Monthly Archives: October 2016

5 Ways to Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary

Mattress store

Having a relaxing bedroom is so important. After working so hard all day long, the best thing for you is to come home to a place that you can retreat to and not think about anything at all. The mind needs to refresh itself and rejuvenate and what better way to do that then sit in your room and watch a movie or read a book and just switch off your brain? However, if your room does not have a relaxing atmosphere then the only idea is null and void. Here are a few tips for making your bedroom into the sanctuary it should be even if the rest of the house is not up to par.

Decorate with neutral and pastel colors.
Neutrals and pastels are much more calming than bright colors and accents. Try not to use too many colors. If you want an accent, then do something like decorating with white and gray and using a pale yellow as the accent.

Make your bed as comfortable as can be.
Don’t buy your mattress used. Go to a reputable mattress store and have and employee help you. The people that work at mattress stores are actually trained in sleeping patterns and know which mattresses will help which ailments depending on your situation. Take your time deciding and pick a good one. This is imperative to relaxation. You need to be able to get the best sleep that you possibly can in order for your mind and body to get refreshment. Most mattress stores will allow you to make payments if you want to get one sooner than later.

Minimize the clutter in your room.
Clutter can stress you out without even realizing it. Clutter also attracts dust which gets in your lungs and makes it more and more difficult to breathe over time. So that means more cleaning and less relaxing. The less clutter you have, the more you will be able to enjoy your room. To many little knick knacks is overstimulating for our brains and that’s why we can find it hard to relax in some places. A few pictures here and there of loved one and a lamp of course is fine but if you have tons of ornaments and decorations scattered around on shelves and bookcases and desks and dressers, they all have to go. It might even be a good idea to get rid of the shelves and some of the other furniture so that you are tempted to start cluttering up again.

Purchase a couple of green plants.
Plants not only look nice around the room but they also give off oxygen. This will literally make it easier to breathe in your room. The rest of the house could be bordering on toxic, but you step into room and shut the door; those plants will give you a whole new lease on life. You’ll just have to make sure that you get plants that will do well inside with minimal sunlight or maintenance. The last thing you want is another responsibility on your plate.

Shop at the right stores.
Stores have agendas and ideas behind their marketing and products. You should research every store that you buy from mattress stores to decor places. This way, you know that you are buying the right kinds of things for your home. Look for places that support good causes and make sure that you don’t fall prey to a company that has less than perfect values behind their doors. It’s important for the Feng Shui of your room that even the places you buy from are peaceful and of good moral standing.
It doesn’t matter if you live alone, have kids or live with friends, there are times when you just don’t want to see the rest of your house. That may be because it’s a mess or it may be because you don’t like how it’s decorated or you simply don’t find the living room furniture comfortable. Whatever the reason may be, make sure that everything from the mattresses in your room so the paint on the walls are exactly how you want them to be. Also, keeping in clean and the bed made will help you to relax as soon as you get home.

What you Need to Know Before Installing a Metal Roof

A roof helps define the character of any property, whether commercial or residential. For several decades now, the roofs that have been utilized in most homes in the United States are composed of asphalt shingles. Why? Because asphalt shingles are available in numerous colors that fit virtually all architectural styles, including contemporary ones.

However, one material has now become conventional for many homeowners apart from those with flat roofs; that material is metal. Metal roofs have become the go-to option for homeowners who want durable roofs that can withstand the effects of harsh weather. But, are metal roofs more expensive than shingle roofs? Yes, metal roofs are slightly more expensive than asphalt shingles, but they are also more durable. You can compare prices from a local metal roofing service with an asphalt roofing service to see which is cheaper in your area.

You may be wondering if metal roofs are more expensive than composite, and the answer is yes, but again, they offer more durability. What about safety? Are metal roofs safe? Are metal roofs slippery? Metal roofs are not as safe as asphalt roofs when working on top of them, so you should be careful.

