Whether you heat your house with a wood-burning stove or you like to enjoy the crackling ambiance of a fire on chilly nights, choosing the right firewood will give you the maximum burn efficiency and heat production. So what’s the difference between green firewood and seasoned firewood? It’s all about the burn, you’ll see.

Green firewood is a type of firewood that comes fresh from the trees recently cut down by tree contractors. This firewood usually is still damp when cut open. It can contain up to 60% moisture, which means it will burn less efficiently and produce less heat. You typically do not want to burn this type of wood because with such high moisture concentrations you are much more likely to get a creosote buildup in your chimney. And because creosote clogs your flue and encourages chimney fires, it can negatively impact the function of your fireplace. Overall, this wood won’t be as beneficial to you in the long run, especially if you’re looking to heat your whole home with a wood-burning stove.

Seasoned firewood is considered to be wood that has had a sufficient amount of time to dry out. Depending on the type of wood you’re dealing with, the necessary drying period could be anywhere from six months to a year. This can result in moisture levels less than 40% (sometimes down below 20%), which can help maximize burn efficiency and heat as well as prevent creosote accumulation in your fireplace and chimney.

The type of wood you choose will determine the length of time it needs to be seasoned. Oak firewood is typically seasoned between 6 and 12 months for maximum benefit. Red oak only needs about six months, whereas white oak needs a year or more since it is a harder wood. Hickory wood requires about 12 months of seasoning.

DIY

If you cut your own wood, you could always consider seasoning it yourself. It’s a relatively easy process. After you cut the wood, stack it so it isn’t touching the ground or a wall. You can stack the split logs while turning the wood at 90 degree angles so the stack supports itself. Next you should cover the stack with a tarp to prevent rain from soaking through the wood. However, it’s important to leave the stack open on the sides to allow moisture to escape as air circulates. Then simply wait the recommended length of time for the wood to season, and you’ll have it ready to burn efficiently.

Now you know that if you want to burn firewood, it’s best to stay far away from green wood that’s freshly cut from a tree contractor. Maximize the burning efficiency and heat benefits from firewood by choosing well-seasoned logs, whether they’re oak or hickory.

Maria Allen is a property owner and an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, offering effective SEO for local businesses.

Have you tired of your carpet or linoleum floors? If you are seeking an alternative, consider having wood flooring installed. Hardwood floors are an attractive and easy-to-maintain option that provides a timeless look.

Whether you’re in the midst of a whole-house remodel or you just want to ditch that grungy old carpet for a fresh, clean look, installing hardwood floors is a fantastic option for almost any home. Make an investment in the beauty and value of your home–get gorgeous hardwood floors!

Hardwood floors are durable, classic, and easy to care for. They are one of the best options out there for flooring in your home that will not only be enjoyable for you and your family but is also a great investment to increase the value of your home. If you have not researched wood floors recently, you might be surprised by the huge variety in not only
woods available but also in color, grain, and installation options like floating or prefinished to choose from. Visiting a local flooring showroom and viewing the multitude of hardwood flooring options is the best way to ensure that you get the floors you’ve always envisioned for your home. Professional flooring experts will be able to assess your needs, explain the process of removing your old floors and installing beautiful, timeless hardwood floors, and make certain you’re fully satisfied with your gleaming, new wood floors.

If you already have wood flooring in your home, but it is decades old or was not previously well maintained, there
is a way to revitalize your flooring and get it looking like new. Contact a local flooring repair contractor for an estimate for resurfacing hardwood flooring in your home. By having your wood flooring refinished, you can have the appearance of brand new floors without the cost or waste of installing them. A flooring contractor can also help with finding replacement flooring if you just have a portion of your wood flooring in need of repairs due to damage or uneven aging.

Whether you need help to repair hardwood floors, wood floor refinishing, or hardwood flooring installation, calling a flooring contractor to get the expert and quality service you deserve is the best plan.

Car GPS systems help drivers navigate their way through new and confusing routes. Having an in dash navigation system mounted into a vehicle is an efficient way of improving driver safety. A portable navigation system is useful for most drivers, but portable car GPS systems are also highly linked to theft and break in.

