Remo

How To Choose The Best Electric Fireplace For Your Newly Remodeled Living Room

by

Many homes are constructed with a built-in fireplace, and this feature can easily add charm and personality to the space. A fireplace may also be used to generate warmth throughout the cold weather season, and it may be a focal point for décor in the room. If your home has not been constructed with a fireplace, you can still enjoy all of the spectacular benefits that this feature can provide. Rather than endure the expense and stress associated with adding this major component to your living room as a fixed feature during your remodeling project, you can choose an electric fireplace as an affordable alternative. These are plug-in features that have the look of a real fireplace. They may produce heat and have the realistic effect of flames. If you have decided to install an electric fireplace in your remodeled living room, these tips can help you to choose the right model to purchase.

Determine the Ideal Location

Before you can select a new electric fireplace to install in your living room, you need to choose the area where you intend to place it. This step is essential because the location may limit the size of the feature that you select. It may also limit the style that you choose. For example, if you have a smaller living room, you may discover that you need to purchase a combination feature that combines an electric fireplace with an entertainment center or bookshelf. If you have a larger space, you may purchase an elaborately decorative fireplace with a full mantel design.

Measure the Space

Electric fireplaces are available in a wide range of sizes, and they vary based on length, width and height. When you are measuring the available space in your living room, remember to leave ample space around the feature to accommodate flow of traffic through the room. In addition, because this feature may produce a substantial amount of heat, it is not advisable to place some items next to it. Ensure that you leave a reasonable perimeter around the electric fireplace on all sides.

Consider the Desired Style

Your remodeled living room likely has impressive style that is appealing to you and that is reflective of your personality in some way. An electric fireplace can become a major focal point in the room. Because of this, its style should perfectly accentuate the interior design elements in your space. Some electric fireplaces have a mantel façade that gives them the look of a real built-in fireplace. Others have a pedestal or box-like design that clearly makes them look like new additions to the space. Remember that some electric fireplaces also serve a functional purpose because of their dual purpose as furniture. For example, you may find an entertainment center that can hold your electronics and that also has an electric fireplace component. The style and finish of the fireplace should be reviewed carefully before you finalize your buying decision.

Look at the Flame

Some homeowners prefer that their electric fireplace looks exactly like a wood-burning or gas-powered fireplace. They want the logs to have a realistic look, including with red, glowing embers below it. If this is important to you, pay attention to the appearance of the logs and the flame. Most flames burn with blue, yellow and orange hues, so the most realistic electric fireplace will also have these colors in the flame. It may be difficult to accurately determine how realistic the flame appears to be through online images. Consider reading reviews to gather more information about this important factor.

Focus on Functional Controls

One additional feature to focus on when you are purchasing an electric fireplace is the controls. Many more affordable electric fireplaces have a push-button ignitor on the side of the unit, and they light up in the same way that a backyard grill may. More modern electric fireplaces may have a connection that allows you to flip them on and off via a light switch on the wall. Some even have a remote control feature, and this makes it truly easy to adjust the settings on the fire without having to get up out of your cozy spot on the couch.

Your remodeled living room would not be complete without a beautiful fireplace located in a central area of the space. Even if your home was not originally constructed with a built-in fireplace, other options are available. Use these tips to select a lovely electric fireplace that may be a cherished addition to your room.

Choosing the Right Headphones for Noisy Work Environments

by

Once hearing is lost, it can never be restored. No matter what age you are, hearing loss has the potential to profoundly affect every area of your life. Most people associate losing their hearing with growing older. While this can and does occur, a 60-year old can easily have better hearing than a 25-year old.

You may wonder how this is possible. Many teens and those in their early twenties feel their physical attributes are endless and invincible. Thanks to ear buds and a penchant for loud music nearly one out of five teens has some hearing loss. Damage to your ears can occur with exposure to one loud event, although it commonly is a cumulative effect. Meaning months or years of exposure to loud noise builds up, gradually leading to hearing problems. If you’re going to be listening to music on the job – and for safety’s sake, even if you’re not – consider your options and go for closed-back headphones to reduce your risk of hearing loss.

Minimize Noise Exposure

Many people assume there is little they can do to avoid the cumulative effects a noisy environment has on the ears. Far more damaging than ear buds and loud music, industrial-related noise is the leading cause of hearing loss and impairment. Your job may damage your ears in ways that will not necessarily show itself immediately. Often, decades go by before the true extent of job-related hearing loss is noticed and measured.

Ear buds, open-backed headphones and other popular ear devices are discreet and appropriate for some situations. However, when you work around machinery, outdoor tools like jackhammers and leaf blowers, construction equipment and other tools that make varying degrees of noise, there is only one headphone that works to help you keep your hearing in good shape. Closed-back headphones are your best option to decrease to noise that causes hearing loss.

