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Having A Hard Time With Landscaping? Keep Reading

Landscaping may seem tough, but it doesn't have to be. By learning about landscaping, it makes the job a lot easier. This article has lots of useful landscaping ideas.

Think about making a drawing of your prospective landscaping project before you begin the work. This drawing can help you figure out what the final result will look like and start listing what kind of materials you need. You can also easily make changes to the sketch, as opposed to making changes to the actual lawn.

Consider edging your garden to create soft and shapely beds. Curved beds look more contemporary and visually striking than straight-edged beds. It's relatively inexpensive to cut fresh edges and they will make a big difference.

When adding plants to your landscaping, consider using native plants. Make sure the flowers, shrubs or trees you use are indigenous to the area. These varieties will thrive in your soil and temperature conditions, resulting in the need for less work from you to keep them beautiful.

Unlike what most people think, you do not need to hire a designer or landscaper to do you desired projects. You will just be spending unnecessary money. However, if you do plan to landscape on your own, it is beneficial to talk to a pro first to make sure you're not going down the wrong path with your ideas.

Measure and get a rough estimate of the square footage of your yard before you buy plants and materials at a landscaping center. You will be better able to estimate what you need when you get to the store. This way you will buy the correct amount and are not making multiple trips to return or pick up items a second time.

It is okay to go cheaper with certain items. For instance, the cheaper mulch, potting mix and plant containers are perfectly fine for home landscaping purposes. Make sure to inspect the plants before purchasing them to make sure that they have been cared for at the store. Plants that are sold at a deep discount may not have had the water or care that they require.

Incorporate rounded borders for your plant beds as you lay out your plan. Curved borders add more interest to a standard home than straight borders. The curved landscape borders offer a nice complement to the rigidity of the sides of your driveway and house.

When planning your landscape, remember to add mulch to all the flowerbeds. Mulch is useful for keeping things moist, particularly in areas of excessive heat and sun. With mulch, your plants will have sufficient water.

Buy fast-growing trees if you wish to plant trees for privacy reasons. Fast-growing trees live up to their name and will quickly grow to the size you want. There are a number of different fast-growing trees available for sale, and you should have no problem finding one that you like.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the cheapest materials may actually end up costing you more. For instance, it might be worthwhile to pay extra when a store provides a nice return policy or great customer service. Make sure to weigh your options prior to making any purchases. The extra money you spend in the beginning may actually add up to long term savings later.

Choose plants that are adapted to your environment. Know the resource demands of your area, as many areas carry water restrictions. Target plants that will thrive on the watering schedule you will have to adhere to.

Learn how to work around the spaces already on your property when designing your landscape. For example, you may have noisy cars passing by, this can be solved by placing some hedges around the property to cut down on the noise. If your family includes children, block out some space as a play area. You could even create the perfect grilling area, or construct a backyard that will allow you to entertain in style.

Don't leave too much negative space between tall plants. Use plants that are known as "ground cover" plants to fill in the space. You can inhibit the growth of weeds and cut back on the amount of grass you need by using creeping, spreading species such as vinca, juniper, ivy, or creeping phlox. Ground covers also add interesting depth, color and texture to your landscape.

Never let a lack of funds stop you from beginning to work on your landscape design. There is no rule that says you cannot complete your work in stages in order to keep the process affordable and acquire more knowledge as you continue along. You may also find that adding a few specialty plants into your design will create an appealing look.

Landscaping isn't easy, as was discussed before. It may take an investment of time and money, but it can also be enjoyable and rewarding. Taking the time to do research and planning is essential to having a beautifully landscaped yard. Use this article's hints to landscape your home's yard successfully.

Thinking About Using A Carpet Cleaning Company? Here's What You Need To Know

You need to have your carpets cleaned every so often. However, you can lose a lot of your own energy and hours trying to do it yourself. So, calling in professionals can help. But, how do you find a good cleaner? Read the tips in this article to find the best carpet cleaning service.

You need to make sure that any carpet cleaning company you decide to go with is reputable before you agree to their services. There are many companies that are more reputable than others. Check reviews on the Internet and ask family and friends for recommendations. You can then be better able to find the carpet cleaning service that fits your budget and needs.

It's essential that you shop around. Research the company thoroughly and check their customer reviews. It's always a good idea to check the BBB's website to see if anyone has lodged any complaints about each company.

You should let the carpet cleaner you hire know where electrical sockets are. This can help prevent a serious accident. Though the person and their equipment would be at risk, your home is even more fragile.

Find a carpet cleaner who offers a guarantee for their work. If there's no guarantee offered by the company at all, find another company for the job. If the guarantee should kick-in, give the company a second chance to fix the work. Ask for a refund if you are still not happy with their service.



