Five Tips to Save on Hardwood Flooring Costs

At some point in life when you own a house, you would surely want the floors to be of hardwood as they completely change the entire look of the space. And the best part about these hardwood floors is that they never go out of trend. And as they age, they reflect more beauty out of it. But it is a known fact that installing hardwood floors is a big investment because of its cost and you surely do not want to spend a fortune on it. You can save a lot of money on hardwood floors AZ once you do the right amount of research and gain knowledge about it.

Therefore, instead of taking a step back because of those heavy price tags on the hardwood floors, you must know how you can save money without having to compromise on the quality of the wood and the installation. Here are these five tips through which you can save a handful of your hard-earned money on hardwood flooring costs.

#1 Find a reliable and experienced hardwood flooring company

This is one of the most important tips to remember is that you must find a flooring company that is reliable and experienced. Ask around your friend circle and relatives whether they know any good flooring company. Find at least two to three options and research on those. Make sure to get quotes from those companies and read the online reviews. Once you are sure about the company you would like to go with, call them up and set a meeting.
Having a good flooring company by your side is going to make a lot of difference in terms of your finances and you will surely end up saving money on the hardwood flooring costs.

#2 Filter hardwood through its pricing range

We all have a budget whenever we decide to bring anything new into our homes. So be it a new refrigerator, a new house, and even the flooring. A budget is always to make sure that you are not spending too much on these things. When it comes to the hardwood floors, you can filter the products based on their price range. You will find varied categories of wood where you can save a good amount of dollars. Look for engineered wood, prefinished solid wood, luxury vinyl planks, etc. and you will end up getting a pretty much affordable deal on it.

#3 Get creative with what you decide

Hardwood flooring is costly, no doubt about it. But even though, you would look for some area where you can save at least a few dollars. And that can happen if you get creative with your decisions. This is called creative compromise. And the best thing to make this compromise is to opt for reclaimed wood floors. Reclaimed wood is nothing but the wood with a past, which means that the wood might have been used for some old barn or ship to name a few. The reclaimed wood floors not only add history to your house but also gives a vintage look to your home. And the plus point, it is cost-effective than other types of hardwood floors.

#4 Choose between solid wood and engineered wood

Engineered wood is factory-made and solid wood comes from the tree. This is easy to spot which wood will cost more. The cost of labor for engineered wood is comparatively less than solid wood installation. Also, the cost of solid wood depends on its hardness, and in the case of engineered wood, it depends on its thickness.

#5 Take baby steps

To save money on hardwood flooring costs, the best way to do is to take baby steps. Have a limited scope and do not try to reach a bigger goal. Do some of the floorings right now and do the other parts later. This way you can save money for the next project. If you feel that flooring for the kitchen is a necessity, do that first and after few months you can go for the living room. This way you will save more money and your budget will never get disturbed.

In the end, it all comes down to the choices that we make. But make sure that you are making the right and wise choices that will save you good money on the hardwood floors.

Benefits of Hiring A Professional Kitchen Hood Cleaning Company

commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me

Cleaning commercial kitchen hoods is one of those jobs in a restaurant that nobody likes to do, but it is so incredibly important to maintaining a safe kitchen. Kitchen hoods are specialized parts of the HVAC system and need to be properly cleaned every day by the kitchen staff. They also need to be cleaned by a professional commercial kitchen hood cleaning company twice a year. Every restaurant owner or manager that doesn’t have a kitchen cleaning company should be searching for commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me as soon as possible.

Some restaurant owners or managers forgo the “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me” search and attempt to train staff to thoroughly clean the kitchen hood system. Here are 3 reasons why every restaurant manager should hire a professional kitchen hood cleaning service:

1)  Safety

According to the National Restaurant Association, there are almost 8,000 restaurant and bar fires every year that cause an average of $246 million in direct property damage. This number does not include lost revenue while the fire restoration work is being done. While most kitchens have proper fire-suppression systems installed, it is the regular maintenance of kitchen equipment that gets missed. Twice-yearly professional commercial kitchen hood cleaning drastically reduces the risks of restaurant fires.

