Should I Invest in Security Doors or Home Alarm – or Both?

In a day when security is essential for the home you may be wondering what kind will give you the peace of mind you need. Many people have more than one type of security, so should you have both security doors and a home alarm installed by an alarm company or a simple solution installed by a handyman or just one? If so, which one?

To decide, you need to think like a burglar. Suppose you were on the point of robbing a home. What would put you off more; a door that was difficult to get open or a shrieking alarm?

Burglars have more than one entry point to a home. If they cannot get in the door, they are likely to try the window. They may even smash down the wall with a stolen vehicle. But once that alarm goes off – an alarm that everyone can hear, they would be out of there as fast as they could go. Even if the alarm system was only heard by the police or security company, the burglar would realise that someone would soon be coming to check up on the property. Or that the people inside would quickly be aroused from sleep.

However, some homes are robbed or vandalised by the opportunistic thief. This is a person who robs on impulse as the opportunity arrives.  They may knock on a door and if they find no answer proceed to break and enter. But if the doors are the premium security type they will go away disappointed because they feel going through window is too difficult or too visible. Of course, if an alarm blared out as they smashed their way in they would run, too.

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Why the Kitchen Is The Best Room In The House

Which is your favourite room? Many people would think that the home theatre, living room or bedroom is their favourite room in the house, but in actual fact the kitchen should get a spot up there on the favourite list.  When you think of it, without a kitchen, a home is really not a home at all. This is because we need food and if we have to go out and get it all the time we won’t be home very often.

The kitchen provides food for the family, but it does even more than that. Food sustains us, but it also brings the family unit together for something that is essential but also pleasurable. Most people like eating especially when they are hungry, but when food is cooking in the kitchen the tantalising aromas draw the whole family together in anticipation.

With the help of expert cabinet makers, the fully functioning kitchen that is designed well, the kitchen springs nourishing food to keep the family healthy, birthday cakes that may be unhealthy but are still an integral part of family life and our culture, food and drinks for snacks and so on. All these things are an essential part of life and our lifestyle, and encourage families to get together for social interaction.  When Mum – or Dad – is in the kitchen cooking, the rest of the family know where to find them and often join them to talk about matters that trouble them, or get help with homework and talk about their day in general.

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Plants that Suit Balconies

The balcony is a place where you can sit and relax after a hard day’s work. Having a few plants growing in pots on the balcony will enhance the look of the space and increase your enjoyment of it. However, it is essential to take note of just what the weather conditions are like.

High balconies are often cool, windy places; others may be exposed to hot sun all day long, while still others may be on the shady side of the building and not get much sun at all. Then there are those that have shade for most of the day, but when in sun it is scorching hot. If your balcony is like that, choose shade-lovers and use a screen to shelter them from the sun.

Most plants need a certain amount of sun to grow successfully, but if you have a shady balcony you can still grow shade-loving plants such as ferns. To get colour, use plants that have colourful foliage like coleus and begonia. So what plants are hardy enough to withstand the vagaries of wind and weather on a balcony?

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Tips for Creating the Best Garden

As you sow, so shall you reap — so sow well to reap the benefits beautifully. A home garden is a dream for many, and being given a chance to design and develop your own is a bounty in itself. In the multitude of plants and beautiful landscape, your house would look like a tiny village with lush green meadows surrounding its edges.  Careful planning and projection of different needs is an integral part of creating for yourself an amazing garden, which ensures healthy growth of plants beautifying your garden.

Make a Plan
Outline a plan on paper or different software. If you have played Farmville, you know what that looks like. According to the covered area of the garden, the sections are to be divided to each plant row and the kinds of shrubs and different organic elements are all to be sketched first. It’s easier switching to a different plan if one doesn’t work rather than doing all the hard work another time.  Keeping all aspects in mind, you can plan out the location and design for your garden, type of landscape you’d like to have, which area is dedicated to make a pathway, which one is for vegetables, and much more needs to be planned for in order to maximize effectiveness.

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Great Ideas for Balcony Gardens Design

People who live in apartment complexes with no access to a backyard appreciate their balconies as a place to relax and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. And naturally, they also like to grow some kind of greenery on the balcony – it seems to be an inbuilt need for most people to have something to do with living plants and earth. Many balconies are ideal for growing plants on. Even those that don’t get much sun can be used to grow shade-loving plants.

However, a balcony is a tiny place and care must be taken when creating a garden with pot plants, otherwise it will risk looking crowded or piecemeal instead of attractive. In fact, it is easy to overcrowd such a small space and then you don’t feel comfortable sitting there – if you can even fit your easy chair in.

