Author: mlk support

 

The attic spaces exude charm when we talk about decoration and interior design. They can wrap with a particular style that captivates. But not all are virtues in them. They usually have a big pending issue: how to make them brighter and better ventilated. The solution to your problems may be the roof windows. Once placed, your environment will look like others. You want to know why?

With the roof windows there is a before and after in the spaces under cover. They become great allies to bring light to any room in the house, and we already know that decoration is one of the most precious assets. But the normal thing is that we get enough questions about them if we have never installed one in the house and we want to reform. And surely some are what options we can find, how they are opened and the most innovative materials.

Lee Meehan Roofing is where you will find top experts with a lot of experience in the field. We pride ourselves in being a reliable option for all building owners and families who want to hire experts that will take care of delivering top quality roofing. Call us now for more information about our services.

Roof windows: an explosion of natural light

Undoubtedly, the first of the advantages offered by roof windows is their alliance with natural light. That is, its ability to transform a sad and dark room into a space full of light. They optimise to the maximum the entrance of clarity in rooms under cover, where it is not possible to consider installing a conventional window. And that is the best news to enjoy in them environments bathed in the warmth of the sun much of the day.

The roof windows are perfect candidates to illuminate our kitchen with high and modern furniture. But also to provide natural light privileged to the main bathroom, invading all its space. Or so that the attic guest bedroom boasts a special atmosphere thanks to its enveloping clarity.

In addition, this advantage triggers another that we will also like to know. They allow to obtain a considerable saving of energy when guaranteeing a maximum use of the natural light. Especially during the winter months, they help to keep the rooms warm in a natural way, because through the roof windows there is an important external heat input. Great news to check that the receipt of the light falls pleasantly.

Unique viewpoints for the home

Maybe we have not fallen into it, but the roof windows are unique to let us contemplate from the inside of the house what has never been seen. Your presence in any room will make it possible to contemplate the horizon, enjoy difficult panoramas otherwise observed. Unless we have a terrace or a small balcony with pots. So, let’s start thinking of them as unique viewpoints that will give us enviable pictures without moving from the sofa, the bed, or the kitchen itself when we are preparing dinner. Infinite horizons, idyllic blue skies, starry firmaments and melancholy cloudy landscapes.

Therefore, we do not exaggerate if we say that the roof windows make our domestic interiors more cheerful and more connected to the exterior landscape. In addition to guaranteeing us the just and necessary ventilation that reclaims our domestic life in them.

A solution for each part of the house

The type of roof, or rather its inclination, influences when you have to choose the types of roof windows. The most normal thing is that we have not noticed this information, but it is important and determines which are the most suitable options. When we have a roof where the inclination is up to 15 degrees, we will be worth any manual or automatic opening system. And within the latter, we can consider that it is fixed or accessible through a skylight. It’s flat roof calls.

Perhaps the inclination of the roofs of the house is greater, from 15 to 90 degrees. If so, there is a large range of options. We may look for a simple, manual opening solution. Or maybe we are determined to install an automatic system to the latest in design and technological innovation. Rotating, lateral, full opening models, etc.

There is another key question when we decided to put roof windows at home. What space is left around him? The answer will give us the most valuable clues about the type of opening that suits us, inside the room or outside. Otherwise, we can choose a model that once installed it is not possible to open completely. Or little comfortable to access. In the market we can find designs with rotating opening, projecting, lateral and directly without opening.

Materials and crystals that give comfort

If the roof windows guarantee a high thermal insulation it is thanks to its manufacturing materials. The offer includes solutions of wood, polyurethane or PVC in different finishes. The latest developments are called high performance materials due to their efficiency as insulation. And its maintenance is minimal, so that they provide a high comfort to any interior in the form of attic.

Something similar happens with the windows of the roof windows. Depending on our needs, one type or another of glazing will be more convenient. The greater its thickness and the separation between them, the higher the insulation will be. But we can choose based on other factors. Double glazing is guaranteed when we talk about quality models. And from there, the usual thing is to discover other benefits. For example, they incorporate a thermal film to reduce heat losses. Or a very practical solar protection to attenuate the radiation. With all this data, there is no doubt about how many benefits roof windows can provide our environments.

At Lee Meehan Roofing, we want to recommend top material that will make you feel protected. Contact us today for more information and we will be glad to assist you.

 

 

 

They provide shade and freshness in summer and intimacy in winter. The curtains or blinds are great silent allies of our home to which, as a rule, we pay very little attention.

But if you stop for a moment to know their possibilities, the different types that exist and how to use them to get the most out of them, you will find that they are of spectacular utility.

Did you know that, if your floor is small, it is better to opt for lighter materials that let in light?

Another trick is to install automated blinds, which will allow you to decide and schedule at what times of the day you want more or less light.

Are you making the most of the blinds in your home? Why do you have those installed and not others? What advantages and disadvantages do they have compared to other formats?

Nobody conceives a bed without a quilt, right? Well the same goes with the windows. Today we bring you the best ideas of curtains and blinds to give life to your windows.

The windows are one of the most important points of your house: they suppose a vanishing point to the outside and an entrance of light to avoid the darkness and the sensation of claustrophobia. But they are also decisive when it comes to decorating your spaces, giving personality to your home and delimiting your private space.

