Designing the Right Pergola for Your Home

Creating the perfect outdoor area should start from the top – and that means installing a pergola that will set the scene for everything that follows. Modern pergolas come in all shapes, sizes, colours and a range of materials, meaning the right design is easily incorporated into your home. Pergolas are a key asset to your home and add value, functionality and practicality. Speaking to an expert who can advise on the best options for your outdoor area is the sensible move.

Be Prepared
Whether it is a new home in need of a pergola or an older home in need of a revamp, it is important to have an idea what you want and what works best. Before you seek out quotes, measure the area where the pergola is to be erected and make a note of any problems you foresee, such as the surface underfoot, proximity to sheds and other buildings, or where it is likely to attach to the walls of your home.

It’s important to find the right place for the pergola. Most new homes are built with an obvious location for an outdoor area already taken into consideration. The best location will provide ease of access to the inside of the home – access straight to the kitchen is ideal. A north-facing orientation is also a good idea, to make the most of our climate.

Types of PergolasModern pergolas come in three main configurations – gabled (or pitched roof), flat roof or domed. As a general rule, flat roofs are cheaper and more straight-forward to install. They are a simple and easy option and can be made to fit virtually any area. Gabled pergolas give greater flexibility when it comes to style. They are also cooler because the higher roof allows the heat that gathers underneath to rise and the design encourages better airflow. Domed roofs add that extra ‘wow’ factor and are generally the most expensive. Once again, they can be designed to fit any space and they can be an impressive feature all by themselves.

Choice of MaterialsSteel and aluminium construction has taken over from timber-framed pergolas as it offers great flexibility and protection from the elements. Timber pergolas will need more maintenance (such as painting) than steel construction and can warp or crack under certain conditions. When it comes to the roof, Colorbond and polycarbonate sheeting are the most popular choices. Polycarbonate can come in clear sheets to let light into the outdoor area, while Colorbond comes in colours that will complement the rest of your home.

Two TipsIt’s important to consider safety and local laws if your patio adjoins a swimming pool. Pool suppliers should be familiar with the laws surrounding this. Look for someone who can install approved fencing to make your outdoor area as safe as possible. In many States pool fencing is a legal requirement, so check with your local authority. Here’s another tip – if you are installing a patio, put in your fencing before laying paving bricks to save hassles. It’s easier to cut the pavers to fit around the support poles once they are in the ground.

Birds in Silhouettes

One photo from my archive. Captured last year on a tall-weed field in front of my aunt's home.

The Weekend in Black and White

Using Staff for In-House Training

Every organization needs to have well-trained staff and, for non-profits, volunteers. The benefits and cost-savings of having competent people who know what they are doing are enormous, but training can be expensive, especially if you have a lot of employees and volunteers. What can you do to minimize the expense of training without sacrificing quality? There are many things you can do to save money in this area and, at the same time, show your staff and volunteers that you value them. Here are some easy ways:

Offer In-House Training

Instead of out-sourcing your training needs, why not utilize the in-house expertise of your existing personnel? After all, who knows better about your organization, what is needed, and how to do it, than the people who are currently doing it? It is also much cheaper than hiring a facilitator or outside trainer. So if you’ve got a number of new staff that need customer service training, why not ask a current employee who has demonstrated competency in that area to give the training? It doesn’t matter if they have never trained anyone before; there are a lot of resources out there to help them figure it out. People love to be challenged and expand their current skill sets, and it is another way for you to show your staff that you trust them and want to see them develop their talents in new directions.

Build Training Expertise within Your Organization
As mentioned above, there are mountains of educational resources that you can access in order to start building expertise in training within your organization; best of all, there are many free resources available! If you’ve got senior employees who have been with you for a long time, ask them to develop a training program for new hires and volunteers. Taking ownership of your own staff training by creating expertise and knowledge in this area also allows you to better control the direction of your organization. You will be able to tailor the training to the growing needs of your business.

Appreciation and Acknowledgement
Appreciating the hard work of your staff in training their peers doesn’t have to come in a monetary form: most people love to help others out and share their knowledge. It is more important to properly and publicly appreciate them for their knowledge, skills and willingness to share them with the rest of the organization. An added bonus is that you will simultaneously increase the morale of your staff and foster more loyalty, as they will feel truly appreciated and respected.

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Tips for a Cheaper, Cooler Home

If you are wasting money by cooling your home with your air conditioner, there are ways to make it more economical. To start with, you need to check your air conditioner to make sure it is working efficiently. Also think about when you actually run the air conditioner, as well as that more than just the security doors are shut.

There are a few main issues that cause you to spend too much to cool your home:
● The condition of your air-conditioning system.
● The timing of your air-conditioning system.
● Keeping out the heat.
● Airing your home at night.

Cleaning Your Air Conditioner
The condition of your air conditioner will not only affect how cold the air is in your home but also the quality of that air. An unclean filter can not only make the air smell musty but can also carry bacteria that cause illness. Make sure you clean out the filter regularly as this will also allow easier airflow.

The next thing you really need to do is get your air-conditioning system serviced. While this will cost you some money, it will also save you some in the long run. A proper technician can help sort out re-gassing your system as well as fixing any small or major problems.

Running Your Cooling System Earlier
If you want to have a nice cool house without the massive costs, it pays to start your air-conditioning earlier. You see, if you cool your house down in the morning (when it is already cool) then the air-conditioning does not have to work too hard to keep it at that temperature. But if you only turn your air conditioner on when it gets really hot, you will end up paying more because your system then has to work overtime to bring the temperature down. Make sure you set your air conditioner to cool to a certain temperature – setting it to just two degrees higher than usual can save you a lot of money.

