Montgomery Decor

If most people had to make a list of products made from cork it would generally stop at wine stoppers and pin boards, however cork is also a wonderful flooring material. Reasons for buying cork flooring is numerous and include, great insulation properties, eco friendly and is even good for those with allergies.

1# Insulation

If reducing you energy bills is something that is important to you then cork floors will certainly help with this. Cork’s insulation properties mean that your home will be kept warm in winter and cool in the summer

Also because cork is a soft material it prevents noise being carried by people walking over it. This is especially useful if you live in an apartment and don’t want your neighbours to hear you walking about at 3am!

2# Environmentally Friendly

Cork comes from the outer bark of the cork oak tree which grows in the Mediterranean. The bark is mainly used for wine stoppers however because so many wine producers are opting for plastic corks or even screw-tops, this has caused economic and environmental problems in the cork producing areas. Cork oak forests are a superb habitat for many species of animals and birds including Barbary deer, Iberian lynx, black vulture and the imperial Iberian eagle. Also, because only the outer layer of bark is used, the tree does not have to be felled. So if people stopped buying cork products what would happen to the cork oak forests? It is estimated that three quarters of forest could be lost within the next 10 years which is why wildlife charities are currently campaigning for a reversal of this trend. If cork growers aren’t making money from their trees then they may be uprooted or burnt.

3# Durable

Although cork is a soft material you’d be wrong to think that it won’t be able to withstand everyday life. When buying a cork floor look to see what protective coating the manufacturers give. If it has been treated with several acrylic, urethane or wax then it should be guaranteed to last for 15 years. Some experts say that urethane is the best option.

4# Health Benefits

With many allergy sufferers these days, you may be looking for a floor covering which is hypoallergenic. Cork does not absorb dust, does not shed microfibres or contain polyvinyl chlorides so is the ideal material.

5# Choice

If you like a wide choice when making a purchase then you will certainly be spoilt for choice when selecting your cork floor. They come in a variety of colors and patterns – some of the patterns are as spectacular as any marble!

You also need to ask the supplier what the density is because this affects how much abuse it can withstand. Look for cork floors with a density of at least 30 pounds per cubic foot. The thickness should also be at least 3/16 inch.

When shopping for a cork floor you will see it in the form of tiles or laminate “floating floors”. Tiles are good if you have a smooth flat surface to lay them on however if your floor it rough and uneven then the “floating floor” is the best choice.

Installation

Installation of both cork tiles and floating floor click systems are very easy to install for the average DIYer. Before you have your cork floor installed make sure that you unwrap the plastic and leave it to get used to the temperature of the room for 3 days. This might sound strange but cork can expand and contract with the heat and cold.

Flooring is normally associated with something you put over the top of concrete to cover it up. Historically, bare concrete is not something considered to be attractive or desirable as a final flooring finish. But with newly developed acid etching, technology concrete flooring as a final floor finish is becoming much more common.

Colored concrete has been around for a long time, but never became very popular. Dye can be added at the concrete mixing plant, or the bare floor can be painted after it cures. But this type of finish generally looks pretty ugly. However, etching and staining concrete flooring goes far beyond colored concrete. The colors and patterns that can be achieved are truly spectacular. Most of the stain and etch colors are earth tones. But the variety of subtle shades in coloration is often as rich and deep as natural marble or granite. Sometimes even a leather or wood look can be achieved with the browns, reds and yellows.

The first step with etched concrete flooring is making sure the bare floor is as smooth and free of defects as possible. Any blemishes, markings, cracks or irregularities will show through in the final floor. Acid staining a concrete floor is a lot like staining wood. The stain penetrates and becomes part of the concrete. It does not just coat the surface. The stain adds to the appearance of the concrete, rather than covering it up. So the original concrete is very important. Staining concrete is almost an art form, so you want to give the person doing the staining as close to a blank canvas as you can.

The next step is for the person doing the artwork to test how the floor will react to the stains and acids he plans to use. Not all concrete is the same. It is almost impossible to precisely predict how it will react. He will have a general idea, but testing on an area that will be under a cupboard or some other out of the way location will give him a much better idea what the final floor will look like. Almost always, the various colors of stain will be put down in an artist pattern of some sort. So the next step is to lay out the pattern on the floor.

Then he applies the stains. Generally he uses a mix of hydrochloric acid, water and metal salts. Different types of metal salts will give different colors. The ratio of acid to water will help determine how deep into the concrete the stain goes. The hydrochloric acid reacts with the calcium hydroxide used in the concrete and slightly etches the surface of the concrete, allowing the metal to penetrate. The metal salts, acid, water and concrete then react chemically, revealing deep and beautiful color variations. The result is deep, mottled and variegated but that is a big part of the rich beauty of acid etched concrete flooring. The patterns and colors are part of the floor and are permanent.

