All of home

Friday 18 January 2008

How to Find the Right Air Filter For Your Home

Finding the right air filter for your home is important; you care about your family more than anything, so you should care about the quality of air in your home. Remember they breathe it every day, so it's in their best interests, and yours, to choose the right filter.

Before buying an air filter, be sure to measure your vent, furnace or other filter location. It is important to measure your existing air filter exactly to the last centimeter in order to ensure you get the same size. For example, a filter that says its 16 by 25 may in reality be 15 5/8 by 24 5/8.

With this is mind, here is a breakdown of some of your best options for air filters:

The Absorber Filter

The absorber filter is directed at odor control and is primarily for homeowners who want to take advantage of filtered air and eliminate smells, especially if there are pets involved or if it’s a smoking home. If you have pets, this is probably the best kind of filter to get. It works by trapping airborne particles on the filters primary surface layer; this, combined with an active carbon filter, absorbs pet smells and other odors, like smoke.

Filter Fresh

A filter fresh is a smaller pad, usually six by six inches, that attaches to any AC or furnace filter. When you ruin your furnace or AC, the filter emits a subtle scent that lasts. There are many scent options to choose from, so take advantage of the wide variety.

Vent Filters

Vent filters use Electrostatic Register Filtration, a process that uses the vent filter's electrostatic material to a act as a magnet for attracting dust. The vent traps cigarette smoke, odors, dust, dirt and pollen, allowing fresh air to flow through freely. It keeps microscopic particles from getting through, thus ensuring your air remains fresh. It is ideal for a home with allergies or odors and lasts as much as ninety days.

UV Eliminator Filter

The UV Eliminator Filter is a special advanced filter that traps larger particles like mold and pollen, and then uses UV light to sterilize the invading aggravators; it also eliminates surface particles. It is great for homes of all types and performs well in all environments.

Web Plus Filter

This filter is a permanent electrostatic filter that is permanently adjustable and super easy to use. It also requires little maintenance; just a wash and reinstall once a month. A solid filter, it will last a long time and create much fresher, cleaner air.

How To Choose The Best Tiles For Your Bathroom

If you're considering remodelling your bathroom or just trying to give it a new lease of life then you should look at using tiles as part of your plan. These tiles work well on the floor, walls and even in the shower. What's more they come in a dizzying variety of styles and designs so you'll have plenty to choose from and will definitely find something to match your bathroom decor plans. Ceramic tiles have been used in homes all over the world for centuries and offer an excellent way to add some texture and pattern to your bathroom.

Now we can have a look at the different types of ceramic tiles available on the market today. First off we have glazed ceramic tile which is better suited to bathroom walls and work surfaces or countertops. Why? Because this type of tile is very slippery when wet and is pretty much your last choice for a bathroom floor. The tile itself is made from clay and water and is then "fired" or baked to harden it. Once finished it's given a colored glaze which gives it a glossy finish - which is why it's so slippery when it gets wet.

The next type of tile is porcelain and this is made from a blend of fine-grain clays and other minerals creating a very moisture and stain-resistant product. Because of this porcelain tiles can take years of hardship whilst keeping their color and inherent beauty.

One of the really neat things about tiling your bathroom is that you get to experiment with vivid colors and unusual designs. You can toy with wall patterns and shapes to make your bathroom really striking. Consider using a solid background of tiles combined with brighter accent tiles. Or how about adding a few decorative tiles on a solid tile background such as in a classic floral or seascape or funky art mosaic to for a truly distinctive look on your bathroom walls?

Tiling the floor of your bathroom is usually the most time consuming part. This usually takes 2 - 3 days to complete from start to finish. A good tip when considering types of tiles for a bathroom floor is that tiles are evaluated for wear resistance on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). A PEI-1 or Light Traffic rating is recommended for areas such as bathrooms where shoes are not consistently worn. This is just a guideline that you can work from.

The best choices for your bathroom floor are granite, slate or sandstone in terms of finish and safety. They have a high slip tolerance so when they're wet they're far safer to walk on then say ceramic tiles. They also add a degree of "earthiness" to the room and make it feel that bit more "homely".

Some people worry that having tiles in the bathroom makes the room a little bit more cold - both literally and metaphorically. If this is a real concern for you then simply fit a tile warming system to keep the floor warm during those cold spells during the year. With no costly ductwork or plumbing requirements, this system's installation is normally quite straighforward.

How To Sponge Paint Your Floors

There's no reason to limit faux painting in your home to walls only. Have you considered that the same paint finish would look equally well on your floor? This is especially true if you have a concrete floor - you should definitely consider painting this. If for no other reason than it offering a cost effective solution to covering your floor; the painting process can also be a lot of fun.

Sponge painting your floors is a great way to start if you don't have a particular design in mind. It's also one of the easiest ways to end up with a design on your floor that makes it look like it's what you'd planned for it to look like all along... nobody will ever know any different. After all, most of the other types of faux floor painting involve trying to match a particular design type. Sponge painting, on the other hand, is just a way for you to make a pattern on the floor.

