Category: General Article

Want to Buy the Best Window Blinds? Read Ahead For Some Tips

Many persons feel that window blinds offer no advantage whatsoever because they do not know how to use it properly. The following factor should be considered when purchasing window blinds for your windows.

The first is the direction in which the window is facing. If the window is facing east, it is obvious you should keep the blinds locked up early in the morning. This will bring in cool and soothing sunshine right into your room.

This will help you feel energetic and will give you great pleasure in moving around your house. If you make the mistake of buying heavy window blinds that completely shut out the light, you may end up feeling that you are living in the room with a perpetual darkness.

You need not go in for very fancy blinds because the sun would be on the other side post noon. This means that the room will escape the excessive heat that often accompanies mid-noon and afternoon.

On the other hand, if the window is facing west, you should go in for heavy and strong blinds with perfect locking system. This will ensure that the heat and the light stay out when it is excessively hot.

As it grows cooler, you can unlock the blinds and lift the slats so that the evening sun rays enter your room. If you ignore this basic point and if you decide your window blind choice, it is obvious that you are going to face complications at a later date.

Do not make the mistake of going in for the right blind but not using it properly. You will have to make sure the blinds are lifted up early in the morning and are brought down as it grows warmer. If you are not ready to take this minimum effort, you should not go in for blinds at all.

Combined with utility, you should go in for those products that make your house look good as well. If you are going in for exterior blinds, you should make sure it does not clash with the overall outer facade of your house.

As far as the interiors are concerned, you should keep in mind that the colors of your room may change on a regular basis when you go in for a repainting. In such a scenario, you should not end up with a limited amount of choice just because you have blinds of a specific color.…

Customize Your Room by Window Treatments

Usually, it is seen that windows help to redesign the home in a far better way. You can choose and customize the window coverings as per the style and needs of the room. Window coverings can help you to give a contemporary as well as the conventional look to your room/home.

Therefore, it becomes vital to choose the right kind of window treatment for your home for giving the perfect look. You have to make sure that the chosen pattern will serve the purpose of keeping your room light or dark and cool or warm as per your preference.

1. Lighter fabrics: If you want to create an open and spacious look, you can choose lighter fabrics that will help you to showcase ample of space in the room.

2. Heavy Fabrics: The heavy fabrics are suitable for those who prefer to create a warm and shady look in the room. You will prefer to use heavy drapes for creating the desired look.

You also have to pay the attention to the shape and size of the room to have the right visible impact of the home. There are times, when people find it difficult to understand the pattern for their rooms or homes and require professional help to complete the task. There are many professional window treatment designers who can assist you the right kind of treatment for your room. It is a must to take their advice as they are expert in giving the best of the solutions to the customers.…

Best Window Treatments For French Doors

No matter what window treatment you decide on for your French doors, always bear in mind the need to allow for easy access through the doorway. There are a number of window treatments that work well with French doors, and this article discusses some of these.

One solution to prevent obstructing the doorway is to place the curtains well above the frame and to have the curtain rod clear of the frame on each side so that the curtains won’t get caught in the door. Alternatively you could have curtains or blinds installed on the actual door, so there’s no concern about fabric being caught in between the doors.

If you going to use curtains, you’ll want them to be floor length, or you could have them a little longer and have them puddle at the base. You could have them hanging down loosely or have them with tie-backs to each side. The curtains could be finished off with a valance; either scalloped across the top of the curtains or sitting straight a few inches down the curtain for a more formal look.

A pair of Roman magic blinds attached to each door also looks very effective. You could have these on the doors by themselves or you could accentuate them with some side curtains. If you went for this look, the blinds could be in a plain color and the side curtains in a contrasting or complimentary color or pattern.

You could also get some mini blinds that could be fitted on each door, and have those either on their own or complimented with curtains. Another window treatment for French doors is to have one large curtain that covers ¾ of the doors, and then having it tie back so it leaves one of the doors free for easy access.…

The Best Kind of Tree to Cut to Make a Post

Determining the best type of tree make the best fence posts is largely determined by your local area. There is a variety of oak called “post oak”, so named because posts split from it last fairly well in the ground. Old timers sharpened the ends of the posts and drove them with sledge hammers. Pratt Logging, in Blackfoot, Idaho now point and cap posts for this exact purpose.

Black Locust is actually fairly prevalent in Idaho, and it makes good posts if you cut trees that have much heartwood or split the white wood off. When you put a post in the ground the white wood quickly rots off, but the black heartwood may last 50 years in the ground.

