What’s the Best Insulation Solution for Your Home?

The US Department of Energy says that most homes lose 30 percent of their heat or air conditioning as a result of leaks and cracks in the building. This can cause you to end up spending quite a lot of money on energy bills. To avoid this, you should ensure proper vinyl siding services of your house. You can do this using spray foam and by padding your floors, ceiling and walls to make sure that your home is airtight.

Spray Foam Insulation

This padding is a combination of chemicals that are sprayed from a machine on areas to be padded with the use of a hose. When sprayed, the chemicals mix at the tip of the hose and create paint-like sludge that sticks on any surface that it touches.

Shortly after, the foam starts expanding and traps the bubbles. The expansion of the foam forms a continuous layer of insulation that’s impenetrable.

Insulation Types

There are two types of spray foam: open cell and closed cell.

– Open Cell

This is the least expensive choice. It’s referred to as open cell considering that the bubbles in the foam are broken and don’t ever close. Air gets trapped in between the bubbles as the foam expands. This creates several air pockets that trap any heat that might try to escape. Due to the broken bubbles, the foam is soft, allowing water to penetrate through them. Open cell is great for insulating pipes, wires and other obstructed areas. Its insulating rate is 3.5.

– Closed Cell

The bubbles in this foam are all closed and firmly packed together. This makes it much more powerful than the open cell foam. Neither air nor water can penetrate through it. Since their bubbles are smaller, they provide better vinyl siding repair. It has an insulating rating of R-7 for each inch.

Good Insulation is Expensive

Closed cell foam is much more expensive than open cell foam. Open cells have a density of approximately 0.5lb/ft. and closed cells have a density of 1.75lb/ft. If your budget is tight, consider having a combination of both closed and open cell foam.

DIY Insulation

If you want to install your own spray foam, this is possible. Just buy the disposable kit; it has everything that you will need for the job. You can use them when you are doing a minor job, where it’s essential for you to keep the wind and moisture out. You can also use it when doing the Flash and Batt technique.

Flash and Batt

In this method, start by spraying 1-inch thickness of spray foam on the wall. Then apply fiberglass rolls or batts. This creates a strong insulating force that will prevent air or heat from permeating through the walls. This is known as convective heat loss. This happens, for instance, when air blows and carries cold air inside your house. The combination of fiberglass and cell foam enhances each other to provide strong vinyl siding installation.

Cantilevered Stairs: Running on Air

In my final ideabook I looked at stairs created from thin plates of metal which seemed ribbonlike in their continuity from step to step. One impression you get from that combination of material and form is they appear to float. This next look at stairs considers steps that float more literally; cantilevering from one side, each measure is independent, the antithesis of the ribbonlike steel staircase.

What follows are predominantly wood stairs, anchored along a solid wall and projecting into space. The different effects are certainly dramatic, aided no doubt by the detailing of the guardrails and the treatment of the adjacent wall, in addition to the articulation of these steps themselves.

Amitzi Architects

This first example features a wood stair that is well integrated into a porous wall composed of horizontal members together with spacers and gaps between. It’s easy to imagine the steps slotted between the horizontals continuing through the other side of the wall. Another view …

Amitzi Architects

… accentuates how the wood steps cantilever from the wall, particularly since the snowy guardrail is independent of these steps. While the steps look like solid wood, most likely the are partially hollow, to get a (steel) Structure within that retains the steps horizontal as they are used as time passes. This technique applies to just about all of the wood steps presented here, many of which are large enough to conceal the inner structure doing most of the job.

Webber + Studio, Architects

Here the wood steps are created from the exact same wood as the adjacent wall, projecting from it with no obvious connection. It is safe to say the supporting construction is hidden within the steps and behind the wall. Many regional codes would demand a rail on the right but somehow this stair exists without one.

These wood steps are more slender than the prior example, but a close look at their underside shows steel plates in a T-section which are attached into the concrete wall. But from above the effect is the same as other stairs here, in which the steps appear to float independently in midair.

John Maniscalco Architecture

Here the link to the wall is more overt, as the stringer that holds the steps is exposed, albeit painted white to match the wall. Another look shows…

John Maniscalco Architecture

. . .how the glass wall, a few inches past the steps, essentially acts as a guardrail. Just a slim handrail is subsequently needed on the other side.

Elite Metalcraft Co. Ltd

This example melds my previous ideabook on steel stairs with this one-on-one steps. A wood stair cantilevered from one wall is built in wood, making it ribbonlike, yet weatherproof. The glass guardrail strengthens the floating impact of the stair.

Feldman Architecture, Inc..

Not all cantilevered staircase need to be really striking, projecting the full width from a wall. This example features steps extending beyond a wall beneath the stair. The choice to do so might be related to the demanding, stacked-stone wall or the need for usable space beneath the stair. After that, a straight-on look…

Feldman Architecture, Inc..

