Author: Adrian Shaw

Deck/Patio Building Tips For The Fall Season

Regardless of whether you are building a new deck or patio, or if you have been working on one for the last several months, fall is a great time to finish up. Fall offers some specific advantages over other times of the year. The major advantage is that it’s cool enough at night and in the morning to do any work without killing your body with heat-related ailments like dehydration, nausea and heat exhaustion. You can also get some work done on an empty stomach to avoid getting nauseous when you start eating lunch after finishing your first cup of coffee. Another schedule consideration is that while the days may be shorter in terms of daylight hours they often span more hours than during summer because there are fewer breaks due to bad weather.

If you are building a deck or patio now, it is still important to follow some of the tips below even if your project is nowhere near completion. This way you can start off on the right foot and avoid problems down the line. If things don’t go exactly as planned early on in a construction project they typically get worse rather than better. As for existing projects, there may be some tasks that need to be done before winter sets in such as staining wooden surfaces that will not take well to moisture exposure over the winter months.

Deck Surface Finish

Regardless of whether you build a new deck or finish up an existing one, you will want it to feel like hardwood flooring when people walk out onto it. There are many advantages to having a quality deck or patio floor that people will not know even exist unless you tell them. The first is simply aesthetic appearance, which of course we all like because it makes our homes look good and it feels great walking out onto a clean and beautiful surface. Another major consideration for the homeowner’s wallet is maintenance cost over time. A wood deck or patio takes less effort to maintain with respect to staining, cleaning and treatment/weather protection year after year when compared to other surfaces.

The manufacturer’s guide should have specific instructions on how to complete the desired final finish since different stain products (oil vs. water-based) react differently depending on whether they are used during or after construction. This is another reason why it is important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are not sure if a surface can be stained, call the manufacturer and ask them before starting this step. If you are veteran of staining wood projects, then feel free to take your own approach as long as it matches what was done previously with similar materials.

Installing/Caulking Deck or Patio Edging

Edging protects a deck or patio against dirt runoff when there are heavy rains. It also enables the homeowner to clean up after pets by easily removing pet hair and other detritus caught in cracks without getting down on all fours like a dog (disclaimer: I don’t do that either). Edging can be prefabricated or even be made out of scrap lumber and there are a few different ways to install it on top of your finished deck. The first is cutting with a saw, which is the most labor intensive way but also the strongest and most durable if done correctly. This should be considered if your edging will take stress from multiple heavy objects like patio furniture legs, outdoor patio lighting fixtures and other sources that cause lots of wear and tear over time.

Mistakes In Bathroom Decoration And Ways To Correct Them

A beautiful bathroom is a luxury that should not be overlooked, but there are a number of mistakes in bathroom decoration that leave much to be desired. These flaws take your room from being a gorgeous, visually pleasing, and super practical room, to being a space you just want to get in and out of as quickly as possible, or a space that you are ashamed of when entertaining guests at home.

If your bathroom isn’t designed properly for your needs, it will quickly turn into a headache. However, many of the problems that bathroom décor mistakes create are easily solved without too much fuss, work, or money.

Let’s see what are the most common mistakes in bathroom decoration and discover below the simple and smart solutions that could quickly and easily revive your space:

Neglecting storage

  1. The first of the errors in the decoration of the bathroom is that, once finished, we have not left space for storage. Although bathrooms are usually small spaces, they require a lot of storage space, however, most people do not have adequate storage space for their needs, in order to allow their bathrooms to be as functional and uncluttered as they can be.
  2. Choosing a medicine cabinet that suits your needs is the first step, or if you are going to customize, it is worth planning to incorporate one of the modern suspended bathroom furniture that has enough storage space. Exploring built-in wall cabinets and shower shelves can also be an option for building the room from scratch.
  3. Many people keep their towels in their hot press, but if you don’t have that accessory, make sure you have enough storage for them. Also, adding robe hooks to the back of your door can be a small space solution that gives you a place to store wet towels to dry so you don’t have to rely on towel racks alone.

