One of the basic needs humankind has, is shelter from the elements. We've come so far from living in caves to trees to huts. Building a safe haven is not so easy anymore. If you want a home in for the long term, then you cannot simply DIY your way through it. It is necessary that you find a new home builder who can construct a sturdy and beautiful house that you can turn into a home. And because this one of the most significant, not to mention, most costly, decisions that you will make in your life. You will not only need to find a home builder; you will need to find the right one – the one who will give life to your vision and who will make sure that everything will be in order from start to finish.

With many home builders to choose from, you might find it tough trying to pick the best one. They have all the sales pitches and the advertising tools that would make it confusing. So how do you pick a great home builder from the large pool of okay ones?

Great home building companies should commit not only to building you the best house but also making sure that they support you well during the whole process. Look at how they accommodate you. Do they make themselves available to you when you need assistance? The best home builders make sure that they also set the standard of excellence in demonstrating the best customer service.

If you do your research, you will find that there is also readily available information on the winners and runners-up for the best homebuilders in your city. This would be useful but make sure that these builders are still registered and fully licensed to construct homes. Check the homebuilders association in your region.

Also, never underestimate what you can learn from the grapevine. Ask your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours who may know of someone who has bought or had new property constructed recently. You can ask them first hand about their entire experience. They could recommend a builder to construct a new house for you. Ask them about the customer service. How was it like after they moved in? Were they still accommodated properly? Was there a lot of work that needed to be redone? They could have lots of valuable tips and advice.

The duty of a great home builder does not end when they have handed over the keys to you. After constructing the house of your dreams, there will still be minimal things to go over, and a great home builder makes sure that they still are actively present during this time.
So, aside from choosing the best designs, the top-of-the-line materials and whatnot, make sure that you find the home builder that's the best fit for you. Building a new home may be challenging, but not taking the time to do the proper groundwork will prove to be unfavourable in the end.

Regardless of the specific business that you are planning to put up, the right commercial property in Peterborough can make or break all of your business plans. For many business owners in Peterborough, the more practical choice is to rent an establishment rather than to commit to a full purchase.

The reason that most of these renters give is the fact that renting requires much less capital. It also allows them greater freedom when it comes to relocation. Nevertheless, renting a commercial property in Peterborough does have its own share of disadvantages. To help you discover the more specific advantages and disadvantages of renting, listed below is a useful guide that you can follow before you commit to a commercial space.

Advantages of Renting a Commercial Property

Flexibility and Freedom

Again, one of the greatest advantages of renting a commercial property versus buying it is the freedom and flexibility that it allows its tenant. You do not have to worry about being tied down to your investment. As long as you have paid off all of your debts to your landlord, you can vacate the premises as soon as the need arises. Whether your business grows or fails, you can easily transfer to a more suitable location without worrying about your current property.

Financial Savings

Though you will be paying a monthly or quarterly rental fee, you will need to shell out a considerably smaller amount for your initial capital. Compared to properties put up for sale, rented spaces are much more affordable. This is particularly useful for a business owner who might need to allot more of his or her budget for actual business expenses.

Independence from Fluctuating Markets

As a mere tenant, you will not be expected to compensate for the fluctuating interest rates on your building or apartment. Though your landlord will adjust the interest rates in accordance with changes in inflation, your overall rental fees will only rise by a minimal amount. Similarly, any sudden market crashes that affect the real estate industry are not an immediate concern for you. In fact, you will hardly feel the impact of any sudden drops in the value of your property.

Freedom from Maintenance Responsibilities

Though it would be in your best interest to maintain the cleanliness and condition of your commercial space for the benefit of your clients and employees, you will not need to shoulder the costs of major repairs on your unit. Likewise, the landlord will be responsible for maintaining the plumbing, electrical, and structural aspects of the property.

Disadvantages of Renting a Commercial Property

Uncontrolled Rental Increase

Unfortunately, even if your budget might not be able to accommodate it, you will be at the mercy of your landlords rental increases. Depending on the payment scheme you have decided on, this could mean a monthly or quarterly increase on your rent.

Lack of Property Rights

As previously stated, you will not be directly affected by sudden changes in the market value of your property. The downside of this fact is that you also do not stand to gain anything even if your commercial property suddenly grows in value.

In the end, the most important thing to remember is that renting commercial properties works best for business owners who are looking for a cheaper, short-term option. It works out best for renters who will stay for less than five years. This way they will be able to maximize the space without incurring any of the losses associated with rising interest rates and service charges.

Outdoor Options

When it comes to creating or designing an outdoor decking area you should think about the future. It's worth thinking long term because it needs to make a significant difference to your outdoor living arrangements. Some costs are straightforward, but other costs come in different forms such as: a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch with your family, time with a broadsheet or spending time with man's best friend. It's really important to think about exactly what you want when it comes to choosing decking options. You need to make sure you choose options that are right for you, at a price you can afford. 

Material for Decking

High-resistance composite decking from Timbertech is made out of strong material, which keeps the beauty in and the weather out. It only needs soap and water to clean it; it is fade, stain, scratch and rub resistant; naturally beautiful wood finish containing a deep, rich colour; environmentally friendly and it has fade and stain long-term warranties. 

