Retrofit Insulation: Foam Insulation Sheathing on Exerior Walls

Home Improvement - Jan 04,2019 - No Comment

Foam insulation sheathing can be very effective for outdoor wall retrofit insulation purposes. Many people are actively seeking new ways to make their home far more energy-efficient.

As a result, they are discovering that they need to do a little bit more to insulate their walls from the elements outside. To this end, foam insulation sheathing can actually help increase the R value of the insulation you currently have. Many people do not realize how effective this can be.

From a cost standpoint, it’s incredibly beneficial. In addition, it is also good for the environment. The foam insulation sheathing that we are talking about is affordably priced. In fact, many people choose this type of insulation because they are interested in saving money.

As you probably already know, the cost of heating a person’s home can be quite significant. It therefore makes sense to really invest some money in ensuring that you have the type of retrofit insulation that can dramatically improve the overall warmth and satisfaction that you have in your home.

Now let’s talk about why this is necessary for external walls.

Exterior walls typically come into contact with the environment. As a result, it is common for some problems to arise that are created by the installation itself being inadequate. In other words, when insulation is first put in place, it lacks any kind of foam insulation sheathing. As a result, the R. value of this type of installation is not as good as it should be.

When you look around and try to compare prices, it becomes obvious that the major source of concern that most people have is that you are required to purchase this type of installation wholesale. Unless you know exactly how much you’ll need, purchasing any materials involved can be problematic. Therefore, you need to ask yourself whether or not it makes sense to do this.

When you do the math, you are likely to come to the realization that utilizing foam insulation sheathing is a really good idea. Not only can it dramatically help you improve the efficiency with which your current building functions, but it can also help you save a lot of money. What it really comes down to is, the primary reason why people choose to have a certain type of insulation is because it will save them money.

So you need to make a personal decision as to whether or not this is the type of retrofit insulation you’d like to use. Homeowners who retrofit insulation with foam sheathing on the walls believe that they can actually save a lot of money as a result of using it. Isn’t that a good enough reason to study if it makes sense to use in your own home?

Heatilator Electric Fireplaces – What’s Behind Their Appeal?

Home Improvement - Dec 26,2018 - No Comment

Heatilator electric fireplaces are a desirable option to many home-owners seeking a heating solution for their living rooms because they are simple, easy and relatively inexpensive. With electric fireplaces, you no longer have to route any gas lines differently, alter the ventilation of your building or take a lot of trouble with installation of Heatilator electric fireplace inserts.

This model of heating device has taken over a large share of the market by storm. In contrast with wood burning fireplaces and gas fireplaces, these Heatilator electric fireplaces get started by the simple act of flicking on a switch. There’s a fire in the hearth almost instantly.

With wood burning fireplaces, you have to chop and haul wood, store in safe from damp and wetness, and spend time kindling it to get a nice fire going. It takes time and trouble. No longer do you have any of these worries when you install Heatilator electric fireplaces at home. Better still, there’s a built-in circulation system which ensures that a lot of the heat is distributed nicely around the room.

How does a Heatilator electric fireplace work? Like most other models, the Heatilator electric fireplaces hearth relies on heat generated by an electric coil. This is then distributed through convection by a circulating system that spreads the warmth uniformly across the room. With some designer electric fireplaces, you can even get the simulation of an actual fire burning in the hearth by an arrangement of electric lights or fiberoptics.

There are some things you can do to make sure you don’t get gypped when you install Heatilator electric fireplaces. Make sure that the unit you’re buying is a high quality one. Look for labels that indicate the unit has been tested to meet UL safety guidelines. Ensure also that the model is compatible with what you have at home. Otherwise you may end up spending a fortune getting your designer electric fireplace to fit into your existing fireplace space.

Look for manufacturer’s warranty. While being able to have the unit covered for life is idea, you should not settle for anything under 20 years warranty, and most manufacturers offer such cover. Heatilator electric fireplaces hearths come in a range of designs and styles, with several accessories including doors, circulating devices, chimney adaptors and more.

The last thing you should make sure of before ordering is whether you can get the Heatilator electric fireplaces installed in your home by professionals. Usually this is not very expensive, but make sure in advance to avoid surprises. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to make your Heatilator electric fireplace installation as easy and hassle-free as many thousand other home owners.

