Lowe's and see the material they have for repairing your deck. They sell railings of all varieties.

You can use a railing to showcase your style as well. If you want to make your deck look cool and nicer than what most people usually have, get a cool looking wrought iron railing!

Have some style, don't be boring, get a cool looking and safe wrought iron railing. Wrought Iron is very strong and will keep you and your family safe.

The quality and style of iron should convince you to get an excellent sort of railing for your deck. Make the best choice, get a good looking and high quality deck railing.

Wrought Iron Railings and Deck Railings

Jack Goldhammer invites you to learn more about getting a deck railing and wrought iron railings.

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Lights For Video Production

The biggest difference between amateur and professional video is often the lighting. Today's digital cameras do a great job in low light, and that gives you lots of room to play. But for truly professional results, you need to light your scene but it does not have to be hard.

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Using natural light from incoming windows is a great strategy for home movies, quick-down-and-dirty shoots and large locations that are impossible to light without a crew of twelve. Using natural light can save you time, money, and hassle.

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But often, your video will look best if you use supplemental lights.

Technically, a picture is nothing BUT light. This is true for video pictures too. The quality of light is the single biggest determinant of the quality of your video. Ideally, you should not only have adequate light, you should also have mood-appropriate lighting. Amazing affects can be achieved if you know how.

Light fixtures used for professional video production can either be portable or stationary. If you have a studio, you will probably have a grid on the ceiling to hang lights and would buy stationary light fixtures. Short of that, you can use portables on collapsible stands in a studio or out in the field.

An ideal portable light kit for a small professional video crew would contain at least four lights, each with its own stand and accessories.
Out of the four lights, ideally you would have:
One 1,000 watt with a soft box.
One 750 with a soft box.
One 500 watt with soft box
One 250 watt with barn doors

Each light should also come with:
A dimmer capable of handling that wattage
A barn door
Gel frames
A full color spectrum pack of color gels
Variety of diffusion gels and cloths
Clips
Sand bag weights to hold down your stands if out side
Miles of tape

OK, now pack all that up in a metal case and lug it around.

Convincing beginners to use lights is not easy because it can be a lot of backbreaking manual labor. But please believe me, A FEW LIGHTS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. If you don't have to march to Timbuktu dragging it all with you, it is definitely worth the effort to achieve professional results.

Here is what all those accessories listed above do:

Barn doors: Barn doors usually automatically come with a professional light fixture the same way a car comes with a steering wheel.

Barn doors are a metal accessory you attach to the front of your light. Each of the four black, adjustable doors can be folded over the light to block the light path. Barn doors are used to direct the light to where you want it to go. Barn doors are an essential tool.

Soft boxes: Soft boxes are the most glorious thing in the photographer's lighting kit if you are going to shoot lots of faces. A soft box gives you soft, diffused light directed right where you need it. A soft box is made of special cloth that both directs and diffuses the light. The sides of the box are heavy black cloth on the outside, and reflective white (or silver) on inside. This directs all the light to the front of the soft box where it passes through the thick white diffusion cloth. Soft boxes provide absolutely exquisite diffused light. However, you loose a lot of intensity in the diffusion process so a 1,000 watt lamp with a soft box is perfect for your key light.

Photographic umbrellas are another way to provide diffusion for your hot, tungsten light fixtures. Umbrellas are great if you need to provide overall, bright, diffused illumination. The hot, direct light is pointed back toward the reflective surface of the umbrella, not at the subject. The light bounces off the umbrella and gives a diffused bath of light.

The diffusion umbrellas provide is not as nice for faces as that of soft boxes. Also, soft boxes have the advantage of directing the light whereas umbrellas just bounce it everywhere. However, umbrellas can be just what you need.

Color gels: Color gels come in every hue imaginable and are a cheap, easy way for your video production lighting to take a giant leap into the professional. Color gels are flame retardant plastic sheets you place in front of your light. Lights will usually come with a collapsible metal gel holder. When lighting interviews, pale orange gels are often used on faces to give a "warm glow." Color gels are good for lighting the background and providing mood. The Halloween video is much scarier if you soak some of your lights in deep red color gels! The flowers look greener if you shine a strong, green, directional light on the leaves among all the diffused white light. Color gels are fun to play with.

