Wednesday, February 13, 2013

DIY tips for your car window tinting


You must paint the window of your car? Window tinting can be a laborious task, but it can be done without problems with the right tools, the right training, tons patience.Before start the application tint your windows, do not forget to clean them in the first place and that They work in a clean environment environment.

The use of shadows will be much easier if the windows clean and the environment that you are working on are organized. You can use plain paper and water window cleaning solutions for the job just make sure to clean and dry the windows before you start the process.

The next thing you need to do, is that materials from your vehicle, making use of a touch more difficult to remove. This includes rubber sheets, door panels and even seals the door. It will be much easier to work on the windows when. Things no other obstacles in the way

Once everything is ready, you can now run the rear window. The rear windows are assembled in the control curve, which makes it difficult to work on the window. You can easily cover the rear window, so. An image of the Window Tint You can do this by building long line of films that do overlap. Once you're done, carefully cut out the template that you have created to ensure that the edges are about the same as the rear window.

If you have a ready-made template, you can then put on the car, just under careful how you have like on the outside of the window. It would be better if you can use a spatula to remove air bubbles and from the center, then up. You can now operate independently of the top down, using the doctor blade used remove air bubbles, and spraying the solution into the window.

After the tone of the movie is available, use a razor blade to cut the excess film overlap. This process can be done on the front mirror to make it easier for you to apply to the color. Now on the other side windows work carefully makes the model in dependence on the size of windows and use to the film cut to the perfect size. Make sure that you use a squeegee to remove any air bubbles again. Some sanding and cleaning, and you have done with the use of shadow on the window of your car.

It can be difficult for some people to drown themselves are applicable to humans. For the best window tinting Sacramento, CA, is seeking a A-1 Mobile Window Tinting.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Why you need a general contractor?


Most people like to save a lot of money when it comes to home improvement or construction projects. To do this, they tend to be all out for yourself only at a later date that it quite difficult to do and a lot more expensive than hiring a general contractor. Do not spend more money to do the work themselves. Here are some reasons why you should hire them.

Hassle Free
General contractor primarily responsible for the entire project. They are the ones that are allowed to draft and other things, such as materials, personnel and equipment. They are also to ensure that the project runs smoothly and any problems that will arise will be attended to immediately.

Discount supplies and materials
If you have one, purchase of equipment or accessories for your project, it could cost you even more. General contractor always know where to get the supplies and materials at a lower rate. Some shopkeepers are also special discounts for entrepreneurs because they buy raw materials in large quantities. The materials are usually the ones that make the project more expensive, but with a contractor, they can even at a lower price.

They hire labor market
General contractor does not do all the work. They always hire other people to help finish the job. They are also the contacts other subcontractors, if some work needs to be done. They do it all the time, and they know where. People to find work according to your requirements You will also be responsible for any person they bring to work, which includes wages and the payment of hospital costs in case something happens to the people.

Work is done in a professional manner
If you have the setting to a general contractor, you can be sure that the work be done in a very professional manner. Established all the details and requirements for the work will be visible on the completed work. They also offer some guarantees in the event that something happens to the project after it was made. They are also confident that the work will be completed on time, and it will start on the right budget you plan the project.

AD clients can enjoy all the benefits of a general contractor working on your project. We are also one of the best and well known general contractor in Boston.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Cabinets : Home Improvement


Warfaredrobes and cabinets do not only bond to the aesthetic appeal of your house nevertheless in addition boost the functionality of spaces. battledrobe Sizes

Types of Materials

struggledrobes are available in different materials similar to wood, metal, fibre and so on. Wooden wardrobes will be the most popular alternative and wardrobes area available in various varieties of wood like oak and pine, which are via far the most well-known. Mahogany, mango, and beech furthermore are used in creating TV cabinets and wardrobes. Plastic-type and stainless wardrobes integrate smoothly for the décor of any variety of contemporary homes. Never obtain a wardrobe or a cabinet solely because of the temptation of a low price tag. Maximise your storage space through the wardrobe using hanging space, drawers and shelves comfortably. Do not leave idle space inside the wardrobe.

The budget


Your budget will depend on the material you choose and also the dimension on the cabinets. Kitchen cabinets comes in different styles and designs of course , if trying to purchase a single you should visualize how the cabinet will look on the space. If you expect a large variety of space you maybe can have your cabinets customized for bigger storage spaces.

In the juncture you seek resilient cabinets you must invest in cabinets produced away of excellent timber. Kitchens cabinets can have very many characteristics that makes them unique and decorative, you are able to get cabinets which have self-closing doors, multi-tiered cabinets or the childproof latches.

Bath and Shower : Home Improvement


A Frameless shower door may be very visually appealing, and can provide a modern, contemporary updated look to almost any bathroom. The frameless doors may furthermore boost your tile work.


