I have often though that on a nice day it would be great to have a shower outside, preferably with a view.
So here are a couple of bathrooms that have gone that little bit further:
Both pictures are from distractyourself.com
Everybody is talking about SEO. . . . but to get GOOGLE to like you takes more than a few SEO tricks.
When GOOGLE refers someone to your site it checks:
Google also checks to see how old the information is, and whether or not it is unique.
As long as you search on your websites name.
The thing is most people search on a topic or a question not your particular name.
For instance hundreds of people come to my site via Google when they search ‘Building On Clay’
In practice people are sent to more than 300 different pages a day on my website from Google, so I must rank highly for all those questions.
How does this happen?
One way to keep Google happy is to provide regular new content in the form of a Blog.
Sounds simple, but not everyone has the time to write and post regular articles for their website.
If your website is suffering from reducing clicks perhaps its time you thought about adding a blog.
This would be based on content tailored to interest people visiting your site.
If you like the content at www.anewhouse.com.au perhaps I am the blogger you need.
For discussions contact me at brian.anewhouse@gmail.com
Some people refer to these as ‘spiderweb’ cracks but the technical name is ‘mapping cracks’.
That’s because they can look like a street map.
Generally they are much more obvious after rain as water seeps doown into the cracks.
These cracks are typically only 2-3mm deep and are as a result of the surface concrete shrinking more, and sometimes faster, than the underlying concrete.
The reasons for this greater/faster shrinkage include:
■ Adding water to the mix, when the delivery truck arrives on site, to improve concrete workability.
■ Starting finishing while ‘bleed water’ (standing water after placed concrete levelled) is on the surface
■ Sprinkling cement powder to soak up ‘bleed water’.
■ Letting the surface dry without Proper Curing .
Although the cracking does spoil the look, it is a cosmetic issue and it doesn’t significantly affect the strength of the concrete.
Do you watch the Block?
I do, although I don’t see too much ‘Reality’ in this Reality TV Show.
The Judges Opinion’s – In ‘Sky High’ and ‘Glasshouse’ we had one winner and one second place from contestants that regularly got marked down by the judges while some of those that were regularly praised struggled to make money. This was in spite of contestants that the judge’s liked getting much more money to spend on their apartments.
Tradies Work Practices – It’s remarkable what Tradies will put up with to get their faces on the TV so don’t expect:
Suppliers – Don’t expect any special deals on unusual fitting, or same day delivery . . .next week is more likely!
Keith – There is always one ‘A#^e h#%e’ on every job who keeps saying “You can’t do that!”and you have just got to learn to deal with them.
The Importance of Programming – The producers seem to delight in having Keith’s team working on the structure at the same time as the contestants want to finish their rooms . . . so the contestants are held up. . . but it does show that you need to make sure the structure is right before you even think about finishing off works.
Stress – There will always be some stress on a building project. Unrealistic timescales and living on the job and it really does multiply.
No Downlights – In the episodes I have seen their seem to be a noticeable lack of down lights. Perhaps this lighting idea really has ‘Jumped the Shark!‘
Have I got it wrong? Are Shaynna, Neale and Darren really the style gurus they think they are?
Why not leave a comment?
One simple thing to improve the quality of concrete is to use a spray applied curing membrane. . . it’s a pity that this techniques doesn’t seem to be used much in Australian domestic building.
These membranes main purpose is to prevent the loss of moisture during the Curing Period.
Some membranes can also help with surface hardening the concrete and help prevent dust.
When looking at types of membranes you will find
In my opinion a water or PVA based membrane will be quite suitable for the typical house slab or driveway.
A further consideration is whether to use a clear membrane or a white pigmented material.
Unless I was using the compound on a coloured concrete, or an exposed aggregate finish, I would go for the white pigmented finish. It has the following advantages:
Always check that the membrane coating is compatible with anything that will be later applied to the concrete, such as flooring materials.
For further information you can check the following websites
Did you know that Ikea also makes flat pack homes?
As you can see from the picture below they aren’t what you might call a home, but to a refugee they are better than a tent.
The flat pack homes were developed as a collaboration between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) and the Ikea Foundation.
Read more about the ‘Flat Pack Homes’ on the Inhabitat Website
Ever wondered how much actual benefit you get from the sun shining in?