Because through its covering elements, such as curtains and blinds, you can control the light intensity that enters, the privacy of your home and the style of your habitat. That yes, everything depends on the type of window that you have, its size and disposition, and your objectives.

All external retractable blinds made by Sure Shade are unique in terms of quality, making them stand out from all other building products.

However, we must bear in mind that before choosing other types of blinds we have to ask ourselves the following questions:

• Do I live in a community of neighbours?: If we live in a building, it is very likely that we do not have the freedom to put any type of blind, however if the blind is only seen from the inside we should not have any problem as it will not affect to the aesthetics of the building.
• What is my type of window?: It is very important to take into account the type of window we have, that is, whether it is sliding, folding or swing style, since this will undoubtedly determine the type of blind, which will change radically depending on this fact.
• Do I currently have a blind?: When buying a house, it is important to know if we already have a blind installed, since it depends on the type of blind, it will not be worth changing the mechanism, as it will surely entail realization of work with what will increase the cost substantially.

 

Take a walk with me and discover what blinds you are interested in having in your flat:

Venetian or horizontal blinds

Did not you know that they were called like that? They are very common in our country and offer us a lot of variety regarding shapes, materials and colours.

They can be adapted to any concept of interior design and are very practical with their system of rotation of slats perfectly adjustable to each moment of intensity and angle of incidence of the solar rays.

Vertical blinds

As its name suggests, the strips of these blinds hang longitudinally, from top to bottom.

They are less common, although their mechanism has a magic touch for how they turn responding to our wrist turn, because we perceive a greater volume of movement with this orientation.

Like horizontal blinds, they can be made of PVC, fabric, wood or more consistent materials, such as aluminium.

Roller blinds

More modern, expensive and practical than the previous ones, these blinds ensure a greater enclosure in front of other people’s eyes and ultraviolet rays.

They are very adaptable, being able to cover windows or doors of great height and give a greater sensation of visual cleaning when they are collected.

Japanese paper blinds

Exoticism is its flag and elegance, the result: minimalist designs but often combine colours in a balanced and harmonious way.

Of course, they look more prominent and original, such as sliding doors, windows and access to outdoor patios or gardens and places with lots of space, otherwise, you can dwarf your space.

They usually work with rails that help us move them laterally.

Pleated blinds

They are very delicate and their handling is not as easy and fast as that of other models. There are two profiles, one upper and one lower, that hold together a soft fabric – usually fabric or paper – that is folded and collects itself in folds when pulling the rope to lift the lower profile.

They are not suitable for the use of children (forget about placing them in their bedrooms or game rooms) because they are easier to break by sudden movements.

However, they can adapt to original forms of windows or arches.

The texture, colour and grammage of the pleated material will mark the transparency and, therefore, the entry of more or less light through them.

Blackout or total darkness blinds

Its mechanism does not let any light pass through. This format is especially useful if the environment where you place them needs to sink into the most absolute darkness, such as a room with a home cinema system, where you enjoy playing your favourite movies, or a meeting room for screenings.

If you are thinking of going around your home and need help, count on our expert professionals to repair or install all types of blinds in your home and remember that you have our protection packs to avoid any scare.

Here at Sure Shade we can offer you top quality external blinds that will help you keep your house cool and comfortable for these hotter days.

 

Can you imagine the world without refrigeration? We can tell you one thing: it would be very difficult to live in it and many of the things that surround you would be practically non-existent … including your business. Implementing a cold room is an excellent improvement for the conservation of your products.

Here at PR Cool Rooms you will find a team of professionals ready to assist you with any issues or consultations you may have regarding cool rooms.

When we think of preserving products, one of the first solutions that comes to mind are the cold rooms or cold rooms. So, if you want your products to have a longer life, you should know:

What is a cold room?

A cold room or cold room is a warehouse in which a specific temperature is artificially generated. It is generally designed for the storage of products in an environment below the outside temperature. Products that need refrigeration include fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, flowers.

The first cold stores were called snowfields. This was a well dug in the earth with retaining walls, of small or large dimensions, with openings where snow was introduced and ice was extracted. The purpose was to keep the ice even if the snow melted.

A curious data…

Cold rooms have been an essential part of the maritime industry since the late nineteenth century. These rooms are located in warmer latitudes, where the commercialization of products and the time factor play important roles for the development of specific industries that require very rigorous quality parameters.

Refrigerating chambers are also used for engineering products, for example, to store chemicals at an ideal temperature for processing or to slow down chemical reactions (for example, in processes catalysed by temperatures or in polymers).

What applications do the cold rooms have?

Regardless of what products they contain, these rooms are very useful for:

• Merchandise reception. Sanitary regulations require that businesses such as warehouses and restaurants have an adequate temperature to receive their raw materials, which will later be placed at different points. A good cooling system is crucial for these cases.
• Storage and handling of products. This allows an increase in production and commercialisation, extending the useful life and facilitating the transformation of products.
• Display of products. In these cases, it is very common to use Walk in or Reach in doors, which allow the final consumer to easily access the products, and at the same time have a much more attractive point of sale.

How does refrigeration intervene in a cold room?

