Category Blog

Benefits of Screen Enclosures – The opinions expressed in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

Benefits of Screen Enclosures

What makes patio screen enclosures such a common design element? It’s easy. These smart constructions provide very concrete advantages. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Best for everywhere:

Patio screen enclosures blur the border between indoors and out, allowing you to enjoy the greatest aspects of both settings in real estate. With a screened-in porch, you can enjoy your backyard’s natural beauty without worrying about the inconveniences that occasionally come with outdoor activities.

• Keep the insects outside:

Even on a bright, sunny day, gnats, mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and other critters may rapidly make being outside unpleasant. It is irritating to have these bugs buzzing or crawling around you. Even worse, their bites are painful and can spread a variety of diseases. To keep them away, you can use insect repellents, but they are sometimes odorous and need to be used frequently to be even marginally successful. A screened-in porch enclosure, on the other hand, acts as a barrier, protecting you and your family without any further work on your side from these unwanted guests.

• Cut down maintenance requirements:

A patio is a beautiful feature, but maintaining it requires work. Due to the screens’ ability to keep out leaves, branches, and other debris, patio enclosures lessen this load. Additionally, they shield other surfaces, like your patio furniture, from the sun’s unrelenting rays, which prevents fading and damage.

• Protection:

Even a devoted outdoorsman may choose to stay indoors during torrential downpours and ferocious gusts, and while the sun feels nice on your skin, it also presents risks. After all, skin cancer and sunburn are both inconvenient conditions. You can also slip and fall in the rain and cause any personal injury.  No matter what Mother Nature has in store for the day, a patio screened enclosure offers a protected area that considerably decreases weather issues and makes it simple to enjoy the outdoors.

• Space:

A patio screened enclosure is a fantastic plus whether you choose to host intimate meetings for a small group of friends or enjoy throwing large celebrations with many guests. These screen room patios are a great area to host parties since they allow for inside and outdoor use.

• Enhance the overall look:

There is no one size fits for screen enclosures; you may make them as plain or elaborate as you choose, and there is a staggering variety of sizes available. It’s simple to construct a bespoke building to blend in with the design of your house, adding a beautiful visual element.

• Increase the overall value:

A cost-effective approach to increasing the square footage of your house is using screen enclosures. Installing one provides you with extra space and can increase the value of your home.

• Can protect your pets:

A screen enclosure might be the ideal solution for people who have indoor dogs but wish to introduce them to the great outdoors. On average, pets who are confined indoors live shorter lives than those who are permitted to wander outside. That’s because while your pet goes outside, it may come into contact with other animals and wildlife that might be disease-bearers or even consider your pet to be food. Pets can experience part of the outdoors while being safe if you keep them inside but permit them to freely move between your house and an enclosed porch or patio.

How To Keep Your Patios Free of Pests – Today’s guest blog is by Thermal Clean LLC.  The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

How To Keep Your Patios Free of Pests

Having friends and family around on your patio may be a fun way to spend a summer evening until the bugs arrive. Warm bodies and cold beverages can attract mosquitoes, ants, and other unwelcome visitors. However, there are a few simple techniques to keep mosquitoes away from a patio and allow you to enjoy the outdoors without interruptions.

Purchase Patio Plants to Keep Bugs Away

Nature has endowed plants with a range of natural insect repellents, but there is no one-size-fits-all method for employing plants to keep pests away. Depending on the pests you’re most concerned about, you’d need to select very specialized patio plants to keep them at bay. Ants, for example, shun chrysanthemums, flies avoid basil, and moths avoid lavender.

You may use the following methods to keep mosquitos away from your patio or deck:

• Rosemary
• Marigold
• Lavender
• Thyme lemon
• Geranium
• Citronella

Keep in mind that while a lemon aroma might deter mosquitos, it can also attract bees. That implies some forethought is required. However, with little planning, this may be a beneficial, natural technique to keep pests at bay.

Utilize Essential Oils

Combine one part witch hazel and one part water to make a bug-repellent remedy for your patio. Add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and a few dozen drops of essential oils to each cup of solution.

Consider lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, or basil essential oils, as well as others that may resemble the aroma of the plants and herbs listed above. These fragrances mimic the aromas of the plants after which they are named, allowing you to combine many types of protection into a single solution. By spraying the mixture evenly around the perimeter of your space, you can keep pests away from your patio.

Remove any standing water.

Few methods for getting rid of flying pests on a patio are as vital as treating the source of the problem. Standing water may serve as a breeding ground for generations of troublesome mosquitoes. Keep gutters, downspouts, birdbaths, pools, buckets, and other locations free of standing water whenever feasible.

Spritz mouthwash all over your patio.

If you don’t have rubbing alcohol or essential oils, an alcohol-based mouthwash might be a good substitute. Simply fill a spray bottle with mouthwash and spray down the edge of the deck or patio furniture. This can repel pests and leave a nice odor, but due to the quick evaporation of alcohol, it may be essential to reapply frequently.

Citronella candles and torches should be used.