Basically when the suns energy (which includes both visible and invisible energy such as Infra Red and Ultra Violet [UV] radiation) hits your window three things happen to the energy:
Rather than have to keep working through the RAT Equation the glass industry has come up with a Solar Heat Gain Co-Efficient which makes calculations easier.
Values of the SHGC range from 0.82 (5mm float glass) to around 0.15 (double glazing with reflective coatings.
There is more information including SHGC values for a wide range of glazing types at www.nationalglass.com.au
To find the amount of energy coming in through a North facing window you multiply the radiation from the sun by the SHGC.
For a sunny winters day in Melbourne that the average angle of the sun on the window will be around 20 degrees, so around 800 watts of energy will be falling on each square metre of glass.
The Solar Heat Gain = 8oo watts/m2 x SHGC 0.82 = 652 watts/m2
Assuming that on that sunny winters day the outside temperature is 10 degrees and the internal temperature is 22
Heat loss through the window = 12 degrees x ‘u’ value of 5.8 = 70 watts/m2
Net heating benefit of the window = 652 – 70 = 582 watts / m2.
For a summer evening in Melbourne the average angle of the sun on a window facing the sun will be around 10 degrees, so around 900 watts of energy will be falling on each square metre of glass.
The Solar Heat Gain = 900 watts/m2 x SHGC 0.82 = 738 watts/m2
Assuming that on that summer evening the outside temperature is 35 degrees and the internal temperature, with air conditioning, is 22
Heat gain through the window = 13 degrees x ‘u’ value of 5.8 = 75 watts/m2
Net heating gain of the window = 738 + 75 = 813 watts / m2. (no wonder the air conditioning is working hard!)
About 3 years ago I posted on ‘Why Separate Toilets? ‘ but I know a lot of you don’t agree me. . . . . . So what do you think of this Bathroom?
Would you be happy sitting in the arm chair while someone is on the toilet!
This photo is from the terriblerealestateagentphotos.com website.
Guest post by Hubert Dwight
Moving into a new house may be the time to think about changing your mattress!
Even if its fairly new mattresses looking after it tends to be forgotten so here are some things to think about.
Choosing the right mattress is important not only because it determines the quality of sleep but also the mattresses lifespan.
No matter what its size is, a good mattress should be able to serve you for the maximum number of years. This happens only if you take the best care of your mattress.
After reading the below, you will know how to look after your memory foam mattress and when to change it, meaning that you’ll be much more likely to get a great night’s sleep, every night!
It doesn’t take any special skills to look after your mattress. A few simple actions will ensure that your mattress lasts eight to ten years.
This advice on how to go about it has been tried and tested by many, and will prolong the life of your mattress beyond the usual lifespan.
Sleeping directly on the mattress exposes it to stains including hair, dust and dirt which can damage the mattress and shorten its lifespan. Look for a washable mattress (and obviously pillow) covers to protect the mattress such stains.
If you have any allergies then you should buy purpose-made barrier fabric to ward off dust.
Any mattress, no matter what its density is, or how well it is made, wears out due to weight.
If you concentrate weight one on one side or surface then the mattress will wear out irregularly, rendering it uncomfortable or unusable more quickly.
You should turn over the mattress and end to end after every 3 to 4 months, but weekly for the first three months. (This will help the upholstery fillings to settle down more evenly)
You may not consider it important but those bedclothes you leave on the mattress can limit its lifespan.
One of the best ways to ensure your mattress serves you for the longest time is to take off the bedclothes and allow the mattress to air for at least 20 minutes. This will allow any moisture inside the upholstery to escape.
Most mattresses can be cleaned by vacuuming. To improve the lifespan of your mattress, you should vacuum it regularly.
If there are stubborn stains, use a cloth with mild detergent and warm or cold water but remember never to soak your mattress.
Mattresses are usually hidden under bedclothes or sheets making it difficult to know its condition.
Your mattress needs replacement if:
If you find any of the above effects then it may be time to look for a new mattress.
There are so many brands on the market and so you need to be extremely careful to choose the right one that will offer safe, comfortable and quality sleep for longer.
The information above should have equipped you with enough knowledge to look after your mattress and to know when to change it.
This simple practice will save you money and ensure you have high quality sleep.
When the time arrives, you should look for a good replacement from a reputable dealer.
