Trends in Kitchen Remodeling That Are Here to Stay

Just like avocado colored appliances the popularity of stainless steel will fade. It’s true, most kitchen and bathroom remodeling trends eventually fade out of existence as quickly as they found their way in. There are however a few trends that will withstand the test of time in your kitchen and bath.

Kitchen Cleanliness

When it comes to cleanliness in the kitchen we are not talking about germs but instead the design of the space. Kitchen design trends that stand the test of time work with clean lines. Open shelving, cabinetry with glass doors or flat fronts, and overall simplicity is what keeps a kitchen from looking cluttered. Kitchen designs should offer enough storage for unsightly, infrequently used appliances. Counters should be clear of as much “stuff” as possible to promote this trend.

Neutral Color

Neutral kitchen spaces are something that never gets old. What gets old is brightly painted cabinetry and colored appliances. To create a kitchen that doesn’t show its age it is important to keep the colors simple. White and black appliances are always in style and are easy to enhance as trends cycle in and out.

Dark Cabinetry

If you have ever had white cabinets or any light-colored cabinetry you will understand that it is difficult to keep them clean. Unless you have hours on end to spend cleaning your kitchen it is best to stick with the ever-stylish look of dark cabinetry. The use of exotic dark woods is another option that we find never seem to become outdated.

Appliances That Blend

It is important, especially in open kitchens that the appliances used blend into the entire space. A home that flows from room to room never ages. The more “hidden” appliances are, the more likely they will blend right in as another piece of furniture within the space. No longer are large scaled ranges and huge steel refrigerators necessary. Instead opt for long lasting pieces that conceal themselves within the design.

Ageless Designs

Once upon a time there was this fascination with moving from one home to another. People didn’t want to live in the same home for more than five to seven years. Today however, homeowners are looking into ways to keep their homes ageless. They want to live in the same space forever, more commonly known as ageless design, universal design, or age in place renovations. This means making sure your kitchen design is universal. Layered lighting, counters of multiple heights, drawers that pull out, and kitchen cabinets hardware that is easily opened are all design options that will withstand the test of time.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan. Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services. More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

Safety Hazards Within the Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing seems to be a term that covers several different companies within a wide range of industries. With such a wide variety of businesses, manufacturing facilities have a vast number of operational and safety practices they follow. There is a specific organization known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that sets forth standards and compliance regulations for manufacturing facilities to help avoid common safety issues found within the sector.

Even though there are several different industries that make up the manufacturing sector they share a few safety concerns including:

Falls

Falls are the most common accidents that occurs within the United States. The frequency of falls makes this the number one hazard found within the workplace, especially within manufacturing facilities. Falls represent a serious risk for workers. They can lead to death or injury; most falls will require at least a few days off work to recover from. It is of the utmost importance that manufacturing facilities take special precautions to avoid falls throughout their facilities.

Machine Guarding

Heavy machinery is operated throughout many different types of manufacturing facilities which is why it is so important that proper guarding procedures are followed to keep workers safe. Improperly installed guards on machines presents a major hazard to the safety of employees. To keep manufacturing workers safe while operating large scaled equipment proper safety features are installed.

Electrical

Even when individuals are not directly working with electricity, such as you do as an electrician or engineer, there are still plenty of electrical risks involved in manufacturing. Many manufacturing facilities use a system of bus ducts, plugs, and shut offs to avoid industries from electrocution. Electric panels are kept secured in manufacturing locations as well to increase safety. Large scaled equipment is also inspected and kept up to date with the use of reconditioned electrical components on a regular basis that helps keep equipment running smoothly before a chance of failing occurs. Standards are in place from OSHA regarding electricity to lessen the risks involved within manufacturing facilities.

