CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

Although underfloor heating systems are ideal for any room of the house they are perfect for kitchens; what could be better than standing on a warm floor when making your breakfast on a cold morning? Having conventional radiators in a kitchen can make the room too warm and having no heating means that it can be too cold to make working a pleasure.

A serious consideration is the fact that kitchens are frequently short of space, and in this instance underfloor heating systems are one solution to the problem of how to fit in a radiator. The system can be used with either tiled or laminate flooring which are probably the most used flooring for kitchens, and are ideal when getting the floors dry after cleaning.

There is a disadvantage to using this system in kitchens and this is that units should not be fitted over a floor that already has components of a heating or plumbing system embedded in it.  This will not be a problem with new builds, but can cause problems when renewing or replacing an existing kitchen. This is more of a problem in other rooms where there may be furniture which will be moved around from time to time.

Underfloor heating systems take time to warm up but this is not a major problem in a house which is constantly occupied, as the heating will be on more often during bad weather. There are programmable systems, so it can be set to switch on as needed. The underfloor heating thermostat helps to control the temperature, keeping it at a comfortable level.

The first thing you need when building your own cupboards is to choose the type of hinge that suites your purpose.

Butt hinges are the most common of all hinges and will be found throughout the house. They need to have a shallow recess cut into the door surface for the hinge to bed in when closed. To cut the recess, follow the edge of the hinge with the chisel and then gouge out the core as deep as the hinge. Screw the hinges in place and mark their position on the frame, again gouging out the recess. Attach the screws and check the door opens and closes properly.
 
Flush hinges have a cut section meaning the hinges fit together in a single width and can be fixed to the door and cupboard directly, without the need for any chiselling.
 
Piano hinges are long steel or copper hinge strips cut to the appropriate length. These are delicate hinges normally used on lighter doors such as boxes and cabinets.

Cranked hinges are specialist hinges that can be opened fully to 180º folding completely back on themselves.

Hidden hinges are normally used in flat pack units and have a screw for altering the vertical and horizontal levels of the hinge.

Once the door is hung you will need to attach the catch or bolt and the door handle. Catches can be either magnetic, which are good for light cupboard doors, or ball catches that have a little more grip to hold the door closed.

The position for the handles should be marked and drilled and are normally screwed in from behind.

Quartz is a composite of one of the most varied minerals occurring in different types, colours and forms and it is this combination that makes it ideal in the kitchen for use as a worktop. There are many reasons why people choose quartz worktops in preference to more traditional granite, quartz delivers exceptional depth and clarity as well as the cool, solid feel which is normally associated with, and unique to natural stone. Another overwhelming reason why people turn to quartz worktops is that they are entirely manmade and can be produced in a variety of colours. Quartz worktops can offer a less expensive alternative to granite, but they give a much wider choice of colour.

When manufacturing a quartz worktop the producer can give this a unique appearance due to the material being found in the ground and as quartz is a crystal with many facets in its original form, this gives it radiance similar to that of diamonds. When this is tailored into a kitchen worktop the result is stunning and offers the user a surface which is highly resistant to high heat, scratches, stains, and resistant to acid and chemicals amongst many.  Quartz worktops are not difficult to look after which is due to their exceptional physical and mechanical properties, the regular maintenance of Quartz worktops only requires cleaning with a product such as detergent which is pH neutral to retain is timeless beauty.

Few would doubt that granite is the natural choice for those who want the very best for their kitchen. Ideally suitable for kitchens, granite worktops are easy to maintain and they are very difficult to scratch, or for them to become discoloured through burning with hot pots and pans. Because no two quarries produce the same stone, granite comes in a wide spectrum of colours and it is this natural variation of colour, and its ability to gain a beautiful patina, which gives granite worktops appeal and splendour.

Even though granite worktops are a hard-wearing material, the polished finished does need to be looked after properly. This can be done by giving attention daily to what is being placed on the surface. For example, never use granite worktops as a surface for cutting or slicing, always use a cutting board.  Don’t place acidic items such as lemon slices or juice, vinegar and the like directly to the surface as this will cause damage to the polish, not to the granite material itself of course. Many products are available that will keep granite worktops in tip top condition, looking just the way it did when it was fitted into a kitchen.

Granite is classy, attractive and appealing. It has strength and beauty and if correctly looked after it will last a life time which is why it is the preferred stone for kitchens, giving warmth and character in the different colours available.

Quartz worktops are made from a combination of natural quartz and epoxy resin which is vacuum pressed to create standard slab sizes. Quartz worktops have become popular with homeowners because of its strength and durability as well as its hygienic properties and low maintenance needs.

Quartz worktops and slabs are manufactured in an automated and monitored process and starts by blending the raw materials together in a big mixer. Next, the mixture is poured into a mould and then compacted with a special vacuum machine that vibrates the mixture at the same time. The quartz slab is then cured using a kiln heated to 90 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes; this bonds the mixture together giving it its strength. The slabs are then polished to give a high quality finish and pass through a quality control process to ensure the highest quality.

Now that all the hard work is done, all you have to do is choose the colour and size of your quartz worktop and begin experiencing the benefits of this great product.

Usually the best products used in building and finishing for homes and commercial premises, are natural products such as travertine, which when cut and dressed to form a classy tile enhance any area into which it is fitted. Travertine tiles can be used as a flooring material, kitchen countertop and increasingly as a wall tile. Travertine tiles are increasingly used for exterior cladding and patios and the travertine tile most commonly used is a natural chipped edge version, but honed and polished travertine tiles are best if used as a wall decorative cladding.