Dimmers: A small dimmer capable of handling the high wattage of for each light can help you avoid hot spots in your shot. Really large crews carry an entire lighting board with multiple inputs to have individual dimming control over each light. But short of that, a few dimmers will serve you well.

Snoot: Great name for a great doo-dad. A snoot is a metal lighting accessory that directs the light to a pinprick. Snoots are PERFECT for halo backlighting. They keep the light on the hair with no unsightly spill onto the face.

Clips: Portable light kits are a wonderful exercise in setting things up and then tearing them down. To shoot a video, you often have to take over a location and pin things up here, there, and everywhere. I always found it handy to throw some cheapie wooden clothes pins in my light kit.

Adapters/Extension cords: The more portable you are, the more you have to think of all contingencies. Pack lots of doo-dads and gizmos. Two prong/three prong adapters. Miles of cables and cords. Tape. Retractable knife. Ties. Aspirin.

Natural and artificial light can be enhanced using reflectors. Anything that reflects light will work. A simple sheet of white poster board can be placed opposite of your light source to reflect back onto your subject's face and soften distracting shadows. In fact, often a fill light is nothing more than a reflector.

Even lights you buy at home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot can be used effectively. Point them toward the ceiling, this bounces the light, softening it, which produces a more flattering effect on the face. Plus it eliminates eye squints and grumpy on-camera people! Pointing your lights and bouncing them off the wall is the low budget method of achieving what umbrellas and soft boxes can do for you.

Lights For Video Production

Lorraine Grula has been a well-respected award winning video professional for over twenty-five years. (Yeah, that makes her kind of old.) Lorraine has done virtually every kind of video production imaginable and now shares her expertise on the web. Her blog, http://www.VideoProductionTips.com is full of free information and video tutorials.

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High Security Locks - What Are They and Should You Care?

Ever take a look at the locks on your front door? Do they have a nice shiny brass finish? Do you have a keyed entry? Well, if you're like most people then your locks are branded either Kwikset or Schlage or some no-name brand. What most people don't know is that these locks are just as good as no lock. A complete amateur can manipulate these locks within seconds. Not to mention using brute force would require no skill at all but would get the job done right away. So what can you do? Well, there are solutions; and one of the best solutions is installing high security locks instead of your cheap locks from Home Depot or Lowes.

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These high security locks are offered by a few brands; Mul-T-Lock and Medeco are the most popular. I personally prefer Mul-T-Lock so I will be focusing mainly on their product line. First I would like to talk about what makes a high security lock so special; For starters these locks are very difficult to pick and manipulate, in other words, the same amateur that can pick a Kwikset or a Schlage within seconds will have no idea where to even begin with these high security locks. Their build quality is exceptional and unlike the cheaper locks they are built from solid brass. The keys that come along with high security locks are non-duplicate keys. I'm sure many of you have seen non-duplicate keys before, but it's not enough to just stamp "Do not duplicate" on a key. These high security keys come along with a special code card (looks similar to a credit card); this card contains the information required to duplicate a key. In other words, only you can authorize making additional copies of your key. This is usually referred to as key control.

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As an example I would like to discuss some of the features offered on Mul-T-Lock's Grade 1 High security Deadbolt from their Hercular series. This deadbolt is complete solid brass and weighs a couple of pounds. The lock is pick proof, bump proof, tamper proof and drill proof. There are hardened steel inserts to prevent drilling the lock cylinder. There is a metal shield covering the mechanism preventing and attempt at ice-picking. And just to top it off, they added a special feature to the bolt itself. There is an interlocking steel ball placed on the bolt. Once the bolt is in a locked position, these steel balls are pushed outwards, interlocking with the strike box. This means that even using brute force with a screwdriver or a crowbar will become a much more difficult task.

In conclusion, high security locks are obviously more expensive than your standard lock; but it's true what they say - "You get what you pay for!" - These locks offer real value in security rather than close to none. They offer a variety of features and functions that make them worth their price tag. I should also mention that they also come with a lifetime warranty on all mechanical failures, which that alone shows how these manufacturers are confident with their products. Make sure when you get to get these installed by a professional locksmith.

High Security Locks - What Are They and Should You Care?

Locksmith King of Prussia

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