Because in the inherent independence it is likely to receive a Frameless shower door custom built to healthy your requirements. The doors are usually made from 3/8" or 1/2" thick tempered wine glass.

Choose a wine glass that may be easy to clean. Glass doors are often more aesthetically pleasing and can quickly compliment any decor. A frameless shower door can add design and a contemporary look to almost any bathroom. To prevent costly damage, the frameless shower door should be installed simply via professionals.

The bathroom is one from the most substantive places in a residence. A well-designed bathroom with functional fixtures will definitely increase the importance and appeal of a house, as compared with a bathroom that may be poorly planned and possesses broken fittings.


If you only require a small space, it makes sense to obtain only small fixtures because oversized fittings can overwhelm the small space and make it look crowded.

In addition to choosing smaller bathroom fixtures, another way to make a little bathroom look bigger is to receive inventive with storage. You can also design storage spaces to perform variable functions. The brighter the room, the larger it appears, according to bathroom design experts.

For those that are planning on renovating their minor bathroom, it could not be easy to come up with bathroom renovation ideas. Pinnacle Bathroom Renovations provides you many good quality ideas in making your bathroom stunning.

Appliances : Home Improvement


Is your oven door regarding to explode?

I obtained a call to do a cleaning on a KitchenAid double wall oven where the inside mug panel of the oven door exploded for no clear reason. The owners stated they had some remodeling work done recently and the contractor turned the ovens self clean mode on when the glass exploded. Isn't the goblet tempered and supposed to be stronger than normal goblet?

Is it common for oven door glass to explode for no reason?

A few complaints that the glass exploded during the self clean mode while quite a few complained the wine glass exploded when they hadn't even used the oven in to a few days.

What is tempered glass?

The cup on your oven door is tempered. Tempered wine glass via definition according towards the National Goblet Association (NGA) "A strong break-resistant variety of safety cup that, if broken, shatters into minor granular parts. Goblet heat-treated to withstand greater in comparison with normal forces on its surface" Uhh..How regarding - Tempered cup is manufactured using big heat and a quick cool down creating it 4 to five times stronger than normal wine glass. When tempered goblet breaks it is designed to "explode" into minor oval-shaped pebbles or pieces kind of of shards. What causes tempered mug to break?

It is not unwell-liked for the wine glass to develop small unseen stress fractures during this procedure. How can you stay away from glass breakage?

Don't drip cold beverages onin the glass when it's hot.
*The self clean mode heats the oven upwards of 900 to 1200 degrees (mug is tempered at roughly 720 degrees) The extreme heat from the self clean mode may affect the structure of the glass in time if you use your self clean mode typically.

What to do in the situation your oven door glass explodes

Thoroughly vacuum and deep clean your oven by hand. Do not use the self clean mode with the mug missing! There might be chunks of cup in between the door and cabinet frame, cup dust and little particulates inside the convection fan hide or coating the upper heating element. Have you ever experienced your oven door glass exploding? What kind of vacuum cleaner do you demand? How do the area of the place numbers while buying the vacuum cleaner?

Upright vacuums are the most pop and largest variety of vacuum cleaners. In the event you are planning to buy it for a smaller area, then, prepare certain you to opt for Canister Vacuums, Stick Vacuums or Hand Vacuums. Bagged or bag-less?

Home Improvement E-zine

If you are interested in any of the home improvement projects that we have talked about so far on our blog, then why not visit our website for more tips, ideas and information to help your project towards completion - here is the link Home Improvement and Financing.com

and here is the direct link so that you can subscribe to our monthly home improvement e-zine: Home Improve E-Zine We are working on an exciting issue for April, summer always heralds the start of new projects and the smell of freshly cut timber is in the air.

Wish you all the best in you home improvement endeavours
The Team at Home Improvement and Financing.com

Bathroom Decorating

How you decorate your bathroom will make all the difference, you can change it from cold and uninviting to a room which exudes warmth and where you really want to linger in the bath...

The colors you choose will change everything, but you don't need to use deep dark colors to create a feeling of warmth, paler main colors with an accent color will stand the test of style and time and make your bathroom seem larger. Did you know that Ralph Lauren has 32 different shades of white!, a creamier shade of white with a warm accent color will always feel warmer than white with a cold accent color!

You can get more bathroom colors ideas for both the serene and fun family bathrooms here at Bathroom Colors and for more articles on related topics:

Bathroom Decorating Idea

Bathroom Floor Plan


Bathroom Decorating or bathroom remodeling is second only to kitchen remodeling on the list of the top investments you can make in your home to improve value and quality of home life and on top of that, this is one project that you can really have fun with...

Susan from
Home Improvement and Financing.com

Kitchen Remodeling Tips

Kitchen Remodeling is the No.1 Home Improvement project for a reason, upgrade your kitchen well and you add value to your home - also improving both saleability and the quality of your home life.

