Category: Home Improvement
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Top myths about PVC
Impact of PVC vs non-PVC towards the environment: Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC or simply as vinyl, is a plastic composed of carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen. It’s a common material found frequently in packaging, wire coatings, furnishing, construction materials, pipes, electrical wires, and also in the graphics industry. The reason that PVC is such a popular material is that it’s incredibly versatile. It’s also resistant to UV rays, chemicals, weathering, and flame resistant. Many people, however, believe that PVC has a negative impact on the environment and avoid using any products that contain this material. It’s true that there are many complaints about PVC and its effect both on people and the environment, so let’s take a look at the main issues, both for and against. 1. The manufacturing process releases highly toxic carcinogenic dioxins into the environment: There are two main pieces of evidence that debunk this belief. First is that over the past 30 years, the production of PVCs has increased 300%, whilst at the same time the amount of dioxins in the environment has reduced. Therefore, if the manufacturing process was the major cause of dioxins in the environment, you would expect that the number of dioxins would have increased accordingly. In fact, if we stopped producing PVC, the levels of dioxins in the environment wouldn’t noticeably diminish. Second, that the main cause of dioxins in the environment is not the inefficient combustion of PVC, it’s mainly due to landfill fires and to a lesser degree, the inefficient combustion of medical and urban waste. 2. When incinerated or burnt in house fires, PVC releases dioxins, chlorine, and other carcinogenic chemicals into the air: First of all, PVC doesn’t burn very well, in fact, if the source of fire is removed, PVC doesn’t continue to burn, because it contains a fire-resistant polymer. Also, many PVC products are treated with additional flame retardants after the manufacturing process and release less smoke and less heat when combusted, compared to other plastics. Second, when PVC is correctly combusted the number of toxins released into the environment is insignificant. In fact, the most harm derives from the release of carbon monoxide, which is released from numerous other materials when burnt. 3. PVC can’t be recycled therefore it accumulates as plastic waste: In most scenarios, PVC is actually highly recyclable and can be recycled many times over without degrading. In fact, many plastic products in use today contain components of recycled vinyl; some proponents believe that due to its high recyclability, PVC is actually a zero-waste material. Also, since PVC lasts longer than other materials, it doesn’t need to be replaced as often and hence, appears in landfills less often than comparable materials. In addition, the durability of PVC has led to it being used to line landfills with no evidence that the vinyl breaks down and releases toxins into the groundwater. In the graphics industry, however, PVC is currently difficult to recycle due to contamination from adhesives, additives, and print. Avery Dennison is looking to overcome this with innovative technology to separate products into raw materials, through their Liner Recycling Program. 4. PVC is expensive to manufacture: PVC is made from chlorine and ethylene, both of which are inexpensive to a source (chlorine comes from salt and ethylene from natural gas), resulting in a very inexpensive manufacturing process. In fact, when you consider that PVC products are very cheap to buy, between the retail cost of the product and the profits made by the manufacturer and reseller, the actual production costs are minimal. The result is that vinyl products consume less energy, generate fewer emissions, and save more energy during the manufacturing process than many other products. Why is PVC popular in the graphics industry? All the benefits of using PVC in the graphics industry have been stated above however, more specifically, PVC is extremely cost-effective when compared to alternative polymers. Its long life, durability, resistance to the elements and flame retardance are also major factors, but for our customers, the lower costs are a huge benefit. One of the most popular applications is for car wraps, where the vinyl provides maximum versatility. Vehicles can look like a work of art after being wrapped with a vinyl film. The fact that PVC is readily available is another factor that cuts down costs, as well as its versatility because we can manufacture numerous products using the same materials. PVC is also an ideal material for use across all print platforms, both porous and heat stable. In summary, PVC is not the villain that it has been made out to be. Many companies manufacturing it are not only committed to sustainability but focused on using innovative techniques combined with the responsible sourcing of materials, to reduce the impact of their operations and supply chain on the environment. Read Also: Replacement Windows – Benefits Of Vinyl Windows Five Ways To Improve The Air Quality Inside Your Home
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Top Secrets That Slash Your Kitchen Remodeling Bill in Half
Budget is the scary word that bothers you when you undertake the work of kitchen renovation. It is one of the reasons only a few people can go ahead with the work as planned. No one can deny that the condition of the kitchen is a throwback of your living style. The thing that leaves you in dilemma is how to avoid making the project exorbitant in terms of money. Do you know where to indulge and how to mitigate the cost of renovation? Remember that the result of home renovation must not only create a glamorous look but also add value to your property. Unfortunately, it takes very little time for the cost to escalate in the Kitchen Cabinet Renovation project. Do you know that you can get the dream kitchen without splurging? Keep your budget tight and make your kitchen the most favorable area of your home with ease. Keeping the cabinets The renovation or makeover of cabinets is one of the areas where you need to spend a major part of your finances. How about preserving the old cabinets if they are in good condition? You can just coast them with paint or resurface the cabinets to reduce the cost. Consulting with the experts will reveal better results, but having a mind of your own is a better way to ensure a beautiful result in the end. Retaining the layout The kitchen designer you hire may show eagerness to change the layout completely such as making it L-shaped, like a gallery or corridor, making it with a single wall. Unfortunately, the present layout may be perfect. The only thing you need to do during the renovation work is to arrange the things properly so that everything you want becomes readily available. If you leave the shape of the kitchen undisturbed, you can save a lot of money and stay within the budget you have created in the beginning. Discarding the things smartly When it comes to the electrical items in the kitchen, you may not decide to keep a few of them such as the refrigerator, stove, and the chimney. If you decide to sell these items, try to get an estimate from the second-hand shops. You can also take photos of these items and post them in the online selling sites to find out if the option has the potential to fetch more money. If you are lucky enough to sell them at a good price, it can help you to buy a new appliance at half the cost and it is a good option to rely on. Choosing the countertop The material to be used for the countertop can raise a few concerns, especially when you need to stay within the budget. Even though there is a wide range of options available with varying rates, combining two materials can help you to curb the cost. You can replace granite with a laminate that comes with stone-like appearance. Flooring options Kitchen is one of the places where the flooring needs to be considered carefully. When you do not have enough to spend on the renovation work, using a ceramic tile can fulfill your wish. It may not be as attractive as the other options, but it is highly durable. Alternatively, you can install laminate flooring over the current floor for the best results. The vinyl tiles are also cheap, so you may consider this option as well. Buying from the internet People love to shop from the internet nowadays, but that does not mean that you can buy anything online as the variance of prices can be unimaginably high or low. Find out which days are the best when you buy certain items online so that you can grab the discounts easily. You can also buy second-hand items from people you know such as a refrigerator that your friend has hardly used. Having enough time to buy the items you need for kitchen remodeling helps you to go for comparison shopping before you finalize the decision to purchase. There are plenty of options available when you want to reduce the cost of the kitchen items to half. The only thing you need to do is to find the right opportunity. You can try to check the options of kitchen remodeling before going ahead with the project. Try to avoid indulging unnecessarily to make your investment worth the money you spend on a kitchen renovation. Read Also: 9 Feng Shui Tips For A Calmer Kitchen Kitchen Renovations Must Be Done At Regular Intervals
