Tuesday, November 17 2009 @ 10:38 AM Central Standard Time
There are times that you are bored staying inside your home. You want to stay in your patio while waiting for the sunset. But you cannot enjoy staying outside your home if your do not have the right furniture set.
It will be better if you are going to add some spice to your patio in order to have an inviting ambiance. You can start searching for all the furniture and fixture that you can add to your patio space. Actually as you do your search with those magazines, TV shows and internet, you will be able to get an idea of how you can transform your home into something great and appealing.
Buying outdoor furniture may be a tedious task for all. Imagine the task of making observations to your outdoor space. You usually do some brain storming on how you can make your home a haven of style and beauty. As you go to the different furniture store you will encounter different style and design of furniture. And because you encounter a lot of them, it is very hard for you to pick your choice. Actually there is lots of furniture that you can install for your outdoor space, but the problem is that you do not know which one to pick.
The first thing that you can do in order to narrow down your search is to the right materials that you want for your outdoor space. Outdoor furniture usually comes in different materials such as wicker, teak, aluminum, wood and plastics. It is important to know the materials that you want for your outdoor furniture so that it will be easier for you to do the search.
When searching for the outdoor furniture, you have to determine where you want to place this furniture. There is some furniture that are intended for garden use only and some are for patios space only. In this way you will be able to know which one to pick that will perfectly match with your outdoor space.
It is also important to determine the color scheme and the setting. Furniture for you patio are made to take the rigors of the weather that comes with the outdoor living. It is also important to measure the area where you place to place this furniture. In this way you can surely pick the one that is just enough in terms of size for your home.
If you have limited budget it is important that you have top conduct a window shopping first so that you can have the chance to make some comparison when it comes to the prices of the furniture. Window shopping allows you to buy patio furniture that perfectly fit your style, design and budget.
Allison Ayson
Patio Furniture
Friday, 20 November 2009
Sunday, 15 November 2009
How To: Choose windows and patio doors
NOVEMBER 13, 2009
Whether building or remodeling, windows and patio doors are an integral design factor in your project and a reflection of your tastes. They can be practical elements in your home, like garage windows, or they can enhance architectural features, like a living room bay window with transoms. Windows and patio doors serve as a gateway between your protected living environment and Mother Nature surrounding you, so care must be taken in their selection. Today you have a myriad of choices when shopping for windows.
Materials: Raw pine is the most common wood used on interior window sash, frames and panels but customer demand is changing this also, with oak, hemlock, cherry and walnut interiors now being manufactured.
Vinyl products are popular because they are normally affordable, they can be custom-sized to your rough openings for a small nominal cost, and they require little maintenance during the life of the product. Vinyl does not rot, rust, warp or corrode and the multi-chambered extruded frames provide optimal thermal efficiency during harsh winter months. However, vinyl cannot be painted so once you select a color, you will have to live with that color for the life of the product.
If you have your heart set on the warm tones and beauty that only a wood interior on your windows can radiate, look for aluminum, fiberglass, copper, or vinyl cladding on the exterior to cut down on the maintenance. Most American made windows use raw natural pine interiors; although some companies offer cherry, oak, knotty pine, walnut and other premium woods for an upgrade.
Window manufacturers usually offer standard and custom colors of cladding. Your architectural style and budget will best determine what you can select for your project.
Plenty of options: Windows come in many styles and functions: venting and non-venting; double hung where both sashes slide up and down; gliders that slide side-to-side; casements that crank out; and awnings that tilt out. There are also specialty units like bays, bows, garden windows, glass block windows and custom shapes like triangles and trapezoids.
Energy concerns nationwide have made consumers more aware of the glass glazing options available to them. Different glass is designed to help you maintain optimal comfort in your home regardless of where you live.
Research and technology have now given us products that optimize the energy efficiency of our windows. Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings on the glass, Argon and Krypton gas fillings in the sealed cavity between the two panes of glass, tripane glazing with three panes of glass separating two sealed air spaces and even polyester films permanently suspended between the panes of glass are readily available. The Low E coatings are sprayed on the inside of the panes of glass in the sealed airspace and they maximize heat collected from the sun.
Warm edge spacers between the panes of glass decrease radiant cold transference across the spacer channel, reducing condensation and discoloration on the sash.
Window manufactures now have their products independently certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) against a set of standards of thermal performance. The consumer can easily compare products to see if they meet his energy efficiency needs. Use the U-factor rating to compare products. The lower the U-factor, the better the glazing resists heat transfer and the higher the energy performance.
Minnesota is a pioneer in setting minimum performance standards for windows. You should also check air infiltration rates since they vary widely by product line. Double hungs and gliders must be loose enough to slide in the track so they always have higher air infiltration rates than casement windows. Casements, however, crank out away from the house so they can impede traffic flow in a walkway or get rain on both sides of the sash if inadvertently left open in inclement weather. Because there is so much to consider when purchasing windows for your home, you need to find a dealer who is able to educate you about all aspects of the products.
Condensation: Condensation problems arise because air can only hold a limited amount of water vapor and cold air holds substantially less than warm air. Air, cooled by contact with a cold surface like a piece of window glass, may deposit some moisture on the glass. The moisture on the glass is an indication of the level of humidity in the home, not the quality of the window. Excess water needs to be controlled to prevent discoloration of wood, mildew on walls and ceilings, and water or ice buildup on windows. If your home does not have an air exchanger, it is important to control humidity so you do not have mold growing in your home during the cold winter months when you normally do not have the windows open.
