Author: ION

  • The Importance of All Season Lawn and Garden Care

    The Importance of All Season Lawn and Garden Care

    Don’t you love looking at the expanse of green outside your home? It is possible to enjoy your lawn and garden all year round with the help of lawn care services. Maintaining a beautiful lawn by yourself all year round may be too big a task for you, but with the help of experts at lawn and garden care, you will have a well-maintained garden and lovely garden all seasons of the year.

    To make sure you have the right company to take care of your outdoor space, refer to lawn and garden reviews for approval and feedback from actual customers.

    Getting advice and information from former clients can help you choose the lawn service that will provide you with the best service to make your garden look exceptional all year round.

    Your lawn and garden have particular needs each season to grow and propagate well. Here are some guiding tips for maintaining your lawn and garden in all four seasons.

    Spring

    • Test your soil. Spring is the best time to have the pH of your soil tested. Start your year with healthy soil. Lawn grass grows best in soil with a neutral pH, around 6.5 on the pH scale. You will have fewer problems throughout the year if your lawn soil contains proper amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium salts.
    • Mow your lawn. Trimming your lawn during spring helps your soil to breathe and allow nitrogen exchange in the atmosphere to get your lawn to start off the right way.
    • Treat your lawn with herbicides. Before weed seeds such as crabgrass germinate, and the soil temperature is 55 degrees F, it is time to treat.
    • Fertilize. This step can help your lawn look green quickly and grow for up to three months.

    Summer

    • Water adequately. You need to provide an inch of water per week for your lawn to thrive properly. But when it is hot and dry like in the summer, you need to add more water to replenish what evaporated.
    • Adjust your lawn height. When the temperature rises, so should your grass height. You should follow the old rule of thumb: Do not cut more than one-third of the leaf tissue when you mow. The taller your grass is, the more shade it provides for the ground and more plant tissue for chlorophyll production.

    Fall

    • Thatch the dead grass. Remove the layer of yellowing dead grass that can block air and moisture.
    • It is time to reseed. Early autumn is the perfect time to reseed. Lawn experts advise using proprietary seeds, so there is no need to keep on reseeding.

    Winter

    • Sharpen and clean your lawn and garden tools. Winter season is the time to get your tools ready for the coming spring. Please make sure they are sharp and clean to prevent the risk of lawn damage and disease. 
    • Research for more information on lawn care from books and online. Enrich your knowledge of creating a beautiful lawn and learn new tips to care for your lawn and garden.

    Maintaining your lawn and garden takes a significant amount of time as a whole year, but the satisfaction you get with a beautiful lawn is immense.

  • ELEGANCE IN A TIMEPIECE: BEST FROM FILIPPO LORETI

    ELEGANCE IN A TIMEPIECE: BEST FROM FILIPPO LORETI

    From a classic marble silver white variant to the marble rose gold mesh, we have curated our favorite models for the sophisticated woman.

    The lens is mostly always on men’s watches but women’s wristwatches are equally stylish and noteworthy. It is often said that one of the surest ways to a woman’s heart is genuine love and timeless jewelry – the wristwatch being a priority on the list. Indeed, wearing a good wristwatch is the perfect strategy adopted by women to communicate personal style and elegance. This shouldn’t be so difficult. With options ranging from a Venice with soothing aesthetics to the Frida Black Orchid of the Muse Series, Filippo Loreti is truly the all-inclusive wristwatch brand for this class of women.

    Whether you’re having a date night with your male friend, smashing business goals, or heading out for that well-deserved adventure, we have the best elegant watches to meet your various needs.

    The Stylish Woman’s Choice

    A sprinkle of modernism with sophisticated elegance is what the 21st-century woman should represent. And of course, wristwatches are the simplest accessories to define your personality. Elegant women’s watches do not only tell time, but they are also functional as they are attractive. If anyone ever told you that finding these unique pieces is a difficult task, they are probably old-school and misinformed. Not when you roll with the Filippo Loreti brand.

    Based on popular demand, we have curated our most elegant female wristwatches across different hues, designs, and functions.