This simplicity, inexpensiveness and ease of set up are what make Heatilator electric fireplaces a preferred choice by many savvy home owners.

How To Buy Cheapest Ready Made Venetian Blinds That Won’t Break The Bank

Home Decor - Dec 13,2018 - No Comment

When people think of Venetian blinds as a window treatment option they assume it is going to be expensive and that they can’t possibly afford the huge financial outgo. It need not cost a lot of money to buy ready made Venetian blinds. They are plenty of ways to get good quality blinds at affordable rates if you know what to look for, where to look and when.

Aluminum Mini Blinds Are Affordable:

Do you know that Aluminium is an affordable choice in blinds? Bali offers best quality mini blinds for reasonable rates. So, why not choose aluminum mini blinds as a window treatment option which not only makes your rooms look stylish but also comes well within your budget. Mini blinds or horizontal blinds or venetian blinds are durable and compatible with any style of room. They are also quite easy to clean.

Faux Wood Blinds Is Another Option:

Faux wood blinds are another cheap option in venetian blinds. These come in various wood stains and give the impression of real wood. They also come in colors like white, off-white liked painted wood. This is another cheap option of dressing up your windows in style.

Window Size:

It is important to measure your windows correctly and keep the sizes handy when purchasing ready made venetian blinds. You might be at a store or warehouse that is running a discount sale on select sizes or colors of blinds and if you have these ready you can simply take advantage of it. Most blinds come in standard sizes. So, if you have windows of standard sizes it is easy to get ready made blinds for them. It is the additional customization for unique size windows that makes them more expensive.

Warehouses And Outlet Stores:

Many of these stores have sales at the beginning of the year or end of the year to get rid of old stock and make space for new arrivals. It is an opportune time to pick up some great bargains from these stores. If you are lucky you might the get the exact color and sizes too. Even otherwise you can always buy something that comes close if price is a major deal breaker for you. Make sure you have the measurements of your window and the clearances ready. If the size of the ready made venetian blinds is a little big you can always mount it outside. If you mount it on a valance, the added design element makes the room more elegant. However, if you want to mount it on the inside and the size is too small don’t buy. There is no way you can make that look good.

Bathroom, Garage, Kitchen:

An option to consider is to put cheaper blinds for bathrooms, garages and kitchens where you don’t need to bother too much about design element or room decor. And go for the top quality blinds for the main areas of the homes like entertaining rooms, living areas and bedrooms. This way you can allot lesser money for the less important rooms and reserve a bigger budget for the high priority rooms and still get your ready made venetian blinds well within your budget. If you have kids make sure that you buy cordless blinds even if it costs a little extra.

Home Decorators – What You Must Know About Working With Them

Home Improvement - Dec 04,2018 - No Comment

Looking for professional home decorators? You’ll first have to make sure that you find a decorator who shares your vision of what your home can be. Regardless of how large or small your home is, or how elaborate or simple your plans for decorating it are, it can be hard work to plan, design and create an interior that reflects your true personality and taste.

That’s where home decorators come in. A good interior designer can conceive and plan a project that embodies your fond wishes for how your home should look, while carrying it out within your budget and the constraints imposed by space, materials and more. To make sure that you get the best results, you’ll have to meet with the decorator and explain your plans and dreams in a way the decorator understands, including any budget limitations you have to meet.

Your ideal home decorators will do their best to make sure that they are clear about your ideas and preferences for the home decorating project. This is only way to ensure that you get the home improvement project that you have dreamed about.

There are home decorating projects that you can carry out by yourself without relying on professional home decorators. Depending upon your skills and other resources, you may however wish to outsource the job to a professional.

Trust, communication and respect are important within the relationship of home decorators and home owners. Communication is essential between decorators and home owners. Your decorators should be able to explain any substitution of materials or reasons that the job may not go exactly according to plan. If cost overruns are a factor, you would prefer to know about it early on and directly from the professional concerned.

You must also look for an interior decorator who is well trained. Trained home decorators are certified by a licensed authority, and such accreditation is often important to get a quality job done. Most decorators will be able to back up their quote with the right certificates and endorsements by past clients, making it easier for you to choose a qualified and skilled contractor.