Some homeowners ignore citronella as a pest-repellent choice for their patio. Citronella candles and torches have a reputation for repelling mosquitos, but they’re also good at deterring flies and other flying insects. In addition to filling the air with smells that repel pests, burning citronella may provide natural ambient lighting to help brighten your patio.

Modify Your Outdoor Lighting

Bugs have a vision that allows them to perceive shorter wavelengths of light more clearly. This includes blues, purples, and even ultraviolet light, which humans cannot see. Their visual range, however, excludes warmer hues like red and orange.

Blue light concentrations are greater in daylight white bulbs. If you want to keep mosquitoes away from your patio at night, consider replacing colder bulbs with warmer ones, particularly yellow or sodium vapor lamps. Don’t use any brighter lights than you require since the intensity of the light will attract pests. Here are a few outdoor lighting ideas to get you started.

Ticks love to hide in thick grass, and shrubs brushing up against your home can enable pests to enter easier. Keeping your yard in order isn’t only for show; it may also help keep pests away from your patio. Pick up garbage and clean up spills as soon as possible so that they don’t attract insects. Seek the help of Denver Colorado’s Bed Bug Experts in any of such case.

Following or combining some of these easy strategies will help you maintain your backyard patio bug-free so you can spend time outside with friends and family.

How to Rid Rugs and Carpets from Pet Hair? – Today’s guest blog is by the Law Offices of David A. Kapelman, P.C.  The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

How to Rid Rugs and Carpets from Pet Hair?

Animal hair on clothes, furniture, towels, bed linens, curtains, and carpets is something most pet owners are accustomed to. While non-animal lovers will screech at the sight of a single strand of hair upon their sandwich, dog and cat keepers won’t bat an eye at a hairball stuck on their bagel. To be honest, the hair issue is just a tiny drawback of having furry friends in the house; their luxurious fluffy manes are the best thing about them after all. Cat scratches and dog bite injuries are of greater concern, but proper pet training eliminates those issues as well.

Persians, Ragdolls, and Siberians among cats, and Collies, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers among dogs are some of the most adorable creatures on earth. A rug ensconced by cat/dog hair may look unsightly, but it’s a small price for their cuteness and affection. Luckily, you can cherish your lovely pets and keep your rugs hair-free by applying the following hair removal techniques:

1. Fabric Softener

Cleaning your rug with fabric softener rivals professional carpet cleaners, and it is way cheaper. All you have to do is make a 25% solution of fabric softener. Take a spray bottle and fill it with one part fabric softener, three parts water, and shake well. Mist the entire rug with this solution and leave to dry. The solution helps loosen the hair from the rug and allows painless abstraction. You can vacuum the rug after and notice how easily the hair comes off.

2. Squeegee

A rubber-edge window squeegee is an effective tool for wiping off pet hair from rugs. Hair tends to cling to rubber; hence, when you drag the squeegee down the length of the carpet, the hair is promptly pulled out, forming clumps, which you can then scoop and dispose of.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an epic substance used in a plethora of household cleaning recipes. It does not just help remove pet hair, but also leaves your rug odor free. Just sprinkle this white magic powder all over the rug and let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes. The soda combats the stickiness of hairs, so the hoover can easily extract them. Baking soda is safer than industrial cleaners, since it is dry and non-toxic; therefore, you don’t have to worry about dampness or slip and fall accidents.

4. Rubber Gloves

As I mentioned before, rubber adheres well to cat and dog hair. If you have a pair of rubber gloves lying around the house, put them on and rub your hands all over the rug. Hairballs rapidly grow onto the gloves and the carpet retrieves its original appearance. You may also use pet grooming gloves for scouring out hair from a woolly rug.

5. Balloons

If you have multiple children around the house, this technique can help you kill two birds with one stone. Blow up a bunch of balloons and ask your kids to rub them over the surface of the rug. The static attracts the pet hair that sticks to the balloon, while the children remain occupied with this fun activity.

6. Sticky Lint Roller

Sticky lint rollers are widely available and economical. They are ideal for removing lint and pet fur from clothes and tight-knitted rugs.

7. Carpet Rake

Carpet rakes are great for brushing your house rugs. They efficiently remove dirt and hair from carpets, leaving them looking fresh and tidy. The work best for furry rugs and thick carpets, which increase the aesthetic value of your real estate.

How to Rid Rugs and Carpets from Pet Hair?

10 Evergreen Flowers to Spruce up your Outdoor Space – Today’s guest blog is by CORY ROTH LAW OFFICE. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

10 Evergreen Flowers to Spruce up your Outdoor Space

If you are planning to transform your backyard or create a breathtaking outdoor escape, you should use flower power to your advantage. They will add a natural element and color to your space, whilst benefiting the environment. Flowers are known to enhance aesthetics and freshen up the air with their scent. Fortunately, there are kinds that bloom throughout the year, so you won’t need to invest too much in gardening or file for bankruptcy:

1.      Sunflower

Sunflower is a classic annual flower, which is available in different shades of yellow. Some varieties look like miniature suns that quickly brighten up a dull outdoor space. Their rich nectar also attracts different birds, butterflies, and bees, which makes them ideal to bring nature close to home.

