Home Security: Understanding Your Options!

Security Cameras | Lee KimballBefore going out and purchase cameras, a home security system package or just buy something because it’s “the top of the line,” it’s important to think about why you need it, what you are recording and how you will be viewing it. Once you have a better understanding of your needs, whether its for inside your home, outside your home or both you can start making some product decisions.

 

Before you do anything its important to understand the laws regarding surveillance. In most states anyone recording audio or video in a specific area must alert anyone within the range that they are being recorded. If you have a hidden cameras in your home or in a specific room that is recording and you do not inform guests or others in the home they are being recorded it is considered illegal. If caught you could be brought to court where you could face fines or possible jail time.

 

Home security cameras come in two types, wired and wireless. Wired cameras are going to be more difficult to install and the wires could hamper your attempts to be discrete but the quality of the image is much sharper than a wireless camera which can be much more discrete and easy to install. The wireless transmission however can easily be interrupted by other broadcasts from cordless phones and baby monitors or even worse they can be intercepted, defeating the purpose of the security cameras all together.

 

Now that you know the options regarding the types of transmission of video and are aware of the laws regarding recording audio and video you can start thinking about what type of recording or viewing system you would like to use. Viewing or recording systems come in a few different options. If you are simply monitoring an area such as the kids play room or the front door a live feed should be sufficient. Live feeds can simply go to a tv or computer in your home which can be configured to be viewed via the internet so you can monitor the area from wherever you are as long as you have and internet connection, some can even be viewed using your mobile phone through applications offered by your service provider.

 

If you are protecting or guarding something or you just can’t monitor it often enough and feel more comfortable being able to go back and view the footage later a recording system may be best for you. VCR recording has been very popular in the past but with todays technology most are recorded straight to a hard drive. This allows easier viewing and much more recording time.

 

Finally you must choose your cameras. There are many companies that manufacture and sell video surveillance cameras so finding something that is right for you should not be a problem however you should have in mind general size and functions you need your camera(s) to perform.

 

If you’ve decided through the corse of reading this article that you need to be discrete about your video surveillance you would want something small such as a pinhole camera or hidden camera. If you are simply monitoring your home inside or out, a basic video surveillance camera is probably best for you. It informs people they are being recorded and can help you avoid charges and possible convictions.

 

For more information regarding home surveillance or other home automation contact our friends in Winchester at System7 by sending an email to Info@systemseven.com.

For all of your home renovation and maintenance needs contact one of our specialists at Lee Kimball by clicking here.

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Keep Warm! Alternate Heating Options

Winter is here and although it has been a warm start their have been days were we’ve felt Jack Frosts cold breath. There is not much we can do about the cold outside but there are ways we can make the time spent in side a little warmer and cozy.

 

Runtal radiators, the inventor of the panel radiator has come up with some pretty innovative and functional design alternatives to the standard radiator. Their multifunctional units sit on the floor similar to a traditional radiators, they can also be mounted on the wall or sit as a free standing sculpture. Their radiators not only heat the house but have multiple uses such as towel warmers to ease the transition out of the hot shower on a cold winter day and hangers which give your shirt that warm, fresh out the dryer feeling.

 

That’s not where their innovative designs stop! Besides the typical towel rack radiator they have interesting designs such as the Hot Hoop which is a coiled polished piping that sits on the wall cradling towels or a small blanket. The Hot Spring fits well into a small space or corner with its unique tightly coiled, spring like design.

 

Runtal isn’t the only maker of towel warmers, Warmly Yours has multiple designs in towel warmers that are easy to install and operate. Their warmers are not radiators but electric devices which can be hardwired into the wall or simply plug into a standard 120 volt outlet. They have programable timer controls that can set 7 on/off sequences. Not only do they offer a product to warm your towels they also have heated floors.