Here are a few "Quick Tips" to keep in mind when planning a kitchen remodeling project:-

First of all, between your work surfaces are the three main kitchen areas for the fridge, washing and cooking. These three areas form a recognisable working triangle in any kitchen.

(The surface between the sink and stove is probably where you are going to do all your chopping. The surface on the other side of the sink is where you will be stacking dishes for the sink or to put into the dishwasher.)

  • Clear access to the fridge without crossing through the main cooking work will make everyone happy.
  • Moving pipes can be expensive if you want to move the sink around.
  • Add more natural light wherever possible with bigger windows or a skylight and try not to let curtains block out all of the light.
  • Buy new doors for your units for a total new look or to find out how you can paint them see Painting Kitchen Cabinets
  • Avoid strong solid colors for the walls of a small kitchen, try paler colors and theme with one stronger accessory color for a chic finish.

The list goes on... you can read more about kitchen remodeling, ideas and tips and kitchen design at Kitchen Cabinet and Equipment

If your home deserves a fantastic 2005 total kitchen makeover then why not fund the project using the equity built up in your home?, you can get more information on a homeowner loan here at Financing your Kitchen Remodeling Project

2005 is a great year to accomplish your kitchen remodeling dreams,

and as always, please remember it's "safety first!"

Enjoy your home improvements

Susan from
Home Improvement and Financing.com

      Monday, February 04, 2013

      My Vegetarian Cookbook - My new Facebook Page

      Please click on the follwing link and follow me on facebook!!

      My Vegetarian Cookbook

      Thank you!!

      Capsicum and Potato curry with curry powder

      Just last week I had posted a Homemade curry powder recipe. This capsicum and potato curry is made using the same curry powder and it tastes yummilicious..It goes very well with rasam rice or mor kuzhambu which are authentic brahmin style lunch menu for the weekends or even during festivals and special occasions..



      This is how I made the curry..

      Ingredients:

      Potato - One large sized
      Capsicum - One large sized
      Homemade curry powder - 3-4 tbsp
       Salt - To taste

      For Tempering:

      Oil - 1 tbsp
      Mustard Seeds- 1 tsp
      Asafoetida / Hing - A pinch
      Turmeric powder - 1/4th of a tsp
      Curry leaves - 7-8

       Method:

      •  Peel the potatoes and dice it into one inch cubes. Dice the capsicum into same sized pieces as the potatoes.
      • Boil the potatoes for about 3 minutes in the microwave.
      • In a pan heat oil. Add the mustard seeds and let it pop up. Then add the hing and add the veggies (capsicum and potato).

      • Then add the turmeric powder, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until the veggies are cooked.



      • Serve hot with Rasam rice or Sambar rice. Enjoy!!
       Serving Suggestions:
      • You can mix this curry  with hot rice and ghee and enjoy.
      • You can also stuff this in dosas. It tastes delicious.
      • You can also serve this with chapathi and raita.
      Notes:
      • You can use veggies of your choice and be creative in trying. Some veggies that I love to use this with apart from potato and capsicum are Green beans, Taro,  eggplant,  tindora, and bittergourd.
      • You can adjust the spice level to your choice. I did not add additional red chilli powder but you can add it if you want.

      Sunday, February 03, 2013

      Cornmeal Kesari - 10th Wedding Anniversary


      A special day should always be greeting with a sweet dish.....does everyone agree about this....am sure everyone does!! :)

      Well, I was really running out of time today, so didn't think much on what to make because, as soon as I gave this thought of making something sweet, this recipe was the one that came to my mind, which can be made very easily and fast. But as always will never miss to consider it to be healthy enough. So I choose cornmeal instead of the regular semolina/rava and added brown sugar to give it a little brown color. Since brown sugar has molasses in it, I consider it is much better and tastier than the regular sugar.


      Ingredients:
      ------------
      3 cups Yellow Cornmeal
      1 - 1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
      5 cups Water
      1 tsp Cardamom powder
      3 tbsp Ghee (Clarified Butter)
      1/4 cup Cashews
      1/4 cup Multi Color Raisins (you can use any nuts or dry fruits that you like)

      Method:
      ---------
      1. In a heavy bottom pan preferably a non-stick, add one tbsp ghee and when it's hot enough add all the cornmeal and keep stirring it for about 5-7 mins until add the ghee is well blended and the cornmeal is little bit roasted.
      2. Remove this cornmeal to a plate.


      3. In the meantime in the same pan, add 2 tbsp ghee and when it's hot again add the cashews and stir is continuously until it turn to slight golden brown, now add the raisins and off the flame. remove this nuts and raisins to another plate.
      4. Again in the same pan, add water and brown sugar, bring it to a boil, now lower the flame completely and add the cornmeal little by little and at the same time you need to stir in so that the cornmeal does not form into lumps.

