Home design and renovation

Windows come in an incredible range of shapes and sizes – among them are bays, circles, triangles, angular, arched, mismatched, double-height, skylights, church and conservatory! They all have their place and can look spectacular in your home, but dressing them to best effect can be a real headache. Whether you’re drawing attention towards a beautiful window to make a feature of it, or away from a less than unattractive window or vista, there are many stylish and creative treatments to help solve awkward shaped window challenges.Here are the 10 most common problems you will come across. 1. Bay windows Large and airy Victorian or Edwardian style bay windows are common in homes all over Britain and there are many ways to dress them depending on the size of window and the exact shape of the bay.  To emphasise the grand and expansive shape of the windows, why not hang anarrangement of four curtains, as these will make an interesting change from a single pair, positioned on either...

Windows provide great views and fresh air, but they can also be a source of hiked energy bills. As winter approaches, if you have old and drafty windows, you need to start thinking about replacing them with new and energy efficient ones. The following are some points that you need to consider in that regard. Green windows In the past, the government has awarded federal tax credits of as much as $1500 to people that decided to change their windows. This shows how important going green is when installing windows. Statistics show that a simple change in the windows can drop your energy bills by up to 30 percent annually if windows with the right amount type of insulation are installed. Window ratings When replacing the windows, keep in mind the rating. This is the index that determines how energy efficient the windows are. The government site Energy Star, gives information about ratings for different window types. The two factors that are important in determining the index are: •  ...

Traditionally, if you had a bay window in your home, your radiator options were very limited. However, with modern technology we have the ability to create curved radiators that can fit precisely on a curved surface. What this means is that there are suddenly a lot more design options available for your home when you have bay windows, and when you are looking to upgrade your heating system.   Working Out What You Need   Before you start to look at all of the radiator options that are available to you, it is important that you work out exactly what you need first. The first place to start is to work out the BTU (British Thermal Unit) that is required to heat your room sufficiently. There are plenty of ways to do this, but there is also a handy tool on the calculator.net website that can work this out for you. You will also need to measure your window precisely to ensure that any radiator that you purchase will be able to fit comfortably. Once you know what your requirements a...