The Hidden Outdoor Trash Can – Let’s Begin!

Special thanks to National Hardware for sponsoring and providing materials for this project! All opinions are 100% my own.

Man, oh man… this week has been an absolute terror on my back. But, it was totally worth it, because I got started on a project I’m really excited about:

What you’re seeing here is the frame that will be installed near the garage on the side of the house — the one that will become the wood screen to hide the ugly eyesore that is my outdoor trash can. But, before it can go in, there are a number of other tasks involving lots of physical labor that I’m going to have to knock out this coming month.

Here’s the plan:

• Decide on a spot on the site of the house (near the garage) for a flat surface on which to place the outdoor trash bin and recycling bins – done!
• Dig down into said spot, compact the soil – nearly done!
• Lay down crushed gravel & compact
• Create a form for a concrete slab & pour
• Build a wood screen (that’s where the decorative hardware & this post comes in) – nearly done!
• Bury the wooden screen next to the new slab/pavers
• Stain the wood once it’s had some adjustment in the elements (PT lumber needs a few weeks)
• Clean up the surrounding area with new plants

In case you weren’t following along this summer (which by the way, you can click here to do that), the general problem that I’m trying to address with this project is that the very noticeable trash bin given to me by the county doesn’t have its own designated spot when it’s not sitting out at the curb. And since it has no home, it sits in my driveway most of the time. With all of the work I’ve done on the exterior over the years, turning the corner onto my street and seeing this in my driveway just takes all the fun out of the curb appeal progress. Meh.

I absolutely hate the way the trash just sits out and wanted to find a new place that would keep it out of view — but I know myself. If I had to lug it to the opposite side of the house or drag it behind the backyard fence, I’d get lazy and wind up still putting it in the driveway far too often. “Just this once” would turn into me forgetting about it, and I’d leave it in the driveway until the following week when it needs to go to the curb again. As we’ve seen with the entryway closet makeover that I posted about earlier this week, a project’s value is only as good as it manages to fit with my daily habits (or it will just keep getting messy again). So I needed to find a practical option. I decided that the garden on the side of the house (on the right side in the picture above) was perfect.

I picked a spot about six inches back from the corner of the house and began plotting out the space. The entire area is going to be about three feet by five feet, and I’m going to learn how to do something new in the process: how to — and hopefully properly — pour a concrete slab.

Why a concrete slab?

I decided on a concrete slab as my solution for two reasons:

1. This doesn’t need to be overly fancy, and paver materials are slightly more costly; wood is also an option as I’ve seen some ideas on Pinterest use, but I wanted something that would have a slight slope for me to more easily stash the trash bin away.
2. I’m using this project as an introduction to laying a concrete slab. I have plans to build an outdoor shed in a corner of the back yard, but this is a much smaller scale where I can get used to the steps and wrap my head around the kind of labor involved.

Once the slab is in, I’m also going to install a screen in front of it to hide the bin away from the street view, thereby helping the curb appeal. I got started on digging out the space for the slab, aiming for about six inches in depth before I’ll go about building the frame:

This process, in and of itself, is pretty tedious. So to keep my motivation going, I also decided that now would be a good time as any to build the frame for the screen. I would have built the whole thing including the attachment of the front panels, but my tube of outdoor adhesive dried up and I didn’t feel like going to the hardware store for the fourth time in a single day. Thus, the frame it is!

As you may have seen me mention in another post earlier this week, I’ve been working with National Hardware this summer. They’ve been great at supplying me with the materials I need for projects like this (and their sponsorship helps me budget the rest of the supplies that aren’t hardware, so win-win). Here is what they sent me:

The bin itself is just shy of four feet tall, so I cut down lengths of pretreated (PT) ground contact (GC) lumber to five feet each, anticipating that it would get partially buried into the ground. In between each vertical support, I also attached horizontal cuts to complete the frame.