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Sheet Vinyl vs Vinyl Tile flooring
Nowadays, Vinyl flooring has become a popular choice for flooring. Due to its durability, practicality, value, and attractiveness, most people prefer to choose vinyl flooring for both residential and commercial purposes. You can find a variety of top-quality flooring options in the market, and one with such excellent quality is 651 vinyl flooring. There are mainly two common types of vinyl flooring, and they are sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles. However, there are some differences between these two types of vinyl flooring. It’s essential to know the differences between these two types of vinyl flooring so that you can easily decide which could be the best fit for your house or office. That is the reason why, in this article, we have come up with a comparison between the two common types of vinyl flooring. Comparison between Sheet vinyl and Vinyl title If you want to compare between sheet vinyl and vinyl tile the major things that you need to look at are its looks, style, costs, durability, stability, environmental impacts, as well as applications. The following are the detailed comparisons between the two types of vinyl flooring: Looks and style: The construction technology of both the sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles are almost similar. Both types of flooring come up with a huge variety of designs, and both have outstanding looks and styles. A difference that stands out between the two is that while the sheet vinyl is a little bulky, expensive and comes in one style, vinyl tiles are usually available in a number of styles. Another significant difference between the two is that sheet vinyl needs to be installed in one or two large pieces, but vinyl tiles have endlessly customizable designs and can be installed in any kind of configuration. Durability and stability: Durability refers to the hardness of the flooring, whereas stability is governed by the thickness of the layers and quantity of the materials used in flooring. Both durability and stability are important features of the flooring. When it comes to the difference between the sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles, it is generally found that sheet vinyl is comparatively less durable and stable than that of the vinyl tiles. Apart from that, it’s not easy to repair sheet vinyl, but you can easily replace the vinyl tile. Environmental Impact and applications: Both types of vinyl flooring are made up of materials that can be completely recycled. When it comes to application, one notable thing between the two is that while sheet vinyl is a little difficult to transport vinyl tiles can be easily transported without any issue. Apart from that, vinyl tiles can be easily replicable, but it is not so in case sheet vinyl. Cost: Cost is certainly an important feature that must be taken into consideration. While comparing the cost of sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles, it’s found vinyl tiles are a little more costly than sheet vinyl. If you want to purchase one square foot of sheet vinyl, it would cost around $1 to $4, but in the case of vinyl tiles, it would be $2 to $5. Read Also: How To Protect Your Wood Flooring In A Busy Household 7 Advantages Of Reflective Epoxy Flooring
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Roof Repair: Should You Hire Roofers Or DIY?
There is a lot that we need to prepare for while living in this world. Growing up, most of the things we did were focused on preparing us for the future. Our education is a prime example of such a plan, and it has given us a lot of opportunities as we grow older. Now that we are adults, we learn to face problems before it even starts. It can be anything from our daily lives, like planning ahead of our week. Calculating each moment of our lives in order to manage it better has been one of our continuous goals. However, there are so many moments in our lives that we cannot prepare for at all. For example, the weather these days is truly unpredictable. How Does Unpredictable Weather Affect The Roof? It can rain in the morning, and then the sun will scorch you in the afternoon. It might be summer on normal days, but the air feels like it is winter. There are a lot of weather anomalies that are happening every day in our world right now. It affects all o ur lives, even in the littlest way possible. Your schedule, for example, can be affected by unexpected bad weather. Canceling your plans seems like the best option, even though you don’t want to. Some of your plants in the garden can also be affected. Not every vegetation is hard enough to stand the unpredictability of the elements. The weather can also affect our house. See how it works here: abc.net.au. There is nothing more important in managing a household than cleaning the house itself. It is one of the most tiring things you can do during your rest days. Yet, it is a very important task since it keeps our home livable. Cleaning our own homes should be an integral part of every household. It acts as a productive activity for children before they go out and play. The parents can also plan out how the house will look like from the inside out. It can also be considered as bonding time for the whole family if you want it to be more enjoyable. You can even use this time to check for any kind of repair needed around the house. One of the most vulnerable parts of the house is the roof. It is very obvious since it protects the entire structure from any harm above. It also helps ventilate your whole house along with the ceiling. However, most roofs are always under siege by the elements. The unpredictability of the weather does not help maintain our roofs either. Click here to see why cleaning every season is important. Should you clean your roof? Probably not. This leads to more damage and can affect the interior of your household. This leads to more problems, which can be really bothersome at any point in our lives. However, you can always look for solutions. You can always hire a professional roofer to solve these problems. They are usually well-trained and can spot a problem on your roof with ease. Roofers can repair and help maintain the quality of your roof. Some companies even offer a free roof inspection for their clients. If needed, they can help you install a new roof as well, especially if the damage is extensive. Hiring them may cost you money, but it will save you all your time and effort. You don’t even need to worry about the repair anymore, as they will do it for you. Check out the dome of the roofing experts around your area and see which ones you like best. Why Should You Pay Special Attention To The Condition Of Your Roof? Before you do anything rash, remember that doing the roof repair on your own can be a bit challenging and dangerous. On one hand, it saves you a lot of money since you do not need to pay for the labor anymore. You can also customize your roof to your heart’s content. However, you need to have the talent and skill to repair your own roof. Accidents may happen and can lead to more expenses for your family. Always choose the best equipment and materials for your roof repair. Most websites these days offer reviews on different products for your roofing needs, so try checking that out as well. As usual, it will depend on your choice whether you will hire or do it all yourself. The only aspects that should always matter are your safety and security. Related: How Often Do You Need A Roof Inspection? Disadvantages Of DIY Roof (...or any) Repair Doing roof repairs on your own can seem like a good idea at first. After all, it saves you