Government statistics show that there are about 2.8 million accidents in the home every year, where the victim visits an Accident and Emergency department for treatment. In addition, an almost identical number of casualties are treated by their own GP and millions of minor cases are treated at home.
It will come as no surprise to learn that one of the major causes of these accidents are ladders and step ladders.
So as many prepare to carry out the chore of annual maintenance on their fascias and guttering, why not consider giving the ladders a rest once and for all this year, and getting the professionals in to quote for fitting upvc fascias etc which are virtually maintenance free?
Click here to get your free online fascia quote - it only takes a few minutes and it's salesman free!
Friday, 25 July 2008
Conservatories - create some 'you' space
Conservatories are the perfect way to get that all important extra space without the hassle of moving home. Conservatories are available in every shape and colour you could want and can be beautifully added to any home – be it a modest semi-detached or a Victorian mansion.
You don’t have to own a big house to add a conservatory. Even small conservatories mean that bit of extra space that provides the kids with a great playroom or yourself with a relaxing breakfast room.
Just because your conservatory may have been an afterthought doesn’t mean it should look like one. Ask for the external features to blend in with the brickwork and window frames. Adding big double doors will also allow the feeling of the garden to run through into your home.
Many people who live in an old Georgian-style house may worry that adding a brand new conservatory will ruin the look of their grand home. Yet manufacturers of tailor-made conservatories can use bricks and designs that are in-keeping with the Georgian theme – and provide a very attractive garden feature that looks like it was built along with the house.
f you have the space for a big conservatory, try using it as a dining room. Come summer or winter, it’ll provide the perfect setting for a dinner party for family and friends – whether it’s a warm summer’s evening or a chilly night under the stars, just don’t forget to think about heating!
To get an instant online quote for a conservatory, click here. It only takes a few minutes and you can choose from a variety of styles all online.
You don’t have to own a big house to add a conservatory. Even small conservatories mean that bit of extra space that provides the kids with a great playroom or yourself with a relaxing breakfast room.
Just because your conservatory may have been an afterthought doesn’t mean it should look like one. Ask for the external features to blend in with the brickwork and window frames. Adding big double doors will also allow the feeling of the garden to run through into your home.
Many people who live in an old Georgian-style house may worry that adding a brand new conservatory will ruin the look of their grand home. Yet manufacturers of tailor-made conservatories can use bricks and designs that are in-keeping with the Georgian theme – and provide a very attractive garden feature that looks like it was built along with the house.
f you have the space for a big conservatory, try using it as a dining room. Come summer or winter, it’ll provide the perfect setting for a dinner party for family and friends – whether it’s a warm summer’s evening or a chilly night under the stars, just don’t forget to think about heating!
To get an instant online quote for a conservatory, click here. It only takes a few minutes and you can choose from a variety of styles all online.
School Holidays start - what home improvement will you be carrying out?
The school holidays are finally here, or maybe they've already started for you? Either way, the house will suddenly seem to fill up as the children and their friends seemingly take over the house. So what better time to create a little you (or them) space with a conservatory?
Of course you don't have to have children to enjoy a conservatory, these versatile rooms can be everything from a sun lounge to a dining room, study to kitchen extension, and there are some very good deals to be had at present.
We also take a look at the sheer practicality of having replacement fascias fitted, as the warm weather shouldn't mean having to get out the ladders for some annual re-painting.
Of course you don't have to have children to enjoy a conservatory, these versatile rooms can be everything from a sun lounge to a dining room, study to kitchen extension, and there are some very good deals to be had at present.
We also take a look at the sheer practicality of having replacement fascias fitted, as the warm weather shouldn't mean having to get out the ladders for some annual re-painting.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Interest rates on hold - now's the time to improve rather than move
With the Bank Of England keeping interest rates on hold, whilst it might not do much for the home buying market with more home builders reporting job losses, it could just signal home owners to improve their surroundings rather than move to new ones.
If you've been thinking about improving your home, visit the Home Improvement Quotes website where you can get an instant online quote for anything from double glazing to fitted kitchens, bathrooms to driveways, loft to garage extensions, all from the comfort of your own home without the need for a salesman to call.
Now is the time to improve rather than move it seems.
If you've been thinking about improving your home, visit the Home Improvement Quotes website where you can get an instant online quote for anything from double glazing to fitted kitchens, bathrooms to driveways, loft to garage extensions, all from the comfort of your own home without the need for a salesman to call.
Now is the time to improve rather than move it seems.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Did you Know? - Burglaries always increase during the Summer..
Did You Know?
According to 2006-2007 crime statistics published by the Home Office, the number of domestic burglaries in England and Wales has fallen dramatically in the last decade - with a 59% reduction since 1995.
However, the number of burglaries always increases in the summer, as people throw open their windows and doors. Those who leave our shores in search of sunnier climes are also at risk, as they leave their homes unoccupied for days – sometimes weeks – at a time.
Police forces across the country are warning residents to be vigilant and keep doors and windows locked, especially at night. They are also advising holidaymakers to take measures to hide their absence, cancelling milk and papers and perhaps investing in timer switches so that one or two interior lights come on for a set period every evening.
With this in mind, now might be a good time to upgrade the security of your home by replacing your old windows and doors – visit www.windowquoter.co.uk to find competitive quotes in your area. That way all you need to worry about this summer is the weather!
According to 2006-2007 crime statistics published by the Home Office, the number of domestic burglaries in England and Wales has fallen dramatically in the last decade - with a 59% reduction since 1995.
However, the number of burglaries always increases in the summer, as people throw open their windows and doors. Those who leave our shores in search of sunnier climes are also at risk, as they leave their homes unoccupied for days – sometimes weeks – at a time.