Materials List

• 5 – 1 x 4 x 8 pressure-treated (PT) “ground contact” (GC) lumber (read more about the “GC” rating below)
• 4 – corner braces in black finish
• 8 – corner plates in black finish (in hindsight, I think replacing four of these with two T-plates is a much better idea)
• ¾” interior/exterior self-drilling lathe screws

Cut List

• Cut all 5 pieces of PT lumber down to 5’ each
• Use the leftover scrap to cut 4 pieces of 24” each

Notes

• In hindsight, I would have replaced four of the corner plates I used for two T-plates instead; originally, I believed I was going to create more of an L-shaped screen with a front panel and a side panel attached at the corner, so I would need to create two identical panels each using four of the corner plates. But as I began to dig out the area for the slab, I realized that it would be a lot better of an idea to increase the overall width of the front panel to five feet and nix the planned-for side panel altogether. So, I’m recommending that if you try to repeat this same project on your own, you can spend less money and get a more stable frame by going with T-plates in the middle.
• Finding screws that are short enough to use with 1x4s outside that also have a wide enough head to catch the heavy duty plates (the plates do not come with accompanying screws) turned out to be tougher than I thought. I found some lath screws that were marked for indoor/outdoor use, so I went with it. And bonus, they were self-drilling, which was great! You could also modify this plan to use 2x4s instead of 1x4s, which slightly increase your options for screws to use.

A Note on Outdoor Lumber

Using pressure-treated lumber, or PT as it’s often labeled, is the way to go with this project. But what you might not know is that the rules for what can and cannot be used for your outdoor projects have been changing. A new standard went into effect this summer, which says that for things going into or coming in contact with the ground, such as decks or posts, you need to be using what’s called “ground contact” (duh) pressure-treated lumber, which is abbreviated on labels with a GC marking. You’ll be seeing more and more of this in stores as the stock of old PT lumber is depleted.

The project came together pretty quickly. Building the first frame on the left side was tight and secure, but I had a lot more difficult of a time (for whatever reason) getting purchase on the screws that went into the horizontal pieces on the right side of the frame, so they are flexing where I don’t want them to flex. But if you do this project and use T-plates in the middle instead, you should have less of an issue. Plus, once things are secured into the ground and the front panels are also attached (the front of the design will look similar to the A/C screen I installed earlier this year), I expect everything to come together nicely.

One part complete, many more steps to go. I think I’m going to grab some ibuprofen and some exterior adhesive so I can get those front panels on, but details on the cement slab, the dig, the pour, are all coming soon! Have a fantastic weekend!

The post The Hidden Outdoor Trash Can – Let’s Begin! appeared first on The Ugly Duckling House.

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from The Ugly Duckling House http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/the-hidden-outdoor-trash-can-lets-begin/

Entryway Closet Makeover

Special thanks to National Hardware for sponsoring this project and providing materials! All opinions are 100% my own.

Have you ever started a project with a full, totally plausible plan, and then everything just kind of fought against you?

You’re not alone. It happens to me all the time.

It happens to me because I’m constantly trying new ideas (well… new to me) around the UDH. I see someone else’s cool plan, I think, hmm, I could totally use that/do that/build that, and then I give it a try, and I sort of meander as I go until things makes sense again. Sometimes, it goes off without a hitch. Most times, I am like one endless series of emotions — inspired, frustrated, stubborn, frustrated again, and finally, victorious. And at least once or twice per project, I might trip over my dog just to keep things interesting (whyyyy is she always under my feet?).

Anyway, that’s the story with my entryway’s closet makeover. You might recall when I started working on it back here. The plan was to take something I wasn’t really using at all and customize it to something more in line with my daily needs.

It began as a standard shelf and closet pole – which seems perfectly fine, and it is… except I wound up never really using the hangers in there. Or even the storage, since the top shelf provided so little of it. Honestly, if there were a top ten list of home items that lazy girls (like me) hate using, hangers are definitely on that list. I would start off with neatly hung jackets I use all the time, and then slowly, things would whittle themselves down. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t get the hang of making this work for me. The result was a mess.

