Pros and Cons: Wooden Floors

As a Class-A contractor, New Earth gets often asked to install wooden floors in all types of homes. We have realized that people usually have quite a few questions about the process, the cost and some of the benefits and disadvantages of wooden floors. We've put together a list of things to consider when purchasing a new home or updating an old one to wooden floors. Let's start with the positive first:

Pro's

• Easy Clean Up - What makes this particularly important is that you can easily recognize dirt or dust and clean it up. There are plenty of ways to clean a wooden floor, from: items you can pick up at your local grocery store to steam mops that disinfect.
• Cost Effective Repairs - If a section of your wooden floor happens to be damaged, it is very easy to target the replacement of the floor. You don't need to replace the entire thing. 
• Environmentally Friendly - Wooden floors come from natural materials which means they are biodegradable and it is a resource that can be replanted. 
• Hypoallergenic - Suffering from allergies is no joke, wooden floors allow to measure the amount of dust and allergens that live on the surface. Other flooring options like carpet don't give you that level of control since carpeting is often considered a breeding ground for allergens. 

Con's

• Cost - It usually costs more money upfront to install wooden floors, although in the long run you might see the value because it is a low maintenance option. 
• Durability - Even though wooden floor tend to last for a long time, it can scratch easily especially if you have pets or kids in the house.

Although the our Con's list is not very extensive, price is something to consider that can be a major factor in your decision. Keep in mind that this is a long term investment and that you'll probably end up saving money in the long run. 

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5 Eco Friendly Fertilizers

You might not know it but a lot of things that we produce as waste can be used as an eco-friendly fertilizer. Food remains and even things like coffee grounds can make excellent nutrients for your lawn and plants. Here are our top five picks for things that can be used as natural fertilizers:

1. Shells - from crab, shrimp and lobster; can make an excellent natural compost. A lot of these crustaceans' mineral properties can release many useful nutrients to the soil. It is best to let them sit in a covered dirt hole in the ground for a few weeks before using them directly on your plants and lawn, this will allow it to start decomposing it first.

2. Fish - well their scraps at least can make a great fertilizers, these don't really need decomposing first but instead can be buried deep where you want to release all the supplements. You do want to bury them deep because this could potentially attract unwanted animal guests in your garden that are looking for food.

3. Coffee Grounds -  a lot of us enjoy having a nice cup of coffee every morning. Keeping coffee grounds in a jar for a few days and then using them on your grass or plants is a great way to use something that you use pretty much every morning. What's best is that it mixes in easily with your soil.

4. Comfrey - this is a plan that is has dual purpose, it has medicinal properties as well as it being a great fertilizer. You don't use the leaves directly but instead you use a sort of "tea" made out of its leaves, let some of the leaves sit overnight preferably in a place where it will receive sunlight. This will penetrate the soil quickly since it is in liquid form.

5. Droppings - specifically the ones made from chickens. This only really works if you live in a farm or somewhere where there are animals. This is the most common one but you can technically use droppings from other animals also. In order for droppings to work you do need to let it compost first in the ground for a few weeks, maybe even a few months since it can be damaging to the plants if used right away.

Some other quick ideas include keeping a can of compost inside your kitchen where you can throw in things like: egg shells, fruit peels, fruit remains, coffee grounds, etc. Then transport the compost to a larger compost bin outside your home. Compost bins usually have an opening at the bottom so you can access the fertilizer that is the oldest first.

To learn more about the technical aspect of eco-friendly fertilizer's visit this website for useful information

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6 Ways to Avoid Mosquitoes

Summer can be a wonderful season, we get to spend time outdoors and it is an ideal time for vacation trips. Whether you are relaxing on your front porch or sitting at a family’s river vacation home, you’ll quickly notice some of the annoyances that come with summer. Mosquitoes can really ruin one’s day, so here a few things to remember to minimize these pests:

• Wearing a long sleeve’s and long pants can be of great help, especially if you have skin that irritates easily

• If you have a swimming pool, make sure to keep it in good working condition. Still water is an easy breeding ground for mosquitoes.

• On that note, still water can be a source for more mosquito breeding, this can come from: potted plants, cans, pet water dishes, birdbaths, etc. Try to keep those empty to a minimum whenever possible.

• Nets can be your best friend during the summer. They allow the cool breeze in but keep all the nasty pests out. Use nets over a front or back porch, tents, and even baby strollers if you have infants around. 

• There’s also plenty of insect repellants for both people or whole areas. There’s also candles that emit a bug repellent fragrance, these tend to last a while and can be reused. 

• Ensure that all your entrances and windows close tightly, mosquitoes are small and can come in through open cracks. 

There’s also some more natural and earth friendly ways to keep mosquitoes away such as: using an open beer to attract mosquitoes away from the area that you’re standing or even using cinnamon and eucalyptus oils as bug repellants. To find out more about some natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes click here.

The National Pesticide Control Center also has some great information on how to deal with unwanted summer pests. 

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A Fresh Layer of Mulch

Summer weather can be brutal on your garden. Your garden will need constant watering and cutting to maintain it nice and pretty during the summer season. New Earth offers a quick tip on how to lower the amount of time and maintenance that can be spent on your garden this season. 

Using a fresh layer of mulch can have many benefits: 

• Retains water so you won’t have to water your plants too often and will prevent them from drying out
• Acts as a way to prevent weed growth which can take valuable resources from your other plants
• Keeps roots cooler allowing them to absorb more moisture
• As it breaks down it can add useful nutrients to your garden space
• Protects your plants from all elements, so if seasons change drastically then you’ll have a smoother transition since they are not directly exposed to the elements

With all benefits come some disadvantages, the biggest one being that if you don’t know where you are getting your mulch from it can bring in unwanted pests or bacteria that may not naturally occur in the place where you live causing all sorts of you problems.

