• Exterior Tips and Tricks

    • Which hardware do you need when installing a sliding door?

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    Thinking about installing a sliding door in your house? You are probably struggling with how to find the right hardware for it. Luckily, you can choose from several different types and categories of hardware. All you need to do described in our step-by-step guide below.

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    Step #1 Get informed

    There are a lot of different hardware options available, and it only depends on you which type of hardware you will purchase for your sliding door. If you want to get a customized option, you can choose individual components and arrange them into a kit. That way you will get exactly what you need, but it may end up a little too expensive (if you’re worried about the budget). On the flip side, you can purchase a hardware kit which contains the essential components (guides, screws, handles, pulls, etc.) you can install on your sliding door. The most popular kit is the flat track, but you can choose between several other styles as well. If you are working with heavy duty, you might want to use box rail kit which comes with it. For a touch of creativity and elegance, you can choose between architectural or industrial series kits.

    Step #2 Measure

    After you collect all the information about sliding door hardware, you might want to measure the opening height and width. That way you will get the precise data that will help you decide which hardware do you need for installing sliding door.

    Step #3 Select door material

    Door material can also affect the type of hardware you need when installing sliding door in your house. There are usually three types of material used with sliding door: glass, wood, and metal. If you’re thinking about a metal door, for example, you need a hardware that can handle the weight and the pressure. That means you will choose kits that are designed to handle the heavy duty. On the other hand, a regular wood door needs reliable hardware that can be made of stainless steel, which will give it a nice touch.

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    Step #4 Compare hardware

    Since there are different manufacturers and retailers of sliding door hardware, the smart thing to do before purchasing a hardware kit is a comparison. You can do that online (type “sliding door hardware” on Amazon page or directly on Google) or you can go to your local hardware shop and compare on spot. If you’re doing an online search, set up the criteria for comparison, such as price, material, durability, design, etc. and compare different kits based on that. Otherwise, going in a local hardware shop can give you an advantage of having a professional help on the spot. Just ask the shop clerk anything you need to know before you make your final decision.

    Step #5 Select the kit for you

    After you’ve gone through all the previous steps, you’re ready to select a hardware kit for your door. Just follow the guidelines and recommendations you got from professionals and you won’t end up short. Remember to choose a hardware that is reliable and durable first, and then look for different styles and design.

  • cleaning interior

    • HERE ARE THE BEST WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR CARPET WITHOUT HIRING A PROFESSIONAL

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    Everyone wants a clean beautiful carpet, but keeping your carpet clean can really be challenging at times.  Having a large apartment with beautiful carpet is good, but if you don’t know how to go about the cleaning, you might just realize in a short time that the carpet is looking smutty.

    There are professionals out there you can hire to clean your carpet for you but why hiring a cleaning professional when you can do it yourself if you learn it. Learning the ways to clean your carpet is pretty easy. So here are the best ways to clean your carpet without hiring a professional like Vancouver carpet cleaning.

     

    Keeping your carpets clean on a regular basis can be a challenge, especially in high traffic areas. You may wonder if it’s possible to clean your carpet without paying out money to a carpet cleaner. One option is to vacuum the carpet regularly to keep it clean. You can also use household products to clean the carpet, a cheaper and more natural approach to carpet cleaning.

    The first thing you need to do is;

     

    Remove Stain

     

    I will advise that stains should be removed instantly as they stained made. This is too aid easy removal before the stain dry’s up. If the stain dry’s up, it will be difficult to remove. Cleaning up the liquid with a little fabric, but be careful not to allow the stain sink deep into the carpet. However, you can also apply

    Water to just get the soft cleaning. Do not scrub the carpet since these will damper water.

     

    Blot Stain with club soda at the exact end.

     

    Club soda can really clean off stained carpet. First of all, put a little of the club soda in a fabric and damp the area that is affect with it until the stain is totally removed. Do your best to make sure that you do not scrub the area; these might actually spoil the fibers in the carpet. So be careful not to ruin your carpet with the soda.

     

    Think Of Applying Milk And A Cornstarch Paste

     

    Some stains can really be tough to clean off, I mean really tough. Imagine you stained your carpet with pen ink. Trying to clean it with water will not work, so try making a mixture of cornstarch and milk in form of a paste and then small quantity and apply it on the stained area. After applying this paste on the stained area, use a brush to slowly brush the area in question till the stain totally leaves.

    The paste is supposed to remove the stain gradually and at the end you should see a stain free carpet.

     

     

     

    Think Of Eliminating the Odor

     

    Using a combination of vinegar and water do a great work in removing odor.

    However, be sure to use white vinegar so as not to stain your carpet.

     

    Cleaning off the stains on your carpet can really be a challenging one. However there is no need hiring a profession to do your carpet cleaning, learning the best ways can really go a long way in helping you clean your carpet without paying a dine to a professional.

