Home Blog Page 166

How Modular Construction Can Help Commercial Buildings Comply with Social Distancing

0
Modular Construction

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed everything, and that includes even the way employees work in offices. The data from the U.S. Census Bureau Small Business Pulse Survey, released in May 2020, revealed that, on an average, around 41.4% of businesses temporarily closed a location for at least one day. According to the long list of directives ordered by the CDC, the employers need to take special precautions to resume work. It demands rapid and significant changes in every aspect, starting from the precautions to be taken at an individual level to the mandatory alterations the employers need to carry out in their office spaces.

A modern building with a yellow roof and glass windows

What Do the CDC Directives for Commercial Buildings Mandate?

CDC has advised various steps for employers to help create a healthy and safe workspace for workers and clients. A few of these suggestions include: 

  • Increasing physical space between individuals at the worksite by modifying the workspace.
  • Ensuring proper operations of ventilation systems and providing appropriate indoor air quality for the required occupancy level for each space.
  • Increasing outdoor air ventilation.
  • Disabling demand-controlled ventilation (DCV).
  • Improving central air filtration to the MERV-13 or the highest compatible with the filter rack and seal edges of the filter to remove bypass.
  • Keeping systems running for longer hours, 24/7, if possible, to improve air exchanges in the building space.

While some of these are quite easy to implement, the others need significant efforts, time, and cost, and in the current scenario, no one has the liberty of spending at least the last two.

How Can Modular Construction Help Your Firm Deal with the Changes Brought in by the Pandemic?

With its inherent features and capabilities, modular construction can prove to be the right solution to implement during the current scenario.

Following the Social Distancing Norms at Work 

For a traditionally built office, changing the workspace entirely to maintain safe distance among employees may call for a significant amount of reshuffling and renovation. On the other hand, a mobile office is designed for the same purpose – to quickly adjust to the changing business needs. Modular buildings can handle the changes efficiently with less business disruption. Thus, your office is up and running much quickly as compared to conventional workplaces.

The Capability of Handling Rapid Architectural Changes

Increasing outdoor ventilation means creating more open spaces, and this may seem impossible for traditional commercial buildings. The required architectural changes need a huge sum of investment in terms of money and time. This also implies that your office won’t be operative during the revamping period due to massive interruptions. 

With a modular office building, all you have to do is get in touch with a modular construction company such as Mobile Modular Management Corporation that will help you figure out these changes in a shorter period. Further, there is no worry of space shortage as modular buildings can be stacked on top of each other – a more practical solution for expanding current office spaces.

Quickly Setting up Additional Rooms/Spaces

With modular buildings, creating additional spaces like sick rooms, kitchen, or additional restrooms is very easy. Again, all you have to do is get in touch with a competent modular office supplier, and they’ll guide you. This is much easier than getting additional spaces that require construction initiatives from scratch. You can rent and lease mobile offices – a quick solution for temporary needs or even buy used modular buildings that can be installed in almost no time!

Saving Time and Effort 

While carrying out the changes for complying with the new instructions, what employers are short of is – time! Applying these changes to a traditional building can take several days, during which the office space will be non-operational. With modular offices, these days can be reduced to hours, and you can have a fully functional office at your disposal. According to statistics, modular home construction takes 30-60% less time than the conventional methods, while some modular construction companies guarantee you to set up your office in a working day. 

A row of green buildings with white balconies

Conclusion

In the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses are struggling to restart their business operations quickly, time is of immense importance. Modular office buildings offer the much-needed agility to companies by providing quick construction, alteration, and flexibility. Additionally, they cost considerably less as compared to their traditional counterparts due to efficient design and low labor costs. So, we can safely say that modular commercial buildings offer much-needed business continuity and reliability in today’s challenging times. 

Learn more:-

Mobile Home Park Buyers – Make the Selling Procedure a Hassle-Free One

0
Mobile Home Park Buyer

Mobile home parks offer inexpensive housing for low-wage earners in the United States, stability to the owners in case of a depressed or declining economy. They permit you to acquire additional units for fewer bucks. Moreover, it is the lowest cost investment per unit of the real estate asset class. 

Mobile Home Park Buyers

This way, you can have every benefit of conventional house-ownership without any burden of extra property taxes and tiresome maintenance. As far as the 5-star rated mobile home park is concerned, it is a lot more thorough and strict in the approval procedure as compared to the 1-star rated park. 

Are you someone who is considering selling his/her mobile home park? Well, there might be a couple of reasons for it – 

  • You’ve had it for a long time and now are tired of its responsibility. 
  • You plan on relocation as well as don’t wish to handle it long-distance. 
  • You are losing money on it & wish to ditch the park. 
  • You inherited it and do not desire to keep the park. 

Doesn’t matter what the reason is, what you should focus on is choosing one of the best 5-star rated mobile home park buyers. Opt for the one that has years of experience in this field and offers you exceptional customer service. 

Also, make it a point that the purchases are 100% legitimate. Wish to sell your park in the as-is condition? Go online and pick the best buyer that acquires it instantly as well as manages and fixes it up. One of the major benefits which you get by this decision is that you stay stress-free besides walking away with cash. 

  • Managing a mobile home park can be tough for someone who has health issues. 
  • Even if you are well, what if someone close to you is not? You need to take care of them; however, the management responsibilities of the park can take you away or have you burning a candle on both ends. 
  • Time to reach out to the online buyers as the ultimate solution may be to sell the park along with being free to care for your loved one and yourself. 
  • They are here to assist and help you when it comes to cashing out the existing park. 

Creating the listing for selling your mobile home park? Include the description of the area that surrounds the park and your park’s detailed description (along with stats, like size and number of lots). Also, mention your real income statement, impressive photos, expenses statement, projected income statement, sale terms (also including whether or not the financing is available), and expenses statement. 

