Choosing the Best Mattress for you & your love one!

 
Most people do not realize the importance of bedding in accordance to one’s lifestyle. Let’s face it, we are currently living in a digital world and pressure due to personal, financial and work related is always there. Therefore a good night sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle.
A person sleeps an average 7 hours a day, 365 days a year which accumulates to a total of 25,550 hours in 10 years! Mattress comes in various types and sizes ranging from single, super single, queen and king. One must make the wise choice in mattress selection.

Below list the types and comparison of mattress widely available in the market.

 

1) Innerspring (spring coil) mattress

Known as the most commonly available mattress in the market, it is mainly constructed with steel coil support with various foams and fibers on top to provide comfort.

Advantages:

• Provide certain level of bounciness.
• Come in various prices from low to high.

Disadvantages:

• Shorter life span due to steel coil sagging over time.
• Wear and tear of top foams resulted in exposed steel coil.

 

 
2) Memory Foam mattress

Commonly made from polyurethane with properties that allow impact absorption and able to disperse weight evenly, thereby eliminate pressure. Normally consist of two primary layers, the upper memory foam layer and the bottom core layer.

Advantages:

• Provide natural spinal alignment and resist motion transfer.
• Offer good durability between 8 to 10 years.

Disadvantage:

• Closed cell and temperature sensitive foams may not be ideal for hot climate in Malaysia & Singapore.
• Slow response foams leaving sleepers feeling stuck in same place.

 
3) Latex mattress

Made out of latex; a natural product made from the sap of rubber tree. This sap is then made into blocks which forms the mattress.

Advantages:

• Provide natural bounciness without any need of steel coil and offer better spinal support.
• Do not transmit movement easily; if a person rolls over it won’t affect the other person.
• Has natural open cell structure therefore its very ideal for hot climate in Malaysia & Singapore.

Disadvantages:

• More expensive compared with other types of mattress.
• Due to dense material used, the weight is slightly higher than other mattress.

 
 
Article from Renof.com - Choosing the best mattress type Part 1

Collecting House Key? 8 Tips on House Defect

Collecting House Key? 8 Tips on House Defect

After getting keys for your newly built property from developer, the first thing you need to do before starting renovation into dream house is defect checklist. It is a one time crucial work and also ensures your property value in the future.
Standard practice developer will include a defect checklist form for you to fill up all the findings. Be as detailed as you can in your findings in order to avoid second round of defect rectification works. Don’t rush! Take all the time you have to go through a thorough check. You can start from room to room.
Basic tools required for defects inspection:

• -Marker pen
• -Masking tape
• -Bucket
• -Spirit level
• -Coin / key or anything you find hard and light      
• -Torch light
• -Lighting with power plug

 

1) Wall
Identify any cracks or holes on walls. Used of masking tape and marker pen to mark area of concerns such as cracks, holes, uneven surfaces or sloppy skimming job.
Check surfaces level if desired with spirit level. Include running numbers on each masking tape and the same number and description noted down on the defect checklist form to be submitted to developer later stage.

 

2) Wooden flooring
Being woody in nature, water is not their best companion therefore investigate for any signs of wet / worn off wooden flooring due to prolong water exposure.
 Another point to consider is walkabout around the wooden flooring area to check for any sinking area. A properly installed flooring shouldn’t exhibit this behavior.

 
3) Tiling
With the use of coin, keys or anything you find hard and light, tap on each tiles surface to check for hollow tiles whether it is flooring or wall tiling. If the tile is well bonded (securely attached to concrete), it will have a high pitched sound. However if you hear a low pitched or hollow sound, this indicates that the tile is not properly bonded to the concrete. This calls for defect!
Apart from hollow tiles, also investigate all the tiles if any of it shows imperfections. Imperfection tiles come in different ways;

-Cracks / holes on tiles surface

-Uneven surfaces between tiles due to poor workmanship

-Used of different batches of tiles resulted in 2 or more tones colour difference

 

4) Electrical
The following step is to confirm internal wiring for power points are routed correctly. Connect and turn on the lighting brought earlier on each power points. Mark with masking tape and pen on any malfunction power points.
 
5) Water drainage
Flush the toilet bowls to ensure it is working properly with no blockage. Followed by identifying the numbers of water drainage eg; bathroom, balcony, kitchen, dry yard, etc. Fill up the bucket with water and pour through one of the drain identified earlier. 
Repeat for all the other drains. Monitor water flows through easily without signs of choking / blocking.
At the same time check for any ponding in the bathroom floor. Ponding causes long term effect such as slippery floor and encourage mold growth.


 
6) Plumbing system
Here comes the plumbing system for whole property includes internal wall piping, water tabs, boiler and etc. Open all water tabs in your property and flush the toilet bowls. Investigate for any sign of water leakage on external piping.
Pay extra attention if there is any sign of water seepage from any walls or ceiling which could be due to internal wall pipe leaking. Consult your developer if there are any consistent signs of water seepage.
 
