Fireproof, Waterproof Document Filer

Every home has important documents to keep safe- social security papers, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and the list continues. So it’s important that every home have file that can protect documents from fire and water. Should a devastating event occur, at least your important documents will survive.

Sentry Safe H4300

Jocie and I purchased our home about 4 years ago. Soon after, we purchased a Sentry Safe H4300. We haven’t really put it to the test (thank goodness!) but definitely feel better knowing that valuable paperwork is secured.

We choose the H4300 because it protects against fire and water. It has a continuous 360° jamb and waterproof seal completely insulate the interior from water. And the latch seals the unit even if it’s not locked. The lock requires a tubular key which is very difficult to pick or duplicate.

H4300 Features:

• ETL Verified 1/2-hour fire protection for CDs, DVDs, USB drives and memory sticks up to 1550°F
• Waterproof Seal-ETL Verified
• UL Classified 1/2-hour proven fire protection
• Lifetime after-fire replacement guarantee

For those of you unfamiliar with ETL, it’s similar to the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and will verify product claims, ensuring compliance and safety.

H4300 Specs

• Exterior Dimensions: 13.1″H x 15.4″W x 14.7″D
• Interior Dimensions: 10.3″H x 12″W x 9.5″D
• Capacity: 0.7 cu. ft.
• Weight: 41 lb.

Where to Buy the H4300

If your in the market for secure file storage, the H4300 is a great choice. It’s available at Lowes, Staples and Amazon. Amazon sells this item for $72.43 with free shipping. Here’s the link:

• SentrySafe H4300 FIRE-SAFE Waterproof File

What do you think? How do you store valuable paperwork?

Genie Screw Drive Garage Door Opener Winter Performance Review

Last Summer we installed a Genie Excelerator Garage Door Opener (review) in one half of our two car garage.

We had heard that this type of opener (screw drive) can have trouble in extremely cold temperatures, and Genie recommends not to install this garage door opener in climates where temperatures drop below -25 degrees F.

Even though Maryland does reach single digit temperatures in the Winter, I don’t think we’ve had a -25 degree day on record. But, I was still worried that the performance might start degrading at even warmer temperatures than -25… Perhaps we’d see degraded performance at 10 degrees F, an uncommon but not unbelievable temperature.

So, on the coldest days this Winter, I made sure to thoroughly test this opener. The coldest test temperature was right around 10 degrees F.

Fortunately, I’ve got good news to report. The opener performed great throughout the entire Winter. Also, with 8 months of use under our belt, there’s a few things I’ve really grown to appreciate with this opener…

• Quiet Operation: The Genie isn’t as quiet as say, a top quality belt-drive system. But it is pretty quiet overall – and much quieter than the 1/2 Craftsman chain-drive system that sits next to it.
• Fast Open: I wrote about this in the original review of the product (link above). The advantage of the double-speed opener is that you can press the open button when you’re in site of the garage and the door will be completely open when you’re pulling the car in. No waiting… It’s small, but it caters to my impatience!
• Gentle Close: I’ve become enamored with the gentle close feature on this opener. It actually reduces sound because the door doesn’t hit the ground abruptly. It’s a feature available only in Direct Current (DC) versions of the opener, and we think it’s worth the few extra bucks to get it.

So far, we haven’t found any major hitches in this installation, but I’ll be sure to update the original review if we do experience any. I’m hopeful that this opener will perform for at least 10 years.

What do you think? Do you have a Genie garage door opener, or a screw-drive type system? Have you had any maintenance issues?

TOSCA 5-Minute Faucet Review

Our last giveaway featured the TOSCA Faucet. We promised you a review, and now we are back with the bottom line.

TOSCA’s claim to fame is their 5-Minute Kitchen faucet (official site). Imagine a faucet that only takes a few tools and 5 minutes of your time to install. This faucet comes with stainless steel supply lines already installed and a patented base so that you can work above the sink. Allen keys are included, all you need to grab is a pipe wrench, pipe tape and clear silicone caulk.

Does it really take 5 minutes? Is it a quality faucet? Read on for the answers and a full review.

