The Pros & Cons of Apartments Vs. Independent Homes

Buying property is, for most of, the single biggest investment we will make. Even if you are renting, the cost will require a sizeable portion of your income. Not only is it important from a financial point of view but you and your family need to be happy, safe.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/real-estate-finance/9890-The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Apartments-Vs-Independent-Homes.html

These Bathroom Trends Will Become More Popular in 2017

A recent Houzz survey found that on average people spend 30-60 minutes a day in the bathroom. That’s the equivalent of 8-15 days a year – the same time spent taking a vacation. Imagine how much longer you’d stay in your bathroom if it was renovated!

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/kitchen-bath/9894-These-Bathroom-Trends-Will-Become-More-Popular-in-2017.html

The Benefits Of Grease Traps

\The nifty little plumbing device located in the drain is designed to thwart most fat oils and greases before they enter a waste water disposal system. These can mainly be found in restaurants, resorts and schools but also in some households.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/kitchen-bath/9893-The-Benefits-Of-Grease-Traps.html

The Benefits Of Grease Traps

The Benefits of Grease Traps in a Kitchen Grease traps. The nifty little plumbing device located in the drain is designed to thwart most fat oils and greases before they enter a waste water disposal system. These can mainly be found in restaurants, resorts and schools but also in some households. It has been declared by the EPA that grease is the number one cause of sewer overflows and blockages which we all know can lead to a very unhealthy and malodorous environment. This can cause a potential health risk within the community. On a much bigger note, it can affect our oceans and waterways. Over time, fat oils and grease can cause a build up known to form what is called a scum layer. One advantage of a grease trap is that it stops such build up. Grease traps also prevent the release of untreated sewage into the environment from various septic tanks or treatment facilities as well as stop sewage blockages and backups. Grease traps can also reduce the sum of pollution. It sorts solid ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/plumbing-basements/9893-The-Benefits-Of-Grease-Traps.html

Options for Cleaning the Air in Your Home

Every day, we are exposed to chemicals, toxins, dust and dirt in our air. The air we breathe is required to continue to live, and it is a huge factor of our overall health. There is a good chance you have walked into someone’s home and noticed an air purifier in their living room.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/cleaning-maintenance/9892-Options-for-Cleaning-the-Air-in-Your-Home.html

7 Ways to Lower Home Building Costs

Building a new home is a big investment, probably the biggest one you will make in your life. It is a great delight to own a new home that you have helped to plan, design and get off the ground.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/construction-materials/9891-7-Ways-to-Lower-Home-Building-Costs.html

Interesting Ideas to Design Your Own Home Gym

While public gyms have a certain vibe and appeal, the negatives generally outweigh the positives. Simply getting in and out of the gym through the traffic can be a nightmare.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/improvements-remodeling-building/9889-Interesting-Ideas-to-Design-Your-Own-Home-Gym.html

Tip for Repairing Damaged Porch Railing - Today's Homeowner

Here's a simple way to repair a damaged wood porch rail using a couple of plywood forms, clamps, and some auto body filler.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/tip-for-repairing-damaged-porch-railing/

Milwaukee Shockwave Bit Kit - Today's Homeowner

The Milwaukee Shockwave bit set features a shock zone on each tip to provide up to 30 times longer life and absorb three times more torque versus other impact bits. It is available at The Home Depot.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/milwaukee-shockwave-bit-kit/

5 Easiest DIY Projects For Beginners

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/improvements-remodeling-building/9888-5-Easiest-DIY-Projects-For-Beginners.html

Repurposing Furniture as a Potting Bench - Today's Homeowner

Recycling an old piece of furniture is a great way to create a potting bench because it is often less expensive and requires less work than starting from scratch. Here's how we converted an entertainment center into a potting bench for the garden.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/repurposing-furniture-as-a-potting-bench/

