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The Latest Trends in Kitchen Sink For 2020

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Home decor is one of the biggest considerations for homeowners because it helps you customize your home and make your space more intimate. If you are thinking of revamping your kitchen or if you are building your house, then there are a couple of kitchen sink designs you can choose from. There are tons of modern kitchen sink designs in the market made to suit different types of kitchens. That said, below are some of the top kitchen sink trends for 2020 you can consider.

Trough Sinks

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Just as the name suggests, trough sinks are built like troughs used in farms, ie where animals drink water from. These types of sinks are longer and deeper than an average sink, with a single basin. They also have more than one faucet, and while they used to be wooden, now they are available in other materials. You can now find metal, concrete, stone, and porcelain trough sinks that could be either modern or traditional.

Copper Sinks

If your kitchen has an elegant kind of design, then copper sinks should be your go-to. Also, if you want your space to be warmer and welcoming, then a copper sink will do the trick. One of the biggest advantages of copper kitchen sinks is that they are handmade, so you are likely to get any design you want.

Fireclay Sinks

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If your kitchen is high traffic, then you should consider getting a fireclay sink. It is made of heavy material and enough thickness that helps avoid wear and tear. So they are the best if you want something stylish and durable because you won’t have to worry about chips, dings, and dents at any point. Cleaning these sinks is also easy thanks to their scratch and stain-resistant surface that is non-porous. This is a sink that would last a lifetime, but only if maintained well. On the downside, if the farmhouse rectangular design is not your taste, then you might have to look for an alternative because that is the only available design for fireclay sinks.

Farmhouse Sinks

Although they are traditional with a rustic feel, farmhouse sinks are super functional, especially if you often use large pots for cooking. They are also great for holding a lot of water, even when you have a pile of undone dishes. If you want a substitute, there are also cast iron, fireclay, and copper designs to choose from.

Black Sinks

kitchen sink

Black is classy. And while black is the last color you would expect for a sink, there are beautiful designs for black sinks you can use to spruce up your kitchen space. A black sink is the perfect statement piece to your kitchen, and they are a great choice if you want an option that will maintain its appearance for a long time with little to no maintenance. What’s more, they are long-lasting since black is harder to stain when compared to other material types, so whether you have messy kids or your kitchen is a high-traffic one, they are just perfect. Since they contrast with the rest of your kitchen decor, they draw attention.

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Tips for Saving Money on Home Refurbishments

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Buying a house is the biggest investment most of us make, but sometimes, despite the high mortgage, the property will require a further substantial chunk of money to bring it up to standard. Depending on the price you initially paid for the property and how much money (if any) you have left over, you may need to think carefully about budgeting. 

Like any big project, renovating a house can quickly see costs spiral out of control. This means you’re likely looking at ways to save money, even if you have a relatively large budget to work with initially. If you’re unsure where to start with budgeting a home refurbishment, we’re here to help. 

We’ve put together four handy tips that you can use to preserve your budget and make the project less harsh on your finances. 

1. Salvage What You Can 

The first tip is to salvage what you can. Depending on the nature of your refurbishment, this can relate to anything. For example, if the bathroom of your property is in relatively good condition, you won’t necessarily need to replace it all. You might install a new showerhead and lighting, but you can save money by painting the existing tiles and adding decals rather than buying brand new ones. 

If you’re refurbishing the kitchen and like the current layout, you could keep the shell of the cabinets and simply replace the cupboard doors and worktops. Likewise, you can give your sink a new look simply by replacing the taps. 

These are all examples of salvaging what you have which will go a long way to saving you money, as well as making your refurbishment eco-friendlier. 

2. Wait for Sales Before Making Big Purchases 

If you need to make a big purchase as part of your renovation, such as a bath or kitchen appliances, then it’s a good idea to wait a little while before committing to buying. Oftentimes, suppliers will hold sales that see items half in price, meaning you can more often than not find a bargain simply by being patient. 

3. Do Things Yourself 

One of the biggest costs associated with house refurbishments is labor costs. There will inevitably be tasks that require a professional to step in, such as plastering or electrical re-wiring, but you’d be surprised at the number of jobs you can do yourself. The beauty of the internet is that there are video tutorials of almost anything, including costly jobs like tiling and laying carpets. 

By undertaking as much of the work as you can yourself, you’ll soon see just how much money you’re able to save. This is a great option if you’re on a strict budget and don’t mind getting stuck in.

4. Save Up Cash Where Possible 

Our final money saving tip for doing a house refurb is to pay in cash where you can. This means saving up money into a bank account and avoiding using credit or loans where possible. Every time you take out a loan or use a credit card, you’re liable to pay back the initial amount you borrowed as well as interest. The amount of interest you pay will depend on the finance agreement you’ve entered into, but it does mean that what you end up paying is more than it would be if you were to pay in cash. 

Paying using cash means that it might take you a bit longer to save up, but if money is tight and you have the luxury of time, it’s a good idea. If you’re renovating a house to sell it on, borrowing money won’t be an issue because you should stand to make a profit anyway, but otherwise, try and stick to cash. 

We hope you find these tips useful and that your home refurb goes to plan. If you’ve recently undertaken a refurbishment project, what are some tips you implemented to save money?

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What Do I Need to Know to Maintain my Air Conditioner?

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Maintaining your HVAC system is an essential component to your quality of life. When it’s working correctly, you are guaranteed a comfortable environment in all seasons. You are also guaranteed of efficiency in energy consumption. The challenge is that if you do not get the right information on air conditioner maintenance, it can cost you a lot of money. There is also the risk of falling prey to unscrupulous AC repair companies that cost you money and make the problems worse. To help you avoid such issues, here is what you need to know to maintain your AC without challenges.

