Cold weather is the bane of water pipes and the appliances that rely on them. Water expands when it freezes, and this increases pressure in the pipes as the temperature drops. If the pressure isn't relieved or the water doesn't thaw, the pipe may burst.
Alarm systems protect your home or place of business from security breaches. The larger systems feature multiple components that sit in different areas or rooms, scanning those areas for potential threats. Larger alarms might feature "auxiliary" on the panel, which indicates it connects to a public system.
The post and lintel system has been used in building construction since the Ancient Greeks. The post and lintel is a simple and effective method of channeling the down force of a structure, around an opening and into the foundation below.
Distressed inks are water-based, and are used to blend and shadow paper to make it appear antique or aged. Commercially prepared distressed inks come in a variety of colors, but if commercial inks are not an option, you can use organic materials to make your own.
Double doors can make a grand impression at the main entrance to a home, but if there is a gap between them they're losing a lot of heat. If the doors are solid wood, they are susceptible to swelling and shrinkage in response to changes in the weather, and these shifts are magnified in the case of double doors.
Tongue and groove paneling is an option for finishing the walls or ceiling of a room that is attractive and relatively easy to do. Paneling can be installed during construction or, almost as easily, over the top of existing finished walls.
A swinging butler door has no doorknobs -- only a metal plate for pushing the door open. The special hardware on this type of door allows it to swing in both directions and to close automatically. Occasionally, a butler door develops problems with its double-hinge hardware.
A balcony can add aesthetic value to your house’s facade while providing extra space and outdoor areas to the home. Balconies resemble decks, though they differ in a few key areas. While decks connect with the ground via pillars, balconies attach only to the side of a building.
Thermal tracking on walls appears as dark soot stains. The air in the house must be full of moisture and warmer than the wall to produce the stains. Once the warm, damp air touches a cooler spot on the wall, some of the air's moisture coats the wall's surface with condensation.
If you're providing catering for a loved one's special event, such as a baby shower or wedding reception, don't forget to decorate the food tray. Enhance the catering tray with decorative edible items to create a more appealing presentation.