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The Elegance and Sophistication of Interior Plantation Shutters

As you explore window treatment options for your home, consider the timeless elegance of interior plantation shutters. These highly functional yet decorative shutters have been used for centuries to control light and provide privacy in homes around the world. Interior plantation shutters redefine sophistication with their clean lines and customizable features. Whether you prefer the rustic warmth of wood or the sleek look of vinyl or composite, there are shutters to match any decor.  With the ability to tilt and move individual slats, you have complete control over the amount of light entering each room. When fully opened, most models provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors. As an added benefit, interior plantation shutters also increase energy efficiency by insulating your windows. For beauty, versatility and practicality, interior plantation shutters are the premier choice in window treatments.

Choosing the Perfect Plantation Shutters for Your Home

Sophisticated Style

Plantation shutters are the pinnacle of elegance and refinement for any home. Their slatted louvers can be adjusted to control the amount of light and privacy, all while maintaining an airy openness. The wood or wood composite materials and customizable hardware create a polished look that complements any decor.

Natural Light Regulation

The movable slats enable you to open and close the shutters to your desired position. Fully open, they allow maximum light in and visibility out. Partially closed, they permit ambient light and privacy. Completely closed, they block light and views for nighttime or when privacy is wanted. This flexibility gives you superior control over your living space. 

Premium Craftsmanship

Plantation shutters are built to last with high-quality, durable materials and hardware. Wood options like basswood and poplar offer stability and insulation. Synthetic alternatives provide enhanced weather-resistance. Multi-point locking systems, sturdy tilt rods, and reinforced frames create a solid construction. With proper care and maintenance, plantation shutters can grace your home for decades.

A Timeless Choice

While interior design trends come and go, the classic style of plantation  shutters endures. They have graced stately homes for centuries with their ageless beauty and functionality. As an investment in your home, they add value by complementing the architecture and never going out of fashion. For elegance and sophistication that stands the test of time, plantation shutters are the premier window covering choice.

Installing and Caring for Your New Interior Plantation Shutters

When choosing plantation shutters for your home, there are several factors to consider to ensure you select the perfect option. 

Size and Number of Panels

The size and number of panels depend on the dimensions of your window. For small windows, you may only need two panels, while large windows may require up to six panels for full coverage and an aesthetically-pleasing appearance. Measure your windows carefully to determine the ideal panel size and number.

Blade Size

The most common blade sizes are 2 1⁄2 inches, 3 1⁄2 inches, and 4 1⁄2 inches. Wider blades tend to appear more substantial and block more light, while narrower blades seem more delicate and allow more light to filter through. Choose a size based on how much light control and privacy you desire. 

Blade Materials

The two most popular materials are basswood and polyresin. Basswood is a high-quality hardwood that can last for decades. Polyresin is a durable synthetic that resists warping and damage. Basswood is more expensive, so consider your budget and needs.

Additional Features

You may want to consider useful extras like blade tilt rods that allow you to adjust the angle of the blades, dual pull cords for easy raising and lowering, hold-down brackets to secure the shutters, and integrated valances for a polished look.

By assessing these key factors before making your selection, you can choose plantation shutters that perfectly complement your home’s architectural style and meet all of your practical needs. With so many options available, there are shutters ideal for any space.

Pedram Zohrevand

3 Things To Consider When Designing Pools In Seismic-Prone Areas

Millions of people buy and design pools every year in the United States. A large number of these individuals build and design pools in areas that are prone to earthquakes. While most people think of earthquakes as only damaging bridges and buildings, it is entirely possible for them to devastate a pool as well.

Pools built of brittle concrete can be devastated by even a local tremor. It is imperative that pool designers keep earthquakes in mind when they are working with these expensive features.

Pedram Zohrevand

Flexible concrete

One should consider using is flexible concrete. Flexible concrete has many of the benefits of concrete without its brittle nature. It can be molded into a wide variety of shapes. It can also be used for both in-ground and above-ground pools.

Flexible concrete is constructed in a manner similar to other forms of modern material. Engineers mix the basic components of concrete with microscopic polymer fibers.

