How to find the best contractor for your home improvement project

It’s finally time to tackle that big home improvement project you’ve always wanted to do. Or, you might have waited so long, now you need to do the project. Which leads to your first question – “Where do I start?” Well, the truth is… some jobs are simply too big, too complicated, or require too much time to handle on your own. Whether it’s remodeling a kitchen, installing gutters, or electrical rewiring for your business – you’ll likely need an expert. A contractor, or subcontractor, can be your ‘knight in shining armor’ when it comes to completing your project. But, wait… you’ve heard so many horror stories connected with “shady contractors” that you’re starting to re-think this re-model. But statistics show that the huge majority of contractors out there are honest, hard-working professionals. Most people are happy with any improvement project they undertake. “Fine,” you say. “How can I protect myself and make sure I find a great contractor?” I’m glad you asked. Here are some standard tips you can follow to make sure your repair, remodel, or installation goes well: o Got License? Most states require that a contractor have a license to operate in that state. Once you find a contractor, check to see if he or she has a local contracting license to do the job. o Check References – get at least three references from satisfied clients. And if you want to get really fanatical, go to the contractor’s current job site. See if the site is messy. Are the workers taking care of the property? o Get Bids – if you have the luxury, get multiple bids from several contractors. Don’t always assume that the lowest bid is the best, because that contractor may be desperate for work or might cut corners on the job. But if you get contractor’s from several sources, you could get a really great deal. o Get it in Writing – the days of the “handshake deal” are far behind us. Get a detailed contract together and throw everything in (even if the project doesn’t involve the kitchen sink!) The more you clarify, the fewer headaches you’ll have if things go wrong. o Do You Take a Check? Don’t ever pay in cash. Can you say, “Proof of payment”? I thought you could… Keep logs of all payments (for example - 10% down, 20% by one date, another 20% by another date, final payment when work is complete) and pay with check or credit card only. “Wait a minute!” you protest, “That sounds like a lot of work!” Sure it does. Because it is a lot of work. If you think a renovation or remodeling job is expensive, imagine having to pay for it twice! Do your homework and you’ll avoid being a horror story. “Are there any warning signs of a bad contractor?” you ask. Boy, you sure do ask a lot of questions. And that’s good. Always ask a lot of questions. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to handle the unexpected. Okay, these are signs a contractor might not be your best choice: o If required by the state, your contractor doesn’t want to show you his or her license. Or won’t give you references. Or you two don’t get along. Keep in mind: this person may be in your home, working side-by-side with you, for several months – you’d better get along! o Your contractor wants you to pay for the entire project… up front. Run for the hills. o Your contractor has a “friend” in the financing business that can get you a “good deal” on a loan for your project. You’ll end up with a huge “2nd mortgage” at a ridiculously “high rate” and your “contractor” just got a juicy “commission” on the deal. o Your contractor doesn’t have a business address, a business card, and it looks like the contractor sleeps in his or her pickup truck. Run really fast for those hills. Okay. Now you know some of the warning signs. Here are some signs you may have found a really good contractor: o The contractor has at least 4 to 5 years experience. It shows they can manage their business and complete their projects. o The contractor has insurance. Liability and worker’s compensation are the most important types of coverage to make sure everyone is covered. o The contractor has more than references – he or she may even carry a book of photos showing past work projects that have been completed. o The contractor provides cost breakdowns for the job. These breakdowns show specific details of what the project will cost to complete. o The contractor is flexiblemunicate all your requirements and specifications for the project. Whether you two decide that you want to supervise the work or you want to let the contractor make all the decisions, your contractor will be flexible enough to work with you. “Okay, am I ready?” Yes, now you’re ready to hire a professional to help get your home or business improvement project off the ground. One of the best ways to protect yourself is the act of due diligence. Webster’s defines due diligence as: “The care that a prudent person might be expected to exercise in the examination and evaluation of risks affecting a business transaction.” In simplified terms – Do your homework. And you’ll do just fine. Have fun and make the most out of your experience!

