Should You Cover Outdoor Air Conditioner Unit Or Not?

To cover the outdoor unit or not, that’s a question that doesn’t seem to have a straight answer. On one hand, covering the outdoor unit makes sense to protect it from snow and debris. But on the other hand, it might cause more damage by allowing a pest infestation or trapping moisture. You may end up needing to call an AC mechanic in Port St. Lucie FL during spring if you don’t already have maintenance scheduled.

Besides, an air conditioner is designed to resist the effects of extreme weather conditions. They can handle low temperatures, rain and snow quite well. But again, covering properly might be useful in certain conditions.

Reasons To Not Cover AC

- Moisture

Keeping moisture out is one of the reasons people cover the unit. Ironically, the cover (especially a plastic cover) might end up trapping the moisture inside. It’s because there’s no surefire way of keeping the moisture out. It could seep in through the wind or the humidity.

Moisture in the unit could freeze and damage the coils. It could allow mold and mildew to grow in the unit, hindering its functioning. The coils may rust and there may be corrosion in the interior unit.

That’s why it might be better to leave the unit uncovered if you live in a climate with high humidity and precipitation.

- Rodents

Another case of causing what you’re trying to prevent. Covering the unit might seem like a good way to block pests from entering the unit and making it their home. But the cover creates a cozy environment for them that’s too enticing for them. And small rodents can always find their way through the cover.

- Blocked Airflow

The air conditioner is built to allow airflow. Blocking it with a cover might allow mold to grow on the coils and decrease their efficiency. Moisture damage and corrosion are also possible.

When To Cover Condenser Unit

- Fall

Plants shed lots of leaves and seeds during the fall. A chunk of them can fall into the condenser unit. They can trap moisture and cause corrosion. They may also clog the unit’s built-in drainage system. Similarly, if you live in a dry climate and have issues with debris falling into the unit, then you could use a cover.

- Winter Storm

Although the unit is designed to handle winter conditions, a winter storm might be too much for it. So if your weather forecast is predicting a storm on the way, then you could cover the outdoor unit in advance. Once the storm passes, you can uncover it.

How to Cover AC Properly

- Never Use Plastic Covers

Plastic covers block the airflow completely. This traps the condensation inside the unit, causing corrosion and mold growth. They might also encourage critters and insects to nest inside.

- Use Breathable Material

Covers made of breathable materials allow air to flow and prevents moisture from getting trapped.

- Place Plywood On Top

A plywood board on top of the unit might be all that you need. It can prevent leaves, ice, debris and other stuff from getting into the unit and damaging the fan or other components.

- Install Shelter

A shelter, like a wood awning, can help protect the unit not just during the winter, but throughout the year. It can also protect the unit from direct sunlight during the summer. You can make this a DIY project if you’re handy with tools. Ensure that there’s enough clearance when building a shelter to maintain airflow. It can also help hide the unit and maintain the curb appeal.

Things To Consider When Getting New Covers

The cover material should be porous enough to allow airflow. It should be waterproof so that it doesn’t let moisture seep through. It should cover the upper or outer part completely but not touch the ground. Resistance to UV-rays is another quality to watch out for so that the cover doesn’t become brittle.

How To Choose The Right Flooring For Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are one of the most popular types of countertops and many people install them in their homes because of the beautiful look that this type of countertop offers. They are one of the defining features of your kitchen along with the cabinets and Denver flooring. When you are conducting a kitchen renovation, you need to make sure that the countertops and flooring compliments each other and the overall design of the kitchen. You need to strike a nice balance that brings everything together nicely. So if you have installed or planning to install Quartz countertops in your kitchen and are not sure how to choose the flooring then here are some tips to help you find the right flooring to go with the Quartz countertops.

Think About The Functional Needs

While paying attention to the aesthetic appeal is important, you should also consider the functional needs of the flooring as well. But one of the best things about quartz countertops is that they go well with virtually any type of flooring whether it is wood, tile, or vinyl. So, if you have a specific floor preference in your mind, in most cases you can pair it easily with your Quartz countertops.

Take Into Account The Mood You Want To Create

When designing a kitchen, you might have a specific mood and ambiance in mind and the countertops and the flooring along with other elements of the kitchen can bring out this theme beautifully. Decide whether you want a contemporary, modern, or a more traditional design and accordingly you can choose the flooring that can match the countertop based on the look you want to achieve.

Decide A Color Palette

Before you are too deep into the remodeling of the kitchen it is best to decide on a color palette that you can imagine your kitchen having. Having a color palette will give you more structure to your design and you can follow the right tangent that you have in mind. A great way to select colors is to focus on two primary colors and an accent color. The cabinets and the flooring can have the two dominant colors and the countertop can be highlighted with the accent color.