PVC or Vinyl Decking

This is an all plastic material with absolutely no organic content, making for relatively easy upkeep. PVC is stain, mould and scratch proof, like many of the materials used for decking. It gives an amazing finish with relatively no work at all.

Early Generation Composite Decking

This is timber alternative board which can be used to deck outdoor areas. It is part timber and part plastic, making maintenance very straightforward. With this composite it won't easily rot or splinter, it's long-lasting and durable and it's environmentally friendly. 

Timber Decking

For the traditionalist timber decking gives a fine, natural finish, that will make any outdoor area look superb. It has a natural feel, which is rooted in a high-quality finish. It is extremely affordable and board-for-board it is great value. Moreover, it is maintainable and really straightforward to purchase. 

Work Needed To Put Decking In

The actual cost of decking can be weighted heavily on the labour, sometimes up to 50%. Therefore, it is wise to think whether to take on the work yourself or call in the professionals. Hidden costs are often the downfall for those people who set a low, inflexible budget. PVC can be difficult to customise and some of the composite woods need extra after care.

Upkeep and Maintenance

Composite decking can be a cheap option, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive. If you do opt for a more expensive option, then the upkeep can be less extensive. The cost of upkeep of most decking evens out over the years that own it. 

Design Options

Some materials come with the option of personalisation or customisation. You can choose from curves, custom colours and timber grain options. When you are searching for the best material for your outdoor space you need to decide whether you are looking for customisable options or cheap options that have longevity. 

Choosing The Right Option 

It is right to take the time to consider what type of wood or PVC you want to use and seriously discuss the labour costs with loved ones prior to changing you outdoor space. If you make the right decisions, then your decking will be primed for entertaining, barbecuing and spending time with family. Remember that choosing the cheap option is not always the most informed decision: look at your outdoor space and utilise it.

Home air filters work to clean the air of harmful pollutants such as chemical, dander from pets, dust, and odors. The devices use a series of filters and purify the air by trapping contaminants within the filters whereas a fan then blows clean air out. Maintaining these home air filters becomes a key to the dispensable clean air you breathe indoors. Here are some pointers for effectively maintaining the device.

Cleaning Pre-filters

Composed entirely of foam or nylon, pre-filters are often placed first in a series of multi-layered filtration system. They are able to block the majority of large particles contaminating the air. The pre-filters can be washed once a month which is a healthy schedule for their maintenance in the long-run.

Maintaining Electrostatic Air Purifiers

Electrostatic home air filters use metal plates to trap particles on to them. The plates become dirty with use over time. The dirtier the plate become, lower the efficiency of the system is to clean the air.  Inexpensive and easy to maintain, the home air filters utilizing these only need to be washed regularly. The plates can be taken out of the system and then submerged in water or placed in the dishwasher.

Replacing Carbon filters

Carbon filters are able to absorb odors; however they become ineffective over time and need to replaced with new ones. Though they are considerably inexpensive, they have to be replaced after six months of use in most of the environments. Some of the home air filters also use carbon filters as pre-filters, making it easy to replace the number of filters users have to replace.

Checking up on Your HEPA Filter

It is interesting to know that all reliable home air filters rely on the effectiveness of a true HEPA filter, the HEPA filter themselves are dependent on the working of the pre-filter. The reason is that without a properly cleaned pre-filter, a HEPA filter will become clogged and redundant as large particles will obstruct it, and hence prevent it from operating to its full potential.

HEPA filters are by best the most expensive to replace; therefore, it is essential that you keep the pre-filter clean as advised to make sure that HEPA filter lasts longer. Surprisingly, many air purifier systems these days often inform you beforehand with indicators when a filter requires a change. Some even state the time before a particular filter needs to be replaced.

Final Word

An air cleaner using multiple home air filters is only as effective as its care and maintenance. The air around us contains large amount of contaminants and fine particles . Over a period of time home air filters become dirty and need to be washed while some need to be replaced altogether.  It is important that such maintenance schedules are followed to ensure maximum amount of safe and healthy air circulating within our indoors.

Cabinets are an essential, but often overlooked, part of any home. The trouble is that it can be hard to access items that you put at the back of the cabinet, because they are obscured by the items in the front. This means that part of the shelf is really unusable. That means that there is wasted space in the home, space that you could be using to aid in the organization of some of the most important rooms you have.

Pull out shelving is the solution to this problem. You don't have to worry about searching to find any of the items that you have put away in the cabinet. You don't have to take items out to try and find what you are looking for. This type of shelving is helpful for everyone, including older individuals and those that may have physical disabilities.

In addition, it does not cost a lot of money to switch out your existing cabinets with pull out shelves. There are certainly a lot of other renovations that cost a lot more and give you a lot less in return. It is important to note that you do not have to change the structure of the cabinet itself. Instead, you can make the pull out shelves fit the space that you have available.

As long as the shelves are built correctly, you can place up to one hundred pounds in each cabinet. Full extension rails play a vital role in this process. Also, pull out shelving solves another problem that frequently plagues homeowners. Traditional shelving is difficult to clean, because there are parts that you just can't get to. Pull out shelving allows you access to the entire cabinet, ensuring that you are able to clean it the way that you want to.