      5. Now cover and cook it for about 5 mins in low flame, make sure you stir in between.
      6. Now off the flame and mix in the cashews and raisins.
      7. In a baking dish, brush with little ghee and transfer the cormeal kesari, spread it evenly and cover the top with a plastic wrap, so that it does not dry the top layer and allow it to cook a bit.
      8. Now decorate it with more nuts and cashews as you wish and cut into cubes and serve warm or hot.



      You Might Also Like:
      Cornmeal Rava Dosa Broccoli Carrot Cornmeal Idli Cornmeal Upma

      Saturday, February 02, 2013

      My latest recipe, don't think these will last long:


      Coconut bars

      Ingredients
      17 digestives
      4oz butter
      4oz sugar
      1 can condensed milk
      14oz desiccated coconut
      12oz chocolate
      2 tbsp peanut butter

      Method
      ·        Preheat the oven to 170C
      ·        Crush the digestives and mix with the melted butter and sugar
      ·        Press into a 9” x 13”  baking tray and bake for 10 minutes
      ·        Meanwhile combine the milk and coconut
      ·        Spread this over the base, return to the oven for a further 20 minutes
      ·        Melt the chocolate and stir in the peanut butter
      ·        Spread over the coconut layer
      ·        Cool and slice into bars.
                                                                                                                                                      
                               

      Friday, February 01, 2013

      Simple Dal Tadka


      When I have lot of chores to do on a weekend, I opt for this quickly done Dal Tadka. Paired with some spicy oven roasted vegetables (cauliflower/bitter gourd/tindora/potatoes) it is a complete meal which does not demand long time in the kitchen. Now, there are different ways to do a simple dal tadka and this is one of them. You can play around with the dhals used or the spices used and I bet it

      Thursday, January 31, 2013

      Bookmarking for the Cooks!!

      Hello friends, /hihi

      Hope you are all doing great  :). I was just cleaning up my inbox today and I saw some wonderful recipes : )that I somehow missed /hmm...Then I thought, why not create a page and link it to all the wonderful bookmarked recipes that we have tried / would love to try =D>. The recipes could be our own recipe , or a recipe of a friend or a fellow blogger. Its all about your favorite recipes. Bookmark them, Share them and give a chance for all our friends to try them.

      This page is dedicated to all bloggers and food lovers and please feel free to share your favorite recipes from the world. This would be a great platform to collect wonderful recipes and share it amongst our friends.

      Bookmarking for the cooks

      Feel free to let me know what you all think of this. You can mail me at gayu.kitchen@gmail.com. Let me know your comments/suggestions. Politeness would be highly appreciated /please.

      You guys have a wonderful day and hope to see a great response from all my blogger friends /bye.

      Wednesday, January 30, 2013

      Homemade curry powder

      I was on a cleaning spree and cleaned up my pantry and fridge. I saw that there was a loner in the fridge, a big green capsicum. I then quickly made this sabzi with homemade curry powder/ podi potta kaai which tastes yummy and delicious. You can make the powder and store it for a few days (approx.15 days) in the fridge. The method to make this delicious curry powder is very simple and is as follows.



      Ingredients:

      Corriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
      Cumin seeds - 1/2 tbsp
      Black pepper - 10 count
      Dry Red chillies - 5-6
      Urad Dal - 1 tsp
      Chana Dal - 1 tsp
      Poppy seeds / Khus Khus- 1 tsp
      Sesame seeds - 1/2tbsp
      Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
      Cloves - 2 
      Dry coconut/ Copra - 3 tbsp
      Fenugreek / Methi seeds - 1/2 tsp
      Curry leaves - 7-8

      Method:

      • Dry roast all these ingredients until a nice aroma comes out.
      • Cool them and grind them to a medium coarse powder.
      • Add it to vegetables like capsicum, potato, brinjal/ eggplant and serve with Rasam rice.
      • Enjoy!!!

      Sundal Kulambu / Channa Kuzhambu | Indian Curry Recipes




      I made this Sundal Kulambu for a cozy lazy lunch one day. I am proud to say this kulambu-rice combo does not need any side dish but papads would be a lovely pair if needed. This is my MIL's recipe handwritten for my DH when he first came to US. There are a handful of recipes, all his favorite foods which she had chosen to write. I have tried quite a few of them and this sundal kuzhambu is one

      Tuesday, January 29, 2013

      6 Reasons Why Winter is the Perfect Time for Home Remodeling Projects

      Kitchen Remodel Done by KHI
      Winters in New England can be brutal. It seems we spend a lot of time indoors at this time of year which makes winter a good time to focus on your home and undertake updates or repairs that you’ve been putting off. Others will escape the cold and snow by heading south. Some homeowners we’ve worked with have found the time when they’re away to be an ideal time to undertake a remodeling project. Having the work done while you’re away means your home life won’t be disrupted.