Pay Attention To The Texture

The texture of the flooring will also play a big role in how it looks and performs. The color shouldn’t be the only focus when you are selecting the flooring to match your Quartz countertop, you should also focus on the texture. A Quartz countertop with a uniform coloring will go really well with a floor that has a lot of textures. This creates a beautiful contrast and makes your kitchen look more appealing.

Make Use Of A Vision Board

There is a lot of inspiration out there that you can take a look at so that you find the perfect flooring match for your Quartz countertops in Denver. Before you start getting into the remodeling project, gather as much information as you need and create your own vision board so you can follow a particular line of design to achieve the look that you want out of your kitchen. Collect images of various flooring and countertop pairing so that you can decide which flooring is perfect to pair the Quartz countertops.

Remember The Backsplash

The backsplash is simply a series of tiles installed in the kitchen wall but does not neglect its potential to hold the design of the entire kitchen together. The design simply doesn’t stop with selecting the countertops, flooring, and cabinets in the kitchen, you are also going to install a tile backsplash so you have to factor that into consideration as well. The backsplash has to match the design theme of your kitchen so that it does not uncharacteristically pop out ruining the design of your kitchen. Take your time to select the right backsplash. You can use sample backsplash pieces and hold it against the countertop and the flooring to see if it fits the design.

A Beginner’s Guide To Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are one of the most popular types of shutter options. Although there is a misconception that these types of shutters are only used in traditional houses, they can be used in any house style and you can install plantation shutters in Stuart in a contemporary home as well. Shutters come in different types and styles and they have their unique benefits. This guide will give you some insight into plantation shutters.

What Are Plantation Shutters?

Plantation shutters are slatted blinds that fit in a frame and they are usually made of wood and you can also find composite and vinyl plantation shutters as well. The slats are also called louvers by some and they can either be fully closed or opened or angeled to control the amount of light, privacy, and airflow.

Types Of Plantation Shutters

• Vinyl Shutters

These are the least expensive type of shutters and are suitable for large-sized windows. Sometimes the vinyl shutters may have PVC or aluminum backing to provide additional support. Vinyl shutters are weather resistant so they are ideal for use in areas that see a lot of storms or heavy winds. To top that these shutters are easy to clean and maintain. Vinyl shutters are categorized into 5 types: hollow shutters, structured hollow shutters, solid shutters, solid aluminum vinyl shutters, and vinyl clad wooden shutters.

• Composite Shutters

Also known as faux wood plantation shutters, these shutters are made from fiberboards of medium density. medium density fiberboards or MDF is basically a type of engineered wood that is wrapped in vinyl coating or PVC. composite shutters are also weather and humidity resistant and are super strong and sturdy.

• Wood Plantation Shutters

Just as the name suggests these shutters are made of wood and generally basswood is used in the manufacture of wood plantation shutters. Wood plantation shutters come in different shapes and sizes and they can be customized to fit any window style. Wood plantation shutters in Palm City also add to the interior design of the room and make it look warm and stylish.

Styles Of Plantation Shutters

• Full Height Shutters

This is the simplest style of plantation shutters and covers the entire window with clean lines and they are sometimes fitted with a mid-rail to improve its functioning by splitting the way the slits move.

• Solid Shutters

These shutters come with solid panels and thus offer a snug-fitting. They are the best option for privacy shutters. They offer complete privacy when closed. Not only this when the shutters are closed they show noise muffling properties as well as insulation against extreme weather.

• Cafe-style Shutters

These shutters are fitted only to the lower part of the window such that you can have both privacy and natural lighting. The upper part of the window allows the natural light to enter your home while the lower part can be closed for privacy.

• Tier-on-tier Shutters

These shutters comprise upper and lower panels that can be opened and closed separately with respect to one another. You can either keep the top part open and the bottom part closed or the bottom part open and the top closed. They allow perfect control of light and privacy.

Benefits Of Plantation Shutters

• Low Maintenance And Durable

Plantation shutters come with wide slats which makes cleaning the shutters very easy and simply swiping with a wet cloth or feather duster regularly is enough to keep the shutters clean. Plantation shutters are also built to last and when maintained regularly they last a long time.

• Improve Lighting Control

With these shutters, you can protect your home from direct sunlight. When fully closed they block the sunlight completely. You can also keep the slats angled to control the amount of natural light you bring in.

• Insulating Properties

Plantation shutters when open allow great airflow and when closed they are excellent insulators. These shutters help maintain the ideal temperature inside your home without your heating and cooling system doing too much work. You can save a lot on your energy bills every month.