Failing to search for “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me” and hiring a professional cleaning company can put any restaurant at a much greater risk for fire.

There are many flammable materials in a commercial kitchen, but not many people think of a dirty kitchen hood as one of them. When flames leap too high from the cooking surface, the ventilation fan within the kitchen hood sucks the flame up into the system. For a clean kitchen hood, this is not a problem. In kitchens where there is build-up of grease and dirt within the kitchen hood system, this build-up ignites and can cause a massive fire. If the kitchen hood has been neglected for quite some time, that build-up of flammable grease can cause a large and dangerous fire that gets pulled into the entire system. Electrical components, wiring and ducting can all be damaged or completely incinerated by a kitchen hood fire. Of course, that much flame will also spread to other parts of the structure and the entire restaurant can be lost. Serious kitchen fires spread quickly to adjacent buildings, and the devastation can be extensive. Searching for “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me” can help prevent this from happening.

Professional services that advertise commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me are experienced and equipped to do routine inspections and cleanings of all types of commercial kitchen hoods. They are fast and efficient. Professional kitchen hood cleaning services keep restaurant kitchens safer.

2)  Efficiency

Though fire safety is the number one reason for finding a professional commercial kitchen hood cleaning company near me, it also increases the efficiency of the hood and HVAC system. Well-maintained commercial kitchen hoods use less energy to run, which saves money on utility costs for the restaurant.

Restaurants that have a standing bi-annual professional commercial kitchen hood cleaning company near me appointment find that their equipment lasts much longer with less need for repair. Grease and dirt build-up in kitchen hoods and ducting can contribute to breakdowns more regularly. Also, if the hood is not effectively removing grease from the air in the kitchen, other pieces of equipment are more likely to break down due to grease build-up.

3)  Saves on Down Time

Many restaurant managers do not think of the money-saving aspect of searching for “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me” and hiring a professional to inspect and clean their equipment. Hiring a professional means that the job will be done properly the first time and as fast as possible. When kitchen staff are tasked with the job, it generally takes much longer and is not done thoroughly. Since the kitchen needs to be shut down for the duration of the maintenance, extended cleaning periods really take a toll on the profitability of the restaurant.

Professional kitchen hood cleaning companies have the equipment to do the job right. They are efficient and effective. When a restaurant manager searches for “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me,” they are rarely disappointed with the results. Finding an experienced and reliable kitchen hood cleaning company can take a lot of stress and worry out of restaurant management.

Blown-in Insulation: Five Things to Know Before Installing

Layering on sweaters is one way to stay warm in a poorly insulated home while the furnace is still working. Blown-in Insulation, Jacksonville, FL, is the answer for many older homes where tiny pieces of material are blown into the walls and above your ceiling via a long hose to comfort you and lower energy bills.

Blown-In Insulation Fills The Exiting Wall Studs

A new construction thick strips of spun fiberglass or a paper-based product is cut and fit between wall studs and ceiling joist. However, installing batts is an expensive process and is rarely feasible, as drywall has to be torn down. It is a messy, expensive, time-consuming proposition; whereas, blown-in insulation added to your home is a hassle-free technique that also helps to seal small gaps and spaces as it settles. It also helps to fill the sneaky spots where cold air comes in. Additionally, it acts as an insulating blanket that helps reduce sound transfer between the outdoors and the indoors.

Saves Energy

Blown in insulation Jacksonville FL, is much more airtight than standard insulation. The material used in the blown-in insulation is smaller and able to get into tiny cracks where air may leak through. The versatile material can fill in around beams, pipes, and other uniquely shaped objects and spaces and seal tightly a much better and more energy-efficient solution than rolled batting. It also acts as moisture-resistant; therefore, it prevents mold, odor, and rot from creeping into your home.

Fire Resistance And Quick Installation

The airtight material is excellent for reducing the risk of fire. The fire retardant capabilities are due to the tight sealing that prevents air from flowing through small spaces that strokes the flame.