Mobile Home Park

Everybody wishes to walk away with the most profit from his/her park’s sale and that is why you need to improve its appearance. Spiff up its common areas and the entrance with updated repainted signage and fix potholes in roads if any so that it leaves an impressive first impression on the buyer.  

Explore More

6 Hottest Real Estate Markets in Canada

0
Real Estate Markets in Canada
Real Estate Markets in Canada

It’s not rocket science to imagine that Canada is one of the world’s greatest places to live.  This includes numerous sites to see, a vast variety of things to explore like cuisine, attractions, as well as housing one of the most diverse communities you’ll see anywhere. Here are some of the hottest real estate markets in Canada that are making waves:

While it is true that some market properties have been rising in the last couple of years, such as Toronto and Vancouver, several other housing markets in Canada have been getting their own fair share of growth in the last five years and that’s what we’re here to look into.

1. Vancouver

Vancouver has been leading the way in Canadian economic growth for some time now. This growth, according to the Conference Board of Canada (CBoC), is expected to dip in 2019 to 2.3% and continue averaging at that consistent rate from 2020 to 2023 which is less than what it was in 2018; 3%.  Now looking into the housing market of Vancouver, the total starts are going down in the next couple of years due to sufficient supply and policy measures that are going to get more out of the sector.

Housing prices, especially those for single-family houses, have been shrinking, and the Vancouver area sales have experienced a significant decline since the beginning of 2019’s summer.  And ever since the BC government imposed a tax on 2016’s international purchases, a fraction of foreign buyers in the Vancouver housing market has significantly dropped.

Despite encountering some turbulence along the way, Vancouver still managed to maintain its top position in the overall Canadian housing market.  The two sectors that are especially doing well are the industrial and office sectors.  JLL Research reports that the vacancy rate for the metropolitan Vancouver office properties was about 5.3% in 2019’s second quarter.

The long-term each housing market trends look to remain favourable as of now.

2. Niagara Region, Ontario

For the last two years, the Niagara region of Ontario has become one of the fastest and hottest real estate markets in Canada.  Although there are various factors that are responsible for the boom in the market. The closeness it maintains to the more expensive markets like Hamilton or Toronto. It does make Niagara visibly enticing to potential homebuyers by comparison.  This is also backed up by the improvement witnessed in the transportation links between Greater Toronto and Niagara.

3. Toronto

Toronto’s real estate market has been witnessing a boom partially due to immigration, making it one of the best real estate markets in Canada as well as making it one of the fastest rising cities in both its home state and the United States.  It also has a solid economic growth where the CBoC predicts a 2.4% growth for both 2019 and 2020.  And despite the decline of the housing market due to policy intervention. Such as the mortgage stress test, the prices and sales have been stabilizing.

However, one of the biggest concerns is that of affordability mainly due to 10 years of problems in land supply, combined with a greater demand for housing because of the formation of new households and immigration.  Plus, with the impacts witnessed by taxes and government levies, along with the rising cost of land per foot, affordability is becoming far more difficult to be within our reach.

Nevertheless, the office market of Toronto is seen as a great source of strength. As is the ongoing low rate of vacancies and the announcement of large-scale projects over the region.  Some of the most noteworthy among them included the recent CA$3.5 billion mixed-use project located right by the sea and tower. Which features two office towers (one of 48 stories and the other of 58), approximately 800 rental apartments over two buildings. As well as a retail component.  

If you’re looking to settle anywhere in Toronto, be it Keswick, Aurora, Innisfail, or Sutton. Then call Ballymore Homes right away.

4. Vancouver Island

What’s not to love about some of nature’s most stunning wonders in Vancouver Island?  Everything from the pristine ocean to the unmistakable views you get from living on an island. It makes sense as to why Vancouver Island’s benchmark home prices have grown in the last five years. You can get to know more about this from Ron Parpara. Vancouver real estate agent, to get a better insight. As of this writing, Campbell River and Nanaimo are the preferred neighborhoods to live in.

5. Greater Montreal Area

The aggregate house prices for the greater Montreal area rose 7.2% year over year to $441,979 in the first quarter of 2020. Which represents the second consecutive increase in quarterly year over year in nearly a decade.  But as witnessed in mid-March, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a decline in new listings and sales.

But if we break it down by property type, the median price of a bungalow and a two-story home rose by 6.9 and 8% year over year. Respectively to $344,043 and $557,594, whereas the median price of condos rose by 5% year over year to $344,962.  

6. Ottawa

High demand and low inventories in 2020’s first quarter allowed home prices to experience significant growth.  The aggregate Ottawa house price rose 8% year over year in 2020’s first quarter. Allowing it to cross the half-million-dollar milestone to $502,808 for the first time.

Besides that, Ottawa has a flourishing housing market and robust economic growth.  Also, migrants from other cities like Toronto. That looking for even cheaper housing options is what allowed the city’s population to ascend the one-million mark. 

Another strong factor of Ottawa’s housing market is its strong purpose-built rental housing. Especially as the escalating prices to buy houses prompt people to look for other options.

Conclusion

Canada’s diverse real estate scene offers exciting opportunities beyond traditional hotspots like Vancouver and Toronto. From vibrant Montreal to scenic Niagara, bustling Ottawa to nature-blessed Vancouver Island, discover thriving markets brimming with potential, each with its own unique charm and growth promise. Explore and find your perfect Canadian real estate haven!

Read more:-

Most Effective Ways to Save Your Packages From Being Stolen

0
Packages From Being Stolen

With e-commerce sales growing each year, there are more and more products and services that we can purchase online. And this makes our lives so much easier by saving us huge amounts of time.

But with all the benefits always come all of the disadvantages. One of the most often and the most annoying being packages getting stolen from your front door. Even though selling companies and delivery services work very hard to protect your package as much as possible, when it lays down on your doormat, it is completely up to you.