      If you’re thinking about a home remodeling project, here are several reasons why winter may be the best time to do your project:

      1. Flexibility in Scheduling. It is usually easier for some contractors to schedule work in winter months because there is a lot less exterior work being done. This will free up a contractor’s schedule for interior projects such as painting, replacing flooring, repairing drywall, updating lighting and replacing cabinetry.
      1. More Availability. During the winter you may find that your contactor may have more time to work with you in planning and designing your project. This would be a good time for refining the details before the work begins. This process may take slightly longer as work picks up for your contractor in the spring with outdoor projects.

      2. Avoid Spring Price Increases. Now is the time to take advantage of lower prices. For example, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, you may find close-out prices on appliances and be able to purchase materials before manufacturers increase prices. During the winter, manufacturers may feature special offers to reduce inventory. 

      3. Outside Projects. If the weather cooperates, you may be able to work with your contractor on outside projects to get ready for spring. Some contactors will even build decks, porches and additions for their customers in the winter.

      4. Vacation Time. If you are planning a vacation, it may be the perfect time to have your project done to avoid disruption of your daily activities.
      Contact Kruse Home Improvement at 860.584.8784 if you'd like to obtain a price estimate for your next remodeling project. 


      Source: http://www.mcclurgteam.com/blog/bid/50614/7-Reasons-Why-Winter-is-the-Perfect-Time-for-Home-Remodeling-Projects/


      Monday, January 28, 2013

      BADAM HALWA


      After so many days, I have prepared the very old sweet-Badam Halwa in my home. It is true that this is the most delicious sweet if it is prepared in the traditional way. With a few ingredients, it needs only an exact ‘ padham’ to make a delicious Almond halwa. My grandson loves to have a small cup every day!
       
       

      பாதாம் அல்வா
      Ingredients needed:

      Almonds- 2 CUPS

      Sugar- 2 cups

      Ghee – 1 cup

      Thick milk- 1 cup

      Rose essence or almond essence- a few drops

      Saffron- a pinch

      Yellow Food colour- a few drops

      Procedure:

      Soak the almonds in 2 cups of hot water for half an hour.

      Then peel off the skin and grind them with the milk a little coarsely.

      Mix in the colour and the saffron.

      Heat a pan and add the sugar.

      Pour immediately a little water enough to cover the top surface of the sugar.

      Boil it on medium fire.

      When the sugar syrup turns in to one thread consistency [ kambi paahu], add the ground paste of almonds. .

      Turn the fire in to low medium and begin to stir it continuously.

      Pour the essence and the food colour and mix well.

      Almost after 20 minutes, the badam halwa leaves the sides the pan.

      Pour the ghee in intervals.

      Take a little halwa and make a smooth ball.

      It it can be done smoothly, then that is the ‘ correct padham’.

      The delicious Badam halwa is ready now!

      NB: I have used the full cream milk powder to prepare the milk instead of any variety of milk to get an extra richness.

      Friday, January 25, 2013

      Kesari Baath

      Hello all..

      Happy Republic Day!!


       Welcoming fellow bloggers and all lovely readers with my first recipe post of the year. A sweet post. I made Kesari Baath, DH's favorite sweet.  It had been a while since I had prepared anything good for DH. A sudden wave of sympathy for him and Lo and Behold..Came out this yummy Kesari Baath..A very simple recipe and easy quick steps. The final product, I promise, will be a yummy, mouth melting Kesari Baath.



      Ingredients:

      Sooji/Semolina/Rava - 1 cup
      Milk - 2 cups
      Ghee/ Clarified Butter - 1and1/4th cup
      Sugar - 1 cup
      Cashews - 7-8
      Golden Raisins - 7-8
      Orange Food color - 1 drop

      Method:

        • In a shallow fry pan, add 2 tbsp of ghee and roast the cashews and raisins, drain out the ghee from them and set it aside.
        • In the same pan and with the same ghee, add the sooji / rava and roast it till a nice aroma comes out of it and set it aside.
          • Heat milk in a sauce pan and allow it to boil. Once the milk boils, gradually add the sooji and keep stirring it well ensuring no lumps form and a creamy consistency is reached.
          • Also add the cup of ghee right after this step and blend all the ingredients well to make a smooth and a creamy  mixture.


            • Keep stirring the mixture gently for about 5-6 minutes to avoid burning of the mixture at the bottom of the pan.
            • Once the sooji is cooked, add the sugar, food color and the roasted cashews and raisins.

              • Mix all the ingredients well and serve hot.
              • Hot, yummy and delicious Kesari Baath is ready to melt in your mouth.

