Create a pet-friendly home!

Planning to adopt a new puppy or a little kitty? It’s a great idea to introduce another addition to the family. Pets always bring joy to the family with their fluffy cuteness. They serve as a guard for your house, a mouse catcher and a cuddle buddy for the kids! But always remember to try and make your home a hospitable environment for your new pet.

Pet Doors

Nobody wants to keep their pets confined to the walls of the house. They should be allowed out into the yard so they can play and also do their business. But what if Fluffy wants to do his business in the middle of the night? What if you are at the store and Cuddles wants to go in or out of the house? You can’t always be available to keep opening the door for your pet. We recently installed a pet door for our kitten Whiskers from ChampionWindows and Doors. Poor little Whiskers is still getting the hang of it, but it has proved to be a great relief to my husband and I.

Scratching Post

If you are planning to adopt a kitten, chances are that your couch and your other furniture are going to become that kitty’s scratching post! This will no doubt annoy you, not to mention totally ruin your furniture. The best way to solve this problem is to introduce the scratching post to your kitty before he/she begins to get his/her scratching urges.

Also, it is advisable not to change the place of th is scratching post. Remember that over time it will start to look mangy and it will be covered with cat hair, so put it in a place where it won’t spoil your décor.

Floors

Avoiding carpeting is probably the best way to go when it comes to flooring and pets. Getting the fur out can prove to be a major hassle even with a vacuum cleaner. Wooden flooring is a good option. Try to make sure that there is traction so that your little puppy doesn’t slip and slide over the floors. It will also minimize the scratches caused by the dog’s nails when it grows up.

Fencing

If you live in a house with a yard, you will probably want to make sure you have a fence that won’t let your dog through, and a gate that your dog can’t open. It works great for new puppies who are ever curious, it keeps them safe and it keeps them from wandering into other people’s gardens and making a mess.

These are just a few ways to welcome your pet into your family. They will also allow him/her to feel safe and secure in your home.

5 Features to Add to Your Home to Make It Senior-Friendly

Are your parents going to be visiting frequently? Or is mom going to move in with you for good? Whatever the situation, it is always a good idea to “senior-proof” your home. Apart from the usual installing of wheelchair ramps, and putting mats in the bathroom there are more things you can do to avoid unwanted accidents around the house.

EASY-TO-OPERATE WINDOWS

Especially for seniors who live alone, sometimes opening and shutting jammed windows can prove to be a bit of a challenge. With age, the strength of our muscles begins to deteriorate which is why it is a good idea to install windows that are easy to operate. Windows that slide sideways rather than up or down are a lot safer and easier to use. Also, there is no fear of the window suddenly falling down due to faulty or broken latches

Manufactures like ChampionWindows and Doors offer a great deal of variety at extremely affordable prices. 

ODDS AND ENDS

Along with muscle strength, motor control aloes begins to deteriorate. Elderly people find it a bit challenging to grip round door knobs. Go ahead and replace these with lever handles for all the doors around the house.

If you have floor rugs, these can cause a tripping hazard so be sure to secure then to the ground with double sided tape or get rid of them altogether.

The handles on kitchen cabinets should be changed to D-shaped handles, as these are easier to grip and work a lot better for people with arthritis.

The most obvious addition however is to add hand rails to your staircase on both sides or modify your banister so that it is not too thick and easy to grip.

BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS

The most dangerous and accident prone place in the entire house is that bathroom. And most accidents occur due to slippery floors.

Non-Skid Mats

Friction mats in the bathroom are a great way to prevent anyone from slipping and falling even if they get wet. If you have a bathroom where the shower is in the tub itself, go ahead and put in a rubber mat there as well. The amount of bathtub accidents that occur are far too great to count, so try not to become part of that uncountable statistic!

Stools

Another helpful addition to a bathroom is a bathing stool. Taking a shower can prove to be a very tiring affair, especially on an off day, and a stool will make things safer and easier for a tired senior. Be sure to use a stool with rubber bulbs at the end of its legs to avoid further accidents.

Phone

In spite of all these precautionary additions it is always better to be safe. Installing a water resistant, wall mounted phone is a really good idea in case of emergencies. It is best to put it in the shower area since that’s where most accidents statistically occur. If you have a large bathroom, you could add another phone near the toilet seat just in case.

There are so many accidents that can occur and so many things that can go wrong. We can never prepare ourselves fully and account for all of them, but we can be extremely careful and do everything in our power to make sure they don’t happen.

Window Decoration tips for Christmas

Christmas is incomplete without decorations. Whether it is simple, elaborate, elegant or traditional nothing adds to festive mood like decorating your home. And then if you are a person, landing up doing the decoration at the last moment, the easiest and the most affordable option is decorating your windows. Just like the front door, windows add to the look of your home from the outside.

