Sunday, December 28, 2014

Great Things About Hot Tubs in Winter

Among outdoor furniture and functional fixtures for backyards and patios, hot tubs are extra beneficial for the well-being. It offers health benefits in which you can get in a fun way especially in winter. Despite the chilly weather, still enjoy the outdoors soaking comfortably in a tub.

Health
When you are soaking in a hot tub, you are actually doing aqua therapy, a health practice that benefits the body.

Modern lifestyle, poor diet, and stress are factors that we accumulate toxins. The warming effect detoxifies, helping our body to sweat out the toxins. The hot water also makes us thirsty so we take more water to cleanse internally.

Colds and flu are common in winter. Soaking in a hot tub is a great natural relief too.

Cold temperature gradually lowers body heat until blood flow is reduced and muscles will have difficulty to contract. Soaking in a hot tub is a great relief than just staying curling in bed. The hot water keeps the body warm and relaxes veins and muscles. So take a plunge into the tub stretch those muscles, and condition your body.

Relaxed Mind
Hydrotherapy, soaking in a hot water is great for mind relaxation and to rejuvenate the soul. Immersing comfortably in the soothing hot water can help unwind or clear one’s mind. You don’t need to depart from home for a spa treatment, relaxing after an exhausting day can be done with a hot tub in the backyard.

Mind relaxation and relieving stress can also be attained by having a bonding time with family and friends. Sharing the moment in a hot tub helps bring everyone closer together. Having fun, sharing the best memories, and enjoying the fresh outdoors puts the mind away from the pressures of life or work.

Just like other patio furniture and fixtures, a hot tub is a great investment. It is more than just a functional addition to a patio, it is also advantageous for our well-being. It lets you have fun and a better life.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

How to Maintain Outdoor Garden Furniture

Outdoor garden furniture goes through all the cruelty of outdoor elements. Thus, they deserve proper care and maintenance. Apart from tidying and giving a brand-new look, the primary goal is to retain their prime condition and last longer.

Regular check up determines the condition of furniture pieces so that repairs and improvements can be done at the early stage of an issue. Consequently, the furniture’s functional state will be preserved to guarantee a peace of mind that nothing unfortunate can happen to the people who use it.

Normally, the first maintenance routine is cleaning. Garden furniture get more dirt from the garden elements such as from insects and animals. This is the simplest step, but, if done correctly and regularly, would save your furniture from harm.

Outdoor furniture have different maintenance requirements due to the materials they made of. While some just need cleaning and providing covers, some needs more like repainting and resealing.

Plastic
Although plastic outdoor furniture are resilient to nearly all outdoor elements, they are not impervious to the scorching sunlight. Plastic can be well maintained if stored when not in use, long periods of exposure to sunlight results pitting and fading. Some high quality plastics are meant to last longer but still they eventually degrade. Though the effect is not immediate on them, still will surely make troubles little by little. Maintaining plastic is easy with just cleaning with soapy water and brush if needed.

Metal
Metal furniture are the choice for sleek designs and are sturdy considering that they are heavier materials. Different types of metals casted to make furniture pieces. Each have their strengths and weaknesses and have different maintenance requirement.

Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is a strong and durable material. Outdoor furniture made from this heavy metal is naturally sturdy. However, this metal needs the most care and maintenance because it can easily rust and corrode. Aside from cleaning, it’s paint need to be maintained. Occasional repainting and refinishing adds protection and resistance to rust and corrosion.

Aluminum
Aluminum do not rust and fade resistant depending on finishing coat. Outdoor patio furniture made from this particular metal is resistant to outdoor elements which make them great for backyard patios and garden. The only maintenance requirement is cleaning with soap and water. To make it look brand-new, touch it up with car wax.

One of the reasons why not all people buy aluminum outdoor furniture is its price tag, way more expensive than other types. The other reason is esthetics which depends on the outdoor design intention..

Wood
Wooden furniture like ipe, cedar, redwood, are resilient to the outdoor elements. The only effect of the outdoors is the change of color and texture. But this change does not mean they are degrading. In fact, types of woods like these just beautifully turns to gray. However, to maintain the original color and texture, all that is needed is staining and sealing.

