Skipping Stone Design

Skipping Stone Design

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How Often Should You Clean Your Pool? A Pool Cleaning Guide

More than 10 million homes in the U.S. are lucky enough to enjoy their own backyard swimming pool.

But while being able to take a dip without leaving your yard is a great perk, it also comes with plenty of responsibility.

Without a little elbow grease, that sparkling pool will quickly turn green and become filled with leaves and other debris.

If you’re curious how often you should be cleaning your pool, keep reading for our pool cleaning guide.

Give Your Pool a Weekly Quick-Clean

How often you need to clean your pool is a tough question to answer. That’s because where your pool is located can affect how clean it stays on its own. There are also many levels of keeping a clean pool, including some tasks that you need to do more often than others.

The best advice you can follow when you want to learn how to keep a pool clean is to expect to do a little bit of work every week.

Once a week, you should check your pool’s pH levels and adjust your chemicals as necessary. This will help keep your water clear.

You’ll also want to skim your pool with a net at least once a week. If you have trees close to your pool or if your yard gets a lot of bugs, you may need to do this task more often.

When it comes to how to clean the bottom of a pool, skip the net.

Instead, you’ll want to vacuum the bottom of your pool to capture any debris that may have sunk. Of course, if you hate vacuuming, you can always invest in an automatic pool cleaner to do the work for you.

Deep Cleanings Every 2-3 Months

Every couple of months, you’ll want to give your pool a more thorough cleaning to keep it looking great.

This includes using a filter cleaner and degreaser. How often should you clean your pool filter? That largely depends on how dirty your pool gets, both through use and through debris getting in.

But a degreaser will help strip any built-up grease and oil that naturally forms. It’ll also help keep your filter running properly.

Next, you’ll want to use a flock or metal remover in your pool. Add it to your pool, then wait a few days. After that, you’ll be able to vacuum out what the treatment caused to sink to the bottom.

Keeping Your Pool in Top Shape

Keeping your pool clean is about more than just regular cleanings.

Checking your equipment and performing both regular and emergency maintenance will also help keep your pool sparkling clean.

Whether you’re re-sealing your pump, deep cleaning your filter, or repairing cracks in the liner, regular pool repair will help ensure that your pool looks as good–and performs as well–as it did the day that you installed it.

Mastering Your Pool Cleaning

Mastering your pool cleaning takes some work. But once you’ve set up a schedule and tackled your weekly and monthly tasks, you can enjoy a clean, beautiful pool year after year.

For more tips on maintaining your pool, backyard, and home, check out the Lifestyle section of our website.

Do Privacy Fences Boost Home Resale Value?

More than 90 percent of homeowners plan to renovate their homes at some point. However, figuring out which projects to tackle first can be tough.

You want to choose a home improvement project that adds value to your property while also making the property more usable for your family. Though there are many options to choose from, some projects add more value than others.

Believe it or not, installing privacy fences is a simple yet effective way to boost your property value. Here’s what you need to do to get the most out of your project.

Choose the Right Materials

The materials you choose for your privacy fence can make all the difference in the amount of value your new fence adds to your property. You’ll want to take the time to choose materials that will last for years, but also enhance the look of your home’s exterior.

Look for materials that truly block your yard from view. Solid wood planks or vinyl fences from Butte Fence are great options.

They keep your yard secure, require minimal maintenance, and blend in with your home’s existing exterior décor. Just make sure the type of fence you’re installing is acceptable for your homeowners’ association.

If it’s not, you’ll need to choose from the types of materials they deem appropriate.

Get It Installed by a Pro

Installing a fence the right way takes a lot of training and time. If you try to do the job on your own, you may end up saving money on the installation costs, but you’ll end up spending more on future repairs.

The longer your fence lasts, the more it will increase your home resale value.

Instead of installing your privacy fence on your own, hire an experienced professional. They’ll make sure all the necessary permits are in place and can guarantee that your fence will stand up to the elements.

