Light Up your Life with LED’s
Did you know that lighting is approximately 20% of a household energy bill?
Read moreFencing to reduce traffic noise
If your home or business is located on or near a busy road, noise can be a real problem. There are ways noise can be reduced inside your home, from using glazing on the windows and insulation in the walls. There are also certain types of walls and fences that can be built around your property that can help significantly reduce the sound of passing traffic.
Read moreSimple ideas to lighten and brighten your home
Most homes have a dark corner, hallway or room that has little or no natural light. There are many ways to remedy the problem without needing to have the lights on all day. Here are some ideas that will not only transform the mood of a room but also create a feeling of space without the hassle of a major renovation and a strain on the budget.
Read moreFinding your mattress match: warnings and wisdom from the experts
When it comes buying a new mattress, most of us don’t put much thought into the purchase beyond whether or not it feels comfy in the store. We might spend an hour or two bouncing gently on different products to test their firmness, but we rarely ask the important questions. This is why, every year, thousands of homeowners end up with a mattress that just isn’t suitable for their lifestyle or sleeping habits.
Read moreMaking the most of your water
Water is the world’s most precious commodity, therefore it just makes a whole lot of sense to harvest rainwater and recycle our grey (used) water as much as possible. Whether we live in a rural area or a house in the city we can all do our bit for the environment and reduce our water usage and costs.
Read more5 tips for choosing a good home air conditioning unit
There are lots of air conditioners to choose from on the market, and lots of different factors to take into consideration when purchasing an air conditioning unit. This article includes tips from an electrician to ensure you make the right choices when purchasing an air conditioner.
Read moreTop 10 Scandinavian Lighting Ideas for a Dining Area
Choosing your lights should involve a mix of both practicality and personal preference. Ambient lighting is designed to create a warm and welcoming mood in your kitchen.
Read moreTop tips for moving house
Moving house is rated one of the most stressful life events, but with some handy tips on forward planning and organisation it can become an easier and smoother process for you and the whole family. This article includes a detailed checklist of items to keep in mind when you move house.
Read moreBuilding inspection - why do you need one?
What is a Building Inspection? A building inspection is an examination by qualified professionals which identifies faults and hazards in a property. These can include anything from maintenance and safety issues to serious structural faults or damage. Often the problems identified are not immediately visible or apparent to the untrained eye. Special equipment may be used to gather more information. After the inspection, a report is provided which details the issues. This allows home owners and potential buyers to make informed decisions.
Read moreStart the New Year with a spring clean
Christmas is a faded memory and a New Year has begun and what better way to start the New Year than with a spring clean and maintenance of your home and garden. Have you let all those little odd jobs mount up during the past year while you kept telling yourself that you will get around to fixing them. So hire a handyman and kick the year off with a good clean, repair and rubbish removal.
Read moreThe Evolution of the Backyard Garden Shed
Remember the backyard garden shed your parents, grandparents or neighbours had to house their gardening equipment and tools, the kid’s bikes or the boat?
Read moreBringing your home’s exterior back to new
Sometimes we tend to neglect the maintenance of the exterior of our house. We mow the lawns, weed the garden and trim the hedges but overlook the actual house itself. Your home’s exterior may not need a fresh coat of paint but just a good clean. By enlisting the services of a professional house washing service you can make your home sparkle like new again.
Read moreGuide to Bathroom Lighting and IP Rating
Starting with the technical details, safety is key when choosing your bathroom lighting. To identify whether a light is safe for your bathroom, all lights are given an IP Rating (Ingress Protection rating) which measures how resistant the light is to both water and dust particles. IP Ratings can be determined by reading the first and second digits following the initial ‘IP’.
Read moreThe Modern Day Butler’s Pantry
The traditional Butler’s Pantry has evolved over many years from what were a series of rooms such as the scullery, pantry and larder where each stage of food preparation and clean up was conducted. These rooms were eventually condensed into one room being what we would now call a kitchen.
Read more4 common house defects uncovered by property inspections
A property inspection report is a must have document when you’re deciding whether or not to buy a house. Many homes have defects which will be uncovered by property inspectors. Some are serious, and others, less so. The building inspection gives you the power to make an informed decision about whether it’s the right house for you. These are some common issues which may be uncovered in the report:
Read moreRecommended finishes for solid timber entrance doors
There have been numerous articles or recommendations on the types of finish for exterior doors, some of which are disputable. It is important to select an exterior finish that allows for movement of the timber as well as maintenance and preservation.
Read moreBuying sustainably and how to do it effectively
Do you wish you knew how to shop for pieces that veer towards the sustainable side of things? Buying environmentally friendly items can be hard to spot without asking a million questions, and although these types of questions are always welcome it’s nice to have some knowledge before hitting the shops. Let’s look at some of the criteria to spot an eco-friendly choice.
Read moreProfessional Carpet Cleaning
As much as we love the soft feeling on walking barefoot on our carpet or the peaceful noiseless footsteps of shoes walking on carpet, you may be surprised what lies beneath.
Read moreWidely-used terminology in window industry
There is some widely used terminology in the window industry. Knowing what these terms mean is a great help when it comes to understanding the industry jargon associated with insulation, energy issues and climatic zones. Here’s a quick guide to some commonly used terms - and what they actually mean!
Read moreHow to light your home
When planning lighting solutions for your home, it is important to consider what each room needs, in terms of ambiance, decoration, and utility. Using a few different types of lighting in each room will give the best effect, and provide you with greater control. Installing dimmer switches on your lights is also a great way to easily manipulate the ambiance of a room.
Read more