3 Must-Haves for Your Man Cave

So you've decided to put together a man cave of your own. Why should Bruce Wayne have the coolest man cave around? Well, for starters, he's Batman. Also, he is a lot richer and smarter and cooler than you. Oh, and he isn't real, and so doesn't have to work with real-world constraints.

So forget about Bruce Wayne. You are never going to have a man cave like his. But you can still do pretty well for yourself without the need to become a reclusive billionaire. First, you are going to need a room to renovate. Have you considered the attic? Provided you have the right kind of space, you are going to need to add a few pieces of tech that are essential to every man cave makeover. Here are three:

A Genius Box

They used to call the television an idiot box. In part, because of its idiotic content. Also, a person had to be an idiot to waste so many hours of their life in front of a television. But the real idiot is the person who cannot see and utilize the many benefits of having access to so much information in such a convenient format.

With a few smart choices, you can turn your television into a genius box. If you love football, you can get the 2016 Sunday Ticket at no extra cost on DIRECTV starting as low as $35 per month. For those times when you leave the man cave, you can access most of the channels and shows you love watching right from your smartphone. You would have to be an idiot to ignore smart options like these when setting up your man cave.

Just ask yourself, what would Bruce Wayne do?

Smart Speakers

You don't need giant, room-rattling, 9.1 spherical-surround, IMAX speakers in a small to moderate sized room. Use your head. You don't need bigger, more expensive speakers. You need smarter speakers.

Regardless of what you have connected to the oversized TV, you should consider a portable Bluetooth speaker for casual listening. Techradar offers their take on the 9 best Bluetooth speakers on the market today. There are no bad choices on the list, and several really good ones that didn't make it.

The reason you need this type of speaker is for those times when you are listening to music on your smartphone. You can easily throw the sound from the phone to the far more capable speaker you have tucked away on a bookshelf in your cave. When you leave the room, you can send the sound back to your device and never miss a beat.

The Ultimate Gaming Rig You Built Yourself

You cannot call yourself a spiritual successor of Bruce Wayne if you don't have at least one piece of tech that you MacGuyvered together with your own two hands. There is no reason that piece of tech shouldn't be the ultimate gaming machine.

Not knowing what you're doing is no excuse for this project. There are more video and step-by-step guides to building the ultimate gaming PC than you can shake a joystick at. These guides detail the parts you need, and how little you can get away with paying. Most of the guesswork has been removed. You don't have to try to figure out which parts will work best together. Some system integrators have already done that. All you have to do is put the pieces together like an overgrown Lego set.

There is more to the modern man cave than a few pieces of technology. It also has to have personality, and a fridge. But after the fridge, don't forget the genius box, the smart speaker, and the ultimate gaming PC you built with your own hands and iron will. Hey, it's your man cave. Make it an adventure worth sharing.

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10 Facts About Solar Power

Our modern society is increasingly consuming oil, gas, and coal at an alarming rate, which is harming the environment. Renewable sources of energy like solar power are becoming alternatives to get our energy needs met. Solar power, which refers to energy that comes from the sun, is an energy source that is made naturally on a daily basis. The sun has been producing energy for billions of years. It is the building block of sustaining life on Earth. It is renewable, unlike fossil fuels, and is much better for the environment. New developments in technology have focused on harnessing the sun’s energy for use in the home since it doesn’t produce any pollutants.

There are limitations, however, since sunlight received by Earth is dependent on several factors. It can depend on the location, as well the time of day, the time of year, and, of course, the weather. Here are some more interesting facts about solar power.

1.) Energy from the sun is free and everywhere! Even though the sun is millions of miles from Earth, light travels from the Sun to Earth in about 10 minutes. Compare that to the time it takes to drill for and distribute oil!

2.) The Earth gets about 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter. Optimizing the process of collecting this radiation means converting the sun's rays to power.

3.) You can cook, dry, or pasteurize food with solar energy. Third-world countries with hunger problems can utilize free and available energy.

4.) The modern world is so dependent on non-renewable fossil fuels for energy that shortages or rising prices can be catastrophic. Renewable forms of energy reduce the likelihood of these occurrences.

5.) Solar power is a clean and sustainable way to cut down on harmful emissions that have contributed to climate change.

6.) Domestically, ways of capturing solar energy are usually solar panels. These absorb solar rays and convert them into usable energy.

7.) There is no pollution from solar power. There are no adverse environmental effects from solar power at all, making it an excellent alternative to the use of fossil fuels.

8.) Renewable energy is a hot topic for research in the scientific community. From wind turbines in Africa to solar power in Tucson, there are alternative energy sources being studied every day.

9.) Space ships used in space missions by various countries use solar power.

10.) Solar power is an excellent temporary power source and is used in places from local fairs to mining sites, and even the Olympics. Each year the sun beams to Earth enough energy to sustain the global needs of its inhabitants. Right now only one tenth of energy needs are met by solar power, but we have the power to overcome our need for fossil fuels. On a personal level, you may want to consider getting solar panels to do your part to live a greener, more efficient lifestyle by using solar power. There are savings involved as well, making it a win for you and a win for the planet.

