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An outdoor garden is a great way to encourage children to spend time outside and learn about nature. If your home has the space to build a garden, then you’ll want to create one that you and the entire family will love. Although at first, a garden might seem like something only an adult would benefit from, once you start creating it, you’ll learn that there are plenty of fun garden ideas.

How can you ensure you make your garden fun?

Imagine a magical world where bright and colorful flowers fill your eyes. There’s a mystery around every corner and critters of all sorts run the paths with you. Sounds enchanting, doesn’t it?

You can build this very place for your little ones. The end result is a stunning garden that your children will never want to leave. Continue reading below to find out about a few different ways to make your outdoor garden fun!

1. Allow the Imagination to Run

A place where the imagination can run wild is a place where your children want to be. It’ll make a neat place for you as well. When building your garden, consider laying down paths that curve into unseen areas.

Build garden walls from vines and lattice to separate different sections in the garden. If you want to see what’s behind the walls, you’ll need to follow the path. When your garden has a couple of these areas, your children will become obsessed with exploring, discovering, and imagining.

2. Install a Swing or Hammock

There are many furniture items that you can add to your garden. A swing, a hammock, or even a small pool will work well. The best above ground pools can be installed and then blended into your garden’s atmosphere.

A hammock is a great way to relax in nature after running down all the winding garden pathways. If you have a seating area in your garden for the adults, then be sure to install a few swings near the seating area.

As the adults sit at the table, the children can swing on the swings.

3. Create Grow Stations

Children are naturally curious. They’ll love having different grow stations in the garden. Use raised garden boxes to grow several different things.

You can have one grow station where you grow vegetables, one for a fruit, and one for a favorite flower. Start the plants off as seeds. Plant them with your little ones, bring them out to the garden to water and tend to them.

As the plants grow, the children will love to see the progress, and getting to snack on a sweet berry at the end is always a plus as well. This is also the perfect opportunity to teach them about gardening and agriculture.

4. Build Hideaways

What child doesn’t love a good hideaway? There’s something about hidden away nooks that children just can’t get enough of.

You can create hideaways, forts, or tents with the use of bamboos and vines. Place bamboo sticks in the ground in a circle shape. Leave a small section open.

This is how your children will crawl in and out. Then, secure the tops of the bamboo with garden twine. To make the hideaway more green and full, you can plant sweet peas and other beans and plants that climb on the outside of the structure.

Over time, they’ll grow around it, making a neat hiding spot.

5. Find Ways to Invite Critters

Critters love gardens. Gardens provide shelter and food for many small creatures. You will, however, need to have a good balance of all the right critters.

Some critters are beneficial to your garden, while others can damage it. Look into the type of plants you’re growing and see what types of critters you need to attract to keep it healthy.

You can also place a birdbath and birdfeeder in the garden to bring all sorts of birds to your home. Your children will love watching the critters and interacting with them.

6. Use Tree Stumps as Stepping Stones

The more natural you can keep your garden, the better. Find a narrow area where you can place tree stumps down. Use tree stumps of all different sizes both width and height.

Place them in a line. Your children will have fun stepping on them and jumping from one stump to another. If possible, have the stumps lead to a specific area in the garden, like a small buttery garden section.

7. Incorporate Play Equipment Into the Design

Average play equipment can be used in your garden as well. If your garden is on a slope, then you can install a slide that leads from the top of the slope to the bottom.

You can also create tunnels using sheets of metal hidden under the terrain. Create a playground or a natural jungle gym inside your garden, and the children won’t ever want to leave.

8. Plant a Sensory Garden

A sensory garden is a great idea for the little ones. What flowers can you plant that’ll light up their eyes, entice their nostrils, encourage them to feel different textures, allow them to taste new things, and bless their ears with natural sounds when the wind blows through?

Find a plant, flower, or veggie that’ll help them engage in one of their senses and have a plant for each sense. This is how you build a sensory garden.

9. Lay Mosaic Tiles as Game Pieces

Mosaic tiles are bright and colorful and can even work as game pieces in your garden. Find a path and lay down a few mosaic tiles as stepping stones.

Each stone can have a bright number on it. Place them in order and create a hop-scotch playground for the little ones.

How Will You Make Your Garden Fun for the Family?

Which fun ideas listed above will you use to make your garden fun for the entire family? Take an idea straight from this list or let some of these items inspire you to come up with your own.

For topics about the home, be sure to check back with us regularly!

Your lift is an open and adaptable space that can be transformed into whatever you desire. Even if you think that lifting a bed only works for dorm rooms or tiny houses, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There are plenty of beautiful loft ideas for small homes that can get your sleeping quarters out of the way.

