Next Generation Window Tinting Evolves To Meet Modern Needs.

The evolution of window tinting film in the last five decades may make the term ‘film’ redundant as an adequate description to properly describe the sophisticated technology that is applied to vehicle windows, home or office panes in the 21st century.

Many simply still regard window tinting as little more than the simple dyed films, which were available from the1960s onwards. Based on the principle of light absorption according to the darkness of the film dye, energy efficiency could be improved when the increased use of large glass planes appeared in the new generation of commercial office architecture.

Indeed, low-cost window tinting, which uses basic dyed films are still available today, but are really not advised for applications in specific geographic locations where multiple functionality and high specification can only be achieved by the latest manufacturing processes.

Throughout the 1970s, developments in solar control window tinting to prevent heat from escaping from buildings saw vapour aluminium coating sandwiched between a vinyl and polyester layer containing a UV inhibitor and/or shading medium, which were also beginning to be produced in colour.

By the 1990s, next generation tinted windows integrated a metallic element to produce a "hybrid" film to combine the dual process of both absorbing and rejecting solar heat. Window ‘films’ became ever thinner even as they became available in a completely clear format. Produced for residential and commercial applications, considerations of visibility could be designed alongside areas required for privacy. High-tech security films could also now keep vehicles, homes and business properties safe by preventing windows from shattering when subject to impact and intrusive forces.

Previously, development of solar control film was crucial to protect against the harmful effects of UV solar radiation. Today, nano-technologies have made possible a breakthrough in window tinting film by using ceramic or crystalline oxides, which can precisely block out and protect against the infrared wavelength of the solar spectrum.

Latest ‘sputtering’ processes of thin-film covering can be employed, which bombard a solid target material by energetic particles forcing atoms to be ejected.

High end window tinting has much changed over time and continues to evolve as technology is developed to meet the challenges of a changing climate and social need. 

About the Author –

Rico Lowe is the author of this post and the owner of a window tinting company called Solar Tint and Design. He is based in Johannesburg but covers surrounding areas for all commercial, residential, automobile needs. Rico and his tinting team have over25 years’ experience in this field, keeping up to date with the latest technology.

Aluminium Sliding Doors – Durable, Affordable, and Easy To Maintain

Long ago, building stylish structures and purchasing their hardware costs a lot. The beautification of your house will depend on the quality and intricate design of your fixtures and other installations. Nowadays there are so many affordable and durable materials that can be used to build stylish homes and establishments like aluminium sliding doors . If you look at the buildings and houses everywhere, you will see that they use glass for their windows and slammers. You can never deny the beautiful appearance and bright look of the structure. This innovative product is widely used all over the world since they are durable, affordable and easy to maintain. To make them last, all they need is daily cleaning with the right solution and anodizing the frame.

Remember that you will need so much cash to complete the renovation or construction of your structure. Be wise when it comes to buying materials for the value and durability of your house as well. Always think of quality first. Avoid regrets in the future since poor quality will make you shed more cash over time. If you have a room wide space, you can use this kind of slammers as division. Because the panels are made of glass, each division will not look narrow since it can also provide a wider illusion for your rooms. Stains can be easily removed and watch out for lodged stones within the rollers. Small particles can affect the smooth glide of the door.

If you find it rough to open, there is surely something between those hinges. Dust them regularly to keep away mud deposits in the edges. Office cubicles can use this fixture as well. It will save up more space for your narrow place. You can open your entrance conveniently without moving things in the way. You can stick important note on the glass panels since stains can be easily removed on it. If you want to ensure safety, you can ask your credible company from where you purchased your fixture if they have bullet proof glass panels available. If you have this in your house, you will have peace of mind while you can see the happenings in your surroundings.

You will find so many types of sliding doors that you can install in your house. Using this kind of material for your slammer will increase the value of your homes. They are available in various, colors designs and shapes so that you can match them with your house’s decors and wall paint. They can trap the cold air from you AC, allowing you to minimize the usage and cut down your power bill. Check the workmanship after the installation to make sure that everything in your house will work well.

Giving Your Living Room the Makeover It Deserves

Whenever someone visits your house, the very first room he sees on the other side of your main door is the living room. And because first impressions are important, whatever he sees in that room can already speak volumes about the people living in the house. This is why if you want to make a good lasting impression on your guests, make sure your living room looks welcoming and is a pleasurable area to stay in. 

If you think your room is just but a dull shadow of its once splendid past, why not give it a little makeover? You don’t have to spend a fortune to give it a fresh look. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be on your way to giving that space for entertaining your guests the facelift it deserves:
Repaint – The first order of business when giving any space a new look is usually by giving its walls (and even ceilings) a fresh coat of paint. If your living room looks too dark and unwelcoming, you can choose a color that will immediately transform that all-important space from gloomy to glam. Light colors always give that feeling of expanded space and air of freshness, so you want to choose these colors when redecorating. 

