How to install your own aluminum fence

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It’s really not as difficult as some people think to install their own aluminum fence… be it for around their backyard or for around their swimming pool.

The hardest part is the actual digging of the holes. They’re usually 2′ into the ground with a diameter of about 6″. You can use a standard post hole digger or make the process easier by using a hydraulic auger.

Before you start digging all the post holes (usually 72.5″ on center for a residential fence), make sure you mark off where your gates are going to be located. Keep in mind before digging your gate holes, that a 4′ wide gate is usually measured as the opening size from the inside edge of one gate post over to the near side of the other gate post.

More information about hanging a gate can be found at the link at the bottom of this page.

All the aluminum fence sections come pre-assembled and are ready to install. Once the post is in the ground, slide the fence rails into the holes in the posts and secure them with a self-tapping screw that goes into the post and through the rail inside of the post. Do this for each rail. Once that’s done, you can pour concrete into the post hole that you previously dug out. Time to move to the next hole and repeat the process.

To make sure that all the posts are in a straight line, tie a string to a stake and hammer it in the ground 1′ past or behind the one end or corner post with the other end connected to a stake in the ground 1′ past the last end or corner post in that line. Make sure that each post is right next to the string, but not touching it. Also make sure that each post is plumb by checking each side with a level… before the concrete has a chance to dry.

Continue this for each straight run of fence before attempting to hang the gate.

Further aluminum fence and gate installation instructions can be found in the link at the bottom of this page.

We hope you found this information helpful.

For more information about purchasing your own aluminum or vinyl fence, visit our website below.

We have some very unique styles of aluminum fence that are made from American aluminum extrusions and then fabricated in North Carolina, USA… to make them completely American made and assembled. Not very many of our competitors can say they same.

How to Keep Cool in Your House and Save on Energy Bills this Summer

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The only thing more brutal than the summer heat is the energy bill you’ll get from the electric company. Keeping your house cool can be a challenge when you want to keep your utility bills and energy use in check. Fortunately, there are many techniques you can use to keep your house cool and comfortable without relying heavily on the AC.

Cook outside instead of inside. Every time you use the oven or stove, you heat up your home. Your home is getting hot enough from the sun without the extra heat that will remain trapped for hours. If you must cook, use the grill or set up an outdoor stove. Better yet, cook less and eat more cool, uncooked salads in the summer.

Add shade to the sunny side of your house. One side of your house will always be sunnier than the other. In North America, Europe, and all places in the northern hemisphere, the southern side of your house will get more sun.
Mitigate the extra heat from the sun by adding shading plants or trees to the southern side of your house.

If trees are not an option, try adding a simple roof extension to offer some shade to the South-facing wall. This usually blocks a lot of heat absorption. It also gives you a shaded outdoor living space.

Use light-blocking window shades. For windows that receive a heavy dose of sunlight, cut down on the greenhouse effect by using shutters and shades during the day. Let in natural light through the North-facing windows only. Open windows that don’t get a lot of sunlight for a nice breeze.

When the sun goes down, open your windows and let your house air out. In areas that aren’t extremely humid, nights become cool. Your house will become stuffy on hot days. Opening windows at night allows fresh, cool air to flow in. Just remember to keep the screens shut to keep the summer insects out!

Modify your roof to be a lighter color. Black tiles suck up heat and transfer it to your home. Even a corrugated steel roof is cooler if it’s painted white. Using lighter colors or adding plants has significant cooling effects on your home.

Only use the AC when you’re home. It doesn’t matter what temperature your house is while you’re out. Only turn your AC on when you are at home and the temperature is truly uncomfortable. Turn the air conditioner off once your house is comfortable enough. Not only will you save on energy, your body will grow better heat tolerance, making the outside more comfortable. Also, you’ll appreciate your AC much more if you only run it sparingly.

An air conditioner is not the only way to cool down in your home this summer. Try keeping a variety of cold drinks or chilled water available. Downing a glass of icy lemonade will keep you cool and comfortable for at least an hour if sipped slowly.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money to keep your house cool. If you have the possibility, adding smart landscaping will keep your home more comfortable in the summer. If not, there are plenty of more affordable ways to stay cool at home in the summer heat.

How To Sharpen Your Blender’s Blades

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Blenders have been flying off store shelves for years as more and more people experiment with different drink concoctions that blend a variety of exotic ingredients for a refreshing drink. If you currently own a blender, it’s probably seen a good amount of use between various get-togethers with friends and family as well as personal use for preparing breakfast smoothies in the morning and what not. Regardless, as with any other mechanical device, blenders being to show some sings of age after several months to year. You may have noticed that your blender isn’t quite as swift at blending those strawberries with ice as it once was. While you can always order replacement blades from your unit’s manufacturer, or simply buy a new blender altogether, you have the option of sharpening the existing blades yourself. The process isn’t exactly complicated nor is it dangerous if you take the right precautions.

