Home Security System - A Step Beyond The Traditional Alarm System

Most people when considering their home or business security automatically think "Alarm System".

In reality though the alarm system, as sophisticated as it may be, is what the burglars are trained to deal with. It is part of their bag of skills to be able to neutralize most of the alarm systems commonly installed on residential and commercial properties.

Furthermore a high level of education doesn't guarantee that the individual will not use that knowledge illegally. Unfortunately there are burglars who have engineering degrees in electronic. Some of them are the very ones who design the alarm systems we use.

OK, they are a small percentage of the big bulk of the thief category, but they are out there and the more value is on your property, the higher the probability that a very skillful thief will notice you.

A better security approach is what I call the "war camp security".

Hopefully you never had to experience in first person how to secure an overnight camp in a war zone, but you have certainly watched a few war movies where this type of situation is more or less accurately described.

The crucial points are the following:

1. Create a perimeter which would alert you of the incoming intruders.

Possibly without alerting the intruders of the fact that you are aware of their "visit". On your property this can be accomplished with motion detectors and "hidden" peripheral security cameras with online remote monitoring, which by the way, nowadays have become quite affordable.

When activated the motion detector will trigger a telephone call to your cell-phone. You don't want the system to alert the authorities, not yet.

The trespasser may not be a burglar, it could be the mailman, your gardner, or it could simply be someone you know who is not aware of your absence and is coming for a surprise visit.As you receive the warning call you can grab your laptop or get online with any computer, go to the security company website, usually the same company which installed your remote monitoring security system, enter your username and password and "see" what is happening on your property.

If it looks like a burglar you can call the police. You will have the video recording to prove the suspect was behaving as a burglar. Additionally the images recorded may help identify the person.

By the way, none of your flood lights should be facing your hidden cameras. They should "look" , more or less, in the same direction. If the lights shine into the cameras the subject in the image will result having the dark side exposed to the camera, possibly compromising any attempt of identification.

2. Establish a first line of defense.

In war times this would be a various number of lethal traps but of course it is not legal during peace times. In our case the first line of defense is a passive one and it is comprised of very robust doors and windows. Don't forget to place the alarm company stickers on your doors and windows. You should also have a security camera in plain site right outside your front door. Many unsophisticated thieves would simply turn around and go look for an easier loot.

All your doors and windows, even the upstairs ones, need to be locked and connected to the alarm system. At this point, when the burglar has broken into your house, or business, it is time to alert the authorities, but not the intruder. Having the alarm activate a siren at this time is a very common mistake.

When the siren goes off the burglar knows that he has a few minutes before the police arrive. He may know where your precious things are. He might have been on your property before. If it is your house he could have been someone doing some work at the house. If it is your business it's even easier to snoop around just pretending to be a customer and survey the ground before hand.

The experienced burglar will know if he has enough time to get the loot and get away before the police arrives.

3. Establish your second line of defense.

Your remote monitoring security cameras are in every room but here is a trick. Use sets of two cameras at every observation point, one as it would be normally installed and the second one as a hidden camera. Nowadays wireless cameras can be very small and easy to conceal exactly because of the absence of wires.

4. ATTACK !!!

If your finances allow you to install some Home Automation you can actually engage the intruder with some psychological warfare.

Through your web interface you can turn on and off various appliances, lights, a tape recorder with a prerecorded message. You can let your imagination run wild and have fun inventing ways to surprise the intruder.

Here is something to remember though; you can not try to trap the intruder in your house and you can not cause any injury, not even put him to sleep releasing sleeping gas. There have been similar cases where the burglar has sued the property owner for putting his life in danger, and won the case.

A simple, and definitely cheaper way to distract the thief is by calling your home phone and when the answering machine picks up try to initiate a conversation, let the burglar know that you are watching and intend to propose a deal. The point of course is not to get to know him, and not even to scare him away, but simply to distract him and make him slow down so to give more time to the police, or the alarm company security guards, to reach the site.