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Safety Tips for DIY Jobs That Include Welding

Welding projects can be challenging, but they can also be a lot of fun. If you like hands-on projects that allow you to create new things, welding could be just the thing for you. And with the right setup and preparation, you can even enjoy welding right in the comfort of your own garage.

Despite how great welding projects can be, though, they can also pose several dangers to your health and wellbeing. To ensure your safety, continue reading for a few tips that will keep you safe during any DIY welding job.

Wear a Helmet

The right helmet that is specifically made for welding and that fits your head perfectly will protect your entire face from any flying particles, as well as all of the sparks that you will end up creating. Plus, because you will be creating radiation as you weld, you need a welding helmet that is designed to protect your delicate eyes from this damaging radiation.

Cover All Exposed Skin

Any skin that is exposed during a welding project will be susceptible to the damaging and painful effects of the UV radiation and infrared rays that are created. Sparks can also catch in your open pockets, as well as your pant cuffs or even down your shirt, so you have to button everything and make sure that there aren’t any areas of your clothing where sparks could cause damage and injuries. And never keep any lighters or matches in your pockets.

Set Up an Uncluttered Work Area

It is a good idea to set up your welding station on wheels, and the station itself should be made of heavy-duty metal. But in addition to all of that, you should avoid having any clutter in the area as well. There should be a specific place for all of your tools and your project pieces as you work on them. The welding area itself should only have the equipment and tools that you need, such as Mathey Dearman clamps, to use during a project, and nothing else.

Prevent Stress Injuries Caused by Repetitive Motions

When you are working on a welding project, you will be performing the same repetitive motions for quite some time. This repetition could take its toll on your body and result in painful stress injuries that could take a long time to heal completely. But there are steps you can take to prevent these injuries.

For example, to reduce neck fatigue, you can use an auto-darkening welding helmet rather than the typical fixed shade option. These types of helmets can even save you time between welds, which means you will be working on a project for less time and reducing the chance of a stress injury.

With the above safety tips in mind, you can pursue any DIY welding project that you desire, and you can complete the project in your garage if you want. Just make sure that you have enough space and that you purchase all of the appropriate safety gear and tools to remain safe and unharmed at all times.

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How to Transform your Garden into a Stunning Place to Spend Time

Unfortunately, many gardens are neglected and are not the best places to spend time. They may be overgrown, poorly drained or not suitable for spending time in for other reasons. This is a waste of a valuable part of a home which could be put to better use. Those who develop their gardens and keep them maintained are able to entertain friends and family outside. This is something many homeowners wish they could do, especially during the warmer months of the year. These are some simple, but effective ways you can transform your garden into a stunning place to spend time alone, with family and with your friends.

Improve Underfoot Conditions

Some gardens are not appealing to walk on especially if you have to walk on grass or clay when it’s wet or there’s dew on the ground. However, adding garden paving to your garden or similar features will improve the underfoot conditions and make this area of your home more accessible more of the time. It’s a cleaner solution than simply having grass or clay underneath your feet and gives you the foundation to add other features to your garden such as outdoor furniture.

Add Lighting

A garden can be a magical place to entertain family and friends, especially during the warmer times of the year. However, many people are restricted to spending less time in their gardens because they don’t install the proper lighting. However, adding the proper types of light can change an ordinary garden into a spectacular place, friends and family will enjoy spending time in. The most effective types of outdoor lighting for a garden include outdoor wall lights, post lights, deck lights, outdoor recess lights, ground lights and LED flood lights. Adding some coloured lights adds to the effectiveness of your garden lighting even more.

Use the Power of Water

Water is another feature in a garden that adds magic to this part of a home. You don’t need to have a huge garden to add some kind of water feature outside your home. If you do have the space, you have more options, but it’s not always necessary. The most popular water features homeowners can add to their gardens include cascading water features, ponds, hand pumps, bird baths and fountains. Even more accessories are available to complement and enhance these water features, helping to bring your garden to life.

Keeping Warm in the Garden

Most entertaining that takes place in a garden normally occurs in the evening time or at night. Cold weather conditions often prevent this but there are ways to solve this problem. Once people feel comfortable they are more inclined to stay outdoors. The most effective way to do this is to invest in heating products that make it comfortable to spend time in a garden. Adding fire pits, fire places or patio heaters ensures that those in your garden won’t be complaining about the cold and will enjoy themselves more.

Thousands of gardens around the country are not used to their full potential. This is a mistake but making simple changes like those above can transform your garden into a stunning place to spend your time and entertain others.

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Handy Pointers For Attic Renovation

These days, attic renovations are becoming more and more popular. And why wouldn’t they be? So many people end up wondering about all the wasted space, or need another room when they realise they have a kid on the way. Whatever the reason you want to have your attic renovated, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it, as with everything. Understandably, you may be exuberant about the idea of your renovation. Yes, it will be lovely to have all that extra space to use, but you’re not going to get there without some pretty hard work. Here, I’ve thought of some helpful tips for undertaking this kind of work.

