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How to select windows and doors to suit your home

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When choosing windows and doors for a building, it’s not just what you like or what you can afford that counts… There are many other indicators that need to be considered.

First of all there’s the crucial question of where the block is located, how it’s positioned, and which way you want to have the doors and windows facing. Some people use basic compass readings for this while others rely on Fung Shui methods, which are explained below:

“A good Feng Shui house is a house that attracts good Feng Shui energy, nourishes it and channels it throughout the whole house. From good quality air to a strong Feng Shui front door, there are several basic requirements for good Feng Shui in any house”.

Turquoise_-_Living_Room_-_Coastal_Living_-_Dominique_Vorillon

Dominique Vorillon

Feng Shi is the art or practice of positioning objects, especially building entries, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of Chi… The main entry door of a Feng Shui house should be designed to welcome, strengthen and channel incoming energy throughout an entire building. Believers say this will nourish a home and create good fortune for its occupants.

Believe in this practise or not, placement strategy of doors and windows — in a new or a renovated building — on particular walls can determine the kind of natural light that enters a home, and even the temperature inside. So it’s a really important decision.

Climate definitely plays a role, and doors and windows facing south will receive sunrays from morning to night, (south and west where the sun shines in the hottest part of the day receive the most heat). Glass doors and windows facing south or west should have overhangs to protect them from the harshest weather.

With windows, those that are south facing receive the most winter sun, while north facing windows are better suited to warmer climates with subdued inducted light and heat. Reflective surfaces and shading glass options as well as energy efficient factors should be considered to aid in year-round comfort.

Merits and Drawbacks of do it yourself home glass repairs

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We all know that broken glass is dangerous. And we all know that broken panes of glass are just as dangerous as they have the potential to crack and fall at any time.

And add to that personal safety concern the fact that a broken pane of glass compromises the security of your home then it becomes vital that any broken glass is replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

We all use glass widely in our homes, not just to glaze windows and door panels but also as table tops and fronts for cabinets.

Glass adds light to our homes, allowing us to have natural light stream into our rooms and letting the sun bring warmth with the light.

Used in furniture it adds glamour and elegance, giving an air of space and light that solid wood can’t provide.

And due to the amount of glass in most of our homes we have to be prepared for accidents that lead to broken glass. A ball striking a window, a dropped toy on a glass table top, a bird hitting a glass door; all accidents that happen every day and leave the home owner with the dilemma of how to repair the broken glass safely and in a timely manner. Even the extreme cold of winter or heat of summer can lead to a pane cracking due to contraction and expansion.

As soon as a pane or piece of glass is broken there are some immediate safety steps you should take:

  1. Restrict activity around the broken glass so that no one gets cut or injured in any way
  2. Safely remove any glass that is lying on the floor, putting it into a solid container. Do not put broken glass into a bag as it will just slice the bag and could easily cause injury to anyone carrying the bag.

There are occasions when you might decide to repair the broken pane yourself so here are our ‘Top Tips’ to help you decide if it is a job you can undertake yourself or one you need to call a professional in for.

Firstly, you need to consider whether you are confident in your own abilities to safely and securely replace or repair the damage. If you are confident of your abilities then there are merits.

glass repai

Ask yourself:

  1. Can I ensure a weatherproof seal that will save energy costs?
  2. What is my level of expertise in replacing/repairing damaged glass?
  3. Will I be able to maintain the safety and security of my home through my repair?

If you answered yes to these questions then you could consider ‘doing it yourself’.

The Merits of ‘Doing It Yourself’:

  1. Cheaper, no labour costs.
  2. Immediate action effectively stopping further damage or injury.
  3. You don’t have to wait around for a professional glazier to come to your home.
  4. You gain more experience and skill at replacing and repairing glass.