TOSCA Kitchen Faucet Review (Model #54-K8-DCCH-S)

• The Good: Installation takes about 5 minutes; full featured faucet.
• The Bad: Faucet only has one anchor point meaning it rocks very slightly when operating.
• Overall: This faucet lives up to its claim. It’s a great project for a novice DIYer!

Installation

The installation only took a little longer than 5 minutes and the most difficult part was removing the old faucet. The directions are clear and easy to understand. You don’t need any additional tools (other than the ones listed and included). The stainless steel supply lines are factory installed and connect right to the existing pipes.

Some sinks have three holes- hot, cold, and faucet. The TOSCA faucet only needs one and includes a deck plate to conceal the other two. If you install the deck plate, be sure to secure it with a bead of silicone caulk.

This faucet is anchored in place at only one point. Make sure it’s a good, stable connection. Even so, the faucet may rock slightly as you operate the handle.

Features and Function

The 5-Minute faucet doesn’t compromise on functionality. It’s equipped with all the features you’d expect to find in a modern kitchen.

• Single-lever water control
• Pull-down faucet spout
• Switch between an aerated stream and a sharp spray
• Chrome or stainless steel finish

What do you think? What’s your take on the 5-Minute kitchen faucet?

Review: Martha Stewart Living vs. Glidden Paint: Price, Quality, More…

We’ve been raving about Ralph Lauren Paint since we first used it to paint our then-tan dining room mocha brown about 3 years ago. It did that job in just one coat, with one gallon of paint, and we were impressed. We’ve since repainted that room (as part of our first floor remodel in December), and again used Ralph Lauren.

Jocie also ran a comparo between Ralph Lauren,Valspar, Duron, and Behr and found that Ralph Lauren outperformed the others in everything (except price — but she determined RL was the best value when you consider that less paint is required).

But despite our good findings, Home Depot saw fit to stop selling our favorite paint brand and replace it with Martha Stewart’s new line of paint. Home Depot now also carries Glidden interior paints. We decided to give Martha and Glidden and try and pick the best one to paint a loft at my friend’s townhome over the weekend.

Price Comparison

At our local depot, Glidden costs $19.95 / gallon. Martha Stewart Commands $4.00 more at $23.95 / gallon. So, at the outset we’re expecting the performance of Martha Stewart paint to be about 20% better.

Quality Comparison

Before committing to either, we bought a quart of each and spread them both on the walls, using both paint brushes and also rollers to get the best comparison of quality. Here’s the pics:

If you look closely at the brush pic, you’ll notice that the coverage of the Martha Stewart paint isn’t as good as the Glidden. Martha’s brand shows white streaks through the tan, while Glidden puts on a relatively even coat.

The difference is less obvious with rollers, and we had trouble getting a picture that could really show you the fine detail of the paint. But, in this case too, the Martha Stewart paint didn’t do as well covering as the Glidden. When we examined the wall closely, we could see tiny white spots on the Martha Stewart side while the Glidden maintained a very uniform look.

Our little non-scientific experiment led us to choose Glidden for the job.

We purchased 5 gallons of Glidden Interior and were successful in painting the room. We still cut in twice in most places, but rolled the walls only once. The project turned out great. More pictures from the whole job are coming in a future article.

All in all, though, we still miss Ralph Lauren. And the collective judgment of everyone with us–all of whom were previously sold on RL as the best paint for the price–didn’t think Glidden was as impressive as RL. But, it could just be our bias; we’ve never done a side-by-side comparison.

What do you think? Have you used either of these paint brands? Did you previously choose Ralph Lauren?

Delta Showerhead with H₂Okinetic Technology

Everyone knows about low-flow showerheads. They’re better for the environment because they use less water. They’re better for your energy bill because your water heater works less. At a glance, it seems like a win-win situation. The problem is that not all low-flow showerheads are built equal.

Delta is back in the spotlight with a new proprietary technology called H2Okinetic. This is a new feature for low-flow showerheads that really gives you a better shower experience.

What is H₂Okinetic Technology?

Delta’s claim is that showerheads equiped with H2Okinetic technology result in a warmer shower with drenching coverage, all while complying with low-flow standards. This is achieved by utilizing larger water droplets that retain heat longer and completely envelope the user.

