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How To Save On Building A House By Using An Architectural Project

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Architectural Project

In this article, we would like to share some valuable and practical tips with those who are thinking about building their home.

Building your own home is quite an expensive pleasure. And if you are not a professional builder, then, in addition, it is also a challenging task. How can you save your time and money, and at the same not get a lot of problems afterward – we want to tell you about this.

Why Do I Need a House Project?

Without a project, it is impossible to create anything in this world. It all starts with a project! Even if you want to do something small and do not draw a draft of this on paper, you still have a draft of this in your head in the form of an image or diagram (or something else). And for creating something complex, requiring a lot of resources, with the participation of different people and organizations, you just cannot do without a detailed, thoughtful project. This applies to any area of life.

So, we think it’s clear that some kind of project is needed.

But which project?

Where to get it?

You can try to make the project DIY. This is possible if you have practical experience in this. Otherwise, we would not advise you to do this. You will lose much more money (disproportionately more) than you save on the project. Yes, and the result (a ready-built house) may not fully meet your expectations about it;

Buy a ready-made standard house project. The Internet is now full of typical house designs. Such projects can be bought relatively cheaply. There are options to download projects even for free. However, this is not the best option, and here’s why. Despite the abundance of projects, choosing the only one that is right for you is not an easy task. All people are unique, and accordingly, the desires and requirements for the future home are different for everyone. Most likely, you will spend a lot of time before you find something that will be closest to your desires. Plus, the construction sites are all different – they differ in size, environment, lighting, etc. Therefore, the “house of your dream” that you find on the Internet may not fit into your site.

Building A House By Using An Architectural Project

Order an individual house project. This is undoubtedly the best option to realize all your desires regarding the future of your home. Less obvious, but 100% fact – an individual project will save you money and time in the future (in the process of building and operating a house). We will tell you more about it.

How to Order an Individual House Project?

Here are some practical tips:

When to start work on a project?

It is an autumn-winter. At this time, architects should be able to pay more attention to each project. So you will have enough time not to rush.

It is optimal that by the end of winter, you have a completely finished project. You will be able to calculate the cost of all the necessary materials and work. And if so, then start looking for builders.

How to Choose an Architect?

You definitely should not trust the work of your project to those architects who assign a low cost for their services. The work of a classy architect cannot be cheap, because he puts a lot of effort and time into the project. And for little money, either beginners or low-class specialists work. Working with them, you are likely will have difficulties or problems, and you will receive a low-quality product. Naturally, not everyone who asks for a small fee is an irresponsible amateur. But still, this probability is high. Saving a little on the project, you risk losing much more money later.

It makes sense to turn to very expensive architects if you need to make some unique and complex projects. High-class architects are creators and scientists at the same time. Their abilities are unique. Therefore, with the high cost of their services, they do not remain without orders. But to build an ordinary cottage, the attraction of such a specialist, as a rule, is not required.

A drawing of a house on top of a blueprint

Choose an architect from the middle price category. In the vast majority of cases, these are good specialists with their own style, with rich experience leading serious architectural activities. Study their work (portfolio), communicate personally, and, if everything suits you, conclude an agreement with them!

What Project to Order?

Design work is divided into several stages:

Preliminary design. This project includes the development of the layout and facades of the house in such a volume that it is enough for you to understand what your house will be like in reality. These drawings are enough for approval, but not enough for construction Architectural projects.

It already includes a more detailed study of the architecture of the house. The exact dimensions, heights, composition of building structures, volumes of materials, etc. are given. Sometimes construction teams can build your house on this project. But if you want to save your time and money, then we advise you to order a construction project.

Construction project plus project of engineering networks. It consists of two sections. Architectural solutions and design solutions, as well as projects for heating, water supply, sewage, electricity, and ventilation. In addition to architecture, this project also includes calculations and detailed drawings of all structures that will be in the house (foundation, floors, stairs, roofing, etc.) and engineering networks.

All this, firstly, will allow you to be sure that your house will withstand all the stress and will not crack in a year or two. Secondly, it will allow you to find out the required amount of materials and equipment and calculate the exact budget before starting construction. You will save time and money on transport by buying all materials at once. You will also save on materials because by calculating the necessary load-bearing capacity of the structures, you will avoid overspending.

Having detailed drawings, you can better accept work and control the construction. After having avoided all possible problems, your psyche will remain healthy, which, in our opinion, is the most important.

A woman is drawing on a blueprint with pencils

Conclusion

Here are the main, but not all, advantages that you will get when competently approaching the project of your future home. To save a small amount right now, or to save a lot of money, invaluable time, and nerves in the future – this is the choice that distinguishes smart people. We hope that our advice will help you make the right choice.

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How can I Get Rid of The Damp Basement Smell in My London Home?

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How can I Get Rid of The Damp Basement Smell

All London homes experience a damp smell every once in a while, both old properties and new. Dampness can be a result of your daily activities, like cooking and washing dishes. So even homes fitted with damp proofing materials might have dampness every now and then.

How can I get rid of the damp basement smell

With dampness comes an unpleasant odor, making your whole house smell like a wet basement. There are several ways to combat it and we at Damp Proof London have compiled a list of our seven best tips. Before you start tackling the damp smell, however, you should identify the cause of the odor and the areas it’s affecting.

What’s Causing the Damp Smell?