Bed quilt an important player in your sleep

Quilt is a bed or a bed cover of three layers with the middle one being stuffed and if all three are tied at regular intervals by thread or yarn, such quilts are called as tied quilts. The two outer layers differ in fabric and pattern as one is a plain backline the other is the top. Quilts, Use Them as You Like Quilts are most comforting beds or bed covers particularly suited for cold weathers. People would prefer quilt woolen blanket or bed sheets. Generally bedding, decorative, armory are the usual domestic uses. But looking at the patterns and further possibilities, you can say there is practically no limit on how and where you want to use them. You may wonder to know there are quilt artists for whom quilt making is a full time profession. Quilts are also used as educational tools which students use for making images, patterns. Trekkers like to carry quilts with them instead of heavier beds for convenience. But quilts have a serious side of the story too. There is an American religion which goes by the name Amish whose members follow the Mennonite religion. Amish people don’t believe in being flashy and chauvinistic in their worldly affairs and they have carried forward this philosophy onto quilts too. Their colors are restricted by Churches and the base color is predominantly black which gives other colors a contrasting get-up. Well, How Do They Make Quilts There is no particular technique for making quilts nor are there rigid rules barring safety and hygiene. Still, quilts are normally made in two forms; either by using one large sheet of cloth for both top and back lining; or using smaller cut pieces, blocks, of cloth usually of different designs and colors by stitching them together. Now, the blocks are stitched together to make desired patterns by stitching them edge to edge all over. Some times strips of cloth are also used in between the blocks. This way of making quilts is known as sashing. Quilts are then given borders, usually in contrasting colors, which puts paid to making of quilts. Some Common Quilt Patterns The blocks, small pieces of cloth and generally geometric in shape, may be again made by sewing together of further smaller cloth pieces. This style is pretty popular and is known as patchwork or piecing. Other popular styles are Appliques, Embroidery and whole cloth where there is little or no embellishment. Well, did you know that quilt is also the name of a computer query languages developed by IBM?

How to properly clean carpets using a portable carpet extractor

When cleaning carpets many people try to save money by renting a portable carpet extractor to clean their carpets. Cleaning your own carpets can be easy but there are a few guidelines that you should follow. Portable rental carpet extractors can be rented at most hardware and grocery stores. These small carpet extractors are great for small areas but are low powered and often times well used. When renting a portable carpet extractor it is advisable to check with you local cleaning and janitorial supplies store. Carpet extractors rented from janitorial distributors are usually in better condition and provide more suction. These professional types of portable carpet extractors can usually be rented for a little more than the cost of renting one from a local hardware or grocery store. Also by going to a professional cleaning supplies distributor you are likely to find better carpet cleaning products than at your local grocery store. When you go to rent your carpet extractor make sure you have the janitorial supplies distributor go through the workings of the machine thoroughly. Janitorial distributors sell professional and industrial carpet cleaning supplies everyday and are well versed in recommending the right carpet cleaning products for your individual needs. Always ask if there are other attachments that can be rented for the carpet extractor so that you can clean your furniture and drapes at the same time. If you’re going to rent a carpet extractor for a 24 hour period is advisable to get as much use out of it as possible. After you have purchased all your carpet cleaning chemicals and have rented your carpet extractor it’s time to start cleaning your carpets. First try to move as much furniture out of the room as possible to have a clear path for extractor. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove as mush large debris as possible before using the carpet extractor. If you have extra dirty traffic lane stains it is recommended that you spray these areas with professional traffic lane cleaner and follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for use. It is usually easier to spray traffic lane cleaner onto the dirty areas with a common garden pump up sprayer. Make sure to clean the garden pump sprayer before use to remove any residual chemicals from gardening. After the traffic lane cleaner has had time work you can beginning extracting the carpets. When mixing your extraction solution for the carpet extractor, make sure to follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. Mix the precise amount of water with the extraction solution and try to get the water as hot as possible. When you extract and clean carpets hot water will get your carpets cleaner than using cold water. When you are using a carpet extractor make sure to make a cross hatch pattern with your cleaning lanes. First do the entire room in strips going one way the extract over the strips at a 90 degree angle going the other way. After you have extracted the entire room it’s time to perform a thorough rinse of your carpets. When rinsing the carpet extract the room with cold water to remove any detergents and extraction solution. If you do not rinse your carpets thoroughly your carpet can act like a dirt magnet after it dries. At the end of your rinse cycle the dirty water coming out of the extractor should be a lot clearer than when you started. After you have extracted your carpets use a dehumidifier and carpet fan if possible, to speed up the drying of the floor. Damp and slowly drying carpets can cause mold and bacteria to grow in the carpet padding. Carpet fans sometimes known as carpet air movers dry the floor quickly by blowing large amounts of air over the carpets surface. The dehumidifier will take the water out of the air as the carpet dries and make your living conditions a little less humid. After your carpets have dried use a vacuum cleaner to remove any hair and lint brought to the surface of the carpet due to the carpet extraction process. Before returning the carpet extractor back to the rental store make sure it is clean and in the same condition you checked it out in to avoid any extra fees for cleaning the unit.

