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A screened porch is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, while still having an indoor feel. There are a large number of models on the market today, from the very elaborate and expensive, to the more basic screened porches which are more affordable. Today’s screened porches come with many different options to keep you comfortable year round, and kits are available on the market for the average do-it-yourself types to make their own screened porch. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning to add a screened porch on to your home.

You will most likely need a building permit so check with your city and county building department for any requirements. If you belong to a homeowner’s association, you will probably need to get the association’s approval and will have to comply with the provisions set out in your homeowner’s association. Do not be tempted to skip either of these steps. You could find yourself facing stiff fines or penalties at a later date so it really does make sense to do it correctly from the beginning.

If you are going to have a contractor do the work for you, then begin by getting estimates. Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations and get the quotes in writing including time estimates for completion. Be sure to read all the fine print on the estimate, and know their policies on deposits, refunds, and satisfaction guarantees. Make sure to get several quotes so you can make comparisons. Ask for references and check the company out with your local business bureau.

If you are planning to build the screened porch yourself, check your local home improvement store to see what they have available. They may offer some classes which can help. Screened porch kits and books and tapes may be found which should lay out the process in a step by step fashion. Several online merchants offer screened porch kits, but be sure you verify costs and shipping fees. Also, be sure to do business with only reputable dealers and check those return and satisfaction guaranteed policies before making any online purchase.

Dee Marie is a freelance writer who enjoys the outdoors. You can get more information on a screened porch at http://Porch32.com

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Termites are not lured to the termite baits, one must wait until they encounter them by “chance” during their random foraging activities. Systems like this are very expensive to install and they require maintenance every single month in order to stand a chance at being effective. Until such time as the termites “take the bait” they can continue to damage the home. Sometimes termites will continue to damage the home even after they “take the bait”.

On think is for sure, termite companies make more money installing baiting systems, the bait stations are cheap, they can be installed by unskilled help and best of all the company charges you more money for something that costs them less and the company gets paid over and over again because of the required ongoing maintenance required.

Many questions about baits are still without answers. One thing we do know is that the products will not perform by simply hammering a few baits into the ground and walking away. Success requires thoughtful installation and diligent monitoring by an experienced service technician, backed by a responsible pest control firm.

Application of sub surface pesticides usually achieves faster control, it is also frequently more effective and more economical. Many times baits are in place for years while the termites keep munching away on the wood structure of your home.

Michael Del Greco is President of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm. He has performed thousands of home inspections in New Jersey since 1993. He has taught the New Jersey Home Inspector Licensing classes and New Jersey Home Inspector CEU classes as well as participated in developing questions for the National Home Inspector Exam. Michael’s home inspector resume may be viewed at http://www.accurateinspections.com/michael2.htm.

Visit http://home-inspector.NewJerseyHomeInspection.com for a list of home inspectors in New Jersey.

This article may be freely reproduced if it is not altered and the above two lines are reproduced with active hot links.

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Understanding a few essential color concepts will help you design your living and work spaces more purposefully. Embrace the colors that work best for your specific activity and emotional support. Here are seven Design Psychology color basics:

1. Light colors and cool colors recede; dark and bold colors advance.

2. Bold colors and large patterns take up visual space and help sparsely furnished rooms look finished.

3. Bright primary colors give off energy, while pastel colors absorb energy. Excessively bright colors, like excessively bright lights, are stressful.

4. Unrelieved monochromatic color schemes can be boring and, worse, depressing.

5. Adjacent rooms visually expand when the background colors are alike.

6. Northern exposed rooms generally need more light and warmth. Yellow-based colors add dimensions of light and warmth. Rooms with a southern exposure in a hot climate feel cooler when painted in blue-based colors.

7. Surrounding colors influence the appearance of nearby colors. A color appears lighter when surrounded by a dark background and darker when surrounded by a light background.

Use these color concepts to create your spaces for happiness and productivity.

(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

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