That damp basement smell could be caused by several things in your London home. Whatever the smell is emanating from might require a simple solution. Or, you may have to call damp proofing experts. If you have some forgotten wet laundry sitting somewhere, you can quickly solve that damp problem. If the source of the damp odor is mold or mildew, your problem isn’t so easy to fix.

Damp can be the result of a plumbing leak, damaged roof, saturated basement walls, or other structural problems. Check your home for “easy” signs of dampness, like wet clothing. If you still cannot locate the source of the damp smell, then look at your pipes, rain gutters, and walls. It’s possible the dampness and resulting damp smell come from one of these areas.

Which Areas Are Affected?

If you’ve determined that the cause of the damp basement smell in your London home isn’t structural, then there are steps you can take. First, however, you should identify the affected rooms in your home. You don’t want to go through an extensive cleaning process, only to realize that the smell persists elsewhere in your house. Be thorough when looking for the source of the odor, so you’re sure not to miss anything.

Tips for Reducing Damp Smell

Once you’ve found the source and location of the damp smell, you can take action to get rid of it. These seven steps should help you eliminate damp odors in your London home.

Tips for Reducing Damp Smell
  1. Wash damp fabrics – If the cause of the smell is damp clothing, rugs, blankets, etc., then you’ll have to wash those fabrics. Washing with a little bleach will help remove the smell, but don’t add bleach if it’s not safe for the materials you’re washing. After you’ve washed everything in the washing machine, wash each piece again by hand with hot soapy water and vinegar. When you’re done, skip the dryer and hang dry the fabric in the sun.
  2. Lemon smell – You can overpower the damp basement smell with lemon. Boil the peels of lemon for a few minutes. Once the lemons are in the water cooler, you can set the solution out around your house, wherever the smell is worst. You can also put the lemon mixture in a spray bottle to mist around the house.
  3. Baking powder absorption – Baking soda will help to naturally absorb moldy smells. Place a small box or plate filled with baking powder in the affected room for 24 hours. You may have to repeat this process every several months to keep your home smelling fresh.
  4. Vinegar and water wash – In some rooms, the mildew odor persists even after you’ve removed the source. In this case, you should fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and water. Spray and wipe down surfaces like cabinets, windows, and countertops.
  5. Repaint the walls – In extreme cases, you might consider repainting your walls. If your walls have black mold stains, then cleaning and fresh paint will eliminate the appearance and the smell.
  6. Air out regularly – To prevent damp odors from setting in at all, you should air out your London home consistently. Keep your windows open for at least a few hours every day, especially in rooms where moisture gathers like the kitchen or bathroom.
  7. Deodorize appliances – If your appliances are the source of the damp smell, you can deodorize them with baking soda as well. After you’ve cleaned appliances inside and out with a normal cleaning agent, place a cup of baking soda inside for 24 hours.

Final Thoughts on Eliminating Damp Basement Smell in Your London Home

A persistent damp smell is uncomfortable and unpleasant. Most people aim to get rid of it as soon as they notice it. By identifying the cause early, and following these steps, you can eliminate the damp basement smell in your home.

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Tips To Consider In Finding The Right Mission Viejo Pool Service Provider

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Mission Viejo Pool Service Providers

Not everyone in Mission Viejo, California has the luxury to have a swimming pool in their homes or commercial premises. However, while it is like a dream come true for those who could afford, the tedious maintenance that comes with having one is not easy to keep up. More so, it is another expense that has to be budgeted regularly. 

Tips in Finding the Right Mission Viejo Pool Service Provider

While do-it-yourself pool maintenance is possible, more often than not, it is not the most viable solution as proper cleaning has to be carried out by more than a pair of hands and needs the right materials, tools, and equipment to serve its purpose. Oftentimes, seeking quality and reliable Mission Viejo pool services is a far clever and more cost-efficient decision. On that note, here are tips to bear in mind in looking for the right pool service provider in Mission Viejo:

Mission Viejo Pool Service Provider

1. Actual referrals are more reliable than online reviews.

Feedback and highly acclaimed testimonials of customers can be easily submitted and displayed on the web. However, not all of them are real. Some may be paid and full of biases. If you are to consider online referrals and actual referrals, it is better to choose the latter. Since only a minority in Mission Viejo have swimming pools, it should be easy to ask who your fellow pool owners’ trusted providers are when it comes to pool cleaning and maintenance. Do also note which companies you should avoid. 

2. Doing some research puts you steps closer to the right provider.

Once you have the referrals, you should proceed with doing more research about each of your final options by vising their company website to check out what services each of the companies offer, how much they cost, how they are done, etc. Moreover, you should consider the following essential areas:

  • The Company’s Experience

Experience is a vital factor that will check whether the company has gained expertise in handling swimming pool services or he has hired seasoned professionals to get the job done and done right albeit recently joining the industry. The experience likewise indicates if the company knows what it is supposed to do when it comes to pool cleaning, maintenance, and repair. 

  • The Company’s Reputation

It is likewise vital to consider the pool service company’s reputation to easily gauge how likely they are to satisfy you with their services or the other way around. Reputation can be built over the years. However, new ones can still offer the same excellence. You just have to open your eyes wider. 