To help you deal with this problem, you can check out the extra large parcel drop boxes reviewed by Neighborhoodsquare, and to keep your packages even safer, check out all the tips below.

Befriend Your Neighbors

Having your neighbour as your friend is always good. The more, the better. And maybe if you won’t succeed in befriending them all, a healthy relationship is always good as well. 

A friendly relationship is always beneficial both for you and your neighbours. Especially in those cases if something might happen to your home, for example, a storm-torn down a tree and it makes a huge hole in your flat roof while you are at work or on holiday. 

Therefore, if your house floods or somebody smashes your vehicle, it is very likely that these neighbours will inform you of the same second. It is also very likely that they would do something about suspicious persons walking around your house. More to it, you could just ask them to pick up your package or change the delivery address to theirs.

Be Nice to the Delivery Person

Be Nice to the Delivery Person to Save Your Packages

It is also very beneficial to have a friendly relationship with the person who is delivering the packages to your neighbourhood. It is usually the same person every time because they have areas divided by neighbourhoods.

Therefore if the delivery person knows how you look and maybe even likes you and sees someone suspicious trying to take a package from your porch, it is very likely that the delivery person will at least say something to the thief or even save your package.

Also, if you get along well, the delivery person can learn your delivery preferences. For example, you might request to leave the package somewhere else rather than the porch. Depending on the spot you choose, the package thieves might not figure out to look at that place.

Do Not Create Piles of Packages Outside

One thing to remember is never to leave piles of packages sitting around on your front door. This is a clear sign for thieves that you are not home and couldn’t care less about those packages. More to it, this could even attract more serious burglars who might try to get inside of your house.

Choose to Deliver the Packages to Your Work

Choose to Deliver the Packages to Your Work to Save Your Packages

If you have a regular full-time job, it would be smart to change your delivery address to your world address. This is a pretty common thing to do. One reason is that many people are very curious and impatient to receive their deliveries, but the main reason is that delivery companies usually deliver packages at the regular working hours which you spend at the office.

Use Safety Lockers

Another common practice is to choose to receive your delivery through a safety locker. Each country has different ones, depending on the delivery company. 

But the main idea is the same – you choose a safety locker that is located the closest to your home or work. Notice that this service usually costs even less than the regular delivery through a currier. 

Then, when you finally receive your delivery, you get a notification with a PIN code, so you can collect your package at any time of the day or ask your friends or family to do it for you by simply forwarding the PIN code to them.

Buy a Video Doorbell

One of the modern ways to keep the thieves away or catch them afterwards is to buy and install a video doorbell for your safety. These kinds of doorbells have motion sensors and activate only at the time when a motion is detected – either someone is ringing your doorbell or standing at your door. 

Both options could be a danger for your wealth – if somebody you do not know is ringing your doorbell when you are not around, he might be checking if you are at home to steal something from your home. Or he might be just hanging out at your doorstep and waiting for the right moment to grab your package. 

Usually, these kinds of doorbells have an audio option built-in so that you can scare the burglar away. If he runs away, this kind of safety system is still effective because it stores the video footage much longer than security cameras do, thanks to the motion sensor that avoids filming 24/7.

Explore further:-

Community Solar: What is it and Why You Should Care

0
Community Solars

Every year when summer rolls around, people always associate it with cookouts, suntans, and good old fashioned fun in the sun… Well, summer is indeed all about those things but aside from that, the hot summer season is also well-known for people looking for ways to cut their energy bills in half!

That’s not saying that summer is the only time of year when people consider looking into solar energy but it is the time of year that it’s at the forefront of people’s minds when their electricity bill is through the roof! 

That reason alone is why so many households are making the switch to Community Solar. Community Solar provides you with all the benefits of solar energy without the hassle of expensive panels and installation fees. Plus it’s not limited to only those who can afford it… it’s accessible to anyone who wants it.

Community Solar

What Exactly is Community Solar?

In a nutshell, Community Solar is a company that provides solar energy to local neighborhoods and communities that you can opt for through your local utility company. Here’s how the Community Solar process works:

  • Solar panels are installed at a site or underutilized area in your local community.
  • The electricity produced from the sunshine on the solar panels is then distributed to the local power grid, which is then delivered to your local electric company.
  • You then can subscribe to a solar energy plan and your electric company will distribute the electricity to the homes and businesses that want this form of electricity in their communities.

The process is as simple as that…

For quite some time, people have had a huge misconception about solar energy and energy-efficient homes that are powered by the sun. Because less energy is used, people think that their homes won’t “work” if the sun isn’t out, and that’s not the case at all…

Grab rails, walk-in showers, or slip-resistant flooring are all sensible design steps to take to make sure your bathroom is never the site of unfortunate accidents and is a safe, accessible place for anyone to use. Having a walk-in tub can be both a luxury and a way to make your bathroom more accessible!

Why You Should Be Making the Switch to Community Solar

Why You Should Be Making the Switch to Community Solar

Community Solar is Cost-Effective

One of the biggest reasons why people use solar energy to power their homes is because it lowers their electric bill every month. In the hot summer months, electric bills can go through the roof when cooling a big house. This is especially true in houses with an upstairs or an attic. The same goes for winter months in warming a home.

Because solar energy is a free source of power, it makes your electric bill more affordable… you can’t “hog” the sun, which makes it a source of energy that’s plentiful enough to share with your entire community, at a more affordable monthly rate.

They Make Solar Energy Accessible to Anyone

Community Solar has indeed changed the world of energy for all household types. Solar energy was a luxury reserved only for those who could afford to have solar panels installed, and it was only for homeowners. Now, homeowners and renters alike can enjoy all the benefits that solar energy provides, thanks to Community Solar.

