How To Get Your House Ready For Winter

~ This is a featured post. ~

The nights are getting longer, the temperatures are falling and the leaves are changing colour: it’s definitely that time of year when we leave summer behind and get into autumn. Before you know it, there’ll be ice on the car and snow on the ground.

These first few weeks of cooler weather usually prompt us to dig out the big, cosy sweaters and boots as the seasons change. Some of us start putting the heating on in the evenings and - would you believe it? - you’re still feeling a bit chilly.

If you feel the cold even after putting on the heating and adding several layers, you may wish to see where all that heat is going and how you can warm up your home. Here are some hints and tips to help you out.

Look at insulation

Most of the heat generated from your home’s boiler is lost through your roof (25%) and walls (35%) so, if you have a chilly house, have a look at these and see what you can do. It may be that you need to improve what insulation you’ve already got, or add any that’s not been installed at all.

Try putting in roof insulation first, as this will be relatively easy and cheap to do. There are many different options for you to choose from, so see what best suits your situation.

How you insulate your walls depends on the age of your property: if it was built before the 1920s it will probably have solid walls, and anything before will usually have cavity ones. Cavity walls can be injected with an insulating material; solid walls need insulating either internally or externally.

Also check for gaps around external doors, for example. If you find any - and this will include items such as letter openings on doors, or chimneys - draught-proof them so you don’t lose heat from these areas.

Boost your heating

First, have a look at your boiler. If it’s an old, inefficient unit, you may want to think about replacing it for something newer and more cost-effective.

Also, check out your radiators. If they take a while to warm up, it may be because there’s trapped air in them, valves are open or shut when they shouldn’t be, or the radiators themselves need to be flushed.

If you have any large rooms in your house, you may want to add another heating unit to help make this area a little warmer for those cooler times. One option you could consider is a balanced flue gas stove: it has the good looks and cosy nature of a wood-burning stove, but the convenience and control of gas heating. This would be great in a living room where you spend time with your friends and family.

Check your windows

About 10% of your home’s heat will escape through your windows. This will be through small gaps that may be the result of age or the windows being badly installed, and radiation through the glazing.

The way your windows open may also affect how efficient they are at keeping heat in. Sash windows are usually less efficient than other types.

A Guide to Updating an Old Property

~ This is a featured post. ~

While you might have fallen deeply in love with a historic property’s architectural design and features, it might require an injection of modernity to bring it up to the standards of 21^st-century living.

If you want to make important tweaks and changes to your home without losing its charm and character, read this informative guide to updating an old property.

Install Spray Foam Insulation

Older buildings are often a little draftier compared to modern properties, as they won’t feature the same level of insulation. If you want to keep the bitter cold out of your home, you should install spray foam insulation to make your property warmer and more energy efficient. It is one of the most effective solutions for preventing air infiltration via your property’s joints, seams, and cracks. Contact a spray foam insulation contractor at www.allstatesprayfoam.com.

Sand and Re-stain Your Flooring

If you are lucky enough to have bought a home with natural wood flooring, you should consider hiring a specialist firm to refurbish them for you. For example, they can effectively sand and re-stain the flooring, which will make them look as good as new without losing their charm. If, however, you need to install new flooring, opt for either new or refurbished wood that can complement period properties.

Highlight Decorative Focal Points

If an older property features decorative focal points that are filled with character, you should aim to highlight them to create an impressive home you’ll proudly show off to your loved ones.

For example, you should spruce up stained glass, an antique fireplace or period moldings, which will ensure your home exudes tradition and charm. Regularly cleaning the decorative features will also prevent them from looking tired and outdated, which could detract from your interior design.

Mix Period Items with Modern Features

Complement an older property’s history and architecture by incorporating period items into your home. For example, you could install a Victorian fireplace into your dining room or an Art Deco armchair into your living room. It will add a touch of sophistication and timeless style into your home, which can mix perfectly with modern upgrades, such as a TV or smart home device.

Stick with Traditional Designs

It doesn’t matter if you’re installing a light fitting, radiator or cabinet, you should invest in traditional designs that can create an elegant home. There are also many modern pieces on the market that can accurately emulate an era, such as Gothic Influence, Georgian or Art Deco, and investing in the replica furniture and furnishings will not break the bank.

Expose the Beautiful Brickwork

The older your home, the more beautiful the brickwork underneath will be. Rather than hiding your walls away, you could uncover your property’s bricks to create an industrial, rustic interior design. While many people are stocking up on brick wallpaper, you could embrace the real thing that won’t look out of place in your period property. So, consider stripping an entire wall or chimney breast back to its original state, which will undoubtedly draw your guests’ eye.

4 New Ways To Enjoy Your Garden

~ This is a featured post.~ 

If you’re going to go to the effort to put in and maintain a garden, then you may as well enjoy it. You don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste and not make any time for this beautiful investment once it’s in place. Don’t worry if you’re new to the activity and need a little help getting it to look nice.  

Be glad to know that there are a few new ways for how you can use your garden and that you may want to consider doing in the future. What’s most important is that you get a lot of use out of it and feel that installing a garden was worth your time and energy at the end of the day. Most importantly, have some fun putting it together and take pleasure in up keeping and preserving it. 

1. For Your Health & Well-being

One new way to enjoy your garden is to use it as a way to boost your mental and physical health. Gardening is a great way to relax and is also a mindful activity that is worth working into your routine. You’ll be burning a few calories in the process of maintaining it and can use it as a way to escape from all your other household responsibilities and tasks. A few hours in your garden and you’ll soon forget about your stress and any worries you have.