Mission Viejo Pool Service Provider

3. Look for credentials

A Mission Vieja pool service company with wide experience in the field will have acquired proper credentials, licenses, and permits to be operating. This includes permits health authorities have issued. If the company you’re considering was not able to show any relevant papers and certificates, then it should raise a red flag. 

4. Ask they’re possible quotes

Make sure to know the price estimates of each company’s services before you make your final choice. Sincere and reliable ones will be willing to visit your site to take an actual look at your pool and other relevant factors to provide the closest estimate. As soon as you are given the estimates, make a comparison right away. 

5. Request for a trial service

If the company allows it, a trial period will be a big plus to see if the company is truly worth choosing or otherwise. During the trial period, be keen as much as possible about their professionalism and quality of work, i.e.:

  • if they arrive on time
  • if they work diligently even without supervision
  • how well-mannered and courteous they are
  • if they are transparent with their progress
  • if they take your suggestions into account light-headedly
  • how the results turned out

If they did well and satisfied you with their performance, then hiring them will feel right. It’s how things should be; they should feel right as you go along. 

Mission Viejo Pool Service Provider

6. Set your expectations clear

To avoid any disappointments or issues, the pool service provider you are going to hire must know precisely what you want and what areas or services are off-limits to them. Once you make this clause clear, it will be easier for you to find the Mission Viejo pool service company with the services that you exactly need. 

7. Choosing a one-stop pool service provider can be cost-efficient

You will come to some pool service companies in Mission Viejo offering different ranges of services. Choosing wisely means taking all your requirements into account and selecting the provider who can deliver all your needs. On that note, you’d know if the company has all that you will need if it can professionally help on the following areas:

  • Weekly Pool Maintenance
  • Pool Light Repair, seeing to it that damaged fixtures are replaced as necessary and the electrical works are taken care of.
  • Filter Cleaning, ensuring that pool water is consistently crystal clear.
  • Acid Washes, to maintain the brand new look and shine of the pool surface.
  • Equipment Repair and Upgrade, covering necessary repairs and other maintenance needs or upgrades and installations of pumps, filters, motors, heaters.
  • Salt System Conversions, to make sure that the pool water remains clean without the annoying chlorine scent.
  • Spa Covers, to trap the heat inside the pool or spa and protect the water and the rest of the surface from debris or sunlight. 
  • Pool Start-up Services, for new pool owners who need assistance when it comes to having safe and chemically balanced pool water.
choose Mission Viejo Pool Service Provider

The right company will always make sure that high quality of services is maintained by putting quality control measures, oftentimes in the form of post-service feedback and suggestions while protecting the customers’ identities. 

Conclusion

Written reports that show what went through every maintenance session are also important pieces that you can ask from your Mission Viejo pool service provider to ensure that small problems are timely addressed and do not escalate into bigger ones. 

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How to Make an Auction-bought House Your Home

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Auction-bought Houses

If you have bought a home via an auction, congratulations, you have done a very brave thing. Many people would like to buy a home that’s being sold at an auction but it’s the worry that stops them from doing so. 

Auction-bought House

When you buy a house from an auction you know that it’s going to need a bit of TLC. You may have to install new plastic composite decking, do some painting or even completely remodel the kitchen. However, it is possible to make an auction-bought house in your home you just have to know how to go about it. The good news is that this article will show you what you need to do to turn that house you purchased into your home. 

Make Sure it’s Safe

Auction-bought House Make Sure it’s Safe

One of the very first things that you need to do is make sure the house is safe. Ask an electrician to check all of the electrical outlets and the wiring. You need to make sure these are safe before you plug anything in. If the house is an old one you may need to get a lot of work done, so be prepared to have your house rewired so it’s safe to use.

Don’t forget to hire a gas expert so they can check out the boiler and any pipes ensuring there are no leaks. You may also want to get your water pipes checked out too, just to make sure there are no leaks in the pipes that come in and go out. 

Get Painting!

Get Painting! to Auction-bought House

A great way to make your new house look more like a home is to get painting. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders and make it look completely different. You may also want to consider hanging some wallpaper too. If you don’t want to hang too much wallpaper you may want to think about hanging it on just one of the walls. You could paint the rest of the walls in a color that matches. 

Add New Doors and Windows 

Add New Doors and Windows  Auction-bought House

Adding new fireproof doors and double glazed windows can make all the difference. If the current doors and windows are perfectly fine then why not paint them? Use some gloss on the doors and around the window frames. They will look so much cleaner and as good as new. 

Think About the Garden

Think About the Garden Auction-bought House

In addition to making the inside of the house look more like your home, you need to think about the garden. If the house has stood empty for quite some time you may need to do a spot of gardening. Consider cutting everything back so you can see what’s what. If you need to cut trees and shrubs back make sure you cut no more than a third off as any more can inhibit future growth. Remove any plants that are obviously dead, and replace broken paving stones if you need to. After a bit of work, you will find the garden looks a lot more manageable. 

Build a bit of Decking 

Build a bit of Decking  Auction-bought House

Add a bit of life to the garden by building some decking. If the area by the back door is in need of an upgrade decking will work wonders. Build the decking so it’s attached to the rear of your home and is wide enough so a few people can use it at any one time. Don’t forget to add some handrails to the steps, and a gate if you want to complete the look. 

Conclusion

As you can see, with a bit of work you can make an auction-bought house a home. Do one job at a time and you’ll slowly but surely have a home that you love. 

