Tip # 10 - LIVEN UP YOUR TILE WITH A SIMPLE PATTERN!

Tired of the same old square boring look you find on most tile floors?  Try using a pattern to jazz things up.  There are a multitude of simple patterns out there that are very easy to install - in fact many installers will do these patterns at no additional charge.  One of my favorites is a pattern called hopscotch.  It is very simple to install and adds a ton of visual interest to your floor.  Here is an example of this pattern we recently installed on a house in Cranston.

Hopscotch Pattern

DAL Tile has a great online resource for tile patterns at http://www.daltile.com/tile_patterns.cfm?pattern=2.  Check this out!  They actually have the patterns in PDF form so you can download it and hand it to your contractor.  Check out some of these patterns and make your floor an exciting part of your homescape.

Tip # 9 Water bill "bumming" you out? Try a dual flush conversion kit for your toilet!

Have you noticed water bills going up in your area?  Those of us that live in RI and specifically buy our water from Kent County Water Supply are well aware of the rising costs of water.  Now there is a way to beat the system!  Install a dual flush retrofit kit by Select A Flush.

This amazing little gadget only costs only $30 and is easily installed even by all of us non-plumbers!  Once it is installed you simply push the lever one way for #1 and the other way for #2.  Even your husbands should be able to figure this out ladies!  If they have too much trouble labels can help!  This will save you considerably - especially when you have 5-6 people in the house.  Kids use the toilet constantly!  I have to say mine seem to have some kind of aversion to flushing(and it has nothing to do with saving water)!


If you want to save some money on water and do your part for the environment then spend $30 and an hour of your time and install one of these little beauties in your throne! You'll be glad you did!

Click here for sound effects!      

Tip # 8 Make your roof "COOL" and get a tax credit!

"Cool" roofs are here!

There are a multitude of colors available in the new cool roof line from Certainteed.  These roofs for the most part are about 20% more expensive than a typical roof but the savings you gain over time will be considerable. This roofing product qualifies for an energy tax credit of up to $1500 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The key to these revolutionary new shingles are reflective granules that are contained in the shingles coating. These particles reflect much of the light that hits the roof instead of absorbing it as heat. Your benefit - a cooler attic and lower cooling bill!

A Beautiful Silver Birch "Cool Roof"

Also available from Certainteed are 2 standard colors that meet the Energy Star criteria!  These 2 gray roofs are "cool", beautiful, and the best part is they are the same price as a standard architectural shingle.  This means if you pick one of these colors you're eligible for up to $1500 in tax credits.  Roofs are an expensive but necessary evil.  An extra $1500 in your pocket might mean the difference between living with a leaky roof or replacing one.

Tip # 7 - What paint should I choose?

I am often asked what paint is the best to use when you have kids.  I am speaking from experience as the father of three girls, one who is 2-1/2 years old, that Sherwin Williams Duration is an incredibly durable and rich looking paint.  My "angel" Mia has tried in vain to destroy the dark red wall that my wife insisted on having in the highest traffic area in the house.  This stuff is literally like nails - you can take your fingernails and scratch right across it to no effect.  It is highly washable and it covers extremely well.  This product gets an A+ from the construction gurus and Mia's Dad!

Tip # 6 Stay Green and Build Smart With Engineered Wood Products

If you are environmentally conscious and want to build to last consider the engineered wood products that are available.

1.  OSB (oriented strand board) is an engineered plywood replacement that been improved vastly over the years.  It is cheaper than traditional plywood, has similar strength characteristics, and is made with scrap wood and small new growth trees which make it a sustainable product.

2. I-Joists are replacements for traditional dimensional lumber such as 2x10 Joists and rafters.  The beauty of I-Joists is the fact that they can handle greater spans than traditional joists, they are a green product since they contain an OSB web and a 2x3 top and bottom chord, they are lighter and easier to build with, and they maintain there size without the shrinkage that is typical in dimensional lumbers which can cause aggravating and expensive plaster and paint repairs in new construction.

3.  LVL's (laminated veneer lumber) are a beam product that are often used for the center beam's in home construction or in areas that require a large span opening.  In many cases where we "blow out" a bearing wall we will put an LVL in it's place to carry the existing loads.  The advantage of LVL's are similar to I-Joists.  They are green, they carry greater loads over greater spans than dimensional lumber and they offer less shrinkage.  They also give the option particularly in basements for the use of less bearing columns which can aid in the design of finished basement space.

These are but a few of the products that are available but are probably the most prevalent.  Know that these are superior products and that any extra $$$ spent up front on these products will be saved on the back end of your projects in costly repairs to paint and plaster due to the unstable nature of todays dimensional lumber. 

Get Smart and Green!  Go with engineered wood! 

Tip # 5 Buy Energy Saving LED Recessed Can Trim/Bulb Combos

Great News!  Affordable recessed can LED lighting is now available at Home Depot.  If you are installing new recessed cans you can't even buy a decent trim and bulb for this kind of money.  The local Rhode Island Home Depot's are selling this light for $15!  These bulbs are fully dimmable, provide beautiful clean light, and all at 1/6 the energy use of a regular 65 watt bulb.  No joking today folks - if you want to save some dough and do something for the environment, these bulbs are a great choice.  They also are designed to last 35,000 hours - 30 years at normal use.  The future is here and if you are tired of spending tons of money on your current electric bill this can make a big impact.  Run down to your local Home Depot  and pick up a few of these retrofits and let your electric bill make you smile instead of frown!  Incandescent? whats that!?

Tip # 4 - Don't show up at your building inspectors office with a napkin blueprint.