    1. Asea Silver White Pearl Women’s Watch

    The Limited Edition timepiece from the Asea Series is a rare beauty to behold. With only a thousand pieces produced to date, it is the ultimate description of pulchritudinous wristwatches in the watch industry. A bold show of affluence and elegance, the White Pearl flaunts the Mother-of-Pearl Dial, crafted with sparkling Swarovski crystals that are extremely luminous in the dark.

    This Asea is the perfect partner for sizzling adventures in the Mediterranean and yachting in coastal cities. Do not worry about corrosion as the stainless steel casing stands guard. The practically bespoke wristwatch is also water-resistant to a depth of 100m.

    Chase your passion for beauty, elegance, and adventure with the sparkling White Pearl.

    1. Marble Rose Gold Mesh Women’s Watch

    We are just getting started with the list of must-have elegant women’s watches. The Marble Rose Gold is primarily made for minimalist fashionistas looking for a functional, versatile, and comfortable timepiece. Bursting with brilliant rose gold color and fitted with simple dials, the Marble timepiece is inherently multi talented. Also affordable, this timepiece is the go-to choice when shopping on a budget.

    We have added this timepiece to the list of elegant watches because of several reasons, some of which are the:

    • Premium stainless steel case
    • Hardened mineral glass to prevent scratches
    • Water-resistance to a depth of 50m, and indeed, 
    • Incredible multifunctional design.

    Pair this wristwatch with any outfit to get a clean, casual, or professional look as desired.

    1. Frida Black Orchid Women’s Watch

    From the Muse Series comes the Frida Black Orchid, an inspiration from the iconic Frida Kahlo. The prominent breathtaking feminine design is due to laudable premium craftsmanship. The iconic color pairing – black and gold – ushers in a timeless fashion statement. Now, you don’t have to worry about what’s in trend or not.

    The case back artwork is an engraving of the self-inspiring Frida Kahlo quote – “I am my own muse”, a reminder of your elegance and self-worth. Although leather-styled, Frida is water-resistant up to a depth of 30m.

    This watch comes with a versatile complimentary Italian leather strap whose soft texture allows for comfortability against sensitive skin. Frida is the perfect choice for everyday formal and casual looks.

    1. Emmeline Women’s Watch

    Another offspring of the Muse Series, the Emmeline is simply stunning. Set with changeable luxe straps, the timepiece is made for the savvy businesswoman. The unique blue face with simple dials bequeaths on it, a never-have-seen-before classic look. While the feminine details are naturally outstanding, the watch’s overall design is simply irresistible. Coupled with water-resistant property, the case is made of 316L stainless steel, a sheer representation of durability. With the Emmeline, elegance is truly affordable. 

    1. Venice Moonphase Silver Mesh Women’s Watch

    The Venice Series is as popular amongst men as for women. Only this time, there are notable upgrades to suit the female folk. The stylish women’s moonphase watch possesses a 40mm case set. Made with mesh bracelets, the shimmering silver timepiece is made of case material of 316L stainless steel. As for functionality, a Miyota 6P00 movement, moonphase complication at 6 o’clock, and 50m water-resistance promote versatility and durability of Venice. This timepiece is ideal for casual and professional lifestyles.

    1. Marble Silver White Women’s Watch

    The Marble Silver White is an offshoot of its mesh variant, judging by the full-grain leather strap. Made with hardened mineral and anti-reflective coating, this wristwatch is resistant to scratches and is quite easy to read. The price tag makes things a bit more interesting as you can now shop for your favorite timepiece at a fraction of your budget. The Marble Silver White is of minimalist design; hence, practical for casual and professional uses.

    Whoever said you had to spend a fortune on elegant watches didn’t look at the right place. Filippo Loreti’s exclusive range of elegant female watches is the much-needed selection for the working or stay-at-home woman. Our brand, made for men and women, celebrates timeless wristwatches while incorporating brilliant aesthetics, competitive functionality, and outstanding craftsmanship for minimalists and maximalists.  

  • Guide to Buying the Right Cleaning Equipment

    Guide to Buying the Right Cleaning Equipment

    When it comes to buying equipment for cleaning the floor or upholstery, the market is flooded with endless options. Each brand claiming to have a better product than the rest, it becomes quite difficult for a professional to pick one. 

