Schizophasia Blog

If you are debating whether wooden flooring is right for your home it’s critical that you understand what the wooden flooring terms refer to. There are huge array of online flooring retailers, and its important to understand there are several different factors which all influence how the flooring appears, and makes each wooden floor look unique. It is very unlikely that the wooden floor you saw in the showroom or on the internet will look exactly the same as when it’s fitted in your home.

Part of the appeal of hardwood floors is that they are all unique. One factor which effects how the wood looks is how close the wood is to the bark of the tree, this is called sapwood. The closer to the outside of the tree, the paler the wood will appear. The grain of the wood is another major factor, this can vary is direction and also varies in appearance depending on the colour of the wood fibers. The growth rings of the tree are also a significant factor which effect the appearance of the wood. Tightly packed layers of wood are likely to result in a darker colour, these are formed when only a marginal layer of wood is added per year during a growing season. Other factors which can have an effect on the wood are mineral Streaks. These occur when trace elements are in the water, resulting in grey and olive markings. Knots are also a big factor in the appearance of your flooring, and are produced where branches of a tree have been encased, as the tree has grown. Often lower grade flooring will have more knots in it than higher grade.

The great thing about wooden flooring is its durability, and also the ease with which damage can be repaired. But because it is a natural product, as opposed to an artificial one, it is also prone to expand and contract during changes in the weather or season. This needs to be taken into account when your floor is fitted.

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Now that you realize solar energy is not just for generating electricity, giving you light, or allowing you to access your computer and other appliances, you should also realize that the sun provides a way for you to utilize the heat concept that brings warmth into your home in one form or the other. After all, the necessity of hot water and heat is also vital in running our homes and businesses. No one likes taking cold showers in the middle of the winter in a cold bathroom, unless we’re talking about a polar bear. So we need solar energy to aid us in cutting our gas bills in half too.

With winter just around the corner, a normal household that is connected to their local gas company can expect to see an explosion in their gas bills this year, even if they are using a lot less energy than they did last year.

Each individual gas utility supplier sets their own pricing and regulations, and we consumers have to pay whatever it is the companies want in compensation. The only way to take control of the situation, it seems, is to shut the gas off and freeze until spring returns; however, there is another option. We can beat their heating prices by going solar and paying little, if anything, for the energy the sun generates. I would think that the latter is the most practical and cost effective solution, especially when you do the installation yourself.
Just like with solar electrical energy, when you tap into this energy source for heat and hot water, it is important to consider the benefits of being on or off grid with the gas company. You must weigh the benefits of both, before you go one way or the other.

Another tip to consider before you install your solar hot water system is whether or not your heating source is going to be a direct or indirect solar heating system, as there is a difference between the two. Also, what are you going to use your heating mechanism for? This question alone might help you decide which system is best for you, because there are heating systems for pools and hot tubs, and there are heating systems for a normal household supply.

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Q: Hi Gil…

I have a home improvement chat question for you! … one year ago we had new linoleum (the old fashioned rolled kind) put down in our kitchen… this lovely terra cotta color… oops, I mean colour… and it looks very lovely…

… one day, I turned on the wrong burner on the stove… by the time I noticed that I had full heat on a Pyrex pie plate it was too late… BANG! … little bits of Pyrex flew everywhere… and do you know they actually left burn marks here and there all over the floor?

… is there a way to repair this?

Thanks, Aarifa

A: As your flooring is new, I’m guessing you have vinyl roll. The burn marks can be patched if you have, or can get some pieces of the same material. It’s like patching wallpaper. Place a piece larger than a burn mark over the burn mark, match up the pattern and firmly tape down the patch. Using a sharp blade, cut through new and old together, well beyond the damaged area. Use a straight-edge to keep the blade vertical while cutting because leaning the blade may cause a gap in the patch.

Match pattern, tape and cut.

Glue and fit patch.

Match pattern, tape firmly and cut vertically.

Clean the cut-out, apply adhesive and set patch.

Remove both pieces, clean the floor in the cut-out area and then dry-fit the patch. If you’ve matched and cut accurately, apply adhesive to the floor with a notched glue packet (or a V-notched trowel if the area’s large enough). Set the patch in place and firmly press it down, forcing excess glue toward the edges and wipe clean. Use a hand roller or rolling pin to work out any bubbles, and weight down the patch until the adhesive dries.

If you have clusters of burn marks, patch them in groups.

Good luck!

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There are at least two dozen brand names marketing dehumidifiers. Review this brief summary of five of the most commonly requested brands, and you’ll be well on your way to narrowing down the list.

Goldstar Dehumidifiers

As with most other brands, Goldstar dehumidifiers can remove up to 50 pints of water from the air in a 24-hour period, with reservoir capacities of 21 or 22 pints. They are among the most economical dehumidifiers; one model can be had for under $80. Buy one if you only need to use a dehumidifier for two to three years.

Delonghi Dehumidifiers

Delonghi dehumidifiers range in price from $130 to $350, making them one of the more expensive brands. They often use a rheostat, which is similar to a humidistat, so that not only can you predetermine the level of humidity you want, but also allow the machine to adjust intelligently to overall humidity. There are two levels of dehumidifying power: when you don’t mind the noise, you can crank it up, but when you want quiet, you can lower the power.

Whirlpool Dehumidifiers

Whirlpool dehumidifiers are solidly built and feature a toggle switch for “auto-dry” or “always on.” Many of these Whirlpool models are inexpensive (under $200), simple to control, and, with the smooth-rolling castors are easy to maneuver about the house. Review websites generally love Whirlpool.

Kenmore Dehumidifiers

Kenmore dehumidifiers are available at Sears. There you will pay less than for other brands, and you can count on decent service, should you ever need it. By most accounts, this brand scores high marks for their all-around solid dehumidifiers.

Maytag Dehumidifiers

The casing and reservoir of a Maytag dehumidifier is made of a thicker plastic than on most other brands, making it one of the sturdiest you can buy. Additionally, some Maytag dehumidifier models use “squirrel cage” types of fans for blowing out the dried air, making Maytag dehumidifiers more efficient than most. It can dehumidify down to 42-degrees, and some models hold a whopping 65 pints of water. Maytag offers a five-year parts and labor warranty - much longer than most brands.

Dehumidifiers Info provides detailed information about basement, home, small, portable, and closet dehumidifiers, plus dehumidifier reviews, and more. Dehumidifiers Info is the sister site of Humidifiers Web.

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