Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Get A Luxury Wet Room

Why a wet room?

Advantages:

A wetroom is super-stylish and perfect for creating a contemporary look.

As a second bathroom, a wet room can easily increase the value of your home.

Great for small bathrooms - removing the bath creates loads more space.

Wet rooms are, in general, easier to clean ? no shower screen or tray to worry about and if you go for a wall-hung sink and toilet, it's easier still.

If it's done properly, your floor (the bit under the tiles) is better protected than it would be in a standard bathroom.

Disadvantages:

In small rooms, watch out for wet towels and loo roll caused by spray from the shower.

- You'll need a professional fitter to waterproof the room - if it's not done properly leaking water can cause damage.

Wet rooms should be tiled from floor to ceiling - and that's expensive. And if you go for porous stone tiles they may need to be resealed every few months, which is hard work.

Swapping a main bathroom with bath for a wet room could make your home less saleable - buyers want at least one bath.

In theory, yes. A wet room is basically a shower room that does away with the shower screen and tray, and has an open, fully tiled shower area. If your bathroom is on the small side you probably will need to include a shower screen to prevent everything getting sprayed.

Water drainage

Installing a wet room is a job for the professionals as a gradient needs to be created along the floor to channel the shower water into a drain and then the entire room needs to be tanked (waterproofed). The most common method for creating a gradient is to install a sub-floor made from WBP Ply (a type of plywood), which is then tiled over. Another option is to install a ready-made sloping shower former (a bit like a giant shower tray), which is also then tiled over. Another method is to use a giant preformed tray (sometimes known as a Hi-Macs system) that slopes towards a drain, and can be fitted across the entire floor without the need for tiling over.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing the room involves priming the floor, the lower section of the walls and the whole of the wall area around the shower and then covering with a syrupy membrane. Once it’s set, the room is then tiled. It’s also worth raising the bathroom door threshold by about 5mm from the floor in case the room fills with water (if someone covers the shower drain with a towel, for example). This will keep the water contained

What will it cost?

Tanking (waterproofing) your room and creating a gradient in the floor to channel the shower water to the drain shouldn’t cost you more than £1,000. If you are paying a company to tank and install the wet room, including floor-to-ceiling tiles, suite and shower, expect to pay around £6,500 upwards.

What type of tiles should I use?

Tiles are the most popular wall and floorcovering, but you can opt for sheet vinyl for the floor, or even Corian, which is a seamless, non-porous material that is low-maintenance. If you are going to use tiles, choose non-porous bathroom tiles like ceramic or porcelain. Porous tiles, such as slate, marble and limestone need sealing every few months to prevent water damage. Only use floor tiles specifically for bathrooms on the floor as they aren’t slippery.

Wet Rooms Essex

Monday, February 9, 2009

Garage Storage Cabinets

Garage Storage Cabinets are the best and easy solutions for a crowded garage. Garage storage cabinets are an affordable and secure means to store the workshop tools. Garage storage cabinets help to convert a messy garage into a more useful workspace, reducing the cluster and providing easy access of the stored items.

Garage storage cabinets can also be used to store lawn and garden supplies, tools, sports equipment, workbenches, and trashcans. Common household chemicals and other hazardous substances can be safely stored in secure garage storage cabinets. The proper cabinets can also protect workshop tools and supplies from moisture and dust.

Garage storage cabinets are mainly of durable steel construction, to better withstand their rugged and long-term usage. It is not uncommon to see wood or resin cabinets in garages, though. In addition, sports lockers, wall cabinets, and mobile garage storage cabinets are now available. Garage storage cabinets can be easily mounted on a wall or can be kept in any corner of the garage. Most of garage storage cabinets are off-floor mountable, to help prevent pest infiltration.

Garage storage cabinets are stronger and have more utility value than other average storage cabinets. They often feature adjustable or removable drawers. Door locking systems are included for a safer storage. It is best to confirm that the walls of the cabinets are strong and resistant to adverse environmental changes.

Nowadays, garage storage cabinets come in a variety of designs, are of good quality, and loaded with utility features to satisfy the user’s varying storage requirements. Garage storage cabinets can be purchased from retail showrooms or through the Internet. Custom cabinets can also be ordered for a custom look.

garage conversions

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

Using bedroom interior designs are becoming more and more popular because people are realizing the power of using a good interior design.

Also you know that we spend most of our life in the bedroom, because it is where we sleep in and also rest or even work sometimes. So the design it has will have a big effect on our mental and physical health.

Here are some important factors to bring to attention in your bedroom interior design...

1. Lighting:

Light has a very huge impact on your mood and energy when you are in your bedroom. For example, have you noticed you feel more active and energetic during day time when sunlight is still there?

Well, it is because light increases your energy. On the other hand, at night we mostly feel we need to relax and not be super active.

So the lighting you use in your bedroom interior design, how much it is, and also the color of it is very important.

2. Wallpapers and Floors

The color and design of your walls and floor is also another effective factor.

3. Objects and Furniture

The furniture you put in your bedroom - like your bed, desk, decorations, etc. - has a big effect on the look and feel of your bedroom.

So by following all the three important factors, you can easily create the mood and interior design that you wish in your bedroom.

Also the mood that you want to give to your bedroom is very important too and you should choose all the colors and objects based on that. For example for a romantic room and interior design, you can use red colors in the floor or walls.

Fitted Bedrooms

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Landscaping Ideas for Your Home

Landscaping ideas form the basis of landscape architecture. Landscape designers are commissioned by clients who have the land and budget to experiment with different design ideas and create landscapes that compliment their home and status. Landscaping ideas are the basic ideas which the designers keep in mind while planning the landscape.

Plants in landscaping ideas-Plants are widely used to give the natural feel in the landscape. While choosing the plants one must be careful; it should be most appropriate plant for the area and climate
Rocks in landscaping ideas- Rocks are important to any landscape. They give functional characteristic and they also have a distinct beauty.

Contractor in landscaping ideas-Included in the investment is the search for the best professional landscape contractor available who can stay within your budget and yet do an acceptable job.
Energy Efficient Landscaping ideas-Many experts have proven that efficient landscaping that takes into consideration energy needs, may well save a family more then 30% of their usual heat or cooling costs.
Environment Friendly Landscaping ideas-It is recommended to use the view of the sky or big trees as the background for the scene and to frame the house.

Fire Resistant design for Landscaping ideas-Fire problem is the most dangerous problem that one has to keep in mind. A properly landscaped property can be a good defense for surviving destruction or damage.
Habitat Restoration and Landscaping-Most gardeners always set up a well-organized and well-maintained habitat for a balanced life cycle in their bioscope.

Landscape Designs-It is more than just beautification and enhancing of a garden to fit to an individual’s taste and preference through landscape design.

Landscaping Plans-Landscaping is an art. It is something that takes some time to do, some effort, and some patience. Landscaping – if done properly - becomes a masterpiece.

Landscaping Maintenance-Maintenance is something that has to done properly. The blooming flowers or the green trees can not be only left out without care.

Landscaping ideas also changes with the geography of the land. In China, landscaping ideas originated with Feng Shui, which is translated into English as 'wind and water' and is used to describe a set of general principles for the planning of development in relation to the natural landscape. In Europe, the history of landscaping ideas can be traced to the work of Vitruvius.

Landscaping ideas are not set in stone. The best ideas come with the fluid imagination of both designers and home owners. Landscape planners are concerned with the 'health' along with the beauty of the landscape.

Landscaping In Essex