    These investments are made once in a while, so it is important that you research properly and then buy the machine. Rather than jumping to a conclusion, you should always take your time to research the product.

    To make things easier for you, we have picked the best machines and products to give you a basic understanding of what’s trending in the market right now.

    Floor Polishers

    These polishers are the floor cleaning machines that have round brushes and pads used to scrub and polish floors. They are used to maintain the floors’ appearance and make them look smooth for a long time. Different floor polishing machines come with different attachments that are used for different purposes. 

    They are also used to apply a protective coating on the floor.

    Here are a few polishes to choose from:

    1.Cimex CR48 Machine with Pad Holders Dry/Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Equipment

    One of the best machines on the market, this floor polisher is not only pocket friendly, but it also helps you minimize cleaning time. It comes with a drive disc set that assists you with deep cleaning. 

    The best part about this is that the company offers proper training to the users so that they can utilize the equipment to its maximum potential. And apart from this, you also get after-sales support to help you tackle issues that you might face in the future.

    2. Truvox Floor Scrubber with Carpet Shampoo Brush

    Another great polisher that performs an amazing job. The handling of this machine is super easy and has exceptional cleaning ability for carpet and hard floors. It also comes with an optional solution tank used for wet scrubbing. It has an ergonomic design for operator comfort and ease of use.

    It is an ideal machine for almost every floor type. 

    Another advantage of picking this brand is that they provide excellent after-sale services.

    Upholstery Cleaner

    The process of cleaning the fabric like cotton, leather, etc, that upholsters any furniture is known as upholstery cleaning. The upholstery is inspected first to make sure if there are any damages. After which the fabric is vacuumed and conditioned. Usually, all of this is done through steam cleaning. Here are the best handpicked upholstery steam cleaners for you.

    American Sniper 80-2300 300 PSI

    One of the best cleaners available on the market, this machine is portable and is perfect for commercial and residential use. This feature-packed machine with modern ergonomics is ideal for upholstery cleaning and flood recovery.

    Along with this machine, you will also get all the accessories as a starter kit. The benefit of choosing this brand is that it provides lifetime technical support, and you also get online tutorials to understand this product and its functioning. 

    Kanga 1600 PSI

     One of the most powerful machines available in this segment, this one is surely here to make upholstery cleaning easy. A versatile machine that can easily clean small to large upholstery with great ease and satisfying results. This brand also provides you with lifetime technical services, and you also get proper online training on HOW TO USE THE PRODUCT, etc.

    These were a few of our choices in these specific segments. They were carefully picked, keeping in mind the professional’s requirements. We hope this helped you in making a decision or led you towards one.

  • Construction Terms 101: What Is the Difference Between Shuttering and Formwork?

    Construction Terms 101: What Is the Difference Between Shuttering and Formwork?

    For those new to the construction industry, learning all the terms can be a challenge. It’s important to get them down, though, since all members of the construction team need to be on the same page if they want to get the job done right. Read on to find out about shuttering, formwork, and the key differences between them.

    What They Have in Common

    Both shuttering and Formwork are terms used to describe the process of fabricating concrete molds. These molds are used to hold the concrete in place until it hardens. Some contractors use the two terms interchangeably, but in most cases, shuttering is thought of as a specific type of formwork.

    Materials Used

    Shuttering refers specifically to creating forms out of plywood. Formwork, on the other hand, can refer to molds created using just about any material. It’s relevant to note that contractors can’t just use any type of plywood to make shuttering. They need to use a special grade of material that is water-resistant and strong enough to hold significant amounts of concrete.

    Other materials used to create formwork include wood and metal beams. These materials are more common in the construction of sidewalks and roads. When metal beams are used to construct formwork, they’re typically referred to as roadform. This specialized type of metal form can be pinned, stacked together to create taller structures, or attached end-to-end to make longer forms.

    Falsework Support

    All types of formwork, including shuttering, require falsework support. This refers to poles or other stabilizers used to keep the formwork in place. Most shuttering is temporary. Some types of formwork are designed to be left in place once the project is completed, though, in which case only the falsework supports will be removed.