Installing blown-in insulation, Jacksonville, FL, is quick and easy. The material is blown out of a hose into the space to create a seamless thermal protective layer of blanket. You may get in touch with qualified professionals who help seals wooden crossbeams, electrical wiring, and plumbing pipes to create a protective covering at your home.

Cost And Soundproof

Blown-in insulation is a high-quality and energy-efficient material that may cost a little more than the lower quality alternatives. However, it can create substantial savings in your energy bills in the long run. The cost spent on installing blow-in insulation will get covered by your utility savings over the next two-four years.

Due to the airtight seal, blown-in insulation, Jacksonville, FL, is better to prevent noise from traveling through walls. Whether you have problems with your neighbor or are tired of hearing any other sound like rain, the insulation will act as a buffer giving you the quiet sound.

Reduce Condensation And More Efficient

An airtight seal of blown-in insulation material can keep condensation and moisture out of your attic. It makes t more difficult for mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow. It also prevents rot and odors and keeps condensation and moisture from damaging your roof.

It is seen that blown-in insulation materials are 22% more efficient than fiberglass batting with the same R-value. The material is flexible; therefore, it can seal all hard-to-reach places and tight crevices that batting cannot. Try to use battery-operated lights in blown-in insulation so that you can charge them when they are going out of their battery. Also, try to box-off electrical boxes as it will help you to lift them easily without facing any trouble.

Wrapping Up

Adding insulation acts as a blanket across the floors and offers a much faster way to improve your home insulation significantly. In a matter of a few hours or two, the specialist will blow a thick blanket of loose insulation across the floor, and the only practical way to improve the R-value of stud cavities. It is a favorite among homeowners who prefer green products since the material is made from recycled paper and wooden products, with few synthetic processes or chemicals.

What is the Difference Between Commercial and Residential Roofing?

You might think that a roof is similar everywhere. All the difference that you can spot is of design and color but apart from that, there is nothing different about it. But guess what, there is a huge difference when it comes to commercial and residential roofing. Both types of roofs require a bunch of expenses when any damage or loss occurs to them. Along with that, these roofs must be made with superior quality material and installed with all the instructions and precautions. If you are looking to install residential roofing Albuquerque or commercial, you must be able to spot the difference in both types.

You must know the key differences between commercial and residential roofing to get the best quality roof for your purpose. In this blog, you will be able to understand completely the difference between commercial and residential roofing.

What is a commercial roof?

If you notice a commercial roof, then you would find it either completely flat or with a slight slope. Along with it, the commercial roofs are always bigger as compared to the residential roofs. There are a few factors that are considered when it comes to commercial roofing that includes the equipment weight that is held on the roof and also the larger area is covered to protect it. A continuous round of maintenance is required for commercial roofs.

What is a residential roof?

When it comes to the residential roof, then you will find a steep slope in most of the roofs. The residential roofs can be of different types ranging from asphalt shingles, wood shales, slate shingles to name a few. Depending upon your requirement, you can select the roofing for your home. These roofs are much smaller as compared to the commercial roofs.

Roofing materials

There is a difference between the roofing materials that are required for both commercial and residential roofs. Right from the cost, warranty, life expectancy, and installation, everything is different. Since residential roofs are steeper, there are varied options. But for commercial roofs, it comprises of metal or membrane only because they are usually flat. To get the work done perfectly, it is always recommended to get help from a qualified and experienced roofer who can install it properly. The experts have the best advice regarding which material will work best in your case.

The popular choice when it comes to residential roofing material is asphalt shingles. They are extremely easy to install and are budget-friendly.

For commercial roofing material, there are options such as tar, single-ply that includes TPO, PVC, and EPDM, modified bitumen, etc for the covering purpose. There are a lot of options available for commercial roofing and that is why the property owners are so critical about choosing the right roofing company that can do the best job with value for the money.

Installation

A residential roof usually takes 2-3 days for installation while a commercial roof takes weeks as there is a lot of assembly and construction involved. Since the commercial roofs are bigger, the materials require more days to strengthen, glued, and getting fixed. Commercial roofing needs to be installed in different layers of insulation and metal. Also, the commercial roofs are flat, but a slight slop is always kept so that the rainwater can get washed away easily.