They Make Solar Energy Accessible to Anyone

They Understand How Solar Power is Good For the Environment

Would you say that Community Solar is a “tree hugger?” Not at all… Would you say this company is environmentally conscious? Absolutely. 

If helping people reduce their carbon footprint, and do their part in providing communities with a clean, green source of energy is the definition of a “tree hugger,” then so be it… Offsetting your energy costs while doing good for the environment is the sole focus of this company. 

How Else Can You Use Solar Energy?

With all the benefits of solar energy, it may prompt you into living an overall “greener” lifestyle. In subscribing to a plan with Community Solar, you’ll quickly see all the other ways you can incorporate solar energy into your lifestyle.

People have incorporated solar energy in their homes with everything from modern outdoor lighting with solar lights to solar attic fans to keep their home’s interiors cool during the hot summer months…

They Understand How Solar Power is Good For the Environment

Solar energy will not only benefit your household but also the environment as a whole. But it all starts with you and your point of view. With Community Solar, there’s no complicated process to enroll, you can enjoy unified billing, and you get clean renewable energy. 

To enjoy the benefits of solar energy and to do your part in combating climate change to make the world a better and healthier place, give Community Solar a call and make the switch today.

Keep Reading:-

Flooring Guide: 7 Best Flooring for Bathroom in 2025!!

0
best flooring for bathrooms

Recently you started renovating your house or just want to replace the old flooring of your bathroom? Whether this is the case with you or not, choose the best flooring for bathroom is always a fun thing to do. Some people select the flooring based on the tile appearance, and some prefer budget-friendly options.

If you’re also looking for interesting and amazing bathroom flooring ideas, you landed on the right page. Today we’ve listed seven amusing and best flooring for bathrooms. So whether you have a small bathroom or a huge one, all these floorings will look beautiful in all of them. We have also listed down the advantages and disadvantages of each of them so that you’ll get a fair idea of each type of flooring. So, let’s start, 

7 Best Bathroom Flooring Ideas

1. Porcelain Tile

Porcelain Tile flooring for bathroom

When it comes to bathroom flooring, porcelain flooring should be at the top of your list. Why? because it is waterproof, stylish, and also cost-effective. All these things made porcelain tiles best in the world of bathroom flooring.

It is made from clay that’s shaped at remarkably high temperatures that’s the reason why it resists water, bacteria, staining, and any kind of odors. Like the stone, they also have a deep and textured feeling. The incredible thing is that they’re pretty inexpensive, which means you can have all that luxury in your budget. Porcelain tiles are available in a variety of sizes, styles, and shapes such as hexagonal, octagonal, square, and many more. 

You’ll also not face any kind of cleaning and maintenance difficulty with these tiles. But the only problem with them is that sometimes they become slippery but other than this they are a good choice as bathroom flooring.

Pros and Cons of Porcelain Tiles

PROS
  • Many styles and colors are available.
  • Easy to maintain
  • Durable and waterproof 
  • stain resistant
  • Good resale value
  • Inexpensive
  • Works well with radiant heating
CONS
  • Feels hard and cold underfoot
  • Often sterile-looking
  • Slippery
  • Tough to install

2. Vinyl Flooring: Sheet, Plank, or Tile

Vinyl Flooring: Sheet, Plank, or Tile

Want a good looking and practical flooring in your bathroom? If yes, then there is nothing better for you than vinyl material. For many decades, vinyl has been a popular choice. Generally, they come in three types: Sheet, Plank, and Tile. You can select any one depending upon your requirements. Because they’re highly waterproof and susceptible to moisture, they are commonly used in the bath, but you can use them anywhere in your home. 

They mostly come in widths of around 5 inches and lengths of approximately 48 inches. Now, if you’re thinking that they may be hard to install, you’re wrong. You can install them all by yourself. Read our blog on how to install vinyl flooring and get the shining vinyl flooring in your bathroom.

Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring

PROS
  • Completely Water-resistant
  • Cost-effective
  • Luxury looking product
  • Feels good to walk on.
  • Super easy installation
  • Easy to replace and Can be installed over existing flooring
CONS
  • Does not improve property value.

3. Natural Stone

Natural Stone

There is no material other than the stone that can provide a luxurious looking bathroom. Yes, it’s 100 percent true! But this luxury comes with a price tag. If your pocket allows you, then definitely go for stone flooring in your bathroom. You can select from granite, limestone, marble, and travertine flooring. 

Not only are they aesthetically pleasing in looks but also very durable. If you maintain them carefully, they’ll last long for many years. They also have excellent resale value. Other than its high price, it has one more drawback that is they’re very slippery when they’re wet. For that, you can also use textured stones in your bathroom. 

Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Flooring

PROS
  • Available in many kinds of stones
  • Excellent resale value
  • Very durable and long-lasting
  • Also available in texture variations.
CONS
  • Installation is hard
  • Require high maintenance
  • Quite expensive
  • Requires regular cleaning and sealing.

4. Engineered Wood

Engineered Wood flooring for bathroom

Does your heart is set on wood flooring? Don’t worry, you can use wood flooring in your bathroom but only engineered wood because normal wood flooring will damage because of the moisture and water. Whereas the engineered wood floors have a plywood base that holds up the humidity, and the top layer is made from hardwood, so they look authentic like your wood floors. 

But keep in mind that this is one of the most expensive floorings, so only think about it when you’re ready to invest a significant amount on your bathroom floorings. Another thing is that they’re water-resistant, not waterproof, so they are prone to damage no matter how well you protect them.

Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Floorings

PROS
  • Best alternative wood flooring choice 
  • Stable and sturdy
  • Authentic hardwood on the top
  • Comes in a variety of styles and designs.
  • Withstands heat and moisture.
  • It can be installed over existing flooring.
CONS
  • Moderate-to-high expensive
  • It is tough to repair damaged boards.
  • Water-resistant, not waterproof.