Police forces across the country are warning residents to be vigilant and keep doors and windows locked, especially at night. They are also advising holidaymakers to take measures to hide their absence, cancelling milk and papers and perhaps investing in timer switches so that one or two interior lights come on for a set period every evening.
With this in mind, now might be a good time to upgrade the security of your home by replacing your old windows and doors – visit www.windowquoter.co.uk to find competitive quotes in your area. That way all you need to worry about this summer is the weather!
Home Improvements on a budget
Feature - How to carry out Home Improvements on a budget
Recent Halifax research has shown that most British DIYers favour simple, low-cost improvements to their homes over complex, lengthy projects. A new coat of paint is Britain’s favourite quick-fix home improvement with over 75 per cent of homeowners saying that this is the first thing they would choose to do in a revamp. Cosmetic improvements like this would satisfy most homeowners in the long term and few now feel the need to make drastic renovations, move house or extend.
This is probably no surprise in the current economic climate – but it is also the safest choice for many UK homeowners! The same Halifax study showed that there were over 200,000 DIY injuries in the UK last year – 2,506 with power drills, 1,920 with circular saws and 622 with chainsaws. So it’s probably safer to stick to smaller – and lower budget – home improvements this year! Here are five top tips to achieving the lowest cost, highest impact home improvements:
1) Redecorating
You could always follow 75 per cent of the nation’s DIYers and redecorate a room. A new coat of paint or some fresh wallpaper can really change a space and needn’t be a big job. If you don’t want to redecorate entirely, just pick one wall to change and make a feature wall. If the room is already painted, pick a flamboyant complementary wallpaper and you will completely change the look! If you need more than one roll, make sure the wallpaper you buy is from the same batch number – different batches often have colour variations which only become apparent once you’ve finished the job.
If the room you want to change is already wallpapered, simply pick a durable ‘one-coat’ paint and paint over it – there are plenty of paints on the market now which will cover even the boldest designs in just one coat, for as little as £10 a tin! There are also different types of paint available for different areas of the house – for busy areas you can buy scuff resistant paint which doesn’t mark if it’s crashed into and can be wiped clean if sticky fingers make a mess on it!
2) Little things make the biggest difference
For a quick-fix at minimal cost, consider replacing door handles on kitchen cupboards. This can instantly lift a room and adding some funky handles can update a dilapidated kitchen in seconds. If you have a bit more money to spend, consider replacing the entire cupboard doors – as long as the cupboard structure itself is sturdy, a new door will really make a difference.
Along similar lines, replacing taps in the bathroom can change the feel of the room. There are many designs to choose from, from modern and stylish chrome to retro brass and copper creations. If you are replacing taps and you’re a bit of a novice, it’s probably best to hire a professional plumber. Amateur DIYers in Britain last year spent an average of more than £5,000 hiring plumbers to sort out botched plumbing jobs.
3) Updating the floor
A down-trodden carpet or outdated lino can really age a room, but updating your flooring can be relatively quick and easy. It will also give instant impact, even if you don’t change anything else! The most important thing when changing your flooring is to plan carefully what you are going to do – is the space you want to change a well-trodden area like the hallway or conservatory, or is it likely to get wet, for example in the bathroom or kitchen?
All of these factors will make a difference to the type of flooring you need – you don’t want to put luxurious soft carpets in an area where it will get worn down very quickly. Similarly you wouldn’t necessarily want wooden floors in a bathroom as it becomes very slippery when wet – also stone or ceramic tiles may look beautiful in a kitchen, but can be very cold and hard when you come down for your tea in the morning!
Whichever type of flooring you choose, it is worth considering hiring a professional flooring specialist to fit it. The last thing you want is your new floor instantly ruined by poor fitting.
4) Sprucing up the exterior
If you are looking for a drastic change without the expense of building an extension or changing the windows, painting the outside of your house can make the most dramatic difference. However, to save potential complaints from the neighbours or even the council, it’s always best to check with them first which colour you are intending to use. Bold colours that are not in keeping with the rest of the street could land you in trouble with the local planning office, not to mention the neighbours who may think your house is an eyesore! The best way to avoid trouble is to look at the other houses around you and pick a muted, non-offensive colour which fits in.
Another way to improve the look of your property is to buy a new front door. With this you can afford to be a bit bolder with your colour choice – a bright front door can be a quirky feature and will instantly brighten up your home’s façade! If you are not looking for such a dramatic change, rearranging the garden or placing some large feature plant pots around can also improve the look of your home. Large exotic trees in decorative pots can add impact and really set your garden apart from the neighbours'!
5) Slightly higher budgets
If you have a slightly larger budget, it is worth considering some high-spec home improvements, which not only improve your home life, but also instantly add value to your property. Most are still relatively small jobs too. The first is to create some off-street parking – building a car-port or garage doesn’t have to cost the earth, but will add more than £10,000 to the value of your home. If you don’t have space to build a garage, ask for permission to lower the kerb outside your home so you can easily park in the driveway.
You can get permission from the local council and lowering the kerb can costs as little as £650.
Inside, it is worth considering something like roof windows, which will instantly add more light and an airy feel to an upstairs space. A single roof window can start at around £155 plus installation costs, and will make a dramatic difference to a room.
There is also an increasing demand for technological improvements to houses. Things like streamed music systems linked to lighting, Internet and TV are becoming more desirable to property buyers. You can buy systems which feed the music you’re playing in one room to every room in the house, and link this to mood lighting which corresponds to the volume of the sound. It’s also possible to stream music from the Internet through the same system and also to make the music videos from your iPod visible on plasma screens anywhere in your house! Systems like this cost anywhere upwards of £3,000.
