Underfloor heating (UFH) is not a new or in any way a modern concept. It may sound like the sort of thing ‘the Joneses up the road’ have just had installed, but it’s been with us much much longer.

There is evidence to show that it has been around since the Neolithic period and was achieved through stone covered trenches that were beneath the floors. A fire would then encourage the hot smoke to flow along the trenches and heat the rooms above.

One of the most well known incarnations, and also efficient and trustworthy was the Roman Hypocaust. Hypocausts heated public baths and the houses of well off Romans. Raising the floor from underneath would be pillars (pilae stacks) which then give space under the floor. A fire is then lit and the smoke travels under the floor (heating the surface above it) and then leaves through the terracotta chimney (made from terracotta tubes, tubulae?) while ingeniously heating the terracotta and warming the tepidarium.

It is therefore not surprising, given its’ heritage, that underfloor heating is still considered desirable by many.

So how does it work today?

Well, you won’t be surprised to hear that people aren’t lighting fires on the outside of their house! Instead there are 2 main ways of achieving this. Wet Systems and Dry Systems.

With a Wet System (or hydronic system), pipes (often plastic tubing) are embedded in the floor and a controlled flow of warm water is pumped through, in turn the heat from the pipes radiates and warms the floor. UFH systems do not need to be at high or boiling temperature levels. This is because of the surface area being heated – the heat is released to a large area (unlike small wall radiators for example) and heats the floor evenly. For comparison, a radiator normally heats the water to around 80C, whereas UFH heats to between 45-65C.

With a Dry System, while the principle remains the same, there is no water involved. An electric heating element is used instead as the heat source.

There are some reported health benefits from under floor heating. Those who suffer from respiratory issues should breathe easier due to transmission of heat via radiation – little circulation is created by the movement of warm air and therefore does not circulate allergens around the room. A radiator heats via convection and will create a dust circulation which may affect some people.

Similarly those who suffer from circulatory problems may also enjoy UFH due to the radiating heat working at more even and lower humidity levels.

Underfloor Heating is also known to be more energy efficient, due to low water temperatures, even heat distribution and being designed to a buildings heat requirements etc. You can also improve this by fitting some underfloor heating insulation.

So while underfloor heating is not something that is new, it is something that can offer you benefit in many ways, while also helping the environment. It also keeps you up to date with the Joneses.

Graeme supplies his wizardry to oneagency.co, an SEO Agency – writing on behalf of Celotex Underfloor Heating Insulation

You’re in love and decide to make the big move with your main squeeze: you’re going to move in together. Life is good, you feel blessed! Now all that stands in the way is how your differing senses of style will affect the decor of your new place together. This article is going to cover how you can maintain your relationship bliss, while the two of you have very different senses of design. The key is going to be integrating using some very simple design tips to keep it from being tacky and looking like a mishmash of styles.

You do not have to have Beverly Hills decor type of budgets to make this work. Sure it would be nice to have some celebrity type of Los Angeles interior design. But maybe your budget is more affordable West Hollywood decor, while you have champagne tastes. That’s ok! You can learn some do it yourself inexpensive design tips, which will help you with your budget.

So here’s the first of my design tips: Before you go out and even start shopping, start with a floor plan on your computer and do some e-decorating from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re a professional interior designer in Malibu or a wanna be interior designer in Arizona, it doesn’t matter. Sit at your computer and do a plan. Try out how different pieces of furniture will look together, in the place you’re going to be getting. It is easier to do e-decorating, than to really purchase and return big pieces! In most cases, you will end up paying hundreds of dollars in fees for delivery etc when doing returning, not to mention the hassle and missed work when getting furniture delivered so trust me and do some decorating from your couch! You and your someone special can compare notes and get some compromises out of the way here, before going out to stores and getting frustrated.

The first thing to realize is that men are drawn towards furnishings built to stand the test of time, while maintaining maximum comfort. Men will choose functionality first and design second. Women however, will prefer the look and style of a particular piece, rather than how practical it may be. So a first rule of thumb design tip to help you both is to look for pieces that are sturdy and well-made. Some possible places to look are Pottery Barn or Ethan Allen or Bo Concept. Prices will vary widely, with the Beverly Hills decor type of motif and budget on one end and a more affordable interior design style on the other. You can possibly look for clearance type of items or even on Craigslist or eBay. Just be careful not to get a hodge podge of items.