The Merits of a using a Professional Glazier:

  1. 100% guarantee on all jobs.
  2. Certified and accredited Specialists who have undergone stringent training and testing.
  3. Up to date knowledge on all glazing technology.
  4. Ability to safe and securely install and repair broken windows, doors, tabletops and much more.
  5. A professional repair will be better than that of even an experienced amateur.
  6. Expert advice on the best type of glass for your particular need.

Whether you choose to ‘do it yourself’ or call in a professional there is one thing to remember. Certified and fully trained professionals can always be relied on to do a guaranteed job. Most times it is best to call in the professionals and let them ensure that your home is safe and secure.

How to Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

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Glass top furniture is elegant in any room of your home. It adds the illusion of more space and light. However, just a couple of scratches and our beautiful glass tops look aged and worn. And over time dust and dirt gathers in the scratch making it even more prominent!

Here are our top tips to help you repair those scratches with ease, bringing your furniture back to its former glory.

glass repair

  1. If the scratch is very thin use a polishing cloth to rub clear whitening toothpaste into the scratch making it disappear in a flash! Make sure not to use a gel toothpaste, it must be a paste to be effective.
  2. A homemade remedy that cures glass tabletops of small scratches is simple to make and just as simple to use. Add ½ ounce of ammonia to ½ litre or water. Soak a clean cloth in the solution and rub over the scratch in a circular movement. It will clear away the scratch as though by magic! Be careful when using ammonia as it can be dangerous if misused.
  3. Clean the scratch thoroughly and then using a clean cloth that is dipped in clear nail varnish rub it over the scratch. Use another clean cloth to remove any excess nail varnish and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Then polish the table top with a glass cleaner and the scratch is gone!
  4. For deeper scratches you need to get a professional repair kit. Ask an advisor at your local furniture store about the best product to use. Make sure to be clear about the glass you need to repair; it’s depth, colour and whether it is bevelled.
  5. Another option for scratch removal kits is to visit your local home improvement centre and ask one of the specialists there for advice on the best glass removal/removal kit. Again, make sure to give them all the information about your glass top so that they can give you the best advice.
  6. This is only for those who are both brave and very competent with electric tools! Connect the disk in the repair kit to your drill and smooth the scratch away. Some kits come with a polish that you rub onto the area before using the disk to polish the scratch from the glass top surface. Be careful not to apply too much pressure as you could weaken the glass when all you need is a light touch to remove the scratch.
  7. If your scratch is really deep or long it might be best to take the glass top to have it professionally repaired.

Top Ten Tips for Sustainable Renovations

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Nowadays we are all looking for ways to lower our carbon footprint and ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’.

And something as major as renovating your property gives ample opportunity to make sustainable, environmentally sound choices.

sustainable renovation

Here are our ‘Top Ten Tips’ for Sustainable Renovations.