With diy kitchen cabinets, you are able to store more items than ever before. If you think about how you want to organize your space in advance, you can make alterations to the width of the shelf to suit your needs. For example, the widest shelves can be down near the floor, so that you can store your biggest items there. This will help you with your organization, and it will also allow you to access items quickly and easily.

If you plan on putting your home on the market, pull out shelving is a great feature that buyers will be interested in. It looks great, it's functional, and it is also safer than traditional shelving options. Homeowners do not have to try and grab items that are located behind other items. They can simply pull out the shelf to get what they need.

Finally, consider the fact that you can maximize the available space in your home with pull out shelving. These shelves are built to fit the diy cabinets that you have in your rooms already; therefore, you know they will look great and work well. All you need are your existing dimensions and then you can go from there.

Final Thoughts

Pull out shelving is much easier to use than other shelving options and it helps to keep your home more organized. If you are interested in this feature, you can find a company on the Internet to help you with your needs.

Window shutters are popular in the United Kingdom and in many areas of the world. Why is this the case? It has to do with how versatile the shutters are all around the world, along with these other reasons you'll go over below.

Shutters are a good way to add to your home's overall look. Who in the UK doesn't want their home to fit in or at least look its best? Responsible homeowners and those that are proud of where they live tend to care for their homes the best. It is nice to have a set of shutters on the outside of your home that matches the look and style you're going for overall. It is very important that you learn what to expect from a variety of shutters by looking at many types in person or at a local home improvement store.

A home is going to benefit from having shutters in place. For most people, sunlight is highly annoying when it's causing glares on monitors or shining into your eyes at various times during the day. There is also the fact that sunlight can damage your home's interior and even the furniture inside. If you've ever left anything outside in the sun, then you know most materials fade. Having something like your movie collection in sunlight on accident due to not having shutters can make them not collectible any longer.

Windows can make it hot in your home if they are not covered. In a lot of cases, it will be hotter near the windows because they can take and make the sun hit one are. If you are wanting to save money on cooling your home, then you need to get shutters or some kind of window covering. However, you should also make sure you can let light in at various times during the day if you want to heat your home up during times of the year where it gets cold. They make a lot of styles that you can keep partially or all the way open to help with lighting and weather.

Shopping for your shutters can be easy no matter what kind of cash you can spend. In the UK and elsewhere you can find a lot of great choices that are made to work with your custom window types. You don't even have to make the choice yourself, you can have a professional that does home improvements come out to assist. When you do your budgeting make sure you speak with the professional about whether or not that price includes them helping to install the shutters.

The United Kingdom is where window shutters are popular. You now know why this is the case due to realizing the benefits they carry. Anyone can get them installed in any type of house, so if you think they will help you it's a good idea to take your time to research and weigh each option.

Shutters can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece. The earliest shutters were built from marble. Shutters constructed in later years were primarily built from high-grade wood. Now, today's consumers have a number of options to choose from.

For many individuals, finding a shutter made from an eco-friendly material is their top priority. Thankfully, there are a number of high-quality shutter materials that are also environmentally safe.

Fast-Growing Woods

Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of wooden shutters. While people appreciate the durability and reliability of premium timbers, many worry about the toll that harvesting trees has on the environment.

However, a number of the woods that are used to make shutters are "fast-grown." This means that the trees are immediately replaced as they are chopped down. In addition, these types of trees grow back very quickly.

Examples of such woods include phoenix wood, basswood, and palawnia. Maple is also a solid option.

Canadian Western Red Cedar

Cedar is one of the premier shutter materials. It provides a high level of insulation, which means that it can cut down on heating and cooling costs. In addition, the timber is harvested from sustainable forests in Canada.

If you opt for cedar shutters, make sure that the cedar comes from the right location. You want to learn as much as you can about the forests your wood has come from. In addition, you should try to avoid laminated cedar shutters. These shutters are not made from solid wood, and may contain materials from a variety of different sources.

Polyclad Hardwood Shutters

One of the biggest environmental hazards associated with shutters isn't the wood itself; it's the paint used on them. The EPA has identified paint as one of the biggest threats to our environment.

With that said, this doesn't mean that you have to opt for shutters with a solid wood finish. Instead, you could install Polyclad shutters on your home. These shutters are paint and EPA-free, and are very energy efficient. They are usually constructed from locally sourced wood and blended with other environmentally safe materials.

Aluminum Shutters

If you would prefer to avoid wood shutters on your home, aluminum is an excellent alternative. The production of aluminum is extremely friendly to the environment. The nature of aluminum allows it to be recycled time and time again without losing any of its distinctive properties.

To make things even better, shutters that are constructed from aluminum provide top quality insulation. These shutters are energy efficient, weather resistant, and offer a paint-free finish. There is no reason not to install them on your home.

Shutters have a long and storied history. People from across the globe have been using shutters for generations.

Installing new shutters on your home is a smart choice, but selecting the right material is even smarter. Take the time to research the various materials you have to choose from. Whether you opt for a locally sourced wood, aluminum, or another type of material, you should be able to find eco-friendly shutters that are a perfect fit for your home. Please follow this for more about shutters http://www.utexas-edu.com.