After the pattern is fully developed and dried, the surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned and neutralized. You don’t want the acid left on the surface. As a final step the concrete is sealed with an acrylic or epoxy sealer.

The cost of etched and stained concrete flooring varies widely. It has become an art form, so much of the cost is the time, skill and intricate detail put into it by the concrete etch artist. A lot of work goes into one of these floors. But the final result, if properly done by a talented and trained artist, is every bit as beautiful as a marble floor and will last just about forever.

Wind is another powerful energy like the sun light and water current that can be transformed into electric energy. This is what is called the wind power. The wind turbines are used to produce power from wind. Currently the power generated from wind fulfills about 1% of the total power requirement of the world. The windmills are positioned and they are connected to the electric grids to produce electrical energy from it.

You are free to generate ample energy from wind and there is no pollution related to this. This energy is absolutely eco-friendly and can be used for various commercial as well as domestic purposes. The oldest usage of the wind power is recorded for the sailors who used to avail this while sailing on the boats for long journeys. The first windmill of the world was built in Afghanistan. There are turbines with multiple blades which often generate huge wind power.

Residential Production of Wind Power

The price of electricity is increasing tremendously in today’s world and this is the reason why many people are taking interest in setting up the wind power system at their homes. In case of producing the wind power at home, you need to place a wind turbine at the top of a high tower or building so that the kinetic energy formed by the wind gets transformed into electric energy to fulfill the needs of the domestic house hold.

The wind power produced like this runs through the cables and wires in your house. But often the quantity of the energy produced by the wind power is more than the requirement of the houses. This is the reason why there are many utility companies which offer you to buy the electricity back when they are not required by you.

The wind turbine used for the domestic wind power production is smaller than the commercial ones but they are sufficiently effective. Moreover this is going to cut down the electricity bills significantly.

Benefits of Wind Power

The most important and significant benefit of using wind power is that this reduces the level of pollution remarkably. The wind turbines work on the simple principles of transformation of energy and this is the reason why there is no way the environment will get polluted because of this.

The statistics show that usage of wind power will cut down the pollutant level up to 1.2 metric tons. Some of the people used to feel that the production of wind power for the residential purpose will not be a beneficial one.

But in reality this is quite easy and produces more power than you actually need. So if you wish to get rid of those fat electric bills then the wind power is the best option.

If you live in an area where there are plenty of thunderstorms, you need to be very careful about the idea of lightning striking your house. It can wreak havoc on your home in many different ways. Some people think this is just a myth but research has proven there is plenty of truth to it.

The damage is the result of the lightning traveling through the electrical system of your home. It will move very quickly in a quest to reach the ground as fast as it can. This means it can affect your phone lines and your plumbing pipes as well. It is a good idea to stay off the phone and the computer during a thunderstorm. For this reason you should avoid taking a bath or a shower during a thunderstorm.

You can get injured or even killed if the lightning is attempting to travel through one of these resources that you are using. Ask anyone who has been struck by lightning, and they will tell you it is not a pleasant experience. Even if you don’t get injured you may end up having to replace your phone, computer, TV, and any other appliances that have a microchip in them.

To prevent such damage from occurring, unplug any appliances you don’t necessarily need when a thunderstorm is raging down upon you. In the event that your home does get struck by lightning you won’t suffer any injures and none of your household electrical appliances will be ruined.

Many people opt to place a lightning rod on top of their roof. This way if lightning does happen to strike in the area, it will be there and not do any damage to your home. The device has a ground on it so the lightning will use it as the fastest way to reach the ground and it will completely bypass all of your electrical and plumbing systems.

An energy shield is also a viable option because they are built specifically to prevent lightning and power surges from affecting your appliances. You will need to have the energy shield installed by a professional. An energy shield works just like a surge protector for your computer. This is the best way to protect all of your electrical circuits from suffering any damage due to electrical storms.

With the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) you will have all the power you need when you need it. This is the best way of protecting your computer, especially when the user doesn’t take the time to shut it down properly. When the power goes out suddenly though you don’t have that option. With a UPS in place, you won’t suffer the loss of your data during such occurrences.

You will find plenty of different accessories out there for protecting your home from lightning. You can buy them online or from a home improvement store. If you are having them professionally installed then chances are they will include the price of the equipment in the package.

It is important to buy the right products for the needs of your home. You will need to conduct some research to find out what your options are and how they apply specifically to your home. Don’t wait for damage to occur from an electrical storm before you do anything about it. Take every precaution now because this investment will be less expensive than replacing all the damaged items.

1. CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs) save energy two ways: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program estimates that Energy-Star-qualified CFLs use up to 75% less home energy than their incandescent counterparts. They can last as long as 10 times longer than conventional light bulbs and often come with partial-time warranties (you are guaranteed, for example, that the bulb will last at least 2 years or longer).

Since lighting can amount to between 15 and 20% of the average electric bill, using bulbs that require much less energy will show up on your utility bill. To see real savings, the Energy Star program suggests that you replace your 5 “busiest” light bulbs with CFLs.

This might include lighting fixtures in the bathroom, kitchen, family room, your porch light or security lights (if you burn them all night). Watch for the “busy” use patterns in your house and replace the light bulbs that always seem to be turned on-or left on.

Energy Star points out that the real savings in terms of the environment happen outside your home. Using just one CFL in every home in the U.S., Energy Star asserts, saves greenhouse-gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of 800,000 cars. Recapturing cleaner air, plus your own personal savings, are excellent reasons to use CFLs.

2. CFLs can do the things conventional incandescent light bulbs can do: CFLs are relatively new technology, meeting challenges one at a time, so you may still have a brief wait before you see CFLs that respond to all you needs and wants. Rest assured, however, that technology is moving quickly to answer consumer concerns.

How about an outdoor-quality CFL? Coming along nicely, thank you-including yellow bug-lights. What about three-way CFLs-already on the shelf. Manufacturers of CFLs are well aware that consumers want keep their favorite fixtures and need as wide a variety of choices as they have in incandescent bulbs. If you don’t see what you want, ask your retailer-probably your CFLs are already on order.

3. You don’t have to hide funny-looking bulbs under shades any more: One of the strongest objections to CFLs has been aesthetic-the light’s okay, but the bulbs look so techy. Picture a flame-tipped, soft-white bulb that fits the small receptacles of your chandelier-and reach out to take it off the store shelf! Use it with a dimmer switch? You bet! The variety of covered CFLs is expanding rapidly in response to consumer demand.

4. It’s easy to get the same amount of light from a CFL as an incandescent: After years of counting 60-75-100-150, consumers find the new wattage numbers confusing: how much light can you expect from a “13-watt” CFL? (Even the most penny-pinching of landlords used 25-watt bulbs in the hall.) Surprisingly, a 13-watt CFL produces the same light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

To determine the amount of light from incandescent bulbs and CFLs, you need only change the number you read. The amount of light you see, as opposed to the energy used, is expressed in “lumens,” from the Latin word for “light.” You can find the lumens generated by both kinds of lights printed on the packages-quick and easy.

5. CFL light looks just like . . . light! The old put-down of fluorescent lights-see great, look awful-is definitely a things of the past. CFLs have been engineered to produce warm light, soft, diffused light, and enhanced-spectrum light that resembles daylight. Put an enhanced-spectrum incandescent bulb into one lamp, and put a comparable CFL into another-you will find it very difficult to tell which is which without peeking under the shades.

First, sit down and list what you would like to see as part of your new spa-splendiferous bathroom. Things to consider include a whirlpool bath, multi-purpose showerhead, tile floor, surround tub, and coordinated accessories.

Next, examine your budget. Bluntly put: “How much can you afford?” The amount of money you can spend will help determine what you buy and where you buy it as well as where to focus your remodeling plans.

Speaking of budget. Remember, there are various possibilities to obtain less expensive materials to create your splendiferous bathroom spa. Check bathroom supply warehouses and outlets for used, but not abused, material. Consider showcases and last-of –the-line models. Visit shops that have recycled building material stores. Some places, like Habitat For Humanity, have opened stores where such material can be obtained relatively inexpensively. In the summer, check garage sales. And this is not for the faint of heart; check out the remodeling happening in your neighborhood. While you might not obtain a new whirlpool bathtub, you might pick up some accessories or other material for a reasonable price.

There are some jobs you can do yourself. There are others you might want to hire an expert for. It depends upon availability of money and time and is also a question of expertise. Decide what you can or are willing to attempt or do before proceeding further with the project.

Installing a whirlpool bath with its multi jest can take a day and a half to remove the old tub, prepare the space and install a new tub. More time is involved if you have to patch the walls and repair the tiles. If there is damage, why not redo the walls and floor as well. Maybe, just change the tiles near the tub to create a separation between the spa and the rest of the bathroom.