You are also going to need to pick out paint colors together, unless in some miracle the place you’re getting is perfectly painted in a way you both already like. Picking out paint colors can be agonizing when couples do not see eye to eye. Most men will tend to choose a more muted neutral color palette such as tans and browns.

Women seem to be attracted to colors that are bright, pastel, or the latest trend in magazines. The best way to meet in the middle when it comes to selecting hues is to mix and match colors. Popular combinations are chocolate brown & berry red, yellow & grey, taupe & spa blue. You can go to a store like Home Depot or Lowe’s and look at swatches. You can also follow my first design tip and do the e-decorating, putting the different colors of paint into the picture of your new place and seeing how they look. Compromise is not just possible here, it should result in a nicely blended style and a well balanced home or apartment.

Compromising is key when it comes to designing a home together. Talk to your partner about your top five needs and why they are important to you and listen to theirs. More than likely there will be a design solution that will fit both of your desires. Whether you’re looking to build a cabin in the woods of Vermont, with a very rustic decor or a Malibu beach house with a Southern California decor, it doesn’t matter. The basic rules of style and design will still apply, and understanding the different mentalities of men and women go a long way in helping you to figure out your plan.

Stephanie Day is an Interior Designer and decorator operating in Southern California, specifically covering Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Malibu, West Hollywood and Pacific Palisades California as well as Scottsdale Arizona. Stephanie will help you with E-decorating, affordable design tips and decor for your residence or commercial space on the West Coast. Stephanie has a BFA in Fine Arts from Arizona State University and specializes in color theory, creating beautiful living and working spaces. Stephanie’s mission is providing high quality but affordable interior design to her clients.
For more on her interior design service, please email Stephanie at info@DayDesignDecor.com.
Or for free decorating tips, check out our blog at our website.

Stephanie Day
Interior Designer, Owner
Day Design Decor

The record breaking success of Avatar at the box office last year was the first step in the inevitable transformation of the way in which television, movies and games are displayed in our homes for years to come. With over 70,000 + new Sky 3D subscribers in the UK, it appears now is the time to upgrade your televisions to take advantage of the new wave of 3D entertainment on offer.

Backed up by the launch of Sky’s first dedicated 3D television channel next month, 3D technology is simply the “must have” accessory in the home cinema industry. The range of high quality 3D televisions already on the market, including the Sony KDL-52HX903 and the Samsung UE55C9000 are simply breathtaking and that’s not even mentioning the new range of HD Projectors launching later this year including the much anticipated Samsung SP-A8000 3D home theater projector which will be the first mainstream projector to broadcast in Full HD.

Leading broadcasters Sky and BBC have invested heavily to ensure new HD and 3D content is readily available for subscribers whether you’re looking to watch your favourite documentaries, movies or sports channels. The passionate sports fan would have to agree that 2011 is the year for 3D sport with major events including the Champions League Final, Rugby World Cup Final, Cricket World Cup Final and Wimbledon all broadcast in both high definition and 3D across the UK.

Away from broadcasting, 3D Technology is also expanding into additional markets with a dramatic rise in the number of Blu-ray 3D movies now in production and even the gaming industry has embraced 3D technology to enhance the experience of online and offline gaming. The launch of leading titles Killzone 3 and Gran Turismo 5 have set an industry benchmark for 3D entertainment this year and will surely spark a range of 3D games over coming months.

Through installing a 3D home cinema system, not only can you enjoy 3D displays but also 3D sound with a range of quality speaker systems available to support Dolby digital surround sound. Smarta Technology a leading provider of 3D home cinema installations has created bespoke systems to captivate the best style, sound and vision available in the marketplace as part of an integrated of home automation system.

Team’s of industry experts have also engineered new ways to facilitate social media with internet connected TV sets. Enabling to check the latest gossip on Facebook and Twitter through a click of a remote control.