                Serving Tip:

                • Before serving, warm the Kesari Baath (if cold) and add a tsp or two of ghee on top and garnish with silvered almonds.

                Notes:
                • You can add any food color of your choice.
                • You can adjust the level of sugar according to your sweetness level.
                • You can also choose to NOT add food color and make it a white sheera.
                • You can add small pineapple pieces or banana pieces to have a different variety of Kesari Baath (add it before adding the food color).
                • The quantity of Ghee can be altered but the taste may not be as good as the one with the required quantity of ghee specified here.
                • Best to serve it hot with an additional tsp of ghee.



                Cut Commercial Roofing Cost with Roof Coatings

                Cut Cost on Commercial Roof Replacements


                Myrtle Beach Hotels and Other Commercial Buildings, Cut Roof Replacement Cost With Roof Coatings


                For many businesses, building maintenance is an essential cost of doing business. Maintaining a visually appealing appearance, protecting merchandise, or offering a clean hotel room, can be the difference between success and failure, in competitive tourist markets like Myrtle Beach, SC.  Even with good marketing and advertising, a customer is likely to make their final decision on whether or not they will do business with you, based on the appearance and cleanliness of your building/store. Just like a bad score from the health department can deter customers from a restaurant, a leaky roof resulting in mildew and other foul smells, can run customers off, even after you draw them in the doors. A leaky roof not only poses the risk of losing potential customers, it can also add to the risk of having major structural damage.  Just like with health care, prevention is the best way to protect your buildings structural soundness, and overall appearance.

                There are many reasons why business owners often neglect their roofing systems, however one of the main reasons, is the cost associated with roof replacement.  Roofing products are often expensive and labor intensive to install, resulting in high replacement cost to the building owners.  Many factors play into the high cost of roof replacement such as manufacturer's warranty's, new regulations in the production of roofing materials, and the need for skilled labor to install roofing systems.  Another big factor in the past, associated with labor cost, has been the need to remove the old roofing system in order to install a new roofing system.  Roof tear off is priced the same as installing a new roofing system. Re-roofing over shingles with a second layer, and installing metal roofing over top of shingle roofs, has been going on for years. However, these methods are not acceptable by most manufacturer's warranty requirements, and also add a lot of extra weight to a roof framing system designed for holding only one layer of roofing.

                In recent years, due to a sluggish economy, and a push towards more environmentally friendly products, roofing product manufacturers have made strides into improving their products to help lower roof replacement cost, and improve sustainability. To help customers lower roof replacement cost, and improve their own company's sales, many new roof coating products have hit the market, which have lowered roofing cost for commercial building owners and homeowners a like. 

                Roof coatings, are roofing products that can be installed over most existing, low slope roofing systems. Low slope roofs, or more commonly referred to as flat roofs, are often used on commercial buildings. They offer many advantages to commercial building owners, such as being able to put HVAC systems on the roof, ease of maintenance, and improved storefront appearances. The major disadvantage is the cost of flat roofing systems, as there is a smaller market for flat roofs, resulting in higher cost of low slope roofing products. Just as with residential roofing systems, flat roofing systems also need replacement, on average, after about 20-30 years.  Advancements in roof coatings, have helped eliminate some of the cost associated with replacing a flat roofing system, and offer the same warranty lengths as traditional flat roofing systems. Roof coatings can go over most all existing flat roof systems, eliminating most tear off cost associated with traditional flat roof replacements. Roof coatings are also light weight, and will not add any significant amount of weight to structural members.  Being able to eliminate half the labor cost associated with replacing flat roofing systems, has resulted in huge savings to commercial building owners in need of a new roof. Also, in addition to lower roof replacement cost, roof coatings are also energy efficient, helping building owners lower utility cost. By eliminating waste associated with tearing off old roofing systems, also helps the environment.

                So if your a business owner or commercial building owner in the Myrtle Beach, SC or coastal Carolina areas, and in need of a new roof, then give MBS Services and Construction Company a call today. We can come out and assess your situation, and tell you how a roof coating can save your company money on roof replacement cost, and lower utility cost for most business owners.  If your roof is already leaking, and your worried about structural damage, our company uses thermal imaging technology which can pinpoint insulation and structural damage, which also lowers cost for insulation and structural roof repairs.  So give us a call today, or contact us through any of the contact methods listed below. Thanks for reading, and we look forward to helping business, hotels, and homeowners in the Myrtle Beach area with their next roofing projects.

