5 Different Types of Kit Homes

When kit homes were first introduced, there was very little choice and they looked like something that robots would live in. Nowadays, kit homes are as elegant and stylish as any home, and can be custom built according to your needs. The following are some of the main types of kit homes that you will find on the market these days.

Timber VS Steel Fame

Most people go for either timber or steel frame kit homes, though there are also pre fabricated panelling options, as well as pre cut log cabin choices. Steel frames are the most popular of kit homes for a number of reasons, such as being termite proof, fire resistant, and 100% recyclable. Steel framed kit homes also last significantly longer as they won’t rot or be undermined by weather or termites, making them a better investment in the long run.

The big benefit of using timber frames in kit homes is that they require fewer resources to make, compared with the lengthy procedure involved in making steel fames. Timber frames also cost a little less than their steel framed counterparts.

Holiday Homes

Most kit homes are built as somewhere to escape to on holidays, such as a country escape from the city. Rather than pay for accommodation each and every holiday, having your own place to take off to that has all of the luxuries of home, is a significant bonus and something that has made the kit homes a favourite holiday house choice. You don’t need a particularly large house to spend your holidays in, though you want it to be comfortable and spacious too, making kit homes the perfect way to have a great holiday spot without having to spend a fortune. 

Log Cabins

These are the most old school of kit homes and are constructed simply of rows of pre cut logs that can be easily fastened together. For those who want the classic country getaway, this type of kit home is perfect for creating that cosy shelter out in nature, and can provide the ideal escape for those looking for time alone to write or think.

Granny Flats

As families have begun to try and care for their aging parents and grandparents for longer, granny flat kit homes have become increasingly popular as a way to have your loved ones living near you, though not with you. This often extends the period of time that elderly relatives can live autonomously, greatly improving their quality of life, as well as allowing the family to stay living in the same area together for longer.

Enviro Kit Homes

As people have started to become more concerned about their environmental footprint, kit homes have grown in popularity, as not only do they use fewer resources in their construction and building, but they can also be made of totally recyclable materials. You can even get kit homes that utilise solar power and grey water systems, making environmental kit home far superior to ordinary houses in terms of their impact on the planet.

A Single Car Accident

I captured the accident this morning, on Jagorawi toll road that lead us back home. We didn’t guess before that there’s an accident ahead, I thought it’s just a common traffic jam in a busy Monday morning.

So, it’s just a quick shot as I still held my camera. I had no chance to open the car window. There’s no other car besides the box truck. I didn’t see a bad damage on this box truck; several toll road officers were trying to pull the truck.

The Swan Lake in Black and White

click to enlarge

This lake is located inside Nusantara Flower Park (Cipanas, West Java, Indonesia). The big beautiful princess sculpture will welcome you there. It’s not only the princess will attract your attention, but also various swans, birds and fish that live there. The birds live in a small ‘island’, in the middle of the lake.

The Weekend in Black and White

Don’t Leave your Home Alone - Home Security Tips

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), more burglaries occur in July and August,during the peak vacation season than in any other months of the year. Today’s modern communication technology allows you to better protect and monitor your home while away.  One of the most attractive and economical ways to monitor your home is by utilizing CCTV cameras, along with a home alarm system.

Just a decade ago no one really considered using CCTV cameras to monitor their home. Today, the migration to an all-digital technology platform, such as CCTV DVRs and cloud based CCTV applications has resulted in less cost, added convenience and easier installation.  Plus, almost all CCTV camera system today are designed to work with smart phones and iPhone technology, which provides the ability to monitor your home by simply logging into your cameras.

In addition to utilizing CCTV cameras and modern technology to deter home burglaries while you’re away,following the basic tips below can reduce your home’s vulnerability to break-ins:

• Install bright lights over porches and walkways in the front and back of your home.
• Ensure locks on all doors and windows are properly working and are locked.
• Lock garage and shed doors, preferably with deadbolt locks.
• If you have an automatic garage door, look over your shoulder before leaving the driveway to ensure the garage door has completely closed behind you.
• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed under windows so burglars can't hide in them.
• Keep ladders stored in a locked shed or garage so they can't be used to climb into your home.
• Keep shades or curtains closed over garage and shed windows.
• Keep shades or curtains closed over your windows after dark.
• Don't leave toys, tools and equipment in the yard that could be used to break a window or to pry open a door
• Make your home look like someone is there. Consider using timers to turn selected lights on and off automatically. Timers are also available for outdoor water sprinklers.
• Mow your yard before you leave town.
• Have a family member or friend bring in your mail and newspaper while you’re away or stop the service temporarily.
• Give a trusted family member or a neighbor a key to your home in case of an emergency.  Do not leave a key in a hiding place. Thieves know where to look.
• If you use an answering machine, do not record a message that indicates you are out of town.

