Home Improvement

Since Uncle Sam’s $1,500.00 energy tax credit expires December 31, 2010, many homeowners are naturally scrambling to find the most energy-efficient replacement window available. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) states:

“One of the best ways to measure the effect of windows on building energy use is known as a U-factor rating. U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping. The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-factor (U-value) of a window assembly. The insulating value is indicated by the R-value which is the inverse of the U-value. The lower the U-value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat and the better its insulating value.”

The U-factor/U-value of a window can be checked by visiting the NFRC website. Check the National Fenestration Rating Council label before you buy. The lower the U-factor, the less you’ll spend heating your home. Compare windows to windows. NFRC-certified U-factors are the only measure of whole window thermal performance.

The Department of Energy says virtually the same thing:

“U-factor is a measure of the rate of the heat flow through a window. The U-factor is the inverse of the R-value, or resistance, the common measure of insulation. When contracting for residential windows, specify NFRC-rated SHGC and U-factor values that meet the Efficiency Recommendation for your geographical region. When buying commercially, look for windows with the EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR label, all of which meet this recommendation. The lower the U-factor, the more energy efficient the windows, doors, or skylight.” Read the rest of this entry »

Buying a sofa can be a hard decision. There are so many to choose from. Whether you are looking to buy a discount living room furniture set or a one off piece for your living room we’ve got the top tips for buying the best sofa to suit your needs.

Choosing a style

When buying a sofa one of the first things to consider is the style. This will depend on a number of things. Firstly, if you are working with a small space you will want to think about the layout and place you want to put the sofa. You don’t want a lounge to take up the entire living space, at the same time you want to make sure you have enough seating for when you have visitors.

You also want to make sure that your lounge matches the decor of the rest of the house. If you have a contemporary home, you’ll want to compliment your living area with a modern style lounge. If you already have more traditional furnishings, you will want to select a sofa that suits the look of your home.

Fabric and frames

Choosing a fabric is important as you need to consider not only the colour but the texture and feel of it. It needs to be comfortable, yet durable. Some fabrics require more care than others so make sure you know what you need to do to look after your couch before you bring it home. If you are a young family with small children and pets you may want to choose a durable, heavy duty fabric.

The frame of the sofa is very important. You want it to be sturdy and made from quality materials as this will affect the longevity of the lounge. Read the rest of this entry »

Food, music and drink generally create the mood at social events. However, when it comes to setting the stage for an outside function, outdoor string lights often steals the show. Outdoor string lights set the ambiance and theme of the party or event. Adults and children all get a thrill from the colorful glow the lights radiate.

Naturally, the type of outdoor string lights needed will depend on the theme, climate, location and budget of the purchaser. There are different styles of outdoor string lights for ever need and budget. The prices range from less than $12.00 (twelve dollars) to over $100 (one-hundred dollars). The most common types of outdoor string lights are: Rope Strings, Strings and Bulbs, Mini Light Sets, Globe Light Sets, Umbrella Sets and Commercial.

Each type of lighting is designed for a specific purpose. Make sure, before purchasing any type of lighting to check the *UL Listing. *UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an organization that test products for product safety. The organization is independent and issue products safety certifications only if all standards and specifications are met. Read the rest of this entry »