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Top Tips to Make Your Old Kitchen New

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We all know that the kitchen is the heart of every home and if your kitchen is feeling a little frayed around the edges our top tips can help you give a burst of new energy to the heart of your family home.

kitchen renovation

  1. Change out of date, worn flooring with a solid wood, stone or tile to instantly transform the appearance of your entire kitchen. We might not always think about the floor but changing the surface gives a facelift to your entire kitchen. And these products are long lasting which make them worth the investment.
  2. Replace old metal work with new modern products. Instead of the old handles, faucets, lighting and range hood you already have kick your kitchen style up a notch with some of the new metals in use in kitchens. Try brushed aluminum, nickel, copper or stainless steel to modernise your kitchen quickly and with little fuss.
  3. Most kitchens have cabinets on the walls to give more storage space, but by removing them the entire view of your kitchen instantly becomes sleeker and more modern. Consider adding floating shelves and choose a great colour to make your kitchen warm, welcoming and uber sleek.
  4. In a kitchen the countertops take up a lot of space, so don’t suffer in silence with old, cracked or peeling laminate surfaces. Choose a stone, marble, granite countertop. Or consider cork, brick or tile as an alternative to the more traditional choices. Changing the countertops changes the entire look of your kitchen.
  5. In this era of environmental awareness bringing new energy efficient appliances into your kitchen not only updates the look but allows you to lower your carbon footprint. Low flow faucets cut your water usage and you can choose ‘touch free’ technology to help keep your family healthy.
  6. Bring seating into your kitchen to allow your family to spend more time in comfort in this great room. A banquette or bench beside a window makes a great place to relax and read or do homework, while stools with a breakfast bar give space for dining, too.
  7. Even on a tight budget you can update your kitchen by painting, staining or replacing your cabinet doors. Keep the body of the cabinet and replace the fronts giving an instant facelift that makes your kitchen sparkle. Choose between distressed doors, unique glazes and paint colours or doors with details. Just adding some colour to your existing doors will make your kitchen look like new.
  8. Lighting is vital in every room for function and aesthetics, and particularly in the kitchen you need to have lighting that is adaptable and meets all of your needs. Think of recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, or floor level lighting. An overhead pendant at a dining area adds a great look and the ambiance you want and need. And for a touch of glamour consider a great chandelier.
  9. Think about how to display your decorative items elegantly and with style. Family china or your cook books can be equally beautiful in your kitchen. Display under an island, or add floating shelves to your wall space. Remember that a bowl of fresh lemons can bring a zing to your room, too, for very little cost.
  10. If your kitchen was built years ago it could feel closed in. Consider the advantages of knocking down a wall to join your living or dining area to the kitchen space. Ensure that it is a non-loading bearing wall that won’t affect your structure and bring more light into your kitchen by opening up your living spaces. Make sure to consult a professional before taking a sledgehammer to a wall.

How to Get Rid of Termite In Your House

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The Great Northern Termite, the most aggressive termites known to mankind, was not known to be found south of the Tropic of Capricorn but they have been positively identified in a fast growing colony on the Gold Coast, causing home owners concern about the damage that these fearsome insects can inflict.

Just twelve weeks is long enough for these termites to severely damage the structure of your home and they are known to eat electrical wiring and bitumen also.

So, how can you protect your home?

All home owners need to be able to identify termite damage as soon as it appears, allowing them to be able to call in the experts to rid them of the problem. Look out for:

  1. Pencil wide foraging tubes on your windows, wood siding and other wooden structures.
  2. Damaged woodwork, hollowed out along the grain with mud or grit along the damage.
  3. Winged ‘swarmer’ termites along the floor or windowsills.

termite removal

And to reduce the risk of infestation in the first place take the following action:

  1. Don’t let moisture build up around your foundation: Termites are attracted to moisture and will be more likely to colonise your property if there is constant moisture around your foundations. Divert water from your property with gutters and downspouts that are regularly cleaned and use splash blocks to keep the water from the soil around your home. Keep your faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units well maintained to reduce leaks. And even something as simple as making sure that your lawn sprinkler isn’t causing puddles around your home can vastly reduce your risk of being colonised.
  2. Reduce the contact of wood with the soil: Many infestations come from structural wood being in contact with the damp ground. Having your wood on the soil gives termites easy access and a safe home with lots to eat. Keep your wooden structures, such as latticing, wood siding or any other wood work, at least six inches from the ground to discourage the destructive insects. Bear in mind that pressure treated wood is not immune to termites, and even bedding wood in concrete will not deter termites who will enter through cracks or cut ends.
  3. Keep your crawl space low in humidity: Keep your vents free from debris build up which increases the humidity and attracts termites to the condensation and moisture build up. Ensure that your vapor barrier and vents are up to code and reduce the humidity in your crawl space by installing 4-6ml polyethylene sheeting over about 75% of the soil surface.
  4. Don’t store firewood or other wood against your foundation or inside your crawl space: By doing that you are setting up an ‘all you can eat’ buffet for the termites, and providing a hidden path for them to enter, bypassing any other deterrents you have invested in such as a termiticide soil barrier. Cardboard and old newspapers are also invitations to termites so keep your crawl space and foundation debris free at all times. Remove old tree stumps or rotting wooden structures as quickly as you can, to prevent termites discovering a way into your home.
  5. When gardening mulch sparingly: Mulch is an attractive and environmentally friendly approach to use in gardening, but unfortunately it is also attractive to termites. It is not a preferred food but it offers moisture and shelter. Other products such as pea gravel and crushed stone are just as attractive to the destructive creatures so keep your mulch to a maximum of two to three inches and ensure it is not in contact with your windows or wood sidings.
  6. Consider having a professional treat your home as a preventative measure: All buildings have openings which termites see as an invitation to move in. Using the above measures will make your home less attractive but a termiticide is the best prevention.

How to Service your Patio Doors with ease

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The great Australian way of life is living outdoors with the comfort and ease of indoor domesticity? And the best way to achieve this is with a modern or classic patio doors that seamlessly bridge your living areas with your veranda or garden. But, do your patio doors function seamlessly?

There are a number of issues that owners of appendages to glass patio doors can experience and the best wayto trouble shoot these is to examine them one-by-one and check them off the handy person’s ‘to do’ list. These are: roller adjustments especially after spring or autumn cleaning; panel reversing; insect screen installation, removing or replacing; and/or issues with between safety-glass blinds.

One of the main benefits of between-glass blinds is never, ever, having to dust the slats again. However, there are rules of engagement when operating the blinds. For one, the glass-enclosed blinds should be operated slowly and steadily and never at high speed or with sudden jerks or the operator may stall and need to be re-engaged.

Patio door repair

Here are the correct steps to take to re-engage the blind operator:

  1. Firstly, make sure the operator is at the bottom of the unit and not detached from the glass
  2. Secondly, the operator needs to be moved slowly up and down the glass until the first ‘clicking’ sound occurs
  3. Then, continue moving the operator slowly up the glass until the second ‘clicking’ sound’, which suggests the operator is fully engaged
  4. Finally, run the blind through its cycle a couple of times to ensure it;s fully functional and secure

With panel reversing (which means sliding open from the other side) … One would need to know exactly what one is doing so, if in doubt, engage a professional. Otherwise look carefully at the instructions before embarking on the task. Adjusting the rollers is something one might want to do to hide a weather strip and clear the sill track or make sure the door is adjusted to the correct height.

Ultimately, insect screens should be attached to outside of the operating panel of the glass patio doors. And, always follow the instructions to the letter and make sure the corner screws are adjusted correctly.

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.

How to add value to your home using ‘curb appeal’

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‘Curb appeal’ you might ask what is that? Certainly, this glass afficionada had to stop and think for more than just a moment, but then the penny dropped and realisation dawned that ‘curb appeal’ is what can be seen and appreciated at first glance of a house and front garden from the street or the curb when walking or driving past that precious patch of homespun pride and joy.

Ask any real estate vendor and they’ll tell you that it’s common knowledge that would-be purchasers have already made up their minds as to how much your house is worth by the time they reach the front porch to view the interior and back of the property. And, not just from doing their homework prior to the inspection, but mostly from that all-important first impression from the vantage point of the ‘curb’.

