Bone and joint fractures are very common in a lot of people and it might be super painful to deal with too, depending on the severity of the fracture. Same is with elbow fracture. You need the expertise of an orthopedic elbow specialist to recover quickly. Here is everything you need to know about an olecranon fracture.

Olecranon Fracture

An olecranon fracture, or simply an elbow fracture occurs in the elbow joint. Before going into the nature of the fracture, it’s important that you know the anatomy of the elbow and how it works. The elbow is a union of three bones, the humerus, radius and ulna. These bones are held together by many ligaments and tendons. This union of bones creates a complex joint which causes the elbow to move in many directions and also act as a hinge. It is not only useful for providing strength to the arm, but it also aids in a lot of movement and simple actions which your elbow does on an everyday basis.

The fracture usually occurs in the pointy side of the elbow which sticks out. This is basically an olecranon fracture. The bones may be fissured, cracked or there might be some impact which causes the bones to become unhinged from their original place and hence, they are fractured.

Causes Of An Olecranon Fracture

Here are some very common causes of an olecranon fracture.

  • You can get a fractured elbow by falling directly on your elbow. Your elbow is a very delicate bone and one wrong impactful move can shatter or at least fracture the bone, which can be quite painful to endure.
  • An accident where your outstretched arm is affected. This also affects the triceps muscle, which is directly attached to the olecranon.
  • You might play some type of sports where your elbow is engaged at all times and strain to the elbow can cause it to fracture.
  • Your ligaments or tendons might weaken which will cause the bones to fall apart and not be fused together. This weakens the bone altogether and any small to medium impact or force can cause the elbow to become either dislocated, or worse, fractured.

Symptoms Of An Olecranon Fracture

Here are some symptoms of an olecranon fracture.

  • First thing’s first, any bone fracture will lead to a lot of pain, so it’s no surprise that you will feel immense pain when you try to move your elbow or even when it is stationary.
  • Your arm and your elbow might feel numb. Sometimes, when the bone gets fractured, it may affect the nerve endings surrounding the area and this will cause numbness or that very familiar tingling sensation.
  • If the impact was a lot, you will also see bruises starting to form on your elbow where you took the hit.
  • In some cases, you will also see the protruded part of the elbow being weirdly shaped. This is very common to see when the fractures are very severe. You can see visible dislocation.
  • Tenderness in the affected area is also very common.
  • You will also feel radiating pain traveling from your elbow to your arm.
  • Swelling on the tip or the pointy part of the elbow is also very common.

Preventive Action And Treatment Of An Olecranon Fracture

Here are some things you can do to treat an olecranon fracture or prevent it in the future.

  • Non-surgical treatments include putting on a cast or splint. This will keep your elbow in place while it heals completely.
  • You can try to put on ice on the areas where there is swelling and pain. It will numb your elbow pain.
  • Try pain medication for relief from the excruciating pain.
  • If surgery is necessary, then you will need to put the bone back in place, if the fracture is too far gone.
  • Try not to put too much stress and impact on your elbow, when doing things like resting on your arm or playing a certain sport. This will help a lot.
Conclusion

There you have it! Now you know everything there is to know about an olecranon fracture, starting from its symptoms and causes, down to its treatment and prevention. Talk to your elbow injury doctor Woodbridge for treatment and surgery options.

Water is an essential commodity for every human being. Safe and clean drinking water should be available to everyone that is why water is filtered and cleaned for these purposes. Here is the difference between a water filter and a water softener system.

Water Filter

What Is It?

A water filter is pretty much a small contraption which is attached directly to the incoming water supply, whether it be a tap or a bathroom fixture. It is a long cylinder which is filled with filters of many kinds. When the tap is turned on, the water first goes through this long cylinder and through the multiple filters inside it. The water will get rid of any dirt or metal particles which are suspended. This makes clean and drinkable water available to you on demand.

What Does It Remove?

Water filter is used to remove the following unwanted chemicals and substances present in the supply water.

