Home and Property

Imagine utilising solar energy to the point that you no longer need traditional electricity to power your home. It seems like a dream to many who live in tight urban environments, stuck with increasing electricity bills, but it’s closer to reality than you might think. In countries and regions where the sunny weather is prominent (such as Australia), solar energy is gaining traction as an excellent source of renewable energy. It might not be at its most efficient yet, but technology is slowly but surely making continuous advancements.

If solar energy is a renewable energy source that you want to count on, there are already services such as those being offered by Solar Compare to help individuals find the best prices and quotes on solar panels and packages with very little effort. They provide this service with the support of consumers and solar PV installation companies who register with them. How does it work and how can it benefit you?

The two different types of panels used for harnessing solar energy

Solar panels are used to store the light of the sun and generate electricity to power a home. There are two different types of panels used, with the most common being the PV (photovoltaic) solar panel. The use of this panel is typically for dealing with lighting and all the other appliances found in a home. The second type of panel is solar thermal – which is used mainly for heating purposes. Both can be used to help cut expenses, as the former helps with electricity bills and the latter with heating.

How much of the electricity bill can solar panels bring down?

While the effectivity of solar energy depends on a few variables, provided you’re able to fully harness it you likely won’t ever see an electric bill again. Generally, for those who live in smaller urban environments, you would be able to take advantage of partial solar energy, which means that you can still save on electricity bills – which add up as time goes by. It’s important to take note of the fact that solar panels don’t come cheap; it’s a real investment if you decide to purchase solar panels, but it’s well worth the asking price.

Whether you go for partial or invest fully in solar panels, you’ll find that you save more money than you’ve spent, given enough time. Being wise when choosing between solar companies can guarantee that you get the best deals as well!

How do you know if your home can qualify?

Even if the area you live in doesn’t necessarily see a lot of sun throughout the year, you won’t have to worry about sunlight. Daylight is what the solar panel needs, which means you’ll still be able to make use of it even if there are plenty of gloomy days. Aside from how much it costs, you’ll need to consider the overall space as well. Placing solar panels on rooftops is a common tactic for those who don’t have a great deal of space. There might be a financial barrier, but it isn’t nearly as high as some people might think.

Some extra advantages to solar energy include a positive effect on the environment and even a positive effect on the marketplace for your home as it increases in value thanks to the solar panels. There are plenty of benefits that come with taking advantage of this renewable energy source, and it’s something that needs to be considered – especially with how high the cost of electricity is these days.

Plastering and rendering both refer to the process of covering surfaces with plaster material. The main difference between the two lies in the location. Plastering is for interior surfaces while rendering is for exterior surfaces. Another difference is the material used. While the components of plastering materials are primarily the same, the ratio may differ according to the application.

Rendering

Rendering is common for exterior surfaces like walls. Rendering material often contains more cement for increased durability. Cement provides a decorative appeal to building exteriors and at the same time reinforces fireproofing and waterproofing.

Render mixture usually contains cement, sand, and other additives like gravel. Plastering materials can also come pre-mixed. For a smoother and excellent render, you can add lime gypsum to the mixture. Fine sand also creates a more decorative rendering finish to various surfaces.

Layers of render are applied to exterior walls and finished with a scraper. Depending on the preference of the building owner, the rendered surface can be finished smooth or textured. Textured render is preferred when in preparation for applying decorative materials like tiles.

Plastering

Plastering is common for interior walls and ceilings of homes and buildings. The composition of plaster contains little or no cement. The resulting finish is often smooth and flat to prepare for painting or wallpaper installation. Plasterboard for interior walls and ceilings provides the background surface for plaster. The following are different finishing techniques used on interior walls:

• Thistle board finish. Thistle board finish is gypsum based finish plaster used in producing high-quality interior walls.
• Thistle hardwall. Another example of gypsum-based plaster finish, thistle hardwall is ideal as an undercoat in masonry.
• Thistle magnetic plaster. Magnetic plaster is a speciality type of material that creates a magnetic surface ideal for kitchens and bedrooms.

Gypsum-based plaster is the preferred material used today. In most plastering projects, plasterboard creates the suitable surface to apply the desired decorative finish. Suppliers of gypsum-based plastering materials produce a variety of renders used in construction. For example, plasterers can use multfinish plaster, hardwall plaster, and spray finish plaster for interior surfaces and masonry.

Background surface

Aside from the plaster material itself, the background surface where plaster is applied also affects the results. Specific factors and characteristics of the background surface like the suction affect how well plaster adheres to it.

Suction is the ability of the surface to absorb water. Higher suction means better plaster adherence. If a surface has low suction, a liquid primer is sprayed to improve adhesive properties. Another option is to add bonding agents to the plaster mixture which aids in adhesion. Combining bonding agents allows the plaster to dry faster which requires quick plaster application.

Plastering beads are also used to enhance the connection of plasterboard corners. Plastering beads are often made with galvanised steel and added to edges and angles. Scrim tape is another accessory used in connecting plasterboard. In both applications, basecoat is applied to the corners to reinforce and strengthen the connections. Basecoat needs to dry completely before adding the first layer of plaster.

There are a lot of themes for you to choose from when decorating your home. You must start with the concept first before you buy the decorations and pieces to make the said theme come to life. It is better to have a clear plan first before shopping or else you will be overwhelmed with the choices and easily get distracted.

Some people prefer a brighter more colourful and well-lit home. Others prefer a more minimalistic approach. They opt for brighter colours or more neutral tones as they have a more calming effect. These are all amazing choices.

