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Superior Alternative To Wicker Patio Furniture! Plastic!

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When it comes to buying furniture for your lawn or an outdoor terrace, a common choice that many people go for is wicker patio furniture. Wicker is the term used to refer to the method of weaving a plant fiber. This method is widely used to make baskets as well as small tables. Since wicker furniture is made of a fiber, it is light weight as well as strong. Therefore, it becomes easy to carry it from one place to another.

Plastic furniture is also common to be used as garden furniture. However, there are several reasons why plastic furniture is preferred over wicker furniture. A few disadvantages of using wicker furniture are listed below:

Wicker furniture uses wooden frames and hence, if placed outside in rain, the wooden frames are subject to rotting.

Since, wicker is made from plant fibers, insects and termites are easily attracted by it.

A prolonged exposure to heat can make the wicker furniture dry while a prolonged exposure to cold can make the furniture brittle.

The better the quality of the woven wicker patio furniture is, the more expensive it is. The reason is that more effort as well as labor is required to weave the fibers into a fine mesh.

Hence, a major problem with wicker patio furniture is that it does not last long outdoors. Humidity, cold weather or sun- in all these cases wicker furniture is damaged. Moreover, it is necessary to clean the furniture on a daily basis if you wish to make it last longer. Plastic patio furniture, on the other hand, has a number of features that wicker furniture does not offer:

Plastic furniture can be designed in a number of ways and is also cheap to buy. Therefore you do not need to worry about your cost when it comes to buying plastic furniture. Even the highest quality of plastic furniture can be bought at an affordable price.

Plastic furniture does not need any wooden framing for it. For example, the entire table can be made of a strong plastic. This makes plastic furniture light weight. You can easily carry it inside if you wish to protect it from rain or a hot weather.

You will be able to find a huge variety of plastic patio furniture in the market. You can get plastic furniture designed in a texture and color that looks like wood or any other metal.

Plastic furniture does not require any maintenance other than dusting. Furniture made of steel is prone to rust while wood can be damaged upon exposure to humidity. You can place the plastic furniture out in the cold weather or in the rain and it would not get damaged like wicker patio furniture.

Hence, in almost every aspect plastic patio furniture is better than wicker patio furniture. Plastic furniture is cheaper, sturdier and at times more elegant than wicker furniture.

Energy Efficiency Tips For College Students

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Speaking as a graduate student who has been living on her own since March, I try every possible way to be energy efficient in order to help conserve our planet as well as help my wallet! At this day and age it seems like being energy efficient is a fad or trend but it should be looked as a way of life that is here to stay. There are many resources available for people to become educated and aware of the problems that are ongoing and finding ways of fixing them. It is up to us to practice energy efficiency in order to protect the environment and save some money while were at it.

When picking a location to live for college, opt to get a place closest to campus or on campus. This way you can walk or ride a bike to class instead of driving to school. My university is a commuter school and because of that they have made a go green ride incentive where students are grouped together depending on where they live and receive better parking if they decide to carpool. Although this is not the most popular option, more and more students are turning to it. Even in my cohort, students have posted on our message board if anyone wishes to carpool. This is something that has yet to be fully developed but it is on its way.

In the community where I live, I know that we can ask for a free air filter every month. Although replacing the filter monthly does create extra trash, the air conditioner will be able to run more efficiently with a cleaner air filter. Ideally buying a reusable air filter that is replaced once a month is the best solution, but for houses or apartment complexes that dont offer free air filters, the air conditioning will work more efficiently if the filter is replaced.

Since my days as a graduate student consist of going to class and then studying and reading, I tend to come home some days to have lunch or just do some work at my apartment instead of on campus. I have learned to open the blinds and let the sun shine in. Never will there be sunlight outside and light on in my apartment unless there is a storm or it is gloomy. The lights only go on when the sun sets. Reading and writing may be done near a window or even outside, whichever is your preference. In this manner, I end up saving half of what I would probably be using in electricity.

If you are living in a dorm room with a roommate and have separate TVs and/or refrigerators, attempt to consolidate and invest in one refrigerator. Label each of your items so that they are not confused and locate it in a common area for both of you to have access. Same goes with the television. From what I remember in college I hardly got to watch TV and one was definitely enough for me so there is no need to have a TV in each room. Again, use whichever TV and locate it in the common area so that both you and your roommate may enjoy it, as well as any guests you may have over.

