Category: General Article

How to Choose the Right Window Treatments

Are you treating your windows right, by using the right window treatments? When decorating any window in your home, the number of options that you have can seem mind-boggling at first. While choosing and installing the right window treatments isn’t an exact science, here are some helpful tips that will help you to get it done:

1. Do the measurements.

Always get the exact measurements of your home’s windows, to ensure that the treatments will be a perfect fit.

2. Consider your budget.

Unfortunately, this is one of the steps that most of us have to take, in order to put a rein on our spending. It’s particularly important if we’re decorating more than the windows in our homes. Treatments for windows can vary significantly in price, based on features such as their brand, size, material, style, and so on. While you could spend slightly more than you had budgeted for window treatments, the operative word is “slightly.”

3. Determine if form or function is your priority.

When shopping for treatments for windows, ask yourself if you’re buying them mainly for aesthetic reasons, or if the main function of the treatments will be to manage the amount of light that can enter a room. How you answer the question will impact which type of treatments you choose for a window. You might ultimately decide on treatments that are particularly elegant and ornate, or ones that give you more control over how much sunlight enters a room via a window.

4. Search for ideas.

You’ve likely heard about the “power of suggestion.” One of the best ways to start your search for usable window decorating ideas is by collecting ones that have already been used. In other words, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel! Home decorating magazines will likely contain several styles of window treatments, which you could use in your own home. And whenever you visit someone’s house, observe the types of window treatments that they’re using in it. Maintain a folder of photos containing various treatments for windows that you fancy. Also, jot down notes about certain treatments that have caught your eye.

5. Get free samples whenever possible.

Sometimes stores provide free samples for different treatments that they carry. This will help to avoid buying certain window treatments that aren’t ideal for the windows in your home. Sometimes you can even receive these samples through online home improvement stores. Keep in mind that treatments can look much different in the store, than in your home.

6. Test a treatment’s texture whenever possible.

One of the drawbacks of buying window treatments online is that you can’t feel the texture of the product, before deciding on it. So when you shop offline, make sure to take this crucial step. The texture of treatments for windows will have a huge impact on how it complements the other d?�cor in the room.

If you want to add some pizzazz to your home’s windows, then …

Cheap Window Shades Buying Tips

Whether you are living in a house or an apartment, you need to install window shades for decorative as well as some functional purposes. They are used for privacy, controlling the incoming light and adjusting the room’s temperature. If you are also going to buy cheap window shades for your windows, then there are some useful tips that you should follow before buying them:

1. The first thing that you need to do before buying these shades is to measure the windows of your room. If you are opting to mount the shade on the inside of your window, then evaluate the exact window opening size. If you are opting to mount the shade outside of your window frame, then evaluate the exact height and width you want your shades to be.

2. These window shades are available in the market in changeable room darkness degrees. So, you should take your time and decide how much light you want to block at first. If you want complete darkness in your room when you shut your shades, then select the shades made of thick cloth which totally blocks all light. If you want to allow light through, then select thinner fabric or rice paper.

3. See other features of these shades to determine your final choice. Decide which type of shade would be comfortable, one that folds into accordion pleats or one that rolls down from the top. This kind of different functionality is also a thing to consider before buying cheap window shades.

4. There are several styles and colors in shades. You should select the shade which can match your room. So, ask the shade vendor if he/she has the catalogue of available shades in their shop and make comparisons to find yourself the perfect window shades for your windows.…

Painting an Existing Wood Fence

If you have a wood fence it’s a beautiful thing but over time the elements wear it down and you may have even scratched it with a lawn mower or snow shovel. Either way eventually it needs to be repainted and as with most projects around the house this one is easy to do yourself and low cost.

Besides good weather, this is what you’ll need: paint, possibly primer, a good brush, a roller (choose the size depending on the fence), a roller extension, cleaning supplies (rubber gloves, a pale with soup and warm water, a couple of rags), sand paper, scraper, maybe a kneeling pad.

Now, before you start painting you have to make sure the fence is clean. Here are some suggestions:

• Remove any grass, shrubbery, seeds, and the like from the fence.

• Wash off dust, soil, or any other dirt like bird poop with warm water and a little detergent.

• If the fence touches any parts of the house you may want to separate the edges with painter’s tape.

• It’s a good idea to have some card board or thin sheets of wood handy to slip under the fence so you don’t get the brush dirty from the ground when painting the underneath. It will also help block any branches that may still be in the way.

While you are cleaning, inspect the fence for other problems:

• Is any paint chipping? If so you’ll need to do the following. Scrape off the old paint and sand the edges a little to smoothen them out. If the wood is bare you may need to add a little primer on the spot. If so, let the primer spots dry before moving on to the real paint.

• Loose planks? If you find parts of the fence are seriously beginning to wear you may need to nail them back or replace the piece.