It’s not always necessary to spend big bucks on home improvements. Low cost developments can make just as much impact and add significant value to your property. The most important thing is to hire professionals and get any work completed to a high standard. A professional is also guaranteed to get the work done, whereas if you’re fitting in DIY around your job and other commitments, chances are you may not get it finished at all! Hiring a professional may be the cheaper option in the long run as half-finished or poorly executed home improvements can knock as much as £10,000 off your home’s value.
This article is taken from our latest monthly email newsletter. To receive your free copy, simply click here and add your email address and join 250,000 other regular readers (and growing!). Remember you can unsubscribe at any time.
Recent Halifax research has shown that most British DIYers favour simple, low-cost improvements to their homes over complex, lengthy projects. A new coat of paint is Britain’s favourite quick-fix home improvement with over 75 per cent of homeowners saying that this is the first thing they would choose to do in a revamp. Cosmetic improvements like this would satisfy most homeowners in the long term and few now feel the need to make drastic renovations, move house or extend.
This is probably no surprise in the current economic climate – but it is also the safest choice for many UK homeowners! The same Halifax study showed that there were over 200,000 DIY injuries in the UK last year – 2,506 with power drills, 1,920 with circular saws and 622 with chainsaws. So it’s probably safer to stick to smaller – and lower budget – home improvements this year! Here are five top tips to achieving the lowest cost, highest impact home improvements:
1) Redecorating
You could always follow 75 per cent of the nation’s DIYers and redecorate a room. A new coat of paint or some fresh wallpaper can really change a space and needn’t be a big job. If you don’t want to redecorate entirely, just pick one wall to change and make a feature wall. If the room is already painted, pick a flamboyant complementary wallpaper and you will completely change the look! If you need more than one roll, make sure the wallpaper you buy is from the same batch number – different batches often have colour variations which only become apparent once you’ve finished the job.
If the room you want to change is already wallpapered, simply pick a durable ‘one-coat’ paint and paint over it – there are plenty of paints on the market now which will cover even the boldest designs in just one coat, for as little as £10 a tin! There are also different types of paint available for different areas of the house – for busy areas you can buy scuff resistant paint which doesn’t mark if it’s crashed into and can be wiped clean if sticky fingers make a mess on it!
2) Little things make the biggest difference
For a quick-fix at minimal cost, consider replacing door handles on kitchen cupboards. This can instantly lift a room and adding some funky handles can update a dilapidated kitchen in seconds. If you have a bit more money to spend, consider replacing the entire cupboard doors – as long as the cupboard structure itself is sturdy, a new door will really make a difference.
Along similar lines, replacing taps in the bathroom can change the feel of the room. There are many designs to choose from, from modern and stylish chrome to retro brass and copper creations. If you are replacing taps and you’re a bit of a novice, it’s probably best to hire a professional plumber. Amateur DIYers in Britain last year spent an average of more than £5,000 hiring plumbers to sort out botched plumbing jobs.
3) Updating the floor
A down-trodden carpet or outdated lino can really age a room, but updating your flooring can be relatively quick and easy. It will also give instant impact, even if you don’t change anything else! The most important thing when changing your flooring is to plan carefully what you are going to do – is the space you want to change a well-trodden area like the hallway or conservatory, or is it likely to get wet, for example in the bathroom or kitchen?
All of these factors will make a difference to the type of flooring you need – you don’t want to put luxurious soft carpets in an area where it will get worn down very quickly. Similarly you wouldn’t necessarily want wooden floors in a bathroom as it becomes very slippery when wet – also stone or ceramic tiles may look beautiful in a kitchen, but can be very cold and hard when you come down for your tea in the morning!
Whichever type of flooring you choose, it is worth considering hiring a professional flooring specialist to fit it. The last thing you want is your new floor instantly ruined by poor fitting.
4) Sprucing up the exterior
If you are looking for a drastic change without the expense of building an extension or changing the windows, painting the outside of your house can make the most dramatic difference. However, to save potential complaints from the neighbours or even the council, it’s always best to check with them first which colour you are intending to use. Bold colours that are not in keeping with the rest of the street could land you in trouble with the local planning office, not to mention the neighbours who may think your house is an eyesore! The best way to avoid trouble is to look at the other houses around you and pick a muted, non-offensive colour which fits in.
Another way to improve the look of your property is to buy a new front door. With this you can afford to be a bit bolder with your colour choice – a bright front door can be a quirky feature and will instantly brighten up your home’s façade! If you are not looking for such a dramatic change, rearranging the garden or placing some large feature plant pots around can also improve the look of your home. Large exotic trees in decorative pots can add impact and really set your garden apart from the neighbours'!
5) Slightly higher budgets
If you have a slightly larger budget, it is worth considering some high-spec home improvements, which not only improve your home life, but also instantly add value to your property. Most are still relatively small jobs too. The first is to create some off-street parking – building a car-port or garage doesn’t have to cost the earth, but will add more than £10,000 to the value of your home. If you don’t have space to build a garage, ask for permission to lower the kerb outside your home so you can easily park in the driveway.
You can get permission from the local council and lowering the kerb can costs as little as £650.
Inside, it is worth considering something like roof windows, which will instantly add more light and an airy feel to an upstairs space. A single roof window can start at around £155 plus installation costs, and will make a dramatic difference to a room.
There is also an increasing demand for technological improvements to houses. Things like streamed music systems linked to lighting, Internet and TV are becoming more desirable to property buyers. You can buy systems which feed the music you’re playing in one room to every room in the house, and link this to mood lighting which corresponds to the volume of the sound. It’s also possible to stream music from the Internet through the same system and also to make the music videos from your iPod visible on plasma screens anywhere in your house! Systems like this cost anywhere upwards of £3,000.
