Category: House Deck - page 2

What is PVC Decking?

PVC decking is simply plastic lumber.

Just as with traditional wood decks, you can order a custom size and get it delivered right to your door. All of the advantages of wood are then transferred over to PVC. The big difference is that PVC doesn’t rot or decay…it’s impervious to insects…and it won’t splinter or warp like wood!

You’ve probably heard people complaining about how much “maintenance” their wood decks need. Every year they have to sand down the boards because they start splitting, or seal them again because the cedar has gotten moist over time and rotted through in places. They never really look “pristine” until they go through that whole process every year…and that’s assuming they even keep up with it!

PVC decks are the opposite. They don’t need ANY maintenance at all…aside from a quick sweep now and then if you want to keep the dust down. Your PVC deck will look great for decades, without any of that work or upkeep.

You might be thinking, “That’s probably because my neighbor doesn’t have kids!” But think about how many toys they are surrounded by every day. The balls being kicked across the yard…the swings in the back yard…and their own shoes scuffing them on a regular basis! Even if you install rails around your porch or patio (which would prevent most damage) those rails are still going to get banged up over time, right?

Really, it’s not the kids that should make you consider PVC decks…it’s nature itself. Leaves fall off of trees and blow onto wooden decks all year long. Birds nest in trees overhanging wooden decks, dropping their nests on your deck every spring. All kinds of bugs drop from branches onto wood decks when they land on them to rest. Rain storms wash all kinds of debris into cracks in wooden deck boards. Wood is just not hardy enough to stand up to that kind of abuse!

The Definitive Guide to Project Planning Software for

Man Working on Laptop while Woman Takes NotesComing up with a viable plan for your project is not enough; you must also keep the various stakeholders in sync using accurate, organized data that can be accessed any time and from anywhere. Self-hosted project management software has enabled small businesses to create plans and manage projects more efficiently and effectively than ever before. It allows them to stay competitive, manage cash flow, eliminate waste, meet deadlines, and handle other issues that could otherwise cripple their chances of success. Here is a look at how these programs can affect your business:

Keep Your Staff Informed

Project planning software does more than help you create realistic timelines; it also facilitates instant between-team communication. When everyone is using the same platform to communicate, it ensures that they all know what needs to be done next and how and when it must be completed. This helps your company run more smoothly and efficiently – especially if you have multiple offices or remote staff members.

Streamline Your Workflow

As a growing business, it’s important to make every dollar count; this is why most businesses use project management software in one way or another. It allows them to save time on tasks while ensuring that each person has the information he or she needs at hand. Project management software gives the team an accessible tool for tracking projects from beginning to end (and even beyond).

Manage Resources More Effectively

When the whole team can access a single database, it’s easier to manage your resources. Information is constantly updated so that each department knows exactly where it stands with regard to manpower and other resources. This makes resource management more efficient as well as encouraging better communication among members of the team.

Create Better Reports

In business, a company’s performance can be determined by many things, including how successful its strategic plans have been. They affect resource allocation and therefore determine strategies for the future. With project planning software in place, you’ll be able to monitor every aspect of your operations; this will allow you to analyze past successes and failures in order to come up with sound strategies for future growth and profitability.

Efficient, Accurate Documentation

When you have the right software for the job, analyzing reports is easier. In fact, they can be generated automatically instead of having to rely on manual compilation and inputting by a team member (which could lead to errors). When all your projects are represented in one place, it’s easy to track progress towards completion or setbacks that might slow things down. You can also make valuable adjustments without having to deal with multiple sets of paperwork from different sources.

Access Anytime/Anywhere

With project planning software in place, your business quickly becomes more flexible; this means that no matter where you are – whether it’s at home or in the office – you’ll always be able to get the information you need when you need it. Information is up to date and can be accessed from anywhere with internet access; this gives you a complete overview of your project without having to spend hours trying to compile reports or other data in a less organized system.

