What Are Fibrex Windows? Fibrex is Andersen’s patented PVC-wood composite material that it uses for a majority of its windows as a structural member. By weight, Fibrex is composed of 40-percent recycled Ponderosa pine wood fibers and 60-percent polyvinylchloride. Fibrex was initially developed to lower Andersen’s costs by reusing sawdust obtained from the production of its wood windows. One concern of exposed wood is rot. However, since each of Fibrex’s wood fibers is surrounded and coated with PVC, it rots at a far slower rate than pure wood....

Vacuum Cleaner Bags Bagged vacuum cleaners require that you change the bag when it becomes full. Replacing the bag isn’t a huge chore and most vacuum cleaner bags are not expensive, though it may be inconvenient to have to remember to check if the bag is full. Some models requiring vacuum cleaner bags have an indicator light that will let you know when the bag needs to be changed. A benefit of vacuum cleaner bags is that there is not a lot of contact with the dust and debris in the bag....

Bamboo will be of most appeal to consumers interested in using natural, renewable resources. Unlike trees, which require at least 20 years to mature, a bamboo stalk can be repeatedly harvested every five or six years. Most commercial bamboo comes from plantation-like operations that are farmed responsibly. Manufacture of Bamboo Flooring There are several different types of bamboo flooring, each with its own manufacturing process. Stranded bamboo is made by shredding the bamboo stalks into small strands, which are compressed into sheets using heat and resin binders, then cut into planks to use as building materials....

The growth habit is rounded, and the branches fill in densely, providing some cover for wild birds even when few leaves still cling to the bush. The leathery, aromatic foliage has a slight sheen to it. Bayberry shrubs are not grown for their flowers, which are insignificant. Rather, it is the silvery-gray berries that succeed the flowers that create interest in the plant. Although referred to colloquially as berries, botanists know this kind of fruit structure as a drupe—a type of simple fruit that contains a single hard seed, or stone, in the center....

Professional Bed Bug Service Prior to performing this, or any service, the pest control professional will usually—and should always—provide you with a list of specific preparation activities, “prep,” to be completed before he or she arrives. Following are some of the most common of the requests or recommendations made by PCOs. These also should be followed prior to using any over-the-counter bed bug control products yourself. (When using any pesticide, thoroughly read and follow all label directions and safe-use guidelines prior to purchase and use....

Couple that with the fact that your basement may not have originally been built with living in mind. While existing HVAC and ducting is often the best way to go, basements can effectively be heated to keep you toasty and warm, and usually through a combination of methods. With new-construction homes, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) that service all floors are part of the total plan. But options dwindle if you are remodeling a basement that has already been finished or partially finished....

The Better Boy variety of tomato yields large, one-pound fruits midseason in about 70 to 75 days after planting. It is resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and other diseases. Its dense foliage protects the fruit from too much sun exposure, preventing sunscald. This variety grows quite large, so it is not suitable for container growing and requires staking or caging to keep it upright. At planting, trim off the bottom two sets of leaves, dig a deep planting hole, and bury the plant down to its first set of leaves....

With three kids and a cat, an air purifier is an essential item in my home. We have units set up in every bedroom and the room with the cat’s litter box. But I have always been hesitant to set up an air purifier in our main family room or front sitting room because of how bulky and industrial they can look. When our Blueair Blue Pure Auto unit arrived, it was nice to have a fashionable piece of decor that also cleaned the air really well....

What Colors Birds See Birds see more colors than humans in several ways. Not only are birds able to perceive the familiar rainbow of colors as well as parts of the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum that are invisible to human eyes, but they also have better visual acuity. This means birds can determine subtle differences between similar shades of color, gradations that human eyes are not able to discern. The cells in the eye responsible for color detection, the cones, are in the retina, and birds typically have four types of cones rather than the three humans have....

Preparation Most other flooring materials—including hardwood, laminate, or carpet—will perform best in a basement environment if they are installed over a subfloor of DRIcore, or plywood or OSB elevated slightly on sleeper boards. But for ceramic tile, the best subfloor is the cement slab itself—provided the slab is stable and in good condition. A cement slab serves as a sturdy mortar bed, and ceramic tile will adhere to it quite well with thin-set adhesive....

Clean and Healthy Ceramic Bedroom Floors Indoor Air Quality: Ceramics have perfectly smooth, solid surfaces, that dirt, dust, and small particle allergens cannot get embedded in. Rather, these substances rest on the surface of the tiles, waiting to be wiped down with a cloth or mop and removed entirely from the environment. This can be an important step to maintaining the quality of the air in the bedroom, especially for people who may have breathing problems....

Chives are a wonderful addition to the beginner’s garden. They impart a light onion flavor in any dish and can be used interchangeably in recipes calling for onions. There is even a variety of chives that tastes like a blend of onion and garlic. Chives keep their lovely green color when cooked so they make a fancy addition to butter for an aromatic blended topping for corn on the cob, pasta dishes, corned beef or garlic bread....

At the age of 5, children are ready to take the lead in imaginative play, and what better way than with a robot that your kid can control with just the push of a button? The Click N’ Play Remote Control Robot looks a bit like Robocop and is sure to be greeted with excitement. But will it stand the test of time? I let my 5-year-old son play with it for a month to assess the android’s design, entertainment value, and more....

While picking your favorite color is a snap, choosing sheets made from the right fabric to suit your preferences is a bit more complicated. Cotton Cotton is the most popular fabric used to make sheets and other bedding and for good reason. It’s durable, breathable, soft, easy to care for, and generally quite affordable. You’ll find several different types of cotton, however. Some terms refer to the origin of the cotton fibers themselves, while other terms refer to the style of weaving or methods of treating cotton fabric....

Similarly, overusing artificial scents and air fresheners is a turn off to many buyers. Look to opening your windows to let in fresh air instead of using artificial scents that add a perfume smell to the air. Don’t overcompensate for your home being small and buying lots of furniture to make it look lived in. This will make your home feel cramped and unwelcoming. Home staging is not always about major renovations This is not the time to splurge on costly renovations....

The stone-like appearance and homogeneous composition found in granite are engineered into solid surface and quartz countertops. All of these materials are attractive to homebuyers, and any of them can contribute to the resale value of your home. Only when you get close to the material, feel it, and start to use it do you begin to learn the differences. Each countertop material has qualities that may work better or less well for your own situation....

The driveway entrance is the logical area of the yard for us to begin with. Why? Because the entrance to your driveway is also the entrance to your yard, as a whole. How your driveway entrance is landscaped, especially when a property is bordered by a fence or wall (thereby focusing attention on the entrance) sets the tone for the viewer’s perception of the whole yard. Consequently, the landscaping for your driveway shouldn’t be a mere afterthought....

How to Use Plastic to Cure Concrete You can purchase an insulated concrete curing blanket from most DIY stores, but it’s cheaper to simply use a sheet of plastic. Choose polyethylene plastic that is at least 4 millimeters in thickness. Because temperature impacts the curing process too, use dark plastic if the temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit to absorb heat and keep the concrete warm while it cures; if temperatures are above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, use a white or metallic sheet that reflects light from the sun to keep the concrete cooler....