    Additional Concerns When Using Shuttering

    In shuttering applications, and in some other formwork applications, contractors must apply oil to the molds prior to laying them. This step helps to release the material from the concrete once it has hardened. Failing to oil the shuttering can make removal much more difficult.

    Why It Matters

    Choosing the right material is important since it can impact the structural integrity of the concrete. Working with roadform can be extremely challenging for large-scale projects and creating taller structures since the materials required are quite heavy and bulky. On the other hand, plywood shuttering is light and easy to work with. However, it would make little sense to use shuttering to complete a project like a sidewalk or a slab foundation that is low to the ground.

    Shuttering is typically used only when contractors plan to remove the formwork after the concrete has hardened. It’s rare to see plywood shuttering on finished structures. If the shuttering is assembled correctly and in a way that makes it possible to pour large amounts of concrete in one go, it can dramatically simplify many types of construction projects.

    The Bottom Line

    There is little difference between the terms shuttering and formwork, but it’s important for new contractors to understand industry terminology. When in doubt, ask the foreman for clarification. Some contractors do use the terms interchangeably, so things can get quite confusing if everyone on the job site is not on the same page about what materials to order and how to get the work done as efficiently as possible.

  • How to Choose the Best Fireplace for Your Home

    How to Choose the Best Fireplace for Your Home

    Adding a fireplace to your home can instantly increase its appeal. You’ll enjoy a warmer, more radiant atmosphere, the soft crackle to add to your room’s ambiance, and you could even increase the value of your home at the same time.

    Photo by Zen Bear Yoga on Unsplash

    The problem is, in the modern era, there are literally hundreds of types of fireplaces you can install in your home. How can you choose the best fireplace for your home?

    Photo by Jessica Johnston on Unsplash

    Consider Laws in Your Area

    Depending on where you live, there may be specific laws and regulations that restrict the type of fireplace you can install. For example, in some cities, you may be prohibited from installing a wood burning fireplace; however, there should be plenty of viable options available to you.  

    Choose the Right Type

    One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is choosing the type of fireplace you want to install. There are a handful of major options to consider here, including:

    Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

    ·         Wood burning. First, you could choose a traditional wood burning fireplace. There are many benefits to wood burning fireplaces. For example, lots of people tend to like how they look; there’s no way to fully replicate the sight of burning logs and real red flames. They also give you a natural crackle, and a sense of authenticity. However, if you want to install a wood burning fireplace, you’ll need a chimney, and you’ll need to enforce the right safety standards to limit the possibility of a house fire. Additionally, wood burning fireplaces are expensive to keep running, and they’re not very efficient at heating the home.

    ·         Electric. Alternatively, you could invest in an electric fireplace. Electric fireplaces don’t have live, burning flames, but they replicate the experience of such flames. You won’t have to worry about proper ventilation or deadly fumes, and the risk of starting a bigger fire is much lower. These are also highly mobile and easy to install, and they use far less energy than other types of fireplaces. Of course, there are a few potential downsides to consider as well. For example, during a power outage, your electric fireplace won’t work, and some people don’t enjoy the “fakeness” of an electric flame.

    Photo by Gabriele Rampazzo on Unsplash

    ·         Gas. You may also consider a gas fireplace. Like with electric fireplaces, there’s no chimney required for a gas fireplace. However, you’ll need to install the fireplace carefully and add the right ventilation to prevent the possibility of a gas leak. You can light up ceramic logs with a light switch or remote control, making it easy to get the fire roaring, and cleanup and maintenance needs are minimal. You’ll also spend less money to keep a gas fireplace running than you would with a real wood burning fireplace. However, many people still find wood burning fireplaces to produce a better overall aesthetic.

    Other Factors for Consideration

    Once you’ve decided on the type of fireplace you want to buy, consider these factors:

    Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash

    ·         Location. Where is your fireplace going to be? Most people choose to install a fireplace in the living room, where people spend most of their time, but where in the living room is it going to rest? Positioning can make a big impact on the overall flow and appearance of the room, so think carefully about your decision here.

    ·         Budget. How much are you willing to spend on a fireplace? You may be able to install certain types of fireplaces for just a few hundred dollars, but you’ll need to spend more if you want a more robust experience. Set your budget proactively, and then look for options that fit.