Refrigeration slows chemical and biological processes in food and controls deterioration and loss of quality. Through storage, the life of fresh perishable foods such as meat, fish, fruits and vegetables can be extended several days by cooling, and several weeks or months by freezing. When making your quote for a cold room, the refrigeration engineer knows that:

• Fruits and vegetables continue to breathe and generate heat during storage
• Most should be frozen in a temperature range, instead of a single temperature.
• The quality of frozen foods is greatly affected by the freezing rate.
• The speed of refrigerated air affects the rate of moisture loss in the products.

How to choose the temperature inside a cold room?

The internal temperature depends on the material or product that will be stored. A known application is the storage of foods to preserve them, such as frozen foods, which are stored at negative temperatures. Local vegetables and fruits are stored at 0 ° C and tropical and subtropical fruits at 5 to 13 ° C.

How is a cold room designed?

A good design of these rooms considers not only the selection of equipment, but its location for a safe access of the personnel. To ensure the safety of access and manoeuvring inside the cold room, it is necessary that both contractors, engineers and owners participate in the project to determine the selection of a cooling system should be determined by analysing the life cycle cost and energy efficiency

What mistakes are made in the design of a cold room?

Although it is such a strategic tool for commercial purposes, it is surprising how common are bad practices in the design and construction of cold rooms. Among other important errors, we have found:

• The use of non-insulating material for the walls and ceilings of the rooms. Materials such as partitions, or panels without polyurethane.
• Rooms without the appropriate dimensions, which hinder the manoeuvring and storage of products.
• Rooms with a wrong cooling system for the product you want to keep.
• Rooms without an adequate access system, in which case the fluctuation of the temperature is very little controllable.

What to do?

Conserving your products properly is not an option, but a necessity. By guaranteeing this process, the profits of your company will be greatly benefited. A good start is to define what your needs are and what kind of process you require for your products, in order to quote not only the right equipment, but a specific and specialised design for your company.

When you have taken the business decision to perform the installation of a cold room or cold room, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors that depend on the proper functioning and effectiveness of the equipment.

The design of cold rooms goes hand in hand with the characteristics of your business and the objectives set for the conservation and operation of food, industrial materials or medical substances.

Nowadays, keeping the products that make your business exist is a need that must be sought in an optimal way that meets the purposes of quality, savings and environmental care.

Defining the requirements before installation is a first step to guarantee the operation and the useful life of the cold room that your business demands.

Contact us today for more information about the services we offer related to cool rooms and everything related to refrigeration.

The design of hotels has become a fundamental tool to differentiate and offer a unique and fully satisfactory experience to the guests.

For travellers, choosing the ideal hotel also means identifying the ideal hotel room. For this reason, a hotel room that stands out for its unique aesthetics will help the guest to get a better impression when they see photos of the room online and when they enter it once at the hotel. At the same time, hotel rooms without notable features are beginning to be outdated and have less demand.

To renovate the bland and impersonal designs that impede to distinguish one room from another, hoteliers are now focusing on the current major trends in hotel design, which we show below.

Here at Villa Kula you will find professional assistance to achieve your goals in terms of decoration for luxury spaces.

Idea # 1: a local touch

Include features of the area in the room

Millennials want to immerse themselves in the local culture, something that hotel rooms have a lot to do with. Travelers can feel that culture better with traditional handicrafts and works by local artists in their hotel room.

This trend is so popular that even the chains are adopting a more flexible and local design, so that it is not so homogeneous.

Idea # 2: natural elements

Offer guests a pleasant experience with some plants. Plants have become one of the most important trends in interior design, which also includes hotels.

From the green walls, very fashionable but requiring much maintenance, to the coarse plants, also fashionable and much more affordable, there are endless ways to make the rooms and common spaces greener. In the same way, natural lighting, either through windows or halogen bulbs, can contribute very much to creating a more relaxing environment.

Idea # 3: minimalist spaces

Simplify facilities and limit bulky furniture. Another important trend in hotel design is minimalism, that is, rooms equipped with basic services but of the highest quality.

If you combine comfort with a contemporary aesthetic, you can create a modern hotel room thanks to a minimalist and attractive design for guests.

Idea # 4: respect for the environment

Reduce the carbon footprint. Even the smallest changes can influence not only the aesthetics of the rooms, but also the reduction of the carbon footprint.

An example is using glass cups and ceramic cups, instead of paper. Water jugs and elegant glass bottles are very fashionable and are a perfect alternative to plastic bottles. Finally, low-energy bulbs are the best option when you have to change them.

Guests will like these improvements that respect the environment, and your pocket will also appreciate it.

Idea # 5: each room must be totally unique

Long live diversity!

A unique 100% room makes guests feel that their stay is also unique. Many travellers look for this feeling, especially if they can choose the room themselves.

To offer this experience, each room must have a special personality and design that is reflected in colours or decoration (wallpaper, works of art, lamps …). It is also recommended that the arrangement of the furniture be in harmony with the shape of the room. If you have enough inspiration, you can even assign a theme to each room, as long as they complement each other and fit your area and brand. Give also a name to each room or type of room.

Services, technology …: the expectations of the guests in 2019

A pool of a hotel at night

Satisfying the constantly changing (and growing) desires and demands of today’s digital and demanding guests can be tricky, perhaps you think it’s almost impossible. What is possible is to know what some of the most important expectations of the guests in will be 2019.

