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Great Patio Door

fiberglass-patio-doorThe patio door is more than just an entrance or exit to your home—it’s an architectural detail. Whether you are remodeling your exterior space or just want a fresh vibe when you walk through the door, a new patio door can instantly inject style in your home.

From fresh and modern to rustic and woodsy, patio doors have the ability to subtly transform any space. Below are some of our favorite materials to work with and descriptions of why each of them can be especially beneficial when it comes to selecting a brand new patio door design.

# Fiberglass: Maintenance Free

Similar to composite material, fiberglass patio doors are basically maintenance-free. They are perfect for homes with children and pets, as fingerprints and wet nose smudges are easy to clean off of the fiberglass surface. If you’re going for the look of wood but want to spare yourself a few pennies, fiberglass is a great option. Its twists, knots and warps mimic that of wood’s natural look at a much lower price point. This classic fiberglass style offers a low-maintenance, relaxed style perfect for the active family or the older adult couple.

# Composite: The Go-To

An ideal material for patio doors, composite wood offers high-quality design with low-maintenance requirements. A composite patio door won’t rust, dent, split or warp, and it’s perfect for nearly every climate, including those with high humidity and moisture. Composite patio doors are available in a variety of styles and silhouettes, from relaxed and rustic to tailored and traditional. The composite sliding door shown above pairs perfectly with tempered, high-performance insulating glass and weather stripping for energy efficiency.

# Steel: Safe and Secure

Steel, the economic option, is a great material for patio doors. It offers strength and durability while simultaneously adding style to your space. A good choice for most climates, steel patio doors are super resistant to rust and corrosion. They only require a minimal amount of upkeep and are often paired with other elements like polyurethane insulation to ensure maximum energy efficiency.

# Wood: The Cult Classic

Last but certainly not least, wooden patio doors come in a range of colors, textures and strengths. Depending on where the wood was harvested and which type of tree it is from, patio doors can range from a warm honey tone to cool oak color and are typically made of pine, fir, mahogany or alder. Oftentimes, wood patio doors are painted over or have a stain applied for a worn or polished effect. Very sturdy and strong, wood offers a different shape and silhouette to patio doors that differ greatly from synthetic materials like vinyl and composite.

# Aluminum: Lightweight and Versatile

Another alternative to wood, aluminum offers a lightweight option to homeowners looking to keep costs down. Aluminum is corrosion-resistant and performs well in most climates. These patio doors often come with enclosed blinds—a set of blinds hugged between two thin insets of glass—to help control light and heat within the home. This is a great feature for families with small children or curious pets as the cord to the blinds is contained within the door or up high where it is out of the reach of tiny hands.

# Vinyl: The Sturdy Option

Vinyl is a strong, plastic material used for its durability and cost efficiency. Over the years, vinyl has picked up some serious steam in design, lending its strength to both interior and exterior spaces. While a synthetic material like vinyl may not seem sturdy at first, it has proven itself to have an uncanny ability to stand up to most environmental elements and works remarkably well in nearly all climates.

Finding the right patio door is all about evaluating your lifestyle and needs as well as your home’s interior and exterior style. From composite glass to sturdy steel, there are many ways to show off your home’s style with one simple element. What is your favorite patio door style?

Step by Step Repainting Furniture

repainting-furniture# Remove the hardware

Why waste time taping hardware when you can simply remove it? Henkler recommends taking off hinges, door knobs, drawer pulls and any other removable hardware. The DIY expert suggests placing each piece of hardware in a small plastic bag and marking the bag with the exact location of where the piece of hardware came from so you can put it back in the right place. “Removing hardware will give your finished piece a more professional look, and it will ensure that the doors and drawers close securely when you’re done,” she adds.

# To strip or not to strip

According to Henkler, stripping the paint off of furniture is only necessary if there are multiple coats of previous paint. “Adding yet another coat of paint on top of existing layers of paint will make your furniture finish look thick, it takes away from the fine details of your piece, and it could result in doors and drawers not closing properly,” she explains. If you do need to strip, use a paint stripper or remover according to the product’s directions.

Product recommendation: Citristrip. Henkler uses Citristrip because it is an effective natural product that doesn’t smell or burn your eyes or skin. It takes a little longer to use, but you can do it indoors and it’s safer for the environment.

# Fix your furniture

If your piece of furniture has cracks or dings, fill them with a wood filler before you apply primer or paint. “You can use a spatula or even your finger to apply the wood filler, depending on the size of the cracks,” says Henkler. Let the filler dry completely and then sand the repaired area smooth.

Product recommendation: Minwax High Performance Wood Filler.

# Rough the furniture surface with sandpaper

“You need to give the primer and paint something to stick to, so use sandpaper all over the surface of the furniture to lightly rough it up,” recommends Henkler. She uses a hand sanding block, which fits in the palm of your hand. “Sandpaper gets wrapped along the bottom of the block and the ends are secured in an opening on the block,” she explains. “You can buy them for a few dollars at home improvement stores.”

# Become one with your tack cloth

After sanding your furniture at each stage, whether it’s after stripping, priming or painting, use a tack cloth to clean the dust or debris from the surface. “After each sanding, you’ll need to remove the dust from the furniture surface to ensure you don’t end up with a grainy finish,” she explains.

# Get primed

Applying primer is a key step in getting a beautiful finish on your repainted furniture. “For primer and paint, I use a four-inch foam roller for flat surfaces and a Purdy one- to two-inch angled brush because these tools are easy to handle and reach into every corner and cover edges,” Henkler explains. “I recommend buying the highest quality brush you can afford so you don’t end up with uneven coats or paint-brush bristles in the primer and paint on your furniture.” Apply one light coat of primer and then let it dry. Sand the surface and use the tack cloth to remove dust. Repeat with a second light coat of primer, let it dry, sand the surface and again use the tack cloth to remove dust.

Product recommendation: KILZ Original interior oil primer. The DIY expert uses KILZ because it blocks mold and mildew while also blocking tannins from the wood from seeping up. KILZ oil-based primer will dry in 30 minutes. “You can also use KILZ latex primer, but it will likely need more coats,” she adds.

# Paint lightly

Henkler strongly recommends applying two to three light coats of paint rather than slapping on a single thick coat. “Light, thin coats are best because a thick coat will dry unevenly and likely peel,” she adds. “In addition, make sure you apply paint during optimal weather conditions — ideally when the temperature is around 75 degrees F and there is low humidity.” Extreme weather conditions can make paint dry too fast and crack, not adhere properly to the furniture or take too long to dry and invite dust, hair and even insects to mar your finish.

# Be patient with your paint

Let each light coat of paint dry completely and then lightly sand. Follow up with the tack cloth to remove any dust or debris before applying the next coat of paint. “Properly applying thin coats of paint, sanding in between and using a tack cloth will give your furniture a smooth, professional-looking finish,” says Henkler.