Fortunately, metal roof manufacturers have stopped making metal roofs that look like steel and have since expanded into multiple styles to suit most home designs. Back then, metal roofs were common in barns, but they can now be found in city and suburban homes.

 

Construction site management colorado springs

Home repair occurs every year and it involves the diagnosis steps of identifying a problems and resolution steps of remedying a particular problem. Often, repairs at home are on DIY basis, do it yourself, while the most complex and time-consuming demanding for an expert. Unlike home renovations and home improvement, repairs are full-scale improvements. Actually, the cost incurred in large repairs are equivalent to investment in home renovations and so, when planning to repair your roof or constructing a new one, there are several factors to consider.

What’s the Importance of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is one of the major repairs that can be done to a home, this is a completely different roofing setup that is made of metal pieces or tiles. It’s among the building envelope projects that is aimed at separating the conditioned and unconditioned environment. So, before you get into any roofing repairs, get to know the advantages of the new roofing system first.
1.Valuable Investment
The cost for a metal roof is generally high, but in the long run, you’ll save money and enjoy a host of other benefits. Metal roofs are known to last a lifetime, whereas other roofing materials needing a reproof every 10-20 years. Also, when it comes to selling your house, a metal roof adds to the negotiating list of factors. It has a high chance of increasing the resale value of your home.
2.Durability
Non-metal roof lasts about 17 years on average and it requires a reproof after few years of use. This can be costly and its durability is ever in question. But with metal roofing, it offers unbeatable lifetime service lasting 2 to 3 times longer. According to roofing constructors, they say that chances are good that, in all the years you’ll stay at your home, a metal roof will probably be the last roofing you’ll ever put up on your home.
3.Wide Range of Variety
No matter your roofing preference, there is a wide range of roofing style, color or finish to choose from. Typically, there’s a metal roofing style to match both the modern and tradition roofing system.
4.Energy Efficient.
Evidently, by the number of home repairs done around by homeowners or a roofing contractor, people are seeking to cut cost associated with energy. New products are always introduced and tested with the aim of reducing the household cost of living. The metal roof is also known to use a cool pigment technology that seeks to control the amount of heating being absorbed by the roof, this is called emissivity. How the roof is designed or painted will greatly influence how the heat is absorbed and reflected. Metal has the ability to control the amount of heat in a house, thus eliminating the need for an improved heating system in your house.

The idea of new installation of roofing isn’t always welcomed especially if it’s considered part of the home repair, people just have a certain perception towards it and maybe it’s because of the rigid procedures involved or the cost associated with the entire roofing process. However, these fears and concerns can only be eliminated if you invest the quality time of establishing facts and doing a cost and risk analysis.

1.Fear of lightning
Metal roofs are a good conductor of heat and light, but that doesn’t mean by installing a metal roof, there is the likelihood of lightning striking. One property of the metal roofs is flammability. Even if lightning was to strike, your entire roofing system is safe.

2.Rust
This is another misconception that hinders any home repair on roofs. In recent years, the production of metal roofs has greatly advanced from just a pile of metal to actually a lasting piece of structure made of zinc or aluminum that is metallic coated to prevent rusts. Exterior painting is done over the metallic coat to offer a durable color of your choice.

In commercial roofing construction, new measures have been introduced to counter the main concern of metal roofing, that is the noise. Normally, a solid sheathing is added to before the metal top, this will silence noise coming from bad weather, hail or rain.

Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Lake home

Buying a home is a large purchase. It is one of the biggest purchases that you will ever make. For this reason, a lot of thought and planning should go into the home buying process. You will find that a real estate agent will be your best resource during the entire process, making it important that you find a good one who is familiar with your real estate market. It is likely that there are multiple homes on the market, making it difficult to narrow down the results. A professional real estate agent can help with narrowing down the available homes with the following considerations.

Choose a desired location. Your new home should be convenient to your work and social living. You do not want to purchase something that makes the commute to your current position difficult. You also want to purchase a home in a city or town that you are comfortable with. Checking things like the crime rates, school district ratings, and city safety scores can be helpful in your decision.