If you're looking to find out if a carpet cleaning company is reputable, get in touch with the Better Business Bureau. They'll know which companies are working in your area, plus they'll have a list of complaints that will be available for you to peruse. You can then focus on only competent companies.

You should see what screening process is involved in choosing employees. You must feel secure when it comes to who is in your home. Most companies do perform a background check on their employees. If they don't tell you, you should keep looking.

Make sure that you put your houseplants in an area that's separate from the rooms that are getting their carpets cleaned. The chemicals that are used to clean may be harmful to plants, so this should be done as a precaution. Most companies will not reimburse you for this loss, which is why you need to be proactive.

There are a lot of different methods for carpet cleaning, and companies differ on which to use. One company might use a special cleaning treatment that targets the carpet pad. This utilizes equipment that resembles a buffer for a wooden floor. It employs spinning pads that soak up germs, mold and dirt from carpets.

Don't opt for a carpet cleaning company based solely on their equipment. Although this is nice, it is more important to have a knowledgeable person operating the equipment. When you have questions, are they answered the right way? Are they friendly? These are all signs that you should be on the lookout for.

With these tips, you can find the best carpet professionals in your area. You should now feel better prepared to hire the right company for the job. You should now have the knowledge that it takes to get your carpets cleaned for a fair price.

The Standard Guide To Fully Grasp Hydrovac Services

For many years, most of the excavation jobs have been a problem, specifically in highly inhabited communities. Although this work takes a lot of time to be finished, Hydrovac makes it a lot easier. This is the newest strategy to remove the soil from the soil and it is using high pressure water to soften the soil while it's being sucked by a strong vacuum. It offers a lot of benefits to the community so it is a preferred option by a lot of contractors within the world. Here are a few things that you need to know about the different benefits of hydro excavation.

Hydro excavation eliminates the potential risks of striking underground utilities like pipe lines or water main. As you are all aware of, this is actually the most typical problem that most excavation specialists encounter.

You should know that your excavation may affect the daily activities of the people who are residing near to the excavation site if you hit an underground utility. If you are utilizing excavators or any other excavating materials, there's a possibility that these pipe lines will be hit.

This new approach is quite helpful as you are only utilizing water and a vacuum to dig the ground. Even if their water pipes in the ground once you are digging, there is no need to concern yourself with damaging them.

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We all know that conventional strategies may take a lot of time before it's accomplished and this is undoubtedly inevitable. This kind of method can be a good choice if you're going to excavate in a highly inhabited area because you can actually finish the job in just a few hours. If you may finish your job quicker, you may also minimize the interruption in the location so this is absolutely a better option.

You must expect that hydro excavation will be extremely advantageous to individuals who are residing close to the excavation region because they can immediately continue their day to day activities.

Hydro excavation can also be known as a non destructive approach so most contractors prefer this. This means that the landscape will not be completely damaged when compared with the work of traditional digging tools. As a matter of facts, you may even restore the excavation area within a few hours because the landscape is not damaged completely. This is advantageous for all the individuals who are currently residing within the location because mishaps can be prevented. The soil will be removed and they will be transferred.

This new service is definitely the best alternative for all the projects where you are required to dig the ground. All these advantages can already tell you everything that you need to know with regards to hydrovac and the reason why a lot of people prefer this.

Turn Your House Into A Home With These Home Improvement Tips

Home improvement does not necessarily mean completing an upgrade inside of the home. Repairs to the driveway or grooming your lawn can also be considered home improvement. There are a lot of things under this umbrella, and there is a lot you should learn before attempting to handle improvements. Check out these great tips.

The most important step in making home improvements is to make sure your home will look the way you want it to. Including your own personal touch can make any project special.

Replacing your carpets can be a breath of fresh air. Carpets can be a hotbed of allergens making your own home hard to live in. Consider replacing your carpets with hardwood, tile, or laminate floors for a healthier living environment. Hard surface floors will also provide an updated look to your home.

If you are looking for a functional home improvement project, try "building up." Walls create a lot of wasted space. Add matching bookcases in your living room or build a window seat where your family can sit and read. Simple projects like these can make every space in your home usable and valuable to your family.

One home improvement project that will reap considerable dividends for the homeowner is fitting the house for modern electronics. Adding more power connections, phone jacks, and even ethernet ports will make an older home more compatible with the panoply of electronic gadgets the modern homeowner uses. This modernization will have a small but significant impact on potential buyers' opinions of a house.