# Apply a finish

Once your paint is dry, use just your paint brush to apply a non-yellowing water-based polyurethane protective finish. Foam rollers can cause air bubbles to form in the finish. Henkler suggests applying one coat, letting it dry, sanding lightly, using the tack cloth to remove debris and then applying a final second coat.

Product recommendation: Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish. Henkler uses satin finish because it gives furniture a softer look, but if you want high sheen on your piece, opt for a gloss finish. It all depends on the look you want for your repainted furniture.

# Replace your hardware and set your furniture aside

After the paint has dried for 24 hours and is dry to the touch, replace the hardware in the exact spots from where you removed it. Then set your furniture aside for a few days to cure, which allows every layer of paint to dry completely and solidly adhere to the furniture. “For chairs, desks and any other furniture that gets heavy use, allow the paint to cure for up to five days, otherwise you’re going to leave marks in the finish,” says Henkler. “You went through all the trouble of repainting your furniture, so set it aside to allow the paint to properly dry and adhere to your piece.”

About Outdoor Lighting

outdoor-lightingMortgage holders trying to revive their bathrooms needn’t look any more distant than the restroom sink. Beyond question, the restroom sink can modify the general tone of your washroom. Selecting one specific sink style over another can without much of a stretch take your washroom stylistic theme from shabby chic to Victorian in a moment. It’s actual that paint and another shower drape can do ponders for a tired washroom, however these configuration components regularly work best just when consolidated with heaps of other outline components, for example, another mirror, another vanity, new ground surface, and so on. What’s more, frequently, finding the right mix for all these configuration components makes for a great deal of experimentation.

The following guide will give you helpful tips on how to install outdoor lighting for your home.

Basic Rules for Installing Exterior Lighting
– Check your local codes concerning exterior lighting. Carefully follow these code requirements
– Remember to use type Underground Feeder cable for installations involving underground wiring. The Underground Feeder cable requires a fuse or breaker inside the house at the starting point of underground wiring installation.
– For your exterior lighting installation, use only those materials that are approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL).
– Cable used for underground installations require a grounding conductor. Exterior fixtures must be grounded for complete safety.
– Use a conduit to protect the cable where exposed above the ground and where bends are made below the ground.
o Some local codes require the entire cable to be covered with conduit.
o Some local codes require outdoor circuits to be protected with one of two types of GFIs or Ground Fault Interrupters.
– Always remember to bury underground cable at least 18″ to 24″ deep. Cables buried at least 24″ deep are less likely to be bothered by spading forks and other tools commonly used around the yard.
– For any exterior wiring installation, be sure to use weatherproof equipment, such as boxes or containers.
– Turn off the electrical current at the main switch before starting any underground wiring tie-in.

Underground Installation From the Home
– Prior to installation, turn off the electrical current at the main switch box.
– For an underground wiring installation, mount a breaker or a fuse box. The breaker box should begin the installation, no matter the type of cable.
– Pass the conduit from the breaker box through the wall to where the weatherproof elbow will be placed on the exterior wall
–  Continue passing the conduit down from the weatherproof elbow to where it bends, 18″ to 24″ below the ground.
– Mount the conduit to the building foundation with conduit connectors.
– As stated before, some local codes require that the entire underground cable be entirely covered with conduit to protect the cable from yard tools.
– With carefulness and practice, you will learn to bend conduit easily.

Attaching Fixtures & Outlets to Buried Cable
– It’s important to plan your exterior yard lighting prior to starting installation.
– Strategize early to determine where to install weatherproof outlet boxes. Outlet boxes are useful in providing readily accessible receptacles for outdoor appliances, record players, radios, and Christmas lights
– Weatherproof outlet boxes serve as helpful outlets for spike lights, electric lawn mowers, and other electric appliance.

Weatherproof Switches and Outlets
– Weatherproof switches and outlet boxes can be bought in either flush-mount or surface-mount styles.
– Flush-mounted switches and outlets must always be installed in a weatherproof metal switch or outlet box.
– Surface-mounted switches and outlets are contained in their own weatherproof boxes and can be mounted directly to a flat surface.
– Weatherproof boxes can be mounted on posts or conduit when installing any switch or receptacle, other than the surface-mounted type.
– Flush-mounted and surface-mounted switches and outlets can be fully weather resistant when installed properly.

Installing Post Lantern Yard Lights
– To begin, dig a hole about 2′ deep with tilling spade.
– Pass cable up through the lamppost and fill the hole with about 12″ of concrete mix. Insert the lamppost into the concrete mix in an upright, plumb position. Use a long level or plumb bob to straighten the lamp completely before the concrete dries

– Protect the turn in the cable below the lamppost, using a bent piece of conduit.
– Use temporary stakes or four guy wires in opposite to hold the lamppost in an upright position until the concrete hardens.
-After the concrete hardens, fill in the hole with dirt and seed around the post for visual effect.

Find the Best Heating Repair Services Company

Today, there are fairly a few traditional heating systems to look for your residential and commercial premises. It is absolutely right. You can say it as a brilliant idea which is suited to your family life. You might choose this fuel, for instance gas, eclectic or oil. You know that today expenditure on fuel has become a big issue in terms of your household budget. No doubt most of your money goes in heating the air and water. heating repair Glendale AZ will show you how you can save your money and energy.

There are several heating companies in the world such as heating repair Glendale AZ now is considered one of the best reliable and a world class service provider, including heating repair and maintenance in your residential and commercial premises. Sometime, you have had not good experience due to improper or delayed services. The company is efficient in its work and at the appointed time too.

Heating Repair and maintenance are a big dilemma for the customer and the service people, several types of heating brand cater but California heating takes pride in offering the brilliant services in repairs and maintenance of industrial and residential heating equipments.

This is the fact most of the people face a big heating dilemma in their dwelling and business places. After investing a huge amount the result is what? Miserably, you only receive the benefit of part of the energy you pay for as most of the heat is lost through wall, doors, windows and the roof. If you have taken a decision to buy a new home or old house, you must be aware most of the home heating problems, though older homes will have plenty, and, unless you are aware of these issues, even if you buy the house at a bargain price, in just a few short years you’ll spend way more than you’d ever have thought possible!

Air Conditioning is also very common appliance in most of the places in the world. Air cooling and heating repair is not for tyro. If it is your profession and you are repairing the units yourself, another expert is needed. So, let’s break it down. Your units need to regular maintenance check. There is something, for instance, a removable replaceable filter. As a learner you might be able to do by yourself, cleaning the unit of dust, and making certain to hold fast to the manufacturers’ specifications. Additionally, if you have an outside unit, be sure to keep the surrounding area clear to create better drainage.

You need to understand that how to of AC- heating problem and repair you must first understand the type of unit installed. Any type of heating unit should always be serviced regularly by a professional in that field in addition to regular maintenance checks done by the homeowner, thus minimizing any unforeseen costly repairs and damages.