Save Money on Printouts

Smiling casual man in hardhat and glasses holding arms crossed looking at camera while standing at desk with paper draft and stationeryWith paper documents, every time you want an updated copy of a particular document or report, various members of your staff will have to pull the needed sheets off piles and re-stack them into their appropriate order. If there are errors in one set or another, they could affect how things are compiled and assigned – even if they’re caught right away. This all takes more time than using project planning software that instantly updates files whenever changes are made.

Save Time to Invest in Growth

The less effort you need to put into administrative tasks, the more time you have for strategic planning and execution – and this leads to a better bottom line and more successful projects. Using software allows your team members to focus on their jobs instead of sitting around waiting for other people to do theirs or look through stacks of papers for the information they need. It may cost some upfront, but it’s worth it if it helps your company improve efficiency in any aspect of its operations.…

Design Of A Spa

Indeed, hot tubs are increasingly popular because of their recognized therapeutic benefits. This is why many development projects now include a spa in an area specially designed for relaxation. Being able to enjoy a jacuzzi in its outdoor space is the ideal solution in order to combine happiness, plenitude, and relaxation. To make this area a real little corner of paradise where owners can enjoy it in winter as in summer, it is important to properly assess its location, and above all, choose the type of layout that will harmonize with your style, and that will last in time.

Recessed spa

A trend that we love at landscaping Austin tx! In addition to being aesthetically beautiful, the built-in spa completely blends into the decor. Whether its outline is coordinated with the chosen uni-stone or whether it is embedded in the extension of a wooden terrace, this landscaping idea will certainly charm you!

Several options are possible. First, the spa can be fully recessed in the ground, leaving only the thickness of the cover. Or, it could be recessed a few inches in order to better harmonize the decor or to obstruct the view less. This concept allows positioning almost anywhere in the layout provided there is sufficient space to excavate. You must also provide access to manage the spa mechanics.

Integrated spa

The idea here is to integrate the spa into a terrace or garden area so that it blends perfectly with the decor. In general, and what is most often widespread, the spa will be integrated into the terrace or even the extension of the patio. It can also be integrated into a garden area where the vegetation and landscaping will completely hide the synthetic materials.

Spa pool

For several years now, many swimming pool manufacturers have been offering the design of custom spa integrated into the swimming pool. This option brings a chic side to your layout. Although this option is less expensive than purchasing an independent spa, be aware that this type of spa does not generally have the same technical specifications or the same therapeutic capacities as a spa.

Covered spa

Bad weather will not prevent you from enjoying your spa if it is installed on a covered terrace. Pergola, gazebo, or roof extension, there are more and more options to enjoy the outdoor courtyard regardless of the temperature. A covered space facilitates access to the spa at any time of the year. It will protect you from the hot summer sun as well as from the snow in winter because the integration of a spa into its landscaping is an added value for an outdoor courtyard but, above all, a big plus for the well-being of its user.

Do you want a relaxation area where you can enjoy a spa? Contact us now, and we will make your dream come true!

Activities and excursions in Aqaba, Jordan

Activities and excursions in Aqaba, Jordan

Aqaba has plenty of restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes. Traditional Jordanian cuisine is
offered throughout the city, from fast food; offering falafels and shawarmas to meals of lamb
cooked for hours.

Aqaba is also an excellent city to savor freshly caught seafood. The best fish restaurants can
be found near the fishing port. Note that most local restaurants do not serve alcohol. But do
not worry; there are a lot of bars in town that you can visit after your meal!

Our tip: The traditional Jordanian dish is Mansaf – slowly cooked lamb in a yogurt-based
sauce served with rice and pine nuts. Warmly recommended!

 

In Jordan, here are some other places you shouldn’t miss:
 Wadi Rum – following in Lawrence of Arabian’s footsteps by jeep, horseback, or camel.
After admiring the beautiful scenery, relax for the evening in one of the Bedouin
camps, enjoying a traditional meal and sleeping under the stars. 1-hour drive from
Aqaba.
 Dead Sea – not recommended for diving! But a great day to relax and test the mud,
supposedly having great healing properties. 2.5 hours from Aqaba
Best time to visit Aqaba

The high seasons are from April to June and from September to November. In January-
February, scuba diving is generally not popular due to the water temperature, which drops to
around 18 ° C, but the city itself is always crowded, as it is a good time for other excursions
in Jordan. Summer is normally very calm as the air temperature is far too hot, exceeding 50 °
C in July and August.

