Faux or false marble is a product that simulates the appearance of natural marble. Creating faux marble is an intricate process, since it must replicate the essentially chaotic appearance of real marble – its texture and grain. This is usually achieved by combining several layers of paint.

Faux marble is a cheap alternative to the real kind, since it can imitate the noblest of finishes effectively for a fraction of the cost. It is also available as a finished product, but the do-it-yourself or custom-made options are usually far more rewarding.

The most effective way of creating a faux marble effect is by applying alternating layers of carefully selected paint and tinted glaze on a white or otherwise lightly colored baseboard; that way the natural veins and grain of marble are simulated. The process, also known as ‘marbleizing’, can be used on walls and furniture. Though it is quite time-consuming, the effect can be quite fabulous and well worth the time and effort.

To achieve a convincing marble effect, one must choose a color scheme that closely imitates the natural version. The most effective shade combinations are gray/white with dark gray/black streaks, pink with peach streaks and eggshell or off-white with yellow/gray and green streaks. These are the usual color combinations of natural marble.

The different layers of paint are glazed over at regular intervals till the desired effect emerges. There are many variations of the process. Some use feathers for achieving a natural streaking effect, some employ candle wax. This is a creative process – have fun!

Faux marble can be bought or made at home; either way, it will add a sophisticated, colorful element to your home.

Wood Flooring provides detailed information about wood flooring, laminate wood flooring, hard wood flooring, engineered wood flooring and more. Wood Flooring is the sister site of How To Clean Marble.

A cat door offers your outdoor cat the opportunity to spend time indoors, either for the benefits of feeding inside, and/or allowing him to come inside to escape the danger of another cat or dog. It also offers your cat the chance to interact more with his human family.

If you have a screened-in patio or room, a cat door leading out to that area will allow an indoor cat to get a taste of the outdoors without putting him in harm’s way. You will be surprised how much time your indoor cat will spend out there.

Some cats will figure out the cat door right away, coming in and out like it was nothing. Others are a little timid when it actually comes to using the cat door for the very first time. Fortunately, there are some things you, the cat owner, can do to get him over those fears, and using his new entryway regularly and without hesitation. If you already have a cat or dog that uses a door to go outside, then your new cat will learn from the other pet very quickly, and you will have to do nothing.

After you install a cat door, leave it be for a few days so your cat gets used to seeing it. Cats do not like change, so he needs to see this contraption and wonder about it for a little while.

If within a few days your cat has not started to use the door, then tape the flap up so he can look directly out and see what awaits him. Make sure you tape the flap securely, because if it ever falls down and slaps him on the face, it will take a much longer time before he uses the cat door.

Once he begins to associate the fact that he can conveniently go outside on his own time through this magical opening, put the flap down. Then put some butter or margarine on the bottom of the flap, and entice him with some treats, praising him on the other side. You can also drag toys through the opening by tying them to some string and encouraging him to chase them.

Keep repeating these lessons in short intervals for several days, until your cat gets the hang of it. Just be patient, as he will eventually get to the point of using the door.

Greg has been writing articles for over 4 years. His newest interest is in home appliances and products. Please visit his latest website that discusses and reviews cookware such as all clad sale items and the best in All Clad copper core cookware and related products that every kitchen needs.

If you’re thinking of adding a sunroom or enclosed patio onto your home, join the half million Americans who are discovering the benefits of 3- and 4-season enclosures each year. According to the U.S. Census, about half of the 1.27 million new, single-family homes built in 2001 had some kind of attached porch

And there’s good reason for the popularity – aside from relaxing and enjoying the sunshine and stars with the comforts of indoors. Adding a sunroom or patio enclosure can extend your living area, often at less than half the cost of a standard home addition.

Costs less than conventional addition

A sunroom addition can range from $12,000 to $70,000, depending on models and features, compared to $30,000 to $80,000 for a conventional room addition. And sunrooms and patio enclosures can often be built where underground obstacles, or building codes and zoning ordinances, restrict conventional backyard additions.

Then consider that adding a sunroom has one of the highest returns-on-investment of all home improvements, and it’s no wonder that America’s going sunroom-crazy. Some sources estimate that you’ll recoup between 65-95% of your investment when adding a sunroom, depending on your geographic location and features included.

A sunroom helps sell your home faster and for more money

Because of all the financial and usage benefits, sunrooms are the third most popular amenity requested in homes over $250,000, according to a recent survey in Builder Magazine. And homes with a properly designed sunroom tend to sell faster and for far more money than those without.

According to some estimates, the average cost to install a sunroom on an existing home is between $125 and $150 per square foot. This includes the room itself, installation and related construction work, such as foundations, floors and tear-out work. Keep in mind that these are averages, and final costs can vary dramatically based on where you live, contractors, complexity of the project, quality of products and the need for extra construction work on your existing home to accommodate the addition. Adding a sunroom or patio enclosure to a new home will be significantly less expensive.

Inform your insurance company

You will need a building permit for your sunroom or patio enclosure, so you need to ensure that your sunroom or patio enclosure contractor is licensed. Discuss with your contractor who will obtain the permit, and ensure that you have one before any work begins. Then once your sunroom or patio enclosure is complete, inform your house insurance company of the addition to arrange adequate coverage. And keep in mind that a sunroom is usually not considered to be a square footage addition to your home, but a patio addition. Check the local bylaws to be sure.

Stu Silverman is a home improvement advice columnist and freelance writer for http://www.Contractors.com and http://www.ContractorGuide.com. You can find this and many other articles in the Additions category of ContractorGuide.com