You can also play with his intention to steal something of value and leave a misleading message.

Here is pretty good diversion; call pretending to be a friend of yours who has borrowed your Jaguar and leave a message saying that you are ten minutes away from the house, on your way to returning the car. Then ad that if you don't find anybody home you will leave the car keys under the door mat. What thief wouldn't be tempted to wait a few minutes and add a luxury car to his loot?

On the market there are several different type of devices with wireless transmitter which may be strategically placed so that when a certain item is moved the alarm will emit a very loud sound, so loud to impair the cognitive functioning of the offender brain. His first reaction will probably be to try to destroy the device, but if you have been careful to place it somehow out of reach, the intruder may be forced to abandon the room.

This type of devices can be connected to closet or cabinets doors, drawers or even directly to items like precious art pieces, jewellery boxes, big screen TV, safes. By the way, having a safe not secured to the wall or the floor is quite pointless. Unless the safe weights a ton the thief will simply carry it away and open it in the comfort of his own "workshop".

In conclusion, the traditional alarm system that sounds a siren when the burglar breaks in does not save you from being burglarized.

Think about it, how many times after hearing a home alarm going off in the neighborhood you have actually gone to check if the house was being burglarized? You might have looked out the window, or you might have stepped outside and looked down the street, but let's be honest, very few of us would actually go to the house and knock at the door.

The professional burglar knows that, and counts on it.

From the technological point of view that type of security system is a thing of the past. Nowadays with very little additional investment you can have motion detectors triggering several telephone calls and security cameras with online remote monitoring to check your property any time you want and record any unusual event.

This is the least security you need to have if you are serious about protecting your home or business.

On a less pressing note security cameras with online remote monitoring gives you the opportunity to make sure everything is all right any time you whish to do so, giving you peace of mind if you have kids, pets, cleaning service, baby sitter, gardner... you name it. It really is an investment which increase exponentially the eventuality of a much safer future for you and your family, and that is much more precious than any material possession.

Mark Van Neem

About The Author
Mark Van Neem owns four websites covering all aspects of Home Security start by going to www.digitaleramarketing.com/wprs/?cat=1. To find resources and information about companies specialized in security consulting and alarm systems installation visit http://www.AlarmSystemHome.info.

History of the Chaise Lounge

A great way to dress up a patio and ensure your guests comfort is a chaise lounge. Chaise lounges are a classic piece of furniture. The have been a part of many cultures across the world for many eras. There is more to the history of the chaise lounge than simply architecture. Even the name chaise lounge is derived from another cultures name for the stylish chair.

The chaise lounge is actually a merger of the day bed and the chair. The day bed itself has a long history. Originally created in Egypt, it has provided a design for architects to use centuries later. Many ancient Grecian art works depict gods and elite persons reclined in chaise lounges. Early African chaise lounges were created out of carved wood and were very simplistic. The ancient Mexican culture called the Olmecs also had their own version of the day bed.

The name comes from the French Chaise longue which means long-chair. Art movements in France were reflected in the furnishings as well, and the chaise longue was a popular piece in the Rococo period. The rococo style loved asymmetry and contrast in elements that were unbalances. Because of the similarity of the French word longue and the English word lounge, the chaise is most commonly referred to in English as the chaise lounge, though French speakers tend to go with longue.

Architects of the early 20th century also adored the chaise style and used it in many settings to reflect the straight lines and long floor plans popular in the time. It was an extremely popular show case in many architectural displays. Originally, chaise lounges were not easy, nor economical to construct. The metal hand was actually bent by hand which made the chaise lounge unavailable to the general public. It also had to be shipped in full assembly which provided transportation problems.

Today, modern machinery and intuitive engineering have allowed the chaise lounge to be constructed and distributed much more economically. They provide superior comfort, especially when strategically placed on a patio. There are so many different options, whether it be cushion chaise lounge, aluminum strap chaise lounge, or plastic resin patio chaise lounge, they all offer distinct advantages and design that will add elegance to any patio.

