Monday, March 22, 2010

Home Security Systems - Protecting against more than just break-ins

When most people think of monitoring their home security system they think primarily about its ability to alert the police of a break-in. What they aren't aware of is the lesser know capabilities of the modern alarm system, which is environmental monitoring

For example: you can monitor the amount of carbon monoxide that is present in your home. Smoke Detectors, water level sensors and low temperature devices
can also be monitored by home security systems. Although monitoring of these devices is becoming more popular it will be some time before it becomes a regular feature of every system.

News accounts have helped push the awareness of these capabilities. Every time there focus is placed on the effects of radon gas or other dangers such as fires in the home there is an increase demand for this type of monitoring.

Unfortunately it takes a tragedy to motivate most people to take action. Adding environmental monitoring devices to a new security system or existing ones is relatively simple. Once installed, the alarm system is programmed to make an audible sound or silent alarm depending on what type of device is being monitored.

If you have a low temperature sensor to prevent freezing pipes you wouldn't want the siren blasting you out of bed in the middle of the night but you would want to know if there is too much carbon monoxide in your home.

For those who are aware of the full capabilities of an alarm system it may come down to the cost issue whether or not to add extra equipment. Although cost is a valid concern one should also consider all the risks involved.

A break-in takes a human and a conscience decision to target a particular house. Where as fires and other acts of nature are not so discriminating. Think about all of the things that run on electric in a home. Any one of them has the potential for starting a fire.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not talking about spontaneous combustion but normal wear and tear to the electrical cords etc. A fire or a flooding basement can damage an entire house costing many thousands of dollars. A break-in on the other hand is less likely to reach the same level of damage

When put into this perspective it’s not as hard to justify the cost of the equipment versus the potential risk you can avoid. Check with your insurance agent to see what discounts they give for monitoring your home security system.

Antique Wood Cook Stove - Uses and Advantages

Antique wood cook stoves can be found in many specialist stove restoration stores both online and offline, and are surprisingly popular even now in the early 21st century. Many stoves originally built in the 1800s or early 1900s are still used today having been fully restored and refurbished. The question is, why use an antique stove?

Firstly, we should explain exactly what a wood cook stove actually is. A wood burning cook stove is a traditional cooking appliance which requires no external electricity supply and which rather than using gas, electricity or other fossil fuels can operate purely by burning natural wood. This wood for your wood burning cook stove can be bought from a hardwood supplier or even chopped yourself from your own timber supplies.

An antique wood cook stove could be defined as one which is not just a piece designed for show or created simply to look historically accurate, but something which is original, did once work and preferably is still in working order today. Again though we are left with the question, why use an antique wood cook stove in preference to more convenient modern stove and cooking systems?

Firstly many antique stoves are bought by working farms, country and historic houses or simply to complete a period home or kitchen. In many cases antique stoves are used because they match the period during which the home or kitchen was first constructed, or because the absolute authenticity of all the fixtures and fittings in the building is a key selling point for a particular business. Many antiques are of course bought by museums for display purposes only, and many of these are not in working order.

Alternatively there may be practical reasons for using a wood cook stove, for example living in a remote location with no electricity supply but an abundance of natural resources to use as fuel. In this case some may prefer a more modern stove but many who choose to live in such locations will also choose to cook using the type of stove they have used all their lives, so should their stove need replacing they will actively seek out something similar. In addition some people say there is a particular taste to food cooked using a wood stove which would be difficult to replicate using modern methods.

Whatever the reason for buying an antique wood cook stove, the buyer must make sure they buy from a reputable company to ensure the stove meets all safety codes and regulations, unless it is simply to be used as a display piece. There are many government and local laws and regulations which must be adhered to when installing and using home appliances.

Bedroom Decorating Ideas Can Be Simple Or Elaborate

For bedroom decorating ideas, there is a very large number of different themes from which you can choose. Naturally, your decision for bedroom decorating will be based not only on your personal taste, but will also have to do with the budget you have available.