If you're thinking about getting some window tinting done, whether it be residential or commercial, then there are a number of things you should be aware of so you make the right choice for your particular environment and situation.

The first and undoubtedly the most crucial thing you need to discriminate about window film is the difference between quality window film and bad window film. Here's why. Premium window film will last for the lifetime of your windows whereas poor window film will barely last 2-3 years, depending on the rigours of your environment.

The only way for you to tell the difference between good quality and poor quality film is price and guarantee. When making enquirers with a supplier, find out how long the film is guaranteed for. If it's not at least 12 years keep looking. And also look out for the unscrupulous operator who offers you a guarantee on low quality film and hikes the price, to make it appear like it's good film, but will either not be around, or simply do nothing if you get back to them because your tint has failed.

Here's the tip, (and by the way I've found this to be true with most things), if your only motivation in getting quotes is looking for the lowest possible price, then you will naturally gravitate towards the rubbish product and the real price you pay will be in around 3 years when your windows start to blister, fade and/or peel and just look ghastly. Be warned, the cheapest price is usually the rubbish product!

REASONS FOR INSTALLING TINTING

There are a range of benefits you can get from window tinting, and each particular film you use will package some of these advantages, so the first thing you need to be sure of is the most important reason for applying window tint in your situation. Lets look at each benefit in a little more detail so you can better figure out the most applicable solution for your circumstances.

Heat Rejection: Premium window film rejects heat by blocking up to 73% of IR radiation through windows. That really is cool!

UV Rejection: Good quality window film prevents up to 99% of IR radiation from coming through windows. And as a bonus, it also prevents 93% of glare, which massively improves for your view and makes things look cool!

Privacy: The right film will also provide daytime privacy, allowing everyone inside to be cooler, enjoy the views, and at the same time have total privacy from onlookers in daylight.

Impact Safety and Security Films: These specialist films stop glass from fragmenting on impact. Safety films are made to withstand the force of human impact, while security films can withstand an explosion without shattering. Since the collateral damage from accidents where windows are broken comes from shards of glass flying like shrapnel, or large sections of glass falling like a guillotine, the major issues associated with safety are mitigated. It also stops your windows from being a soft and easy entry point for burglars, because both the impact and noise required to force entry is so noticeable thieves, would rather simply move on in search of an easier, 'softer' target.

Finally of course there's the matter of style. Good quality window film also makes windows look cool; and for many people it's the aesthetic charm that tinted windows provide that is the major reason for their purchase.

SPECIFIC ISSUES RELATED TO CARS & VEHICLES The next point I want to discuss is relevant to vehicles and it concerns installing the darkest legal tint on your car, truck or work vehicle.

In all States and Territories of Australia, the darkest legal tint legally permitted on a vehicle is one with a VLT (visible light transmission) level of 35%, on all vehicle windows (excluding the front windscreen, which cannot have any window tint except for a visor strip across the top). The northern Territory and Western Australia are the only exceptions. In the Northern Territory you are legally allowed a minimum VLT of 15% for windows behind the driver; and in WA you are allowed 20% VLT on windows behind the driver.

So here's the thing. Most vehicles already have a slight tint in the glass in the front windows, so this needs to be taken into consideration when adding tint to a window. Here's why.

If the factory windows on your car already block 30% of light, when a film with the "darkest legal tint" of 35% is added to this glass, it will emit only 35% of light into a window that is already only emitting 70% of light, so the end VLT will be calculated by the combination of both tint ratings.

This needs to be taken into consideration because if a driver by mistake fails to comply with tinting regulations, the result can be a fine. But worse still, if a vehicle is involved in an accident and its illegally dark windows are considered by the court to be a contributing factor, this could result in the cancellation of your insurance policy, leaving you exposed to the full financial implications of the accident. And if that's not bad enough a criminal charge could apply if property is damaged or people are injured.

The final thing to remember is that by modifying a vehicle with illegally dark windows, the vehicle becomes unroadworthy, which means the driver can't drive the car again until it has been put through a roadworthy test, in which case the illegal tint will have to be removed. That's why the combined VLT of both the glass and film really should be considered when you're selecting the appropriate tint for your car.

Summing up everything I've discussed, what's the critical takeaway from this article? When it comes to tinting windows, make sure you use a good quality film and that your installer has the knowledge to be able to offer you the best solution for your situation. That way you'll end up with a range of benefits, instead of a number of issues.

Access control is a relatively new security measure which limits the access to a specific area or resource, to a specific number of authorized individuals. This mode of security is divided into two types, physical and logical access control.

The former is concerned with access to physical locations such as buildings, rooms, or campuses, while the latter deals with limiting access to computer networks and other system-related data.

Traditionally, access control was limited to the use of identification cards and pass codes to be allowed entry or use. Luckily, modern science has developed ways to improve access control technology, thus providing both physical and logical access control with top-notch security features.

Man can now choose from an array of access control technology which varies depending on the level of security he needs. Optical turnstiles are perhaps the most popular among these devices.