  • Chlorine, which is bad for your body and can cause cancer, if consumed too much. Chlorine will impart a particular smell to the water.
  • Dirt and dust that can make the water look muddy and brown.
  • Metals like iron, copper and lead. If your water has a foul taste of metal in it, then it can be removed by a water filter.
  • Marginally big rocks and other small items which shouldn’t be present in water can be removed by a water filter.

Do You Need It?

A water filter is great if you have dirty or chlorinated water coming through your taps. This will clean the water within seconds and make the water suitable for drinking and even using for showers and cleaning the dishes. The only maintenance you have to do with water filters is to have their filters changed after a couple of weeks or a month. You can see when the filter isn’t performing up to standard and that is the time when you need to change the filters out for new ones. Keep a few around the house in case of last-minute emergencies.

Water Softener

What Does Water Softening Mean?

Hard water is water which has large amounts of calcium and magnesium in it. This causes the water to not produce lather when mixed with soap and it also leaves a white or scaly residue on the taps, dishes and even your skin. This needs to be rectified which is where water softeners come in. They are small systems which carry out ion exchange processes and remove the calcium and magnesium salts and leave them undissolved and the heavy salts settle at the bottom, whereas the clean water is used from above.

What Is It Used For?

Water softeners have a slightly less broad removal than an actual water filter. A water softener only removes the heavy components of calcium and magnesium. They are not responsible for removing metals and dirt from the water, so if you have water coming in your supply which is hard as well as impure, then you will need a water softener and a filtration system at the same time. The water will first be softened by the softener and then the soft water can move into the filter and get rid of the metals, particles and other unwanted substances present in it.

Water Softener, Is It Worth It?

This really depends on the type of water that is coming in your taps. If the water is just hard, then you only need a water softener and it will serve as a great water purification system for you. If the water is soft already, but it is dirty and murky, then you need a filter only, no need for a water softener. But if you have water coming in the taps which is not only dirty but it doesn’t produce lather either, then you will need a water softener and a water filter to clean the water properly.

Conclusion

There you have it! Now that you know what both these things are, you can decide which one is best for you. Water softener installation Warren has its own benefits whereas using water filters is also a great method of purifying water. It depends on your choice which system you want to go with.

If you want more hair volume but don’t know where to start, then micro ring hair extensions are the ones to go for. The best way is to get them from salons that do hair extensions. Here is a step by step guide on how to effortlessly get these extensions in your hair.

Sectioning Your Hair Is Key

First and foremost, you need to master the sectioning art of extensions. Your extensions should be invisible to anyone who looks at your hair, this is why sectioning your hair is super important. Try to practice this for a long time before you get on with adding extensions in your hair.

The first thing you need to do is to divide all of your hair in 2 equal sections, starting from your ear to the nape of your neck. This will be a perfect hiding place for your extensions and your length will also be blended in perfectly.

Tie off the top section of hair at the crown of your hair and work on the section following your neck. This is where the extensions will be installed and clamped. You need to master this art before going forward, otherwise it will be a tangled mess of your tresses. Try to be patient in this process and keep on practicing this technique until you master it. This will help you a lot during the time when you actually put on your extensions.

Detangle Your Hair

The next part is crucial too. You need to brush your hair after sectioning it. During sectioning, your hair will be maneuvered and manipulated in many directions and if you brush them before sectioning, it will be tangled again. So, make sure that you are thoroughly brushing your hair after the sections have been made. This will allow a smooth surface on your hair shaft and your extensions will blend in easily too.

Use a narrow bristle brush and take out all of the knots and kinks in your hair. This will make the next step much easier for you.

Putting On The Extensions

Now comes the part where you actually put on the extension. The extension comes with a loop and a clamp and you have to loop a thin section around the circular knob and hide it under your thin hair section. Try to grab a section which is equal in diameter of the loop. This will not make the extension obvious and it will lay flat against your hair and scalp.

After you have looped around the extension, you need to make sure that the loop is resting at some distance from your scalp. This will ensure that there are no bumps in the hair when you smooth the extensions down.