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How to Choose the Right Blinds

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How to Choose Blinds

Are you looking for the best, cost-effective and stylish decor for your windows? The blinds are the best option you can opt for. When you are choosing the right blinds after knowing how to choose blinds color and blinds, you will be able to find the best way to decorate your home along with some other benefits as well. There are different types of blinds, and you need to choose it to consider certain aspects of it. Are you wondering how to choose blinds color and blinds? Here is a detailed guide and go through it.

A living room with a couch a chair and a window

Role of Blinds in Your Home 

When you are employing the right blinds in your home, it will offer you lots of benefits. Here are some important benefits of Indoor roller blinds that will show its working.

  • Indoor roller blinds help you to manage the sunlight with ease.
  • It is more flexible, but you need to understand how to choose blinds and choose the right one.
  • When you know how to choose the color of blinds and choose the right one, it will offer you an aesthetic appearance for the home.
  • Know how to choose blinds and so it will be easy to operate and maintain.
  • It helps in controlling and privacy in the room.

1. Consider the Materials of the Blinds

One of the important factors of how to choose the right blinds will be the materials that you are choosing. This will vary based on the needs and space of the home. When your area is exposed to more light, you can consider Venetians, white timber Venetians, or even block roller blinds. All these will have white reflecting back, and so it will help in eliminating the excess warmth in the room. In the case of wet zones like the kitchen or bathroom, you can look for the fabric materials to resist moisture. So, the best choice will be PVC and aluminum with the perfect design. Also, keep in mind about the Day night roller blinds in choice.

A living room filled with furniture and a large window

2. Choose the Right Color

How to choose the color of blinds is an important question that arises in the selection of window blinds. One of the important benefits of having the blind in the house is to make the room and space more colorful. So, the color becomes the most important choice in the list of how to choose the right blinds. You need to consider various aspects of the blinds and the color of the room. When it is a living room, it is better to have some bright colors to make the room bright. When it is a bedroom, make it pleasant and peaceful to enhance privacy and calmness in the room. Further, the color should be suitable for the Day night roller blinds as well.

3. Know About the Light and Privacy Control 

The other reason most people look for the blinds is to have some control over the light and privacy in the room. So, you need to care for this when looking for how to choose the right blinds. Firstly, look for the blinds that match with the decors of the room. Based on the room and utility of the room, you can decide on this actor. Further, if you are willing to drape and optimize the appearance of the space, you can consider it and choose accordingly.

A woman standing in a living room next to a couch

4. Have a Budget in Your Mind 

Budget is one of the important things to consider when you are looking for any product or service. When it comes to the blinds, you need to choose the product based on the budget. Different types of blinds will cost a different amount. To find the best value for your money, you need to shop around in different shops and look for the features of it. You can also choose a shop that will offer different services like installation, maintenance, etc. This will be cost-effective, and looking for different services can also be avoided.

5. Make a Note on the Style of the Blind 

There are different styles of blinds like Venetian, roller, etc. both are unique in its way, and it will offer you an excellent look. However, you cannot employ both of them in your rooms. So, you need to consider different aspects of it and choose the best one. When you are choosing the Venetian blinds, it is the modern trend. You can look for the plantation shutters that will be affordable and help with privacy control and light control. When it is roller blinds, it will be the best selection for the practical window for the best access. So, understand the purpose and choose the best Indoor roller blinds.

A room with a window covered in blinds

6. Choose Between the Local or Online Store 

When you need to buy blinds, you can shop either from online or local shops. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. When you are choosing a local shop, you can handle the blinds in real-time and buy them. When it is an online store, do not forget to know the ratings and reviews of it. This will help you to choose the best Day night roller blinds.

The Bottom Line

So, you might have now understood how to choose blinds. Are you not excited to enjoy the benefits of the blinds by choosing the best one? Why should you still wait? Just follow the guidelines and do more research to find the right blinds that will be suitable for your home.

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Work From Home: 7 Inspirational & Creative Home Office Layout For Every House Type

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home office layouts

Who doesn’t love working from home? Everybody wants to work from home, but that’s not possible for every company. Due to pandemic COVID 19, the majority parts of the world are in complete lockdown. The government gives orders like Social distancing and working from home to decrease the spread of the virus. 

From factories to restaurants and even any kind of office, all are closed. Because of this, authorities told people to-do office work from home, if possible. And because of this, people are realizing the necessity of establishing a work-from-home office in their house. 

A dedicated space for office in the house results in high productivity, and it also helps in remaining motivated and focused on work. So, if you are looking for some home office layout and design ideas, then you are in the right place.

Today we bring 7 unconventional and unique home office layout ideas for you. From regular desk to L-shaped, this list includes every type of layout so that later you can decide and style your home office according to your place and requirements. 

So, here is the list begins,

1. Use the Corner Space

home office layout:  Use the Corner Space

Key Features: Inspiration boards, pretty decors and side racks for storage

Are you living in a studio apartment and searching for a space to make your office in it? It is quite common these days. People prefer to live in these kinda apartments. Living in these places has many benefits such as low rent, less cleaning, and many other things. But living in a small space also means that you’ll have less space for everything. So, it is quite hard to make an area for doing office work, right? 

What you can do is- use the corner spaces. Yes, you can put a study desk or a regular table to create an awesome home office area. This way, you can create a separate space in your existing room. 