California Heating offers prompt services for boilers maintenance, checking out water heaters, tank-fewer water heaters, expansion tanks, etc. The heating company keeps its work force at an optimum level so that all emergency needs are met with properly and adequately, well within time.

Create Awesome Decoration using These Things

We usually throw away what we no longer use, or what we can’t even sell. There is a practical principle you can use to ascertain if you don’t really need something any longer. Every mundane item you haven’t used in over a year that’s just lying around is probably ready to be thrown away. However, this cannot be applied to every possible item you own, and some of them have hidden potentials you weren’t aware of so far.

You can create some of the most beautiful decorations for your home or garden by simply modifying the items you’d originally throw away. Here are things we normally discard, which have a hidden aesthetic value you can tap into.

# Old Tires

Since we are on the subject of car parts, here’s another one you can use as a decoration or furniture instead of tossing it aside. Used up tires are no longer reliable, there’s no reason to continue using them and you can’t sell them. What should you do with them?

Turn them into furniture; that’s what. The most important thing to do here is just to make sure your tires are properly washed. Next, you can use some old pillows or any other sort of substance like rice, to fill the tires and use glue and rope to wrap them up. It can be hard to elaborate without a picture, but you can find all sorts of fancy tire DIY projects online.

You can make various other decorations and there are many different projects provided in the previous link. So, have fun making your own furniture.

# ld Hubcaps

The first thing on this list are hubcaps that you are no longer using. These don’t look good only on your wheels; they can also look great in your garden. With a little paint and plastic strapping, you can successfully transform old hubcaps into big flowers. You can put those in your garden or create a wall garden. You can use cable ties and attach them to the outer edge of your hubcap to act as petals. As far as flower stems are concerned, branches should do it.

You can use spray paint to add colors before you assemble the whole thing. To attach the stems to your flowers, you can use plastic strappings and, if you have some big leaves, you can tie them to the branch. Once all of that is done, you get one giant flower. Moreover, instead of a branch, you can use plastic or metal poles for stems and you can use painted cardboard to act as leaves.

# Crutches

In the event that you had a fractured bone or a sprained ankle and had to use crutches to get around, you are in luck. Sure, now you are all healed up and the crutches only bring up bad memories, but there’s no reason to throw them in the dumpster, since they can be used for all kinds of things. This project is simple but brilliant, and you’ll have a nice small shelf that you can put basically anywhere.

All you need are three wooden planks that you should saw in order to get three different lengths (each one shorter than the other) and some glue. Turn the crutches upside down and place them together to form a triangle. Put one plank on the bottom, atop the handles for armpits, place the middle plank on middle handles, and glue the smallest plank as close to the top as possible. You can see in the picture above to check how it’s supposed to look.

# Wooden Pallet

You don’t need a whole new bed; all you need is a new mattress and some wooden pallets. You can also clean them and re-paint them, and then just stack them together one  on top of the other. It will serve as one big wooden pallet bed frame. The next step is quite obvious; just throw a mattress over your wooden pallet stacks and you’re done; it’s as easy as that.

Of course, you can add various features and use wooden pallets to create all sorts of decorations, but the bed looks really nice and it’s really easy to make.

Upgrade Home Trends

Are you feeling the need for a home update? We all get a little bored of our interiors from time to time and the summer is the perfect season to give your home a little refresh. It’s super important to enjoy the space you live in. An inspiring home environment is vital, especially if you work from home!

You need to be able to enjoy the space you live in, and keep it fresh. A few simple adjustments and accessories can go a long way. You should enjoy creating the space you spend your time in, so it’s worth the TLC. So why not check out these top trends to help give your home a stylish and contemporary new look! Apologies to your credit card in advance.

# Slogan Cushions

Say it all with a cushion! Slogan cushions are all over Pinterest right now, they add a quirky, humorous touch to your interiors and they won’t break the bank. H&M are a great destination for budget cushion covers that say it all! Dress up your sofa or statement chair with a few different style of cushions for a homely, yet contemporary feel.

# Falling Ivy

Move over succulents and cacti, it’s all about the ivy now. Dot around in various locations including window shelves and shelves, and let it elegantly fall. It adds a beautiful touch to your home, plus, indoor plants are said to enhance your mood and have a calming effect. Time to stock up on ivy! It definitely looks best against a crisp white wall, perfect interior design.

# Velvet Additions

Velvet is definitely *the* texture of the moment. It may appear a little daunting at first but there are plenty of ways in which you can work this trend into your current home. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a velvet sofa, instead, why not add a pair of velvet cushions to your existing sofa to give it a little update? Or you could meet the trend halfway and opt for a velvet statement chair. Either way, it’s definitely a style worth incorporating into your interior!

# Subway Style Tiles

I just love these subway style tiles. Subway tiles adds a classic utilitarian feel to any area. They’re also very easy to do yourself! It’s a great little DIY project, so clear a couple of days to get your hands dirty. All you need it dark grey grout and a de-grouter and you can get started! I love the simple, clean aesthetic look and they can be the upgrade your bathroom or kitchen needs, plus it’s super cheap so why not give it a go? The style of this bathroom is just perfect with these white tiles. Did you know that subway tiles got their names from the ceramic tiles used in the early twentieth century on the New York City subway stations walls.

# Unusual Wall Hooks

Quirky wall hooks are a total must-have! Not only do they offer a great storage solution for bags, hats and scarves, they offer a little quirkiness to your walls. Plus you’ll find your hallway becomes a lot less messy! These circular ones look great and offer a minimalist vibe. Keep your clutter at bay, whilst remaining truly stylish.

There are so many benefits to keeping your home fresh and updated. It can enhance your mood and create an inspirational area to thrive in. Just a few simple changes here and there can really make a difference, and it doesn’t have to cost the world either! Take some time off to get down to a little DIY. You never know, you might just surprise yourself.

Make Your Window look Great

New windows in a home really go a long way to upgrading the property. A window isn’t just about security and guarding against the elements, it’s also about lending beauty and attractiveness to the building.

There are a series of things you can do horticulturally to enhance new windows and doors by getting the right plants to coordinate with the style of the property and windows.

# Sliding sash window

The thing with quite neutral windows such as these is to embellish both the inside and outside.

With windows like this I’d look to frame the exterior on the left and right using bay trees with a single clear stem and a topiary ball top. These would give it a real classical feel.

Underneath the window in front I’d also put a large window box. I wouldn’t mess about with lots of colours, I’d use vibrant vermillion-red geraniums.

On the inside windowsill I would put beautiful white phalaenopsis orchids, the moth orchid, to the left and the right. The contrast of the white with the red geranium would make the window look really classy.

# Casement uPVC window

These windows (main picture) often look lovely, but to stop them looking clinical a splash of colour and greenery can really make a difference.

