Posted by Damien Cabral on Thu, Jul 29, 2010
I was listening to
NPR earlier this week and was instantly intrigued by a story on grass seed. I know this isn’t usually a riveting subject, however, it is when you hear what
Pearl’s Premium Grass Seed can do. How would you like to have a lawn that needs little to
no watering,
minimal fertilizing, and only needs
mowing once a month?
A few years back, Jackson Madnick, Founder Pearl's Premium, set out to find a grass seed that left less of a negative impact on the environment. With the help of several grass scientists, Jackson created a patent pending seed mix that has r
evolutionized the lawn industry. The secret to Pearl’s Premium is found in the seeds’
12 inch root system. This deep root system allows the grass to reach deeper in the soil tapping into its natural moisture and nutrients. The mixture grows at a fraction of the rate of regular lawns, only requiring mowing once per month. It is available in both a sun and shade mixture.
What if I already have grass? How can I switch to Pearl’s Premium? You probably have thoughts of driving a backhoe onto your lawn and digging up all the old grass. While this would be an interesting sight, it is drastic and unneeded. To apply Pearl’s Premium to your existing lawn just
follow a few simple steps:
- Cut lawn extremely short (ideally, right down to the dirt with a dull blade)
- Rake away clippings and dislodged thatch
- Spread Pearl's Premium seeds according to the concentration shown on the back of the bag
- Water in the morning for one month, then (if seeded in Spring) water once a week through first summer
- Once lawn is established, follow maintenance instructions closely
- Over-seed following season to accelerate transformation
Not convinced yet? Check out the
Testimonials Page on the Pearl’s Premium website or take a look at the video below.
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Photo Credit:
Pearl’s Premium Grass Seed
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Jul 27, 2010
Everyone enjoys feeling proud of their home and protecting their investment. We take pleasure in having a green lawn, well manicured landscaping, and a fresh coat of paint. Is there any greater feeling than inviting your family and friends to your home and receiving a compliment like “You have done such a nice job with this house.” or “Your new windows look amazing.” With all these positive feelings, why don’t we always move forward with the home improvements we would like?
Doing Nothing is Easier
Well yes, doing nothing is always easier, but doing nothing will not solve the problem or increase the value of your home. But we are Busy! Many of us do not want to deal with contacting multiple remodeling companies, getting quotes, selecting a contractor, and dealing with the mess of installation. Often, these tasks can be time consuming and sometimes even a chore. You can make your life easier by contacting 1-2 reputable home improvement companies. By selecting a larger, reputable company you will ensure a streamlined process that will minimize your headaches.
Financing is Tough to Come by These Days
The post-financial meltdown era has left our credit markets in turmoil. Today, the government backs over 90% of American mortgages, hundreds of banks have failed, and credit card offers are harder to come by. At first blush, this environment does not bode well if you would like to borrow money to improve your home. Again, larger home improvement companies can help you with this problem. Large home improvement companies (like Moonworks) have direct access to the credit markets. We can help you receive financing directly with credit card companies (sometimes with no interest, no payments for 12 months) and even a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC).
I Have Other Bills!
Now more than ever, Americans are saddled with scores of bills. It is hard to imagine that just 50 years ago (the Mad Men era) an American family could live off a single income, own one car, and graduate from a good college without any debt. As we are all well aware, we live in a different world today. Many of us are juggling weekly and monthly bills, working several jobs, and long hours. Many of us make just enough to provide for a modest income, a nice home for our family, and the occasional one week vacation. This doesn’t leave a whole lot in the rainy day jar for home improvements!
Well if you look at home improvements as another bill or an expense, you would be right. However, home improvements are not an expense, they are an investment with a cost. This is a confusing statement/concept so let me try to break it down with an analogy below.
Expense: An expense occurs when you exchange money for a good or service and don’t expect to ever see that money again. A great example is your oil bill! When you pay for an oil delivery you never expect to see that money again. You mailed your check to the oil company and fully expect them to cash the check and put the cash in their pocket.