Sanitair vacuum cleaners bringing commercial cleaners home

Sanitair vacuum cleaners might be more famous for their commercial than domestic use, but these cleaners are fast gaining popularity in the household cleaning worldbining the ease of use of a regular domestic cleaner with all the cleaning power of a commercial vacuum, Sanitair vacuum cleaners are one tool made for work that you really won’t mind taking home with you. You would expect a commercial vacuum like a Sanitair vacuum cleaner to offer superior cleaning power – after all, commercial Sanitair vacuum cleaners have to vacuum the dirt and debris created in a busy environment frequented by perhaps hundreds or thousands of people. With that in mind, your first thought might be why would you need a Sanitare vacuum cleaner? The simple answer is that Sanitair vacuum cleaners offer much more than just a powerful clean. Reviews of Sanitair vacuum cleaners consistently report that these cleaners are as easy to lift and manoever as any domestic vacuum – in fact many of the well-known domestic vacuum brands are more hefty and difficult to get aroundbine this with the superior durability of commercial devices like Sanitair vacuum cleaners, and you are surely on to a vacuum winner. The advantages of using Sanitair vacuum cleaners don’t end there. Their commercial construction means that a Sanitare vacuum cleaner offers more dirt storage capacity than most conventional domestic cleaners, reducing the frequency with which you have to empty the vacuum. The powerful HEPA filtration included in Sanitair vacuum cleaners also ensures that not only is this a powerful cleaner, but a Sanitair vacuum cleaner also clears your living environment of the dust and debris that can exacerbate allergies. Sanitair vacuum cleaners don’t just offer a commercial strength clean for your home; they have so much more to offer. For a low maintenance, easy to use vacuum, a Sanitare is the right cleaner for you.

Replacing wood sash windows with vinyl windows

When we left off last week, we had removed the old wood sash windows and prepared the opening for the vinyl replacement windows. Now it's time to install your new windows. You should have someone there to help you when doing the installation. First, Remove all shipping materials from the window. Now, if you are installing several different sizes, make sure you are putting the correct window in the correct opening. You need to put the window into the opening to make sure it's going to fit, then remove it and run a bead of caulk on the face of the outside blind stop where the window will rest. You don't want to caulk, only to discover the windows are too big. It's worth the extra few minutes to make sure it's going to fit. Lift the window and set the bottom in first. Then raise the top until it rests against the outside blind stops. Sometimes, when raising the top into position, the window frame will hit the top of the wood frame. You need to tap down on the top of the vinyl frame while keeping pressure towards the outside. Once you determine that it's going to fit, remove the new window and set it aside. Run a bead of caulk on the face of the outside blind stops. White latex painters caulk works fine. Raise the window into position again. Now have your helper hold the window in position while you raise and lower the sashes, making certain that the window is square in the opening. Remember how you ordered the windows 3/16"- 1/4" shorter than the tightest measurement? This is where you use this space to adjust the frame to be the most plumb and level. Get a box of popsicle sticks and wood coffee stirrers at the grocery store. The coffee stirrers are about 1/16" thick, and the popsicle sticks are approximately twice as thick. You want to put the shims in the four corners. Then caulk the gap on both sides and along the top before installing the inside stops. I don't recommend putting any screws in the sides, but you can put one screw in the top center and one in the bottom center. You really dont have to use any screws in this kind of installation, since the shims will eliminate any side play, and the caulk on the blind stops will hold the frame in place as well. Remember, we still need to re-install the inside stops. Before installing the inside stops, remove all the old nails and replace them with new nails. A 1"- 1 1/4" finish nail is fine. Before installing the inside stops, scrape all old caulk off the stops. Then, while your helper holds the window in place, nail your stops back on. If the window has 4 stops, install the shortest ones first. That way you can bend the longer stops into place between the two short ones. Use a nail punch to sink the head past the surface of the stop. If you have several windows to do, i suggest doing the first window to this point before going to the next. How frustrating would it be to have a helper removing the old sashes, only to discover that the windows aren't going to fit!? If the first one goes in fine, then you can send your helper ahead of you to start removing old sashes. The best way to avoid the nightmare of having a bunch of new windows that won't fit is to make sure you measure CORRECTLY. Remember, tight minus 1/4" on the width and height should be fine. Finish the inside by caulking the area of the inside stop where it meets the casing, and the point where the stop meets the new frame. Fill the nail holes in the inside stops with caulk to hide the nail heads. Now it's time to finish the outside. A quality replacement window will either have a sloped frame to match the slope sill, or it will come with an insert that fits under the new frame to fill the gap created by the sloping wood sill. If you buy a lower grade window that doesn't come with anything to fill the gap underneath, you can buy some wood trim to fill the space, or you can get a flat vinyl trim that attaches to the face of the bottom of the new frame. The flat trim is available on my website under the "shop" tab. Once you cover the bottom gap, it's time to caulk where the outside blind stops meet the vinyl frame, and where the bottom gap filler meets the wood sill. That's it! You're done! You can buy accessories to cover your old wood sills with a vinyl wrap extrusion. That can also be found on the website under the "purchase trim" tab. Next week we are going to start on replacing old aluminum windows.