Undertrained Employees

Employees that are not properly trained for the position they are in is a problem found not only in manufacturing. Facilities are only as safe as the people that are working within them. It is crucial that proper training is done regularly on all pieces of equipment that workers may encounter in your facility. When machines are replaced or even upgraded for that matter, employee re-training should be mandatory. Exposure to proper safety training will help keep all employees throughout the facility safe. Practicing procedures that are in place are just as important as training. Take the time to run regular tests involving the safety procedures to ensure that they are properly executed before it becomes vital.

Learn more about J & P Electrical Company and their vast line of new, surplus, and refurbished industrial electrical components including: circuit breakers, bus ducts, bus plugs, disconnects, fuses, panel switches, tap boxes, and transformers at www.jpelectricalcompany.com. To contact one of our product reconditioning specialists, call 877.844.5514 today.

The Best Style of Fencing for Homeowners with Pets

There is no doubt about it, the safety of your pets is as important as any other member of the family. This is just one of the many reasons it is important when choosing a fence for the perimeter of your yard or to enclose your swimming pool that you are cautious to purchase an option that is pet friendly.

Aluminum Fence Panels for Pets

When choosing a fence that is safe for your pet it is important that it is also stylish and compliments your home and landscape. Aluminum fence supplier, iFenceUSA.com, offers 18 different styles of aluminum fencing, all of which can be fitted with puppy pickets to add an extra layer of protection from the outside world and your pet. Aluminum fence panels not only serve a purpose but are aesthetically pleasing as well.

Not only are aluminum fence panels great for backyard spaces they are often used in commercial settings. Often veterinary clinics have fenced in spaces that allow pets to wander around outside without running away. Aluminum fence panels with the addition of puppy pickets are a perfect option for both homeowners and in commercial settings.

Aluminum fence panels with the addition of dog fence panels are perfect from keeping puppies from escaping from in between or under the pickets while also being tall enough to prevent them from climbing over them. Aluminum is also durable enough that even the most ambitious pup can’t chew through it.

Breeds and Ability

Anyone who has ever owned a dog or is considering a dog for their family must understand the breeds natural demeanor. Does the breed have the ability and desire to escape from a fenced in property? Some breeds are naturally good at staying within their designated space while others will do whatever it takes to escape. Your goal as a homeowner choosing a fence is to find an option that prevents escape from either over or under.

Walkway Gates

Many escapes occur because of an improperly latched gate. When choosing an aluminum fence panels for sale, it is important not to forget the gate. Aluminum gates have additional hardware that can be purchased that helps to ensure the fence is never unexpectedly left open. When shopping for a gate it is crucial to get an aluminum gate that is both self-closing and self-locking.

Your pet’s safety is as important inside as it is outside. This is just one of the many reasons that aluminum fence panels are the right option when enclosing the backyard for your family friend.

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need. Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/. For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

What Occurs When You Ignore a Leak in Your Roof

Asphalt shingling is the most common material used to roof homes throughout Michigan. Shingles are not only inexpensive, but they are also low-maintenance and roofing contractors have been installing them for over a century. When properly cared for a shingle roof can last between 20 to 40 years, depending on the specific product that is installed. No roof will last forever no matter what material it is made from, however there are things you can do to help especially if the roof is compromised and a leak occurs.

Ignoring leaks in your homes roof can lead to bigger problems for homeowners. A leak in your shingles will not ever repair itself, no matter how much you beg it to. Water entering your home from your roof will wreak havoc when it is left to soak into the insulation and ceiling. The longer the repair is ignored the costlier the damage will be to repair.

Dealing With Mold

One issue that occurs with leaks is that the chance of mold growing increases substantially. A small leak may just leave a few water stains at first but slowly start to turn into mold growth thus a bigger, more expensive problem to deal with. Water leaks turn any space into a perfect location for mold growth.

Not only is mold unsightly to look at it can also make you sick especially if you are plagued by asthma and allergies. Even without being troubled with these afflictions exposure to mold can cause irritation to your skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs leading to more health problems for you, your family, and pets.

