Complementing your home with doors and windows

Posted on 7:04 AM by Adi Susanto

The doors and windows of any home should enhance the appearance, improve security, retain heat and maximise space in a house. Your choice of doors and windows is crucial to maintaining a secure functional home whilst creating the impression you want to convey. The exterior of your home will benefit from double glazed doors and windows, whilst a stylish interior can be created with the wealth of interior doors available. It is possible to update a house without totally refurbishing each room. By replacing the doors to rooms and cupboards you can create a whole new image.

For small rooms, mirrored doors are available to create a greater illusion of space. You can also purchase sliding mirrored doors so that you use the minimal amount of space for everyday use. Folding doors are another way to maximise limited space, and are extremely versatile as they can be used for any room in the home.

When renovating a room, textured doors can add interest, such as Louvre doors that can be painted to match your décor or left unfinished. Wardrobes are particularly suitable for folding or sliding doors, with at least one mirrored door to check your look before you leave.

The exterior of a house should look attractive and many will prefer that the doors and windows complement surrounding houses, but they should also be safe and secure, which means fitting double glazed windows and doors. Security lighting and lockable gates are also used to make a home secure. Here at Wickes we have over 150 double glazed doors and windows in our range, meaning you can guarantee you will find a style to suit your home. We also have a range of door furniture, handles and locks to keep your home secure. Many home insurance companies insist on specified types of locks on doors and windows before they will insure you. It is worth checking your locks and replacing them if necessary to avoid your home insurance policy being deemed null and void.

Double glazed windows and doors are more energy efficient and will retain heat, acting as a barrier to cold draughts and reducing your energy bills. There are local grants available in some areas to help you to replace old, inefficient doors with new ones in a bid to conserve energy. As much of the heat from a home is lost through the doors and windows it is cost efficient to replace old ones.

There are health and safety regulations that apply to windows and doors in houses. If your windows or door glass are lower than 800 mm above the ground, then you must use toughened safety glass. This is the area where children and toddlers are likely to reach and are most at risk. If you have a loft that has been converted into a living area such as a bedroom, then a fire door will have to be fitted.

Double glazed windows and doors play a large role in the security and energy efficiency of your home as well as contributing towards the appearance of your home, which is why you should seek a reputable store to make your purchase.


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New Flooring in Tamworth Could Reinvigorate Your Home

Posted on 6:57 AM by Adi Susanto

If you are looking for a way of giving your home a new look then choosing to lay new flooring in Tamworth can be a great way of doing this. Clearly this is going to depend on the budget that you have available as getting a new carpet or wooden floor installed is by no means a low cost job. However, if it has been a long time since you had your current surface laid then it may be that the wear and tear has set in or areas have faded. In this case, starting your search to find the right floor covering for your home can definitely give it a breath of fresh air.

What option are you going to decide to go for though? This is certainly a major decision as your new floor should last for years so you want to make sure that you make the right choice in terms of both style and suitability. When it comes to the styling that you want, then this is obviously going to depend on your personal preference and the rest of the decor within your home. You will have to decide whether you want a plush new carpet, a quality wooden floor or even a vinyl surface to go in your home.

The decision has also got to take into account the room of the house that it is intended for, a carpet is not going to be the right choice for your kitchen or bathroom as it is almost certainly going to get wet and have things spilt on it. A carpet can help to create a more comfortable environment so for the bedroom and living room it can sometimes be the best option. On the other hand, if you have pets or young children then you will be better off going for a vinyl or wooden floor. The reason for this is down to the potential mess that pets and children can make, if they do this on a carpet it can lead to stains whereas one of the other options can be cleaned very easily.

You should make sure that you spend a bit of time in your search for new flooring or carpets in Tamworth. The choice that you make is going to be in your home for a long period of time and will involve a fairly large outlay so you have got to make the right choice if you don't want to end up wasting your money. If you are unsure about any of the options available you should contact your local retailer who will be more than happy to give you advice and information.