Cost: When an item has a cost, it is vastly different than an expense. When you invest in the stock market or your 401k, there is a cost for you to own that investment. Yes, you no longer have access to that money but you haven’t lost it either – it is merely in another place, potentially (and hopefully) increasing in value. You also assume one day you will have access to that money again (when you sell the investment) and hopefully receive a profit. Many home improvements can be viewed in the same way. For example, when you invest in new windows there is a cost. However, you receive a monthly return in energy savings for the life of the windows (like a stock dividend) and when you sell your home one day, you can assume your home is now worth more with the new windows installed (like selling your stock).
If you are interested in investing in your home (and receiving dividends), be sure to Contact Moonworks for a Free Estimate Today!
Photo Credit: chiquitty
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Blog Author: Rebecca McKinnon
Do you ever wish you could just sell everything, pay off all of your debt and live a more simple life? Well, you are not alone. Over the past decade, the tiny house movement has taken off. The elegant, clean and super organized living spaces of these homes are enough to inspire anyone to live the simple life. Living in one of these tiny homes requires not only a change in lifestyle but the ability to live your life without excess. And, to design one of these, takes ingenuity, meticulous planning, and passion.
The designers of these tiny homes are not only concerned with the most efficient and effective use of space and light but also the environment. In some cases, the designers use recycled and sustainable materials to construct these works of art. You don’t even realize that you are in such a small space due to the fact that they design around using light to make these spaces seem larger than they actually are. No matter if an individual, couple or family is living in the home, the idea behind this movement remains the same- the home is valued, no matter how big it is and/or how much it costs, and is not seen as a burden or stressor. It is a state of mind and therefore, there is no exact square footage that you must follow but most tiny home range from 65 sq. ft. to 850 sq. ft.
Most tiny home builders sell both the plans to build your own tiny home in addition to already assembled homes. Some to look into are: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, Tiny House Design, and Twelve Cubed. The difficult part of the transition is working within the local building code guidelines and getting permits if applicable. Be sure to research the area you plan to build the home for regulations and most importantly loop holes. Building your tiny home according to the specifications of a travel trailer, shed, or in multi-family zones are the most advantageous as these have less strict guidelines.
Then, you must find land to put the home on. Most people rely on friends, family and friendly neighbors. Try researching alternative living friendly communities as these are more open to different types of homes and less judgmental neighbors. Campgrounds are another resource to look into.
Downsizing to a smaller home also saves on heating and cooling costs. The average tiny home owner pays about $100 a year in utilities if on the grid. Marine propane heaters, electric space heaters and wood stoves are commonly used. In addition, solar panels can be used keep the home off the grid. Saw dust composting and RV toilets with a waste tank are used in the bathroom and which one is used depends on whether you plan to be mobile.
There are many resources out there for people interested in tiny homes. Many of the tiny home builders live in tiny homes and blog about it. Tiny House compiled a listing of sites that offer invalueable information.
Some interesting resources and blogs to read are:
Tiny House Blog
Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
DIY-Prefab
The Tiny Life
RelaxShax’s Blog
Shedworking
Small House Society
Lloyd Kahn’s Blog
Project Rolling Freedom
In addition to the above resources, these companies also provide homes and plans.
Twelve3
Sonoma Shanty
Sheldon Designs
iStockHousePlans
FreeGreen.com
Yes Wee Cabins
Tiny Green Cabins
I tried to include everyone that I read about but I know there are probably more out there. Feel free to add other helpful information and sites that you like.
Be sure to check out the video featuring Jay Schafer of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company featured on Yahoo! below.
Photo Credits:
Cavco Cabin in Phoenix, AZ via Tiny House Blog
Completed Inside of Cube by Twelve3
Completed Outside of Cube by Twelve3
Tiny Texas House Rustic Farmhouse On Bear Creek
Tiny Texas House Vicky at Park Lane Guest House: Austin, TX
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Posted by Damien Cabral on Thu, Jul 15, 2010
For our second entry in the Really Cool Products Blog Series we venture into the bathroom.