Mold may also cause the life expectancy of your roof to decrease. Seeing that replacing your homes roof is costly, homeowners want to put this process off as long as they possibly can. Thus, making your roof last as long as possible, is often a priority for most homeowners. One way to do this is by taking the time to have small leaks fixed as they occur. Small leaks that get ignored, small or large, will weaken the structure of the roof. This will mean that the homes roof will need to be replaced much sooner than it would have if you didn’t ignore the leak in the first place.

It is important to have your homes roof properly inspected twice a year and properly repaired. This will help to assure that is a leak is or has occurred it can be taken care of immediately before it becomes a larger issue.

Home Pro Roofing of Michigan offers professional roofing services including new roof installation and roof repair services using shingling and metal roofing materials. The roofing contractors of Home Pro Roofing service Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas. More information can be found online at https://homeproroofingmi.com.

Essential Tips When Planning A Wedding

As a wedding planner there are million and ten pieces of advice we want to give to all our brides as they tackle the process of planning their big day. Below you will find just a few of our wedding consultants most indispensable secrets!

Guests

Our first and most critical piece of advice has to do with your guests; those individuals who you deem most important in your life. There is no hard rule when it comes to the number of people you invite to your wedding, who to include, and where the cut off should be. Invite as many or as few guests as you desire, just make sure to have enough space for everyone. For every guest the venue should have approximately 25 square feet of space for each guest. If you plan on having 300 guests, it is important to find a space that is 7,500 square feet or more. This allows plenty of room for seating, staff, entertainment, and activities.

Black Out Dates

If you are planning on having out of town guests, it is important to be sure there are adequate accommodations for all of them. Before booking anything check the local events calendar. If there is an annual tree lighting, charity run, or conference in town the same weekend you want to get married it may be beneficial to make other arrangements. If the date is unable to be changed look into a different location. There are going to be certain dates within the year where area hotels will not have availability. The last thing you want is for your guests to be unable to attend due to lack of accommodations.

Mother Nature

Unfortunately, the weather is an element that is outside everyone’s control. Your vision may include a beautiful outdoor wedding with a late-night reception in a white tent on the lawn of your childhood home. This grand vision is perfect in every way except that you are dead set on a wedding in the middle of July in Michigan where the weather is often hot, humid, and unbearable outside. Guests are likely to skip out early if they are uncomfortable. We have seen the weather scenario play out not only due to heat but also the cold. When you are planning your wedding, it is crucial that you take into account all of the scenarios mother nature is known to dish out. Outdoor summer weddings need to consider the heat and bugs. Fall weddings should consider the potential for drastic differences in the temperature from the intense hot Indian summer day that is known to occur in the middle of October to that ever-possible flurry. Have a few plans in place: one for the picture-perfect day of your dreams, one for the worst weather situation possibly imagined, and one that meets in the middle.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget. We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations. More information can be found online at http://www.eventplanningdc.com

The Many Reasons Every Business Needs a Mobile App

Mobile apps are becoming more and more of a necessity when it comes to maintain and growing your business. No matter what you do or how your company interacts with clients a custom designed mobile app will allow you to be more efficient and effective. Mobile apps are not solely for large, well known companies like Home Depot. In fact, more now than ever small and mid-sized companies with unique needs are benefiting from custom apps to round out their company’s mobile strategy.

If you are still on the fence on why your business needs a mobile platform and how they can benefit from a custom app this installment should provide a clearer picture to its importance in our ever-changing world of business and customer relations.

Benefits of Custom Mobile Apps

Visibility to Customers 24/7

Would you believe it if someone told you that the average American spends more than two hours a day using their mobile device. Most users only use a handful of apps on their phones however, each time they open an app yours will be right there. Even if it is unconscious, the image of your app will be there and thus always top of mind.

Direct Marketing

Mobile apps function in several ways to assist customers. From general pricing to account information and more. The biggest benefit of providing customers with a mobile app is that any information you desire your customers to have at their fingertips from special promotions to sales, it is all there at the touch of a button.

