New Groove: Vinyl Floors Are Back!

Forget everything you think you know about vinyl floors from the kitchens of decades past. Vinyl flooring is back and better than ever. It's durable and easy to clean, and it comes in a vast array of colors and patterns. This often undervalued material deserves a second chance to become part of any contemporary home. Here's why.

Vinyl Stands Up to Use and Abuse

Vinyl is one of the most resilient flooring products on the market. It's easy to sweep and mop up, and won't scuff or ding easily. This makes it a popular choice for entryways, mudrooms and other areas that need frequent cleaning. Sheet installations with no real grout grooves means no place for dirt and grime to catch on, so the floor can stay virtually pristine.

Vinyl is also a great choice for laundry rooms and other spaces where there's a risk of water or chemical spills, which could soak into other flooring materials with more disastrous results. Vinyl's lack of moisture absorption prevents mildew and mold and, consequently, musty odors.



Vinyl Mimics Other Materials at a Fraction of the Cost

Like laminate tile, vinyl can be created in any sort of colorway or print, meaning it can be printed to appear like exotic wood or stone tiles that might be too expensive for your project -- and it requires much less maintenance.



Sheet laminate does not always effectively simulate wood planks (make sure to see a larg e sample of whatever product you're considering to check the quality), but it does well as a simulation for products like cork that also come in larger sheets or seamless installations.

Vinyl Creates Fascinating Looks

While Best Remodeling Company it can simulate the look of other materials, vinyl is perhaps even better when creating a statement all its own.

Vinyl Looks Great in Dramatic Patterns

The fact that it often comes in large sheets doesn't mean you have to install vinyl as a single piece. Whether you use sheet or tile, combining multiple shades in interesting patterns can personalize the look without adding too much to the material cost.

Tip: For a patterned floor that won't overwhelm you, try a palette of charcoal gray, warm taupe and white or slightly off-white.

Vinyl Can Add Retro Charm

What says diner more than a black-and-white checkerboard floor in classic vinyl? This pattern and material are meant for each other. Use the combo in any style of kitchen to add a hint of retro appeal without the room's looking like the set of a period film.

Vinyl Can Be Applied on Top of Old Floors

Want a floor Best Remodeling Company In Houston makeover without a full remodel? Adhesive vinyl tile can be placed on top of tiles (leaving the grout exposed for a more realistic effect), or laid over smooth floors to give them a new look for just a few hundred dollars, in a very doable DIY project.

http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2016/12/23/new-groove-vinyl-floors-are-back.html

Research and Markets: Gardening in the US - Market Sizes and Leading Brands

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/53xxsl/gardening_in_the_u)

has announced the addition of the "Gardening

in the US" report to their offering.

Caring for the lawn http://www.gardena.com/uk/water-management/sprinkler/ and garden remains a very popular weekend activity

for many US households. According to data from the National Gardening

Association, over 70% of US households spend time and money taking care

of their lawns and gardens. At the same time, some consumers consider

these activities to be arduous and not enjoyable. In these cases, the

hiring of a lawn service professional is common.

Euromonitor International's Gardening in USA report offers a

comprehensive guide to the size and shape of market demand at a national

level. It provides the latest retail sales data (histor ic date range),

allowing you to identify the categories driving growth. It also

identifies the leading companies and their brands, and offers strategic

analysis of key factors influencing demand - from new product

developments, consumer lifestyles, route to market and pricing issues.

Forecasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ to 2016 illustrate how market demand is expected to evolve in

the medium-term

Product coverage: Barbecues, Garden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ Care, Garden Sheds,

Gardening Equipment, Horticulture, Other Gardening, Pots and Planters.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts),

company shares, brand shares and distribution data.



Why buy this report?