Colorful festoons, ornaments, fairy lights, sparkles, garlands, swags, snowflakes, ribbons, wreaths, candles…anything and everything can create a magic look. You can elaborately dress up your windows to stand out all through the day or decorate it just so much that passersby get a glimpse of your interior décor, specially the Christmas tree lighted at night.

Snowflakes:  Create the wintry Christmas look with window display of falling snowflakes. You can simply hang the decorative snowflakes of metal, plastic or paper with strings or ribbons or even paste them on the windows. Try colorful snowflakes to create a distinctive look. For the interior, dress the window with a lacy valance or an evergreen swag and hang paper snowflakes with colorful ribbons from the curtain rods.

Ribbons: Colorful ribbons of various fabrics are most affordable and easy to use. You can hang them, loosely tie them, wrap them or even make decorative bows with them. Jazz up your wreaths with colorful ribbons or decorative ribbon bows and hang them on the window or hang your ornaments, baubles or snowflakes with ribbons. The best thing about ribbons is that you can use them to embellish anything. So buy ribbons and be at your creative best.

Tree Placement: Use your windows to add to the festive look. Since the Christmas tree is the focal point, of the home, placing it in the right location can make all the difference. Drape the tree with Christmas lights and place it near the window or light up the interior of your home to display the Christmas tree. Let everyone who passes by see and feel the warmth of your home on a wintry day. Use your windows to give a sneak peek.

Yes, decorating windows is an important part of your Christmas decorations. But think of the windows themselves. Having the right style window with a clearer view is equally important, not to forget their energy efficiency. Though it may not be something you can do last minute, it is worth considering replacing your old windows with new energy efficient ones. Plan and save money and replace them maybe before next Christmas. You can even think of going for bay or bow windows to add up to your Christmas décor. Champion Window manufactures Energy Star rated windows and for the perfect clear glass needed for the view of your décor, their windows will be a good choice. Read reviews of Champion Window by customers who are satisfied with their products and also their service as they install the windows for you.

So enjoy decorating your home and have great Christmas time with your loved ones.

Benefits of Argon filled windows

Windows play a big role in the energy efficiency of your home. Windows with improper weather stripping, caulking cause leakage and infiltration of air/water resulting in increased energy bills. However in the recent times, many new techniques have been developed to make windows energy efficient.

One of the most popular options for energy efficient windows is Argon filled windows. So what is meant by an Argon filled window? It is a window unit consisting of two or three panes of glass, with the Argon gas filled in between the panes. Argon is a low conductivity gas heavier than air and provides better insulation properties.

Double pane Argon filled windows are more energy efficient than single pane windows and are becoming a popular choice now .Here are some benefits of Argon filled windows-

·        1.       Argon is heavier than air and hence provides better insulation.
2.       They have increased R value which means increased resistance to heat flow through the windows.
3.       Thermal conductivity of Argon is about 35 % lower than normal air resulting in slow transfer of heat. Argon thus assists in keeping the heat out in summer and heat in during winter.
4.       Reduce the sound transmission, resulting in a quieter home.
5.       Argon is transparent, meaning the windows look similar to air-filled windows and give a clearer outside view.
6.        Being non-toxic and odorless, Argon is also safe in case the window breaks and the gas leaks.
7.       Being a non reactive gas, Argon does not corrode the window material like any other gas.
8.       Filling the space between panes with Argon, increases the temperature of the glass. This significantly eliminates or reduces the likelihood of condensation or frost; the most common problem occurring in windows.
9.       Argon is found in abundance in nature and hence relatively cheaper to obtain than other gas options like krypton.
10.       They can be used in all types of climates, even extreme temperature conditions.
11.   Though expensive than normal windows, they save money later in terms of reduced energy bills.
12.   Heating and cooling systems can work efficiently if Argon filled windows are installed making your home comfortable and healthy in all seasons.

Combined with high performance glass, Argon enhanced windows are the best choice when it comes to energy efficiency. You can read reviews of Champion Window, and the like, who manufacture Energy Star rated windows which are Argon filled before you buy the windows.  The exclusive glass used for the windows brings in more light and also blocks the harmful ultra violet rays which affect the interiors of your home.

Though there is a fear of the gas diffusing out, the current sealed windows offer better protection from this, resulting in a better life for the windows. Make your home energy efficient by replacing your old windows with double or triple pane Argon filled windows. Invest now and get returns by saving in your energy bills.

The Essential Elements of a Country Style Home

So you often find yourself dreaming about the wild countryside and how you would pick up your old guitar and strum some country tunes while looking at the sunset from your own farmyard. If I’m describing you, then you must redesign your house into the country-style home you deserve. And here’s what you have to do:

1.     Rustic appeal

For that earthen pastoral feel, wooden furniture is the most ideal furniture to use for your house. Because nothing spells tradition better than wood. The furniture needs to be simplistic with no carvings or patterns. Wood paneling for your walls would also add to the effect. The windows and doors also need to be woody in appearance. You could use ChampionWindow’s Timberbond window for an authentic wood look if you’re looking to replace.

