Smarthome Programmable InteliVent

Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a complicated zone-based thermostat system, the Programmable intelivent will do this for you automatically. The Programmable intelivent installs easily in any floor vent opening and uses a programmable interface to open and close the vent based on when you want the room heated.

GREYSTONE HOME PRODUCTS LLC ABFRBR414 FLOOR REGISTER BROWN 4″ X 14″

GREYSTONE FLOOR REGISTER Heavy steel construction Smooth operating multi- shutter damper Durable powder coated brown finish 4″ x 14″

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DECOR GRATES SP212 FLOOR REGISTER 2″ x 12″ BRASS PLATED

DECOR GRATES FLOOR REGISTER Scroll design Protective lacquer coating Easy to install Extra large tops to insure coverage of floor opening 2″x12″ Brass plated

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Our cat Molly and the furnace inspection

So, one day I hear some clanging and banging on the other side of the house. Walking into the breakfast room there’s Molly with a floor vent removed and half submerged down the duct work. Apparently, she must have taken a home inspection course and wanted to make sure everything was working OK.

Hart Cooley 6″x30″ Floor Grille – Brown

No one satisfies the demands for air distribution solutions better than Hart & Cooley. Our wide selection of registers, grilles, diffusers, and accessories includes a variety of shapes and sizes to meet any application and budget requirement. Products are offered in steel, aluminum or plastic construction, and are designed for installation ease. They are made with an attention to detail that contributes to unmatched performance.

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Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors

Real hardwood floors are a stunning feature and a beautiful investment, but sometimes those striking qualities are covered by years of traffic and dirt. That’s where refinishing comes in, but it can be a challenging job for the do-it-yourself handyperson and requires a lot of patience. Overall, the job involves a lot of sanding, heavy tools and a whole lot of dust. Don’t worry though, all your hard will pay off with beautiful floors. Keep reading to learn how.

Start by deciding if you actually need a complete refinishing and/or if you need to do repairs:

- Drop a couple drops of water onto your floor. If it beads up or takes a long time to sink in, you can probably get by with just cleaning and polishing your hardwood.

- If the drop soaks in right way, the wood is exposed and needs to be refinished.

- If your floor is warped, badly stained, or squeaking, you will need to start with repairs before you refinish.

Before you begin a refinishing project, make sure your floor is at least ¾” thick. If the floor is thinner than this, you will probably want to seek professional help as the sanding process can strip away a lot of the floor surface. Typically, plank floors can be sanded more times than a tongue and groove floor.

Prep for your big refinishing job with the following steps:

1. Clear the room of everything, including window treatments. Even heavy items that would be very tempting to ignore will be best placed outside the room.

2. Cover light fixtures with a secured plastic bag. Try to position the bags so there are no holes allowing dust through.

3. Remove the shoe molding. Do this carefully, since you will be able to reuse the molding if it is not damaged.

4. Tape up any openings in the room, such as electrical outlets and light switches. Be especially careful with air vents, unless you want a house full of floor dust. You can close off the room with plastic sheeting.

5. Vacuum the floor before you begin sanding. Ensure all small objects – especially food – are off the floor.

Sanding

Your next step is sanding. A good sanding job works to level the floor and highlight the grain. You’ll start your first sanding session with what’s called a “drum sander.” These are typically available to rent at most hardware stores.

You’ll need to sand several times. With each level of sanding, work your way up to a finer and finer level of sandpaper. Most sanders start with a 20-60 grit and finish with a 120.

In between sanding sessions, clean the floor thoroughly. Vacuum up the dust and simply repeat the process. After your last pass with the sander, vacuum and wipe down the floors with a dry cloth.

Staining

Apply a clear sealant or stain to your refinished floor. Generally, you can choose between an oil-based or water-based product, but always follow the directions on the product. Depending on the brand, you may need to apply more than one coat.

GrillWorks Insert6″ x 10″ Maple Trimline 6″ x 10″ Wood Floor Register Vent – Trim Line Surface Insert Model Register

6″ x 10″ Wood Floor Register Vent – Trim Line Surface Insert Model RegisterOther wood species available upon request.Custom stain option requires stain brand name and finish at time of order. We may require a sample of your stain to confirm the match.Please call customer service when ordering a custom stain or if another wood species is desired.Any wood species other than Red Oak and White Oak are special order and take 3-5 days before shipping.Natural(clear coat), custom stain (more…)

Tips For Refinishing Hardwood Floors

With more Chicago condo and home owners deciding to remodel and upgrade their current residences instead of buying a new house or condo, one of the projects that many decide to tackle is refinishing hardwood floors. Not only will refinishing your hardwood floors give your home a great new look, it will add value if you ever decide to sell. Hardwood floors that have a beautiful finish are one of the top selling points that many prospective buyers look for when shopping for a new condo.

