Basement

Making Your Bathroom Convenient

June 10, 2022 Comments Off

One of the many privileges of living in the UK involves the fact that people are living much longer than ever before. This brings about with it the need to develop and adapt our range of products to fulfil the elderly needs.
Unfortunately many elderly people are not actually aware of the fact that they can change their bathroom to better suit their comfort. Most commonly, it is not until they suffer an accident at home or fall until they realise that they are actually struggling at home. Furthermore it does not help that there is a lack of style in many of the adapted bathrooms, which does not exactly push the elderly to make the necessary changes until they are forced to.
Eliminating potential hazards in the bathroom
Many experts are trying to encourage house owners to look ahead to the future and to plan which products they would like to install in their bathrooms. This is due to the fact that by 2031 it is expected that there will be close to 27 million people aged 50 and over in the UK. It has also been claimed that the majority of the elderly people will continue to live in private households. Therefore it is strongly advised that the elderly start making changes in their bathroom now, rather than later when they are forced to.
There are many potential hazards such as steep steps, narrow doorways and inaccessible bathrooms that the elderly face in their homes on a daily basis. This is in addition to the less able not being able to comfortably turn the tap, flush the toilet, or climb into the shower.
Hazards for people with a physical disability
The bathroom is very important for our personal hygiene and grooming needs. Although we may not spend as much time in here as we do in other areas of the house, it is still vitally important to keep it hazard free. The bathroom can especially prove to be a hazard for someone with a physical disability.
Hazards can be avoided if the bathroom is created with purposefully created fittings. This will enable physically less-able people to use their bathroom with relative comfort and ease. This is all the more possible now with increasing technology. It is possible now to transform bathroom designs to include offset door hinges, and grab handles on the wall.
People often misconceive the idea that adapting your bathroom to become more practical and easy to use means compromising on style! This is actually not the case as there are a wide variety of styles to choose from which can allow for you to have a bathroom that looks both stylish and practical.
Furthermore it is not just the elderly or the physically less-able that would benefit from these changes. The bathroom will also become much safer for young children to use. Products such as hand rails and slip-resistant flooring will all aid in the process of providing maximum safety for the family. Investing in products such as a stylish chrome or white grip hand rails will provide your bathroom with that contemporary effect you are looking for.…

How To Set Up Outdoor Christmas Lights Safely

May 18, 2022 Comments Off

The festivities of the Christmas season are upon us; giving the homeowner a chance to display their home with spectacular outdoor Christmas lights. This is a great way to bring the whole family together.
When putting up Christmas lights, plan how you want them displayed. Drawing a simple sketch on paper will help you remember your ideas. Some people choose to decorate with a single colour. Using blue, red, white, or green lights, gives your home a look of an old-fashioned Christmas. Using multi-colour lights express the excitement and delight of Christmas time. Measure the area you plan to decorate; and figure out how many light sets you will need.
Once your plan is solid, gather all materials such as wires, extension cords, and all the tools you may need. Everything must be in your hands before you climb up a ladder. It is very important to use only outdoor Christmas lights. Check every wire and light, making sure there is no breakage or fraying. Replace any broken or burnt light before you decorate, including damaged extension cords.
Replacing old wires and insuring you have enough extension cords to go around helps to keep your property safe. The recommendation is three standard-size Christmas lights to one extension cord. This means no more than two hundred small lights or one hundred and fifty large lights. Plan how much you need beforehand.
If your plan includes wrapping trees with lights, keep in mind that small outdoor lights give off less heat saving your trees from becoming dry. The bigger the light, the more heat they give; use the larger lights sparingly on walls and around doors. Do not put the big lights around trees or plants as large lights may create a fire hazard. Do not use metallic trees and lights together as it is a definite fire hazard.
Clean the area from any dry leafs; including, any obstruction that may cause wires to fray or lights to break. Use fireproof surfaces. Be sure that all your light sets passed the manufacturer’s safety inspections it should be marked on the box. Install a timer with your lights, automatically turning them on and off when you are not at home. In addition, set up a time to shut off the lights at night when you are asleep keeping your home safer.
Having done all of the steps above, test your lighting once more insuring everything is up to par. Gather members of your family to help you with the joy of decorating, it’s a great way to start the holiday season as everyone can help, even the smallest hands. When finished decorating, celebrate with special treats to mark the occasion.
Do not forget to take pictures for beautiful lasting memories of your Christmas lights with the whole family there. Then you can just enjoy the special festive glow inside and out.…