Clamping Them Down

Now comes the part where you have to secure these extensions. You will need to use a small pair of pliers to maneuver the clamp parallel to your scalp.

Once that is done, you can close the pliers and clamp the extension in place, apply minimal pressure so that you don’t break or rip any hair from your scalp, but make sure that the extension is snug and tight around the loop. You can use a two way mirror for better access or you can have someone else do it for you.

Hiding The Seams Of Your Extensions

One of the things which will hide the seam of your extensions is the sectioning. Another thing is where you position the loop. The loop needs to be a little over half an inch away from your scalp. You can’t have the loop sticking to your scalp, because this will cause the loop to rise up all the time and it will poke out of your hair sections, making it look very obvious and not well hidden. Also, keeping the sections straight and the loops in line will help to keep the extensions almost unnoticeable, even when you tie your hair up.

There you have it! Now you know how to use these extensions in your hair without having to go to a hair extensions salon Potomac. It’s all about time and a little bit of patience and you will eventually get there.

Apart from your house, your car is probably the most important investment. If you keep it looking good by using car bodywork protection film, you will fetch a good price when it is time to upgrade. However, some people find it difficult and confusing to maintain their vehicles. Let’s take a look at some important exterior detailing tips that will keep your vehicle looking as good as new.

Wash The Car Properly

The first most important car exterior detailing tip is about washing the car properly. Back in the day, there weren’t any specialized microfiber cloths or shampoos, etc. that helped the owners with washing the car properly. Therefore, swirls would develop on the paint and the cloths used during the process neither removed the dirt properly nor dried.

However, today, the detailing industry is at its peak in terms of detailing techniques and advancements. You have pressure washers and air dryers to remove the water from the car. This reduces the amount of contact with the car, reducing the chances of swirls or other damages.

To wash your car properly, you need to purchase a pH-balanced shampoo and a wash-mitt. Apply the shampoo on the vehicle and use a wash mitt to remove dirt and dust. Make sure that you have different clothes for different areas of the vehicle. For instance, never use the wash mitt for cleaning the tires and rims. Rocks and chips can become stuck, which can cause deep scratches upon being rubbed against the painted surface. Once the vehicle has been washed, use drying towels to dry the vehicle.

Inspect The Vehicle For Paint Imperfections

Now that the vehicle is dry, you need to inspect the vehicle under appropriate lighting to identify swirls, minor scratches or scuffs, etc. If your vehicle is not regularly polished and waxed, you will need to use a clay bar to remove microscopic contaminants on the paint. Ignoring this step will not allow the polish and wax to bond properly.

However, if your vehicle is regularly maintained, you should move on to the next step. Make sure that you have properly dried the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle should be parked in an isolated spot like a garage, to prevent dirt and dust from accumulating on the body. If you have a dark-colored vehicle, the imperfections will be relatively easier to spot as compared to light colors such as white.

Apply Polish And Wax

Drying the car before applying polish and wax is extremely important as water hinders the bonding of the chemicals. Although polish is better applied by using a DA polisher but if that is not available, you can apply the polish by hand. However, make sure that you purchase a polish that can be applied by hand. Some polishes can only be applied using DA polisher.

Read the instructions provided on the bottle and follow them. Never apply polish or wax when the car is hot or in the sun. Marks left behind by polishes and waxes are hard to remove. Therefore, if you have just driven the vehicle, allow it to cool down for a moment. Begin applying the polish in a circular motion.

Using a clean microfiber cloth, remove the polish as you go. The purpose of the polishing step is to remove any contaminants in the paint and prepare it for waxing. The polishing step will bring out the shine and the wax will lock in the shine while offering a layer of protection.

Apply Paint Protection Film

In addition to applying a polish and wax, you can go ahead and opt for paint protection film as well. PPF is the most advanced protection technology that keeps the vehicle and its paint protected against fading and other potentially harmful external factors for years to come.

