Curb appeal is important, especially if you are going to sell your home. The first impression of a home should draw guests inside. If the sight of your home leaves a bad taste in their mouth, that feeling will be hard to shake. Investments in the exterior of your home pay off. So, don’t discount this area of your home when doing renovations or redecorating.

Address Structural Concerns

This is where the investment comes in. Besides adding curb appeal to your home, fixing structural elements is important for many safety reasons. Walkways, railings, St Louis roofing and exteriors all need to be in tip-top shape to avoid injuries and expensive repairs. It is easy to ignore leaky gutters until they cause a problem with your foundation. Update shutters or simply repaint them. If you have a fence or gate, make sure it is functioning correctly and consider giving it a fresh coat of stain.

Spruce up the Entryway

The entryway of your home should make you want to spend time there. Add seating and a rug if you have space or a porch. If not, then add some potted plants and a wreath to your door. Replacing the hardware in the entryway is an easy upgrade. Updated light fixtures, address numbers and door locksets give a nice facelift on a small budget. You can even add a pop of color by painting the door an unexpected hue.

Plant a Garden

If you don’t have a green thumb, then you can make a container garden. These are easy to maintain and change out if a plant dies. Flower boxes are a classic way to add color to your exterior but can be high maintenance. Pay attention to the walkway towards your front door. Adding hedges or flowers along the sidewalk draws visitors in and gives a welcoming feel. A new trend that has surfaced in home decor publications is street side gardens. If you live in a neighborhood or high traffic area, this is a beautiful way to show a little love to your community.…

Next time you decide to upgrade your family home, consider making changes that not only benefit your living situation, but also benefit the environment. Below you will discover four home upgrades that can also lower your carbon footprint and help the environment.

1. Solar Panels.

Even if you belong to a homeowner’s association, you should be able to get approval for the installation of solar panels New Jersey on your roof. Solar panels will gather and store energy to use as electricity. This is one of the cleanest ways to light, warm, and cool your home throughout the year.

2. Rainwater Collection Barrels.

Most cities require a special permit to install rainwater collection barrels, but once you have them on your property, you can start saving water as soon as it rains. The barrels collect rainwater, as their name suggests, for you to use at a later time, like in the event of a dry spell or drought. Because of the water’s lack of purity, you should not drink it, and instead use it mostly for gardening purposes.

3. Compost Pile.

Organic materials can become waste repurposed for compost. Compost is an environmentally friendly and healthy way to fertilize your garden, flower beds, and lawn, instead of solely relying on products filled with chemicals that may cause harm the planet. Also, growing your own garden at home benefits the environment by eliminating some harmful pesticides used by farmers.

4. Desert Landscaping.

Another way to save water, and lower the cost of your water bill, is replacing your lawn with desert landscaping. Rocks and low-maintenance plants can look aesthetically pleasing if you consult with a gardening or landscaping company. Not only will save water, you will also save a lot of time by not having to mow, edge, or trim your lawn and bushes.

Doing your small part to help the environment can quickly add up to significant changes, so make some of these home upgrades soon.…

Many people rely on a functioning HVAC system to keep them comfortable each day, so you need to ensure your system is running smoothly. It’s easy to take air conditioning for granted and forget about checking up on it from time to time. If you haven’t already, you need to invest in a professional industrial air conditioning service Corpus Christi trusts.

However, knowing when you need HVAC servicing can be difficult to determine. Here are a few signs to watch for that tell you it’s time to have a team repair your air conditioning system.

Set Up a Schedule

Your AC is a sensitive system that needs care and attention throughout the year. Maintaining your air conditioning offers many challenges, so why not make your life easier? If you haven’t looked at your AC in a while, then it’s time to hire a professional. Set up routine servicing, so you can worry less while leveraging expert knowledge to address your HVAC needs.

Look Out for Leaks

Your AC depends on refrigerants to do its job, so you’ll want to be wary of leaks. Once a refrigerant leaves the coils in your HVAC system, this prevents your air conditioning from producing cool air. Plus, it forces your system to work that much harder, which can cause faster burnout. This is a subtle detail that has larger consequences, so call a professional if you suspect a leak.

