The Home Improvement Thread

[photon]

No experience, but compare the prices to what you can order online, might help negotiate the price down if you don't want to order and install yourself.

Generic: https://www.blinds.ca/p/blindsca-fla...r-shade/520110
https://www.blindsgalore.ca/product/...d-sheer-shades

Bali name brand: https://www.blinds.ca/p/bali-layered-shade/531112

[Wormius]

For the in-tile heating, I am a bit confused how it is supposed to operate - does it heat up fast enough that you just flip a switch and you have an instantly warm floor, or do you need to keep it on all the time, or meticulously schedule your bathroom time so that you turn it on in advance? If I am doing a bathroom remodel, is the cost and effort worth it?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by photon

No experience, but compare the prices to what you can order online, might help negotiate the price down if you don't want to order and install yourself.

Generic: https://www.blinds.ca/p/blindsca-fla...r-shade/520110
https://www.blindsgalore.ca/product/...d-sheer-shades

Bali name brand: https://www.blinds.ca/p/bali-layered-shade/531112

Yeah, Bali ends up being a few hundred dollars more expensive after everything including an installation, while the generic brand ends up being a few hundred dollars less. Which makes this local option surprisingly reasonable, from where I'm sitting.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Wormius

For the in-tile heating, I am a bit confused how it is supposed to operate - does it heat up fast enough that you just flip a switch and you have an instantly warm floor, or do you need to keep it on all the time, or meticulously schedule your bathroom time so that you turn it on in advance? If I am doing a bathroom remodel, is the cost and effort worth it?

It takes time to warm up. We did our bathrooms and run it this way. It's really not much different than a thermostat for your furnace - set it to fluctuate throughout the day depending on your schedule. Ours is on briefly in the morning and then again for when we get home at the end of the work day (and stays on for the evening). Cat's love it too, it's one of their favorite places to sleep in our house.

[photon]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yeah, Bali ends up being a few hundred dollars more expensive after everything including an installation, while the generic brand ends up being a few hundred dollars less. Which makes this local option surprisingly reasonable, from where I'm sitting.

Yeah that is surprising actually, but I haven't tried to deal with a local blinds company for quite a long time. If the cost was almost the same I'd go with local as long as the brand they're carrying isn't junk IMO.

Originally Posted by Wormius

For the in-tile heating, I am a bit confused how it is supposed to operate - does it heat up fast enough that you just flip a switch and you have an instantly warm floor, or do you need to keep it on all the time, or meticulously schedule your bathroom time so that you turn it on in advance? If I am doing a bathroom remodel, is the cost and effort worth it?

They usually have a thermostat of their own that you can program to either come on on a schedule, or go on if the room temperature goes below a certain level. I think you can even have a sensor installed so it can go by the temperature of the floor itself.

[OMG!WTF!]

It's always the last half inch that counts...

http://abovethelaw.com/2017/06/lawsu...-be-you-moron/

They should drop 1/2 x 1/2 slivers of wood adding up to five million dollars on their driveway.

[calf]

We are thinking of putting in built in shelves on both sides of our fireplace (large cabinet on the floor, then shelves above). Anyone with experiences doing this or have a recommendation of place that would build and install?

How about cost? Would be floor to ceiling, apx 5 ft wide on each side. Not too picky on type of wood, but would be painting it white.

[CCope]

House was built 1981. Siding looks like composite wood board, but I'm not sure. How do I determine what type of siding it is? Outer finish is starting to come off in places, and a few boards are warping. I'm trying to figure out if it's paintable or just needs to be replaced totally.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by calf

We are thinking of putting in built in shelves on both sides of our fireplace (large cabinet on the floor, then shelves above). Anyone with experiences doing this or have a recommendation of place that would build and install?

How about cost? Would be floor to ceiling, apx 5 ft wide on each side. Not too picky on type of wood, but would be painting it white.

