Spring is that time of year when our gardens begin to come to life again; the plants start to come out and color returns to our flowers. But if you want your garden to look truly beautiful come spring time you need to be preparing some time before. That is of course unless you are happy with a trip to local garden center, where you can pick up maturing plants.

When to Plant

First and foremost, if you want to plant your own flowers then you need to have planted the bulbs between October and December of the year before, or as they say, before the first frost. Plants which are planted as bulbs include daffodils, grape hyacinths, crocus and tulips.

Bulbs have what is known as a long dormant period which means they spend most of the year without requiring any attention at all. If you are going to buy bulbs then choose them like you would your vegetables in the super market. [Read more…]

A flat roof is a type of covering that has a slope of one to five degrees. Also known as low-pitch roof, it is constructed to sit horizontally or nearly horizontally on top of the building and acts as a level platform that provides support to the load.

Flat roofs have been widely used in residential and commercial spaces in regions where the climate is warm, rainfall is less, and freezing is unlikely to occur. Such a roof  type is not advised to be used in areas where it might be saturated by leak and rain, or in areas where snowfall is heavy as it may end up breaking.

As with any other roofing system, a flat roof may develop leaks years before the whole roof needs a replacement. Often the leaks are caused by a blistered or a cracked area, which can sometimes be hard to locate. If you own a house that has a flat roof, it is vital that you regularly address its maintenance needs. This way, you can be assured that your roofing system will last a long time. [Read more…]

Painting the exterior of your home can be a tricky job, and many beginners are unsure of what type and color of paint they should use. Although paint choices are mostly a personal decision, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing the right paint for your home.

Keeping the following tips in mind will help you have the most success when painting the exterior of your home:

1 – What Color Should I Paint My Home?

There are many different factors to consider when choosing a paint color for your home. First of all, take a look at the other homes in your neighborhood. You will want your home to match or contrast nicely with the homes of your neighbors. For instance, if all of the houses in your neighborhood are painted in quiet, neutral  colors, you will want to choose a somewhat neutral color for your home as well. [Read more…]

After ironing, window cleaning is probably the second most hated household chore. Windows are large, get dirty easily and never seem to be streak free no matter what products you use. Dirty sills and frames, smeared finger prints and even marks from rain drops can make cleaning your windows a complicated task, but cleaning them can be done quickly and easily.

Here are three tips for cleaning your windows with minimal effort and cost:

1 – First, before you begin cleaning the windows you should inspect the sill and frame for dirt and cobwebs, using a dustpan and brush or feather duster to remove them. This will ensure that you will not create a mess later when actually wiping your windows clean, as loose dirt will not cling to your cloth and cause streaky marks over the glass. You can use a shop-bought polish and a dusting clothing, or you can simply opt for a damp cloth dipped in hot water which will almost certainly do the trick just as well. [Read more…]

Lighting can make a dramatic difference in a home, office, or in fact any building. Our ancestors were masters at making the best of natural light, but to be honest this only worked well in warmer climates until glass windows were invented, and even then only the richest of people and the Church could afford glass windows!

Using Natural Light – Light Pipes

Natural light can be used in even enclosed spaces with no direct access to outside light by the use of a ‘light pipe’. This is in fact a very old idea – the Egyptians used to use a similar setup to light the insides of their tombs and monoliths.

The idea was that strategically placed mirrors would in effect direct light from the outside to where it was needed. If done properly, this would fill a room with light even though there were no windows. All that was needed was one opening with direct access to the sun. [Read more…]