. . .shows the cantilever is all about one-fifth of the stair’s width. The way the wood risers are intended to coincide with the treads is well done. I would love to find that the risers be the drawers to take advantage of the space beneath.

Aidlin Darling Design, LLP

Another example of a partial cantilever echoes the prior example, but the risers match the walls, not the steps. The thick wood of the treads strengthens the way that they float, with no need for extra structure.

Eisner Design LLC

However, what about other substances? The stair’s treads are made from translucent glass set into stainless steel framing. A T-section attached to brackets on the brick wall provides the support for the stair.

Eisner Design LLC

A similar stair elsewhere in the exact same project as the previous example shows the simplicity of the T-shaped tread. In cases like this the structure continues into the wall. A look from below…

Eisner Design LLC

. . .gives an notion of how these steps allow sunlight to filter down the different degrees, an important consideration in urban living. If these steps were wood the sunlight could be severely diminished.

Steel plates, such as the ones in my previous ideabook, can also be configured for cantilevers. Here the bend takes place across the wall, making treads with no risers. This is a really simple and elegant that just requires a bit of steel to the underside for strengthening.

GLS Architecture/Landscape Architecture

This last example is included to illustrate that cantilevered stairs can also be used in outdoor applications. These concrete steps project from a cast-in-place concrete wall, and they float above a wood deck. This structure is hidden in darkness, as most likely intended, but the effect is sublime.

More:
Artful Stairs — Continuity in Steel
Level Changes Define Interior design
More inspiring architectural Information

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12 Inspiring Garden Gates

Though their first intent was to keep out unwelcome guests, gates have become beautiful architectural structures, including feelings of enchantment and fascination to the landscape and representing the homeowners’ character and style. Highlighted in this ideabook are 12 unique gates, each of them adding function and good looks, and fitting seamlessly into their surroundings.

ROOMS & BLOOMS

Framed by an arbor and fence, I almost missed the fact that this gate is actually an old doorway! The bricks beneath are a delightful touch, and it is quite possible they came from the same source as the doorway.

Tip: Check your regional ReStore for intriguing salvageable materials that may be utilized in your yard.

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

Upon viewing this exceptional entrance, I could not help but to imagine the shadows that could be cast as people come and go. There is little doubt in my mind that a little detail in this way could create a heightened sense of admiration, sure to draw a smile.

Amy Jesaitis

Hidden behind foliage, this gate still creates a bold statementthanks to the ornamental medallion that’s displayed at eye level. Of course, the deeply saturated color helps a lot, too.

Eron Johnson Antiques

This charmingly weathered gate offers a glimpse in the sweet purple blossoms that reside in the garden behind. The height of this structure adds an additional element of miracle, although the slotted design allows one to feel welcome and at ease.

Grizzly Iron, Inc

The patterned flower design generously enriches this iron gate, keeping the row of bars from feeling institutional.

environmental notion

Somewhat different than your average fence and gate mix, this set reverses the normal arrangement. Generally the fence is strong while the gate is windowed, but that is an enjoyable change!

Blasen Landscape Architecture

My favorite part about this garden entrance is how easy it is to repeat. A number of the gates that you encounter are grand and somewhat pricey, whereas something like this might be obtainable over the span of a weekend, even with the help of a few tools and a little stack of materials.

Check this out one-of-a-kind of a gate that’s similar in style.

A beautiful gate such as this can not help but pull any and all focus on the lush garden behind. The curved layout makes a powerful focal point that’s fast to draw the eye. Crowned with an arbor, the gate is finished off with a good sense of equilibrium.

InterDesign Studio

This funky door boasts character in addition to a decent sense of flow. Not only are the colours consistent with the home, but the cover of the gate dips down to meet with the height of this fence, making this space feel not as inflexible than if a traditional gate had been utilized.

Aneka Interiors Inc..

A curlicue entrance pairs well with the stunning rounded archways from the distance.

Tip:When deciding upon a gate layout, it might be of help to narrow your options by mirroring an overall shape that exists in the backdrop.

Diane Licht Landscape Architect

The unfinished wood used with this gate was a wonderful selection for its surroundings. Over time, a structure that’s left with no paint or stain will slowly weather. In cases like this, the subdued end goes well with the neutral tones of the home.

Motionspace Architecture + Design

It didn’t take long to observe the stability shared with this home and its entrance. By employing a same colors represented on the exterior of the home, the designer was able to create a cohesive and relaxed feeling.

More exterior information:
Charm Your House with Windowboxes
Design with Weather: Introduce a Rain Chain
8 Great Ways to Use Landscape Pavers

Next: Read additional photos of garden gate designs

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