Archive for November, 2009
How to Choose an Outdoor Gazebo
Nov 25th
Gazebos are an increasingly popular way to enjoy an outside atmosphere while staying protected from sun and rain. Having been in use since ancient times, there are a great many styles and types of Gazebos to be chosen from. While originally just for the well-to-do, Outdoor Gazebos can now be had by almost anybody as an addition to your backyard landscape. Here are three important factors you should consider when choosing a Gazebo.
Set a Budget for Your Gazebo
The first consideration when purchasing a Gazebo is your budget. This seems obvious at first, but there are many ways to overspend yourself.
If you’re like most of us and can’t pay for a Gazebo with pocket change, you may consider building your own. This can save you anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Additionaly, it gives you a degree of customization not possible with a pre-built unit. Some of us, however, don’t have enough time to take on such a project. In this case, you can either hire someone to design and build your Gazebo, or purchase a prebuilt model from a store or online vendor. The Internet offers superior choices as compared to brick and morter outlets.
Whichever you decide, you should plan on setting aside at least several hundred dollars. The cheapest gazebos, even home-built, often cost at least this much. You may also have to consider changes in your surrounding landscape and cement flooring for your Gazebo.
Select an Appropriate Site to Build
The next important consideration when buying a Gazebo is where you’re going to put it. Our backyards often have recreational items like pools, swings, or sandboxes, plant life like trees, shrubs, and gardens, and sometimes other structures like sheds. The easiest way to sum this up? What do you want to look at? Obviously setting the Gazebo to overlook an open field is preferable to looking at a shed or a neighor’s house 10 feet away. Another factor? How level is your terrain? If your preferred site doesn’t have even ground, all hope is not lost. It just takes more work to level the terrain.
Choose a Gazebo Style
Last but certainly not least in our quest for a Gazebo paradise is the type of Gazebo you want. There are a plethora of possibilities here..
Size
This is usually your priority number 1. There are sizes ranging from that of a small shed all the way up to a small building. You probably want something in between – usually enough for half a dozen people. But remember to check your space…
Color
This one is pretty obvious. Most people settle for the natural color of their chosen building materal – often light brown. But you can also paint and stain your Gazebo to any color you wish.
Shape
The original Gazebos where usually octagonal in shape. But square and rectagular Gazebos are also popular – especially for those building their own. Shape is a factor in placement just as size. But shape also holds significance in how comfortable the seating positions will be – a square may not prove as comfortable as an octagon for side by side seating.
Building material
Gazebos can be made from many things – this includes various types of wood, brick, even cement. Sometimes the Gazebo itself is made from wood but has a cement floor. This is useful in keeping it flash flood-resistant.
Enclosure type
Here is a factor considered mainly in modern Gazebos – Do you want your Gazebo enclosed? Increasingly Gazebos are sold with built in screens. This makes them very nice for enjoying food free from flying pests. Less commonly Gazebos are even enclosed with windows – though at some point you have to draw the line between a Gazebo and a regular porch or sunroom.
Sometimes it’s better to spend a little more up front for a Gazebo that you can really use than to make difficult modifications later because it’s not practical in some way. Remember to consider these important points when choosing your backyard Gazebo and you’ll have years, if not decades of happiness.
Sensible Ways to Put Lighting in Your Home
Nov 25th
Effective home lighting answers to a different group of priorities than is answered to by commercial lighting. Your home’s lights need to do more than illuminating a room; they need to be attractive and comforting as well as utilitarian. Home lighting also ought to be appropriate for every household’s budget. What follows are several guidelines you may want to take into account when installing lighting in a new home, or if you are upgrading your present outdoor lighting scheme.
Possibly the central issue to consider is that lighting fixtures account for somewhere near 20% of a household’s electrical expenses. Therefore, even removing half of your existing lights will not have a worthwhile effect on your light bill. If you actually want to conserve energy, start with your more substantial appliances. That being said, you might avoid wasting energy by upgrading to energy-saving light bulbs, and employing them intelligently.
