Handyman Life

April 9, 2015 in Home Automation, Home Improvements, Tech Toybox

Yet Another Green Product From Nest To Invest In

Chicago Handyman already told you about Nest Thermostats. Well now, here’s another great Nest product: Nest Protect.

Using Wi-Fi and sensors, Nest Protect verbally warns users if there is a concern in the home an exactly where it’s coming from.

Meanwhile, in case a homeowner isn’t home, a text message is sent to their cellphone in case of emergency.

For just under $100, protect the family and home from any danger.

April 8, 2015 in Home Improvements, Idea Corner

Handyman At Home: Top 5 Ways To Go Green At Home

Going green is not only great for the future of the earth, but also homeowners’ wallets! There are many simple, easy purchases and home renovations to make any home, from an apartment to a mansion, a greener place to be.

Here are the top 5 ways to go green at home:

1. Composting

Don’t throw away food, revitalize it! Composting is a great way to turn left-overs and yard weeds into reusable energy- fertilizer.

2. Recycled Roof Tiles

Need a new roof? Don’t fall for the new roof tiles on the market. Use reclaimed clay, stone or slate tiles to create a greener roof.

3. Energy Efficient Appliances

If shopping for a new dishwasher or laundry machine, look for the energy efficient models. This investment may cost more initially but saving on energy bills later will surely be worth it.

4. Natural Flooring

There are a lot natural materials that can serve as a great alternative to hardwood flooring. Check out our previous article about installing cork flooring for ideas!

5. Recycling System

The easiest way to go green in the home? Start recycling! With just a few bins, it’ll be much easier to create a green contribution.

Need more green at home ideas, check out DIY Network’s full list of green home solutions.

April 7, 2015 in Tech Toybox

Don’t Let Fruit Go To Waste! Try Out This Mold-Detecting Fruit Bowl!

Everyone tries to get their daily fruit and veggies in. And nothing is more frustrating when attempting to do good for the body and come across all rotting fruit.

Well London scientist, Jagjit Chodha, may be on the way to solving this problem. Creating a bowl with a sensor to detect ethylene increases, this bowl lights up letting owners know that the fruit must be eaten soon.

While only in the prototype stage now, this bowl is definitely an item to be on the lookout for!

April 6, 2015 in Home Improvements, Idea Corner, Uncategorized

The Best Eco-Friendly Flooring: Cork

Hardwood floors are a staple in most home renovations nowadays. But this flooring can often be harmful to nature. However, there is an attractive, easily installed alternative that not only does not hurt the tree but adds interest to an otherwise traditional home. This material is cork flooring.

Though not ideal for bathrooms, this flooring can function in every other room of the home. And it can be easily installed over tile, concrete or most other original flooring in the home.

Begin installing cork flooring by placing a cork plank on top of the threshold and cut away trim from the doorstops on either side of the door above the threshold. Remove any cabinet toe kicks and edges of wall casings.

Then lay cork planks along the longest uninterrupted wall, leaving 1-inch for expansion. Start laying the planks and gently press down until the tongue and groove of the planks click together. Do this until the first course is laid. Place 1/2″ spacers on the floor and start to slide them in. Following filling the space, begin to mallet the planks into place.

Finally reinstall any trim, toe-kicks or doorstops that were initially removed in the cork flooring process.

No finishing required and a whole new room for even more eco-friendly home solutions!

For a complete walk-through, check out This Old House.

And for even more flooring solutions, contact Chicago Handyman today!

April 3, 2015 in Home Improvements, Idea Corner

Add Green Style To A BackYard With A Window Frame Greenhouse

A greenhouse can be a great addition to any blank canvas of a backyard. But there’s no need to spend a bunch of money on products. After all, the best way to be the most eco-friendly is to re-use and recycle materials. This window frame greenhouse does this in spades.

Here’s the materials required:

Old window frames
Lumber
Screws
Caulk
Latches

Once enough window frames have been gathered, create a frame for them to fit in. Use 2X4’s for the studs and 4X4’s for corner posts. There has to be at least 14″ of the stud to be placed in the ground for support.Place the walls up and brace them with lumber. Bury cinder blocks and then pour a concrete foundation over it to keep it stable. Then use screws to fix the windows to the frame.

Cover this foundation with rocks and stones for drainage. For the roof, use siding for coverage, leaving at least 20-30 percent of open space for ventilation. Add some fans and shelves for easy access and displays.