In order to sponge paint your floor, you are going to need to prepare the floor the same way that you might prep it for any other type of painting in your home. First things first you... should wash the floor with a strong cleaning solution. This is so that you clean up any dirt that might have been ground into it in the past. This is also a good way to get rid of any marks that might have been left on the floor from furniture with rubber feet.

If there are any rough spots still on the floor then you'll need to sand them down. You don't need to have a floor that is 1000% flat but having a clean, level surface to paint on will make your life a lot easier during the actual sponge painting phase itself. Don't cause yourself any unncessary hardship when doing this type of work.

Sponge painting will require two different colors of paint. Most people go for complementary colors, or for two different shades of the same color. For instance, if you are looking for a blue floor, you might put a lighter shade of blue with darker blue on top of it.

After you have allowed the base coat to dry for an entire day, you should add the second coat of paint. Essentially, sponge painting on your floor will work the same way that it does on your walls. Just make sure that you use the sponge to lift off the second coat of paint in some areas, instead of using it to apply that coat of paint - otherwise you could ruin the effect you're trying to achieve.

Thursday 17 January 2008

12 Types of Carpet

Woven
Woven carpet is produced on a loom that is very similar to woven cloth, being cut pile. There are numerous different colored yarns being used and the whole process is capable of producing very intricate patterns from designs that are pre-determined. Generally, woven is the highest quality of carpet available.

Tufted
This type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine by using either a single colored or sometimes a non colored yarn. If non colored is being used, then the carpet will be dyed or printed with a design as a separate process. Carpets that are tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of both. Machines can produce a lot more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are usually at the lower end of the market.

Needlefelt
The needlefelt type of carpet is a bit more technologically advanced. They are produced by electrostatic attraction of individual fibers that form a unique carpet with extremely high durability. You can normally find needlefelt carpet in the contract market such as in hotels or other places where there is always going to be a lot of traffic.

Flatweave
The flatweave carpet is created by interlocking warp and weft threads. The types of oriental flatwoven carpet include soumak, plain weave, and tapestry weave. This type is not well known in the North American region, although it is very popular in the orient and Japan.

Hooked rug
This is a simple construction of rug that is handmade by pulling strips of cloth such as wool or cotton through the meshes of a very sturdy fabric. Now, this type of rug is generally known as a handicraft.

Knotted pile
With knotted pile carpets, the structural weft threads will alternate with a supplementary weft that will rise from the surface of the weave at a perpendicular angle.

Cut and loop piles
The cut and loop pile combines both looped and cut fibers. They provide a variety of surface textures for medium durability. Cut and loop carpets are available in either solid or different colors. The several different layers in this carpet can hide dirt and footprints in formal and informal areas.

Saxony
Saxony consists of tightly twisted cut piles that are heat set straight. They consist of two or more fibers that have been twisted together in a yarn, and they provide a very soft texture for informal as well as formal areas. They will show each and every footprint and even marks from vacuum cleaners.

Textured saxony
Textured carpet is the best selling and it works well in informal areas due to the very soft feel. They are tightly twisted and texture headset for medium durability. They also offer a multi colored look that will hide tracks and footprints.

Plush/velvet
Both plush and velvet are lightly twisted and offer a uniform color. They are very soft and offer more level than textures. This type of carpet is ideal for formal areas due to it's luxurious appearance.

Frieze
Frieze is a highly twisted cut pile type of carpet that is suited for high traffic areas. It has short fibers that will tend to curl in different directions at the surface to hide footprints and vacuum marks.

Level loop pile
The level loop pile is constructed by weaving even loops of yarn into carpet backing at both ends. This type of carpet is durable as well as track resistant, due to the strong loops. Higher loops in the carpet will create a more luxurious look. They are also great because they will prevent dirt from filtering on into the carpet.

5 Trends to Watch for in Custom Kitchen Design

From so many sources we have been hit by all the latest in trends for the kitchen. On one thing do most kitchen design professionals agree: kitchens will continue to be larger, more open, and definitely the most important room in the home. The custom kitchen of today should create a space that is open for people to gather.

The perfect custom kitchen design can be suited to your every dream and needs of you and your family, and also to be able to fit the boundaries of your budget.

Below are 5 custom kitchen trends to be aware of when your are planning for your custom kitchen remodeling project.

1. Hardwood Mouldings to Create a Custom Look

Adding hardwood mouldings to kitchen cabinets can provide a richness not found in other features. Mouldings are available in oak, cherry, and maple. They can provide your cabinets with such details as fluted columns, valances, cornices, galley rails and open shelves. These can help to combine function and beauty to your kitchen. Mouldings can also provide a custom look to stock cabinets. Examples of the uses of mouldings on cabinetry include: installation around corners and along the face of cabinetry to minimize the square look of cabinet, using in soffit areas, and installing on top of cabinets to add a crown moulding.

2. Solid Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen

Solid hardwood flooring makes a great choice for the kitchen because not only is it beautiful, it has practical features as well. It is thicker than other flooring materials which makes it good for insulation, and sound proofing. It will last of many years because it can be refinished many times.
If you just want to change the look and color of your hardwood floor, you can just sand it. You never need to replace the entire flooring.