I would make half attempts to get it in order, and then I’d let it get messy again. Ultimately, it was time to find a way to make it more functional with my daily activities. I needed a way to quickly hang up coats and accessories. I needed a place for Charlie’s leashes and toys. And I needed a place to stash various objects I use for exercise: my yoga mat and towels, my softball cleats, etc. without everything being in a visible pile at my feet.

For starters, the thick MDF shelf above the pole wasn’t so bad; it just needed a coat of paint. And since I didn’t like the curve of the edge on the front, I just flipped it around and used some iron-on veneer edging to make it look more crisp.

Then, it got a fresh coat of white paint — spray primer to make the first step as lazy as possible, then a foam roller for a smooth paint finish. I replaced the cleats of the shelf support (originally just cheap baseboard flipped upside down) with new lumber and primed/painted it white to match. Then, I added several of these sleek, black robe hooks sent to me by one of this year’s blog sponsors, National Hardware. I knew right away that being able to quickly add things to a hook rather than having to use a hanger would match my habits muuuch better!

The closet door was painted white as well, and I added two more hooks for Charlie’s leashes and harness (convenience WIN). As you can probably tell from some of the lighting in these photos, the whole project went down over the course of a few days, and most of it took place at night (the days were mostly pre-occupied with backyard gains where daylight was more of a factor).

The next goal was storage. This was solved by a sweet little trunk setup, built into the floor area. All it took were a few pieces of scrap wood to support the lid, and I cut down some thin plywood (primed and then painted white) to establish the box of the container. The floor stayed the same.

The top of the lid was 3/4″ hardwood plywood, cut to fit and then stained with some Modern Walnut and poly’d (since this is for a closet and doesn’t need to be perfect, I used a spray instead of wipe-on… generally I use wipe-on when I want to be more careful with even coats and consistency of the sheen, but it’s a personal preference thing). I again used some iron-on edge banding to hide the plywood edge and make it look more like a solid piece of wood.

Here’s where the frustrating part of the story comes in: the dry fit of the lid went perfect. National Hardware supplied me with some semi-concealed chest hinges, so I used a Dremel to help embed them into the new storage area and fit them against the rear support of the new lid.

But I really could have used some help holding it into place while I screwed things in, because try as I might, the lid would inevitably shift a little and the lid would no longer close smoothly as it slid against the wall. Part of it is because the drywall is uneven and I went for precision, which I should probably know better by now with this house. Still though, I wrestled with it a few times before ultimately thinking hey, this is a closet… done is better than perfect, and I’ve got six other things I need to get a move on for fall. So, I called it quits for now and am just happy that it will open and close, which lets me store a lot of items without them looking cluttered. 90% of the problem is solved, so I’ll loop back around to this issue sometime in the next century. Promise.

Now for the fun part: let’s take a fun look at the before…

And here’s the after! This little nook by itself doesn’t get much light, so the added white paint really makes a big difference.

The top section before…

And after! The baskets were stolen from other  places in the house (originally Homegoods and Target), but they are pretty well suited for this space.

The floor area before (sorry, I know it’s fuzzy)…

And finally, after. SO MUCH BETTER.

Plenty of storage and a place for everything in a tight little spot. I have a feeling that things are going to stay plenty more organized going forward. When considering that this is the very first space in the home to make a first impression too, I’m relieved to have figured it out!

As part of my partnership with National Hardware, there is still one more project left on the to-do list that they have sent me parts for. Here’s a sneak peek:

What about you? Is there an area of your house could use more storage?

Special thanks to National Hardware for sponsoring this project! All opinions are 100% my own.

The post Entryway Closet Makeover appeared first on The Ugly Duckling House.

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from The Ugly Duckling House http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/entryway-closet-makeover/

Turn Your Garden into a Cool Kids Playground

Not only will your kids love you for this, but you as parents will reap the rewards too. Making the most of your outdoor space so your kids can get plenty of exercise and fresh air has its obvious benefits, and there are many more reasons why it’s a great idea to make the garden a place the kids want to spend time. While going to the park can still be on the agenda, having your own outdoor play area gives you the flexibility to stay home and invite friends over when the trip out feels too much, you’re waiting in for a delivery or when there’s work to be done at home.