Obviously, a trained decorator does not mean that they are automatically the best decorators for you. It however does show that they have studied techniques and have a certain level of training in interior or home decorating, making it more likely that they will be able to perform a quality job. A trained decorator typically has a bachelors degree in the field. The American Society of Interior decorators has a certified database of decorators for you to choose from.

Being able to maintain trust with your home decorators is very important. Home decorators vary widely in their training, expertise and vision. So it is up to you, as a home owner, to make sure that you take the time to discuss details with them and share your vision for how your home should look at the end of the project.

DIY Home Décor Made Easy

Home Improvement - Nov 25,2018 - No Comment

Have you been thinking of decorating your home? Well, staying in a home where décor is always the same is pretty dull and boring. And redecorating your home doesn’t need to be handed over to experts. In fact, doing so can be expensive as most professionals charge ridiculously high prices.

This is why anyone should consider DIY home décor. There are many benefits that come from redecorating your home on your own including these:

1. You can have the very best time planning and changing your home decor with your loved ones and family members to help out.

2. You’ll learn new decorating tips and also explore many decorative options, giving free reign to your creativity.

3. There is a bond created between you and your partners in crime – and just modifying your home decor can bring you closer together.

4. You’ll learn how to shop for home décor material and also how to select quality décor for your home.

DIY (do it yourself) has always been popular among folks looking to spend as much time as they can doing what they love to do – without the help of a professional. Money that would otherwise be earmarked for the expert can be used to buy more items to decorate the home, or just be counted among your savings.

If you can invest in high quality materials and tools, then you should get the best. Before you decide to remodel your home, it is important to consider the following:

1. Make sure you have a budget that you can afford comfortably. With the right budget, you can buy appropriate stuff and also have an enjoyable remodeling experience. Remodeling on a budget will save you money and also help to give your home the best outlook.

2. Do you know that you can use wallpaper instead of paint to change the color of your walls? Well, this is the best way to bring some variety into your home and modify your home decor.

3. You can add some elegance and variety of colors into your space.

4. You can buy slightly used furnishings to replace all damaged or old furniture. They are inexpensive and usually offer quality and longevity.

5. Make use of the internet if you want to buy any furnishings or DIY home décor items. When you buy things online, you will have a vast selection of the very best options to choose from, and can get these items at an affordable price.

6. Remember that you do not need designer furniture in your home to achieve the quality you deserve with your DIY home décor.

DIY home décor ideas can be obtained from the internet. All you need is to type “DIY home décor ideas” into a search engine and you will be provided with the very best plans and steps to tackle any process.

There are many different DIY home décor ideas that are available online for different home types and sizes. The satisfaction that comes with remodeling your home on your own is the best prize you can give yourself. Start planning your remodeling today and you will find the end result worthwhile.

Armless Sofa Slipcover – The Easy Interior Decoration Solution

Home Decor - Nov 19,2018 - No Comment

Protecting your furniture with blankets and covers, including an armless sofa slipcover, is sensible while cutting down on costs from expensive upholstering and replacement. When you’ve spent a fortune on a set of elegant furniture for your living room, the last thing you want is for it to get spoiled by spilling food or drink on them, or having your pet clamber all over it.

Putting on a slipcover is a simple solution. Vinyl and plastic slipcovers were once popular, but are rarely used these days. Now an armless sofa slipcover comes in a wide range of colors, patterns and fabrics. You’ll definitely find something you like. You’ll be able to protect your furniture with these slip covers, and maintain the rich look for the long run, while matching your covers with the rest of the room’s decor.

What type of sofa slipcover should you get? Well, it depends upon the stress it will have to bear from visitors or users. If there are many children jumping all over the chair or sofa, then you’ll need a tougher fabric like denim than if the piece is used by adults and not very often.

Fabric choices range from cotton to denim, leather to damask. Make sure you visit many home furnishing shops in your locality to see the fabric types available and see which ones you want. Also browse the Web for online stores which display samples.

Ready made armless sofa slipcover models come in many different colors. It is unlikely that you won’t find exactly what you want. But if you don’t run across it in your local stores, you’ll almost certainly find it from a web search. And getting just the right kind matters because you’re keen on having your slipcovers match the room’s interior.

You don’t necessarily have to leave your armless sofa slipcover on all the time. They are made to be removable, and so you can take them off and store them safely while the furniture is not in use. During the times when you expect them to be visible and used, such as during parties or meetings, dust off the slipcover and put it on. That way you’ll protect your furniture from the worst wear and tear.