A better option is in dash navigation. In dash navigation systems allow users to navigate through streets without having to look down at a map, take wrong turns and create traffic jams. Being able to touch a few buttons on oneís navigation system to redirect drivers when they either take a wrong turn or start out on a new route leads to much safer driving than looking down at a tiny map or talking on the phone to someone giving directions.

Save Money with In Dash Navigation

Many vehicles now come with navigation options but they are often far more expensive than purchasing your own navigation system and having it installed by your local mobile electronics experts. Having a car GPS installed into your current vehicle will also add to your carís resale value and could cut down on insurance costs since in dash navigation systems are less likely to be stolen, and as such, cars are less likely to be broken into.

In dash navigation systems eliminate the hassle of taking out and putting away a portable GPS upon entering and exiting the vehicle as well as eliminating the risk of having a portable navigation system stolen from the vehicle.

Choose your Variety Navigation System

There are many options when it comes to car GPS, and even more should drivers choose a portable navigation system. When it comes to in dash models, drivers can choose to have combination CD/DVD/radio/GPS units, any combination of those options, or stand-alone units.

Did you know that routine vacuuming only removes the dirt and grime from the top layers of your carpeting? While this helps your home look clean, dust, germs, allergens, bacteria, pet dander, and other contaminants get trapped deep in the carpet where your vacuum can’t reach. These pollutants accumulate over time, despite your vacuuming efforts, simply because standard vacuums can’t penetrate deep within your carpeting. The bad news is these contaminants can make your family sick. But the good news is you can easily eliminate them with a professional carpet cleaning!

Carpet Cleaning

Carpet cleaning removes both surface dirt and embedded grime for a total clean; that means your carpets look great and no longer create a health risk for your family. But keep in mind that carpet cleaning isn’t a job for amateurs. You’ll want to enlist professional carpet cleaners to ensure your carpets and rugs get completely clean. These experts have the knowledge, training, and specialized tools to ensure that all of the built-up grime is removed without causing any damage to your carpets.

The concern with do-it-yourself carpet cleanings is whether you’re really getting the carpet clean. Without specialized carpet cleaning equipment, homeowners simply aren’t able to get their carpets all the way clean. But with truck-mounted hot water extraction systems, the professionals can thoroughly cleanse your carpets. This pressurized hot water is just the trick to extract all of the contaminants trapped in your carpeting, leaving it totally clean and only slightly damp. By not over saturating your carpeting, it dries fast, eliminating the potential for mold and mildew growth (yet another health hazard). So for carpet cleaning done right, choose a professional carpet cleaning service!

Rug and Furniture Cleaning

You should also have your area rugs cleaned annually. The same dirt and pollutants build up in these types of carpets as well, so to get your whole house deep cleaned, rugs need to be cleaned, too. Professional cleaning is a must with all rugs and even upholstery. These beautiful textiles are frequently delicate, creating the potential for substantial damage if not cleaned properly. Experts in upholstery cleaning and rug cleaning can identify vulnerable fabrics and take the appropriate steps to avoid issues of spotting, color transfer, dye migration, and fading. While homeowners may not realize there’s a problem until it’s too late, professional rug cleaners will get your furniture and rugs clean without hurting them, leaving your whole house clean, beautiful, and healthy for the whole family.

When you’re in the market for great flooring-whether you’re renovating, remodeling, or building a new home-you’ll find the best selection, variety, and even prices at a general flooring store. While you may be tempted to visit numerous specialty shops, your local flooring company is your best bet for the perfect floor!

Specialty stores exist for the sole reason of selling you one particular type of flooring material. This means that the sales staff will be emphasizing the benefits of their product and playing up the drawbacks of other flooring. So rather than openly discussing the advantages and disadvantages of all types of floors for your home and needs, they end up pushing you toward their products just to make a sale.