A lot of this information can be found online. Your professional real estate agent can also help with obtaining this necessary information. Most buyers are familiar with the city they move to, as many move close to their previous homes. There was only a median of 14 miles between the homes that recent buyers purchased and the homes that they moved from. Buyers also have better access and availability to view homes that are in their nearby location, further contributing to closer moves.

Figure out a housing budget. This is probably one of the most important decisions when it comes to viewing homes. The home buying process can be extensive and time consuming. You should only request to see homes that are in your budget price range. Anything else will be a waste of time, for both you and your realtor. A budget should be determined by estimating what a comfortable mortgage payment would be. This is not always the same number as what the bank preapproves you for. Too many homeowners lose their homes to foreclosure, because they could no longer afford the mortgage payments.

Clarify which amenities are important to you. Every home will have different amenities, including different number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Some will have basements. Others will have garages. It is important to identify which of these factors in a home are the most important to you. This can help to narrow down multiple search results. Perhaps you have always dreamed of owning one of the lake homes in your city. Lake homes can be pricier, depending on the city that you purchase in. In cities with more lake homes, you may be able to find a great deal on a lake home for sale.

Lake homes also have different amenities. For example, you may desire a lake home for sale with a walkout basement. You may also only want to look at lake homes that are situated on all sporting lakes, meaning that you can put a boat on it. You might decide that boating is not important to you, and you would rather have a no motor lake to simply enjoy the lake views on. Either way, understanding your desires and needs ahead of looking is always helpful.

Decide if a home renovation is acceptable for you. A great way to save on the price of a home is to purchase a home that requires renovations. This is acceptable for some buyers, while others prefer only move in ready homes. Most recent buyers who purchased new homes were looking to avoid renovations and problems with plumbing or electricity at 34%. Buyers who purchased previously owned homes were most often considering a better price at 32%.

Be patient. Purchasing a home is a huge investment. Be patient. Listen to the advice of your realtor. Buyers typically searched for 10 weeks and looked at a median of 10 homes. It takes time.

Purchasing a home is an important purchase. It requires a lot of consideration and decision making to ensure that you are satisfied with your home choice.

Four Decisions You Should Make Before Looking for Wedding Venues

Unique baby shower locations

Congratulations on your engagement! Finding the person you want to spend the rest of you life with is an incredible chapter in your journey. Now that the biggest decision of your life is determined (the who), it’s time to look at wedding halls (the where) to seal the deal at. Touring wedding halls in search of the right spot to say “I Do” can be daunting and overwhelming task. In order to narrow down the list of all the wedding halls in your area to land the best venue for your big event, we’ve put together a list of things to consider. You’re welcome.

  1. Find your theme, and then look for wedding venues that compliment it.

    It is becoming more and more common to use unconventional event venues for a wedding. Some of the best wedding places aren’t traditional wedding halls at all. It is more common to use barns and farms for beautiful and rustic “country weddings.” For a cool urban and industrial theme, many couples host their big event in reclaimed factories and warehouses.


    When you envision your dream wedding, what sort theme and feeling does it have? When consider the soul of your wedding, it immediately helps you focus on the type of venues that align with that theme.


    Pro tip: If you use an unconventional wedding venue, make sure that it properly accommodates your event. You’ll need space for the ceremony, catering, dining, dancing, and so on. Not to mention additional utilities to prepare food and play music. Also keep in mind that you might need to supply your own equipment, which will be an additional cost.


  2. Consider the type of food that you want to serve and select a venue that supports it.

    We know that your wedding is the most important day of your life, but it doesn’t mean that you have to serve a fancy meal at it (although you can, if that’s what your dream wedding meal is). Maybe your dream meal is sushi. Maybe your dream meal is fried chicken and waffles. There’s no wrong answer for what you serve at your wedding; what’s important is that the venue that you use is able to accommodate it. Some types of food (such as fried chicken and waffles), must be prepared in high heat and served immediately. Consider what your dream meal is, and what requirements that meal has for it. Use those requirements to narrow down your wedding venue search.