Pedram Zohrevand argues that these fibers give concrete the ductile properties of materials such as carbon fiber. Flexible concrete is more expensive than regular concrete or fiberglass. It is a luxury for a large number of people and designs and should be used sparingly on projects with a tight budget.

There are ways that a company or design firm can use flexible concrete in a targeted way to give strength and flexibility to a pool without busting the budget.

Using fiberglass

The most obvious result from a poorly built pool in a seismic zone is the possibility that the pool will crack and spill water. In order to avoid this potential catastrophe, an individual should look at the materials that they are building their pool with. In every seismic area, one of the clearest needs in building materials is ductility.

Individuals want materials that will move along with the earthquake or the aftershocks. When material moves with the shocks, it has less of a chance of breaking and cracking. In the case of pool construction, this fact causes individuals to lean more towards the use of products such as fiberglass.

Fiberglass is an enormously effective product for building pools. It is a flexible product that is also effective at holding back water. These properties are the main reasons why fiberglass has been used to build boats for decades. A pool built with fiberglass can be a particularly effective, flexible pool for a seismic zone. It is also relatively cheap and easy to set up.

A company can put together a fiberglass shell for a pool in the span of a few weeks. They can also easily fix any cracks that do occur without compromising the integrity of the entire structure.

Impact of repairs

Pedram Zohrevand

Anybody who is building in an earthquake zone needs to be careful about the nature of their pool and the possible pitfalls that may occur after a seismic event. In some areas, there is the chance of a massive quake that will not be easily contained through traditional means.

It may be inevitable that there is a certain amount of damage. In those cases, individuals should make sure that even the most catastrophic failures can be contained in a reasonable way.

They should avoid building a pool where a leak would result in the weakening of a foundation or damage to another home. There should be pipes and channels that allow for leaking water to flow to an area where it can evaporate and not cause damage.

There should also be a clear path for any repairs to be done to the pool. Companies and individuals should always have a contingency plan in place when they are considering the worst possible scenarios for pool construction in a seismic zone.

According to Pedram Zohrevand, anyone who is looking to build a pool in a seismic zone should still focus on practicality and aesthetics. They do not need to construct a utilitarian pit that would survive a 9.0 on the Richter scale. Instead, individuals simply need to take care and use flexible materials.

They need to keep the possibility of an earthquake and its potentially debilitating damage in the forefront at all times. This care will ensure that a company or individual will be able to design and construct a pool that will withstand the test of time.

Special Concerns for Waterfront Companies

Waterfront businesses are quite special–whether they are by a lake, coast, river, or even a medium-sized pond, the water is a bonus that helps attract customers for aesthetic reasons. 

People love to take pictures by a lake. If you own a hotel or a restaurant, it can be a very attractive location to place tables and seats. Additionally, you can also have permits to perform water sports if there is a lake or a beach by your business location. 

However, with that privilege comes responsibilities and concerns that waterfront companies should remember. Such concerns include safety, design, and access to the waterfront area. If you are a business owner looking for ways to market your location as an attractive waterfront area, here are some of the best tips to follow. 


Special Concerns for Waterfront Companies

1. Waterfront companies should ensure the safety of their customers.


Waterfront businesses should be aware that there are safety concerns. They are mostly held liable if they don’t provide the right precautions for keeping people away from the dangers of drowning or accidents by the water. Some of the ways to ensure this is to provide a dock. Using dock material and dock accessories, businesses can install great access to the waterfront without compromising the safety of their customers. 

Additionally, these docks should have a railing when the waterfront area is steep or the location of your establishment is elevated. These railings should pass the safety standards provided by your business licensure association. 


2. Waterfront companies should keep in mind the cleanliness of the area.


Aside from safety, it is best to ensure the cleanliness of not just inside your establishment, but also the territory that surrounds the waterfront. For example, beach resorts are responsible for cleaning up the shoreline in front of their scope. This gives your business a good impression and people will most likely stay in these areas. 

To aid in cleanliness, you can put up trash cans in nearby spots. You can also put reminders to observe cleanliness in the area. Your maintenance team can also have regular cleaning schedules of the waterfront area, which is ideally done in the morning before customers arrive. 