Beyond that, when you’re decorating a bedroom, you also need to think about the amount of space the bedroom permits you. This will help to decide the type and amount of furniture and other items that you will be able to use without making the space too cramped or uncomfortable. Remember, a bedroom should be a calm and inviting space, not an obstacle course!

Therefore, your first step in decorating bedroom is to measure your space, and then come up with the theme or style that you like the best. Among the more popular decorating bedroom ideas are:

* Modern
* Mediterranean
* Cottage
* Southwestern
* Victorian

With your style chosen, you can look into bedroom decorating tips that will allow you to reach that final image. For example, if you were thinking of bedroom decorating ideas that are Victorian, you may consider the following tips:

* The Victorian style has a rather feminine feel about it, so bedroom decorating in this style will primarily be enjoyed by women. If you are considering making the master bedroom a Victorian style room, you will want to make sure that your spouse or partner shares this particular taste.

* Decorating a bedroom in this style is quite showy and dramatic. The bed will typically consist of a heavy four-poster of wood or cast iron. It may have a canopy, curtains, throw pillows and blankets, and a bedspread that is well embellished with patterns, fringe, bows, and ribbons.

* Decorating bedroom styles such as Victorian will also include a great deal of accessorizing, such as with enormous, overstated rugs, flowering plants, and ornate gold frames surrounding paintings of flowers, birds, children, or maidens.

No matter the bedroom decorating ideas you use, as long as you remain focused and follow through, you’re certain to enjoy the final achievement.

Bamboo Window Blinds - For Style, Elegance and Ease

Window blinds made of bamboo were traditionally in use for centuries in Japan and other parts of Asia. Now days, these bamboo window binds have seen a revival and have become increasingly popular in rest of the world too.

The inspiration behind these classical bamboo window blinds is the desire to make our houses look more natural.

Bamboo window blinds are fast becoming a trend because bamboo is environment friendly, grows fast and is ready for use in a short duration of five to six years.

Bamboo window blinds come in a number of styles. They are colorful, natural and full of texture. Raw materials used in making bamboo window blinds are bamboo, grasses and reeds.

Bamboo window blinds are made from the fibrous part of the bamboo wood. This makes it much more easier to derive wood for the blinds without causing any harm to the bamboo plant.

Why Bamboo Window Blinds?

* Bamboo window blinds are natural, beautiful, easy and flexible to design.
* Are conventional, stylish and elegant.
* Bamboo window blinds are easy to maintain.
* Bamboo window blinds can easily be adjusted to let the
amount of light that you want.
* Bamboo window blinds are very good at keeping light out.
* Bamboo window blinds are easy to clean.
* Bamboo window blinds are durable and dense.
* Bamboo window blinds are environment friendly.
* Bamboo window blinds contract and expand comparatively
less than blinds made of hardwood.
* Bamboo window blinds offer good ventilation.
* Bamboo window blinds have a knotty pattern.
* Bamboo window blinds are easy to blend with any decor.
* Bamboo window blinds offer diversity in appearance.
* Bamboo window blinds offer high quality at a
comparatively lower cost.
* Bamboo window blinds are easy to install.
* Bamboo window blinds require low maintenance as compared
to other blinds.
* Bamboo window blinds are a good insulator.


Versatile, graceful and durable bamboo window blinds

Bamboo window blinds are simply fun to use because of their versatility. They have a flair and grace of their own and come with different lifting abilities.

Do not go by the appearance of these bamboo blinds. They may look delicate but on the contrary are very resistant and durable. When treated with chemicals, bamboo window blinds become moisture and insect proof.

Elegant and stylish as they are, these bamboo window blinds come in different colors and styles. A number of bamboo window treatments available in the market, further help in giving blinds a distinct style and effect. They can be used in any room and setting with the same remarkable effect.

With proper lighting, bamboo window blinds have a glow and aura of their own. They are very good for exclusive and artistic upholstery decoration. They can be custom made to suit individual requirements. Infact bamboo window blinds are the flavor these days. They are being used with impunity for decoration in hotels, resorts, offices and homes alike.