It’s not always necessary to spend big bucks on home improvements. Low cost developments can make just as much impact and add significant value to your property. The most important thing is to hire professionals and get any work completed to a high standard. A professional is also guaranteed to get the work done, whereas if you’re fitting in DIY around your job and other commitments, chances are you may not get it finished at all! Hiring a professional may be the cheaper option in the long run as half-finished or poorly executed home improvements can knock as much as £10,000 off your home’s value.
This article is taken from our latest monthly email newsletter. To receive your free copy, simply click here and add your email address and join 250,000 other regular readers (and growing!). Remember you can unsubscribe at any time.
Achieving a Sustainable Garden
Timeline - Achieving a Sustainable Garden
Sustainable gardens are a great way to get around the rising cost of food prices whilst also doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint. The simple explanation of a ‘sustainable’ garden is that you don't use up resources faster than they can be replaced – so it works in harmony with nature. You don’t have to be green-fingered to make effective changes to your garden and you can do it on what ever scale you want to: you could install a simple water butt to catch rainwater or you could transform every inch of your garden into a ‘Kitchen Garden’ or mini-ecosystem.
If you start to enjoy the ‘Good Life’ and decide you want to take it a bit further than just plants and veggies, consider installing solar panels in your garden or build a chicken coop complete with a few pet chickens.
Here are five steps towards achieving a sustainable garden:
Stage One – Composting Bins
Every gardener manages to produce plenty of waste from pruning, lawn mowing and other garden activities. Composting is a great way to reduce the volume of waste – saving landfill space – and recycle essential nutrients back into the soil. Compost holds moisture like a sponge and releases nutrients slowly into the soil creating a better plant root environment.
Choose a composting site carefully and pick a spot that is not highly visible and won’t interfere with garden activities. Structures around the compost heap are not essential but can prove to be a good idea as they will stop the wind and animals carrying the compost across your garden.
To make a compost heap, alternate different types of shredded plant materials in 6- to 8-inch layers. However, be careful when adding fine garden waste such as grass clippings that will mat and prevent water moving through the heap. Add water to the composting every few layers. Livestock manure can also be added for ornamental planting but is not recommended for use on food products as it may contain new strains of E. coli and other bacteria that cause human illness. Plants lose up to 75 per cent of their volume in composting so a lot of materials can be processed effectively and in a very compact space.
Composting can be effective on most garden waste such as leaves, plants and straw, and a limited amount of woody prunings, grass clippings and weeds. If a plant is diseased it is best not to add it to the compost heap. Similarly try and avoid adding plants that have been treated with weed killers. Many people also decompose household waste, including egg shells and vegetables. Sunday roast left-overs however, such as meat or bones, plus whole eggs and dairy products, may cause an unpleasant odour and attract rodents, so this is not recommended.
After about six months the bottom two thirds should be rich compost and ready to use on your flower beds and vegetable plot.
Stage Two – A ‘Kitchen Garden’
Making a partially edible garden will not only create a beautiful place to sit and relax but is also one of the most productive uses of an outdoor space. Growing fruit, salad, vegetables and herbs alongside ornamental plants makes a very attractive and colourful space. Whether you’re an organic fanatic or you’re just worried about the rising cost of everyday foods, many of you are taking to your gardens – as sales of vegetable seeds overtook those of flowers during 2007.
Produce can be grown all year round as long as you do your research on the different seasonal fruits and vegetables. However, spending hours on end digging around in the freezing cold isn't everyone’s idea of fun, so consider investing in a greenhouse. A minimum of 7-8°C is sufficient to grow many plants over winter, which means that you can continue growing your own food without worrying about the threat of ground frost – or catching a cold!
A greenhouse and workshop combined means that you won’t have to use up valuable space in your greenhouse for tools, pots and compost bags – as these can take up a lot of space. One of the most important things to plan for, however, is head space – countless gardeners across the UK bare the scars of deceptively low doorways!
Stage Three – Water Butts and Rain Barrels
If you’re going to house a lot of plants and vegetables in your greenhouse or garden then you’re going to need a good source of water. Hosepipe bans are now common in the UK; however it is also renowned for its temperamental weather conditions as it can be hot for weeks on end and then turn into 24 hours of endless rain – so take advantage. The average house roof in the UK sheds some 45,000 litres of water per year, which means that nearly 25 per cent of the water we currently use could be harvested, free of charge, from our roofs.
Capturing rainwater can be done very simply and cost-effectively. Diverters can be attached to your downpipes to feed the water into a number of water butts or barrels. Check to see if your water company offers a financial discount on water butts as an incentive to make you more economical. You can use either manufactured systems or reclaimed oak barrels, if you want to retain the natural look in your garden.
The only downfall to the use of water butts is that to harvest just five per cent of the runoff of water from your roof you would need an average of 18 barrels!
So what are your other options? Well, if you’re serious about doing your bit for the environment a better, but more expensive, solution is the storage of rainwater in an underground tank.
This enables the rainwater to be pumped directly from the tank and used to flush toilets, feed the washing machine and irrigate the garden. Surprisingly, only five per cent of the water we use needs to be drinking water so it is a very useful – and cost-effective – solution. In the coming years, if water rates continue to rise and the changing climate continues to make rainfall more unreliable, then water harvesting will become more of a necessity and less of a luxury.
Stage Four – Solar Panel Lighting
Solar panels soak up and store sun ready to produce anything between six and twelve hours of light during the night-time. So whether you use them to do a spot of late night pruning in your greenhouse or to light up a patio area, solar panels mean no emissions, no running costs and no expensive installation.
Stage Five – Animals
Keeping chickens has become a popular hobby as the scare stories about battery farmed hens do the rounds. Other than those who choose to keep chickens as pets, most do so for their eggs or meat – if you’re doing it for the latter reason though, it’s probably best if you don’t give them names!