Here are some ideas to help you with your balcony garden design.

  • Use lightweight pots. Not only will it be easier to move them around, it will reduce the overall weight on the balcony. It’s a good idea to check what weight the balcony can bear as pots filled with moist potting mix and plants can be heavier than you may think.

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How to Make Use of Recycled Materials for Landscaping

Landscaping, adds to the outer appeal of your house. However, a lot of people do not like making expensive investments on their house’s exterior after having spent a large sum on a new house.

Luckily, there are many options available for people who want to indulge in landscaping or green living without excessive costs. One of these methods is the use of recycled materials for landscaping without compromising on the exterior of the house. Recycling is also a way to reduce waste, so in a way, you are not only saving your money, but also reducing the waste you produce.

You can achieve a striking garden by utilizing even the simplest of recyclable material. These materials are of three different kinds, which include; salvaged items, garden refuse, and recycled content. Below are a few of the items that are recycled for landscaping purposes.

Broken Dishware
We all have broken a dish or two occasionally, and then have thrown them away no matter how beautiful they were, but now, you can use them in your recycled landscaping project. The broken pieces of dishware can be used as little decorative pieces. You can shape them in any texture you like and paint them with the color of your choice.

Carpet
To create a new garden, cover it with any old carpet for some weeks and you will notice corrosion of the grass under the carpet, which will ease the digging process. You can also create lanes with the help of a woven carpet and then add stones over it.

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Dream Kitchen with Spacious Cabinets

Planning to splurge on a wonderfully glamorous kitchen? Why not go for cabinets even bigger in size? The total kitchen space available is the first and fundamental aspect to keep in consideration. Adding style and lighting up the most important area of the house is easy with conventional techniques, but cabinets bigger than usual could be considered for many reasons too. They could keep all your stuff sorted and give an air of neatness especially in houses with young kids. Spacious cabinets come with various benefits, such as:

More Room for Crockery and Utensils
Naturally, the more spacious the cabinets are, the more there is room for crockery and cooking utensils. With more storage space, you’ll be able to organize the kitchen equipment and everything else in this particular area of the house better. Snacks and other edible items can also be stored in kitchen cabinets along with cooking items. You could even completely skip the food pantry if you have big airy cabinets in your kitchen providing enough room for food items’ storage.

Tidy Space
A tidied space is what a neat freak dreams of, or anyone, actually. If the kitchen cabinets are spacious, they naturally have more room for storage, and that leaves the counter-tops tidy most of the time. These spacious cabinets can also be used for keeping dustbins in one of them and cleaning solutions under the sink; no more having to have these items on display.

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Pros and Cons of Sliding Windows

There are many different styles of windows, but one of the latest is the sliding window. Not that it is exactly new, but many years ago it was not an option at all, as timber was the main building material for windows and was used for holding window glass in the various styles that were available.

Sliding windows depend on aluminium for the tracks to slide them along; if it was timber the material would wear quickly or warp in the weather and make sliding them open or shut impossible. If you are wondering what kind of windows are best for your new home, here are some pros and cons of sliding windows. Note, these are sliding windows with aluminium surrounds.

Pros

  • With sliding windows you can have a much larger window space. This allows more light into the house and more cool breezes when the day is hot. You can also enjoy a wider vista if you have a nice view to admire. This would not be possible with other kinds of windows due to the weight of the glass, but with sliding windows the weight is supported by the aluminium slot – and the building material underneath it.
  • Sliding windows are easy to open and shut as you don’t have to push them up, just slide them along.
  • You can get almost any size window in this style; large, small, wide, high.
  • The locks on the windows are simple to work and secure.
  • They are easy to clean.
  • No maintenance, such as painting, is required for the part surrounding the glass.
  • The aluminium does not warp, so they never stick.
  • They take up no more space than the wall, unlike awning or hopper windows that protrude on the outside.
  • They are cost effective, being cheaper than some other styles.

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4 Different Types of Home Fencing

Fencing is an important part of any home, not only to keep people out, but to keep them safely in, especially children – and pets. It serves to define the space that is yours and can add a great deal to the look of your home when the right kind is chosen.

There are many different kinds of fences that can be used, but before you make a decision, it is wise to find out just what your council will allow as there may be restrictions in some areas.

Here are 4 different kinds of fencing, along with the pros and cons of each.

