- They are energy efficient – UPVC doors and windows have superior insulation properties that make them suitable for your home even during cold seasons. They retain heat during winter and cool air during summer and this will greatly save you energy costs you would have otherwise used trying to regulate the temperatures.
- They offer a more comfortable home – This is thanks to the draft proofing and insulation quality that you get from your UPVC windows. They are able to maintain right temperatures throughout the seasons thus offering you high levels of comfort in your home.
- They enhance fire safety – This is because the material is very difficult to ignite, especially when compared to wooden door frames. When you select the material for your doors and windows you rest assured that fire safety standards for your property are improved.
- They offer reduced condensation – This is again thanks to
Author: Herald Crown
Prefinished Hardwood Floors
There are several advantages to choosing this type of flooring, which include:
- More durable because the finish is done using a substance called aluminum oxide which is harder than the polyurethane finish that is used on unfinished hardwood floors. These types of floors are less likely to dent or scratch giving the floors a good looking finish for many years unlike unfinished hardwood floors that have to be refinished every few years.
- Easier to install because the floor is installed and can be used the same day it was installed. With unfinished hardwood floors they have to let the wood acclimate, install it, stain it, and let it dry before it can be finished, which can take several days.
- Give a better look than hardwood that is unfinished because prefinished hardwood floors come in a variety of sizes, textures, colors, and styles so the homeowner can choose the look that
Home Furnishing Mistakes to Avoid
- Beds without Headboards:
People often forgo the headboard. Check out various headboards at home furniture stores online to match your bed. Headboards help create a focus for the room. If you don’t want headboards, highlight the area with textured paint, large eye-catchy artwork or bright and decorative tapestry. - Match everything:
Sometimes it’s essential to deviate from the regular. The idea of matching everything would give you a pleasant room. However, if you are good with colors and proportions, you could try bolder combinations. Focus on complementing rather than matching and the effect is wonderful. - Shopping at one place:
Don’t limit your choices by buying all your home furnishing pieces at one place. Try out various stores for variety and options. This way you would not be restricting the style of your home decor. - ‘Lifeless’ interiors:
Nothing brightens up a room better than fresh flowers and indoor plants. Whether they are
How to Care for Bespoke Furniture
- Keep out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can have a negative effect in several ways: The heating of one area more than another can lead to differential expansion and cause cracking. The drying out of the wood from heat from the sun can cause shrinkage, and strong sunlight has a bleaching effect on the wood itself and breaks down the finish applied to it. It is best to keep wooden furniture away from direct sunlight, but if it needs to be near a window then you can control the effect of sunlight with shades, blinds and shutters.
- Maintain humidity. Just like us humans, a large component of the weight of a piece of healthy wood is water, so in order to maintain that wood in good condition it is important not to let it dry out. Keeping a plant or two in the same room,
Choosing Dining Chairs
If you intend placing chairs all the way around, you need these measurements to make sure when sitting at the table, you can do so comfortably without the leg of the table digging into your leg the entire time you eat.
The first decision you have to make is how many dining chairs you want in your space. Obviously this is dependent on the size table you have. You are able to accommodate four, six, eight or more chairs.
With a number in mind, you can now work out the size of each chair you can accommodate, this will help you narrow down your search considerably.
Material is another big deciding factor which is based on your table material. If you have a solid wood table, make sure your chairs join the same solid wood somewhere, whether it’s the entire chair or just the legs.
You want your new chairs … Read the rest
Emergency Lighting
Battery Powered
There are now many options for battery powered lights, especially with the invention and widespread use of LED light technology. LED’s are brighter, lighter in weight, smaller in size, cooler to the touch and more durable than old fashioned lighting options. LED’s have also come down in price significantly in the last decade, and are being manufactured in great amounts in Chinese factories. With LED’s you have the option of having smaller and much more portable flashlights and many other types of lights, all powered by smaller batteries such as AA or triple A, rather than the larger, much heavier batteries like C and D, making LED battery powered flashlights, camping lights and emergency lights a great option to have around.
Solar Powered
There’s a wide array of solar powered lights available these days. There are many large camp lights, flashlights and small portable solar flashlights that are … Read the rest
Looking After A Solid Wood Table
- Start by keeping your table safe from harm. Do not place it very close to a source of fire because excess heat can dry it out and reduce its life. Direct sunlight can have the same negative effect on your furniture. Also, use mats and coasters on it so that it does not get burned or scratched as a result of daily use.
- Dust the table frequently in order to prevent accumulation of dust which can cause scratches. Use a high quality duster or one made of microfiber to clean it regularly. While it is best to avoid using water to clean your table, it is sometimes necessary in order to remove dried food or clean any sticky areas. If you do use a damp cloth to clean the table then you should also wipe it down with a non-abrasive cloth afterwards in order to avoid leaving any marks.
- Avoid
Calacatta Marble
While Carrara has many gentle veins, Calacatta has a few bold veins, very dramatic indeed. The soothing white background and the veins appeal worldwide to homeowners, designers, and architects. Greater whiteness indicates higher prices and charm. The veins suit book-matched installations too, as compared to other marble patterns.
We offer 6 varieties of Calacatta. Each is exquisite and they are called Calacatta Classic and Calacatta Gold, Calacatta Gold Premium and Calacatta Lasa, Calacatta Splendor and Calacatta Vagli. Against the white backdrop, the veins may be golden or gray in several shades. The neutral colors may be easily blended with wood varieties and other decor elements. Plan the color choices as dramatic contrasts or moderate effects.
Whatever is high-end is not commonly found. Greater demand results in higher prices. Calacatta marble comes to our homes and offices from a single location globally in Carrara in Italy, far, far away! It may … Read the rest
Tips to Clean Outdoor Furniture
Wood Furniture
To clean your wood patio furniture made of cedar, redwood, or pine, you’ll need a soft scrub brush and a cleaner designed to be used on wood. First, you’ll need to scrub the wood to loosen any dirt and debris. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the cleaner and finish by hosing off any residue. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when performing cleaning tasks. If you prefer, you can also mix up your own cleaner with one quart of water, ΒΌ cup of ammonia, and two tablespoons of white vinegar.
For teak furniture, which is popular, you can use a teak cleaner and follow the instructions on the bottle. If you don’t have teak cleaner, “[a]pply mixture of 1/4 cup laundry detergent and one quart bleach to one gallon water. Allow to remain on for 10-20 minutes. Scrub with soft bristled brush and rinse with garden hose.” (Source: … Read the rest
Take Care of Wooden Decking
- Water is not exactly a great friend as far as wood is concerned. The moisture makes the material rot and warp or at times even mold can grow. If there has been a rainstorm then it is natural for water to seep into the boards through even the tiniest of cracks. The holes made with screws or nails also are sufficient for the water to seep in. Now, if the water is not dried up immediately after the storm dies; there is liable to be damage to the deck. It is true that there are different types of materials and some can resist water more than other; however wooden decking as a rule should be resealed every year or every couple of years.
- The next thing is to check the extent of water damage. If it is noticed that there are water beads then there is no need to panic