Refinishing your hardwood floors isn’t as complicated as you might think, although it can be time consuming and a little labor intensive. There are a few tools and supplies you will need though. Nearly all can be rented if you don’t want to lay out the money to buy them or think you won’t have a need for them in the future.

The basic tools you will need are some kind of sander, which we’ll cover in the next section, safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, ear plugs, sand paper, masking tape, drop cloths or plastic sheeting, stain and plenty of rags or tack cloths.

Before you begin sanding, you need to determine the thickness of your wood flooring. It needs to be at least 3/4 inch thick before sanding, otherwise you risk sanding too deeply and damaging the floor. Older wood flooring is normally fairly thick, but some of the newer engineered wood floor material can be thinner, so check before you start to sand.

Start by emptying the room of all furniture and sweeping your floor to remove any debris that might cause scratches while sanding. Since there will be a good deal of dust generated from the sanding process it may be wise to also take down any window coverings, pictures on the walls, cover ceiling lights and also put a plastic sheet barrier over any doorways to other rooms to prevent dust drifting. You should also tape off heating and cooling vents and electrical outlets. The trim along the edge of the floor should also be carefully removed and sanded by hand. If you can open some windows and even place a fan to draw out the dust it would help a lot.

You can rent a drum sander at most hardware stores. This tool takes some getting used to if you’ve never used one before, so it’s wise to practice a little in a part of the room that won’t be seen as easily until you get the hang of it. Always tip the drum sander up before you turn it on. Never start it while it is still flat on the floor. Gradually lower it and then move it back and forth or from side to side, never let it sit still or it will sand out a deep pocket and you’ll ruin your floor. Keep moving until you’ve covered the entire surface.

If your floor has a lot of scratches or needs a lot of sanding, begin with about 20 grit sandpaper. The lower the grit number, the coarser the grit and the higher the number, the finer the grit. So you should progress from low to high, and usually finish with about 120 grit. It’s best to save the edges for last and do them by hand. Once you are finished sanding, vacuum thoroughly and it’s also a good idea to wipe the floor down with a tack cloth to be sure you get all the dust up

Now you are ready to actually stain your hardwood floor. Depending on what type of water-based or oil-based stain you decided upon, you may have to apply more than one coat and do a light sanding between coats. Be sure to read the instructions on the product before starting. And remember that the color on the can label or in the store won’t be the exact color of your floor, so try out a small patch in an area that isn’t easily visible to make sure you are satisfied with the color. Be sure to have plenty of ventilation while staining as the fumes can be strong.

Once you have all the coats applied and the floor is completely dry, you should probably rent a buffer to really give the stain job a great finish. Just like the drum sander, start slow until you get the hang of using the tool. The final step then is to reattach any molding or trim you removed (after staining it of course) and apply a polyurethane finish. You may have to give the floor more than one coat with drying time between. You can do this by hand with rags, but using a tool with a long handle similar to a sponge mop will save both your back and time. Read the label for recommended drying time, but it’s always a good idea to wait an extra day or two especially in high humidity before moving the furniture and any rugs back into the room.

Refinishing your hardwood floors will add beauty and value to your condo or house. Most Chicago real estate agents have noted that units with hardwood floors like the ones listed in these new construction condos http://www.bestchicagocondos.com/new-construction-condos/index.html sell better than homes without hardwood floors. This not only is a great selling point that many buyers look for, but something you can enjoy yourself for years to come.

Orson vs AC vent

Our bloodhound, terrified of a floor vent. 90lbs of pure baby.

Vent-Miser 91663 Programmable Enery Saving Vent 12-by-2-Inches, White

From the Manufacturer

The Vent-Miser is an easy to install, battery operated vent with timer that can be set to shut unoccupied rooms down and force the air into other parts of the home where the warm or cool air is need. The Vent-Miser is not a thermostat, it runs independent of your heating and cooling system. Certified to save on heating and cooling bills. Customer service can be reached at 888-809-3284.

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