Home & Garden

Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of 100% wood. It is made from various layers which help to preserve the wood and to ensure that the wood doesn’t expand and contract when it encounters moisture and fluctuating temperatures. SPC flooring on the other hand, is also made up of various layers but it is 100% waterproof from the bevelled edges and is the most stable and rigid flooring choice currently on the market.

Installation

Hardwood flooring can be installed below, on or above grade using various techniques such as nails, float and glue. In addition, it can also be installed over all types of subfloors which makes is very versatile. SPC flooring on the other hand can be installed just like hardwood flooring but doesn’t require adhesive and is really easy to lay thanks to the innovation click installation system. Unlike hardwood, no specialist tools are required if you need to cut the planks so it is the ideal flooring if you are looking to lay it yourself to save the additional fitting costs.

Longevity

When cared for properly, hardwood flooring can last for many, many years. Once more, the majority of hardwood floors can be refinished, whether that’s from sanding down and refinishing or if its from buffing the original finish and reapplying a new top coat to restore your floor. Whilst this can be done multiple times throughout the floor’s life, it can be expensive and does take time. On the other hand, SPC flooring is extremely scratch resistant however, should any damage occur, it is easy to replace an individual plank at the fraction of the cost. Whilst this type of flooring does require maintenance, investing in good floor cleaner is as far as it goes which is ideal for a lot of homes.

Cost

This is usually the ultimatum when choosing your floor. Engineered hardwood is definitely one of the priciest options on the market depending on style, type of wood and the level of quality. However, there is no denying that whatever hardwood you choose, it will most certainly add value to your home. Although SPC flooring looks expensive as the technology used to create this type of flooring makes it look like the real deal, it is certainly a cost-effective option for a lot of people. Not only that but it is also cheaper to care for as well.

Both engineered hardwood and SPC flooring are great options for your home. Whilst there is a clear difference, especially in price, once laid the flooring looks very similar as SPC flooring has a similar texture to real wood with knots and grains incorporated into each plank. Whilst some of you may opt for the engineered hardwood flooring for the warmth and feel of bringing the outside in, others may decide to go for SPC flooring due to the easy care it requires and how waterproof it is. Neither flooring option is better than the other, rather, it is down to you to decide which is best for you.

 

It is quite common for people to use the terms artificial grass and astro turf interchangeably. So is there a difference? Astro turf is a subsidiary of artificial grass in America as it is a brand name whereas artificial grass is an umbrella term used to describe all types of fake grass, including astro turf. We will look at how and why the terms have been confused and what people are referring to when they use both phrases.

Astro turf

Astro turf is often a thinner type of artificial grass which is why it is perfect for outside sports such as golf and football. GrassWarehouse have a range of thin artificial grass which have a pile height between 15mm and 18mm. The Millennium 15mm artificial grass is designed for sports, especially golf. It is made from monofilament yarn which provides a premium surface. The reason why ‘astro turf’ is more often than not used for sports is because it stands up to heavy use as there are more stitches which makes it more durable. Not only that but it is also why a thin artificial grass is used in outdoor play areas. Due to the high foot traffic, a high pile height artificial grass would look flat quickly so by using a thin synthetic grass, it will look better for longer. If you want premium artificial grass, it is also perfect for other uses both inside and out so don’t let the terms astro turf which is known to be thinner put you off.

Artificial grass

This term covers all types of artificial grass so if you are looking for a faux grass for a sports area of for your balcony, GrassWarehouse will have you covered. There is an extensive range of artificial grass from a low pile to a high pile height so there is something for everyone. They also come in a range of prices, a lot of which are budget friendly. However, whilst price is important, you need to consider what the artificial grass will be used for. If it is for an ornamental garden so there is low foot traffic then the cheapest option, Helios is perfect. However, if you have children then you might want to consider a higher pile so that it is softer and has more cushion.

To conclude, there is no difference between astro turf and artificial grass. In fact, they are the same thing but were often confused as a brand called astro turf in America was selling synthetic grass in the 1960’s. Grass Warehouse offer all types of artificial grass including those of which people would refer to astro turf so don’t let the term artificial grass phase you if you are looking for a synthetic grass for sports purposes. All artificial grass types are great as they require minimum maintenance, which is why especially in sports, the use of artificial grass will save a lot of time when real grass would need trimming to the perfect height frequently.

Although winter is still a ways away, it’s never too early to start planning and preparing for extreme winter weather. In some climates, winter weather often means power outages due to snow, ice, or wind. And when this happens, you may find that your home is without heat.

Another reason you might be worried about staying warm in the winter could be if your furnace goes out. So if this situation takes place and you have to make due before repairs can be made, here are three ways you can stay warm if your furnace goes out in the winter.

Get Cooking

Just because your furnace has gone out doesn’t mean that all of the other power to your house will be affected. Because of this, you can use other heat sources to get a little warmth into your home.

One great way to do this, according to Rachel Brougham, a contributor to the Family Handyman, is to do some cooking in the kitchen. By using your oven or stove, you can get some radiant heat into your home. And then, once whatever it is you’re baking is done, you can leave the oven door open so that the heat from the oven escapes into the rest of your home rather than just sitting in the oven.