Fall Into the 4 Seasons Checklist - Today's Homeowner

We revisited the 4 Seasons of Homeownership as we took on the fall checklist with first-time homeowners Mike and Nicole Dumas, including installing gutters and downspouts and weatherizing their home for cooler weather ahead.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/fall-into-4-seasons-checklist/

The 4 Way Test: How To Choose The Best Bed Mattress For Your Child

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/bedroom-furnishings/9884-The-4-Way-Test-How-To-Choose-The-Best-Bed-Mattress-For-Your-Child.html

The Best Way to Clean Your Kitchen Cabinets

Your kitchen is prone to messes more so than any other room in your home. When you consider all of the cooking, eating, socializing, and even the foot traffic that happens in your kitchen, it is not any wonder that many homeowners feel as though they are constantly cleaning and tidying up. Now, while most of us are pretty good about keeping our countertops clear, our floor swept, and our cooking surfaces clean, not as many of us can say that we are as fastidious about our cabinetry. Yet, we have all had that moment: Perhaps the sunlight catches your cabinet surfaces at just the right angle, perhaps you reach to open a drawer and feel something sticky on the handle, or perhaps you spent an entire day preparing a Thanksgiving dinner (and making the mess that goes along with that huge chore); however it came about, you suddenly realized that your cabinets need a thorough cleaning. But where do you start, and what is safe to use? To help put your mind at ease, here is a complete guide to ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/kitchen-bath/9883-The-Best-Way-to-Clean-Your-Kitchen-Cabinets.html

How to Turn Your Garage into a Home Gym

How to Turn Your Garage into a Home Gym Getting a gym membership can be a great way to get in shape, but for those who are pressed for time, or lack local facilities, setting up your own garage gym can be surprisingly quick and affordable. By choosing the right home gym equipment and designing a DIY gym in your garage, you can cut out all of the travel that goes into working out at your local fitness centre and you can train at your own pace and on your own terms. That said, there is more to designing a good home gym than buying some home fitness equipment and putting it in your garage. You need to make a plan so you can get the most out of your space and budget. Insulation If you plan to turn your garage into a home fitness centre, you want to make sure that the space will be comfortable for working out. If your garage lacks heating and insulation, that means that it could get cold during the winter. Before you start bringing in equipment, you may want to consider insulating the ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/doors-garages/9882-How-to-Turn-Your-Garage-into-a-Home-Gym.html

How to Use Laura Ashley to Create a Chic Kitchen

In our fourth and final collaboration with bloggers and industry experts, we are looking at the beautiful ways you can use Laura Ashley in the heart of your home – the kitchen. As one of the most used rooms in a home, we’ve got advice on decorating from Emma Martin and British Ceramic Tile, who share their favourite trends and products from the Laura Ashley range.

Emma Martin from Life at the Little Wood

 

The kitchen should be a functional space, but with a family it is very often so much more than that too.  Ours really is the heart of our home, and hosts everything from homework, to parties, to Saturday evening family gatherings. Our Laura Ashley Bramley table is perfect to fit us all around (and a few extras from time to time!).

 

With children it’s not wise to be too precious about furniture pieces, and we love how this one just improves with age and wear and tear. We aren’t too worried about the odd score and scrape, and have been so impressed by how beautiful it still looks after a few years of continuous use. A proper country kitchen piece!

 

Related: Laura Ashley’s Decorative Glass Range

British Ceramic Tile
Following on from the success of our latest Laura Ashley collections, we’ve translated further iconic Laura Ashley prints into a range of floor and wall tiles to offer even more choice when it comes to tiling in the home.

 

New colours have been added to our popular Artisan range, with the new shades of seaspray and charcoal already proving to be a success. With its traditional, handmade rustic look and feel, Artisan is perfect for tiling quintessentially British country kitchens.

 

Why not use an expanse of your favourite Artisan shade in one uniform size, perhaps broken up with a coordinating border? Or combine different size formats for added design interest? These ceramic tiles need no special maintenance and are ideal for high traffic areas such as the kitchen, effortlessly marrying design with practicality.