We have examined the main hotel trends for 2019 from the perspective of the guests. Below we summarise what the guests expect from the hotel services, the booking process and the reputation of the establishments that decide to book.

Recognising and satisfying these expectations will help them to be satisfied during their stay and will also motivate them to reserve their establishment.

These are the expectations of the guests that are considered most likely for 2019:

Have the basics covered

We live in a time when there is a lot of expectation before new technologies. There is also much talk about detailed personalisation and trends such as wellness trips. However, before you start accepting payments in bitcoin or adding sports facilities in the room, you should confirm that you have covered the basics.

The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration carried out a study in 2018 that determined that the most used room services were still essential, such as a wardrobe, free toiletries, television, hairdryer, safe and iron. In addition, although guests would be interested in amenities such as an alarm clock, gym or room service, in the end their use was much lower than expected. On the other hand, other services were used more than expected, such as valet parking, seats at the reception or the concierge desk.

Connectivity

Smartphones are already well established in the market, so it should come as no surprise that guests expect their mobile devices to be connected to the Internet and to the top of the battery. An Openkey report revealed that 98% of people responded that they expected high-speed Wi-Fi. In the case of device recharging points, this figure was 88%.

However, another result of the survey was that more than half of the guests expected to use their smartphones as the key to the room and pay for the stay with mobile payment services.

Have control over your data

Increasingly, guests want their stay to be personalised. It is possible that the most loyal customers expect you to anticipate their needs according to the last stay and only send marketing material that fits their profiles. However, many guests are reluctant to provide personal information and do not like the idea of ​​third parties having their data at all.

Even so, according to a recent Salesforce study, what customers fundamentally want is that they can control their data and that there is transparency on the part of companies. In fact, respondents said that improving the level of trust would increase the likelihood of recommending the company, spending more money and sharing their experiences.

Contact us today and learn more about luxury decoration.

 

Laminate floors have many qualities and advantages that make them ideal for installation in homes. However, in order not to make a mistake in choosing it, we have to pay attention to a series of questions.

Beyond the aesthetic aspect, we will focus on the quality of the product to choose.

Below we give you five of the most important tips so that your laminate flooring only gives you satisfaction. But before going into material we’ll see what laminate floors are.

Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for any type of flat floor. Here at ASC Building Supplies you will find an unmatched option.

What are laminate floors?

They are pavements composed by wood and laminated, linked together by resins of high consistency. The pavement core is made of HDF board also called High Density, or MDF or Medium Density, depending on the quality of the floor. This body has a sheet of melamine that imitates the texture and pattern of natural wood. It also incorporates a film called overlay that covers the visible part of the pavement, protecting it from wear. And finally, on the back side has the stabilizing layer.

Unlike parquet, laminate floors do not allow stabbing. Therefore, once the protection layer is lost, there is no possibility of repair.

Although there are different thicknesses, the standard thickness of laminate floors ranges between 8 and 10mm.

Diagram of the different layers that make up a laminate floor.

We can find them normal or also water-resistant. This aspect is visible to the naked eye, since the soul of the latter is green.

The installation of this type of flooring becomes “floating”, that is, it is not fixed to the base, but is dropped on it, and the different pieces of laminate flooring (slats) are fitted in a tongue-and-groove manner. But this union is particularly unique and effective.

The floors of floating flooring have the great advantage that they do not require removing the previous floor, but it goes on the latter, interposing between both a polyurethane foam blanket of 3mm thickness.

How to choose a laminate floor

When purchasing a laminate floor, there are a number of issues to consider so that the choice is correct.

Although there may be, and in fact there are, more aspects that could influence the choice of a pavement, we will focus on the 5 that, in our opinion, are the most important.

Main tips for choosing a quality laminate floor.

1.- Resistance to wear

As we have indicated previously, the upper layer of the laminate floors, which is made with very resistant resins, is what protects the lower layers from the wear produced by the traffic.

This feature has become very popular with end users. The standard classification has six levels. The nomenclature of the aforementioned classification is the following: two letters, which are specifically “AC”, followed by a numerical digit between 1 and 6.

This classification is carried out in the laboratory performing tests with samples. A sample of laminate flooring is introduced into a machine that rotates it. The machine has an abrasive zone installed, which, when turning, will wear the protective layer of the sample.

The machine counts the necessary turns to completely eliminate the protective layer. Therefore, according to the number of laps, the classification is established, which is the following.

2.- Assembly system

On the other hand, we have the assembly system. This aspect must be taken into account, since not all systems are the same.

The manufacturer Unilin, better known by Quick Step its trademark, invented and patented in 1997 the “uniclic closure”. Here there was a point of inflection, since after this invention, the assembly with glue disappeared, almost in its entirety.

3.- Sealing in edges and joints

Optimal sealing of the edges of the slats increases the resistance to penetration of moisture and water between the joints, for example as a result of scrubbing or accidental falls of water.

Therefore, it is important to choose a laminate floor that incorporates a good sealing system, either based on waxes, oils, paraffins, or any other product to that effect.

On the other hand, these treatments make the assembly process of the different pieces smoother, facilitating their assembly.

4.- Resistance to impacts

As is the classification of wear resistance that we have seen before and that went from AC1 to AC6, there is also another classification based on the resistance of laminated floors against impacts.

