Lintelligence: Choosing The Best Materials For Ornamental Exterior Door Lintels

Door lintels aren't exactly the first thing that spring to mind when you think of building design, but incorporating suitable lintels into your exterior doorways and entrances can mean the difference between a solid, watertight building and a crumbling, leaky nightmare. However, exterior door lintels need not merely be load-bearing structures and can also serve as ornamental accents when made from suitably attractive materials. As such, when choosing exterior door lintels, you should choose a material that strikes the balance you need between structural strength and attractive looks. Read More 

How To Service Your Kitchen Hot Water Heater

Kitchen remodeling can be an expensive project, so you'll probably be looking to save money wherever you can.  One job that you can do yourself is to give your hot water heater a tune-up.  Here are some guidelines on how to do it. Check the thermostat The first job to do is to check the heater's thermostat.  This is the device that regulates the temperature of the water that is pumped out by the heater. Read More 

A Few Tips for Choosing and Installing Shade Sails

Shade sails are a great choice for any outdoor area, as you can usually adjust them very easily with the pull of a cord that moves one side or stretches them out over a patio or balcony. You can then move the cord again to allow the sail to contract, letting in more sunlight and fresh air over your outdoor space. Shade sails also have a very rustic and natural look that you don't get from aluminum awnings. Read More 

A Guide To Pain-Free Wallpaper Stripping

If you're renovating your kitchen, you may need to remove old wallpaper before you can get into redecorating.  Stripping old wallpaper is no easy task, particularly if it's been up there for a long time.  Here's how to get rid of that nasty old wall covering quickly and easily. What you'll need dust sheets wallpaper stripping knife wallpaper scorer bucket washing-up liquid large sponge bin bags You can find all the tools you'll need for this job at your local DIY store. Read More 

Start a Sensory Garden for Your ASD Child

If you have a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, there is a good chance you have experienced days where sensory details such as the texture of a snack or the sound of a fire engine have overwhelmed your child, resulting in a meltdown. You are not alone: difficulty processing sensory information is a common symptom of ASD.  A great way to lessen sensory difficulties is through the use of sensory integration therapy, according to a recent study carried out by the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Read More