Finding The Best Vacuum Cleaner

Most people enjoy having clean floors in their homes. Unfortunately, finding the right vacuum cleaner that works well and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be a bit of a challenge. The folks at Reviews.com decided to master the challenge of finding the best overall vacuum cleaner for you.

They put 19 of the most popular, best selling upright vacuum cleaners to the test, and managed to narrow the field to 4 of the best performing models on the market today. They used the following test criteria to reach their final decision:

Best Overall Winner

The Hoover Air Cordless Lift – This vacuum cleaner took top spot for a multitude of reasons.

• Fantastic suction power! It picked up 100% of the different testing materials in just 2 passes (1 front and 1 back.) The reviewers used a combination of Cheerios, sand, ground cinnamon and talcum powder to represent both large and fine particle debris.
• At a mere 12 pounds, it is easy to move from room to room.
• It is very maneuver in tight spaces.
• It does a good job picking up debris found in corners.
• It is battery-operated so there is no cord to get in your way while cleaning.

Top Three Runners Up

• The Oreck XL Classic – Chosen as the Best Performer for Carpets. It’s the loudest of all vacuums tested but has great cleaning power.
• The Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync – Chosen as the Best Performer for Bare Floors and for allergy sufferers. It is heavy to maneuver but it comes with a top class advanced HEPA Filtration System.
• The Bissell CleanView 9595A – Chosen as the Best Budget Pick. At $79.00 on Amazon, this vacuum was the least expensive model tested that gave good cleaning performance.

Vacuum Cleaner Tips To Keep In Mind

• Most vacuum cleaner filters should be replaced, on average, every 3 to 6 months.
• Stick-style vacuums work best for small spaces and when used for above-the-floor cleaning tasks.
• Canister vacuums work bests when used for furniture and spaces that can be difficult to reach.
• Lithium batteries (like the ones often used in cordless vacuums) generally need to be replaced every 2 to 3 years.
• Vacuum cleaners can range in price anywhere from $50 up to more than $1,000

Little Known Vacuum Cleaner Facts

• The average person will spend up to an hour a week, over the course of a lifetime, using a vacuum cleaner.
• If you attempt to vacuum up damp dirt or mud, it will clog the roller brush and reduce its cleaning effectiveness.
• Using a vacuum cleaner that doesn’t have a “Bare Floor” option on floors, can result in premature wear and tear on floor finishes.
• A vacuum cleaner’s performance has more to do with air flow ability than it does how many amps it has.

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from Homey Improvements http://homeyimprovements.com/finding-vacuum-cleaner/

What are Floating Laminate Floors?

If you want to give your home an immediate and affordable facelift within a reasonable amount of time, then a floating laminate floor may be just what you need. Laminate floors have been growing in popularity over the recent years because of their durability and the wide variety of colors and patterns in which they are available.

Floating laminate floors are not attached to the subfloor or substrate underneath them. They install quickly and easily and can even be a DIY job with the right tools on hand. Made of sturdy interlocking planks that snap into place, they fasten and float over your subfloor or current flooring, giving your home a new look with a short installation time.

What is laminate flooring made of?

According to DIY Network, laminate flooring is made of “ wood fibers and pulp bonded to a plastic surface.” These are then formed into planks that mimic the look of hardwoods, stone, or tile for a fraction of the cost.

These planks are made to connect with each other through interlocking grooves that are on all sides. This efficient process eliminates the need for nails, glue, or staples, allowing the finished floor to rest comfortably and discreetly over your current floor.

Floating laminate planks consist of four layers. The wear layer is the top layer that protects the bottom three layers from footfalls and other wear and tear. The second layer, or photographic layer, contains the image of the desired wood, tile, or stone the homeowner wants.

The third layer is called the “substrate” layer, which is a water-resistant fiberboard that lays on top of the fourth layer, the backing layer, which protects the floor itself from any warping or water damage.

What are the advantages of installing floating laminate floors?

