Furniture shopping in the Sunshine Coast

December 1, 2019
by Declan Melbourne
4 min read

The fact that the world is changing has made people change the way they do things. For this reason, instead of walking for distances to shop whatever they want, they decide to buy the commodities online. This has made life easy, but it has also made people very lazy. For this reason, anyone who requires buying new furniture, they do it online.

In Sunshine Coast, for instance, most people live a very private and busy life; for this reason, everything they do is done privately. This is one of the reasons people will not go to do their shopping in other types of stores. All they need is to order the things they need, and then they are delivered to them. When it comes to buying furniture from online stores, there are several benefits that you are going to enjoy. However, everything that is goo also has its negative side. For this reason, there are also some disadvantages that you are likely to encounter for buying furniture from the online furniture stores in Sunshine Coast.

Pros

  • It is time-saving

One of the reasons why many people decide to buy their furniture from online furniture stores is because the process of choosing and ordering furniture is very short. For this reason, one does not spend too much time as they would have spent when buying the furniture from the retailers.  You can order the furniture from wherever you are at any time without travelling to see the furniture and moving from store to store comparing the furniture.

  • The prices are low

When you compare the prices of the furniture at the retail stores and in online stores, you will find out that the online stores sell their furniture at a lower price. This is because they have discounts and offers for their furniture, unlike the other sellers making the furniture to cost at a lower price.

  • Online stores have a variety of furniture

The other advantage of buying furniture from online stores is that they have a variety of furniture where you can choose from. The furniture is made of different designs, and styles with different colours for the customers to select. However, some of the stores that sell the furniture will tell you that they do not sell a certain variety of furniture for reasons best known to them. This is never a thing in online furniture stores.

 

  • They offer delivery for the furniture you order

When you order any furniture in the online furniture stores, they will ensure that the furniture reaches you at wherever location you live.

  • Their furniture has warranties

In case you buy furniture in the online furniture stores in Sunshine Coast, you are given a warranty period. If the furniture you buy has some problems, you can easily return them in exchange for other furniture.

  • It is easy to compare the varieties of furniture and their prices

With online stores, you can compare the furniture available and the prices of the different stores very easily. The only thing that you need is your phone or computer.

Cons

  • You need to pay extra money

Since the furniture has to be delivered to your house, you will need to pay an extra amount of money for delivery costs.

  • You cannot be sure of the furniture you have ordered

Since you make orders of pictures you have seen, you may not discover the flaws that the furniture may be having.

  • Other online stores are bogus

At times you can pay for the furniture to people in the name of online furniture store customer cares, but they are not.

Hold Fast Designs are a Sunshine Coast furniture store. For reasonably priced furniture, check them out.

 

Blue steel fence background

Better Fencing With Colorbond Steel

May 11, 2018
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

When thinking about a fence, the most important thing is what material will be used to make the fence. Some will choose wood or maybe aluminium, but these don’t have to be the only choices. There’s an option in the form of Colorbond steel that is better on every level. Here are some reasons why the best option for fencing is Colorbond steel.

In terms of durability, Colorbond steel is one of the best options for fencing. The steel has been tested against multiple weather scenarios that can cause normal wear and tear to fencing, such as rain, snow, and hail. Colorbond steel can even protect an area from a bush fire due to its ability to handle extreme heat without burning. Fencing made with the steel can also withstand rot and won’t be affected by termites and other insects.

Regular maintenance of a fence is something that people will often dread, but with fencing made from Colorbond, this isn’t much of a problem. Once the fence has been put up, there isn’t much that has to be done to it. The fence’s bottom should be kept clear of dirt and garden material, and the fence should be given a washing once in a while, but aside from that, there’s nothing else to do to the fence. The steel eliminates the need for dealing with nail paling installation or yearly paint applications.

Once important thing that a Colorblind steel fence can offer is security to owners. Since the fence is made without vertical gaps, nosy people will have a hard time trying to see through the fence, giving owners well desired privacy. The construction of the fence also makes it hard for people to climb over the fence. It will be difficult to find footing on the fence because of a lack of foot holds.