Added Value

Another benefit of having a custom mobile app for your company is the added services of value that you can offer to clients that interact with it. For instance, the app can be designed in a manner that allows customers to collect rewards for interactions, a type of loyalty program. What results for your companies is that more and more users will want to download your app to achieve rewards thus leading to a higher number of repeat customers.

Brand Awareness

Mobile apps can significantly increase the awareness of your brand. The app is like a walking billboard for your company. You can change it as often as desired creating a different appeal every day. The theory of effective frequency states that people seeing or hearing about your company more than 20 times are more likely to recall your information when they need your products or services.

Beneficial to Employees

Mobile apps are super useful to your employees as well. They can be used to complete everyday tasks as well as be a source to relay information easily to one another within your company. The great thing is that as the wants and needs change for your growing business so can the app. Mobile apps can be customized to the growing needs of employers leading to a more efficient way to manage employee relationships.

Creative Programs and Systems specializes in custom mobile apps for both iPhone and Android users. For more information on what the Android app developers and iPhone applications developers at CPS can do for your growing business check us out at https://www.cpsmi.com.

Essential Terms to Know in Real Estate

There are several industry specific terms used in real estate that are crucial to have an understanding of when looking into becoming a first-time home buyer. When the lingo is unfamiliar to you it is easy to become overwhelmed which leads to added stress to an already stressful situation. To prepare yourself for a fast and efficient transaction we have compiled a list of terms you are sure to hear throughout your transaction.

Appraisal: This is the estimate given by professionals that values the home, property, or combination of. An appraisal is sought by lenders when looking to verify that a property is worth the amount of money the buyer is seeking to purchase it for.

Buyer’s Agent: A buyer’s agent is a real estate professional that works on behalf of the person buying a home. They seek to represent the buyer’s best interest throughout the entirety of the transaction.

Contract: A sales contract is a legally binding document between the buyer and seller that states the terms of the sale.

Closing: This is the moment the sale of the home is final.

Closing Date: This is the date that is set in place as a marker for when ownership of the home occurs. It is the expected date that the home inspection is to be completed, a mortgage obtained, and keys exchanged.

Contingencies: Conditions within the contract that need to be met for the sale to move forward.

Counter Offer: Once an offer has been received if it is not deemed acceptable to the seller they can respond with an offer they deem acceptable.

Debt-to Income Ratio: This is a number that is used my mortgage lenders to determine how much outstanding debt you have including the mortgage vs how much income is coming in. Debt is divided by income times one hundred.

Due Diligence: This is the process in which a person takes reasonable actions to satisfy legal requirements of a contract.

Earnest Money: This is the financial portion of the initial contract, typically 1 to 3 percent of the cost of the home, that is held in escrow and is applied to the buyers down payment when the sale goes through or is paid to the seller if the contingencies are not met and the buyer reneges on the contract.

Escrow: Money that is kept in the custody of a third party until certain conditions are met such as paperwork is signed, or taxes are paid.

Equity: The market value of the home minus the liens against it equals the money left over. Equity refers to the money that is left over as “profit” from the sale of the house.

Inspection: This process involves a professional that is hired by the buyer to assess the homes condition.

MLS: A database of properties that are up for sale.

Offer: The initial agreement that is made with conditions that the buyer gives to the seller with terms in which they would like to purchase the home under.

Principal: Is the amount of money the buyer needs to borrow to purchase the home.

Seller Concessions: These are incentives offered by the seller to make the home more desirable to buyers.

Title Search: This is the process that is taken to determine proper ownership of the home. It assures buyers that the seller has the legal ability to sell the home free of outside obligations.

Learn more about C21 Lady of the Lakes Realtors and the numerous services they offer including: buying a new home, selling a home, or renting a home at www.ladyofthelakes.com. To contact one of our real estate agents call 734-426-6060 today.