 

Their floor heating devices quickly install under any flooring type such as tile, stone, marble, wood or carpet. They can be used in any room of the house but is most commonly used in the bathroom. With a combination of the towel warmers and heated floors you will never again dread getting out of the shower on a cold winter day.
For more informations on alternative heating, home renovations or maintenance contact one of our specialists by sending us an email to info@leekimball.com or contact us by clicking here.

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Spaces: Making Small Spaces Look Bigger!

Small Space

Many of us have that small space in our house, condo, apartment or office that is simply smaller than desired. They are often cluttered, used as storage,  empty or most often the space is not used well or to its full potential. There are some ways that you can arrange the room and items or furniture that will help the room look bigger and less cluttered.

 

Multifunctional furniture such as ottomans with storage space, a murphy bed that doubles as a desk or a dining table for that small room or studio are great space savers. Tables with removable drop leaves are also a great route when choosing a table for dinning or office meetings. It allows you to save space for its day to day functions and if guests or clients are present simply adding a leaf or two will increase seating options.

 

Colors have a big impact on visual size of the room. Dark colors such as a navy blue or black will actually make the space look smaller. Using light shades such as pale blue or light grey can hide the size of a small space. Painting the trim and using one color to detail the room will lengthen those lines opening up the room. By bringing your eyes upwards to the trim or possibly a textured sealing or a chandelier will help give the room the illusion of height making the room look larger.

 

The use of glass and mirrors will definitely open up the area. Windows give a room the feel of added space, when opened the fresh air give the room an outdoor almost free feeling. Mirrors against walls, adjacent to each other or wall to wall mirrors give the illusion the room is larger than it is. A glass coffee table and other glass furniture items with small frames or stands of aluminum or steel will cut down on the bulkiness and the glass it allows for more of the room to be seen.

 

Lastly, simple is spacious! Many would think that multiple items of small furniture is the best way to complement the size of the area, they are wrong. Having one prominent item, whether it being a sofa, table or arm chair will create an airy atmosphere. Placing sofas tables or chairs against the walls and packing in furniture will only make the room look smaller cluttered and even claustrophobic. Having that prominent piece and only the needed furniture will allowing the room to breath give the space a nice airy feel making it much more comfortable especially with multiple people.

 

For more tips on decorating and home improvement and other great informational articles continue reading our blog. Thinking of remodeling your home?  Want to change that bathroom or have that perfect kitchen? Contact one of the specialists at Lee Kimball by clicking here!

 

 

 

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Curb Appeal: The Power of giving your home a makeover!

 

Many people don’t consider the power of curb appeal and if you are buying a new home, selling yours or just want a sense of satisfaction every time you pull up to your house think about giving your home a facelift.

 

Although the inside of the house is where most of the time is spent, updating the look of your home on the outside can increase the value and sell-ability of your home, it may even help increase the value of the neighboring homes.

 

In this Winchester home makeover no space was added to the home but the exterior look and feel of the home completely changed. This split entry style home had nothing wrong with its exterior except that it was plain and simple like many of the other houses on the street. With a few cosmetic changes and the addition of a small portico the home has a whole new look which is pleasing to the eye and more enticing to a potential buyer.

 

We started  by adding a peak to the top of the house giving it a larger look. Below the new peak a portico was built creating a much more welcoming entrance, we even added a bench to place groceries on or to sit and take off those muddy boots before entering the home. New western red cedar entry and garage doors were installed giving the house a warm colorful pop that the old house did not have.

 

To minimize the split entry look we added a band of panels to the upper floor, this helped to pull the whole house together. Removing of shutters, adding the front stone wall and the walkway gave landscape a new feel.

 

First impressions may be one of the most important factors when first looking at a home. Curb appeal may be the difference between someone deciding to take a second look or just passing by. Most important it gives the homeowner a sense of pride and satisfaction and enhances the entire neighborhood.

 

To see more, get information on giving your house a facelift to create curd appeal visit our website at www.leekimball.com. If you have any other projects you would like to speak with a specialist about contact us by clicking here. 

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