One of the things that is a bit annoying about going away for college and living in an apartment is the fact that youre usually only there for a couple semesters out of the entire year. Some students opt to stay during the summer while others return home for a break. Luckily there is a plan offered by the Texas electricity company, Bounce Energy, called Nifty 9 which allows the customer to lock in a fixed rate for 9 months. This is ideal for those who are also living in an apartment while away at school for 9 months out of the year. With the Nifty 9, Bounce Energy also plan makes sure to also reward its customers. When you pay your bill on time you receive benefits such as bill credits, movie tickets, companion airfare, and a free electricity bill!

Whether it is through Bounce Energy or any other company, look into the plans and contracts that are offered to see which is most efficient for you and your situation. This research is sure to be homework that will definitely benefit you in the future!

A Few Kitchen Remodel Tips Could Save You Lots of Time and Money!

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Thinking about the financial aspects of your kitchen remodeling project before you start spending money is not only wise, but necessary! You do not want to get half way into it and discover you may have to get a loan or stop all together.

Understanding the rate of return on your investment (ROI) while keeping in mind how it can pay off is possibly the best of the kitchen remodel tips. In most cases, a remodel will pay for itself (and maybe more) when you sell your home. But you have to be diligent. Remodeling projects have a way of getting out of hand, if we’re not careful.

Generally, kitchen remodels are the highest pay-back projects you can do. But, they’re the also the most expensive sometimes. Average major remodels can pay you back by about 91% and minor remodels will pay back at close to 99% of your investment. These are averages, so its good to realize that the numbers (91% and 99%) are the average return, meaning that just as many people got back more than that as less than.

So, first: Decide on a budget! Not just pulling figures out of the air because, as the numbers above show, many people actually loose money on their kitchen remodels. The smart ones MAKE money. The most important of the kitchen remodel tips is to create a workable plan, including a budget, at the very beginning. This means finding out what’s out there, deciding on what will work best for your family and ferreting out the best deals. Your goal should be to have a dynamite kitchen for the cost of a firecracker!

Block out some time to go to the big box retailers, plumbing stores and design stores (lighting, tile, flooring, etc.). Talk to anyone who you think can offer insight or help. Be open to ideas. Scrimping in one area may allow you to splurge in anotherwhich could make a tremendous difference to the finished project! If you’ll be doing the work yourself (and you should nowadays) you’ll need to actually draw what you have in mind. Nothing professional (or even artistic) but something you can show to members of your family, the people at the home improvement stores and other places to get your ideas across. Get a pad of blue-line graph paper (8-1/2X11) and use a pencil. No ruler or straight-edge, just pad and pencil.

Consider opening up a wall to allow the kitchen to have visual access to other areas (dining room, living room) which creates the illusion of more space for both areas. Define the kitchen space by adding a soffit, sloping a ceiling or building an island or peninsula where the wall was. If you entertain, this is especially important as it will allow those in the kitchen to stay connected to others outside the kitchen. Also, look into laminate flooring. Its inexpensive, warm, comes in lots of styles and is very easy to clean.

Kitchen lighting has come a long way, baby! Thoughtfully consider combining direct lighting with indirect lighting. And, forget those huge fluorescent ceiling fixtures. They’re harsh and bad for the environment. Today, small eco-frendly lighting comes in hundreds of iterations and you can find these in beautiful direct and indirect lighting systems. Under cabinet, ceiling mount, recessed, spot, flood and in-cabinet are some of the designs you have to work with. NOTE: In most states you’ll need to work with an electrician for major installations.

And, always keep safety in mind. If you have small children, factor in cabinet door locks, oven locks, non slip flooring, childproof outlet covers and never leave knives lying around. In fact, your kitchen will be much safer if you simply remember that accidents (slips, cuts, shocks and burns) happen in a flash. Design to eliminate or reduce these possibilities. For more information and tips, go to RemodelQuickTips.com and click on KITCHEN TIPS in the left hand navigation list.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Built-Up Roofing Systems

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Generally, roofs with slants and inclines are favored by most residential and commercial residences. Their natural ability to dispose of rain and snow without having to install substantial amounts of insulation has made them an effective and affordable option.

A built-up roof is an integument made up of alternating layers of tar and asphalt materials. They have been used in the U.S. for almost a century and are usually referred to as tar and gravel roofs, as these are some of the primary materials used in its construction.

Built-up roofing takes coal tar-saturated cotton fabrics and gravel-like materials, like asphalt, to assemble alternating layers of bitumen (tar) and roofing felts or ply sheets directly over the roof decks and insulation. The tar is used to soak into the roofing felt and durably hold all the elements together.

Built-up roofing has been around since the 1840s as a reliable option that was readily available for installing new roofs. All it requires is three essential components: a waterproofing component, a reinforcing component and a surfacing component. Most roofs apply variations of these components to create more durable, waterproof roofs. Some even apply 10 ply sheets to one roof! This helps ensure the roof against potential leaking from entering the home while creating a stable platform for any solar panels or roof gardens installed on the roof.