This mechanism uses state of the art technology to read a persons unique access card, while also ensuring that only one person is allowed to enter at a time. Its often used by universities to separate the students from visitors, or in offices which provide individual employees with special access. More advanced optical turnstiles are paired with alarm systems which alert security personnel in cases where an invalid card was used.

Biometrics technology is another widely used access control mechanism. This type of technology refers to the use of a persons personal characteristics to be allowed entry or access.

What is being referred to as personal characteristics is often divided into physiological and behavioral characteristics. Examples of the former include a persons fingerprint, hand geometry, unique facial features, or his iris and retina, whereas the latter refers to a persons behavioral pattern like his gait or typing rhythm.

On the other hand, biometric readers use a more advanced technology. A more advanced version of the biometrics technology, it requires personnel to present at least three forms of identification before being given access. It consists of a combination of a biometrics template, an access control card, and a user-specific passcode. Since this type of access control technology provides a high level of security, its ideally used to protect sensitive information.

Another well-known access control mechanism is a screening system. A screening system is a highly sensitive inspection unit which detects metals, explosives, and chemicals, which may be harmful to the area to which a person is requesting access. However, this type of technology is often used as a supplement to other forms of access control.

To summarize, access control is one of the best technological developments in this modern age. Its a widely-used technology which is present in most establishments including universities, airports, terminals, malls, and even theme parks. Todays man is lucky enough to enjoy the luxuries of the 21st century.

Nowadays, there are plenty of commercial establishments that equipped their stores with surveillance systems, and corporations around the world are also doing the same. Most people don't realize that they should also consider getting home surveillance cameras as these are not just neat toys that they can fiddle around with. These actually serve a fine purpose.

For most people, the main purpose of these home surveillance cameras is to catch burglars. Although there is some truth to this, it is not its only purpose as these devices also offer other surprising uses that some people are totally clueless of. A security camera can easily catch bad people that homeowners allow into their homes. There are times when the most dangerous people around are those that homeowners are currently living with. For example, there have been countless of online videos showing babysitters who are hurting the children they are supposed to protect and take care of while the parents are away.

Another great advantage of home surveillance cameras is the fact that homeowners can use these to get a home insurance premium. Insurance companies calculate premiums on coverage based on the potential level of risk that may be present in the situation. If the risk to any home damage is reduced, the homeowner's insurance premium also lowers. The safer the home is, the cheaper the insurance expenses will be.

The thing about home surveillance cameras is that they are not just there to keep an eye on people inside and outside the premises. Homeowners who have pets will appreciate the added visibility that these devices can provide. Pets are unpredictable. One minute they are sitting happily in the kitchen, the next minute, they are already wreaking havoc in the yard. With home surveillance cameras, homeowners can constantly keep an eye on their beloved darlings via a computer or smartphone.

Finally, home surveillance cameras make for excellent baby monitors. There are devices that come equipped with audio recording capabilities, enabling parents to see and hear what is going on with the child from a computer or smartphone. The best part of all, with everything unfolding before a camera, there is no need to go in and check up on the baby possibly waking him or her up by accident.

With improved technological abilities come more affordable yet dependable options that are readily available in the market. These devices are no longer limited to the rich and famous. With the cost to install home surveillance cameras decreasing over time, and with their benefits increasing as technology continues to improve, it is becoming more practical to have these at home as an additional protection.

There are plenty of security professionals that those who are interested to get a reliable security system installed in their homes can contact. It is always best to seek professional help to ensure that homeowners get the best value for their money.

Oakwood House is Ted Stevens and Catherine Moore's self-build home, located in Gloucestershire. The house is contemporary in design, clad in timber and set in a wooded area. It also rests within the green belt and is near both a nature reserve and an area managed by Woodland Trust.

The construction process revolved around a design purposed to fit with the woodland setting. Ted, who is also chairman of the National Self Build Association, stated it was 'a truly green and sustainable structure'. To help with the its implementation, architects Smith Roberts of Wootton-under-Edge were brought along, as Ted had acknowledged their 'long track record of designing modern buildings that related well to the landscape'. Construction entailed the use of locally sourced materials, which included the rough sawn oak needed for elevations. The house was structured upon single-skin heavyweight concrete blockwork, which underwent cladding of 100 millimetres of insulation. The walls and ground floor were also formed with high insulation levels. The roof was curved and coated with zinc.

What was the final product? A lovely house that becomes a warm and cosy dwelling on sunny days, even during mid-winter. The concrete structural floors retain the absorbed heat, and the walls do the same through solar energy collected from the extensive glazing. The windows are not only double-glazed but also, they're fitted with reflective films enabling them to trap in more warmth. A ground source heat pump serves as the main source of heating for the home. It's responsible for preheating the tap water to about 40 degrees Celsius. Also, the kitchen and bathrooms are linked to an immersion heater, which can further increase their temperature.

The surrounding environment makes the home even more serene. Ponds, patches of wild flower and woodland areas have been retained. The garden just outside the house also benefits from irrigation through the roof-trapped rainwater collected in a 10,000-litre tank, which is situated beneath a path near the bridge.

Ted and Catherine's home incorporates an upside-down layout, with the kitchen, dining room, main lounge and master bedroom on the top floor and an office space and two bedrooms located below. It can be assumed those bedrooms on the ground level are for guests. Wouldn't it be nice to add the extra convenience of a home elevator?