money, right? But before you grab that ladder and start working, consider some of the drawbacks of going the DIY route. Safety Always Comes First First off, safety should always be a top priority. Roof repairs can be dangerous. If you're not experienced and do not have the right (professional) safety gear, you’re putting yourself at risk of falling, especially when dealing with high or steep roofs. Then, there are unpredictable slippery surfaces, uneven footing, and handling tools at heights, which make the task even riskier. One misstep, and you could end up with injuries that lead to hospital bills, which would definitely be more expensive than hiring a professional in the first place. They are not DIY Quick Fixes (...IT IS A ROOF!) Another important factor is time. Roof repairs aren't quick fixes. Especially for someone who isn't trained. What might take a professional a few hours could take you all weekend, or worse, a week. The time that could be spent on more productive activities might be wasted on a project that becomes more complicated than expected. You Require A Certain Skill Additionally, you require a certain advanced level skill level. Roof work isn't as simple as patching a hole or replacing a tile. There’s a science to understanding the structure, how water flows, and ensuring everything is sealed properly. Without the right knowledge, you may unknowingly create bigger issues, leading to leaks or even structural damage over time. What About the Tools? Let’s not forget about materials and tools. If you’re doing the repair yourself, you'll need to purchase all the materials and specialized tools needed for the job. However, professionals usually get discounts on these supplies, and they already have all the tools, which could save you a lot of money in the long run. In the end, while the DIY route may seem appealing, the risks often outweigh the benefits. Your safety, time, and the quality of the repair are all factors that deserve careful consideration. So, before you commit to fixing your roof alone, weigh your options carefully. Read Also: 5 Signs The Roof In Your Edmonton House Needs A Repair Roofing Painting Contractor Leads: Four Questions To Ask Before Hiring One What Are The Services Offered By Roofing Companies?
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5 Interior House Painting Tips
Owning a house which you can modify according to your personal desire, is always something permanent and something incredibly profound. A home with well-painted walls and beams should tell the story of who you are and what you love. New paint with vibrant colors can change your mood, and make your home your favorite place to live in. Interior house painting can be a very intimidating and challenging task if you decide to take it upon yourself. You have two options, to either do it by yourself or hire a professional painting company to look over the project. If you opt with the first choice, these tips and techniques will help you to paint your own home, according to your likings, within a very friendly budget. When you want to paint your Boynton Beach home, be sure to give Gustafson Painting a call. The following steps are a guide on how to paint a house to meet your expectations: 1. Self Choosing Colors: The critical step, to begin with, is to choose a color which you like. Or at least you should have a good idea of what color combination suits your home, i.e. which colors you would like to paint to your rooms and which colors to paint washrooms, kitchen, etc. Select the color palettes and plan out which color combination gives your rooms the vibrant energy. Every color has its functions, e.g. Blue, green and purple are all relaxing colors. Moreover, other deep and shocking colors such as red, pink and yellow can be used in rooms which are mostly in use during the day, giving your rooms a lively, gaudy look. 2. Gathering Tools and Equipment: After this, you have to pick all the tools and equipment which are needed for painting the house; which includes sanding and scraping tools, wire brush, respirator, paint rollers, plastic sheets to cover the carpets and your valuable stuff, work gloves, drop cloth, ladder and scotch tape. This will ensure you are ready and won't have to leave your task in between, to search for something. 3. Repairing Damaged Parts: Once you have organized everything, the next step is to remove any dirt and dust buildups from the walls by using a pressure washer. After this, you can apply epoxy filler to cracks and fractures by using a putty knife. Allow it to let it dry. Once this is done, fill the gap around windows, doors, and ceilings to ensure a better coat of paint. When this is dried up, then feel the wall with your hand to ensure if there are any uneven spots left behind. Then, apply the primer to prepare the walls for paint when all damaged parts are repaired. 4. Brush the Walls: Before painting the walls with a roller, you should brush the walls. To brush the walls, mean to paint the corner of walls, ceilings, and trims. You can choose from paintbrushes which come in many shapes and sizes. The traditional method to paint the walls through brush is by the use of metal cans, which can be very difficult for you to carry along with the brush and can result in poor results. But nowadays, there are proper paint pails which will make the whole task a lot easier for you. 5. Ready to Paint Ahead! Finally, you are ready to paint with the rollers. But wait, before this you should mix a primer with paint to give a fresh and everlasting look. If you paint without using a primer, then the paint would peel off. For this, you have to scrap all the paint away, clean the surface before applying the first coat and after that, apply the second coat of your own choice. This is one way when you do not use a primer. But if you are using a primer with paint, then it will not cause any problem even if the first coat is not applied. And the most important order of painting as suggested by the experts of house painters in San Diego is that you should paint the trim first, then ceilings, and then walls. It will provide better adhesion throughout and will enhance the ability of the topcoat. Another pro tip is that don’t forget to open the windows and doors of your house during painting, as it provides better ventilation and the paint dries off quickly and efficiently. At the end of the painting, do the cleanup. Wash all the brushes and other stuff which you have used in the process. At last, give your house a final touch by placing all of the favorite furniture in place, to give your dream house a new look! With these interior house painting tips from the most experienced of the San Diego painting company, you will get pro results for your residence! Read Also: Find The Right Painters For Your Ann Arbor Home This Painting Season 5 Factors To Consider In Choosing The Right Floor Colors Roofing Painting Contractor Leads: Four Questions To Ask Before Hiring One
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7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment
So you want to downsize to a smaller apartment? If you’re banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to make a move go smoothly, you’re not alone. We’ve all been guilty of having too much stuff! Give yourself a break and start thinking of solutions. Stay inspired by focusing on the many benefits of downsizing! Moving into a smaller apartment gives you the chance to start over and get rid of things you no longer need. It can also help you to get organized and keep only the essentials. Even better, you won’t have to clean nearly as much space and can live as a minimalist! That in itself has some serious perks. Your stuff won’t own you and you’ll have more time to enjoy life. Do you see where we’re going with this? Get ready, because, in this article, we offer seven expert hacks to help make the process of moving into a smaller apartment easier. Here are 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment: 1. Analyze the space you’ll have It’s essential to know the total space of your new apartment before you start the downsizing process. Take a look at your new floor plan and figure out how much room in feet and inches are on each wall. That way you’ll know what will fit in your apartment. If the measurements aren’t on the floor plan, ask the leasing office to provide you with the details. But, the floor plan or provided measurements won’t tell you everything. You need to measure the extra spaces as well: Closets Space under the bed (more on this later) Bathroom storage and cabinets Garage storage (if your apartment includes a separate garage) Kitchen storage and cabinets Other spaces where you might add shelving (like the top of the fridge or in a window) When you’re done with that, measure your current furniture and decide which pieces will fit into your place and which ones you won’t need. 2. Determine your actual needs An excellent way to figure out what your needs are is by asking yourself if everything was gone, what would you replace? Jot down some necessary items you can’t live without such as a bed, sofa, coffeemaker, dog bed — whatever is important to you. You should also ask yourself the following questions: What sentimental items will I miss the most? Does this item serve a purpose? Do I already have something that serves the same purpose? Can I use this item to accomplish more than one task? Is this object in good shape, and will it last for a while longer? This is the point where you’ll be making some headway on knowing what you’re keeping and what you can live without. If ever in doubt of whether you should keep or donate something, go back to asking yourself these questions. 