About The Author
Dawn Rowlett is an author for Patio Stuff at http://www.ettflorida.com/, a full service provider of indoor and outdoor patio furniture. Visit the site for a wonderful selection of chaise lounges here, http://www.ettflorida.com/cushion-patio-chaise-lounge.html.

Why Stock Home Plans Are Perfect For Your Dream Home

Stock home plans are perfect for your dream home because they save you time and money. Also, you may prefer to look at homes while not under the watchful eyes of a real estate agent. Home plans are a great way to look at homes without any sales pressure. There are a lot of resources for home plans and a good place to start is on the Internet.

Stock home plans have a lot of advantages. They allow you to determine the price range. If you have been planning on building a house for a long time, you probably already have a budget and now is the perfect time to research that budget to see what you can get for the money. Keeping within your budget is important at this stage. You don’t want a large mortgage later.

You can look for the best locations in all 50 states. You can even make a specific research for the exact address and state of your choice. Your search can be by region, city, neighborhood, and ZIP code. You can decide on the property category and the age of the home. For example, you will be asked what type of house you want. It could be a condominium, single-family, multi-family, or co-op. It’s up to up to you to decide whether you want a new house or an older house.

You can decide on the size and number of rooms. The number of rooms will depend on the size of your family. If your family is big, you will need more rooms, and if your family is small, you can minimize it. You can also choose the area on a square-foot basis.

You can also determine additional features that you want in your dream home such as fireplaces, swimming pool, a second-story, or even a waterfront view. You can personalize your home the way you want.

Home plans are easy to find. You can visit Internet sites that offer listings like http://Realtors.com. This is the site of the National Association of Realtors and it includes specific agents and brokerages in the area you are searching.

You can look at the expanded information and photographs to get a better perspective of the homes that you like. This will give you a brief introduction to the house so that you can decide whether you like it or not.

You can call the agent once you see the ideal home that suits your criteria. If you have further questions, you can ask for information such as the history and photographs of the home.

After you have decided that you want the home plan, you can set up an appointment with your agent and tell him that you are interested. These reasons are just perfect for you to choose a home plan for your dream home.

About The Author
Jo Williams has an interest in Home Plans. To access more articles on Home Plans http://www.homeplanresources.info or for additional information and resources visit this Home Plans http://www.luxuryhomeplanresources.info related website.

Cutlery, Happy To Have It

Most of us know that cutlery is used to eat with, cut up fruits and vegetables and slicing the family turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Actually, during the holidays or special occasions is about the only time we really use our good silverware anymore, I guess that's why its called "the good silverware". Cutlery was named after the person who makes it called a Cutler were during medieval times was a very important trade.

The history of cutlery starts with the shell and the sharp flint used for cutting. Gradually, chipping flint began to improve naturally sharp edges. When copper and bronze came into use, knives began being fashioned by those two metals. Later steel and alloys of steel displaced other materials for blades and other cutting instruments. Table knives were introduced around 1600. Before that time, individuals brought their own knives to the table, which also doubled as daggers. The cutlery industry evolved from handicraftsman to mass production. Certain localities, especially in Europe, have become known for the superiority of their cutlery. The Toledo blade of Spain was famous when the sword was an important weapon. In addition Solingen, Germany and Sheffield, England, have been recognized for their cutlery since the Middle Ages.

Silverware as we know it here in the U.S. consists of a knife, spoon and fork. It used to be made out of silver, giving it the silverware name. Steel was always used to make utilitarian knives and for awhile pewter was used to make less expensive silverware, especially spoons. Almost all of the eating utensils in the country today are made out of stainless steel or electroplated nickel silver or EPNS.