Sounds Known to Damage Ears as Opposed to Normal Sounds.

When your ears get exposed to over 85 decibels, you run the risk of damaging the fine hairs within your ear that regulate hearing. Wearing closed-back headphone when operating a chainsaw greatly lessens you risk of harming your ears. If you choose not to wear headphones while using a chainsaw, expect to experience hearing loss after about 15 minutes. Here is a list of noise-makers that lurk in the background, hoping to catch your ears without protection.

  • Tractors are least offensive as they emit just slightly over the 85-decibel cutoff.
  • Next, running a table saw or operating a combine both hit about 90 decibels.
  • A hand drill produces about 95 decibels of noise.
  • Working around a circular saw really starts to see loud sounds accruing over 105 decibels.
  • Rock bands average nearly 125 decibels and chain saws are just over that amount.
  • Gun fire registers at 150 decibels or above and can instantly cause noticeable, severe hearing loss in one or both ears. Firecrackers and explosions fall within the same range.

A refrigerator humming might produce 45 sound decibels and a normal conversation registers about 60 decibels. Heavy city noise runs around 85 decibels. Remember, 85 decibels begin the point hearing loss begins. Motorcycles emit 95 decibels, running your MP3 player at maximum sound throws 105 decibels directly into your ears. Sirens run at a decibel level of 120.

Time and Distance Matter with Noise Exposure

The length of time your exposure occurs as well as how close you are to the offending sound plays big factors in the extent of your hearing loss. Wearing closed-back headphones in situations where you know the decibel level will exceed 85 is your best, and often only, defense.

Unfortunately, unexpected loud bursts of noise cannot always be anticipated and thus, avoided. If you do to the gun range closed-back headphones are standard equipment. However, you may be within a few feet of someone deciding it would be clever to set a firecracker off right near you. When you are not at work or being in a social setting, naturally you are not prepared for exposure to loud noise.

The best you can do to protect your hearing is wearing closed-back headphones at work, while performing hobbies, doing landscaping or renovating your home.

How To Remodel A Master Bathroom

by

If you are planning on remodeling your master bathroom, there are many variables to consider. Every bathroom project is different and every contractor works differently. However, there are some basic steps that will divide the entire project into small sequences to help you eventually reach the result. The below information will walk you through these steps that are spread over the course of 6 weeks.

Remodeling Bathroom – Week 1

In order to remodel a bathroom – whether it is the size of an apartment walk-in closet or a spacious living room – the first and foremost thing to do is make the decision to remodel. What are the problems that need to be handled in an existing bathroom space and what are the goals involved? Gather trends as much as possible and determine the one that suits your needs and budget. Obtain financing if you cannot afford to pay out of your pocket. Also, make sure to collect information about various contractors in your local area and if possible arrange an interview with each one of them. Select the best contractor available.

Remodeling Bathroom – Week 2

After you have completed the above mentioned tasks, it is time to make a complete walk-through of the existing space. Ask contractors as many questions as possible and get answers to all of them before laying the foundation for your project. Again, make sure that the project is feasible within the budget.

Remodeling Bathroom – Week 3

Here, you will discuss with the contractor about materials, equipment, tools, presentation of drawings and other project specifications. You will be discussing various options that are available and sign the design agreement as well. The week 2 and week 3 tasks can be combined if time permits. Additionally, this is the time to review complete drawings, notes and clarify any doubts about the intent of the project. You will be selecting products for the bathroom, signing the construction contract and making the first down-payment during this phase. Most contractors will make sure that your project has required permits to move forward with the remodeling.

Remodeling Bathroom – Week 4 and 5

After permits are obtained, it is time to finalize the project schedule and distribute it. Order products, discuss the impact of your project with other family members and keep them as well as pets safe, preferably out of the workplace. Remove any personal belongings that is blocking the pathway or remodeling site. Complete the demolition, framing, installing drywall, cabinetry, fixtures and much else during this and the following week.

Remodeling Bathroom – Week 6

This is the week where you give the final touch to the detail. Inspect the ongoing job and establish a list of tasks with ultimate details to ensure that the project is completed to your satisfaction. Always keep your eye on the goal and know that you are taking part in an adventure that will add value to your property. Finally, make a completion payment to the contractor. Keep in mind that the above time span is just an estimation. It may be longer or shorter depending on the size of your bathroom and the scope of your project.

Last but not least, a well-designed bathroom can go a long way in improving your health and lifestyle. In order to make your bathroom everything you want it to be, it is essential that you learn the process of remodeling in detail. Although you are not the one doing the job, knowledge of what goes in a typical remodeling project will not only save you time and money, but make you prepared for your future home projects.