3. Set some tangible goals When it’s getting closer to moving time, you need to come up with a game plan. Best get started with setting some goals before time escapes you! We’re assuming you want to declutter and possibly redecorate your new place, and if that’s the case, it’s time to set some tangible goals. Ask yourself these questions: (Yes, we realize we’re telling you to do this yet again.) What do I hope to gain by adopting a minimalist lifestyle? Do I want to keep the furniture I have or get new furniture (#1 and #4 will help with this) How do I plan to declutter? How will I maximize my space? (Keep reading because we cover this in #4.) What will I do if I can’t decide to part with some items? Should I pay for storage elsewhere to store extra belongings? Need some help answering those kinds of questions? Here are some goals you could have: I want a clutter-free apartment that will give me peace. Not fixating on my possessions will help me feel free. I’d like to have a clean slate and keep my belongings organized moving forward. Being minimalistic will help me put emphasis on the most important emotional and physical items in my life. Write down a few goals that inspire you so that when you feel like giving up, you’ll be able to remind yourself of your intentions. 4. Be a master organizer by maximizing space Since you know how much space is in your apartment, as we recommended in #2, you should already have a plan in place as to where everything should go. With the limited storage space in your new digs, it’ll help to store things vertically. Vertically aligning hooks and shelves helps you take advantage of every square inch of space. You might want to use adhesive hooks at first because most are easy to adjust. We’ll be getting into how to simplify your wardrobe next, but for now, keep in mind that multi-use furniture can solve a lot of storage problems. Keep reading because we’re about to reveal some killer ideas. One idea is to maximize space by incorporating storage headboards. These are pieces of furniture such as bookshelves and a hutch that’ll fit over your bed. Incorporating these types of units will make it easier to store a variety of items from family treasures to books and jewelry. For example, incorporating a fitted unit in your closet can make it easier to organize. Beyond that, think of other ways you can make use of storage. Is there any room underneath the bed you’ll be moving into your fancy new apartment? If there isn’t and you need an upgrade, buy a bed that has drawers underneath. Trust us — those drawers will be your best friend when you need to store extra items of clothing such as blankets or sweatshirts. Keep your bed if you like it, and it just so happens that you may be able to squeeze in some bins underneath to use as storage. For example, milk crates work well when you want to store books, tee shirts, and keepsakes. 5. Simplify your wardrobe Seriously, how do you go about simplifying your wardrobe with you have a gazillion t-shirts? If you think your new closet is small, just think about the people who live in tiny homes. Now those are super tiny! Don’t worry; you can do this if they can! Here are some steps to follow that’ll make your wardrobe functional in no time at all. Step 1: Get all of your clothing out (ALL of it!) and put it somewhere you can sort through it. Whether that’s on the floor or on your bed is entirely up to you. Step 2: Next, divide those clothes into three different piles and decide to donate, keep, or store them. Step 3: Ask yourself if the clothing fits you or if it's still in wearable condition. If you haven’t worn jeans, for example, due to a weight gain or loss, donate or store those items. Don’t keep clothing that’s falling apart. That’s just a waste of precious closet space! Step 4: Are you done going through your clothing and separating them into three different piles? Okay good, you’re going to do it again. This time ask yourself if this clothing fits your personality and your current lifestyle. Step 5: Mission complete! Well, almost. Organize the clothes you’re keeping, store what you plan to wear later (such as seasonal clothing), and drop off clothes you’re donating. 6. Sell or donate what you don’t want Now that you know how much space you have, and how to simplify your wardrobe, let's dive into why it's so essential to sell or donate belongings. It's time to stop and figure out which items you can and can't part with. As you know, whether you're moving to a different city or relocating to a separate apartment at the same complex, moving takes a lot of work. You should do everything in your power to simplify the moving process. Eager to make some money to help with moving expenses? One way to do that is by selling belongings and furniture you no longer want. Try Craigslist, eBay, garage sales, Facebook, consignment stores, and more. Before you even start packing, you should sell, donate, or recycle stuff you can live without. This will eliminate packing everything up only to decide later that you didn't need that item of clothing or five extra plates. If you have problems deciding whether you want to keep, sell, or donate an item, take a hard look at everything you own. Think about whether another person would find use out of that item. If the item is useful, you can either donate it or sell it, depending on its value. Who knows, your trash may turn into someone else's treasure. 7. Digitize nonessential media Next let's dive into how you can digitize and save documents, pictures, videos, cassettes, videos, DVDs, and CDs. While it's important to keep hard copies of documents such as your social security card and birth certificate, try to save and scan everything else. Transfer CDs and DVDs to digital files by using free computer programs such as Freemake Video Converter, Movavi, and WinX. Scan documents to your computer or save them as PDF files. After you're done scanning everything, use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive. Online storage sites are lifesavers when your goal is to digitize media. Think of all of the space you'll free up in your new apartment by getting rid of boxes of videos, paper, and more by going paperless! It'll take some time, but it'll totally be worth it. And boom! Suddenly you'll realize you're there. So, do you think it’s time to move? Even though downsizing may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Moving to a smaller apartment has its perks, such as decluttering your life and organizing your new place with fewer belongings. Simply put, downsizing to a smaller apartment means: Enjoying lower monthly expenses and living costs Not having to clean nearly as much since your place is smaller Living a minimalist lifestyle without meaningless belongings getting in your way Instead of sweating the small stuff, take the moving process step by step. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new digs, relieved that you took the time to eliminate the clutter. Carolina Creek is a great townhouse-style community located about a mile from Eastern Carolina University's campus. The community consists of 2x3 and 3x3 apartments and contains a full amenity suite including a fitness center, pool, business center, and game room. The community is the best value in the Greenville NC student housing market. Read Also: 5 Tips For Designing a Tiny House How To Make Your Home Look Like You Hired An Interior Designer Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?