In the right-hand corner I would put a yucca. A three-stemmed yucca with clear stems and groups of sword-like foliage coming from the top of it would really add a touch of softness and warmth to the room.

I’d definitely put a window box on the outside too, and plant it with pink and white flowers to complement the frame and to be an interesting contrast to the green yucca.

# Timber window

Window boxes would work well, again as big as you can get, as they hold more soil and therefore can hold more water, with a self-watering device on the outside.

I’d pick low-maintenance plants so that you don’t have to be opening the window to care for them all of the time, especially for any that you might put under upstairs windows. Then I’d use buxus balls on the inside with trailing ivy between them to give it that classical look.

The front of a property can look great with gorgeous timber windows. Adding climbing plants to the outside of a home like that would work really well. I’d plant a wisteria to grow up to the right side of the door and the left of the downstairs window and then across the house.

You can get a variety of different colours such as whites and pinks, but I would go with the classic purple, the Wisteria sinensis, which would look a treat and give a stunningly cosy feel.

# Modern grey window

Windows situated where there’s working space for a desk or home office work really well to brighten a functional space and open it to nature. However, it’s always nice to add some horticultural embellishment inside the building too, giving an element of foreground to the greenery and enticing you to look out and see a wider world of garden.

I would place on the right hand of the windowsill a low, not more than 25cm tall, chamaedorea palm in a nice white container.

Then suspended from the top right of the alcove I’d put a hanging container, either a macramé or a suspended pot. In it I would have tradescantia, a beautiful variegated-leaf plant that will hang down.

So you’ve got the palm going up and the plant trailing down, which would soften the corner and set off the framework of the window.

Worst Home Remodel to Selling

One of the best things about owning your own home is that you are free to make renovations or additions that suit your style. The downside? Many of these changes don’t appeal to others, making it harder to sell your house when the time comes. Here are a few to avoid.

Home renovation projects and upgrades are a great way to bring your own personality into your home. But that’s usually the problem when you go to sell your house — it’s way too “you.” We asked a designer and a few real estate agents what renovations and updates to avoid if you plan to sell your home soon, or a few years down the road.

# Fake shutters

These have somehow become the go-to addition on the outside of your house. “This can be expensive and, unless your house is colonial style, often just looks less than flattering,” says Solomon.

What to do instead: Install nice new windows that have a decorative element that’s timeless, like crosshatching or double-hung windows. Not only will they improve the look of the house from the curb, you’ll enjoy energy savings if replacing older windows.

# Swimming pool

“A major home improvement to stay away from would be the addition of an in-ground pool,” says Chad Dannecker of Dannecker & Associates in San Diego, California. “Not only are they expensive to install and maintain, in-ground pools usually take away from the home’s overall value,” he adds. “While everyone dreams of a beautiful pool, the cost is usually not recovered in the sale,” says Solomon. “The exception would be a fabulous infinity pool that takes your eye to an amazing backdrop of mountains or the ocean.”

What to do instead: Focus more on having a backyard that’s easy for entertaining, with areas for outdoor dining furniture, a barbecue grill and maybe even a small water feature like a fountain. If you really want a pool for the short term, an inexpensive above-ground pool for a few hundred dollars might be the best solution.

# An oversize outdoor deck

“Some people build decking that dwarfs the house, makes it look smaller and usually has little appeal,” says award-winning artist and designer Pablo Solomon. “Most decks require so much maintenance that you should build the smallest deck possible that fits your needs and the scale of your house and yard.”

What to do instead: Build a deck that’s useful for outdoor dining or entertaining, but keep the size in line with the house. “I also suggest using materials that last forever with little maintenance, like salvaged bricks, stone, concrete, etc.,” Solomon adds.

# Unique bathroom or kitchen remodels

Bathroom or kitchen remodels are some of the most popular upgrades, but it’s best to keep your choices modern and not too over-the-top. “Do not do anything over-stylized,” says Rohrig. “No buyer wants to buy a home with a new kitchen or bathroom that looks horrible to them.”

What to do instead: Stick with modern choices for tile, backsplash, countertops and cabinets. “I’ve had several clients say, ‘I can’t pay that much for a house when I want to rip out their new kitchen.’ Neutrals are best because it will fit more of the buyers that are looking,” adds Rohrig.

# Elaborate driveways

There are some incredible materials and designs out there for your home’s driveway, but do they really add value to your home? “Elaborate driveway concrete patterns do not raise the price in most people’s eyes,” says Mike Rohrig, real estate broker with Park Place Real Estate in Beaverton, Oregon. Another driveway mistake? Turning your whole front yard into a parking lot. “While you may prefer to park three pickup trucks and two cars on what was once a front lawn so you can use your garage to work on motorcycles, most people prefer a yard and a garage,” says Solomon.

What to do instead: Keep the driveway design and materials simple, but add impact with flowerbeds or other plantings along the sides of the driveway.

# An overdone, oversize entry door

Solomon says that a great door is a great improvement if it fits the decor and the scale of the home. “It is like here in the Texas Hill Country, where I have a wonderful historic 1856 ranch,” he shares. “The millionaires with thousands of acres have entry gates that are usually tasteful and modest. The people with three acres and a single-wide trailer home have a gate fit for a Roman villa.”

What to do instead: Focus on making the entry to your home welcoming. Choose a pop of color for the door that adds interest, then add potted plants, a trellis, a rock pathway or other details that draw your visitors right to your door.

# Shelters

Call it a safe room or a doomsday prepping shelter, but experts call it a no-go if you plan to resell your home anytime soon. “Prepping is a lifestyle that has recently garnered a lot of momentum; however, in terms of home value, it will not help and also often detracts from the final valuation,” says Dannecker.

Choose Bathroom Redesigning Contractor, Here Its Tips

What is the scope, budget, and timeline for your remodeling or renovation project? What portions of the project can you complete yourself? Are there any building restrictions or hidden challenges to consider? Have you consulted with experts (interior designer, architect, etc.) to make sure all your bases are covered? What is your contingency plan if you will be without essential home areas such as your bathroom, kitchen, etc.? Now put your plan in writing, as a road map for everyone to follow. Outline each step of the project with a brief description, due date, and point person. Before the project begins, communicate your expectations both with contractors and family members, so that everyone is on the same page.

# Don’t pressured by sales tactics
High pressure sales techniques come from sales quotas and are imposed on workers to motivate them to do volume work rather than quality work. Making these goals assures their livelihood, but sometimes at your expense.

# Be a skeptic
As the old saying goes, “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.”

# Find a ‘friend’ in the business
All things being equal, select a likable project partner whom you trust and with whom you can talk openly about your project, especially if problems should arise.

About Carpet

There are many good alternatives for extending the life of your carpet. Whether you need to remove a stubborn stain, revive color in a faded area, re-stretch your carpet to eliminate bumps and wrinkles, or patch severely damaged areas, a skilled technician, in many cases, can add years to the life of your carpet.