Curb apeal

Apparently, many realtors advise their clients to update front-facing windows and doors when arranging to put a property on the market, and often also include the entire suite round the house. The end reaping of profit far outshines the cost of undertaking these renovations. Increased energy efficiency also plays a large part in sales-price expectation and newly updated double-glazed glass windows and screen doors are much-desired features at property auctions.

When considering upgrades, the original style of a home should carefully be considered. For example, if the house is new then the lines should be clean and modern, but if it dates back more than a decade, then the architecture and era of the property should be factored in with any upgrades fitting in with the original house style. This also includes the garage door, which is prominent feature, and could be an eye sore and so detract from the fiscal value of the property.

Front and back gardens should also reflect the owner’s lifestyle and hedge pruning and lawn trimming is an absolute must unless you had the foresight to put in a native garden that looks better when it sprawls wild and beautiful and, with a worm bed, saves an absolute mint in wasted water and aching gardener’ backs.

Home Improvement Tips for Summer

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Our home is probably the biggest purchase we will ever make and it is important for home owners to protect that investment with careful home maintenance.

Over the summer is the perfect time to check our home for needed maintenance and repairs.

summer home improvement

Consider these areas of your home:

  1. Siding: Siding is not just cosmetic! Quality, well maintained siding protects the underlying structure of your home, so it is essential to have siding repaired as soon as the need arises. Insulated siding also closes off air flow and increases your home’s energy efficiency.
  2. Heating, Ventilating and Cooling Systems: It is considered a good practise to have a HVAC professional examine your systems yearly to ensure that they are running at optimal levels. Also, bear in mind that an air conditioning unit that is ten or fifteen years old is probably costing you more than it would to replace it. Investing in a new unit will help you reduce your energy costs.
  3. Roof: Your roof takes a lot of wear and tear each year from the passing seasons, so have your roof inspected when it is warm and have any repairs carried out before the weather turns cold once more. Replace damaged or missing shingles, flashing or any other areas of damage. Clear your gutters of debris to ensure that you don’t have flooding issues.
  4. Windows: Energy efficient windows make a huge difference in heating and cooling costs. Select double or triple panes windows that have argon or a similar gas between the panes. Check for a warranty and references before choosing a window installer.
  5. Draughts: Windows are not the only way that draughts can get into a home. Check that doors are correctly hung and that insulation is sufficient. Replace insulation, repair cracks in the mortar or brickwork and foundations. Cracks allow not only air leaks, but water and insects to gain access to your home. Draughts also reduce indoor air quality and can cause difficulties for children, elderly and sufferers of allergies or asthma.

Take advantage of the warm weather and longer daylight hours of summer to give your home a health check and bring it back up to standard, protecting your investment, health and lifestyle.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Island

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No matter how well designed a kitchen is one thing we all crave is more counter space. And with a kitchen island we can have just that. No matter the size or design of your kitchen there is an island that will meet your needs.

kitchen island

Here is our list of the top kitchen islands, one of which is sure to fit into your kitchen:

  1. Built in Island – the kitchen is the heart of every home and your kitchen island can be the heart of your kitchen, with space for your family to gather, work and play together in the cozy environment of your kitchen and under island storage for pots, pans and other kitchen essentials.
  2. Mobile Cart Island – an island that is there when you need it and moves out of the way to create more space when you don’t need it. Consider a mobile cart with storage underneath to meet dual purposes.
  3. Re-claimed Islands – it may have been a dining table, a dresser or even a butcher’s block. Now, it is the extra counter space that you need in your kitchen. Restore and restyle an old piece of furniture to fit into your kitchen design.
  4. Small Space Island – an island with open storage underneath will give the illusion of space and light while offering extra storage space. Make your island work even harder by affixing hooks for towels and other kitchen items.
  5. Islands with Seating – the island can become the centre of your kitchen, with space for kids to do their homework while you prepare a meal. Consider tall stools to fit into a working height island to make it multi-purpose.
  6. Update your current Island – replace hardware, even doors, to give your kitchen island a face lift, or strip it back to the wood and give it an entirely new treatment to update your kitchen’s style points.