Layout:

home office layout

2. Office in Dining Area

home office layout: Office in Dining Area

Key Features: Multifunctional space and cute decors

Another great idea to tuck a home office space into your home is the dining room. What?? Maybe this is your reaction, but first, take a look at the above image. How beautiful it blends both the things!!

This way you can give accompaniment to your children when they are eating and with that, you can do your work without any disturbance. Just place a small desk and some other office furnishings, and you’re good to go

Layout:

home office layout

3. The Classic L- shaped

home office layout: The Classic L- shaped

Key Features: Long galley desks, whiteboards, and pops of color

If you’re working with someone else, then an L-shaped home office layout is perfect for you. Just buy an L-shaped desk and place in the corner and jazz it up with some furnishings, and you’re done! This way each of you will get some privacy, and if you want to share something, there is also a margin for that. Isn’t it Best of both worlds?

Layout:

home office layout

4. Bedroom/ Office Room

home office layout: Bedroom/ Office Room

Key Features: Minimalistic and Perfect for small studio apartments

Some people prefer to do the work on their bed. But career advisors told people not to work activities on the bed. They advised keeping relaxation and the workplace separate from each other. But people who are living in small apartments or houses face a problem of space. 

The solution is- Use this layout. It has a bedroom desk or a working table just a few feet away from the bed. So that you can focus on work perfectly and when you want to rest you could relax in bed. You can also use dividers and room partitions to create a separation between the spaces. 

Layout:

home office layout

5. Stick to the Wall

Stick to the Wall

Key Features: This home office is flooded with synthetic, natural light and has a lot of storage space for books

Are you working with a team and your office is in your home? No problem, try this layout. In this, a long and large desk is placed on one side of the wall. At first glance, it may look that this layout doesn’t make the most of the available space. But it has many benefits such as it is a great option if you’re working with a team of 4-5 people and it looks less clutter than any other layout. 

If you need a place to store your books and files, utilize the area above your desk. you can construct or place some cupboards and bookshelves to store all this stuff. This will provide additional storage space for your office supplies and paperwork. 

Layout:

home office layout

6. Take a U-turn

home office layout: Take a U-turn

Key Features: Lots of storage space, Many people can work together and desks arranged to encourage face-to-face interactions

Take a U-turn means using a U shaped layout!! This layout uses every inch of the available space. We know it takes most of the space, but it also gives you more working space, right? Still, if you need more storage space, then you can also use hutches for additional storage. The best thing about this type of layout is that they will easily work in both small and large rooms.

You can create this style by combining various desks in U- shape or just buy a whole furniture unit from some furniture stores. Here you can work with more than 5 people at the same time (depending upon the size of the desk).

Layout:

home office layout

7. Play with Unusual Room Shapes

home office layout: Play with Unusual Room Shapes

Key features: Flexible seating, floating shelves, and a window for natural lighting

Does your apartment is in an irregular or unusual shape? Sometimes your house or apartment may not be in the perfect square or rectangle shape. It is quite challenging to design layouts like this. No, this is just in your mind. Actually, you can easily style these uneven shapes just by showing some creativity. 

For example, if your room has alcove or inset spaces, you can use them for storing files and books. Place the furniture according to the floor space and shape of your room. 

Layout: 

home office layout

Conclusion

when you have a dedicated and separate working space in your house, you will be able to give more focus on your work. After styling your home office, don’t forget to clean it regularly. A beautiful and clean space inspires you to create some awesome things, and you also feel motivated all the time. Take inspiration from the above home office layouts and create a fantastic workplace for you. 

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Decorative Wood Wall Panels to Enhance The Beauty of Home

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Decorative Wood Wall Panels

Most people associate wood paneling with outdated living rooms, with shag carpeting and groovy furniture. Wood wall panels definitely faded from interior design trends in the last half of the twentieth century. But wood wall paneling sheets are making a comeback, with many modern homes installing them on walls and ceilings. In addition to the traditional wood planks, decorative wood wall panels are up and coming.

Wood has been a classic design element in our homes for ages. Designers are now inventing creative solutions with wood wall panels, turning classic wood panels into contemporary decor.

A flat screen tv mounted on a wall in a living room

Consequently, you should consider decorative wood panels for your next interior design project. And their aesthetic quality isn’t the only benefit to decorative peel and stick panels – there are plenty of reasons to incorporate these panels into your design. Our team at the Wood Veneer Hub created this list of six reasons to choose decorative wood wall panels: 

1) Trendy timber feature walls

2) Increased insulation

3) Better sound absorption

4) Design versatility

5) Durability

6) Easy installation 

Trendy Timber Feature Walls

The first reason to consider decorative wood panels is, of course, their attractive style. A timber feature wall – an accent wall or piece composed only of wood – can transform your space. Installing wood paneling around the fireplace in the living room can draw the eye and make it stand out. You can install paneling on the wall behind your bed as well, to fashion an elegant headboard.

A desk with a computer on it in front of a brick wall

Decorative wood feature walls also help segment rooms in your house. If you have a small home or open floor plan, adding wood paneling features can demarcate the living area from a home office for example. Wood paneling accomplishes a starker contrast than just painting an accent wall since the wood changes up the texture. 