Juniper is also a good wood. Again, the white wood rots off; it is the heartwood that lasts. If you have cedar, check the heartwood.

The best trees to cut for posts are…

Fir

Locust Locust posts last over 60 years

Locust lasting over 60 years

Eastern White Cedar posts last 80 years and longer

Eastern Red Cedar

Red Oak

White Oak

The Dept of Agriculture or your local extension office should have a brochure on posts made from trees, including the ranking for longevity in the ground. Call your local agent.

However, cutting down a tree to make fence posts will probably not save you any money. Consider the difficulty of hauling a cut tree from its fell location to chopping it into the right size with non-professional equipment. And then, consider the weight and effort will take to place a tree in a truck to haul it to the desired destination. Honestly none of this is worth the trouble just to save a few dollars on a post.

Pratt Logging specializes in cutting and preparing fence posts. The advantage is that they have the equipment to peel the posts, drill the posts (if you need dowel fencing), point and cap the posts, and even cross-cut the posts if you are preparing a Jack Fence or Buck Fence.

And, of course, a treated post will extend the life of the post many years.…

Vertical Blinds Are the Sound Resolving Window Blinds Solution

Noise is a problem everywhere, and for everyone. Whether a person lives in a nice home, high rise condominium, small apartment, or spends most of their time at work. The sources of noise are nearly as varied; barking dogs, thin walls, loud music, quarreling neighbors, and even regular, unavoidable things like street traffic and honking commuters. However, there is an economic, easy, and customizable solution for this, and other problems is to install a set of vertical window blinds.

Contrary to popular opinion, window blinds are useful for more than just keeping the morning sun out of a sleeper’s eyes. Window blinds can insulate a room for all manner of purposes. Depending on the thickness of the slats that make up a particular set of window blinds, they’ll block unwanted light, help stop unwanted noise, and keep out unwanted heat or cold. The slats of window blinds, when closed, form a single stack like a wall. The thicker the slats are, the better their properties as insulators. Just as if adding an extra wall, noise and light will have a harder time penetrating closed blinds. Additionally, a closed set of window blinds will keep cool, conditioned air in a room in the same way that it would stop heat from escaping out through a window in the wintertime.

Of all the available sorts of window blinds, one of the best types to invest in are vertical blinds. Vertical blinds are hanging slats that go from the bar at the top of a window down to the floor, or windowsill. One of their great advantages is that vertical blinds are the most customizable of all window blinds. For instance, a set of vertical blinds can be as long, and as wide, as it necessary. Additionally, the slats can open to the left, to the right, or they can part like a stage curtain, whichever is most convenient for your space. Also given their ability to open up at a variety of angles, which lets in light, sound, or fresh air as the occupant wishes, coupled with the huge number of colors and materials that vertical blinds can come in, they’re one of the best values for the money on the market.

Window blinds, and vertical blinds especially, aren’t just for use in the home. If a person has an office with windows, either ones that look inside or outside, vertical blinds can add an extra air of style and privacy. If office window look outside of the building, then that leaves the office open for bright light, traffic and commuter noise, and even high or low temperatures. Adding a set of vertical blinds to these windows can give the person who uses the office more control over these elements, and can help eliminate distractions. If the opposite is true though, and the windows from the office look out into the hallway, or perhaps onto a work floor filled with cubicles, adding a …

Save Your Home With A Contractor Mortgage

If you are a contractor or freelancer that is on the brink of bankruptcy because mortgage companies and financial institutions continuously refuse your application then you will have to look for an alternative form of financing. Today there are many websites that offer direct contractor mortgages which can save your home and your family from bankruptcy. This in turn will save your business as well. In these hard times it is easy to find yourself short of cash and in need of some outside assistance. Though you can visit a financial institution or mortgage broker to assist you with a mortgage and some cash you will find that after weeks of preparation and waiting they end up either refusing your application or offering you an option with very high fees and interest rates. This is never a good option, and it seems like all financial institutions are doing is looking for reasons to deny your application.

There are websites today that actually specifically focus on contractors and freelancers offering them the same opportunities as everyone else. They are the ones that understand that contractors and freelancers actually in many cases make more money than someone working in a regular job on contract. They see and understand that contractors and freelancers cannot prove their entire income and show exactly how much they make a month or year, primarily because the difference in profit each month, as well as all of the things they have to pay to ensure turnaround.