3. Free-Standing and Unfitted Cabinets

The trend toward free-standing cabinetry from the desire to get away from the cookie cutter look by creating cabinets that look more like furniture, including such features as molding, feet, and valances. This type of custom cabinetry is available in both traditional and contemporary styles. Unfitted custom kitchens are those that are classically designed pieces used to conceal full-size appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and refrigerators. Custom kitchens with the unfitted look can also create more room for windows, columns, displays, and any other design element that can give a kitchen more character.

4. The Custom Look in Countertops

In designing a custom kitchen it is becoming easier to create the look of custom countertops because of the availability of so many materials being used today. Many of these materials can be mixed, like using concrete embedded with bits of glass and metal. While stone materials, such as soapstone and marble are still highly prized by homeowners, stainless steel, sealed concrete, and engineered quartz are being used in more low-use areas of the kitchen.

Other trends in custom countertops include: solid surface materials and granite look-a-likes that are easily repairable, and are available in many colors. Also popular is the use of ceramic tile, particularly on backsplashes. Other materials that are part of this trend is stainless steel, and butcher block in certain specific areas

5. More Sophisticated Appliances

Kitchen appliances are becoming more and more sophisticated and allowing for greater customization, personalizing, and convenience. This has helped make the kitchen the high-tech center of the home.

The following appliance reflect the changes that are being introduced in kitchen appliances today:

Duel-fuel ranges: The debate over whether to use gas or electric for cooking is an old one. Some manufacturers of stoves offer ranges that are professional-quality, and can feature both the power of a gas cooktop with an electric one.

Refrigerators: Refrigerators today offer such features as: multi-zone temperature control. They are offered in both free-standing units and integrated versions that do not look like a refrigerator, but can be concealed by the use of cabinet fronts into the surrounding cabinetry. Some counter-height refrigerators are even being used in kitchen islands or butlers pantries.

Designer Dishwashers: As with some refrigerators, the dishwasher is offered in the integrated version that can be concealed by cabinet fronts that can wash and store away dishes.

by : James Mahoney

Making Your Life Easier. Garage Door Opener Accessories.

Technology is an evolving trend that affects all of our lives. These advances have made it possible to integrate technology into your home. Who would have thought that you could have automated solutions to help you park your car, have secondary power source for your garage door operator, automatically close your garage door and even notify you when you garage door is open. With all the technology, these different accessories require almost no tools. There are a few products currently available in the market. From the Chamberlain Group there is the 975LM Laser Parking Guiding Assistant. The hanging tennis ball on a string can now be replaced with the new high-tech laser solution.

This high-tech solution helps you park perfectly in the garage, the first time. It's an easy DIY project which requires minimal to no tools. This should be a standard for all garage door opener installation.It is a simple to read red circle on the dashboard which takes the guesswork out of where to stop and can prevent accidents before they happen. The Laser Garage Parking Assist is a "must-have" garage door opener accessory.

To aid in the operation of your garage door operator when the power goes out we have a product from ONkor Technologies who has 2 different models of garage door operator battery back-up systems. The ONkor 3000 & 3000 PLUS are easy to install power backup systems for home garage door operators. In the event of any household power failure, the ONkor battery back-up unit operates the door through several cycles without being connected to electrical power. Once power is restored, the ONkor unit automatically recharges and will be ready for the next unexpected power failure. The ONkor 3000 is designed to cover virtually every type and model of garage door system with ½ hp motors or less. The ONkor 3000 provides solid power delivery for larger garage doors as well as longer lasting door operation for family lifestyles utilizing the garage for frequent entry and exit.

For those who are fearful of their garage door being open there is a product available to make you feel more secure. Skylink Technologies’ product, the GM-318, is designed to monitor the status of your garage door and advise you if the door is open - another easy DIY project that can be installed in minutes. The GM-318 consists of a transmitter sensor placed on the door panel and a receiver. You will be alerted when the door is opened by a beep and flash from the receiver base.

The Skylink monitoring system is upgradeable to 4 sensors. As the three car garage doors have become more popular, Skylink has geared up their accessory line to accommodate this growing trend. For those homeowners who sometimes forget if they have closed their garage door or not, we have a product for you.

The AutoCloser by Xceltronics, attaches to most residential garage door openers and will automatically close the door after setting it to the factory preset closing times. The times can be set to 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. AutoCloser comes equipped with a disable button that can be activated to allow the door to remain open if needed. The Autocloser uses the patent-pending SmartClose™ and SmartDetect™ technology which delivers the safest and most reliable product on the market. The AutoCloser was designed to add security to existing garage door openers. “According to statistics compiled by major metropolitan police departments, approximately half of all residential burglaries occur from open garage doors. The AutoCloser addresses the need to keep your garage door closed by automatically shutting your garage door if you inadvertently leave it open.” An additional option available is the exclusive I-Opener system which provides secure garage access with easy reprogramming to deactivate lost or stolen keys, and due to its circuitry, it is resistant to lightning.
With all of these different accessories available, this should help in making your every day routines with your garage simpler and feel more secure.

by : Martial Maitam