The nomenclature of this other classification is “IC” followed by a number contained within a range between 1 and 3. The higher the number, the greater the degree of resistance to impacts.

Recommended to choose the laminated floors with classification IC3 or, at least, IC2.

5.- Solvency of the manufacturer

Although the issue of “brands” has sometimes been and still is overrated, in this case it would be convenient to take it into account.

Choosing laminate flooring from consolidated manufacturers and that can provide us with a certain guarantee in this regard, we guarantee two aspects:

Over the years, manufacturers are replacing previous models with new ones. This happens in tiles, toilets, wallpaper, and of course, in laminate floors.

However, this could happen, but from one day to the next if the manufacturer disappears. And we find that we cannot locate even one square meter that we need to cover the repair of a pipe, for example.

It does not mean that this has to happen, but better to prevent than to cure.

It would also be prudent to take this advice into account for the installer. It would be good to choose a serious and professional company. There are, and many, such as Madegar, to name a few.

And on the other hand, we make sure we have within our reach the guarantee given by the manufacturer, if necessary.

Therefore, it is important that laminate floors have the CE seal.

Remember that here at ASC Building Supplies you will find an unmatched option for premium quality floors that are easy to keep clean.

 

 

We are also fed up with the bathroom tiles and the kitchen floor, but everything renovating has a solution (even if you have the worst landlords in the world).

New year … new apartment. It is what we would like to many of us, give a facelift to our home, adapt to trends deco and get rid of old-fashioned tiles and living room furniture that, just by seeing them, put us in a bad mood. Throughout this year we have seen how magazines and digital portals from around the world spoke about hygge, a Danish concept that refers to well-being, to find a pleasant and welcoming environment, an environment that invites peace and comfort and that has been transferred, in most cases, to the field of decoration. And, having a space in which we feel comfortable, that increases our comfort in our house, which is our ultimate resting place after all, is essential, regardless of the style we choose for it.

Everyone agrees up here, right? But the problem that most people face, and for which they do not carry out the desired reform of their home, is one: money. Someone has changed the floor, the colour of the walls, the tiles of the bathroom and the kitchen or the furniture of the living room for years and cannot afford to renew all these elements as often as you would like. Or who, for being of rent, still has it more difficult; It is unthinkable to propose to your landlord that you change the slate floor or the tiles of the bathroom no matter how much you detest it, and no one in your right mind would make a disbursement like that in a flat that in a few years you will have to abandon.

Luxury vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for any type of flat floor. Here at ASC Building Supplies you will find an unmatched option.

 

But, what if completely changing the aesthetics of your apartment (either your property or rental vouchers) was much easier and cheaper than you think? Internet has given us many facilities since we discovered it and, lately, video channels like YouTube are being invaded by ideas to make a radical change to your home. Put a wooden floor without removing the one you already have or turn your bathroom into a white paradise worthy of any decorative magazine, not to mention restore old furniture or make shelves and headboards that will give your bedroom a life of its own. Are you ready? Here, a series of simple and economical transformations that will allow you to release your home in 2019:

Walls and vinyl floors for all tastes

Youtube has taught us that it is not necessary a large outlay of money, much less a work of several weeks, to have a floor worthy of the best photographs of Pinterest. These are the vinyls, which are plates and papers (depending on their function), adhesive to floors and walls that imitate materials such as wood, stone, parquet or hydraulic tiles, so you can give it a completely different and renewed look to a stay (even to the whole house) without the need of works. In addition, another plus of this technique is that it is ideal for rental apartments, since vinyl floors can be put on or removed with the same ease. You only have to put “vinyl floors” on Youtube and hundreds of videos will appear before your eyes explaining step by step how to place them.

Vinyl, furniture paint, slate walls and a new kitchen

The kitchen may be, especially in rental flats, one of the least charming spaces in homes. Possibly because it is the most expensive and expensive space to transform since, most of the time, furniture, countertops and storage spaces are usually made to measure. But we have to admit that having a kitchen with tiles in bright colours and borders of 30 years ago, together with a brown tile floor and cabinets and doors with perfectly lacquered wood effect completely break the harmony of any floor, by far Pawn that you put in the decoration of the rest of the house. But quiet, today there is a solution for everything, and without resorting to work.

Headboards and lamps DIY

The profiles in social networks of large firms of furniture and DIY can become your main source of inspiration, and will be your guide to get furniture, small works and step-by-step transformations in the simplest way.

Aged furniture (but renovated)

As we have just explained, when it comes to transforming furniture and rooms, the only limit is set by your imagination, especially with all the possibilities offered by social networks such as Instagram and Pinterest. However, we must be honest, in most cases it takes more than imagination, and if you are not a “handyman” or DIY does not just fit into your life, it will not always be easy. If you belong to this group but you are dying to give a new life to your furniture, the aging technique may be the best solution. The aged furniture makes the most of the Nordic and rustic style that we see in social networks and to get them you only need to know two words: chalk paint. Have not you ever heard? It is a quick and very simple technique to achieve that aged effect in the furniture.

