When shopping for a new door, it can quickly become overwhelming as there are just so many different types for you to pick and choose from. For many, the focus will simply be the look of the door and this is understandable, however, it is important that you do some research beforehand, so you are aware of exactly what you are buying. The way a door is manufactured on the inside is just as important as how it appears on the outside as this can have an effect on the way the door feels and how effectively they can retain heat. Here, we will be taking you through the pros and cons of solid wood doors vs engineered oak doors. What’s the Difference Between A Solid Wood or Engineered Oak Door When choosing a new oak door, there are two different types that you can potentially go for. Solid wood...

When it comes to decorating and furnishing your home, consider the quality of the light before anything else. Nobody wants dark and dingy rooms – we all prefer bright and welcoming spaces flooded with natural daylight. However, if your bedroom or living room faces north, it will get no direct sunlight, and the little natural light that does come in may feel cold. What to do? Luckily, interior designers are used to decorating light challenged rooms and have a few tricks up their sleeves to maximise the potential of any interior space, able to turn even the pokiest of rooms into warm and inviting places in our homes. The secret is to introduce light – and lots of it. Make the most of natural light Even if the room in question only has a small window, some daylight is bound to find its way in, so make the most of...

To clean or not to clean your solar PV panels, that is the question. There’s been something of a debate going on around this topic, with some people recommending regular cleaning while others claim it won’t make a difference and that you can even damage the panels in the process. Let’s see if we can shed some light on the pros and cons of solar panel cleaning. How quickly will my solar panels deteriorate over time? The durability and output quality of any PV module depends on its build quality. Assuming you’ve invested in a high quality installation, the expected rate of degradation in terms of electricity generation is about 1% per year. So the short answer is yes, but only very gradually. The key to choosing a quality PV installation is to compare and assess the types of solar panels that are available for your home. Take a look...

Stylish bathroom heating is everywhere. Once thought of as a bit of a luxury, heated towel rails are now a staple of many homes, adding extra comfort and warmth to bathrooms large and small. However, when it comes to choosing a bathroom radiator for your home, you need a bit more to go on than just good looks. Essentially, towel radiators are multifunctional devices that need to be able to perform a minimum of two jobs. First of all, if your bathroom radiator is your main source of heating in the room, it must provide efficient heating, so it’s nice and warm when you undress for your shower or step out of the bath. You may be able to go for a lower output towel rail if you also have underfloor heating installed but heating efficiency should not be disregarded. Secondly, the advantage of having a heated towel rail compared...

Owning a private swimming pool is a dream for many homeowners and there is no doubt that having your own pool can be fantastic for your quality of life. But if you are thinking of investing in a private pool it is worth thinking about whether it is right for your property. There are a number of different factors to think about rather than just the fact that it will be a lot of fun. Looking around at many of the top manufacturers, it is easy to see how the addition of a home swimming pool can be a fabulous thing. This ‘best pools for a small home’ post on Compass Pools is particularly helpful, but read on for more facts about how swimming pools can be good or bad for your property. Adding value In many cases, having a swimming pool installed can be a fantastic way to add...