• Termites: They show up when you least expect it. If you find signs of them replace those planks too.

Painting:

Ok; you’ve made it to the real part of the job. Don’t worry if it took a while to get here. It’s better to have the fence ready and free of all other obstacles than have to stop painting in the middle because of one of the above issues.

1. Stir the paint to make sure its all one color and not clumpy

2. Pour your paint in the roller pan at the bottom.

3. Take your roller, dip it in the tray, and begin from the top down. Maybe use the brush for the top open grain. If you hit those spots first you can remove any dripping as you make your way down.

• NOTE: If your fence has a plank and then opening and then another plank (your standard white picket fence), it’s a good idea to do one plank at a time but do the fence in sections. For instant do a …

Cheap Window Blinds Can Effectively Protect Furniture From Sun Damage

Most of us living in environments with four seasons love the sun for tanning ourselves but surprisingly dread it for destroying our furniture indoors or at the decks. And if you are like most of us, you would really understand the frustrations that come with each summer, trying to hide all your priced furniture away from the path of the sun, being worried that the heat could damage the materials. Well, there is no need to panic as there is one simple and yet affordable approach for you manage this, that is, by using cheap window blinds to effectively protect your furniture from sun damage.

There are many discount window treatments that are available for your purpose. There is no need to make your own shades which could look extremely amateur in most cases. First, your key objective is to block out the sun and heat and it is best to look out for bamboo window shades, aluminum ones, and any other jute or rattan base materials. Most discount stores will have them stocked up to the tilt as they are the few very popular types, and the fastest moving lines especially in summer.

Instead of wrapping your original blinds with tin foil and making your home look shabby, simply change to aluminum ones in summer. They help to deflect most of the light as well as refract heat and sun. They are also one of the cheapest types available in the market so will not burn a hole in your pocket. Aluminum material lasts for a long time and you can keep them after summer and reuse them for the next few years if you clean them well. They are also easy maintenance requiring only a simple wipe on the slats with a damp piece of cloth. They are light weight and easy for storage.

Alternatively, bamboo, jute, rattan are fast getting popular as affordable, lightweight materials that not only serve the purpose of sun and heat control well, they also let air through due to their very unique woven designs. Hence, one added advantage for bamboo window blinds is that they can also be used outdoors, fitted at the end of the patio to ward off the sun. And their long lasting tenacity means that you can reuse them for the many summers to come. At the same time, its tropical look also blends well with the summer ambience. In fact, you can easily create a cozy tropical sanctuary out of your patio or deck with them and enjoy the uniquely tropical solitude.

So for this coming summer and many others more, your furniture will be safe from the sun and heat. Cheap window blinds can indeed effectively protect your furniture from sun damage.…

The Benefits of Wood Fences

A wood fence is probably the most loved fence in America. Who can forget the little country cottages with the picket fence around them. Wood fences symbolize our heritage as far as farmers and settlers having to live off the land using wood for homes, barns and fences!

There are a lot of advantages to a wood fence! They are a great choice to set a nature mood for your home or garden. They can be used to set a private setting, a farm setting or just a picket fence around your garden. I have seen them around pools, private ponds and patios. Depending on the setting you are wanting to set? They are definitely worth considering.

They are also many different styles from privacy, to picket I have seen many custom fences where a designer will come in and design a fence for a contractor to build a fence that does not have another fence that looks like it. With wood there is not much of a limitation on what you can do. Table top, concave, arched, french gothic, picket, shadow box, lattice top and deck rail top is just a few of the popular choices on wood fencing. There also are a wide range of caps that can be purchased for the post from you standard wood cap to a copper cap that has a solar light for night time.

Also as far as cost they are a better choice than aluminum, steel, or PVC fence which is definitely a plus!

In many neighbor hoods a H.O.A. will require a wooden fence and only allow clear like stain for that rustic look.

They do last a long time up to 20 even 30 years if maintained properly. They may need a picket or post replaced here and there but should last a long time.

It is important to get a professional to build your fence and do not use pre-made panels from your local do it your self stores. If a fence is not built properly it will not stand the test of time and weather. Post should be 18 to 24 inches deep, screws or ring shank nails should be used for building to prevent the nails from backing out and the your fence needs to be stained yearly or every two years depending on the area you live in.

Some disadvantages of wood fence is they can sometimes warp or rot for the best fence you should use pine post and cedar rails and pickets. Cedar post tends to rot and pine rails and pickets will warp more than a cedar.

