November 29, 2020

Attractions in Jordan for Scuba Diving

Jordan has an immense treasure on its shores. The Red Sea of ​​Jordan is full of
corals, colourful fish and many other surprises that make divers more and more
attracted.
The coast near the town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea, is one of the best diving
destinations in the world; whether you are an expert or a beginner, and this is the
first time you dive.
Of Jordan’s nearly 30 kilometres of coastline along the Red Sea, seven are protected
by a marine park. Here you will find over 20 uncrowded dive sites with something for
every level of the diver to discover, diving in Aqaba, Jordan could become a model
for other marine destinations.

If there is something surprising about the shores of the Red Sea in Jordan, it is that
the corals and reefs are stuck to the shore. It is enough to walk a few meters, no
more than 5, and you start to see the first corals and goldfish. This is something
really impressive that we have not seen anywhere else in the world. Another
characteristic that makes it an ideal destination for diving is the clarity of its waters.

Throughout the year, you can have visibility that varies between 30 and 45 meters.
This is something very unusual, and that makes diving and snorkelling on its shores
tremendously attractive. As if this were not enough, the temperature of its waters is
quite pleasant, going from 20 ºC in winter to 26 ºC in summer. In this regard, it is true
that the Red Sea is not as warm as Southeast Asia, but it is still very good
temperatures.

The life that we can find on the shores of Aqaba (the Jordanian Red Sea) is
tremendously diverse. You can see small fish such as the clownfish (Nemo), the blue
surgeonfish (Dory), the sea urchin fish, the butterfly fish, seahorses or the emperor
angelfish, among many others.
But you can also see larger animals such as the impressive lionfish, sea turtles,
various types of moray eels, the immense napoleon fish, some type of shark or rays
and even, if you are very lucky, you can see the whale shark. To all this, we must
add a very wide spectrum of colourful corals that adorn the seabed.

In the Red Sea lie about 19 Jordanian army tanks, ambulances, helicopters and
other transports that will attract divers from around the world.

To take advantage of this natural resource, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone
Authority organized the sinking of several tanks, a helicopter, anti-aircraft guns, an
ambulance and vehicles to transport troops.

September 3, 2020

Our Advice For Choosing The Right Wooden Deck

Having become the charm of our balconies and gardens, are you ready to be tempted by the authenticity and nobility of one of them? Which species of wood will your favorite? Exotic wood, composite wood, which is the most resistant? Slabs of wood planks, how to choose? Which of the two will best enhance your future outdoor recreation area? Here are the details of our wise advice made by experts from deck builder company to guide you in this pre-project phase!

 

The Pine

 

Larch, softwood, red cedar, or Douglas-fir, this wood is said to be autoclave (that is to say, deeply treated). It is recognizable by its slightly greenish hue. The cheapest of the deck wood species, count on the durability of about fifteen years. However, at deck builders San Antonio TX, we advise you to be careful, because sometimes protruding knots may snag slightly during your passages.

 

Exotic wood

 

These woods are extremely dense and have an exceptional lifespan. The very high density of padouk, a redwood from Central Africa, is particularly evident. Its main quality is not to make the slightest splinter. You can, therefore, practice it barefoot! For its part, Ipe sets the bar of density even higher and, therefore, of mechanical resistance (passage of vehicles, water stagnation, etc.). It is, of course, the most expensive of the exotic essences. As for teak, its qualities are remarkable, but it is a protected species. It is, therefore, very expensive.

 

Thermo-heated wood

 

Out of ethics, do you refuse to opt for so-called exotic wood? Treated via thermo-heating to be hardened, you have locally cut tree species, such as ash or poplar. Create a plan on perfect soil for about twenty years with a cost comparable to that of an exotic essence.

 

Natural or composite, choose the type of wood that suits you.

 

As opposed to natural wood, composite wood results from a mixture of wood particles with a resin, almost identical in appearance to that of solid wood, its major advantage lies in the little maintenance it requires plan on a good annual cleaning.