Built-up roofs are very dependable and work great for many reasons, however, they do have some drawbacks. The maintenance of the roof seems to be the primary concern. Built-up roofs are built flat and as one so when a leak occurs it can be difficult to place the location of it, causing one to have to dismantle the entire roof. 1. In order to avoid major damage, maintenance must take place on the roofing system regularly. Re-asphalting the layers is usually not necessary if the roofing surface is properly cared for. This would include draining the rain that forms on the roof after storms and remodeling the top layer with reflective materials to prevent heat damage.

However, because built-up roofs are flat the task of removing layers are much easier. It also creates flexibility in terms of what you can add to your roofing space, should you so desire. Roofing gardens and solar panels are much more easy to install on flat roofs than traditional sloped rooftops.

Then benefits of this type of roof are great, however, the drawbacks are something to consider. Keep in mind that these roofs require a bit of maintenance and labor, the larger the roof the greater the responsibility for upkeep. If your ultimate goal is to save money, this option would be the most cost-effective.

Ceramic Oil Diffuser

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Aromatherapy is a holistic therapy which aims to provide physical, mental as well as spiritual well-being to an individual. The essential oils used in aromatherapy helps to prevent ill-health, thus promoting a sense of overall well-being.

The term Oil Diffusers refer to certain devices that are used in scenting a home or workplace with different kinds of fragrances. These fragrances help in increasing the energy levels, reducing stress and anxiety and in altering moods. Oil diffusers disperse essential oils and fragrance oils into the air in a restricted manner. Diffusers have the capability to disperse a very small amount of oil in a wider area. Aromatherapy diffusers and essential oil diffusers are available in a multitude of colors and designs. An aromatherapy diffuser used in conjunction with the right essential oils can provide the user numerous benefits. It can even cure insomnia as well as reduce mental stress, anxiety and depression.

Today, different kinds of oil diffusers are available in the market and they employ various modes of functioning. Some of the most common types of oil diffusers include Steam Oil Diffusers, Forced Air Oil Diffusers, Light Ring Oil Diffusers, Dashboard Oil Diffusers, Reed Oil Diffusers, Candles, Heated Pad Oil Diffusers, Low Heat Oil Diffusers, Ceramic Oil Diffusers, Candle Heated Burner Oil Diffusers and Homemade Oil Diffusers.

Ceramic Oil Diffusers do not generally involve heat . They totally depend on room temperature, sunlight, or even a small breeze to disperse the fragrance. If the space is limited or if it is not possible to burn candles, reed diffusers, ceramic light rings and potpourri can be used to release fresh fragrances into the air and enliven any space. An important benefit of Ceramic Shells is that they often last a little longer than the other diffusers. They may retain the scent in a small area for about a day.

However, one of the major disadvantages of Ceramic Oil Diffusers is that as they do not use disposable pads, there is a possibility that the oil might permeate the container. Then, you will have to treat the ceramic with compatible oils.

Helpful Pointers to Keep in Mind When Restoring Wooden Flooring

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A well laid out wooden floor is a thing of beauty; it could be just hardwood floors or the more beautiful parquet flooring, but whatever the type, it definitely brings elegance and class to any home. The only drawback to using wooden flooring is that it is very expensive and they are easily scratched by people walking across the floor with sand and grit under the sole of their shoes.

A Dusty Business

The best way to do a wooden floor restoration company that has undergone a lot of damage is to sand the floor down and then do the necessary restoration work and polishing the floor before applying the final coat of varnish and/or other protective coats. Unfortunately the sanding work is sometimes very disruptive and causes a lot of dust, but some of the better companies in the United Kingdom do not use the old-fashioned drum sanders anymore; they use the latest high tech machines that use continuous belt machinery, which is completely dust-free. Moving along with this unit is a mobile extraction unit which catches all of the wood dust thrown up.

Different Grades of Sanding

A professional wooden floor restoration company would use the following floor sanding tips to maximize and speed up their repair work without causing too much disruption to the household. The first tip is to remove all the furniture from the room being restored, as the sander will have to reach all corners of the room to get the best possible finish. Remove any nails or other materials that are standing upright as it could damage the machinery during the sanding process. Remove the old floor polish along with any imperfections on the wood completely using coarse-grade sandpaper. Next the floor is sanded again using a medium-grade paper before finishing the sanding process with very fine-textured sandpaper for a really smooth finish.