Bathroom

You can create a designer spa feeling to your bathroom by incorporating some simple home design ideas such as installing dimmer light switches, candle wall sconces, burning fragrance, and using decorative baskets to hold fluffy towels. You can opt to paint your wall warm colors such as beige, brown or light green which give it a nice spa like touch.

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Shut the toilet lid! No, it's not a girl boy thing! Toddlers can topple into an open toilet and drown! Why take the chance of such a horrible thing happening when all you have to do is shut the lid. Keeping the bathroom door closed is another good practice when small children are in the house.

Think you need to re-tile your bathroom? Try cleaning the tile and re-grouting first. Using this method can save you time and money over a complete re-tile project. It's also easier to achieve by yourself. A toothbrush is a wonderful tool to use when cleaning grout. A quality steam mop can make a huge difference as well.

If you are wanting to improve your kitchen or bathroom, then ensure you turn the water off. This will help you avoid flooding your kitchen or bathroom.

It doesn't matter if you're trying to throw on some new wallpaper or pull up an old rug, your home improvements will not go as planned unless you're properly prepared and knowledgeable about what you're attempting to do. Be sure that you're taking this information seriously and working to implement what you have read above.

To find out more on the subject of home renovation ideas, click through here.

Go Green With These Simple Tips And Techniques

Have you considered going green in your home, but were at a loss on how to start? Difficulty or expense should not hold you back from making a wise decision. No worries! The tips in this article will prove that using green energy can be simple and inexpensive.

Shade your windows from excessive amounts of sunlight to improve the energy efficiency of your home. You can also try putting blinds or curtains in. Less heat will be allowed in, and your summer air conditioner costs will be greatly reduced with just these two simply steps You will save energy and money.

You could easily have solar panels in your house to collect energy from the sun for you to use. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. A major factor in choosing if you can use a solar system is the amount of sunlight your home receives on average. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.

Make your home more energy efficient by unplugging your unused electronic devices. Mp3, cell phone, laptop, and various other device chargers draw power when they're plugged in, no matter if it's charging or not.

Do you have a large plot of land? If you own a farm, consider installing an energy turbine on your property, or renting land to a utility company for that purpose. Not only does it take up very little space, both you and the neighbors will greatly benefit from this free energy.

Find out about various energy sources that are available in your area. Investigate costs for using those utilities, and be aware of any legislation about energy costs. For instance, it might be worth it to switch to gas heat instead of electric, or switch to well water instead of municipal water.

Electric heaters are an energy hog and should be avoided as much as possible in the winter. They are not environmentally friendly. Using a fireplace and wearing warm clothing are good, energy-saving alternatives to using electric heaters. Cool air while sleeping is better for your breathing.

Spend time in order to learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Passive solar power doesn't require the costly power-storage cells that active power does. To use active power, you must install mechanical systems, cells and solar panels. Passive power uses the sun for thermal energy in the home.

Hiring professionals, such as a heating professional or plumber, to come to your home can lay any doubts you have about green energy to rest. They can let you know how much money inefficient appliances are costing you, and they can also provide you with an idea of the amount of money you would have to spend to make upgrades to your systems.

What does it take to change your home so that you can use green energy to your advantage? If you've read this article, you have the answer to that question, but you have to start changing your habits if you want a greener home. You will be quite excited about the results once you get underway.

Horticulture Tips You Should Make Note Of

Every day, more and more people are learning the benefits of organic gardens. Use the simple advice offered here and you will learn just how to grow a successful garden you can be proud of. Just put these tips to work in your own garden to yield delicious and nutritious results.

It is important that you give your plants the chance to gradually adjust to the change in temperature and conditions, or you risk shocking them. Try placing them outside in sunlight for about an hour or maybe two the first day. Over a period of several days, slowly increase the time they are allowed to stay outside. At week's end, the plants should be welcoming of their new home.

Before you even start planting the garden, check the soil. For a tiny fee, a soil analysis may be done, and based on the results, the soil can support a growing garden by you enriching it as necessary. Many Cooperative Extension offices will provide this service, and it is well worth knowing exactly what the soil needs to avoid ruining a crop or two.

Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is essential to the growth of plants because of its role in photosynthesis. Typically, the higher the levels of carbon dioxide present in a plant's environment, the better it will grow. The best way to expose your plants to a high level of carbon dioxide is by growing them in a greenhouse. To achieve optimal growing conditions, keep the levels of carbon dioxide high in your plants' environment.

It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Weeds can take over a healthy garden faster than you think. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar. Yes, white vinegar actually kills weeds! If you are too busy to pull weeds by hand, make a white vinegar solution and keep it handy for a quick spray when needed.

