Author: Ashley White

If you’re planning on buying a home in the UK, you should consider all the different kinds of properties the place has to offer. Whether you’re looking for somewhere by the sea or a city centre modern home in London, here are nine types of homes found in the UK.

1. New Builds

New build homes are perfect for first-time buyers and young couples looking to settle down. They are generally quite spacious, modern and provide everything a person needs from their first home. Plus, you can often make the most of help to buy schemes with properties like this.

2. Terraced

Terraced houses are the most common types of homes in the UK. They are connected to other terraced homes on either side and usually are quite modest when it comes to size. That doesn’t mean you can’t find terraced houses that aren’t spacious and modern, though!

A variant on the terraced house is an end-of-terrace, which is simply the house that sits at the end of the row.

3. Semi-Detached

Usually seen as a step up from a terrace, semi-detached houses are one home connected to another home and are usually quite spacious. They also tend to cost a little more than terraced, depending on the location, so these are great for people who have a decent salary and a steady career.

4. Detached

Not quite as common in the UK, detached houses are some of the fancier homes found and come with a large price tag. Often, they are found in the countryside with spacious gardens surrounding them. A detached house is perfect for those who have a decent amount of money and don’t like the idea of noisy neighbours!

5. Townhouses

Townhouses are mostly found in cities and come attached to other properties on either side. The difference they have from a usual terrace, though, is that they have multiple floors rather than the usual two to three.

6. Cottages

For those who like a settled, quant life, there are many cottages to be found around the UK. They tend to be located near nature and look like they were ripped straight out of a fairytale.

7. Flats

Flats are self-contained homes that sit in a larger building. One building, for example, could host twenty families. There are many different types of flats in the UK, from tiny studios to modern, high-end apartments in city-centres.

8. Bungalows

Bungalows are defined by only having one floor. This doesn’t mean they can’t be spacious, though, as many families find comfort in them. They’re found all over the UK and tend to be completely detached from other homes.

 9. Holiday Homes

Some people like to own holiday homes in the UK. You can buy them by the sea, in the middle of forests, and near popular attractions. They tend to come in the form of caravans and cabins, providing families with a fun place to visit each summer.

Choosing which type of home to purchase can be tricky, especially with so many options. Just remember to take into account location, price, and space. Thanks to lindenhomes.co.uk  for consulting on this post.

Sustainability is taking centre stage when it comes to home gardens. With erratic rainfall, increasing average temperature, and water shortages, the need to seek alternatives for water-saving strategies is on the rise. 

Water crystals are one such practice that reduces water usage for potted plants, gardens, lawns, and fields while providing appropriate hydration to plants. You can browse through options of water crystal at Plant Doctor or similar online stores.  

According to YourHome, an initiative by the Australian Government for environmentally sustainable homes, around 40% of the water in Australian homes is used outdoors. They recommend adopting preventative, organisational, and redesigning best practices to reduce water usage for home gardens.

What Are Water Crystals?

Water crystals are polymers designed to absorb water like a sponge. They can hold water weighing many hundred times their size. These crystals then gradually release this absorbed water into the soil. These crystals can be used in:

• Indoor herb garden
• Outdoor flower garden
• Lawns
• Nurseries
• Large irrigated fields

Water crystals are available with dry and wet applications. You can mix the dry water crystals with the soil and then water the plant for the absorption process to begin. Water crystals are usually available in the form of a gel in which you can dip the roots of the plant or dig holes around plants and fill them with gel-based water crystals.

Benefits of Using Water Crystals for Your Home Garden

Hydration Source for Plants

Excess water received with rainfall or overwatering plants are not all absorbed by the soil. They run down your pavement or pool at the base of the pot and eventually get evaporated. As we have seen above, water crystals can expand and store up to 300 to 400 times their weight in water.

These crystals then slowly release the water for the roots to absorb them. The polymer used in water crystals avoids evaporation but ensures easy interaction between the roots and crystals.   

Reduction in Watering Frequency

Water crystals are being used as a solution for drought-like conditions. There is no need to water plants with the same frequency as you did before using water crystals. Proper application of water-saving crystals can lead to 50 to 75% reduction in water frequency for potted plants. The number is around 15 to 40% for lawns. For lazy gardeners out there, this is a pleasant by-product of water crystals.

To know the right amount of dry or wet crystal to be used depending on the pot or hole you can browse through water crystal at Plant Doctor. 

Absorbs Nutrients from Soil and Fertilisers

Be it natural nutrients or the effect for fertilisers, water crystals can absorb and store dissolved nutrients in the soil. These nutrients that would have otherwise been lost to leeching now are stored and get released in the soil along with water. 

This process repeats itself with every cycle of water and fertiliser, ensuring optimal plant growth throughout the year. 

Improved Soil Condition

Water crystals expand and shrink with each watering cycle. This continuous set of action loosens the soil around the crystals, forming minute spaces in the nooks and crannies of the pot or garden. It increases the infiltration rates amongst heavy soils like clay.

This allows for easy circulation of air and water, helping revive the earth of its depleted resources. It also improves the soil’s water retention capacity, in some cases up to 600%, making it a water-efficient strategy.

Sustainable gardening practices are the need of the day. With water crystals, you can adopt an effective water management system, and as mentioned above, can also improve the ecosystem in which your plants reside. You save on time, money, effort, and cost. You can look for water crystal at Plant Doctor or browse for other options depending on your home gardening requirement. Thanks to plantdoctor.com.au for consulting on this post.