• Variety. Because the photographic layer can replicate classic favorites like different stains of hardwoods, stone types, and tiles, laminate flooring is a favorable choice for the homeowner who wants many options at a good price.
• Affordability. Laminate planks are already more affordable than hardwoods, bamboo, tile, and stone. Because floating laminate planks can be installed right on top of your old floors, you can also save on the labor that would have been used to remove it.
• Durability. Laminate floors are very resistant to trauma like burns, chipping, and scratches. At the same time, they can handle high-traffic areas in the home.

What are the disadvantages of installing floating laminate floors?

• You need to start with an even surface. If you are attaching laminate planks over an existing floor or subfloor, you will need to make sure that your current floor is even or else the planks will not lock together. Also, if your floor isn’t even, you will hear squeaking as you walk over your new laminate floor. If you don’t have an even floor, you probably should consider another flooring alternative.
• They are louder. Because floating laminate floors are not attached by nails to the subfloor, they can be louder than attached floors. However, by placing a thin cushion to insulate the area between your subfloor and laminate floor, you can reduce potential noises.

How do you install floating laminate floors?

Installing floating laminate floors is easy enough to be a DIY job with the right tools. Here are the basic steps:

• Remove all moldings, wall bases, and shoe trims if applicable.
• Install the underlayment and tape it down.
• Cut the laminate flooring to meet the required dimensions.
• Install the laminate planks in rows and modify/cut when necessary.
• Reattach all moldings and trims to the walls after installation, not on the laminate floors.

To find out more about this procedure, the North American Laminate Floor Association has a useful guide that walks you through the process with more detailed descriptions.

Should I have professionals install floating laminate floors in my home?

Though floating laminate floors are relatively easy to install on your own, sometimes you may not have the professional equipment or the time to invest in this kind of renovation. That’s when hiring professionals is the right thing to do.

Also, since these floors don’t take long to install, you won’t need to vacate your house for an extended period of time. The installation doesn’t involve any nails, glue, or staples and doesn’t require ripping out old flooring either, making the time to complete the job quicker than other flooring installations.

Overall, getting professionals to do it right the first time can save you a lot of hassle and stress. Got questions?

If you have any questions about floating laminate floors, please leave a comment below. We will respond as soon as possible. We have years of experience helping people beautify their homes with the perfect flooring upgrade at the right price.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

Photos by www.armstrong.com

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from Homey Improvements http://homeyimprovements.com/floating-laminate-floors/

Creating a Mould-Free Bathroom

There are three words a homeowner never wants to hear; you’ve got mould. Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments and isn’t too picky when it comes to temperature. Due to an excess of water mould is most often found in bathrooms. If left untouched mould can rapidly grow and in turn cause major harm to a room. You’ll want to do your best to prevent the growth of mould and put an end to it as soon as it’s visible. To avoid the damage that may be caused to your home along with your health.

Create the Proper Drainage

There’s nothing worse than stepping into a shower or bath and dipping your toes into water that somebody else has already bathed in. When your done cringing, realise that there’s a pretty easy solution to this objectively scarring experience. Your drain is clearly not doing its job. But before placing the blame, the next time you take a shower see if the water is pooling in certain areas of the shower because your floor isn’t properly slanted to guide water to the drain. If water is pooling around your drain, make sure hair or other objects aren’t clogging it. If your drain itself is defective, try out a linear or square drain.

Install a Fan

In its early stages of growth mould is rather delicate and can’t withstand being pushed and pulled. A bathroom fan will knock mould off its rhythm by making it hard to grow. Fans also suck up excess moisture that would normally pool up around your bathroom and form perfect pockets for mould to form in.

Protecting Your Walls From Water

Most likely your walls aren’t made from tile. That being the case you’ll need to make your walls impervious to water. Water will inevitably absorb into your walls if you don’t apply the proper primer to your bathroom. Applying primer is the most important step you can take towards making your bathroom walls water resistant.