Take note, you still need to clean these wood furniture, dirt especially from insects and animals will leave undesirable blotch if not removed immediately.

Other types of wood should be maintained with paint as they rot faster. They should be kept dry as much as possible.

The key to make furniture always in shape and keep them look new is proper care and maintenance. It can be done effectively if you know what your pieces are made of. Find out or ask for care instructions upon buying and do some research on each materials used.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Choosing Between Patio Heater and Fire Pit

Building an outdoor living space is a popular trend these days. In conjunction, production of diverse outdoor heating equipments is also on the rise. However, patio heaters and fire pits are still the foremost means of outdoor heating. Their purpose is identical but, they are different in various ways. Knowing their differences, including their similarities, provides helpful insights to determine which will be the right choice.

Let’s go over the similarities first.

Both patio heater and fire pit can give off heat on all sides. While creating a cozy area, the heater makes an attraction in the midst of the outdoor crowd. The outdoor living space design becomes more like a campfire setup in which everyone around it can equally enjoy the comfort.

Although a wood burning type of fire pit is prominent, more versions are the same as patio heaters that uses propane and natural gas for fuel. Thus, with the same fuel, they should nearly equal in operating cost.

Having these outdoor heating tool roughly equal in operating cost and effects, the criteria for choosing will be then based on the impression.

Now for the differences.

Patio heaters and fire pits are similar in their purpose but, they differ most in heating system and operation, and the form is very distinctive from each other. Patio heaters can stand tall in full height while a fire pit stands in lower platform and it is a pit actually.

A fire pit that burns wood makes an intriguing difference and is actually less expensive. The flame behaves unpredictably in an organic fashion that is entertaining to watch. Contrastingly, patio heaters which uses oil based fuel, has the flame that seems in controlled behavior. Some versions just do not have visible flame.

The fun factor of wood burning is that it is ready for roasting marshmallows. A really lovely way for bonding with kids and the kids at heart.

Which Should You Choose?

A beautiful patio can certainly make a difference in the overall outlook and value of your home. Whether you choose a patio heater or fire pit, it should depend on the character you want and the money you want to spend.

Monday, December 1, 2014

How to Keep Trees Safe over the Winter

Winter is a tough time specifically for the trees which are normally exposed all the time. Thus, they need a boost to survive the tough outdoors and ensure they flourish in spring time. On top of keeping the trees safe, the precautionary actions safeguard properties and people also.

There are several consequences that may afflict  the trees when the temperature goes down and snow starts building up. Overtime, they will weaken and become risky. As the snow builds up in the tree tops and branches, it becomes heavier for them to bear. Weak branches will then start to break or suddenly fall apart without warning. If a tree is having a weak foundation, it will start to lean with the weight, then breaks and falls apart.

Weak trees are unsafe and a potential element of disaster in the backyard. Definitely act on it before it can take damage to the patio, your outdoor furniture, your car, your house, or even the people around.

Misfortune can be avoided by getting trees ready in the following simple steps.

Check the base of the tree starting from the roots to the trunk. If it is in poor condition and may probably fall, then it is best to remove it. Safety is worth considering first than saving a tree. It is necessary to remove the remaining stump, it will attract more bugs and unwanted insects around the house when starts to decay.

If you cannot remove trees yourself or you think you don’t know how, call an expert remover. they know the proper way and they have all the tools and machines needed.

Then, if the base of the tree is still in great condition, then check the branches next. Check the branches thoroughly, hence, we might never know if some branches are close to breaking away which will cause damage, it might be too late. Remove dangerous branches that may fall anytime soon. Trimming and pruning helps reduce the weight of a tree and the weight of the snow that may add to it.

Do not just dispose off the tree cuttings, the wood can be used to fuel your outdoor heater or fireplace.

If you want to decorate your patio or outdoor room for Christmas, perhaps, preparing the trees has benefits. You might be surprised to find out that your tree can be a perfect decoration.
The safety of the trees is also the safety of the things around it. Have a joyful and safe holidays.