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Why Metal Studs are More Suitable for Your Construction Works
When it comes to building structures, it is preferable to consider using metal studs in place of wooden studs for non-load bearing walls. Research shows that more than 50% of structures are built with metal studs made from cold-formed sheets. However, metal studs conduct cold, but builders prefer using metal studs in place of woods for the following reasons. 1. Metal studs are lighter than wooden studs and convenient to work: Metal studs are lighter in weight than wooden studs because of their hollow shape. This makes them less bulky than wooden studs in terms of transportation and storage. When cutting metal studs using aviation snips, there are no sawdusts, unlike cutting through wooden studs. But it is advisable to protect your hands from sharp ends using gloves, especially during galvanized steel frame building construction. 2. Metal studs are easier to handle: In terms of installation, metal studs weigh far less than wooden studs and are held in place with screws. Therefore, it easy to correct installation blunders with metal studs. 3. Metal studs are less prone to attacks from atmospheric elements: Metal studs are not inclined to stresses and uneven shrinkage. Unlike wooden studs, which are susceptible to such factors with time. Also, metal studs are more resistant to mold and rot, which are common wooden infections. Although metal studs rust with time, this is preventable by installing a vapor barrier on the concrete floor. This explains the durability and sturdiness commonly enjoyed with galvanized steel frame building. 4. Metal studs have a higher tensile strength than wooden studs: Metal studs have a higher tensile strength and flexibility than wooden studs. Therefore, they are preferred for construction in wind prone areas and seismic zones like the Gulf Coast states of the USA. 5. Metal studs are resistant to fire and insect attacks: Metal studs are not prone to insect attacks like carpenter ants and termites, which can cause grave damages to wooden studs. Also, in terms of fire outbreaks, metal studs are fire resistant and do not burn in the case of a fire outbreak, unlike wooden studs. 6. Metal studs have a higher cost advantage: Wooden studs cost 15% lesser than metal studs, but metal studs offer cost advantages in other areas. These advantages cut across warranty call-backs in the sales of metal studs are much reduced because metal studs are not susceptible to shrinkage, and additional stress-related factors. Buildings built with metal studs do not have cracks or nail pops to fix after completion. Therefore, scraps are significantly reduced. Up to 20% wastage is recorded when wooden studs are used in construction. Hence the cost of disposing of discarded materials is decreased considerably. 7. Higher insurance discounts: Owners of buildings built with metal studs enjoy a higher insurance discount due to lower risk factors. Unlike buildings built with wooden studs, which attracts a higher insurance premium because of their higher susceptibility to fire and other environmental factors. Conclusion: Metal studs are preferable for buildings because they are environmentally friendly compared with wooden studs. They can be recycled and are readily available in similar wooden dimensions. Read Also: How To Protect Your Wood Flooring In A Busy Household Hardwood Timber Flooring: Gives A Classic Look To Your Home
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Your Guide to a Spotless Home: Cleaning Service Hiring Tips
Best Maids has been a major player in the cleaning business in Chicago, Illinois, for 20 years. They continue to outshine the competition for good reasons. They offer free consultations and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee with their cleaning services. When searching for a cleaning or maid service in Chicago, it’s important to consider several factors. Let’s explore what makes Best Maids an industry leader. What to Look for When Hiring a House Cleaning Service When choosing a house cleaning service, here is what you should look for: The Staff Names can be deceiving, but Best Maids lives up to theirs. The entire staff is professionally trained, licensed, and skilled. Due to the company’s low staff turnover and efficient scheduling, you usually get the same crew each time. This setup is reassuring. It ensures consistent quality and helps build a long-term relationship. Best Maids performs stringent background checks before hiring, giving you peace of mind that the staff in your home are trustworthy. Attention to Detail Best Maids is transparent and detailed about house cleaning services. They provide a checklist for what will be cleaned in each area. From notoriously grubby, often overlooked spots like extraction fans and picture frames to light bulbs and ceiling fans, house cleaning Chicago covers it all. What are the Products They Use It’s important to understand the potential harm or benefits cleaning products can cause. Best Maids uses non-toxic products that ensure your health and the cleanliness of your home. It’s equally important that the cleaning staff is trained to handle all your appliances. This includes air conditioners, kitchen equipment, and boilers. For specialized maintenance, like air conditioning, consider hiring an aircon cleaning expert in Brisbane. They can ensure your HVAC systems run efficiently and help extend their lifespan, saving you on energy costs. Look into The Extra Charges Some areas of the house need cleaning, but many services don’t include them. Best Maids offers extras like wet-wiping light bulbs, moving heavy items, refrigerator clean-ups, and organizing drawers. These services cater to those who prefer not to handle these tasks themselves. The Region They Work A company with long-standing success and continuous growth can expand its reach. Best Maids now offers house cleaning service across many areas of Chicago. They cover zip codes like 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60608, 60610, 60611, 60613, 60614, 60615, 60616, 60618, 60620, 60622, 60626, 60631, 60632, 60637, 60638, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60643, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60653, 60654, 60655, 60657, 60660, and 60661. Personalized Service Personal needs differ and any good service should account for them. Best Maids listens to your preferences, including your preferred cleaning time. You may have a baby at home or work remotely, and cleaning can interrupt your routine. Best Maids aim to meet your needs and provide a healthy, clean home with minimal disruption. Once you’ve scheduled an appointment, they offer to hold the slot for ongoing cleaning or adjust to your convenience. Whether you need a one-off deep clean, special services, or a long-term house cleaning solution, Best Maids have consistently proven their worth. This Is Why Regular House Cleaning is Important House cleaning isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing function that requires your time and attention. Suppose you decide to take the time and put in the effort to clean