Exterior Archives - The Monument Places

Tips on choosing trees for your garden

2017-03-06 Andrea Diaz Exterior

Selecting trees for your garden is not an easy task. You should make sure that the trees that you select are the right type to avoid regrets later. It takes some time to plant and nurture the trees to maturity so you should be ready for the whole process. There are many types of trees that you can plant in your garden, so you need to be careful in the selection process. To choose the right trees for your garden, you need to consider various factors that will guide you through the process.

Selecting trees for your garden

Purpose of the trees

You need to determine the purpose of the trees before you choose any trees for your landscape. If you are planning to use the trees for providing shade during summer, then choose shade tree species. If you are looking for trees to enhance beauty, then you should choose short trees that can be easily trimmed. It all comes down to how you have designed your landscape and how you want it to look at the end of the day. Shade trees are necessary for areas that experience a lot of heat during summer.

Climate zones

Your climate zone will determine the type of trees that you will choose for your garden. If you live in an area that experiences extreme winters, then consider trees that can be able to withstand the area. You don’t want a case where extreme weather affects your entire garden.

Care and maintenance

Care and maintenance of the trees are something worth considering before making a big commitment and planting the trees in your garden. It is important to consider whether you will be able to constantly trim trees to maintain their beauty. There are also trees that keep shedding their leaves, and this might be a challenge for you if you don’t have someone to keep cleaning the yard.

Growth rate

The growth rate is very important when selecting trees for your yard. Most of the time, it is advisable to select trees that grow to the average size and below especially if you will plant them near your house. This will avoid a scenario where the trees will start compromising the safety of your house in case of a fall.

Why Trees Are Very Important

2017-01-08 Andrea Diaz Exterior

Trees have a lot of functions. They make a good environment for humans and animals. The following are some functions of trees:

Oxygen
Trees use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a by-product. Without oxygen, human beings and other animals would not be alive. Forests act as a massive air filter. They clean the air you breath. It is estimated that a large tree can produce oxygen in a season that can be used by more than ten people the whole year. Unfortunately, most people are not aware how trees are very important.

Noise Pollution
Trees can kill the loud noise that is produced by motorways and airports. In fact, trees that are grown or placed in certain areas can be quite effective as walls.

Windbreaks
During winter months, trees offer an excellent support system to break down the extra strong winter winds. This helps reduce the heating costs that are incurred during these winter months. The reduction of wind is very important as it keeps soil in place. Moreover, it reduces drying effect of soil and vegetation.

Cleansing
Trees play an important role in cleaning the air you breathe. They remove various pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. This is possible by absorbing pollutants and reducing temperature through respiration.

Shade
Planting trees for shade is quite important for you and your family. Also, it improves the aesthetic value of your backyard. You will find the shade very useful during the warm summer months. Trees lower temperatures and provide shade. Countries with little access to air conditioning units can plant shade trees.

Cleaning soil
Trees offer filter like systems that reduce harmful pollutants. In fact, they change pollutants into less harmful pollutants. They can store the farm chemicals, sewerage, and clear air. They can also purify the runoff water into rivers and streams.

Carbon dioxide
Trees are known to absorb carbon dioxide. They store it in leaves, root, and wood of the tree. They use it to manufacture their food. It is stored not like harmful greenhouse gases. Therefore, by having it locked away and stored in the tree, it is not harmful.

Great scenery
Trees are very wonderful and beautiful to look at any given season. Forest trees can make a difference to any particular area. They can also increase property prices. Unfortunately, most people are taking trees for granted. They forget they are the reason why they exist.

Tricks And Tips To Pressure Washing Your Home

2016-09-30 Andrea Diaz Exterior

Most homeowners are aware of benefits of interior cleaning. However, they fail to understand benefits of cleaning their exteriors. Homeowners should know that exteriors are the first ones to be seen by visitors.

If you found your home with excessive mildew and moss growth, there are a lot you can do about it. It will not only make your home look less attractive, but grit, dirt, mold, and grime can damage your house masonry and siding. Pressure washing is the best way to ensure your home retains its exterior aesthetic appeal.

Pressure washers are a piece of equipment, which use water that is directed via the high-pressure nozzle. Pressurized water can help get rid of mildew and mold from the house exteriors. Using a pressure washer to clean hard surfaces takes a few minutes. It also removes and prevents mildew and mold from proliferating. Mildew nd mold can result in different health problems such as poor overall health, allergies, and asthma. In such case, pressure washing solves this problem by creating a healthier home environment.

