All Your Need to Know Questions Answered

How can I get the best from Underfloor heating?

When installing an underfloor heating system whether it’s an electrical or water underfloor heating system there are a few things to consider, you need to plan which rooms require what heating and how much so it’s worth looking carefully at the placement of your pipes and mats.

For example if you are going to install the underfloor heating in your bathroom, it can be a good idea to place more pipes or mats for heating by the shower door to enjoy warm flooring right after leaving the shower. You also should look at areas will have spaces that aren’t used as frequently, here you can install a lower number of pipes and mats to allow some heat, but not as much as other areas. This way, your whole bathroom will get the heat that you want, but the areas that you do not step on with bare feet or are used less frequently won’t be as heavily covered.

As well as which rooms the systems will be placed in you need to work out which system is best for you home, electrical mats are cheaper and quicker to install that water pipes and they are easier to place in awkward areas however if you want underfloor heating to be your primary source throughout your home then water pipes are better and slightly more economical in the long run.

How to add value to your home

House prices are only slightly recovering since we entered the recession, however it is at a very slow rate. If you are looking to sell or improve your home there are some ways to add extra value, but you will have to outlay some money first.

Extending your home to add an extra room, does not only add more value to your home but can nicely create an extra living space. Adding an extension does require lots of planning and research especially with legal matters. Some extensions are easier to get planning permission for than others one of the most popular ways to add space is by putting up a conservatory, all of which adds more value than the original outlaid cost.

Converting your loft is a cost effective way of extending your home, as with adding an extension you need to get planning permission, and you will need expert advice to make sure you can convert your loft without damaging the structure of your house.

Many people find their kitchens end up being the epicentre of their home where most people congregate so remodelling your kitchen if it is old and outdated gives more than added value onto your home but a great place to entertain as well.

If you have an old and outdated bathroom suit updating your bathroom is another good way to add value to your home especially with up to date fixtures and fittings. There are many contemporary bathroom suites that include baths, shower enclosures, toilets and sinks that can add a much needed wow factor.

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Picture courtesy of ClatieK

What is underfloor heating and how can it help me?

Underfloor heating is now becoming increasingly more popular addition to many people’s homes whether it’s a new build, renovation or updating your current heating system. With underfloor heating you can heat your home more efficiently that traditional radiators, with the heat coming from ground level and rising up heating all the space quickly with a balanced combination of radiant and confected heat.

Underfloor heating comes in two form water and electrical, the water system works with warm water circulated from your boiler, when the room stat calls for heat the water passes through valves and then onto the manifold where the water is circulated through continuous lengths of pipe embedded in the floor, that run at a lower water temperature (typically 50°C) than the radiators (70°C).

Electrical underfloor heating uses the electrical resistance of a cable in the form of a basic cable, a “ribbon” cable, or a loosely woven mesh mat for ease of installation, to create a heating effect, and therefore provide a source of low temperature heat, spread across the entire surface area of a floor and electric underfloor heating is easier to install than water as it requires less instillation than water underfloor heating which requires pipes to be installed.

The benefits of underfloor heating are a reduced cost of your heating bills by at least 20% as well creating better air quality for those who suffer with allergies, you will also find a noticeable difference when walking around your home especially in rooms where the floor was always very cold like kitchens and bathrooms.

Water underfloor heating room extension pack

Updating your bathroom for the New Year ahead

January is one of the best times to give your house a update, with many DIY companies offering huge discounts on kitchens and bathrooms it an ideal time to make some savings while giving your home a makeover.

Most people tend to only re do their kitchen and forget about the rest, however a recent trend finds more and more people updating their bathrooms with all the latest modern bathroom furnishings and fixtures, you can create a warm and inviting place to start your day or to relax in. There are many contemporary bathroom suites that include baths, shower enclosures, toilets and sinks that provided homeowners with more options, designs, and styles to push the look and feel of their bathroom to the highest standard. Many companies also offer their services online so you don’t have to spend hours wandering around DIY shops, you still get the same level of service online as in store including design and fitting help.

If you don’t want to completely re-do your bathroom you can easily just update it with a new theme or modern style, with either a fresh lick of paint, new tiles or a new modern bathroom radiator and new accessories to give it a lift like new cabinets, storage and a fresh set of towels.

Is there really such a thing as a cheap cruise?

A holiday on the high seas was once only available to those with a lot of money and the leisure time to spare, but with so many cruise deals now available that is no longer the case. Cruises are now being enjoyed by everyone and there is a bewildering array of itineraries, destinations and on board activities to choose from. But is it still possible to get a cruise deal that isn’t going to break the bank?

Happily, the answer is a resounding yes – as long as you understand the extras that need to be paid for so you can budget accordingly. Although the vast majority of cruises are all inclusive (so you get your meals, snacks, teas, coffees and soft drinks included) alcoholic isn’t so don’t think you can spend all afternoon and the bar without running up a bill! Luckily, many liners now offer a package of unlimited alcohol for a small fee which you can usually get when booking. There are even some cruises that offer on board credit to spend on whatever you wish as an incentive to increase bookings. It’s worth asking your travel agent or searching online for these kind of deals.There’s no need to spend extra on the excursion offers either – you can walk around the port yourself and grab a cheap bite to eat or just stay on board and take the chance to enjoy the facilities while it’s quiet.

Cruise deals often solve the problem of paying for separate accommodation (of course) and you often get flights and transfers as part of the package! What may seem expensive at first makes sense when you realise how much you get – remember, cruise companies are all vying for your custom so take advantage of their bargain offers to bag yourself a fantastic little holiday.

Skiing in Canada

The ski resorts of Canada are very different to the traditional Alpine villages that many of us visit each winter for our skiing holidays. The weather is not the same and the snow is usually more powdery. This means that the skiing technique has to be adjusted and for those skiers that visit both regularly, they will tell you that it is easier to ski the Canadian resorts than the Alps.

Canada has a wide variety of ski resorts across most of the country and each has its own advantages as well as some disadvantages, nothing can be perfect but there are some that are close. If you want to ski amid acres of raw, spectacular natural beauty, you could do worse than head for the ski resorts of Alberta. There are three resorts located within the Banff National Park and all of them boast sensational views.

For many the very best of skiing is to be found in British Columbia with names like Kicking Horse, Big White, Fernie, Revelstoke, all of which are guaranteed to excite any skiing fan at just the mention of their name. It is true that these resorts are not for the faint hearted or the recreational skier and many Brits will find lack of facilities not to their liking, something which does not bother a true Canadian or “backwoodsman”.

Whistler in British Columbia is another matter and it is regarded by professionals and skiing aficionados as the ultimate ski resort in the world. Whistler will be hosting the winter Olympics this year and the resort attracts more British skier than any other resort in North America.

Whistler boasts two large mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, which were joined by the ‘Peak2Peak’ gondola last winter. Together the two mountains provide wide, rolling pistes for novices and intermediates, accessible, world-class off-piste terrain and three well maintained snow parks. Whistler has a wide range of accommodation with a variety of restaurants with plenty of nightlife. There are good transport links from the main Vancouver airport; and with fantastic ski deals to Whistler available with flights there from a number of UK airports, now is the best time that for you to be thinking about Canada for your ski holidays.