You can build or even buy a new loft for your space without knowing rocket science. It just takes a good eye and the right attention to detail. Read on to discover the most amazing loft ideas for your home!

1. A Floating Loft

Floating loft beds really help you make the most of any space while allowing you to add new spots in your space. You can use the added space for working, lounging, or for storage. If you have high ceilings, then you’ll especially appreciate having a floating loft to create a cozy resting area that’s totally out of the way.

2. A Storage Loft

If you’re looking for the best loft ideas for small homes, consider a storage loft. A lofted bed that features drawers, cabinets, or shelves underneath could be essential. The bed will only need to be raised a few feet off of the ground to create even more space to have books, clothes, and other goods.

3. An Office Loft

You can make your dream home office by converting it into a loft space. No matter how much square space you have, you can create an office/bedroom space in your loft area. You’ll simply need a slim desk, good lighting, and a solid chair to get to work!

4. A Closet Loft

For those boarding out a loft with high rise ceilings, you should consider adding more storage to your bedroom. You can use the space of your closet for an extra bedroom as well! Store any extra sweaters whenever you don’t have guests and save yourself space by building a closet loft.

5. A Children’s Room Loft

The best loft ideas for homes with children include a lot more than bunk beds. Elevate that spot instead by building a beautiful loft bed. Their bedroom will turn into the comfiest area for them to read, nap, and store all of their favorite toys underneath!

6. A Low Loft

Low lofts don’t require you to climb a ladder just to hop into bed. If you’re not really into heights or tend to toss and turn through the night, a low loft is perfect. You can go for a design that’s only steps from the ground so you can use that slim space for shoe storage.

The Best Ideas for Homes

Now you have the best ideas for homes that you can get working on today! No more sacrificing space for style, these stylish loft ideas can improve your space in no time. Take advantage of your place by consolidating space with a fresh and unique loft!

Replacing a roof is a task most homeowners face at some point. Roofing can outlive its useful life or get damaged by stormy weather. Sometimes, homeowners replace the roof so it better matches a new paint job.

When the time comes for the actual work, you might ask: “Should I be home during roof replacement?” It’s an important question since the answer can mean a serious disruption in your life.

Keep reading and we’ll cover whether you should be home and other tips for roof replacement survival.

At Home During a Roof Replacement?

The question about being at home during the roof replacement doesn’t offer a clear answer.

Can you remain in your home during the work? Yes, in most cases, you can remain in the home if you follow some basic safety precautions.

Should you remain in the home? That depends a lot on your lifestyle and distraction tolerance. We’ll cover the pros and cons in the next sections.

Staying At Home Benefits

House roof replacement is one of the most expensive home repairs you can make. For an average-sized home, the cost can run over $10,000.

If you do remain at home during the work, the major benefit is that you avoid additional expenses like hotel bills and restaurant trips.

Remaining in the home also makes you readily available if the roofers need to consult you. For example, say they find damage in an unexpected area. The roofer will need your permission and probably a price adjustment to fix the problem or get someone else to fix it.

Staying at Home Pitfalls

The roofers must minimally tear off the old shingles and remove nails. In some cases, they must also tear off and replace the vapor barrier and plywood.

That work makes a lot of noise, which can prove very distracting if you work at home. All of the noise and disruption can also leave pets out of sorts.

In general, you’ll need to keep your kids inside to avoid falling debris and loose nails on the ground. You must find parking away from your home for similar reasons.

While most roofing jobs wrap up in a few days, bad weather can extend the process a lot. While you get a break from noise and work, you must also brace yourself for it to continue when the weather clears.

Parting Thoughts on Should I Be Home During Roof Replacement

The question of should I be home during roof replacement lacks an obvious yes or no answer.

For homeowners with kids and pets, staying home may prove problematic. You must keep your kids inside and away from the falling debris. The incessant noise and disruption will leave your pets disturbed.

If you don’t distract easily and don’t savor the idea of living in a hotel for a few days, then staying home may make sense. You may still find it’s best for kids and pets to stay elsewhere while the roofers do the work.

Want more home repair or home design tips? Check out our home and decor sections on this site.

If you’re a homeowner, you could increase your home resale value by around $12,000, just by installing a new roof.

You can capitalize on the roof design to enhance curb appeal and be the envy of all your neighbors. However, to do that, you first need a stunning roof design that you can work with.

Roof design has changed over the years to involve even more complex and sophisticated designs. Not to say that all modern roof designs have complex geometry and architecture. Many contemporary roof design ideas are in line with the minimalist taste.