To find out more information about 3D Home Cinema Installations or home automation please visit Smarta Technology or give us a call on 0845 430 762.

Recognised as one of the UK’s leading home automation service providers, Smarta Technology continues to set the benchmark within the home automation industry for creating bespoke home automation systems that integrate appliances around your home through an easy to user interface. For more information please visit http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

An individual’s personality can be determined by his/her choice of the things they surround themselves with. The interiors of a home can portray these traits of the homemaker. The quality of the furniture, the layout and choice of accessories and furnishings reflects their tastes. When choosing the type of curtains and blinds that will go on the sliding glass doors of one’s home, it is important to stick with well known manufacturers of high quality window coverings. Waverly curtains and valances are one such brand name in the world of furnishings known for their amazing passion for fabric and designs.

Blinds for sliding glass doors should be chosen keeping in mind the purpose of use. They can be either for basic insulation or for display of a class. The choice can also be made depending on which part of the home they will be used. The Roman shades are very classy and expensive. These can be put up in the living room or the bedroom if priority is the décor. If the budget is low, then the great desire to have these can be substituted by bamboo shades which also look very attractive and can be bought at prices that will not empty the pocketbook. Blinds are also available in different materials like aluminum, faux wood, fabric cellular blinds etc.

Similarly curtains too come in different pleats, drapes, and sheers. There is one for everyone. Especially the Waverly curtains and valances cannot be missed out. Everyone wants to own at least one. The more you see the more you desire. They are pure cotton with beautiful prints and hues. They are the pioneers in this industry and their stuff is available across 4000 stores all over the world. They are household name in window treatments, fabrics, wall coverings and bedding. They are most famous for their plaids, stripes, chintzes, and floral motifs.

The blinds for sliding doors should be well measured so as to fit well; otherwise the best material can still make them look messy. Similarly while choosing the drapes or curtains the measurement is very important to make the perfect looking pleats. Full length sheers give your living area, dining room or library an elegant and dramatic look. They can be teamed with different style of valances to look classier. You can create magic using the right choice of color, texture and fashion to decorate your valued residence.

Learn more about how to install window treatments for sliding glass doors and Waverly curtains and valances at The Home DIY Site!

You can find us online 24/7 at thehomediysite.com, where we offer you the best DIY tips and design ideas for your home and garden.

For me there was only going to be one winner when it came to the type of stairs I wanted for my home. Being constrained for space was also a deciding factor, but given the choice then spiral stairs were always what I had dreamed of for their astounding beauty and simplicity and also for the wow factor! Being a joiner myself I am handy with the tools but it also means I come under close scrutiny when wood enters my home! This is what I did.

Firstly I planned which spiral stair I wanted. To my eye the most beautiful spiral stairs are those with the weight transferred to the spinal column by means of a canter levered thread, which not only holds its own weight but assists in the load bearing of spindles and handrail. Each thread will resist 3 forces,downward force, twisting and wiggle! For a 36″ radius stair I was assured that a 2″ by 6 1/2″ rib would be adequately strong for my job. Given that most people would walk on the center of the stair I tapered the rib back to the center support pole mainly to lighten the load and to be more ascetically pleasing.

For this project I used Douglas fur timber which in my eye is a very beautiful wood but not very common in stairs in Northern Ireland. The main support column was made up of 24 mortises in a precise spiral, to effect this I built a 14 sided co-opered cylinder in which the width of each stave is the same width as the rib! I ripped my 2″x6″ Douglas fur lenghts into 1 3/4″ at an angle of 12.86 degrees (i got this by dividing 360 by 14). Then I had to mark the rib mortices. I lay the timbers out in a row and marked the mortices every 8 and 3/4 inches which was the rise of my stair. At this stage I was ready to glue up and clamp my cylindrical support and I done this with standard wood glue and the use of a rope clamp.