Taking things for granted is second to human nature. We often forget to appreciate and be grateful for all the good in our lives. Usually, this includes a loved one’s efforts, but our homes can be victims of neglect too. So, undertaking a remodeling project is a great approach to maintain and increase your home’s value.

It’s common knowledge that home improvements can be quite tiring, especially for a family’s breadwinner. Even for the strongest among us, seeing your house get taken apart and losing access to your most-used spaces can be taxing. You will encounter setbacks along the way, regardless of your extensive plans. Though complicated, renovations aren’t impossible to pull off.

But as soon as the tools come out of the toolkit, chaos and dust ensue everywhere. Not to mention, the constant invasion of one’s privacy by construction workers can be challenging even for the most mindful monks. The solution? Proper planning and discussing the project with your builder can help you bear this burden without weighing you down.

In the modern age, the phenomena of “remodeling stress” isn’t unfamiliar. Contractors in the US, especially in more commercialized states such as New York and Washington, have executed several home renovation projects and know the process’s nitty-gritty. For example, you’re one of the many stressed workaholics in Washington who barely have any time for themselves. Suppose you decide to go with a professional service for your home renovation. You can avoid worrying about the project’s more mundane tasks, like how to rent a portable toilet in Vancouver, WA, for a construction site and let the contractor take care of it.

A home renovation can become an enjoyable experience for everyone when approached with the right attitude. A little knowledge and preparation go a long way.

Here are some useful tips for maintaining a stress-free state of mind throughout a home renovation.

Budget, Budget, Budget!

Stop, put down your paintbrushes, and write down how much you can spend on renovations. Review your finances, loan options, as well as your savings. Next, go through what you want to achieve. Things will start falling into place as soon as you’ve finalized the amount of money you have and how you want to utilize it. Anyone can take the lead then on.

One of the benefits of hiring a professional builder for your home renovation is that they’ll help you set and stick to a well-structured budget. Moreover, owing to their expertise in the field, they can advise you on aligning your goals with your finances economically.

Acquire The Necessary Details

Ask your contractors or builders to provide a work program before they start digging. That way, you can manage your expectations better. You should inquire when and if water and power supplies are likely to be cut off. Discuss sectioning any areas to be off-limits and matters like work hours, bathroom usage, and the project’s implications for the neighborhood.

Focus On Communication

Renovations can sometimes cause tears in family bonds, adding to the complexity of our already chaotic lives. Couples often fight over the desired result, budget, and materials used in the renovation. But remember that your builder has enough on their plate and can do without your family disagreements. Communicate with your spouse and family members about anything that may cause future arguments. Talk about expenses, wallpaper patterns, and any grey areas. You’ll be amazed to see the amount of time and money you can save by doing so.

Caution! Under Construction

It is crucial to separate the part of your home with the ongoing construction from other areas. You may seal the area with newspapers and plastic or put up small barricades. If you’re a pet owner or have little ones running around the house, the construction part of your home can be all the more dangerous. Plus, sectioning off can save you elbow grease in the dust clean up after the remodel.

Reality Bites

We’re all guilty of taking on the usual DIY project when we’re feeling ambitious. But, it is essential to step back and see if you’re approaching the project rationally. For instance, you’re entirely clueless about carpentry and decide to renovate your kid’s bedroom. Will you be effective in successfully finishing the remodel in the set time? Undoubtedly, DIY projects are fun, less costly, and provide greater satisfaction when completed. But, if you bite off more than you can chew, it can cause unnecessary stress. In that case, it is worth considering experienced professionals for the job.

Tread Carefully

You need to take extra measures if you’re renovating spaces like bathrooms or kitchens. You should carefully think about where you’ll be preparing your meals, and your kids will be getting ready for school. Communicate with the construction company about your needs, figure out a way to survive the home improvement, and get your family’s approval before setting any limitations.

Make A Move

Heed the contractor’s advice and move out of your home for the duration of the remodel. Believe it or not, it can get overwhelming to deal with all the dust, clutter, noise, and the construction workers’ buzz in your house. When doing a big renovation project, plan a short family trip or vacation for the duration and make the most out of it.

Stick To A Schedule

Contractors and professional builders usually have a fixed schedule and work routine. Inquire about this schedule on the first chance you get as you’ll be building your temporary schedule around it. Afterward, you can consider your options for putting that information to use. You can try to be outdoors for a significant part of the time the construction takes place. Take your dog for a walk, run a quick errand, or become the designated driver of the family; the possibilities are endless.

Make Space, Renovation Coming Through!

Imagine this; the contractor is about to arrive, you’ve made the budget and all other preparations. But wait! Did you forget to clear out the furniture from the attic? To make sure you don’t get stuck in a similar situation, thoroughly clear out all spaces the project’s targeting. Move that heavy furniture, remove those curtains, empty those closets, and take off any wall hangings. Where to put all this stuff, you ask? In a room that’ll be untouched by the remodel or in storage, simple.

Expect The Unexpected

Name a bigger stressor than money; we’ll wait. Project costs can quickly get out of hand as the work moves along, so you need to keep a close eye on your budget and spending. Try putting aside emergency or contingency funds for any unexpected materials and events; setting aside five to ten percent of your budget is a good starting point.

In Short

Indeed, a home renovation is one of the most tumultuous yet exciting parts of a homeowner’s life. One cannot escape the mental pressures that a construction project brings with it, but they can learn to manage them. In the above article, we went over some helpful tips to overcome the stress of a renovation. These include budgeting, knowing the details, scheduling, temporarily moving out, and proper communication with family and the contractor. Thanks to gowithsanican.com for consulting.