There are three basic types of chicken house – ark, coop or igloo. If you don’t buy a house with a run then consider letting them run free in a sectioned off area of your garden. Sawdust, straw or wood chippings are the three main types of bedding used and all three can be dumped on the compost heap when you clean them out. If you’re planning to make the chicken run yourself from reclaimed materials then you can do it for around £150, bearing in mind that chicken homes should house one bird per square foot.
Growing you own vegetables is in many instances better for you than buying from the supermarket – chances are whatever you would purchase will have travelled twice as far as you have in the last week alone, just to reach the supermarket shelf! There’s always the organic produce option but prices remain unattractive. You don’t need a big garden either to cultivate your own fruit and vegetables or even look after a few chickens. Start off with a simple tomato plant or some runner beans and after the first time you eat your own produce it won’t be long before you start getting green fingers!
Sustainable gardens are a great way to get around the rising cost of food prices whilst also doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint. The simple explanation of a ‘sustainable’ garden is that you don't use up resources faster than they can be replaced – so it works in harmony with nature. You don’t have to be green-fingered to make effective changes to your garden and you can do it on what ever scale you want to: you could install a simple water butt to catch rainwater or you could transform every inch of your garden into a ‘Kitchen Garden’ or mini-ecosystem.
If you start to enjoy the ‘Good Life’ and decide you want to take it a bit further than just plants and veggies, consider installing solar panels in your garden or build a chicken coop complete with a few pet chickens.
Here are five steps towards achieving a sustainable garden:
Stage One – Composting Bins
Every gardener manages to produce plenty of waste from pruning, lawn mowing and other garden activities. Composting is a great way to reduce the volume of waste – saving landfill space – and recycle essential nutrients back into the soil. Compost holds moisture like a sponge and releases nutrients slowly into the soil creating a better plant root environment.
Choose a composting site carefully and pick a spot that is not highly visible and won’t interfere with garden activities. Structures around the compost heap are not essential but can prove to be a good idea as they will stop the wind and animals carrying the compost across your garden.
To make a compost heap, alternate different types of shredded plant materials in 6- to 8-inch layers. However, be careful when adding fine garden waste such as grass clippings that will mat and prevent water moving through the heap. Add water to the composting every few layers. Livestock manure can also be added for ornamental planting but is not recommended for use on food products as it may contain new strains of E. coli and other bacteria that cause human illness. Plants lose up to 75 per cent of their volume in composting so a lot of materials can be processed effectively and in a very compact space.
Composting can be effective on most garden waste such as leaves, plants and straw, and a limited amount of woody prunings, grass clippings and weeds. If a plant is diseased it is best not to add it to the compost heap. Similarly try and avoid adding plants that have been treated with weed killers. Many people also decompose household waste, including egg shells and vegetables. Sunday roast left-overs however, such as meat or bones, plus whole eggs and dairy products, may cause an unpleasant odour and attract rodents, so this is not recommended.
After about six months the bottom two thirds should be rich compost and ready to use on your flower beds and vegetable plot.
Stage Two – A ‘Kitchen Garden’
Making a partially edible garden will not only create a beautiful place to sit and relax but is also one of the most productive uses of an outdoor space. Growing fruit, salad, vegetables and herbs alongside ornamental plants makes a very attractive and colourful space. Whether you’re an organic fanatic or you’re just worried about the rising cost of everyday foods, many of you are taking to your gardens – as sales of vegetable seeds overtook those of flowers during 2007.
Produce can be grown all year round as long as you do your research on the different seasonal fruits and vegetables. However, spending hours on end digging around in the freezing cold isn't everyone’s idea of fun, so consider investing in a greenhouse. A minimum of 7-8°C is sufficient to grow many plants over winter, which means that you can continue growing your own food without worrying about the threat of ground frost – or catching a cold!
A greenhouse and workshop combined means that you won’t have to use up valuable space in your greenhouse for tools, pots and compost bags – as these can take up a lot of space. One of the most important things to plan for, however, is head space – countless gardeners across the UK bare the scars of deceptively low doorways!
Stage Three – Water Butts and Rain Barrels
If you’re going to house a lot of plants and vegetables in your greenhouse or garden then you’re going to need a good source of water. Hosepipe bans are now common in the UK; however it is also renowned for its temperamental weather conditions as it can be hot for weeks on end and then turn into 24 hours of endless rain – so take advantage. The average house roof in the UK sheds some 45,000 litres of water per year, which means that nearly 25 per cent of the water we currently use could be harvested, free of charge, from our roofs.
Capturing rainwater can be done very simply and cost-effectively. Diverters can be attached to your downpipes to feed the water into a number of water butts or barrels. Check to see if your water company offers a financial discount on water butts as an incentive to make you more economical. You can use either manufactured systems or reclaimed oak barrels, if you want to retain the natural look in your garden.
The only downfall to the use of water butts is that to harvest just five per cent of the runoff of water from your roof you would need an average of 18 barrels!
So what are your other options? Well, if you’re serious about doing your bit for the environment a better, but more expensive, solution is the storage of rainwater in an underground tank.
This enables the rainwater to be pumped directly from the tank and used to flush toilets, feed the washing machine and irrigate the garden. Surprisingly, only five per cent of the water we use needs to be drinking water so it is a very useful – and cost-effective – solution. In the coming years, if water rates continue to rise and the changing climate continues to make rainfall more unreliable, then water harvesting will become more of a necessity and less of a luxury.
Stage Four – Solar Panel Lighting
Solar panels soak up and store sun ready to produce anything between six and twelve hours of light during the night-time. So whether you use them to do a spot of late night pruning in your greenhouse or to light up a patio area, solar panels mean no emissions, no running costs and no expensive installation.