Power-Pipe
Every time water goes down your drainpipe, energy is wasted. Power-Pipe attempts to recapture some of this lost energy. What in the world is a Power-Pipe? It consists of copper tubes wrapped around a copper drainpipe. The waste water from your shower or sink 
flows down the copper drainpipe, clinging to the inner surface as a very thin film. At the same time, cold fresh water travels up through the wrapped copper tubes. The heat in the wastewater travels safely and efficiently through the copper and into the cold fresh water. This may be difficult to visualize so we provided you with a great video explaining the product below.
The Power-Pipe can save you up to 35% in your water-heating bill every month. To save even more, click here to learn how to save up to 75% in your water heating bill with a Solar Hot Water System. Think of what a great team these two products could make in conjunction!
Hansgrohe PuraVida Faucet
Did you ever notice that a smooth calm stream of water provides a great source of relaxation? Think about it, a small stream in the woods, waves crashing on the beach, and now your bathroom faucet. Hansgroh’s line of faucets, PuraVida, provides a contemporary look and flowing source of relaxation for your bathroom. The faucet shown here features a concealed aerator and all-chrome finish. Give your bathroom a truly unique feel with this great focal point.
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Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Jul 13, 2010
That is right. Right now in England, thatched roofs are seeing a resurgence. Why you may ask? Thatched roofs have always been aesthetically pleasing but numerous concerns have limited their potential in the modern housing market. Some of these concerns included fire, insects, and expensive insurance. By marrying modern technologies, bug and fire retardant, with traditional thatching materials, the thatched roof is now a realistic solution for many homeowners. Because fire hazards have been reduced, insurance premiums have steeply declined. Additionally, thatchers today are better trained resulting in a higher quality build than you may have gotten years ago.
So why do people install thatched roofs? There is no better way to express it than straight from the homeowners:
"You get the wonderful snug feeling of a thatched cottage…” - Maureen Hind
"Outside noise is deadened in the upstairs rooms and when it starts to rain, you don't know anything about it for the first couple of hours because you don't get the dripping into gutters and hammering on to the roof tiles...What you do get is that lovely peaceful sound of raindrops gently falling from the thatch for a long time after it has stopped raining. It feels very natural, like the roof is breathing. There's no sound like it." - Roger Scanlan
In addition to providing a unique feel to the home, thatched roofs are eco-friendly. Thatch is a renewable material, usually water reed or straw. The demand for thatch material encourages the growth of wetland reed beds, which can provide habitats for threatened species. Furthermore, thatch proves to be a great natural insulator. Virtually all thatched roof homes should meet or exceed minimum insulation standards in most climates.
Both new construction and older homes are driving demand for this time-honored material. Thatch is versatile enough to create the traditional look of a cottage and the straight clean lines of a modern building. Be sure to take a look at some amazing thatched roofs below.
Quick Fact: Did you know that Moonworks carries shingles that can reflect the suns heat from your home? Learn more about Moonworks Cool Roofing Technologies Here!
Photo Credits: About.com
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Jul 07, 2010
We thought it would be interesting to have an entire blog series dedicated to really cool products that we stumble upon, so here you go. Our first entry is focused on revolutionary fireplaces that are visually appealing and energy-efficient. The fireplaces below are anything but traditional. Be sure to take a good look at our collection of pictures!
Soapstone Fireplaces
Soapstone fireplaces are not all that common in Northeast homes. Did you know that soapstone holds twice as much heat per pound than iron or steel? This property enables soapstone fireplaces to slowly release radiant heat from the fireplace vs. heating the air directly. The results are a comfortable radiant heat that continues after the fireplace has been turned off. The heat can even be transferred through solid surfaces warming walls and adjacent rooms. If you are interested in learning more be sure to checkout Dorado Soapstone’s.
EcoSmart Fireplaces
Recently, EcoSmart Fire released the XL Burner, a sophisticated fireplace that would fit in well with any contemporary architecture. This conversation piece provides for an excellent room focal point and is easily installed inside or outside your modern dwelling. The XL Burner includes baffles (for fuel efficiency), drafters (for flame stability), smart filling point, and a new design shut-off mechanism (hinged plate adjustment rather than sliding mechanism). Additionally, the XL Burner utilizes renewable denatured ethanol as fuel. If you are interested in learning more about this amazing fireplace be sure to check out EcoSmart Fire.
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