 

The wood planks of some natural wood species will turn gray, not the case with composites. For the outline of your pool or live in a warm region, give your preference to natural wood, as the composite can lead to high heat conductivity. Likewise, be aware that it can sometimes be more expensive than certain exotic species such as teak or ipe.

 

Wooden floor: planks or tiles make the right choice!

 

Slats or wooden slabs are also called gratings; these are the two alternatives available to you to further personalize the “conviviality and rest” corner outside your “home sweet home.” Long planks, resembling parquet boards, the wooden boards are laid and fixed on joists. The slabs are placed directly on the ground, either on a bed of sand or on a geo-textile film. Ideal when you want to cover an existing balcony.

 

Good to know, gratings are not available in all types of wood.

 

Did this guide to choosing the right wood exterior flooring help you? Most deck companies take the time to simulate the result of your final project. Designing it and succeeding in it is child’s play. Study each point according to your criteria and in all serenity! Choose the exterior that will be in perfect harmony with your desires! Do not hesitate any longer; ask us for a free and personalized quote. Then finalize the purchase of your materials on our online store.

August 7, 2020

Tricks To Renovate The Bathroom With Little Money

Changing the toilets, furniture or coatings can mean the outlay of a great deal of money. However, giving a new look to the bathroom does not have to mean investing a fortune, you just have to know a few tricks to help renew this space in the house, whatever the budget.

Coatings

When renovating the bathroom, one aspect to take into account is the coatings . These are an important point in the image of this room, so if you want to give it a new look, you can start by changing the material or color of the walls, ceilings and floors.

If you don’t have the money for that, a feasible and cheaper alternative may be to paint floors , walls, and ceilings. Acrylic paint is usually the best ally in these cases. Another option is vinyl wallpaper for walls and floors, which imitates a multitude of textures such as ceramic or parquet. Finally, there is also the dry ceramic, cheaper and easier to install than the traditional one, or, in the case of the walls, the special wallpaper for bathrooms.

The toilets

Giving a new look to this room is very easy if you have enough budget to replace the toilets with more modern ones, such as washbasins and flown toilets, which take up less space visually and are easier to clean.

Changing the classic bathtub for a shower tray also serves to give a fresher image and to gain comfort and safety. In this sense, you can change the curtains of the shower or bathtub for a modern and practical glass screen.

If you do not want or do not have the money to change the toilets, you can always choose to replace items such as the taps: the taps for the shower, bathtub, bidet or sink. You just have to choose some that differ from the current ones and fit the style you want to give the room.

The furniture

The simplest and most logical way to renew your bathroom furniture is to replace the current ones with others. However, either because you have a limited budget or because the furniture is in good condition, it is not always an option to consider.

There are countless alternatives: from painting them (nowadays the use of chalk paint is very fashionable, a paint that gives an aged and vintage look), going through the placement of vinyls, which allow changing the color or texture of the furniture , until they are covered with paper, inside or outside, using the decoupage technique.

In addition, there are other less “aggressive” options, which may be perfect for those who do not want to spend a lot of money or those who live for rent . One of these options is to replace the cabinet and drawer handles with others that involve a change in style and / or color, a simple gesture that can help change the image of the furniture.

Elements for storage

In a usually small space such as the bathroom, it is essential to have elements that serve to store towels, gels, the dryer … Shelves and shelves, not to mention the boxes or baskets, are attached to the furniture under the sink and columns to help with this task. Changing these pieces for others of different style, material or color allows to renew the image of the bathroom.

Textiles

Textiles are an essential element in any room in the house: they are used to dry while decorating the space and creating a cozy feeling. In the bathroom you can find towels, bathrobes, foot rugs and even curtains. As in any room, replacing these accessories with others of colors, patterns, textures and even different fabrics can be a simple and economical alternative to renew this space.

Decorative Accessories

Another cheap way to renovate the bathroom is with decorative accessories. Changing soap, towel racks, toilet brush holders and other basics and opting for others of a different color and / or design is another way to give a new air to the space for little money. Pictures, boxes, candles, mikados and other objects, more decorative than practical, can also be very perfect when it comes to achieving the goal.