High-carbon steel is used to make the best quality cutlery around and the great chefs' of the world use only the best. Less expensive silverware are beveled from steel bars or stamped out of sheets of steel and then concaved in hollow ground. Afterwards, the steel is coated with chromium to make them stainless and most of the scissors we use today are casts in molds or stamped.

Plastic silverware was made to be disposable and is used in most fast-food restaurants. Disposable plastic tableware comes in handy when going on a picnic, taken to sporting events and even the neighborhood BBQ and if something gets lost or broken, there really is no loss. One day, someone came up with the idea to combine two eating utensils together and make it one and now we have a fine piece of eating equipment called the Spork and the knork.

About The Author
Danny Trinders operates the website RB Cutlery which a site dedicated to researching Cutlery related topics and contains all the very latest Cutlery news and views. For more details please visit http://www.rbcutlery.com

Why Infrared Saunas Detoxify Your Body Better Than Exercise Or Traditional Saunas

For the ultimate in home health therapy the new Infrared Sauna is sweeping the market for people who are looking for solutions for stress relief, weight loss, skin purification, and even pain management. The Infrared sauna offers cutting edge low heat technology to help you comfortably sweat your toxins away while at the same time allowing deep penetration of joints, muscles, tissues, and increased oxygen and blood circulation. The infrared sauna works by detoxifying the body and actually ridding it of pollutants like aluminum, cadmium, lead and even formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals.

The secret to infrared saunas lies in their lower temperature infrared heat waves emitted, which due to their longer wavelength have the ability to penetrate deeper into the body’s tissue. Japanese studies on Infrared saunas have concluded that the sweat generated inside infrared saunas contains up to 300% more toxins than sweat expelled during exercise or traditional steam sauna use.

As your body stores waste and harmful toxins the regular use of Infrared saunas can help rid you of these toxin build ups, and burn up to 600 calories in a single infrared sauna session. Infrared saunas help to purify your body cells and detoxification is made safe and easy through the process of deep tissue infrared heat and elimination sweating. Your whole family can enjoy the safe benefits of using an Infrared sauna. Infrared saunas are now used in health and healing facilities for a range of health problems such as menopause, cancer pain, ulcers, fibromyalgia, and insomnia. In addition, other alternative healing practitioners have suggested Infrared sauna use for hemorrhoids, cystitis, and cirrhosis of the liver, gastritis, hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis, and it’s known to help with allergies.

Infrared saunas come today in custom sizes that are bound to fit in most any room in your home. If you don’t think you have the space it may be a pleasant surprise to know that you can even purchase Infrared saunas in portable and blanket models. If you feel your lifestyle could benefit from regular detoxification and elimination of pollutants, including burning significant calories in the process you owe it to your body’s health to explore the many benefits of Infrared Saunas.

About The Author
S.A. Smith is a freelance contributor and editor of the Infrared Sauna Spas information portal which reports on the latest Sauna, Spa and Relaxation Therapies promoting natural detoxification and healing benefits.

Outdoor Trash Cans and Bins

For any hotel or resort owner, you know how important it is to have the proper receptacles where you need them. To keep your resort looking nice, and to make sure guests are happy, choose outdoor trash cans and bins that hide litter and do not create an eyesore.

One important thing to remember when purchasing outdoor trash cans and bins is their location on the property. If you are purchasing a large bin, make sure it fits and won’t be blocking any public areas. Also remember to place trash cans for litter in convenient locations so they are easy for guests to access. People are more likely to use trash can if they can get to them. And this way, it is more likely that the property will remain cleaner and litter-free.

Ash cans are another important item to help keep litter off the ground. Save hours of sweeping and picking up trash by placing ash cans in typical locations near doors and seating areas.

There are numerous models of trash cans, bins, and ash cans available. Different materials are used for different outdoor spaces. Choose from heavy duty recycled lumber, treated wood, or metal. Trash cans and bins also use the best design to be attractive as well as function.

Stone or concrete outdoor trash cans are another great option. Stone materials are very durable and will stand up to weathering. They can come in designs ranging from simple to very elegant. Choose to match the style of your property.