For those of you who have kitchens overlooking the garden, it can make tea-time a whole lot easier if you can give the kids a run out in the garden while you get on with prepping the evening grub. Obviously this applies to younger children, as older ones won’t require such a watchful eye. Having friends and their kids over also means adults can relax over a cuppa, watching the little ones make the most of the inventive playground you’ve worked hard to create. You can get nostalgic and relive your childhood joining in with fun and games outdoors too. It can be a great tool for getting your older ones off their screens for a while too.

Here are 12 great ideas for giving the kids the garden playground they’ll love.

1.       A chalk board; kids love to draw on walls right? Install a large chalkboard on your fence. Kids will have hours of fun chalking up some giant pics for the family to admire.

2.       A zip line will give the kids hours of fun and great kudos with their mates. If you are lucky enough to have a big garden, and especially if you have a large tree, setting up a zip wire safely will make your garden the go to place for all the kids in your street.

3.       There’s nothing cooler than a tyre swing. You’ll need an old tyre (great to recycle), some chain and/or rope, as well as something to hang the swing from (most likely a large tree). Be sure to test it’s safe before giving the kids a go.

4.       Teepeescome in all sizes and let’s face it are the coolest of tents. Red indian outfits can make a great addition to the dressing up box and making a totem pole (big or small) could be a great creative family project.

5.       Sandpits come in all shapes and sizes and can easily be bought or handmade. Be creative; it doesn’t have to take over your garden. Sand in a large tin flower tub can be just as fun. You can bury treasure in the sand for the little ones to find.

6.       The ultimate treehouse is a fantastic project for the DIY enthusiast and a big hit with the kids. You’ll obviously need a tree you can safely put the magical sky house in.

7.       If you don’t have any trees for a treehouse project, then a playhouse is just as good a space for kids to ramp up their imaginative play and to feel they have their own space to hang out in the garden. Playhouses range from tiny one room plastic options to luxurious wooden 2-storey creations with balconies. It’s just a question of budget and aesthetics.

8.       A hammock is always a winner and a great place for you to relax on a balmy summer evening with a glass of your favourite wine once the kids are in bed.

9.       Trampolines are all the rage these days, but a quirky way of adding it to your garden is to sink it into the ground. It may take a bit of back-breaking work to dig the hole, but it makes it less of an eyesore in the garden, and you could even make a wooden cover to go over it, making a funky raised sitting area.

10.   Little ones will love an outdoor kitchen for making mud pies. It’s a great way of recycling your old pots and pans and kitchen utensils too. It doesn’t need to be elaborate – a small table with an oil cloth cover, a washing up bowl and a chopping board make a great play kitchen.

11.   A water feature is great for the summer months. Having a pool might not be an option, but splash pads with fountains can be a compromise and feel safer for the little ones. Failing that a sprinkler (while perhaps not ethically great for conserving water) can be a cheaper option for giving the kids a fun treat on hotter days.

12.   A vegetable patch might not sound quite the thing for an adventure playground, but you’ll be amazed at how fascinated kids can be with growing and tending things in the garden. There’s the planting project, the feeding and watering and the harvesting, not to mention the cooking sessions. If you’ve invested in a playhouse, you could even add on a mini veg patch as the garden to that.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working alongside a selection of
companies including UK Log Cabins, who were consulted over this post.

from Home My Heaven: UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/09/turn-your-garden-into-cool-kids.html

Oiling the Kitchen Bar!

Want to Sel your Home? Here are 4 Ways to Increase its Market Value

So you’re planning on selling your family home, and you want to know if there are any changes you can make that will help to boost the market value of your property. Property values can often depend largely on the area; whether it is near a bus or train line, whether the neighbourhood is reputable, whether or not an ‘upmarket’ supermarket is close by. However there are a number of renovations you can make to the property itself which is guaranteed to increase its market value. 

Here are four of them. 