On the other hand, general flooring dealers have no motive for inflating the relative merits of one floor over another. Because they offer everything from wood flooring to tile installation, they likely won’t push you toward one over the other to make the sale. Instead, you’ll get an honest assessment of which types of flooring are best for you, not the store’s bottom line. For example, a hardwood floor specialist might encourage you to select an oak floor for your hallway, when the heavy traffic pattern and hard use mean laminate flooring probably makes more sense.

Additionally, a flooring outlet is simply more convenient. You get easy one-stop shopping for all of your floor needs, rather than spending days visiting every specialty floor store in the area. With the stress and hassle associated with just about every home remodeling project, you simply won’t have the time (or patience) for all that running around. That’s why we highly recommend making a flooring dealer with a broad selection and trustworthy, knowledgeable staff your first stop. You can always drop by a specialty store later if you’d like, but chances are you’ll find precisely what you want, whether it’s floor tile or carpet, at your local floor store!

For years your choice in house siding has been wood, vinyl, or aluminum. Wood is high-maintenance but looks great. Vinyl is low maintenance but not as attractive. Aluminum has fallen out of fashion in recent decades. So, if you’re trying to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these siding materials, why not consider cement fiber siding. Combining the gorgeous appearance of wood and the low maintenance of vinyl, cement fiber siding is the ideal home exterior for the modern home! Keep reading for more information or contact siding contractors in your area for details about cement fiber performance.

Pioneered by the siding manufacturer James Hardie, cement fiber siding has grown in popularity in recent years. As its incredible benefits become better known to home owners, they’re increasingly choosing this relatively new siding product over vinyl or wood. Made from compressed concrete and wood fiber, this cement fiber siding has the strength and longevity of cement and the beautiful appearance of wood. This incredible exterior siding offers the attractiveness of wood, but will never rot or develop insect problems. In fact, some cement fiber siding is available with a baked-on factory finish that will last more than 15 years-meaning your house won’t have to be painted for over a decade! Cement fiber takes low maintenance practically to the extreme of no maintenance.

Superior durability is one of the hallmarks of cement fiber siding. Because it is engineered from concrete, cement fiber is sturdy, resilient, and long-lasting. Many manufacturers offer even 50 year warranties. In fact, cement fiber can easily last the lifetime of your house, making it a fantastic value over the long term. Your local siding contractor can provide the exact specifications of particular cement fiber brands, but all offer long-lasting beauty for your home.

When choosing a contractor for your siding installation, be sure to select an experienced professional. You’ll want a licensed, insured expert for the best quality and workmanship. Ask for references from past projects and ensure that your siding contractor uses cement fiber from a leading manufacturer for superior quality and warranties.

About the Author: Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist.

Inclement weather can be a hassle no matter the season, especially if it knocks the power out. If you’re tired of sitting in the dark or having food in the refrigerator spoil when you’re without electricity, you should consider installing a generator. These great emergency back up power systems can easily be installed by your electrician and will help keep your home running, even when the power isn’t working.

A generator enables you to keep your home or business running even when the power is out; from simply keeping the lights on to running appliances, emergency power systems are a great solution for generating electricity. Commercial benefits include optimizing productivity and preventing power-outage related losses. Residential benefits include eliminating fire danger from candles, maintaining home comfort (furnace, water heater, AC), and preventing food loss (freezer, refrigerator).

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of an emergency back up power system is adequate size. You’ll need a generator capable of producing enough power to fulfill your energy needs. Obviously, if you just want to keep the lights on, you’ll need a much smaller generator than if you want to power large appliances like the refrigerator and water heater as well. Discuss your energy needs with your electrician in Raleigh to ensure that your back up power system will produce sufficient electricity.

Depending on your needs, your electrician can configure a whole-building generator system that automatically kicks in when power is lost or install a manual portable generator that provides electricity to crucial systems only. Automatic generators are recommended for commercial spaces, enabling the emergency power to kick in even if no one is in the building at the time: This helps prevent power outage related losses. Manual generators can be a more cost effective solution, though, so be sure to talk with your commercial electrician about which system is best for you!

Your local electrician should be able to provide sales and installation on a generator, so call today to learn more about emergency power for your home or business. Stop suffering when the power is out; keep the lights (and other electrical systems) on with a generator!