However, applying PPF is not that easy. It is advised that you get it done by a professional. You can do it on your own as well if you have the right tools. But if you choose to just polish and wax the vehicle regularly, you should allow it to cure after the wax has been applied.

Typically, waxes will cure in a day or two depending on the weather condition. If it is cold outside, you might need to give it a week to cure. With that said, you should only apply wax if the temperature outside is in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Polishes and waxes will only work if the temperature is right. You might want to wait for the weather to settle if it is either too hot or cold.

Final Word

Concluding, the key to maintaining a vehicle’s exterior lies in utilizing the right car washing and drying techniques. Polish and wax the vehicle at least once a week so that the paint is protected against deep contaminants, swirls, and minor scratches. And get PPF installed from a 3m paint protection film installer Springfield to keep the car looking new for a longer period.

Commercial refrigerators that are used daily often have an urgent need to tend to. Hence, you need to understand these commercial refrigerator repairs and maintenance tips that your staff can also perform with ease.

Clean The Inside And The Outside

When maintaining your commercial refrigerator, don’t forget to clean the cooling units. You should clean out any spills or stains that might be present inside the units. Furthermore, your staff can also clean the outside to circumvent any exterior spills that make their way to the essential parts that keep the refrigerator running. Don’t forget to clean and wipe the additional moisture that might be present in your refrigerator.

Make your staff aware of the cleaning that needs to be done underneath the refrigerator. This will allow you to eliminate bacteria and mold that contaminate food. Other than that, it will also help you to tackle dirt and dust while keeping the condenser coils in check.

Frequently Clean The Condenser Coils

The condenser coils should be cleaned at least once every six months. But proper cleaning is only needed when this component is really dirty. Six months is just a standard recommendation and the number might fluctuate depending on the situation of your refrigerator.

However, it is recommended that you should check your commercial refrigerator frequently and clean the freezer coils to guarantee that there is no dirt buildup that can clog things up. If you don’t actively clean the condenser coils, the evaporator will take longer to cool the inside. As a result, you might have to call in a technician to service the reducing strain from the motor of the evaporator.

Actively Clean Up The Tubes And Drain Pans

The larger your refrigerator is, the more slime and sludge will form. This usually causes units to freeze and lose their functionality. Furthermore, you may notice it to form in the drain pans and tubes. In case if these pans overflow, your kitchen will get filled with sludge and moisture that oozes a nasty and pungent smell. Clogged tubes are a serious problem and cause an overflow in the defrost system; causing leakage onto the kitchen floor.

To solve these problems, you should immediately train your staff to clean the tubes and drain pans. The pan can be cleaned with the help of a vinegar solution or warm water and soap once a month. You should also check the tubes every few months to prevent any significant blockages that might occur. If you start to notice any water spots or calcium on the exterior of the hoses then you should use soap and water to clean them up.

Examine The Door Gaskets Of The Refrigerator

Seals and split door gaskets occur frequently due to heavy usage of refrigerators. The gasket is an essential component that cools down the conditioned space. A cracked or torn gasket leads to the seeping of warm air into the refrigerator that spoils the food. Bacteria and mold also build-up due to food debris in the worn-out gaskets.

It is better to assess all the sides of the door gaskets to find any issue. In addition, tell your staff to constantly check any occurring rips or tears and ensure that all four sides of the door are sealed well. However, you should clean the refrigerator gaskets gently by using mild soapy water, which will help you to remove any food debris.

Examine The Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil, very much like the condenser coil, is an imperative part of your commercial refrigeration units. This part is situated by the evaporator fan and assimilates heat as the warm air goes through the framework, which then, at that point assists in cooling the inside.

This part should be kept clean as well. Keep the evaporator coil clean and try not to pack the inside of the ice chest or cooler, with a ton of things, particularly in case they’re hot. Hindering wind stream to the evaporator coil will make it freeze, which then, at that point prompts both an ascent in bureau temperature and water spillage.

Conclusion

Whether you use your refrigerator with caution or not, you should teach your staff these maintenance techniques to keep the refrigeration running. If the appliance experiences a problem, never delay contacting a commercial appliances repair expert.

