A massage table can cost from $300 up to $6,000, depending on the features, build quality, and lift mechanics it uses. The best massage tables should offer these qualities without cutting corners and at a reasonable price.
The therapeutic benefits of a massage are undeniable, and a good massage table can take these positives to the next level.
Several factors determine the cost of a massage table, and you can find products in all price ranges. The trouble is, it can be difficult to get the biggest bang you can get from your buck.
So, take a look at all the factors and considerations that add to the price of a massage table. These considerations factor in the qualities that make a spa table suitable for your spas or office needs.
Factors That Affect The Cost Of A Massage Table
The price tag that accompanies a massage table is nothing to scoff at. Typically, a table with the most basic of functionalities can cost you a couple of hundred dollars, while higher-end products can reach up to a few thousand dollars.
Of course, the price differential results from the features, the quality of the materials, and the convenience these tables offer. Here’s a brief overview of each of them.
1. The Table Type
When scouring the market for a massage table, you will find that there are two primary types-. portable and stationary tables. I’ve found that each of these brings a different massaging experience.
A portable table is the best value and ergonomic option, allowing you to fold and store it. It’s a light weight massage table with simple builds that cut down on the cost significantly, trading off lifespan for relatively short-term convenience. But some of the higher-end portable tables boast durability that is comparable to stationary tables.
On the other hand, a stationary massage table is hefty and more expensive, but it is generally more comfortable and offers a better massaging experience. These can be further categorized into static and dynamic stationary tables, where the latter can be adjusted into a reclining or upright position. The former are less expensive, while the latter are generally better for your back.
Long story short, the most expensive type of massage table would be a dynamic stationary massage table that allows some flexibility in its operation.
2. The Make
Build quality is paramount when purchasing new equipment, and massage tables are no different. The price of a massage table can shoot up if it is made from more expensive materials, such as maple wood. Factoring in upholstery, the price of such massage tables matches the premium quality offered by more expensive materials.
Table bases and legs can be precision crafted from beech wood, steel, and alloys, while the upholstery makes use of polyurethane foam. Polyurethane is the primary compositing material in memory foam, and you may be able to find earthlite massage tables using said foam.
Tip
You can also find portable or stationary massage tables constructed using sustainable materials only if you are conscious of the environment.
3. The Accessories
Table accessories can go a long way in making your massaging experience much smoother and more comfortable. These include bolsters, face cradles, extra storage, headrests, warming pads, and more. And including some or all of these will add to the overall price of your portable massage table.
These massage table costs can be managed by choosing the necessary accessories for your specific needs and by purchasing them through third-party means. Independent purchases of these table accessories lower the overall massage table cost by quite a bit.
4. The Lift Mechanics
Some treatment tables come equipped with a lift feature that allows you to adjust the height of your massage table. The more complex this lift mechanism is, the greater the cost of your massage table will be. Some of the more advanced lift mechanisms can have you invest upwards of a couple of thousand dollars.
For reference, a lift table that uses hydraulics will cost quite a bit more than a manually operated one, as will an electric lift table. If you have the money to spare and require the lift mechanism for super easy access, such tables may be worth the purchase.
5. The Customer Service
Massage tables are a hefty investment, and it’s good to purchase one from a brand that offers good customer service, particularly after you’ve purchased one.
Many massage tables are covered under a lifelong warranty from the manufacturers, which is the preferred option when scouring the market for such products. Such tables are often offered by reputed brands and accompany a satisfaction guarantee as well.
Should you run into any issues at any point in the lifespan of the portable table, I’d advise contacting the manufacturer to have the problem fixed soon.
6. The Weight
If you find yourself in a position where the stationary massage table has to be moved, its weight can be quite troubling. A hefty stationary massage table becomes a stationary object in a room dedicated to it- a prospect that can be daunting when you need to move it. And no one knows this plight better than a practicing mobile therapist!
How much weight a massage table can carry is always a concern for a practitioner working as a massage therapist. Since they have to move frequently, a table that weighs too much is impractical for their line of work.
It’s generally agreed among therapists that the best table weight is between 22 and 46 pounds. These are usually portable massage tables with a light aluminum frame, making them good for massage therapists.
Of course, if you are not a practitioner, you have some leeway in choosing a portable massage table with the right weight. You can opt for a slightly heavier portable massage table that isn’t too difficult to move around with some help. The heavier the build, the more difficult it becomes to maintain the tableand the area around it.