In this post, we’ll be highlighting some incredible roof designs that you could consider for your home.

1. Gable Roofs

Gable roofs are as traditional as they come, and are pretty popular across the country. Gable roofs are also known as pitched or peaked roofs.

You can quickly tell gable roofs from their characteristic triangular shape. In fact, the term gable alludes to the triangular shape formed when the two roof panels meet at the top.

Gable roofs are relatively easy to construct, and contractors have a breeze installing them. Apart from their ease of installation, gable roofs also shed water and snow easily because they don’t have hips or interruption on their slopes. You also get more space and enough ventilation for your attic or vaulted ceiling.

The downside with gable roofs is that the roofs don’t do very well in areas with strong winds. If the roofing contractor doesn’t construct it with enough supports, then the roof can easily collapse.

2. Flat Roof

As you can tell from the name, flat roofs are roofs that are flat. However, even the name can be misleading because flat roofs aren’t entirely flat. These roofs have a slight pitch to allow water to run off and drain away.

Flat roofs are among the more contemporary roof designs that have become popular with most American homes.  They are also the go-to roofing choice for many industries, especially for warehouses.

A flat roof can act as an extra outdoor space where you can have a patio, roof garden, or maybe even swing your golf club a bit for practice.  You can even place your outdoor AC units on the roof and leave the backyard to the flowers and garden plants.

The flat roof design is also ideal for solar panel placement because the solar panels directly face the sun. The only downside with flat roofs is that they don’t do well in areas with heavy rain. Because the roof has a very low pitch, water doesn’t drain away as effectively, and it could pool on the roof surface and even lead to leaking.

3. Skillion Roof

You can use the name skillion roof interchangeably with a shed roof. In some areas, skillion roofs are also known as lean-to roofs. Skillion roofs have a very peculiar design, with only one single sloping panel, hence the name lean-to roof. You can think of a skillion roof as half a gable roof or a flat roof with a higher pitch.

These types of roofs are mainly used for porches and sheds. However, modern designs involve using skillion roofs for the entire house and not just for porches and home additions.

Because of their simple design, installing skillion roofs is simple and requires fewer materials than other roofing types. Rain and snow easily run off skillion roofs because of the high pitch; hence it’s an excellent roof for areas with heavy rain and snow.

With skillion roofs, however, you have to be really careful about the pitch. An overly high pitch can make your ceilings too low. Skillion roofs also don’t fare well in very windy areas.

4. Mansard Roof

The mansard roof is also known as the French roof.  Unlike gable roofs, mansard roofs have four pitched sides. However, these four sides don’t meet at a single point on top. Instead, there’s an almost flat rectangular surface at the top where all pitched sides meet.

Mansard roofs are stunning to look at, and they also provide a little extra space for the attic. The downside with mansard roofs is that they are costlier than many other roof types. However, despite the high costs of installations, mansard roofs significantly increase your home’s value.

5. Hip Roof

Just like a mansard roof, a hip roof slopes on all four sides, but with hip roofs, all four sides come together to form a ridge on top.  Since the roof slopes on all sides, water and snow run off the sides easily.

They are also more stable than gable roofs in very windy areas. The downside to hip roofs is their cost. They are more expensive to construct than gable roofs and also require more materials. You also need to find a competent roofing contractor like Bartlett Roofing because it’s not so easy to install, and anything wrong can be disastrous.

6. Saltbox Roof

The name slat box comes from the roof’s resemblance of old salt boxes with a similar design. These rooms are asymmetric, with one side protruding farther down than the other.

The longer side disperses water to the ground quite easily, and the shorter side doesn’t accumulate much water or snow. It’s also cheaper to install and has a unique look that chic homeowners fall in love with.

The downside to saltbox roofs is that the side of the house where the longer part is will have a slanted ceiling. This makes the roof very impractical for smaller houses.

7. Butterfly Roof

The butterfly roof gets its style from the “M” shape the roof forms that make it look like a butterfly ready to take off. This shape means that the roof slopes and meets in the middle. The point where the roof meets also slopes to allow for better drainage.

Butterfly roofs can withstand heavy, snow, wind, and rain and also look stunning. These roofs are, however, on the costlier side of things.

Find Roof Design Ideas Best-Suited to You

Clearly, there are plenty of roof design ideas, and all you have to do is find one that fits your taste. However, aesthetics aside, don’t forget that roofs also serve a functional purpose. You don’t want a roof that can’t withstand the weather conditions of your areas.

Lastly, remember to get a roofing contractor that can handle the job properly. Your roof is going to be only as good as the contractor you settle for.

