Tuesday 14 August 2012

3 Popular Styles of Blinds for Your New Home


People who are moving to a new home have a lot of things to do. There may be some household
goods that cannot fit in the new place. Leaving them in a self-storage unit can make moving
more convenient. With this, they can ensure the security of their things no matter how long they
keep them at the facility. They may also leave their old blinds there and decide to buy something
more suitable for their new place.

Blinds can create a whole new look in a room. They come with different colors, designs and
materials. Choosing the best blinds can improve the statement of quality in a home. Mini blinds
are a common style of blinds, and they are becoming more popular now. These blinds can be
made of aluminum, vinyl or even expensive wood. They can effectively block the sun’s rays.

Other popular styles include Roman blinds. They are a classy and elegant type of window
covering that can be combined with curtains. This combination creates a sophisticated layered
look. Roman blinds look best when they are made with light materials. With this, homeowners
can use a lining.

Meanwhile, wood blinds are homeowner favorites because of their versatility. Wood blinds made
of teak or oak bring warmth to every room. However, they are more expensive than other styles
of blinds. Bamboo blinds are also a great alternative to wood blinds. Getting a new home can be
very costly, and improving its looks can also be expensive. Installing new blinds is a great starter
home-improvement project.

On the other hand, new homeowners who do not find blinds suitable for their homes may opt for
pull down shades. These window coverings provide the same beauty and softness as curtains.
With this, homeowners no longer need to use a combination of blinds and curtains. Pull down
shades can stand alone. In addition, shades come with different features and designs. New
homeowners will be surprised by the number of options they have. This may include roller
shades, Roman shades, pleated shades and hard window shades.

New homes that do not look good with either blinds or shades may have shutters installed.
These window coverings outperform both blinds and shades when it comes to quality and the
personality they give to the new house. Shutters can change the overall mood of the house. They
do not only add to its beauty. They also provide protection against the bright light outdoors. Most
importantly, these shutters can be custom made. With this, new homes can always get shutters
that will boost their indoor beauty.

Nicole Berenston is a writer for Storage.com Beaverton. Her favorite hobbies are learning to rock
climb and reading. If you'd like to find a storage unit in your area, you can do so here:
http://www.storage.com/self-storage/california/santa-cruz/default.aspx

Monday 13 August 2012

The Best Flooring for Your Home

At some point or the other you will have to replace the flooring throughout your house. If you want to replace the flooring in your home, then before committing to any type of flooring, some of the factors that you should consider include the benefits, the costs, and the downsides. If you want to choose the best flooring for your home, then you should consider selecting one of the following types of flooring.

1. Hardwoods The cost of hardwoods varies from $3 to $12 per square foot depending on the type. While the price of engineered wood is less but you will have to hire someone to install it. Hardwoods have a nice look and an excellent resale value. Cleaning and maintaining them is easy, and usually merely vacuuming is required. A living room is the best place for putting hardwoods.

2. Tile There are various types of tiles and their price ranges from $1 to $20 per square foot. Depending on how large an area is, you have to pay hundreds of dollars for professional installation. Glazed ceramic tile is resistant to scratches, is water resistant and very durable. Tile comes in various materials, like granite, marble, porcelain, slate, and travertine. Tiles are perfect for a kitchen or bathroom since they are water resistant.

3. Laminate The price of laminate ranges from $0.50 to $3 per square foot and a professional will have to be paid for installation. Laminate does not scratch and/or stain easily, which is an ideal benefit. Laminate can also look like real tile or wood, and telling if it is real or not is not easy. Like hardwoods, cleaning laminate is quite easy. Since laminate is very durable it is ideal for rooms with a lot of activity and high traffic, like a foyer.

4. Carpet The average cost of carpets ranges from $2 to $3 per square foot but it is also possible to find cheap carpets too. At Home Depot and Lowe's you will also find reasonable installation deals. A carpet does not only give a room a soft look but also feels soft too. Carpets prevent echoing throughout a room and are quite to walk on. Installing a carpet is simple and quick, and can even be placed on uneven subfloors. For a carpet, the best location is rooms with low traffic, like bedrooms.

5. Vinyl While the cost of vinyl is less than $1 per square foot but on the high end it can cost you up to $5 per square foot, installation can cost a few hundred dollars. Vinyl like carpet, is easy and quiet on your feet. In comparison to other types of flooring, it is also inexpensive. The laundry room is a great place to install vinyl flooring. When it comes to replacing the flooring throughout the house, there might be many other flooring options that you can consider, but these ones are the most popular.

You can go for a single type of flooring or choose different types for different rooms. So, if you want to have the best flooring for your home, make sure you choose the right type of flooring for the different rooms in your home.

Sunday 12 August 2012

Enviro Mulch


What is it? It’s the matter that is most often seen covering soil for landscaping purposes. It helps
to retain moisture, suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulch can be made
up of grass clippings, hay, straw, shredded bark, recycled wood chips, animal manure and even
old newspaper. Enviro mulch. on the other hand is a type of mulch that is made up of wood
chips from old wood, whether it be boxes, crates or pallets. Enviro mulch is a popular choice
over other types of mulch because it is environmentally friendly, relatively inexpensive and has
many aesthetic qualities.

Uses:


  • Enviro Mulch acts as a fantastic weed barrier since it deprives the weeds of the sunlight they require to germinate, inhibiting them from settling into your garden. Mulch also creates a ‘roof’ for your soil, preventing any weed seeds from landing, and growing in your garden. Weeds won’t even be able to come in contact with the soil if there’s a nice thick layer of mulch!
  • Enviro Mulch helps soil retain a consistent amount of moisture by regulating the amount of water absorbed. When plants get dehydrated or over-hydrated, they get stressed and stressed out plants never grow. Mulch will keep your plants strong and resistant to disease and insects.
  • If your garden is located in hot, dry weather, Enviro Mulch will cool things down. Not only will the soil be consistently moist, but your garden beds will be cooler. Hot plants tend to wilt and die, but a nice layer of mulch will ensure that your soil stays cool and damp.
  • Organic Enviro Mulch feeds your soil the nutrients it needs to thrive. The organic matter breaks down over time, adding rich organic nutrients to the soil. Earthworms love mulch, and together they will break down matter to create healthy, long lasting soil.
  • Enviro mulch is essentially wood chips that come from any wood waste. Enviro mulch breaks down like organic mulch does, and has great aesthetic appeal. Enviro mulch tends to break down about 30% slower than shredded bark, which means it holds its colour and shape in your garden for longer. Enviro mulch comes in a variety of colours designed to suit any unique garden.

Application:

Adding Enviro mulch to your garden is easy! Simply plant, apply a 2-4 inch layer of
Enviro mulch, and gently rake for an even surface. Be careful not to pile up mulch under each
plant! Creating a little space between the plant and the mulch will avoid too much moisture
being retained right next to the plant which could cause it to rot. Replenishing your mulch so
there is always at least a 2 inch layer will prevent weeds from growing, and ensure that the soil
stays moist.

It is important to use Enviro mulch if you are trying to establish new plants in new or
existing garden. New plants can go through a period of shock if they are introduced to a new
environment, particularly one with no existing root system. The best time to mulch is right after
planting, so the roots can start taking in moisture right away.

The beauty of Enviro mulch is it breaks down gradually and becomes a layer of rich
topsoil for plants and trees to thrive in. You’ll enjoy less watering, less maintenance and more
time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your mulch’s labor! To learn more about envrio-mulch visit
www.stbpallet.com