Re-arrange – Sometimes you don’t even have to buy new pieces of furniture when refurbishing your living room. A little re-arranging here and there can already do wonders in giving that space for guests a new look. You may also want to take some pieces that don’t belong there and just make the room look unsightly. For example, if the center table is too big for the room, replace it with something smaller so there’s more walking space in it (check out small tables for sale here). Especially if you have a small living room, you need to unclutter it and give it more breathing space by removing unnecessary furniture.

Restore – A room can look very unattractive because of certain pieces or parts needing restoration. It can be a broken leg of a chair to a crack in the ceiling. All these little things, when viewed together, can render your room ugly. If you don’t trust your carpentry skills, you can enlist the help of someone in the house who’s good with his hammer and saw to repair and restore those that can still be salvaged so you don’t have to spend money in replacing them.

Re-invent – Redecorating your living room means letting your creative juices flow freely. It’s about giving the space a look that doesn’t just please, but also inspires and delights. Whenever a space is re-invented, the people using it somehow also change their overall perspective on life in a positive way. Give your living room the makeover it merits and you and your guests will surely benefit from it.



About the Author: Harry Shane is an online shopping expert and blogger, offering practical tips and ways to get the best bargain for shoppers around the world. If you’re refurbishing your house and are looking to buy furniture pieces like small tables, you can check out small tables for sale here.

Conduct an Energy Audit and Replace Home Windows to Improve Energy Efficiency

Installing energy-efficient home windows is one way of reducing how much energy you spend at home. To get the best results, you should first conduct an energy audit. It will help you determine the extent of home renovation necessary for improved energy efficiency.

The primary purpose of an energy audit is to evaluate a house's energy efficiency and to provide suggestions on how to improve energy use in the home. An audit looks at the efficiency of heating and cooling mechanisms at home and assesses areas where excess energy is being used. Professional energy auditors may use equipment such as blower doors and infrared cameras to record information about how heat is released or kept indoors. For greatest efficiency and accuracy, energy audits should be conducted professionally. However, it is also possible for homeowners to do their own DIY energy audit.

DIY audits rely on manual inspection of areas and appliances around your home that may be a potential source of energy loss. You will have to take a checklist and examine your home's insulation, power outlets, and any installed heating or cooling systems. Because they do not use special equipment, DIY home audits aren't as thorough as professional energy assessments. However, they can still be a useful guide when pinpointing areas for potential savings.

DIY energy audits have often identified home windows as one of greatest contributors to energy inefficiency. This is especially true for older houses and buildings that have not yet been upgraded to modern standards. Single-pane glass, which is often found in old or historic homes, is not specially treated with any kind of insulation. Windows with this type of glass allow heat to enter and escape the home more easily. This leads to greater energy consumption for heating and cooling.

Once the audit has identified the areas where a great deal of energy loss occurs, you can choose to replace old home windows in those rooms with energy efficient ones to improve thermal regulation indoors.

Also called storm windows, energy efficient windows are effective at maintaining internal temperature in homes because they prevent cool air from escaping during winter and prevent harsh sunlight from penetrating through the glass during summer. They are typically made of a specially treated glass, and may come as double-paned windows to provide even better insulation. Genuine quality energy efficient windows should be manufactured and installed according to Energy Star standards.

Some energy efficient windows can be installed from the inside and fitted over existing panes without disrupting the overall appearance of the windows or the house. This is ideal if you do not want to damage antique window fittings or engage in extensive renovations, which require additional building permits and approvals. This type of installation is also recommended if the existing windows are still in good condition, with only minor repairs such as caulking and weather-stripping necessary.

If your existing windows already have large leaks or broken frames, then you should consider completely replacing the windows and window casings as well. Home windows should also be replaced if they pose a safety risk, such as if they are loose or cannot shut properly. While a complete replacement involves a more complex and expensive project, the end result will be much more satisfactory than patching over substandard construction. You may want to make arrangements with a general contractor for installing new windows, as well as if you also need to have work done in other areas of your home.

With the help of a thorough DIY energy audit, you can make sure that your new home windows are truly energy-efficient and save on energy costs.

Arch Top Vents Are an Elegant Option for Helping Heat Escape the Attic

Round top or Arch top vents are a fairly new comer to gable vent industry.  But their popularity is on the rise.  A curved top vent combines the elegance of a round vent with the classic look of a conventional gable end vent.  Round top or Arch top vents definitely compliment the look of the new style of windows that are being used while still lending themselves to building wanting the more medieval facade.  But as with all gable vents round top or arched top vent are first and foremost functional.

Vents with round or arched tops work well placed high on attic walls. This is where heat and moisture accumulates and begins it destructive reactions.  If not allowed to escape from the attic space, heat and moisture can cause mold and mildew.  Without proper venting as provided with round top vents and louvers, heat can build up in the attic and cause shingles to cup, curl and break.  This type of action drastically shortens the life of a roof.  It should be noted that many shingle manufactures will not warranty their shingles if installed on roofs with improperly vented attic spaces.