For more informative articles, do have a look at the other posts on the site.

If you’re looking for a great way to spice up your home, consider outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting is sometimes overlooked, but it can make a huge difference in making you and your family feel safe.

Not to mention, cool outdoor lights make your home more attractive without spending absurd amounts of money.

Since there are lots of options for outdoor lighting, it can be challenging to sift through them all.

Luckily, we’ve compiled all the best outdoor lighting options sure to make your house pop!

Decorative Lighting

If you’re looking to improve the aesthetic of your home, consider string lights, rope lights, outdoor bar lights, or even post lighting around the backyard or patio. Lantern lights can be a charming option around a pool or bonfire area as well.

Changing the colors of the lighting can also add a unique and fun look to your home.

Plus, if you’re someone who hosts parties and get-togethers, decorative exterior lighting can improve the ambiance and make your home more welcoming.

Flood Lighting

If you’re more worried about security than improving the aesthetic of your home, consider putting up floodlights. Floodlights are used to light up stairways, garages, and areas of your property.

Installing exterior home lighting is a useful tactic in warding off potential intruders. You can purchase floodlights with a motion sensor to save energy and ensure it’s used when necessary.

The sensitivity of floodlight sensors can also be adjusted to match your needs.

A good tip is to position floodlights at least nine feet above the ground to maximize the illuminated space.

Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting is considered one of the best options for outdoor light fixtures because it can heighten security while also providing a beautiful aesthetic.

Landscape lighting includes Ballard lights and pathway lights that come in different shapes and sizes to match your home. Wall lights and outdoor ceiling lights are other options that are used to illuminate doorways or highlight attractive aspects of homes.

If you have a garden, you can also use well lights to draw attention to your plants, flowers, or shrubs.

Check out these other outdoor lighting options if you’re looking for even more variety.

Lighting for Safety

If you want to improve the security of your home and increase your safety, you can use dusk to dawn lights. These lights will automatically turn on after dusk and will turn off at sunset.

You can also try less harsh options, like dark skylights. Though they must be fully shielded, they reduce unnatural blue light.

Each of these options can provide increased security and safety. If you are coming home late at night, these lights can illuminate the walkway and prevent tripping and falling.

Now You Have Some Options for Cool Outdoor Lights

Whether you are concerned about safety or you want to make your house look more attractive, outdoor lighting can help improve your home.

No matter what your home looks like, you can find cool outdoor lights that complement its appearance.

Why wait any longer? Get started on those lights! And if you loved this article, don’t forget to check out some of the other awesome content on our site.

In 2018, homeowners across America spent a staggering $394 billion on home improvement projects. A number of these projects typically cover solving issues in the crawl space.

As the crawl space impacts the rest of the airflow in your home, you must avoid any humidity that might build up within the space.

Here’s a brief guide to help you better tackle crawl space moisture control in your home.

How Does Moisture Enter a Crawl Space?

If you want to have a more holistic understanding of the need for crawl space moisture control, you first need to grasp how moisture seeps in.

1. A Plumbing Leak

The first thing that likely comes to mind when you think of water on your crawl space is leaks from your plumbing. Many of your supply and drain pipes will run through your crawl space and leak once in a while.

In some cases, an air conditioner condensate pipe that passes through the lower section of the crawl space can be prone to damage.

Due to infrequent checks on such lines, any leaks can continue unabated for a long time. That’s even more so when a pipe doesn’t leak into plastic but rather the dirt or gravel.

2. Foundation Walls

Sometimes, moisture can enter your crawl space from the area outside your property by migrating via the foundation walls.

If there is any wet soil outside your crawl space, moisture can creep right through. That’s because few spaces have exterior perimeter drains or damp-proofing.

Additionally, if you don’t have gutters in your house, then rainwater won’t be directed away from your property. Same thing for downspouts that fail to move water away from the house.

As a result, the water in the yard will ultimately move towards the house and permeate your crawl space.

3. Crawl Space Foundation Vents

The point behind vents in your crawl space is to dry out the area. However, due to water vapor in the air, the opposite can occur.

When outdoor air passes through the vents, it can raise the humidity inside the crawl space. In turn, that creates moisture that clings to the area. Such instances are especially prevalent during the summer months.

4. Uncovered Soil

Uncovered soil in the crawl space tends to be a hidden source of moisture that homeowners can underestimate.

Any time you have uncovered soil in your crawl space, it allows moisture to evaporate into the air inside it. Over time, there will be a build-up that dampens your area.

Fortunately, these days a vapor barrier can help you keep this at bay. When you don’t install such a barrier, you slowly begin accumulating moisture over the years.