Implement a Maintenance Plan

A privacy fence will only increase your home value if you keep it in good condition once it’s installed. This means you’ll want to implement a maintenance plan as soon as the fence goes up.

Work with your installation expert to figure out the types of care and maintenance that your fence will need. They’ll be able to recommend a maintenance schedule based on the types of materials used.

Stick to that schedule as closely as possible. When you do, you’ll keep your fence in good shape for years to come. The better maintained your fence is, the more it will help increase your home’s resale value.

Installing Privacy Fences Is a Great Choice

Privacy fences are a wonderful way to make your home more usable while also boosting your resale value. Just remember to get the fence installed by a professional so you won’t have to worry about losing money on your investment.

Looking for more tips and tricks to help you boost your home’s resale value without breaking the bank? Check out our latest posts for more inspiration.

6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a House Painting Service

Did you know that having your house painted can both raise its value and improve its curb appeal? Of course, you get other benefits like a new look and protection of the house’s surfaces.

But before you decide to hire house painting services, take some time to get all the information needed for your interior or exterior painting job. This means knowing the right questions to ask a prospective company and comparing options.

Use these six questions as a guide for hiring home painting services.

1. Does Your Company Have the Right Credentials?

When considering a house painting company, make sure they have both the expertise and legal ability to safely work for you.

This means asking whether the company insures its contractors and does background checks on their skills and experience. It also involves checking if the company has a valid license and permit.

2. Do You Have References?

You shouldn’t just trust a house painter based on their word or pictures of their work.

Ask to speak to satisfied customers and learn about their experiences. Also, check reviews online to learn about the good and bad aspects of the house painting services provider.

3. What Will the Painting Process Look Like?

Before moving forward, learn what you can expect from your interior or exterior painting services.

This includes everything from learning about the appointments needed and time to finish the project to the specific steps the company will take. You can also ask how they prepare your property for the job and clean up afterward.

4. What Kind of Paint Do You Use?

You may have a specific brand of paint you like or a type such as low-odor that you need for your family’s health.

Find out which products the company uses for home painting services. Make sure they can accommodate any preferences you have.

5. How Much Will Painting Services Cost?

While you want high-quality work, you also probably prefer to hire affordable painting services.

Ask for an estimate of the job and inquire about any hidden charges that may apply. For example, you may find the company charges extra for wall preparation, so prepare accordingly.

6. Do You Include a Warranty?

Since house painting services can come with a big price tag, you want that work guaranteed for a long time.

So, ask the company if they guarantee the painting work performed and how long they do so. Also, find out exactly what that warranty would cover so you don’t end up still needing to put out money for labor or materials costs again.

Start Researching House Painting Services Today

Although doing the painting job yourself might seem appealing financially, hiring professional house painting services saves a lot of time and hassle. Asking these questions will help you understand each company and choose the best for your painting job.

Whether you’re seeking exterior or interior painting services, try to ask the prospective company for a consultation. That provides a great chance to ask these questions and get opinions.

Be sure to check out our other posts for more home design and improvement information.

Counting Those Sheep! What Is Rem Sleep?

How often do you wake up feeling grouchy and thinking that the day is off to a bad start for some reason? Could it be because you didn’t get enough REM sleep during the night?

REM sleep is an essential part of the human sleep cycle. And during deep sleep, which comes immediately before REM sleep begins, the body restores itself so we can be fresh and productive the following day.

This article looks in detail at this remarkable sleep phase, explains what it does for our mind and body, and discusses some recent research findings.

What Is REM Sleep?

One thing we know is that all animals need sleep—in one form or another. For humans, there is a distinct four-part sleep cycle that we go through at night and sometimes during a long nap (see below).

Different animal species have their unique sleep patterns and behaviors, but all mammals, humans and otherwise, experience REM sleep as part of the sleep cycle.

The Sleep Cycle

What follows are the four stages of the human sleep cycle.