7) Furniture
This is an easy one. Functional test on all doors, windows, wardrobe to ensure they are working properly.
 
8) Water seepage
Check on the ceiling and corners near the window for sign of water seepage. It could be from the rain water. Poor water proofing on the bath upstairs could cause water seeping into your unit too!

 
Good Luck!  more helpful articles: www.renof.com

 

 

7 Tips To Mix And Match Your Curtains Like A Pro

Many homeowners tend to overlook the significance of curtains as they seek to refurbish their homes. Mix and matching your curtains is a cost effective way of achieving remarkable interior design goals with or without involving an interior design contractor. The following tips have been chosen carefully to help you achieve amazing results as you mix and match your curtain like a pro.












1. Don't Rush It

While the possibility of coming out with a stunning mix and match curtain theme is tantalizing for the enterprising homeowner, the likelihood of getting it awfully wrong are just as likely. If this is the first time you are experimenting with contrasting curtain colors and patterns, ease into it slowly. Begin with two curtain panels of the same general color but in different hues and then get bolder as the theme idea gels with what else you have at home.

2. Patterns Plus Solid Colors Win Every Time
If you are looking for a foolproof mix and match design for your living room curtains, start by choosing a multicolored pattern that you really love and which complements (at least in part) the rest of your interior design decor theme. Use this pattern for the curtain panel covering one side of the window and then go for one of the colors or hues in the pattern (it doesn't need to be the most prominent) and choose a solid color material in that same color or hue to use as the panel for the other side of the window.















3. Going for a Total Mismatch? Marry Something at Least
If you are bold enough with curtains home renovation idea, you can go for two virtually mismatched curtain materials to use on either side of your windows or glass doors. This can be hard to pull off but if you pay attention to important details, the effect can be stunning. The essential consideration is that there must be at least something in common between the two mismatched curtains or panels, no matter how subtle. The common element may be detail of a pattern or texture. You can be eccentric as you want so long as you do not sacrifice balance.

4. Whatever you do, be Consistent with the Hardware and Accessories
One way to get it completely wrong with your mix and match home design idea is to try and mix the curtains hardware accessories. Just think about it: a back-stab curtain panels side by side with a (mark you) contrasting patterned grommeted opposite number is just over the top!






5. Approach Casual and Formal Themes Differently
While most mix and match curtain ideas are suited for casual rooms and occasions, there is adequate leeway to allow you a perfectly acceptable look for a formal occasion or room. If you are looking for a casual look for your house, you can be as liberal as you want, even to the extent of using totally different curtains on each window. For a formal room, you have no choice but to replicate the idea on every window.

6. Start Right Away and Split your Pairs
If you are like most homeowners, you have never carried out a proper inventory of the curtains already in your home. Sift through all your curtains and split them up in pairs. Even if you bought all of them separately, more likely than not they all adhere to a certain taste. You will be surprised at what works for your curtain mix and match idea.







7. Use Other Furnishing Ideas to Tie it all Together
One thing you do not want is for your multicolored window to stand out as a sore thumb compared to the rest of the house. Look at the rest of the room's furnishing and use a variety of similarly styled accessories and knick knacks to tie the entire theme together. You can use such items as pillows, ottomans, upholstery covers and throw rugs to achieve the balance you need.

www.renof.com
 

Image Source from: WANG VON M 081 architekci

Malaysia Most Common Kitchen Countertops

Kitchens are a basic piece of a home area and undeniably the heart of today's homes, what material was utilized, how simple to keep up, what they look like, how they hold up, and numerous more contemplations are all aspect when considering the kitchen tops.


Granite Stone Countertops.


Granite stone has been the obvious choice for all home owners in kitchen tops selection over the previous decade. there are such a variety of other countertop choices available in the market today

Concrete Kitchen Countertops.

Concrete countertops are especially heavier, then again, so required substantial support by lower cabinetry. Concrete countertops are durable, heat resistant and hard to scratch.

 

Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertops

Stainless steel is perfect kitchen material due to its durable steel - and heat-resistant. The surface is easy to clean and high durable against water/high temperature. It’s also can be installed easily and fully customizable to any specifications based on your kitchen design.

More article: www.renof.com


http://www.renof.com/ideas/views/Malaysia-Most-Common-Kitchen-Countertops

10 Tips for working with a interior designer / Renovation Contractor

Home remodeling project is as important as any other business project one could be having and sometimes it could be challenging especially if the owner do not have the skills to transform the house into what is more pleasing. Fortunately, there are many people with high qualifications in the field of home renovation, décor and interior design who may be of great assistance.

However there are some factors that one should put into consideration before hiring and also when working with a home renovator expert.