Getting Rid of Mould

If this pest of a fungi has already found a home in your bathroom you’ll need to act fast before it spreads any further. You can find cleaners that have the sole purpose of killing mould at pretty much any cleaning store or major market close to your home. If you’re up for making your own concoction mix three parts water and one-part bleach. Once you have your cleaner ready, apply it with a scrub brush. After you’ve applied use a rag to wipe away the cleaner.

The post Creating a Mould-Free Bathroom appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/creating-a-mould-free-bathroom/

5 Reasons Why you Should have a Driveway

Whether you want to create a parking space to safely store your vehicle or you are looking to add value to your property, a driveway can prove to be a very worthwhile investment. Despite being the first thing someone will see when visiting your property, the benefits of having a driveway are often overlooked. Here, we will explain the reasons why driveways are becoming more and more popular amongst homeowners, and how your property can benefit from having one fitted.

 1 . Increases property prices and adds kerb appeal

The addition of a driveway can instantly increase the value of a property by 5-10%, leading many homeowners to invest in one prior to selling their house. The driveway is the first thing potential buyers will see when viewing a property, so a stylish, low maintenance drive will make a great first impression for those visiting.  

2. Minimises the risk of your car being stolen

Storing your car on a driveway will reduce the chance of your vehicle being taken, as thieves will be deterred by the prospect of having to come nearer to your property. Cars on the road can be stolen and be damaged. Criminals may slash tyres or even smash windscreens. To improve security on your driveway, you can choose to put certain measures in place, such as the installation of a security gate or motion detector lighting. That way, you can rest assured knowing that you have implemented the necessary security measures to keep your car as safe as possible.

3. Reduces the cost of car insurance

When it comes to car insurance, keeping your vehicle on a driveway is typically much cheaper than parking it in the garage or on a road. Whilst it may seem tempting for car owners to say their car is kept on a driveway when it’s actually parked on the road, they could end up invalidating the insurance and any claims will be refused by the insurance company if they are caught out. In fact, insurers have even been known to check whether homes have driveways or garages on Google Street View. 

4. Adds convenience

In an age when people are leading busy, often stressful lives, a fresh, well-laid driveway can make a world of difference. Thanks to new materials and products such as decorative stone and resin bound paving, minimal maintenance is needed to keep your driveway looking its best for longer.

Not only that, the added functionality of having a driveway means that your vehicle can be parked as close to your home as possible. This makes tasks such as carrying your shopping to the house much easier, which is particularly important for the elderly or those with mobility issues.

5. Makes a lasting impression

With an array of textures, colours and materials available, you are guaranteed to find a driveway style to complement your modern or traditional home seamlessly. As your driveway is typically the first thing people will see when visiting your property, incorporating a stylish design will impress and inspire family, friends and potential buyers alike.

The post 5 Reasons Why you Should have a Driveway appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/5-reasons-why-you-should-have-a-driveway/

5 Outdoor Christmas Decorating Tips For Your Home

Are you thinking of decorating the exterior of your house for this year’s Christmas holidays? It’s a trend that’s been growing for some years now, and new innovative lighting designs can be used to great effect to give your home a special and unique Christmas feel.

A few words of caution though, before you let your creative juices run away with you: safety is paramount.

First, electricity needs to be handled with respect. Make sure the lights you wish to install are specifically for outdoor use, and don’t be tempted to overload your electrical sockets – it’s dangerous and can cause a fire. LED lights are best, not only because they are more energy efficient and need less wattage than traditional incandescent bulbs, but also for their beautifully clear, crisp light output. 

Secondly, putting up and taking down outdoor Christmas lights on a building comes with a fair degree of personal risk. Are you working off a simple household ladder? If you do, make sure it’s in good condition and a stable position on a firm and flat surface. Also, it’s advisable to always work in pairs, so you have someone assisting you – two pairs of hands are safer than one. For high roofs, rooftops or other elevated areas, ladders are unlikely to be the right solution. You may be better off hiring a scaffold platform or tower, or even a cherry picker. The last thing you need this Christmas is a nasty accident.