Put money into a quality wheelbarrow and kneeling stool if you plan to do garden work often. It can be very uncomfortable on the knees when working so close to the ground, so a light, portable stool makes gardening easier. Using a wheelbarrow or wagon to transport heavy loads of dirt will help protect you from back injuries so make sure that you have one.

As you can see from the information provided in this article, organic horticulture requires time and perseverance. Start utilizing the advice provided in this article today, and your organic garden will eventually become truly magnificent. Regardless of which organic crops you choose to grow, these tips will help you enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Acquire More Knowledge About Carpet Cleaning With These Simple Tips

Do your carpets have ugly stains that you can't clean yourself? Even those stains you have been unable to remove yourself can be eliminated by the right professionals. If this is something you are dealing with, you may want to get a professional cleaner. Read on to find out how professionals can get rid of those stains and give your carpet a new life.

Learn about the reputation of any carpet cleaning company you are considering hiring. When it comes to carpet cleaners, there are many to choose from at a wide variety of levels of expertise. Ask your family and friends if they can provide a reference, and make sure to also check reviews online to get information. When you do that, you are more likely to find the right carpet cleaner for your needs.

It is much easier to clean a room by dividing it into quadrants. This helps them see what they went over already and helps avoid wasted time. If your room is in the shape of a square, it should be divided into four quadrants when you're cleaning it.

Check out the customer reviews of any carpet cleaner you are considering. Some carpet companies might surprise you regarding their level of service. To be sure that they are good at providing their customers with a good, quality carpet cleaning you must do your own research.

Not all carpets can be cleaned by carpet cleaning machines and harsh chemicals. This can be done by testing a small portion of the carpet first. If your carpet contains wool or silk, harsh chemicals will damage it. If you are unsure of how to clean your carpet, contact a professional.

If you plan to hire a professional cleaner, you should first read the warranty conditions for your carpet. The warranty might be voided if the carpet already contains a stain treatment. This can cause big expenses down the road, and it is even possible that the two chemicals will not be compatible with each other.

Using the right cleaning agents doesn't make a company reputable. Do not forget to verify the certifications of the cleaning business. You can simply ask them and then follow up on your own to verify the information.

You need to have confidence in the carpet cleaners you decide to hire. From your initial question, to the job itself, always feel satisfied. The best carpet cleaning company will ensure your satisfaction with every step in the process.

Inquire about how you can take care of your carpeting after the professionals are finished working on it. Many provide information such as how much to vacuum, dry length of carpets, and the types of removers to use. By using this advice, your carpet can be attractive for a long time.

You should not have to suffer with nasty carpets in your home. By hiring a great carpet-cleaning company, it is possible to have your carpets cleaned and looking great. This article has given you the tools to go out and find a good carpet cleaner for your needs.

Fantastic Tips For Maintaining The Roof Of Your Home

No one can argue that your roof is important in protecting the integrity of your house. Most homeowners don't know much about the subject of roofing. This article will help introduce you to the topic.

Ensure you thoroughly inspect your roof at least yearly. Spring rains and winter storms are especially hard on your roof. Most damages occur during these months. Because of this you should make extra time during these seasons to check on your roof.

Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof. Shorter grass will make it easier to locate and pick up any nails that are removed from the roofing materials. Even if your contractor has a nail finder, it'll work better with clipped grass.

Be sure to ask many questions of your roofer before hiring him. One important question to ask is the quantity of nails they will put in each shingle. Three nails usually doesn't cut it. Ask them about the methods they use to find out whether or not they give good answers. If you cannot get a reasonable answer, find someone else.

Don't use remedies that only work for short periods of time when dealing with roof repairs. It may seem like a money saver, but it may end up causing more damage, and that may cost you more. It's best to fix problems immediately, instead of letting them get worse.



Be certain your roofing contractor is properly licensed. If you don't what what your location requires, don't simply believe what the roofer tells you. Contact the local building department and inquire about what is necessary.

A contractor who has employees could be cheaper than one who works solo. A good team working in unison can achieve good results more quickly. If someone is doing it alone, your price may be higher.

Only hire a roofing contractor that is able to supply you with proof of an active license and insurance. If they cannot, then you should not even consider hiring them. Without this protection, you have no way to recoup your costs in the event of damages or faulty installation.

roofers

If you want an environmentally-friendly roof, try getting a coated metal roof. The materials used are completely recyclable, and they can reduce your energy bill considerably. Coated metal roofs may even cover asphalt tiles, negating the need to throw them away.

Ask your contractor if they can do annual maintenance on your roof. No matter how proficient your roofer is, problems can come up, especially if your area is prone to extreme temperatures. Yearly maintenance will help ensure your roof's overall health.