Stage Five – Animals
Keeping chickens has become a popular hobby as the scare stories about battery farmed hens do the rounds. Other than those who choose to keep chickens as pets, most do so for their eggs or meat – if you’re doing it for the latter reason though, it’s probably best if you don’t give them names!
There are three basic types of chicken house – ark, coop or igloo. If you don’t buy a house with a run then consider letting them run free in a sectioned off area of your garden. Sawdust, straw or wood chippings are the three main types of bedding used and all three can be dumped on the compost heap when you clean them out. If you’re planning to make the chicken run yourself from reclaimed materials then you can do it for around £150, bearing in mind that chicken homes should house one bird per square foot.
Growing you own vegetables is in many instances better for you than buying from the supermarket – chances are whatever you would purchase will have travelled twice as far as you have in the last week alone, just to reach the supermarket shelf! There’s always the organic produce option but prices remain unattractive. You don’t need a big garden either to cultivate your own fruit and vegetables or even look after a few chickens. Start off with a simple tomato plant or some runner beans and after the first time you eat your own produce it won’t be long before you start getting green fingers!
How secure is your home?
Home security - protecting your home...
It is hardly surprising that the number of domestic burglaries rises in the summer months. As temperatures rise, people throw open their windows and doors to let some fresh air in, with little thought to the security of their home.
According to the British Crime Survey (BCS) 2006-07, households with no home security measures were almost ten times more likely to have been victims of burglary than households where there were simple security measures in place, such as deadlocks on doors. Here we look at easy ways to make your home more secure.
Windows and doors
Statistics show that two thirds of burglars gain entry or remove items through doors, so the most obvious way to protect your home is to make sure your doors and windows are secure. With this in mind, start by making sure your external doors and their frames are strong and sturdy, as well as checking they have not been damaged by everyday wear and tear. If you are worried about any wooden doors, these can be made stronger by fitting a steel strip and plates to the door frame and around the lock.
Don't forget to check the hinges too – a sturdy door is no defence if a burglar can easily take it off its hinges, so make sure hinges are robust and attached to both the door and the door frame using long, strong screws. Finally, check the locks, as most insurers insist on five-lever mortise deadlocks on external doors. If your locks aren't up to scratch you could be invalidating your insurance.
Around 30 per cent of burglars gain access through a window, so your next step should be to check that all windows and their frames are in a good state of repair, particularly wooden frames which are susceptible to rot, and metal frames which may be prone to rust. Easily visible locks put a thief off targeting your house, as they won't want to break the glass and risk attracting attention. Key-operated window locks can be purchased from a DIY store and should be fitted to all downstairs windows and easily-accessible upstairs windows. Don't forget that skylights needs locks too. Double glazed windows are usually fitted with an integral locking system. Before fitting extra locks to PVC-U or metal windows, check that the warranty won't be effected.
Although it can be tempting to leave doors and windows open in the summer, figures show that in one in five burglaries the perpetrator doesn't even have to use force to gain entry. Although most burglaries occur when no one is home, many occur while there is someone in the house, so you mustn't assume that just because you are home it is safe to leave your doors and windows open. Also bear in mind that if a thief enters your home through an open door or window, your insurance company may refuse to pay out.
Securing the Perimeter
Of course there are a number of steps you can take to stop a would-be burglar from getting anywhere near your house in the first place. Make sure you check fences regularly and repair any gaps or weak spots. You could also consider attaching trellis to the top of your fencing, which will look attractive while also providing a flimsy structure that an intruder would find it difficult to climb over. Using gravel on driveways and paths can act as a deterrent, as the noise will alert you to visitors approaching your house. It is also a good idea to keep shrubs and plants trimmed back so that there are no handy hiding places where a burglar could lurk while planning how to overcome your security measures. Additionally, a few well placed prickly plants can put a potential intruder off venturing onto your property.
It is also important to remember to protect the possessions in your garden as well as those inside your home. Furniture, ornaments and gardening equipment are obvious targets, so make sure that anything valuable is locked away. Thieves will use anything to try and gain entry to your home, so tools left lying around could easily be put to good use by an opportunist burglar. You might be surprised at the lengths a burglar will go to – even wading into ponds to steal ornamental fish and digging up valuable plants and shrubs!
Security Equipment
Burglar alarms are great for scaring away a thief in the process of trying to enter your home – police statistics show that 60 per cent of burglaries on homes fitted with burglar alarms are unsuccessful. Just the sight of an alarm will often put a burglar off even trying to enter your home. Prices for getting a burglar alarm installed by a reputable company start at around £450, but the cheaper alternative is to buy a simple system and fit it yourself, with prices ranging from around £50 to £300. For the elderly or those living in more remote areas, a monitored alarm might be a good idea. Here, signals from the burglar alarm are sent via telephone lines to the company responsible for the alarm, who will check if the alert is genuine and then notify the police.
Alternatively, a CCTV system can act as a good deterrent, and even if a thief is not perturbed, with good quality video footage the police stand a better chance of catching the culprits. Again prices start at around £50, but remember, you get what you pay for, and grainy pictures are about as useful as no pictures at all! A cheaper alternative is movement activated security lights, with prices starting as low as £5!
Although there are a whole range of security devices on the market, protecting your home needn't break the bank. If you think a fancy alarm system is a waste of money, a dummy alarm box fixed to the outside of your house can be just as effective in deterring would-be burglars. Also, a simple outside light with an energy saving bulb is a low-cost alternative to movement activated security lights. Even a simple device like a spyhole in your front door can offer you some protection while also showing thieves that you are security conscious. Another cheap choice is home security stickers, such as CCTV warnings or Neighbourhood Watch stickers, which will make a potential thief think twice about targeting your home.