With the essential safety concerns addressed, are you ready to add some festive fun and magic to the outside of your home? Here are 5 design considerations and decorating tips to help you make your home truly Christmassy.

1.       Highlight the building’s architectural features

When installing lights to the front elevation of your house, always start at the centre and work your way outwards to the sides. Look at interesting architectural details of the building to see what can be highlighted in the design scheme. Gables, rooflines, chimneys, arches, windows or similar features lend themselves particularly well. 

Combine horizontal and vertical features to achieve the perfect balance. Rather than covering the entire house in lights, perhaps pick out the roof outline up to the gable peak and down again, then highlight the front door outline to create a simple yet effective festive aesthetic.

2.       Create a professional, three dimensional effect

Whatever you do, it needs to really impress, especially at Christmas – so don’t skimp on lighting; the thicker your lighting garlands are, the more effective the result will be. Use large, bright LED bulbs spaced properly and evenly, every 30cm or so, and include cutbacks so that your house doesn’t appear two dimensional. Make sure the length is just right; you should have a bulb positioned right at the top of the apex, and no overhanging lights at the bottom – otherwise it just looks messy.

3.       Don’t forget to decorate your trees

Beautifully decorated trees add impact, especially when they frame the house. There are two techniques you can use to light up your trees in the front garden. Spiral/canopy wrapping encircles the entire tree (perfect for conifers), while trunk & branch wrapping highlights the main branches and emphasises the structure of the tree (ideal for deciduous trees). Both can look wonderful, as can mixing and matching the two.

4.       Classic white or colourful fun?

Whether you go for the traditional Christmas favourite all-white look or have fun with some on-trend colour is entirely up to your personal taste. This year, one of the popular colour schemes to emerge is a very festive combination of red, green and white. Then again, other colour contrasts can work well too – try silver and gold, or green and blue perhaps, to create an effective and unusual wow factor for your Christmas home.

5.       Add extra decorations to set the scene

For a bolder look, you can give your front garden a Christmas theme with the addition of festive characters – Father Christmas, reindeer, snowmen or penguins, angels and stars, or a nativity scene? The shops are now full of inspiration, with all kinds of fun characters and wonderful light designs to choose from – go and have a look.

Finally, complement your outdoor Christmas light display with some lush greenery to add an extra festive touch to your exterior decorations. Evergreen wreaths or garlands (either real or artificial) can be trimmed with ribbons, ornaments and lights to provide enchanting accents for windows and doors.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working alongside a selection of companies including MC Property Maintenance, who were consulted over this post.

from Home My Heaven: UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/10/5-outdoor-christmas-decorating-tips-for.html

Converting your Garage into a Bar

If you have a garage on your property and you are struggling to work out how best to make use of it, then we might have the solution for you. Leisure time is extremely important, and having an extra space dedicated to relaxation and socialising is no bad thing. For those with some time on their hands and a penchant for DIY, your empty garage can be turned into a fully functioning bar.

Blank Canvas

It’s important that you start from scratch – trying to incorporate a bar into your existing garage layout can prove to be incredibly tricky. Clear out your garage completely, storing all the items you want to keep safely elsewhere. From here, you can plan what parts of your new bar and going to go where; most importantly the bar itself!

Painting and decorating

The colour and decoration of your new space will have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere that you and your guests experience in the bar. It is important that you find the right balance between your personal tastes and inviting colours for your ‘patrons’. Think about what you want to use the bar for: a relaxing drink and a chat may benefit from interesting and eye catching colours and adornments. However, if you are planning to have a TV screen to watch sports or films on, then a cluttered wall can prove to be distracting and claustrophobic.