H2Okinetic technology is built into the showerhead- there’s no additional installation. It doesn’t feature any moving parts, resulting in a very quiet showerhead. All these attributes combine to create a water-saving showerhead that doesn’t feel like one.

Delta recently shipped us the Addison Monitor 17 series to review and I installed it last week. Read on for a comprehensive review and my overall conclussions.

Delta Addison Monitor 17 Showerhead Review (Model T17292-RB)

• The Good: H₂Okinetic technology, excellent water-pressure, good “drenching coverage”.
• The Bad: The Addison retails for $282.75 but is available at greatly discounted prices from other online retailers.
• Overall: This is an exceptional showerhead. Beautiful styling and the 2 gpm flow rate feels more like 3.

Features and Performance

The design was the first thing I noticed about this showerhead. It’s amazing style is inspired by “scallops of a sea shell” and features graceful curves. It’s available in chrome, Aged Pewter, Brilliance® Stainless or Venetian Bronze®.

Water pressure is an important aspect of a good showerhead and the Addison had excellent pressure. Water was delivered in a strong, steady stream.

The controls incorporate a dual function, pressure balance cartridge. One dial controls the temperature while the other adjusts water volume. This is important because it allows you to set the temperature and leave it- no more water temperature guess work.

This showerhead mounts to a standard size shower arm. It’s a water-efficient, H2Okinetic Technology raincan showerhead that outputs 2.0 gpm @ 60 psi- using 36% less water than standard showerheads. It also has ScaldGuard®, which protects against sudden temperature or pressure changes

Price and Where to Buy

This product (Venetian Bronze finish) has a MSRP of $240.00- a fair amount. Fortunately, this same showerhead and controls is available from Amazon at about a 90% discount! Here’s the link:

• Delta Addison Monitor 17 Series Showerhead and Controls

Also, keep in mind that different finishes carry different price tags.

Note: Delta Faucet provided us the Addison Monitor 17 Series as part of a test kit. Our reviews are objective and we are not compensated for a positive review.
Image courtesy of Delta

Geico vs. AllState for Auto, Home, Landlord, and Umbrella Insurance

We just saved a bunch of money by switching our car insurance to Geico!

I’ve always wanted to say that

But seriously, we did just switch all of our policies over to Geico from Allstate.

We’ve been in the “good hands” for about 6 years. Turns out that those hands are also expensive.

And they’re not as good as they used to be…

I wrote last year about Allstate’s new tropical cyclone deductible, which would make a homeowner pay a 3% deductible before covering any damages caused by a named storm. And by 3%, I mean 3% of the value of the house, not 3% of the damages. That would make our deductible more than $10,000 before Allstate chipped in a dime for a disaster like that.

So I’ve been meaning to switch our coverage since that notice came out, but like so many things it slipped by. Since all of our policies renew on April 15, I decided it was a good time to look around and see if we could do better.

I’ll bet every one of our American readers has heard at least a dozen Geico insurance commercials. They’re everywhere; they’re catchy, and they make bold claims… 15 minutes could save us 15% or more on our car insurance by switching. I’ll be honest, I didn’t really buy it.

But, when I Googled for “home insurance quotes”, I discovered Geico offers homeowners and landlord insurance. I figured I’d give the 15 minute claim a test. (I learned later that Geico Homeowner’s insurance and Landlord’s insurance is underwritten by Travelers).

The phone call took a lot more than 15 minutes… It actually took about an hour to get everything squared away.

I won’t bore you with all the details, but here’s how the numbers panned out…

Auto Insurance Comparison

We have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. We live in a busy suburb of Maryland.

• Allstate: $978 / 6 months
• Geico: $567 / 6 months

–> Geico is $822 cheaper for 12 months.

Homeowner’s Insurance Comparison

For $400,000 of coverage on the structure with good coverages for other aspects.

• Allstate: $1216 / 12 months
• Geico: $1176 / 12 months

–> Geico is $40 cheaper for 12 months.

Landlord Insurance Comparison

For $175,000 coverage on the structure with good coverages for other aspects.