Don’t jump straight into looking at wallpaper styles or lavish rugs. First you need to make sure your attic is in the right condition to be renovated. You probably remember my recent post on stinky house syndrome. If you did all the treatment suggested there, and you’ve gotten used to the lovely, fresh smell of your home, you could be in for a nasty shock! Many people who decide to touch up their attic haven’t even been up there in years. It’s fairly common for a lot of horrible black mold to build up on the walls of the attic. Hopefully, this can be treated with your own means, but if the damage is severe enough you may need some professional mold remediation. This will ensure that the mold disappears and that the attic has less of a chance of being damaged in future.

Next, on to the aesthetic side of things. Make sure you use every single bit of available space when moving things into the room. For the most part, attics aren’t especially big, but some wise decisions in storage can really make a difference. There are many simple decoration tips you can use to stop the room feeling too enclosed, as well. Painting the ceiling in a simple pattern will draw people’s eyes, and make the whole attic feel a lot taller. Pulling furniture out so that it leaves a slight gap between it and the wall also creates a feeling of spaciousness. As with clothes, a large, striped rug can make a room seem much longer or wider. Ceiling fans can make a subtle accessory and will keep you refreshed in the summer. You’ll also want to use thick floor joists in the renovation in order to soundproof the attic. This will ensure you don’t keep people up all night simply by walking from one end to the other!

Hopefully these pointers have made your renovation seem like less of a mountain to climb! The end result may not quite measure up to the fantasies you’re having. Still, getting a decent attic renovation is rarely as difficult as people expect. Approach every job in a collected, methodical way, try to steer out of arguments with your partner, and everything will run smoothly. All great things take time, and I’m sure you’ll love finally being able to relax in your new room!

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Perks of Seattle Lofts in Queen Anne

Choosing Seattle lofts in the neighborhood of Queen Anne may be right up your alley. Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood is conveniently located near several of Seattle’s most popular attractions and has plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. Queen Anne offers small town charm right in the middle of a big city. This “urban village” as it has affectionately been revered, offers about ten blocks of unique and interesting places to shop, as well. The sidewalks of Queen Anne are typically bustling day and night with residents and visitors alike.

If you’re still unsure about buying Seattle lofts in Queen Anne, consider this: year after year, Seattle Met Magazine ranks Queen Anne as one of the top ten neighborhoods to live in. The community is home to several of the oldest and most beautiful homes and other architectures. Neighborhoods so close to Seattle’s downtown, like Queen Anne, continue to experience steady growth, as young professionals opt to reside outside of the city but within a reasonably close distance. Another draw is the easy access to other neighborhoods nearby and to downtown, by means of public transportation or walking.
Discover the possibilities that Seattle lofts in Queen Anne have to offer for you. Contact the Stroupe Group to find listings and more details about the neighborhood today!

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Effectiveness of fitting outdoor gazebo

It is not a usual thought to really consider entertaining outdoors, but with the availability of gazebos one can prefer to try it out once. Be it chilly temperature, heavy rainfall or snowfall or even the soothing spring season, this outdoor construction is just the best option that can be considered while deciding to entertain and relax outdoors. The variety of styles, structures and trends can be availed of by the consumers during any time of the year, to better decide on the one that will perfectly fit the backyard space.

Choosing the right spot

The determination of the right spot for the installation plays a major role on how much you enjoy and relax outdoors. You should keep certain considerations in mind in order to choose the perfect spot for your construction. The first thing that you should consider is that the purpose and use of making such installation. Whether you want to install it for outdoor relaxation, outdoor dining or as outdoor kitchen shades should be kept in mind. Secondly, you should also need to decide what you want to be looking out at from your outdoor installation. You might want to face the water feature or pond if you have one in your premise or might decide to have a quiet corner garden view. While the most popular view chosen is that of their own house. Last but not the least; you should always consider the ideal view that you want to have from your gazebo. All these considerations will narrow down your search and will enable you to select the most appropriate type to suit your backyard view. The internet is a pretty good buying guide for hardtop gazebos. It suggests you a number of options that you can choose from in order to suit your own house as well as your surroundings.

How to choose your design to suit the style of your house

Apart from the traditional 10 x 10 square size, retailers offer larger and more spacious versions constructed for the sole purpose of outside entertainment and relaxation. Different sizes and shapes are available for different weather conditions and different seasons. There should be availability of sufficient space outdoors to accommodate the larger frames. These bigger and roomier frames are generally suited in humid and sultry weather conditions. A variety of shapes are also available like the cylindrical shape, square shape, rectangular shape, L-shape and the commonly used six sided or eight sided structure. The designs do not appear to be too much ornamental, but are quite simple, like lattice, floral or leaf design. The color of the canopy has been modified from the traditional beige color to darker ones, though the beige canopy tops are still available. The choice of your design and style of the frame should match the design of your house. In these cases it is always a wise decision to consult an expert, such as an interior decorator, who can serve as a pretty good buying guide for hardtop gazebos as well as the soft top ones.

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