# Choose a carpet cleaning company based on service offered
What is the best carpet cleaning technique? There are various types of carpet cleaning and repair methods on the market today. Commonly used carpet cleaning systems include: hot water extraction or steam cleaning; dry powder/dry extraction systems; bonnet cleaning; hot carbonation extraction; and dry foam with extraction. While there are pros and cons to each process, industry experts agree most approaches can provide satisfactory results when performed by well trained professional technicians. Make sure your technician understands his product and can sufficiently explain the pros and cons of his system. Be sure to check out other services, such as upholstery and area rug cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, and water remediation services, that they offer and match these with other services you’ll need around your home.

# Hire a Professional
Although most carpet cleaning companies will not guarantee spot and stain removal efforts, they do employ techniques that can save your carpet or furniture in many cases. Rust, ink, animal feces and urine, and colored juices are common household culprits that can be very difficult to remove. Professional carpet cleaning companies know which detergents to use for various stains; therefore, they are less likely to “set” the stain by using the wrong products. When attempting to clean a stain on your own, industry sources recommend to do-it-yourselfers, use nothing stronger than club soda and water, before calling a professional.

# Vacuum carpets weekly
Frequent and thorough vacuuming will greatly increase the life of your carpet and area rugs. Be sure to invest in a quality vacuum cleaner with a high HEPA rating which, by definition, removes 99.97% of airborne particles at least 0.3 micrometers (µm) in diameter. This is also beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers because the HEPA filter traps the fine particles (such as pollen, dust mites, and feces) that can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Most industry sources also recommend professional carpet cleaning once or twice per year.

# Clean Air Conditioning system regularly
Air filters are designed to remove pollen, dust, ragweed, and bacteria from the air in your home. Over time filters become dirty and less effective, causing stress on your system and making it less efficient. As a result, more particles pass into your home’s air and, ultimately, settle into your carpet. Similarly, your HVAC duct system gets dirty over time, becoming a source of accumulated dust that eventually works its way into your carpets.

Maintenance Decks, Here It Tips

# Upstairs, Downstairs

Expand your entertainment options and utilize your underdeck. This underdeck features a screened-in porch and Tigerwood and composite decking for both levels. To maintain the beauty of composite surfaces, never use acetone or other solvents for cleaning. Warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush work best. Tigerwood does not require a sealant unless you want to retain the natural color instead of letting it age naturally.

# The Superior Viewpoint

A sweeping view can be yours if you opt for an open deck design like this one made of pressure-treated wood. Tip for DIY installation: If the wood is wet when first purchased, you can install the boards close together and the gaps will not be very wide when natural shrinkage occurs. If the wood is already dry, you need to leave some room between the boards so they can expand naturally over time.

# Deck Zen Zone

You can commune with nature and enjoy spectacular sightlines in anopen deck design like this one made of ipe wood, which is low maintenance (use only soap and water for cleaning). It will need UV protection to prevent it from drying out. A natural finish like teak oil is good for preserving the color of the Ipe (avoid colored finishes) and may need to be applied 2-3 times during the first 18 months of deck usage.

# The Gardening/Entertaining Design

In this practical dual design you can enjoy both gardening and entertaining on a Trex deck. To help maintain the deck’s attractive, natural appearance, a semi-annual cleaning with a composite deck cleaner is recommended.

# Pergola in the Corner

A pressure-treated pine (PTP) deck gets a stylish upgrade with a pergola and dining area. PTP structures are economic and practical due to a lifetime warranty against rotting and termites but they are subject to cracking and cupping in prolonged hot weather. To prevent this, hose the deck down occasionally to minimize heat exposure.

# Fresh as a Spring Day

This spectacular natural setting is utilized to full advantage in this elegant Sedona Azek Deck with Dekorator balusters. To maintain the warm, earthy tones of an Azek deck, use only cleaning and maintenance products recommended by the manufacturer. You also need to avoid using rubber or vinyl products (welcome mats, planters) on the deck as they may cause discoloration.

# Green and White

A dazzling white dual-purpose deck stands out against the lush green lawn and stone fire pit in a design that includes Trex Transcends decking featuring a rain escape system with hidden downspouts, Azek railing posts and Techno-bloc pavers. Trex Transcends decks are easy to maintain with soapy water and soft brushes for cleaning. If removing ice or snow, use a plastic shovel. To remove hard water mineral deposits, use white vinegar or a product recommended by the manufacturer.

# The Ultimate Backyard Layout

You can create a private backyard oasis with a design like this one which includes a spa pool, courtyard, built-in chimney/grill area and dual purpose pressure-treated pine deck. PTP decks have a light hue when first installed but will turn gray with weathering and sun exposure over time. To maintain the original color, you can use semi-transparent stains, opaque stains or transparent sealers on PTP.

# A Pool Set in Stone

A backyard patio/pool combination from Kane Landscapes features a fountain, entertainment areas and a raised patio of concrete, stone veneer, rectangular Penn and Bluestone. To maintain the natural beauty of your stone surfaces, do not use abrasive cleaners (like tub & tile products), vinegar or other acid cleaners. Instead use a recommended cleaner from the manufacturer. You can also preserve the stone’s color with a stone sealer.

# Is it Wood or PVC?

It might look like natural wood but this sleek, handsome backyard deck is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which is resistant to rotting and oxidation. PVC eliminates the need to sand, stain or strip your deck and all you need to maintain one is regular cleaning with soap and water.

# Elevated Viewing

Want a deck with a commanding view of your natural surroundings? This composite deck is ideal for homeowners who want a long-lasting, low maintenance material compared to natural wood. Keep in mind that PVC decks can fade, buckle and harbor mildew after prolonged periods of hot or cold weather. But you can use a manufacturer’s suggested brightener to enhance the appearance and regular cleaning with soap and water will reduce buckling and mildew.

# Penthouse Showcase

A penthouse deck from Tabor Design Build offers a bird’s eye view of the surroundings in a stylish combination of a ClearVue aluminum and glass railing system, LED rope lights and Azek Tahoe decking. Azek decking is available in a variety of color palettes and is impervious to moisture and insects. Azek decking is also stain resistant and can withstand spilled wine and other liquids and foods that would mar ordinary surfaces.

# Sun and Shade Balance

This expansive ipe deck from MOSAIC Group offers ample room for both full sun and shade activities. Ipe is a durable and visually striking hardwood increasingly popular among homeowners. Tips for DIY installation: Use pre-grooved boards which will save you time in assembling; Carefully inspect all boards in advance to weed out any that may be slightly bent or warped; Use a face mask when installing to prevent irritation from the sawdust.