You can find a variety of bamboo window blinds online. Companies like American, Hunter Douglas, Graber and Kirsch offer bamboo window blinds in different styles and colours online. There are discounts on offer as well as the
facility to compare prices. With so much to offer, these bamboo window blinds are a must to give our rooms a sophisticated and chic look.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Office Furniture






Furniture Slipcovers Can Transform Your Home In An Instant!

These days furniture slipcovers can be found for seats of all shapes and sizes, from wing backed chairs to sectional sofas, from loveseats to ottomans. Fitting a new slipcover to a favorite piece of furniture offers a simple yet effective way to instantly improve its appearance and give it a fresh lease of life. Ready made slipcovers for sofas and chairs are the cheapest option, but even having fitted slipcovers custom made can be relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to the costs of re-upholstery or buying a whole new suite. A real benefit of a slipcover is that it can be easily replaced whenever you fancy a change, or if it needs to be washed.

Furniture in many rooms can be slipcovered. In the family room, sofa slipcovers, as well as looking pretty, have the practical function of protecting your existing fabric from everyday wear and tear. Why not buy a few sets of discount slipcovers if you've got pets of small children? That can be an affordable way to always ensure you have spare furniture covers in case of accidents! Most modern slipcover materials are designed to be easy to care for and are fully machine washable. It can be worth spending a bit more on hardwearing fabrics such as cotton, particularly for seats that get used regularly. Why not look for matching recliner chair covers for a stylish, coordinated look?

Stretch slipcovers are also available for other rooms. For example, dining chair slipcovers can be purchased to protect good quality upholstery from food or drink spills. They appear in assorted colors and patterns. Many humans like to accept a set of affluence covers to add a blow of breeding to banquet parties or appropriate occasions. Folding and kitchen coverings are broadly accessible too. If you're tired of the appearance of your home, fitting some new slipcovers is an easy way to give an entire room a makeover without the inconvenience of decorating.

A new slipcover can enhance the look and feel of a whole room, with minimal fuss, and can be changed whenever you fancy a new image!

kitchens

A Guide To Using Decorative Window Film

Decorative window film can be an economical way to add both privacy and style to your home. Whether you apply it yourself or have a professional do it you’ll appreciate the beauty and functionality of the product.

Many people choose decorative window film not for the privacy aspect but because of the aesthetic value. There are many different designs available and they can be used to complement the décor in every room.

If you are considering replacing windows in your home than you can inquire about having the window film applied before the new windows are delivered. Ask the representative from the window company if they do handle the application of decorative window film. If they do they will show you samples of the available types of decorative window film they sell.

Having many windows in a home can help filter in the warmth and brightness of the sun all year long. Some of those windows may face a busy street or look onto a neighbor’s home stealing your privacy.

Decorative window film that resembles etched glass is a very popular choice. It is an economical solution to a family that wants the look of etched glass windows without having the burden of the price.

If you are applying decorative window film to one or two small windows than you might want to save the money you’d pay in labor and try it yourself. You’ll just need a few simple tools and patience to get the job done.

One way to correct this problem without having to cover the window with a blind or a shade is decorative window film. Decorative window film comes in many different designs and once applied to the window it makes it almost impossible for anyone to see inside.

Another approach is to purchase a roll of decorative window film and apply it yourself. This can be a tedious task as the film needs to be applied without any air bubbles beneath it. It also has to be completely straight so that it is aesthetically pleasing when you look at it from both inside and outside of the home.

Glass battery stalls are addition atom in your home area you can advance adorning window film. Many humans wish added aloofness while they are demography a battery and applying window blur affords that. It aswell can add a admirable emphasis to your bathroom.

Applying decorative window film can be done in several ways. One is to hire a contractor who has experience in applying decorative window film. Once you have chosen the decorative window film that you want, they will come to your home and apply it for you.