  • Steel or Colorbond fencing. This is the choice of many homeowners these days because it offers privacy. This is especially so where homes are close together; you don’t want everything you do and say to be open to the neighbours.  It offers the best privacy – but  at the cost of a view. It can be a good windbreak for delicate flowers in the garden and also creates a small amount of shade; important in hot areas. Colorbond comes in several different colours and does not need to be painted. It is durable and strong and may even keep your dog from barking at the neighbour.

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How to Secure the Value of your House through a Beautiful Yard

A yard is often the most undervalued part of the house, but it shouldn’t be. This is because it can make the difference between an ordinary and extraordinary home. It is the first thing that a visitor sees, and it makes an impression on them with regard to the upkeep of the interior.

Hence, spending money to make the yard look appealing will never be a waste, especially when you decide to sell your house later on. The beautiful yard will, in fact, increase the value of your residence and attract potential buyers easily.

According to a research, a garden increases the value of your house up to 20%, so it is necessary to keep your garden groomed if you want to get the right price for your home. Following are the ways you can use to beautify your house and increase its worth.

Irrigation System
Maintaining the garden and watering it every day is time consuming. In order to make the task easier and simpler, reticulation should be installed in the garden. This will help in watering the grass and plants through pipes to boost their healthy growth. The only effort you will then have to make is turning the tap on and off, and the rest of the work will be done automatically through water flowing from the pipe line. This will keep your yard looking greener than ever before.

Colourful Decorations
If you want people to notice your yard, it needs to stand out. For that purpose, add colours to the garden, not just by planting colourful flowers and different kinds of plants, but by installing and painting the fence as well. To make it look more alluring, add decorative pieces such as lanterns and other interesting objects. A lot people also invest in fountains to make their yard look amazing. Fixtures like waterfalls and fountains really boost the atmosphere of the exterior and create a positive impression on potential buyers.

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The Latest in Pools

These days so many homes have pools, not just for the look of things, although that is often a factor. But pools actually keep the children at home having fun where they are safe and can more easily be supervised by a parent, rather than at the beach where they can sometimes get lost in the crowd. And there are no stinging jellyfish in your home pool.

The Shape of Things to Come
These days’ pools don’t have to be rectangular. It is the latest trend to have your pool customised to suit your block of land and your home. They can be any kind of shape and size from a square to a triangle or an octagon. And they don’t have to be down in the backyard any more. In fact, it is better for the pool to be closer to the home so that you can keep an eye on the kids more easily. Being able to dive in from the deck is brilliant, but you still need to have that safety fence, especially if the children are toddlers. In fact, most councils have strict regulations concerning pool fencing and gates.

The Latest in Pool Fences
So when thinking of the latest in pools, we also have to think about the latest in pool fencing and this is cool because clear glass panels are amazing. They allow the pool to be safely enclosed while still maintaining visibility. You can see right through the glass panels even if you are on an angle to the fence. With most other kinds of fencing there is always that blind spot that means you can’t always see what the kids are up to. Having a glass pool fence is like having a glass shower stall. Because the glass is transparent it makes the room look larger. So your backyard will not appear to be cut in two, or appear smaller than it is.

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Modern or Traditional Kitchen

Your kitchen style says a lot about your own. Kitchen is the most important and sought after area of the house, few would argue against that. Whether you’re a foodie or on crash diets, the kitchen is a family space for all. With the strong aroma of delicious food and airy windows for sunlight while you read the morning paper, this area of the house defines the entire ambience of the house and the style speaks volumes about that of the residents. There are several factors to be kept in consideration while planning to go for either of the options, such as:

  • The personal taste has a lot to do with the style of kitchen one would choose. Some may want a comfortable granny like look while some may go for bright hues and sharp edgy style.
  • An approximation of the period one expects to live in the same property plays a vital role in selecting kitchen styles as well.
  • The budget is another key factor when looking for kitchen design ideas and selection is done accordingly.
  • The dominant style of the house has to be matched with the kitchen style, and if the other interiors are already in line with that style, the kitchen needs to be adjusted according to the overall aura.

Research and exploration is done before deciding on the interior style to choose from, but generally, the decision centers on personal preferences and ideas.

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Ideal glass dividers

Want natural light to stream in to your restaurant, bathing the whole place in the invigorating rays of the sun in style? Use glass dividers. Restaurants seeking transparent space utilization will find glass dividers as the perfect solution. Glass dividers are made of tough material and can glide smoothly along an overhead track system.