Natural outdoor wall lighting is often not thought about when setting up home lighting, but it could be your house’s most obvious asset. Properly placed windows, sun tunnels, and mirrors can illuminate a house without using an ounce of power. Keeping the bulk of your powered lighting until sundown could turn out to be helpful, particularly if combined with energy-conscious, layered lighting arrangements.
Effectively layered lighting can conserve energy and become a facelift for your living area. If you want to properly appreciate the theory of layered lighting, think of the difference between bright industrial lighting and a candlelit dinner table. Layered lighting fits nicely between the two extremes: it is sufficiently bright to work in, although soft enough to keep the atmosphere feeling relaxed. Layered lighting is made of four dedicated levels of light which serve four specific purposes.
Ambient lighting is the most utilitarian type of lighting. These are usually the lights you switch on once you enter the room. Ambient lighting is done by employing ceiling fixtures or table lamps. Task lighting consists of bright light beams pointed at task surfaces such as counters or desks. Accent lighting lights up decorative objects in the room, as with a sculpture. This type of lighting is in most cases made by track lights pointed up or down in the direction of the object. Finally, you might like decorative lighting, using lights that simply draw attention to themselves. Decorative lighting is done by sconces or tea lights. Layered lighting couls be an expecially efficient way to illuminate your home, because you can decide which Outdoor Lighting Wall Fixtures to employ depending on the current needs for each room. If you are sewing or painting in a particular room, a blend of ambient and task lighting couls permit you to complete your chores. If you are merely watching television or visiting in a certain space, then perhaps confining the light levels to accent and decorative lighting might keep the space cozy and relaxed.
Layering your home’s lighting and employing established eco-friendly methods can give you a properly lit house that you may also afford to live in.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Canopy Gazebo
Nov 25th
In recent years, gazebos have become increasingly popular. Many people long for the fancy redwood trimmed wedding styled gazebos to be in their backyard near a fountain or stream. However, often the price does not comply with their dreams. If you’re looking for a gazebo but you either don’t have the budget or don’t have a lot of room, see why a canopy gazebo (or first up gazebo) might be right for you.
Advantages of a Canopy Gazebo
A canopy gazebo provides a similar function to a regular garden gazebo at a lower cost. They are most similar to tents seen at fairs – they have an aluminum, powder coated steel, or wrought iron framework. The cover is usually made from canvas, vinyl, leather, or a similar material. They are much quicker to set up – you assemble the frame, install the cover, and it’s ready to go. This also makes them very portable – so you can place them wherever is most convenient at the time. Finally this type gazebo usually offers a fully screened-in space – so you can eat or relax without worrying about bugs.
Disadvantages of a Canopy Gazebo
For starters, there are different types of canopy gazebos – and the cheapest ones have coverings which may only last a few months. Next, being a lightweight portable structure means it will not withstand heavy weather – so you will have to put it away when a big storm comes. Another possible disadvantage is the look – they look much more like tents than they do a conventional gazebo, so you will likely not find it an attractive part of your landscape. More likely it will actually detract from your landscape.
When to Choose a Canopy Gazebo
If your main priority is to have a place for outdoor parties and eating, a canopy gazebo can provide good protection from the elements – especially bugs. This is something you can assemble before the party starts and take down afterward. A canopy tent gazebo can also be used for fishing trips and other special occasions – whenever you have an event which calls for temporary shelter.
If you are looking for a permanent addition to your landscape that can be used any time of year, a canopy gazebo is likely not the best option. For this, a garden gazebo should probably be your first choice.
Remember also that by spending a little more money on a gazebo you will receive better building materials, especially the cover itself. This will make the difference between a canopy gazebo which lasts about one season and one that lasts years.
If you’d rather have a more elegant gazebo in your backyard, take a look at these beautiful wrought iron gazebos: stunning!