    Pro Tip: Using a wedding venue that offers in-house catering (that you actually like) makes your wedding planning job easier! That’s what we call two birds and one stone, my friend.


  3. Make your guest list before shopping for venues.

    You might think that finding the venue should be the first wedding planning decision that you make, since other wedding details mostly depend on that. However, your first decision should be who you’re going to invite. No matter where you decide to hold your wedding, every venue has a maximum occupancy limit as established by the fire marshal. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue that only allows 50 people, and then realize that you want at least twice that many friends and loved ones to be there. Being surrounded by the people you love on your wedding day is far more important than the ground that you’re standing on. Consider how many people you want to be part of your wedding, and then use that headcount to find the wedding venue of your dreams.


  4. Consider the season you want to get married in, and then the venue.

    Some venues are incredible at certain times of year, but not others. For example, if you want to get married outdoors, you need to choose a season that that is comfortable for outdoor events. Once you have a season, it’s easier to decide on the venue.


    Also, the season that you get married in will impact the availability of the venues. Some venues get booked up quickly in busy seasons, and are easier to nail down in a slower seasons.

Do you have any other tips for finding the right event venue for your wedding? Please share in the comment section below.

Tips for Furnishing Your New Home

Furnishing a condo

One of the most exciting parts of home ownership is the ability to decorate as you desire. When renting a home, you may be hesitant to spend money on decorating and furnishing, because you do not know how long you will be there for and you do not own the space. Once you purchase your first home or condo, however, you can change any aspect of the home to your preferences. Furnishing a home can be costly and time consuming, but it can be exciting as you finish each part and room of the home.

Planning prior to furnishing can be helpful. You do not want to purchase furniture that does not fit your room dimensions. You do not want to purchase an expensive rug that does not fit with your brand new furniture. You do not want to choose a nice looking furniture set that is so uncomfortable, you never actually use it. Thought and consideration should go into the furnishing process. You should look at multiple images and draw plans of what you intend to do.

Creating a budget when furnishing a home can be helpful too. You can spend too much on one area of the home, and then realize that you do not have enough to finish another part of the room. Creating a budget can help you to plan how much you should be spending on each part of the room remodel. Your home furnishing budget should include prices for furniture, throw rugs, paint changes on the walls, entertainment centers or TV holders that are needed and any wall art that you desire.

The specific home furnishing styles that you choose will factor into the price of each individual piece you purchase when furnishing a home. Beach furnishings may cost more, because of the intricacy they require during design. Authentic wood piece may be more expensive, because of the quality of material and the amount of work they require when installing. Reclaimed wood can be a great option for wood enthusiasts who want to cut down on their furnishing budget. Reclaimed wood is usually reclaimed from old furniture, buildings and bridges and basically anything that used wood in its construction.

Finer quality furniture may cost more, but may be an ideal option for those looking for a modern furniture shopping experience. Fine quality furniture has less apparent welding, better sanding and finishing, and mechanisms to conceal hardware. Nuts, screws and bolts should be colored to match the piece and should be protected from rust.

In addition to proper planning, homeowners should visit a few furniture stores when furnishing a home. Condo furnishing options are also similar to that of furnishing a home. When you visit multiple furniture stores, you have the ability to price shop and to see what each store offers. Choosing your furnishing options too soon can make you regret furnishing options. If you take the time to shop around, you will be sure to choose the best pieces for your home furnishing. Furniture and home furnishing stores generated about 101.41 billion U.S. dollars of sales in 2013. There are many home furnishing stores to choose from.

One of the most exciting parts of home ownership is the ability to furnish your home. You can choose every piece of furniture, the color of the walls and the carpets that go on the floors. When furnishing a home, you should carefully plan the remodel and create a budget. A budget can help to keep you from over spending. You should also visit multiple furniture stores and have an idea of the specific type of furniture that you are looking for. Following these tips will help you effortlessly furnish all of the rooms in your home.