Tricks and Tips
If you cannot do it by yourself, it is better to hire a professional pressure washing contractor. These experts understand how they can use special equipment and clean exteriors of your home without further damage or injuries. You need to know areas that a pressure washer can be used. Always remember that this equipment uses high-pressure water. Therefore, it can cause damage to home exteriors if done unprofessionally. This method can be used to clean wood sidings and bricks. To avoid damage, ensure the pressure is applied in right intensity, and keep distance. Avoid washing hard surfaces too closely.

Pressure washers offer a broad range of cleaning power. Therefore, depending on the cleaning task, you should set the right amount of power. For instance, if it is a heavier task, use stronger power pressure machine. Start washing your home from the roofs and make your way down. In that way, dirt will flow down, and you will not need to go back and forth. This will ensure all grime and dirt is removed. In fact, starting washing from the top will save you energy and dirt. After cleaning exterior walls, the grime, debris, and dirt will end up on your deck or porch. Therefore, you will have to clean such areas. Start from near the wall and push the debris and dirt away into the yard.

4 Reasons Homeowners Invest in Exterior Doors

2016-06-07 Andrea Diaz Exterior, Home Design

There comes a time when the need to change and augment the aesthetics of your home is irresistible. You might need a complete makeover or a simple face lift. The exterior door is one area that accentuates the appearance of any home. In case you are planning to change the front door of your house, then, you should spend your quality time looking for the right door. Your decision to invest is a beautiful unit can lead you to a door that is not durable. As such, it is wise if you have an aesthetic appealing door that is durable a well.

Why you should invest in Quality Front Doors

They are Great Investments

When shopping for any home appliance, furniture, and equipment, you will realize that this unit plays a critical role in valuation and aesthetics of your home. Right choices attract lasting benefits to your home. With this in mind, shopping for an lauko durys is a long-term financial investment. Thus, you need to inject a significant amount of investment to increase the valuation of your home.

Aesthetic Reasons

Like the roofing and exteriors, the front door in any home determines the perception that people have about your home. As such, to improve the appearance of your home, you do not need to renovate the entire house. Replacing the front door provides an instant face lift to your home instead of the expensive renovations. With a single change, you can create massive changes that are easily noticed.

Durable

Quality exterior doors last longer than conventional units. In this regard, investing in a quality unit provides you with real value for money considering. Moreover, quality doors also mean that the maintenance needed to keep them working is very little.

Can make your home look expensive

As much as a door is durable and strong, what it communicates is critical. A good entry door should give your home that expensive look. Moreover, the door chosen should be in harmony with the style of your home. In this regard, purpose to pick a quality unit that accentuates the themes and general features of your home.

Besides the issues of aesthetics, value, and practicality, safety and security should also be taken into account when choosing an exterior door. As such, you should invest in a quality unit that can protect you and family members from harsh environments and malicious people.

How to Increase The Curb Appeal of Your House

2015-07-23 Andrea Diaz Exterior Leave a comment

As the years go by, some parts of homes normally start to wither and lose their appeal. This is normal because of the constant exposure to different, harsh weather elements. Even a newly bought home can still look old, particularly if it isn’t taken care of. Homeowners need to realize that things such as grime, dirt, chipped paint, mold, and mildew can affect the way the houses look and this will lower the homes’ value.

Homes that are very appealing are said to have curb appeal. If homeowners increase the curb appeal of their houses, it will not only provide them with a sparkling and welcoming place to stay, but it will also raise the value of the home. Homeowners who put properties that lack curb appeal on the market normally has problems with potential buyers. Below are some simple exterior improvements to help you enhance the curb appeal of your property.

Clean the exteriors and interiors of your house

Cleaning the exteriors of you house is as essential as cleaning what is inside. If you get rid of all the rubbish and clutter from your house, it will attract potential property buyers into your house. As a tip, a homeowner can use a power cleaner to wash the exteriors of the property. Using the power cleaners will help in getting rid of the salt scum, dirt and grime from the porch, outdoor decks, and driveway. A homeowner can buy or rent a pressure washer, or he can also seek the services of professional pressure washers to avoid injuries and accidents.

Lastly, don’t ignore the gutters. Remember to clean the unclean gutters because it won’t only look unattractive, but also it will fail to work correctly. Cleaning your gutters is a quick and easy way of improving the appearance of your property.

Repaint your walls

Repainting your home can make it look brand new. Seek the services of skilled painters if you don’t have experience with the DIY project, to help you with the project. When selecting colors, you need to choose them outside where you can look at them under natural light because bright light normally creates glare and can change your perception of a particular color.

Improve the Landscaping

An easy method of improving the look of the garden is to add mulch to your flower beds. Also, you need to clean out all the dead flowers and the weeds. You can also add flowers and plants.