Insulation

Like any room in your home, keeping it warm is important if you’re going to be comfortable in it. Insulation is required for every wall, the ceiling and the floor. The initial expense of insulation can be quite off-putting, but over the years it will save you a lot of money on heating bills, offsetting the amount you have spent on having it installed in the first place.

Lighting

As much an aesthetic factor as well as simply functioning to illuminate your room, the choice of lighting is very important for the overall look and feel of your new garage bar. There is a wide range of different lighting options available, from mood lighting to more traditional solutions. Whatever style you opt for, shop around for energy efficient bulbs and save a little extra on your energy bills each month.

Furniture

The insulation, the painting, the lighting: these are all very important features of your garage bar, but they are not the most ‘fun’ tasks to undertake. The furniture, however, is where your new bar will really start to take shape. Things like seating, tables (either standard functional tables or games tables – that’s up to you), any stands/shelves/brackets for your incoming giant TV screen… choosing your furniture is one of the most exciting parts of this conversion.

Climate

Nobody likes to be in a stuffy, sweaty bar. Conversely, nobody likes to be in a freezing cold bar, either. Air conditioning and climate control is very important for the room; it helps to keep a comfortable temperature which everyone can enjoy. Choosing the right air conditioning unit is a tough job, and it is important that you seek the advice of professionals before choosing a unit.

Airway Air Conditioning supply air conditioning systems from the world’s leading brands, and our expert team can install your unit perfectly and efficiently, helping you get your new bar up and running as quickly as possible.

If you would like to know more about air conditioning services for your home or business, please get in touch Airway Air Conditioning where we will be more than happy to help.

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/converting-your-garage-into-a-bar/

How to Make a Good Impression to Potential Buyers During Your First Open House

The way you hold an open house plays a critical role in determining the value of your home. Without the right preparation and plan, you can easily send potential buyers out the door. If this is the first time you’ll be setting up one, here are some of the things you can do to make a very good impression.

Enhance your home’s curb appeal

Your driveway and walkway are as important as what’s inside your home. Since they are the first areas that your potential buyers can see, you have to make sure that they are in top shape.

Freshen up your landscaping by removing dried and dying plants. It’s also a good idea to re-do your exterior paint, particularly if it’s already peeling or extremely faded. If your front and garage door are already showing signs of wear and tear, now is the right time to get them replaced.

It can also help if you can clean your gutters. In case your home’s siding is filled with dirt and grime, you can pressure wash it. A fresh new welcoming mat can make a big difference, too.

Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your driveway is clear. You don’t want anything there that can obstruct the view of your home.

Clean your home

This is probably the most important thing you need to do if you want to create a good impression to your potential buyers. A home full of clutter isn’t only visually unappealing, but it can also make your property lose its value. It might even discourage people from buying your property.

Start off by removing most of your personal items from your home. It should be as sparse as possible even before you set it up on the market. Take away as much furniture as possible and leave only those items that you think can boost your home’s aesthetic appeal.

Remove all stains from your walls, mirrors and silverware. You want your home to be as pristine as it can be. If there are hard-to-remove stains, it’s a better idea if you can reach out to the professional carpet and upholstery cleaners in your area. They have the tools, materials and skills to remedy stubborn stains without the risk of damaging your household item.

Let more light in

Whether it’s natural or artificial light, you want your home to be as bright and illuminated as possible. This is to help your potential buyers get a good view of your home’s layout and floor plan. You can open up all your curtains and make sure that all light bulbs are functioning well prior to their visit.

Prepare some refreshments

This is probably one of the most overlooked things when it comes to preparing for an open house. Although not a necessity, offering something for your visitors to eat and drink can help make a good impression. It doesn’t have to involve complex and expensive food items. It can be as simple as serving freshly baked cookies and glasses of cool lemonades.

Add accessories if you can

You don’t need tons of accessories to highlight your home, but adding them where they matter can make a big difference. This includes adding vases of flowers and scented candles in your living room. You can also add extra storage spaces in your bathroom to organize your toiletries and towels.