                MBS Services & Construction Company
                530 Piedmont Ave.
                Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
                Phone: 706-951-0158
                Website: http://www.scroofingcontractors.com

                Energy Efficient Roofing Systems | Spray Foam Insulation | Wall Foam Insulation | Crawl Space Encapsulations | Solar Energy Powered Hot Water Heaters | Solar Energy | Energy Monitoring | Standing Seam Metal Roofs | Tile Roofs | Slate Roofs | Historic Home Retrofits | Energy Efficient Roof Coatings | Gaco Western S-2000 Silicone Roof Systems | Mold Guard | Air Barriers | Commercial Roof Coatings | Roof Coatings | Silicone Roofs |

                Thursday, January 24, 2013

                Best of Houzz 2013!

                We are honoured to be recognized by the Houzz community as a winner of the Best of Houzz 2013 awards! 
                Braam's Custom Cabinets won in both the Design and Customer Satisfaction categories. YAY!
                Our portfolio includes some of the most popular images on Houzz in 2012, and we ranked highly in customer satisfaction among Houzz's 11 milion monthly users.

                We'd love for you to check out the press release here.
                You can also look at our photo in the "Best of Remodelling 2013" for one of our Laundry Rooms here.



                 

                Wednesday, January 23, 2013

                Benda Kaalu On Toast - Boiled Beans On Toast

                BENDA KAALU ON TOAST

                 'Benda Kaalu On Toast' - The unique title of the latest play by the renowned playwright Girish Karnad raked up my nostalgia, and fond memories of my childhood started brimming in my mind. I remembered the delicious Peas On Toast which I enjoyed with my parents and siblings at Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Sports Club, Mysore. Secondly I felt an unsupressable urge to taste THE DISH - BENDA KAALU ON TOAST - NOW! Both the thought processes culminated in bringing out this post! 



                INGREDIENTS TO PREPARE BENDA KAALU 
                Fresh Field Beans / Kaalu - 2 cups 
                Sesame oil - 2 tbsps 
                Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp 
                Finely chopped onion - 4 tbsps 
                Finely chopped garlic - 1 tsp 
                Finely chopped fresh ginger - 1 tsp 
                Sambar powder - 1 tsp 
                Salt - 1 tsp 
                Juice of 1 lime 
                Finely chopped fresh coriander leaves - 2 tbsps 

                METHOD 
                1. Boil Field Beans/Kaalu in enough water adding one pinch of salt. 
                2. Drain the cooked Kaalu and keep aside. 
                3. Crush the ginger and garlic together using a mortar and pestle and keep aside. 
                4. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. 
                5. When the seeds puff up add the crushed ginger and garlic. 
                6. Add the finely chopped onion and fry till they become golden in colour. 
                7. Keep a low flame and add the sambar powder and salt. 
                8. Retain one table spoon of Kaalu and stir the rest into the pan. 
                9. Mash the retained Kaalu with one table spoon of chopped coriander leaves using a mixer or a mortar and pestle since the quantity is not much. 
                10. Add the mashed coriander and beans mixture to the Kaalu in the pan and stir well. 
                11. Cook till the Kaalu curry becomes thick and comes together. 
                12. Mix in the lime juice and the remaining coriander leaves. 



                 Benda Kaalu is now ready. 

                INGREDIENTS TO PREPARE THE TAVA TOAST 
                Bred Slices of your choice - 4 
                Unsalted butter - as required 

                METHOD  
                1. Place a thin slice of butter on the tava and heat it on low flame. 



                2. When the butter starts melting, place a slice of bread on the center and toast on low heat. 
                3. Gently push the bread slice around the tava using a spatula so that it absorbs all the butter melting around. 


                4. When the bottom becomes golden in colour place another thin slice of butter on top of the bread slice. Do not flip. 



                5. Top it with a thick layer of the Benda Kaalu



                6. Remove it on to a serving plate. 



                7. Repeat the procedure for the rest of the toasts. 

                Start biting into the luscious layer of the benda kaalu and proceed into the soft and buttery top portion of the bread slice, and experience the bliss when you arrive at the heavenly golden crunch at the bottom.The effect of the explosion of the flavour and taste of Benda kaalu On Toast on the taste buds is tantalizing! 
                Do not forget to sip a strong filter coffee in between bites to enhance the rich experience.

                Tuesday, January 22, 2013

                Mushroom Asparagus (crustless) Mini Quiche


                Do you want something quick for a busy mornings and do not want to stand near the stove cooking some dosas or oatmeal. Then these mini quiches are for you. These simple to make (bake) dish has all the goodness you need for the morning to keep you going until lunch. Eggs for protein, Milk and Cheese for Calcium and Mushroom and Asparagus adds up to your daily serving of vegetables for the day.

