Remodeling a residence to promote weather resistance and ensure it remains energy efficient can be a large project, especially for home owners that do not have any of the proper materials already in place. Making a home more energy efficient can involve several different aspects of remodeling both inside and outside of the house. Adding a fireplace might be a necessary addition or at the very least a consideration. Heating the home with a properly installed fireplace can eliminate energy consumption and alleviate the cost of heating with fuel oil, propane or electricity, all of which cost more than wood.

The installation of energy efficient windows might also be a necessary consideration or inclusion for the weather resistant remodeling project. Low ‘E’ glass is coated with a reflective material that keeps warmer temperatures outside the house in hot weather conditions. This type of glass will also reject some of the damaging rays from the sun eliminating the possibility of fading in furniture and carpeting. If combined with a thermal strip these types of windows will also prevent the escape of heat and allow the house to stay warmer in colder temperatures. Low ‘E’ glass is more expensive than conventional glass applications; however the benefits outweigh the costs.

Having a fireplace installed, or converting to a fireplace insert, can eliminate an enormous amount of expense associated with heating costs during the winter. Colder months are more common in some areas than in others so this may not be a concern for all home remodelers. If the current heating system in the house isn’t providing the desired results then the home owner should seriously consider one of these options. A fireplace or wood pellet burning stove will heat the house more effectively and efficiently than conventional propane or electric heating sources as well as providing a nice warm addition to the aesthetic appeal to the entire house.

North Suburbs – House Painters
Remodeling projects do not always have to involve the interior of the house. The exterior of the residence has several opportunities available for home owners to consider when they are thinking about making modifications to the place in which they live. The siding of the house can be modified or replace completely. The roof is also another area of interest. Having new shingles installed or hiring a metal roof contractor to install a weather resistant system can add to the integrity of the domicile as well as increase the asking price of the house should it be offered for sale at any time in the near future.

Vinyl siding is one of the most commonly used remodeling materials on the market today for use with new building construction as well as remodeling projects. Vinyl siding is less expensive than other forms of siding such as brick or natural wood shingles and siding. It is also easier to install than other forms of exterior siding which makes it a favorite among contractors and do it yourself enthusiasts. In addition vinyl siding is more weather resistant than many of the other materials and requires less in the form of repair should a piece get broken or come free.

Metal roofs seem to go hand in hand with vinyl siding applications as the home owner has determined that these materials provide the best protection for their home and the investment they have made in maintaining it for generations. Metal roof systems are generally easier to install than shingles or cedar shake and provide a better resistance to weather. When installed properly they will eliminate any leaky roof conditions and prevent them from reappearing during periods of inclement weather. In colder climates they are beneficial in snow removal procedures as the surface is generally easier to maneuver snow from and does not pose the possibility of snagging on a loose object like shingles or shake do.

Do you currently use conventional methods of cleaning the windows of your house? By conventional meaning using a window cleaning liquid compound, a roll of paper towel and a little elbow grease to try and wipe the dirt, grime and grease that can collect on the surfaces of the glass off effectively. This method can work rather well for most people under the right circumstances and provided the right conditions exist. This method is often best done when the surface temperature of the glass is cool to the touch. If it is done when the glass is warm or hot, streaking and smudging can appear or the liquid can evaporate and dry before the cleaner can wipe it off.

Windex and paper towel are effective for most window applications; however residential window cleaning can be accomplished using the same methods used for commercial window cleaning or exterior vehicle window cleaning. Residential owners do not often consider this method as they have never given it any though as being a more efficient and effective way to tackle a time consuming chore associated with house work. They tend to overlook the possibility of using available equipment to make their household chores easier.

Commercial window cleaning as well as exterior vehicle window cleaning is done using a warm soapy liquid mixture or available window cleaning solution and a squeegee. The cleaning liquid is applied liberally with the sponge and scrubber section of the squeegee after which the squeegee is turned over and the rubber wiper blade is used to remove the cleaning solution and all of the dirt, grime and grease that has collected on the surface. This same process can be used on most residential window units as long as the mutton bars, if any, are on the interior of the unit as opposed to being exteriorly mounted.