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Analyses of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), genomic loci that contribute to variation in genetic expression levels, are essential to understanding the mechanisms of human disease. These studies identify regulators of gene expression as either cis-acting factors that regulate nearby genes, or trans-acting factors that affect unlinked genes through various functions.  Traditional eQTL studies treat expression as a quantitative trait and associate it with genetic variation. This approach has identified many loci involved in the genetic regulation of common, complex diseases.

Standard eQTL methods are limited in power and accuracy by several phenomena common to genomic datasets. First, the correlation structure of genetic variation in the genome, known as linkage disequilibrium (LD), limits the ability of these methods to differentiate between the regulatory variant and neighboring variants that are in LD. Second, like other quantitative traits, the total expression of a gene is influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. The effect size for any given variant is therefore small, and standard methods require a large sample size to identify the effect.

ASE example and corresponding mathematical representation of three individuals (1, 2, 3). We assume that the third SNP is the causal SNP site affecting the differential gene expression level (Allele A/ Allele T).

Our forthcoming paper in Genetics presents a new method that improves the accuracy and computational power of eQTL mapping with incorporation of allele specific expression (ASE) analysis. Our novel method uses genome sequencing, alongside measurements of ASE from RNA-seq data, to identify cis-acting regulatory variants.

In standard eQTLs studies, the analysis of ASE is influenced by LD structure and the amount of allelic heterogeneity present in the genome. Individual effects appear weak since the effect of a variant is modest when compared to the variance of total expression. In our approach, the genotypes of each single individual with ASE provides information useful to determining variants causal for the observed ASE. Our approach actually leverages the relationship between LD and variant identification to map the variants affecting expression. Thus, analysis of ASE is advantageous over analysis of total expression levels, the standard approach to eQTL mapping.

We demonstrate the utility of our method by analyzing RNA-seq data from 77 unrelated northern and western European individuals (CEU). To map each gene, we simultaneously compare ASE measurements across a set of sequenced individuals. We then identify genetic variants that are in proximity to those genes and capable of explaining observed patterns of ASE. Here, we characterize the efficacy of this method as the ratio termed “reduction rate” and denoted as the ratio between the number of candidate regulatory SNPs to the total number of SNPs in the proximal region of the gene.

When applied to the CEU dataset, our method reduced the set of candidate SNPs from ten to two (a reduction rate of 80%). Allowing for one error increases the number of candidate SNPs to five and decreases the reduction rate to 50%. We also observe that the relationship between LD and variant identification has a different quality in ASE mapping when compared to eQTL studies, and produces different types of information useful to eQTL mapping studies.

ASE studies are a powerful approach to identifying associations between genetic variation and gene expression. Accurate measurement of ASE can identify cis-acting regulatory variants associated with common diseases. Our novel method for ASE mapping is based on a robust and computationally efficient non-parametric approach, and we hope it advances our understanding of functional risk alleles and facilitates development of new hypotheses for the causes and treatment of common diseases.

This project used software developed by Jennifer Zou, which is available for download at:

This project was led by Eun Yong Kang and involved Serghei Mangul, Buhm Han, and Sagiv Shifman. The article is available at:

The full citation to our paper is:

Kang, Eun Yong; Martin, Lisa; Mangul, Serghei; Isvilanonda, Warin; Zou, Jennifer; Ben-David, Eyal; Han, Buhm; Lusis, Aldons J; Shifman, Sagiv; Eskin, Eleazar

Discovering SNPs Regulating Human Gene Expression Using Allele Specific Expression from RNA-Seq Data. Journal Article

In: Genetics, 2016, ISSN: 1943-2631.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

A general framework for meta-analyzing dependent studies with overlapping subjects in association mapping

Meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have become essential to identifying new loci associated with human diseases. We recently developed a novel framework that improves the accuracy and power of meta-analyses, which we describe in our recent Human Molecular Genetics paper. This framework can be applied to the fixed effects (FE) model, which assumes that effect sizes of genetic variants are constant across studies, and the random effects (RE) model, which assumes that effect sizes can be different among studies.

Almost all GWAS publications today employ meta-analysis methodologies, the majority of which assume that component studies are independent and that individuals among studies are unrelated. Yet many studies today use shared controls to reduce genotyping or sequencing cost. These “shared control” individuals can inadvertently overlap between multiple studies and, if not accounted for in the methodology, induce false associations in GWAS results. Most meta-analysis tools, including the RE model, cannot account for these overlapping subjects.

In our paper, we propose a general framework for adjusting association statistics to account for overlapping subjects within a meta-analysis. The key idea of our method is to transform the covariance structure of the data so it can be used in methods that strictly assume independence between studies. Specifically, our method decouples dependent studies into independent studies and adjusts association statistics to account for uncertainties in dependent studies. As a result, our approach enables general meta-analysis methods, including the FE and RE models, to account for overlapping subjects. Existing pipelines implementing these models can be reused for dependent studies if our framework is applied at the front end of the analysis procedure.

A simple example of our decoupling approach. Ω and ΩDecoupled are the covariance matrices of the statistics of three studies A, B and C before and after decoupling, respectively. The thickness of the edges denotes the amount of correlation between the studies. After decoupling, the size of the nodes reflects the information that the studies contain in terms of the inverse variance.

We tested our framework for accuracy and power with five simulated datasets, each containing 1000 to 5000 individuals and 10,000 shared controls. A standard approach produced an inflated number of false positive. Our decoupling method, which systemically accounts for overlapping individuals in meta-analysis, and a standard splitting method, which splits controls into individual studies, both correctly controlled for type 1 errors. The advantage of our framework is apparent when assessing power; in one scenario, we gained 25% power in accounting for overlapping subjects with the decoupling when compared to the splitting method.

Next, we assessed the potential of our framework in identifying casual loci shared by multiple diseases and leveraging information from multiple tissues to increase power for eQTL identification. The decoupling and splitting methods controlled false-positive rates and produced significant p-values at several previously identified candidate shared loci among the three autoimmune conditions present in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) data. In comparison to the splitting method, our decoupling framework increased the significance of p-values in the shared loci test and increased the number of discovered eQTLs by 19%.

Our approach is flexible and allows many meta-analysis methods, such as the RE model, to account for dependency between studies and overlapping subjects. We developed this approach to complement standard software packages in the meta-analysis of GWAS. This project was led by Buhm Han and involved Dat Duong and Jae Hoon Sul. The article is available at:

The full citation to our paper is:

Han, Buhm; Duong, Dat; Sul, Jae Hoon; de Bakker, Paul I W; Eskin, Eleazar; Raychaudhuri, Soumya

A general framework for meta-analyzing dependent studies with overlapping subjects in association mapping. Journal Article

In: Hum Mol Genet, 2016, ISSN: 1460-2083.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

ForestPMPlot: A Flexible Tool for Visualizing Heterogeneity Between Studies in Meta-analysis

Our group recently published a paper in G3 that presents a new method for interpreting meta-analysis of genomic studies. Our software, called ForestPMPlot, is a free, open-source, python-interfaced R package tool available for download from ZarLab Software. In our article, we demonstrate how ForestPMPlot facilitates interpretation of meta-analysis results by producing a plot that visualizes the heterogeneous genetic effects on the phenotype in different study conditions. We show an example analysis where our visualization framework leads to plausible interpretations of gene-by-environment interaction and multiple tissue eQTL, which would not have been straightforward with the traditional framework.