About The Author
Michael Hargrove writes for PatioStuff at www.ettflorida.com, a full service provider of patio furniture and accessories. Visit the site for outdoor trash cans and ash bins here http://www.ettflorida.com/outdoor-trash-cans.html.

Bathroom Shower Doors - A Simple Solution For Giving Your Bathroom A Stylish New Image!

Shower doors are not only designed to stop water escaping from your shower stall or tub, they can also be used to add a touch of style to your bathroom. If you're looking for a more effective and long lasting alternative to your old shower curtain, installing a glass shower door could be the answer. Shower screens and doors made from tempered glass are sturdy and can stand up to years of use. At the same time, the type of glass you choose can enhance your bathroom's appearance. For example, clear glass is perfect for a light and spacious look. Frosted, molded, colored glass or etched patterns are other options to consider for a unique and attractive finish.

Frameless shower doors are really popular in contemporary bathrooms, with their sleek, modern look. The shower door hardware can be mounted straight onto the glass, for a smart and tidy finish. More traditional framed doors with frames made from various metals, including aluminum and chrome, are another common choice. Think about what style would fit in best with your bathroom's theme and character. If you've a particular look in mind for you bathroom's makeover, not to mention the budget, you might want to consider having a custom shower door made to measure.

When buying a new shower door, it's important to think about practicalities as well as just aesthetics. There's no point in installing a luxurious folding door only to find it bumps into your sink or toilet when you open it! Sliding showers doors are brilliant if space is limited, as they work by gliding along tracks above your tub. For barrier free access to your shower stall, a trackless or accordion-style door can be ideal. Once you've chosen the door that's best for your bathroom's size and layout, it should be simple to install and will instantly improve your bathroom's style and function.

About The Author
Caroline Smith is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.vanities-bathrooms.com - an online resource for shower doors, shower stalls, bathroom vanities and other bathroom accessories.

Gardening Using Trees and Shrubs with Scent in Mind

Trees and shrubs can have many different forms, for example many conifers are conical, pyramidal, or powerfully vertical. Some are prostrate and spreading. To some degree these are scented and everyone is familiar with the scent of pine, but it is only if you rub or brush against the tree, which can be a prickly experience! Weeping trees have a very attractive romantic form and scented varieties include weeping Cercidiphyllum (Katsura Tree) Pendulum, which is quite spectacular. It has thrilling color in the fall and is scented like caramel. Also the weeping Silver Lime is an attractive choice for scented gardening. A shrub that looks like a small tree is Buddleja Alternifolia, and it has lovely flowers with the scent of honey in early summer.

Trees can affect the character of a garden and all gardens, however small, should have at least one. They make such a strong outline against the background and the sky. A number of conifers have scented needles, such as juniper and cypresses. Some of them have slender columnar forms which are used in gardening to create a formal or contemporary feel. The more spreading, horizontal conifers like Cedar of Lebanon, (scented of blackcurrant in summer weather), Blue Atlas Cedar or Scots Pine, create a less formal look for a gardening design, but still have a distinct aura of grandeur about them.

Primarily we tend to choose trees and shrubs as gardening subjects because they fit architecturally into a given space. Scent is often the last criterion we would use to select a large feature such as this. Trees and shrubs are such significant gardening features that eventual size and the shade cast may be of more importance than scent. Shade is desirable to some degree, but if trees and shrubs are so big and planted on the southern side of a garden they may cast everything into gloom! Scented blossoms may be considered a bonus in gardening terms once the other considerations have been met.