1.       Extension and Conversion

The Guardian states that adding a loft conversion or extending your home can increase the value of your property by up to 20%. Loft conversions and property extensions are a handy way to transform unused space into functional space in order to add value to your home. Loft conversions are generally considered less disruptive when compared to a property extension, but both have their merits. 

Remember planning permission! Local authorities can and will order you to tear down any extensions or conversions at your own expense. Some lofts cannot be converted due to lack of space, the internal height of the existing loft etc. so make sure to check with a professional before you start drawing up any plans. 

2.       Taking Care of your Amenities

When looking at a property, two rooms that potential buyers are likely going to pay a attention to, are the kitchen, and the bathroom(s). Problems in a bathroom can spell disaster for any potential buyer; as you have damp and mould to worry about in the long term, while a dirty or smelly kitchen can really put buyers off. People want to step into a fresh house full of possibilities, not a house where the kitchen smells of year old potatoes and garlic. 

According to Bathstore, your basic new bathroom suite costs, on average, about £4,500. MyLocalPrices values a typical new fitted kitchen at anywhere between £5,000 and £8,000. These prices give you a good idea as to what you should be aiming for, when looking at getting a new bathroom and kitchen fitted. The new amenities don’t need to be bespoke, designs that are presentable and in-keeping with the style of the house work just fine.

3.       Revamping a Tired Exterior and a Dreary Interior

It is important to remember that a potential buyer will be looking at all aspects of your property, including its exterior. If the brickwork looks dirty, the paint is flaking off the doors and the windows haven't been washed for years, it is unlikely that you’ll make a sale any time soon. Hire a professional property maintenance company to see to the dirty brickwork and the painting, and get a window cleaner to give your windows a good scrub. If the front door looks a little worse for wear, consider investing in a new door as opposed to fixing it up. 

Unless numerous buy-to-let investors are going to be taking an interest in your propertypotential buyers will not want to purchase the property with all its existing furniture. It is better to completely clear the property out. When repainting go for neutral shades such as Calico from Dulux, or a Light French Gray (sic) from Behr.

4.       Two Small Trumps One Large

In today’s world, 3 Bedroom properties are generally worth more than 2 bedroom properties, even if the 2 bedrooms are large and spacious. It’s all about functionality over form; a large bedroom is all very well for a retired professional, but it doesn’t quite fit the bill for a growing family with plans for the future. Likewise in a family home, two bathrooms are certainly preferable to one, particularly when you consider the amount of time some people like to spend in the bathroom. 

The rooms do not need to be particularly large, but the Gov.uk website does list the Nationally Described Space Standard for one bedspace as “a single bedroom that needs to have a floor area of at least 7.5m²”. For bathrooms, BHG recommends that at least 21inches of space must be planned in front of a lavatory, toilet, bidet and a tub, with 24inches of space needed in front of a shower. 

The Nationwide Building Society has calculated that an extra bathroom can add up to 4.9% or £9,600 on to the value of your home, whereas having an extra bedroom can bump it up by 11% or £22,100.  If you have the space, why not add upwards of £30,000 to the value of your home by turning one bedroom into two and adding a bathroom? It will certainly be worth the effort. 

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working alongside a selection of companies including HuntersEstate Agents, who were consulted over this post.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/09/want-to-sel-your-home-here-are-4-ways.html

Who and what is RICS?

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(RICS) is an institution with offices all over the world. The organisation accredits professional surveyors within the property, land, and construction sectors.Founded in London on the 15^th June 1868 after a meeting of surveyors at the Westminster Palace Hotel, it was originally known as the ‘Surveyors’ Institution’. John Clutton, the man responsible for establishing property consultants Cluttons, wasthe very first president.

The headquarters of RICS are in London, on the corner of Great George Street and Parliament Square.Their name was changed to ‘The Chartered Surveyors’ Institution’in 1930, and in 1946, the title ‘Royal’ was granted by George VI. Finally, in 1947, the professional body became the ‘Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’, or RICS. 