Hair coloring techniques have come a long way. There is not only highlights, but there is a plethora of hair color techniques to choose from when you go to hair salons specializing in color. Today, all things sombre will be discussed.

What Is Sombre Highlights?

You might have heard of ombre highlights, but sombre might sound incredulous to you. Well sombre is a fusion of two words, subtle and ombre. As the name suggests, sombre are very subtle highlights which give the illusion of ombre hair highlights. The difference between a real ombre and sombre or subtle ombre is that ombre has a very harsh line of division when the hair color starts to change.

In sombre, however, you don’t get that harsh line of demarcation. It is blended in beautifully with the rest of the hair and it looks almost smooth and seems to blend in with your hair color. The highlights also show very subtly and it makes the hair look very unique and gives a more enhanced balayage look.

Does Sombre Look Good On Short Hair Or Long Hair?

Now that you know what sombre highlights are, let’s talk about how these look on different hair lengths. For shorter hair, these highlights will show, but they won’t be as continuous and consistent as compared to the result on long hair. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t get sombre highlights done on shorter hair. But the results look even better with longer or at least medium length hair. The highlights show off better and the gradual color change looks best on longer hair.

How Is Sombre Different From Balayage

Balayage and sombre, in comparison may look the same at first glance, but if you look closely and in some colors, the difference is clear as day. In balayage, the lightener is applied to strands that you want to accentuate. Balayage, on first glance, is very similar to getting very prominent highlights with beautiful colors peeking through.

Now, sombre is a very complex mixture of highlights and ombre and you can see the color change gradually from the root to the tip of the hair, but the demarcation is impossible to determine, because it is so subtle that it blends in perfectly. Balayage is focused on the strands which frame your face, whereas in sombre, there is no such need. The secret to getting a subtle ombre look on your hair is the toner which is applied. It almost blends and blurs out the harsh lines of color change and makes it look one dimensional and seamless.

How To Get Sombre Hair?

Here is a very basic step by step guide on how to achieve sombre highlights:

  1. If you have darker hair then the hair needs to be lightened first for the sombre to stand out. If you have lighter hair, one can skip this step.
  2. Next comes the most difficult part and that is the roots. Your client will tell you whether they want to keep the existing color of their roots or they would like to change it. You can color the hair roots accordingly and from here, the base of your sombre will be set. It is very important to determine the color of the roots first because this will lay the foundation of how your sombre will look in the end.
  3. Next comes the ombre part of the sombre, or the middle color. After the roots have been colored, you can apply a middle color and blend it in with the roots of your hair.
  4. After the middle color has been applied, the last part is the tip color which is supposed to be the lightest. The color is applied on the tips and everything is blended together for a seamless look. This will give the end result of the sombre and it will look beautiful and effortless.
  5. In the end comes the styling and blow drying. This leaves the hair feeling shiny, smooth, and ever so soft. You will be blown away.
Conclusion

There you have it! Sombre hair highlights is a very popular hair coloring technique which is slowly becoming a fan favorite among ladies. Check with your balayage hair salon Rockville for sombre hair treatment.

Air conditioning systems, in order to provide effective and efficient cooling, need to maintain an appropriate refrigerant charge. If the refrigerant is undercharged or overcharged, the unit will not be able to produce and distribute cool air evenly. Therefore, to avoid serious problems, you should consider the following tell-tale signs of your system being overcharged and have an HVAC repair service to fix the issue.

Higher Cost Of Operation

An air conditioning system that is overcharged costs more money to run with less efficiency. Although most people might assume that more refrigerant leads to more cooling power, that is not the case. Air conditioning systems are programmed and equipped with features that allow them to run as efficiently as possible. Therefore, the air conditioning systems achieve this by balancing each aspect.

If the refrigerant level happens to be over, you should consider its effects on the system. Every air conditioning system is designed to handle an ideal refrigerant amount. The refrigerant absorbs heat; therefore, it needs to be in a gaseous state. However, if the refrigerant levels are high, it means that part of it will remain liquid. This calls for decreasing the overall efficiency of the AC unit.