2.     Paint

The keyword here is ‘simple’. For a country style house, paint only in primary colors. This will make the rooms look sophisticated and traditional. Remember to choose neutral colors that aren’t too flashy.

3.     Flooring

Shiny tiles are a strict no-no for this style. Include stone in your flooring for a more authentic look. Like your furniture, your floor could also be wood but keep aesthetics in mind and don’t go overboard.

4.     Natural fabrics

Again, a country-style house means no splash. The fabric for your furniture and covers needs to be roughly weaved and simplistic. No vivid colors or patterns either. Like everything else in your country home, the fabric too needs to be simple.

5.     Say it with flowers

Floral patterns compliment country-style décor beautifully. The fabric in your curtains or furniture can be floral. Even your wallpaper could have a floral pattern but remember to use that sparingly. 

Understanding energy efficiency ratings

We HAD to cut down our increasing energy bills. After a home energy audit, we followed the suggestion of the auditor and decided to replace our windows. After much research and a few recommendations, we decided to buy windows from Champion Window.  Apart from the Energy star label , the windows also had a sticker displaying energy efficiency ratings certified by NFRC( National Fenestration Rating Council). The salesman pointed out that the sticker ensured an energy efficient window.

Curious to know what the numbers and the abbreviations on the sticker meant, I did a quick research and here is what I understood-

There were four performance areas mentioned on the sticker and certified by NFRC. These factors help you choose windows suitable for your local climate.

1.       U Factor measures the rate of heat transfer that is it helps you know how well the window prevents heat from escaping your home. It depends on the insulation, thermal properties of the frame as well as the glazing. U factor ratings fall between 0.20 and 1.20. Lower the rating, more energy efficient is the window, indicating it is better at keeping the heat in. Homes in cooler climates should install windows with lower U factor.

2.       Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a window blocks heat from the sun from entering the home. Expressed as a factor between 0 and 1, a lower SHGC means the window is better at blocking unwanted heat gain. Homes in warmer climates should have windows with low SHGC ratings.

3.       Condensation Resistance(CR)- Condensation or water build up indicates failure of insulation. The Condensation resistance factor measures how well a window is able to resist condensation. Expressed between 1 and 100, a higher number indicates better resistance to condensation.

4.       Visible Transmittance (VT)- It measures how much visible light comes in through the window.

This is expressed as a factor between 0 and 1 and a higher number indicates more daylight transmitted in.

Next time you shop for windows, look for this certification and be assured that your windows will be  energy efficient and will save money for you by cutting down your energy bills.

The Essential Elements of Rustic Décor

Rustic décor has made significant inroads in the field of contemporary interior design. Incorporate some rustic features in your home and you are more than likely to have a home with timeless allure and appeal, a space that projects a warm, lived-in and laid back look with, maybe just a touch of history. So then what really are some of the elements of Rustic Décor?

For me Rustic Décor encompasses a wide range of styles which allow for the inclusion of rustic elements, maybe in the earthy tones used, the distressed furniture, traditional and vintage accents and organic elements from the lap of nature. In plain terms, it’s a style which is thoroughly personal, unstructured, often quaint and most informal. There are a few things to remember if you want to go rustic. Here they are!

Use the texture of natural wood

Wood in its untreated, unpainted form has a charm not easy to beat. Avoid paints and veneers will hide the natural sheen and grain of the wood you use to construct your furniture. A simple varnish will do the trick!  Perhaps you can redo your kitchen flooring which is a mess, in bamboo and add wooden beams to give that authentic rustic look and in your living room make use of the old-fashioned Victorian style of furniture. If you are creative, you can model your own personalized rustic furniture from distressed wood.

Use natural shades with muted tones

Avoid bright colors but stick to warm, muted shades like earthy reds, russets and dull greens which will complement the roughhewn furniture you have chosen.

Make generous use of natural materials

Since this is a style based on nature, make abundant use of natural materials like jute, linens leather, rattan, bamboo and wicker for accessories and furnishings. These will blend perfectlyinto the atmosphere of a rustic room adding the texture and accents the style requires.

Pickyour accessories wisely so they blend in with the style

Don’t go overboard with this one! Select a few striking accessories to fit in with the color theme you have chosen. Stick to wood and maybe wrought iron which have timeless appeal. Use stuff from your own backyard to accessorize! Natty wall accessories made from twigs and other things from nature’s bounty you find in your garden, will add a touch of the country within your home.

Finally, let the light in

An essential element of this style is lots of light, so go ahead and invest in large windows which will light up your home. A word of advice though! You might want to invest in energy-efficient windows, like I did, from ChampionWindows and Doors. If wood isn’t within your budget, they have excellent wood-lookalike ones in vinyl. These will help you cut back your energy bills and besides, they come with a lifetime warranty!

I am a nature lover and I certainly hope you are! Why not take a few tips from above and adopt this natural style which makes you appreciate how much we have in nature.