The first trick in restoring your blades to peak performance is to blend some water with ice cubes. The fragments that will come apart from the cubes should provide some sharpening action hopefully restoring the unit back to its former glory. You can repeat this once or twice more if you would like to get the blades extra sharp.

If you’re willing to do a bit more work, you can go buy a ceramic sharpening stone designed to sharpen knives and such. You will have to remove the blades from the blender. Instructions on doing this will vary, so check with the instruction manual included with your blender or head online for a digital copy. Once the blades are out, begin moving in them in a single direction against the sharpening stone. After a few rounds, switch to the opposing edge. Do this for each and every blade. Be sure to be extra attentive and keep from rushing as you might cut yourself. Once everything’s been sharpened, you can slap the blades back on the blender for use.

If even after sharpening the blades you see little in the way of improvement, it might be time to give in and buy a new unit. Prices for these devices have fallen considerably in recent units, and new features continue to appear on the latest models. If you decide that this is the pathway for you, take your time in scoping out all of the models that have received rave reviews from consumers and professional alike. When you narrow the decision down, you can then choose whether to purchase form an online retailer or a store.

Dealing With Hot Spots In Your Home

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When the weather heats up, hot spots in your home are a lot more noticeable. If youre one of the unlucky people trying to sleep in a room where your HVAC system has seemingly chosen to neglect, hot spots can go from uncomfortable to unbearable overnight. What most people dont realize is that this can be fixed either by you, the homeowner, or with a quick ac repair call to your local air conditioning company. You dont have to suffer through sleeping in sauna-like temperatures. There are things that both you and your air conditioning company can do to fix this.

How much are your windows contributing to the heat in your room? Old, inefficient windows let heat right in (or cold air right out). If your windows arent sealed properly or dressed with sun blocking curtains and blinds, youll notice a dramatic temperature difference between your room and rooms that are mindful of their windows.

Are your air ducts properly sized and sealed? Air ducts are responsible for transporting cool, conditioned air to each room in the house. If there is a major tear or leak in your air ducts, one or more rooms may lose their cold air to the attic. A few easy signs that you have an air duct leak are:

Inexplicably high energy bills

Dust on the tops and in the grooves of your doors

Hot (and cold) spots in your home

A cold attic in summer and hot attic in the winter

Little or no insulation around your air ducts

DIY air duct repairs are easily botched. For example, most people dont realize that, despite the name, you should never use duct tape to seal your air ducts. (Use a metal or mastic tape.) If you can easily access your attic, take a peak around. If there are noticeable tears or broken seals, you can try to patch them yourself or leave it to the pros. If youre tackling the project yourself, dont forget to insulate your air ducts well. Good insulation not only blocks thermal transfer, it can stop vapor transfer and even quiet the noise from vibrating ducts.

For a full air duct evaluation and professional repairs, call your local air conditioning company. The technicians there can ensure that your homes air ducts are sized, sealed and insulated correctly. Dont forget to check out the energy rebates offered to those who choose to repair, maintain and replace their inefficient air ducts! When your air ducts are performing properly, youll save money, energy and enjoy living more comfortably.

Home Improvements In Missouri – Upgrade Your Home with Siding

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As the second major snowstorm of the season covers the state of Missouri in a blanket of snow, you cant help but wonder if it will ever end. The rolling meadows and grassy fields are far from sight beneath layer upon layer of snow. Dont give up hope. In just a few months, the beautiful weather will return. It will then be time to revisit that list of home improvement projects from last year. One of the most cost-effective upgrades to any home is replacing the siding. Your home is your largest investment. Why not improve its look and value simultaneously with new siding?

There are many businesses that offer this service. The best place to begin is to get referrals from trusted friends. Talk to your neighbors and find out who installed their siding. Additionally, you could perform a search online to find reputable contractors in your area. After you choose the company, obtain an estimate including all costs and labor. Make sure you get this in writing, so they are not able to make any changes later on during the job. It is customary to pay fifty percent of the cost up front and then the remaining amount when the installation is complete. That way, should there be any complications, you will have the upper hand.

When choosing the style of your new siding, be aware of the many options available on the market nowadays. Vinyl siding is very popular due to the array of colors and styles. It is, for the most part, maintenance-free and will last for years to come. Additionally, when a layer of insulation is added, your vinyl siding becomes an energy-efficient choice. Missouri residents can also benefit from polymer seamless siding. One piece can extend the entire length of the home, thus eliminating unsightly cracks and seams. Manufactured in Missouri, this material looks beautiful after installation is complete.

Other product choices include:

Log cabin siding
Shingle siding
Shake siding
Vinyl stone or rock siding
Vinyl brick siding

No matter which look is chosen, it is sure to increase your homes curb appeal. Log cabin vinyl siding is the perfect selection for those who prefer the outdoors. Shingle siding is beautifully crafted from cedar and will give your home a look of sophistication. If you prefer stone, then vinyl stone looks magnificent. Whichever vinyl siding you choose, it will maintain its beauty for many years.