Poor lighting

  1. There is nothing worse than a poorly lit bathroom, and lighting is one thing many people get wrong about. This is one of the worst mistakes in bathroom decoration. Many people forget that you need multiple light sources, so it is important to remember that you need decorative and work lighting. Obviously, a good source of natural light is a godsend, but if you only have a small window, there are many tricks you can use with your lighting to make sure it is adequately bright.
  2. Strategically placed overhead and sink lighting will work wonders, but if your bathroom is particularly poorly lit, don’t be afraid to add a well-chosen lamp to help. With bathroom lighting, it really comes down to what you use the space for. If your morning makeup is your top priority, add sconces or a lighted magnifying mirror, but if you’re more likely looking for a relaxing soak in the bathroom, dimmable ceiling lights would be a great option.

Too many finishes

  1. Considering that the bathroom is probably a smaller room, it can easily be overwhelming or cluttered if it features too many finishes and patterns. More than two finishes in a bathroom can seem strange, so try to pick your favorites and stick with them.
  2. Mixing metals is a big trend, but in a bathroom it could become too much, so try picking a metal and going with it, and maybe accenting it with little accessories if you really love the idea of ​​mixing. If statement colors or patterns are your thing, use them wisely rather than putting them everywhere, to keep things unified.

Choosing slippery tiles

  1. You might love that cool decorative tile you’ve come across, but it might not be perfect for your floor. Be aware that your bathroom floor is very likely to get wet, and sometimes tiles that are not explicitly designed as tile can become extremely slippery when wet. Nothing looks good enough to pose a constant safety hazard, so when choosing tiles, make sure they are bathroom safe. If it’s too late for that, it can be fixed with slip-resistant treatments.

They forget the personality

The last of the mistakes in bathroom decoration has to do with personality. For whatever reason, people tend to forget to put their own stamp on their bathrooms. Like any other room in the house, bathrooms can also have personality.

Design Your Front Yard

It is well known that consulting a designer for the design of landscaping in Austin project can make all the difference. Indeed, the specialists have all the expertise necessary to meet the standards as well as the requirements of the municipality, in addition to having an immense talent for wowing customers.

When you have a large lot, the design of a layout that combines looks and functionality may require the support of an expert and even more when a large part of the lot is in front of a property. But what are the points of interest to think about when designing a front yard?

The development of a flower bed

Our designer offers different solutions. The first is the development of a flower bed. Whether positioned to create a division between your parking space and access to your home or whether the continuity of your paving stone wall, the integration of a flower bed offers a signature effect every time.

The integration of a fountain or an architectural element

As a second option, our team suggests the addition of a fountain or a wall. This element, sometimes architectural, sometimes natural, brings richness and softness to your landscaping concept. The choices are multiple, just define the style, the functionality and choose the right materials.

Addition of exterior lighting

Third, the lighting of landscaping in Austin can make all the difference. By selecting the right type of lighting, you will be able to highlight the richness of the shrubs and your paving stone.

Tree planting

Finally, adding trees can be a very affordable option that will have a growing impact over the years. Combined with natural stones, some trees will give a chic and natural look to your home.

Choosing to design the front yard of your house is an easy way to complete the look of your layout and add style to your property.