Tile painting for kitchen and bathroom

And if we started this article talking about vinyl floors, as one of the most powerful elements to give a new life to any room, the painting of tiles for kitchens and bathrooms would be the one that would culminate a complete transformation. It is a technique that most people do not know but that, lately, triumphs on the Internet. It is a way to completely transform bathrooms and kitchens with outdated and outdated tiles, painting them white and providing light to any room. This would be the last step to transform an old apartment into an authentic design apartment.

Remember that here at ASC Building Supplies you will find an unmatched option for premium quality floors that are easy to keep clean.

 

 

Bamboo is a sustainable material very little used in the West as laminate flooring. Now bamboo parquet is being commercialized to raise awareness with the environment, thanks to its 100% ecological style. The raw material during its manufacture is bamboo, a natural element capable of regeneration in 5 years. In addition, the production and transport process are very aware of the environment.

And don’t forget to contact us to have a great deck that will make your entire house look way more elegant

Bamboo parquet, ecological flooring or flooring

Bamboo is a very new material in the West, but very used in Asian countries as in China. This material is a very hard fiber, known as steel grass. In general, it is considered more durable and resistant, stable and elastic than other woods such as oak. In addition, this ecological material as pavement self-regulates the house temperature according to the temperature (in summer it is fresh, and in winter it is warm). It is also non-slip and absorbs noise.

Bamboo can grow one meter per day!

Bamboo parquet or bamboo floors, the alternative to the deforestation of tropical woods

One of the natural resources that is most at risk is hardwood, especially tropical woods. We propose an alternative to help solve this problem. Bamboo is an herb that has many qualities and characteristics similar to wood. This type of grass is the fastest growing in the world. A third of the bamboo trunks can be cut every year, without their population decreasing due to their rapid growth.

The new era of bamboo has begun. Probably bamboo is an unknown option, but it is a solid floor suitable for exterior and interior. Currently there are shops that have installed bamboo parquet, even being very resistant spaces.

Uses of bamboo flooring

• Currently, bamboo has several benefits:
• The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists
• Total control of the production phase
• Alternative to parquets or solid wood laminate floors eco-sustainable
• Great resistance to scratches, dents and stains caused by furniture, shock or liquids. This feature will be thanks to the quality varnish that will be applied to bamboo
• Ease of cleaning
• They do not require subsequent maintenance
• Adapts to climatic changes easily: great adaptation to humid environments

 

 

Bamboo floors for kitchens and bathrooms

It is not always easy to find the ideal solution for the floor of a bathroom or kitchen, especially because of the enormous range and diversity of characteristics that exist. However, if what you are looking for is a nice, nice floor that is also respectful with the environment you should pay attention to the floors or parquets made with Bamboo.

The materials that respect the environment, or “green”, are increasingly appreciated and popular, something that also influences the style that can contribute. A bamboo wood floor, although it is not exactly a wood, is a durable, economical solution that stays really well in both modern and traditional environments.

Bamboo is a fast-growing grass, much larger than any tree, which allows a highly renewable resource, so many owners, who are concerned about the environment and their ecological footprint decide to use bamboo for the bathroom or kitchen floor, although it does not have to be this its only use. This speed of accelerated growth allows to have in 3 years a plant with the optimal size for exploitation, while according to what kind of tree we would be talking about decades. This is one of the reasons that allows the cost of bamboo to be significantly lower than that of most woods.

You can find floors or floors of bamboo in both “solid wood” and processed or engineered (the equivalent of laminate flooring). Solid bamboo floors, made by joining boards, and therefore have a more natural appearance, are somewhat less resistant to moisture than processed, made from bamboo fibres and attached to high pressures. Even so, this resistance to moisture is still higher than that of most other common woods. Therefore, ideal for a bathroom or kitchen where you want to use a bamboo floor and taking into account that it is a humid environment the ideal is to use one made from fibres, although the other option would continue to have a good behaviour.

Solid bamboo floors can be dyed or varnished in any colour. When they begin to show signs of wear it will be enough to apply a fine sandpaper and give a new layer of the finish for which we have decanted. For cleaning it will be enough to sweep and wipe a wet mop.

Soils made from bamboo fibres, those that go through an industrial process, end up having a very similar appearance to the original and gain some additional characteristics:

• Greater resistance to humidity.
• Easier to maintain.
• Greater resistance to blows and torsion.
• They are available in slats with a click system that allows anyone to install them easily.
• The main drawback is that once it has worn out, after many years of use, it cannot be repaired with a simple sandpaper, and must be replaced.
• Large thermal conductor adapting to the radiant floor heating system
• Variety of finishes and shades
• Soft touch and great resistance
• There are waterproof bamboo floors, perfect for use in kitchens, laundry rooms or bathrooms
• Some ranges are more resistant and hard than classic laminate wood floors
• Sustainable material because it is a natural product, of vegetal origin
• Economic price, compared to wooden parquet, due to its wide availability of raw material (compared to the wood that takes many more years to grow). Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and therefore, it is cheaper than wood
• Cleaning the bamboo parquet with a vacuum cleaner

 

If you are looking for experts that can help you install a merbau hardwood floor in your backyard and want to be left with a great feeling of satisfaction and peace of mind knowing you worked along the best ones in the market, do not hesitate to contact Branson’s Building Material. Free quote on installation!