     

     

     

  • Exterior Tips and Tricks

    • How To Prevent Flood Damage Effectively

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    Flooding can occur almost anytime and anywhere and without any prior notice. Flash flooding in particular could wreak havoc and apart from being common it also could lead to huge loss of properties and perhaps even lives. In fact it would be pertinent to mention here that each and every state of the country is at risk of different types of floods. Ignoring the risk of flooding could lead to your house becoming slushy and it may not be long before it becomes smelly. You could have expensive furniture getting damaged and your carpet could be totally wet and you could see large scale damages to your lighting, electrical & electronic appliances and various other household appliances. In short it could turn your normal life topsy-turvy. You can be reasonably sure that your home will get infected with molds, mildew and other microorganisms.

    How To Overcome The Problem

    While being proactive in flood damage control is the best way forward, it may not be possible always. Therefore, a better option would be to hire suitable Flood Damage Fort Lauderdale professional so that they could help overcome the problem should it actually happen. There are many reasons in which these professionals could help.

    1. They Can Help Prevent Electrical Shocks

    One of the biggest risks associated sudden flooding is electrical accidents and mishaps. Hence when you avail the services of professional flood damage experts, they will ensure that this problem is taken care of. They will ensure that the best possible emergency steps are taken, by switching off main power supply. Further they will take steps to ensure that the future problems are taken care of. They could advise installation of circuit breakers, and also help in raising switches and wiring to a decent height.

    2. They Will Help With Outdoor Equipment

    Whenever there is a prior warning about impending floods hitting a certain place, hiring these professionals beforehand could make a big difference. They could help in preventing widespread damage to air conditioning units, fuel tanks, and generators which in most cases would be located outside the home. As a homeowner, you could also be proactive by ensuring that these equipments are installed in a raised platform.

    3. Hiring Them Early Will Certainly Make A Big Difference

    When you hire these professionals well in advance you can be sure that they will be able to find a way by which the water can be directed away from your house. They will be able to do it professionally and without disturbing the water flow of neighboring houses or without violating the local municipality rules and regulations.

    4. They Can Offer Preemptive Solutions

    One of the main reasons why it makes sense to hire these professionals is because they can offer preemptive solutions, rather than being reactive. They will help to put in place methods and practices which will help you to be sure that you will be able to tide over the crisis without too much of a problem. Yes, it might cost you money but it will be much less when compared to the immense damage you might suffer when an unexpected flood strikes your home.

  • Real Estate

    • Austin Realtors Designing Stunning Homes

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    Last month I had the luxury of staying in Austin, Tx for SXSW and it was amazing… I recently also found out that Austin is an amazing place to vist and vacation.  I used AirBnB to get the perfect little home I stayed in.  What I really loved about it was the fact that everything was beautifully designed, and the realtor that I worked with to get the property was just extremely sweet.  She’s that realy cute chic we interviewed about the Interior Design Tips When Selling Your Home.  Check out how clever their ad was:

    • If you’re looking for a specific area, free month of rent, low deposit or just like working with people who genuinely care about your best interest – Austin Realty Consultants is for you.

    • If you’re simply looking for the best deal on an apartment or looking to get a REBATE ($$) to help settle and decorate into your new place – Austin Realty Consultants is also for you!

    We are currently offering a rebate up to $200 to clients who lease apartments through us, 
    even if we don’t meet you to show the apartment!!

    Say you just pop into an apartment complex and fill out a guest card.  Let them know you were referred by Sarah Williams of Realty Austin Condominiums (Make sure to add this to your guest card AND apartment application) and you will receive a rebate from us.*  Make sure to have the name written somewhere before you head out.  It’s that simple!!

    To start we are licensed REALTORS not just apartment locators.  We are very familiar with the different areas in Austin and the apartment communities.  If we don’t know about a specific apartment – we will research it and find out as much as we can to help you make an informed decision about your move.

    We are subscribed to an Austin apartment database which provides details about current apartment specials in Austin (and surrounding areas), availability and price.  In addition, we call every apartment before showing to confirm these details to avoid wasting any of your time.

    With our technology, passion and determination we can help you find the best apartment in Austin or surrounding areas for your needs.  Finding apartments in Austin has never been easier!

    Fill out our custom apartment search form to get started!

    When contacting us please let us know which area you are interested in.  Below are a few of the main blanket Austin area apartments:

    • Apartments in Central Austin
    • Apartments in Downtown Austin
    • Apartments in North West Austin (Arboretum / 360 area)
    • Apartments in North Austin (Near Wells Branch, Braker/Metric area and all the way out to 183/620)
    • Apartments in Round Rock
    • Apartments in Cedar Park
    • Apartments in Pflugerville
    • Apartments in South West Austin (Westlake & Bee Caves)
    • Apartments in Lake Travis
    • Apartments in East Austin

    If you have specific apartments you’re interested in or questions about a specific apartment in Austin (ie the floorplan layout, WD in units, # of pools, etc), please let us know the name of the apartment community.