NREM (non-REM) Sleep

  1. Light sleep (5-10 minutes): At this stage, your eyes may be closed, but you wake easily.
  2. Transitioning to deep sleep: You remain in a light sleep at this stage, but your heart rate slows, and body temperature drops. You’re preparing for deep sleep.
  3. Deep sleep: This is when “you’re out like a light.” Your body repairs and regenerates tissue, growing new bone and muscle, and fortifying the immune system.

REM Sleep (stage four of the sleep cycle)

There is only one REM sleep stage during the sleep cycle, and this is when you’re “awake asleep”—dreaming, in other words. Your heart rate and breathing speed up, and your muscles twitch. Your brain is very active during this time.

REM sleep typically starts around 90 minutes after the sleep cycle begins. Each REM stage can last from ten minutes to an hour. The most extensive REM cycle is just before you wake up. The most recent dream might still be vivid when you waken.

Does the Body Go Into REM Sleep During a Nap?

The answer to this question depends on how long your nap is and how much of the sleep cycle it can cover.

Like many people in today’s busy society, you might enjoy a twenty to thirty-minute power nap during lunch hour. You won’t get any REM sleep during this brief interval, though.

What you will get, though, is the sleep that occurs during the second stage of the sleep cycle, before REM sleep begins. This is ideal for a power nap because it allows you to waken alert and refreshed, not groggy.

Since an hour-long nap provides enough time to move through a whole sleep cycle, this is a different experience from the power nap just discussed. You might not be so alert upon waking.

Can Sleep Disorders Interfere with REM Sleep?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSR) is one sleep disorder that has been shown to have a serious impact on the incidence of cardiovascular disease, glucose metabolism, and cognitive function.

There is also REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a type of sleep disorder called parasomnia. Sleepwalking is one manifestation of this condition. Others include:

  • Talking
  • Shouting
  • Physical lashing out
  • Punching and kicking
  • Cursing
  • Clear recall of dreams on waking

The Sleep Foundation provides accessible information on these and other sleep disorders.

What Role Does Bedding Play in REM Sleep and the Sleep Cycle?

Because room temperature is a key factor in a sound sleep, you should make sure your bedroom temperature is regulated to be neither too hot nor too cold for your comfort. You should consider your bed coverings as well as the thermostat here.

For example, natural fibers like bamboo, cotton, and linen are better for wicking away sweat than most synthetic fibers.

With pillows and mattresses, firmer is not necessarily better than softer. You should lie on different mattresses in the showroom for as long as possible and let your body tell you which is the most comfortable.

If you’re thinking about a new mattress and weighing the pros and cons, such as Nolah vs Nectar, give some thought to the role your mattress can play in encouraging REM sleep.

What Else Have Researchers Been Discovering About REM Sleep?

Intriguing and useful research findings on sleep and the importance of REM and deep sleep often appear in the media. Here is a couple from summer 2020:

More REM Sleep Makes People Less Fearful

This study found that people who spent more time in REM sleep had lower fear-related brain activity when receiving mild electric shocks the following day.

The findings further suggested that people with adequate REM sleep before frightening experiences could make them less prone to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Not Getting Enough REM Sleep Could Shorten Your Life

Another recent study found that getting less REM sleep might heighten your risk of death from any cause besides cancer.

Having read this rather distressing news, though, you will be heartened to know that “you can train your brain to achieve better sleep” and allow your body the time it needs for both REM and deep sleep.

Words to Live by

Here are a couple of worthwhile reminders about REM sleep and the sleep cycle. Try to keep them in mind:

  • You have to be awake for at least a short while before falling asleep. In other words, being awake is part of falling asleep. So don’t panic if you don’t fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.
  • Not everyone needs eight full hours of sleep, and the amount required varies from person to person. So, again, don’t panic about over or under-sleeping. Follow your body’s signals on how long to sleep.

And now, it’s time for bed.