After the glue set I used my plane to smooth out the joints of the cylinder. Next I began the construction of my treads and risers,each tread was a 1/14 of a circle or 25.71 degree of an arc. I glued up 2×12″ timbers to obtain the wedge shape needed to fit snug. All the treads are identical except for the first and last treads and using a molder with an inch round blade I bull nosed the edges of treads shaped like a wedge. Each rib was then glued and screwed to the underside of my treads and left to dry. This spiral stair was to be built once on site so there was no room for failure. To construct the spiral stairs handrail I had to build a barrell shaped stud with the outline of the inside of my opening and to the height I wished to finish. The timber was then cut to thin rips and glued together in lamination and tightly clamped to the barrel. No problems so far. Installation was a big deal in our house and I had alot of witnesses hanging on my every move. It would have been easier to pay some one else to cope with this pressure but spiral stairs in Northern Ireland could cost you an arm and a leg!

Keeping it simple and with some help, the treads one by one climbed the cylindrical spiral column and canter leverd beautifully at every step. It took a fair bit of working out and some expert free hand saw cuts but eventually the handrail was in place and fitting spindles was simple practice. Done and dusted, spiral stairs complete and ready for traffic, which we have a lot of in our house. The stairs still stand as a majestic sallute to mathematics and the absolute beauty and strength of Douglas fur. Would I do it again? Yes!

http://www.stairsnorthernireland.com

Are your rooms in need of a bit of spice and energy? Very little appeal is offered to you and your visitors in a plain and boring room. Fabric has many uses that can help you to liven up and add depth to a room. Color, fabric and texture will help you create a beautiful, welcoming home. You room will go from plain to exquisite with by simply using fabric and color. Richness and bursts of color can be added to your home with the help of the ideas and tips in this article.

There are a few rules to follow for making your rooms beautiful and appealing when working with fabrics and colors.

Where to Add Fabrics & Color
Rooms can really be brought to life with color. Throw pillows, window treatments and tapestries are the easiest way to add interest to your living room without spending too much money. Interesting patterns should be used for combining throw pillows. An example of this is the pleasing look that a solid color throw pillow combined with a large print and small print pillow can create. You throw pillows aren’t exclusive to the sofa. You can use over-sized pillows on the floor for extra seating.

With tapestries you are offered pleasing texture, a rich look and intricate patterns. A large tapestry, complementing the other colors of you décor, can be placed on a wall. This can be the room’s focal point.

You can also add a burst of color with rich and colorful fabrics. The room can really be pulled together with the use of a simple fabric panel or valance. If you find fabric for your lampshades or runners for you coffee or end tables that offers color and interesting patterns really consider using it.

Creating the Right M ix of Pattern and Color
Three colors should be used to decorate the room in most cases. Sixty percent of your room should be in one color and forty percent of the room should be made up of two other colors in most cases. The perfect balance of color will be created, allowing one to stand out and become the base for all other colors and patterns that will be added.

The large scale pattern should be the first thing you choose, just to make the process easier. Your search for your solid and small scale patterns will be directed by your large scale choice. Years ago you would never mix floral, plaid and striped patterns. Combining patterns is now all the rage! You cannot match the interest and appeal.

If you choose to go with a floral pattern for your large scale choice, choose your solid color based off of that. The room’s three color choices should dominate your small scale pattern. Plaid, geometric or striped patterns will work well with this small scale pattern.

Remember, a beautiful and coordinated room can easily be created with only three colors. Windows, throw pillows and other accents should have rich texture to go with them. The room should be balanced with solid colored ceramic pots that are filled with natural greenery. By sticking to the solid, small scale, large scale rule you will be able to create beautiful rooms with very little effort. Don’t fear mixing things up a bit when you’re working with color and fabric.

About the Writer..
For over 4 decades Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior decorating needs. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. Are you looking for bookcases for your family room or a maple end table for your living room then they probably have everything you need.

However, if you are thinking of moving house and taking your pond with you they might be a practical option in the short term, with view to creating a larger, lined pond at your future address.

Pond liners can be made to fit practically any sized pond and there are a number of choices when it comes to choosing your pond liner, many of them come with a life time warranty and can be very cost effective.