Slipcovers can be easily washed. Before you put it into the washing machine, though, check the care label inside for instructions. Remove the slipcover from the washing machine immediately after a spin cycle. Leaving it for long will lead to deep wrinkling. Hang out to dry or dry it on the least heat setting – otherwise it may shrink.

Smooth the armless chair slipcover over your furniture, pulling the seams and cording into place, and then tuck in the extra fabric into crevices. You can iron your slipcover after washing for a fresh pressed look.

The best slipcovers are constructed to very high standards, and is made to order to fit your measurements. You can also select your preferred color and fabric type. If you want to make sure, ask for samples before you order. Most manufacturers will guarantee your satisfaction, and allow you to return defective slipcovers within 30 days.

Selecting Brass Curtain Poles For Bay Windows

Home Decor - Nov 17,2018 - No Comment

Brass curtains poles are a very popular choice for all types of windows including bay windows. To hang the curtains without sagging or bunching together curtain poles are used.

Curtain poles are available in wide range of metals and metallic finishes. Brass, chrome, wrought iron are the usual metals used for making curtain poles. They come in a wide variety of metallic finishes like gold, silver, steel and different metallic colors to match the decor of the home.

When you go shopping looking for something specific like brass curtain poles you might end up closing your eyes to some truly spectacular options like poles in other metals, finishes or colors. It is fine to be specific if you have made up your mind after looking at other choices but if you are starting out looking for curtain poles for your home then do take a look at the wide range of different types of curtains poles available in the market today.

Options When Going For Brass Curtain Poles

There are many choices in terms styles, designs, colors and materials that it is almost a certainty that there is a curtain pole or curtain rail that will meet your requirements. In rods you have the corded and the uncorded options. Choose corded poles if you don’t want to spoil your delicate curtains by frequent handling. But these rods are a little heavier so the brackets and other accessories to hold up the rods should be accordingly chosen. In rails too you have corded and uncorded options.

For the corded brass curtain poles you can have the electrically operated curtain rods. These make the job of moving the curtains that much easier. Heavier curtains and drapery materials are more difficult to open and close. Electrically operated rods help make this job easier.

Some of these electrically operated curtains can be set to open and close at certain times of the day or night. This can be set even when you are out of turn creating the illusion of you being at home and deterring burglars.

Depending on the type of window treatment you need to pick a suitable brass curtain rod. There are double curtain rods, eyelet curtain rods and so on. There are several stores that specialize in poles, rods and tracks for curtains. Poles Direct, Just Poles, Tracks Direct, The Poles Company are a just of few of several selling curtain related stuff online.

These stores sell branded products like Sunflex, Integra, Swish, Speedy and several international and national brands. You will also find superb brass curtain poles in home and lifestyle stores like Home Depot and John Lewis.

There are several sizes in curtain poles. Depending on the weight and size of your curtains choose rods of suitable gage. Thicker and heavier rods are best for heavier curtains and drapes. Otherwise your rods will bend and your curtains will sag. Choose suitably strong metals like wrought iron for heavy curtains.

Most stores will advise you about the size and metals to choose for your requirements. The available sizes in brass curtain poles include 19 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm, 28 mm, 38 mm and soon

Seasonal Home Maintenance – Home Maintenance Tips For All Seasons

Home Decor - Oct 10,2018 - No Comment

As the seasons change different tasks for home maintenance become apparent. Seasonal home maintenance is a must to help us traverse through different seasons without a catastrophe. Unclogging the drains before the rains saves us from water logging on the roofs, keeping the vents cleans helps keep the air flowing for heating and cooling and so on. These seasonal tasks take on more importance in different types of the year and so a seasonal checklists helps a lot to keep the home running smoothly.

Here’s a checklist for home maintenance tasks for every summer.

Seasonal Home Maintenance

Monitor basement humidity and avoid relative humidity levels above 60 per cent. Use a dehumidifier to maintain relative humidity below 60 per cent.

Clean or replace air-conditioning filter, and clean or replace ventilation system filters if necessary.

Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping and, if necessary, take corrective action; for example, reduce humidity and/or insulate cold water pipes.

Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water; refill with water if necessary.

If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.