It’s a good idea if you can replace any broken faucets and cabinet handles, too. You can decorate your kitchen with decorative bottles filled with spices and oils. You can also use recipe books and glasses to add character to the room.

Assemble your furniture

You might be keeping your furniture the way they are for convenience and comfort. However, for open houses, you might want to consider moving them around to maximize your space.

Stage your furniture so that people can move around without bumping into things. Take away large furniture, such as sectional sofas. Make sure that there’s plenty of room for them to walk around but avoid pushing all your furniture to the wall. You want to create a focal point, such as a large window or your fireplace.

Depersonalize your home

Tuck away your family photos as they can be distracting for your potential buyers. As buyers can also look into your cabinets and storage spaces, it’s a good idea to empty them out or organize their contents. Seeing them overflowing can create the impression that your home doesn’t have enough space to keep things neatly tucked in.

Remove your toothbrush and towels from your bathroom. You should also consider clearing your kitchen countertops , especially if you have tons of appliances there. You only need to have the essentials to emphasize your kitchen’s functionality.

from Home My Heaven: UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/10/how-to-make-good-impression-to.html

5 reasons you need a glass staircase in your home

Glass is becoming a hugely popular material for use in interior design as well as part of modern architecture in general – and there are a whole host of reasons as to why this is the case.  Not only does glass bring a touch of luxury to any home or commercial building, but it is also superb for increasing a sense of space and for maximising light – and more and more homeowners are making the leap to installing glass staircases in their home.  But why is this?  We have a few reasons as to why you may consider a glass staircase or series of balustrade installations as part of your new-look home.

Versatility

The flexibility and lightweight nature of glass allows for some truly fantastic bespoke creations – meaning that it’s often a manufacturer’s favourite material to work with.  Glass, unlike wood or metal, is much more open to being formed, shaped and designed in any way you see fit – making it a fantastic choice for a truly unique staircase.  As the staircase is often the first thing many people see when entering your home, you’re going to want to make a spectacular and unique first impression!

Durability

Many may perceive glass to be brittle or incapable of providing for such regularly-used structures as staircases – however, this simply isn’t the case.  Toughened glass is more robust than ever, and with manufacturing allowing for scratch and damage-resistant glass in recent times, it’s becoming more and more of an attractive choice for staircase installations.

Space Creation

The main benefit of installing glass in your home is an aesthetic one – after all, the look of glass walls, glass balustradesand staircases can hardly be equalled!  Further to this, the transparency of a glass staircase allows you to create more space within your home than you could ever imagine – it’s a clever illusion that can really transform the atmosphere in a room almost effortlessly.

Easy Maintenance

Glass staircases are, of course, the easiest to maintain – as they’re not only wipe clean, but are often made of toughened glass to lessen the risk of any long-term damage or scuffing.  Compared to carpeted or wooden staircases, glass models are surprisingly low-maintenance and certainly pay for themselves long term.

Light and Eco-Friendly

Glass staircases are by far the kindest to the environment in their manufacture and composition alone, and in addition to this, they’re extremely lightweight – while at the same time remaining durable and extremely hard to damage.  Taking both of these factors into account of course means that glass staircases are easy to disassemble and can be completely recycled once they’ve lived their course – but why would you ever want to remove a staircase that looks so good?

For more information on having a bespoke design – or to order your own glass staircase or balustrades, contact the team of experts at Elysion on 01629 820030 who are versed in years of the design, manufacture and installation of interior and exterior design solutions for homes and business throughout the UK.

from Home My Heaven: UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/10/5-reasons-you-need-glass-staircase-in.html

10 benefits of having underfloor heating

While you may be aware of underfloor heating, you may not know just what it’s all about.  Why are so many people taking it upon themselves to switch from a standard radiator system to underfloor warmth?  Here are just a few benefits that new underfloor heating users experience regularly.

Direct, instant heat

While traditional radiators connected to a boiler may take considerable time to heat up and even longer to fill a room with warmth, underfloor heating is instantaneous and direct, meaning you’ll get warmer, quicker.