Fences made with Colorbond steel can be customized with a variety of colours. Most people will want to choose a color that matches the rest of the visible areas on the outside of the home, such as the garage doors or gutters. It doesn’t take a high priced home decorator to know which colours work best, and with the available colours to choose from, owners are bound to find one that will meet their needs. More information: www.skilledfencing.com.au/colorbond-perth/

From an aesthetic standpoint, fences made with Colorbond steel are some of the best looking fences. A timber fence can have the problem of looking good on one side, but on Colorbond steel fences, on either side, the fence will be visually pleasing. These fences have a clean look with straight lines that give off the feel of quality. The fences can fit with many building types and can be changed to fit a specific look with the addition of gates and lattices.

Colorbond steel has all the properties that make it the best option for anyone in need of a fence. It can stand for a long time while successfully complementing a building and giving owners the security their building requires.

Clean work, checking the energy efficiency of their house by measuring the thickness of fiberglass insulation in the attic

Pros and Cons of The Different Types of Home Insulation

May 10, 2018
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

Not all houses are built the same, and so, there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to home insulation. There are numerous factors to consider when choosing insulation such as installation, cost, product performance as well as climate. When choosing the ideal insulation, it is important to know about the pros and cons of the various picks.

Fiberglass

This one of the most common types of insulation. Fiberglass insulation usually comes in rolls and it is handy when it comes to fitting between standard studs and joists. Its widespread availability and affordability are what makes it a popular choice. On the downside, it is itchy to install yourself, and inhaling the fibers could lead to conditions like cancer. As such, it is imperative to wear protective clothing and a mask.

Loose Fill

If your attic has numerous crannies and nooks, your best pick ought to be loose fill insulation made of cellulose or fiberglass. This type of insulation is blown in place using a special machine, effectively filling gaps. However, it can compress as time passes and lose its effectiveness. Cellulose tends to perform better when compared to fiberglass at lower temperatures, but it can be rather heavy for some attics.

Mineral Wool

Slag or rock wool batt and blanket is another do it yourself type of insulation that holds its shape and is more fire-retardant than its counterparts. Mineral wool is ideally more environmentally friendly, with over 90 percent of recyclable content. The material, however, can harbor mold if it gets wet and inhaling the fibers can be quite dangerous.

Spray Foam

This type of foam offers a high R-value and can fit in particularly tight spaces when it dries, thus giving an ideal air barrier to keep the home comfortable. Liquid sprayed-in foam, however, can be quite expensive when compared to other types of insulation and calls for the assistance of a professional. However, it can ideally cut down on other house weathering tasks like caulking.

Reflective Systems and Radiant Barriers

While most types of insulation systems work by minimizing heat conductivity, these types reflect heat away from the building. These highly reflective materials, traditionally used in warm climates are installed on the roof’s underside and minimize radiant heat transfer from the sun and thus reducing utility costs.

Polystyrene Insulation

This is an ideal insulation material that is increasingly being used in newer buildings. It is a petrochemical industry product and so, it’s not particularly environmentally friendly. It also requires professional installation to ascertain there are no gaps where heat can leak in and out.

Rigid Foam

This type helps slow heat transfer through elements such as studs. It is commonly made of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate. The panels can be easily cut to size and glued to surfaces or wedged between beams. However, rigid foam is more expensive than other types of insulation and can be more difficult to fit in awkward corners and around obstacles.

As you can see, there are various types of home insulation, all with different benefits and downsides.

Man Working Pressure Washers

Should You Buy An Electric Or Gas Powered Pressure Washer?