up your property. Whenever you believe you’re done, it’s time for upkeep! House cleaning may be a dirty small business, but not for industrial cleaners operating in big businesses. Preventing Dirt Buildup and Allergens Dust, dirt, and allergens build up fast. If not cleaned on a regular basis, these particles can settle into surfaces and air ducts. Even causing health problems and poor air quality. Keeping a clean house not only provides a neat appearance but also eliminates allergen exposure. Dusting, vacuuming, and sanitizing will prevent allergens such as pet dander and pollen from building up over time to cause respiratory problems. Prolonging the Life of Furniture and Appliances Your furniture and appliances are not cheap. Routine cleaning and maintenance go a long way in keeping them in good condition and avoiding unnecessary damage. Dust, grime, water spots, etc. can ruin wood finishes over time, dust-clogged air filters don’t work as well, and laptops/televisions, etc won’t last if they overheat due to dirt buildup. Enhancing Mental Well-being A cluttered, dirty space can cause you to feel stressed and anxious. On the other hand, a clean and organized environment can help you feel calm and focused. Cleaning your home regularly can help reduce your stress levels, make you feel more in control of your life, and create a peaceful atmosphere for restful sleep. When everything is in its place, it’s easier to be productive, creative, and content. Saving Time and Effort Deep cleaning sessions are required sometimes, but they can be long and exhausting. If you maintain a clean-ish home with a regular cleaning schedule, you shouldn’t need to deep clean very often. A few minutes a day or an hour of work each week to stay on top of clutter and maintenance is much easier than 8 hours slogging away at the dirt in an overused room once every few months. Establishing Good Habits Cleaning becomes a habit over time. It is easier to keep a clean home when it is part of your regular daily routine. Whether you do a little bit every day or set aside specific days for different cleaning tasks, having a routine keeps things consistently tidy. Final Thoughts Keeping up with a regular cleaning schedule is about more than just appearance. It’s an investment in your health, your time, and your peace of mind. Commit to cleaning regularly so you can develop a living space that promotes total well-being. Read Also: 7 Advantages Of Hiring A Residential Cleaner How Cleaning Helps Us Feel Better And Why We Don’t Do It 5 Tips On Effectively Picking A Tile Floor Cleaning Machine Run Cleaning In Dallas: Why A Professional Cleaner Is Better
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How to Protect Your Wood Flooring in a Busy Household
A busy household is one with a lot of love. Whether it is a lot of people all living together in one home or just neighbors and friends dropping by at all hours of the day and night, keeping up with a barrage of feet across your floors can be difficult. A stylish wood flooring might be exactly what you need in terms of aesthetics but what can you do in terms of protection? Keep reading to find out. Choose the Right Floor: Protecting the floor actually begins a long time before it is even laid. One of the most crucial decisions you can make when it comes to choosing the right flooring comes from which wood you pick. If you opt for a design which has been treated to be resistant then you know it will be a little longer lasting than something else you could choose. You should also choose something on the neutral side so it will always be in style no matter how much you change the rest of the room about. The right color will blend in with everything and can even help to disguise stains depending on what you choose. Enforce “Shoes Off” Yes, you might have to be one of those households which enforces a shoes-off rule. If you want to maintain clean floors as often as possible, you need to ensure that no-one is trekking mud and dirt through your home on the soles of their shoes. Some people only like to use this rule when they have carpets, but it can also be used when you have wood flooring you want to keep pristine. Keep a collection of slippers just for guests if they aren’t comfortable walking around in just socks. Use Protector Pads on Furniture: Head to any hardware store or even your local supermarket, and you will be able to find a square of felt which you can cut up and used to cushion the feet of your furniture. This can be bought either in the pre-cut shapes or you can do it yourself. If you have furniture like chairs which frequently get dragged along your floor, this felt will help to protect the floor. Long scores and other damage on the floor can be extremely difficult to fix and you should instead try to focus on preventing such damage. Put the pads on any furniture will be resting on the floor even if it will not be moved often. It might not be the most convenient for you to try to place the pads on your heavy dresser, but it will be worth it if it means your floor won’t be damaged. Just the natural shift of people walking around the house might be enough to cause it to move and damage your floors. Wipe up Spillages ASAP: Wood floors are great as they do not require that much in the way of maintenance but there is one thing you must be exceptionally vigilant about. This is spillages from liquids; something which might happen quite a lot in households with a lot of people. From drinks being dropped to vases getting knocked over, there is plenty of scope for things being spilled on your beautiful wooden floor. If this spillage is left unattended, you can risk the wood warping and become irrevocably damaged. There is not really any way to correct wood once it has warped so it is easier to just be vigilant and clean up the spills as they happen instead. If you have young children, make sure that you instill in them the knowledge that spilling on the floor is not wrong if it is an accident, but it must be cleaned up as soon as possible. Gentle, Regular Cleaning: A wood floor can look beautiful, but you need to be very careful about what you use to clean it if you want it to remain as good as possible for the longest amount of time. First of all, a regular sweep will work wonders. Build one into your routine. If you do a daily clean down or tidy of the room with the wood floor just to keep things nice and neat, running around with a broom is not a massive addition to your cleaning routine. When it comes to something a little more, all you need is a good microfibre mop. These are brilliant as you can really wring them out to ensure that they are merely damp as opposed to wet. You should not want to use anything too wet to avoid the warping problem mentioned above. A damp microfibre mop and a suitable cleaner which can be used on wood flooring are all you need to ensure that the wood is left sparkling clean. Read more: Use Floor Polishing For Keeping Your Flooring Looking New A Stylish Rug or Two: If your wood floor is in somewhere with a lot of traffic, for example, a hallway or the kitchen, then you might want to take an extra precaution to protect the floor