The Security Product Depot is an established online provider of physical security products. As an innovative supplier of online security solutions, they are committed to offering the broadest array of CCTV camera systems, door hardware, locks, and safes for securing government, school facilities, commercial businesses and residents.

Trade Jobs You Shouldn’t DYI

Do you remember that old television program, ‘Home Improvement’? The star of the show, ‘Tim, the Toolman Taylor’ would prance around his home and the homes’ of friends, thinking he was helping out by doing odd jobs, but inevitably, blow up the house, knock down walls or injure himself.  Let’s be realistic, we all have little ‘Tim The Toolman’s’ running around our houses, thinking they are Mr Fix its and can take care of all our handy man needs. But unfortunately few of them can! As wives and girlfriends, we so often put in our two cents, ‘honey, I don’t think that’s a very good idea’, or ‘honey, maybe we should call in the electrical services on this one’, and yet, even though we know better, for the sake of our other half’s ego, we back down easily as soon as he gives that look, and simply says, ‘I’ve got this one dear’.

Well, as strong women, it’s time to stop backing down. It is time to stop letting hubby or boyfriend, brother or dad tackle a project for which he has absolutely no idea what he’s doing, just so we can pay a professional to come in and do it properly later. It’s time to skip the explosions, the fallouts, and the trips to emergency and simply call in the big guys from the start. While there are a few jobs your other half may be able to get done, below are a list of trades they should avoid at all cost – and this is speaking from personal experience. So put your foot down!

1. Electrician

So my husband thought he could jump up into the roof, do a little rewiring and work in an extra power point in the lounge room for us. We did the usual routine, arguing lightly about calling electricians in Sydney, he gave the look, the magic words and I gave in. Two hours later, we were in emergency. While there are a lot of practical skills your partner may be able to master, doing circuits in science in high school does not qualify him to do electrical work on your home. Electricians train for years to know the ropes – so definitely don’t back down on this one!

       
    2.   Plumbing

I’m not going to lie, I’m not handy. I don’t know a wrench from a spanner, and can barely hammer a nail in straight, but I do know that water shooting out of a hole in my laundry is a bad thing. So did my dad, so he offered to fix it. Against my better judgement and because I didn’t have the cash, I agreed. Somehow over the course of a few hours, my dad managed to increase the size of the hole in the wall, undo anything and everything that connected and finally realise he had no idea how to put it all together. What was a cheap job for a plumber, blew out to a huge bill. Should have called in the pros to start with!

    3.   Cabinet making

The final one, was a great laugh when it happened, but not so much fun getting fixed. My sister’s brand new hubby decided he’d help out by installing a brand new flat pack kitchen. Never having done anything like this before and a bit of a city boy, he figured he was basically playing leggo – fitting bits together – how wrong he was. To his credit, he put all the pieces together almost correctly, and it actually looked quite lovely, we were all impressed.

Until she cooked us a first big grand meal to bless it – and all the plates slowly slid down the bench and onto the floor. Unfortunately hubby didn’t realise that a real cabinet maker has to check the angles on the slab, especially in old houses – and as the kicks, cupboards and bench tops were all fitted nice and flush to the angled slab, the angle exacerbated and she had a slight, but destructive slippery slide on her hands!

The moral of the story – ladies, stop worrying about hurting his ego and start worrying more about how he’s hurting the hip pocket! Call in the qualified, trained people from the start!

Cheese Cake

Another cake shot from me. A friend gave me this cheese cake.The cake has rich cheese taste inside. The various topping (peach jelly, chocolate and whipped cream) blended perfectly with the whole taste.