Easy to set up and install

While many plumbing and heating systems of old were considerably difficult to master in terms of maintenance and installation, underfloor heating’s pipework is relatively simple to handle – while it’s recommended that you arrange for an electrician or plumber to connect you before switching on, the pipework can be handled with relative ease.

Versatile options for installation

You can choose to have your underfloor heating supplied via your electricity supply for electric underfloor heating, or via a manifold and a water heater or boiler in your home.  This means that you can be assured of a working system based upon facilities you already have in place.

You can control heat remotely

With certain systems, you can decide how hot your room gets with either a thermostat or a remote panel, meaning that you can have simple, user-friendly control over your heat resources at all times.

You can install underfloor heating in a single zone…

If you only need the one room or facility heating on a timer basis, you can do so by installing a ‘single zone’ system.  This means that you’ll only ever be putting energy and cost into warming one room in your home for a certain amount of time.

…or you can install it in many zones

Alternatively, if you’d like several rooms in your home to benefit from underfloor heating, you can opt for a multi-zone system – meaning that each and every part of your house can benefit from direct, radiant heat.

You can choose which rooms heat up, and when

The beauty of using a smart thermostat or remote control for underfloor heating is in its ability to give you complete access to your entire heating network.  If your kitchen needs to be heated early on a morning, this can be programmed easily – while you can choose to keep the rest of your home cool when none of the rooms are in use.

It’s cost-effective long term

The long-term savings experienced by underfloor heating users are considerable – as you only ever need to heat the rooms that are in use, and as it takes less time for a room to warm up, you’ll spend less time and money on deploying such heat – therefore, your bills will be considerably cheaper than if you are running a more basic system!

It’s ideal for conservatories and garages

There may be rooms in your home or extensions where standard radiators may not be able to reach – meaning that an underfloor heating system can be very helpful in ensuring that even your most remote rooms can benefit from warmth.

There’s always someone on hand

While underfloor heating may be getting more popular, and while the process of setting up and laying down pipework may generally be considered fairly simple, the age of the internet has allowed for numerous video guides and walkthroughs to be set up to ensure that you will always know where you are when installing for the first time.  In addition to this, any good and reputable underfloor heating supplier, such as UK Underfloor Heating, will be able to give you all the assistance and knowledge you need remotely, making for a far less stressful set-up and maintenance procedure than with a standard heating system. If you are looking for more information on underfloor heating types and if you will be able to get it, please call UK Underfloor Heating on 0800 232 1501.

from Home My Heaven: UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/10/10-benefits-of-having-underfloor-heating.html

Autumn Home Improvement Ideas

The time for spending your evenings sat outside in the garden watching the sun set with a nice cool drink has sadly been put on hold until next year. But there is now the chance to make changes to your home with the autumn months in mind. These tips should help you bring in the new season in the best ways possible.

Make Your Home Cosier

The colder nights and shorter days make autumn the perfect time to add some cosiness to your home. You can do this in a variety of ways, ranging from ways which are subtler such as getting adding some new cushions to your home or adding some blankets that can be used to cosy up when you are sat watching your favourite TV program. There can also be bigger ways to do this, such as adding a log burner to your home which maybe wouldn’t be as practical but is a fantastic way to do something that is certainly on trend with autumn décor.

Bring the Outdoors Inside

A large trend over the summer months is always to spend time relaxing in your garden, but why not choose to bring your outdoors inside? Again, this can be done with little effort by bringing your traditional indoor furniture inside in to your conservatory and putting some throws over them. If you fancy getting more creative, you can choose to make a collage with some of the autumn leafs and placing them in a frame on your wall.