Stay In A Smaller Space

When your furnace is working well, your whole house is able to get the heat it needs. But when you can’t have this heat pumped throughout your house, it’s going to be much easier for you to just worry about keeping a smaller space warm.

To do this, Beth Skwarecki, a contributor to LifeHacker.com, recommends that you close off all the rooms in the house that you’re not congregating in. Then, try to keep everyone in the same room so that their body heat will make that room warmer. And, if you have a space heater or other heat source, that smaller space will heat up much quicker, too.

Dress For The Weather Outside

To help you be prepared for if and when the temperature in your home does drop after your furnace goes out, John Kennedy, a contributor to Popular Science, shares that you should start dressing in layers as if you were to be outside.

By dressing for the weather outside when you’re inside, you will ensure that your body will stay as warm as possible. This should include wearing a hat, gloves, and warm socks. Just make sure you wear something that wicks away moisture on the layer closest to your body so you don’t get sweaty and cool off.

If your furnace goes out in winter and you have to find a way to stay warm until you can get it fixed, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find out how you can best do this.

Integrating the bedroom and the bathroom is an increasingly common resource that adds a plus of originality and comfort to one of the most important spaces in the house, and if the dressing room is incorporated into it, the result is practical and versatile. Through decorative and structural solutions with which functionality is sought, you can create something impeccable.

However, before deciding whether to integrate the dressing room into the bathroom, it must be taken into account whether there is enough space to do so, including the necessary space to open and close the closet doors and to change and dress comfortably. It is advisable to bet on modular cabinets since they will adapt perfectly to the available space and your own needs. As for the materials, they must be resistant to humidity and temperature changes if your area is near the bathroom. Tropical woods and lacquered finishes are very resistant options. An element that cannot be missing in the bathroom dressing room is a good mirror that allows one to see one from top to bottom; In addition to visually doubling the space, it also helps to reflect and distribute light.

The dressing room – how to style it!

The construction of a walk-in closet in the form of a multi-body closet that goes from floor to ceiling can provide the necessary privacy in various areas of the bathroom. Of course, in this case, several aspects must be taken into consideration. For example, the type of wood to be used for the construction of the walk-in closet. If the size of your bedroom allows it, you can dedicate a space to create a dressing room (that is, unlike traditional dressing rooms that are usually in a hallway or a separate room, in this case, it will be inside the bedroom itself). For added space, a wardrobe will help you organize things. If you have a pre-existing wardrobe, then you could look at wardrobesupplies.com for more ways to bring style to your room.

Bedroom and dressing room in the same space

If you want a dressing room, but your house does not have enough space to dedicate a room to it, we always have the option of sharing the space with the bedroom. The only thing it will need is some furniture that will help delimit the space.

Dressing room integrated into the bedroom

If the size of your bedroom allows it, you can dedicate a space to create a dressing room. For example, a chic translucent glass enclosure can give it shape. This way, you will not sacrifice lighting, but at the same time, achieve privacy too.

A style that predominates in current dressing rooms is minimalist. To achieve this, it will be necessary to start with simple lines. Choose a dark grey color, but elegant. The idea is that it marries perfectly with the room, as well as with your needs. Creating a modern and elegant space in the home doesn’t have to be difficult; the inspiration is everywhere!

 

How creative are you with the materials you use to improve commercial, industrial, or domestic environments? As a contract worker, you are expected to put a lot of puzzle pieces together, and the result not only has to be practical, but it should be aesthetic as well. Depending on the budget and the style of a project that you’re working on, there are countless ways that you can approach these improvement projects, but paring down some of the options at the beginning of your decision process often leads to better results.

Take three examples to get you thinking about what this means to you as a specialized worker. You can use industrial materials to create domestic results with each of these options. First, there are steel doors that can be practical and look striking. Then there are aluminum gates you can use to protect property and increase curb appeal. And then anything made out of copper or with copper creates an exciting look if you are attempting to do something creative or unusual.

Steel Doors

When you install steel doors as part of a structure, the people around you know that you mean business. Steel doors look appropriate on some businesses and factories but might look a little bit unusual in someone’s home. However, especially if there are security measures involved in a specific part of a home, then steel is an excellent option to withstand all kinds of abuse.

Aluminum Gates

If you have a property line, that means you should probably have a fence that goes around it. If you want a hardcore material that does the job right, then putting up aluminum gates might be just the ticket. Aluminum has many properties that make it ideal when deciding on a fence. For example, as long as you get the right kind, aluminum won’t rust. It is also lightweight, strong, and looks nice as long as you get the right design. It is also relatively easy to install and repair. Check out photos or videos of other properties with aluminum gates and find one that suits your purposes.

Copper Structures

Finally, if you want to add an exciting touch to any industrial, commercial, or residential design, add copper. When you look at built copper structures, you can’t help but be impressed by how they are put together. Copper has such a distinctive look and feel that it might be surprising to you that more people don’t use it more frequently during construction projects. Copper isn’t exactly inexpensive, so you definitely have to pick the right project for a large job using it as a primary material. It is often used more decoratively, but it still can have that same effect as an aesthetic outlier.