Bathroom remodeling made easy tips

Take a look around your own home. Is what you’ve been terming your “time-thrilled home dйcor” certainly just old fashioned? If so, perhaps it’s time for you to adhere the remodeling parade. The good rumor is: there heaps of simple, low detriment customs to give your home’s look a good harvest-me-up. You can found a fully new theme for your bathroom -- such as contemporary, old world, or European -- based on the draft of your faucet,” says Angie Coffman, director, Delta creation marketing for Delta Faucet Company. Before purchasing a new faucet, it’s a good idea to do some preliminary examine. You may also want to believe the finances before start your pursuit, as prices can modify widely. You will find that there was many different styles and designs in bathroom faucets. Consider forward of time whether you want a lone-lever or a magnify-supervise faucet. Notice how the handles feel in the palm of your hand. Do you want something that is delicate or more important-task? Explore different spout designs and finishes as well. Decide about whether you want an escutcheon, the decorative plate beneath a faucet. An escutcheon would also hide mega holes that might be drilled in the sink. Look for a faucet that installs simply -- you may poster tongue like “nippy bond ” or “no adjust,” showing that least tools are mandatory. Pay closed attention to the untaken fallacy configuration on your sink. How many are there and how far distant are they? Do you essential a track-tear, 4-crawl crux-set, or a barrier-mounted faucet? Your release-export faucet may have three holes underneath, but you don’t necessarily have to supplant it with another lone-carry. There’s a project, called a “minuscule-widespread,” which provides flexibility for customers who have a single-lever faucet, but are looking to thrash to a twofold trade, widespread look. The Victorian Mini-widespread from Delta is an example of a faucet that offers elaborate, old-world styling in a slighter sink situation. Make a Lasting Improvement Look for a design that won’t shortly be outdated and one that will compliment the breather of your bathroom, “one that will pause out without sticking out,” according to Coffman. “Keep in psyche that you will possibly be using this new faucet for years, so select something that is enduring, versatile, and a variety that is considered unfailing.” Installing high trait harvest in a bathroom will result in a high revisit on your home remodeling investment. That is why it is important to desire a faucet that offers long-lasting, care-open performance. You want to look for things like reliable brass construction and the visitors that offers an existence imperfect warranty, along with consumer defend, in instance you have questions while installing the faucet manually. Now that you are equipped to give your bathroom the facelift it has been waiting at, have a few tools usable for the installation. A pair of adjustable pliers, along with an Allen anguish and sink twist, will possibly be necessary. Also choice up some silicone or caulk, and Teflon stick. Always fold impeded the instructions on your faucet for any other tools or materials needed.

