An Overview of Aluminium, Plastic and Timber Conservatories
September 30, 2007
Conservatories remain a popular accoutrement and attachment to homes throughout the United Kingdom and the world in the 21st century. Around for over three hundred years, conservatories work to provide a lovely transition between the main residence and the natural surroundings abutting the home. In this article we look at the thee main types of materials used for conservatories ? pvcu, aluminum and hardwood.
PVCu
Through the years, many different types of materials have been utilized in the construction of conservatories. Stone, brick and wood have all been popular materials and widely used in the construction of elegant and functional conservatories down through the past three centuries. In recent years, aluminum has become widely used in the construction of conservatories. Most recently, a substance which has become known as PVCu has been widely used in the construction of conservatories throughout the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.
In considering this article, one might wonder about the composition of PVCu. "PVC" stands for "Poly Vinyl Chloride." Poly Vinyl Chloride is a chemical compound consisting of chlorine, carbon and hydrogen. The "u" appended at the end of the moniker stands for "unplasticised" or "unmodified." In layman’s terms, this means that the material or product has not been injected with additional chemicals called plasticizers. Plasticizers are designed to soften materials. PVCu is derived essentially from petroleum or natural gas and common salt. Most PVCu systems are reinforced with aluminum.
Plastic Applied to the Picnic Table?
September 29, 2007
There are many styles of picnic tables on the market, but what kind of material is best for durability and safety? Powder coating has been an accepted coated finish for years and there are several reasons why. The coating look great, you can have most any color you want, they are friendly to the environment and efficient to produce. The powder is applied in liquid form so it goes on similar to painting. If you need to have flexibility and strength against impacts, this type of finish would no be the best. Some type of PVC coating is the finish of choice when flexibility is key.
A picnic table is a good example of needing strength and durability. These are left out in the elements probably all year. The corrosion from acid rain is only one issue faced by furniture left outdoors. Powder coating is safer for kids and adults because there is no chance of getting slivers you know where when sliding across the picnic bench. Parks and Recreation departments can’t take in the picnic tables every year so they are left outside. A consumer just leaves their picnic table outdoors because they are so heavy to haul into storage. Some set them up on their sides so the snow won’t accumulate on top, but they are still left exposed to the elements.
The Difference Between Large and Small Ponds
September 28, 2007
If you think that a large pond is simply a small pond that “grew up”, you’re in for some pond maintenance problems. Let’s start off my defining the terms that we’ll be using here. A large pond is anything over 1,000 gallons (5,000 liters). A pond that holds over 4,000 gallons (20,000 liters) is a very large pond.
Large ponds require a whole different level of financial and time committment than small ponds do. You’ll need larger and more efficient pumps and filters as well as the additional plumbing that those devices require. You’ll probably also spend a lot more for plants and fish as well as higher maintenance costs for those plants and fish.
Your building and maintenance costs are dependant, to a great extent, on how deep your pond is. A 6′ deep pond, for example, calls for a large and highly-specialized biofilter which uses a lot of electricity and requires a pretty hefty chunk of space for installation. You’ll need extra UV power and some sophisticated plumbing including bottom drains, skimmers, valves, and the like.
Mommy, Mommy, Theres a Caterpillar on my Bed
September 27, 2007
Chenille has been used for bedspreads since Catherine Evans revived the craft in the 1890’s. She applied raised tufts of yarn to cotton sheeting and these spreads were often referred to as chenille products. Chenille is the French word for caterpillar - the yarn looks like those fuzzy little creatures. Thick pile of yarn ends stuck out all around at right angles. Stamps were created into a pattern and the yarn was stuck on to fill in the pattern. Bedspreads from this craft were all the rage in the 20’s. The demand was so high that new warehousing systems were developed to put out these products. This truly developed from a cottage industry in that haulers would deliver stamped sheets to the women of north Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. They would then pick up the spread, pay the women and take the spreads back to the warehouse. A final finishing of washing in hot water locked in the yarns. They were also dyed in all kinds of colors.
Duvet Covers Are Easy to Make Yourself
September 27, 2007
Duvet covers are rather versatile when you think about it. If you want something that is really different for your bedroom, you may find expense is an issue in fancy, unique, well made fabric. Designer labels are pricey, especially if you aren’t shopping during a white sale. The versatility of the duvet makes them worth it, and a necessity for a comforter, but you don’t want to spend the money. Even an inexpensive comforter can be transformed into a stylish work of art with a unique duvet cover. They are great for your kid’s rooms because they can easily be changed when the child grows.
A teddy bear duvet might be good one day but you blink and he’s ready for a NASCAR print. You will save even more money if you make the duvet yourself. Even a novice can pull this off. Just think of a duvet as a giant pillow case with some sort of closure at the end. That doesn’t seem too hard does it? A pillow case keeps the pillow clean as you sleep on it, and the duvet does the same thing. All types of bedding should be soft and supple since it is next to your skin.