Travertine tiles can be supplied as a mosaic; patterns include, brick, standard mosaic, French pattern and mixed colour mosaic. Travertine is a long lasting stone and its durability lends itself to all kinds of application, from private homes to commercial developments.  It provides a truly classical look and has a timeless beauty.

The natural colours of travertine make it particularly appealing and although in its purest form travertine tiles are white, but impurities can cause the colour of travertine tile to vary and to be yellow and brown. This beautiful natural stone belongs to the limestone family and because of the way it is formed; it has a unique composition which is due to water that is rich in carbon dioxide travelling through rocks, which are in limestone areas.  The water creates cavities, which give travertine tiles their special characteristics and make it so different to other natural stones, giving travertine tiles a unique appeal.

Hand mixing is a thing of the past, forget all the hassle and pain that goes with this chore there’s a hand mixer that will suit your lifestyle and needs in store. Hand mixers are very convenient, easy to use and provide you with plenty of mixing speeds to choose from making it possible to get your job done in no time and with little effort.

The Dualit hand mixer is a stylish tool equipped with great capabilities and functionality to do your daily mixing tasks, and helps you whip up wonderful recipes in the kitchen. This product includes two multi purpose oversize flat beaters, two dough hooks and one balloon whisk, which makes it capable of doing the hard work that comes with creating everything from whipping cream to mixing dough.

It also features a unique, manual retractable power cord for easy storage plus a convenient beater ejector lever for easy release hence make it easier to clean.

The Dualit hand mixer has five speed settings to accommodate your various mixing needs, and a 300 Watt heavy duty professional motor to deal with the toughest of mixing jobs.

Available in 4 colours black, chrome, glacier blue and cream, the Dualit hand mixer is a perfect kitchen accessory that can be colour coordinated with your kitchen and other appliances.

Make your cooking and baking fun, there’s a Dualit hand mixer for everyone whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook just learning the ropes. Save your time and energy in the kitchen, purchase you own Dualit hand mixer today!

With the advent of a superb new generation of hand and power tools, DIY is no longer about fixing a wonky melamine shelf to the wall or tiling the bathroom in what looks like glazed crazy paving.

Today, it really is bringing quite serious property development within reach of ordinary people, even if the property being developed is the home you’re living in.

There are plenty of home improvement skills you can teach yourself – you don’t have to be a master builder or an architect. In today’s credit squeezed times, a big budget overhaul of a property may not be realistic, so that loft conversion or extension may have to wait a little longer. There are, however, a few simple improvements that will give your home a real facelift at little cost.

A good starting point is the kitchen: if you’re selling any time soon, it’s likely to be the first place that potential buyers notice. Even if your budget won’t stretch to a completely redesigned kitchen with new units and appliances, simply changing the doors on the cupboards and replacing the work surfaces can convincingly create a modernised feel, especially if you can throw in a new sink and up-to-date taps.

New wall tiles and hard floor covering will also create the illusion of a revamped room. If you’re feeling adventurous, new lighting will add real panache – although approach a qualified electrician to install them safely.

Just finish off by practicing (or acquiring) your painting and decorating skills – a new coat of paint works wonders in lifting a room out of tired blandness into clean elegance.

In the design of a home, style and substance take on a single, unified meaning.

It is a natural impulse for people to improve the design and style of their home. They may or may not own their home, but the bottom line is that people have a desire to continually make their living space more comfortable. The efforts exerted by people toward this goal usually involve looking for new and better materials to upgrade the appearance of their home.

One material that is proving to be a popular choice among homeowners and designers is travertine tile. Travertine is a kind of limestone that has a variety of beautiful natural colours, the result of organic impurities present in the stone, making it perfect for beautifying any space.

Travertine is porous and yet is surprisingly durable. This property might not be immediately apparent since travertine has small holes and markings. This has the dual effect of giving it a weather-beaten and fragile look at the same time.

Of course, the travertine tiles have to be properly installed and cared for if they are to maintain their positive qualities, a task that falls on the people involved in the improvement of a particular space, either the designer or owner.

Enhancing any space where it is used, travertine tiles give a sophisticated sense of style. The tones of a kitchen, bathroom, or dining area are easily complemented by the subdued yet beautiful colours and designs. When this happens, the lines separating style and substance simply disappear as the two are fused to form a single effect of a perfectly designed space.

In the last few years barstools have joined the ranks of standard home furniture. Previously it was hard to get a barstool that would match most home decors but this shortcoming has been taken care of and now barstools are available in all shapes, colours and sizes.

For people who entertain at home on a frequent basis, barstools can be used at the home bar if there is one. A makeshift bar can also be assembled and thus the barstools should be easy to move.

One of the factors to take into consideration when choosing barstools is the colour scheme of the room where the barstools are going to be. For instance if they are meant for the dining room then they should match the decor of the dining room. A choice of bar stools that are complimentary to the rest of the dining room furniture – such as the leather dining chairs or the extending dining table – can make them very appealing to the eye and evoke feelings of relaxation and harmony.

The types of materials that the rest of the furniture is made of should also be taken into consideration when purchasing barstools. The woods and the metals should be in harmony and it is possible to come up with a combination that suggests warmth and orderliness.

One good thing about barstools is that they can almost be stationed anywhere there is a high table, be it in the kitchen or dining room or wherever you are entertaining. But it doesn’t have to be a high table since there are barstools that are height-adjustable. Folding barstools are also a good idea especially for those moments when unexpected guests show up and extra barstools are necessary.