                Monday, January 21, 2013

                KHI Quarterly V4 Q1 - Winter 2013


                Six Key Questions to Sniff Out Bad Contractors By Lee Nelson - Yahoo! Homes

                Getting antsy to remodel your home? You might think your kitchen or bathroom needs a remodel right this minute, but remember: Haste makes waste. Rather than rushing to hire the first, or even cheapest, contractor you come across, asking the right questions upfront will help you filter out the bad apples and find a reputable contractor to meet your needs. "I want my clients to feel 100 percent comfortable with me," says Shawn Kruse, president of the Remodeling Contractors Association of Connecticut and owner of Kruse Home Improvement, LLC. "And honestly, the more investigation they do about me and questions they ask me, the better it is for me. It helps me get the job." As Kruse points out, a thorough investigation can benefit both parties in the end. "Potential clients learn about your credentials, background and experience. They start to get to know you and see if your personalities can get along," Kruse acknowledges.


                You may know exactly what you want out of your remodel, from the fixtures to the flooring, but you should know what you want from your contractor, too. Don't settle for the first or cheapest bid. Your contractor will control the project from start to finish, so it's important the two of you are a good match. If you want to find a contractor who suits your needs, try asking these six questions during the interview:

                Question #1: What's Your Business History (and More)? Here are a few other things Kruse thinks you should ask contractors: How long have you been in business? Are you licensed by the state? What percentage of your clientele is repeat or referral business? Are you a member of a national trade association? Do you have a list of references from past projects similar to mine? Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education?

                Question #2: Do You Provide a Detailed Written Contract? Some things that should be on a contract - in great detail - include: names,   addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved in the project, including vendors, detailed list of the work to be completed, list of each product along with its price and model number, who is responsible for pulling permits, where deliveries will go and where the dumpster will be placed, what time the workers begin and end their day, project's start and completion dates plus payment schedule and all work carried out by subcontractors.

                 

                Question #3: How Much Do I Need to Put Down? The Better Business Bureau's suggests paying one third at the beginning of the project, one third when work is 50 percent complete, and one third after it is final and you are satisfied with the outcome.

                Question #4: Can I Get Itemized Price Estimates? An itemized price list should detail the cost of labor, demolition, materials, electrical, plumbing, permits, etc. If midway through the project you decide to put in a less expensive countertop than the one originally discussed, you need to know the exact cost of the first countertop to know how much of a credit you should receive.

                Question #5: Who Will Be at the Site? In their "Home Sweet Home Improvement" guide, the Federal Trade Commission urges homeowners to ask if subcontractors will be used on the project. If so, homeowners should ask to meet them to make sure they have insurance coverage and proper licenses. When meeting the subcontractor, ask if the lead contractor pays them on time. Why is this little detail important?   According to the Federal Trade Commission, "A 'mechanic's lien' could be placed on your home if your contractor fails to pay subcontractors or suppliers," who, in turn, could take you to court to retrieve their unpaid bills.

                 

                Question #6: Do You Think We Can Get Along? Just like any good relationship, the one between you and your contractor should have    harmony, communication, and collaboration. Some personalities and styles just don't mesh, so don't pick someone just because their bid is the lowest, says Kruse.

                Protecting yourself from these nightmares means knowing exactly who your contractors are before you hire them. After all, it  doesn't hurt to ask - but it sure could hurt if you don't. To read the complete interview visit our blog at http://www.khimprovement.blogspot.com.

                Kruse Home Improvement Lends a Helping Hand

                KHI volunteers
                At Kruse Home Improvement, LLC, we feel one of the best ways to show gratitude is by giving back to the community and with the recent Holidays, this seemed like the perfect time of year to contribute. We thought that a great way to give back was to do what we do best so on Saturday, November 3rd our whole crew and a few of their significant others, showed up at the Marshall Street Habitat for Humanity build in Hartford to donate a day’s worth of labor.

                Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Habitat welcomes all people - regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or any other difference - to build and repair simple, decent, affordable houses with those who lack adequate shelter.
                Our volunteers hard at work
                It was a brisk morning so luckily we were working indoors as the build was at the point where sheetrock was ready to go up. This was our first experience working with the Habitat for Humanity crew and I must say I was pleasantly surprised to see the level of detail and quality that goes into these buildings. Another interesting part of the process was that the very people who will eventually own these homes were onsite helping to build them with the volunteers! All Habitat homeowners are required to put in at least 150 hours worth of work to qualify for a home in the future.

                At lunch, we had the opportunity to tour one of the completed homes and the end result is amazing! There is not much in the way of frills and custom features but the craftsmanship is very solid and the homes are extremely energy efficient. The end result is a three bedroom townhouse that anyone would be happy to own.

                Great teamwork by Kruse and Cox
                The Habitat for Humanity staff took great care of us while we were at the site; there were donuts and coffee for us all day long and we ended up     having a great time getting to know the other volunteers as well. If you are interested volunteering your time or skills, I would suggest looking into   working with Habitat for Humanity, it was a wonderful experience. We all felt very much appreciated by the staff and other volunteers while at the job and look forward to donating our time again in the spring!

                For more information on Habitat for Humanity visit http://www.habitat.org.