So, what exactly does RICS do? Well, apart from maintaining the highest professional and educational standards and promoting the aims of the profession, they also help to oversee regulation and provide unbiased guidance and advice.

Worldwide, RICS accredits over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The RICS accredited course is the first step on the road to becoming a Chartered Surveyor. It provides the initial academic requirements for students training to be surveyors.Because of its uncompromising code of ethics, clients and consumers are protected from unprofessional and low-standard practices.

The significant market presence of RICS means they’re ideally placed to influence policy and entrench standards nationwide. By working closely with government, they’re able to deliver the highest international standards and support and develop the real estate, land and construction arena for the interest and welfare of all.

The statistics are impressive: In 2015, the number of RICS qualified professionals in 140 countries around the world totalled 120,000, while student membership came in at 81,000. The United Kingdom has the majority of accredited professionals but there are also very large numbers in Australia, Europe and Hong Kong … and the numbers in China, India and the Americas are growing at a phenomenal rate.

The RICS works closely with other professional bodies such as The World Bank, The United Nations and The European Union. And in 2013, the RICS became a founder member of the alliance to develop International Property Measurement Standards, which launched its very first standard (for measuring office space) in November 2014. A year later, the RICS became a founder member of the alliance to develop International Ethics Standards. These member bodies are focused on the development and implementation ofnew, professional standards.

Becoming a RICS Member

1.      If you’re studying for or have completed a RICS accredited degree, (undergraduate or post graduate), you will need to complete two years of Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) training (if you have less than 5 years’ experience), or one year’s APC training (if you have experience of 5 or more years). But if you have at least 10 years’ work experience,then no APC training is required. 

2.      If you already have a Bachelor’s degree or are a member of a RICS approved professional body and have at least 5 years’ experience, you can apply to become a member straight away

Because Chartered Surveyors have the highest levels of professional skills that are recognised all over the world, they earn more too. A salary survey conducted in 2014 clearly showed that Chartered Surveyors earned at least 20% more than their non-chartered colleagues.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

RICS members never stand still for a moment and are required to continually improve their skills and competence. They do this by completing a minimum of 20 hours per year on CPD training.This programme, which encourages a spirit of continuous learning, ensures that members build on their skills and competencies on an ongoing basis.

How Do Students Benefit?

Students are offered free membership to RICS and can take advantage of career advice, the  extensive library of books and reference materials, exciting job opportunities, and can tap into the vast network RICS is able to provide.

Registered Charity

RICS has set up a registered charity called The RICS Education Trust. It offers grants of up to £10,000 for those members involved in research projects.Applications for grants areavailable to full-time practitioners and academics. The charity does not, however, provide financial support for undergraduate or postgraduate students.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working alongside a selection of companies including Peter Barry Surveyors, who were consulted over this post.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/09/who-and-what-is-rics.html

5 Signs that You are Buying a High Quality Cast Iron Radiator

Cast iron radiators have seen a wonderful revival of late as more people are seeking to bring a touch of elegance into their home that also captures an authentic vintage look.

When considering purchasing a cast iron radiator, it is important to be able to sort a high quality contender from an inferior pretender. The following guide will help make the task of discernment a much simpler and straightforward one to achieve.

·         Weight

Perhaps the most telling sign that a cast iron radiator is of high quality is whether it is actually constructed of genuine iron, rather some other type of composite metal. Cast iron radiators are so effective because they have significant mass that when fully heated, continues to emit warmth long after they have been switched off.

A general rule of thumb is that a heavier radiator is likely to be constructed of very dense metal that will outperform those heaters made of a lesser substance. For cast iron radiators, heavier is definitely better. Always check with the manufacturer to confirm exactly what the radiator is made from and choose iron every time.

·         Thickness of Steel

As previously stated, mass conducts heat in a more efficient manner, so it is important that the metal used in the radiator is quite thick so it will retain its heat. Thinner materials lose stored heat much more rapidly than thicker materials. A very simple test is to tap or knock on the metal of the radiator and see if it feels strong and sturdy. It should feel more like tapping a brick wall rather than a tin can!