Zzzzz…

People can be so desperate to get a good night’s sleep that we might have lost touch with what getting a good night’s sleep even means. Getting proper REM sleep is essential. There are lots of headlines telling us we need precisely eight hours of sleep that just thinking about it can keep us awake!

Some of what we discussed in this article might provoke anxiety. Think of it this way instead: the ways people deal with anxiety are precisely what we need to relax to the point where we can start the sleep cycle quickly and easily.

If you learned some new information from reading this article, keep following our website to discover more interesting and timely topics.

5 Tips for Bringing the Vacation Vibes to Your Home, Because COVID-19 Is Ruining Our Summer

It’s hard not to go stir-crazy when COVID-19 has dashed all hopes for summer travel. Flipping through old vacation photos, making travel lists, and reminiscing about your favorite hotels and resorts doesn’t help take you out of your travel slump. But, bringing vacation vibes to your home is the perfect way to prevent COVID-19 from ruining your summer. You don’t have to hire an interior designer or take on major renovations to create a staycation paradise. Check out the tips below for inspiration and get ready for your summer vacation.

1. Add decor that alludes to your happy place.

A fun and creative way to bring the vibes of your happy vacation place is to incorporate some of its signature design elements. Tasteful touches like accent pieces, found objects, textiles, and artwork that reflect the design elements of your favorite vacation destination can help you create a stay-cation escape. For instance, if you love tropical destinations, bring in blue elements, seashells, and photos of coastline sunsets to offer a zen-like escape to a room in your house.

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2. Bring the outdoors in.

Bring the outdoors in by incorporating natural fibers and outdoor furniture indoors. For instance, consider adding a woven hammock, bamboo daybed, or hanging chairs. Encourage more natural light to flood the inside of your home by getting rid of window treatments.

Adding oversized plants to your flora and fauna collection will help create a resort vibe. Consider re-potting houseplants in oversized pots and planters and add some larger varieties of plants to the mix. By incorporating living things and natural textures in your home’s space, you’ll help maximize natural elements that put you in a vacation mindset.

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3. Use crisp white linens.

Use as many crisp white linens throughout your home as possible. Choose fabrics that are either wrinkle-resistant or wear wrinkles well. Incorporate pops of color or patterns that reflect your vacation paradise to help offset all the white. Turn your bed into a posh hotel-like retreat with crisp, well-fitting sheets and fluffy pillows. High-quality sheets, new pillows, and an inviting comforter will make you feel like you’re enjoying a five-star snooze.

Your wardrobe can also take on vacation vibes by incorporating basic pieces and accessories in white. Classic white pants will never go out of style, and with the collection of pants at White House Black Market, freshening up your wardrobe is a breeze. All of their styles are designed to flatter every body type, including petite sizes.

Versatile styles of trousers include white trousers pants, high rise white pants, high waist white jeans, and skinny jeans. You can also shop casual jackets, chic blazers, stylish jumpsuits, flirty dresses, and elegant jumpsuits. Explore new arrivals at White House Black Market to take advantage of special prices and free shipping.

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4. Install a swimming pool to transform your backyard.

Your own backyard can be transformed into an oasis with the addition of a pool. Custom pools with spas and waterfalls, outdoor kitchens, and fire pits can transform your outdoor living space into your new favorite staycation destination. When shopping for a pool, it’s important to look for a local builder. For instance, if you’re located in Central Florida, Olympus Pools is a pro when it comes to pool construction Lakeland FL, Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Polk County, Plant City, Haines City, Tampa, and other surrounding areas.

When installing a pool in your backyard, it’s ideal if the swimming pool builder and pool contractor can deliver quality construction, custom pool design, transparency during the construction process, and luxurious water features. The right pool company will specialize in new pool construction and can work with homeowners to exceed their pool project vision.

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5. Create a signature scent.