Going on Holiday
Another reason that summer is the prime time of year for burglars, is that people across the UK head off on holiday leaving their homes unoccupied. But every time you go away, whatever the time of year and even if it's only for a day or two, remember that a house that is obviously unoccupied is a tempting target for an opportunist thief. With this in mind, it is worth spending the time taking a few extra security precautions before jetting off on your holidays, so that while you're away you can concentrate on enjoying yourself!
You know that sinking feeling you get when you've only driven five minutes down the road and then you realise that you forgot to check whether all windows and doors were locked and the security alarm is set? We've all done it! Make life easier by giving yourself a little reminder, maybe a post-it note stuck on the inside of the front door, so that it's the last thing you see before you leave the house!
If you have milk or newspapers delivered, remember to cancel these for the duration of your holiday, as a build up could easily indicate to a burglar that no one is home. It's also a good idea to ask a neighbour to collect your post, as a pile up of post could easily be spied through a nearby window. A few 24 hour timer plugs could be a good investment, as you can set a few lights and perhaps a TV or radio to come on for a set amount of time each day, making it seem like someone is home. And make sure your home contents insurance is up-to-date, so that if the unthinkable happens, at least you will be able to claim some compensation.
Internal Security
Finally, if the worst comes to the worst and a burglar does manage to get into your home, there are still things you can do to protect your possessions. Try and make sure anything valuable is out of sight. Of course, making sure expensive equipment like plasma TVs and stereo systems can't be spied through a window means that a burglar might not be tempted into your home in the first place. But once a thief is in your home he wants to take what he can and be in and out as quickly as possible – he won't want to waste time looking through drawers and cupboards looking for things to steal.
You could consider removing the risk from the equation altogether for a few select items by removing them from your home and placing them in a safety deposit box. Alternatively, why not buy a safe for your home, with prices starting at around £25. For larger items, or those that are in regular use, security marking won't stop your things being taken, but will mean that if police are able to recover your possessions they will quickly and easily know who to return them to.
Your security code should consist of your house number (or the first three letters of your house name) and your postcode. Permanent marker pen can act as a deterrent if you mark your possessions in a prominent place, but if you don't want to effect the appearance of the items, you could use an ultra-violet marker pen, which will be invisible to the naked eye once the ink dries. You can also get special markers for fine china and porcelain, which leave an indelible mark on top of the glaze and therefore shouldn't affect the value.
So whether you're going away or staying home this summer, take the time to review the security of your home, giving you piece of mind to relax and enjoy the break!
This article is taken from our latest newsletter emailed to over 250,000 homeowners every month. To subscribe to our newsletter and receive the next edition - (it's free!) click here and leave your email address.
It is hardly surprising that the number of domestic burglaries rises in the summer months. As temperatures rise, people throw open their windows and doors to let some fresh air in, with little thought to the security of their home.
According to the British Crime Survey (BCS) 2006-07, households with no home security measures were almost ten times more likely to have been victims of burglary than households where there were simple security measures in place, such as deadlocks on doors. Here we look at easy ways to make your home more secure.
Windows and doors
Statistics show that two thirds of burglars gain entry or remove items through doors, so the most obvious way to protect your home is to make sure your doors and windows are secure. With this in mind, start by making sure your external doors and their frames are strong and sturdy, as well as checking they have not been damaged by everyday wear and tear. If you are worried about any wooden doors, these can be made stronger by fitting a steel strip and plates to the door frame and around the lock.
Don't forget to check the hinges too – a sturdy door is no defence if a burglar can easily take it off its hinges, so make sure hinges are robust and attached to both the door and the door frame using long, strong screws. Finally, check the locks, as most insurers insist on five-lever mortise deadlocks on external doors. If your locks aren't up to scratch you could be invalidating your insurance.
Around 30 per cent of burglars gain access through a window, so your next step should be to check that all windows and their frames are in a good state of repair, particularly wooden frames which are susceptible to rot, and metal frames which may be prone to rust. Easily visible locks put a thief off targeting your house, as they won't want to break the glass and risk attracting attention. Key-operated window locks can be purchased from a DIY store and should be fitted to all downstairs windows and easily-accessible upstairs windows. Don't forget that skylights needs locks too. Double glazed windows are usually fitted with an integral locking system. Before fitting extra locks to PVC-U or metal windows, check that the warranty won't be effected.
Although it can be tempting to leave doors and windows open in the summer, figures show that in one in five burglaries the perpetrator doesn't even have to use force to gain entry. Although most burglaries occur when no one is home, many occur while there is someone in the house, so you mustn't assume that just because you are home it is safe to leave your doors and windows open. Also bear in mind that if a thief enters your home through an open door or window, your insurance company may refuse to pay out.
Securing the Perimeter
Of course there are a number of steps you can take to stop a would-be burglar from getting anywhere near your house in the first place. Make sure you check fences regularly and repair any gaps or weak spots. You could also consider attaching trellis to the top of your fencing, which will look attractive while also providing a flimsy structure that an intruder would find it difficult to climb over. Using gravel on driveways and paths can act as a deterrent, as the noise will alert you to visitors approaching your house. It is also a good idea to keep shrubs and plants trimmed back so that there are no handy hiding places where a burglar could lurk while planning how to overcome your security measures. Additionally, a few well placed prickly plants can put a potential intruder off venturing onto your property.
It is also important to remember to protect the possessions in your garden as well as those inside your home. Furniture, ornaments and gardening equipment are obvious targets, so make sure that anything valuable is locked away. Thieves will use anything to try and gain entry to your home, so tools left lying around could easily be put to good use by an opportunist burglar. You might be surprised at the lengths a burglar will go to – even wading into ponds to steal ornamental fish and digging up valuable plants and shrubs!