There are so many wonderful Laura Ashley products you can use to decorate your kitchen, how have you used them in your kitchen or dining area? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

The post How to Use Laura Ashley to Create a Chic Kitchen appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/home-news/how-to-use-laura-ashley-to-create-a-chic-kitchen/

Should You Cut Back On High Speed Internet?

If you’re thinking of cutting back on your expenses, you might think it’s a good idea to cut back on high speed Internet. After all, you reason, you still have the Internet. It’s just cheaper…and slower.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/general-household/9880-Should-You-Cut-Back-On-High-Speed-Internet.html

5 Ways to Reduce A Household’s Environmental Footprint

A home’s environmental footprint refers to its overall impact on the environment, both in construction and when being inhabited. This includes elements such as the use of materials, the amount of waste and pollution produced, and the amount of ongoing resources it consumes, such as electricity and water.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/pest-management-ecology/9879-5-Ways-to-Reduce-A-Household-s-Environmental-Footprint.html

5 Ways to Reduce A Household’s Environmental Footprint

A home’s environmental footprint refers to its overall impact on the environment, both in construction and when being inhabited. This includes elements such as the use of materials, the amount of waste and pollution produced, and the amount of ongoing resources it consumes, such as electricity and water. As the environmental footprint of an average home has continued to increase, changes to resource use and waste reduction are required to ensure our way of life does not become unsustainable. Reducing your home’s environmental footprint can make a significant difference. By doing things like limiting water use, reducing waste, utilising renewable energy and using eco friendly cleaning products, you can help to achieve a more sustainable society. Water Saving The conservation of water is one of the most important steps toward reducing the environmental footprint of a home. Many areas in the world are already under severe water stress, and if consumption continues at the ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/general-household/9879-5-Ways-to-Reduce-A-Household-s-Environmental-Footprint.html

Landscaping- Keeping your Yard in Good Condition

After accomplishing the challenging task of constructing your home, the next area of focus is your yard. The importance of landscaping goes beyond creating a beautiful yard. There are situations where completing your home puts a dent in your budget and diminishes your ability to landscape properly. You may consider an attempt to handle landscaping on your own on a tighter budget. However, it is advisable to save money for a worthwhile budget that you can use to spend on proper landscaping. There are various reasons why landscaping is an essential aspect of home construction and maintenance. A landscaping budget will help to make sure that the yard is completed. Landscaping Advantages Properly landscaped yards around the home are an attractive sight. A beautiful yard enables you to feel comfortable in your home and is bound to generate positive feedback from everyone who comes across it. There are other benefits that are associated with landscaping, including the immense value that it ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/garden-landscaping/9878-Landscaping-Keeping-your-Yard-in-Good-Condition.html

How Can You Make Your Home Cooler without using Air Conditioning?

If the temperature in your home is too hot then you obviously need to find a way to cool it down. The problem with using air conditioning to do this is that it can be expensive to run. It may be that you do not want to add this cost to the household expenditure you already have. If this is the case then you need to look at alternative solutions.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/hvac-air-conditioning/9877-How-Can-You-Make-Your-Home-Cooler-without-using-Air-Conditioning.html

Who Should Pay for the Repair or Replacement of a Shared Fence?

If you have a good relationship with your neighbour then fixing or replacing a shared fence may not be a big deal. Hopefully, you should be able to talk to each other and discuss all of the arrangements in a friendly manner. Obviously, this sounds ideal but it does not always happen.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/garden-landscaping/9876-Who-Should-Pay-for-the-Repair-or-Replacement-of-a-Shared-Fence.html

Win £50 John Lewis Vouchers with Your Energy Saving Tips

Winter is coming! We’re not talking Game of Thrones, we’re talking about the real life season that brings the cold, ice and maybe even snow.

As the hibernating season kicks in we are wanting to stay warm and cosy, but not spend a fortune on our energy bills! So in the interests of sharing and helping others, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how you save energy at home! The best energy saving tips entered will win £50 John Lewis vouchers – a nice early Christmas present perhaps?!