 

 

The consumption of polymer matrix composite materials is experiencing a continuous increase in a wide range of applications and sectors with flame-retardants. This is due to its good mechanical properties (high stiffness, strength and toughness), its low weight, its resistance to corrosion and its low cost. The long fibre composite materials are based on a homogeneous matrix and a fibre reinforcement that can be presented in different formats (fabric, threads, mats, etc.).

The fibres used as reinforcements are generally glass fibres (GF), carbon fibres or natural fibres, such as flax, jute, kenaf or hemp, among others. The fibre is impregnated by the matrix, which acts by transferring the loads to the fibres, as well as protecting the fibres from mechanical abrasion and environmental attack.

Between 35 and 40% of polymeric composites are usually manufactured with thermoplastic matrices, while the rest is composed of thermostable matrices. Thermoplastic matrices are gaining increasing interest, but its greater difficulty in processing makes its use a limitation.

Thus, many industrial sectors use thermoset matrix composites to meet the requirements demanded in the electronic, aeronautical, automotive, rail, wind industry, etc., at competitive costs. To comply with all the variety of requirements demanded by the industry, a wide variety of thermostable resins have been developed and introduced in the market, which are mainly based on unsaturated polyesters, vinyl esters, phenol-formaldehyde oligomers, benzoxazines, cyanate esters, polyimides, epoxides and mixtures thereof. Thus, the versatility offered by all these types of resins and additives available in the market allows obtaining a large number of formulations. Additionally, the combination of resins with different types of reinforcements allows the design of multiple systems made to measure for various fields of application.

Remember that here at FireCrunch we focus on providing high quality and sustainable fire-resistant building boards for interior and exterior settings in both residential and commercial properties, a great example are our fire rated ceiling panels that help prevent fires in buildings.

The flammability processes

However, the use of composite materials is not suitable for all applications. Among the challenges they present for its application in high performance sectors, the improvement of fire behaviour properties stands out. Polymer composites, when exposed to elevated temperatures, can undergo chemical decomposition or pyrolysis, and the resulting products can react with atmospheric oxygen during combustion.

The flammability process consists of five fundamental stages, which are: heating, decomposition, ignition, combustion and propagation.

To reduce the combustion capacity of composites, flame retardant functionalities in their chemical composition can be incorporated. This retardation can be achieved in two different ways: ‘reactive’ or ‘additive’.

The reactive form involves the design of new polymers with flame retardancy or the modification of existing polymers through copolymerization with flame retardant units (either in the chain or in a side group). In this way, the incorporation of the fireproof units in the polymer chain forms covalent bonds that suppose the contribution of retardancy to the permanent flame to the polymers, at the same time that the physical and mechanical properties of the original composite are maintained. However, the reactive form supposes a more complex procedure to achieve the required fireproofing properties of the systems to be used.

On the other hand, the additive form implies the incorporation of fire retardant or flame retardant loads to our polymeric systems. This form is the simplest and most economical way to bring flame retardancy to composites and that is why it is the most widely used form. However, it is important to bear in mind that this method involves certain drawbacks such as the compatibility between the load and the matrix, and the possible loss of mechanical properties in the polymer.

Flame retardants

A Flame Retardant (FR) is an additive capable of modifying, reducing, delaying or even eliminating the combustion process of materials. In this way, the main function of a flame retardant is to increase the escape time and, therefore, the response time to fight the fire and increase safety.

The most widely used flame retardant additives are mineral compounds, halogenated compounds, phosphorus-based compounds, nitrogen-based compounds, silicon-based compounds and nanometric particles.

Currently, flame retardants are mainly used in systems containing different flame retardant components. In this way a synergistic effect is achieved which improves the properties of the materials against fire with respect to the components separately. Thus, for example, the formation of a carbonaceous layer produced by a phosphorus-based flame retardant can be combined with the action in the gas phase produced by a halogenated flame retardant or, the same type of mechanism can be reinforced by combining two classes of FRs, such as nanoclays with phosphorus-based flame retardants, both acting in the condensed phase.

Another type of combination of components to achieve flame retardancy in polymeric materials are the so-called intumescent systems. They are based on the formation of a voluminous and insulating layer that acts as protection through simultaneous carbonization and foaming. The formulation of an intumescent system consists of three components: (i) an acid source (phosphoric, sulfuric, boric acid, ammonium salts, amine or amide phosphates, organophosphorus compounds), (ii) a carbonizing agent (usually a carbohydrate), for example, starch, dextrins, sorbitol, mannitol, etc.) and (iii) a foaming or swelling agent (urea, melamine, polyamides, urea-formaldehyde resins, etc.). These systems can be used in a large number of polymers such as polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, epoxy and styrenics. The new intumescent systems are also an example of the synergistic effect against fire by combining different FRs.

Types of retardants

Among all the retardants that are currently on the market, it has been shown that the best properties to fight fire are obtained with halogenated additives. These additives had constituted most of the flame retardant solutions until new environmental directives appeared, such as those of REACH, WEEE and RoHS, which currently restrict their use. This is due to the adverse effects produced both on the organism and on the environment, among which include toxicity, bioaccumulation, persistence in the body and long-range transfer through the trophic chain. That is why the new trends in additivities with flame retardants are based on the use of non-halogenated substances.