In addition to that, higher refrigerant levels also increase the operation cost by forcing your compressor to use more amount of energy. An overcharged unit makes it comparatively harder for the compressor to do its job. This leads to an increase in the compressor’s ampere consumption.

Sticky Indoor Air

Another tell-tale sign of an overcharged air conditioner is that it will affect your indoor air quality as well in terms of humidity. The refrigerant flowing to the evaporator coils inside your home should be in a gaseous state. However, as mentioned previously, an overcharged unit will have some part of the refrigerant in a liquid state.

The refrigerant in the form of liquid does not possess the ability to absorb heat. As a result, the evaporator coils will remain at a higher temperature than usual. This will lead to the water vapors inside your home failing to condense around the evaporator coils. Instead of dehumidification, the water vapors will remain suspended in the air making your home feel much stickier and muggier.

Excessive Condenser Heat

The condenser is designed to help the refrigerant get rid of the heat as it passes through your house. Therefore, do not be surprised if you observe the condenser giving off heat. However, in the case of an overcharged unit, the temperature of the air being forced out of the condenser unit will greatly increase. You should be able to notice it by putting your hand on the condenser’s top.

This heat is not produced by any other components but due to high refrigerant levels themselves. Additionally, the overworked compressor also contributes a portion of heat. As a result, your compressor will overheat and give up entirely.

Non-Functioning Air Conditioner

An overcharged air conditioning system needs immediate attention. If left ignored, the unit will stop working altogether. As mentioned earlier, it might be due to the compressor giving up. Similarly, it could also be due to other AC components overheating and giving up.

Fortunately, the problem of overcharging is easy to solve. A professional can easily check and measure the pressure of the refrigerant. If the level is high, the professional will simply bleed the refrigerant until it reaches its optimum temperature.

Ensure Regular Maintenance Of Your AC Unit

An overcharged air conditioning system is usually a result of a shoddy maintenance job. If you were to hire someone who is not aware of the basics, chances are that he will overcharge the air conditioning unit. Every air conditioning system comes with a pre-specified refrigerant limit from the manufacturer. If you are unsure about the optimum level, consult the owner’s manual.

Final Word

An overcharged air conditioning system not only increases your monthly bills but decreases the indoor air quality as well. Although overcharging is rare in new units, it is not impossible. Therefore, if you observe the above-mentioned signs, make sure that you get your system checked by a professional. Look for multiple air conditioning companies Chantilly and choose according to your budget set for AC repairs.

Back pains can be a very hard thing to deal with. Chronic back pains are those pains which can linger for a long time. The easiest way out of this pain is surgery by an orthopedic surgeon. But, if you are not willing to go through surgery, here are some non-surgical ways by which you can treat chronic back pain.

Physical Therapy

The best easy to alleviate any sort of bone pain or chronic pain you are dealing with, is through physical therapy. Physical therapy is a light form of exercise which helps to move your body at a slower pace and allows movement of each limb. It is great for people who have bone injuries and back pains. Physical therapy is known to stimulate the muscles and help to relax your tense body. A lot of pain rises from unwanted tension in the body and it can lead to fatigue and stern muscles.

Physical therapy and light exercises like lifting your arms and legs slowly is what will help to get rid of this tension and alleviate your muscles. On the note of physical therapy, a massage is also a great way to relax your tense body and it helps with back pains too.

A lot of people with back pains tend to have great results with physical therapy and massages. This combination works like a charm and it does get rid of the achy knots and twists in your body.

Trying Light Back Exercises

When we say light back exercises, it is usually referred to yoga and meditation. Yoga and stretching have great effects on the body. Yoga and meditation help to relieve the tension in your body. It helps to relax your body in ways you never thought was possible.

Simple breathing can do wonders for your achy body and it can help to get rid of so much tension. Some yoga poses target towards pain in the backs, like the child pose, the downward dog and the cat pose. They are amazing chakras for your back, if you are suffering from back pains and aches in your bones.