Never agree to a contract that isn't in writing. A verbal contract won't protect you if anything happens down the road. Having a written contract is essential if you want to be able to prove that you didn't get what was agreed upon.

You can't debate the crucial functions of the roof when keeping your pets, valuable, and family safe. This is why it's so important to know how to take care of your roof. Hopefully you have learned a few things from this article so that you can be sure that your next roofing project goes smoothly.

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Get The Job Done Right With These Home Improvement Tips

Home remodeling can have an huge impact on your life due to the fact that your are making your home more personal. You need to do all of your research so that you don't wind up losing a ton of money or even harming yourself or your loved ones. The tips below are a great place to start.

If you are looking for further content on home remodeling, try this.

Be sure and regularly clean out your air conditioning filter. If the filter gets clogged up, the air conditioning unit will have to work harder to cool your house, using up more energy. And it'll need a lot more time to do the work it once did. A monthly replacement of the filter is recommended.

Check out the floors underneath any rugs or coverings before spending money on new flooring. There may be natural hardwood underneath your carpet or linoleum, and it could be beautifully refinished. The end result will be far more attractive and far less costly.

Sealant strips and draft excluders can really help prevent the escape of air through your doors. Excluders go under the door and prevent hot air from going out and cool from coming in. Sealant strips provide a similar function when they are fitted tightly around a door's frame. They can be found at any hardware store.

You can make your own window screen if you are having a hard time finding the right size. You can cut a frame kit to any size of window. After that, it is a simple matter of screen attachment with cording and a cheap tool. Many windows need a certain screen, but with the right kind of adapters, you will be able to use an external screen.

Landscaping is a home improvement project you should consider. Everyone wants a nice home, but when someone is coming over, the yard is always going to be the first thing they see. A well kept lawn, some shrubbery and a few flower beds can easily bring beauty to your property.

A house doesn't have to be huge and expensive to have a chandelier. For less than $500, you can buy a splendid chandelier to enhance the decor of your home. Of course, in the meantime, the chandelier is going to provide some beautiful lighting and it will create a brilliant ambiance for the home.

Installing motion sensor lights can add security to your home while increasing your home's value. Instead of lights staying on, motion detecting lights activate only when nearby movement occurs. Intruders will be startled by the sudden lights and will think twice about bothering your home.

Adding a new sink can really change the appearance of your kitchen. Your home will look better right away with a new sink. Sinks nowadays are available in a number of colors, which gives you the chance to give your kitchen a splash of color.

Making improvements to your home has the potential to offer big payoffs, but the work is often tough. You can turn your home into the house of your dreams if you know how to improve your home the right way. Use what you've learned and turn your home around.

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I just noticed that the groin is a target in foil fencing... should i wear some sort of groin protection during fencing?

If you knew anything about fencing, you'd know your fencing attire covers everything.

A complete fencing kit includes the following articles.

1. A form-fitting jacket which is also called a "croissard" covers the groin with a strap. It includes a small gorget of folded fabric around the collar bone to prevent blades from striking the player's neck.

2. A plastron, or an under-arm protector is worn directly under the jacket. This provides double protection on the upper sword side arm.

3. One glove is required for the sword arm. It comes with a gauntlet that protect blades from sliding up the sleeve and causing an injury.



4. White colored breeches or knickers are typically worn.

5. Knee-length socks that cover the knees and the thighs must be worn as well.

6. Comfortable shoes with flat soles and a reinforced inside at the front and the back of the foot are required.

7. A metal mesh mask with a bib protector is mandatory. In higher level competitions, the metal mesh is see-through.

8. It is an official rule for female fencers to wear a plastic chest protector but males wear a chest protector as well. These are composed of foil, making them extremely tough and resistant to the point bounce of any sword. Plastrons are mandatory articles and should be worn as long as the chest protector is worn directly next to the skin.

9. A lame, which is an electrically conductive material, is worn over the fencing jacket and completely covers the target area.



10. A body cord is necessary for all weapons to ensure quality register scoring. This cord attaches to the weapon and is worn inside the sleeve of the jacket, slides down the fencer's back, and eventually attaches to the scoring box. This makes it possible to record every hit in the competition.

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Home :: Colorful Bedspreads for Summer (Page 1 of 2)

It is certainly a welcome change of pace when we get to remove heavier bedspreads needed for warmth in wintertime and replace them with lighter bedspreads for summer. It is like lifting the cloak of cold and lesser light that can settle over your bedroom in winter months, and uncovering the fresher, lighter, look and feel of summer into your room.