Wood burning stoves timeless classics

Traditionally, wood-burning freestanding stoves were used in ski cabins and lodges, but today thanks to new design concepts they have become a welcome addition to any home. Wood-burning stoves can be installed in any room of your house, but most often they are placed in living or dining rooms, as well as in patios. While traditional fireplaces generally work as a piece of dйcor, free-standing wood-burning stoves are generally used for more practical purposes, namely, for heating and even cooking. Thanks to new designs, your wood-burning stove will look attractive and still remain perfectly functional. Because it isn’t attached to the wall, a wood-burning stove will radiate more heat throughout a small or large room. Most often, wood-burning stoves are usually built of stainless steel, soapstone or ceramics study stone and brick but can remain sleek and contemporary thanks to new materials such as fireproof glass and stainless steel details. The shape of these stoves is most commonly tall and cylindrical, with built-in wood storage under the burning chamber. When choosing a new wood-burning stove, keep in mind that the size of your wood-burning stove is determined by the size of the space that needs to be heated. The fire of the stove should be substantial enough to please the eye as well as heat the room, but too much fire can literally turn your place into an oven. When picking a place to put your new stove, avoid traffic areas such as doors. A stove surrounded by windows may be a good solution. The fire chamber door should face the room. Don’t forget to take stovepipe requirements into the account, making sure they are in compliance with your local building codes. Since wood-burning stoves are not strictly fireplaces, they don’t require any clearance between the fire chamber and surrounding combustible materials, such as wood or fabric. Conventional wood-burning stoves vary in heat efficiency because their construction can be very different, too. The efficiency of a wood-burning stove depends on how much of its combustion energy turns to heat, which in its turn depends on how well it burns wood. Even the best wood-burning stoves don’t burn all wood completely. The smoke is actually composed of unburned wood particles. Another factor that impacts the wood-burning stove’s efficiency is how much heat escapes through the chimney. To improve the efficiency of your wood-burning stove, consider a chimney sweep in the first place. This should be done by a professional fireplace expert. If you noticed that a lot of smoke is produced during the wood burning, you may need to alter the size of your stove opening, or reconfigure the existing fire chamber. If you notice that a lot of hot air escapes through the chimney, you may consider replacing the fire basket – the metal rack that supports the burning logs. New designs of fire baskets can greatly improve air circulation and heat efficiency. Wood burning stoves today offer a great variety of looks and designs to suit any home style, from a retro Victorian house to a steel loft condo. Painted black, brushed steel or even red, with stovepipe to match, wood burning stoves with generous glass doors allow you admire the dancing flames during the cold winter season.

Choosing the best woodworking saws

You will eventually need more than one saw in your woodworking shop. Table saws and miter saws are often the first purchases made by beginning woodworkers. Knowing what to look for in a quality saw is the best way to be sure you are getting tools that will serve your needs as you grow in experience. Woodworking shows and stores that sell discount woodworking tools are a great source of information and inspiration. Choosing Woodworking Saws Table saws are an important piece of equipment and often the first power tool purchased for a workshop. Saws come in either 120 or 240 voltage. If the saw is 120, it will run on normal household current. If it is 240, you will need a dedicated circuit. An electrician can run a dedicated line for the tool. For most home workshops, 120 is plenty of power. Professionals generally use 240, which stands up better to regular use. Things to Consider: o Power of the motor o Direction of the tilt, left or right o Dust collection, these saws tend to create a lot of dust, which is messy to clean and can be a health hazard o Accuracy of the fence; look for a fence that is adjustable and easy to use. Miter Saws for Woodworking Miter saws are an important piece of equipment when working with wood. They cut angles quickly and precisely. The choices can be daunting, as there are literally hundreds on the market. Reading reviews is a good source of information when narrowing down your options. Miter saws are great for big jobs, like replacing the trim in your entire house or furniture making projects. A tight miter makes a big difference in the overall appearance. Miter saws can either be used on a stand or the ground. A stand is best when you have a lot of wood to cut. Woodworking Jigs Woodworking jigs are an essential part of a variety of different projects. They save time and increase accuracy. Using jigs is much faster when you need to create several pieces. All pieces will come out identical with a jig. The results are more consistent and professional. The jigs ( inside-woodworking/jigs/index. html ) you need depend on the projects you are creating and the results you hope to achieve. You can purchase jigs in any store that sells wood working supplies. They can also be found inexpensively on the internet. To save even more money, you may consider making your own jigs. Using scrap pieces of plywood is a cheap way to make jigs. Since they are typically used only once, you don’t want to use expensive wood to make them.