How to Dry out a Moist Crawl Space

Once you realize how moisture is creeping into your crawl space, you can assess the extent of the damage and the best way to eliminate it. Some ideas here include:

Removing Moisture From the Materials in the Crawl Space

Using a dehumidifier, you can dry out the wood frames, the crawl space floor area, and the subfloor overhead.

How quickly a dehumidifier will eliminate present moisture will depend on its size as that dictates the number of quarts of water it can evacuate hourly.

Furthermore, the humidifier’s cooling capacity is critical to determining the speed at which you can dry the space.

When you begin drying out the area using this method, you can strategically place several fans for more airflow over the wet surfaces.

Your dehumidifier’s output drain will need a direct connection to a floor drain. Alternatively, you can drain the water outside the house, but that has to be at least ten feet away to avoid seeping back into a crawl space.

Be careful not to begin running any air moving equipment if you suspect the crawl space is contaminated. Pollutants such as mold and asbestos must first be eliminated to make the air safe.

Prevent Moisture From Entering Your Crawlspace Again

Once you dry out the area, you need to take preventative measures to keep moisture at bay in the future. You can do this through:

1. Repairing Plumbing Problems

Several issues with your plumbing can cause moisture to enter the crawl space.

Inspect your plumbing to identify any leaks that might be directly dripping water into the crawl space. Don’t forget to assess the plumbing system in the upper part of your house to detect any leaks that can encourage moisture build-up.

2. Pipe Insulation

As pipes in your house conduct cold water, they can cause moisture to build up. Due to the cooling effect, droplets can form on the exterior of any exposed piping.

To avoid this, you need to insulate your piping. The material covering the pipes will prevent condensation present on the pipe from evaporating into the air surrounding the pipe.

3. Look for Cracks in the Foundation

The foundation is critical in influencing the level of moisture in your crawl space. If there are any cracks, water from outside is likely going to seep into the space.

Furthermore, the soil around the crawl space area can be wet, and any cracks in your foundation tend to allow the moisture to permeate within.

Thus, you need to hire a professional to conduct a thorough inspection of your foundation for any cracks. While you may try to do it yourself, there are small cracks that are difficult for an untrained eye to spot but yet allow moisture into your crawl space.

In addition, you need to make such inspections regular even if there are presently no cracks. Doing so helps you uncover cracks as soon as they happen so you can get ahead of them and avoid building up the moisture in the crawl space.

Keep Your Eye on Crawl Space Moisture Control

Your crawl space significantly affects the quality of air in the rest of the house, directly impacting your health. Thus, it would be best if you carried out crawl space moisture control regularly. Such a plan gives you the capacity to detect any moisture seeping into the space early and nip it in the bud.

Are you a homeowner looking for ideas on how to maintain your home? Check out more of our articles for insightful tips to help you take care of your significant investment.

Your roof plays an essential role in keeping your family, your home, and all of your belongings safe and sound. Although you might not give it a second thought on a day-to-day basis, it is important to remember your roof! Take some time, several times a year, to look for signs of wear and tear and perform regular roof maintenance.

How can you tell if a roof needs to be replaced? How long is a roof good for? What are some signs of a sick roof?

Read on for answers to all these questions and more!

1. Do Your Shingles Seem Shabby?

Next time you go outside, check out the shingles on your roof. Are they in decent shape, or are they looking a little shabby?

If they are peeling, cracking, warped, curled, or buckled, you will need to get the roofing professionals over to your home right away.

Another telltale sign that your shingles are in poor shape is if there are granules missing. Look for bare or discolored spots on the shingles. In addition, check the areas around your downspouts, where loose granules may accumulate after being washed off the roof.

2. How Long Is a Roof Good For?

This depends on what type of roofing material is topping your home; there are several different types, all with their individual longevity.

Regular old asphalt shingles generally last between 15 and 25 years. Architectural shingles, a premium variety, can last a little longer — more like 30 years.

Wood shingles, also called shakes, also boast about a 30-year lifespan. However, they require much more upkeep than their asphalt counterparts. Many people feel that their good looks are worth the maintenance, however.

Metal roofs offer more advantages than you may realize, including longevity of up to 70 years. Also on the higher end of the spectrum are clay tile and slate tile roofs, which have been known to hold up for 50 and 100 years, respectively.

3. Does the Flashing Look Faulty?

Flashing is the protective material that surrounds chimneys, vents, skylights, and any other element that constitutes a break in the roofing material. In many cases it is made from roofing tar or cement; in others, it’s made from metal.