For low, formal hedging you really can’t beat the neatness of Box. It is not as fast growing as privet. If your idea of gardening is about clipped topiary, Box is ideal for designs such as Box Balls or Pyramids on the simpler level up to Elephant, Peacock and Teddy Bear shapes for the more experienced topiarist. Low box hedging can bring a formal look to your gardening, even if other areas are less so: it can bring the garden “into line” so to speak, by creating straight lines of dense green. Of course you can make a curved hedge from it too. One of its less attractive features is its smell, but that is a matter of personal taste. For me it smells too strongly of cat’s urine! I experience this pungent odour every time I walk by it, but many people learn to live with or even love it simply by associating it with happy summer days pottering around gardening. If you really can’t handle the smell then consider using Lonicera Nitida instead. This shrubby honeysuckle has sweet, fruity cream-colored flowers.

Trees and shrubs can of course be used to make a windbreak screen. In order to create the still, sheltered microclimate in which other scented plants can thrive, this may be essential, depending on the situation of your plot. Trees and shrubs can make better windbreaks than walls, as they don’t offer the wind a “full stop” barrier which the wind can then leap over and cause problems due to eddying on the other side. If your region is reasonably mild for gardening, Eucalyptus can grow very fast to create an instant hedge or tree in a selected spot. They have beautifully minty-scented foliage, flowers with the scent of honey, and are fast growers. They can be hard pruned if you don’t mind a modicum of gardening, especially if you don’t want them to grow so big and if you want to keep the prettier, juvenile blue leaves coming back year on year.

A number of gardening writers seem to ignore trees and shrubs when they write about scented gardening; perhaps small and pretty annuals spring to mind or of course roses. In fact a huge amount of scent can be generated from gardening with trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs can give such a variety of powerful scents that it is a shame that most of us don’t have the space to use more of them in our gardens. The architectural effect of trees and shrubs is undeniable.

About The Author
Dianne Davies is a keen gardener who likes to share her knowledge. She runs her own half acre garden in Norfolk as well as websites which include - http://www.gardening-world.com & http://www.gardening-notebook.blogspot.com.

Use of Ladders and Safety

Every year when carrying out home improvements people are killed and many more injured through the incorrect use of ladders. There are a few simple things to think about to prevent this happening to you.

First pick the right type of ladder for the job you are doing. There are different types of ladders which complement the job you are undertaking, e.g. is a stepladder the right piece of equipment or would a combination ladder be better.

Next check the ladder, and make sure the ladder itself is safe. Are all the screws and any side rails it might have in place. Using a ladder that isn't secure, is not a good start and could result in an accident before you have even started the job.

A little bit of forethought can be very helpful.

For example can you do the job yourself or will you need someone to hold the ladder for you. If you are by yourself can the ladder be secured properly. Is the ground suitable to place the ladder or is it too uneven. As well as the checking the ground check the bottom of the ladder to make sure there is nothing wrong that will prevent it standing securely.

Is the ladder long enough or will you need an extension? If you are using an extension make sure it is extended before climbing. The top of the ladder should be rested against a firm surface and it should be placed at the correct angle. Ladders rested against a wall should be stood out from the wall 1 foot for every 4 feet up the wall.If the ladder is at the wrong angle the more risk of the ladder slipping outwards.

Always face the ladder and keep both hands on the ladder when climbing up or coming down. If you need to carry items use belt hooks or a bag you can put over your shoulder. Make sure you hold onto the ladder with one hand whist you are working.

When working you should always keep both feet on the ladder and make sure you are wearing suitable footwear. Do not overstretch or reach too far up. Move the ladder if necessary, it might take a little longer but better safe that sorry! If you do need to move the ladder do not do so with a can of paint hanging on the top or you might end up with a new hair color at best or even worse a cracked skull!

Consider the weather conditions. You would not usually want to use a ladder if it is raining, which might make it slippy or in strong winds. Also make sure there are no overhead hazards that might interfere with your work.

Always follow the manufacture's guidelines, use your common sense and never take risks.