Repair and maintenance

Residential roofing needs less maintenance and is easier to repair as there is not going to be a larger area with the problem. Whereas, with roofing, maintenance is required from time to time to avoid any big expense. And if in case there is a repair that needs to be done, then there are a set of guidelines that need to be followed, and many times it happens that the entire roof requires the repair and a protective sealant coat.

It is always a good idea to hire a reputed roofing company for residential or commercial roofing purposes. But before that, you must be able to spot the difference between the two types of roofing so that when you decide on your requirement, you already know what you are going to need. But always let the expert do his job.

Five Helpful Kitchen Hood Cleaning Tips

commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me

Cleaning a commercial kitchen hood is a huge job, but it is necessary to make sure that this essential piece of equipment is kept in working order. Commercial kitchen hoods remove smoke, odors and airborne grease that come from the many cooking services and appliances in a commercial kitchen. Cleaning a commercial kitchen hood needs to be done every four to six weeks. While some kitchens are set up to have staff complete this large task periodically, some restaurant owners prefer to search online for commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me and leave it to a professional cleaning company.

Commercial kitchen hoods that are not maintained can become dangerous fire hazards. Grease collects on the surface and can ignite if the heat is high enough on the cooking surface below. Reducing the potential for kitchen fires is an important reason to keep on top of commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me.

When a restaurant manager decides to have staff clean the kitchen hood rather than searching online for “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me,” she needs to remember a few key points:

1)  Prepare for the Cleaning

Make sure that the surrounding surfaces and adjacent equipment is covered. Grease and dust will become dislodged during cleaning and can make a wider mess in the kitchen. This is a big reason why typing “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me” into a search engine and hiring a professional is a tempting idea.

Before cleaning, the kitchen hood should be turned off and unplugged. Refer to the kitchen hood manual for all safety procedures to follow before continuing with the cleaning process. All appliance pilot lights in the kitchen should also be shut off, as well as any gas valves. It is important to follow all safety precautions before proceeding, which is a big reason why many restaurant managers opt to find a professional who specializes in commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me.

2)  Clean the Grease Traps

Most commercial kitchen hoods have four grease traps: two on each side of the hood. They should be removed, emptied, and cleaned thoroughly. Grease and dirt build up in the traps and can impede the ventilation that the kitchen hood was designed to provide. This grease can be highly flammable and can be the cause of a major kitchen fire. Traps should be soaked in degreaser and air dried while the rest of the cleaning process is being completed. The grease traps are the messiest and dirtiest parts of a commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me.

3)  Clean the Filters

Just like grease traps, filters need to be removed and degreased when kitchens are completing their commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me. Soak the filters in an appropriate degreaser product, scrub, rinse, and air dry the filters before reinserting into the kitchen hood. Sometimes, these filters will need to be scrubbed vigorously in order to remove all of the dirt that builds up in them. Professional commercial kitchen hood cleaning services near me have all the degreasers and tools necessary to properly clean and maintain kitchen hood filters.

4)  Surfaces

When a commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me is being completed, all of the surfaces of the hood need to be thoroughly cleaned. Both the inside and outside of the unit must be wiped down using an appropriate cleaning solution. It is very important that all accumulated grease, dirt, and dust is removed completely in order to avoid potential kitchen fires.

5)  Clean Up

After the commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me has been completed, it is important to thoroughly inspect and clean all surfaces in the kitchen. Grease and grime can sometimes fall to the floor and create a slippery, unsafe surface. Don’t forget to turn the gas valves back on and re-light the pilot lights.

Professional Services

Commercial kitchen hood cleaning is a very large and taxing job. The kitchen needs to be shut down for the entire cleaning process. Most kitchen managers search for “commercial kitchen hood cleaning near me” because the professionals can get the job done much quicker. The professionals have the right tools, degreasing products, and protective coverings. They can complete the cleaning job in a shorter period of time with little-to-no mess left in the wider kitchen area.