Whether building or remodeling, windows and patio doors are an integral design factor in your project and a reflection of your tastes. They can be practical elements in your home, like garage windows, or they can enhance architectural features, like a living room bay window with transoms. Windows and patio doors serve as a gateway between your protected living environment and Mother Nature surrounding you, so care must be taken in their selection. Today you have a myriad of choices when shopping for windows.
Materials: Raw pine is the most common wood used on interior window sash, frames and panels but customer demand is changing this also, with oak, hemlock, cherry and walnut interiors now being manufactured.
Vinyl products are popular because they are normally affordable, they can be custom-sized to your rough openings for a small nominal cost, and they require little maintenance during the life of the product. Vinyl does not rot, rust, warp or corrode and the multi-chambered extruded frames provide optimal thermal efficiency during harsh winter months. However, vinyl cannot be painted so once you select a color, you will have to live with that color for the life of the product.
If you have your heart set on the warm tones and beauty that only a wood interior on your windows can radiate, look for aluminum, fiberglass, copper, or vinyl cladding on the exterior to cut down on the maintenance. Most American made windows use raw natural pine interiors; although some companies offer cherry, oak, knotty pine, walnut and other premium woods for an upgrade.
Window manufacturers usually offer standard and custom colors of cladding. Your architectural style and budget will best determine what you can select for your project.
Plenty of options: Windows come in many styles and functions: venting and non-venting; double hung where both sashes slide up and down; gliders that slide side-to-side; casements that crank out; and awnings that tilt out. There are also specialty units like bays, bows, garden windows, glass block windows and custom shapes like triangles and trapezoids.
Energy concerns nationwide have made consumers more aware of the glass glazing options available to them. Different glass is designed to help you maintain optimal comfort in your home regardless of where you live.
Research and technology have now given us products that optimize the energy efficiency of our windows. Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings on the glass, Argon and Krypton gas fillings in the sealed cavity between the two panes of glass, tripane glazing with three panes of glass separating two sealed air spaces and even polyester films permanently suspended between the panes of glass are readily available. The Low E coatings are sprayed on the inside of the panes of glass in the sealed airspace and they maximize heat collected from the sun.
Warm edge spacers between the panes of glass decrease radiant cold transference across the spacer channel, reducing condensation and discoloration on the sash.
Window manufactures now have their products independently certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) against a set of standards of thermal performance. The consumer can easily compare products to see if they meet his energy efficiency needs. Use the U-factor rating to compare products. The lower the U-factor, the better the glazing resists heat transfer and the higher the energy performance.
Minnesota is a pioneer in setting minimum performance standards for windows. You should also check air infiltration rates since they vary widely by product line. Double hungs and gliders must be loose enough to slide in the track so they always have higher air infiltration rates than casement windows. Casements, however, crank out away from the house so they can impede traffic flow in a walkway or get rain on both sides of the sash if inadvertently left open in inclement weather. Because there is so much to consider when purchasing windows for your home, you need to find a dealer who is able to educate you about all aspects of the products.
Condensation: Condensation problems arise because air can only hold a limited amount of water vapor and cold air holds substantially less than warm air. Air, cooled by contact with a cold surface like a piece of window glass, may deposit some moisture on the glass. The moisture on the glass is an indication of the level of humidity in the home, not the quality of the window. Excess water needs to be controlled to prevent discoloration of wood, mildew on walls and ceilings, and water or ice buildup on windows. If your home does not have an air exchanger, it is important to control humidity so you do not have mold growing in your home during the cold winter months when you normally do not have the windows open.
Monday, 9 November 2009
The Best Bar Patios in Los Angeles
A Drink In The Sun Is The Mostest Fun
Posted: 08/26/2009 10:10:04 AM PDT
Perhaps the most iconic, Chateau's patio/backyard is still one of the most gorgeous places to eat/drink in town. Low lighting, caned chairs and, of course, the constant eye candy (whether you're looking for hotties, your next meal ticket or just someone to read your script) means the atmosphere is always one of promise while the energy, especially during the summer, is on full blast. Just beware, reservations are required and can only be made two weeks in advance, which sounds like plenty of time, but really, things fill up quickly.
The French bistro, The Hall, situated on the first floor of this new WeHo institution spills out into the interior courtyard where mostly locals enjoy a cocktail (or three) at the small tables. The ambiance is one of the best with minimal attitude and pretty people looking even prettier by candlelit. Inside, DJs take over the ones and twos in the rec-room-inspired lobby lounge. Feels just like home. Be on the lookout for the (hopefully) soon-to-open sequel: Palihouse Vine, next to Bardot and Avalon on Hollywood and Vine.
Though tiny, the streetside patio at Bar Lubitsch is usually crowded and is a good place to meet people, especially if you're looking to bum a smoke. The patio is enclosed by vine-encrusted iron gates, giving the whole space a secret garden appeal even with the Russian-themed bar's interior glowing through the windows.
Long the standard in Westside hangouts, this entirely brick patio is always a scene for Westsiders--from recent grads to after-work entrepreneurs. Beers tend to be the drink of choice and seating can be hard to come by, which just makes it easier to pick up a date. Definitely stay outside if possible--the weird, doll-festooned decor inside is always a little creepy.
One of Downtown's busiest spots, the patio is usually pretty chill even when the bar inside is packed. Probably because you need a table, but that shouldn't deter you from grabbing one--the twinkle lights and streetside people watching are reason enough to order some snacks (like blue cheese or chipotle fries or mac 'n' cheese--Pete's has one of the best in town).
Tucked away in Glassell Park, the patio at Verdugo boasts a beer pong, er, ping pong, table and loads of benches. Nearly each night of the week is a different party, which you can track on theirtwitter.
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