  1. Renovation itself is far more environmentally sound than demolition and rebuilding. Your existing property can be renovated to be the new, bright, airy home you dream of. And by renovating you are able to use existing materials and save on energy costs, too! More economical and much better for the environment.
  2. Consider whether you actually need to extend. In many cases just redesigning the floor layout of your current home meets the needs you have and again saves on cost and environmental impact.
  3. Cost analysis has proven that when you do need to extend it is more cost effective to do so on just one side of your home. It is also more energy efficient so plan to make a larger extension on one part of your home and not small ones all around.
  4. Natural light is one of the greatest assets you can bring into your home. Plan your new design around putting in as many large windows in that face North. Move your living areas to the North side of your home. If your Northern Boundary is on a boundary or close to a wall or fence then consider letting the light in through your roof! The light not only makes your home more airy and attractive but brings the warmth of the sun, too.
  5. When insulating your home don’t hold back. The legal minimum requirement is the basic benchmark. Boost the insulation of your home to lower the costs of warming and cooling your home year round! Combine reflective insulation with blanket, insulating concrete blocks or foam. Add weather stripping to your windows and doors to keep out draughts. If you don’t already have double or triple glazed windows consider retrofitting double glazing to your windows and ensure that all new windows are double glazed. Increase your insulation to increase your savings and your comfort.
  6. Consider thermal mass. What is thermal mass? It is basically a solid, such as stone, concrete, clay, bricks, rammed earth or even a body of water. It absorbs the heat from the sun during the day and slowly releases it through the cool of the night. Thermal mass is a highly efficient energy alternative to a forced air hearing system. Using the natural processes of radiation, convection and conduction it moves heat through your building. In the winter it moves heat into your home and in the summer it moves heat out, cooling your home. This creates a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout the day, year round. The orientation of your thermal mass is vital, and depends on the climate in which you are building. In cold climates orientate your thermal mass to face the winter sun while in a warm climate it should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Bear in mind that generally, the larger the thermal mass, the more efficient and effective it will be.
  7. Recycle and reuse materials as much as possible. You can reuse materials directly from your own renovation, which helps the environment and your bank balance, or you can buy environmentally sound materials such as ‘green concrete’ which uses recycled aggregate and other by-products to reduce the volume of cement in the concrete. This cuts down on the amount of carbon dioxide produced in the curing of the concrete blocks. Choose recycled hardwoods and plantation pine over other timber which is more exotic and not sustainably harvested. Bamboo is a great choice as it is fast growing, but take care that it is finished with a non-toxic varnish.
  8. Consider your air quality. Without realising it we can bring toxins into our living environments that affect the very air we breathe! Ensure that non-toxic finishing products are used on your flooring, instead of polyurethane finishes go with linseed oil for wood. And choose natural paints instead of acrylic paints which coat the walls in plastic. Even simple things like glues that are based on PVC can be easily replaced with natural glues that work with wood and tiles and are much healthier. And whenever possible choose gas wall heaters or hydronic heating panels over ducted, forced air which moves dust around a home. Even the heart of the home can bring toxins into the air; the kitchen cabinetry if made of MDF emits formaldehyde which is extremely toxic. Choose the Emission Zero (E0) boards which have close to zero emissions.
  9. Use the sun and rain to cut costs and save energy. Choose round galvanised iron tanks over plastic as they are more energy efficient. Use solar panels with evacuated tubes, the most up to date efficient way of heating water. When picking your taps and shower heads bear in mind the water usage. Consider the rebates available when you install photo-voltaic panels to generate your own power, with the ability to sell the surplus to the national grid. It may cost you more at the outset, but you will save in the longer term.
  10. When choosing appliances, size does matter! Bigger is most definitely not better, energy comparisons show that small to medium sized appliances are more energy efficient that the extra-large versions. Look at energy consumption, not just star ratings when you are picking your new appliances and choose appliances that are the size you actually need.

And, as with all things, local produced materials and items are better than foreign imports!

Creating a wet area in your bathroom

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For those who are fed up with the confines of a shower cubicle creating a wet area in your bathroom can be a great solution.

Being able to shower without a curtain or door adds a whole new dimension to the showering experience. Many people are choosing to renovate or create a bathroom that is a wet area, allowing total freedom from curtains and doors.

doorless shower

Here’s how you can bring this new decorating solution into your home:

  1. Consider placement carefully. Doors and curtains are there to serve two purposes, to give us privacy and also to keep water under control. Place your wet area in a location were the neighbours won’t be forced to join you in your ablutions and ensure that your room is designed so that splashing water won’t destroy other fixtures and fittings.
  2. A half wall or step down shower will help eliminate flooding worries.
  3. Choose the right showerhead for the purpose. A wall mounted showerhead angles water and can cause problems with leaks, but a showerhead mounted from the ceiling directs the water onto you. A showerhead that emulates rain can be a delightful choice.
  4. Drainage has to be well thought out. The floor of your open shower area has to angle towards the drain to ensure that there is no issue with standing water, which can affect the structure of your building. Also, for safety reasons you have to ensure that there is no danger of slipping on slick layer of water. You can choose to have more than one drain for added safety.
  5. And, as with all things, there is another option. If a full open shower area is not practical for your space, consider a rimless glass shower door. The removal of the rim from your shower area gives the illusion of more space and light without the expense and time of a full or partial renovation.