1. Be informed.
Distractions, noise and other inconveniences are usually unavoidable but it is always possible to solve the problem if you and your family, neighbors are ready for the renovation process. Discuss with the workers working hours when they are comfortable in order to get the schedule that does not affect your way of life. For strata title properties, inform your management that which company will be coming to renovate your house and normally management will ask deposit.


2. Ask for a letterhead.
A letterhead further helps one to know the kind of a person you are working with, whether the contractor is a profession or not. This letterhead should lay down any kind of work that needs to be undertaken.


3. A warranty.
In case of any faults that may be involved in the workmanship, a labour warranty should be available from your renovating professional to take care of it. And this warranty should last for at least twelve months from the date of completion.





4. Verify everything.
Don’t go by what the renovating professional says, test before acting especially if it’s the first time you are hiring them.


5. Check the reference.
This should be done especially if you are working with this person for the first time, check out the contractor’s references through recommendations that have been made to him.


6. Plan to spend more.
One should plan to add more into the budget than the originally planned; this will save you the cost you would have incurred on the forgotten items or plans.






7. Registration of the renovator.
Ensure that the professional renovator working for you is registered with the business bureau and also call the licensing agency to confirm whether your contractor has a valid license.


8. Good communication
Good communication for you will help you know the terms and conditions of what you are getting into and this includes confirming all details required, studying the drawings and always asking questions.


9. All contracts in writing.
Reality is that a good faith agreement could be misinterpreted by a contractor or you and therefore it is always advised that you should get all the agreements in writing to help you get clarity in the event of a dispute and also for future reference.


10. Don’t pay first.
Wait until all the work agreed in the contract is complete to avoid drama that may occur in case a contractor delays by even failing to show up for work..

Photo source from Yong Design



www.renof.com

The Peak @ Cheras

View more here!
http://www.renof.com/gallery/views/419

Useful Tips for Choosing the Right Home Improvement Contractor

Home owners had to tread a cautious path when it comes to choosing a home renovation contractor for their home renovation needs. There has been an increase in the number of home improvement projects that are left abandoned by the contractors for reasons known only to them. There have been reports of home owners paying a huge upfront sum as advances to contractors. Contractors often demand this huge upfront sum for procuring the material required for carrying out the renovation. Though there are some genuine contractors providing quality renovation services, there are still a number of fly by night contractors who start the work on a grand scale only to disappear within a few days of starting the renovation work.



Home owners looking for a dependable home renovation contractor need to thoroughly analyze the background of the contractor by getting the feedback of their friends and family members who had engaged those contractors. Only after getting a positive feedback from a majority of people living in the region regarding the quality of output given by the home renovation contractor, home owners can get in to the next stage of negotiations. It is always advisable to avoid reaching a contractor through a hand out flyer that had been circulated by the home renovation contractor. Another set of home improvement contractors to avoid is those contractors who are hell bent on completing the job without having any proper contract papers and other formal paperwork in place. Such contractors usually tend to complete the renovation work by using inferior quality material and unskilled labour.



Another important source for getting qualified renovation contractors and interior design specialists is from a couple of renowned local building supplies store. Well established building supplies super stores would actually develop a long term relationship with reputed and experienced home renovation contractors in the region. Home owners can also look at the option of buying the material themselves by placing the order directly with the building supply stores. Home owners also need to be aware of those contractors who try to get more than 50% of the contracted payment even before they start their work. Homeowners need to question such contractors and ask them to give the reasons for getting such a hefty advance payment. Such contractors cannot be depended upon for completing the renovation work with the required expertise in a timely manner.

Renovation Loan Malaysia : How to Finance a Renovation

Renovation Loan Malaysia : How to Finance a Renovation

When thinking about interior design, home renovation costs can be much higher than expected. These costs largely depend on the aspects of the house that are to be improved. If the renovation costs are too high, choosing the means of financing the renovation can be very difficult. The following sections explain the different means which you may apply to finance such a project:





Use your cash at hand or sell your unnecessary assets.


This option is also suitable for low-cost home renovation projects. Instead of interfering with your savings or the accrued interest, you can use the ready cash that you have to fund the project. If your ready cash is not enough, you can consider selling unnecessary assets and use that money to fund the remaining costs.





Borrow loans from financial institutions.

There are 4 types of Bank Loans to renovate your home:

1) Renovation Loan - This loan usually available to apply when you are buying a house and financing your property from the bank. It's bundle together with your home loan. Most of the bank will not entertain for existing home loan customers to apply for a renovation loan.

2) Top up loan - Talk to your existing financier to get extra cash out based on the Current Market Value of your property.

3) Personal Loans - It's available from most of the bank but the interest rate is high.

4) Credit card Cash on Call - Talk to your existing financier to get cash from your existing credit card limit, the interest rate usually is much better than personal loan.