April 30, 2018
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

Many people wonder which is best when it comes to gas and electric pressure washers. There are some consumers who think that gas is the best pressure washer on the market while some others think that they could not do a good job without an electric pressure washer. So, which one is best for you? Here are some important tips to consider when choosing between a gas powered and electric pressure washer on the market. We also found some excellent product specific reviews here: https://www.pressurewashertech.com/electric-pressure-washers/

Electric and gas power washers have their pros and cons. An electric pressure washer is quite powerful – some washers are up to 2000 PSI. But these machines remain quiet during the operation. Electric washers are ideal to clean small items such as pool areas, vehicles, backyard grills, patios, and bikes. These machines are portable and lightweight. In fact, most of the latest electric machines come with attachments to make them more powerful in the process. Most consumers prefer to invest in an electric washer since it is low maintenance. Once you buy the machine – that is it – you will not have to buy gas or oil to operate the machine. There are no expensive or major parts to be replaced in the process.

There are also some disadvantages of electric washers. Some consumers claim that electric washers are cheaper in price and quality too. They are disposable on the other hand. In fact, a consumer who buys an electric washer doesn’t expect to keep it for the next 10 years. Many consumers think that it is a tradeoff considering the amount one has to spend on gas or oil and the amount one has to spend buying a new electric machine every few years. On the other hand, the power cord of the machine will limit where you need to take the power washer. All in all, an electric power washer is best for cleaning small items in a home. These machines have the power to clean some of the dirtiest areas in a home without causing damage to the surface.

You can take a gas power washer anywhere you want to go with it. Although the machine is heavy, it has wheels for easy portability. You have to maintain these machines on a regular basis to prolong the lifespan of it. Gas washers are much more powerful compared to electric washers. In fact, some of the higher end machines could have up to 4,000 PSI. You have to pay more for a gas powered pressure washer compared to an electric washer. That is a downside of buying such a washer. Gas washers are ideal for heavy duty cleaning. These are some of the most important things to consider when deciding between a gas powered pressure washer and an electric pressure washer.

In conclusion, most consumers are confused as to which machine to choose when it comes to a gas powered pressure washer and an electric pressure washer. The aforementioned article provides information on whether you should buy a gas or electric pressure washer.

Green landscaping

What is Eco-Landscaping?

October 28, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

Landscaping is a process in which a yard is made to look more attractive. This could involve changing the design of a garden, adding plants, or putting up ornamental decor. However, not all types of landscaping are completely focused on aesthetics. Eco-landscaping helps you to improve your yard in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. We spoke to a landscape gardener in Perth to find out more.

Adding Sources Of Shade

A lack of shade can drive your utility bills up. When you have nothing to block out the sun’s hot rays, you will ultimately spend more money in order to keep your home cool. However, you have options that go beyond cranking up your air conditioner. You can also add some sources of shade to your yard.

One of the best ways to get more shade into your yard is to plant a tree or two. Even a single tree can provide plenty of shade. A well-placed tree can bring down the temperature inside of your home, which can bring down your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Windbreaks

Trees and shrubberies can provide shade, but they can also provide shelter against the wind. In the eco-landscaping world, plants that guard against wind are known as “windbreaks.” Having windbreaks around your home can lower the temperature drop from the windchill. This will make it easier for you to heat your home.

You have more control over the temperature of your home than you might think. You should use a heater to keep your home warm in the winter, but you should also look at some of your landscaping options. If you plant bushes, trees, or other evergreen plants in the right spots, you can mitigate the impact that wind has on your home.

Using Greener Materials

You should be careful about the materials you use in your garden. Before adding any material in your garden, you should look at it closely and make sure it won’t have a negative impact on the environment.

One material you may want to avoid using in your garden is concrete. The process used to create concrete produces a lot of carbon monoxide. If you’re interested in using concrete but are worried about the impact that it will have on the planet, you should explore some of your other options, such as recycled concrete.

You should also try to avoid any lumber that has been treated. Treated lumber contains potentially hazardous chemicals. The more natural materials you use in your garden, the better.

Avoiding Chemicals

It’s not uncommon for people to spray chemicals on their lawn. While chemicals can help you to get rid of pests, they can severely damage the plants and the soil in your garden. An important aspect of eco-landscaping is finding alternatives to chemical products.

Eco-landscaping may sound complex, but it’s actually quite simple. When you landscape your yard, you should think about whether or not the actions you are taking are harming the environment. If you start to change the way that you landscape, you’ll be able to improve the overall look of your lawn.