August 7, 2020

7 Tricks To Give Personality To A Flat

To have a beautiful and cozy home, you don’t need to have many meters, large exteriors, or luxury decorations. Having a flat to feel comfortable requires personalizing it to the maximum and taking into account certain premises.

Lighting

A key factor that will make the home a perfect place is the use of light. Achieving well-lit rooms, ideally making the most of natural light, is essential to achieve a warm and welcoming space. The lamps, for their part, decorate and add style to space.

The color

The choice of color is very important when decorating the house. It helps generate that feeling of cold, heat, light, freshness … that is so sought after in the room. In this way, you can create retro, rustic, contemporary, marine style environments.

Textures

Like color, the use of textures brings warmth and personality to space. The textures of wood, stone, ceramics, textiles such as wool, silk, or cotton. All of them generate sensations such as warmth, freshness, softness, elegance.

The coatings

The coatings for floors, walls, and ceilings, in addition to fulfilling their basic function, allow us to decorate the house and give it that image we are looking for. Thus, we can create comfortable rooms with the use of wood (or materials that imitate this finish), others that are colder and more industrial, with micro cement and stainless steel finishes, or more modern and elegant thanks to the latest in ceramics.

Paintings and photographs

Paintings and photographs add color and texture. They personalize any room in the house, making it closer and more pleasant.

Textiles

Textiles such as cushions, blankets, bedspreads, curtains, rugs… give the room texture and color. They dress it, decorate it and give it a welcoming and personal image.

The decorative objects

Vases, plants, sculptures, decorative accessories … Those, precisely, are the elements that bring style and personality to the home. Memories of trips, family objects, bought in stores or markets. The important thing is that they know how to contribute to the image that is sought in the house.

August 6, 2020

9 Keys To Feel At Home In A Rental Apartment

Rental properties tend to lack color and personality so that the tenant can add his personal touch, choosing furniture and accessories according to his tastes and needs. However, many tenants think that a rental house is just a place of passage, where it is not worth investing money.

 

The truth is that, although it is not necessary to spend too much to get a warm and cozy home , spending money to feel at home, even if it is not your own, is investing in comfort and well-being. 

 

1. Decorate with textiles

 

The best way to add color and prints, as well as to cover imperfections or worn surfaces from use, is through textiles. Elegant curtains, a soft rug, precious cushions, a delicate duvet cover… all of them inject warmth , comfort and personality into any home.

 

2. Wallpaper

 

Another alternative for changing the color of the walls and adding visual interest is temporary wallpapers , which can be easily removed without leaving a mark on the wall. Again, it is best to ask the owner before installing.

 

3. Wall stickers

 

Currently, there are stickers of simple shapes (dots, stars, etc …) to decorate walls that can be easily removed. These are also a good alternative to wallpaper.

 

4. Adhesive rolls for countertops

 

If you don’t like the color of your kitchen countertop, a great solution is to use adhesive rolls that imitate stone, granite or marble textures.

 

5. Replace hardware

 

If the towel racks, door knobs, cabinet pulls, and other hardware are old, worn, or not the chosen style, they can be replaced with new ones. It is a very inexpensive way to give it a new look, although, once the apartment is abandoned, it must be replaced by the original fittings to leave the house in its original condition.

  

6. Change lamps

 

These can be the design touch that a living room, hall or bedroom needs, without having to make any structural changes to the home. On the other hand, the floor and table lamps, with lower light intensity, also help to create cozy and calm environments in which to relax and unwind.

 

7. Family photos

 

Although a single nail cannot be used, pictures and photos can decorate the home resting on furniture and shelves. Black and white photos are very versatile and complement a bookshelf decor quite well. In addition, decorating with photos of loved ones helps to associate positive emotions with space.

 

8. Alternatives to drilling

 

There is always a nailless alternative to the drill. For example, towel racks that rest on the floor instead of hanging on the wall, shower curtains that fit the wall instead of bolting to it, or coat racks that replace hangers or wall hangers.

 

9. Decorate with plants

 

Natural flowers and plants connect the home with its natural surroundings and bring color and life to the interiors. They are another great way to create a feeling of home in a rental home.