Also a disadvantage is the maintenance that is required to maintain wood fences unlike a aluminum fence that requires almost no maintenance. Always remember to do your research on the fence and the materials being used and the person installing it.…

Finding the Right Home Improvement Contractor

As your home grows older certain changes and improvements are needed to increase its lifespan. Likewise, if you want to add some more rooms to your existing building layout, you need to make the necessary changes and improvements to your home. There are people who go for home improvements just to enhance the market value of their property. Some want to make their homes more energy efficient and cash in on the incentives provided by the federal and state governments. But who helps you in making all these changes and improvements to your home? Well, it is the home improvement contractor.

General contractors are professionals who have the necessary experience and exposure to making home improvements. These contractors help you in getting the work done according to your time schedule. So, it is extremely important that you identify and select a professional contractor who will not only provide you with a quote but will also tell you how to save on the costs. So, how do I find a good home improvement contractor?

Well, it is not so difficult in this age and time. There are various ways of finding a good home improvement contractor. One of the first things that you can do is to look into the local telephone directory. Look for people who are from your area and fix up a time with them and discuss your plans and ask for a quote.

You can find a lot of good home improvement contractors through the local newspapers also. For this, look into the classifieds. Many contractors display their ads in the local newspapers to attract new customers and generate business. Look up these contractors and discuss with them. You may find the right person to do the job.

Next, you can check up with your friends, relatives, colleagues and others and find out whether they can recommend their home improvement contractor. The good thing about this option is that it will save you a lot of time and money since the contractor is recommended by a person whom you trust and who has also experienced the contractor’s work.

You can also visit the internet and browse through various building and construction websites. You will come across some very good contractors. Likewise, there are many local area classified ads on the internet. As you browse through them, you will be able to find the right home improvement contractor for your home.…

Vertical Blinds Offer a Down-To-Earth Solution to Sound Issues in Condominiums

As the world gets more and more populated, many of us that live in condominiums or apartments find ourselves trying to come up with innovative, yet down-to-earth ways to deal with the sound issues that come from living so close to other people. While there isn’t much that you can do to eliminate the noise that comes through the walls, vertical blinds and window blinds can help eliminate the noise that comes from outside.

Vertical window blinds are great, not only for condominium dwellers, but for every home, as well as a variety of businesses. Windows blinds help to reduce outside noise, provide privacy and are easy to clean and come in a variety of styles and colors. Vertical blinds are lower maintenance and easier to clean because they tend not to get dirty as quickly; the dust has a harder time settling on them since they are vertical. This can make them ideal for dusty areas.

Verticals and regular window blinds come in a variety of materials from fabric to PVC to vinyl. This makes decorating easy since they are adaptable to many types of lifestyles and a variety of color schemes. This keeps the vertical blinds a great “down-to-earth” choice for decorators and homeowners. Their ability to fit in wherever they are needed and to not appear “stuffy” is a great benefit.

The many types of materials also help when the decorator is looking for a variety of light filtration. Fabric vertical blinds let in more light while keeping the privacy at a maximum. Fabric blinds can also be backed with PVC to block even more light or provide more insulation. These blinds also have the ability to block as little or as much light as the consumer wants by being able to be turned slightly open, closed completely, opened all the way or a large number of possibilities in between. Vertical blinds can also be created at the factory to either open to one side or to both sides plus to have their controls on one side of the window or another, making them very flexible when installing around large furniture or fixtures. Some vertical blinds are even capable of allowing the slats to rotate 180 degrees for even more adaptability.

When choosing window blinds the decorator should consider the quiet operation and insulation properties of fabric vertical blinds. Their ability to insulate against outside elements is even greater when they are installed on the interior wall, outside of the window frame, covering more of the window and allowing less of the elements and light through at the sides.

Vertical blinds are great for either large windows, such as sliding glass doors or smaller windows. Their ability to adapt to any interior environment is unmatched. Vertical blinds are made out of sturdy materials that will last for years with smooth operation and amazing durability. Though they are very durable, on occasion there might be an incident …

Always Remember the Blackout Blinds!

School breaks can be quite a cure for head aches especially for working individuals because it means less crowded streets and no noisy stunts in public utility vehicles.

Changes in the surroundings will usually occur in between July and September if you live in London. Driving to work in the morning is easier because students take a break. Worried mothers bustling in the streets to send their children to school also lessen.

Tubes and buses tend to be more peaceful because there are lesser ruckus inside. The thought that a lot children are probably out there in their beds in deep slumber while you got to office is always comforting. But like all the good things of life, this six week peaceful road rides passes through in a short time.

When September comes near, another scenario comes in, which can be pictured as a cattle herd. Cities like Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Southampton welcome various eighteen year olds who go on a drinking spree.

Students who have one year of too much alcohol drinking return for their second school year and perhaps learn something. This is also a chance for them to get out of their homes and stay in dormitories instead. This makes university life a little more easy but the student will, on the other hand, have to deal with the land lord.

First time and returning students are also advised to bring some items that are needed in going to the university. The main staple would be Electrolytes supplements or Alka-Seltzer that are handy to bring along. This is to cope with hangovers after a night of drinking a lot.

