Thursday, 20 June 2019

These Are an Essential Part of Any Home Refurbishment


An acquaintance has almost by accident, become a successful property developer. It can be a dangerous business and around thirty years ago, I seem to remember many crashed.

But if you remember to start small and never overreach, or put all your eggs in one basket, it can still be very rewarding.

There are a couple of daytime TV shows following the fortunes of people that buy old properties at auction and do them up for rental or resale. The most successful are the ones that have a clear plan from the beginning of which way they are going.

For resale, the area and local values dictates the type of work that should be carried out. If it's a low value area with cheap properties, then just a simple makeover may be good enough.

But if the property is in a desirable area, a great deal of high quality work and finish should be achieved.

In these cases, great emphasis is often put into a luxury kitchen/diner and bathrooms. And my acquaintance, has also identified the need for quality plumbing and central heating.

He certainly doesn't cut corners when it comes to the radiators. Whether designer vertical radiators or ones that double up as mirrors, each room will have a special unique one.

Designer radiators have become an essential component of helping create a luxury property. For older people, like me, this is a revelation.

In decades gone by, no thought was put into radiator design as there simply wasn't any. If you didn't like those Victorian cast iron or flat panel steel, then tough; there wasn't anything else.

Nowadays, it really is a pleasure to look at all these new radiator designs and have some fun picking individual ones for every room in the home.

Next time my house is to be refurbished, the old spluttering boiler will be chucked out along with the noisy radiators. The pipes that run along the top of skirting boards, will also go.

New systems, fitted well, have very little pipework on display. This accentuates the attractiveness of the radiators.


Don’t Forget Radiators When Redecorating Your Home


When you are updating your home, you should not think as radiators as an afterthought. They are a key player in anybody’s home nowadays. You should see them as items that enhance your home rather than hide them behind covers or a sofa.

When it is about Modern Radiators a little forward planning can ultimately save you money. Once the bare bones of the room have been finished off it is time to have a look at what you’ve got in the way of furniture.

You can then choose a heater that goes with all you have got and make it a piece that complements your interior design.

You will soon find out that manufacturers are becoming increasingly inventive as far as design and colour is concerned. Of course, their primary duty is to keep you warm and you need to find out which suits your home and heating requirements best.

If you should research now whilst the months are getting hotter, you may find that there are some good bargains to be had. It is also better to have your heating work done in the summer months as you won’t need it to keep warm.

All plumbers will tell you that you need to work out how many BTUs you will need for every room and then search for radiators that match your requirements. If you are in any doubt at all, please ask your plumber to work it out for you so you buy the right sized radiators.

It all depends on the metal that your heater is made of as to what size you need. If you should choose aluminium you may find that your radiator doesn’t have to be as large as any other model.

Nowadays if you don’t like the look of radiators, not even the modern ones, you could opt for skirting radiators that do not look obtrusive and they are space saving too.

At the end of the day you will choose a radiator that matches the style of your home, whether it is Victorian or modern.

If you are looking for Modern Radiators please visit https://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/designer-radiators/.

Wednesday, 19 June 2019

What Are the Benefits of Underfloor Heating?


Underfloor heating seems to be all the rage nowadays. Is it warranted? This is what we are going to explore during the course of this article. We are going to look at the benefits that you will get from using underfloor heating. It isn't suitable for every property, but if it's suitable for your property, it's one of the best things that you can do in terms of your central heating.

Benefit 1: Better Heat Distribution When Compared with Radiators

The best thing about underfloor heating is that it offers great heat distribution. This means that it warms your room evenly. With radiators, the part of the room with the radiator tends to be hotter than the part of the room without the radiator. You'll end up with colder patches in the room. 

This doesn't happen with underfloor heating as the heat distribution is much more even and it warms the room from the bottom to the top, giving it a much more comprehensive coverage.

Benefit 2: It Feels Amazing On Your Feet

Have you ever walked on underfloor heating? It is delightful. It is like getting a mini massage on your feet. If you're somebody like me, who suffers from Raynaud's syndrome, underfloor heating is just about the best thing you can do for your condition. It feels amazing. I'm sure it feels great for people that don't have Raynaud's too!

Oh, and there's nothing more luxurious than lying on your rug on your underfloor heating.  I have a big fluffy rug that looks a bit like a polar bear or fluffy sheep.  Lying on the rug that is like lying on a warm fluffy cloud. Seriously, nothing beats it on a cold winter's day. I love it!