Chances are your favorite vacation destination has a signature scent. Scents are known to trigger memories, so why not re-create the scent of your favorite vacation? Candles, room sprays, diffusers, and bathroom soaps are all great ways to create a signature scent at home. For instance, if you love a refreshing mountain escape, consider adding evergreen candles and incense in your living room.

Another unique way to bring vacation vibes through scent to your home is to cook your favorite local cuisines. Cooking with the same herbs and spices found in your happy place will fill your kitchen with fond memories.

Try out these tips for bringing the vacation vibes to your home, and don’t let COVID-19 ruin your summer.

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How Much Does a Painter Cost? A Homeowner’s Guide

Did you know that there were over 375,000 house painters in the USA in 2018?

Wherever you live, hiring a house painter can bring vibrancy and new life to your house. It can also be a wise investment as quality painting can increase the value of your house.

If you are considering having your house painted, what do you need to know? How much does a painter cost?

Why not check out our in-depth article to find out.

House Painters Hourly Fee

When deciding whether to hire a painter, it is often good to learn whether they charge by project or by the hour.

Often house painters can command up to $50 per hour. However, depending on the time of the year and the location and condition of the house, this may be open to negotiation.

If you are interested in something a little more adventurous, such as a wall mural, you may need to add 50% on top of the hourly fee for this specialist skill.

What Factors Affect the Cost?

There are generally 3 factors that affect the cost of the painting work.

The Size of the Project

Of course the larger the surface, the more paint that will be required. However, this is not the end of the story. If you have multiple types of surfaces, such as woodwork, more paint and paint types will be needed. This will affect the price.

The Texture and Conditions of Your Walls

If the wall needs extensive repair work before the paint can be applied, this will add to the cost. Even walls that are in good condition, but have a coarse texture, will require more paint than smooth walls.

Drying Time

Multiple coats will be needed in most cases. If there is not good ventilation in the painted area, it can take some time for the paint to dry. If this delays the project it could add to the overall cost. Factor in the time taken for the paint to dry when budgeting for this project.

What Can You do to Lower Costs?

If you would like to reduce the cost of the painting project overall, there are some small steps that you can take.

You could repair any damage to the wall yourself before the painters arrive. This would involve using acrylic caulking to fill in holes and cracks.

Before the painters start, you should move all furniture out of the way. This will means that the painter can start work sooner and you will reduce his overall charge.

How Much Does a Painter Cost? and Much More

Painting your house is much more than simply changing its color. It can add sparkle and vibrance to your home and potentially add to its value. Of course, you will need to plan this investment carefully and factor in paint and painter cost.

If you want to learn more about house and real estate developments, then we are here to help. We gather the latest information on these subjects and bring them to you in our feed. Why not take a minute to check out our other blog articles?

3 Tips For Adding Hardscaping To Your Property

If you live in a hot or harsh climate, having a lush, green yard or garden is likely going to be too expensive for you to maintain or use too many finite resources that would be better left for another purpose. In a situation like this, you can still create a beautiful outdoor space by adding a greater proportion of hardscaping to your landscape.

To help you figure out the best way to do this, here are three tips for adding hardscaping to your property.

Consider Drainage First

Before you start making any real solid plans for adding hardscaping to your property, Rose Kennedy, a contributor to HGTV, shares that you should first figure out the drainage of your property. Without direct access to the ground, drainage can be an issue when setting up hardscaping.

In an ideal world, you should try to layout and design your hardscaping so that it funnels water runoff to areas in which you need additional water. Otherwise, you should at least lay things out so that water is diverted away from your home and off of your property toward drainage pipes. This will ensure that no water gets channeled back toward your home to cause damage to the structure as well as keeping standing water off of your hardscaping, where it could mess with the integrity of your design.

Don’t Be Afraid To Use Various Materials

If you’re taking on the project of putting in hardscaping all by yourself, you might suffer from a fear of not knowing what materials to use and how to go about laying them out in the most effective way. While a professional could be helpful with things like choosing the right materials so you, Terri Williams, a contributor to Realtor.com, shares that you should try to embrace the design theory of using various materials.