The second thing you need to have is blackout blinds. This is important especially if you do not want to wake up earlier than usual at six in the morning after a night long of alcohol consumption. A temporary blind is one easy solution for that problem, especially temporary blackout blinds. You also do not have to spend a fortune to buy the blinds because they can be afforded by students.

You also need to bring those things that are important for your basic necessities. Things like kitchen paper, furniture, tinned food toilet paper, furniture and are must haves for students.

Your parents may be a little irritated that you have overhauled family necessities but the best thing to do is to talk to your parents prior to your travel. Being a university student means studying not only for your lessons, but also studying for life.

Parents may be a little angry about this so it is best to make this happen without them knowing or negotiate prior to actually packing about what will and won’t be taken. Being a higher education student in the UK is a lesson not just in your chosen subject, but a lesson for life.

A hard-earned diploma is one of the few things that you can give to yourself and treasure until the end. Take …

Quality Cheap Window Blinds – Planning Your Budget to Match Your Options and Needs

You are indeed open to countless options when it comes to choosing the right quality yet cheap window blinds that meet your décor needs. Do take into account the key factors when selecting them for your home.

The first consideration is pricing of course. You start with a budget and the number of window blinds and shades you need. Also take into account your overall theme if you are decorating your home for the first time. For existing themes, you might need to ensure that your eventual choice matches with the original theme as well as your budget. Some very affordable cheap window blinds are made of aluminum materials which are as light in weight as are on the pocket. Note though that if you are looking to getting energy efficient blinds, be prepared to fork out more money for the up front cost. Take into consideration the long term cost savings you will derive and you might just be more than able to afford them.

When planning your budget, you should be aware that you can use more affordable window blinds and shades in your garage and basement, thereby saving you some money. Of course the living and dining rooms are the main areas which you will be spending more for quality. Also, learn to mix and match, creating your very own style. Sometimes you can create a great ambiance without having spend a fortune and yet have raving reviews on your work of art from friends and relatives.

There will be greater effective insulation and energy conservation needs especially in the living room and bedrooms and you might want to check out cellular window blinds, which come in the form of honeycomb like structures. Otherwise, settle for plantation shutters. When you need sun control, use the fabric roller shades for best effects. Designs and colors help to keep out the sun too, so check out the dark ones for your sun control purposes. And if you love to enjoy your morning cup of coffee with a good view outside, try the sheer or woven fabrics which give you a glare reduction as well as a good view.

Decorating your home with quality but cheap window blinds is never a difficult chore once you have decided your budget and planned allocation as well as the overall theme. You can find great bargains on weekend stock clearance sales even on quality brands at your local neighborhood draperies store.…

Real Wooden Flooring for Lasting Benefits

One cannot negate the fact that one of the most attractive flooring materials available today is real wooden flooring. The primary challenge with this is is placing it in a part of the house which has moderate to high levels of humidity and moisture because that will eventually make the wood crack, peel, or warp on the surface. Even so, it still adds a a certain kind of warmth, that, if complemented with the right design, would make the entire room a sight to behold.

What kind of material do you use for your floors? If you are looking for a floor tile that is durable and fashionable at the same time, then you should try using real wood for your home flooring needs. This material has a distinctive appearance that will make it very difficult to completely be copied. Some may resort to vinyl to have a semblance of wooden floors but the effect is really different and one will readily know with a quick glance and a quick feel of the feet that that is not real wood.

One crowning trait of real wood is that it is easily repairable. Depending on the degree of damage, a basic way to restore wood is by sanding and refinishing it. Yes, vinyl is a lot more cheaper but you can do nothing except to dispose it once it is damaged.

Another reason why this is one of the most popular floorings is that it adds monetary worth to your property, especially if they are maintained in a good condition for a long period of time. Some antique houses comprise of floorings as old as 100 years back, so the value of the overall property will be much higher.

On the other hand, if you are one of those people who are prone to allergic reactions, it may be favourable for you to know that wooden floors do not heap pollens, dusts, or pet hairs as what carpets may do. Cleaning is basically also just a sweep or mop away. Do for avid pet owners and allergic people, this floor covering is for you.

If you already have wooden floor tiles in your home, it may be a good idea to set up cheap blinds or temporary blinds instead of thick drapes and curtains, so that it would be more convenient for you every time you need to sand down your wooden floors.

One important thing that this material can offer is the environment it creates. Different floorings elicit different feels. Timber is a thick material and is also a good insulator than plain vinyl or ceramic tiles. That is why using this floor covering will definitely be a good investment over time.

It is also good to note that timber is a renewable resource. High quality timber is just around the corner and you do not have to go through lengths to find it. If you are an environmentally conscious individual, you can also …