5. Laminate Flooring

 Laminate Flooring

Honestly, laminate flooring will be the best option over the hardwood flooring for your bathroom. The laminate tiles’ surface is made up of oak, slate, marble, or cherry or any other stone. And it is protected from a top layer known as the wear layer. 

But you have to be careful with laminate tiles just like the wood floorings because if the moisture goes down to its surface, it’s pretty tricky to clean it. If it comes in contact with any kind of moisture, the laminate tiles’ surface will expand and bubble. 

Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring

PROS
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to install
CONS
  • Once damaged it cannot be repaired
  • Laminate flooring can collect static

6. Cork Flooring

Cork Flooring for bathroom

Looking for a more sustainable option, then nothing better than the cork flooring. It feels super comfortable under your foot, and also, it is quite easy to install. Do you know cork has antimicrobial properties? This simply means your bathroom will be free from any kind of molds and mildews.

Besides that, cork is naturally textured, so don’t have to worry about the bathroom slipperiness. It has unique grid patterns, which look absolutely beautiful, and it is low maintenance flooring. Whether you have a separate bath area or ensuite bathroom  , it is perfect for all kinds of bathrooms.

However, this flooring also has some disadvantages like it is water-resistant, but it is not waterproof. Also, you have to seal your cork flooring with multiple layers of polyurethane every couple of years to protect it from damages.

Pros and Cons of Cork Flooring

PROS
  • Easy installation
  • Low maintenance.
  • Soft to walk on.
  • Highly sustainable 
  • Mold and mildew resistant.
CONS
  • Require multiple layers of polyurethane.
  • It is water-resistant, not waterproof.

7. Concrete Flooring

Concrete flooring for bathroom

Another great flooring material choice for your bathroom is the concrete. It is incredibly hard and strong. There is absolutely no material in this world that can beat the strength of concrete. You can’t scratch or dent a concrete floor. 

Don’t think it is old material; it is indeed one of the trendiest materials on this planet. From walls to the furniture, concrete has been used for many years. It is perfect for your bathroom because it is durable and completely water-resistant. You can also paint them in various tints and colors. Read our blog on how to paint concrete to know the full procedure.  

Pros and Cons of Concrete Flooring

PROS
  • Durable and strong
  • Low maintenance
  • Waterproof and water-resistant
CONS
  • Feel hard underfoot
  • May develop some cracks over time.
best flooring for bathroom
flooring for bathroom

Final Verdict

Always select that flooring that is suitable for your bathroom, as well as comes in your budget. Avoid putting hardwood or carpet flooring as they are highly prone to moisture damage. Apart from the maintenance, you should regularly clean your bathroom. 

Discover More

The Smartest Small Space Storage Ideas in 2025

0
Smartest Small Space Storage Ideas

If your home is compact and cute, you probably do not have space for a giant closet or extensive pantry. You are also likely to be searching for smart storage solutions that will allow you to get the most out of every corner of your home without making it look cluttered or untidy.

Thanks to rising property prices and high rents, many people are in the same boat as you. They must find ways to make the best use of their limited floor space. Fortunately, this means that storage solutions for small spaces are available in more excellent supply today than ever before. Here’s a list of seven of the smartest and most useful storage solutions for your small house.:

Go for Compact Storage Options

Go for Compact Storage Options

When you have a small space, ample cabinets or shelves can easily make the room feel cramped. To avoid this, always choose sized-down storage pieces. For instance, instead of a six-shelf unit, choose a three-shelf one. You get just enough storage space for a small room as well as a pretty display.

Renting a storage unit can be a great way to store items that clutter your home if you find that you have more things than your home can handle. For those who live in Texas, some very affordable storage units in Keller TX will keep all your extras safe at a low cost, helping you keep your home clutter-free.

Open Shelves Are Your Best Friend

Open Shelves Are Your Best Friend 

Most small homes do not have a lot of closet space, which means you must make up for it in other ways. There are plenty of wall-mounted shelves and hanging cabinets that you can use in every room in the house to create customized storage spaces according to your needs. You can easily store your belongings in pretty bins or baskets on these shelves.

Choose Multi-Purpose Furniture

Choose Multi-Purpose Furniture 

Many furniture pieces come with hidden storage options under them. So, if you need a bathroom stool, go for one that has a drawer underneath to store your towels, toiletries, and washcloths. For your living room, invest in a tiered coffee table so that you can save your books and magazines on the lower shelf.  You can also find beautiful storage benches that provide seating space as well as a place to store your belongings.

Utilize Space Under Your Stairs

Utilize Space Under Your Stairs

Got some space under your stairs that you don’t utilize? In that case, you are probably unaware of how much potential this corner of your home has when used as a storage space. You can get customized shelving made or even tuck a gorgeous vintage cabinet under there to store your non-perishable food items such as dry ingredients or canned drinks!

Use Under-The-Bed Storage

Use Under-The-Bed Storage 

When you are short on storage space, many people make use of the area under their beds. However, if you don’t keep things organized under there, this space can quickly turn into a mess. To avoid this, make sure to invest in pull-out drawers and customizable dividers or containers specially designed to store items under your bed. Moreover, always save things of the same type in each drawer so that you don’t have to go through every drawer trying to find what you need.

Invest in Hanging Bars

Invest in Hanging Bars

Don’t have enough closet space for all your clothes? Invest in hanging bars for those corners of your bedroom or laundry room that are not yet in use. You get some extra hanging space for clothes you regularly use, and it is an excellent way to air-dry clothes or hangs your freshly-ironed ones.