In lieu of replacing the tub, you might simply replace the showerhead. There are many different types of multiple showerheads on the market guaranteed to provide a sensuous experience. The benefit of this replacement is the facility with which it can be installed. Even a raw rookie can install a new showerhead within an hour. Simply make sure you have the right tools and supplies: adjustable wrench, channel lock pliers and a slot headed screwdriver, pipe compound or tape, masking or duct tape, cleaners e.g. white vinegar or a decalcifier. You unscrew the old showerhead, clean the area around it, apply pipe joint compound around the water pipe’s screw threads, screw on the new showerhead, tighten it, then turn it on to test it. Tighten more if it is necessary. Your body will appreciate the effort you have made and you will proud of yourself if you have never done this before.

There are other things you can do to create the sense of a spa. Replace all your old and worn towels with big, fluffy new ones. Buy them in attractive and relaxing colors. Coordinate them with the shades of the new or old tiles. Purchase an inflatable pillow to use while in the bath and, if you can’t afford to install a platform around the bathtub, buy a tray that will suit the purpose. You can place on it a book, filled glass and such decadent edibles as chocolate.

Don’t stint on the bubble bath, burn incense and relax, relax, relax.

One of the most important parts of any bathroom is the mirror. When properly lighted, a bathroom mirror can be every woman’s best friend. Have you ever wondered why some bathrooms can be so friendly and welcoming while others are harsh and uninviting?

The answer probably lies on proper lighting. Let’s admit it; everyone spends a considerable amount of time in front of a mirror. We primp and preen in front of a mirror trying to fix ourselves in as many ways as we can. A mirror is an important tool in providing ourselves proper grooming. The mirror needs to be properly lighted so that spending time in front of it will be an everyday pleasing routine.

It is a challenge to provide good lighting for a mirror. Lighting a mirror properly will eliminate unnecessary shadows and provide good illumination for every user. Frequently, we see only a single ceiling fixture in a bathroom. Instead of providing a friendly illumination, this type of lighting only casts shadows below your eyes and hit your eyebrows, which are definitely unfriendly effects. Cross lighting is the key to good mirror lighting. Cross lighting includes direct light from above, both sides and below. Achieving this can be made possible through a wide range of available lighting fixtures. Glare from frosted bulbs or those fixtures with opaque plastic or glass shields should be avoided.

Decorators suggest that the sink’s front edge and countertop should be illuminated with a light on the ceiling above the mirror. This could be a recessed task light that can be a round incandescent ceiling fixture that should be at least 12 inches in diameter with a bulb rating of 100 to 120 watts. You can also choose a fluorescent ceiling fixture above the sink. It is recommended that a fluorescent ceiling fixture above the sink should hold two 24-inch bulbs with 20 watt rating.

In order to complete the cross lighting, you should place light fixtures on both sides of the mirror. It is important to choose a light fixture that casts light in four directions – up, down and both sides. Rows of exposed incandescent bulbs with low wattage are especially designed to light mirrors. Pendants or wall-mounted fixtures are also common choices. These types of fixtures should be placed at eye level and should have at least 60 to 70 watt bulb. Fluorescent tubes are also favored choices because these utilize low electric consumption and last longer. Today, there are a lot of fluorescent tubes that are designed for vanity use and which provide a full spectrum light. A 24 inch 20 watt tube placed on each side of the mirror will create the required illumination. If your bathroom mirror is more than 24 inches wide, you can use a wall mounted light above the mirror and at the same time use the same type of fixture on the sides to complete the cross lighting effect.

Finally, for mirrors larger than 36 inches wide, sidelights may not be enough to provide the desired illumination. However this can be corrected by using powerful overhead light sources, which will be enough to cover even the mid section of the mirror that the side fixtures may fail to illuminate.

The bathroom in any home is one of the most used rooms in the house and it’s also a room that will be seen by many other people besides your family. Based on that fact why not put some work into your bathroom and make it as functional and pleasing to the eye as possible? Dressing up your bathroom with a new sink is a great way to add some nice detail to your décor and by purchasing a new bathroom sink from a discount retailer, it’ll also help to save you money in the process – which is always important when decorating on a budget.

Bathroom sinks have developed a lot over the years. The classic styles from the past are stil there and are still immensely popular. There are, however, plenty of new and funky designs to take any modern bathroom to the next level. Depending on the size and design scheme of your bathroom, you’ll want to choose a sink that fits within those principles. There is a wide variety of economical bathroom sinks to choose from so read on to get an idea of just how many choices you have.

Pedestal Sinks

These are ideal options for smaller bathrooms where space is at a premium and every inch counts. These sinks are available in many different styles with lots of options for the actual pedestal itself and of course the sink that fits on top of each one. They can be classic in design or have a more streamlined and modern look. No matter which style you choose, a pedestal sink will add charm to any bathroom.

