If you are interested in carpeting your home or just specific areas in your home, it pays to know what is available and what will work best for your home before you go to the store. This way you can narrow down your search and save time, as there are nearly limitless choices when it comes to carpeting. Before we list carpet types and their attributes, be aware that carpeting your stairway will generally cost between six and nine dollars per step. If you prefer a carpet runner, this cost will be significantly higher. In regards to padding, it does extend the life of your carpeting and increases the overall comfort factor. It is completely worth the investment! Always replace your old padding with a new one, because carpeting manufacturers will not honor their warranty with an old pad underneath their new carpeting.

• Plush/Cut-Pile Carpet - Saxony plush is very popular because it is soft with short tufts. It does not wear as well as berber or other high level loop carpets.
• Berber - Has a high-level loop with a nubby texture. It wears very well, although is harder to clean.
• Wool - The most expensive type, but it is comfortable, durable and resistant to dirt. Direct sunlight can fade it.
• Synthetic fiber - It is made of artificial materials. Mostly made of nylon, it is cheaper than wool and is durable. Sunlight can damage it.
• Olefin - Cheap, but less durable than nylon. It is pre-treated to resist fading, but can be damaged by heat and sun. It is a very good choice for basements.
• Acrylics - More expensive than nylon, but more closely resembles wool and it resists fading.
• Sisal - A natural fiber derived from the cactus plant. It is very strong and durable, but is extremely rough in texture.

Most people keep safety knowledge filed away in their heads, but what every household really needs is an actual checklist that can be posted and referred to yearly to keep everyone safe. Here are some tips and reminders about some of the things that may not be so obvious:

• Fire Safety includes keeping pot and pan handles turned away from the outside of the stove when cooking, so they can not be bumped into.
• Keep all space heaters at least one foot away from anything that is flammable, such as furniture, draperies, even people.
• Never store propane tanks indoors.
• Electrical safety includes never putting electrical cords across doorways or under carpets.
• Never plug major appliances into extension cords; separate outlets only.
• Consider an electrical inspection for your home. 400,000 fires per year are due to faulty electric wiring.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms periodically and change batteries yearly.
• Devise a home fire escape plan that includes more than one exit and that every family member knows about.
• Teach children to call 911 from a neighbor’s phone in the event of a fire.
• Affix rugs to the floor to avoid slipping.
• With children in the home, always attach brackets to bookshelves.

As everyone knows, spring is the most desirable time to put your house on the market as the weather seems to always cooperate and your landscaping’s appeal can be fully realized. But if you simply must list your home during the winter months, here are a few things that you can do to make the undertaking a little bit less challenging.

1. Keep dead tree limbs picked up.
2. Keep driveway, steps and walkways plowed, shoveled and salted at all times.
3. Keep gutters clean - so no icicles can form.
4. Replace weather-stripping as needed to keep drafts away.
5. Keep all valves to outdoor spigots turned off to avoid burst pipes.
6. Holiday decorations should be put away as soon as possible.
7. Keeping a roaring fireplace during an open house this time of year is always a good thing.
8. Keep lists handy for all potential buyers of all of your home’s energy efficiencies, i.e. wrapped pipes, extra insulation, new windows, etc.
9. Keep all windows clean to let in as much light as possible. Remove all screens to storage and take down any heavy drapes. This will let in that extra light that so many potential buyers will be demanding this time of year.
10. Keep as many lights on as possible during showings. If you cannot be there, set lights on timers and add motion sensors to walkways. You may even consider installing motion detectors for walk-in closets.
11. Keep photos around your home showing the house in all seasons. A nice shot of your blooming flowers and lush green shrubs will help potential buyers understand what is under all of that snow!

Who doesn’t love the look of a wood-shingled roof? Over the years the beautiful gray-silver color that it becomes only adds to its beauty. If you are considering one of these traditional roofing materials, there are some things you should know to help you make the right decisions for you.

Wood Shingles are cut by machine and are tapered and made smooth on both sides. They are quite uniform and are typically made of cedar, spruce or treated pine wood. Wood shakes are split by hand from wood blocks of cedar, spruce or treated pine, so they are grooved and have a rustic look. Be aware that since they are both made from wood, they are vulnerable to fire. This type of roof does not last forever and even with proper maintenance it will need to be replaced approximately every twenty years.

The typical cost for a wood shingle installation is anywhere between $4 and $7 per square foot, while installing wood shakes can run anywhere between $6 and $9 per square foot.  These estimates usually only cover the installation because you will pay extra to have your old roof removed and properly disposed of. This you can expect to pay $3 to $5 per square foot for, which could be higher if you have a complex roof.

Shingles and Shakes are sold by the square, which covers 100 square feet. You will need to purchase ten percent extra to cover unavoidable waste. At ImproveNet.com you can learn more about roofing materials and you will be able to use their roofing calculator.