Increased Insulation

Wood paneling can be more than decorative as well. Wood is considered by builders and designers to be a natural insulator. It has a higher R-value than other building materials, meaning that it has better insulating power. Wood absorbs almost double the amount of heat as aluminum or concrete as well. 

A living room filled with furniture and a lamp

Investing in decorative wood paneling is choosing better energy efficiency. By trapping more heat inside, wood paneling allows homeowners to reduce their use of gas or electric heating systems. This cuts down on energy costs and promotes sustainability. 

Better Sound Absorption

Wood panels also enable better acoustics. Ever wonder why wood is so often used in concert halls? The panels can trap sound waves, preventing echoes. Once the sound waves are trapped, they’re converted to heat. As we already mentioned, wood is excellent at absorbing heat.

Decorative Wood Wall Panels idea

Thanks to these absorption properties, wood paneling is an ideal choice for soundproofing. With decorative wood on your walls or ceilings, you create a warm, quiet environment. Most high-quality wood panels today are constructed with top-of-the-line sound absorption materials. 

Design Versatility

Wood panels are making a design comeback because they’re being used in new and creative ways. Rather than apply wood panels in the traditional way, designers are cutting the planks into thin strips to hone a more modern look. 

Another contemporary take on wood panels is creating geometric patterns on floors, walls, and ceilings. Playing with size, direction, and angles when applying decorative wood panels allows designers and homeowners to create ultra-modern spaces. Some have taken this trend even further with three-dimensional geometric wood paneling. Raising a few panels above the main backdrop is funky and innovative, especially since there are no limits on how you can design it. 

Durability

With the proper care and maintenance, wood panels can last a long time. By applying the right seals and finishes to the wood, you protect it from damage and slow down natural deterioration. You can even choose to repaint or restain it if you want a new look. 

With so many finishes and stains available, you can keep your decorative wood panels looking brand new, adding charm to your home for many years.

A room with a chair and a shelf with a plant on it

Easy Installation

The final reason you should consider decorative wood panels for your interiors is their ease of application. Wood paneling doesn’t take much time or effort to install, especially if you opt for peel and stick models. Because wood panels are so simple to install, you can easily realize your designs and quickly finish your project. 

Final Thoughts on Decorative Wood Panels for Your Next Design Project

There are plenty of benefits to wood paneling that should make you consider using it in your next project. Whether you’re giving your living room a makeover, updating a bathroom, or finishing an outdoor space, decorative wood paneling might be the best design solution for you.

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How To Plumb Dual Shower Heads

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Plumb Dual Shower Heads

Installing or Plumb dual shower heads creates quite a pleasant experience, especially for couples. Sometimes called “his and hers,” the twin showers heads can operate on the same valve or work independently. However, there can be a loss of water pressure when being used simultaneously. It’s quite easy to fix this problem once it’s source can be ascertained.

Before Plumbing your dual shower heads, you should observe the following.

How to Work Dual Shower Heads

Upgrade Your Water Sources

In most modern societies, cities supply water to residential apartments, while many in rural and countryside communities, wells are usually the primary source of water. Wells often have a GPM of around five compared to urban water supply with enormous and sustained pressure.

An average head of shower issues about five gallons of water every minute, with two heads reducing the pressure to about 2.5 GPM for each shower head. To avoid this, it is necessary to add a storage tank at home or upgrade the good pump to increase the Gallons per minute capacity to around 10.

A close up of a faucet with water coming out of it

Enhance Your Internal Plumbing Pipe Size

Pipes come in different sizes. While the water entering your house may be coming through 3/4 or 1-inch plumbing pipes, the frequency usually shrinks to half-inch pipes when it enters the house. The drop in capacity can cause over 70 percent loss in water volume and pressure.

To ensure your enough pressure and water volume, you should upgrade the pipes that lead to your bathroom to a minimum of 3/4 inch to ensure sustained pressure in dual showers heads. You should also change the valves of the shower to a 3/4 inch supply.

Change to Thermostatic Shower System

Shower valves come in two main types; thermostatic and pressure balance valves. Twin showers heads running from the same pipe are usually of the pressure balance system. This system would lead to loss of pressure as its valve tries to sustain pressure going through both heads, especially when there is no need for both heads simultaneously.

A thermostatic valve comes with individual volume control for each of the twin showerheads. This allows you to decrease or increase the volume of water that goes out of every shower head, increasing the pressure and volume to each. The thermostatic valve also allows the shutting off of a shower head that is not needed, increasing the amount of pressure going to the other one.

A shower head with a spray of water coming out of it

Use Low-Pressure Shower Heads

Showerheads come in various kinds and sizes. GPM is one major measure of the heads. Some showerheads can use up to 10GPM but quite low water pressure.

How to Install Dual Shower Heads

This guide refers to two shower heads linked with the same pipe connector. These are heads that can be used alone or together.

Dual head showers always come with a built-in valve, which lets you control whether the two should work at the same time or just a single one.