    * Austin Apartment Rebates are paid at a rate of 20%** of the gross commission paid to a member of Austin Realty Consultants.

    Once you sign a lease with an apartment make sure to let them know you were referred by “Sarah Williams” from “JB Goodwin Realtors” as illustrated above.  After signing your lease, contact us and let us know when and where you leased, when your move-in date is, and when your lease expires.

    We will then contact the apartment to confirm the details (so the more detailed the details the better).  Once the apartment pays us – we will send you your rebate.  Currently, all rebates will be given in the form of a prepaid VISA Gift Card.  Redeem your rebate NOW!

    Examples on Rebate Structure for Austin Apartments for Rent:

    • If you rent an apartment for $1000/month and the commission structure for that apartment is set for 100% of one months rent, then we will give you a rebate of $200 (1000 x 1 x .20 = $200).
    • If you rent an apartment in Austin for $800 and it pays 75% commission then we will give you a rebate of (800 x .75 x .20 = $120)

    **If one of our agents has to meet you more than 2 times to show apartments, the rebate will be reduced to 10% of the gross commission instead of 20% (still has a $200 maximum).  This is to help compensate for the additional time and expenses incurred by our Austin Real Estate Agents.

  • Interior Design

    • Design Week: Chicago Interior Design Experts Unleashed

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    interior intro

    Every year, the best and brightest in the design business get together in Chicago to put on one of the greatest design shows in the world.  ARoomSomehwere is there with the top 3 designers found at the event.

    1. Paula Calligary – Using inspiration drawn from modern and art deco styles, Paula has been well known for such pieces like her Fuzzy Chair with Grapes piece seen in the Louvre.  At the design expo she showcased her newest piece – ‘Design by Jacob’, an experimental political interior design piece meant to emulate the look of one of Mao’s old Chinese temples.
    2. Marshall Erb – Inspired by colonial design, Erb seemingly gets his inspiration from a multitude of factors including that of an era past.  Diving into antique pastel finishes in his portfolio at the expo, Erb managed to show off his lighter side and maintain prowess as he and his team of Chicago interior designers took the stage and stole limelight at the show.

    interiors

    1. Richard Dougan – Dougan Interiors has been a world famous name in interior decorating for a long time now, and everyone seems to think that there is no stopping the design giant.  He showed off his latest interior which contrasted bright blue tones with mute yellow upholstered furniture.  The end result was breathtaking.

    For more on Chicago Interior design expo watch this video from last years event.

  • Exterior Tips and Tricks

    • CHOOSING THE RIGHT GUTTERS FOR YOUR HOUSE

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    Nothing is permanent in this world and not even the gutters. Time will come when you need to replace them. For your home or commercial space, you need to choose the functional gutter profile which looks right. As each home has its architectural look, it is crucial to choose bespoke guttering which blends seamlessly with the existent features of the home. If the gutter is odd looking, it will become an eyesore and reduce the curb appeal. Firstly, you need to think about the problems posed by the previous gutter system so that you choose a gutter style which avoids them. If your previous gutter overflowed all the time, you might choose the gutter which has a very high carrying capacity. The capacity needs to be relative to the volume of water it carries. Similarly, you need to make several other considerations. Go for the smooth line or half round profile gutter.

    The popular options in guttering

    Although it is necessary to take advice from an expert regarding the guttering system, you need to gather knowledge about the guttering system. Popular options in guttering systems include steel, aluminum, vinyl, and copper. If you want a gutter which may be quickly installed and is lightweight, easy to cut into shape, you can choose vinyl gutter. Being rust and dent resistant, the gutter can maintain its color for long. Again, aluminum is a popular choice in the gutter as it is corrosion resistant and rust resistant. Being lightweight in nature, it does not need regular painting.

    On the other hand, if you want an option which is extremely durable, you can go for the steel gutter. Being robust and durable, the steel gutter can overcome almost all the damages. Apart from this, steel gutter is also available in a variety of options in styles, colors, and specifications. Lastly, we have the copper drain which is expensive. If you are in the good budget, you can choose copper drain. It is durable and may add considerable value to the home.

    What type of gutter to choose when trees surround the home?

    It may happen that your home is surrounded by trees all over with falling leaves, blocking the drains. If such is the situation, it is pretty hard to choose the right gutter system. Go for the half round gutter since it is the self-cleaning gutter. This kind of gutter is also easy to clean and maintain. There is a lack of angles here to prevent debris and other materials to get caught in.

    Choose the gutter system to create the right look

    Choose the gutter that is suitable to the look of the home. If your abode is old, you can opt for the traditional gutter. Quad gutter, for example, is adaptable gutter which renders a classic look to the home. OG Gutter is again conventional gutter that bears a charming and charismatic look. There are various other options available in gutters.

    It is wise to get in touch with a professional or gutter specialist to choose the right gutters for your house. There are some factors to consider before any choice is made.