• Allstate: $482 / 12 months
• Geico: $605 / 12 months

–> Geico is $123 more expensive for 12 months.

Umbrella Insurance Comparison

For $1,000,000 in additional liability protection.

• Allstate: $355 / 12 months
• Geico: $182 / 12 months

–> Geico is $173 cheaper for 12 months.

Total Savings Switching to Geico

All told, Geico came out $912 less than Allstate for identical coverage, or about 25% less. We actually reduced some of our structure coverages because Geico advised us that we simply didn’t need as much as we were carrying, for an additional savings of about $200.

Of course, Geico doesn’t have the tropical cyclone deductible–at least not in Maryland–which is a huge plus.

Now, we’re not wed to Geico. If another reputable company can best their offer, we’re game. But we will stick with them for the next 6 months at least, since we spent their time getting signed up. And I will ride the ’savings high’ for a little while…

Goodbye good hands. Hello, gecko!

Tools for Laying Ceramic Tile

If you’ve been reading along, you know that I’m renovating my guest bathroom. My daughter is 13 months old and getting too big for the kitchen sink so it’s time to get this bathroom in order.

Here’s my progress so far:

• Dremel Multi-Max for demolition
• Installed concrete board
• Planned out my tile layout

Before you begin laying tile, you need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. Some tools make a job easier while other tools are an absolute necessity. This post will walk you through the different tools and what I’m using to lay my floor.

Tools for Installing Tile

Here’s the list of tools, grouped by task with brief explanations. This list does not include materials for laying tile (like spacers or grout).

Measuring – chalk line, tape measure, square
Before you lay that first tile, create at least two guides. You’ll need a chalk line, tape measure and square. The chalk line creates a highly visible, straight line. Use the square to ensure the lines are accurate. The distance from your guide, to the wall will reveal if your walls are square.

Mixing Thinset – bucket, mixing blade, drill/driver
Thinset is the adhesive that will fasten your ceramic tile in place. You can purchase pre-mixed tubs of thinset or mix your own. To mix thinset, grab a bucket- a 5 gallon bucket is best for most jobs. Make sure you have a heavy-duty mixing blade. Paint mixers are not up to the task and may leave pockets of unmixed compound. Use the mixing blade with an appropriately powerful drill/driver.

Laying Tile – trowels, grout float, sponge
Many people use a margin trowel to begin spreading thinset. I don’t have a margin trowel and use a broad putty knife instead. Notched trowels are available with varying notch sizes and styles. I have a ¼”, square-notched trowel to comb the thinset. Make sure you have the right size and style for your job. It’s also a good idea to have a straight, spare piece of wood to make sure all the tiles are nice and even. A grout float is used to apply grout after the tile is set. It features a rubber face with rounded corners and edges for smoothing the grout in place. Thinset can be messy. Keeping a wet sponge nearby makes it easy to clean as you work. Hardened thinset can be very difficult to remove.

Cutting Tile – nippers, wet saw
There are several tools available to cut ceramic tile but most jobs can be accomplished with a set of nippers and a wet saw. Nippers are great for making curved or irregular cuts in tile. Most feature a carbide tip and basically bite off a portion of the tile. The majority of cuts will take place on your wet saw. Use it to make accurate, straight cuts.

What do you think? Any tool suggestions that I left out?

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is the single most dramatic upgrade you can make to a home given the time and cost of installation. Hardwoods work in almost any design and in just about any budget. Hardwoods are versatile. While some species, cuts, and finishes turn an informal room into an elegant showpiece, others can transform a bar area into a rustic, western-style saloon.

The web is chock full of resources on hardwood floors. With some diligence, you can learn which hardwood floors are the hardest, what types of hardwoods are best for kitchens and baths, and what’s the best hardwood to go with cherry cabinets.

You can also find out that while hardwoods don’t add appraised value to most homes, they do add sales appeal, which can translate into real dollars at closing.

Even with all the available information, we think another resource can’t hurt — one that brings much of the information into a single place, with added information from our personal experience.

