Friday, May 30, 2014

Weathervane Hardware

Once considered a rustic craft best suited to the barn, weathervanes have kicked off the field dust. Available in virtually any subject matter, these often intricately sculpted roof ornaments are a popular way to add a distinctive touch to homes and businesses. Sized so that they are easily visible from a distance and crafted from sturdy materials like polished copper, brass, steel, aluminum, blue verde copper, and stainless steel, weathervanes are not lightweights. Selecting the proper hardware prevents damage to the piece and protects the people and property below from the hazards a falling weathervane would create. The appropriate hardware depends on the material the weathervane is made from and where it will be mounted.

Many people prefer hardware that matches or compliments the material used to craft their weathervane. Weathervane hardware is readily available in stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, and steel. Some mounting brackets are simple. Others are ornately designed with decorative twists and curls that add a whimsical element to the presentation of the weathervane.

Most weathervanes are mounted on the roof. Some perch on the roof's peak using brackets specially designed to provide a solid connection to the ridgeline. Extension rods can be added for extra height. To create a more dramatic look, cupolas, small towers made in an astounding array of architectural styles, are often placed on the roof as a stage for the weathervane. In this case, the weathervane is mounted to the top of the cupola with the appropriate hardware.

With so many beautifully detailed weathervanes on the market, some people prefer to keep these artistic pieces down low where they are more easily appreciated. In this situation, a vertical bracket can be used to mount the weathervane on a wall, fence or other vertical surface. These L-shaped brackets must be sized properly to allow the weathervane to spin freely without hitting the structure. Freestanding garden poles and display stands are another alternative for mounting weathervanes below the roofline.

Weathervanes add charm and character to the sites where they are displayed. Using the appropriate weathervane hardware ensures their beauty can be safely enjoyed.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Attract Birds with the Lazy Hill Farm Bell Bird Feeder

Many people want to get more wildlife outside of their homes. They want to be able to look out their windows and see birds, squirrels, and even deer. To attract these animals, however, it is necessary to give a little bait--something to entice new animals to come to the area (even when there are humans present). There are a few ways to do this, and this article will present these ideas.

One item to consider is the Lazy Hill Farm Bell Bird Feeder. The roof of this wonderful little feeder is made out of artisan hammered and polished copper, and the rest of the bird feeder body is made out of complete and solid vinyl. This feeder can be mounted with a small metal plate, and the dimensions run 23.5" in height and 17" in diameter. This feeder looks great on the side of a tree or on the side of a building like a barn or an outhouse. Some people like to put their feeders on the sides of their homes too. That way they can look out their windows and see birds feeding at the Lazy Hill Farm Bell Bird Feeder right there.

For those individuals, couples, and families who want to be able to see bunnies, foxes, or deer in their yards, a good idea is to put out some scraps from veggies and fruits. Simply remember to put out the scraps when going to sleep at night, and in the morning, there very well may be some little critters in the area, eating the scraps. This is not only a great way to see animals in the yard, but it is also a nice thing to do for those animals, which may be having trouble getting food.

One thing to think about, however, is whether or not there are domestic animals nearby, such as dogs, cats, or other indoor birds. If so, make sure that those domestic pets do not bother the birds, deer, rabbits, or foxes that are coming around to nibble on some of the food left out or at the bird feeder. Use these tactics to be more in touch with the wild life nearby.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Paint and Combination Shutters

For those individuals, couples, and families looking for ways to make the outside of their homes better, this is the right article to read. There are many ways to enhance the outdoor appearance of a home, and any house can get a makeover. Read on to get more information about this interesting topic.

The first thing that should be considered when enhancing the outside of the home is if it needs a paint job. If so, consider whether the family will complete the paint job or if it will be outsourced to a painting company. Painting companies book up quickly, so make the appropriate reservations to have the painters come to the home far in advance. It is wise to choose a color that is not too shocking, unless there is a particular color that the family likes. Popular colors in this day and age are light blue, sage green, and tan or beige. Consider one of these colors for the outside of the home.

It is also a good idea to get shutters for the home's windows. Combination shutters are the best kind of shutters, and they come in a variety of colors from classical white to hamilton blue and deep sea blue. Choose a color that complements the color that was chosen for the outside of the home. Contrasting combination shutters look the best.

Finally, remember that a clean yard, free of debris, branches, leaves, and other small items looks the best. Make sure to mow the lawn at least once per week, water any flowers in the front and backyard, and take care of branches and debris that may have dropped into the yard from nearby trees. Any children in the home should make sure to keep their toys out of the lawn when not playing with them, because this is a bad look. Have children make a schedule every day to make sure they have their toys picked up by the time dinner is served. By following all of that advice in this article, repainting the home, installing shutters, and keeping the lawn free of debris, the outside of any home is sure to look great.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Cupolas


For those individuals looking for a great way to jazz up their lawn or yard, cupolas are a great idea. Many people do not know what a cupola is, and the simple fact is, it's not a widely used term. This article will explain not only what a cupola is, but how it can make any small building look great. Read on to learn more.