Hand hold house against green field

Energy Saving Home Design Tips

October 15, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

Energy-efficient homes can certainly save homeowners’ time and money and also help them mitigate risks to environment. Energy saving homes are commonly comfortable by nature and design elements as well as the appliances are utilized to reduce usage of energy contributing to better air quality and more controlled temperature and humidity levels. It’s easier to integrate energy saving elements to home designs when a house is being constructed. Moreover, it’s also highly possible to make changes after a house is built to effectively improve energy efficiency.
If you are in search for energy saving home design tips that you can try, the following tips might be the ones you are looking for and can take to your Perth builder to create an energy efficient home:

Installing Cool Roof

Cool roof designs help in decreasing temperature and deflecting sunlight of the roof as a whole. This in turn lowers the temperature level of the home. Some roofing installers will utilize particular types of materials during cool roof installation. Professional installers use materials that comply with Energy Star rules and regulations. The benefits of cool roof designs include energy reduction to about 15%, decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution and carbon emissions reduction.

Adding Skylight

Skylights are proven to increase the efficiency of the home and improve air ventilation, heating and interior lighting. Depending on the design of the home, it may be hard to incorporate skylights. It would therefore be a smart choice to consult an expert before thinking about cutting out pieces of your roof and putting in a window. Experts also suggest skylights to be bigger than 5% of floor area in one room with several windows and not bigger than 15% of floor area in room with no windows.

Installing New Flooring

Flooring also play vital role in maintaining the temperature of the home and cutting energy costs. Rugs and carpeting ideas and designs help trap heat and keep the home warm especially during winter. Flooring experts can help you choose design options that cut energy cost. Installing new flooring is a cheaper way of cutting costs as compared to projects such as gutting the siding and replacing with energy-saving alternatives.

Landscaping to Save More Energy

Smart landscaping is also another energy home design tip that you can follow. You must practice smart landscaping and get yourself familiar with landscaping designs aimed to help you save energy at home. If your landscaping includes planting low-maintenance and native plants, choose the ones that do not require lots of watering. This can help you save on your water bills.

Hang Ceiling Fans

Aside from being an accent into your roof, ceiling fan can also reduce utility costs and a great alternative to HVAC system. Ceiling fans are more economical. These still require electricity however; these are far less expensive than using automatic cooling system.
By applying these energy saving design tips in your home, you are able to achieve significant energy cost savings and you are also given the chance to experience and enjoy living in an energy saving home.

entrance to art hotel Thailand

Why You Should Choose an Eco Friendly Hotel

October 15, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

Mass tourism is one of the plagues of our modern society. As flights get cheaper and cheaper, they become affordable to a wider array of people, hence determining even lower income individuals to travel more and further away from home. This change in our travel habits has a negative impact on the environment. Under these circumstances, we should do our best to minimize our carbon footprint while we travel. One of the best ways of doing it is by choosing to stay in eco friendly hotel accommodation. This is something everyone can do, as we all need to book hotels at our destination, whether we travel for business or pleasure.

An eco friendly hotel would reinforce customer policies that would enable them to save water and to avoid contributing to the general pollution of the planet. They would communicate clearly the rules for the guests to indicate whether they are willing to reuse their towels or not. They would recycle the toilet basin water. They would replace traditional faucets with eco friendly ones. All these measures can help them save huge volumes of water every year. You can be a part of this effort by choosing them for your stay. This is a very nice thing to do for your children and your grandchildren, as they should also have a chance to enjoy the wonderful planet we live on. It is also a nice thing to do for your own person, as you’ll feel much better about yourself, knowing that you do a good deed for the generations to come.

The other advantage of choosing an eco friendly hotel is that you can save some money on your accommodation. Reusing the water and recycling consumables enable hotel managers to lower their prices. Replacing carpets with ceramic tiles allows them to cut their cleaning costs. Producing their own green energy is yet another way of cutting their ongoing expenses. All these may seem small, but they can add up pretty fast to impressive amounts of money. Part of these savings can be transferred onto the guests of the hotel. By choosing to stay in green hotels, you can contribute to the protection of our environment while also protecting your back account. If you are a frequent traveller, your contribution is going to be an important one, and your savings will add up to a nice amount of money you’d be able to spend on other things you love.