We’ve installed numerous hardwood floors in the past, and we’re about to tackle the job again in an upcoming project. So this series will be a lot of fun for us to write. In fact, with each article, we’re going to come back and update this index. Since we’ve already written a number of articles on the topic in the past, those are linked up below.

Pretty ambitious? We think so. But where would we be without ambition?

So stay tuned this Thursday for our first installment. Here’s a preview of all the articles to come (and some with links already written).

Wood Floor Basics

• Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood Floors
• Domestic vs. Exotic Hardwood Floors
• Prefinished vs. Stained Hardwood Floors
• Hardwood Flooring Thicknesses
• Tongue and Groove Hardwood Floors
• Where to Buy Hardwood Floors

Tools

• Hardwood Flooring Tools (Overview w/ Recommendations)
• Inexpensive Hardwood Flooring Nailers
• Finish Nailer & Compressor Combo Kits
• Using Cleats vs. Staples in Hardwood Installations
• Fixing a Jammed Hardwood Flooring Nailer
• Rent vs. Buy a Hardwood Flooring Nailer
• Professional Grade Hardwood Flooring Nailers

Installation

• Basic Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions
• Hardwood Flooring Subfloor Basics
• Hardwood Flooring over Plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
• Lay Hardwoods Perpendicular or Parallel to the Joists
• Install the First and Last Hardwood Boards in an Installation (Special Instructions)
• Install Hardwood Flooring on Staircases, Stairs, and Steps
• Installing Hardwoods under Door Jambs and in Other Trouble Spots
• Acclimating Hardwoods Prior to Installation
• Installing Baseboard Molding
• Installing Quarter Round or Shoe Molding
• Dealing with Obstacles in Hardwood Installations
• Installing a Toilet on a Hardwood Floor

Finishes, Stains, and Seals

• Best Hardwood Flooring Finish
• Aluminum Oxide vs. Polyurethane Sealer

Hardwood Flooring Costs

• How to Get Free Hardwood Flooring Samples
• Hardwood Flooring Cost by Square Foot
• Average Hardwood Flooring Cost by Job
• Hardwood Flooring Labor Installation Cost

Care and Maintenance

• Hardwood Floor Cleaning Instructions
• Polishing Hardwood Floors

Refinishing Hardwood Floors

• How to Refinish Wood Floors

Hardwood Flooring Style

• Installing Hardwood Flooring in a Kitchen or Bathroom
• Light vs. Dark Hardwood Floors
• Hardwood Flooring Wood Grains
• How Sunlight Affects Hardwood Flooring Color
• Painting vs. Staining Quarter Round and Shoe Molding
• Selecting Baseboard Molding

If you think there’s another article we should write, let us know in the comments and we’ll make sure to include it!

(photo: right about me)

Decorative Shelving to Add Style

Decorative shelves are a great way to add interest and function to any room. As I have slowly decorated my house, I have used mirrors, pictures, fabric wall hangings. But I found that I had other small items I wanted to incorporate into the space without adding clutter. I found shelving to be a creative solution.

Choosing Decorative Shelves

Material:
The material of the shelving, whether glass, wood, or metal should be a reflection of the already existing color and decor present in the space. I chose white, painted wood shelves to incorporate more light into the space. Also, the two rooms, Izzie’s and the powder, have a soft, fresh look, so glass and metal shelves would look too cold and darker, stained wood shelves would appear too formal. Also, consider what items you will be putting on the shelf – wood shelves are sturdier and can hold more weight.

Brackets:
There are many styles of brackets to choose from once you choose the material of the shelf. Brackets can be decorative, basic and functional, or hidden entirely. I have found that decorative brackets can make shelving look more unique and can help to integrate the shelf into existing decor. Do not feel trapped into sets of shelving and brackets sold together; if you don’t like the look paint them or make your own!

Style:
The combination of material and brackets can create very different looks and again, should reflect the style of the room, whether it is modern, rustic, or whimsical. Step back and assess what feel your room has before purchasing. Even take a picture and bring it with to the store to ensure the shelving will compliment your existing look. If your room is more modern, with bold colors, consider glass shelving with geometric brackets. If your room is rustic, consider bulkier, unfinished wood shelving with iron brackets.