You can find one of these websites and request information on the mortgages they offer and how they can help you save your home and your future. Contractor mortgages are very specific and cater only to freelancers and contractors. With this type of mortgage you don’t have to worry about being discriminated because you have set out and started your own business.

Though there are many websites available offering these types of mortgages you want to make sure that you research all options properly before committing to a specific one. You can ensure that the website is trustworthy by reading the reviews by previous customers, as well as checking their terms and conditions. You can also request information from them and even fill out a form which will give them enough information about you to give you some offers. You don’t have to necessarily commit to them once you’ve visited their site or requested information, it’s a matter of research and they understand it completely. Research and communication are the most important parts to finding a company to commit to, especially since it considers yours and your families future.

Being self employed, you no longer have to feel discriminated against. There are companies that now offer contractor mortgages which will help you save your home and future. You don’t have to have an income from a secure workplace or a contract with an employer, you can show what you make with your own business in …

Innovative Decorating Ideas With Cheap Window Blinds

You might be running out of decorating ideas with cheap window blinds for your home. After all, window blinds and shades are what they really are, and most of them seem to be look alike especially when you get them from the local discount store. Well, think again, as we have a new perspective that will help you go a long way when decorating your home with discount window blinds and the best part of it is that it does not need to look boring and ordinary at all.

The first innovative idea includes decorating with frosted paint which literally turns your normal boring looking window into a French window. Not only that you also get great artistry as well as privacy. This approach is affordable and makes for an easy three step process of create, rinse and repeat for the rest of the windows panes, such that you can make as many as you wish depending your sense of creativity. So surprise or even stun your neighbors and friends every time they visit.

Another avant garde idea is to create a decorative window for rooms which do not have windows. If this sounds a little confusing, think of it as creating window frames that look like real windows in your basement. Simply purchase window frames and affix mirrors in the center instead and you are good to go. You might also wish to have a beautiful painting of the outdoors in place of the mirror too.

Decorating your windows that curtains are a common sight. But add a splash of creativity to it as beaded screens and the twist could literally put you in the limelight of any party you throw at home. It might take you a little time to do up the beads but when completed, it will give your ambience that brings you back in time tastefully.

You can also find new and innovative ideas decorating your windows and homes with bamboo window shades. Apart from providing privacy, they are capable of creating an entirely new ambience for your sanctuary with their very uniquely tropical look and feel.

That said, your home will be uniquely you whichever concept you adopt and always trust that you can indeed create stunning creations with cheap window blinds.…

3 Reasons to Build a Wooden Privacy Fence

There are plenty of reasons to build a privacy fence around your home, and one of the most popular of materials to choose from is wood. The reason for this is because a wooden fence is a practical and affordable way to give your property privacy, to complement your landscape, and to appeal to various tastes in design. One way to plan and build your own wooden privacy fence is to hire a professional who can work with your budget and personal requests. Another option is to go the DIY route, which can be a fun and fulfilling project for you, your friends and your family.

As mentioned, the first reason to build a wooden privacy fence is to provide a desired level of privacy. To actually ensure privacy to your property, you must build your fence to the right height. In the worst of cases, you may build a fence that is too short, ensuring little or no privacy, or, you may end up with a fence that is too high which wastes materials and money. One way to avoid these complications is to have a helper walk around the perimeter of your property with a cardboard screen cut at the height of your desired fence. The helper should walk around the entire area while you both sit and stand to determine how much privacy the fence will provide.

The second reason to build a wooden privacy fence is that it can complement and even enhance your landscape. You can alter the style of the fence and the configuration depending on which part of the yard you are in. If, for example, you live on a busy street, you may want the wooden fence to be higher so that everyone who passes by cannot see in. Or, if you live on a quiet street, a fence with a welcoming gate is both aesthetically appealing and practical for visitors. Another factor to consider when thinking of your landscape is whether you want ease of access to your neighbors or not.

The third reason to build a wooden privacy fence is because there are many designs to choose from, no matter what your design aesthetic. Depending on your personal preferences, you can pick a simple but appealing fir wood fence, or, if you want something a bit more exotic, perhaps a bamboo wood fence is right for you. In most cases, wood fences are the most adaptable to terrain than any other material. This means that if you have steep slopes or uneven areas, it should not be a problem to install some variation of wood fence on your property without having to sacrifice design.