    ·         Brand. Next, consider the brand you want to buy. There are several options, most of which offer different types of styles and different levels of reliability. Do your due diligence and read customer reviews to figure out which brands you personally trust the most.

    Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash

    ·         Size and style. Finally, you’ll want to consider the size and style of your fireplace. What kind of aesthetic are you going for? How much space do you have to work with?

    ·         Installation. It’s possible to install a fireplace on your own, especially if you spend some time learning the ropes and troubleshooting potential issues. However, it’s usually better if you reserve at least some of your budget to pay for a professional installation. A professional installer that you may find on www.fireplacelabs.com will be able to ensure your fireplace is installed correctly and safely, minimizing the risk to your family, and they’ll likely be able to do a cleaner and more efficient job.

    Photo by Michael Shannon on Unsplash

    There are hundreds of fireplaces to consider, but nearly all of them can add warmth and comfort to your home in one way or another. Review your options carefully, and go with the option you feel can add the most to your home environment. 

  • Ted Lee Art Enters New Collaborative Project with Lauren Richardson of The Sursy

    Ted Lee Art Enters New Collaborative Project with Lauren Richardson of The Sursy

    New developments are happening with Ted Lee, a mixed media artist who works in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Recently, he’s entered into a collaborative project with The Sursy, a multi-faceted experiential design and development group headed by Lauren Richardson. Based in Denver, Colorado, The Sursy seeks to promote artists like Ted by designing shoppable spaces, including a collective of shoppable Airbnbs, where all furnishings, art, and décor are for sale to guests (and via thesursy.com).

    This collaboration promises to be beneficial for both Ted and Lauren; Lauren will be displaying Ted’s beautiful paintings on the walls of a newly debuted shoppable listing in Coal Creek Canyon—and Ted will have the opportunity to sell that work to guests staying within the home. Read on to learn more about Ted Lee, The Sursy, and this unique new collaboration!

    About Ted Lee

    Ted is well-known for the art that he produces and sells throughout Charlotte and elsewhere. His work features unique styles and themes all inspired by his life experiences—and right now, he’s expanding his art career to cities beyond Charlotte.

    Originally, his business started small. As a child, Ted was known to draw quite often, and it is something that stayed with him into his college years. However, life led him away from art, and after a long hiatus during which he tended to a career and reared a family, Ted got back into painting, and eventually started selling those paintings through local venues. He’s an artist with a drive to create, and a drive to promote what he creates, which led him to both creating more, and finding new ways to market those creations.

    These days, he says that creating his paintings is addictive—and that’s what has been driving him to seek out new opportunities through venues like The Sursy. His creativity comes from diverse experiences over the years, things like a trip with his family to Spain, his birthplace and the area in which he grew up, and more.

    In particular, his childhood home features prominently as a theme in his artwork. As a child, he had the opportunity to visit places like Thomas Jefferson’s home in Monticello and other historic homes like Robert E. Lee’s home. In those visits, it was things like the exploration of the grounds that stuck with him. He recalls how so many of the manors throughout Virginia had wonderful boxwoods. To this day, the shape and smell of those boxwoods feature as an inspiration in his work.

    These are the kinds of things that Ted pulls from as he creates. His past, the many things he’s experienced over the course of his life, and the natural beauty that has always surrounded him.

    As his style goes, he finds himself inspired by the work of abstract expressionists who painted during the 1950s, including artists like Francis Bacon, Robert Motherwell, Robert De Kooning, and Robert Rauschenberg. That’s why his own art trends heavily toward abstraction. Each piece is designed to be approachable and to evoke thought and study. His inspiration and persistence keep him producing unique pieces, unlike anything that you’ll find anywhere else. In life and in his paintings both, he focuses on the beauty of things—the colors in trees, clouds, and everything else. Diversity, in other words, the diversity of people and in the things surrounding him that he channels into his creativity.

    Lee’s work is largely in the abstract vein, but in one piece after the next, you’ll see how he’s evoked landscapes, nature, and other themes prominent in his life. His compositions are unusual and intricate, and most of all, they carry a sense of movement and motion. In each, Lee tries to bring them to life by adding a visual feeling reminiscent of dance.