Professional Restoration

The best floor sanding advice that could be given to people who wish to try and do the job themselves is that, while the thought is admirable, the final result may not be to their liking as this is a very complicated process and to repair any errors that might be caused during the job could turn out to be very expensive. Small areas of wooden flooring could be done as a DIY project, but bigger areas of wooden flooring, especially parquet flooring, is best left to the professionals. A professional wooden floor restorer knows how much sanding has to be done to get the floor ready for the protective coating or sealant that needs to be applied. If the restoration work is done properly, then regular maintenance is all that is needed to keep the wooden floor in perfect condition for decades.

Led Lighting Company In India – Energy Saving Necessity

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Spreading of industrialization world over and population explosion, our natural resources have been ever shrinking. In India, the last two decades the rise of spending power of the middle class has increased their energy consumption drastically. Each and every family have around 2 to 4 bedroom flats, with one or more television, fridge, Air conditioners, and lighting to illuminate their homes . Over dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like coal powered energy stations screams for the expansion of energy saving systems by bringing in LED lighting company in India. The LED lights are designed in such a manner, that they can last longer and consume a lot less energy than their previous counterparts. A LED lighting company proudly states that their products with help the new urban India reduce its ever growing energy consumption drastically, with new and improved array of products. They boast, with their enhanced technology they have created a new range of products which with not only last longer and stay brighter but will also be cost effective as well.
Urban India is moving a step ahead with the rest of the developed world in the area of good quality LED Lighting, with the presence of LED lighting company in India. LED lighting Delhi, have a wide variety of products which aims to brighten up the streets of the urban jungle. They are revved up to meet the ever growing demands of LED lighting services by these products which not only have longer life, but also encompass smaller size, better design, light output with no ultra violet and infra red radiation that is harmful to our eyes. They are a lot safer to use because of lower voltage and lower heat operation.
A new LED lighting company in India said that LED lighting is the future, and the next wave of revolutionary lighting systems. LED products are more brilliant and emit higher color saturation when compared to conventional light sources. You get different color effect from the same light source, which is good for home use for decorative purposes in festivals like Deepavali. These products from LED lighting company are also said to have unbreakable plastic bulbs, weather proof, and shock proof to a certain degree. Also has silent operation and fast switching capabilities. Development of solar powered LED lighting India has even a brighter future.

LED lighting services have proven to be a the best lighting solution for places which need to be lit for a long duration of time such as streets, parking areas, reception areas, living rooms, hallways, restaurants, offices, kitchens ,lobbies etc. They do have more of a initial cost, but due to their efficiency, longevity, more durable compared to conventional breakable fluorescent bulbs, and also reduces trips to the doctor because of low UV imitations they turn out to be more cost effective solution. LED lighting services have also been developed to make benefit of the best renewable source of energy Sun. LED lighting services are the most efficient lighting service available in market today, reducing the damage done to your pocket and suits your varied needs.
Reference website: www.ikioledlighting.com

Hardiplank Siding Is Great, But How Can You Find The Right Contractors

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So you bought a home that has wood siding on it? Or maybe you have vinyl or hardiplank siding on it already and it’s damaged/needs to be replaced. You may have thought about purchasing a new home made of brick, or stone. Then you realize this is going to be 4 times more expensive than your current mortgage. Then you’re back to fixing your current siding. Don’t make the siding job to your home more complicated than it has to be. Sure, an all brick home can be appealing, but sometimes you need to work with what you have.

Hardiplank siding is the best alternative to buying a brick home.

Hardiplank siding is so durable and tough that you actually will never have to paint your home again. It does not decay or rot. Your home will look like new for years to come with hardiplank siding protecting your home’s structure. Have you ever watched those videos where a roof, or side of a home is ripped apart by a storm and blown several miles down the road? If you said yes, you did not watch a hardiplank siding home withstand the storm. This siding is so tough that it will not crumble in above average situations such as high winds.

I have yet to see a hardiplank siding job that a homeowner is unhappy about. You can tell the difference almost instantly. Hardiplank doesn’t only make your home more appealing, but protects your family inside. No leaks, no cracks.

So if hardiplank is something you are thinking about doing, there are some simple ground rules you need to follow to make sure you do not get ripped off. There are some mean hardiplank installers out there trying to feed on the uneducated homeowners. They promise the best, install a decent product, and charge you a premium price. With that being said, the best thing you can do to protect yourself, is educate yourself about hardiplank siding. Knowledge is power, and it couldn’t be more true in situations such as these.