Security Equipment
Burglar alarms are great for scaring away a thief in the process of trying to enter your home – police statistics show that 60 per cent of burglaries on homes fitted with burglar alarms are unsuccessful. Just the sight of an alarm will often put a burglar off even trying to enter your home. Prices for getting a burglar alarm installed by a reputable company start at around £450, but the cheaper alternative is to buy a simple system and fit it yourself, with prices ranging from around £50 to £300. For the elderly or those living in more remote areas, a monitored alarm might be a good idea. Here, signals from the burglar alarm are sent via telephone lines to the company responsible for the alarm, who will check if the alert is genuine and then notify the police.
Alternatively, a CCTV system can act as a good deterrent, and even if a thief is not perturbed, with good quality video footage the police stand a better chance of catching the culprits. Again prices start at around £50, but remember, you get what you pay for, and grainy pictures are about as useful as no pictures at all! A cheaper alternative is movement activated security lights, with prices starting as low as £5!
Although there are a whole range of security devices on the market, protecting your home needn't break the bank. If you think a fancy alarm system is a waste of money, a dummy alarm box fixed to the outside of your house can be just as effective in deterring would-be burglars. Also, a simple outside light with an energy saving bulb is a low-cost alternative to movement activated security lights. Even a simple device like a spyhole in your front door can offer you some protection while also showing thieves that you are security conscious. Another cheap choice is home security stickers, such as CCTV warnings or Neighbourhood Watch stickers, which will make a potential thief think twice about targeting your home.
Going on Holiday
Another reason that summer is the prime time of year for burglars, is that people across the UK head off on holiday leaving their homes unoccupied. But every time you go away, whatever the time of year and even if it's only for a day or two, remember that a house that is obviously unoccupied is a tempting target for an opportunist thief. With this in mind, it is worth spending the time taking a few extra security precautions before jetting off on your holidays, so that while you're away you can concentrate on enjoying yourself!
You know that sinking feeling you get when you've only driven five minutes down the road and then you realise that you forgot to check whether all windows and doors were locked and the security alarm is set? We've all done it! Make life easier by giving yourself a little reminder, maybe a post-it note stuck on the inside of the front door, so that it's the last thing you see before you leave the house!
If you have milk or newspapers delivered, remember to cancel these for the duration of your holiday, as a build up could easily indicate to a burglar that no one is home. It's also a good idea to ask a neighbour to collect your post, as a pile up of post could easily be spied through a nearby window. A few 24 hour timer plugs could be a good investment, as you can set a few lights and perhaps a TV or radio to come on for a set amount of time each day, making it seem like someone is home. And make sure your home contents insurance is up-to-date, so that if the unthinkable happens, at least you will be able to claim some compensation.
Internal Security
Finally, if the worst comes to the worst and a burglar does manage to get into your home, there are still things you can do to protect your possessions. Try and make sure anything valuable is out of sight. Of course, making sure expensive equipment like plasma TVs and stereo systems can't be spied through a window means that a burglar might not be tempted into your home in the first place. But once a thief is in your home he wants to take what he can and be in and out as quickly as possible – he won't want to waste time looking through drawers and cupboards looking for things to steal.
You could consider removing the risk from the equation altogether for a few select items by removing them from your home and placing them in a safety deposit box. Alternatively, why not buy a safe for your home, with prices starting at around £25. For larger items, or those that are in regular use, security marking won't stop your things being taken, but will mean that if police are able to recover your possessions they will quickly and easily know who to return them to.
Your security code should consist of your house number (or the first three letters of your house name) and your postcode. Permanent marker pen can act as a deterrent if you mark your possessions in a prominent place, but if you don't want to effect the appearance of the items, you could use an ultra-violet marker pen, which will be invisible to the naked eye once the ink dries. You can also get special markers for fine china and porcelain, which leave an indelible mark on top of the glaze and therefore shouldn't affect the value.
So whether you're going away or staying home this summer, take the time to review the security of your home, giving you piece of mind to relax and enjoy the break!
This article is taken from our latest newsletter emailed to over 250,000 homeowners every month. To subscribe to our newsletter and receive the next edition - (it's free!) click here and leave your email address.
Fitted kitchens for disabled users - feature
There are some beautifully crafted kitchens available these days but few are designed with wheelchair users in mind. Getting around an everyday kitchen can be difficult enough let alone utilising the work surfaces, cupboards and electrical equipment.There are a number of clever adaptations and alterations that can make life easier for wheelchair users – but all the unsuspecting eye will see is a stunning new kitchen. This month’s featured company is Regency Kitchens, manufacturers of disabled kitchens based in Sale, Trafford.
For an instant online fitted kitchen quote, visit: kitchenquoter.co.uk
It is always safer to choose a hand-built, professionally installed kitchen instead of a flimsy flat pack option. You’re much more likely to use your body weight on the surfaces – whether reaching across for an ingredient or up to a high cupboard. These can be installed in just 2-3 days and provide peace of mind that you have strength and durability in the units.
Simple alterations such as pull-out shelves can make life a hundred times easier and more comfortable. The last thing you need is to be sticking your head in the back of a low cupboard looking for a saucepan.
Similarly, electrical products can also be easily adapted, which means that your dishwasher, microwave and cooker are all at an easily accessible level and are designed to work around your wheelchair, not the other way around.
Any kitchen can be built on just one level with the oven, hobs, sink, drawers, cupboards and work surface all streamlined around your kitchen. So you can cook the roast in the main oven, keep an eye on the veggies in the saucepans and get the plates out without even moving your chair once!
Remember - you can get an instant online kitchen quote, by visiting: kitchenquoter.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)