Since avoiding flying or travelling by bus or car isn’t always possible, the best way to show that we do care about the Earth is by choosing eco friendly accommodation. If more and more travellers embrace this option, more and more hotel managers shall turn their hotels into environment-friendly units, as they shall see it as an excellent opportunity to attract more clients. When the critical mass will be reached, you may not be able to find the old style of accommodation venue any longer.

field of spring grass and forest

Why Compressed Air Tools Are Better For the Environment

September 28, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
3 min read

Air compressors, ideally known as pneumatic tools are capable of more than cleaning, spray painting and inflating tires. With the right air tools, a typical air compressor can do a broad range of both industrial and domestic tasks including sawing, grinding, hammering, drilling, sanding, polishing and much more. In fact, it is hard to think of an application for which a standard tool cannot be replaced by its pneumatic counterpart. These air tools provide a number of advantages over the standard electrically powered ones. They are easier to use, more economical, more reliable, often safer, and increase productivity. The benefits, however, do not end there as pneumatic tools tend to be more environmentally friendly compared to their counterparts. That being said, here’s why air compressed tools are better for the environment:

Require Less Fuel

One of the best things about pneumatic tools is that the only need a fraction of energy or fuel to run tools and equipment that need a lot of power to operate. This simply means that switching to air compressed devices for domestic and industrial tasks significantly reduces the demand for fuel, thus reducing the depletion of resources while saving you money. So, if you are looking for a way to reduce running costs while minimising your carbon footprint, then pneumatic tools are the answer.

Durability

Another appealing thing about pneumatic tools is that they outlast their conventional counterparts. They have fewer movable parts, and that increases their durability. These tools rarely break, and if they do, it’s probably because they were neglected for an extended period. The good thing about this level of durability is that it results to less junk. With air compressed tools having a guarantee of decades, you won’t see a lot them in the junkyard.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

When compared to traditional tools, air compressed ones have fewer movable parts. This is one of the primary reasons why they require less fuel to run. Numerous industries today use air compressed tools for air filtration, inflation, spray painting and other applications to help reduce their carbon footprint. This alone makes them eco-friendly.

They are Recyclable

Another environmental benefit of these tools is that almost every part is recyclable. This alone reduces the amount of clutter out there. You may not have noticed this, but pneumatic tools can be used for tasks other than what they were initially designed for. For instance, you can use a faulty air compressor for your next paint-spray job or to even spray pesticides in your garden.

They Can be Used off The Grid

Given the fact that air compressed tools require less energy to run power demanding applications, they can be used in almost any environment. Pneumatic tools utilise compressed chambers to store power, making them usable even when off the grid. This fact alone is an environmental benefit since they do not emit greenhouse gases.

These benefits are not only environmentally friendly, but they also save you money in the long haul. So, reduce your carbon footprint and save some money by investing in air compressed tools.

Green Remodelling Projects to Consider for Your Home

April 10, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
2 min read

Thinking of doing some home remodelling? We have great green remodelling ideas that will make you and the environment happy. The best time to start making your home more green is through remodelling and home improvements. No matter how big or small the changes, you will be able to find a way that will make your renovations less destructive for the environment.

Install energy-efficient patio doors and windows. Windows and patio doors that are made of E-tempered glass will save you a lot on energy bills, allow in lots of natural sunlight, and reduce heat flow. This is a great renovation option and will save you a lot of money in the future.

Add skylights to your living areas. Not only will skylights add atmosphere and the opportunity to watch the stars without freezing, but it also helps your home to be more energy-efficient. It allows natural sunlight in which warms your house and reduces the use of electrical light.

Green roof. Add some green plants to your roof or walls to make your home more sustainable. You will need to find out about the practicality of these options, but if you can get it done, it is a great option to make your home more sustainable.