To enter the competition, use the RaffleCopter widget below. Hint: you can gain extra entries by doing more than just giving us a tip!

Related: 7 Bad Energy Habits We’re All Guilty Of

‘WIN £50 JOHN LEWIS VOUCHERS BY SHARING ENERGY SAVING TIPS’

PRIZE DRAW TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Opening Date: Monday 17th October

Closing Date: Friday 4th November

Entry Details
To enter our competition to win one of 3 £50 John Lewis vouchers, go to Anglian’s Facebook page and post your energy saving tip.

This competition is open to residents of the UK, excluding Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland. Entrants must be aged 18 years. Competition excludes employees of Anglian Windows Limited and their families, agents or anyone else professionally associated with the prize draw.

Details of how to enter form part of the terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the entrants agree to abide by these rules. The decision of the Promoter is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The winners will be selected by 8th November 2016.

The winners will be notified via email within 2 days of the closing date of the prize draw.

If the Promoter has had no reply from the winner within 48 hours of the notification, the Promoter reserves the right to re-draw and award the prize to another entrant.

The prizes are 3x £50 worth of John Lewis vouchers. One voucher per randomly selected winner.

No Anglian purchase is necessary to enter this prize draw.

There is no cash alternative.

The prize is non-transferable.

By entering the competition the winners agree to participate in competition publicity, which could include interview and photographs of the winners.

Events may occur that render the competition itself or the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter and accordingly the Promoter may at its absolute discretion vary or amend the promotion and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the Promoter as a result thereof.

Promoter:
Anglian Home Improvements
PO BOX 65
Norwich
Norfolk
NR6 6EJ

The post Win £50 John Lewis Vouchers with Your Energy Saving Tips appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/fun/win-vouchers-with-your-energy-saving-tips/

What Are Roof Windows & Why You Should Use Them in Your Home

A roof window is a term that has a few connotations associated with it, some of which aren’t true, so we thought we’d clarify exactly what a roof window is and why they’re a great addition to your home.

Roof Windows Are Different to Skylights

Roof windows are a fantastic way to flood a room with natural light and fill your home with fresh air, allowing you to see the sky with an unimpeded view.

They are often confused with skylights and light tunnels, which work differently to a roof window. A roof window has the ability to open and close and is usually much larger than a skylight. A skylight doesn’t normally open or provide any kind of view, especially when compared to a roof window.

Image source

A light tunnel is a tube that provides light to an area of a home that isn’t bathed in natural light. This is fitted in the roof and leads to the room, reflecting the light through it.

A roof window tends to be fitted into the original structure of a building, however, depending on the angle of the roof and sign-off from planning permission and building regulations, it can be built into existing structures.

Related: Anglian Introduce Solid Roof Conservatories to their Range

Rooms They Look Great In

The obvious placement for a roof window would be in a loft conversion, allowing natural light into an area of your home that doesn’t normally have windows in the walls. If you’re converting your loft into a bedroom, try to position the bed underneath the window so you can star-gaze as you fall asleep.

Solid roof conservatories and extensions are a very popular way to extend your living space, and the new contemporary roof designs with roof windows look fantastic. Offering the room even more natural light and fresh air, they make a room feel brighter and larger as the ceiling is higher.

How have you used a roof window in your home? We’d love to know how it’s improved the aesthetics and vibe of the room on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

The post What Are Roof Windows & Why You Should Use Them in Your Home appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/home-news/what-are-roof-windows-why-use-them-in-your-home/