    About the Sursy

    The Sursy is an experiential design and development group that offers interior design and rental listing optimization services, operates a growing collection of shoppable Airbnbs, and is pursuing development of a unique hospitality concept. The company’s portfolio of shoppable properties fuses retail, hospitality, and design, with a mission of supporting local and fostering community through experiences. Each of their shoppable Airbnb properties allows guests to book a stay, and to then #shopthestay. Everything from the furnishings to the décor to the literal paint on the walls is for sale, and is made by local artists, makers, and independent brands. Not staying as a guest? You can browse their curated selection of artisan home goods online to experience the ‘retail meets hospitality’ experience from anywhere.

    The Sursy prides itself on not only using their shoppable spaces to promote local artists, makers, and small businesses, but also to support them through their services. All interior design projects prioritize sourcing local when it comes to everything from construction services to fabric selections and furniture sourcing.

    The Sursy was founded by Lauren Richardson, who is a multi-disciplinary creative and entrepreneur, much like Ted. Prior to launching The Sursy, she spent years working for Fortune500 brands on the agency side, building credible global marketing chops and expertise in brand building, creative strategy, and project management. She is obsessed with innovation in real estate and interiors and founded The Sursy in hopes of creating meaningful experiences at the intersection of retail, hospitality, and design.

    The Sursy’s portfolio of shoppable Airbnbs currently includes three homes in Colorado – two in Denver and one in Coal Creek Canyon – with more debuting soon. Also up and coming is their roadside motel redevelopment project, which will be a mixed-use commercial space that includes shoppable rooms and on-site amenities intended to bring locals and travelers together.

    Collaboration Between Ted Lee and The Sursy

    This up and coming collaboration is set to be part of The Sursy’s most recent shoppable space, a mountain cabin located in Coal Creek Canyon about 45 minutes from Denver. Here, amongst other locally made furnishings and décor, select pieces of Ted’s work will be featured as part of the design—and those paintings will be available for purchase. It promises to be an interesting experience for guests, who will be able to spend time living with the art and getting to know it before they buy it and take it home to enjoy it among their own collections.

    Ted and Lauren both are from Charlotte, North Carolina. As Lauren is always looking for new creatives to work with, and Ted is always looking for new outlets to display his art, it was natural that these two came together on this project. A mutual friend put them in touch, and Lauren’s passion for supporting local artists drove her to strike a partnership with Ted.

    This collaboration is sure to be a good one—and the unique guest experience offered by The Sursy will likely draw much attention over the years to come as Lauren adds more shoppable Airbnbs to her collective and begins development of her first shoppable hospitality concept. It’s a fantastic way to connect potential buyers with local artists, and in so doing, support the work that those artists are doing. What’s more, for the guests of these shoppable homes and rooms, the experience really gives them a chance to get to experience the pieces of art that they will be purchasing.

    You can find more of Ted Lee’s work on his instagram, and on his website. More information about Ted Lee’s Sursey pieces can be found via the Sursey website:

  • 4 Ways to Renovate Your Home with a Step Ladder

    4 Ways to Renovate Your Home with a Step Ladder

    If you’ve decided to take a DIY approach to home renovation, it’s important that you have the correct tools and equipment for the job at hand. After all, there’s nothing worse than getting part way through a project and realising half way to buy something you’re missing.

    There are some pieces of equipment which are universally helpful for a wide range of jobs, for example, a step ladder. Investing in a good, sturdy step ladder will give you access to the hard-to-reach places so you can make your home look beautiful! Here is a selection of jobs you can do with the help of a step ladder.

    Painting ceilings and walls

    On of the most effective ways to completely transform a room is to give it a new lick of paint. Of course, for most average height people, reaching the top of the walls and the ceiling can be a little tricky– unless, of course, you have a step ladder!

    With platform step ladders, you’ve got a flat surface to put your paint tin and equipment on while you work. This makes the entire painting process much easier and reduces the likelihood of an accident.

    Gardening

    While there are a lot of low-level gardening jobs you can do without a step ladder like planting flowers and mowing the lawn, there are a whole host of things you can do with a little extra height.