When done correctly, you can mix and match colors and textures of materials to draw attention to certain aspects of your design and create clear focal points on your property.

Focus On What Will Make Your Space Easier To Enjoy

Because there are so many options for how to add hardscaping to your property, it can be difficult to know where to start or what to do.

To make this easier for you, Valerie Kalfrin, a contributor to HomeLight.com, suggests that you start by focusing on what additions will make your outdoor space easier for you to enjoy. This may include adding a canopy so you can sit outside more often, putting on a deck for barbecuing, or simply adding some furniture pieces.

To help you make the right choices when it comes to incorporating hardscaping into your landscape design, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned above.

 

4 Things To Look For In a Family Home

After you have a family, it’s only natural to start considering buying a home. However, a house is no small purchase. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments that you’ll make in your lifetime, so it’s important that you know what you’re doing.

Knowing what to look for is critical when on your home search. Fortunately, you’ve come across a useful list of some of the most important things to look for in your first family home.

Location

You’ve probably heard the saying before, “location location location,” and the truth is it couldn’t be more correct. One of the most important things that you should consider is where the property is that you’re considering purchasing. If you hope to sell your home again one day for a handsome price, your best chance of doing so will be if you purchase in an ideal location.

The truth is that most of the time, you can fix imperfections in a home that you buy. However, you can’t fix the location that you buy in. It’s important that you consider the neighborhood, the proximity to where you work, and of course, how close it is to things like school and friends. A house can be perfect on the inside, but if it’s in the middle of nowhere far from everything that you need access to, it won’t be long before you want to move.

Bedrooms

It’s easy to look at a home that you’re considering and consider the number of rooms for the number of people that are in your family currently. However, it’s important to look into the future when considering the number of bedrooms for your home.

Consider whether your family might want to expand one day and whether you might need more rooms. By looking into the future, you’ll determine the best amount of bedrooms that you’ll need realistically.

Backyard

It’s no secret that children have a lot of energy. Make sure that you choose a home that has a large backyard or plenty of room to run around in. You may want to consider adding things like play equipment or even a pool. So take the size of the yard into consideration when looking at properties.

The Neighborhood

It’s important that you live in a safe place when you live with children. Take a look at what the crime rate is in the neighborhood you’re considering, and whether it’s known for being family-friendly.

Do the neighbors seem friendly, and do they have children of their own? Looking into things like this will ensure that you are happy in the neighborhood where you’ll be living. Not all neighborhoods are ideal for family homes.

3 Common Roof Types and How to Choose the Best One for Your Home

Putting on a new roof is a big decision for any homeowner, as it is a choice you will likely need to live with for at least 15-30 years, depending on the type of roof you choose. Choosing a roofer is also a big decision, as you can end up with a lot of results just by searching for “Roofer Pittsburgh PA” or any similar search term. If you’re in Pennsylvania, you’ll likely come across Buccos Roofing, professionals that have been in the business for years.

There are many different types of roofs that you can pick from, but the best choice depends on your budget, the area of the country you live in, and the overall aesthetic of your property. For example, a barrel tile roof would look great in Miami but may be out of place on a home in the greater Pittsburgh area.

Learn about three types of roofs that you can pick for your home, as well as why it is important to choose a trained contractor for your roofing installation job.

1. Shingle roofs are a traditional and economical choice.

Homeowners often choose shingle roofs, especially if they are looking at a tighter budget for roofing costs. This material boasts many advantages, such as:

  • Easy Installation: Shingles take less time to install than other materials, which cuts down on the labor costs. It also means your new roof is completed in less time.
  • Economical: A shingle roof is one of the most affordable and economical choices. They are also quite sturdy and should last you a while if they are properly inspected and maintained.
  • Many Choices: There are many different colors and types of shingles, which means you can choose a color that will beautifully complement the rest of your home.