3 Great Reasons To Buy A Portable Air Conditioner

1. Oprah said so.

2. It looks like the robot from “Lost In Space”.

3. Brad and Angelina are adopting one.


For those of you who make your decisions based on real information, here are some cool portable air conditioner facts.

A goldmine of enlightening information can be uncovered by visiting forums. For instance, when I wanted to tap into the experiences of actual portable air conditioner owners, all I had to do was Google “portable air conditioner forums” and Voila!, I had instant access to pages of relevant information from 3 different forums.

I encourage you to try this technique. Just substitute any generic product or service description for “portable air conditioners” plus the word “forums”.

What I uncovered was concerns over energy consumption, how energy consumption impacts circuit load, noise level, venting, the disposal of water from the dehumidifying process, and of course, price.

Portable Air Conditioner Energy Consumption
In the United States, the average air conditioner runs 750 hours each year. Since air conditioners use a lot of electricity, their efficiency has become a public issue. The EER, or Energy Efficiency Rating, is the ratio of the Btu's per hour to the number of watts the unit draws.

EER ratings of 7 or 8 are at the low end of energy efficiency. Many units have ratings around 12 which are good. The highest rated portable air conditioner I could find was the Amcor AL10000E . It has an awesome EER of 16.6.

Portable Air Conditioner Circuit Load
Before you start your search for a portable air conditioner, check your breaker box for the number of amps available to the room you want cooled. If you buy a unit that draws 14.5 amps on a 15 amp circuit, you’ll have the additional but unintended cooling effect of sitting in the dark while enjoying your new portable air conditioner.

How Noisy Is A Portable Air Conditioner?
Most portable air conditioners that deliver 14,000 Btu’s or less have a noise level around 50 decibels. This is comparable to the loudness of most refrigerators. At 60 decibels, a 16,000 Btu unit is slightly noisier. Think of what it’s like to watch TV in the kitchen while the fridge is running.

Portable Air Conditioner Venting
There is some controversy as to whether a dual hose unit is superior to the single hose configuration. On one hand, a single hose unit will exhaust from the room some portion of the cool air it just produced.

On the other hand, a dual hose unit eliminates this problem, but the warmer unconditioned air used to cool their compressors results in slightly less efficiency. They also use two internal fans which result in slightly higher energy usage.

Another hot topic at the forums that people are venting about is having to wrap insulation around the hose of their single hose unit. This is done to prevent the hot exhaust hose from adding heat back into the room. Personally, I can’t think of anything better than duct tape wrapped around insulation to brighten up a room.

Water Water Everywhere
Portable air conditioners offer three methods for disposing of the water extracted by the dehumidifier component.

The most convenient is auto evaporation which eliminates the need for drains or reservoirs. The reliability of this method varies from unit to unit.

The second method is direct drain using a hose attached to the unit. This can be problematic unless the unit is located near a floor drain. Not much chance of that, so you’ll have to use a bucket.

And finally, you get to empty the pan yourself. Just make sure the pan is large enough so the air conditioner doesn’t shut off in the middle of the night when the pan fills up.

Price
I think price is a secondary consideration to efficiency. As usual, a higher priced unit that operates more efficiently will always end up costing less in the long run than a cheaper, less efficient model.

Portable air conditioners are abundant beneath able than commensurable window units and amount almost alert as much. What you're paying for is the adaptability to cycle it from one allowance to addition or into a closet for simple storage.

Another Option to Consider
For the price of a portable air conditioner you might be able to buy a window air conditioner AND a new window to put it in.

Security In Your Home

Physical security is very important to a home owner. Your home is one of your most important possessions since this is where you and your loved ones reside.

Once you know that your home is safe from intruders, you can rest assured that your material and personal possessions as well as your loved ones, are secured.

There are several parts of your home that you need to secure by using electronic devices:

- The perimeter of your house to prevent burglars from intruding on your home.

- Enclosed areas within the house should be secured as well, in case of fire.