Don’t Forget Behind-The-Door Storage

Don't Forget Behind-The-Door Storage

Are your doors just functioning as doors? If this is the case, you are not utilizing them fully. These precious spaces are excellent for storing any small items that tend to clutter up your rooms. A combination of wire baskets and hooks can be helpful to save anything from accessories and tools to crockery and kitchen supplies.

Conclusion:

Just because you live in a small house doesn’t mean you need to compromise on your storage needs. With smart storage solutions, you can store exceptionally well no matter what the size of your home.  The solutions provided above are just some of the many ways you can do this – all it takes is a bit of creativity!

In case you missed!

Plumbing Repairs: Who’s Responsible For Plumbing Repairs in a Rental Property?

0
Plumbing Repair

To most people, it’s a given that with rental properties, the landlord is responsible for all repairs needed for the property. Well… that’s not always the case.

Plumbing Repairs

Most people will make that statement based on their experience living in an apartment complex. In most apartment complexes, major repairs like plumbing, leaks, HVAC, or anything that could potentially compromise the complex’s structural integrity, are repairs that the landlord must take care of.

With rental properties, whether it’s a house, townhouse, or condo, it’s a little bit different… 

As the owner of a rental property, you’ve taken on the role of landlord, and that means that all payments, complaints, and repairs go directly to you. The thing that makes a rental property different from an apartment complex is all in the contract or leasing agreement.

Apartment complexes typically have a standard rental agreement that almost all properties follow, regardless of the location. With rental properties, the landlord can follow those guidelines as well, but they can also customize those guidelines to their liking simply because it’s their property and they can have their own leasing terms… It’s up to potential tenants as to whether they agree to them or not.

Plumbing repairs are a major consideration that landlords of rental properties have to think about. They can put it in their leasing agreement that the tenant is responsible for plumbing repairs or if they’ll be responsible. To a tenant, this would be a no-brainer… the landlord should be responsible, right?

If you are experiencing drainage problems, then a CCTV drain survey services are the best option that could be what you need.

Not necessarily.

Plumbing repairs are one of the most expensive repairs to take on as a landlord. In order for a landlord to even rent a property out, the property would, of course, need to meet code first. In this situation, you’re going to have to ask yourself if you do indeed want to take on that responsibility, and if you do, what are some ways to reduce plumbing costs?

So, who’s responsible? 

To answer that question, think of it like this…

Ideally, you renting your property out basically means you are running a business, and ultimately, you don’t want to be labelled as a bad landlord… That label has the potential to make people not want to rent from you, costing you more money than any plumbing repair ever could.

It would be in the best interest of your business’s reputation, as well as your reputation as a landlord if you take on the responsibilities of plumbing repairs

In taking on that responsibility, if you decide to do some of the repairs yourself, you definitely want to make sure you protect yourself with plumbers insurance to cover damages in day-to-day work, should your tenant need repairs.

But prevention is key here. Plumbing repair responsibility is solely based on what you put in your leasing agreement. If you indeed do decide to take on plumbing responsibilities, the best way to handle it is to reduce your likelihood of plumbing damages… Get everything repaired the right way before your tenants move in.

Here are some ways to make being responsible for plumbing repairs go a lot smoother for you.

Tips to Make Plumbing Responsibilities More Bearable For Your Rental Property

 Plumbing Responsibilities More Bearable For Your Rental Property

Include Plumbing Specifics in Your Rental Contract

Nothing is official until it is in writing. Before you hand over the keys to your property, be sure to sit down with your future tenants and discuss everything that you will be responsible for and everything they will be responsible for, including plumbing.

You might say that you’ll only be responsible for major plumbing issues, while they’ll be responsible for a clogged drain or toilet. But you also have to consider that what you’re asking for in rent should also include a maintenance fee to cover repairs or damages that the tenant may incur just in day-to-day wear and tear in living there. 

So, taking on the plumbing responsibilities may not be as costly as you may think, depending on what your rent price is.

Conduct a Complete Walk-Through With the Tenant

On move-in day, you’ll want to conduct a walk-through of the property with your tenant. This will cover all renovations and repairs made, as well as, any “dings” or “trouble areas” that they may find issues with that you’ll be responsible for… including plumbing. 

A walk-through isn’t “overkill” but more so just being professional as a landlord. Apartment complexes do this all the time, and according to landlordology.com, it just puts into perspective what the tenant is getting and remind the landlord of the condition of the property after the tenants move out.

Communicate With Your Tenants

Communicating with your tenants isn’t a requirement to be a good landlord, but since you’re not running an apartment complex, it’s a lot easier to keep in touch with your tenant, even if it’s just once a month to see if they have any maintenance requests. 

This will show your tenants that you care but it will also give you an idea of the condition of your property… The fewer repairs you have to make, that will show just how well your tenant is taking care of your property.

Explore More

Microfiber vs Cotton Sheets: Which is The Best?

0
Microfiber vs Cotton Sheets

Good sleep is the key to gain both physical and mental health. So it’s necessary for all of us to get the most comfortable night’s sleep. But how to get this? The answer is simple: just by picking up the right sheets for your bed! Many people don’t pay much attention while buying the bedding, but it requires much thought other than the color and style of the particular sheet. Get knowledge about microfiber sheets vs cotton, knows which one is better.

Sheets are available in a variety of materials such as cotton, microfiber, silk, linen, and many more. But these days microfiber and cotton sheets are in trend. You should consider many things before picking the one for you, such as texture, feel, and moisture-wicking capabilities. Today we are going to tell you the difference between microfiber sheets and cotton sheets. So keep on reading to discover which one is the best for you.

What are Microfiber Sheets?

Microfiber sheets, also known as microplush sheets, are made from super-thin fibers. These fibers are even thinner than one-fifth of a single human hair. These fibers are woven together to create lightweight and soft sheets.

Basically, the sheet is set apart by its particular thickness measuring around one denier in diameter. These microfiber sheets can be made from various materials such as nylon polymers, polyester, or wood pulp. Also, know about the murphy bed.