Air powered elevators are products of today's cutting-edge technology and machinery. Air pressure and just a small amount of electricity are required for every ascent, while gravity and air pressure handle descents. They're not only easier and safer to ride than taking the stairs. They're energy efficient and environment-friendly as well, not relying on pistons, cables or harmful substances to be assembled or serviced. In fact, servicing is required just every four or five years, in which only the main seal needs replacing. Imagine how hassle-free it would be riding one of them? It would make those frequent trips to and from the office, kitchen or bathroom far easier and smoother. You won't have to tire your feet out. That's why these lifts are highly recommended for houses, especially big, multi-level ones. They'll be the most useful decorations you could have at home.

A swimming pool can be a wonderful thing to have, but it can also be a source of frustration. Even if you live in an area with warmer weather, you won't always be able to enjoy your pool year round.

However, all of that can change with a pool heater. A quality heater can make sure that your pool's water is a comfortable temperature even when it's cold outside.

Below, you'll find a few of the best pool heater brands. These heaters will help you keep your pool toasty during all months of the year:

Hayward

Hayward is one of the most popular brands when it comes to pool heaters, and it's easy to see why. They offer a wide range of heaters, and their products come at a variety of price points.

A lot of Hayward heaters aim to give people a home spa experience. Anyone who wants to transform their backyard into an oasis will want to look at their products.

Hayward consistently receives excellent reviews from customers. Anyone looking for a pool heater should look at what they have to offer.

Intex

If you're interested in using solar heating for your pool, you should examine Intex products. Intex's solar pool heaters are best sellers. There are new people buying their heaters every day, and most of those people love what they get.

Intex provides extremely affordable heating solutions to families on a budget. They allow any family to keep their pool warm.

Smartpool

If you're looking for more advanced solar heating solutions, Smartpool products are your best bet. Although their products are more expensive then than some of their competitor's products are, their heaters really get the job done.

They offer heating solutions for both above ground pools and in ground pools, and all of their products are very well reviewed.

Pentair

People who want an environmentally friendly pool heater will love Pentair's natural gas heaters. They're affordable, they're made with top quality materials, and they will help people to keep their energy costs low.

Although their heaters can be very expensive, they will last for decades or more. Sometimes, it's worth paying more for products with this level of quality.

No matter what kind of pool heater you're looking for, you should be able to find a product that meets your needs. The best brands of pool heaters offer useful features and great quality at an affordable price. You can find stacks of reviews at Mypoolguide.com.

Pool heaters can add between 4-16 extra swimming weeks on to your swimming roster. There is not much point having a swimming pool that you can only use for 2-4 weeks per year. Solar heating has the lowest environmental impact, but it only works if there is a good amount of sun. Solar is also the most expensive to buy upfront, but it has no running costs.

There are some solar products you can purchase that take the heat from your attic. You will need to buy a cooling fan, a specialized type for the system. This system is very expensive but the upshot is usually your attic is boiling in the summer, and you will get a fairly good heat transfer to your pool.

Gas is faster than electric heat pumps, but they cost more to run. But electric heaters can actually cost a lot more than gas if they are run continuously. Not many people are brave enough to run a gas heater continuously as the charges would be astronomical. A gas line left unmanaged can put you under!

Window coverings come in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures, and can really change the tone of the room that you use them in. In fact, if you feel like your home is in need of remodelling, but you can't afford to change things too much, simply changing up the window covering could be a high impact, low cost way to spruce up the rest of the room. Here are a few great ideas for window coverings, that could help you to get the new look you're aiming for.

Window coverings can include:

Drapes Shades Interior shutters Roman blinds Curtains Vertical blinds Plantation Shutters Voiles

Window Coverings the type of covering you will choose

The type of covering you choose will depend on the size of the room and its purpose. Voiles, for example, are lovely to look at, but not effective at blocking out light, so you probably wouldn't want them in a bedroom, since you wouldn't be able to sleep very well at night with the amount of light that they let in. Plantation shuttters, on the other hand, may be too imposing for bigger rooms. It's a balancing act, and something that you might want to play around with in a 3D home design program.

Here's a few ideas:

Clever Curtains

Curtains don't have to be plain colored, heavy, blocky things. You can get bright and airy curtains with cute patterns on them, curtains with lacy borders and upper valances, and curtains that tie back with cute bows to frame the windows quite nicely while they're open. The curtains you choose don't have to cover the window alone, either - they can be paired with a net or a voile behind them to produce a nice frame, and something that will continue to filter the light even when the main curtains are open.

Brilliant Blinds

Roman blinds, roller blinds, slatted blinds, the choice is yours - you can find blinds in a range of colours, patterns, thicknesses and textures to suit any room. From clean, understated blinds that look 'barely there', natural bamboo shades that create a soft and stylish look, or the almost clinical and serious look that you may have become accustomed to if you work in an office, you can find blinds that will make any statement that you wish. Measure them carefully though - if your blinds don't quite fit your window then you'll find that they seriously detract from the look of the room.