Probably the best way to make any building such as a shed, barn, or spring house look better is to add a cupola to the top of it. Cupolas are dome shaped building attachments that are often found on religious sanctuaries and spiritual locations. But that does not mean that they can't look great on any type of building, whether it is domestic or international. There are tons of options for making yard buildings look great in terms of a cupola. These attachments come in different materials, shapes, sizes, and colors.

These items can be purchased at the local hardware store, larger home goods stores, or even online at certain retail outlets. While purchasing a cupola, it may be a good idea to take the time to get a few cans of outdoor paint in the same color (or a matching color) as the cupola. That way, the entire building can get a lovely makeover. It is wise to simply make sure that the paint is outdoor paint so that it can hold up to possibly inclement weather (like snow, sleet, hail, rain, or freezing) all year round. Fix any leaks, cracks, or broken areas of the out building prior to installing the cupola and prior to painting the entire building. It may be possible to find a cupola that has been pre-painted, but check with the manufacturer first.

Remember, there are always ways to make the yard look better. Check out some of the different ways to jazz up a yard found in this article, and make sure to try using a cupola on a few of the out buildings to class them up and provide a lovely living space.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Advantages of Bahama Shutters


For homeowners that want to enjoy a cool home all day long without having to shut out the light from their windows, bahama shutters (also known as bermuda shutters) are a great choice. These shutters look great on a wide range of homes, particularly in tropical climates. When the weather is hot or the sun beats down on the interior of a home, these shutters work to shield the home without needing to cover the window. This is because these shutters are raised vertically rather than having to push them open horizontally. This article will outline some of the advantages of using bermuda shutters for homeowners today.

Easy to Use

Unlike traditional shutters, bahama shutters are also functional in the sense that they can be opened or closed at the will of the homeowner. Traditional shutters require the owner to open two shutters and lock them in place. However, bermuda shutters only required the owner to push one shutter open to put them to use. These shutters are also very easy to open. Many potential buyers worry about their weight, but in fact they require very little effort to open.

Great Color Choices

Bermuda shutters come in a wide range of colors and materials. Shutter colors reach across the entire spectrum offering choices from black to deep sea blue. These shutters are also available in a wide range of materials. Plastic, PVC, wood, and aluminum are all common material choices for bermuda shutters. Since there are so many to choose from, these shutters can be versatile on a wide range of home styles and climates.

Look Great

Bermuda shutters help improve the appearance of a home both on the inside and outside. From the street, these shutters can help make your home look like a tropical paradise. They can also protect against storm damage to preserve the value of your home. On the inside, these shutters can shade rooms without needing to completely cover widows. This means that homeowners can watch their beautiful yards from the inside of their home without suffering from increased air conditioning bills or unbearable heat.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Combination shutters


Even homes with the most well-maintained lawns and beautiful structural enhancements may lack flair. If you are looking for a great way to enhance the curb appeal of your property while adding a touch of character and charm to the exterior of your home, the installation of shutters may be the perfect solution. There are several styles of shutters available for you to choose from, but many homeowners may enjoy the traditional look of combination shutters.

Combination shutters are generally available in numerous material options. Commonly, you may find these in materials such as wood, composite, vinyl and other options. The material that you select will play a role in the weather-resistance of the shutters as well as the long-term maintenance requirements and the longevity of the shutters. For example, real wood shutters may require a fresh coat of paint every year or two while composite or vinyl options may require little or no maintenance.

This style of shutters may be available in a wide range of color options as well as innovative or beautiful styles. You can explore the options available today, and you can imagine the possibilities for enhancing your home's exterior with each option available. These are designed to be easy to install, but some homeowners may prefer to have the shutters professionally installed. This may be especially true when the shutters are being installed on a two-story home. However, even when professional installation is required, the shutters may be ordered online from a trusted and reputable source. This may provide you with greater convenience to find the right color and style that are suitable for your home, and it can also help you to find the best overall price on your shutters.

If you are ready to make a beautiful improvement to your space, spend a few minutes today shopping for shutters. Once your shutters have arrived at your home, you can set up professional installation with a handyman or other service provider for a turnkey experience. Shutters can enhance your home's style and value alike, and there is no better time to get started making this improvement than right now.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Louvered Shutters Come in Many Styles


Louvered, or raised panel, shutters come in a variety of different styles and patterns to suit almost every architectural taste, from ultra-modern to antebellum traditional. The most common and recognizable style of exterior shutters used on many buildings today is called the "open louvered style."

The appearance of these shutters can be altered simply by changing the width of the horizontal pieces called battens, or by alternating decorative panels with battens; purely ornamental touches like beaded trim can also be incorporated to customize the appearance of the shutters further. Some of the different louvered styles available include board and batten, raised panel and faux louvered.

Louvered shutters are available in both standard and custom sizes plus a variety of colors and materials including wood, aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass and composites and polymers that look like real wood yet require less maintenance and upkeep than real wood. Wooden shutters can be stained or painted to match existing building trim work, and color matching installation screws or pre-punched hole covers help to maintain a unified appearance. Decorative hardware that comes in different finishes can also be added to enhance the look of these shutters.