Either way, if you see cracks, holes, slippage, or any other issues, have it and the rest of the roof evaluated.

4. What Does the Attic Say?

Ask your attic what kind of shape the roof is in! You can do that by heading up there and looking for light shining in through the underside of the roof. You may also see stains, streaks, or even moisture.

All of these are bad signs that point to the need for a roof repair, at the very least, and possibly a replacement.

5. Rot Equals Replacement, Right?

You betcha. Unless you catch it very early, rot in the roofing materials is going to wreak havoc with its overall condition. Almost certainly a roof with extensive rot will lead to a new roof for you, like it or not.

If the roof is visibly droopy or sagging, say sayonara to it and call the roofers.

6. Who Is Boss, You or the Moss?

Moss is another sign that things up on your housetop are no good, boss. While moss certainly has its uses and its appeal down on the ground, on the roof, it’s a sign that there is moisture sticking around.

You should clean off any moss you see on the roof. But don’t think that’s enough to do the job. It’s also necessary to investigate the underlying problems.

7. Do You See Mold or Algae?

Similarly, mold, mildew, and algae are also surefire indicators that your roof is experiencing moist conditions that it can’t seem to shake off, for whatever reason. Although mold travels via airborne spores, it only takes hold when it lands upon housing material or another surface that stays damp.

Mold can easily spread to the inside of your house, and once you see it there, the problem is pretty widespread. So keep an eye on things. If you see algae, take care of it immediately, and check to see if the roof is holding water or moisture.

8. Heating Bills Too High?

In warm seasons or climates, a leaky roof is going to let out the cool, conditioned air; come wintertime, of course, the warmth you pay so dearly for will escape right out of the top of the house.

If you’ve noticed that suddenly your energy bills seem sky high, and nothing else about your usage habits has changed, check into the roof’s condition.

9. Do You Want One?

Lastly, there is no earthly reason you can’t have a roof replacement just because you want one! Maybe you are interested in getting solar panels installed, or you like the look of a tiled roof. Perhaps you just want to hear the pitter-patter of rain on your metal roof! It’s certainly a lovely sound.

A new roof can definitely increase not just the curb appeal of your home, but also its market value. So this could be an investment to consider if you’re on the fence about replacement now, but want to sell in a few years.

Some people also choose to spring for a long-lasting roof such as a slate tiled one, as a gift for their future selves or for their children. Are you planning on leaving your home to your offspring, and relatively sure they’ll want to live there themselves? Why not gift them with a beautiful roof that they will literally never need to worry about?

When It Is Time for a New Roof

There’s no getting around the fact that a new roof is a big expense, as well as a big project that will probably disrupt your life for a couple of weeks. But it will be necessary to fix any of these problems. And you will have peace of mind, knowing you won’t have to ask “how long is a roof good for?” again anytime soon!

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It’s estimated that the average house has about eight windows in it. Because these are your gateway to the outside world and your sources of natural light, it’s crucial that you open these windows, appreciate them, and, yes, clean them.

Here, we’re going to talk about how to clean windows without streaks so that you can enjoy your time basking in the sunlight!

1. Choose the Right Time

In order to do as good a window cleaning job as is possible, you’ll need to choose the right day to get scrubbing.

Choose a day that’s cloudy and a bit dark outside. This will let you see the places that you’ve sprayed already and whether or not they have streaks. If you live in a place where it doesn’t rain much, clean your windows in the evening as it gets dark outside.

2. Create the Right Cleaning Solution

There are lots of window cleaners that you can buy offline. However, most of these get a bit pricier than you might want them to be. Also, there’s a DIY solution that’s just as effective, so why waste the money?

When it comes to a cleaning solution, simply mix water and vinegar in a plastic bottle. Spray it on before wiping it down. This is sure to make your window nice and clear.

3. Use a Soft Cloth

When cleaning your windows, make sure that you get a soft microfiber cloth that’s completely free of lint. In a pinch, a sponge will also work.

Paper towels and napkins just aren’t going to cut it- using them is a surefire way to scratch the glass or plastic surface.

Usually, you’ll need to go through two rounds of cleaning and drying with your cloth before your window is clean and streak-free.

4. It’s All in How You Move

Many people make horizontal or vertical movements when cleaning windows. This seems like a good idea in theory, but it’s going to leave streaks on your window in the direction that you wipe in.

Instead, use your cloth to make Z-shaped motions in all directions. This will ensure that your cleaner isn’t streaked across the window, but instead applied in an even coat.

If you don’t like this idea, another option is to wipe in small circles all across the window. However, this will take longer and be a much more meticulous process.

