Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Efficiency of Draperies – Notes For Energy Consumption

Drapery Experts
Image Source: http://www.raymondedraperies.com
Saving energy is not just about saving the environment. It’s also about saving you money. No one is going to scoff at the notion of having a little more money at the end of the month. With that in mind that there are a few things that you can do for your home to reduce your overall energy costs. For instance you could look at how draperies help keep homes cool, warm, and add some spice to any room they become a part of. Draperies can raise raise the energy efficiency of a home a great degree.

The Heat Index

First and foremost you will find that a good set of drapes could in fact block the heat index from rising in your home. This all depends on the fabric that you choose and how heavy the elements are. The heavier and more compact the fabric is the higher the chances are that you will be able to block out those elements that make your home hot. Choosing the right drapes could get you temperatures that drop by 30% or higher depending on the color and fabric density overall.

For The Cold 

While draperies can block the sun’s access to any given room they can also have great benefits in the winter. Studies indicate that you can warm up a room and retain heat much easier when you have heavy draperies in place. That means less money spent on heating and more trapping the heat from escaping when you need it most.

Best Practices For Drapes

As you look into having draperies installed you are going to want to take note of the position of the fabric. You'll  want to ensure that your drapes are close enough to their windows. The closer the better as you will find that it can help you gain leverage in regards to efficient cooling and heating. In many cases the best way to work with this is to have the drapes attached to a wall  which will maximize efficacy.

San Diego Drapery Experts Raymonde Draperies

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

What Solar Power Is

Image Source: http://www.solargm.com
The sun comes out daily. It brings light, heat, and rays that illuminate, help create and sustain life, and if you're not careful burn you too. The sun has always been of great importance to the human race. Thanks to some very inventive and innovate technology human beings can now harness the power of the sun for use in their homes and places of business. Solar power is a highly effective form of clean energy that brings a multitude of benefits to not only those who use it but the environment as well. If you've ever wonder exactly how solar power work there are a few key things that will help you understand how it all happens.

Using The Sun As An Energy Source

The sun gives off a tremendous amount of heat and energy every second.  In order to move solar power from the atmosphere into a home or business it must first be gathered by solar panels. Once captured by solar panels it is converted into usable electricity and then sent through a system and finally into appliances.

While many like to credit the sun solely for solar power a generator or battery system  must  also be in place and connected in order for the suns energy to be made usable. When the sun’s lights and rays hit the panels the panels distribute it directly to cells and then a positive and negative area of a battery. That battery stores the energy and then distributes it on demand when it is called upon by electrical devices.

The Solar cell

To further break this down you’ll have to look into solar cells themselves. There are two types, photovoltaic, and photoelectric. Most panels are labeled making it easy to determine which type you're looking at. To help keep some perspective, a light bulb could be powered by just 1 square meter of paneling. These are the cells that you see on rooftops, across fields, and as well as the side of homes and commercial structures. These don’t just stand alone as they are connected to a grid and battery system which are needed to complete the conversion of sunlight to usable energy.

In addition to powering  appliances solar power can also be used to heat water. Similar to that of solar electrical grids many homes utilize a water heating system that is connected directly to the cells mentioned above. The solar collection device takes the heat and rays and pushes them through a boiler which then goes through a twin coil cylinder. Cold water comes through the cylinder and is heated, hot water comes out the shower and tap.

Overall, solar energy is an efficient alternative source. While it is an evolving technology it can reduce and/or eliminate power bills for both home and business owners.

Orange County Solar Power Experts SolarGEM

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Highlighting Cleaning Dirty Windows– Hiring Professionals

Window Cleaning Experts
Image Source: http://www.stanleywindowcare.com
There’s something grand about windows. They allow you to see out and they usher in the brilliance of natural light as well. It’s a wonderful thing for homeowners, apartment dwellers, and storefronts across the globe. In theory the cleaning of windows seems simple enough but when you start to look into professional grade cleaning solutions you will find that the act of cleaning windows is much more nuanced and complex than you previously thought. Hiring a pro is a good idea because they produce results that can't be duplicated by laypersons.

The Best Possible Results

Hiring experts in this field is not about just getting someone else to do the cleaning. It’s about getting the best possible results. The best is exactly what you'll get when you decide to spend money to hire someone that does this for a living. Experts in this field will not only get the hard to reach areas but they strive to restore the original luster of windows , work with unparalleled precision which is evident in their work.

Affordable Options

There are many individuals who will consider hiring a professional window cleaner but often balk because they believe the costs associated with doing so to be outrageous. The vast majority of professional window cleaners are inexpensive  and when you consider the time versus money aspect of this job, most quickly realize the price to be well worth paying. Not only do experts come in with specialized equipment they get the job done a great deal faster than you would be able to do on your own.

More Than One Role

As you start to investigate local window cleaners you'll often find they clean a great deal more than windows. Some professional window cleaning firms also offer things like maid services, gutter cleanings, glass repair and much more. At the end of the day, you could very well be dealing with a service that goes above and beyond just your windows. Testing out the right company here could in fact mean that you will get a complex amount of work done all at a great price. If your homes windows aren't the only thing that needs a professionals attention ask your window cleaner what other types of cleaning services they offer.

Orange County Window Cleaning Experts Stanley Window Care

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Using French Doors To Open Up Your Home

French Doors
One of the most incredible projects you can undertake for your home, especially if you want to get a more open feel, is to consider the installation of French doors. French doors are interesting in that they take traditional ideas and double up the entry way space. This not only gives you a larger opening but more room to create some serious curb appeal. This solution fits a lot of different exterior design protocols as well as color elements. However before you jump there are a few things to consider.

The Construction


First and foremost you'll want to consider the construction of the door. There are a multitude of different building materials used to make French doors though in most fiberglass and/or solid wood are fantastic solutions. Remember that French doors are more of a visual upgrade than one of functionality at times and that you'll want to consider building materials for their  resistance to weather, weight, paint, and maintenance requirements.

When considering the construction you’re also going to have to consider glass paneling. Ask yourself, are you going to have window treatments on the inside or will the glass be glazed? Interior French doors can also present you with a great opportunity to increase the synergy between your interior design and entry way. There’s a lot of choices so make sure you give careful consideration to the type of glass you are going to utilize in your project.

The Entry Points


Before you make any final decisions make sure that you understand that there are 3 different types of entry ways in the world of French doors. Each one comes with their own visual design appeal and function.

For instance, you will find that the majority of options will hinge on folding doors. These can be simple to install and can open up an entry way with simplicity. Expended windows can give you more light and view from the sides and angles of a door frame; a nice touch to be certain. Then there are gliding doors which can be made and used for patios and other exterior design options. These are rarely used for front doors but can be coupled with other options depending on the needs of the home.

There’s a certain allure to all of this and it's something that is definitely worth exploring deeper. Investing in French doors is a good way to close off a room, expand an entry way, and tie in the visual design flow of an entrance with ease.