Things to do in Aqaba (Jordan) – Beach and diving in the Red Sea

The city of Aqaba is the point where Jordan opens to the Red Sea, a spectacular
setting to enjoy the beach and, above all, diving. It is a small coastal strip from which
you can see Israel and Egypt on the right, and Saudi Arabia on the left; territories
that seem almost accessible by swimming.
The landscape is very special, the bare rock mountains of the Sinai Peninsula and
the Arabian Peninsula meet the turquoise water of the sea; Africa and Asia meet in
the Gulf of Aqaba.
As we had a limited number of days to travel through Jordan and Israel, we were
only able to spend 1 day in Aqaba, which is enough to taste everything the area has
to offer. But if we had had enough time, we would have stayed a couple of days
more quietly; snorkelling, enjoying the gastronomy (fresh fish and Arab food) and
admiring the sunsets over the Sinai mountains.
The city is not chaotic at all and has a very relaxed atmosphere. During the day life is
concentrated in its streets; in the market, in shops, on restaurant terraces, etc. For
this reason, it is interesting to see the White Mosque, stroll and shop in the shops,
stroll through the market or sit down to eat on a terrace. You are not going to find
anything out of this world, the truth, Aqaba is a beach vacation destination for
Jordanians, but tourism does not overshadow local life.
At night, although the shops are still open, the bulk of the activity moves to the
seaside, where families and friends gather as a group and have dinner and/or smoke
shisha while socializing.
Diving is the main activity. The beaches are not spectacular at all, the sand is
coarse, and of a colour between yellow and brown that is quite unattractive, in
addition, Jordanians go to them with family or friends, and you can see how the
women remain dressed and taking care of the children while the men admire the
tourists sunbathing in a bikini. Anyway, when you get into the water and put on your
diving goggles, everything changes, and the sea hides an endless number of
colourful wonders: corals, fish, urchins and other marine fauna of all kinds. Even the
colour of the water itself, sometimes translucent and sometimes deep blue, falls in
love.
We did not dive because we did not have much time and we were tired from the trip,
we only did snorkelling (without a wetsuit, the water was at a good temperature even
though it was December) and with that alone, the Red Sea seemed amazing. In
almost all the beaches or bathing areas there are lodges or shops where you can
rent diving and snorkelling equipment, you can do dives for 25 bucks and diving
courses at a good price.
The restaurant has a spacious dining room and terrace. In addition, it is very well
located; near the Sharif Hussein Bin Ali mosque, which is usually illuminated at night

and invites you to take a walk around it, and also near the seafront, where local
people congregate at dusk. It is easy to park your car on the same street as the
restaurant.

Build A Wooden Deck Like A Carpenter

Building a deck is one of the ten easiest DIY projects to achieve, but it can go wrong if this is your first deck. If you’ve never designed or built a deck, take the time to learn how to build one properly. Deck builders in San Antonio Texas can help you save up to half the cost of a professionally installed deck by building it themselves, you can do it too but only you have to do it right the first time.

 

The Material To Choose To Build Your Deck: Wood Or Composite?

 

While many homeowners love the romance and allure of a wooden deck, many others appreciate the low maintenance, durability, and ease of use of composite decks. Choosing a deck at ground level can lead to humidity and an accumulation of leaves and debris. The choice between composite and wood is always a crucial decision for most deck companies. Expect to have to choose between treated lumber, cedar, hardwood, redwood, a tropical hardwood, composites, or aluminum.

 

Free-Floating Or Fixed

 

Many homeowners prefer a freestanding deck (which is not attached to their home). They are also called “floating deck.” Floating decks are not subject to many building standards, but they can also be mounted on concrete pillars rather than posts driven into the ground, as is the case with decks attached to a house.

 

Size, Weight, and Safety

 

When designing a wooden deck, regardless of its size, consider what you plan to use it for, its size, the maximum weight it must support (people, hot tubs, plants, furniture, etc. ) and the type of footings, beams, hangers, stairs, handrails and materials you will be using.

 

Deck Plans

 

There are hundreds of free deck plans online. They did all the work for you, including determining the materials or the “cut list.” They usually offer you a cost per square meter analysis or a calculator that you can use to determine the cost of your deck based on the square footage.

 

Construction Standards

 

The main reason most decks fail is that they don’t meet building standards. Building standards are a set of rules, standards, and procedures that specify standards for materials and design for constructed objects, such as buildings and unbuilt objects, i.e., plumbing and electricity. Building standards regulate the design and construction of structures to protect public interest and health. Professionals like deck builders companies always obtain a building permit before starting work. You have to do it to ensure that your structure complies with the town planning code.

 

Do not use untreated wood. It deteriorates much faster. Joist hangers are an essential part of any deck construction. Use suitable footings, flashings, and materials. Don’t try to “do with” what you have on hand. Avoid bolting deck beams directly to the sides of the support posts for any reason. Use a support post at all junction points of the beams. A reduced number of posts results in greater loads on the plank assemblies. Even if your bolts do not shear under the weight’s effect, the wood can chop and cause the deck to break. Use torx or square head, zinc stainless steel, or silicon bronze screws. Not only do the screws not loosen like nails, but they also prevent the wood from warping. Use deck screws.