Consider a bolder choice when it comes to themes. Opt for a darker shade and a generally darker theme for your home decoration. This does not mean that you are creating a haunted mansion. You just want to have a more elegant-looking abode. Again, black is not always associated with being creepy or mysterious. This shade is supposed to be an indication of elegance and style. If you are not yet convinced, here are some more reasons why darker themes are better.

You can surprise your guests

People always have a notion about what a lovely home should be. They think that warm colours are better. This does not have to be the case. You can surprise them by showing a house with a darker theme. They will be intrigued by your choice and it is a good way to welcome your guests.

You are more relaxed

When you are tired from work and everything in your life, you just want to relax when you reach home. Entering a darker-themed home helps cut you off the outside world. It is like stepping into a totally different dimension where you are free to just do whatever you want. This is what a home should be like.

The place looks more expensive

Black is equivalent to elegance and this is what you will feel when you enter a place with a dark theme. Everyone wants this kind of home where they can turn something simple into something more dramatic and elegant. You can easily achieve it with darker shades.

Start shopping now

If you are convinced that this is the design aesthetic that suits you, it is time to start shopping for the right pieces. Look for A4 wall prints that have darker themes and patterns. Goth and hipster-inspired art pieces would look amazing in your home. They might be dark, but they are also vibrant and full of energy. You might want to stare at them for the rest of the day.

It is not easy opting for this design as it is totally different from normal convention – but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. This is your home after all. You must have the chance to design it in whatever way you want. If you think that this kind of theme would be more appealing and you find it pleasing, nothing should stop you from choosing it.

When it comes to bathroom additions or remodelling projects, both function and form should always be considered. A pragmatic and sensible approach often yields desired results after all, especially when working on a tight budget. One particular feature that has risen in popularity amongst many homeowners is the walk-in shower. Not only are they purposeful, but by design, they can also do wonders for the aesthetic appeal of a bathroom. Here are just a few reasons why you should own a walk in shower.

1. Saves space

For those struggling with limited space, having a walk-in shower installed can save much-needed space since they take up a lot less space than a more conventional shower or bath does. With its minimalistic design, it can give the bathroom a tremendous lift in look, making it as appealing as it is functional.

2. User-friendly

A quality of walk-in showers that is oftentimes overlooked is how user-friendly they can be, especially to those who may be struggling with their mobility. It is extremely important that everyone in the household is able to stay safe in their daily life and can properly use the facilities. This is where it becomes more of a necessity than a mere luxury.

3. Easy to maintain

Many of us look at cleaning as a thankless task that we would rather leave to others to do. Nonetheless, it is a necessity not just to make the area look good but to keep everything functioning as intended. With minimal corners, joints and other hard-to-reach places, a walk-in shower is a lot easier to maintain and keep clean than its more conventional counterparts.

4. Design

One of the hardest parts of remodelling a bathroom is integrating different elements to consistently fit a design or theme. It’s an unavoidable issue that is usually left to professional designers to do. Walk-in showers come with no such issues, however. Because of their minimalistic design, they can be easily integrated into any bathroom. With a multitude of design options to choose from, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t strike your fancy.

5. Boosts value

Perhaps the most important element that walk-in showers possess is that they are good value for money and will pay dividends if ever you choose to let go of the property. It’s an element that will impress buyers and make it easier for you to stick to a price that you’re comfortable with when selling the home.

They may not be the cheapest upgrade that you can go for but walk-in showers are undoubtedly good investments that should be considered. If you are after an item that serves both function and form and will help maintain the value of the property, you can do no better than a walk-in shower.

It’s certainly one of those questionable situations; you’ve found a tenant for a property that you just can’t seem to rent. There’s just one problem: they have a criminal record.

Before you start to run, pause for thought and ask yourself if the situation really as bad as their history might initially suggest. We have put together the following guide, which will mull over some of the key questions you need to ask yourself before you say ‘no’ to them.

Was the potential tenant actually convicted?

This is a key question to ask and before you go any further you need to check the public criminal records to see just how the tenant stands on this point.

There’s a big difference between an arrest record and a criminal record. If your potential tenant falls into the former, they haven’t been convicted of anything yet and you might ask if you should go along the route of “innocent until proven guilty”. Of course, if they have been convicted, it’s a different story. It’s at this point that more considerations need to enter the picture, which we will start to look at.

What was the offense they were convicted of?

From the perspective of the landlord, this is a key question to ask. If it’s a so-called minor offence, which perhaps didn’t involve finance, financial crimes or anything else that might impact them as a tenant, might there be an argument to ignore the record?

Of course, if violent crimes are listed, it’s a different story. You need to start questioning the character of the individual, and also if they are going to pose a risk to other tenants in the vicinity. If they are particularly notorious, it might even affect your reputation.

When did the offense occur?

This is another very important factor and the answer might impact the previous section. If a crime was committed decades ago, some landlords might decide to turn a blind eye to it. After all, the offence was committed a long time ago, and if no reoffending has occurred since it might be unfair to discount an individual based on this.

On the flip side of the coin, if the offence is fairly recent, further questions might be asked. This is when the severity of the crime really does need to be taken into account.

Does it put others at risk, or does it put your rent at risk?

If the crime has been a violent one, it would be fair to say that others might be at risk from the individual residing at one of your properties. It’s not just violent crimes which can pose a risk though. For example, ones of a financial nature can do the same; how do you know if the tenant is going to pay their rent consistently?

This is another reason why it is crucially important to consider all of the details when you do have a tenant with a criminal record applying for one of your properties.