5. Bring in the Pros

Every once in a while, you’re going to want to hire professional window cleaners. These window cleaning experts will make sure that your window is clean and streak-free.

If you bring in the pros every few months, they’ll ensure that your window never gets too dirty and that you have the best window cleaners that you couldn’t DIY. This will make it so that you don’t have a lot of dirt and grime on your windows that would smear and streak during your DIY cleaning days.

More on How to Clean Windows Without Streaks

There are a lot of ways that you can clean windows, but it’s important to do it correctly so that your home continues to look amazing.

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When you decide to build a home theater, you have to be ready to spend big money.

There’s nothing more luxurious than installing a legitimate theater in your house. If you’re a cinephile, it’s probably something you’ve always dreamed of but never thought you’d be able to accomplish. Well, here you are, ready to outfit your home theater the way that you want it.

So, in light of this advancement in your home life, we’re going to discuss anything and everything that you absolutely have to include in your theater room. What’s the point of doing this if you’re not going to do it the right way?

You can have a massive HD television to make your favorite films look crisp and a powerful stereo system so that you’re immersed in the experience, but you can’t stop there. There’s comfort, decor, and a few extra features that you might want to think about as well.

We’ll cover it all and then some. Let’s build the best home theater from the ground up.

Why a Home Theater?

There are countless benefits to having a home theater setup. Not only can you use it to dig into your movie collection to watch some of your favorites, but it’s perfect for families with kids of all ages. Why go out to the movies when you can stay in and get the same experience in your own house.

It doesn’t stop there, either. If you’re a gamer or a fan of sports, your home theater will make you feel like you’re in the game or at the stadium, which is something a normal living room setup could never provide. With a great picture, booming sound, and comfy seats, you’ll never have to leave your home again.

What Do You Need to Make the Best Home Theater?

What do you need to make a home theater great? You’ll have to start by making a home theater budget, then you can move forward with the basics: a well-prepped room, a huge screen, and a booming sound system. The rest is really up to you and how creative you’re willing to get.

Prepping Your Room

You don’t have to be a rich and famous person with a gigantic mansion that has 15 spare rooms to build yourself a home theater. You just need an unused room that’s big enough to fit a screen on one of the walls and plenty of comfortable seating.

Many people will tell you that the ideal size for a home theater room is somewhere in the neighborhood of 20’x13′, which is enough to fit a projector screen and a row or two of recliners, but you can get away with a 12’x12′ room.

Try to choose one that’s away from everything else because it’s going to create a fair amount of noise, even after soundproofing. Speaking of which, let’s talk about the overall construction of the room. If you’re building it as an addition to your home, you’ll have to frame it and put a special focus on insulation.

If you’re building within an existing room, you may want to reinsulate the outer walls, floors, and ceiling with R30-rated insulation. Saving that, you can put up homemade sound baffles and soundproofing to minimize the amount of volume that gets through.

Once you’ve prepped the room and carved out space for your surround sound system, you’re ready to start outfitting the theater.

For the Visuals

Choosing your screen is arguably the most important decision that you’re going to have to make during this process. There are essentially two ways to go about making it: you can get a massive TV or you can get a projection setup. Both have pros and cons, so let’s quickly go over them.

A TV with 4K resolution is going to give you the clearest and brightest picture of all. It’s going to have better contrast and it’ll be more versatile if you’re going to be watching movies, watching TV, streaming, and playing video games. It’s also easier to install a TV.

However, for a movie theater, you’ve got to be somewhat preoccupied with size. You can get an 85″ 4K television for around $3,000, but a 100-120″ projector screen with 4K resolution is probably under $1,000. Also, projectors have gotten a lot brighter in the last few years as they’ve risen in popularity.

This decision depends on what you use the theater for. If it’s exclusively for watching films, then go for the projector screen, but if it’s an all-purpose room, get the best TV you can afford and move on to the sound system.

Audio World

When it comes to the audio portion of your home theater, you’ll need to get an AV receiver and some surround sound speakers. Since it’s what’s doing a lot of the work, home theaters live and die by the quality of the receiver. Basically everything that you see and hear passes through this thing.

As you’re setting up your room, you may want to carve out holes in the walls and insulation for your surround sound speakers to go in. If you know a thing or two about speakers, you may want to select specific ones that will work well in your room.

Most people just want it to sound clear and loud, as you would hear in a real movie theater. Whether you’re going for a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound is up to you, as is the positioning of the speakers. You can play around with this a bit before you install anything permanently.