Console Lavatories

This type of sink is a classic idea but modern in its design. The bases of these sinks look more like an ‘outline’ leaving the plumbing exposed and usually consist of stainless steel or iron legs with an opening at the top to drop in the sink. These bases of these sinks often have towel racks attached and sometimes even have built-in glass shelves. There are lots of different style options for both the bases and the basins on this type of sink.

Vessel Sinks

This type of sink is bowel shaped and sits on top of a vanity instead of the sink being sunk into the vanity itself. There are tons of styles to choose from with a vessel sink and in almost any material imaginable – everything from stainless steel and stone to porcelain. They’re really stunning and even though they can tend to be quite pricey if you shop online you can find yourself some great bargains.

You probably never realized there were so many sinks to choose from did you? Now you’re better informed you can pick the perfect sink for your bathroom!

If you’re looking to buy a kitchen sink, then you must consider every detail and feature. The Kitchen sink is probably the most used aperture in the whole household, even if you’re using a dishwasher, most of the cleaning is still done in your ordinary kitchen sink, all the more reason why you should find the best one around.

Size

Choosing a kitchen sink apart from being a question of quality is also a question of need. Most of the standard sinks that you will find in the market roughly consist of two 22 by 30 inch sized bowls both 8 inches in depth, however, if you use large pots, you might want bigger sizes or you might want to have them specially made. Nine and Ten inch deep bowls are also available commercially. Added features like bowls for peeled fruits in the center can be very handy.

Whistles and Bells

If you want your sink to have all the whistles and bells available, then you might want more pre-drilled holes on it. Most sinks have four holes on it, one for the hot knob, one for the cold knob, one for the faucet and another one for the shower feature. Some sinks however have extra spouts, for soap dispensers, an air gap for the dishwasher drain, a liquid soap dispenser, a TV, well just kidding about the TV. But if some sinks have extra features that you might not want to use, you can always ask the supplier for ready made plugs to cover the unused holes, conversely, if the sink you choose doesn’t have enough holes, you can easily drill a hole in your sink, or maybe have it drilled by a professional.

Installation

Apart from choosing a design and a type, you should also be aware of your sink’s location, will your chosen sink fit in the desired location etc. You can choose from a self rimming sink or an undermount. A self rimming sink is easier to install and would just rest on top of your counter, however, the underside where the sink meets the countertop can be a breeding ground for bacteria and may be hard to clean. An undermount however, is harder to install because it has to be attached from under the counter. This type however, is easier to clean.

Type of Sink

Now we proceed to choosing which type of sink to choose. To make the choice easier, a few pros and cons are listed together with a brief description of each type of sink.

Stainless Steel

This is probably the most common kitchen sink around and is available in all prices ranges. However, you don’t expect to buy the best quality sink for a cheap price. Usually a cheap stainless steel sink is made of thin metal which flexes and vibrates. This is especially bad because of the racket it makes when the water drums on it or when the garbage disposal vibrates. A good quality sink doesn’t get scratched easily and should be easy to clean. A sign of a good quality sink is also its ability to maintain a brand new appearance even if you just wipe it.

A general rule for buying stainless steel sink is not to buy mirror type ones, sure they’ll look great when brand new, but overtime scratching will mar its surface and give it a foggy dirty look. Another good tip is to check the insulation under the bowl, insulation deadens the water drumming. Foam insulations are always better than those that are just sprayed on.

Enameled Cast Iron

The best thing about enamel cast iron sinks is its elegant finish which is available in many colors. It has a very hard finish and will rarely chip. Another good thing about this is its resistance to water drumming. It keeps hot water hot longer, and if you’re excited about that, you’ll be happy to know that clean up is a breeze, a good wipe over should be enough for this baby to get back its original shine.

Warning: There are Enameled Steel sinks, but these aren’t the same quality as cast iron sinks.

Composite sinks

These are sinks made from a mixture of two different substances to make a very sturdy material. Generally, Acrylic and fiberglass aren’t a very good combination because they tend to easily absorb stains and as time passes, lose the glossy finish.

A Quartz composite sink might be the best choice for this range of sinks. These are known for their durability.

Composite sinks however, are susceptible to scratching. You should avoid rubbing sand or dirt on them or using abrasive cleaners. The water drumming is still present but probably not as loud as stainless steel sinks.

Tip: To make sure that you have a sturdy sink, press down on the bowl, if it flexes, there are chances of a noisy garbage disposal.

Integral solid surface

You can buy a sink that is already integrated with a countertop, mostly in the same color or a complementary design. These types are easily scratched but are easily repaired as
well. The bad side is if you’re tired of the sink, you’ll have to remove the whole countertop.