Benefit 3: It's Cheaper Than Central Heating and Electric Radiators

Wet underfloor heating is cheaper than central heating and electric radiators. The underfloor heating mats, which use electricity, are more expensive to run than central heating, but cheaper than electric radiators. However, the wet underfloor heating systems for the cheapest of all four options.

Because underfloor heating offers much better heat distribution, you don't need to use as much energy to keep your house warm. It is a fantastic invention made even better by the fact that it helps you to save money.

Benefit 4: It's Easy to Install

The wet underfloor heating systems tend to require a heating specialist to install them properly. But, the underfloor heating mats can be installed by anyone with just a decent amount of DIY knowledge. As long as you have a modicum of DIY knowledge and you know how to pick up your floor, all you need to do a slide the mats underneath and plug them into your electric system.

Benefit 5: It Makes Your House More Attractive to Buyers

If you want to sell your house at any point, the fact that it has underfloor heating will often be a selling point in the same respect that a nice new bathroom in the good selling point.

I hope that you now have a good understanding of why underfloor heating has become so popular and why it is a great addition to any household.

Friday, 14 June 2019

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Heating


Are you feeling worried about the ever-increasing cost of energy? Perhaps you are worried about the environmental effects of your home heating and want to make it more efficient?

Regardless of the reason, with our tips, you can manage your central heating system to ensure that it runs efficiently.  An efficient system is a cheaper system.

Tip 1: Read the Manual

I have lost count of the number of people I know but do not seem to understand how the central heating system works. For some reason, people never read the manuals that come with the boiler and radiators. 

It's probably because they weren't the people who installed the system in the first place and they've simply moved into the property once the central heating is already in place.

You must understand how your boiler works and how the thermostat functions. If you don't, it is highly likely that you are using the system in ways that are less efficient. The manufacturers will give you guides about how to get the most out of your radiators and boilers.

I recently bought some Reina radiators and reading the manual taught me about adjusting the convector fins to adjust heat distribution.  This is a new feature that I wouldn't have known about had I not read the manual.

Tip 2: Bleed the Radiators Regularly

You need to bleed your radiators at least every two months during the winter. A good way to tell if you need to bleed your radiators is to look at your boiler and see where the pressure is. Low pressure can be caused by air in the system.

Central heating systems that have too much air in them are inefficient. They work with water, so let go of the air.

Tip 3: Find the Optimum Temperature

People set their thermostats all over the place. Some people set it to 14 degrees Celsius, others to 25 degrees Celsius. Both of those are extreme. The ideal is between 18 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius. 

If you feel too cold try wearing a jumper before you put the heating off. Too many people think that they should be able to walk around in their t-shirts at home during the winter and so they turn the heating up far too high.  This is definitely a waste of energy.

Tip 4: Block Chimney's with a Specialist Balloon

Chimney places are often a source of cold during the winter. The air comes down the chimney and into the room when the fire is not running.

If you use your chimney face, and you don't want to block it off to prevent the air coming down, then you can buy an ingenious device called a chimney balloon. They are a fantastic choice.

Tip 5: Make Sure That Your Radiators Are the Right Size

Finally, many people install the wrong size radiator in their properties. If the radiator is too small for the room, it will never get to temperature properly. You are waste massive amounts of energy trying to heat the room. 

Whether you buy a high-quality radiator, such as Reina radiators, ensure that you get the right radiator, by using a BTU calculator.

Follow these tips and you'll soon find your home heating to be much more efficient.

Thursday, 16 May 2019

That Chrome Finish Will Never Tarnish or Corrode


All central heating radiators used to fall into two types. The old Victorian dark cast iron, and the later generation of white painted steel panel type.

But in recent years there has been a bit of a revolution in radiator material and significant design changes. Most of us take radiators for granted without realising the assortment of offerings today.

That's hardly surprising, as it would have to be a very dull day to find yourself looking them up on the internet, unless seriously thinking about buying some. But taking a look anyway, is enough to trigger the notion of changing your old ones.

There are one or two strong themes in these new designs. The slim, tall varieties seem popular. As does an anthracite or yet black shiny finish. Brushed steel makes for a soft tactile surface, and polished chrome looks great in bathrooms.

When chrome radiators are mentioned, like any other object described the same way, it's never solid chrome but simply an electroplating of chromite over a steel base. But the effect can be stunning.

Chromite is used in the manufacture of steel as it helps make it even tougher and gives an extra shine. When pure chromite is plated onto another metal it creates a beautiful polished finish that is highly prized by many lovers of large motorbikes.