- Your garage should also have an intruder alarm to protect your vehicles, aside from the anti-theft device on the car itself.

It does not matter what style of life you lead. Home security should be and essential part of your budget to give you peace of mind. In addition to providing physical security in the home, your home security system should also help you find help should an emergency ensue.

Here are some tips when planning for the security of your home:

1. Make an initial survey of your house and from there, develop a home security plan.

Check all of the rooms and the area outside of your house. Determine if the neighbors have a clear view of what is going on within your house.

Having a very open area that can be easily observed by anyone from the outside may be a threat to your security.

2. When placing burglar alarms or intruder sensors, place them in strategic areas in and out of your house.

Home security need not be expensive. You do not need to put in alarms and sensors on each and every part of the house.

As long as they are installed on the proper places, then your house will be secured enough.

3. Review your way of living and the size of your family.

Do you often have visitors who may roam around freely? Do you have a member of the family who may come inside the house in the middle of the night?

These factors will help you decide on the “level” of security system that you will install on your home.

4. You can place sensors within your house. These sensors can be installed on windows to alarm you of intruders.

In addition, you may install sensors within the house, specifically in hallways, to warn you of intruders within the house.

5. Place fire alarms in areas around the house which is most likely to gather heat or smoke.

An unusual level of smoke, fire or heat can easily be detected to warn you of impending fire threats.

6. There are mechanical locks and sensors that you can install on doors for good measure.

7. For households with babies, you may purchase a baby monitor or a video surveillance.

A video security system in your house will give you peace of mind. You may also “automate” your home, and watch your children from your TV screen so that you can keep track of what they are doing.

Whether you accept to install it yourself or get the casework of a aggregation which specializes in architecture aegis systems, home aegis should not be taken for granted।

You should put in extra time and effort in order to ensure that you and your family have a happy and physically secure environment.

A Security Camera System Plays An Important Role In Your Home Security.

To observe what's going on, you can add to your home security system a security camera system. They are the ultimate home aegis product. Whether you reside in a ample estate, in a gated community, or accept a abode in the suburbs, they are advised fit your needs. Video cameras are an avant-garde accession for your home aegis system. The most basic security camera system would be a single camera connected directly to a monitor and a recorder to store the video.

Types:

There are several different types of security cameras. A few security cameras are black and white security cameras, color security cameras, wireless security cameras, night vision security cameras, and vandal resistant security cameras. Besides differing in function and design, security cameras also vary in price. Some security cameras also allow remote access, therefore allowing access to the monitors through an Internet connection.

Size & Resolution:

Video monitors come in a variety of sizes. It is best to buy a larger monitor because the smaller ones may be hard to view. CCTV monitors may have as many as 1000 lines of screen resolution as compared to 550 lines on ordinary televisions. This shows that security monitors do have their place in a home security system.

Advantages:

The advantages to owning a security camera in your home include:

· It has the ability to monitor people in your home.
· They can even save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.
· It’s easy for you to know who is in your home at all times with remote access.

Security:

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) Security Systems is a fast growing segment of the security market. They are a relatively cheap addition home security systems. The security system consists of cctv security cameras, security monitors, sensors and cabling. Wireless cameras provide an extra measure of coverage since they can be positioned anywhere quickly. These are good trends in the security industry.

Advice on Building a Bunk Bed

Bunk bed plans are design plans to build the perfect bunk bed. Bunk bed plans include do-it-yourself instructions to build a bunk bed out of wood. Some plans include just the bunks, while others also include plans to build drawers and other features.

Most bunk bed plans begin with the building of two twin size beds. Then the plan explains how to build the infrastructure and attach the beds. Some plans include instructions to use box springs to support the mattress rather than merely plywood. Such a design will make the bunk bed more comfortable for kids.

When building a bunk bed, special attention must be paid to safety because the bed will not be subject to quality control testing like beds created in factories. Safety tips to keep in mind when building and/or maintaining beds created with you bunk bed plan begin with making sure the top bunk has guard rails on all four sides. It is critical to ensure that the mattress fits snugly on all sides of the bed, and that the bed frame is sturdy. Finally, the ladder must be firmly connected to the bed.