Meta-analysis has become a popular tool for increasing power in genetic association studies, yet it remains a methodological challenge. Genetic association studies can differ from each other in terms of environmental conditions, study design, population types and sizes, statistical noise, and analytical use of covariates. These factors produce different effect sizes between studies, a phenomenon called between-study heterogeneity. Correctly interpreting and accounting for heterogeneity in genetic association studies would give us a more accurate model of the true effects genetic variants have on traits under specific conditions.

Compared to traditional forest plotting techniques, ForestPMPlot visualizes a broader depth of information useful to interpretation of meta-analysis results. Specifically, our tool helps visualize differences in the effect sizes of genetic association studies and clarify why such studies exhibit heterogeneity for a particular phenotype and locus pair under different conditions. To distinguish studies with an effect from studies without an effect, we use the m-value framework. The m-value (Han and Eskin 2012; Kang et al. 2014) is the posterior probability that the effect exists in each study. In our paper, we explain how to compute an m-value and propose using the PM-plot framework (Han and Eskin 2012) to plot the P-values and m-values of each study together. The PM-Plot visualizes the relationship between m-values and P-values in a two-dimensional space, allowing a researcher to easily distinguish which study is predicted to have an effect, and which study is predicted not to have an effect.

We applied ForestPMPlot to a GWAS meta-analysis of 17 HDL mouse studies that have different environmental conditions, such as diet (e.g., high fat/low fat), and genetic knockouts, including homozygous deficiency in leptin receptor (db/db), LDL receptor knockouts, and Apoe gene knockouts. Here, we observe that two confidence intervals of effect estimates overlap each other when only considering the effect size estimates in forest plot format. This result is ambiguous if the observed heterogeneity is a result of stochastic errors. However, in the PM-Plot, we observe that the posterior probabilities are well segregated for these two studies (m-value: 0.93 vs. 0.03), allowing us to hypothesize that the SNP effects on HDL in these strains under the Western diet condition can be interacting with sex.

Seventeen mouse HDL studies with various environmental/genetic conditions are combined in this meta-analysis. (A) Forest plot and (B) PM-plot for rs32595861 locus (Fabp3 gene) analyzing data from the Kang et al. (2014) study.

We continue to develop new applications for ForestPMPlot, and we hope that our tool will facilitate more accurate interpretations of meta-analysis in future genetic association research.

ForestPMPlot was developed by Eun Yong Kang and Yurang Park. The article is available at:

Visit the following page to download ForestPMPlot:

The full citation to our paper is:

Kang, Eun Yong; Park, Yurang; Li, Xiao; Segrè, Ayellet V; Han, Buhm; Eskin, Eleazar

ForestPMPlot: A Flexible Tool for Visualizing Heterogeneity between Studies in Meta-analysis. Journal Article

In: G3 (Bethesda), 6 (7), pp. 1793-8, 2016, ISSN: 2160-1836.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

This paper describes methods implemented based on research originally published by this group:

Han, Buhm; Eskin, Eleazar

Interpreting meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies. Journal Article

In: PLoS Genet, 8 (3), pp. e1002555, 2012, ISSN: 1553-7404.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Han, Buhm; Eskin, Eleazar

Random-Effects Model Aimed at Discovering Associations in Meta-Analysis of Genome-wide Association Studies. Journal Article

In: Am J Hum Genet, 88 (5), pp. 586-98, 2011, ISSN: 1537-6605.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

We discussed these methods and papers in a 2013 blog post:

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zenpundit.com » Blog Archive » Taking Aim at the Black Swan

Taking Aim at the Black Swan

Shane Deichman reviews Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable and finds it wanting:

Perhaps it’s my naïveté (or perhaps that I’m a product of the California public school system), but I honestly don’t see our civilization marching toward “Extremistan”. Quite the opposite: While our awareness of remote events has increased, and our networks have grown exponentially, I believe that the diffuse topology of our networks actually dampens the impact of an extreme event. Consider the “Butterfly Effect”. Do you really think a butterfly flapping its wings in Jakarta is going to eventually cause a hurricane in New York City? Or do you think the minor perturbation is absorbed locally without cascading into some kind of resonance? Yes, there are examples that illustrate the dire consequences of unplanned resonance. Taleb (who waffles at the end of his book as half hyperskeptic, half intransigently certain) abandons the Gaussian bell curve, yet — with only a single mention of Albert-László Barabási — firmly embraces Power Law scale invariance as normative.Despite Taleb’s too-casual treatment of scale, I think he would agree with George E.P. Box’s statement (c. 1987) that “…[A]ll models are wrong, but some are useful.” Abandoning our dogmatic devotion to certainty is essential in any creative, innovative enterprise — and can reveal hidden opportunities, and hidden abilities.

Read the whole thing here.

Unlike most reviewers, Shane could go head-to-head with Taleb on things mathematical ( though you hardly need a math background to understand The Black Swan) and Shane is right that networks that are intrinsically and generally resilient are better suited to enduring unexpected, system perturbing, black swans.

Hope to have my review up Sunday evening.

7 Responses to “Taking Aim at the Black Swan”

  1. Fabius Maximus Says:

    Nice to see someone with strong math expertise dispute the "fragile networks" meme that has become so widespread, with so little supporting analysis or data.  I wonder if this pessimism about "systems" results from the combination of our dependence on them AND our lack of understanding how they work.

    An engineer might understand our utility systems, an MBA the finanical systems, a geologist the extrative sytems — but to each of us there are aspects that are unknown and disturbingly vulnerable.

    I was at a community meeting in Fall 1999, organized to discuss Y2k.  They were considering wind towers, water storage, etc.  I asked each of them what preparations had been made at their place of work.  Each said that their own piece of the system would run after Y2k — the traffic lights were fine, the hospital were fine, etc.  Each person worried that the others were unprepared.

  2. zen Says:

    Hi FM
    "Fragility" always depends on the direction the stress is coming from. A pillar is immensely resilient to vertical stress; horizontal stress….not so much.

  3. deichmans Says:

    Thx for the link, Zen!  Looking forward to your review this weekend.

    FM: We’re a cynical bunch, aren’t we? 🙂  Your story reminded me of the best Y2K practical joke I’ve heard.  A friend was at a 12/31/1999 NYEve party in a rural neighborhood.  The host’s son said (shortly after 11pm) that he wasn’t feeling well and left the room; he later snuck into the basement and, at exactly Midnight, flipped the master circuit breaker for the home’s electrical supply.  What’s funniest about the story is that nobody was surprised by the abrupt loss of electricity!  So I guess we’re gullible as well as cynical….

