Memory Foam: Just the Facts
Written by: The Foam Factory The polyurethane foam we collectively call “memory foam” is a quirky little product developed in partnership with NASA. Originally called “slow spring back foam,” memory foam was a quirky product that NASA felt it could commercialize. The trouble was that the manufacturing process was unreliable, but the 1980s brought the “Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress,” which helped to popularize the foam as a part of anyone’s healthy sleep regiment. Since those days, the memory foam bed has become far more affordable. Still, companies continue to market mattresses well beyond the average consumer’s price point. How Memory Foam Works Memory foam becomes soft when it comes into contact with body heat, which helps it contour to meet your...
What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Renovation
Home renovation is one of the most costly undertakings a home owner can do, but it brings tremendous value to a home when done properly. Renovating a kitchen can be very simple, until you start changing the structure of the home. Even adding a closet can present problems with permits and codes. Violating those permits can cause major challenges when you decide to sell your home. Here are the concepts to keep in mind before you begin a new renovation project. Permits One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of home construction is acquisition of permits. It might not seem like a big deal when you want to add on that balcony, or install a new sliding glass door, but building codes exist to keep you and occupants safe from potential harm. If you’re unsure, have...
Three Easy Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Impending Cicada Swarms of 2015
Batten down the hatches, folks. Two large cycles of cicadas (cycles IV and XXIII) will be spawning this year across the South and Midwest. If you live in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, or Texas it’s best to prepare early. Cicadas wake up when the ground temperature reaches above 64°, especially after it rains. If you thought the droning was annoying outside, it only gets worse if cicadas find a way into your home. Thorough Screening First, you will want to inspect all windows and screens on your property. Replace or repair all holes, or leave windows shut. If you use storm windows, check the screen insert to make sure it is in good repair and properly seated. Install door sweeps under...
What is a Duvet Cover?
A duvet cover is a cloth encasement designed to fit a very large quilt. The quilt, or duvet, is stuffed with a filler to keep you warm. A duvet may also be called a duvet insert, and covers for duvets usually come with a zipper, buttons, or snaps to prevent the insert from slipping out. Since a duvet is typically white, a colorful duvet cover is perfect for brightening up your bedroom and keeping your duvet clean and protected. A duvet is not meant to be placed on a bed without a case to protect it; attractive duvet covers can be purchased. Some may be embellished with embroidery while others may be adorned with elegant puckered fabric. You can also find plain covers, and covers that come in floral prints, stripes, or plaids. With the color of your bedroom walls...
Improve Your Property with an Electric Fence
Written by Farm Supply Store Do you have a property out in the country? Do you own some livestock too? Nothing is quite as beautiful as overlooking your property and seeing your animals enjoying it too. It’s especially nice to do so after a long day while the sun is going down. This setting makes all your hard work worth it. However, you also need some type of fence for your animals. Yes, you need to keep them separate in many instances. You also need to keep them from strolling off your property and potentially into danger. On top of that, farm fencing is designed to keep predators from outside at bay as well. If you don’t take this seriously, you’ll soon be losing animals left and right for no good reason. Sometimes, all it takes is aluminum wire to get...
A New Take on a Golden Oldie: Combining Frosted and Clear Glass
If you scroll through home design blogs nowadays, there are all kinds of enviable and trendy changes that feel out-of-reach unless you happen to be a millionaire who is building a home from scratch. Even choosing new windows and doors for your current home can be costly and require substantial extra labor. While the natural, unfrosted glass installed in most or all of your windows may seem tame, recent aesthetic innovations have brought in new, lower-impact options that allow you to shape your home with ease. Frosted Glass Frosted Glass has a fantastical look that obscures the view from outside into the home. It is good for security, but should be used sparingly to keep the home from feeling like a bubble. Foyers are intended to bring light into the entryway of...
DIY Pointers: High-Tech, Low-Tech, and No-Tech Ways to Cut Foam
Unfortunately, DIY instructions often make up for in enthusiasm what they lack in specificity and this can result in frustrating setbacks and wasted materials. If you are stuck, here’s a quick cheat sheet about different ways to cut foam. High-Tech If you want to buy specialized machinery, foam cutting saws are balanced perfectly for cutting foam. They are the safest and most consistent option, and may be worth the somewhat hefty investment of $150-$400+ if you plan to do foam projects with regularity. If you are only planning to cut large foam once, such as a memory foam mattress, Canada Foam by Mail offers custom cutting that could prevent the need for such heavy-duty machinery. Low-Tech For a more low-tech solution that will be easier on your pocket book, try...