- Get a detailed picture of the Gardening market;

- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;

- Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and

leading brands;



- Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to

develop.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/53xxsl/gardening_in_the_u

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120829006116/en/Research-Markets-Gardening---Market-Sizes-Leading

Yanks Go Yard - A New York Yankees Fan Site

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w York Yankees logo"/>Your New http://www.vikinggroupinc.com/ York Yankees.

Your inbox. Every Day.



Build your own custom daily newsletter with updates on your favorite teams, sent directly to your inbox.

Your privacy is safe with us. We'll never pass along your email address to spammers, scammers, or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w the like.



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How To Landscape A Sloped Lot

While a house in a hilly area comes with a promise of stunning panoramic views of the surroundings, to their utter chagrin, homeowners quickly realize that working on a sloping backyard can be a harrowing task. However, the old adage, "More work equals to better results" certainly holds true in case of landscaping a sloping yard which presents innumerable opportunities for aesthetically pleasing inclusions that would otherwise look mundane.

When planning a landscape for a hilly yard, it is quintessential to include this topographical feature as a crucial c onsideration when deciding on every aspect of the landscape, from the type of plants that you intend to use to the design of the garden. Preplanning will help you to tackle the more cumbersome aspects of landscaping a slope while yielding astounding results. So, here are some tips on how you can landscape your sloping backyard to create a stunning medley of colors and textures.

Get to know the terrain

Grading the terrain: Before you draw up plans for landscaping your sloping backyard, it is imperative to study the terrain and the slope to ensure that your landscape will be able to efficaciously handle the drawback of gardening on a slope, while making the most of the natural features of the terrain.

A simple thumb rule to understand how the extent of slope will impact your gardening efforts is that the steepness of the slope will be directly proportional to the water you will need for your plants. Because steeper slopes tend to funnel moisture away from the plan ts, forcing the water and soil to flow downhill, it is vital to get the slope graded. As a matter of fact, most experts suggest that getting a sloping yard professionally graded can help you to save a significant amount of money on watering the steep terrain in the future.

Visual analysis: Alternatively, you could also do a visual analysis of the area. Gauge the severity of the slope and create a quick diagram labeling the steepest portions of the yard; make a note of the amount of sunlight that the different portions of the yard receive. You may also want to include comments on any drainage problems that may be encountered in specific areas.

List the various elements of the landscape: With the diagram in hand, you will be in a better position to place the various landscaping elements in the drawing such as tress, flower beds, fountains, walkways, boulders etc. It is crucial to accurately anticipate the area that the plants and shrubs will cover at maturity so that the landscape does not look too crammed.

Mark the areas for planting: Ideally the trees should be planted at the bottom https://skygarden.london/ half of the slope so that they can add stability to the landscape and prevent soil erosion. The steepest sections should have shrubs with deep reaching fibrous roots that will hold on to the soil while the wider plants that will cover large areas at maturity should be planted at the bottom of the slope so that they can create a neat hedge while affording you all the privacy that you need to enjoy your garden.

Preventing soil erosion

Stability and accessibility: Soil erosion is a huge concern when gardening on a slope; however, depending on the steepness of the area, you will also need to give a thought to accessibility requirements such as a ladder or other forms of assistance for climbing. The type of soil and the steepness gradient will also impact the stability of the yard.
Drainage and soil erosion: The direction in which the water drains from a slope will have a bearing on the extent of soil erosion; for instance, if the water runs down straight to the lower ground, there will be massive erosion. Using non porous material for landscaping on a steep terrain will further augment the soil erosion problem.



Solving the soil erosion problem: There are several anti erosion measures that can yield remarkable results such as:

Terracing

Laying garden paths across the slope

Using boulders and logs to reduce drainage

Building retaining walls with small rocks

Planting specific types of grass

Interlocking walls etc

Using the right types of plants can not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also help to reduce soil erosion. As a matter of fact, mixin g different types of greenery is the ideal way to reduce the water from draining away too quickly. Plants such as deep rooted shrubs combined with trees like manzanita and juniper will hold the soil tight for the shallow rooted perennial shrubs and flowering plants like clematis and day lilies.

