Picture yourself basking in the sun, surrounded by panoramic views while enjoying the comfort of your own home. Glass roof terraces or Glasdach Terrassen (in German) have emerged as a captivating solution to revolutionize outdoor living spaces, blending the allure of the outdoors with the coziness of the indoors.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of glass roof terraces, exploring the benefits, design considerations, and essential tips to elevate your outdoor living experience. So, let’s embark on this journey together!

The Intrigue of Glass Roof Terraces: A Dance of Light and Space

Glass roof terraces are a contemporary innovation that combines the functionality of a terrace with the sophistication of a glass enclosure. Here are some key features that set them apart:

1. Transparency: The glass roof creates an open, airy atmosphere, allowing natural light to stream in while offering unobstructed views. Compared to a lamella roof, a glass roof e.g. always ensures incidence of light.
2. Versatility: Glass roof terraces can be tailored to suit various architectural styles, accommodating both traditional and modern homes.
3. Weather Protection: The glass roof shields your outdoor space from the elements, enabling you to savor the outdoors in all weather conditions.

The Charm of Glass Roof Terraces: A Symphony of Benefits

Embracing a glass roof terrace comes with a myriad of advantages that enhance your outdoor experience:

1. Extended Living Space: By enclosing your terrace with a glass roof, you create a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces, effectively expanding your living area.
2. Year-Round Use: The glass roof’s weather protection capabilities enable you to relish your outdoor space throughout the year, irrespective of the season.
3. Increased Property Value: A well-designed glass roof terrace not only boosts your home’s aesthetic appeal but also potentially enhances its resale value.
4. Energy Efficiency: The influx of natural light can help reduce your reliance on artificial lighting, lowering your energy consumption and utility bills.

Designing Your Glass Roof Terrace: Crucial Factors to Ponder

To create a captivating glass roof terrace, consider the following aspects:

1. Structural Integrity: Consult with an engineer or architect to ensure your existing terrace can support the weight of a glass roof, and comply with local building codes.
2. Glass Type: Research the different types of glass available, such as tempered, laminated, or insulated, to determine the most suitable option for your needs and climate.
3. Ventilation: Incorporate a ventilation system or operable windows in your design to prevent overheating and maintain a comfortable atmosphere.
4. Privacy: If desired, explore options for privacy-enhancing solutions, such as tinted glass, frosted finishes, or strategically placed plants.

Conclusion: Unleashing the Potential of Your Glass Roof Terrace

A glass roof terrace or Glasdach Terrasse as it is called in German, is a splendid addition to any home, merging the beauty of nature with the comfort of indoor living. By understanding the unique features and advantages of glass roof terraces, and taking into account your specific requirements, you can craft an enchanting outdoor haven. So, let your creativity take flight, and experience the magic of a glass roof terrace as you bask in the sun, surrounded by the splendor of the great outdoors.

Technology has made a huge impact in many sectors globally and investing is certainly one to consider. For instance, online trading platforms have taken off in the last few decades and have opened up the world of trading financial assets to everyone. 

One thing you need to think about before starting to invest online is what to put your money into. There are lots of different assets out there and it pays to know about the most popular before diving in. With this in mind, finding out more about bonds and stocks is wise. 

Although they might sound broadly the same, they are two very distinct assets. But what are they and how do they differ? 

What are bonds? 

Savings bonds are an enduringly popular choice for investors and are widely traded around the globe. In essence, they involve individuals loaning money to a national government over a fixed period in order to make a financial gain when the loan is paid back. 

It is possible to invest in two major types of bonds: a fixed interest rate bond and one that is variable rate. Investors make money from bonds through the amount of interest which is accrued over the period of the loan. 

What are stocks? 

Just as people are getting into online gaming, trading stocks online is a popular activity. But what are they all about? 

Investing in this asset involves traders buying a share in a company listed on a stock exchange for a certain price. The aim is then to sell the shares at a higher price in the future to make money. People can put money into companies listed on a variety of well-known stock exchanges worldwide via online trading platforms, ranging from the NYSE to London’s stock market or the DAX in Germany. 

As you can see, the very nature of what each asset involves already marks them out as distinct from one another. But what are the five specific ways these two differ?  

