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Eco Friendly Insulation Materials

November 4, 2019 Robert Hadiwidjaja Garden Design Ideas

Insulating your home is becoming an essential process with the rising cost of energy. When you are a paying so much to heat your home it is daft to allow this heat to escape. If you take just loft insulation then the potential annual savings from installing the current recommended insulation is around GBP 145 per year. It wont take long to recover the cost of the installation with these kinds of annual savings.

There are number different insulation materials available it can be confusing. What are the best types to go for, and do some the eco insulation material perform as well?

Environmentally friendly materials

Thermafleece

This is formed from sheep’s wool. Over the past few years it has become more popular. This has fuelled by the green / organic movement of the late 2000’s. Programmes like Grand Designs have helped to show how this type of product can be used to achieve great results.

With the British wool industry is decline then there is a surplus of fleece that can be easily turned into insulation.

Benefits

Fire retardant
Biodegradable
Absorb water
Straw

I don’t think I need to explain where this form of insulation comes from! Like the sheep’s wool it is often in surplus and therefore makes sense to use it. If you live in a rural area then the cases are you will be able to source the material form a local farm so the transportation costs and environmental impact are pretty low.

Benefits

Low energy to produce
Good thermal insulation
Easy to install
Newspaper fibres (Cellouse)

This is another good way of using a material that would otherwise be going to landfill. Newspaper is shredding and the resulting material is treated to stop it going mouldy and of course adding the essential fire retardant chemicals…

Asian Decor Differences

September 26, 2019 Robert Hadiwidjaja Better Home Products

When one hears references to Asian decor this typically is meant to imply the use of Japanese or Chinese themes. These two ways to decorate your home vary. Japanese decorating is usually very calming and minimalist. Chinese decor on the other hand is very drastic and dramatic. If you would like to achieve either of these looks keep reading. Below you will find tips to help you fulfill your dream in an inexpensive and simple way.

Chinese goes to complete the opposite extreme. Their decorating uses many bright colors, especially red. This color is consider to be lucky in the Chinese culture.. Even wood is often painted the color red. Dark woods often used are as well because of the contrast they offer. Other color schemes are possible for Chinese décor. Typically these involve the use of yellow and blue. No matter what color scheme you choose remember to pick colors that are bright.

Add several piece of Chinese Art. Carvings and figurines made of animals are common accent pieces also. Murals painted with dramatic scenes will help your theme seem real. If you need more bangs you can consider placing silk curtains on the windows or silk pillows. Not all of your accessories must be traditionally Chinese as long as they match the color scheme and do not overtake your focal point. Whatever you choose think grand for a Chinese theme. For Japanese decor your choices should come from the opposite end of the spectrum.

Japanese decorating is based on the natural world. This includes natural light so if you have a room that gets a lot of sunlight this style may be for you. Try to draw all of the accents you use from nature as well. Any furniture should be kept to a minimum. Make sure the …

DIY – How to Trim Tree Branches Yourself

July 22, 2019 Robert Hadiwidjaja Garden Design Ideas

Most homeowners are confident they are giving their trees the best care to thrive and stay healthy. Water, fertilizer, and mulch right on schedule.

However, tree branch trimming can be very intimidating to the average person. While big pruning tasks should be left to the professionals, pruning small trees and branches is perfectly safe and manageable for the average person.

First, know when DIY tree trimming is appropriate, and when it’s not. If you want to prune a small tree that has lightweight branches, go for it. However, think twice about pruning a tree that’s near a power line, large branches overhanging your roof, or if the branches are too heavy for you to easily handle.

If you’ve decided to go ahead, just start with a little DIY tree branch trimming. First, you’ll need to understand the parts of the tree and branch. The branch collar is the enlarged area at the base of the branch that connects it to the tree. The branch bark ridge is between the tree trunk and the branch; it’s raised a little higher than the branch.

Make sure your pruning tools are clean and sharp. Make a cut on the far side the branch collar; don’t cut the branch collar itself but make the cut close enough not to leave a nub.

For a thin branch, one inch or less in diameter, cut just above the branch collar at a 45-degree angle to the bark ridge.

For a thick branch, cut it in three sections. First, cut through the branch halfway, about a foot up from the branch collar. Next, cut a few inches beyond that cut, letting the top of the branch fall to the ground. Finally, make the last cut just above the branch collar.

Trimming the Whole Tree

When trimming a …

What Are Sustainable Building Materials?

July 10, 2019 Robert Hadiwidjaja Home Decorators

Sustainable building materials are more than just reused or recycled materials. The energy consumed during harvesting, transporting and processing of the material should decide if it is truly sustainable. Local materials are commonly considered sustainable due to its huge reduction of energy needed to transport them.

What Are Sustainable Building Materials? — image source

Price also plays a major role in considering a material sustainable. However, the most important consideration is the health and environmental impact of these materials.

Using sustainable materials promote a cleaner, healthier and better home and there are many benefits to designing spaces using sustainable products. Sustainable building materials are adobe, straw, cork, bamboo and clay. They have low emission rates and possess energy conservation qualities. These materials are all-natural and can be used to build greener homes. Recycled materials include granite, steel or polyurethane.

The adobe for instance, can be used to construct all types of buildings. There is very little or almost no energy used in transporting it and the material is found everywhere. Most people simply use the adobe found there on the site of their building. You would need a frame as support, but the adobe is very durable and the home will be naturally insulated due to the thickness of the walls and density of the adobe. A home built in adobe will have lower electricity bills and less consumption of energy.

Building a home to standard measurement cuts back on waste and requires less trimming. Whatever material you have decided to use, it will be sustainable if it can be reused, recycled or can be easily decomposed without causing harmful toxins to the environment.

Sealants, paints and glues can release harmful emissions eventually. That is why it is preferable to use low VOC options, which are more environmentally friendly and healthier to the people.

Water saving …

Some Tips In Building A Green Home

June 13, 2019 Robert Hadiwidjaja Garden Design Ideas

If you are thinking of joining the advocacy of going green, what better way to do it than to start building a green home. You will need to follow certain environmental practices in building a green home – such as those that help lessen (negative) effects on the environment.

Some Tips In Building A Green Home — image source

First thing you need to consider is building materials. Building a environment friendly home would require materials that are eco-friendly and compliant with the current standards in constructing green homes. You may browse the internet for details regarding the compliances and product info to help you where to get and how to use them. If you have a contractor in mind, make sure that the company offers services specifically for building a green home.

It is imperative to prioritize sustainable materials such as those that can be recycled or natural materials that can be replenished due to their growth rate. Hardwood from large old trees should not be cut down and used, since they take years to grow and the earth beneath will also be affected when they are taken out. Using alternative wood such as bamboo is better since this specie can grow rapidly.

Lightweight concrete is a type of concrete that has been used in building a healthy home for years. However, this type of concrete is not as strong, but it can perform as well as traditional concrete and can hold up to any weather condition. It is often used as home insulation and it’s also capable of retarding fire.

Prefabricated panels for homes are also available and they can be ordered and purchased at reasonable amounts. Generally, they are similarly priced to regular building materials that are used for a typical home. And they must also get approval from organizations that monitor environmental compliances.

In …