Super Window Coverings - Shutters

Shutters are a nice option for people who want something a little different - yes, you can use shutters as an interior window treatment! Plantation style shutters look great, and they can give your room a natural and rustic feeling. They don't have to cost a fortune either, and once they're fitted they are easy to clean and take minimal maintenance - they just wipe down, unlike other fabric based window treatments that might take a bit more cleaning as they gather dust.

Shutters are quite imposing, though, and will 'take over' the tone of the room, so you'll need to plan the rest of the decor around them to make sure that they don't become an unplanned focal point. Of course, if you have a lovely garden, then the window, and shutters, could be nice to look at!

As you can see, there are so many different kinds of window coverings and treatments to choose from. There's no need to stick to simple, straight curtains on a white plastic roller, as your parents may have had decades ago. These days, it's easy to express your sense of style, and enjoy amazing looking window coverings without breaking the bank.

Denver is the capital of the state of Colorado in the United States. Located in the South Platte River Valley, Denver is also Colorados most populous city to date and the 21st most populous city in the United States (with a 2015 estimated population of 2,814,330). Nicknamed the Mile-High City because of its elevation that exactly one mile above sea level, this also makes it one of the highest major cities in the country.

With 78 official neighborhoods varying from skyscrapers to suburban houses to ancestral houses, Denver is considered one of the best cities to live in, not just for entrepreneurs, but for everyone. Some of the best neighborhoods in Denver are: The Highlands, Capitol Hill, Cheeseman, Five Points, Cherry Creek, Uptown, and Wash Park. While each neighborhood has its own history, culture, and type of housing, its not only these that people flock to Denver for. There is something for everyone in the big city. For one thing, its very close to Boulder, which is the college or hipster town in Colorado.

Because of where the city is located, Denver experiences four seasons and moderate precipitation each year, though it could also be subject to sudden weather changes. Its known to be sunny all the time (averaging at 300 days of sunshine a year) and it is rarely hit by tornados. If a homebuyer is looking to move to Denver, then he should consider the entire city when looking for a home and not just look at the great neighborhoods. There are many reasons that residents have stated why Denver is a great place to live.

The Sports Teams Denver has seven professional sports teams. There are the Broncos for football, the Rookies for baseball, the Avalanches for hockey, the Nuggets for basketball, and the Rapids for soccer. They are also home to two lacrosse teams the Mammoth Boxes and the Outlaws. The city is home to many sports fans so there is always a game going on somewhere in the neighborhoods.

Good for Startups and Employment Denver hosts three major events that cater to startup companies which are the Denver Open Coffee, the Denver NewTech Meetup, and Denver Refresh. There are also smaller events and resources that could be found all over the city and many organizations are more than willing to help out budding entrepreneurs. There is also the Denver Office for Economic Development that hosts the JumpStart Biz Plan competition which helps startups by giving them initiatives that could go as high as $50,000.

Because of the growing startup and tech scene in the city and in nearby Boulder, there are good chances of landing a job. The federal and state governments are two of the largest public sector employers in Denver, and for private companies, there are Lockheed Martin and Comcast.

Education Denver citizens are known to be well educated, with over 38% of the population having a college degree. Its also ranked as 9th top city in terms of college education in the United States. Many of the residents of Denver graduated from the top three local universities Colorado University, Colorado State University, and Denver University.

Cost of Living The cost of living in Denver is around the national average, which means that it is around half the cost of living in San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the world (and one of the cities with the highest costs of living). They are also reputed to have the best breakfast burritos and are ranked fourth by CNN in breweries per capita. Outdoor activities are also very affordable, with REIs flagship store located in the city, and the city itself being so very near the Rock Mountains.

Arts and Entertainment Denver is home to many museums and theaters. The most notable places for any art or history buff are: The Denver Center for Performing Arts and the Paramount Theater. The Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of the most famous locations in Denver, and is just 20 minutes outside the city. Being used as a performance center for more than 100 years, the Red Rocks Amphitheater is made up of two giant stone monoliths. As for any person who wants to shop, dine, and drink, then Lower Downtown (called Lodo) is the best place to go. Its the go-to place to experience the Denver nightlife and there are also several condominiums where a homebuyer could settle down, work, and play.

Get Around Town Easily Even if a person does not have car, its not a big problem in Denver. A person getting to work could catch the bus, train, and even rent a bike because of the citys bike-sharing system!

There are many more reasons as to why Denver is one of the best locations to consider living in. Great neighborhoods aside, it manages to combine both urban and the environment, creating a thriving hub that everyone would be proud to live in.

When it comes to your garden, many people consider it an extension of the home; an outdoor room that you can utilise as and when necessary. The garden is a place for rest and relaxation, as much as any other in your home, except that you are truly at one with the natural world around you.

The world we live in is one that is designed for convenience at every turn, and some might say this can become a little overwhelming at times. Meals and drinks that are prepared for us in restaurants and coffee shops have been followed by ready-made meals in the supermarket. These days, prepared vegetables, grated cheese and even peeled oranges are the norm and the general public are rebelling.