Closing Blinds and ShuttersShutters and blinds are the best way to keep heat out of your home in warm weather. Keeping a dark house in summer is the best way to keep it cool although you will be sacrificing some breezes. If you have the air conditioner on it won’t really matter too much anyway.

While outdoor shutters are great at blocking the sun and heat, their metal construction can sometimes be a bit warm. This is where a double-insulating effect of some heavy curtains will help you a lot. Make sure the curtains are nice and dark so they can block light getting through and heating your home.

Airing Your Home
It is also important if you are running the air conditioner all day to air your home when you get the chance. Do this during cooler periods, such as at night, and this will get your home ready for any hot weather the next day.

10 Extra Safety Features for Your Home

We all want to live in a safe home, and it is surprising how a few small changes can help your sense of security. Not all of the security changes listed below cost a fortune and, in fact, quite a few are very affordable. Here are 10 simple safety features to add to your home:

1. Roller Blinds
This addition to your home not only keeps it secure from break-ins, but can also keep your house cool and dark. Most roller blinds these days are controlled either by remote or by a simple switch. This is not a small investment, but it is certainly one of the nicer ways to secure your windows.

2. Security Fencing
Security fencing doesn’t need to be ugly. Getting a good solid Colorbond fence will quickly improve your security. Don’t forget that you can also improve the safety of your home with additions like new pool fencing. Pools cost a lot to maintain, when you consider all of the extra maintenance costs, like pool cleaners, but you should never skimp on safety!

3. Motion Sensor Lighting
This is one of the cheapest ways to increase the security of your home. A motion-activated light is enough to deter many night-time criminals looking for a quiet place to break in to.

4. Window Locks
Yes, your window probably has a simple latch to keep it closed. However, to make your home really secure, you need to add inexpensive key locks to your windows as well.

5. Security Doors
Standard screen doors are not enough to keep people out of your home. A security door should be able to withstand some impact and not be pulled off the door frame very easily.

6. Security Window Screens
As with security doors, you need security screens for your windows. If you have standard fly-screens, it is simple for a criminal to pull them off and get into your house. They also act as a visual deterrent.

7. Monitored Alarm Systems
If you are not happy with a basic alarm and other visual deterrents around your home then a monitored alarm system may be for you. These systems are monitored closely by a professional security team, which means that either security guards or the police will be called to the scene if the alarm is activated.

8. Fire Alarm Systems
While we all think of home security as being about stopping break-ins, we also need to improve the fire safety of a home. While a standard smoke alarm is better than nothing, you really need more than one, in different locations around the house. Why not install a proper fire alarm system with a wider array of monitoring points around your home?

9. Fire Control Systems
To further improve the fire safety of your home, you can install fire control systems. These could be something as simple as a set of extinguishers or as comprehensive as a proper indoor fire sprinkler system. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay and how extensive you wish your fire control system to be.

10. Video Surveillance
If you wish to feel extra secure, video surveillance is the answer. The beauty of surveillance in the modern age is that you can go with something as simple as a webcam right through to multiple camera security systems. A video system monitoring your home would also provide you with evidence if someone were to break-in, or make an attempt to do so.

Organising a Family Reunion

There is no better way to catch up with relatives and strengthen the branches on your family tree quite like a family reunion. Planning the reunion, however, is no small task. Organising a time when all of your family members are going to be available, finding a place that everyone can get to, and providing the kind of entertainment that will please all ages, can be extremely difficult. When it’s all said and done, having put on a successful family reunion is a very rewarding experience. Here are some tips to make it a party that your family will talk about for years.

Garner Support

Before you start the planning process, contact all your relatives to get a clear sense of popular opinion. Do your family members want a reunion? Is there anyone willing to help you plan? Does anyone want to host it at their house? Opening a dialogue with family members will also give you a sense of when people can attend, how many will attend, where people are willing to travel to and what kinds of activities people like. Once you have established initial contact, it will be easier for you to maintain the interest of family members throughout the planning process.

Selecting the Type of Reunion

Most reunions can be broken down into two basic types: one-day events such as a picnic or barbeque, and multi-day events that last for a weekend or more. If most of your relatives reside in the same general area, then more frequent one-day events will be easier for you to plan. If you are going to have relatives travelling from far-away places to attend the reunion, however, plan something more elaborate to make the trip worthwhile for them.

Choosing a Time and Location

Where and when you decide to hold the family reunion will depend on the opinions you collected earlier. The location and date you choose should be the ones that work for the majority of relatives. Popular locations include where largest number family members reside, the original family hometown, or simply the location that will be easiest for you to work with.

Make It Official

Once you have selected the time and place, make it official by sending out invitations, emails or even making a group on Facebook. The earlier you do this, the better, as your family members can get the necessary time off work and start making their travel plans.

Plan Away!

Now you have your guest list as well as an official date and time for your family reunion, it’s time to get started on the details. Make a list of all the things you will need to take care of in the lead-up to the big day, such as contacting the caterer and hiring all the necessary party supplies. Start thinking about what activities and games will be fun for people, and get to work planning the fine details. Consider what extras you will need such as streamers, flowers or specially made t-shirts for everyone who attends.

Family reunions are a really fun way to catch up with family members that you don’t see very often, so even though organising one is very time-consuming, it will be worth it to see your whole family together again.