For a comprehensive list of the different types of mulch and more information about the benefits of mulch check out this great article 

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Pros & Cons of Owning a Pool

It's hot outside and you think to yourself it might be very nice to have a pool in your backyard. You think to yourself that it would probably be a nice addition to your home and that it could potentially add some value to your property if done correctly. We have compiled a list of Pro's and Con's so you can make a better decision:

Pros:

• In a neighborhood that is full of houses with pools, not having one might make your house less desirable to a house that does

• The weather here in Virginia will allow you to use the pool between three to six months per year depending on the weather

• If you have a roomy yard this can definitely make a very much welcomed addition

Cons:

• The cost of the pool. An in-ground pool can cost between $30k up to $100k depending on the additions and details that you decide to add to the pool. This is an investment that you may or may not see back once you decide to sell

• You may limit the market that you are selling to. Families with small children might not like the idea of toddlers around pools but on the contrary families with older kids might be highly interested. 

• Maintenance is an added expense for a pool. There can be heating, filtration, repairs and materials for preservation of your pool. These all add to your already existing bills. 

There are many other things to consider when thinking of getting a pool and looking at alternatives like above ground pools that are sold as kits. What you need to take away from this article is that you may not get the cost of your pool back when you sell your home, try to keep the cost of your pool around ten percent of the value of your home so that way if you don't see your money back it is not a huge loss. Think of a pool as an added luxury that not everyone will want.


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Summer Insulation - 4 Tips

Insulation is not just for Winter, yes we want to stay warm during cold weather but just as heat can escape our homes or apartments over the winter so can cool air during the summer. Here are 5 things you want to look for in your home to ensure that you conserve as much cool temperature as possible while keeping your energy bill down.

1. Windows - A crack in the window, faulty seals, and lack of curtains can all contribute to increased heat in your home. Checking to ensure that there isn't any leaks of air can help keep the house a few degrees cooler which in turn will help with your electricity bill. Also, repairing and updating old windows can also affect how effective your cooling system is. 

1. Doors - They can expand and contract with the season's causing if they are made from wood, causing all kinds of gaps between the door frames, this can easily be fixed with door weather strips from your local home supply store. Also having a storm door can insulate better as well as allow you to have natural air flowing through the house during cooler days, this is an upgrade that is well welcomed by homeowners. 

1. Roof - Having little insulation in the roof can also have an impact because the roof receives so much heat during bright sunny days that if it is not properly covered, it can have some of that heat transferred indoors. We think of this especially during Winter because air rising but it is also important to keep an eye on it during the summer!

1. A/C Unit - Make sure your A/C unit is working the way it is supposed to, if you don't feel like the air it is pumping out is cool then check to make sure it has all the necessary fluids, that the unit has even properly maintained and that all the vents are cleared. A/C Units also have a warranty so make sure your warranty is active to qualify for free or reduced maintenance costs. 

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6 Reasons to Get a Brick Sidewalk

Thinking of building a sidewalk? Consider building one made from bricks, here are the top seven reason's New Earth Virginia thinks you should! 

1. Brick sidewalks are more durable than concrete. It is not one single unit so it is easy to fix, you just replace one two bricks at a time! 

1. Shifts and changes in the soil underneath won't ruin your sidewalk. Extreme heat, heavy rain, freezing temperatures can ruin a sidewalk, brick however allows room for: expansion, shrinkage and movement.

1. It will save money in the long run. You'll find the need to replace and fix your sidewalk very seldom, it might be a bigger investment upfront but it will be worth it!

1. Room for error. Laying the brick down might be a little more time consuming than just pouring cement out in a designated area, however making a mistake is a lot easier to fix with brick. 

1. Even if you don't make a mistake, a concrete sidewalk could get ruined during construction over climate, pets, kids, etc. These are things that are out of our control!

1. Think of the environment. The upkeep and the recycling of a brick sidewalk leaves a much smaller footprint than its counterparts. In addition to sustainability, it allows water to flow much naturally. This means less puddles or standing water and the soil is getting a constant flow of air and water. 

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Waterfalls

Many homeowners enjoy the advantages of having a garden or outdoor space in which to relax. This is one of the perks of owning a home, you can customize it to look and feel like a place that you'd want to be in. A great project idea to add value and enhance your garden can be to install a waterfall. 

• Serenity - it provides a quite and restful space for you and your family, a place where you can get away especially if your home is located in a busy area of town

• Value Added - this can make your home more appealing to potential buyers

• Pest Control - moving water won't allow mosquitoes to breed

• Bird Watching - you'll find that your small sanctuary will attract different types of animals in nature, including birds. 

There are many benefits to adding a waterfall but one of the best reasons is because of the relaxing and soothing sounds and space that a waterfall can create. A lot of people might think this could be an expensive project that requires a lot of maintenance or a big space in order to be built. This isn't neccesarily true depending on the size of the waterfall and the type of landscape that your home has. 

Landscape Planet points out a few different reasons on why this is a great idea for your home:

These are just a few of the reasons why adding a waterfall to your home is a good idea. We definitely support the idea of home improvements and making your home as appealing as possible since it will add overall value as long as it properly maintained and cared for. 

Some of our ideas featured on this blog are ideas that you can execute yourself and can find different guides for online. For all your home improvement ideas that you need help with, call New Earth to get an estimate (804) 955-0257

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