  • Always start by shutting off the water
  • Use pliers to hold the arm and a wrench – turn the showerhead while doing this.
  • After removing the old showerhead, get rid of all plumber’s tape leftovers to make the arm threads clean and easy for connecting with the new shower head. Ensure you remove all rust that could have developed around the pipe.
  • The first thing to put in place is the base valve. This small piece that looks like a rectangle will connect to both the removable shower and main heads. It also houses the switching valve. To prevent leaks, wrap the connecting thread of the shoulder arm with a new plumbing seal.
  • Now wrap the threads of the valve in a tape and to the major shower head. Ensure you are tightening it with a plier and a cloth to serve as a scratch-resistant barrier. Ensure you clean everything before continuing with the process.
  • After that, link the remaining shower head by tightening in the rope pipe and secure onto it, the wand shower. There must be the right size of the plumber’s tape wrapped on every encountered connecting thread.
  • Switch on the water and check the shower heads to ensure leaks are not present.

If you see any leak, remove the particular area, use more plumber’s tape to wrap and tighten it down again. For full installation process of best dual showerhead check this guide.

If you don’t have any experience in installing dual shower heads, consider hiring professionals, such as Mayfair Plumbing, to help you out. These professionals have the necessary equipment and experience to properly install dual showerheads.

A man in a blue hat is fixing a shower head

Benefits of Dual Showers Heads

Although uncommon for some, installing dual shower heads is actually a cost-effective investment because this can provide many benefits in the long run.

To get a view of the advantages of double shower heads, various benefits have been pictured in the next paragraphs.

Amazing showering experience

Sometimes a single showerhead might not be enough, and this would mean more comfort when you make use of double showerheads. There is a larger spray from the increased water flow. With this, you can shower together with your better half.

You’ll start your day taking a shower, and your shower experience will affect your mood for the entire day. You’ll likely have a bad mood if you’re unhappy with the water coming from a single showerhead. Starting your day with this kind of mood will make it challenging for you to stay productive and be social with the people you’ll meet.

If you don’t want any of these to happen, invest, and install dual shower heads right away. As the name suggests, this kind of showerhead will provide more water and comfort whenever you’re in the shower. Starting your day using dual shower heads will surely set the right mood, allowing you to do more during the day.

Ease of use

When you take a bath under one shower head, you sometimes have trouble getting water to the unreachable body parts. Dual shower heads fix this issue as you can easily adjust one of the heads to focus the water on that particular area of your body.

Saves time

One other benefit is that partners or children don’t need to wait for someone to finish before taking their bath

A shower head and a sink in a bathroom

Beneficial to disabled persons

Showering for disabled persons is usually tricky with one shower head. This is due to the restriction of movement, making the process harrowing. Dual showerheads make showering efficient and easy for people with special needs as it has a more extensive spray coverage.

When you have dual shower heads, you won’t have to worry about your disabled loved one moving too much just to take a shower. As mentioned, you can focus on different parts of your body when you use dual shower heads, making it very easy for disabled persons to clean themselves without compromising their safety.

In Conclusion

The bathroom is one of the most important areas of the house, which is why you should exert time and effort to make sure that it’s functioning properly. If you want to spice up your bathroom, invest in dual shower heads as soon as possible. You’ll be surprised how this fixture can turn your showers more fun and relaxing!

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How to Choose a Commercial Space? Recommendations and Tips

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How to Choose a Commercial Space

For all owners of a profitable business, sooner or later, the question arises of buying a commercial property. Especially if the business gives good profit and demonstrates high rates. At some point, giving part of the proceeds for the rental of the premises becomes unprofitable, and it’s time to make the assets more impressive. If the tenant agrees and buys the premises that were leased, where everything is arranged and known – this means he is a very lucky person, but if the landlord does not want to sell this property, then a conflict of interest, stressful situation and sleepless nights begin.

Because to look for a similar room and transport the whole thing is quite troublesome and energy-intensive. And it’s really bad if the landlord simply raised the rent to heaven without selling the property and forcing him to pay exorbitantly or move out completely. Having fumbled like this several times, the thought of acquiring our own commercial premises cannot but come.

A large glass building sitting next to a lush green park

Buying commercial real estate is quite a difficult business. Sometimes, the proposed premises do not meet the specified standards, or there are problems with documents, or some other unpleasant circumstance is found out, so making such an expensive purchase without consulting a specialist is rather reckless. It is even more imprudent to buy commercial premises on your own in the Leningrad Region, where not only the condition of the premises and access roads are important, but also the objects located nearby. Even if it seems that the offer is very profitable, it will not be superfluous to check with an expert. 

Commercial facilities are also gaining popularity, where their cost is several times cheaper than in the industrial zone of the northern capital. Therefore, if you are not fundamentally located in the immediate vicinity of the city, options may well suit you. There you can buy commercial premises in a larger area for less money. But, it is worth mentioning that this concerns the sale of huge production facilities and not premises for salons or cafes.

Commercial Property Large Area

Apart from selling commercial real estate is selling buildings. Buying a detached building is not so easy, even if the acquirer has the necessary amount of money.

The main thing when buying is to pay attention to all the details and carefully study the documents, and even better to request certificates to make sure that all sorts of encumbrances are not imposed on this property, for example, if the building you like is in collateral. It is also worthwhile to make sure that there were no unauthorized redevelopments in this room because if there were any, the buyer will have to complete everything in the future due to his investments of money, time and nerves.

Commercial real estate of a large area includes industrial premises and warehouses. They, unlike small buildings and offices in a business center, require special attention and attitude. As a rule, production facilities and warehouses are located not in the city, but on the periphery, which must necessarily include good access roads. At the same time, if the production is planned to be very large, it is worth taking care that the railway is laid nearby.