It is critical to consider weather and climate conditions when selecting louvered shutters. Some shutters are specially rated for high wind, can be closed to protect windows and tolerate squalls and storms like the ones seen in coastal areas; special reinforcement bars can also be installed to help the shutters withstand hurricane force winds. Most vinyl, composite and polymer shutters are designed to be easy maintenance and withstand corrosion and rot in humid climates. Intense sunshine, however, can fade shutters made from synthetic materials. All paneled shutters are not the same and therefore the different options should be evaluated carefully to determine which materials will fare best for the longest period of time under the local climate conditions.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Arched Top Shutters


It can often be difficult to know what to do to redecorate the outside of a home. There are many stressors and difficulties in life that push people in different directions all of the time. Whether it is trying to stay healthy by exercising more or trying to get more work hours in per week, it seems like time left for home redecorating is very little! This article will aim to explain a few of the best ways for busy folks to add some "pop" to the outside of their homes.

First, try arched top shutters. Some people might think that shutters do not add a lot to a home, but they really do. Arched top shutters are great, because they give a regular square home a little pizazz, as if the home is actually from a villa in Spain or an island off the coast of Greece.

These shutters also look great, because there are so many shades and colors to choose from. For houses that are a little simpler like beige, tan or white, add some color to the abode with a dark green or a navy blue. Deep red can also look beautiful, especially if the red in the shutters is matched to red on the front door paint as well.

Another great tip for adding to the decor of the outside of a home is to try a flower garden. Of course vegetable gardens are always great, because they not only look beautiful, they allow the benefit of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits in the months that permit. But flower gardens add so much color! Try a bed of tulips when spring comes, and then switch to roses later in the summer months.

Also in spring, lilacs are a great addition to any yard. Their beautiful light purple flowers not only look gorgeous, but they smell wonderful as well. To add some color to the inside of a house, simply clip a few bunches of lilacs and put them in a pretty case of cool water.

Try adding shutters with arches on the top to a home's outside, or plant a few vegetables or flowers in the yard for some color and fresh food!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Flat Panel Shutters


Many people want to redecorate their homes, but they do not have a lot of time. When one considers all of the responsibilities that many people have in a given day, it makes sense that it can be very difficult to keep up with everything! The kids need to get to school and be picked up, then taken to lessons after classes. Work takes up time, energy, and adds a lot of stress and anxiety. Finally, it is hard to take care of one's health--making healthy meals every day, cardio exercise, and strength training.

Luckily, there are a few things one can do to change up the look of a home without a lot of time, energy, or money. One of the best ways to do this is to add flat panel shutters to windows on any floor level. Flat panel shutters are super cute and look great on any type of home. Now only can one find this type of shutters in a plain white, beige, brown, or other neutral shade, there are a ton of fun colors available as well.

For homes that are already painted a neutral color like dark tan, light beige, or white, try a fun color for the shutters like charlston green or roycraft copper red. Both can complement any home, and they all look great in their own unique way. To find shutters with flat panels, look at a local home goods store or hardware store. If none of these stores are available, shutters are often available online.

Another thing that can be done to add something special to a home or garden area is adding garden lights to a backyard or deck. It is important to get garden lights that can be hung outdoors, because otherwise precipitation like rain or snow may damage regular lights.

There is also the great tip of adding a stone foot path to a garden. This can be done with large circular stones or bricks. The bricks can be linked altogether in a path or the bricks can be laid one by one and spaced out. All three of these ideas can add a lot to any home decor!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Types of Raised Panel Shutters


For homeowners that want to enhance the external appearance of their home, utilizing raised panel shutters is a great way to do so. Unlike standard shutters, these shutters are elevated using hinges or fixed stationary. By distancing the shutters from the siding of the home, these shutters have an elevated appearance that looks much better than standard designs. This article will explain the different choices that homeowners have when selecting the right raised shutter for a home.

Flat Shutters

The general standard for raised shutters is the flat shutter. These shutters are designed for homeowners that possess a home of Georgian, Eclectic, or Cottage style. These shutters give a home a more traditional look while still leaving room for additional styling accents like metal hinges. In today's world, these shutters are often designed to look like real wood, but are actually composed of synthetic materials. Flat shutters are recommended as a starting point for most homeowners due to their versatile applications.

Arched Designs

In order to give a home the unique look that many homeowners demand, arched designs are a great way of getting there. Also called radius top shutters, these arched designs allow homeowners to include their own signature style on the exterior of their homes. These usually look similar to standard flat shutters with the exception of a curved shape at the top. While the curve can be used both on the top and bottom, generally only the top is curved. Additionally, it is generally recommended that these shutters be installed so that the curve is on the outside of the shutter. This will offer a more ascetically-pleasing appearance that matches well with the design of the rest of the home. For homeowners that want something unique for their homes, arched raised shutters are a great way to go.

Color Choices

In addition to a wide selection of materials and the ability to use shutters that have unique designs, an overwhelming number of color choices are available for raised panel shutters. From Deep Sea Blue to Wineberry, a full spectrum of color choices is available both for natural and synthetic materials. Since almost any color can be used, these shutters are a great choice for homeowners that need to pick a specific color that is perfect for them.