Radiant Floor Heating

As the cooler fall and winter seasons approach, our floors can suddenly seem uncomfortably cold.  It is the time of year you think about putting socks or slippers on before stepping into the kitchen for breakfast. If you or your family can't play or walk on certain floors because it feels too cold, there is an easy way to heat up those cold tiles, stone, or wood surfaces. Installing a Radiant Electric Floor Heating System will make the floors warm and comfortable. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels and how comfortable your room will become.

 

Kruse Home Improvement has installed Nuheat Floor Heating Systems for some of our customers. Nuheat provides soothing warmth to various types of flooring surfaces including tile, stone, granite, laminate and engineered wood.  It is a clean, soundless system that brings warmth to any space by providing radiant zone heating which is very energy efficient. Traditionally, electric baseboard heaters are installed according to the rule of thumb that each room should be heated by 34 BTU (British Thermal Units) per square foot (given average insulation). Nuheat produces over 41 BTU per square foot.  Zone heating using a programmable thermostat, means heating room by room, use by use - heat only where you want, when you want it.

 

Electric radiant heat allows homeowners to lower their central heating system while still being comfortable. It offers an energy saving alternative to keeping the forced air heating system running throughout the entire house and can help reduce a home's overall energy consumption. Nuheat has no moving parts so it is installed in thinset/mortar. It is 100% maintenance free and will last the lifetime of your floors.

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Nuheat Floor Heating Systems:

Can I use Nuheat to replace my electric baseboard heaters?
Yes, Nuheat produces 12 watts per square foot (41BTUs per square foot) and can easily heat most rooms.

Does Nuheat use more electricity than electric baseboard heaters?
No, any properly sized electric heating device will require the same amount of electricity to maintain or change a room’s temperature.

Can I use Nuheat to replace my water radiator?
Yes, Nuheat is a viable alternative to water radiators. Invisible and maintenance-free, Nuheat is an easy heating replacement during renovations.

Will Nuheat heat the whole room or just the floor?
The whole room. Nuheat transforms the entire floor area into the room’s heat source - guaranteeing even, consistent heat.

All Nuheat Floor Heating Systems are covered by a 25-year warranty, are energy efficient, and can be controlled using a variety of programmable and non-programmable thermostat options.

If you’re interested in installing radiant electric floor heating in your home, call Kruse Home Improvement at 860.877.0775.

 source: www.nuheat.com

10 Tips to Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger

A small kitchen space can create many challenges, but there are ways to make your kitchen appear larger. To get the most from your kitchen space, you’ll need to maximize your storage options, and learn the best kitchen decorating tips for small spaces. You may be surprised at how simple it is to make your kitchen look bigger. Follow these tips and a small, cramped kitchen will take on new life and become an inviting room in your home.

1.       Let in light

Letting in light will not only brighten your room, it will give the appearance of opening up a small kitchen. Don't cover your kitchen window with heavy curtains or window treatments. Instead, install a light colored shade that will ensure privacy without darkening the room.

2.       Choose the right flooring

A light colored floor will help open up your small kitchen, even if it's a light wood tone. If you are using ceramic tile in your kitchen, be sure to match the grout with the tiles. This will eliminate the lines created by contrasting grout color and appear to enlarge the space.

3.       Choose proper cabinet color

Photo taken from KHI gallery

Dark cabinets give a smaller feel than light colored cabinets. Keep it light and you'll notice a considerable difference in the way your kitchen looks. By installing a few glass doors on your cabinets, you can open up the room even more.

 

 4.       Don’t use patterns

One of the easiest kitchen decorating tips you can get is to not overwhelm the room with pattern. Small rooms don't respond well to big, bold patterns. Wallpaper is not usually recommended for a small kitchen, but if you will be using it, go with a small subtle print. In addition, keep bold prints off of kitchen towels, rugs, and accessories, as it will and make the room appear crowded and small.

5.       Use reflective appliances

Reflective appliances, such as stainless steel, will really help to open up a small kitchen. Acting as mirrors, reflective appliances give the illusion of a larger space.

 6.       Avoid clutter

Clutter can make even the largest room appear small and cramped. Get rid of clutter to get the most from your kitchen space. Remove sugar and flour containers from countertops, place spices in cabinets and keep cooking and serving utensils out of sight. Open up the space on your countertops and you'll notice that the whole room will look larger.



Photo taken from KHI gallery



7.       Choose light color walls

To help open up your small kitchen, choose light colors on the walls. Light does not necessarily mean white. Cool colors such as light blue, pale green and lavender work especially well in small rooms, as they give the impression that they are receding into the walls.

8.       Keep it simple

Simplicity is the key to decorating in small spaces. Think sleek lines, simple décor, and light even tones. If you don't need it or use it infrequently, keep it out of the kitchen.

9.       Choose the right backsplash

All kitchens should have a backsplash behind the cooking space, as it offers an easy way to clean up grease and food splatter. In a small kitchen, consider using a stainless steel backsplash. Again, the benefit of using stainless steel is that it acts as a mirror and gives the illusion of a larger room. Light colored ceramic tile is also a good idea for a small kitchen, but remember to keep the grout color the same as the tile.

10.       Use space saving accessories

Get the most from your kitchen space by using cabinet accessories such as a Lazy Susan, built-in spice rack, or roll out trays. You can double the amount of storage space you currently have, and it will free up much needed counter space.

 

 

 

 

Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/10-tips-kitchen-appear-bigger-5337315.html