1. Risk level 

Perhaps the major difference between these two assets is their level of risk. Savings bonds are commonly seen as low-risk and less volatile than investing in stocks. This is because bonds involve you loaning money to national governments who are almost certain to repay it. 

Bonds also come with the knowledge that you should always get your initial outlay back and enjoy regular income from them across the period of the loan. Stocks on the other hand are seen as a lot riskier as there is no guarantee of getting your initial investment back or making any money on them.  

2. Timescales 

The timescales involved in bonds or stock investments also mark them out as separate assets. Stocks have no pre-set timeframe for how long your investment should be held for and this leaves people free to exit the trade whenever they like. 

Due to this, stocks also usually have no penalties for exiting a trade earlier than you might have planned initially. Bonds, however, do feature a pre-set loan period and can involve penalties for redeeming the bond before it is due to mature. 

3. Tax 

Another way stocks and bonds differ is how the IRS looks at them. Investing in stocks can lead to you having to pay tax on any profits made or dividend distribution tax for shares which pay out dividends each year. 

Bonds are not looked at in the same way and are treated as debt instruments. This means they are not exposed to any tax burdens and this means you keep 100% of any returns made, minus any transaction fees for the trade at your broker.

4. Issuing of stocks and bonds 

As noted in our brief definition of each asset above, bonds are loans made to national governments by individual traders but stocks are shares you buy in a publicly listed company. This reveals another key difference between the two which is who actually issues each asset. 

In their most basic form, bonds are issued by governments or government institutions but stocks are issued by individual, privately owned businesses. This is a clear area where they diverge and yet again shows how they differ. 

5. Potential returns 

Stocks can potentially deliver higher returns because they are not tied to interest rates and allow you to sell your shares without penalty whenever the price is right. 

Bonds though tend to offer less scope in terms of potential returns as they are tied to a pre-fixed return or variable interest rates which may not be as lucrative. They do have the huge benefit of being lower risk in general though.

Stocks vs bonds: Which should you invest in? 

The simple truth is that you should consider both assets and invest in the one you understand best. If you find it tough to choose, many traders will include both in their portfolio as a way of diversifying. 

The COVID19 pandemic has made some huge changes to the world of work over the past few years. Not only are more people now working remotely, but professionals are choosier about where they work, prioritize a good work-life balance, and are more likely to gravitate towards employers who care about their employees’ health and wellbeing. As an employer in the post-pandemic world, upping your game when it comes to employee benefits is crucial if you want to continue attracting the best talent and protecting your reputation as an employer. Some of the main benefits that people want to see after the COVID19 pandemic include:

Healthcare Benefits

There’s nothing like a pandemic to make people put their health and wellbeing first, and after the crisis, people are less interested in working long hours and more interested in making sure that they are well and healthy. So, it’s only natural that they will be looking for an employer who also values this for their employees. Employers who offer a good healthcare benefits package are in high demand today, so consider offering some of the most sought-after options such as health insurance for your employees and their families, accident and disability insurance and supplemental health benefits such as those from Humana Healthcare OTC and alternatives. 

Education and Development

Lots of people used the COVID19 pandemic as an excuse to develop their skills and learn something new; online courses and free skills development opportunities online boomed during lockdowns when people were spending more time at home with more free time to invest. Much of this has continued to spill over into the workplace today, with lots of professionals more interested in working for employers who will invest in their learning and development. Nobody wants to be stuck in a rut when it comes to their job, and for many the pandemic was a wake-up call that they could be learning more and doing more if they weren’t putting so many hours in doing the same thing every day. Offering funding for training courses, programs, and even degree qualifications will help you stand out as an employer in the post-pandemic world. 

Remote and Hybrid Working

Finally, the ability to work from home has become so normalized in the world since the COVID19 pandemic that it’s almost not a benefit any longer. The truth is that after lockdown, people who do not need to be in an office to get their job done don’t want to have to be there every day of the week. Throughout the pandemic, people realized that working from home was not only just as effective, but it also allowed them to spend more time with family and save money without commuting. If you want your business to thrive as an employer after the COVID19 pandemic, then it’s definitely worth considering continuing remote working, or offering a hybrid setup where employees work partly from the office and partly from home. 

In 2020, the world of work was dramatically changed in many ways by the COVID19 pandemic. To thrive as an employer now, these are the top things you’ll need to offer.