Preparing the ground

With a list of plants that you intend to use to reduce soil erosion, you are all set to prepare the ground for your landscape

The compass points need due diligence: Knowing the direction in which your yard faces will prove immensely useful when choosing plants for the landscape. Slopes that face to the south or west tend to drain faster and will have to be watered more than yards facing the east or north. So, if you are handling a western or southern slope, pick drought resistant shrubs or your water bills may go through the roof.

Ground cover will help: Although for regular areas, bare soil will be adequate to grow a bountiful flowerbed; the s tory will be different with sloping surfaces where the soil will dry up and erode quickly due to the slant. Use ground cover plants such as Vinca, Sedum and Liriope muscari for best results.

Use good ol mulch: This is a natural and affordable way to deal with soil erosion; also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjreVlmEbis it helps to fertilize the soil. However, it is certainly not a permanent solution as the soil will drag the mulch away slowly, leaving bald spots in your landscape. Another issue is the fact that dry and dead leaves, twigs and branches are not exactly a visually pleasing sight.

Choosing plants for your sloping yard

Ornamental grasses: Local, ornamental grass varieties with their deep reaching root system that spreads horizontally is ideal for controlling erosion. Since grass is low maintenance, you will not have to worry about fertilizing the ground. Some attractive ornamental grass speci es include:

Little bluestem

Inland sea oats

Plains lovegrass

Texas beargrass

Estern woodland sedge

All of these grass varieties thrive when planted on hilly terrain.

Ground cover plants: For a slope that receives a fair mount of sunlight; prostrate juniper should work just fine while for a shady area, you might want to use creeping boxwood, also known as pachysandra. Other ground cover plants include wintercreeper and periwinkle which also flourish on hilly grounds.

The decorative varieties: Plants that can be used in different areas of the landscape include:

California Privet: This is a tall shrub that can grow to a height of 10 feet and has a foliage width of almost 4 feet; the shrub grows in part sun and part shade producing cream colored flowers. The plant is hardy and drought tolerant so it's an ideal choice for steep slopes.

Japanese Spirea: This is another plant that is a fabulous choice for a sloping yard; the deciduous shrub grows almost 6 feet tall with a foliage width to match. The leaves grow in a riot of colors from rich burgundy to bright green and every hue in between. The flowers are equally beautiful, an eclectic mix of purple and pink. However, the plant does need full sun and flourishes in warmer weather

Verbena: With its airy stems, the shrub can be coupled with plants that sport dense foliage. The plant is a superb choice for a sunny slope and works well as a foreground shrub. It grows about 6 feet tall with a foliage width of 3 feet. Its drought tolerant and the purples flowers can add a touch of color to your landscape.

Oleander: A favorite with homeowners all over, few plants can create a Mediterranean ambience like Oleanders in white and pink. The plant can grow tall to almost 20 feet with a foliage width of 12 feet. The flowers bloom in bunches almost continuously and are available in a myriad of colors such as yellow, white, pink, red and apricot. It' s extremely drought tolerant and easy to grow.

You could also try growing hibiscus and roses on a terrace. Remember to water a slope; a drip hose will be more appropriate than overhead sprinklers.

Innovative planting ideas

Bordered Tiers: Use boulders or landscape timber to create the appearance of tiers. When using timber, you will need to stick the pieces together and drive a rebar through them to hold the wood in place. Use glue to stick pavers on the timber and your tiers will be all ready. Use plants such as day lilies, lavender or other flowering perennial shrubs. You can use decorative stone or mulch to hold the moisture in.

Planted slope: You could also use a combination of flowering shrubs, evergreens and perennial flowers scattered all over the yard. Alternatively, create neat rows of greens and flowers for a formal look.

A flowing deck: You could also build a series of decks, each falling successively with the slope of the yard. Try buil ding a series of walkways and steps connecting the decks. Use flowering shrubs and solar lighting to create an enthralling ambience.