Bunk bed plans have several advantages. To begin, there is obvious satisfaction from your child, or someone else, sleeping in a bed that you constructed. Likewise, upon completed the bed, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment. Building your bunk bed also provides the ability for customization. You can select the type of wood, the finish, etc., as well as add ornaments such as hardware (e.g., handles) that meet your tastes and style. Finally, by taking extra precautions and care, it is possible for the bunk bed you build to be even safer than those created in factories.`

Choose A Theme With Baby Room Decorating Ideas

These days, the number of baby room decorating ideas are practically limitless due to the many different items available to expecting parents. Therefore, decorating a baby room has more to do with narrowing down your options than coming up with them in the first place. Among the best ways to come up with the right baby room ideas for decorating is to begin with a theme, and then expand from there.

To choose a theme for baby room decorating, start by brainstorming those ideas for decorating baby room that you find most pleasing. Remember that you’ll want it to be something that your baby will find enjoying to first learn and recognize. It should be interesting and fun to look at for the baby, to provide the right amount of stimulation.

Decorating a babyish allowance can be as simple as allotment a teddy buck affair and again traveling from there. For example, your accomplish for the teddy buck affair if decorating a babyish allowance may be as follows:

* Furniture – among the most appealing baby room furniture is that made out of solid wood because of its classic elegance and reliable quality. The furniture may include a crib, dresser, changing table, and rocking chair, depending on your budget and the amount of space you have in the nursery.

* Walls – baby room decorating with teddy bears can mean the standard classic brown bears, or bears of different colors. You can either stencil them, paint a mural, or add some wallpaper.

* Floors – many people don’t even think about the floors as a part of decorating a baby room. However, the floors really do finish the look, with hardwood, soft carpeting, or pleasant throw rugs.

* Bedding – it is extremely simple to find adorable teddy bear baby room decorating ideas for bedding. There will be ample sets to choose from in every store you visit. Just make sure that they are of good quality, are machine washable (and dryable), hypoallergenic, and, of course, are very soft.

Besides that, all you need to finish your baby room decorating is a teddy bear!




By Source World Science Forum

10 Important Things to Consider Before Designing a New Kitchen

Here are 10 important guidelines for your kitchen design project.

1. For efficiency, the work triangle (the space between the sink, refrigerator, and stove) should measure 26’ or less with no single side longer than 9’, or less than 4’.

2. In kitchens smaller than 150 sq. ft., opt for at least 13’ of base cabinets, 12’ of wall cabinets, and 11’ of countertop. In kitchens which are larger, go with at least 16’ of base cabinets, 15 1/2’ of wall cabinets, and 16 1/2’ of countertop.

3. For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42” wide for one cook, and at least 48” wide in multi-cook kitchens.

4. Specify a minimum of 24” of counter space on one side of the sink and at least 18” on the other.

5. To create the most accessible landing for unloading groceries, allow at least 15” of counter space on the handle side of a standard refrigerator; on both sides if it’s a side-by-side model. Or include a landing area directly across from the refrigerator, but no more than 48” away.

6. For cleanup ease, install the dishwasher within 36” of one edge of the sink and allow for at least 21” of standing room next to it.

7. For microwaves and ovens, provide at least 15 “ of counter space nearby, at least 16” deep.

8. For optimum clearance, no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors should interfere with another.

9. For comfort and to help avoid repetitive-motion injury, plan for work counters of different heights; between 28 and 36” off the floor (easier for chopping and seated-use access), and between 36 and 46” for general tasks (higher counters accommodate taller cooks).

10. To install a cabinet unit above the cook top, make sure the clearance is at least 24” for a fireproof surface, 30” for an unprotected surface.

Designing a kitchen is as abundant a science as it is an art. Knowing the recommended abstracts to use if planning the activity can accomplish all the aberration in the final outcome