2.      Zinnia

The perky pink zinnias will never let you down if you live in a tropical region. They grow easily anywhere and possess high endurance. They only become dormant during hard frost, but re-blossom as the temperatures go back to normal.

3.      Snapdragon

Snapdragons are one of the toughest plants out there that can survive in subzero temperatures. They come in so many different colors that they can grant your garden a rainbow effect in all seasons.

4.      Pansy

Pansies are another classic that hardly wither all year round. You can find them in a variety of hues, but I personally favor purple shade pansies, which symbolize royalty. Pansies have such a fresh and piquant fragrance, resembling that of a crisp salad.

5.      Sweet Alyssum

The sweet alyssum thrives in winters but does well in warmer temperatures as well. The tiny clustered flowers take the form of bushes as they spread and mimic clouds. The white ‘Snow Princess’ variety can make your real estate look like a winter wonderland. They are available in shades of pink as well.

6.      Bachelor’s Buttons

Bachelor’s buttons are as cute as their name and put on quite a show through spring and winter. These flowers self-sow, which makes them ideal for the lazy gardening enthusiasts out there. Moreover, they make a stunning addition among beds of roses and poppies.

7.      Marigold

These adorable bright flowers are tougher than you think. They can transform your backyard or lawn into a glorious field of flowers that will encourage you to break into song. If you maintain a vegetable garden, adding these flowers to the beds can help fend off pests.

8.      Nasturtium

If you are looking for evergreen edible flowers, Nasturtium is right up your alley. The plant can be used to create stunning foliage and climbing cover as well. The deep orange and yellow flowers are divine in taste and appearance.

9.      Petunia Hybrids

Petunia hybrids are wonderful perennial flowers, available in a plethora of combinations. They are popular for their fast growth, low maintenance, and high weather tolerance. You can opt for unique assortments that include blossoms of different colors, shapes, and sizes.

10. Spider Flower

Nobody beats the summer heat and the winter chills like the gorgeous spider flower. The plant’s color, form, and texture will add a great deal of character to your garden, aside from bestowing elegance. Spider flowers are tall plants (roughly 4 feet) that can be used to build a lovely garden hedge for show or criminal defense.

The Benefits of Steel Roofing – Today’s guest blog is by Roman & Associates, PLLC Attorneys at Law. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

The Benefits of Steel Roofing

Houses and commercial buildings are made very differently than they were in the past. Layout, structures, and designs have developed over the years, which calls for a new and improved range of base materials. Today, builders and contractors consider a range of factors before initiating a construction project; all risks and hazards are calculated to minimize the costs of worker’s compensation insurance. They have a better understanding of building material properties and advanced technology to implement their ideas. Brick, concrete, and asphalt are a few of the conventional choices in the construction industry, but the use of metal is a growing trend. Steel panels have become a popular choice for roofing houses and buildings worldwide, given their undeniable benefits:

Durable

The longevity of steel roofs is probably the number one reason why it is rapidly replacing asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are still rather prevalent in places like North America, but more people are moving towards materials that do not have to be replaced after fifteen or twenty years. Steel panels can last more than 50 years due to their extreme durability and tensile strength. High-quality and well-maintained steel roofs could last about 100 years, granting them a lifetime warranty. The hardness and resilience of steel make it ideal for building in hail and hurricane-prone areas.

Steel tends to rust when exposed to air and moisture, which would be considered a major drawback. However, galvanized coatings of elements like aluminum and zinc help get rid of that problem easily. Not to mention, steel can be layered with acrylic or oil-based paint as many times as required, hence the process of rusting can be greatly diminished.

Energy Efficient

Steel roofs are deemed more energy efficient than traditional kinds because of their reflective properties. In summers, the rays of the sun from the outside will be reflected off a steel roof, thereby decreasing the amount of heat that penetrates the house. In winters, the heat generated inside will not be able to escape the house easily because of the same reflective feature. As a result, your home remains warmer during cold weather and cool in the scorching summers. Your artificial cooling and heating systems will not have to work too hard, thereby allowing you to save some money on utility bills. However, don’t forget the reflective index of steel panels can vary with the choice of color.

Eco-friendly

As discussed earlier, steel roofs are long-lasting; you shall not have to replace them within the span of a single lifetime. They are practically safe, as they do not pose any hazards to human life and the natural environment. In contrast, common roofing materials like asphalt shingles are manufactured using toxic chemicals, which raises concerns regarding product liability. They wear within twenty years or less, and cannot be repurposed. Their ultimate fate is a landfill, which does not do any good to the ecosystem. Steel panels stand strong and solid for an extensive period. In addition, they can always be recycled or remolded to restore their integrity.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Steel roofing is the epitome of modern architecture. The sleek, shiny, and radiant appearance add to the aesthetic value of a building, granting it a futuristic demeanor. Steel panels can increase the economic value of real estate as well, by making it stand out in the neighborhood.