We had this done by California Closets. On the left, drawers that could fit DVDs on the bottom, a couple of glass shelves above, then a glass-fronted cabinet above. On the right a large cabinet for A/V gear and wiring and two floating shelves above for cable box, DVD player, etc.

Dimensions are about 30" wide on either side, and cost was about $5,500 for the finish we chose. Very happy with the final result. If you're a Costco member you might start with their custom closet company (forget who it is...)

[speede5]

Originally Posted by CCope

House was built 1981. Siding looks like composite wood board, but I'm not sure. How do I determine what type of siding it is? Outer finish is starting to come off in places, and a few boards are warping. I'm trying to figure out if it's paintable or just needs to be replaced totally.

Sounds like X90, it is paintable. Use a high quality oil based exterior paint. General makes a really good one.

Google painting x90.

[jeffporfirio]

Does anyone know if there is a height limit with decks?

My neighbor had a deck installed that the floor of said deck is higher than our fence (his house is a walkout basement type, and the terrain sloping).

Anyways, it's kinda annoying, as anytime we're in the yard, they walk out to see what we're up to (I think I've mentioned they are kinda nosy and a bunch of loudmouths)

[sa226]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

Does anyone know if there is a height limit with decks?

My neighbor had a deck installed that the floor of said deck is higher than our fence (his house is a walkout basement type, and the terrain sloping).

Anyways, it's kinda annoying, as anytime we're in the yard, they walk out to see what we're up to (I think I've mentioned they are kinda nosy and a bunch of loudmouths)

Rather than have an ask and answer session with you, if you Google "Deck height limit Calgary" You will find what you're looking for.

[V]

Nothing I've read says anything about a height limit. My last house had a deck that was much higher than the fence. I'm sure you could ask the City to see if they got a building permit.

Sounds like you need to install some trees.

[jwslam]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

Does anyone know if there is a height limit with decks?

My neighbor had a deck installed that the floor of said deck is higher than our fence (his house is a walkout basement type, and the terrain sloping).

Anyways, it's kinda annoying, as anytime we're in the yard, they walk out to see what we're up to (I think I've mentioned they are kinda nosy and a bunch of loudmouths)

1.5m I think

http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Pages/H...ons/Decks.aspx

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

Does anyone know if there is a height limit with decks?

My neighbor had a deck installed that the floor of said deck is higher than our fence (his house is a walkout basement type, and the terrain sloping).

Anyways, it's kinda annoying, as anytime we're in the yard, they walk out to see what we're up to (I think I've mentioned they are kinda nosy and a bunch of loudmouths)

Sounds like your house is lower than his, and he has a regular walk out. I'm not sure why you would think this makes his deck against a bylaw?

Like V said, sounds like you need some trees.

[OMG!WTF!]

1.5 meters unless it's over a walkout basement I think. Lots of walkout houses have decks way higher than the neighboring fences. Sucks though for sure.

[V]

Originally Posted by jwslam

1.5m I think

http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Pages/H...ons/Decks.aspx

1.5m is only the limit if you don't have a walkout basement out the back of the house. Sounds like this guy has a walkout. So the only limit appears to be 0.3m above the grade of the main floor.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

Does anyone know if there is a height limit with decks?

My neighbor had a deck installed that the floor of said deck is higher than our fence (his house is a walkout basement type, and the terrain sloping).

Anyways, it's kinda annoying, as anytime we're in the yard, they walk out to see what we're up to (I think I've mentioned they are kinda nosy and a bunch of loudmouths)

Unfortunately doesn't look like it. It's sort of vague on walkouts, not sure if that would count as a first floor and technically make the deck a balcony per the bylaw. If so, the floor of the balcony can't be higher than 0.3m above the first floor.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by sa226

Rather than have an ask and answer session with you, if you Google "Deck height limit Calgary" You will find what you're looking for.

Lol, or he gets 6 replies with the same answer anyways

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by jwslam

1.5m I think

http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Pages/H...ons/Decks.aspx

That's not correct, this is for a non-walkout. A walkout it would be considered a balcony rather than a deck.