With all the resources and materials on hand, you can successfully have your very own wooden privacy fence. Some people prefer to try and build privacy fences on their own, but this is only recommended if you have a high level of knowledge in fence construction. Many things …

Decorate Elegantly With Cheap Curtains

Refreshing window treatments need not be expensive. For the budget-minded, there are several ways to keep the price of replacing draperies within means. Whether the choice is custom-made, ready-made or home-made, careful shopping and a basic understanding of the types, fabrics and styles of window dressings and accessories can result in attractive, cheap curtains within a budget.

Sources for cheap window curtains include retail stores, specialty shops, discount stores and on-line merchants. Most retailers offer products that range from inexpensive to very costly. The material, size and complexity of the style affect the price. Using good quality accessories such as tie-backs or swags can give an elegant look to inexpensive draperies. Ready-made, cheap tab top curtains installed on a wrought iron pole with finials of a complementary decorative motif can enhance the ambiance of a room.

Custom-made draperies allow the largest variations in the combination’s of materials and styles. Shopping during sales can result in the purchase of expensive fabrics like silks, velvet, high-quality cottons and linens at reduced prices. By using a reduced price silk damask fabric in a simple style, a quality product can be custom-made for relatively little expense. Adding your own lining to discounted fabrics reduces the cost of custom-made lined drapes.

Inexpensive need not look cheap. Sheer curtain panels, for example, are available in a variety of patterns, materials and styles. Polyester off-white lace panels with an attractive pattern can be placed in a sunny window to good effect. Ready-made blackout panels that can be easily affixed to the existing fabric panels offer an inexpensive alternative to purchasing new insulated panels.

For those who sew, retail fabric stores, arts and crafts shops and on-line merchants provide a large selection of fabrics for do-it-yourself curtain projects. In-store workshops and how-to demonstrations are often provided for those who need instruction or assistance in completing sewing projects. Instructions for making several styles of draperies and also for adding lining to drapery can be found in craft books and on-line sources.

Estate sales, garage sales, flea markets and on-line dealers are good sources for vintage window dressings. If the decor is shabby chic, vintage full-length box-pleated panels in a rose floral print can complement the look and are the type of items that you can come across in second hand stores. Manufacturers are reproducing many popular vintage-look fabrics such as barkcloth that can also be used effectively with retro styles at much less cost.

In kitchens and bathrooms where laundering may be more frequently needed, having several sets of cheap curtains allows a periodic change of style or color; perhaps seasonally. Add more decorative interest to a bathroom by occasionally changing shower curtains, too.

A variety of in-store and on-line shops provide inexpensive window treatments that can meet any budget. Shopping with an eye for quality and price can result in chic draperies that suit the decor.…

How To Bring Color To The Exterior Of Your Home

There is a tendency by home builders to make the houses on a street look consistent and that means that you often get a home that is beige or brown and similar to all of the houses around you. Sometimes you have no choice but to accept it, especially if the neighborhood association has agreed all of the homes must be consistent. However, if you live in a laid-back environment where anything goes and you are looking for ways to make your house pop, there are ways to do so without going overboard. First, take a look at your property. Evaluate where color could be added and how it will change the look of your home. Then choose your colors. Often, two colors that contrast are the best way to really make your home stand out. Extend the color throughout your entire property for a consistent look. This means incorporating the colors you choose for your porch and front of the house onto your wood fence and throughout the landscaping. Painting the wood fencing is a great way to encapsulate the entire property and bring it all together.

Next, paint the door and the porch. Porches are a great way to add colorful character to your home and if you really want to jazz things up, use your contrasting color palette all over the porch. You can paint the stairs and risers to different colors and accent the spindles of your railings with the different colors. The brighter the colors, the more unique your home will look. Consider browsing photos of Victorian homes for ideas about putting together gingerbread style colors or use subtle shades for just a slide contrast in color.

In addition to paint, you can add color to your home’s exterior with plants. Take the time to plant colorful bulbs in the fall that will bloom and bring bright spring color when the weather gets warmer. You can also add plants that will flower throughout the summer and fall. When choosing plants; opt for a color palette that works with the paint colors of your home or make the colors so varied that it just looks as if wildflowers are growing all over your property.

Trees can also add color to the area. Those that are green are a great way to add the feeling of lush nature. They also help protect your home from the fading rays of the sun and will keep your home’s interior cool when the weather heats up. Flowering trees bring all sorts of color when they bloom, so consider planting trees that complement the decor of the rest of the home.

Finally, add decorate touches and accessories like flags, garden decor and a colorful mailbox. This is where the colors should really pop, so even if you have chosen monochromatic paint and landscaping colors, add some bright hues with garden sculptures and other materials. This makes the environment fun and welcoming …