Design:
Once you have chosen the shelving and brackets that will fit with the style of the room, consider the number and size of the shelves, spacing, and arrangement. For smaller spaces, use fewer, smaller shelves. For larger spaces, increase the number of shelves and the width between them. Play with the arrangement – assess how the spacing and location of the shelves will draw your eye and open (or close) up the room. Also, think about what items will be placed on the shelf – the item should not be proportionally too large for the chosen shelf. If taller items are to be placed on the shelf, remember to increase the space between the shelves if another shelf is placed above.

Price:
Shelving can be a great way to use and organize already existing nick-nacks and collections. It is also a cheap alternative to expensive art. Home Depot, Amazon.com, and Ikea all have great shelving options and varying prices to meet your price bracket!

What do you think? How have you used shelving to add a creative flare to your space?

Ceramic Tile over Plywood or OSB

Ceramic tile is a very popular upgrade for kitchens, bathrooms, patios, and foyers. It is resistant to water and scratches, making it more durable than hardwoods or vinyl tile for these areas.

We’ve installed a number of ceramic and stone floors. The job isn’t difficult when it’s done right… But done wrong, it can leave a homeowner with a feeling of defeat. A poor ceramic installation will delaminate from the subfloor, split at the grout lines, or worse–crack directly across the tile.

One question that folks new to ceramic tile frequently ask is whether they can lay the ceramic directly on top of a plywood or OSB subfloor, using a thinset cement or liquid nails to glue down the tile to the wood.

Problems with Ceramic Directly on Plywood or OSB

The basic answer to whether you should lay ceramic directly over plywood or OSB is simple: you shouldn’t do it. Here’s why:

Plywood and OSB expand and contract with humidity and temperature much more than ceramic tile. Regular seasonal humidity shifts are significant enough to make the average 10′ x 10′ wood subfloor floor expand or contract as much as 1/2″. Ceramic tile doesn’t expand/contract nearly as much. As the plywood or OSB expands, the ceramic won’t. You’ll begin to see hairline cracks in the grout, then the grout will crumble a bit. Eventually, after several seasonal cycles, tiles will begin to come loose or crack.

Plywood and OSB have surface imperfections. This concern is significantly less important than the first; but it is nonetheless still a concern. Plywood and OSB frequently have imperfect joints and surface textures. While these could be smoothed over with thinset, they are much harder to manage than the correct solution.

Proper Way to Lay Ceramic on Plywood or OSB

There are two materials commonly used for laying ceramic on plywood or OSB that are applied before the tile:

Concrete Board – Concrete board, also called Backer Board comes in 1/4″ and 1/2″ thicknesses and is usually sold in 4′ x 6′ sheets. It should be fastened to the subfloor using thinset, and then screwed down every 10″ square. Screws should be kept at least 2.5″ from the edge of the board, since it is prone to split. You should use a 1/4″ slotted trowel to apply the thinset. Leave 1/4″ gaps between each board.

Concrete board has similar expansion properties to ceramic tile (it doesn’t expand/contract much at all). The combination of thinset and screws prevents the plywood or OSB from expanding beneath the concrete board, thus creating a strong bonding surface for the tile that doesn’t shift with thermal or humidity changes.

Once the concrete board is down, you fill in the 1/4″ gap with thinset and a special mesh tape available anywhere ceramic products are sold.

There are a number of concrete board manufacturers including the popular hardiebacker. Check your local home improvement store or ceramic tile shop.

Ditra – This is a special plastic material made by Schulter (official site). The unique geometric design decouples the subfloor from the surface of the Ditra, effectively serving the same function as concrete board. Ditra should be set with thinset using a 1/8″ trowel.

Once laid, the surface of the Ditra is suitable for ceramic installation. You can either use a 1/4″ trowel and apply enough thinset to fill in the gaps, or you can skim coat the Ditra first using the flat side of the trowel and then use a 1/4″ trowel to lay ceramic in a two step process.

Good Results From Proper Tiling

Using backerboard or Ditra to mediate the expansion and contraction of the subfloor will lead to a much longer lasting and professional-looking tile job that is much less likely to cause trouble in the future.

(photo credits: DDFic, Schluter)