There are many wonderful bedspreads to choose from in order to give your room the look and feel of summer, without having to sacrifice your family's savings. You can have beautiful bedspreads for all of the beds in your home and still have plenty of money left over for going places, and doing fun things with your family this summer. Mom's are experts at finding and recognizing good deals on the furnishings they want for their homes, all while staying within a budget.

Complete bedding sets include top and bottom sheets, pillowcases, bed ruffles, and a matching colorful bedspread. Many styles of bedspreads currently available invoke images of pleasant summertime sights and activities, and are wonderful accents for your home. Smart shoppers can often find these bed-in-a-bag sets for less than $100. Add some matching curtains, wall pictures, and a small decorative lamp for a few extra dollars to complete a fresh summer look to your whole room.

Some individuals are more likely to pay attention to the colors and styles in the bedspreads they choose than others. That is not to say that taking time to sort through different styles of colorful bedspreads has no value. Individuals who do have a preference or strong opinion about what colors and styles of bedspreads they prefer can add a lot to the decision making process. Keep in mind important details like the color and material of the bed frame, and the colors of the floor or carpet in the bedroom.

Some years it seems like it takes forever for summer to get here, and not long at all before it is over. Here are four colorful bedspreads for summer that you might consider giving your bedroom a makeover for summer with. That way you can bring the splendor of the summer season into your room today and enjoy it all summer long.

Bassetti 'Beetli' Italian Bedspread

It is easy to give your bedroom loads of Italian charm with the Bassetti 'Beetli' Italian Bedspread, or other Italy-inspired bedspreads from Bassetti. This bedspread is very comfortable, includes plush padding and is definitely light enough for summer. It can be found in complimentary shadings of green, blue, and brown, which combine into a beautiful bedspread. This bedspread is made from 100% cotton, its filler is hypoallergenic and it measures 94 in. by 100 in. The Bassetti 'Beetli' Italian Bedspread is safe for washing by hand or it can be dry-cleaned, if you prefer.

Cameo Toile Bedspread

Also for your consideration in colorful summer bedspreads, Cameo Toile offers a charming lightweight quilt bedspread with a floral theme that is 3-parts, sweet, romantic, and reminiscent of olden days. This bedspread is 100% cotton, machine washable, and comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. In most cases, purchases of this bedspread also includes a single sham for twin sizes and dual shams with the purchase of full, queen, and king sizes.

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Home Improvement :: Building a Deck - Designer Tips on Decking Construction

Decking has become a popular solution to maximizing outdoor living space. With constant exposure to the environment, decking needs to be able to withstand all external conditions including fire hazards, insect damage, the sun, rain and windy conditions. When designing a deck you must factor in all of the local conditions in your area and select decking materials that will provide superior strength, longevity and dimensional stability.

There are a number of different materials that can be used for a deck's frame and covering.



Lets start with the Frame...

Primarily there are two choices for decking frames - steel of timber. Most steel frames comprise of colorbond steel bearers, joints and reinforced steel posts. Steel frame decking is quick to install and ideal for using in fire hazard areas. Timber frames can include timber for bearers, joists and posts or a combination of timber frame with steel posts. If selecting a timber frame for your deck then there is a choice of either hardwood or softwood such as treated pine.

Decking Materials

With the deck covering you can use a number of different hardwoods such as Merbau, Tallow wood, Ironbark and more. Hardwood is naturally more durable and resistant to insect damage and is the strongest choice in timber decking. Treated pine can also be used as decking material. The most common sizes of timber boards used for decking construction are 70mm, 90mm and 140mm.

An alternative to timber decking is 'compressed fibro sheeting' which then gets tiled over. The compressed fibro sheeting with tiles is one of my favorites because the finished product looks like a concrete slab but without the high costs. This method works best with steel frames and posts as they allow much less movement than timber. A compressed fibro deck if built correctly will last for over 30 years.

Handrails

There are many styles of handrails to complement your deck including tubular (pool fence type), stainless steel wires, glass or timber. The most popular style tends to be tubular because it is cost effective, looks great and is maintenance free.



Stairs

If your deck is elevated or requires stair access then just like deck construction, there are a number of different materials available for stairs. Including a steel welded stringer with timber treads, or a full set of hardwood or treated pine stairs.

Timber decking is ideal for sloping blocks, to cover old concrete patios or as an alternative to paving. Timber decking can be built at the same level as your existing floors to facilitate a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors. When designing a timber or steel frame deck remember that north facing decks are the best positioned to receive the winter sun and summer shade.