3. Waterfront companies should consider the aesthetics for marketing reasons.


Another great consideration for waterfront companies is the aesthetics of their area. If you are in the travel, hotel, or restaurant industry, some customers would highly consider you for having a waterfront view. Thus, it is very important that you keep your waterfront amenities updated and pleasant-looking. 

There are dock material and dock accessories companies that are ready to help customize the look and feel that you want for your waterfront amenities. They can help set up the hardwood bridge, flooring, and even the lamps and railings that you may want to place in your dock area. It is helpful to find a design team that can match the theme of your indoor area to your outdoor area. 


4. Waterfront companies should consider marketing activities nearby for extra income.


Aside from making your waterfront view aesthetically pleasing, you can also maximize your profits by providing waterfront activities when possible. For example, beach resorts can offer snorkeling activities, fish feeding, kayaking, or surfing. Some of the resorts also offer a waterpark activity where people can pay an entrance fee to enjoy. This can be a great way for families to have more things to enjoy in your area. 

When introducing these activities, be sure to include these items in your website, place flyers at the concierge, and also include the photos on third-party travel websites. People want to see what they can do when visiting your business, so it is important to market all your offers. 


5. Waterfront companies should prioritize eco-friendliness and social responsibility.


Cleanliness is one thing, but eco-friendliness is a whole new level. Customers now are preferring businesses that are socially responsible. They want to know if your business supports a cause that aligns with their own principles and this will help them promote your business to others as well. 

If you are a waterfront company, it can be a great advantage to practice eco-friendliness. Perhaps you may be by the lakeside, and it can greatly help that you may be using some of your business proceeds to restore plants or biodiversity in that area. Another example would be supporting local fishermen or farmers by using their goods in your business. 

Being a business owner for a waterfront company can bring many challenges, but it is indeed an exciting endeavor. Keep in mind these considerations and you’re on your way to having more happy customers.

Lake Tahoe Offers Ideal Mix of Activities for Any Vacation

One of the most difficult aspects of vacation planning is choosing a destination that considers all of the unique interests of the group. This is especially true of family vacations, as it is difficult to find a place that is ideal for children, teenagers and adults. Lake Tahoe, however, features the kind of destination versatility that makes it an outstanding choice for any group of travelers.

Nature enthusiasts travel to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the beautiful freshwater lake, the rich wildlife and the natural wonder that is the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. There are plenty of activities for those who enjoy nature, as it is possible to canoe and kayak on the lake in the morning and still have time to hike in the mountains in the afternoon. Vacationers have the option of camping out or taking advantage of more traditional accommodations, which gives travelers plenty of options with regard to overnight planning.

Families who enjoy skiing routinely flock to Lake Tahoe for the excellent slopes available throughout the ski season, and there is plenty of nightlife and entertainment in the area for those who are traveling without kids. Different seasons bring different activities, and there are sizable events going on throughout the area at any time of year. The TIE Institute Trading recently noted that Lake Tahoe is one of the most unique destinations in the United States, and it is indeed rare that a destination such as this is able to offer such a vast array of vacation-worthy activities.

Tahoe Time!

untitled (8)When I want to beat the heat and spend a little time gambling, Tahoe is where I want to go.  The air is so clean and the lake is beautiful.  The drive is a little scary but worth it.  I used to have a time share in Tahoe and used it every year.  The time spent there was always good.  the money saved was probably gambled away but it was fun.  I think that we try too hard to have a good time some times so take it from me, Tahoe is fun.  My wife loves to feed the slots.  I say feed because she rarely get any pay out.  Her system always end up with her broke.  Consolidated Credit  may be needed to get home.

Hello to Hollywood

Hollywood is a city of dreams.  It can be for some.  In a recent blog post it was said that Hollywood is the city that will make you a star.  The odds are long to survive in Hollywood much less become a str.  Countless thousands descend on Hollywood each year with hopes of becoming a star and finding much less.  Most fall short of their dreams and settle for just being near the action.  Countless jobs are filled by aspiring actors that will never be discovered.  If you yearn for a life in the bright lights then Hollywood is the place to be.  Just follow those dreams.