American Standard Toilets – A Full Review

May 11, 2022 Comments Off

When homeowners decide it’s time to remodel their bathrooms, the question “which toilet should we buy?” becomes inevitable. However, savvy homeowners routinely go with American Standard toilets. Their products exceed expectations in various capacities.
Aside from toilets, American Standard has a vast array of products that are designed to match the needs of every consumer. American Standard toilets separate themselves from the rest of the pack with a trendy, fashion-forward appearance that will spruce up any bathroom. An identifying attribute of these toilets is the elongated oval shape.
Besides their physical appearance, American Standard toilets deliver on the customers’ demand for functionality. One innovative technology, “Everclean,” delivers on the most important aspect of toilets; the ability to stay sanitary. Installed within the piping of the toilet, “Everclean” technology is becoming more desirable by many. It shields them from common contaminants. The benefit is that your toilet will remain clean, and be easy to clean, no matter how much time has passed. These toilets come in a wide array of colors, which allows you the ability to mix and match to create the perfectly-coordinated bathroom.
American Standard goes farther, though. Most of its toilets meet the requirements of the EPA’s Watersense credentials. So your purchase of one of these toilets not only looks stylish in your bathroom, but it does wonders for the environment!
For a sleek one-piece toilet, consider the New Savona. If you’re going with a trendy, modern look for the bathroom, look no farther than this toilet. Best of all, this toilet has a 10-year warranty so you can sleep easy at night.
After over 130 years in operation, American Standard’s reputation precedes it, and rightfully so. Their products are far-reaching, ranging from personal residences to airports. The resiliency of their goods is not only an attribute upon which they pride themselves, but also is part of their legacy. Their products are present in the majority of U.S. residences.
Special care and scrutiny is given to ensure that these toilets conserve natural resources, not to mention money. You do not need to sacrifice to conserve water. One of the most frustrating things about toilets is when they clog. Fortunately, these toilets have been through a thorough design and testing process to minimize the occurrence of clogs.
What it all comes down to is performance and appearance. And for a toilet that gives you both of these, go with an American Standard toilet.…

Dos and Don’ts of Bathroom Remodeling

May 5, 2022 Comments Off

Do:
Budget your bathroom
Making a budget for your bathroom is essential. A good way to start the remodeling process is to make a list of all the components in your bathroom and research their prices. Next, decide what you’re willing to spend on each so you can effectively estimate the total cost of your bathroom. Allow for some unexpected costs in your budget as well so that there are no huge surprises when the job is complete.
Allow for ample ventilation and light
Abundant light and ventilation will make your remodeled bathroom feel fresh and new. You don’t want to walk into a space that you just spend thousands of dollars on and feel like it’s dark and dingy. A ceiling fixture is perfect for general lighting in a bathroom, but lights installed over the vanity will truly be a great addition to your space. This way there will be no shadows when you look in the mirror and the space will be bright and airy.
Ventilation is crucial because when there is static, moist air mold and mildew may make a home on finishes and painted surfaces. A bathroom fan is the best defense for this as well as a window with a screen so that air can flow in and out of your newly remodeled space.
Consider resale value
Trends are always coming in and going out so make sure to consider the possible homeowner that may purchase your home in the future. Spend money only where it is due to receive the biggest payback down the road. By covering the basics- paint, updated lighting, re-caulking, and old vanity replacement- you can surely make more than you spent
Don’t:
Rush the process
Expecting your bathroom remodel to be done tomorrow is unreasonable. To get the job done right the fist time, it’s important that everything takes the appropriate amount of time. Hire skilled contractors that will take their time and complete the job at an efficient pace. If things are done too quickly, small things can be overlooked and cost you in the end.
Planning your remodel weeks or even months ahead of time till help move things along because there is a plan being followed. Commit to a plan and don’t try to rush it.
Forget about storage
Bathroom storage is often overlooked because it is not something that comes to mind when the words “bathroom remodel” are said. Although this may be true, running from the shower to the hallway linen closet is not fun. A closet inside the bathroom is ideal, but even a small shelf or chest that houses your towels and essentials would do the trick. Also, make sure you have enough storage for all the various health-care and first-aid essentials in your bathroom.
Forget to factor in water usage
Homeowners looking to purchase your home in the future will definitely be looking for water-efficient fixtures in your bathroom. It’s easy to install a water saving showerhead or toilet. Do your research and make sure that it is affordable not only for the future, but also for you now. By purchasing water-efficient fixtures you could save on your monthly water and energy bills.…

Finding The Best Gym Equipment For The Home Environment

May 1, 2022 Comments Off

Most of the people nowadays are seeking to create their own home gym as they wish to avoid the overcrowded environment and the regular lines which is found in the public gym. This is normally a brilliant idea as it would aid in expediting your workout experience and provide an environment which is available at any time of the day without concern over time or driving to another location. When you’re looking to create your own workout environment there are several opportunities available, but you want to make sure you have the right equipment to maximize your workout experience. When you start your workout design, some of the very best tools to start with are found with bumper plates and squat racks.
Free-weights are a vital component of any personal gym when an individual has any aspiration to build muscle and tone the body. When you look at your free-weight opportunities, no other product could provide you with the advantages of bumper plates. With bumper plates you’ll discover a quality product which comes in a variety of weights and is designed to prevent damage to its home environment. When you are building a home gym the feature of safety and home preservation are usually important considerations with your gym equipment. Additionally, several bumper plates come with the option to personalize your weights. This personalization is a one of a kind feature to bumper plates and as a home gym you could get your name on the weights or a personal motto to provide continuous inspiration.
With the use of free-weights such as bumper plates you ought to even make sure you have the equipment you need to support your bumper plate exercises. A major example of this requirement is found with the utilization of squat racks. Squat racks are a form of equipment that will take most of the dangers out of a crucial form of exercise.
Squat exercises require the lifting of large quantities of weight over your head and the squat rack allows you to elevate that weight without jeopardizing your head, back or spine. Additionally, it features safety features which would catch the weight if you exceed your strengths ability and latches to easily lock in the weight when your workout is concluded. Squat racks are one of the many important stations an individual should have in their home gym.
Although not every home has the space for all the equipment like bumper plates and squat racks so there are all inclusive opportunities like the power rack. The power rack is a device which is similar to a squat rack but provides additional workout options to aid condense your workout demands. Whilst this device is normally higher in price, the all in one feature for a homeowner with a confined space makes the power rack well worth the investment.…