Treating Cancer with External Beam Radiation

There are several treatment options available when it comes to cancer treatment, one of the most common being external beam radiation therapy. In external beam radiation a beam, or many beams, of radiation are shot through a person’s skin onto the cancerous tumor destroying the tumor and nearby cells of cancer. To reduce the consequences of treatment it is usually given Monday through Friday, five days a week for several weeks. This gives patients enough radiation to shrink and kill off the cancerous tumors while allowing healthy cells to restore themselves.

The beam of radiation that moves through the skin and targets the cancerous tumor is delivered through a machine known as a linear accelerator, also known as a LINAC. A linear accelerator produces high-energy x-rays which treat the cancer. This treatment option is done using computers and specialized software to create a treatment plan. This plan will control the shape and size of the radiation beam as well as how it will enter your body to treat the tumor while pardoning the normal tissue.

Different types of cancer require specialized delivery of radiation using external radiation therapy. In this installment on external beam radiation we will discuss several methods of delivery.

3-D CRT: Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy

No two tumors are the same shape or size. No two patients’ bodies are the same either. 3-D CRT uses advancements in technology like CT, PET, or MR scans to display the tumors size, shape, and location relevant to the surrounding organs. This allows the radiation oncologist to tailor the beams of radiation with special shielding options to your exact tumor. The more targeted treatment ensures that less of the surrounding healthy tissues receive the harmful radiation.

IMRT: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT, is a specialized from of 3-D CRT that shapes radiation to cover only the tumor sparing healthy, normal tissue surrounding the cancerous tumor. In IMRT, the beams of radiation are broken down into several smaller beams with each beam’s intensity being able to be adjusted individually. This allows the beam’s closer to the healthy tissue to deliver less intense radiation without decreasing the radiation delivered to the tumor.

IGRT: Image Guided Radiation Therapy

Image guided radiation therapy uses conformal radiation treatment that is guided by images from a CT, ultrasound, or x-rays taken right before treatment. Since tumors can move between treatments, IGRT offers more targeted treatments as the images are taken right before treatment is given. Your team of oncologists will confer the images between treatments to adjust the treatment that is needed. Sometimes in IGRT doctors will place a marker in or near the tumor to help localize the treatment. IGRT is another option in radiation treatment that allows for precise targeting of cancerous cells, protecting the healthy cells.

As an independent LINAC service company, Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and services for linear accelerators and CT scanners across all major brands and models, as well as new and refurbished LINAC systems for sale. More information can be found online at https://www.acceletronics.com/.

Water Softeners: Maintenance Made Easy for Homeowners

Water softeners are just one of the many appliances that make our lives better. Once the softener has been installed there is little that needs to be done for it to do its job effectively day in and day out. Once the initial water hardness level has been set, regeneration parameters are set, and the salt is filled (or potassium) the softener will run as intended without a lot of attending too. Even though they are low maintenance appliance within the home they do require general maintenance to increase longevity and effectiveness, as do most appliances around your home.

Tips for Maintaining Your Water Softener

Keep an Eye Out for Salt Bridges

Salt bridges can occur in the water softeners brine tank when the salt hardens, creating an empty space between the water and salt which then stops the salt from dissolving and making the brine. If the brine is not created, then the resin beads that are used to soften your water will not work as intended. Most often a salt bridge occurs if the salt used in the tank is the wrong kind, in areas with high humidity, or when the water softener is stored in a location where the temperature varies. The best way to treat a salt bridge is to use a long piece of wood to carefully push down on the top of the solidified salt. This should, without a lot of force, break the bridge that was created in the salt free.

Watch for Salt Sludge

Salt sludge is a more severe issue that a salt bridge. When the salt dissolves and recrystallizes, a mush is created on the bottom of the brine tank. This layer of salt on the bottom of the tank keeps the system from regenerating properly which will leave a blockage in the tank that doesn’t allow the water to properly soften. The only way in which to solve the problem of salt sludge is to completely clean out the brine tank by digging out the used salt and adding fresh salt.