Before you even call any hardiplank siding contractors, I suggest you surf the web for as much information about hardiplank siding as possible. This is where many homeowners fall short. They simply make an appointment to have a sales representative teach them. Sales representatives are not the people you want teaching you about hardiplank siding. You want someone who isn’t going to force you to buy something. This is where the internet comes into play. Use the search engines to find out what the best hardiplank siding is, what the worst is, what you should expect to pay, what color options you have, and what makes hardiplank siding so special. After you have learned enough that you feel comfortable enough to teach someone else, then you can begin calling contractors to schedule free estimates.

Ask the hard questions. The meetings with these hardiplank siding contractors will become more and more fun as each one comes and goes and you realize who is full of it and who isn’t. Make sure to take notes from each visit to review your best offers later. When it is all said and done, you should be completely satisfied with the hardiplank siding contractor you chose to work on your home.

For more money saving tips and tricks when doing home improvement projects to your house, keep in touch with our articles on here.

Bathroom Designs With Ceramic Tile

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Choosing your bathroom design is an extremely important decision for many homeowners. It is a consensus among real estate experts that the bathroom is one of the rooms that adds the most value to any home. Therefore, it is extremely important when choosing a design for your tiling.

Ceramic is a popular choice for designing bathrooms because of its reasonable price and beautiful look. Further, ceramic tile may be used for both floor tiling and wall tiling. There are several different options that many folks can take when choosing a bathroom design using ceramic tile. Regardless of the design that you choose to use, there are a few key guidelines that you should always take into consideration before making a decision:

1. Consistency- When designing with ceramic tile, it is essential that homeowners stay consistent throughout the design process. This means that if you should choose to use a certain color palette for your floor tile, you should always stay consistent with the type of tile you choose to use for your wall tiles so that you can achieve a consistent look in the room.

2. Stay creative- Even though you should be consistent when choosing a color palette, you can still be quite creative with ceramic tiles. That is, you should choose different sizes for the floor tiles and the wall tiles. Another interesting way to stay creative is by laying the floor tiles on a diagonal, as opposed to laying them straight. This design pattern will provide a diamond shaped look, and will help make your bathroom look unique or different than other bathrooms. You can also choose to lay the wall tiling in a diagonal pattern as well.

3. Make small changes for a big impact- One way to make a big impact with ceramic tiles is by using an accent color and creating a pattern for that color. For example, you can choose one off color tile and lay it every 4 tiles throughout the bathroom. This may sound like it is contradicting the consistency guideline, but if you are consistent in your creativity, these small changes can make a huge impact in the overall look and feel of your bathroom.

Choosing bathroom tiles can be a daunting task, but designing with ceramic tile can be quite cost effective, while continuing to maintain a high end look. I have provided three guidelines for designing with ceramic tile; however, these are not the be-all design. Seeking the advice of a design professional is recommended when make major changes to your bathroom. Good luck with your project and remember to always have fun while doing it.

Box Spring Beds Or Slat Beds

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A good nights rest is one of the most important things for some people. They will go to great lengths to find a bed and mattress that will provide them with the support they need to have a good nights rest. Today there are two basic types of beds that are prevalent in the Western world. Box spring beds and slat beds.

For some people the differences may not even be worth thinking about, but there are differences between the two that make some people choose the one over the other.

Most traditional beds these days are box spring beds and not slat beds. This means that the frame of the bed has a box with supportive springs inside it. The mattress is places on top of this frame. This gives the bed the springy feel that they tend to have. While these beds are the most prevalent these days, they are not the only ones.

While technically an older design, slat beds are still available in many places and are actually chosen over the newer design. Slat beds are bed frames that have parallel slats running between the headboard and the foot of the bed. Depending on the design they may be horizontal or vertical but this is usually style choice rather than for any practical reason. The mattress is placed upon the frame and supports it quite effectively.

In contrast to the box spring bed, the slat bed tends to give the sleeper a little more support because of its more rigid structure. That is why when you purchase a slat bed you must purchase a mattress that will give the necessary support that is absent. Most furniture stores will be able to help you select a mattress appropriate for a slat bed so you do not have to worry about the specific mattress that you will need. Slat beds also have more space under the bed since it is not taken up by the large box spring.

This makes them ideal for childrens rooms or wherever things need to be stored under the bed.

Finally, because they give the extra-added support from the rigid slats, they tend to be more comfortable in some cases and also better for people with various back problems. Slat beds come from the past and yet they are still sought after in many places in the Western world. They come in a variety of forms from bunk beds, the camper beds to normal beds. Built sturdy and tough they offer you the support that you are not likely to find in a box spring bed and also take up much less space in the bedroom. All you have to do is make sure that you have the perfect mattress to go with your bed and you will soon be drifting off into blissful slumber.