Replace your wood-burning fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces always look romantic and are part of all pictures that portray romance, happiness, and warmth. However, they create pollutants that are bad for our lungs and they are inefficient. Consider replacing your wood-burning fireplace with a direct-vent gas fireplace. They are much more efficient, don’t need a chimney, and don’t pollute our lungs and air.

Add solar panels. Reduce your energy use and impact on the environment by installing solar panels. This is an expensive endeavour, but it is worth it in the long run.

If you have other remodelling jobs in mind, find a home improvement contractor that can help you figure out how you can make other environmentally friendly renovations to your home.

 

5 Sustainable Building Materials to Make Your Renovations More Environmentally Friendly

April 10, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
2 min read

More and more home improvement contractors are using sustainable materials and methods. When you decide to renovate your home and that you need a few home improvements done, try to find a contractor that uses sustainable materials. There are many different options. A sustainable home improvement contractor will insist on using sustainable materials and will also have methods for getting rid of waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

The options of sustainable materials that a home improvement contractor van use includes:

 

Natural paint – Natural paint does not contain any toxic or hazardous materials and is a safer and environmentally safe option. It lasts just as long and looks just as good as normal oil-based or latex-based paints.

 

Fibre-cement siding – This type of siding is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibre. It is known for its durability and can last up to 50 years. Not only is it sustainable, but it is also less expensive than most other materials and it is water and termite resistant.

 

Salvaged hardware – Things like doorknobs, doorplates, decorative items, etc. can be salvaged before going to the junkyard. It will add a vintage flair to your home and help the environment. Request things like this from your contractor beforehand.

 

Solar panels – Using solar panels or solar roofing can save you a massive amount on your energy bill. The prices and use keep improving. The roofer can use solar shingles or you can have solar panels installed.

 

Recycled roofing – Roofing materials that are made of tires, carpets, plastic, and metals are a more sustainable and cheaper option than normal slate. It is also lighter and easier to install than normal roofing.

When hiring your contractor, make sure that he is aware of your requests and requirements regarding sustainable materials. He will most likely have a sit-down with you beforehand to discuss what types of materials you want to use. Be clear and open to new possibilities.

 

Green Options to Consider When Renovating Your Home or Building a New One

April 10, 2017
by Declan Melbourne
2 min read

Living green or being more environmentally friendly is no longer just a trend. It has become a necessity to ensure that there will be enough resources and a safe planet for future generations to live on. As with most good things, it starts at home. If you are thinking of renovating your current home or building a new one, think about using sustainable materials to do the work. There are several contractors and home improvement specialists that are using environmentally friendly materials.

To start making your home more sustainable, use a home improvement specialist to make the following simple changes.

 

 

Sustainable Building Materials

Use materials that are sustainable when you are building or renovating. You can find these materials at hardware stores or by doing some research. Recycled or salvaged materials are the best to use. They are sustainable and add personality to your home.

 

Sustainable Building Features

Building features like solar panels, energy-efficient windows, green roofs, and skylights are all options for a more sustainable home. Some of these features may be costly, but they will save you energy and money in the long run.

 

Be Creative with Construction Waste

 

When you build or renovate, there will be waste materials left. Your home improvement specialist may know what to do with them or you can hire a removal specialist. If you go the removal specialist way, make sure that they get rid of the waste in an environmentally friendly manner like recycling. The third option is to make use of these left-over materials yourself. Get creative and use bricks for paving or building a landscape feature, use floorboards or other left-over planks for shelving, etc.

 

Insulate Your Home Properly

A sustainable home requires good insulation. It goes beyond the pink stuff in your roof and walls, but that is also very important. When you are renovating, get a specialist to check and update your insulation when needed. Also, consider installing new windows and doors that seal properly and are made with sustainable materials. Good insulation will drastically reduce your use of heating and cooling systems in the home.

These are a few tips, but there are many more options for making your home more sustainable. Hire a contractor that you know will keep the environment in mind. A company like Kogan Solar Boost is a good option.