You’ll find glass dividers in fixed, sliding, folding, and movable configurations, and they can be either textured or clear. The choice between the available options largely depends on preferences and use. Glass dividers serve multiple purposes, especially in a restaurant. However, it is important to know the best kind of glass dividers for restaurants to be able to make the right choice. Let’s look at some of the ideal glass dividers for restaurants.

Stained glass dividers
If you want to partition the space in your restaurant while adding décor to it, stained glass dividers are a good idea. Without blocking the light, these dividers provide privacy. You can divide the space in your restraints into two parts by using stained glass dividers, or use them to partition the different areas of your restaurant, for instance the dining area and the kid’s playing area.

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The Role of Windows in Green Homes

Green homes are those that are eco friendly, leaving a small carbon footprint. This is often done by the use of passive heating, cooling and lighting. That is where windows come in, especially in a temperate climate.  Large windows on the sunny side of the house will allow natural sunlight in to warm the room and make it lighter. Thus, there will be less need to have the heater and lights on throughout the day as is often needed for a room with small windows.

Windows and the Sun
You might think that a window that allows the sun in will make the room too hot in the summer. This is not the case. The sun is higher in the sky in the summer, so will not shine into the window as much as it does in the winter when it is low. Having wider eaves will also ensure that there is shade on the walls in the summer.

Another thing to use for passive cooling is a shrubby tree outside, that will lose its leaves in the winter, allowing the sun through. In the summer it will have leafy branches that cast shade over the windows.

Type
The kind of window is also important when it comes to being eco friendly. Remember that while sliding windows are usually large, only half the window cavity will be open. This is also true of sash windows. Louvre windows will open up the full cavity because each panel swings out to become horizontal. That said, they don’t shut as tightly as other windows and they tend to catch the dust more when open.

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Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes When Buying a Pool

Buying a pool is a long term decision. Therefore, you need to contemplate, and then decide whether you truly want to make such a big investment in it. However, the decision is never easy and people often end up making blunders which cannot be fixed after they have bought the pool. Following are the 3 mistakes you need to avoid so that you don’t regret them later.

Not Remembering the Purpose
Before you buy a pool, you need to list down the reasons you will be using that pool for, and choose the design, size, and shape according to it. Pools can be used for multiple purposes so make sure you opt for the design that fits all possible uses. It is necessary that you have these things in mind before you meet your pool contractor.

If the sole purpose of having a pool is for family entertainment, then you need to make sure it is safe for use for children as well. You can install safety features such as fences and gates to ensure that pool is only used under adult supervision. Additionally, if you are installing a pool to enhance the outlook of your yard, then things like access for the contractor for excavator hire, lighting and an exceptional backdrop can be utilized which will lighten up the mood of the area. Similarly, pools built with the objective of swimming laps for competitive sports are long and deep, as compared to pools built for exercising or recreation.

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Enhance your Office Interiors with Glass Partitions

Glass partitions are a common part of huge office designs, accentuating the interiors with a sleek and elegant look. With sophisticated aesthetics and various benefits, glass partitions are popular in office premises instead of wooden partitions. Appealing to both staff and visitors, glass partitions in offices create a great visual appeal and the halls look more spacious and filled with natural light.  It is better to hire a professional to design the office space with glass partitions as the selection has to be careful and within the budget for interior decor.

Glass walls, for instance, are an attractive option for glass partitions in offices, making for an upscale look in the interiors of the workplace. These glass walls could be tinted or clear, depending on the requirements. Sliding glass doors are another option to provide glamour to the office space that effortlessly divides the area and creates a modern look with various designs available.

Glass partitions between cubicles are usually the ones with designs so to consider the need of privacy while amalgamating the energy of the entire space. Framed partitions and frameless partitions both are readily available in the market and are up to the choice of the customer to select, both however, look stylish in their own unique way.

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Advantages of Using Fence Slats

On numerous occasions, people make the mistake of installing the wrong kind of fence for their property. However, the use of latest technological advancements has made it possible to amend this mistake with fence slats..

These fence slats are available in many different materials including aluminum, plastic, wood, etc. Whether it’s as a boundary, a wind screen, for privacy or sound control; fence slats can solve your problem and add beauty to your yard at the same time. These slats are available in a variety of colors and designs which can be adjusted and chosen according to your chain link fence.

Following are the benefits of using fence slats as boundaries of your property:

Security Measures for Kids and Pets
Chain links are often big enough for a kid’s hand or head to pass through and become stuck in it. Similarly, animals can get hurt or jump to the other side of the fence if unattended. To make sure such circumstances do not occur, slats can be placed between chain fences to make it safer for kids to play and for pets to roam around in your yard.

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