Proper venting with round top or arch top vents is also important in the winter months.  Unlike roof or ridge venting, which is susceptible to being closed off by snow and ice, a curved attic gable vent will remain open and functioning.  But why is attic ventilation important in the winter months?  Simple, no matter how much insulation an attic has, some heat will escape through it.  This heat then warms the underside of the roof causing the snow resting on it to start to melt.  As it melts, the water will flow down until it reaches the overhang part of the roof.  Here there is no warm underside, so the water freezes there forming an ice dam.  And we all know how damaging an ice dam can be to a roof and the ceilings below.  Installing round top or arch top vents allows the escaping heat to be harmlessly vented away to the outside.

Top Money-Saving Tips for New Homeowners

Moving house can be a costly exercise, especially with surveys, solicitor fees, and stamp duty, so it’s important for homeowners to understand how they can go about saving money in their new property. There are many ways to save on energy bills and insurance rates, so here’s a selection to get you started.

1. Update Insurance Policies
There really is no better time to check your home insurance policy, or any other property-based insurance policies, than when moving home. If you’ve previously been living in shared accommodation or in a shared access flat, moving to a single occupancy house could lower insurance premiums due to increased security. Similarly, if downsizing significantly, you don’t want to be paying for bricks and mortar, or home contents, that you no longer own. Also be sure to double check your car insurance policy. Moving from a garage to a driveway parking spot, for example, can reduce premiums as there is less chance of the paintwork being damaged due to scraping.

2. Small Upgrades = Big Savings
If moving into an old or less well-maintained property, it could be worth making some small upgrades, despite the initial upfront costs. By making some small changes, homeowners could enjoy big savings in the long term. Costs account for almost half of the average energy bill, so it makes sense to focus upon insulation. If the property has a loft or attic, ensure it is fully insulated. If you can see exposed joists, then you need to take action. Blanket insulation is inexpensive and easy to install, so it’s a good option. Also check doors and window frames for cracks, sealing with duct tape, cardboard, or drywall filler.

3. Install a Water Meter
Many old properties do not have water meters which means that water companies automatically bill the household for the average water usage in the UK, which is roughly the equivalent of the amount of water used by a family of two adults and two children. If you have a large family, or tend to use a large quantity of water, you’re probably better off without a meter, but if you’re single, live with a partner, or have a small, conservation-savvy family, metering could slash the annual water bill. Contact your water company and see whether you could benefit from having a meter installed at your new home.

4. Purchase Good Quality Appliances
If buying new appliances for the home, particularly white goods such as fridge freezers and washing machines, it’s so tempting to choose an inexpensive product, especially if working to a tight budget. However, bargain appliances often have very low energy ratings, which mean they use more energy to run, adding more to your electricity bills. They’re also more likely to have a shorter lifespan. If possible, pay a little more for a branded, high energy rated appliance that will save money in the long run by using less energy and being more reliable.

5. Check for Government-Funded Benefits
If you want, or need, to makes some major changes to your new home it’s well worth looking into Government-funded schemes that can help towards the cost. For example, homeowners wanting to save money on their annual bills can install renewable energy systems with financial assistance from the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, or the Renewable Heat Premium Payments plan. Once again, there may be some initial upfront costs, but implementing these measures early on can really save money further down the line.

If you are a new homeowner it can be a very expensive time so doing everything you can to reduce these costs will help you. Chat to other homeowners as well to see if there are any other ways of saving money.

 Do you have any advice for first time buyers? Submit your comments below.

DIY - Home Tips and Tricks

When it comes to your home, you always want to make sure it is well-organized, neat, and of course, beautiful. Everyone dreams of having a home that looks like it belongs in a magazine – nice wallpaper, matching sectionals, a cozy loveseat and the right accessories. Contrary to what might people may think, having a gorgeous home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money? You can certainly have the magazine cover look without spending a million bucks. Having your dream home can be achieved with work and creativity, and you can follow these easy do-it-yourself home tips and tricks.

Clean Up Clutter. Do you know what makes all those homes in magazines and websites look so nice? Well, look at a picture from a home design magazine and observe it closely and compare it to your own home. Are there pieces of dirty laundry hanging from the bedposts? Are baby toys spread out on the sectional couch? Is the sofa table piled with clutter like magazines, keys, old dirty glasses etc.? Probably not. If you look at your own home, you probably can’t see the natural beauty because it’s covered up with your own clutter. It should only take a few minutes for you to put clutter away and sweep up dirty and straighten up your couch cushions, but it can make a world of difference.
 

Do As Much As You Can Yourself. Hiring professionals will save you time because they already have the necessary experience to get the job done right the first time. However, unless it’s a specialization like plumbing or electrical wiring, you can do most home improvement jobs yourself. For example, painting a wall involves taking the time to cover up everything you don’t want to be covered in paint and then painting the wall with a couple of layers. Cover up everything you can (like sectional couches, sofas, tables, counters etc.) in drop cloth and cover up wall decorations with painter’s tape. Even wallpapering can be done without any formal training. So, when you can, do it yourself so you can save cash.

Choose the right furniture. You furniture is the most important part of your home. If you pick stylish furniture from the start (like getting the right love seat or sectional couch) then you can build around that. Your furniture should match your home décor and should match each other so it looks put-together.

With these tips and trick, you too can have the home of your dreams and you’ll be the envy of all your friends.