Sam Kerry
Many people are killed or injured every year through the incorrect use of ladders.
http://www.ladders-inc.com

About The Author
Sam Kerry is a keen writer and has spent many hours on various types of ladder whilst renovating old houses. Always use the correct type of ladder for the job you are undertaking. http://www.ladders-inc.com

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring mimics the look of traditional woods while offering easy installation and lasting durability. At first glance, it can be difficult to spot the difference between hardwoods and laminate flooring. What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really a thin layer of decor paper (a photographic image) under a tough-as-nails protective film that is glued and pressed to a high-density backing board. Laminate Flooring comes in an array of wood effects as well as stone and ceramic effects.

Laminate floorings main advantages are that it is easy to install, is very hardwearing and relatively inexpensive compared to real hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring is a floating floor, which means it does not fasten directly to the sub-floor. Instead the planks are clicked together. This enables the floor to be fitted fast and with no real mess.

Laminate flooring has been around in Europe for around 15 years and has seen massive growth in the past few years. In 2004 over 750 million square meters of laminate flooring was sold worldwide this was an increase of 13% on the previous year. The biggest growth market is in the US with an impressive growth rate of 25%.

What Is Laminate Flooring Made From?

Laminate flooring is made up of four layers. The bottom layer is the stabilizing layer; this is what gives the laminate floor its stability. It is made up of moisture resistant resins.

Above this there is the core layer; this is made up of high density fibreboard (H.D.F.). This is saturated in resins to make it extremely hard. Most manufactures also add a moisture resistant resin to the core. This is important as it helps keep the flooring protected against moisture penetrating the boards.

On top of the core layer is added a high strength paper along with the decorative paper. It is this decorative paper which gives the laminate flooring its individual appearance, ranging from highly authentic wood reproduction, ceramic or stone designs.

The top wear layer is provided by the melamine resin, a highly wear resistant material that makes laminate flooring so hard wearing. This top layer is very similar to the top layer on counter or kitchen work tops but is usually around 40% stronger. This makes the laminate flooring highly resistant to scratches, burns, dent's, stains, etc.

There are a lot of laminate flooring manufactures who have products in the market place, each saying theirs is the best. Our advice is to stay with the leading ones these are QUICK-STEP, ALLOC, PERGO, BRUCE, and KRONOTEX. Theses manufactories have been around a long time and offer quality products that you can trust.

How Does Laminate Flooring Fit Together

Most laminate floors today fit together with a click system with the most common being the UNICLIC system as used by Quick-Step. This is extremely easy and fast to fit. The ingenious UNICLIC-system has a special shape of tongue and groove. You simply place the tongue of one plank into the grove of another at an angle and press down. Their sophisticated and very accurate milled shape makes it possible to create a very tight connection during the installation. The floor can be walked on straight away.

If you are laying laminate flooring over a concrete sub-floor then you will fist need to lay down a damp proof membrane (DPM). This is basically a sheet of plastic usually around 5mm which helps protect the Laminate from moisture. On top of this goes the foam underlay this acts as sound absorption and also helps even out minor irregularities in the sub-floor.

Most manufactories now offer a combined DPM and underlay along with several underlay's that have better sound absorbing qualities.

About The Author
Jason Ashby has over 20 years experience in the flooring trade. For more information visit "Laminate Flooring Info" at: http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

Why You Need A Rug

So, why buy a rug. Well there are many reasons why you should want to choose one and no matter how little you have to spend you should be able to pick something up from a store or carpet dealer and the variety is staggering although you will be limited with less expensive rugs.

So let’s look at some of the reasons you may want a rug on your floor. Well my number one reason for suing rugs is to hide the wear and tear that carpets get with everyday use. Just think about it, when you walk across a room you usually take the same path and this helps to wear out a carpet or leaves it dirtier than the surrounding carpet and cleaning all the carpet only highlights what bits of it were dirty in the first place, well at least I think so.

You may also have a damaged carpet or one that is likely to get damaged. The favorite here is log fires which are always spitting out hot embers. A rug in front of the fire helps protect it. Eventually you will have to throw out the rug but buying a new rug is a lot cheaper and easier than buying a new carpet.

