How Air Conditioning Has Effected Architecture And Its Benefits

Domestic air conditioning means that traditional architectural features such as wide eaves, deep porches, thick walls, high ceilings, attics, and cross ventilation are no longer needed to promote natural cooling. Also irrelevant is siting or landscaping a house that maximizes summer shade and breezes, since mechanical equipment is able to maintain perfect indoor conditions independent of design.

Domestic air conditioning is most prevalent and ubiquitous in developed Asian nations such as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong, especially in the latter two due to most of the population living in small high-rise flats . In this area, with soaring summer temperatures and a high standard of living, air conditioning is considered a necessity and not a luxury.

Cooling capacity requirement is dependent on the room size. Generally, room air conditioners have a cooling capacity range between 5500 Btu per hour and 14,000 Btu per hour. Cool Climate Air Conditioning Systems will give total control over the environment at the click of a remote control by providing the exact temperature you require all year round. The costs of running a new air conditioning system may well be considerably less than your existing heating system, providing you with comfort at exceptional value to you and your home. Cooling power figures should be regarded suspiciously. It is best to look at both the input power and the heat transfer figures.

Split air conditioning is now an affordable investment. Most split air conditioning now comes with a heat pump and it is a very energy efficient means of heating during the winter months as well as cooling in the summer months. Split-type air-conditioning system can provide thermal comfort in small and large rooms. Moreover, the solar air conditioning is a newer system where the energy used for processing comfortable air is derived from the collected sun's rays.

Inexpensive Ways to Give the Kitchen a Facelift

Home improvement can be an overwhelming task. The first room that may come to mind is the kitchen. This is the room where families bond over their day or friends come together to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Even small, inexpensive changes can give the entire room a facelift and create an environment everyone in the family can enjoy.

Painting your kitchen is always the best way to begin your renovation. You can make your kitchen look fresh and new, all by changing the color of the walls. A new color will also provide a different background for your overall décor. Whether you change everything else, or changing nothing else at all, the entire theme of your kitchen will seem brand-new.

If you do not have the time to put into painting, or if you live in an apartment where it is not an option, you can still give your kitchen a new appearance. One possibility which you might like to consider is adding colorful adhesive paper or decals. Adhesive paper is available in a wide range of colors and designs, so you can create an entirely new theme for your kitchen. Whether your preference is for bright colors, gentle pastels, or a specific design, it can make your whole kitchen come alive.

Another nice option for inexpensive home improvement to your kitchen may come as a surprise. Simply changing the fixtures in your kitchen will give it a wonderful new look. One example is the hardware on your drawers and cabinets. These are easily changed with updated versions made from different materials and styles. Depending on your personal taste, there are lots of choices. You can use metals, ceramics, or even plastic. Whether your taste is for sophisticated and classic or modern, your kitchen can have a brand-new appearance.

Everything from your collection of cook books to your spices can be turned from functional to a part of your kitchen's décor. You can easily find inexpensive racks in plain wood, to paint or varnish to coordinate or contrast with the color of your kitchen. When the products you use on a regular basis add to the theme of your kitchen, it will make the room more inviting to your guests and family.

Home improvement does not need to be difficult or costly. Turning your kitchen into the "place to be" can occur even making the smallest changes.

Kitchen Remodeling - A Checklist for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

Kitchen remodeling takes both time and money. A major remodel with top-of-the-line appliances and cabinets can easily run more than $100,000. As for time, allow at least four months for a remodeling job or, more realistically, six to eight months. It takes about two months for custom cabinet orders, more time for planning, order processing, shipping, demolition, installation, moving back into your kitchen and re-organization.

While it's tempting to get started as quickly as possible once you decide to remodel, it's better to catch your breath, do your homework and think through your plans because you don't have the time or money to make mistakes.

Start with the basics. Consider what the primary uses of the kitchen will be then collect ideas for enhancing your project. Put some initial thought into this prior to meeting with a contractor. Following is a checklist of items to consider when planning your kitchen remodel.

Determine the primary uses of your kitchen:

• cooking
• food storage
• dining
• equipment / utensil storage
• specialized food preparation areas
• waste disposal
• laundry
• secondary media center
• message station
• mini-office
• hobby / craft center
• entertaining
• mudroom
• traffic hub

Enhance your kitchen remodeling project:

• Brainstorm with household members
• Find ideas in model homes, showrooms, home shows, magazines, books and catalogs
• Appliances - ovens, stoves, cook tops, refrigerators, dishwashers, range, microwaves, hoods, and exhaust fans
• Cabinets - wood cabinets in oak, maple, cherry, hickory, pine, birch, metal, plastic, cabinet re-facing, kitchen storage items and kitchen islands
• Countertops - stone, marble, quartz, granite, solid surface, wood, metal and Formica
• Flooring - hardwood flooring, cork, bamboo, laminate, linoleum flooring, flooring installation, repair and refinishing floors
• Lighting - light controls, chandeliers, fixtures, lamps, fluorescent lights, recessed and spot lighting
• Sinks and Fixtures - kitchen faucets, stainless steel, brass, plastic and glass handles
• Windows - skylight windows, double hung and single hung windows, casement and garden windows for growing herbs and plants
• Select a design professional and/or contractor that meets your needs

The more details you can determine prior to your kitchen remodeling project the better. It will make your remodeling project more efficient and, thus, less expensive.