How to Create a Scandinavian Style Living Room

When it comes to contemporary home design trends, there are few that can match the popularity of Scandinavian interior design. With the right lounge furniture, a tasteful coffee table, and the careful consideration of a few design points, you can create a Scandinavian style living room in almost any home. While this style of interior design goes beyond selecting the right lounge furniture and coordinating certain colours, there are some basic points that you can follow. Colours Scandinavian interior design is noted for its simplicity and a lean toward minimalism. Consequently, Scandinavian designs typically use basic, simple tones like shades of white, grey and black. You may also find some browns or natural tones mixed in, along with lighter pastels. To achieve a Scandinavian-inspired design, avoid the conspicuous use of bright colours. That said, you could add some accent colours to the overall scheme to give the room some of your personality. Furniture For furniture, Scandinavian ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/interior-design-decor/9875-How-to-Create-a-Scandinavian-Style-Living-Room.html

How to Store Your Garden Furniture In Winter

Over the summer your garden furniture would have definitely had a lot of use, be it by sitting and enjoying a nice cold beverage on an evening whilst watching the sunset or having guests around to relax on a cool summers evening. Sadly, these types of events are going to have to be put on hold until next summer.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/garden-landscaping/9873-How-to-Store-Your-Garden-Furniture-In-Winter.html

How to Estimate the Interior/Exterior Coverage for my Paint Job

Before beginning a paint job on any property, it is necessary to undertake some steps of preparation to ensure that the task is completed correctly. The first is to determine the size of the surface area of the wall that is to be painted. This step will require some measuring, which will not necessarily be easy.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/painting-wallpaper/9874-How-to-Estimate-the-Interior-Exterior-Coverage-for-my-Paint-Job.html

How to Build or Fix a Sag-Free Gate With a Gate Kit - Today's Homeowner

With Homax EasyGate No-Sag Gate kit you can easily fix or build a sag-free gate, while adding style to your outside décor.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-build-or-fix-sag-free-gate-with-gate-kit/

Don’t Neglect Your Air Conditioning

You’ve probably already gone to great lengths in order to make sure your employees work their hardest. After all, your employees are essential to the success of your business, and that means you need their full dedication in order to ensure your company has a future. Of course, we all have days when we’re feeling a little down and unable to go the extra mile, but generally speaking, your staff members need to be motivated to carry out their tasks efficiently and to a high standard. To make sure your employees feel happy with their work environment, you might have already had air conditioning installed. At the end of the day, nobody is going to work hard if they’re shivering at their desks, and likewise, being too hot can prevent people from completing their tasks. However, if it’s been a long time since you had air conditioning installed, now might be the time to look into air conditioning maintenance. Understandably, you’re probably constantly looking ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/hvac-air-conditioning/9872-Don-t-Neglect-Your-Air-Conditioning.html

5 Home Projects to Let Professionals Handle

When you own a home, you know that upkeep is necessary to ensure your home is safe and to build equity. Thanks to big box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Menards, tackling many home projects on your own is easy. However, while you can do most improvements on your own, there are a few select projects that you should allow the professionals to handle.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/general-household/9870-5-Home-Projects-to-Let-Professionals-Handle.html

Tip for Keeping Grocery Bags From Spilling in Trunk - Today's Homeowner

Here's a tip for keeping groceries from spilling all over the trunk using a rope and carabiners.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/tip-for-keeping-grocery-bags-from-spilling-in-trunk/

Diablo Carbide-Tipped Hole Saw - Today's Homeowner

This carbide-tipped hole saw from Diablo is tough enough to cut through wood and metal, and delivers 20 times longer cutting life and faster performance. It is available at The Home Depot.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/diablo-carbide-tipped-hole-saw/

Preparing for Fall with Our 4 Seasons Checklist - Today's Homeowner

We start checking off some items on our 4 Seasons of Home Ownership fall to-do list by tackling some simple and inexpensive weatherization chores, adding insulation, and freshening the interior paint.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/preparing-fall-4-seasons-checklist/

Clearing the Air with Spot and Whole-House Ventilation - Today's Homeowner

Watch the video to learn more about spot ventilation solutions, such as bath vent fans and kitchen range hoods; and whole-house ventilation systems, such as energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs).

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/clearing-the-air-with-spot-and-whole-house-ventilation/