home blinds

A Simple Guide for Buying Window Blinds

Stephanie SimpsonWindow Blinds, , ,

Whenever you think about privacy or regulating the amount of light coming into your house, you should think about blinds. As you may already know, buying quality window blinds can significantly enhance the looks of your home. Conventionally, the choice of shades was limited, but in the current times, you can find them in a variety of colors, material, and design. With the many available options however, choosing the perfect one for your place can be a challenge. For those who are thinking about buying blinds, written below are some tips you should consider.

Room and Window Size

quality wood blindsThe first thing you need to consider before buying any blinds is the room you want to cover and the size of the windows. Some blinds are well suited to cover the living room windows while others are not. One of the best blinds you can pick for your living room is the Levolor Premium 2-inch Wood Blinds.

Light

The other equally important thing to consider is the amount of light you want to let into your rooms. But as you will realize from your search, blinds now come with a light-adjusting option whereby you can regulate the amount of light coming in. If you wish to block out the light completely, you can go for blinds that come with a blackout liner.

Design

Style and design are also crucial if you want your place to stand out. Remember to choose blinds that will blend well with the overall theme of your house. If your home is furnished with high-quality wood, then you should think of buying wooden blinds. However, you can also opt for faux wood blinds which are also classy and pocket-friendly.

Cleaning and Maintenance

quality vinyl blindsWhen buying blinds, you should not forget to inquire how to clean and maintain them. Understand that as time goes by, your spotless blinds will catch dust, and knowing how to clean them is very important. Nevertheless, blinds are easy to clean, and you can easily find the best curtain cleaning products in your local store.

Budget

Knowing how much you are willing to spend on a blind is also vital. Note that blinds vary in cost depending on the material, size, and style. If you are operating on a tight budget, you should consider buying vinyl blinds. However, if quality and style is your primary objective, then you should go for wooden blinds, which can be relatively expensive.

wood stack

Why your Fireplace is not Working Right

Maximiliano GrossHome Improvement, ,

Have you tried lighting a fire at your home only to end up with a room full of smoke? During the chilly winter season, no one wants to worry about a fireplace that cannot start. Here is a list of 5 reasons why you are finding it hard to light a fire on the fireplace. With this information, you will understand how to resolve such issues:

 

1. Open the Damper

The masonry chimney is a classical home design setting in most western-style homes. Located right at the throat is the fireplace damper responsible for sealing the fireplace when not in use. When the chill is closed, hardly enough air escapes, resulting in an inefficient fire. That is why the fireplace will not burn efficiently. At times you might try to re-open the damper, but there is an obstacle preventing it from fully opening up. This mostly occurs in areas where water damage or a soot buildup accumulates behind. As with the case of professional chimney sweeps, you have to go in to perform a sweep. That is where fireplace cleaning comes in.

 

2. A Dirty Chifireplacemney

A buildup in soot affects the way chimneys and fireplaces work. At times the buildup will escalate and prevent badly needed airflow from finding its way to the fireplace. Small animals and birds might mistake your chimney for hollow trees and build up their nests. Over time the accumulated leaves, twigs and debris will block the airflow. If you have noticed that your fireplace is affected by a dirty chimney, you must contact your local chimney full service to offer their services. These experts can chase off these animals and carry out a proper clean. If animals pose a constant menace, your chimney will require a chimney cap to keep them from entering again.

 

3. Size of your Chimney

Have the right flue for your fireplace opening. As a general rule, the opening should exceed your chimney flue substantially. If the chimney flue fails is too small, this will lead to back puffing. Most of the fireplaces within homes in the past two decades have met these specifications. The old fireplaces will require professional attention.

 

4. Using the Wrong Firewood

The best wood for your fireplace is seasoned wood. Dry season wood ensures an efficient burn. Unfortunately, there are those who still use unseasoned wood on occasion. By unseasoned wood, we are referring to that which has not thoroughly dried. This makes lighting more difficult as more energy goes into drying off the moisture rather than warming the home. Inefficiently burning wood in the house only costs you money in the long run.

 

5. Short Chimney

A proper functioning fireplace hardly exceeds 10 or 12 feet. The part of the fireplace projecting on the roof ranges about 3 feet tall. A chimney that is too short will on;y affect the fireplace adversely. You must go out of your way to prevent air quality hazards that only increase the risk of getting carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are tired of fireplace-related problems, you can contact the local chimney sweep experts who are best suited to provide a permanent solution. Only the local chimney sweeps know how to ensure you enjoy a safe, warm and healthy fire.