Home Decor & Garden

“Prevention is better than cure” is a saying that applies to many many different aspects of life, one of which is the securing of one’s home. This is when security doors come in as the most reliable option for preventing burglars from coming in through the main entrance of your home. However, there is much more to choosing the right security door than meets the eye, so let’s see what you should know in order to make your investment worthwhile.

In a time when it’s unimaginable to go through the day without some sort of electronic device, or let alone without the internet, it’s needless to say modern households have a great number of devices (read three devices per person in a family on average) and appliances that are used on a daily basis. Sure, we’ve become so attached that we can see all the benefits of the tech world, but at what cost?

If paying for the devices wasn’t enough, we see an increase in the amount we get to pay in the form of electricity bills; that’s also without mentioning the rest of the expenses. So, what’s a way out of this, if there is any? Opting for solar energy by purchasing solar products, of course. Everyone knows Australia is the sunniest country, since there’s more solar coverage (more direct normal irradiance) per square metre than anywhere else on the planet.

It’s important to do your math before you actually carry on with the purchase of solar products (e.g. off grid package – solar panels, inverters, MPPT regulators, batteries) so you’d know how much of coverage it is you require, based on the amount of usage of electricity in your household. This ensures the solar powered system you install provides the sufficient amount of energy. What’s so desired about these systems is the chance to go off grid, and the fact you actually use renewable energy that doesn’t harm the environment.

The next step would be to make a thorough inspection of your home, and see whether the insulation is at a satisfactory level. If you want to count on successful check-up, equip with a laser thermometer and head to the openings such as windows, doors, floors, vents, and light switches, so as soon as you notice a temperature difference, you’d know where there’s leakage.

Gaps can easily be fixed with insulation foam. Speaking of insulation, it’s also advisable to insulate your water heater, and make sure the fridge gets regular check-up and maintenance – the two are huge wasters of energy in your home.

Another aspect you should pay attention to is the lighting. Sure, we all need lighting, there’s no way around it, but you can at least install dimmer light switches so you’d use the appropriate amount of energy at the appropriate part of the day, and get to create a soothing atmosphere at that. Don’t forget, prudent baby step choices lower the bill, and help save the planet in the long run.

From the impending sound of machine gun fire flying by, to an enemy ship passing overhead, to the easily distinguishable clatter of the floor boards as you disable your enemies electronics with an EMP – adding a high performance surround sound system to your video game console will provide you a brand new and exciting gaming experience.

With today’s games being made like blockbuster movies, where developers pay a lot of attention to ambient noises, soundtracks, dialogue and heavily rely on the element of sonic surprise more than ever before, the bar keeps rising and rising. If you’re an avid gamer looking to get the best possible gaming experience, whether solo or multi-person gaming sessions, having a surround sound installation or an entire home theatre system to play on can be an incredibly valuable level-up.

As Steven Spielberg put it: “Sound and music make up for more than half the communication in the story, greater even than what you’re seeing.”- and the same can be applied to video games. So as you sit down to play the newest FPS like Call of Duty, or Battlefield 1, you’ll find yourself lost in the directional audio prompts which are designed to provide a more detailed picture of what’s happening around you.

War planes passing by and being heard as if they were truly flying over your head. The distant sniper can be heard and it’s easier to pin-point their location. You’ll be able to correctly locate the ticking of bombs and mines about to blow up, and you’ll feel explosions and the sound your RPG makes against your shoulder as you take down an enemy tank.

On the other hand, there are games that have spectacular audio elements and soundtracks. Guitar Hero Live, for instance, can become a great bonding activity for the entire family on Sunday nights, as you’ll all feel the kick of the bass drum and groove it with your loved ones.

There are just so many great things about having a surround sound installation in your home, even if you aren’t an avid gamer. You can still watch the newest movies and feel like the action that’s in front of you on the screen is happening all around you. And while it isn’t the cheapest thing ever, a home theatre system and a surround sound system can be a very worthwhile investment if you’re an introvert and likes spending most of their free time at home, watching movies or playing video games.

The powering of large outdoor machines and industrial equipment depends on the potency of stationary engines. These motors are called stationary because they consist of no running parts. The immobile framework and lack of running parts that can break down make stationary engines reliable and potent enough to generate power for all kinds of heavy duty outdoor equipment such as water pumps or generators, factory machines, mills and other immobile equipment.

Stationary engines enjoyed large popularity in the time when every factory or mill produced its own power. Now that more and more factories begin to draw their electricity from the electrical grid, the applications for the stationary motors have declined. However, outdoor jobs on construction sites, roads or farms that have no connection to the power grid have to rely on a stationary motor to make sure they are always on task.

You are probably wondering how can a stationary motor be moved to different place for outdoor jobs when it’s immobile. As a matter of fact, there are engines that operate in one place, but can be transported to another spot for later operation. Although the inside design of these motors is stationary, they received the name portable engines in order to set them apart form the ones that are permanently immobile. Therefore, a permanently stationary motor will be suitable only for the running of a factory or a mill, while a stationary one is convenient for outdoor work.

Another major consideration you will have to take when choosing the engine most suited for your job is size. A small sized stationary engine can only deliver electricity less than 188 KW. This means that small engines can power only small outdoor applications. But if you need large amounts of torque for commercial applications, medium sized engines are a great choice. Larger engines are used in large transportation vessels such as ships, submarines, and even airplanes.

Today there are a dozens of brands of stationary motors to choose from. You have some regular names in the motor industry like Yamaha or Hyundai, and then there are trusted Australian brands like Thornado that provide A-class stationary engines with prices suitable for both large factories and the average Australian farmer. Most of them use diesel as fuel, but there are models that run on petrol as well, if that’s your preferred option.

Finally, if you have a rusty stationary engine handed down from a great great grandpa, don’t toss it out just yet – vintage stationary engines from the 19th century are regarded today as important period pieces and are popular collector’s items. The UK especially has a fascination with them and has dedicated a few museums where visitors can see stationary engines in operation. Internal combustion stationary engines are the centrepieces of many steam rallies which include a special exhibit section dedicated to them. All of these engines are exhibited in operation powering water pumps, hand tools and the like, thanks to private individuals who worked to restore them.

Nothing can quite alter an interior design and change the feel of a space like decorative mirrors. They add warmth, reflect light, make spaces appear larger and add interest. Convenience and style at their finest! And since a mirror reflects what is in front of it, it is a must that you wisely choose the wall where you will place it.

In today’s article I’ll focus on one rather unique style of interior design – Indian. Exotic elegance, antique accents, handcrafted furniture, a variation of stunning accessories and a breathtaking mix of colours are what characterizes this distinct interior design style. There are a couple of considerations to bear in mind when choosing an aesthetic staple such as a mirror, so let’s begin clearing things up for you.