Food for thought!

 

Hard wood floor finish

http://www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com/htdocs/vocdefinitions.htm


Definitions:VOC: Any volatile compound containing at least an atom of carbon. Our solvent-based architectural coatings contain Mineral Spirits, a petroleum distillate, containing carbon. 

VOC Content: The weight of VOC per volume of coating.
 

The following states have adopted Architectural Coatings Rules separate from the National Architectural Coatings Rule: 

State County Varnish VOC Limit Allowable Waterlox Products
Arizona Maricopa 348 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
California All except SCAQMD
(see map below)		 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
California SCAQMD5
Check your zip code HERE
or see map below		 275 g/L VOC Compliant only
Connecticut2 All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
Delaware All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
District of Columbia All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
Maine All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
Maryland All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
Massachusetts All 450 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
New Hampshire3 All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
New Jersey1 All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
New Jersey/ Small AIM Coatings
Manufacturer Exemption (SME)1		 All 450 g/L TB 5284, TB 6022, TB 3182
New York All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
Ohio All
Pennsylvania All 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
Virginia / OTC 20054 Northern Counties4
(see map below)		 350 g/L Quarts and VOC Compliant
1 NJ has an unlimited  sell-through limit, for products made before December 31, 2006.
2Connecticut rule goes into effect May 1, 2008 with a sell-through provision until May 1, 2011
3New Hampshire rule goes into effect January 1, 2007 with a sell-through provision until January 1, 2010.
4Northern VA Counties includes: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford and the following cities:     Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park ,and Fredericksburg.

5 SCAQMD includes :  Orange County and portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Check your zip code HERE
Note: Architectural Coatings rules only apply to those coatings applied to stationary structures and their appurtenances at the site of installation. Further, appurtenance, means any accessory to a stationary structure coated at the site of installation, whether installed or detached. Therefore, our Marine Finish and Marine Sealer products are not regulated by these rules, nor do these rules apply to any of our products unless they’re used in the aforementioned applications.

 

 

Bathroom remodeling

When remolding a accessible shower-tub combo its a commitment to say the least.  Matthew Nelson always installs showers with seats or recessed niches and height-adjustable shower heads or sprayers. We discourage clients from installing accessible tubs with barrier-free doors,  the problem of having to sit unclothed in the tub while it fills or empties completely (since the door is part of the tub’s wall,  opened only when the tub is empty). No question that a shower is better for resale value than an accessible tub, because the latter appeals to a much smaller market.

The approximate costs and value of a typical Shower Remodeling project are summarized below. Use higher estimates for larger metropolitan areas (Northern Virginia) and the lower estimates where home prices are below the national average. Adjust costs for substitutions or refinements in the last section. For size differences of up to 25%, scale total costs in direct proportion to the size of your project. Use the adjusted costs as a basis for setting a material budget and for comparing contractor bids (if you choose to have a professional perform the work).

Project description Remodel bathroom shower. Options include removal, refinishing or replacement of existing surfaces, modernization or replacement of doors, and fixtures.
Project size shower unit
Material and labor cost $3,735 – $4,358
Material cost $2,309 – $2,693
Do-it-yourself assessment The typical Shower Remodeling project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Shower Remodeling requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home.
First year Return on Investment – ROI Results vary widely and can be affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Shower Remodeling project in an appropriate neighborhood can return 93% or more of its initial cost.
Long term Return on Investment – ROI Returns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Shower Remodeling project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% – 91% of its initial cost.
Green rating Shower Remodeling projects commonly employ renewable resources and environmentally friendly materials. It is often the case that existing components and materials can be recycled or reused in the Shower Remodeling project.