One of the other reasons you may want a rug is to highlight a wooden floor. Having a wood covered floor is great but a rug can accentuate the wood and draws the eye to the floor so people can really see what your floor looks like. Another reason why you may want a rug on this type of floor is to cut down noise which a rug is great for.

A rug can also be a focal point in a room drawing the eye to the rug and making a statement about you or your tastes. On the other hand a tasteless rug can also make a statement about you and your fashion sense so always be careful when choosing a rug as a rug can often say a lot more about you than you may like.

A couple of other reasons for using a rug are its something great in an entrance to your house or apartment. Why, well rugs help to clean dirt off shoes and most rugs can be easily cleaned whereas cleaning a carpet is often much more difficult. Rugs are cheaper to replace as well.

Cost can be another factor in choosing to buy rugs especially if you are renting somewhere. Why pay to cover a whole floor with a fitted carpet which is not easy to take with you. Rugs can easily be taken with you when you move. Another point is that you will have chosen your rug to match your furniture so when you move to somewhere new your rug still matches your furniture.

Whatever the reason for wanting a rug, make your choice carefully and your rug will last a long time.

About The Author
Ric Wiley is becoming established as a home writer and author. You can check out some of his websites at http://www.first-for-rugs.com and http://www.pool-supply.info.

Loft Bed: Maximizing The Space Of Small Rooms

Living in urban areas provides several luxuries: you can work at your dream firm, study at the best colleges and universities of your choice, enjoy the parties are nights, go to modern shopping centers in the block, and more. Urban living might a best but all these have the drawback: space. That is, if you live in a dormitory or a room where every inch is precious. And when you live in an area where putting a generous size of bed is impossible, eating at a coffee table requires to pass through series of maze, and rolling your sleeping bag every morning, it is time to call for help.

Loft bed answers the need for extra space while maintaining a decent place. Loft bed gives you the freedom to move extra furniture in to your place without worrying where to put them. Loft bed makes your room more pleasant at it relaxed the crowd to your room. For children, loft bed can transform the bedroom into a playhouse even if the size is not big.

If you are considering to buy one here are the things your should know:

Loft bed and bunk bed are two different things. Bunk bed is a type of bedding where there are two layers of mattresses. This is used if two people share one room in need for extra space. The most common type bunk bed is the upper deck is horizontal with the lower and the length of the bed depends on your need. There are stack beds with twin size bed on the top and is accessible by ladder and a full size bed at the bottom. Bunk bed also the upper and the lowed bed identical with each other. Bunk bed also has its bottom bunk running vertically and the upper bunk running horizontally.

Loft bed on the other hand presents an elevated bed. This provides an ample space to place other things such as desk, computer, lounge, and table below.

If you live with a roommate, having a bunk bed is more ideal than having a loft bed. But if you live alone, loft bed is best for you.

Loft bed should be though. Consider choosing specific type of loft bed depending on who is going to sleep on it. For teens, loft bed should be sturdy. Since they are much heavier than children, loft bed should provide enough support on their weight.

Loft bed is also designed for children. Considering such would mean looking for loft bed that is designed for children. Colorful loft bed is widely available and ensures the fun the moment bedtime arrives. It also has to have rails. The rails will protect your children in case they move at the edge of the bed. Strength should also be the top priority.

Consider the size of the bed. Make sure that the length of the loft bed will fit your room especially your body. But first, make sure that the bed will fit to your door. Although there are loft beds that can be assembled inside the room, you should always make sure that whatever type of loft bed you choose, you could always get the maximum comfort.

Loft bed should match the room. If you already have existing furniture inside your room, make sure that the loft bed you buy will not destroy the whole arrangement of the room.

One more thing: loft bed can only be used by someone who is old enough to climb up and down the stair and not for children of a very young age.

About The Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides loft bed resources on http://www.your-loft-bed.info.