The best time to visit is September / October when the water is warmest and clearest, and the
air temperature is around 30-40 ° C. Even in the peak season, crowds never reach the size of
those in Egypt, so if you don't like crowds, Aqaba is still a great alternative to Egyptian
resorts on the Red Sea.

Health and security

Health – no special vaccination is necessary, although usual MMR, polio, and tetanus are
recommended.

It is strongly recommended that you have full travel and diving insurance, as hospital costs
are relatively high. Seeing a doctor for a diagnosis will cost you at least 10 JD (the US $ 14), the
same for any other treatment or medication you may need.
Safety – in the main areas of Aqaba, local people are used to tourists and therefore you should
feel safe and welcome. Most Jordanians are very friendly and known for their hospitality.

Aqaba is a vacation resort, so a casual dress code is expected, however, overly revealing
clothing like swimsuits should only be worn on beaches. The bare breast is really not
recommended.

If you are traveling further north to smaller towns and villages, women, in particular, should be
more respectful by covering their shoulders and knees, as these areas do not see the same
the influx of tourists as Aqaba and Amman.
D
If you are planning to go on a trip to Aqaba, I recommend investing in good travel insurance
that also covers scuba diving. You never know what can happen, and having the right
insurance can get you out of tough times.…

Deck Installation: Error You Should Avoid

According to the technology of laying the floor terrace board, the material must be mounted on a flat prepared surface. Wood, concrete, or metal supports can be used as a base. It is forbidden to install the material on sand or soil due to the instability of the base. For installation work on an area with uneven terrain, it is allowed to use screw piles, which are able to firmly fix the product.

It is necessary to lay the decking taking into account the recommendations offered by the manufacturer. Installation is carried out on logs, which have a step width of 40 to 60 cm. Floorboards are attached to the structure in an open or closed way, depending on the purchased screws. The installation of decorative panels is carried out with uniform gaps between the plates, which allow the canvas to shrink and also act as drainage holes.

The decking should not go beyond the edges of the base, as this can lead to damage to the canvas during operation. To achieve a presentable look, the ends of the coating are closed with finishing strips. For professional decking call deck builders in San Antonio TX.

Installation errors

The most critical shortcomings when laying the material are:

  • no gap between the ground and the floor – the hole, which must be at least 10 cm, ensures air circulation and prevents damage to the canvas;
  • non-use of protective rubber gaskets that are installed on the logs – such an error can lead to premature failure of terrace boards;
  • poor water drainage system – with the accumulation of condensate and excessive moisture under the floor covering, the canvas is deformed;
  • non-compliance with the technology of compensation gaps – the decking should not be mounted without seams, since the material tends to expand.

The advantages of decking

Since recycled natural materials are used in the production of flooring, such products fully comply with hygiene and sanitary standards. The coating can be used when arranging recreation areas since it does not have a negative impact on the environment and human health. A number of advantages can be noted in decking that distinguishes it favorably from alternative materials:

  • availability for additional processing, ease of installation, and the possibility of piece replacement of panels;
  • wear resistance – the flooring does not undergo deformation at an air temperature of -45 to +70 degrees, the decking does not crack and does not get wet under the influence of sunlight and moisture;
  • resistance to damage – insects, and rodents are not afraid of decking, the material, thanks to grinding and processing with protective compounds, repels pests;
  • increased moisture resistance – the floor material can be installed in open areas near pools and other bodies of water, the coating does not slip and does not deform;
  • strength – when properly laid, the decking can withstand a pressure of 0.15-0.50 tons per square meter;
  • versatility – decking can be laid on public beaches and private areas to equip playgrounds and recreation areas. The material goes well with natural stone, wood, and decorative tiles.

Styling cost

Installation of the canvas should be carried out by specialists using specialized equipment. The cost of the work may vary depending on the complexity of the project, the materials used, and the type of construction. If a solid foundation is required, the installation cost will increase.

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