Purpose of Non-residential Premises 

Selling commercial premises is of course not limited to warehouses and industrial premises. Non -residential premises include offices, retail space, and cozy cafes. All these spaces differ among themselves both in purpose and, accordingly, in requirements. For example, there should be a lot of light in offices, high wooden ceilings in a retail building, and a cafe with good ventilation and sufficient electrical power.

If your goal is to buy an office, then you should pay attention to its location, especially if this is the place where your employees will communicate with customers, if this is only for internal use, then the location will not be decisive, just make sure that the room satisfies all the standards that apply to the place of work of people. It must comply with all sanitary and hygienic standards that are regulated by SanPiN, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, as well as various GOSTs and SNiPs.

Purpose of Non-residential Premises 

In case you select a room for a cafe, then, first of all, you need to make sure that the selected object is located in a busy passageway, and also meets the requirements put forward by inspection organizations, such as the fire department, SES, etc. Pay attention to the presence of a second (black) entrance, which will be needed both for the delivery of products and for faster evacuation of people. Do not be too lazy to check the history of the proposed facility, because very often behind an underestimated sale price there is some kind of not very good reputation of the institution that was on this site before you. Because if you don’t open something insanely famous on a franchise, then you will have to spend a lot of time creating a new image and proving that you are not them. It is better to consult Execu-Suites in downtown Orlando, which is a large office space rental agency, for detailed information. 

When buying retail space, carefully check how the water supply and sewage works. If the retail space is more than 1000 square meters, then it should be equipped with a bathroom not only for staff but also for visitors. Now it has become popular to purchase retail space not only in separate buildings but also on the ground floors of residential buildings. It is worth making sure that your activity will not interfere with the life of the residents of the house where you purchase premises for sale. I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that it is impossible to equip specialized fish or vegetable shops in residential buildings.

Execu-Suites in downtown Orlando is a large office space rental agency. 

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Avoid These 15 Creepy Things In Your Crawl Space With An Inspection

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Crawl Space With An Inspection

A crawl space inspection is an important part of staying safe in your home. However, many people don’t do crawl space inspections in their homes because they don’t think about what might be in the crawl space. With a simple inspection, you can make sure you don’t have any of these 15 creepy things.

1. Rodent and Bug Infestations

Rodents and bugs can get in your crawl space very easily. If you don’t have a thoroughly-encapsulated crawl space, it’s possible for rodents and bugs to make their home in your crawl space and cause an infestation.

2. Snakes

One of the things snakes are known for is their ability to get into pretty much any space. Then it can breed a nest of snakes that can seriously shock anyone who goes into your crawl space for an inspection or repair.

Crawl Space Inspection : Snakes

3. Wild Animal Homes

During nesting season, small animals may crawl under your home and use it as a nest, tearing down insulation and materials to use in the nest. This can also draw in large predators, which can come too close to your home.

4. Animal Bones

If animals die under your home, they can turn into skeletons, which can be very scary once you get down in the crawl space. Though these skeletons don’t always transmit diseases, it’s important to clean them out anyway.

Animal Bones

5. Mold

This is one of the most dangerous possibilities that you could run into. Mold can range from “toxic” to “nontoxic,” but even nontoxic mold can create serious health hazards in your home.

6. Invasive Plants

These might not seem like they should be high on your list of worries, but it’s important to consider them early. Invasive plants can take years to remove and cause intense structural damage, which makes them seriously dangerous.

Invasive Plants

7. Locked Cabinets

It might not be very common, but there’s definitely a possibility that you could have a locked cabinet under your home and not even know it. This locked cabinet could have just about anything in it, and it’s better to know.

8. Mob Cash

A crawl space is a great place for mob members to hide items. It’s most common to have this issue if you’re already involved in some shady dealings, but it’s possible for anyone to find mob funds under their home.

Mob Cash

9. Guns and Weapons

Whether from a fugitive or from a previous homeowner, a crawl space can seem like the best way for a person to hide a weapon. If you’ve never looked under your home, you may have missed one of these dangerous items.

10. Living People

There have been many scary stories detailing a home contractor discovering an actual person under another person’s home. That’s obviously a safety issue, and it can be an insulation and materials issue too.

Living People

11. Unexploded Artillery

Especially when it comes to previously war-torn areas, unexploded artillery is definitely a potential problem. That’s especially true if you live in an old home with a crawl space you’ve never explored.

12. Disturbing Journals

Journals can be a great way to gain some insight into long-dead individuals’ lives. However, finding a disturbing journal under your home could offer unwanted information about your home’s scary history.

Disturbing Journals

13. Ghosts

Those who believe in the supernatural sometimes believe that ghosts can inhabit their crawl spaces. These ghosts can cause general unease or even floors creaking and windows shaking.

14. Large Ghouls

What happens when a ghost gets too large to live in your closet? According to some, it relocates to your crawl space. These large ghouls can also cause difficult-to-explain issues in your crawl space and home.

Large Ghouls

15. Structural Problems

Of all these scary and creepy problems, possibly the most daunting is the potential for structural problems. Structural problems can creep in on you and seriously impact your home’s stability and wellbeing.

If you’re having issues with potential structural problems, it’s important to get in touch with a contractor. Not only can a contractor help you handle structural concerns, but they can also do a crawl space investigation to make sure you don’t have any other spooky problems.

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