Finding the Right Company Can Make all the Difference

If you want to maintain your AC without problems, make sure to use a qualified HVAC company. There are multiple ways that you can tell if an HVAC company. The first thing you need to check out for is their certifications. As a rule, always go for a company that has all the right certifications needed for the job. This is usually an indicator that they have the minimum qualifications needed to get the job done. Once you ascertain that they are certified, the next thing to check out for is their customer reputation. One way to tell if a company has a good reputation or not is to check its online reviews. As a rule, go for a company that has more positive reviews than negative ones. It is usually an indicator that they are good at the job, and they deliver on their promises. Using these parameters, one of the best companies you can go for is Doc’s heating and AC Company. They are BBB Accredited and are dealers for top companies like Mitsubishi Electric, Goodman, Amana, Daikin, and Aprilaire. They also have a good reputation with customers including fast response times to customer needs.

Save Money by Taking a DIY Approach to Air Conditioner Maintenance

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AC maintenance is not cheap. However, you can significantly cut on these costs by taking a DIY approach to most of the AC maintenance tasks. Some of the things you can do by yourself and cut on your AC maintenance costs are as below:

  • Replace the air filters

One of the things you can do to cut on costs is to replace the air filters. Replacing the air filter is not hard and you should try and do it once a month. All you need to do is know the right-size filter for your system and stick to it. By replacing the air filter, you avoid a multitude of other issues that will most likely lead to costly repairs.

  • Cleaning up the coils

One of the biggest causes of inefficiencies in AC systems is dirty air coils. When dirt clogs up the coils, it slows down the airflow, reducing the system’s ability to absorb heat. As such, the system works harder leading to higher energy consumption. Luckily, this is an issue that you can easily deal with on your own. Just spend a few minutes of your free time, once or twice a month, to clean the coils.

  • Get rid of debris from the AC unit

One of the biggest causes of inefficiency in AC systems is a buildup of debris in the unit. Some of this debris include leaves and small stones, and you can deal with them without the intervention of a professional. For instance, you can start by cleaning up the area close to the air conditioner of shrubs and other plants.

  • Work on the coil fins

You may have noticed that after a while, the condenser and evaporator coils start to bend. This creates a blockage of the airflow, which then affects the efficiency of the system. To get rid of this problem, try and straighten it whenever you notice that it is starting to coil. It may give you a hard time the first time, but once you learn how to do it, it will take very little of your time, and significantly cut on your cost of maintaining the AC system.

  • The quality of air conditioner accessories matters
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When looking to maintain your AC, you will regularly need to replace things like coils and air filters. When buying these accessories, go for reputable brands. They will serve their purpose well, and for longer. This will cut on your costs while ensuring that you have good quality service in terms of airflow and energy efficiency. You may spend more initially, but long-term, the costs of maintenance will be lower.

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Expanding Your Home Upwards | TechLipz

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Changing circumstances can mean that our living requirements can shift, whether it’s due to an expanding family or otherwise. Sometimes, it’s not quite enough to just add an extra room to your home and you’re in need of a whole new floor. Although your first thought might be that you need a new house, sometimes parting with the place you call home is absolutely heart-breaking. Therefore, you may consider adding a new storey to your existing home.

There’s no denying that this is a large-scale operation, so for maximum security and optimal results, you will require a professional trained team on hand. Professionals that work with scaffolding require IPAF training, which equips them with the skills that they need to work at a height in a safe capacity. Therefore, if you lack training such as this, you should always refrain from working at a height as this could result in serious injury and lead to a poor-quality project.  

Evaluating the Foundations

Not all structures will be suited to adding another storey, which is why you must evaluate the floor plans ahead or commencing your project. If you can get your hands on the floor plans for your home, you’ll be able to learn what type of foundations are in place. This information includes their depth and whether certain internal walls have foundations. On top of this, you’ll be able to find out more about your drainage system. This information will provide your design team with the means of crafting a plan.

Not everyone can simply attain their floor plans, in this case you would search for your local building records. However, if you’re unsuccessful in doing so, you’ll need to get in touch with a structural engineer to assess your ground conditions for you. In order to do so, they may need to dig some holes to determine the type and depth of the foundations that you have in place. 

On top of digging holes, the engineer may need to take a soil sample to send for testing. Otherwise, a geotechnical consultant might need to liaise with your structural engineer. Ultimately, there are many methods of attaining the information that you need, but the results will effectively determine the remainder of your project. 

Selecting a Frame

A timber frame is the best solution in terms of adding an extension to your home since it’s need for blockwork is minimal. Therefore, you won’t be required to reinforce your existing foundations due to the lightweight properties of timber frames. Underpinning and strengthening foundations is a lengthy and costly procedure, so it’s wise to steer away from this if doable. On average, a timber-framed upwards extension will cost around £1,800/m2.

Before going ahead with a timber-framed solution, you’ll need to get your planning status approved. Typically, a prefabricated timber frame is more efficient than a stick-built alternative. You should get going with your construction as quickly as you can and select one contractor so that your project is at the forefront of their mind. 

Other Things to Contemplate 

In order to avoid the disturbance of creatures in your roof, a bat survey should be executed.

Within the builders’ contract, you should name your timber frame supplier so that you’re able to manage your expenses. This also alleviates some of the responsibility from you as your builder will be liable for some of the paperwork. 

Your scaffolding company will need to be regularly notified about the status of your project to maintain safety measures.

Furthermore, you might sell materials from your existing structure to assist you financially.

Lastly, you should consider an “easi-joist” system as these are simpler than standard joists. 

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