Bringing the beauty of plants into your bathroom

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Many of us enjoy the serene atmosphere that a well-placed plant can add to our bathrooms, elevating them to a home spa where we can relax and enjoy peace and serenity.

The creators of this beautiful bathroom mat understood that pleasure and have taken it to the next level. The mat is made from foam, plastazode, that does not decompose or rot.

moss bathroom

Each cell of the foam contains some living moss. This designer piece not only adds beauty but brings function as the humidity from steam and the water that drops from your body as you step from the bath or shower flow into the moss.

Unique and environmentally friendly, this living carpet actually helps reduced humidity in the air. So, even if you live miles from the nearest forest you can have walk barefoot on beautiful moss. Removing moisture from the air is good for your home and it feels great underfoot!

How to cut down on moisture on your windows

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The truth is that most of us have moisture on our home windows. There are so many reasons for this, ranging from natural causes such as frost to things we do in our homes such as having a high moisture content in the air with insufficient ventilation.

The scientific reason for the condensation that we see on our window panes is that moisture in the air collects on a cold surface. We have all experienced the steaming up of windows when we are cooking without using a fan for ventilation or the ‘sweat’ on the glass holding a cold drink on a hot day.

windows

The problem with long term condensation in a home is that it can lead to health issues through mildew and mold growth and also can affect the physical structure of your home by damaging your window sills and frames.

Here is our guide to measures you can take to prevent condensation in your home by cutting back on humidity (the moisture in the air):

  1. Turn on those ventilation fans in your bathroom and kitchen when you are bathing and cooking. They cut down on the moisture in the air dramatically.
  2. If you use a humidifier check that it is working properly and not adding too much moisture to your air.
  3. Make sure that your dryer is properly vented to the exterior of your home. Clear lint from the vent at least once a year to avoid blockages.
  4. If your home has single pane windows consider replacing them with Energy Star rated windows. This is particularly relevant if you have metal frames.
  5. If you can’t afford to replace your windows right now, consider storm windows as an alternative.
  6. A very affordable, short term solution is to buy a window insulation kit from your local home center and to line the panes with a shrink film or polythene sheet until you are able to replace the glazing.

All of our glazing experts will be able to discuss your options with you, to ensure that you get exactly what you Accutane need keep your home healthy and safe.

Contact us now to discover the many options open to you.

Whip Your Kitchen Back Into Shape: A Guide to Organization

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Whether you are a messy cook or have just allowed your kitchen to get a bit out of hand, here are few organizational tips that will whip your cooking area back into shape. When counters, pantries and cabinets are cluttered, it makes the task of cooking harder than it has to be. Clean up your area with a few tips from this list of ideas.

Spice It Up:

Storing spices close to the stove is the best idea in helping a cook stay organized. Keeping them in cabinets or on the walls right by the main cooking area will lessen the clutter on counters while cooking. The spices can easily be located and put back in place when not in use.

Leftovers:

For the best storage ideas for leftovers, only use clear containers. Keep the plastic wear close to the front of the refrigerator to avoid losing track of them. Using leftover vegetables, rice, potatoes, broths, meats, and other items can be great compliments to the dish you are cooking. Knowing exactly what you have on hand will save time and money.

Vegetables on Display:

Put vegetables and fruits out on display on top of your counters. Use racks that will help to stack them on top of one another. This provides you with a great way to decorate your home and keep those fresh ingredients handy.

kitchen-island-lime

Cooking Utensils:

Putting a utensil holder and knife block right next to the stove is helpful when cooking. You can easily grab these helpful utensils while you are making a meal. Having them out on the counter will keep them handy at a moment’s notice.

Whether you are an experienced chef or just starting out, keep your kitchen tidy with these organization tips.