Keep in mind with shingles, however, there is a greater risk of storm damage when high winds or hail come through. They can also easily sustain fading damage from the sun and will not last as long as slate or other roofing materials.

2. Slate roofing lasts longer but will have a higher upfront cost.

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While a slate roof may cost about 2-3 times more than a traditional shingle roof, they could end up being a great investment. Slate is a stone, which means it can last anywhere from 75-150 years with the proper treatment. This type of roof can also increase the overall value of your property as it is beautiful and durable. Other perks of slate include that it is fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and holds up well to moisture, meaning that it does well in places of the country that get a lot of winter weather.

3. Tile roofs are sustainable and energy-efficient.

If you opt for a tile roof, know you are getting a roof that is made from natural materials, thus reducing the carbon footprint of your home. Tile also has great insulating properties and keeps homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This type of roofing will last for a long time, in some cases centuries, according to the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance. Tile is also very versatile and can be made to look like other types of roofing surfaces.

Make sure to hire an experienced roofing contractor.

While the lower price tag of a less experienced contractor may be appealing, just know that they may not have been trained in best roofing practices. You could also risk hiring someone without the proper licensing or insurance. If an uninsured contractor injures themself on your property, you may end up with the liability for that injury and your homeowners’ insurance could opt to drop your coverage. Always make sure that you choose to work with a trained and properly insured roofing contractor with at least a few years of experience.

Properties and Benefits of Oak – and Why Restoring Oak is an Excellent Decision

Oak has always been popular for use in different structures, and its properties make it a particularly valuable element that can increase the value of any property. Did you know that there are more than 600 kinds of oak trees found in the northern hemisphere, and most of these are suitable for use as timber? Two particular species are often found in the European continent as well – Q. petraea and Q. robur. These species of oak have been widely used for centuries, especially for the making of furniture, decorative elements, and architectural or structural supports (such as oak beams). If you have oak wood in your home – whether in the form of beams, furniture and more – it pays to preserve it so you can enjoy it for years to come. Here’s more on what you should know about oak wood properties and benefits – and why restoring oak is always an excellent decision.

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Oak properties and characteristics that make it incredibly valuable

  • Flexibility – oak has an innate strength and obvious physical appeal, which makes it ideal for various purposes. A typical oak tree can grow to a great height, and this means that it can produce a lot of timber indeed. The timber’s length makes it even more suitable for exterior cladding and flooring and beams. If you use oak for your property, the work can be more quickly and effectively finished simply because you need fewer pieces. And since oak is relatively uniform in grain and colour, it gives you a highly-consistent finish.
  • Durability – as you may already know, oak is immensely hardy and durable – if you have oak beams, then you can definitely see for yourself how durable those oak beams are, even if they are already decades old. Numerous buildings framed in oak and built centuries ago are still standing today, and this certainly proves how long oak can last. Oak inherently contains a high percentage of tannin, making it amazingly resistant to fungi or insects. Unlike other kinds of wood, oak is not as likely to rot or decay. When you use particular drying methods that remove moisture within the wood, the timber produced is more weather-proof than most and doesn’t require extensive chemical treatment, if at all. Oak is also less likely to shrink or warp compared to other kinds of wood.
  • Aesthetic appeal – without a doubt, oak is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This is one of the vital reasons why it remains a desirable timber; it has a naturally pleasant goldish color that dries to a silvery hue and tone eventually. It also has visible graining, which doesn’t require waxing or staining to emphasise it. The texture of oak also makes it attractive, especially to home and property owners who are looking for a natural wooden sheen.

If you have old oak beams, old oak furniture, and the like, you should take extra care to preserve it. Old oak beams, in particular, are very attractive and can lend a uniquely appealing look to the interior of a building. If your old oak beams need to be renovated or restored, there are beam renovation specialists who can provide you with their expertise and can bring back the beauty and appeal of the wood – and it’s definitely worth it.