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Spring break is the time of year when college students from all parts of the world come together for that one special week out of the semester to unite with a common goal; relieve the stress of long nights, tough exams, and that internship they just needed to graduate. Spring break is viewed by many college students as a tradition, but with rough economic times, many students are beginning to realize they just can't spend as much as they did in past years on off the wall spring break trips. However, hard economic times don't mean your fun has to be ruined - better planning before your trip can relieve some worries about your finances and let you enjoy your time. Try following these steps before spring break arrives.

First of all, figure out how much you can reasonably spend without breaking the bank. Think about how much you can spend on airfare, food, hotel, parties, and shopping. Also, if you plan on driving, how much gas will you spend? Look at your current income and your savings, and set a fixed number that you can't go over. Try not to take from the money you need for rent and utilities!

Next, decide on where you can realistically go with the amount you came up with earlier. Don't be a dreamer and think you can go somewhere that you know you can't. For example, if you can only spend $800 total, buying a plan ticket for $600 to Las Vegas is probably not the best idea. If you don't have the money now, then there is no guarantee that you will have the money at the time of your trip.

Finally, now that you have a budget and know where you want to go, get a prepaid debit card instead of using funds from your bank account. The money in your bank account is most likely for rent, utilities, food, and miscellaneous expenses for college. That money can start dwindling fast if you start using your debit card over spring break. Having a prepaid card with the set amount you plan to spend over spring break will insure that you don't overspend. One of the biggest advantages of a prepaid debit card over a bank account is the inability to overdraft and incur fees. You also put a limit on your spending because you control the amount you can spend.

Now that you have set your budget, picked a place to relax, and got your prepaid debit card, you are ready for the most important thing on this list, have fun and make memories that will last you a lifetime. Make sure you have a clearly laid out plan and budget, stick to it, and be safe!

Credit Scores 101: How Prepaid Debit Cards Can Help

Posted on 10:32 PM by Adi Susanto

Credit score, those are 2 scary words that tend to make most people shudder. A lot of people haven't developed a credit history yet or may have no clue what a credit score is or why it is important to them. There are lots of ways to improve your credit score and monitor it.

What is a Credit Score?

Credit bureaus provide information about your credit history and assign you a number based on how worthy you are of receiving credit for things like loans or credit cards. Basically, the score indicates how likely you are to pay off those bills. It is a combination of payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit used, and the amount of credit requested. The most commonly used credit score is the FICO which ranges from 300 to 850, the higher the number, the better. In the U.S., each person is allowed one free credit report a year from the credit bureau; however, the actual credit score will cost an additional fee.

How do Increase my Credit Score?

One of the most common problems is that a person has no credit history to obtain a credit card, and therefore has trouble building their credit score. It can often take a number of years to develop your credit history. The most important thing to do is always pay off your bills on time. Another key to protecting your credit score is to not apply for too much credit. This means obtaining multiple credit cards or applying for loans. If you need a way to spend funds easily and safely, but don't have enough credit, another option is a prepaid card.

How can a Prepaid Card help me?

Prepaid credit cards work much like a typical debit card would, but without the risk. With a prepaid card, money is loaded onto the card and available to be used in stores or at ATMs. One of the biggest advantages of prepaid cards is that you can't overdraft or incur fees. Prepaid cards can even be used to pay bills, which, as previously mentioned, will help improve credit scores. These cards can be reloaded any time online or at specified locations. They also allow you to keep track of your finances online, a helpful tool for anyone trying to be more financially responsible. Prepaid cards are ideal for anyone with a low credit score who needs the convenience of a credit card.

What's the bottom line?

Everyone has to start somewhere with their credit history and in the current economy it can be particularly difficult. If your score is low, there are a number of ways to work on improving it and in the meantime you do have other options. Work on managing your finances and paying off bills, but avoid requesting too much credit. Credit scores don't have to be something that you're afraid of. It generally takes time to develop a good credit history and maintain it.