Check up on Circuits

Your HVAC’s electrical system is a delicate collection of circuits that can wear away over time. While you may be tempted to address the issue yourself, you want to be cautious. Working with electricity can be dangerous, and one slip-up can cause further damage to your HVAC system. Only an experienced team has the expertise to navigate the most sensitive air conditioning issues.

You need to be able to depend on your AC for any kind of weather, so make sure it gets the treatment it needs. The right team can review your AC and pick out the smallest issues, so your system stays healthy and keeps you cool and confident.…

Add Some Charm To Your Display With Wooden Floor Racks

When it comes to shopping, there is no denying that customers base their choices on the packaging just as much as they do the product. Why, then, would they not also be influenced by the way in which products are displayed in the store? To add some old time charm to any store display, use one of the many styles of wooden floor racks.

Shop owners should remember that wooden floor racks come in many shapes and sizes, far beyond a basic set of wooden shelves. The incredible variety will surely catch the eye and draw people in to check out the products. This is an excellent opportunity for a shop owner to display some personality and show customers what their shop is all about.

One of the most popular types of wooden floor racks is the cart model, which resembles the old style popcorn carts that are seen at baseball games or on boardwalks. In this midst of a busy shopping trip, this display can take customers back to more fun times and get them excited about looking at the products. These quaint floor racks for candy and other small items may be all it takes to turn a dull shopping trip into a fun outing and keep customers coming back.

Basket displays are also wooden floor racks that can increase the fun factor on an average shopping trip. Just one of these racks could create a bulk candy display that features several different types of candy from which shoppers can pick their favorite. This will not only create bulk candy displays that are colorful and eye catching, but customers will love digging through the baskets to find exactly the treat that they are craving.

Wooden crates are a great way to display items in a way that is simple and unpretentious, making many customers feel more comfortable while shopping. While these crates are attractive, they give a shopper the feeling that they are just looking through their own things to find what they are looking for. They can match any d?�cor and can even stack to conserve space.

Wooden floor racks can be so much more than just another wooden shelving unit. They come in a wide variety of styles that can each provide a truly unique shopping experience for the customer. They are a great way for any shop owner to infuse a little bit of style and charm into their everyday displays.…

Can You Have Wooden Floors Over Underfloor Heating?

In a word, yes is the answer. There is no need to have to compromise on a high quality wooden floor if you have underfloor heating. Underfloor heating with a wooden floor is the perfect combination for all types of homes.

It is recommended that an engineered floor is used. So what exactly is an engineered wood floor? It is a solid wood veneer on a softwood backing. It looks just like the ‘real thing’ particularly with oak, which has been developed over the last ten years to a perfect finish.

Various grades:

Prime Grade: very clean, small amount of knots – ideal for a modern house or contemporary setting.

Character Grade: which allows for knots, marks and rosettes -looks beautiful like a solid oak floor and enhances any home

Rustic Grade: large knots, marks and rosettes – ideal for a rural retreat, or if you want a more lived in and older look.

Distressed Grade: This is where a character grade is treated in various ways. The oak can be stained dark, marked, the edges given a worn look. The idea is to make the floor appear old and similar to reclaimed oak. The final effect is stunning and there are a lot of aged, distressed and antique engineered oak floors available.

Various finishes:

Engineered oak can be supplied unfinished. Then once fitted it can be sanded and oiled in situ. The floor needs to be sanded to a fine and even finish and then the first coat of hardwax oil applied – left overnight to dry; then buffed up and a final coat of hardwax oil applied. The end result is natural and easy to maintain.

It can also be supplied pre-finished with a matt lacquer, satin lacquer, pre-oiled, raw oiled or uv oiled finish. Pre-finished floors mean no waiting time.

There are a number of engineered floors on the market – always go for the best quality.

Ask where the floor has come from and make sure it is a sustainable engineered floor.

Make sure that the oak veneer layer is thick. 6mm is a good depth on a board that is overall 20mm thick.

The base board should be of a good quality marine ply and well adhere with a complete bonding system to the veneer on top.

It is always advisable to always get a specialist flooring company to fit and finish your engineered oak flooring, to ensure the highest quality finish.…

Do you want eye-catching landscaping that increases your home’s value? You can have it. Before you search “landscaping services Jacksonville FL,” consider the following tips for creating your dream landscape.