But it is a dangerous material to electroplate and should only be attempted by professionals. The nuggets dug from the ground are superb sparkling ones, that have a sheen like gold, although sadly, not the same value.

As the third hardest element after carbon in the form of diamonds, and boron, it doesn't tarnish or corrode. This is the reason it is so ideal for bathroom radiators where condensation may be all around at times.

It's possible to have a bit of fun buying new radiators and the next time a home makeover beckons, consider changing all the old seventies panel radiators. And buying some different modern radiators, unique to each room in the home.


The Joy of a Full Home Refurbishment from Scratch to Finish

There is at least one regular and popular program on television that follows the buying at auction of a property, and then returning when it has been refurbished.

In other words, it's to see how much added value can be made. The more run down and shabby the property, the greater the challenge.

In most cases, the largest part of the improvement budget is spent on a new bathroom and new kitchen. These are usually key points when reselling a property. Another major expense is a new central heating system.

In recent years radiators have become an important part of a room's décor. They do not have to be those regulation oblong panels, you only have to look online at a radiator suppliers' website to see the difference.

When planning a total refurbishment of a property, it's really a pleasure to strip it down to bare walls. And then with a piece of paper, pencil and tape measure, drawing the dimensions of each individual room.

Using your imagination, thinking about the fixtures and fittings along with coordinated wall covering, the number of radiators and their exact placement, helps bring the picture to life. At this point, many people like to work out exactly, the goods and materials needed.

All can be bought online, it's easy to buy radiators online along with the new boiler and all the necessary fixtures and fittings. Don't forget that when you buy radiators, the valves are bought separately.

This is because the positioning of the radiator will dictate the exact type of configuration of valves, thermostats, elbow or straight pipes. This may be a little confusing for the general DIY type, and it's advisable to get a professional central heating firm to help order everything and fit it all.

From bare walls to finished property, these part-time television property enthusiasts can spend ten thousand or a hundred and ten thousand pounds. Much will depend upon the going rate for similar properties in the area.

But the financial rewards and the satisfaction of a job done well is clearly an enjoyable one.

For ways to buy radiators online https://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

How to Redesign Your Living Room into an Oasis of Peace


There is nothing better than coming home after a stressful day for the warm welcome of a peaceful home. For many of us though, this isn't always possible. First, there might be screaming children, but second, and probably more importantly, the house just isn't up to scratch.

Well, we can't help you with screaming children, but what we can help you with is your interior design. In this article, we are going to explore some top tips to help you Redesign the living room and create an oasis of peace.

Get rid of clutter

Clutter is like fear. It is the mind killer. If you live in clutter, you're thinking we'll feel cluttered. It's just an expression of the human condition that if you want to be calm, you need a calm environment and that means getting rid of clutter and freeing up as much space as possible.

There are plenty of things that you can do here to get rid of clutter. First of all, look around the room and work out which pieces of furniture and items of decor you really need to keep. Being ruthless and get rid of the stuff that just isn't serving its purpose anymore.

An easy way to reduce one of the largest items in your room is to swap your radiators out for underfloor heating. An underfloor heating kit is relatively cheap and easy to install, especially if you go for one of the electric kits. It's a great way to reduce the clutter without having to get rid of things that might have sentimental value. People are generally attached to their radiators!

Choose Warm Colour Schemes

One thing that we often see people get wrong is choosing a cold colour scheme. This will make the room feel more alienating, rather than welcoming.

Many people don't realise that colours come in different warmth, ranging from cold to hot. To make a warm space that feels welcoming, warm colours. For example, white can be either cold or warm and the best white colour to choose for your living room is a warm white.  All colours have warm and cold hues so make sure you pick the correct one.

Make Sure It's Adequately Heated

A room that feels cold by way of temperature will also feel cold by way of sentiment. Whether you opted to keep your radiator or invest in an underfloor heating kit, you must ensure that it provides you with enough heat to keep the room warm. This means paying attention to heat output first and then thinking about style after.

Use Nature

Maybe because we come from nature, but nature has an effect on our moods.  There is nothing better for the soul and taking a walk in nature and what you can't bring the outside inside properly, you can definitely hint at it by choosing to buy pot plants and flowers on a regular basis. It just brings that feeling of nature into the home and helps you feel at peace. Peace lilies are especially good here - it's all in the name.

I hope that you have found this article useful. These tips will help you to create the Oasis of your dreams.