2. The View

In addition, you can enjoy your garden more by stepping back and taking in the view every once in a while. Head to Water-garden.co.uk and consider upgrading your garden by adding a beautiful and soothing pond and some mood lighting. Once the look is complete, consider taking in your new view while you meditate and clear your mind once in a while. Think about building your garden in a place where you can easily see it from your kitchen windows while you wash dishes or have a meal as well.

3. Dinner Party

Another new way to enjoy your garden is to use it as a place to entertain your guests or visitors. For example, host a dinner party and set up your seating in and around the garden to create a unique and classy environment. It’ll feel like you’re outdoors at a restaurant without even having to leave your home. Your guests will appreciate the rare chance to eat a meal in an attractive and lush garden area. 

4. Furniture & Fire Pit

Finally, you should think about adding furniture and a fire pit in your garden space. This way you can enjoy your garden with friends and family in your free time. You’ll have places for people to sit and relax and will be able to keep warm on cool, fall nights in your garden. You’ll love having all of the gorgeous plants, flowers, and herbs that will be surrounding your get together. The fire pit will set the mood, and before you know it, you’ll all be resting around the fireside engaged in good conversation.

6 Ways To Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly

~ This is a featured post. ~

Environmental impact is something that every homeowner needs to consider. There is constantly news on the damage done to the environment and what the future holds if action is not taken and experts state that everyone needs to make changes in their lifestyle in order to reduce and slow down this damage. It may seem like making a few minor changes to your lifestyle will not make a big difference, but this is a dangerous mindset to have. Instead, you should look to your home to identify a few ways in which you can reduce energy consumption and be more environmentally friendly. Here are a few tips.

1. Use Solar Power

One of the most obvious ways to make your home more environmentally friendly is to switch to solar power. While this can be a high cost, you can make huge savings in the long run while also knowing that you have taken a big step to reducing your carbon footprint.

2. Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Everyone needs good lighting at home, but you will find older, incandescent bulbs use a lot more electricity than energy efficient bulbs (which can also last longer). This is a small switch to make but one which can make a big difference while also helping you to reduce your energy bills.

3. Insulation

A well-insulated home can keep the home at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is like outside. This is helpful because it means that you do not need to use energy to heat/cool the property, which reduces your usage and your energy bills. This should include attic insulation, wall insulation, double glazing, and using rugs to cover exposed hardwood floors and cracks.

4. Use A Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is a great example of how modern technology can be used to reduce your environmental impact. These thermostats give you greater control over the heating by allowing you to control the thermostat from your phone no matter where you are. You can internet search find a thermostat service near me to find services that install and maintain smart thermostats, and they could also teach you ways to be more eco-friendly with your energy consumption.

5. Buy Second-Hand Furniture

Buying second-hand furniture is a terrific way to be more eco-conscious while also making big savings on your decorating costs. You can usually find practical and stylish items from thrift stores or online, which can look great and give you the satisfaction knowing that you are stopping items from being disposed of.

6. Fix Leaky Faucets

You must also think about your water consumption and try to reduce this where possible. One of the biggest wastes of water is leaky faucets, which is why it is important to get these repaired sooner rather than later.

These are the main ways that you can make your property more environmentally friendly. It is the responsibility of everyone to look at their lives and homes and to take action - even if it is just a small change, it could make a big difference when everyone pulls together.

Material Options for a New Roof

~ This is a featured post. ~

A house renovation doesn’t have to be restricted to the interior of your home. While having a new bathroom or kitchen installed will give your property a new feel on the inside, the ultimate way to transform it in the eyes of those who only see the outside is by installing a new roof.

The roof is arguably the dominating feature of your home when it is viewed from the outside. That makes it the prime candidate for upgrading if you are looking for a fresh new look. Changing the color or the material of your roof can have a striking impact on those who pass it by on the street.

If you want your roof renovated, then the big question is which material to go for? Here are some of the possibilities.

Clay tiles

Tiles are the most tried and tested roofing material in human history, having been used as long ago as 10,000 BC in Neolithic China. It’s not unusual for a tiled roof to outlast the building that it has been placed upon; indeed, if you look at some of Europe’s most historic buildings, you’ll notice that many of them contain tiled roofs and some of those will have had very little maintenance carried out on them since they were constructed.

Both clay and concrete tiles are versatile and can withstand pretty much whatever the elements throw at them. Clay tiles, in particular, will add a striking new look to your property with their dark red or brown appearance, especially if you live in a neighborhood where this sort of roofing material is rare.

A tiled roof is relatively straightforward to install and given its long life, it’s cost effective too. For more information, speak to All Star Roofing, tile roofing specialists Tampa, FL, today.

Metal

The overriding factor that puts most people off having a metal roof is the concern that when it rains, it’s going to make an almighty noise. This isn’t actually true as with proper insulation in place, noise is greatly minimized to the point where it is no louder than a more traditional roof.

A metal roof has a long lifespan with some copper roofs known to have lasted up to one hundred years. It’s that longevity that is making them a popular choice.

Wood shake

If you’re searching for something a little different, a material that is environmentally friendly or just love the idea of giving your home a more natural look, then a wood shake roof could be perfect for you.

A wood like cedar is strong, beautiful and helps to reduce the amount of energy that your home consumes by being nature’s best insulator. Cedar roofs also have longevity due to all the natural oils they contain and absorb, which makes them resistant to both decay and pests.

Finding a contractor who specializes in wood shake roofs can be difficult and because of the specialism involved, they don’t come cheap either. They are however a stunning addition to any home, although it should be noted that they can only be constructed on sloped roofs rather than flat ones.