Tip Don't forget to protect timber decks with a quality timber finish such as decking oil or timber stain.

http://www.articlebiz.com/article/125790-1-building-a-deck-designer-tips-on-decking-construction/

name for my plumbing and heating company ?

never mind the name... congratulations on being brave enough to try to start your own company in this economical climate! probably about 50% of plumbers in the uk have been made redundant as there's no work and your going straight to the deep end by flying solo!



good luck mate when i get paid off im coming to you for a job lol



credit crunch busting plumbing and heating sounds appealing lol

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090324081702AAd40wb

An Introduction to Z-Wave Home Automation

Z-Wave is very popular with the DIY community and has strong 'maker culture' credentials.



If you are an electronics hacker or home automation hobbyist then there are plenty of opportunities for advanced projects that you can get your teeth stuck into. Many of these begin with the z-stick - an inexpensive USB stick which you can plug into your computer to turn it into controller. This opens up the possibility for you to write your own controller software, as well as integrating your system with a wide range of other web services and applications.



Moving beyond that, there is a strong community of electronics hackers making or adapting their own hardware and sofware for z-wave systems. The Raspberry Pi, and inexpensive general purpose microcontroller board, is a popular choice for starting out as a hardware hacker.

You can even buy a dedicated 'Razberry' daughter board which clips onto your Raspberry Pi to enable it to easily discover and control devices using the Z-wave protocol. The Raspberry Pi is a low power device which can be left on permanently, making it much more convenient than a PC as a control device, and can easily by extended and modified by adding new hardware with only basic electronics skills. The Razberry daughter board can be programmed in Javascript - generally viewed as one of the easiest programming languages to learn - and includes an example user interface (GUI) which is ready to be used out of the box, but is open source and can be modified in any way.



http://electronician.hubpages.com/hub/An-Introduction-to-Z-Wave-Home-Automation

Bathroom Exhaust Fan - Is This A Diy Project?

Bathroom exhaust fans can work wonders. Not only do they help keep the air in your bathroom smelling fresh, but they also eliminate much of the moisture that is prevalent in restrooms. You know that water is the greatest enemy of a home, and this is more true in the bathroom than any other room in the house.



So what I want to do is look at some of the best options for bathroom exhaust fans that I could find online. I always start my shopping online at Amazon.com, so let's take a look at the highest rated exhaust fans available.

This Energy Star Qualified 80-CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan is one of the highest customer rated fans on the Internet, and it comes at an excellent price. Today, the sake price is more than 35% off. I don't know how long this sale will last, but it just goes to show that excellent deals on bathroom exhaust fans can be found online. Be sure to shop online so that you can find the best deals anywhere.



One great advantage of this fan is that it is very, very quiet. It has an air flow of more than 80 cubic feet per minute. That means that it has the ability to circulate all of the air in a moderately sized bathroom in around 10 minutes. As the name indicates, it is Energy Star Qualified, and it is made to provide 100,000 hours of service. The grill runs a little less than 1 foot square, and it will fit any 4" duct.



Now the customer reviews on these exhaust fans are excellent! One person mentioned that they can take extremely hot showers and not even fog up the mirror. Just imagine all of the moisture that is being eliminated. But it also encourages the growth of molds, mildew, bacteria, dust mites and insects, which can be detrimental to your family's health. An efficient exhaust fan can control these allergens and even lower air-conditioning costs by dehumidifying your house.

Your current fan may be ineffective

If you live in an older home, there is a good chance that your bathroom exhaust fan is too noisy, moves very little air, is not energy-efficient, uses high-wattage lighting and may cause back drafting of combustion appliances - and therefore should be replaced. Newer fans are quiet, energy-efficient and more effective at moving air and removing moisture.

A simple test

Here's a simple test to see if your exhaust fan is drawing air. Hold a piece of toilet tissue up to the grill of the fan. A properly working fan will hold the tissue tightly to the grill. And to make sure the air is leaving your house, place the open end of a large plastic garbage bag over the exhaust hood outside. When the fan is turned on, the bag should inflate within seconds

If your current fan is rated less than 50 CRM (cubic feet per minute), it should be replaced with a stronger one. For bathrooms up to 100 square feet (assuming eight foot ceilings), the HVI (Home Ventilating Institute) recommends that an exhaust fan provide 1 CFM per square foot to properly ventilate the bathroom. Larger bathrooms, or those with bigger fixtures such as steam rooms, hot tubs or saunas, need larger fans.

http://exhaust.ezinemark.com/bathroom-exhaust-fan-is-this-a-diy-project-322e651d2ae.html

Information About Vintage Home Restoration

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Preservation of aged homes is usually a preferred conversation of owners of vintage houses but seldom do you hear discuss a house restored to its former glory. These stunning historical houses we've grown to love and appreciate, didn't have the kind of kitchens we expect right now. Historical kitchens these days are antiquated, inefficient and poorly laid out.

