Home Improvement Today?

Oh , interesting , I just used that same product for some chimney caps not long ago

 

This stuffs, it evens says you can use it for counter tops right on it
http://www.lowes.com/pd_293049-215-NA_0__?productId=3142337

 

I used the Quikrete Countertop mix for my kitchen and laundry room countertops. I mixed in glass fiber for strength in the bottom half of the countertop (1 1/2" thick). We did cast-in-place. For the edges we used Zcounterform molds. I used Buddy Rhodes slate powdered dye for the color.


http://concretecountertopsolutions.com/categories/edge-profiles/

My wife and I took a 3-day Buddy Rhodes concrete countertop class in San Francisco. I'd like to use his mix but it's really expensive ($45-$60 a bag).

There's also a fiberglass scrim that can be used in place of rebar.
http://www.fibreglast.com/product/Scrim_Fabric_White_246/Fiberglass_Mat

 

Looked through your renovation thread last night and was wondering what you used for the faux stone. Was it done piece by piece or in sections?

 

In the bathroom and the dining room, it's a polyurethane panel that's 2'x4'. You just glue and screw it to the wall. It's super light. I mistakenly bought panels that weren't interlocking so I had to cut my own interlock slots (jigsaw).
(mine was natural gray)
https://www.textureplus.com/store/#stone-stackedstoneinterlock


In the living room fireplace wall, the faux stone is 6" tall x 2' wide section.

I don't think this is exactly what I bought but it's similar:
http://www.rcpblock.com/stoneveneer_natural-desertgolddress.html

 

Thanks. I was looking at the panels that glue and screw and interlock with each other

 

If you go with them, get the color matched sanded grout as well. You'll need it to cover screw holes and hide any polyurethane behind the surface area (e.g. a scratch or panel cut).

Also, if you're not sure what style you want, Texture plus offers a showroom sample kit so you can see what it looks like before you buy it. You can pick up to 18 samples (6" x 6") or let them pick some for you for about $35.

I'd order it just to make sure you like how it looks. Some that looked good to me on the internet didn't look that great in person.

 

Right on. Thanks for the tips! I was just looking at their showroom sample kit.

 

Anyone have any experience or opinions with hot tubs?

I ran a 5k Saturday and then spent Sunday and Monday being lazy because I was sore so I started thinking about hot tubs. I figure it would've been a lot more fun to soak in a hot tub than sit on the couch watching tv.

I found a bunch of used ones in decent condition on craigslist but it makes me worried that I'd have to replace the heater, pump, cover, and who know what else, and maybe still have problems.

I went to a local hot tub place today and checked out some left over 2014s.

They have a round one with a bench seat for $3500 (seats 4/5 people) and it's plug and play. 120v, just need a level place to put it and it's done. The negatives I see is that it's a bench seat it's probably not as comfortable as the spa style ones with lounge type seats. Also the pump and heater can't be operated separately so for the summer I couldn't turn off the heat and use it as a soaking pool, the most I could do is turn it down to 85* or turn it off and drain it.

Then for $5700 they have a 7 seater. Spa style so more comfortable seats, more jets, more massagers, enough room so that it can be more than a couple without being awkwardly close. Supposedly costs about the same to run it each month but I would have the option of turning off the heat in the summer and use it for cooling off. This would be 240v so more work to install. I would be doing the install and already have a 240v 60 amp circuit available from my old dryer, I'd just have to punch a hole to get the wires outside and wire up the box.

My goal is to build a 10x16 deck and then have a lower level off of it with an outdoor shower and the hot tub. Hot tub would be on the ground and deck level be about 18" below the top of the hot tub so it's easy to step into the hot tub.


I won't be building the deck till atleast the summer (need to remodel my bathroom first) but if I put the hot tub in the right spot it wouldn't have to move when I build the deck around/up to it.


I don't have 6 grand to waste on a hot tub right now so I'd be financing it. I know the smart thing to do is wait till i can afford it and do it and the deck at the same time.

But the hot tub would be nice all winter... Especially after snowboard trips.

... But I still need to save like 3 grand for Moab in May...


Anyone have any advice? Anyone own/used to own a hot tub? Do/did you like it?/use it?/ think it's worth it?



Thanks.

 

Hot tubs are similar to boats. Enough said.

 

Coast Spas

 

Plug a play are the way to go IMO. Yes they are worth it. If there is a hot tub I will be in it....every night. I have proven this to myself on multiple occasions. When I am at my uncles cutting firewood for a week straight, every single night I will sit in the hot tub (plug and play salt water type) with a 6 pack...for hours.

I have a cousin that has one too. Same deal, especially after surfing for hours.

 

A boat is a hole in the water you pour your money into. Hot tub kinda like that. They demand more money the older they get.
You get what you pay for. Buy cheap you'll get cheap. I wouldn't buy used! At first you'll use it alot (especially in the winter) they suck in the summer. We couldn't agree on a temperature. There is a financial impact beyond the purchase. We had a Hot Springs we liked until it was time for it to go, and we couldn't hardly give it away
It sounds like you have a lot of expensive things you want to do. I'd wait and do a bunch of research in the meantime.

 

Thanks guys. Im thinking the best thing to do is wait till I'm ready to build a deck and then incorporate the hot tub into that.

 

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy sitting in a hot tub. Just not worth the money. It is purely a pleasure item in my opinion. My folks had one when I was growing up we used it alot back then now no one ever uses it.

 

Spend that time convincing a nearby friend to get one.

 

That's nasty.

 

He could go halfers with Boyd

 

I dunno. Boyd would displace some serious water.

 

I think I'll just buy my own and try to drown ou the mental picture of Boyd in a hot tub