Among the non-halogenated flame retardants, aluminium trihydrate (ATH or Al (OH) 3) is the most widely used flame retardant, which together with other metal hydroxides such as magnesium and phosphorus-based additives are almost half by weight of the market (see figure 3). It is anticipated that phosphorus-based flame retardants will continue to record one of the fastest market gains, since they have been shown to be one of the best substitutes for halogenated FRs in terms of both cost and final performance. In addition, other FRs such as melamine will also continue to experience continued growth.

Remember that here at FireCrunch we focus on providing high quality and sustainable fire-resistant building boards for interior and exterior settings in both residential and commercial properties.

 

 

We call roofs and roofs to all that set of building or construction that forms the “upper enclosure” of a building or industrial building, obviously to protect everything that is inside and to protect the same structure from inclement weather (rain, snow, dirt, leaves, birds, etc …)

Here at Gold Coast Edge we take safety as a priority and make sure your house is safe for you and your family by hiring experts in the area such as Gold Coast Edge Protection.

What does a roof offer us?

Among other things, the roofs and roofs provide us with waterproofing, thermal and acoustic comfort.

In addition, they present a plus of danger every time that we need to raise them to carry out any task of maintenance, cleaning or installation of auxiliary means, machinery, a / c systems, photovoltaic plates, etc.

Before starting…

Whether the work entrusted to you is on a roof, false ceiling, skylight, skylight or roof, a company that boasts must perform a planning of the works according to the area of ​​work.

We should check out some issues before going up, given that our team or ourselves as workers have direct responsibility for our own safety and decision-making:

• Is there a sign in the area, for example at the foot of the vertical ladder, indicating the prohibition of its use by unauthorized personnel?
• Is there any measure of protection that prevents intruders from climbing onto the deck?
• Signage of obligation of the use of the harness?
• Are there adequate fall protection devices at the height to climb?
• And most importantly, this type of work at height does NOT go alone.

There must be at least two operators at all times, given that if an accident occurs, the other worker must give the distress call to prevent the person who climbed, be isolated and alone.

On the other hand, you should never do this type of work at times when the weather is unfavourable, especially snow and rain can make a user slip, especially on sheet metal or if the wind speed is higher at 50 km / h,

Finally, during the realization of the works, we must mark the accesses, as we have said, signal and prevent access to outsiders.

Can I walk over a deck?

Yes, but, you have to know that these are unsafe places, where any failure can lead you to fall rolling down the slope or due to any incident, in white sheet covers for example, visibility is very bad due to reflection of the light.

The transitable roofs are all those that are part of the structures of industrial buildings, factories, laboratories, farms, and all kinds of large office buildings.

If they are passable is that the thickness of the sheet and its configuration is “safe” for a person to step on and walk on it.

Landscaped and flooded roofs

These are covers that have a function beyond the decorative: to improve the ambient temperature and the thermal sensation of the interior.

In addition, to be sustainable ways of creating green spaces in neighbourhood communities, office buildings, villas, large corporate groups whose facilities want to be more sustainable, etc.

In them we can find even lakes, pools, gardens, solar panels and tanks for watering.

Imagine the amount of repair, cleaning, maintenance and care services that this kind of covers can bring, where we also need to take extreme precautions to work at height.

Parts of a roof:

• Support structure
• Formation of the slope
• The thermal insulation
• The acoustic insulation
• Waterproof cover material
• Water evacuation system

What are the structural elements of a roof?

• Elements that are part of the structure of roofs and roofs (beams, slabs, trusses, belts, ridge, breastplates, etc.).
• Various elements for the use of the building (chimneys, vents, antennas, skylights, skylights).
• Water evacuation elements (drains, gutter, pipes, etc.).
• Fall protection elements on roofs or roofs (safety rails, balustrades, parapets, lifelines, anchor points).

Repairing a roof:

A fast, efficient and complete repair goes through 0 security problems

Whether they are covered or roofed, the work that is carried out in this type of environment is considered dangerous or works with risk due to fall in height.

 

That is why you will need to have a professional work team, whether they are self-employed or a company specialized in repairing roofs.

On what depends the success of a good repair?

There are several factors on which the repair of roofs or roofs is a success or we have made a huge mistake when contracting less specialized services.

It is clear that accidents at work are the order of the day in this type of tasks, especially when outsourcing services that end up using labour from ETT’S, temporary jobs or operators with work experience.

Security on roofs and decks

It is the labour market itself and the companies that really worry about risk prevention during the work that is carried out in hard-to-reach areas, the ones that are fighting against the low qualification of the workers, the price war that entails the lower cost and time based on saving in security.

On the one hand, it is a necessity that operators have had access to a minimum training in work at height and on the use of the necessary material for vertical work and positioning by means of ropes, lifelines, retractable devices, etc.

On the other hand, the supply of epis certified by specialized manufacturers to workers by companies that repair roofs and roofs.

This type of material is what you need to work in work areas with risk of falling (we start counting from one and a half meters high, depending on the case) must be regulated by its manufacturer providing a series of documentation and manuals for use so that the operator who is going to use it does not have any doubt about its use.

You can also call us to inform you about the details of your project on roofs and we advise you on the preventive measures you need to take before you start budgeting a job.

Here at Gold Coast Edge Protection  we take care of protecting the edges of the roof to avoid any kind of falling accidents.