In a regular prewar model, kitchens were definitely perform areas plain and basic. Almost everything in the kitchens ended up freestanding from the huge cast iron stove, the sink on porcelain legs, the icebox along with a table that doubled like a workspace. All those that had been modernized inside the 1950s, '60s, or '70s typically held even much less appeal than the ones before. The countertop, flooring, and ceiling products in them had been no match visually as the hardwoods, linoleum's, and metals they replaced. Equipment have been unsatisfactory at greatest with their dismal colors.

Today we wish to capture the flavor on the kitchens we imagine our great-grandparents loved and enjoyed. Homey, warmth and filled with the aroma of very good cooking. Fortunately, replicating the mood of the vintage cooking area in a current area has by no means been simpler. As necessity for home accessories with a patina of age has grown, so has the accessibility of period resources. Architectural salvage and well-designed reproduction hardware and home equipment are almost simple to locate. Resources for dated pieces can be found by perusing advertisements in a few house design magazines and inquiring at nearby antiques' shops and architectural salvage businesses.

Cabinets, more than any other single element in the design, determine the look and feel of the house. To give a house a historic feeling, designers caution against filling the cooking area with modern constructed ins. Architectural salvage businesses typically stock vintage cabinets in wood or metal. These cabinets mix well with freestanding antique or reproduction pieces. An antique chest or perhaps a dry sink adds charm as well as semi- personalized things like plate racks and open shelving. Painted timber cabinets may well warp when stripped so be advised to try out one particular cabinet door initial. Metal cabinets ought to be stripped, buffed, and lacquered to avoid them from rusting.

Stone countertops go together with archaic kitchens as long as the stone is honed to a soft finish not sleek and modern. Vermont soapstone is one popular alternative.

For flooring, designers generally recommend hardwood. Linoleum, maligned for years, is doing a comeback. Unused rolls of vintage linoleum through the '20s towards '50s can frequently be located at salvage businesses or at specialty shops.

Within the ceiling, pressed metal makes very a statement, specially when left in its natural state. As an alternative, attempt heavy Anaglypta paper, a cream-colored wallpaper embossed in a mixture of period patterns. It's much less expensive to set up than pressed metal and when painted, achieves a a lot similar impact.

Finding authentic looking stoves and likewise refrigerators, became less complicated inside the mid 1980s when the country search was blossoming. Our grandparents' stoves have all been refurbished and are simpler than ever to come across. No matches needed!.

Though most older stoves are white, some occasionally turn up in cream, green, or cobalt blue. Hoods are additional hard to discover to match your stove considering that they were not around one hundred years ago. Test buying timber and blending it into the upper cabinetry.

Vintage type hardware could be the icing within the cake for that finishing talk about your time period look home. Designers suggest antique brass, satin nickel or a blackened finish. The hardware makes the complete cooking area search as if it has been there for years just like the remainder of your vintage home.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/information-about-vintage-home-restoration

Livonia HVAC Mechanical Contractor Celebrates 30 Years - Detroit Small Business

Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. (GES) of Livonia, a heating and cooling (HVAC) mechanical contractor, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014. GES co-owners, John C. Philbin a former HVAC tech and Anthony D'Ascenzo, a former plumber, saw the market for commercial HVAC mechanical services to compliment a growing plumbing services segment. GES began as a sister company to Guardian Plumbing and Heating, Inc., which started in the early 60s and is still going strong today. GES specializes in commercial HVAC, offering maintenance contracts and project management



According to Tom Barker, GES Vice President, the company's focus and consistency is the same today as it was 30 years ago. "Our biggest accomplishment is the fact that we have been successful for 30 years with the same leadership," he said. "We have been successful during the ups and downs of our local economy."

GES focuses on several "critical" environmental needs of its commercial customers, including those who operate health care operations and data centers. One of their Detroit-area customers who depend on GES to maintain its critical data center as well as mechanical systems throughout its facility is Raymond James, a diversified financial services company located in Southfield.

Lisa Kerr, manager of office services for Raymond James, said that GES is the only mechanical company she has known since she began with her company 19 years ago. That's saying a lot about the value of this long-term business relationship. "Our corporate office has very high standards and GES has always met them," Kerr said.

The GES workforce is comprise of members of Operating Engineers, Local 324, a group that is dedicated to finding good opportunities for its members which includes working at GES. "We have an apprenticeship program and currently have apprentices working for us," said Barker. "We think the best techs are the ones we train ourselves."

For more information on GES visit www.gesmechanicalservices.com or call 734-513-9500.

http://www.examiner.com/article/livonia-hvac-mechanical-contractor-celebrates-30-years