Add New Colours

Without a doubt, changing the theme of your room by altering the colours in there is one of the best home improvement choices. To get in with the theme of autumn you want to use pastel colours, and colours such as brown or dark orange. You can do this by changing the paint colour in your home, or you can simply alter some of the smaller décor pieces. For instance, you can change the photo frames or replace the flowers in your vases with decorative acorns as a great way to add some colour that keeps in with the theme of autumn.

Author Bio

Ryan Duffy is a freelance writer who is a recent university graduate in Media Studies. His passion for people and writing has encouraged him to pursue this career full-time. Working on behalf of rattan furniture manufacturer, Dresser & Co, he focuses most of his work towards home improvement and lifestyle sites.

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/autumn-home-improvement-ideas/

Installing a Stove without a Chimney

With gas prices rising every year there have been an increase in people who have alternatively installed wood burning stoves as their main source of heat at home. The only issue of course with doing so is that there must also be an extraction system in place which will vent the smoke. Most people think if your home does not come pre-fitted with a chimney then it is impossible to have a stove but in reality they can be quite simple to erect.

The first step is to look at what type of chimney you require for your stove; this is based on the type of stove and home you have. It is better to have a new chimney flue installed than to use a pre-existing one with a new stove as the opening of the flue has to exactly match the stove. Ideally you will want a metal chimney flue installed as they as insulated with a flue liner and can withstand much higher temperatures. For some the idea of a large metal chimney is a bit of an eye sore so to be more fitting with your homes aesthetic you can also have a brick/masonry chimney as the exterior with the metal flue on the inside.

You will next need to consider where you will place the stove and flue in your home. Ideally you will want somewhere where the chimney is as straight as possible with minimal bends. If your chimney has a lot of bends and turns it won’t be able to function properly and creates more areas within the flue from creosote to build up. It will also make it a lot more difficult for you to see where there is build up and check for any blockages.

Most people like to have their chimney against an exterior wall of their home but this is one of the worst places for it, as the warmth from your home will be lost. It is recommended to place your stove at the most central point in your home, this will allow your home to heat up quicker as it draws the best.

Sooty & Sweeps offers accredited chimney sweep services in London & Kent.

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/installing-a-stove-without-a-chimney/

Add Value to your Home with a Wood Burner

You could effortlessly reap double benefits by simply installing a wood burning stove into your home: a noticeable reduction in your heating bill and a boost to the market value of your home. Killing two birds with one stone has to be a great idea!

Many new build properties are sadly lacking a fireplace. Underfloor heating and modern radiators certainly have their plus points but are no substitute for the charm, welcoming atmosphere and pure, unadulterated character that an open fire exudes.

As the nights are now noticeably drawing in, there is really nothing more welcoming than the cosy glow, comforting crackling and wonderful aroma of burning wood. Making money on the deal is simply the icing on the cake!

Advancing technology means there is now more choice than ever when it comes to choosing the perfect stove to complement your home.

DEFRA Approval

Many models now come with DEFRA approval, meaning that you are at liberty to burn smokeless fuels, even in London postcodes. In addition, with protecting the environment rightly becoming an increasing preoccupation amongst many of us, it is really good to know that you are ticking the carbon neutral box by heating in this way. Heating only the room you are currently using is, of course, far more cost effective than simply flicking on the central heating.

More and more people are using a stove as a real focal point in their main living space, and stoves do make a great impact from an aesthetic point of view. They are a far more accommodating option than they used to be, with curved and cylindrical models widely available to fit more awkward spaces and the ability to raise them to the desired height or mount them directly on the wall.

Style & Flexibility

A high quality stove makes a positive statement in any style or period of property. As they can now be placed more imaginatively, stoves are a more flexible beast than ever before and can be used to add a real sense of drama to a space or be used more unobtrusively. The choice is yours.

An open fire or stove is not only a practical addition to your home but also has the capacity to make a property more desirable to future buyers and more enjoyable to live in, with improved home functionality benefiting all the family.

If you wish to know more about stoves or are looking for a new fireplace, fire of fireplace accessories for your home, please visit The Fireplace Warehouse for more information.

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