Where?s the Care Label for my New Bedspread?
September 26, 2007
I love bedspreads, don’t you? A comforter can be used for the winter months but the bedspread is brought out of the linen closet in the spring when it’s warming up and the whole world is freshening and renewing itself outside. A bedspread is available in most any color, pattern or fabric and it can be one of the most expensive items you put in your bedroom. Did you know that these expensive pieces of fabric do not fall under the Care Label Rule? The Care Label Rule of 1971 requires clothing manufacturers and importers to attach care labels to their products. They must give full instructions on how to satisfactorily care for the products one time, or clearly state that it cannot be cleaned. The label also needs to warn against things that could be harmful such as using an iron or using hot water. I love the care labels because it gives me a clear indication of how to clean things. I have been surprised on more than one occasion when the label said dry clean only and I would have thrown it in the washing machine. You may find care instructions on a temporary label, a piece of paper in the plastic, hang tag, or somewhere on the package so check clearly before you throw anything away.
Introducting KOI-Cam!
September 25, 2007
This is a project I’ve had on the back burner for many months now, but now it’s finally ready!
We rigged up a wireless camera and aimed it at the KOI pond here, directly where my KOI get their daily feedings. To check it out right now, visit www.koi-cam.com.
Right now, it’s just a snapshot that can be updated by hitting your ‘refresh’ button on your browser - but soon we’ll have it available as a streaming video feed.
The KOI get regular feedings at the times listed on the website. check out my new auto-feeder called ‘Koi-Cafe’ also shows at www.koi-cam.com. This feeder is run by battery, and also comes with a solar panel for re-charging the battery! It’s not hooked up yet, but it’s still pretty amazing.
The feeder makes sure that my hungry little underwater pigs get all the food they need to grow large and healthy. Plus, we’ve just added some new fish recently, right out of Charles Lewis’ (President of The Tropical Koi Club of South Florida) personal collection. We’ll be having a photo tour of Charles’ pond very soon - he’s got some beautiful show koi in his 10,000 gallon pond.
Installing Vinyl Siding - Making It Simple
September 24, 2007
Installing vinyl siding can be a very rewarding process that could dramatically change the appearance of your home. For the most part, if you plan your job well and adhere to some simple guide lines, anyone could learn how to install siding to there home.
The first thing to consider when installing vinyl siding is what tools will be needed for the job. Basically with some common carpenter tools, like a, hammer, level, chalk line, screw driver set, tin snips and a good circular saw you can pretty much achieve what it is you need to do. But if you plan on making a profession out of it, expect to pay in the thousands for a properly equipped truck.
After you have gathered your tools, you will need to collect your materials to prepare the job. Below you will find a list of some fundamental items needed to start your siding project.
Sheathing/Backerboard
Vinyl siding should be applied over a sheathing that provides a smooth, flat surface. Since every district has different code requirements you may want to consult local building codes for sheathing requirements. Vinyl siding should never be applied directly to framing studs without sheathing. As an alternative to backer board, there is a variety of specific types of contoured foam under lays available for various styles of vinyl siding.
Pre-drawn House plans the Benefits and Styles
September 23, 2007
Pre-drawn house plans are those that are drawn by architects or home designers and then offered for sale, unlike those that are drawn for an individual, with input from the customer. While this method may be a great idea, there are definite benefits to purchasing pre-drawn house plans. Architects and home designers that do custom home designing also do a lot of their own designs, and it is these plans that are offered for sale They are adept at making plans that utilize available space to the best possible advantage, and at laying out a floor plan to optimize curb appeal.
Custom designing of your home can take months to be completed and is extremely expensive, often up to ten times the cost of predawn or stock house plans. Using custom drawn plans can delay the construction of your home by many weeks There are dozens of home styles and literally thousands of plans to choose from, so you can be sure to find the home of your dreams.
Buy Area Rugs on the Web? What a Site!
September 22, 2007
After spending hundreds of dollars on your favorite Picasso print, the idea of buying it online, anticipating its delivery, tossing it on the floor and going for a stroll seems unimaginable. But there is a form of art that you can walk all over: the area rug.
Sure, the comparison may seem a bit far-fetched, but area rugs are the art underfoot. Whether it’s oriental or Persian, braided or contemporary, the area rug is a reflection of our style and character, much like a picture or painting. And with the advancement in online shopping technology, buying your area rug has never been easier.
Interior designer John Kurtz of Wilmington, Del., says the most important thing when buying a rug is that it has a “beating heart and is going to please you every time you look at it.”
The area rug gives a room structure, flavor and design, allowing room colors to be accentuated and drawn out simply by adding this one piece of decor. Unlike wall-to-wall carpet, area rugs bring a pattern into a room without being permanent fixtures. The versatility of an area rug means it can be moved from great room, to dining room, to bedroom and finally find a home in the garage.