Plant in basins: Another innovative approach is to chuck the traditional rows of shrubs in favor of basin like formations. Each basin will serve as an exclusive spot for certain types of plants.

Completing the landscape

To add the finishing touches to your landscape: Remove the grass and other growth from the areas designated for the walkway. Use gravel, stone or any other type of hardscape material to cover the surface and pack pea gravel or sand in between.

Use large boulders placed across the yard to create a natural and earthy appeal; the large stones should be placed at the bottom of the slope away from the steep areas for safety. Once all the stones have been placed as desired; bury them one fourth of the way into the ground, so that you get stability along with a natural look.

Finally add the finishing touches with a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjreVlmEbis fountain placed in a central location, you could also use ornamental lights or antique wooden benches or wrought iron furniture to complete the landscape.

By: Ella Schwartz

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ella C Schwartz is a writer for Hunterstruct Construction, offering design, building, structural repair and home renovations in Vancouver and throughout Southwest British Columbia, including the BC interior and Sunshine Coast. Best known for its functional and great looking sundecks, Hunterstruct showcases its best Vancouver decks on the Hunterstruct.com website. We love building, and it shows!

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Meet The Weathermatic Ct70 Rotary Sprinkler

The Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler is a gear driven rotor sprinkler for use with large turf areas. This is an upgraded rotary sprinkler and has more capacity to handle business areas like parks, schools and other community buildings. The Weathermatic CT70 Rotary Sprinkler is four inches in pop-up height. It has one inch female thread inlet on the bottom and a rubber cover for safety. It also comes with a safety clutch that prevents gear stripping whenever you start turning the turret by hand. This style of rotary sprinkler is a part circle model and it http://www.which.co.uk/magazine/gardening/ can adjust from 40 degrees to 360 degrees.

The Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler also has an internal screen, a wiper seal, a stainless steel spring and adjustment screw. The sprinkler set comes with five nozzles, a well oiled drive unit and a built-in check valve. There are some protective parts to the rotary sprinkler, like a cover lock that protects against vandalism and a non-potable cover, for use with systems that use reclaimed water. Lastly, there is a stainless steel sleeve that protects pop up riser stem.

Now that you know the specifications of the Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler system, what does all of this mean? Rotary sprinklers are a type of garden or lawn sprinkler and spray water from the tips of two or three Sprinkler Installation spray arms. These arms spin as the sprinkler waters the entire site. Depending on what type of rotary sprinkler you buy, these arms may be fixed or have adjustable tips. Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler system is designed for large turf areas, which is unusual, since most rotary sprinklers are made for small to medium sized areas. Deluxe units for rotary sprinklers provide three adjustments: mist or jet spray by turning the nozzles, or a spray diameter which is made possible by swiveling the nozzles in or out; or by stationary watering.

The Sprinkler System Installation Flower Mound Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler has extended bearing surface area heavy duty bearings. This allows the part to offer extended life span and protection from winterizing procedures that use compressed air. This unit also has an exclusive Tri-Port nozzle which enhances the water pattern with its different levels like close, mid, and long range uniformity.

If you are interested in the Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler then it's best to contact the company for specifics on performance and sizing. After all, if you have a system large enough to require a head like this, then you are undertaking a massive job. It's best to communicate with the factory or at least an authorized distributor of the product. The company recommends that have a design prepared by a professional designer who has experience in creating large turf sprinkler systems.

The Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler is classified as a smart irrigation product. Smart irrigation can reduce your water usage, reduce your bills and practically eliminate harmful runoff. For more information on the Weathermatic CT70 rotary sprinkler visit the official website or look for an authorized dealer in your local area.





By: Devin Gilliland



Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Devin Gilliland is VP of GreenMarkIrrigation.com one of the largest online wholesale dealers and distributors of Weathermatic CT70 sprinkler and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardening water timers.

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