Although this is certainly not the best option, you may be forced to choose it if all the other options available to you cannot fund the entire project. The main problem with this option is that it can raise the costs of the renovation by a very large amount because the loan must earn interest if it is borrowed from a financial institution. It is therefore a wise decision to combine this option with another option. You should use this option to top up the amount that you have raised from another option.

Generally, borrowing loans is discouraged. If you must borrow some loan, you may consider mortgage loans whose repayments are spread over a sufficiently long duration. The advantage of mortgage loans is that their interest rates may be much lower than the interests charged on personal loans.





Image source from: Chimporchamp.Design

How to avoid renovation rip offs

Home renovation project is as important as any other business project one could be having and sometimes it could be challenging especially if the owner do not have the skills to transform the house into what is more pleasing. Fortunately, there are many people with high qualifications in the field of home renovation, décor and interior design who may be of great assistance.

However there are some factors that one should put into consideration before hiring and also when working with a home renovator expert.

Be informed.

Distractions, noise and other inconveniences are usually unavoidable but it is always possible to solve the problem if you and your family are ready for the renovation process. Discuss with the workers working hours when they are comfortable in order to get the schedule that does not affect your way of life.

Ask for a letterhead.

A letterhead further helps one to know the kind of a person you are working with, whether the contractor is a profession or not. This letterhead should lay down any kind of work that needs to be undertaken.

A warranty.

In case of any faults that may be involved in the workmanship, a labour warranty should be available from your renovating professional to take care of it. And this warranty should last for at least twelve months from the date of completion.



Verify everything.

Don’t go by what the renovating professional says, test before acting especially if it’s the first time you are hiring them.

Check the reference.

This should be done especially if you are working with this person for the first time, check out the contractor’s references through recommendations that have been made to him.

Plan to spend more.

One should plan to add more into the budget than the originally planned; this will save you the cost you would have incurred on the forgotten items or plans.

Registration of the renovator.

Ensure that the professional renovator working for you is registered with the business bureau and also call the licensing agency to confirm whether your contractor has a valid license.



Good communication

Good communication for you will help you know the terms and conditions of what you are getting into and this includes confirming all details required, studying the drawings and always asking questions.

All contracts in writing.

Reality is that a good faith agreement could be misinterpreted by a contractor or you and therefore it is always advised that you should get all the agreements in writing to help you get clarity in the event of a dispute and also for future reference.

Don’t pay first.



Wait until all the work agreed in the contract is complete to avoid drama that may occur in case a contractor delays by even failing to show up for work.

Living With Style: Let There Be Light

We all know the incredibly comfortable feeling we get once we step into someone's home and it just feels right. Maybe it’s the pleasant smell all around the house, maybe it’s something about the wall colours, and maybe it’s the way light and shadows make each room look like a fairy tale. Light is useful, it makes us see, but for decades it’s been used for decoration too. Light layers are also very important, so read on to find out what are the best ways of lighting a room.




Choosing the best lightning design for each room
Degrees of light in one room can really make a difference. Having a bright overhead light on an intimate dinner party lowers the atmosphere, and kills the romance. On the other hand, having a single lamp in a room where you’re writing, drawing and/or reading can hurt your eyes and exhaust you.

Lightning to use in your living room
First of all, you will need one main source of light (ambient light) which will cast light to all parts of the room. However, that will not be enough, and we suggest you add directional light to it (accent lights) which will visually separate your room into smaller sections. Chandelier as a main source of light should not be too bright so as not to make people’s eyes hurt, while accent lights such as smaller lamps or sconces should be up to five times brighter. If there is a beautiful painting or a big pant you are proud of in your room, try putting a spotlight near it so it attracts everyone’s attention.




The best solution for your workspace
At the place where you will be working, you don’t need romantic atmosphere; instead opt for lightning that will make it easier for you to see what you are doing. Ambient light is necessary but you also need additional source of light (task lighting) which could be up to ten times brighter. On the other hand, if you chose good task lighting, maybe you will not even need overhead lights. Desk lamps or floor lamps trained on a desk are the most convenient choice for your office because they will provide clean light and allow you to see clearly what you are working on.


Light for children’s room
Children want to have fun all the time and are always searching for a way to turn everything into a game. Having that in mind, it will not be too difficult to pick the best possible lighting for their room. There are so many creative solutions that the bigger problem will be picking just one for your child (and trying real hard not to pick one for yourself as well). Pick funny lamps shaped as characters form video games and add night lights in the shape of clouds. It will make them feel safe during the night and it will look good on the walls too.




Light layering means having different light sources in a room and each of these should cast different kind of light. Having nothing but direct light sources in a room will make it seem dull, flat and uninviting. Introduce contrasts and shadows in a room to create a place of ultimate comfort.



Article from: JohnStone (Renof's member)
Image Source from: Floor lamps Flickr