  4. TDL Says:

      I wouldn’t take the MBA example of understanding, anything, too far!

    MBA 2006

  5. The Lounsbury Says:

    I was not particularly moved by his criticisms as such.

  6. Larry Says:

    ""Fragility" always depends on the direction the stress is coming from. A pillar is immensely resilient to vertical stress; horizontal stress….not so much"
    The force inside a pillar is the same in all directions. The difference is that the outside force is in shear vertically, and in is in a bending force horizontally, if applied to the center. Hard to shear a pillar vertically, but relatively easy to bend it horizontally. If the pillar is made out of something like stone it brakes when bent. The conservative republican, now days, hopes the pillar is made out of something resilient so the totalitarian force applied horizontally will bend the pillar instead of braking it. Considering the totalitarian force has nukes and millions to lose, not a bad hope, I suppose.

  7. Granite Tiles  Says:

    our circuit breaker is always manufactured by General Electric and they last very long;-*

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There are several benefits to doing online yoga videos. We list them here.

Learning online really is no big deal. All it calls for is a little will power and determination and you can effortlessly pick up the basics. The key is practice.

It’s important to note that should you have a known health condition, you need to be aware of it and then look for any specific yoga poses or routines that could help. However, if your condition is severe, it’s always advisable to seek the opinion of your doctor or physician.

Apart from that, learning yoga postures via online yoga videos, meditation, and relevant breathing exercises is super simple. If you do have any doubt, try visiting a yoga studio once or twice just to see how they are inclined to perform the different Asanas.

The Benefits of Online Yoga

The first benefit of practising yoga online through Lily Fit is the ease of availability. These days, all it takes is the sheer desire and an internet connection. Gone are the days of having to get dressed up and travel great distances to find the perfect guru in order to learn yoga.

Now you can apply yourself and learn everything you need to know about the practice of yoga from the comfort of your own home, saving a good deal of time and money. This is an excellent option for people who live in areas where yoga instruction and group classes are few and far between. It’s also great for people who tend to travel a lot and can’t commit to specific classes at set times. When you’re learning yoga online, time and location don’t matter.

Also read: Yoga is a Great Workout Alternative For The Scorching Summers

Speaking of scheduling, learning yoga online offers fantastic flexibility that gym classes just can’t match. You can fit the practice into your schedule, whether it is 2PM or 2AM. Online yoga can fit effortlessly into your existing schedule, making it perfect for busy working people, stay at home parents, and anyone else that already has a schedule that cannot be interrupted.

A third benefit to learning yoga online is that the atmosphere promises a more rounded educational experience. In days gone by, people would learn under their local yoga instructors and would have to trust that they were learning everything they needed to know.

However, with today’s online courses, students are guaranteed that they will cover all they need to know when it comes to application, technique, and philosophy. This is a far more standardised approach and a big improvement on older methods.

Finally, learning yoga online makes learning the poses and techniques the sole focus. Often students feel like they’ve done their bit just by showing up to a class and they put a lot of pressure on the instructor to impart their knowledge without putting in too much work. Online yoga does away with that mind-set. As an online yoga student, you will enjoy a sense of ownership over your own experience.

Yoga is deeply personal, so having a solid inner understanding, right from the beginning, is something that is sure to benefit you for the rest of your life. While others may try to teach you a bit of yoga here and there, it’s up to you learn and apply it and make it a part of your lifestyle.

Also read: 10 Awesome Yoga Sportswear Brands

  • Very valid points in support. Though sometimes it can get monotonous.

  • Never thought it this way… online yoga is indeed an interesting concept 🙂

  • Great points to support the concept!


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Jon Burgerman

Anyone familiar with Blue Peter or perhaps just illustration in general will no doubt be aware of Jon and his work. The man is a true legend, and at the age of just 14 has already accomplished more than most illustrators have managed over a much greater length of time. Perhaps the secret to Jon's success is the abundance of fun and enthusiasm he throws into every job he does, perhaps it's his strict diet of wagon wheels. Who knows! But what I do know is that he's a great guy and has helped me out on many an occasion.

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fan service

The Case for Horror Remakes

I’ve been utterly disgusted by the perpetual and baffling stagnation of the film industry. With a list of remakes and reboots announced, including iconic titles like Friday the 13th, Halloween and Child’s Play, just to name a few, cautious optimism is hard to… Continue Reading →

I Want to Believe The X-Files Will Return to Greatness

Long before The Walking Dead attacked basic cable ratings. Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe made superheroes super fun. And long before LOST’s flashbacks, flash forwards and sideways storytelling, sci-fi was complicated and cool. The X-Files made conspiracies, science fiction and… Continue Reading →

Everything the Critics Hate About IDR Is a Reason I Like It (So There!)

There’s no nice way to say this. The critics have been dicks about Independence Day: Resurgence. Continuing their proud tradition of ignoring the reality and climate in which we process certain movies, and seeking some Shakespearean/Aaron Sorkin/Spielberg perfection in all things, they… Continue Reading →

Fan Service: The Last Hope for TMNT

It is apparent that we now live in the age of making big-budget blockbusters out of TV shows that captivated us as kids. Anything that aired in an early morning time slot on Saturdays from 25 or more years ago is hitting… Continue Reading →

Remembering The X-Files

Per Matt Very rarely — if ever — a TV show will arrive at just the right time that speaks to an entire generation. With elements of science fiction, horror, fantasy, mystery, intrigue, drama and even romance, The X-Files sparked… Continue Reading →

Searching for a True Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Per Matt Much like the Zombies’ never-ending hunt for their next victims, I’ve been on a voracious, never-ending hunt for great undead literature. I’ve got a pretty good track record for finding some great books (along with a few ridiculous carcasses)… Continue Reading →

From Bestseller to the Big Screen: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Per Matt Beginning today, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies receives the big-screen treatment it always deserved, but back in 2009, its success was hardly guaranteed. Quirk Books gambled on a relatively then-unknown author to combine the classic Jane Austen Elizabethan… Continue Reading →

Doctor Who: The Magician’s Apprentice

If you had knowledge a child would grow up to become a genocidal dictator, responsible for the deaths of billions, would you kill the child to save the many? Season 9 of Doctor Who premieres with this thought experiment become… Continue Reading →

Back to Frank Black

Per Matt “In a world where evil has many faces, hope has just one: Frank Black.” For three years, Millennium pushed every boundary as a television series from 1996 to 1999. Hard to describe using only a few words, it… Continue Reading →

Dragon Con Interview: Sean Magee

Per Matt Dragon Con is almost here. Happening on August 29th to September 1st in Atlanta, GA, the convention regularly overtakes all the local hotels and attendees spread throughout the majority of the downtown area. But it’s even bigger in… Continue Reading →

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