Deep clean carpets and rugs.

Vacuum bathroom fan grille.

Disconnect the duct connected to your clothes dryer, and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your dryer and your dryer�s vent hood outside.

Check security of all guardrails and handrails.

Check smooth functioning of all windows, and lubricate as required.

Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes of older houses, and replace if needed.

Sand and touch up paint on windows and doors.

Lubricate door hinges, and tighten screws as needed.

Check for and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around mechanical and electrical services, windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house. See the About Your House fact sheet Attached Garages and Indoor Air Quality for more information on preventing garage-to-house air transfer.

Lubricate garage door hardware, and ensure it is operating properly.

Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain and other moving parts, and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted.

Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter your house, and make sure there is no water leakage into the house along the electrical conduit. Check for overhanging tree branches that may need to be removed.

Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed.

Remove any plants that contact � and roots that penetrate � the siding or brick.

From the ground, check the general condition of the roof and note any sagging that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Note the condition of shingles for possible repair or replacement, and examine roof flashings, such as at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leakage.

Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney.

Repair driveway and walkways as needed.

Repair any damaged steps.

As the seaons change the maintenance tasks change too. Sometimes we forget and realize too late our mistakes which are hard to fix sometimes or cause us a lot of misery or some sort of damage because we were too lazy to correct a problem at the right time before the start of a season.

Here’s a seasonal home maintenance checklist for spring.

Spring Checklist

2. Clean windows and repair any ripped screens. If a screen has a large hole in it, it’s time to replace it.

3. Check gutters for clogs. Clean out any debris and make sure gutters and downspouts are secure (You can hire someone to do this if you’d rather not get up on the ladder yourself.).

4. Check the ground around the foundation of your house and re-grade it if necessary. (The ground around the foundation should slope away from the house.).

5. If you have a sump pump, test it to make sure it’s working properly. There are several ways to do this, including taking off the lid and pouring in water to see if the pump kicks on.

6. If you have an attic fan, make sure it’s working properly before the heat of summer arrives.

7. Test any GFCI outlets: plug in a lamp, hit the test button and then the reset button to see if it turns the light off and then on again (GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. These types of outlets are designed to protect you from severe or fatal electric shocks. They’re often found in the kitchen and bathroom, or any place near a water source.).

8. Check for cracks in asphalt or concrete driveways and walkways. Repair or reseal them before winter, when water can freeze and expand in the cracks, creating more damage.

9. Check trees around the house to make sure they’re not threatening wires or power lines. If they are, call a tree service to safely trim back branches.

10. Check the roof. If you find holes, crumbling, blistering or rotting roofing, repair or replace it (Again, this may be a job for an expert.).

The peak of winter is the worst time to discover you have left a task on your seasonal maintenance checklist for winters. When your buried under several feet of snow is not the right time to figure that a vent is blocked or there is leak in the attic.

Winter Checklist

* Check the attic for leaks or blocked vents, inspect the insulation, and make sure there is no daylight coming in through the roof or around chimneys (which can indicate a leak or hole).

* Replace furnace filters.

* Have a technician check the furnace fan belt and lubricate the motor if needed

* Clean and test all smoke alarms, and check or replace the batteries.

* Test all ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and all panel breakers.

* Remove ice and snow from porches and concrete stairs as soon as possible � avoid salts or other melting chemicals that can damage the concrete.

* Never pile snow against the side of your home.

* In freezing or snow conditions, check for ice dams on the overhangs of your roof.

* Avoid overloading circuits with heaters, appliances or seasonal lights.

* If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, make sure it is properly drained and winterized before freezing temperatures arrive.

* Check your faucets and make sure they�re not leaking � a simple solution that can save you money!

* Inspect all carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they�re in good working order.

Taking care of the home by following the various seasonal home maintenance checklists keeps the home running smoothly and without any major problems or trouble.

Retrofit Insulation: Foam Insulation Sheathing on Exerior Walls

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Heatilator Electric Fireplaces – What’s Behind Their Appeal?

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Home Decorators – What You Must Know About Working With Them

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Armless Sofa Slipcover – The Easy Interior Decoration Solution

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Selecting Brass Curtain Poles For Bay Windows

Options When Going For Brass Curtain Poles

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Seasonal Home Maintenance – Home Maintenance Tips For All Seasons

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