through the use of a rug. This will protect your floor from some additional wear and tear and can help to prevent those tell-tale marks which slowly appear from lots of feet trailing through the same area. What’s more, it is incredibly easy to find rugs to match whatever style you might have in a room. With a load of different textures and designs to choose from, you can very easily find the perfect rug to match your room and rest knowing that the floor underneath will stay protected that little bit longer. Find the Right Floor for You Today: If you have been holding back on installing a wood floor because you think your household is too busy for it, you need to correct that mistake now. There are plenty of options for you even if you have a house bursting at the seams with loved ones! With the tips mentioned above, there is no reason why you cannot have a beautiful wood floor in your home even if you have visitors at all hours of the day and night. Read Also: How Long Does Vinyl Flooring Last? 7 Advantages Of Reflective Epoxy Flooring 5 Factors To Consider In Choosing The Right Floor Colors
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4 Questions To Ask From Your Home Relocation Company
No matter what sort of circumstance may arise, telling your family that you are selling their "Home Sweet Home" is unarguably baffling than anything else-both mentally and emotionally. But, sometimes in quest of life betterment, we've to make the hard call. So, by now, you've found the right buyer and inked a mutually beneficial deal. What's the next big step of your master plan? Find a team of removalists to share the burden of relocating the house from your shoulder. But, with so many movers out there, marketing themselves to the best in the business is far more challenging than you might perceive at the first place. However, don't you worry, as we enlist the four Must-Have questions to ask when you are interviewing multiple candidates for a trustworthy home relocation company?-so, why think or rethink, check them out- Q.1 Are You Licensed? The first obvious step when locating a credible moving company in your geographical location is inquiring, whether they hold the license to operate in a given state or the entire country. Having this question in the questionnaire list will ensure you stay clear of even the slightest possibility of a moving scam. Since your relocating service provider will be relocating valuable stuff from one location to another, simply, you can't risk hiring anyone who calls himself/herself to be representing a removals company. You are required to do your thorough research work. It begins with analyzing the website, go for the details related to the licensing and then you can obtain other critical information from over popular customer feedback portals to deduce whether the individual you are contracting is worth the dollars or not. Q2. Do You Have Relevant Experience With My Specific Type of Moving? The next big question to hurl at your prospective removalist agency when conducting a face-to-face interview is to inquire, do they have the expertise to your specific relocation needs? For instance, you are relocating to a high-rise building, ask whether they have a team of removalists and the knowledge of managing unloading the stuff carefully at your new address on the 17th floor. Can they deal with the fragile items that need to be carefully moved from one place to another? This establishes you don't confront any last-minute hassle, which can prove to be a costly and overwhelming headache for a homeowner like you. So, don't be timid to ask this question, even if the company is in the business for the last decade. Q3. What Sort of Liability Coverage do You Provide? It is optimistic to think only about the positive scenarios, but you may land into trouble if you don't look into the worst case. So, ask what the liability coverage your removing company will be assuring you with. Whether your new address is just three blocks away or moving to a state thousands of miles away, this is one factor that the majority of the homeowners overlook, only to find themselves in the middle of a big hassle. It is indispensable to give a priority to a removing company that is putting forth an array of options when it comes to liability coverages. The Two Types of Liability Coverage- One is Full Value Protection and the other being the Released Value Protection. Under the Full Value Protection coverage, the remover will be responsible to pay for the damage of the shipment. But, the shortcoming associated with this coverage is that it is a costly addition. So, you can go with Released Value Protection, if money is a factor when hiring for a removing agency. But, it covers only a certain percentile of the loss. Q4. Do You Have Any References? Before you finalize on hiring a removing company, ask for references. You can go that extra mile by talking to their previous clients and inquire they were satisfied with the services offered to them? Ask what sort of difficulty they confronted with their removalists, and what are the pros of the company. These few questions will help you reach a conclusion about whether to hire or not. Conclusion: Trust your guts when making the final tough call. Also, have a quick look at the reviews & ratings of genuine customer feedback sites. Read Also: 10 Things To Do Before You Move Out Of State Investing In Property Is Investing In Your Future 7 Helpful Tips During An Emergency Moving Process
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7 Advantages of Reflective Epoxy Flooring
Flooring trends come and go, and that’s not a bad thing when you think about the decade in which orange and brown patterned carpet was all the rage. It’s proof that not every trend is a good one, but some are more withstanding of changing tastes and times than others. Epoxy floors are a great example of flooring that stands the test of time despite the trendy nature of this type of concrete floor. If you’re thinking about epoxy concrete, here are some of the biggest benefits of this type of flooring. 7 Advantages of Reflective Epoxy Flooring: 1. It’s Durable: Durable flooring is hard to find when you have kids, pets, and even high heel shoes on the floor all the time. Reflective epoxy floors are among the most durable. They are able to withstand significant wear and tear, which means they are more affordable than other floors, too. You don’t have to replace them as often, which means less money comes out of your own pocket. 2. It’s Strong: When you use epoxy on your concrete floors, you make them strong. They’re less likely to break down when you use them, and the chemicals in the flooring are not going to break down as quickly. Furthermore, the chemicals you use to clean this kind of floor will not cause erosion, breakdown, or damage. That's big if you are into clean floors at home. 3. It’s Affordable: Imagine you have a beautiful home, but the floors are less than attractive. The builder used a builder-grade carpet, and you can’t handle it anymore. However, you don’t have the budget to redo the floors with tile or wood. Why not go with epoxy to save some money? It’s easy to rip out the old floor, spruce up the concrete below, and add epoxy to the top. It’s strong, beautiful, and it’s more cost-effective than other flooring options. 