Diet Changes

A good diet is key for healthy bones. Healthy bones means less pain. A healthy and balanced diet can improve your bone health by many a fold. You need to include all sorts of nutrients and minerals in your diet to help keep your bones healthy.

A good mix of dairy, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other minerals are great for your bones. Nothing sounds good than a healthy diet which consists of fresh fruits, succulent vegetables, lean meats and organic nuts and seeds. A healthy diet will do wonders for your body and you can see the results for yourself.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle says a lot about the way your body reacts to pain. There are small everyday things which can have adverse effects on our backs. Sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long, having an uncomfortable posture while standing, always crouching your back when sitting on a desk, sleeping weirdly on your back, etc. are small things which can have detrimental effects on your body.

You need to change how you carry yourself and how you put weight and strain on your back when you are sitting down or standing up. This will do wonders for your back pains.

Pain Relief Injections

A great medical but non-surgical way of treating chronic pains is through pain injections. Pain injections contain pain relievers and steroids, which can help to relax your muscles and alleviate the pain. There are also anti-inflammatory drugs, which help to reduce inflammation around the bone and muscles, which is one of the main reasons of shooting pains in the back. These can be treated with regular pain injections, which need to be prescribed by a doctor. You can’t just jump on the bandwagon of pain injections, they need to be prescribed by a proper pain doctor.

There you have it! Back pains can take a lot of toll on you, so it’s better that you start to treat it immediately by visiting a back pain specialist Woodbridge, so you don’t have to go through the invasive process of surgery.

Wooden countertops are an amazing material to use, if you are looking for a countertop replacement and want your kitchen to have a rustic and cozy appeal. But there are some things you should know about wood countertops first before committing to buying them. Here are some good and not so good things about wooden countertops.

Pros Of Wood Countertops

Here are some great things about wooden countertops.

The Look Of Wood

Wood is a very popular material among people. People love the look of wood, so it is only natural that it looks great as a countertop. Wood warms up any room in which it is installed and it makes the room look more cozy and welcoming. You can never go wrong with butcher block countertops in your kitchen as it will give a more rough and rustic look to your kitchen.

The Efficiency Of Wood As A Working Surface

Wood is a great surface to work on. No wonder chopping boards are made out of wood. They are scratch resistant, you can work with hot pots and pans on wood and the wood will still not budge. It is a great material to go for because it is very versatile and its working efficiency is great too. With wooden countertops, you can do anything and everything on it, from cutting up meat and other foods to dealing with very utensils right on the surface of wood.

Variety Of Wood

Wood has you covered when it comes to variety in colors and design. There are many shades, different colors and finishes of wood you can choose from, there is something for everyone. You can go for lighter colored wood or darker colored wood. The finish can be smooth and fine or it can be rustic and sandy. The patterns in wood are always interesting and unique. No matter what you want, you will find something you love in wood and it will go perfectly with your kitchen. Also, the type of woods available are endless. You can go for bamboo, maple, teak and the list goes on.

Cons Of Wood Countertops

Now that you know how amazing wood is for countertops, let’s talk about some drawbacks of wood countertops.

Prone To Water Damage

This is a no brainer. Wood is a porous material and it is prone to water damage a lot. Since working in the kitchen does expose the wooden countertops to a lot of moisture and water, it can seep deep in the structure of wood and it can weaken the wood over time. This will lead to the wood becoming brittle and it will not look the same either. The beauty of wood is ruined by water damage.

Needs Sealing

Since wood is an extremely porous and spongy material, this means that it needs to be sealed every now and then. Sealing helps to make the wood waterproof but it doesn’t mean that one seal will last a lifetime. You will need to seal wood about 2 to 3 times a year, depending on the damage it endures. Sealing is also not a cheap task, it is very expensive a d considering wood, it will add extra bucks to the entire sealing process. Maintenance of wood is not only tedious, but it is also very expensive.