The best way to avoid salt bridges and salt sludges are to use the highest quality salt pellets available. Also, avoid putting too much salt in the brine tank, overfilling the tank will decrease the quality of the water that is produced. It is also crucial that the humidity and temperature in the space where the water softener is kept.

Water Softener Salt Choices

When it comes to maintaining your homes water softener, as mentioned above, it is critical that you choose the right type of salt. There are three basic types of salt you can purchase for your water softening system including: rock salt, solar salt, and evaporated salt.

Rock Salt: This is the least expensive of the options thus contains increased levels of impurities. This can result in a sludgy tank overtime which we know decreases the effectiveness of the system. Rock salt also leaves the most impurities in the water.

Solar Salt: This type of salt dissolves more easily then rock salt. Solar salt can be found in pellets and crystals and is obtained by the evaporation of seawater.

Evaporated Salt: Acquired through a mixture of mining and evaporation, this is the purest form of salt weighing in at 99.99% sodium chloride.

The purer the salt that you put into your water softener the less residue that will be left within the tank. This leads to fewer salt bridges and less salt sludge thus less maintenance to your water softener.

Flushing the Resin Bed

Resin beads are recharged by salt on a regular basis but even though this occurs it doesn’t hurt to fully flush the resin bed with a special water softening cleanser, which will help to keep it in top form. To prevent ineffective resin, cleanser can be poured into the brine well and the system manually regenerated. The system with normally discharge the cleanser during the cycle performed by the water softener. This process will help to keep the resin functioning effectively.

Regular maintenance helps to keep all appliances running smoother and the same is true of your homes water treatment systems.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more. More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

The Perfect Backyard Enhancement: A Gunite Swimming Pool

Gunite swimming pools are one of the most popular options for homeowners. Building a Gunite pool requires a crew to dig a hole in the desired shape, the installation of plumbing, and a rebar grid that is the framework of the structure. The steel rebar frame is secured in place using wire. Once this has been done a heavy coat of Gunite, a mixture of concrete and sand, is sprayed in between the rebar.

The unit that is used to spray in the Gunite mixes it with water just before it is sprayed which produces a wet concrete material. It is then smoothed out and left to dry. The Gunite drying process can take upwards of two weeks. When the mixture dries it will be rough. The smooth finish that we are used to comes from plaster that is installed over the rough concrete. Although plaster is the most popular option in pool finishes, some homeowners choose to use tile, exposed aggregate, and pebble applications.

There are many advantages that come with having a concrete pool installed over other options available to homeowners. It is not only an incredibly durable method of constructing a pool, it is also respected as one of the highest quality swimming pool construction materials.

Gunite is used more than any other material in both residential and commercial pools. One reason that the combination of Gunite and plaster is so popular is because of its durability. It is a material that hold up well in a number of different environments and is able to withstand high usage.

There are endless design options when you are using Gunite and plaster in creating a new pool, unlike fiberglass pools which are prefabricated. The sturdiness of these pools comes not only from the concrete base and plaster coating but also the usage of rebar in the base structure. Gunite pools are meant to last forever even if the plaster layer may need to be redone overtime.

There are many options to choose from when picking out plaster for your pool from traditional white plaster to quartz aggregate, there is a finish that will enhance your pool landscape. Choose a plaster for your pool that takes your ordinary backyard pool and transforms it into something spectacular. Colored plaster is a perfect option especially when the features surrounding the pool are not able to be updated and you need the pool to be the focal point.

Learn more about Pound Pool Plastering and their numerous pool plastering options including: pool resurfacing, plaster surfacing, commercial pool plaster, residential pool plaster, plastering swimming pools, tiling swimming pools, coping swimming pools, and more at www.pound-pool-plastering.com. To contact our pool plastering specialists call 248.476.4544 today.