Comfort

Once you’ve got the audio/visual components set up in the room that is to be your theater, you can start to have a bit of fun. Depending on the size of the room and where you’ve got the speakers situated, you may be able to vary up the seating arrangements a bit.

The typical home theater setup would have 2-3 rows of identical recliner seats so that everyone in the room has the same viewing experience. If you’re not a formalist, however, you can add a daybed, bean bag chairs, and a big comfy couch to your theater setup.

The goal is to enjoy yourself and relax, so your seating situation should reflect that.

Decor

How you furnish your home theater is important, as is the decor that you move forward with. Movie theaters have very specifically designed rooms that are all about the viewing experience, but this is a home theater we’re talking about.

When you’re watching films, you’re going to have the lights dimmed low to have all of the focus on your screen. But, when you’re having some buddies over to watch the football game, you’ll want to have the lights up to expose your decor. Speaking of lighting, choose some cool looking colored ones with dimmers for a real spectacle.

Add some sconces to give it the theater vibe and hang your favorite movie posters to set the mood. There are some other features that will take your home theater over the top. We’re talking about a popcorn machine, a record player (and vinyl records), and a theater bar at the back of the room.

You might as well make this an all-purpose party room if you’ve got the budget for it.

Video Games

Whether you’ve got kids or not, you’re probably going to want to purchase some video game consoles, both old and new, to include in your theater room. The vintage ones will be for you, but your kids will never speak to you again if you don’t have a PS4 and Playstation’s VR system set up in there.

You can find lists upon lists of the best PS4 games to get, but we’re sure your kids will help you out with this one.

Streaming Help

Lastly, unless you’ve got an extensive Blu-ray collection at your disposal, you’re going to need to subscribe to some (or all) of the streaming services if you’re going to be able to call this a real home theater. Here’s a list of the best ones for TV, movies, and online content:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• HBO Max
• Disney Plus
• Amazon Prime
• Sling TV
• YouTube TV

Getting all of them will set you back at least $100-150 per month, so select the ones that make the most sense for you and don’t look back.

Living Your Best Life

If you’re a film and TV lover, building yourself a home theater with whatever resources you have is going to be a no-brainer. Use this post as your guide for making the best home theater and give it a personal touch along the way.

This room will be your sanctuary. It’ll be where you go to unwind after a long day at work, to enjoy quality time with your family, or to blow off steam after a tough day. You can truly live your best life with a home theater.

Did you enjoy this post? Come back and visit us again for more on real estate and home decor.

 

So you have listed your residential property on a popular classifieds site, but you are still unable to sell it. What could be the reason for this? If you are in Miami, selling a house shouldn’t be difficult except if there are reasons that make it unappealing to buyers, or the buyers are not aware of it.

Inadequate promotion

If you do a Google search with the keyword phrase “sell my house fast Miami,” you should find a good number of options for selling your property online for free. Many sites specialize in residential property listings in the Floridian resort city. However, sometimes it’s not enough to rely on these free listing services.

Popular sites contain ceaselessly growing numbers of listings, which means your for-sale ad can be buried deep in the multitude of listings. Don’t expect inquiries to come in, let alone find a buyer if your listing is hardly visible on the web. You may need to exert extra effort to promote your listing. Use other options, including social media. Also, don’t hesitate to use real estate agent services.

The price is too high

One of the most common reasons why properties remain unsold is the steep price. If you really want to sell your home, set an acceptable figure. Don’t determine it based on what you feel the price should be. You have to do some research. Look at the numbers of the other residential properties in the same area. However, be sure you are not offering your house for a price that is too low.

It needs improvement

Another critical factor to take into account is the appearance of the house you are selling. It’s difficult to convince buyers if what you are offering is not up to scratch. More often than not, they will only consider buying something that still needs repairs and renovation if the price is notably low. Otherwise, they will just ignore your house even if you think you have already adjusted the price to take into account the repairs and improvements needed on the unit.

As a rule of thumb, avoid selling something that is not in its optimum condition. Doing so is just like making do with the lowest possible price you can get. You don’t have to make the house as good as brand new. What’s important is that it looks decent and there are no repairs needed, especially if the family buying it intends to move in as soon as possible.

Disappointed buyers

Moreover, it’s worth pointing out how some buyers tend to react adversely to listings or ads they perceive as deceptive. For example, if they find out upon visual inspection that the photos shown in the listing are drastically different from how the actual property appears, it’s not unusual for them to be frustrated. This frustration can then result in them backing out from the possible purchase.

To sum it all up, it’s likely that you are unable to sell your house because it is not properly promoted, it is overpriced, and it needs improvement. Buyers often prefer houses that allow them to relocate immediately.