Sponsored by E&K Cleaning Services – Northwest Suburbs

Many people are trying to stay away from toxic chemicals as much as possible.  This includes in their cleaning supplies.  Fortunately, there are plenty of natural products available to help you keep your house clean.   Below we will list a variety of house cleaning problems along with a natural solution to help you get rid of it.

Mold – Hydrogen peroxide will help get rid of dangerous mold.  Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a squirt bottle.  Soak the mold in the solution and let it set for at least an hour.  Rinse before using the shower to allow adequate drying time.

Stained Carpet – Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.  Soak the stain with this solution and let it sit for several minutes.  Clean with a warm soapy mixture and let dry.  The stain should be gone.  Need a bit more cleaning power?  Mix borax, salt and vinegar in equal parts to make a paste.  Rub the paste into the stain using a stiff brush.  Allow to dry and vacuum up the remains.

Coffee Stains – Whether on your clothes or the coffee maker, coffee stains can be cleaned with vinegar.  For stains on your clothing, spot clean with vinegar first then throw in the washing machine as normal.  Stained coffee makers can also be cleaned with a solution of one quarter vinegar and two cups water.  Swirl the mixture around in the coffee pot for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.  The coffee pot should look as good as new.

Slow Drain – To help unclog a slow drain, mix half cup of salt with 4 liters of hot water.  Pour down the slow drain to help remove the buildup that has collected in the pipes.  If that doesn’t work, pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of vinegar down the drain.  The foaming action when the two solutions mix will help dissolve the clog.  After fifteen minutes, pour boiling water down the drain to clear any remaining clog.

Air freshener – Add lemon juice to any of the basic cleaning mixtures above will help freshen the air as you clean.  Also, drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil in various places around the house will help keep the area smelling fresh and clean.  In the bedrooms, lavender can be used to promote a relaxing atmosphere.

Chicago Cleaning Services can be a very lucrative business if you know the onus, but starting it can be a herculean task at the initial stage. If you are not encouraged at this period, you might slack behind. Nonetheless, this is a general phenomenon in staring up every business venture.
This does not mean that you can not make any head way in the cleaning business if you so wish. You have to follow certain principles to succeed in the Chicago Maid Services.

Obtaining your first clients might be difficult at the start. You can conquer this by telling anybody who comes in contact with you that even though you are new in the business, you have done all the necessary researches about the business and you know exactly what they want and how to provide it for them.
If you get your first clients, satisfying them with good house cleaning service will open another unimaginable avenue of customers for you. They will be your mobile advertising agents, going around and telling whoever cares to listen that a very wonderful house cleansing agent is in town.
You can support this good move by following the mobile advertisement of your first clients by embarking on a massive advertisement and business campaign. This does not need to be so expensive. Putting up an advertisement notice on the pages of some local tabloids and national dailies will help to achieve the desired result.

You can add the printing of complimentary cards to the advertisement processes. Give the complimentary cards to anyone who you are privileged to meet. This will certainly circulate, and through this means, customers will start looking for you in your office.
You can as well include the distribution of flyers to people about your apartment cleaning services. This will certainly help to increase customer traffic to your office.

What comes after college? Graduate school! A person might consider him or herself completely done with his or her education by the completion of college, but this is definitely not the case for those who wish to go on into the professional world of doctors and other higher positions, all of which require graduate degrees and several more years of pretty tough education and courses. Especially since today’s world is beginning to rely on these higher class positions in order for the world to run smoother, such as for more doctors and lawyers who are skilled and more knowledgeable than simple nurses or clerks, many people are now investing humongous effort into the follow up of graduate school after college, as well as often quite a big sum of money and much time.

Not all graduate schools are the same, however, and they certainly differ in many ways- not only price and quality of education but also in location and other important aspects. Graduate schools that have very good reputations usually tend to set high standards for those who wish to get in, and this is typically tested through various exams and other requirements. The higher the quality and the better the reputation of a graduate school, the tougher it is to get in and the more money it costs to receive a degree. However, the reputation does not always set apart the best graduate schools from the worst. Sometimes, a school may simply be known for its famous alumni, or those who got their diplomas from then and what those people achieved in their lives. This does not necessarily need to have much to do with the actual kind of education they got from attending a certain graduate school- they might simply be very ambitious people. Therefore, it is not always wise to base a decision on which graduate school to attend upon only its reputation.