As you can see, there are kitchen islands to fit every space and meet every demand, so give your kitchen a makeover by adding an island that makes your kitchen space more versatile.

Energy Efficient Windows

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Windows add light and character to our homes, yet they can also create a huge drain on energy if they are not carefully selected and installed.

Installing energy efficient glazing is the best answer and will repay the initial outlay over just a few years, but if finances are tight then there are some simple steps that can be taken to improve energy efficiency and save money until new glazing is an option.

Add storm windows, caulk and weather strip to reduce air leaks and use drapes to reduce heat loss in the window and to stop heat gain in the summer.

When considering windows, minimise the number of windows on the east, west and north facing walls while still allowing for adequate natural lighting. Windows on the south facing wall should have a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of greater than 0.6 to maximise energy efficiency.

energy efficient window

The aim is to maximise heat gain in the winter and minimise it in the summer, so bear in mind the number and size of your windows to ensure that your energy usage is maximised. Low emissivity glazing can help control solar heat gain in heating dominated areas.

Similarly, major glazing areas should generally face south to collect solar heat when the sun is low in the sky in winter, while during the summer overhead overhangs and other shading devices will help prevent excessive heat gain.

A coated glazing will help reduce energy costs by controlling heat transfer. A virtually invisible coating of metal or metallic oxide saves energy costs as does a tinted glass which reflects light in summer and absorbs in winter.

Also, take into consideration how your windows open as some styles have lower air leakage rates than others.

Awning style, were the window is hinged and the top and opens outwards has a lower leakage than sliding windows due to the sash pressing against the frame. Hopper windows, hinged at the bottom and that open inwards also have lower leakage rates. Casement windows are hinged at the side and also have a lower leakage rate.

Fixed panes, when fitted properly, have zero leakage but are not desirable in areas where ventilation is required. Single and double hung and sliding sashes that slide vertically or horizontally have a higher air leakage rate than hinged windows.

Effects of Interior Design on Wellness

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It is well known that a well-designed space induces feelings of well-being whilst a space that is poorly conceived and designed adversely affects not only our emotional but physical well-being. And recent studies have cemented this knowledge by quantifying how interior design affects the well-being of those who use the space.

Noisy environments affect inhabitants’ peace of mind and can cause anxiety and confusion while poorly designed layouts that are clumsy or difficult to navigate have similar effects.

A space that is designed with thought results in an atmosphere that can be restful or energising, helping the inhabitants reach a state of mind that is conducive to the activities that take place within the environment.

interior design

Medical facilities need to give mind to ensuring that patient areas allow for rest and recovery, with rehabilitation suites being designed to energise and motivate. Office buildings that fail to meet the socialisation and personal needs of staff will soon fall behind counterparts which include a lounge/eating area away from the workstations. Schools and other academic institutions with quiet areas for study soon reap the rewards of careful, thoughtful design and planning, with students achieving greater successes and maintaining lower stress levels while building self-esteem. And conversely there needs to be consideration given to privacy, with inhabitants of a space able to have privacy when needed. A lack of socialisation and/or privacy will equally lead to stress reactions in occupants.

Colour is also something that merits serious consideration, as the colours chosen for a space have a major impact on the mood and wellbeing of the inhabitants. Soothing, warm colours aid restful sleep, healing and meditation, while cooler, more active colours wake the senses and demand action. An incorrect colour choice can make an otherwise restful bedroom impossible to sleep in or cause drowsiness in an environment which demands action.

Consideration needs to be given to the correct lighting for each room. Rooms that have no natural light can cause stress if inhabited for long periods of time also have adverse effects on well-being.

House

Heart rate and blood pressure have been found to be affected by environment and it is vital that each space is designed to maximise its intended function. Positive stimulation in an environment will allow for the best possible use of each space, while a space that is too stimulating, in terms of lighting, colour and sound, can lead to inhabitants suffering from stress while at the opposite end of the spectrum apathy, depression and plain boredom can occur.

A well designed, thoughtfully decorated space will aid occupants achieve their aim at the same time as maximising well-being, while poor design will hinder results and result in decreased well-being.

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.