Pros and Cons of Microfiber Sheets

PROS
  • Soft to the touch
  • Low maintenance
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Machine washable
CONS
  • Highly absorbent, and therefore more prone to staining
  • More likely to generate static
  • Durability depends on thread count and weave
Microfiber Sheets

What are Cotton Sheets?

Whenever it comes to bedsheets, the most common material which is used is cotton. The reason is simple as cotton is a breathable fabric that is made from cotton plants. It is natural, ultra-soft, and feels comfortable on the skin. 

The quality of the cotton depends on the thread count. For example, sheets with low thread counts are scratchy, whereas the higher thread count sheets are much softer. The most luxurious cotton sheets are made from Supima, Pima, and Egyptian cotton. 

Fine kinds of cotton, such as Egyptian or Supima cotton are recognized amongst the finest quality cotton sheets available in the market. They are made of the highest quality cotton, called long-staple cotton. If you want to know more about Egyptian cotton sheets, read our blog on the best Egyptian cotton sheets.

Pros and Cons of Cotton Sheets

PROS
  • Soft and Soothing to the skin
  • Comes in a wide range of options
  • Breathable and cool
  • Good for those with allergies
  • All-natural
  • Natural moisture-wicking properties
  • Durable while maintaining softness
CONS
  • Natural fibers are not as durable
  • Expensive
cotton sheets

Comparison of Microfiber Sheets & Cotton Sheets

Before you start shopping for the beddings, it is vital to know the basic difference between the microfiber and cotton sheets. They are different from each other in numerous ways, such as durability, quality, and cost. Both microfiber sheets and cotton sheets come in a variety of options when it comes to weave and thread counts.

Cotton sheets are more breathable and softer than microfibers and also they don’t catch the heat, providing a more relaxed and comfortable sleep. Whereas microfiber sheets are more durable than cotton sheets because natural fiber like cotton can break easily. So it’s important to find those sheets which are make from materials that will provide you comfort and durability at the same time. 

For some people, bedsheet shopping may sound easy, but it can be a challenge to find a set that will also fulfill your desires and also fit in your budget. Here is the table of comparison of both sheets: 

Factors Microfiber SheetsCotton Sheets
DurabilityLess durableMore durable
FeelSmooth and silkySoft and breathable
CleaningEasy to WashEasy to wash
AirflowGood airflowExcellent airflow
Average price$15 and up$50 and up
Average lifespan2-3 years2-3 years
Comparison of Microfiber Sheets & Cotton Sheets

Now, let’s compare these common factors that you should look at when buying sheets in detail:

Lifespan and Warranty

It is one of the factors that we all look at while buying sheets, right? Apparently, both microfiber and cotton are highly durable, and if you will correctly use them, they can last up to several years. 

But microfibers sheets are more durable than the cotton sheets. The reason is the tightness of the weave, which are weak in the cotton sheets due to these natural fibers. These natural fibers have a tendency to break down whenever you wash them. Now let’s talk about the warranty. Both sheets often come with a one year warranty. But it mostly depends on the brand and cost of the sheets.

Cleaning and Care

Microfiber sheets are made from synthetic materials, and cotton sheets are made from cotton, which is obtained from the cotton plant. Both sheets are easy to care, but microfibers have a unique resistant property, which means they don’t wrinkles and shrink when washing or drying. 

Apart from this, they are also resistant to normal wear and tear that causes sheets to disintegrate their quality. So they last much longer as compared to cotton sheets. Whereas on the other hand, cotton is very soft and durable, but you have to pay extra attention to their washing process. 

The more you wash these sheets, they’ll become softer and softer. Thus it’s more prone to breaking down because of its natural fibers. Also, they shrank and wrinkles every time you wash them, and you have to keep them away from heat, especially sheets made from Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton.

A bed with blue sheets and pillows in a bedroom

Color Fading

When you spend a lot on sheets, it’s evident that you want them to stay looking good, right? Cotton sheets are known for carrying the same vibrant color over the years, no matter how many times you wash them. 

In comparison, microfiber sheets are engineered in such a way that they easily absorb the desired color or pattern of a linen set. Hence you’ll find a variety of designs and patterns in these sheets. However, with repeated washes, these bright colors and patterns fade rather quickly.

Temperature Control

Cotton sheets are construct from extra-long-staple natural cotton with the most durable fiber without additional heat retaining thickness. Being a natural fiber, it will give much greater heat distribution throughout the night than the microfiber sheets. 

They also have great breathability, so these sheets will keep you cool while naturally wicking moisture away from your body. Microfiber sheets are make from synthetic fiber, so they’ll trap your natural body heat. 

A bed with white sheets and pillows in a room

Durability

Like any other thing, in bedding, also, “you get what you pay for.” It means the low-cost microfiber sheets are more prone to tear and damage. With every wash, the durability of the woven fibers gets weakend. And within a short time period, these microfiber sheets show signs of wear and tear. Not only this, but the color also starts fading, and sheets will turn dull. 

But this does not happen with the cotton sheets. Do you know that the life span of cotton sheets is three times more than the microfiber sheets? And opposite to the other sheets, each time you wash a cotton sheet, you’ll get more soft sheets.

Cost

See the pricing of both types of sheets depends on the quality of the sheet purchase in either category. As both have various price ranges, such as both, have cost-effective options and high-end sheets depending upon the thread count and weave. But overall cotton sheets are more expensive than the microfiber sheets. 

What’s The Best Choice – Microfiber Or Cotton?

A bed with a white headboard and a blue painting on the wall

There is no doubt that both microfiber and cotton sheets are durable and feel super comfortable on the skin. You will also find various styles, quality, and price ranges in both types of sheets.