Breeding Ground For Bacteria

Wood is a natural countertop material and being natural, it is porous and breathable. If there is a lot of moisture on wood, it can lead to formation of bacteria and fungus on the surface of the wood. This is quite disturbing and unappealing. It is also very unhealthy and it needs to be taken seriously. If your kitchen is already a moisture-heavy place, then it is certain that there might be fungus and bacteria breeding in the crevices of woks. This is also another reason why it needs to be sealed, otherwise things will not look pretty at all.

Conclusion

There you have it! Now you know everything there is to know about wooden countertops. If you feel like they are easy to maintain and you can handle this material, then you can opt for wooden countertops. Go to a granite company NC who has various designs of wood countertop surfaces and choose the best one.

In the 1960’s and the era before that, car owners used to be agitated about the fact that the paint on their cars chipped easily. Harsh materials like road debris and small rocks used to easily chip away the car paint. However, the paint technology has come a long way, and cars these days have durable paints. However, paint is paint, and paint can scratch. That’s why paint protection is an important thing to consider as well. Car owners opt for different types of car bodywork protection films and sprays.

In this blog, we will talk about car paint protections films vs protection spray, and will weigh the pros and cons of both these options in order to give you a good idea of what to choose for your car.

Paint Protection Films

Paint protection films are made of thermo-plastic, and they attach with your vehicle with the help of a high-performance adhesive. If you get paint protection film installed by an expert PPF installer, it will surely last for around three to five years. The protection films can help stop the sun’s glare from fading your car’s paint, and this stops damage in the long run. Also, your car’s paint won’t get damaged from things like bird droppings, acid rains, tree sap and others.

These films especially protect your car’s fragile areas (which are more prone to damage) safe from damage and scratches.

Paint Protection Sprays

These sprays are used instead of car protection films. The spray is used on the car’s paint in order to keep it safe. After it is sprayed, the spray hardens to form a protective coat around the car. This coat then keeps the paint of your car safe from environmental damage. You can apply it yourself, given that you have a prior experience of applying such sprays on cars. These protection sprays are good to apply on the large painted surface of your car. However, these sprays aren’t good for car parts like trimmings and headlights.

Pros And Cons Of Paint Protection Films

Paint protection films are used on many cars for paint protection, and they offer lots of different benefits as well. Here are some of the benefits provided by these films.

They’re Long Lasting

When compared to spray paint protectors, these films can last up to 5 years longer than sprays.

They Loom Professional

Another benefit of these films is that they are cut precisely before installation, so they look professional and elegant. There are very low chances of error, and your car looks sleek and professionally done.

Can Be Easily Removed

If, for any reason, you want to get your car repainted, or just want to sell it, you can easily remove the protective film without much hassle. It doesn’t even damage the paint.

However, there are also some drawbacks of paint protection films. Here are some of the most common ones.

They’re A Bit Costly

There are a few different options that you can choose from when looking for a protective layer over your car’s paint, and protective films aren’t the cheapest option. However, the overall price depends on your specific make and model of your vehicle.

Installation Takes More Time

Getting paint protective films Installed on your whole car can be a time extensive task. That’s because there’s a lot of surface area to cover on the car. However, you can drive the vehicle right after the installation is done.

Pros And Cons Of Protection Sprays

Here are some of the benefits of paint protection sprays.

They’re More Affordable

You can buy paint protection spray kits ranging from $50 to $100. So, we can say that they provide you with a more affordable option.

They Allow DIY Installation

Since they are available in spray cans, you can even DIY their installation. This also helps further reduce the overall cost.

They Dry Fast

It might not look like too fast, but these sprays take around 1 to 4 full days to dry (depends on whether). However, you can drive the car as soon as it’s dry to the touch.

Here are some of the drawbacks of paint protection sprays.

They Don’t Last So Long

One of the drawbacks of paint protection sprays is that they wear off way faster than protection films.

Also, you have limited options in these sprays, and DIY applications might not show expected “clean” finish. So, if you have some money, you should go to paint protection film installers Springfield.