The types of liners available on the market are:-

1) PVC – This is a budget option pond liner which can be purchase in 0.5mm and 0.8mm thickness. A PVC pond liner can be folded and taped to fit your pond and is suitable for smaller ponds, it is advised that you use pond underlay with your PVC liner to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. This type of pond liner does actually come with a lifetime warranty but this will be subject to correct usage and care. PVC pond liners are available in a number of sizes but these sizes are restricted to a maximum of 25m X 12m in the 0.5mm, and 25m X 10m in the 0.8mm, it is not recommended that you try to exceed these sizes by attaching 2 pieces together, if you do require a larger liner then it would be advisable to choose either a Greenseal or Firestone rubber pond liner.

2) Greenseal - This liner is probably the closest to Butyl, as Butyl pond liners are not often an option anymore due to the import costs other liners have been developed to take their place and the Greenseal pond liner is really the next best thing. The Greenseal pond liner can be purchased in thickness of 0.75mm or 1mm and is a textured rubber pond liner that is easy to fold and shape to fit your pond.

Also with a lifetime warranty (subject to care and usage) this liner is available in 8m width X up to 40m length and you can purchase 2 sizes and attach them together if you require a larger size. It is still recommended that you use pond liner underlay, this is simply to protect your liner from any objects which may protrude from the soil beneath.

3) Firestone – Available in 1mm thickness this liner has a smoother rubber texture and although it can still be folded, it may be more difficult to position than the 0.75mm Greenseal simply due to how thick it is. Although this is the toughest pond liner in the market place it is still recommended that a pond liner underlay is used. The Firestone pond liner also has a lifetime warranty subject to care and usage and is available in 15.24m width and up to 30.48m in length.

4) Box Liner - The advantage of these liners is that they fit to the exact size of your pond and are ideal for odd shaped ponds. The only disadvantage is that you may have to pay a little more and wait a little longer, but when your liner arrives at least you will be able to place it straight into you pond with little messing and no creasing. You do have to be spot on with the measurements that you give for your box liner, in fact you have to be to the exact cm or you will find that you have to dig a little further or fill in your pond so that your liner fits.

5) Pond Liner Underlay – This is a vital purchase with any of the pond liners as it will help to protect your pond liner from any foreign particles such as rocks and roots in the soil underneath. You should always try to remove as many objects as you possibly can from the soil to try to reduce any damage being caused to your liner, as even though the underlay will provide much more protection than not having any at all the underlay could still be damaged causing risk to your liner. Underlay is always the best option of protection for your liner as it will not rot over time and so should always provide a protective barrier for your liner as long as you need it.

There is also the ability to extend or fix your liner into the desired shape, to do this you would need 2 items which are quick prime plus and form flash repair tape. These items should be used in conjunction with one another, quick prime plus is an adhesive which needs to be pasted onto your pond liner, the attaching/folding piece of liner is then placed on top and you then seal this with the form flash repair tape. You can also purchase tools to assist you when doing this such as rollers which will help to secure the liners together as securely as possible.

If by any chance your liner does spring a leak, do not despair as there are ways which you can fix it. First of all you will need to establish where the leak is coming from; you may have a good idea if for example you have dropped something sharp into the pond. If you think that the damage is toward the top of the pond you could choose to let the pond drain of its own accord until it is below this level, then add baking power along the part of the liner where the water has drained and the leak will be highlighted with a damp spot as water can still seep through from the underside of the liner. To repair the liner you will need a PVC patch if you have a PVC liner or a rubber repair kit if it is a rubber pond liner, these kits create a waterproof barrier and so your liner will again be able to hold water with no problems.

Keep in mind though that if you are unsure where exactly the leak is you really shouldn’t just let the water drain as if it is lower in the pond liner then you could risk killing any fish you have in your pond. If you do not know where the leak it is recommended that you filter the pond water into a holding tank and also transfer you fish. The pond liner then can still be repaired in the same way as mentioned earlier and if you do find that you have to drain the entire pond then it might also be a good idea to do any required pond maintenance whilst you are there.

Mark Cropper works for Swell UK, a leading online retailer of pond supplies including Water Features and Rattan Garden Furniture.