4. It’s Safe: What makes some people feel nervous about adding concrete epoxy floors to their home is the safety feature. Aren’t they slippery? Won’t you have a higher risk of falling? Will a small spill turn your home into a danger zone? The answer is no to all of the above. Epoxy is strong and safe. It’s not susceptible to slippage, impact, fire, and even temperatures that are extreme in nature. Your home is safer with this on the floor. 5. It’s Aesthetically Appealing: You want your home to look good, and you want it to show well when you host friends and family. This type of flooring gives you just that. It’s bright, it’s beautiful, it’s attractive, and it comes in any color, pattern, and design imaginable. You get to customize your own floors, and you can add anything you want. Imagine adding your family crest to the floor by the front door for added appeal. It’s almost too good to be true, but it’s easily done with a stencil. It’s even easier if you hire a professional to do the work for you. Renucrete Sydney Polished Concrete can help you create the perfect epoxy flooring in your home. 6. It’s Low-Maintenance: One of the most common misconceptions homeowners have regarding epoxy floors is about maintenance. Many people assume it’s hard to take care of it. It’s not easy to deal with, and it takes a lot of work. The truth is that it does none of the above. It’s exceptionally easy to maintain, and it can be cleaned regularly without the risk of damage. The epoxy removes the porous aspect of the concrete, which means your floors are even easier to maintain. 7. It’s Easily Changed: If you remodel your home and spend thousands of dollars on trendy wood floors, you love them for years. What happens, however, when you decide that grey wood flooring you loved so much a decade ago is no longer in style? You’re spending thousands more to replace it with something else. Your epoxy floors, however, aren’t like that. You don’t have to rip up the old floor if you decide you’re tired of it. You simply add whatever you want to the top, and you can always go back to the concrete if you choose. Epoxy floors are not just for industrial spaces. They’re making homes feel larger, airier, and more modern every day. It’s not something you might consider until now, but adding epoxy floors at home might be exactly what you’ve been looking for to turn your house into a home. Read Also: 5 Factors To Consider In Choosing The Right Floor Colors
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7 Advantages of Hiring a Residential Cleaner
Keeping your home clean can seem like a never-ending task, especially when you consider the big cleaning jobs you have to do routinely. While most people are reluctant to even consider it, hiring a professional residential Cleaner has a broad range of advantages. Some of the perks of using professionals may be obvious, but you may not have considered a few of the other benefits listed here. 7 Advantages of Hiring a Residential Cleaner: 1. Free Up Your Time: Possibly one of the most obvious advantages of hiring a residential cleaner is that you will have that time to yourself. What could you be doing if you didn't have to dust, mop the floors, and vacuum the carpets? You might be able to devote that time to paying closer attention to your children or catching up with old friends. Many people get so caught up in their day-to-day chores that their social lives fall by the wayside. Hiring cleaners frees you up to reignite your social life. 2. Obtain a Professional Level of Clean: While you may do a good enough job at cleaning your home, you don't always feel up to the task. On those days, you won't get the same high level of cleanliness. Conversely, hiring professional cleaners will ensure every cleaning job is thorough and of the highest quality. The staff that cleaning companies hire are trained to provide a better quality of service, ensuring you'll be satisfied with each visit. 3. Get Those Big Jobs Out of the Way: Imagine you want the exterior of your home rinsed of dirt and debris, or you want the cobwebs removed from the garage. Handling that by yourself will be difficult and time-consuming. However, professional services, such as JCEco Blasting GC Pressure Cleaning, can do the work far more efficiently. In addition to the years of experience, they have in performing similar work, they also have the industrial equipment to do the job more quickly. 4. Save Money: Believe it or not, you can actually save some money by hiring a residential cleaner. While you do have to pay the cleaning service, the fee is small in comparison to the expenses you would otherwise incur. In addition to the cleaning supplies you're continuously having to buy, you would also have to buy or lease the equipment. On the other hand, professional cleaners have their own equipment and supplies, which are far superior to anything you might buy in a department store or hardware store. The industrial machines they use will do a much more thorough cleaning job. 5. You Can Make Special Requests: Everyone's health and environmental concerns are different, so residential cleaner keeps a wide range of products stocked. If you have children or pets, you may want to ensure non-caustic substances are used to clean your floors. Alternatively, you may maintain an eco-friendly household. In that case, you can request that your cleaners only use green cleaning substances. Professional cleaners will meet whatever special requests you may have to ensure you’re satisfied with their service. 6. Your Home Will Be Cleaner: The professional cleaners you hire won't just clean better. They will also clean areas of your home that you probably ignore, getting deeper into corners, crevices, and tight spots. Since they have a wide range of tools and equipment, they will have the resources to get into those hard-to-reach areas. After one thorough cleaning, you may find yourself wondering how you ever managed without them. 7. You're Free to Organize Your Household in Other Ways: While professionals are cleaning your home, you have more time to concentrate on preparing more nutritious meals or reorganizing the stacks of papers your family left laying around the home. There are probably dozens of chores you set aside for a rainy day because you normally don't have the time. Now you do. You can paint the spare bedroom, plant that vegetable garden, or accomplish other tasks you have always wanted to tackle. You'll be amazed by how much more you can accomplish with a little extra help. Now that you've had an opportunity to learn what residential cleaners can do for you, it may be time to reconsider your opinion on hiring them. They may make your life easier in ways you had not previously considered. Considering how busy other aspects of your life keep you, hiring a little help may be a blessing. Read Also: 7 Benefits Of A Clean And Decluttered Workspace 5 Tips On Effectively Picking A Tile Floor Cleaning Machine
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