How Much Value Does Bathroom Remodeling Add To Your Home?

April 26, 2022 Comments Off

Remodeling a bathroom is one of the most popular home improvement projects. It’s clear that you can add significant value and convenience to your home by remodeling a bathroom. However, most people are unaware of how much value bathroom remodeling adds to the overall equity in a home. This amount varies due to the circumstances surrounding each remodel.
The Type of Bathroom Remodel
The value that any particular bathroom remodel adds to a home will depend on the scope of the project, as well as the overall condition of the rest of the house. For example, if your home is older and there are other significant repairs needed, updating your bathroom will have the least impact on your home’s value. In fact, you may see little to no added value by completing just a bathroom remodel if your home needs other work.
On the other hand, a home in good condition can see a significant increase in value by remodeling the bathroom. For homes with a modern kitchen, good carpet, sound electrical and clean paint, approximately 80% of the initial investment can be reclaimed when the home is sold. This means that a bathroom remodel that costs you $1,000 will result in about $800 of added value to your home.
These two scenarios deal with remodels that do not impact other areas of the home and do not add more square footage. If more square footage is added or living spaces changed significantly, then the value created by the bathroom remodel will be different.
Adding Bathrooms to Your Home
You will get the most added value if your bathroom remodel creates a bathroom that is not already in your home’s specifications. The percentage will vary based upon the project. Adding a bathroom to existing square footage will result in different percentages than building an addition that includes a bathroom.
When adding a bathroom to your existing home, the most lucrative project is creating a master bathroom. Most owners prefer the convenience of a dedicated bathroom, so your home will be worth more and easier to market. In fact, this type of bathroom remodel is considered by experts to be the best value for your remodeling dollar. In most cases, you can expect to see a 100% return on the cost of the remodel. In other words, for every $1,000 you spend on the remodel, $1,000 of value is added to your home.
While building a master bathroom in your existing home is lucrative, many families do not have the space to spare. Because of this, adding an addition that includes an extra bathroom is a widely-used option. Again, an addition that is a full master bedroom and bathroom suite is the best value for your remodeling dollars. Still, just building an extra bathroom can increase your home’s value by about 96% of the initial investment. If you are adding a full master suite, you might see as much as 100% of the cost added to the value of your home. This is most likely if the existing home does not already have a master suite.…

Are White Walls Efficient?

December 3, 2021 Comments Off

When you think of efficiency, everything depends on the purpose you have in mind. Speaking of white walls, they may be efficient in hospitals where by their neutrality and coldness they may extinguish intense, burning pain or help one find peace, objectivity and power before being released. But when we replace the setting and move back home, everything changes for the worst: what was there perceived as soothing coolness becomes here stark indifference, and the support of reflection ‘helps’ one here just to stare as it were at utter nothingness, leaving one in despair. Therefore, no, white walls by themselves are not efficient at home.
But if you are a resourceful person, you will know what to do. White walls have an advantage by being neutral; you should not leave them to be just boring. By being neutral, they form a kind of inert material that you can work wonders on. Depending on the style you choose for your home, you may enliven them by colorful furniture, or if your furniture too is in neutral colors as it is usually the case, intensely colored accessories are the right answer. And now you turned the drabness of your white walls into your advantage: if you want to redecorate again, all you have to do is to replace the accessories, and that’s the most inexpensive thing to do, while there are still flea markets or garage sales around.
So let’s see what you can do to spice up your home. Though your furniture is in cold colors, you may always find a sofa in vivid colors. Make it the center piece of your living room, and there you have your first touch of color. Then add brightly colored pillows everywhere: they will do the job and besides are easily replaceable. Then come with colorful lamps, vases and light fittings. The draperies do not have to be white or even pastel; you may choose them too in gay nuances. Place then some nicely matched rugs here and there and if even so you still feel the need of more color and sun in you home go to the next step.
Who said that draperies were meant just for windows? You can hang them up or just cover an entire wall with them. Or if you do not want to be so radical, you can cover your walls with some large colorful pictures of plain fabric.
So, as you see, there are many ways to counterbalance white walls without paint. Paint stinks, makes a mess of your home and then if you change your mind it’s hard to remove. The same holds true for colored furniture items. They may be heavy, expensive and not so easily disposable. Therefore, just accessorize and your white walls will allow you most flexibility and dynamism in trying on your creative color palette.…

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