    Whether it’s cutting back an unruly tree, re-shaping a hedge or stringing up some outdoor LED lights for a cosier atmosphere, having a step ladder handy will make these jobs easy and enjoyable. For outdoor jobs like these we’d highly recommend choosing an aluminium step ladder, they’re lightweight, resistant to rust and very durable.

    Adding new light fixtures

    Sometimes, all a room needs to feel new again is a new light or lampshade. As we’ve discussed, reaching the ceiling is no easy feat, that’s where your trusty step ladder comes in. You’ll find taking down the old lampshade and fitting the new one a much easier task with this extra height.

    For jobs where there’s an electrical hazard like this, we’d highly recommend choosing a glass fibre step ladder. These ladders are designed to be non-conductive, so should the worst happen, you’ll be protected from the shock. Glass fibre ladders are also lightweight and easy to use making them a perfect all-round step ladder option.

    Hanging new curtains

    Our fourth and final home renovation job that you can do with the help of a step ladder is hanging new curtains. Adding curtains in a new shade, texture or opacity can be a great way to change the look of a room. Letting in more or less light can really bring other features to life. The only problem, reaching the curtain pole to attach the new curtains is really difficult without a step ladder.

    In this scenario, we’d recommend getting a sturdy step ladder with a high weight capacity (especially if you new curtains are heavy). You need to make sure that your ladder is not going to wobble, or tip as you lift the masses of material up to the top.

    As you can see, investing in a step ladder can be really useful if you have some home renovation jobs you want to get done. Why not take a look at the selection of step ladders available at Ladders UK Direct now?

  • How To Prep Concrete Floors For Epoxy Coating

    How To Prep Concrete Floors For Epoxy Coating

    Concrete by its very nature is a hard substance  and working with it is even harder. Done right and it will add great value to your space. Done wrong and well… it wastes your time, effort and money. 

    Concrete floors are sturdy and efficient, that’s a given. But they can start to look boring and drab and are extremely difficult to style. The good thing is that you can add style to your floor without replacing it entirely. How to do that? Epoxy coating!

    Any professional contractor is aware of how essential it is to prep a concrete floor before epoxy coating but what’s more important is knowing HOW to do that. The experts at Centerport Epoxy Floors were kind enough to share from their years of experience on how to get that floor ready for epoxy coating: 

    Thoroughly Clean The Concrete Floor

    The coating is not going to stay on a dirty and greasy surface so the first and the very basic step is to get that floor clean. The floor should be completely dust and residue-free. For this purpose, a heavy vacuum cleaner is used to get rid of any dust and debris. To degrease, a brush with hard bristles and industrial cleanser is used and then rinsed with water. 

    Choosing The Right Type Of Cleaning Method

    This step can be anything from Diamond Grinding, Etching, Shot Blasting, Scarification and Scabbling. All these methods are used to prep the floors before applying Epoxy but the most used are Diamond Grinding and Shot Blasting.

    The purpose is to restore the smoothness of the surface and make it even for proper application of epoxy. Grinders can also be used effectively to level uneven joints or high spots of 1/16 to 1/8 inch.

    Levelling And Flatness

    This may be one of the most expensive parts of this prepping, but it is crucial to the uniform application of the epoxy. They are both achieved at the same time. This will ensure that the final product is not misbalanced, and the floor is not grinded more from any side. Often patching holes affects flatness so this step of the way is paid extra attention to. 

    Patching Holes And Cracks

    You will often see that over time there may have been cracks and some small holes on the concrete surface, but they can be easily fixed. Using appropriate products that set as hard as concrete fixes that problem of cracks. After the floor is dry, the imperfections are sanded by a sand paper so any bumps are removed.

    Cleaning Again And Epoxy Application 

    After the cracks and holes are filled and sanded, the floor is dusted and moped again, epoxy is mixed and is applied. You can add different textures and colors for epoxy to suit your house or whichever place you’re applying it to. 

    Now that the secret’s out, that does not mean you go ahead and start prepping and epoxy coating your floor all by yourself. Prepping the floor is a long and tiring task and epoxy is a tricky, if not toxic, material to work with. Letting the experts get the done is your best bet!