|
|
| Home Improvement Ideas |
|
|
||
|
|
How to Modify Your Landscaping to Protect Your House from Burglars
Believe it or not, landscaping can be an important part of a good home security plan. A burglar who is "casing the joint" from the street will choose the house with tall shrubs and trees that provide hiding places. Homes with little or no outdoor lighting are preferred targets as well. So, how can you landscape to protect against burglars while still creating an aesthetically pleasing yard? Here are a few tips: You don't need to eliminate trees, but keep them trimmed back from your house; tree branches can be used as a ladder if they are next to a window or skylight. Mow your lawn regularly; an unkempt lawn can suggest to a thief that the owners are away on a trip. Store ladders, lawn chairs, and picnic tables out of sight lest they be used as a means to reach high windows. Trim back shrubs growing near doors and walkways, keeping them 3 feet or shorter in height. Also, don't allow shrubs to block any of your windows. Adding gravel under windows makes for noisy footing for would-be thieves. Consider planting thorny bushes (of the low growing variety) around windows. Some examples are: Hawthorne, Rose Shrub, and Barberry. Forgo privacy and keep your trees and shrubs trimmed back in order to allow a clear view of the outside of your house. Having neighbors that can see your doors and windows can help deter thieves even if you happen to be out of town. Keep your yard well lit. Motion-detecting lights make decent choices; body heat-triggered sensors are even better (less likely to be triggered by a waving branch or a passing animal). Dogs are not a complete home security plan, but can make good home protectors because they have keener hearing than humans, along with a propensity for barking at strangers. Dogs training can help your dog learn exactly what you want him to do. About The Author TC Thorn writes content for numerous web sites, including a number she owns such as http://www.homesecurityinformation.com where you can find more information on homeowner's insurance and home security.
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Hiring a Waterproofing Contractor According to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC), consumers can take several steps to ensure they find the right contractor for their job. A leaky roof, basement or unprotected foundation can cost thousands of dollars worth of damage and significantly decrease a home's value. Finding out exactly what repairs you need and then comparing the services and costs of local contractors can save you tons of money. Finding a waterproofing contractor to fit your needs is very important. Add Sizzle to Your Surroundings Is your home décor lacking that extra something that spells the difference between comfortable and vibrant or between comfortable and tranquil? Candles might be just the polish your décor needs. Take advantage of the sparkling colors, rich textures, and fresh scents of candles without draining your decorating budget. Replacing Aluminum Frame Single Pane Windows In our past articles I talked about all the steps required to properly replace your old wood sash windows with energy efficient vinyl windows. I told you how to measure for the new windows. Then we discussed the removal of the wood sashes and parting bead. Finally, I told you how to install, seal, and trim the vinyl replacement windows. But, what if those old windows in your home are made of aluminum instead of wood? Is the process the same? No, it's not the same at all. So, the next few articles are going to explain the differences between replacing wood windows versus aluminum windows. Contractor Referral "As a contractor with 16 years of experience and speaking on behalf of professional contractors. I want people to be aware of the warning signs that they may be dealing with the wrong contractor." Lighting up Your Life You are visiting a friend that has just had a beautiful kitchen remodel done. It is a lovely kitchen with stunning granite countertops and a sharp looking tile backsplash. The glass door cabinets are filled with the good china. Somehow after spending a small fortune the room still looks a bit drab. To Picket Fences Of the 359 homeowners in my area, 112 are running afoul of the law in a deviously blatant way by committing the heinous "fence offence;" in other words, breaching Los Angeles municipal code sections 12.21 and 12.22 which limit front yard fence and hedge height to a maximum 3 ˝ feet above grade. Now that's a lot of criminal activity for one neighborhood. Building Your Own Home Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge of all aspects of the home building process. The impression of most people is they don't really know enough to build their own home. Let's face it, most of us know a little about the process. Some of us may know a lot about one aspect or the other involved in building a home. You may know how to paint or do carpentry work or lay tile, but you probably don't know everything about home building. Outdoor Decks - Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design You're all comfortable in your favorite lounge chair, reading your latest novel with a cool beverage nearby...the aroma of your favorite BBQ drifting from the grill teases everyone...catching a few rays of sunshine never felt better. Warm weather calls us outdoors, and what better place to enjoy life than your deck! Non Slip Maintenance Of Honed Interior Marble A honed finish is a satin surface with relatively little light reflection. It is specified for floors, thresholds and other locations where the presence of water might make a polished finish slippery, or where heavy traffic would wear off the polished finish. Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway or patio complements a home in a way that is unmatched. It adds a level of quality and elegance to a home entrance that can not be achieved with either concrete or asphalt. Brick and Pavers also come in many different colors and shapes allowing for unique color schemes and patterns to be achieved. In addition, installing a Brick or Paver walkway does not necessarily require a pro. With some basic knowledge and a relatively simple walkway plan, a homeowner is capable of undertaking such a project. Traditional Interior Design Traditional interior design encompasses a great variety of elements in a home. From the ceilings to the floor; including the trim, the wall finishes--all the way to the window treatments and the furniture. You Get What You Pay for when it Comes to Above Ground Pools When you think about an above ground pool do you think of the inflatable toy baby pool? That's what I thought and boy was I wrong. In fact, above ground pools are really nice quality and are sometimes the best solution for homeowners. Having the pool be less expensive is a nice quality also. Inground pools can take a long time to install and are very expensive to maintain as well. There are some problems with installing above ground pools if you don't do them right. They are fantastic, but the installation is a big part of enjoying them to the max. Buyers Guide To Heavy-Built Mailboxes If you are tired of replacing your mailbox every few months due to vandals or just poor quality construction, you need a heavy-built mailbox. Some of the more common reasons for purchasing a heavy-built mailbox are destruction by vandals, snowplow or street sweeper damage, or just a poorly built mailbox that will not stand up to harsh or extreme weather conditions. Heavy-built mailboxes are approved by the United States Postal Service and are built with top quality workmanship and crafting that normally includes an excellent warranty. Installing Vinyl Siding - Making It Simple Installing vinyl siding can be a very rewarding process that could dramatically change the appearance of your home. For the most part, if you plan your job well and adhere to some simple guide lines, anyone could learn how to install siding to there home. If You?re Looking for Bedding, Think ?Pink? If you have come to a point in your life that you want a serious relationship, I would strongly suggest that you "think pink". This may sound strange to some of you, but I have discovered that the color "pink" has some interesting qualities. Pink is definitely a girly color, and it speaks of love, romance and partnership. Pink flowers, hearts, and just about anything else this color makes you feel soft and feminine. What woman doesn't love receiving even a single pink rose? The majority of the time you will think of pink for baby bedding if you are expecting a girl. Most of the gifts you receive at a baby shower will be pink for your newborn girl. Don't stop using pink for your bedding after you have grown up. There are lots of things you can do to enhance your bedroom when it comes to finding partnership and having a pink duvet cover or bedspread is just one of them. Electrical Home Inspection: What You Need to Know! Whether you're buying a home, or just moving in to your new home, here is some advice that can help you. If you're in the buying process the things you will be looking for are safety and repair aspects. Most electrical contractors can offer you an inspection to check for both of these. If you are thinking to yourself right now that you have or are going to hire a Home inspector, think again. A home inspector does a generalized inspection. Most of them will know a little about a lot of different areas, but be an expert in none with a few exceptions. It is a certainty in most areas to say you will be forced to hire one to get a mortgage, and that's a good thing. If you hire an experienced licensed electrician, your electrical inspection will be more thorough and you can get an estimate to what repairs will cost at the same time. Planning Permission Tips UK - Understanding Your Local Planning Officer - They are Only Human This time of year often sees an explosion in new enquiries for development schemes but the irony of this fact is that most people think that they are in time for a Spring/early summer build if they start the Planning & design process now through the Local Authority?? Sorry but this thinking should have been at the end of last summer - September at the latest. In most cases people do not seem to realise the time scales involved ....... 1 month for survey & design build up, another 2 weeks for clients alterations & Planning upgrade, 2 to 3 months for Planning Approval, 4 weeks for the Building Regulations upgrade, 5 weeks for the Building Regulations & tender & then 4 months to fit in with your chosen Builders programme & work schedule. Add that all up & 6 months would seem a challenging task. The moral? - If you have a development project start the design & formal applications process as soon as possible & at least 6 months (in most cases) should be allowed before you can start on site from inception. HOW MANY MORE TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS? Why Laminate Flooring is the Perfect Choice for Families If you've ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you've probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can't quite wash out. Or perhaps the family pet has scratched the carpet edging, or even worse - had a bathroom mishap on the children's favorite playing area? Strapping a Ceiling Prior to hanging sheetrock to ceiling joists it is important that strapping first be installed. Why Hardwood Flooring is a Good Investment Hardwood flooring has a timeless air of quality
|
Discount Flights - Discount Flights and Hotels
Cheap Car Insurance - A Guide to Buying Cheaper Car Insurance Online
Cheap Car Loans - Get a cheaper car loan by applying online
Advice Bureau - A Guide to Managing your Personal Finance
|
Property Handbook | Home Improvement | Home Improvement site map mortgage calculator | cheap car loans | broadband providers |
| © Investment Properties |