A Love Affair With Sparkles! The Chromatic Mosaic Tiles Collection

I've always loved sparkly things! Show me anything with glitter or sequins in it, on it - or even near it! - and I'm absolutely sold! Any excuse to add some sort of sparkle in my home and I'm first in line to check it out... I'm also constantly on the lookout for inspiration and new ideas for home interiors. So I got the best of both worlds when I came across the Chromatic Mosaic Tiles collection.

The bubbling chrome used in these Chromatic mosaic tiles is sealed in smooth, clear or coloured glass. It has a wonderful jewel-like quality and adds sparkle to any room in which these mosaics are placed. At any time of the day, you will see something different in these glass tiles, as the changing light highlights different tones and creates new reflections around the room. They will create a sense of light, brightening up any area and create a beautiful focal point in your kitchen or bathroom.

They look gorgeous in large blocks where you can really see all the different colours within the glass. If you're on a tighter budget or prefer a more subtle approach, they also look very effective as a simple border. If you're feeling particularly creative, why not take them from their webbed backing and create your own custom mosaic effect? You could try blending from one shade to another, have contrasting bands of colour going across the wall or create your own wavy shaped mosaic design. Why not try this idea: take the dark blue shades of Chromatic Azurite and create your own custom blend up to the more aqua and green tones of Chromatic Lagoon. I think it would look absolutely stunning in a shower or bath area!

My favourite in this Chromatic mosaics collection is Chromatic Purple Haze as it incorporates another love of mine - purple! Though equally delicious are the blues and greens of Chromatic Lagoon and the blues and purples of Chromatic Azurite; so evocative of the sparkles on the sun-drenched Mediterranean sea on a beautiful summer day!

With this glass mosaic tile range, you really do have everything. Including:

• a choice of beautiful, deep and rich colours
• glittery, sparkly, light-reflecting radiance
• a custom style effect which will never rub off or fade
• modern styling for your kitchen or bathroom

Be the envy of your neighbours and friends by choosing these glass mosaic tiles for your next home decorating project! Say "goodbye" to boring, flat-looking ceramic tiles and say "hello" to a wonderful, glittery, sparkling, depth of colour! Don't just take my word for how beautiful these mosaic tiles are. View this Chromatic Mosaic Tiles Gallery and see for yourself!

Amerock Kitchen Hardware

Amerock handles and knobs are some of the best hardware and most reasonably priced in the kitchen industry, especially if you choose the styles that are protected by Amerock's Guardian Lifetime Finish.

I have Amerock hardware throughout my home. As a testimonial, those handles and knobs have been in my home for over 8 years and not one is tarnished. Again, make sure to get handles or knobs with Amerock's Guardian Lifetime Finish guarantee. It's easy to keep the handles and knobs clean too. I just wash with warm water and a mild soap (like Dawn Dishwashing Liquid). The Dawn helps cut through the grease that's going to accumulate on your kitchen hardware too.

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Amerock Kitchen Hardware:

• Durability
• Affordability
• Their handles and knobs just feel good to grip and have ample room for fingers.
• They have literally thousands of handles and styles, plus dozens of finishes to choose from.
• They have several appliance pulls to choose from if you need them.
• Again, the Guardian Lifetime Finish - is guaranteed never to tarnish. Look for these handles if you plan on staying in your home a while and don't want to be replacing handles do to tarnishing.
• All Amerock kitchen hardware is guaranteed to be free of defects.
• They come with 8/32" x 1" screws for installation.
• A few of their most popular styles of kitchen knobs have been developed into passage and privacy door knobs and levers for your home (Amerock Ensembles Collection).
• Finally, the company has been around since 1929 and are part of the Newell Rubbermaid Company. They've been around a long time, and if you need to match handles and knobs that you get today with something you'll purchase or build in the future, they'll most likely have the same handle or knob, or a good match.

Amerock kitchen hardware has "lines". Allison is their cheapest hardware, but it's also not their best. You can find handles for a couple of bucks on up. They do have some pricey "lines" that can cost you $20 plus dollars per handle, but most of their hardware is reasonable.

How to Easily Pick out Handles or Knobs.

First, you should select a finish that you'd like to go with. For example, polished brass or oil rubbed bronze. Make sure it's something that will fit your decor.

Next, choose a style or design, such as contemporary, casual, European, etc.

Then, you need to decide what size meets your needs. Most handles have 3" centers (from mid-hole to mid-hole). If you are replacing hardware, you will need to know what size you have now. You can use backplates to coverup holes if you need to, as well as use knobs in handle holes (i.e. have two knobs 2 3/4" apart if you can't find any 2 3/4" handles that you like).

Finally, choose what you like. What looks great to you and what feels right are what you should get. If you don't, you'll end up replacing your hardware and spending up to several hundred dollars and a lot time again!

You can purchase Amerock kitchen hardware from several sources online, like The Woodworkers Depot, or from your local hardware or home center.