Write Down What You Want

You should have a general idea of what you want to see in your outdoor space. For example, do you want a secret garden, an outdoor kitchen or flower gardens? Identify your hardscape features, such as firepits, a pool and patios or decks. Then, consider what type of plants you want. For example, are you looking for a privacy screen, which may require large evergreen trees and smaller evergreen shrubs, or do you want fruiting trees and plants? Don’t forget to determine your budget.

Plan for Year-Round Coverage

Buildings, including homes, and sidewalks have harsh vertical and horizontal lines. Proper landscaping softens these lines, but remember to plan the winter. Evergreen trees and plants provide year-round curb appeal. Choose plants that thrive in your USDA Hardiness Zone.

Create Focal Points

Your landscape should have at least one significant focal point, such as a water, sculptures or fire feature. It should draw the eye across the yard. Build your landscaping plan around these focal points. Make sure you don’t mask them with plants or other features, but don’t crowd too many focal points into your space.

Design for Comfort

Design for comfort. For example, don’t forget your outdoor living and dining rooms or seating areas. Consider positioning these outdoor rooms in close proximity to your home, near patio or back doors. Also, create paths that connect your spaces.

Berms and Beds

After you position your main trees and shrubs. You may have some blank spaces. If you don’t want to have extensive grass areas, consider including berms and flower beds. These can be as expansive as you wish, but they should have soft corners. Don’t forget to vary the plants.

Whether you are reworking an existing landscape or starting from scratch, consider working with a landscaping professional.…

With some predicting an approximately 3% spike in energy prices, many individuals are left worrying about the impact on his or her home’s climate. Whether heating a house in the winter or cooling it in summer, it’s the HVAC system to which many turn to regulate the temperature. It’s an effective tool for making a home more comfortable, but its impact on the electric bill is another matter. If you are burdened by rising costs, try these low-cost hacks to reduce reliance on the HVAC unit.

Start Stripping

Much of a home’s heat gain or loss is the result of air leaks around movable components. Installing door and window weather stripping is an efficient way at sealing a house and preventing treated air from escaping. These foam strips form a barrier that also helps prevent moisture from seeping in. Weather stripping should be checked every spring and fall and replaced as necessary.

Foiled Again

If you’ve ever used an emergency foil blanket, you’ve witnessed how effectively foil can trap heat. It’s that same principle that makes it so effective at keeping a house warm. Just tack up strips of aluminum foil along the wall behind a radiator. Instead of escaping outside through the wall, the heat will now bounce off the foil and be pushed into the home.

Curtain Call

The simple act of opening and closing curtains can have a big impact on interior temperature. On sunny days, keep curtains open for the natural heat that sunlight provides. Once the sun sets, however, quickly close them to keep warm air inside.

Fan Favorite

Understanding your ceiling fan is another no-cost way to heat or cool a home. In winter, set the blades to turn clockwise to help redistribute the rising warm air throughout a room. Be sure to reverse the motion to counterclockwise in the warm weather months so the fan can push air downward and create a cooling effect.

Whether you like it hot or cold, you don’t always have to pay to be comfortable. Try these tips to keep energy costs down.…

Backyards are a perfect place for playing with kids or pets, relaxing and entertaining guests. To make your backyard a little bit more aesthetically pleasing and pleasant to spend time in, consider one or more of the following upgrades.

Simple Patio

If you spend a lot of time in your backyard, it can be nice to have a defined patio area. You might not be able to fund a full wrap-around deck, but a simple patio space can be created with some pea gravel or concrete pavers. This creates a clean space for gatherings without being expensive or obtrusive. The stone can even be chosen to match existing natural features in your backyard for a really peaceful feel.

Fire Pit

An in-ground concrete fire pit may not be in the books for you, but a prefabricated fire pit or DIY fire pit solution may be possible. A simple metal pit will look right at home in nearly any backyard, while still being compact and even portable. DIY fire pits can be a simple as a stacked ring of retaining wall blocks to form a gorgeous stone pit that will be ready in time for your next backyard s’more party or hot dog roast.

Outdoor Furniture

A simple selection of outdoor furniture will help make your backyard feel super cozy. Barbecues and bonfires will become much more relaxed events if everyone has a comfy place to sit. Full patio sets with tables and umbrellas are great, but even a few wooden folding chairs and cushions can set the tone. You may even be able to repurpose existing furniture for this purpose; a simple coat of weatherproof paint can turn old pieces into the perfect outdoor set.