People often wonder what the difference between a graduate and an undergraduate really is. Yes, they recognize that there is some kind of potential difference regarding education levels and things like that, but what some don’t know is exactly what kind of differences these are and how they affect a person’s life.

First of all, what is an undergraduate? It is not someone who has not gotten an education. In fact, it is quite the opposite. An undergraduate, just like the respected graduate, has gone on past high school to try and achieve a major diploma and be able to work in a professional field. However, an undergraduate is slightly less determined than a full graduate. Typically, an undergraduate would have completed all of high school and then also the addition of either 2 years of graduate school (or an Associate’s degree) or 4 years of graduate school for a Bachelor’s degree, both of which are performed at college level studies.

On the other hand, the graduate is a bit more persistent in his or her education and will go on to a longer plan of study at college level and beyond. He or she will have completed everything that an undergraduate has, but also quite a bit more. A graduate degree is officially awarded to someone who has successfully completed a Master’s degree, which usually takes up about 2 to 3 years of graduate school level studies after college itself. This is why graduates are often considered more professional and knowledgeable than undergraduates- they generally have several more years of experience and education that undergraduates.

Whereas under graduate course work usually exposes students to various topics of study besides their chosen subject of study, graduate coursework is usually more focused on the selected field of study and explores it in greater depth.

Most people do not address this issue until they are forced to meet it face to face, dead on. Which graduate degrees are truly the best, and will bring the most money upon successful completion? Typically, most people just consider the obvious facts: a graduate degree is better than no graduate degree, and certainly a lot better than a high school diploma or any other lower quality education proof. However, there is actually a significant difference that can come up with the completion of different kinds of graduate degrees. This is mainly focused around the kind of career that a person wishes to pursue and specializes in when he or she gets to grad school.
So what are the top ten best profiting graduate degrees? According to data collected quite recently by PayScale.com, the highest earning graduate degree right now is the computer science degree, reaching a mid-career median salary (typically after 15 years of experience) of a whopping $111,000. Next comes the physics department, totaling at 110,000 dollars for the mid-career median salary amongst a broad range of 43 year olds. The business careers come in strong as third, earning around $109,000 per year on average. This is followed by the economics specialization, with 108,000 dollars as a median mid-career salary, the physician assistant studies, at $98,900 and the civil engineering group, at only an average of $200 less: 98,700 dollars per year. Information technology is the next best career path, which earns around 97,200 dollars at average. Surprisingly, the mathematics department follows this with a profit of 96,900 dollars per year and geology is the next best thing, at around 90,100 dollars as a median mid-career salary. Human resources is the number ten best graduate degree according to the conducted survey- at 81,900 dollars per year.

There are many different kinds of graduate schools today. This is due to the fact that more and more people are seeing the tremendous benefits of going on past just simple high school and college and receiving a higher and more respectable kind of degree, which can potentially increase not only their lifelong profit and earnings, but also enhance their overall knowledge, ability and expertise in a chosen field, whatever it may be. To accommodate for this sudden demand for going to graduate school and receiving diplomas and more education, more and more graduate schools have been built. Although they may often seem to be very similar and in general share the same kind of concept for their students, graduate schools can actually vary quite a lot in their qualities and characteristics. These differences are very important to address before someone sets off on a quest to select the best graduate school to attend for him or herself.
For instance, a major difference that sets apart most graduate schools is the obvious range of specialization. Some graduate schools are relatively small and focus only on a specific career field, such as medicine, or even more in depth, such as chemistry. Other graduate schools develop to be quite large and spontaneous; they offer more choices when it comes to pursuing a certain career and often combine similar career fields into one institution.
Besides size and specialization, graduate schools also offer different locations and prices for education. For instance, since graduate schools so often specialize, a person might not live near to one and will therefore have to move, either temporarily or permanently, in order to attend courses there. The price will also vary from school to school. Graduate schools with better reputations tend to be more expensive than those that are not as well known.