Dejections

May 29th, 2008

Rugs

Posted in Better Home Improvement

Interior decorating is a vast field. So, you need to know beforehand as to what you are looking for, in terms of interior decorating.

Never Overlook Flooring

Flooring or floor decorating is as significant as any other decorating. Sometimes, we tend to overlook the importance of good floor decorating, assuming that after all it is just a place for feet. But, the fact is that floors do not escape the eyes of guests. They are not immune to soiling either. Whatever be the quality of your flooring tiles, they need to be supported by carpets and rugs.

Texture of Rugs

Usually, a rug is made up of woven or felted woolen mixed or worsted with fabrics. Rugs play a major role in floor decorating mainly due to their portability and easy maintenance.

Rug making or weaving, as an art, has been thriving for many centuries.

Before deciding whether to choose a carpet or a rug or both, there are several factors that you need to consider.

Easy solution

Rugs are perhaps the simplest yet most beautiful solution to decorate either your home or office. Basically, there is a rug for every purpose, which is why they are popular. On the other hand, carpets are generally too bulky and expensive, especially in the case of wall carpets. The best alternative is a beautiful rug, which will be of great help especially during winter, as they can retain heat and keep your place warm and cozy.

A rug is a comparatively cheap way of decorating your home or office. While selecting a rug, you need to ensure that the dealer is authentic and reliable. In case of any defect, the product should be returnable within a particular period. Also, the quality of the rug should be double-checked. A rug should be fireproof and durable, to withstand wear and tear.

With rugs, you have almost an unlimited choice of interior-decorating ideas. Nowadays, nylon rugs are highly sought-after because they can be easily cleaned and do not lose color or fade that easily.

Rugs provides detailed information on Rugs, Area Rugs, Braided Rugs, Oriental Rugs and more. Rugs is affiliated with Curtain Room Dividers.

May 11th, 2008

10 tips to take care of your bathroom

Posted in Better Home Improvement

10 tips to take care of your bathroom

1. Cleaners should not be allowed to sit or soak on surfaces.
They should be rinsed immediately after use.

2. Remember while using cleaners for your wooden cabinets,
always test them in an inconspicuous place like inside of a door
to make sure it doesn’t ruin the finish of your cabinet.

3. If there are some accidental spills on your wooden furniture,
wipe them immediately with a soft cloth.

4. To clean your countertops, use mild detergent with warm
water. Do not use acidic cleaners.

5. While cleaning your bathtubs, use a water soluble cleaner as
cream based cleaners may build up on the surface.

6. Purchasing glass counters for your bathroom may not turn out
to be a good decision after all. They do look modern and trendy
but they can be easily broken.

7. In -tank toilet cleaners should not be used as they may cause
damage to the flush valve.

8. To maintain the finish of your faucets, wipe them dry with a
soft cloth after each use.

9. To clean the faucets, use mild soap solution or you may use
mild detergent.

10. To clean your toilet seats, use a mix of dishwashing liquid
and water.

April 28th, 2008

Beaded Curtains

Posted in Better Home Improvement

Beaded curtains make windows colorful and are especially good if you want a dramatic entrance to a room. They have been used in Asia for many decades and their popularity in the West rose dramatically in the 1960s. A string of beads are hung from a rod and this was used to achieve the perfect bohemian look that was in vogue at that time. Different types of beads were used to make the door/window colorful and attractive.

Besides being used for doors and windows, beaded curtains are also used to divide a room. They are commonly used in small shops or restaurants to cordon off the storage room or kitchen. You can also use beaded curtains to divide you room. They are used to cover open closets, sleeping quarters and storage areas.

Beaded curtains are popular today with the spread of interest in Feng Shui, according to which passing though a beaded curtain will have soothing effects. It is also believed that positive energy is spread when air passes through the beads.

Different types of beads are used in making beaded curtains. These include glass, wood, plastic, bamboo, acrylic and sometimes even crystals and gemstones. Beads are normally cheap and if you don’t want to buy the curtain readymade, this is a simple project you can undertake at home. You can use as many materials as you like in varied sizes and shapes.

Beaded curtains are also popular as they are low maintenance. If they get dirty, rinse them in soapy water. If your beaded curtain breaks, you don’t have to worry as you can either mend them or since they are inexpensive, replace them with new ones.

Curtains provides detailed information about curtains, window curtains, kitchen curtains, beaded curtains and more. Curtains is the sister site of Candle Chandeliers.

April 17th, 2008

Lamps - Flourescent, Incandescent, LED, HID, or Oil?

Posted in Better Home Improvement

Could you imagine not having lamps at home? - no fluorescent lamps, study lamps, ceiling lamps? I guess not. Lamps or bulbs are so much a part of our society that we seldom give them much notice. However, we cannot imagine living without them.

Lamp comes from the Greek word “lampas”, meaning torch, lamp, or beacon. Any equipment that gives off light for some duration to be used for lighting is called a lamp.

In the modern world, lamps are defined as the replaceable part of a luminaire. This contraption transforms electrical energy to both visible and non-visible electromagnetic energy.

The first thing man had to develop was fire. After developing fire, he must have thought, “Hey, I have to put this in my den so it will provide light and warmth to it.” And so he took a piece of flaming firewood from the bonfire and took it inside his home. Thus the first “lamp” in the form of a torch was created.

Man’s next problem was how to get those things to last longer. Over the span of time, he developed numerous ways of prolonging this light. Some of the ancients used beeswax, some used olive oil.

Soon complex means of lighting homes and streets were used. In the late 19th century, oil lamps lined the streets of England to provide lighting throughout the thoroughfares.

Then came the famed perseverance of Thomas Edison. After tiring days of back breaking work, Edison invented the incandescent lamp. And the world was changed forever.

Today the world is a big glowing lamp. Cities are bathed in streams of light from buildings, street lamps, car lights and home lighting. Because of technology, lamps today can last longer, can light brighter, and can be used more conveniently than before.

So Many Lamps, So Little Time - Kinds of Lamps

1. Oil based lamps

These are the old fashioned lamps that burn on oil, wax or other base. They are now commonly used to provide atmosphere to the home or to light areas where there is no electricity.

2. Incandescent Lamp

The incandescent lamps have come a long way. These lamps are used to provide lighting in many countries. These lamps are hot and give off light that is, in brightness, somewhere between candlelight and sunlight. Halogen lamps are a version of incandescent lamps that give a brighter light more akin to sunlight.

3. Flourescent Lamps

Fluorescent lamps give off light that is cooler than its incandescent cousin. They are very energy efficient and are easy to install and do not generate too much heat. They are very popular nowadays. Another good thing about these lamps is that they last longer than incandescent lamps.

4. HID Lamps

High-intensity discharge lighting are specialized lamps that are very powerful. They were first used for streetlights and are very energy efficient. They typically convert energy to light at an astounding 8:10 ratio.

5. LED Lamps

LED lamp technology is very promising because they give off a very bright light for very little electricity and do not heat as much as the other lamp technologies. However, they are still expensive to manufacture for lighting. They are, however, already being used for electronic displays, and accent lighting. Another upside is that they are extremely durable, LED lamps could last 100,000 hours or more! This makes the future of lamps very exciting.

David Arnold Livingston enjoys decorating his home,
and having fun with lighting. He recommends the resource: Lamps and More

April 16th, 2008

Fireplace FAQs - 4 Key Areas

Posted in Better Home Improvement

Venting

What is the difference between direct vent, b vent, totally
vented and ventless?

A wood-burning fireplace is totally vented. For a complete
explanation of these terms see our Venting page.

Can I put a cabinet around direct vent, ventless or
b-vent?

Cabinets are boxes that extend about 18″ from the wall. Mantels
are wood frames that only extend about 4″ - 6″ from the wall.

* B-vent cannot have a cabinet. A b-vent fireplace must be
installed in the wall, allowing all the piping to be hidden. You
may then use a mantel.

* Direct vents can have a cabinet if you vent piping out the
back.

* Vent-free can have a cabinet.

Can I use vented gas logs in a stove? …In a fireplace?
…In a coal burning fireplace?

Vented gas logs can only be used in a wood-burning fireplace. A
coal-burning fireplace is too shallow. Vented gas logs are not
recommended for a stove due to safety concerns.

I am remodeling my basement. Should I go with direct vent or
vent-free?

Direct vent will give you great looks and a good amount of heat
with little moisture. Vent-free will give you lots of heat and
good looks but the number one complaint about vent-free is it
works too well, or puts off too much heat. If the vent-free is
sized correctly to the room, you will not have a problem with
heat or moisture.

What is a chase?

A wooden structure built around the vent pipe to protect it from
the weather and to keep the flue gases venting properly.

How energy efficient is direct vent compared to b-vent?

A b-vent fireplace is the least efficient venting option and can
be vented horizontally or vertically. Direct venting is the most
efficient; some are even “heater rated” and can be vented
horizontally, vertically or both.

Remote Controls

What does remote ready mean? Does it come with a remote?

Remote ready means that via the remote (wired or wireless) you
can turn the unit on and off which requires a millivolt valve
that creates millionths of volts of electricity to control the
valve. Remote ready units do not come with a remote because
there are up to 20 different kinds of remotes.

Can I use my wired wall switch or thermostat with variable
high-lo logs or fireplace?

No. You have to use the remote that is designed for the high-lo
variable logs or fireplaces.

What is a high-lo valve?

Via the remote, you will be able to raise and lower the height
of the flame. The remotes are adjustable as either on off or
thermostatically controlled.

Should I buy a remote ready vented logs set?

No. Because you would have to always leave the damper completely
open which means you’d lose $.60 of every heating dollar you put
into the house. Therefore, when you want to turn it on, you have
to open the damper. So most people just turn it on when they are
opening the damper and find the remote unnecessary.

Should I buy a remote ready with vent-free gas logs?

Yes. We suggest that you get a thermostatically controlled
remote so that you can keep the room at a comfortable
temperature and so you can turn the unit on and off. The longest
lasting valve and remote are the units that vary the height of
the flame.

Conversion Questions

Can I convert my vent-free natural gas product to another
fuel?

No. By national code, you cannot convert any vent-free product.

Can I convert my vented propane gas logs to natural, or vice
versa?

Yes. You can convert natural to propane and propane to natural,
but in most cases, you need to buy a new valve. Your
manufacturer can provide conversion instructions.

Piping, Dampers & Flue Questions piping

How much can I close my damper with vented gas logs when in
use?

You cannot close your damper at all with vented gas logs while
they are burning.

How can I seal my damper with vent-free gas logs?

We would recommend that you close the damper as tight as you can
and get a Lock-Top damper that seals at the top of the chimney.

With a direct vent insert, do I need to reline the
chimney?

No, you do not have to reline to wood burning specifications,
but you must use the piping that is recommended by the
manufacturer, which fits into the existing chimney.

What are the different kinds of burner pans for vent-free gas
logs?

There is sheet metal, black pipe and stainless steel. The
advantage of the sheet metal is that it is less expensive. Black
pipe is heavier than sheet metal and costs a little more. The
disadvantage of both is that they can rust through because they
have very little rust protection. Stainless steel costs more,
but will not corrode or burn through and it will last a lifetime.

How high above the roof should a chimney extend?

The minimum clearance for wood or b-vent is 3 feet above
anything within 10 feet. For direct vent it is 18 inches above
anything within 10 feet.

With direct vent or wood burning, what kind of piping do I
use?

You must use manufacturer-approved piping.

Can different piping be used if I can’t find the original
manufacturer’s?

No. If you use some else’s piping and it creates a problem in
your house; i.e., a fire or smoke damage, no insurance company
will cover you. You will also void the warranty and inspectors
will not approve it.

If brick is cracked can I burn wood?

If the crack is bigger than the tip of a graphite pencil, we do
not recommend that you burn wood.

Terms

What is the difference between an insert and gas logs?

An insert is usually a large metal box that fits into the
opening of a wood-burning fireplace to increase its efficiency
and enhance its look. Gas log sets are made to be hooked up to a
gas line to simulate the look of wood logs.

What is an insert?

Inserts are designed to enhance the operation and appearance of
an existing wood burning fireplace, whether masonry or
factory-built. Categorized primarily by the fuel burned for
operation (natural gas, propane, EPA certified wood, pellet and
coal), a fireplace insert is installed into an existing wood
burning fireplace. Fireplace inserts are made from cast iron or
steel and have self-cleaning glass doors that allow the dancing
flames of the fire to be viewed while the insulated doors remain
closed, making the fire more efficient. Many manufacturers also
augment the operation of fireplace inserts by offering
state-of-the-art features such as fans and thermostatic controls
(depending on the fuel).

What is the difference between an insert and a fireplace?

An insert is designed to be placed into an existing masonry or
factory built fireplace.

A fireplace is either masonry (not zero clearance) or factory
built (zero clearance) unit built for burning wood or gas.

What is zero clearance?

A zero clearance fireplace is a factory-built fireplace that is
constructed so that it can be placed, safely, close to
combustible material.

What is the difference between natural and propane gas?

Natural gas is a lighter gas and it takes twice as much of it to
get the same BTU rating as propane gas. Liquid propane gas
contains 2,500 BTU’s per cubic foot, natural gas contains 1000
BTU’s per cubic foot. In addition, natural gas comes into your
home through a pipeline from a local supplier. Propane is stored
in a tank.

What are the two kinds of gas logs?

The two kinds of logs are vented and vent-free. Within these two
types, there are three kinds of materials used to create the
logs: molded refractory cement, extruded ceramic clay and molded
ceramic fibers. In addition to the logs, each log set generally
includes a grate and a burner system.

Cement logs are best on vented units. Extruded logs are cheaper
but look like spaghetti. Molded ceramic are more realistic and
are best for vent-free.