Backyards are a fantastic gathering place for nearly any occasion. With a few simple upgrades, you can make your outdoor space feel like a true oasis.…

There are over 1.3 million fires in the United States annually. Many of these fires start in commercial buildings. Lots of damage and destruction will be left in the wake of a commercial fire. Rather than dealing with the damage and stress that a commercial fire can cause, your main goal as a business owner should be to avoid this force of nature.

Failing to take fire protection and prevention seriously can be disastrous. Working with a fire protection agency can help you figure out how to fully protect your business from the destruction fire can cause. Here are some things you can do to prevent fires from occurring in your commercial building.

Keep Your Fire Extinguishers Maintained

One of the first things you need to invest in when trying to keep yourself and your employees safe is a fire extinguisher. Depending on the size of your commercial building, you might need multiple fire extinguishers. Consulting with reputable fire protection services Elk Grove CA is crucial when trying to figure out how many extinguishers you need.

Once you have these extinguishers in place, you need to have them inspected and maintained when needed. Over time, the powder in a fire extinguisher will begin to clump up. These clumps can prevent the powder from coming out. This is why hiring a fire protection company to perform this type of maintenance is so important.

Develop An Exit Strategy

Another important thing you need to do when trying to protect your team from fire is to develop an exit strategy. When a fire starts, you and your employees need to get out of the building immediately. Having an exit strategy in place can help you avoid injuries in the event of a fire.

With the help of a fire protection service, you can keep your extinguishers and sprinkler system in good working order.…

Wood Floors – How to Look After Your Wood Floors and Prevent Damage

Real wood floors give a sense of timeless elegance and class to any home or office. Read the essential dos and don’ts of how to look after your wood floor, prevent damage and make it last for a lifetime.

WHY DO WOOD FLOORS CRACK?

Wood expands and contracts depending on the humidity and this causes a solid wood flooring to either shrink or over expand and crack. So try to keep the humidity in the house at 45 to 50 percent. Even a small change of 4 percent in the relative humidity can cause a ten-foot area to expand by as much as one inch which may cause cracks or buckling. An engineered hard wood floor has a three-layered flooring system designed to reduce contracting. You can reduce humidity by using a dehumidifier or humidifier and by controlling the temperature within your room with blinds, curtains or transparent window films.

MAKE SURE YOU PICK A SUITABLE HARDWOOD FLOOR IN THE FIRST PLACE

You should think twice before installing hardwood flooring in an area that might be exposed to excessive moisture or get wet frequently e.g. a bathroom or basement.

And if you are unable to maintain the humidity all year long e.g. in a summer cottage, then your wooden floor is at more risk of damage.

Plus, pick a professional, experienced floor installer to make sure the floor has been properly laid in the first place. A floor specialist will allow your wood to ‘acclimatize’ or settle before installation and will pick an appropriate finish and moisture barrier.

WIPE UP SPILLS IMMEDIATELY

Wipe up spills immediately with a dry mop, paper towel or cloth. If the stain is stubborn, you might have to use a damp cloth but let the floor dry as soon as possible.

DON’T USE A WET MOP OR EXCESSIVE WATER WHEN CLEANING

Use a dry mop, cloth or vacuum cleaner to clean your floor. You do not need to invest in any specialist floor cleaners and do not use detergents or wax-based cleaners.

PROTECT YOUR FLOOR FROM HARSH SUNLIGHT

Excessive sunlight may cause colors to fade or finishes to tarnish. Keep your curtains closed during the summer afternoons or consider window tinting or laying down rugs in appropriate places.

KEEP FREE FROM GRIT OR DIRT

Keep dirt, especially gritty soil or sand out of the house. Lay down a welcome mat outside the door and add a throw rug just inside to catch out any dirt.

If you have pets with sharp nails, think about laying rugs in areas where they tend to hang out. Try not to walk on the floor with sharp stiletto heels or spiky sports shoes.

STICK FABRIC GLIDES AND PROTECTORS ON YOUR FURNITURE

Put fabric glides (protective padding) on chairs, tables, ottomans, sofa and other furniture legs. Replace them once they are worn.…