Grow Your Own

Rebel against this world of convenience by growing your own vegetables and by-passing all the pesticides, wasteful packaging and more with just a few hours work with your new hobby. Growing your own vegetables doesnt have to spell the end of your garden tranquillity, however. In fact, by growing your vegetables on an allotment, your garden can still be the outdoor escape you need it to be, day in, day out.

There is no feeling quite like growing your own vegetables everything from potatoes, cabbages, carrots, tomatoes, green beans and even strawberries and chilies can be grown with a little care and attention on an allotment. If you have access to a greenhouse, your yield will be even more successful, too!

Getting hands on with growing veggies is so much more rewarding when you harvest your crops the feeling of cultivating and nurturing the food that ends up on your plate is a very satisfying feeling!

Retain Your Garden Charm

By choosing to grow vegetables and more on an allotment, you are allowing your home garden to retain the functionality you would expect from an outdoor space, as well as keeping your sanctuary exactly that!

Reduce the amount of labour required in your garden by investing in artificial turf. Not only will this free up the time you would usually spend watering and mowing your lawn to spend it on more important things, but the long term monetary savings are beneficial, too.

Ensure your garden stays a peaceful and calm environment by making use of flowers and plants, as well as breaking up the greenery. Tend to your borders and invest in raised planters to add depth and maturity to your garden with ease.

Give up a quiet corner of your garden to create compost to use on your allotment from your flowers, trees and even suitable household waste. Not only will this reduce the waste that you would usually bin, but you will also make savings in terms of fertiliser and feed for your crops.

Make the most of both worlds enjoying fresh, homegrown veggies and relaxing in your garden all year round in just a few simple steps it could change your life forever!

It is great to have a walk-in closet since it means you will have plenty of space for your things, but it also means that it is easy for things to become disorganized. If you wish to maximize the space and find a place for everything, make sure that you avoid the following mistakes.

DO make it a point to donate old clothes that you no longer wear. One of the most common reasons people cannot find the perfect place for all of their items is because many of them are not supposed to be there. What do you plan on doing with all of the clothes that you know you will no longer wear anymore? Donating them will free up space and it is more useful than holding on to them for dear life.

DON'T forget to use the corners. Most people think of the corners of the closet as wasted space, but you can do a lot with it. Consider buying a small shelf unit or install a few hanging racks in the corner. This will help you get the most out of a space that is usually wasted. If you need professional help, call a professional closet organizer.

DO buy some shelves for your shoes. Having errant shoes on every inch of your closet can make the entire area look like a war zone. Consider installing some shelves if you want to keep all of your shoes out of the way. This is especially helpful if you are one of those people who have a ton of shoes. Otherwise, a basic shoe rack may be all you need.

DON'T throw away all of your shoe boxes. Even if you don't plan to keep all of those boxes for shoes, they can be given a new purpose. For example, small accessories can find a wonderful home inside one of these boxes. You should label each box accordingly so you only have to move the one you want when something is needed. Otherwise, you may end up tearing everything out and making your closet a colossal mess.

The point of a walk-in closet is to have the perfect amount of space for all of your things. With that said, the roominess can sometimes lead to more items being crammed in there than it should be. If you want to create an uncluttered space for all of your things, make sure that you try one or more of these ideas. Closet Wizards can help with the design and installation of any closet organization system you could need.

Myth: Paying rent is a waste of money. I should buy a home as soon as I can afford the monthly payments.

Truth: Renting for a season while you pay off your debt and save up a pile of cash will set you up to win big in real estate over time.

How often do you hear that homeownership is the American Dream? In 2009, as unemployment rose to 10%, the dream became a nightmare for nearly 3 million homeowners who got behind on their mortgages.

That’s because people who buy real estate while they’re in debt and without adequate savings are at a much higher risk of losing the property when they face financial difficulties such as illness or job loss.

Rent To Win

Most people miss the positives of renting. They feel like they’re throwing money away. The truth is, people who truly cannot afford a home should not buy real estate—even if rent is the same amount as a monthly mortgage payment. Renters avoid hidden costs for repairs and maintenance that add to a monthly mortgage payment. Another plus—renters can simply move if their circumstances change. Owners can be stuck with a property with no equity that takes too long to sell.

Real Estate The Right Way
Dave Ramsey, who’s shown more than one million families how to live debt-free and build wealth, recommends the “100% Down Plan” for buying real estate—pay cash for the whole house! If that seems too far out of reach for you, then at least hold off on your real estate purchase until you meet these three conditions:

You are debt-free and have an emergency fund of 3–6 months of expenses. You have saved at least a 10% down payment. A 20% down payment is preferable to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) payments. If you’re married, you’ve been married at least one year. Don’t add the stress of a home purchase to a brand-new marriage, and never buy real estate with anyone you are not married to!

If you aren’t paying cash, get a fixed-rate mortgage for 15 years or less. Keep your payments low—no more than 25% of your take-home pay. Lenders will tell you that you qualify for more, but stay conservative.

No one wants renting to be a way of life for you. Buy real estate when you are financially ready. That way, your home will be a blessing rather than a curse.

It’s best to work with a real estate professional when you’re ready to buy or sell a home. Dave has built a network of real estate Endorsed Local Providers who can answer your questions and walk you through the entire process

Source of this article http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/the-truth-about-real-estate/