But despite their similarities, there are some factors that you should keep in mind before making the final decision, such as if you’re looking for a more cost-effective, durable, and more wrinkle-resistant option, then you should buy microfiber sheets. Whereas you should buy cotton sheets if you’re looking for more breathable and soft sheets and you have sensitive skin. 

Explore more:

DIY Home Cleaning Methods

0
DIY Home Cleaning Method

Like most normal people, you’re likely to feel a little overwhelmed by all the cleaning work a house needs to make it look nice, healthy, sanitary, and acceptable.

Well, it’s a relief that some cleaning jobs can take longer, for example cleaning interior or exterior windows, cleaning carpets or upholstery, cleaning ovens and others.

Clean Regularly

According to swiftclean.com, most cleaning tasks should be done on a regular schedule so that your home is always kept nice and clean and not just before waiting for guests. This includes sweeping, vacuuming, and washing floors and surfaces around the home, dusting, surface cleaning, washing, tidying closets, drawers, and closets, and other essential cleaning tasks.

DIY Home Cleaning Methods Clean Regularly

Don’t neglect the dirtiest places

There are some places and items that are largely neglected in terms of cleanliness. You should also make sure they are clean. Here is a list of the places we often forget to clean in our homes:

Top of refrigerators and behind and next to the refrigerator, oven, washing machine or other devices. To clean those places where so many crumbs, grease, food, dust and other dirt accumulates, you need to remove the equipment from the wall in order to clean the floor, walls and surrounding surfaces behind, under and next to them and You can wash. Use a ladder to clean the top of your refrigerator. You will likely find a shocking layer of dirt there if you have never cleaned it before. Even keeping the cooling coils clean on the back can improve energy efficiency. When cleaning your stove, be sure to also clean the bottom drawer. Since this type of cleaning requires a lot of exercise, climbing and scrubbing, of course, you can do it every few months, not weekly.

Electric fans in the bathroom, on the ceiling or in others. Cleaning the dust from the fan blades in your home can improve the air quality in your home. Once a year, you should remove and wash them thoroughly to make sure that not all dust and dirt particles blow into the air in the home. Getting enough fresh air in your bathroom also reduces the risk of mold and mildew.

All remote controls, door handles, handles, electronic devices, other entertainment systems, as well as light switches and everything else that everyone touches, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the spread of germs. Also clean the devices you use every day, e.g. B. toaster, coffee maker, juicer and more.

Tips

Would you like to spend the whole weekend doing laundry? We do not believe that. The following are the most common mistakes you should avoid to have more free time in the future.

The first thing to avoid is the “top-down” rule. Essentially, most people don’t like vacuuming. In the end, they have to clear it first, then clean their ceiling fans or dust off their top shelves. This approach is not recommended because there are likely to be dirty and similar particles in your newly vacuumed carpet and you will be forced to vacuum your carpets again.

While vacuuming, you should never forget to turn off the rotary brush on your upright vacuum when vacuuming bare floors. This is because when the rotary brush is turned on, dirt, dust and deposits are removed instead of vacuuming as expected.

We would also recommend pre-sorting clothes to save time. For example, you can sort clothes by color or even by the person whose clothes you want to make first. Also, never forget to separate the lint collectors from the lint collectors. For example, avoid mixing lace and terry knitwear, as mixing the two usually takes a long time and fuzzy fabrics are removed from the lint.

Also, avoid cleaning windows when the weather is nice and sunny outside. Yes, cleaning on a nice cool summer day seems intuitive, but generally, the sun’s heat dries the cleaning material before you can use it to clean your windows. As a result, your windows will develop scratches and you will only need to wash them again, which mainly avoids the purpose of cleaning.

This tip is interesting. Many people often wash their dishes manually before putting them in the dishwasher. This also raises the question of why you should buy a dishwasher if you only want to wash it yourself. Still, people do it all the time, hoping it will make them much cleaner, but study after study has shown that this is not the case. Still, it’s okay to remove food scraps from dishes and throw them away, but prewash makes no difference.

The last tip is to let tile cleaners and spray trays rest for a few minutes before starting work. In this way, the product can dissolve foam and stains and reduce the amount of elbow grease needed to remove it. You can also use the 5-10 minute wait for other household chores.

tips of DIY Home Cleaning Methods

Home cleaning as fun

If you are not a fan of cleanliness, you are not alone. There are a lot of people who really don’t like it. If you do fun things and want to walk around an entire house, the following can help you gain traction. The following tips will help ensure that fun is paramount, even if the end result is a clean home.

Throw a party

If you want to do fun things for you and your family, make cleaning part of a party. Some people suggest putting together a simple theme so you can get dressed and get the job done. If you just dress up and make good music, you won’t feel like cleaning, but have fun cleaning.

Set a timer and run against the clock

Get an egg timer or another timer and see how much you can do in a short period of time. For example, work at 15-minute intervals and see if you can beat the clock. Try 15 minutes and try 20 minutes forward. You will find that cleaning larger projects over time is much easier if you can make this a game.

Share things in the family

The next thing you need to work on is simply dividing up the tasks and trying to get your family more involved. In this way, you can make cleaning a lot easier and maybe even a little fun. Divide family members into pairs and you will surely see great things in your next cleaning project.

Share things in the family DIY Home Cleaning Methods

Floor cleaning

Cleaning floors can be easy by pretending to have ice skates. You can use paper towels on the soles of the feet or sponges, but be careful. You can skate and clean dirt, chafing and more. If you make floor cleaning a game, you can get over tedious floor cleaning.

Wear a pedometer

Do you want to make sure you clean and exercise? Wear a pedometer. Seriously wear a pedometer and see how much you can move. A simple tool like an “adjustment bit” can let you know you are doing something good for your body when you cleanse. This may surprise you and motivate you to keep going.

Explore Further: