Category Archives: Home Tips

Why Install a Roof Lantern on Your Home?

Skylights and Roof lights are the different names for the roof lanterns. Roof lantern is an architectural element of the roof which provides day lighting. Installing it is an authentic way to brighten the house with natural light.

But it is not limited only to this; it offers an enormous range of additional benefits. There is a long list of benefits which encourages one to install a roof lantern in his or her home.

Let’s have a look why you should install roof lantern on your home.

Brighten Room in Style         

Living space can be converted into heaven with the appropriate lighting. And roof lantern does this in style. It allows natural light to enter in the living space and light up home premises without the need for artificial lighting. It makes your home brighter and functional and creates a positive and energetic environment in the home.

Reduce Energy Bills

This is the major perk of installing a skylight. It reduces the energy bills significantly. More daylight to home reduces dependency on the artificial lights. It decreases the use of artificial lights and saves many units of electricity consumption every month. Energy efficient glazed skylights are quite popular for reducing energy bills. You can save the few bucks every month with reduced energy bills. Also, it makes affordable for you to use more lights in the night because in the day you don’t get charged for lighting your home

Promote Health

The whole U.S. turns the clock one hour back in winters to ensure that they get an extra hour of daylight. To that extent U.S. citizens love daylight. All of this is to utilize the health benefit of natural light. Roof lanterns ensure sufficient daylight in your home or workplace so that you get all the health benefits of sunlight. It boosts energy levels, enhances productivity, maintains the body’s natural sleep cycle and provides vitamin D.

Aesthetic Views

You cannot ignore the aesthetic views of the roof lanterns. They look just awesome. First of all, it let you get rid of your boring large flat roof. You do not have to stare at it anymore. Second, the best place to read or enjoy dinner in privacy is under the skylights. And if you want to add little extra crisp to your skylights, you can hang pendants to it as well. These aesthetic visuals will be pleasing to the eyes.

Increase Property Value

If your property looks good, its value increased automatically. Roof lanterns make your home look more spacious, brighter, and airier. And, aesthetic benefits of roof lanterns we have discussed above. So, these entire advantages collectivity make a positive impact on the value of the property.

Private Space

If you want to brighten your living room or gallery of the house in a more private manner, skylights are the best choice to do that. It prevents outsiders sneaking into the home, and provides you the sufficient day lighting without compromising the privacy. You can enjoy the view of stars with your partner preserving your privacy.

Environment-friendly Lighting   

Skylights are the most environment-friendly way of illuminating home. What can be more natural and environment-friendly than natural light? Also, skylights are the most thermal-efficient way of lighting your home. It reduces the need for artificial lights and helps you to reduce your carbon footprints.

So, these are the few key reasons why you should install a roof lantern in your home.

Final Thoughts          

Nothing can get better than lighting your home naturally. And without any doubt, roof lantern is one of the best ways to brighten your home naturally. So if you have not installed roof lanterns yet, do it today and make your little but vital contribution to the environment-friendly world.

The Benefits of Professionals Window Replacement Services

There was a time when the windows were only thought to be a medium for fresh air and sunlight to get inside the house. As you know, both fresh air and sunlight are important for healthy living, but at the same time, there are other benefits as well that come alongside that you don’t know. Windows are considered the best way to get efficient air into the house, and at the same time, they are used to beautify the structure of a building as well.

When it comes to installing or repairing a window in Edmonton, most people come up with the idea of repairing or installing it on their own. Taking things in your hand is only considered beneficial if you have plenty of idea about it and if you barely have any idea regarding the repair or installation, it is better to opt for the professional help. You need professionals because they are skilled, certified, and talented. Some of the reasons are listed below in brief to why you should depend on professional services:

1. Cost-effective services

When it comes to the most cost-effective methods to improve your home décor, it is none other than window replacements. If you opt for the well-insulated and designed windows, they will help you in keeping the extreme heat or cold temperature away from affecting your indoor heat or cool system.

There are numerous top renowned companies that offer a wide range of products to choose from that are modern in looks and offer the best features such as cost-effective prices, energy-saving solutions, and great colors. You can opt for the multi-paned glass that comes with improved low-E protection and insulating argon between the panes that can block more than 80% of the ultraviolet rays and help you reduce the energy costs with enhanced comfort levels.

2. Easy Maintenance

The professional service providers can help you in maintaining your windows and frames along with any kind of repair if you want to be done. The professionals are the skilled workers who are trained with manual training programs to deal with the emergency situations and other day-to-day repair and installation with easy maintenance.

The window casings and frames can be taken care by simply wiping the panels off with a clean cloth and some water or soapy liquid. If you want to get rid of the traditional window designs and frames, you can call home the experts and get your old casings removed with the new and advanced ones.

3. Quality services

If you want quality in your repairing or installation, you should know that quality only comes when you hire professionals. You can get quality work at cost-effective prices if you hire experts. If you do not have any idea regarding the type of work, quality products, replacement parts, or any proper technique to do the repair or installation, you surely can get things into a mess.

4. DIY techniques come with risks

The DIY techniques to do the repair, replacement or installation of windows can lead to serious injuries to the ones performing the tasks. You can easily cut yourself accidentally with shattered window panes, and you have to leave everything at the moment to take care of your wound. The professionals for window replacement in Edmonton can help you in all sorts of works as they come prepared with the best tools and techniques to complete the job with perfection. They are equipped with the most appropriate gears that make them safe from personal injuries.

These are some of the reasons why you need to consider hiring the top professionals to do the work of window replacement, repair, or installation at your residence or commercial space. The professional services provide you with certified services that you cannot get when you hire the local technicians. Try following these easy and effective ways while hiring professionals for window replacements to gain profit from them in every manner.

Determining Proper Aisle Width and Stall Size in Your Horse Barn

The comfort of your horses must be your foremost concern when designing a new barn. The designing process must begin by determining the proper width of the aisles and the right size of the stalls. Rest of the barn features can be accommodated around these parameters.

But before you can begin to design the aisle and the stalls, it is crucial to understand the significance of the right dimensions.

The Significance of the Right Aisle Width and the Stall Size

Most people (especially first-time barn builders) neglect the importance of suitable aisle width not really realizing its role for both equine and human comfort. Stall size is something people remember to pay attention to automatically given the size of the horses! But as you start using the barn, it is easier to see its significance.

It is best to first plan for the aisle and the stall/s before planning the feed room, the tack storage, and any additional areas for horse grooming activities.

It is best to work with a local builder to help you create the perfect barn design. So, for horse barns in Spotsylvania, contact a local builder with expertise and experience in designing weather-appropriate structures for horses. It will help you design the aisle, stalls, and other features using the right materials and the dimensions.

Determining the Aisle Width

When deciding on the aisle width for the barn, always consider the size of the horses. A width of 12 ft is sufficient for the horses to walk and turn around the aisle without any problem. If you need to move heavy equipment around the barn and through the aisle, consider it when planning the aisle width. Would you be able to move stuff past the aisle if it is 12-foot wide? Often a 10-foot wide aisle can also work well depending on the sizes of the horse/s.

In any case, the width of the aisle must not be less than 10 ft. If you have the scope to increase it to 12 ft, it is always better to go with it. A wider aisle will also come in handy in the future in case more horses would be sharing the barn.

One way to determine the right aisle width is to think of all the functions you would be performing using this part of the barn. The horse barn design needs to be comfortable for the horses but also functional for you. A narrow aisle can help you save some money initially. But eventually, you (and the horses) would start to feel the discomfort due to the space constraints.

Determining the Stall Size

If your horses are of the average size then the most suitable stall size is 12-foot by 12-foot approximately. A pony might do well in a relatively smaller stall as well. Some horses such as thoroughbreds are bigger than the average equine size (15-hands approximately) and you might need to increase the stall dimensions for them. The same applies if you have mares that would be foaling in the near future or are already with foals.

Even if you don’t have a broodmare when designing the barn but plan to get one in the future, it is best to incorporate provisions for a bigger stall. The consideration must be that the horses, irrespective of their sizes, must be able to move inside the stalls comfortably. Know that movement means turning around comfortably in all directions. The horses must also be able to lie down easily.

The size of the stall walls must be around 5 ft at least. It is also a good idea to use grills on the walls so that horses can see each other through them. The grills or even the mesh on the walls can help bring more light inside the barn and also help with the ventilation. These two factors are important for the good health of the horses living in the barn. So, choose the size of the stalls walls keeping these functions in mind.

Sliding doors on the stalls can help save some space. But swinging doors can work too as the stall doors are often shut.

Tips for Choosing Rustic Bathroom Vanities

Rustic furniture can enhance aesthetics in any room with simple yet elegant designs. Rustic furniture is all about mixing the past with the present to create beautiful spaces. You can even use rustic furniture in your bathroom in the form of a nice vanity to create a sense of warmth and comfort.

There is a wide variety of rustic vanities available now to accommodate the needs of all households. Consider these tips to choose the right rustic vanity for your bathroom.

Seek Timeless Elegance

Rustic wood vanities are perfect to create a sense of timelessness in your personal space. Rustic furniture is available in many different materials. Reclaimed wood vanities can help you create an idyllic bathroom space. There is something about the unpolished and time-worn look of reclaimed wood that adds to its appeal.

A combination of wood and iron is also remarkable to dress your bathroom in a style that won’t go out of fashion. Rustic iron sheets or handles are perfect representative of the time gone by and offer your bathroom an aura of timeless appeal. You can also opt for copper basins with your rustic wood vanities for added classic flair.

If you are looking for a bathroom vanity that won’t go out of style anytime soon, restrict your selection to reclaimed wood or metal. The combination of these materials is also superb choice for any bathroom style. If you are worried about water damage on the wood, then buy vanities that come coated with protective polymers such as polyurethane.

Another way to bring classic elements in the vanity is by incorporating stone tabletops. Granite tops can work well with brown rustic vanities. Light-hued marble tops can complement black and dark brown vanities perfectly.

You can buy rustic vanities in different patterns carved on wood or other details as well. Look for carved designs on reclaimed wood or colored patterns etched onto the vanity front.

Pay Attention to the Colors

When choosing rustic wood vanities, there are more colors options to choose from other than browns. Bathroom vanities are also available in hues such as white, blue, green, and black. You can even order the color of your preference if you are buying custom bathroom vanities.

If the rest of your bathroom is designed in white, you can brighten up the space with a blue or turquoise vanity. It can add to the space without overwhelming or disturbing the rest of the bathroom décor. If your bathroom is designed in rustic style with brown wooden elements then a brown or even a black wood vanity can blend in perfectly with the décor.

Look for Functionality

A bathroom vanity needs to be functional too. Consider your requirements when selecting new rustic bathroom vanities. Do you want additional drawers or just the top of the vanity is enough for your storage needs? Do you need a vanity with two basins? Would you rather opt for a small vanity with two drawers, no extra top space but with a large basin?

Looking for a vanity that offers you all practical functions can take a bit of time. But it is important to take the time to look for the right vanity when making a design investment for your home. If your requirements are very specific, you may want to consider buying a custom vanity. It is a good option for homeowners who want very precise vanity designs or storage solutions.

Choose the Right Size

The size of the vanity must be proportionate to your bathroom’s dimensions. You may love a long vanity with two basins but it can also cramp your small bathroom. On the other hand, a small vanity can look out of place in a big bathroom.

If you only have a small corner space in your bathroom for the vanity, there is no proper way to fit a square or rectangle vanity in that narrow space. You can opt for a small triangular vanity with bottom shelf space and at least a medium-sized sink. Bowtie vanity designs are also available if that is what fits in your bathroom.

Four Reasons to Choose Custom Bathroom Vanities

A bathroom vanity is just one item of furniture in your bathroom but it can affect its entire look. It needs to be right in terms of size, design, and material for increasing your bathroom’s aesthetic and functional appeal. Such a perfect arrangement is not always possible with mass-market furniture. One solution is to use custom vanities to style your bathroom just right.

Here are four reasons to choose custom bathroom vanities.

Uniqueness

Using custom vanities is the perfect way to add your own unique touch to a space that is very personal to you. You can customize a vanity to perfectly fit your bathroom; utilizing every inch of the space. You can choose your own material, color, and style with your custom vanity.

Stock vanities are available only in limited colors and styles. Readymade vanities may not go with your bathroom design or match with your aesthetic sense. You don’t need to settle for an average vanity that you don’t even like. You can decide to use a custom vanity for a distinct bathroom space that is your own.

You may want additional drawers in your vanity instead of open shelves. Perhaps you really like the use of metal basins with wood vanities or a simple table layout that you can use as you may please. If your taste is as distinct as these examples then the only option is to use custom vanities or compromise on your furniture needs.

If you want a turquoise vanity instead of the usual ivories and blacks then custom design is the way to go. If you want a long cabinet instead of a rectangular vanity, it is up to you. With custom furniture, you can skip the ‘the dream and the idea of a perfect bathroom’ and actually create it with simple solutions.

Durability

Custom furniture is sturdier than readymade ones. You can expect your custom bathroom cabinet to last longer even when it is exposed to moisture every day. You can choose materials like solid wood that can last for years even with water exposure. Many custom furniture designers coat wood vanities with polymers like polyurethane to protect their creations from water. So, you don’t need to compromise on style and material over practical reasons.

You can even choose strong drawer handles and basin. Brass handles may cost more than steel or aluminum ones. But they also look better and last longer. It is just one example. You can customize every part of your vanity to make it as strong as you want.

Cost

With custom furniture, you can control the cost of your bathroom vanity. You will know what you are paying for and why. With readymade furniture, you have to pay for subpar materials and uninspired designs. You also have no way of knowing the real value of the material used for making it.

On the other hand, your custom furniture designer can provide you with all the information you want on the materials used, how it was sourced, the paint used (toxic or not), the environment impact (of the material used), and why it’s costing you a certain amount. You can accordingly ask the designer to reduce the price or even increase it by adding more valuable accessories. When you choose custom furniture for your home, you can get a unique item within your budget.

Value

Custom furniture can add value to any space in your house including the bathroom. Custom furniture spells luxury and hints at classic appeal. It can never go out of style whereas readymade furniture can quickly look dated and devalue your house with it. If you decide to sell your current house in the future, custom furniture can impact its asking price.

Custom furniture can add value to your interior design by its singular appeal. Even if your bathroom is small or doesn’t have too many distinct features; placement of even a small custom rustic vanity can augment its design. Custom is synonymous with luxury. It can spell leisure and comfort. Custom furniture boasts of extravagance even when it is as practical as any other utility item in your house.