Build it Yourself DIY Window Boxes

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A great do it yourself project that could add value to your home as well as give it some unique charm is adding window boxes to the outside of your home. First you will need to decide on what type of wood you would like to utilize. A good choice would be pre-treated Cedar planks as this type of wood can withstand the drastic environmental changes outside. Cedar planks also give your house a natural rustic look.

timber windows

To begin this project, you will need to measure the length of the window you will plan on building the box under. This will determine the amount of wood needed as well as determined length needed to complete this project. Below you will find the dimensions and amount of wood needed:

  1. (2) ¾ inch cedar planks measuring 8 inches x the length of the window
  2. (2) ¾ inch cedar planks measuring 11 inches x 8 inches (this is for the sides)
  3. (1) ¾ inch cedar plank measuring 11 inches x the length of the window (bottom)
  4. (1) Pre-treated 2 x 4 cut to the length of the window.

Now you are ready to assemble your box.

First take the two 8 inch x window length planks and the two 11 x 8 inch sides and assemble them together portray a box using wood glue and clamps along with 1 ¼ inch exterior wood screws (ensure you secure them together well). Next take the 11 inch x window length plank and secure it to the bottom once again using wood glue and exterior wood screws. Ensure the wood glue is fully dried and all exterior screws holding your box together are tight – this will help increase durability.

Once window box is fully assembled and dried it is now time to mount your window box under the desired window. This can be difficult depending on how you mount it as the window box can become quite heavy depending on what you may plan on putting inside. I have found the best way to accomplish this is by using a cleat. In order to use a cleat, first determine where the bottom of your window box will sit outside of your window. This will help to keep it steady and secured to your home. Take the pre-treated 2 x 4 that is cut to the length of your window and mount it to the wall where the bottom of your window box will be by using ¾ inch concrete screws. Ensure that your cleat is leveled and in the desired position before mounting it.

Once your cleat is mounted set the window box directly on top of ensuring it is flush with the wall. Secure the window box to the cleat using exterior wood screws, screw from the inside of the window box into the cleat. (You may have to use a number of screws to be sure that the window box is securely mounted to the cleat).

Your window box now can be decorated and filled. If you are planning on using soil inside your window box, it is a good idea to use plastic planters or line the window box with plastic as this will help with durability as it will be exposed to soil and moisture which can damage the wood. Your window box can be filled with anything you desire; from plastic plants to pinecones or even sand and sea shells. You can customize your window box any way you choose. You are only limited to your imagination so enjoy!

Valentine’s Project: Build With Your Sweetheart

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This Valentine’s Day, take some time to build unity with your sweetheart by tackling a fun home project. Working together to create something new is a great way to spend the holiday. Check out some of these simple DIY projects that can be accomplished in one day.

home project

1. Revamp the Bedroom

Take a look around your bedroom and tackle a project or two that will bring new life to your getaway spot.

  1. Picture Collage- Use an old wooden shutter to create a picture collage of special moments from your relationship. Paint the shutter a complimenting color and arrange the pictures in a decorative way.
  2. Wall Art- Glue small wood letters onto a blank canvas into phrases of love or endearment for your loved one. Spray the entire surface of the the canvas and letters with a light color, such as off white or yellow.

2. Ambient Lighting:

Hanging ambient light around your home can cast a romantic glow on your Valentine’s Day weekend.

  1. LED Picture- paint a canvas board with a dark solid color. Use an ice pick to poke holes into the canvas in the shape of your desired design. With white LED lights, poke the bulbs through the holes.
  2. Bulbs- Change the bulbs out in table lamps to red or blue to cast a beautiful shade onto the wall.

3. Spruce up the Entryway:

Make the front doorway of your love filled home inviting and completely stand out to the neighborhood.

  1. Paint- Pick a bright color to paint your front door, such as red or blue. Paint crossbars white for an added dimension.
  2. Plant Stand- If you have a covered entryway, paint a bookcase with the same paint as the door, and use for a potted flower and herb stand.