London builders bathroom apartment glass ideas. part one

Glass partitions? If you consider this to be something featureless and office-like, you still know very little about ability of glass to create warmth and comfort! Today you will hardly be surprised by the panoramic glazing - the megalopolis residents are accustomed that the apartment can have one or even few fully transparent external walls. Architects successfully use glass in the interior of municipal housing and achieve shocking results. Glass partitions are often used: in shopping and office centers, fitness clubs, private interior. And no wonder! In fact, glass is ideally suitable for partitioning of apartments. You divide apartment space according to your desire. As a result, you obtain a functional and comfortable area. Daylight comes freely and makes rooms brighter. Furniture from stainless steel well underlines modern design of apartments. One of main features of glass partitions is safety. Their composition includes 10 mm hard-tempered glass. Tempering allows increasing durability of glass by 5-7 times and makes it safe after breakage - glass scatters into small pieces. Usage of the high-impact film forms the "triplex effect" - glass fragments remain on the film. Strictly speaking, glass blocks are actively used as the fully-featured construction material for a long time. Modern glass blocks did not loose their excellent technical properties (durability, fire and moisture resistance, unique heat and sound insulation), but also became beautiful. And today only few interior designers do not include at least few glass "bricks". Transparent walls are appropriate both to housing with large area and to a small apartment. Nowadays glass blocks are used for decoration of ceilings, floors and stairs (sometimes even stages), for enclosure of winter gardens, for construction of columns, partitions. If to glaze, for example, part of narrow corridor, it becomes lighter and looks not as a long dark room, but as part of the system of connected vessels. The same effect can be achieved by building the transparent partition between the tiny anteroom and sole dwelling room: if necessary, apartments can be visually insulated by Roman shades or screen. Unlike ordinary glass, glass blocks are less transparent and a little distort the image, making it less evident and mysteriously diffusing it. Therefore, even if you do not decorate the wall from transparent bricks at all, you do not feel yourself as in an aquarium. Modern glass blocks can be mat, coloured and grooved. Nowadays designer salons also offer glass bricks, on the surface of which the picture from the smallest coloured glass bubbles is formed. Such glass blocks can be elements for whole pictures with landscapes, abstract pictures, images of animals or birds and even portraits. A particular type of glass blocks is blocks that imitate the structure of the natural stone (for example, marble, malachite, granite, agate), linen or jean fabric, mica, sun glints on water. The recent novelty of the market is glass blocks from the "baked" coloured glass. In fact, every block is a multicoloured stained glass, which changes depending on the time of day and illumination. Though the process of manufacturing of such glass blocks is very complicated and costly. It is possible to build single-colour and mosaic walls from coloured glass blocks. Meanwhile producers offer "bricks" of various tinctures - from pale-beige and greenish to brightly-orange, cornflower blue, navy blue and violet. Clearly, such bright tones practically fully hide everything that takes place on the other side of the glass wall, however, at the same time such partitions admit natural light and in darkness look like the magic lantern due to illumination.

A hooray for high velocity air conditioners

Chill out. Even if you have an older home, you don't have to resign yourself to living without the comforts of central air-conditioning. A new technology called high-velocity air-conditioning can be added to almost any home-even those without existing ductwork. How It Works Also known as "mini-duct" systems, high-velocity air-conditioning typically uses an outdoor compressor to cool the air, combined with a high-pressure blower (usually mounted in the attic). Instead of bulky metal ductwork, this technology, developed by SpacePak, uses flexible tubing only two inches in diameter. The insulated tubes can be threaded behind walls or inside closets without damaging sheetrock or plaster. This makes the system much quieter than air-conditioning through traditional metal ductwork. A mini-duct system also dehumidifies the air more effectively. The high-pressure blower compresses the air and allows it to be in contact with the cooling coils longer-which reduces the temperature and removes more humidity. It's All Central Actually, "high-velocity" and mini-duct" systems are just different names for the same type of super-efficient and comfortable central air-conditioning systems. These systems are very quiet, distribute the cool air evenly throughout your house and dehumidify very effectively. The words "high velocity" and "pressure" may make you think these systems are noisy. Actually, you can barely hear them running and there is no air flow sound at the tiny outlets. In two-story houses, the mini-ducts are run down from the attic through the corners of the closets or inside walls to the first floor. In a single-story house, the entire system is located in the attic with outlets in the ceiling below. SpacePak's mini-duct systems use ordinary, high-efficiency, outdoor air-conditioning compressor units. With this mini-duct system, cool air blows out from tiny two-inch openings in the ceiling or high on the walls. You can barely notice the outlets when they are painted the same color as the room. For a decorative look, natural wood outlets are available.