·         Length of Warrantee

Unsurprisingly, the length of warrantee offered by the cast iron radiator’s manufacturer is an excellent indication as to how well the heater is made. It also demonstrates the confidence that the product has generated as returns often reflect a combination of design flaws, previous returns and expected failure rates.

No manufacturer feels comfortable making products that may harm their good reputation or be subject to a recall, so a long extended warrantee speaks volumes about the quality of the heater in question. Expect a reliable cast iron radiator to be covered for at least 10 years or more from the date of installation.

·         Overall Finish

An excellent cast iron radiator will be matched by an equally high quality finish. It should look durable, thick and well covered as opposed to thin and spotty. As these heaters generate fairly intense heat it is important that any paintwork be up to the task of repeated heating and cooling for many years.

Many radiators are also available with the option of intricate patinas and scroll work on their surfaces. These not only make a wonderful statement in any room, but also indicate the level of skill and attention to detail crafted into the radiator by the manufacturer.

·         Meets Required Standards

Lastly, high quality radiators will tick all the right boxes as far as quality assurance and compliance with the rigid safety standards imposed by current legislation. Such standards vary around the world, so it is important to check that any cast iron radiator sold in the UK meets local standards and have never faced a safety recall.

Comparing high quality cast iron radiators need not be a complicated process, especially when armed with the right information that highlights those aspects that distinguish the very best from the barely acceptable. This preparatory research will help ensure your choice in radiators continues to serve you properly, well into the future.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/09/5-signs-that-you-are-buying-high.html

Not Sure What to Do With Your Exterior? Stroll the Neighborhood

Why You Should Invest In a Summer House

 

Summer Home

Summer may have come and just about gone, but summer houses haven’t gone out of fashion. If you’ve ever explored the history of summer houses, you’ll know that a beautifully designed garden room can add value to your property. And you may not even need planning permission.

·         A Brief Look at Garden Rooms Through the Years

Have you ever been to Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park? If so, you may have noticed their summer houses which have been around for over 300 years. Even today, visitors are still able to stroll to Kensington Gardens and relax in Queen Caroline’s Temple which was built in a classic style in the 1700s. In fact, it was the must-have addition to the highly fashionable royal garden. If you are interested in increasing the value and beauty of your property, take a look at summer houses for sale reviewed by Whatshed.

·         What Are the Benefits of a Summer House?

These days, homeowners will do what they can to increase the space in their homes without having to spend a fortune. Instead of the upheaval of moving, more and more homeowners are opting for a summer house. It can be used as a home gym, games room, garden office, or a haven of relaxation.

Sometimes, it can be hard to relax at home. Weekends become more about getting chores done and running around. By creating a special place to really unwind and let the week’s stress melt away, you can really recharge your batteries.

·         But What About Winter?

Despite their name, summer houses are great in the winter, too. You can turn one into a cosy hideaway. Opt for a summer house made with tongue and groove cut so that the timber locks together, banishing gaps and resulting in an air tight and warm space.

Worried about the rain? Don’t be. Many people worry that damp and moisture will damage their summer house, so they are reluctant to invest in one. But, you can have the floor bearers’ pressure treated which ensures 10 years of protection against infestation and rot. So there’s no need to worry. You can also have the building treated to protect it against the elements and add value to it.

·         Design and Innovation

Sometimes, planning restrictions can make for unimaginative designs. However, summer houses can be designed in an attractive way and can offer a multitude of uses, depending on your needs, the weather, and your garden.

·         Increase the Value of Your Property

Adding a summer house to a property is bound to offer a favourable return on investment. In fact, it has been said that garden rooms can add as much as 5 – 20 percent to your home’s value, making them a highly attractive proposition for sellers and buyers alike, with buyers especially being enticed by the draw of a stunning and practical garden feature. This is especially true in cities where space is limited and every inch counts.

Don’t worry about summer being on its way out, you can build a summer house to use at any time of the year!

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/09/why-you-should-invest-in-summer-house.html