7. The Size
It may seem fairly obvious that a portable massage table needs to be large enough to accommodate your body frame, but it’s important to mention nonetheless. An inaccurately sized table can be quite painful for the body, after all.
When picking a massage table, you should try to ensure that the table isn’t too wide, narrow, short, or tall. As such, the ideal measurements for a portable massage table range between 28-35 inches in table width and 20-36 inches in height.
The Hidden Costs Of Purchasing A Massage Table
These variables involved in choosing a massage table don’t affect the price tag of your massage table directly. Rather, these are the costs incurred as you continue to use the table and what you get in return over the long haul.
The hidden costs of massage tables are all tucked away in the intangibles, where they won’t be obvious at first glance.
1. The Purpose
When looking at a particular portable massage table when purchasing, you may want to consider if it will serve purposes beyond just massages. If the table is intended to be used by physiotherapists or tattoo artists, being mindful of them before making the purchase becomes paramount.
A portable massage table should have features that support each of these purposes and functions, such as padding, height adjustment, and backrests. Though these premium features can make the massage table cost more, you will end up saving money in the long run. The table will eliminate the need to purchase products for other purposes by fulfilling them after all.
Using the wrong table can hamper your experience with a specific purpose and nullify any benefits you wish to receive. Putting undue strain on your body is not something you’d want, and a good massage table will help avoid that.
2. The Comfort
A massage table ought to be comfortable for both the massage practitioner and their client. The practitioner needs to be aware of the benefits a good massage table provides and make a choice accordingly. It is the backbone of their business, after all.
The table needs to support physical build ergonomically, taking body weight, height, strength, and modality of the massage professional in consideration. It should be able to prevent physical burnout for the client as well. Well-designed and sturdy portable massage tables can manage this and more with relative ease.
Massage therapists need an ergonomically designed massage table as well since poor-quality portable massage tables can create undue pressure on their bodies while they work. This can lead to frustration on both the client's and the practitioner’s side, ultimately hampering the practitioner’s business.
Naturally, the clients’ comfort throughout the massage experience should be prioritized as well, as a poorly performing table can distort their view of the therapy. Repeat customers are essential to the massage business, and taking their experience to the next level is essential for any practitioner.
These points of comfort apply for personal use as well. Never have I encountered someone who likes an uncomfortable massage table, professional or not.
3. The Safety
Low-price massage tables are likely to have less invested in their design process, testing and development and, as a result, may have fewer safety options. But safety is something you should never compromise on, no matter the price of the product.
Well-built and sturdy portable or stationary tables should comply with safety standards set by the government, and the manufacturer must commit to testing and weight-acceptance ratios. Reputable companies make it a point never to cut corners when it comes to safety.
As a customer, you should remain conscious of the safety of the massage table you purchase. After all, if the table ends up causing you harm, you should be able to question the manufacturer about the incident. Reputed companies recognize this and are generally prompt with their responses.
4. The Longevity
Good quality equipment lasts for a long time, and massage tables are no different. Tables built using top-notch materials and high-quality equipment will last for years without causing any major issues. Though a high-quality stationary table can be pricey, you will recoup the value in years to come, something that can’t truly be said about low-priced products.
How Much Is A Massage Table Conclusion
A massage table is no small investment, and it’s important to know each aspect of its pricing. The prices of portable and stationary massage tables fluctuate between hundreds and thousands of dollars, with the differences being the quality, features, and durability.
No matter the price range you decide upon, it’s advisable to buy your preferred portable or stationary table from a reputed shop that offers a warranty. The safety and comfort of a massage table are paramount, and well-known companies make it a point to maximize both of these qualities.
Getting your money’s worth is important with such purchases, and it never hurts to be careful when picking a table of a particular price range.
Polymeric sand, also known as paver sand or jointing sand, fuses your pavers to strengthen your patio. You need just the right amount of sand to fill all the paver joints 3/4th of the way without spilling out on your patio surface.
Polymeric sand is used to lock concrete pavers together. It is used in patios, paved sidewalks, and garage floors.
It is different from traditional sand and mixed with an adhesive material like silica. When you add water, the adhesive properties set in, sealing the bond.
Now, you may be worried about choosing the paver sand amount. After all, you don't want to buy too much and let the excess hang out in your garage corner for the next decade.
On the other hand, buying more paver sand after running out will be difficult.
Thus, finding the right amount you need for your patio is crucial. Below, I've given more details about polymeric sand and my thought process to help you choose.
Why Do I Need Polymeric Sand?
I use polymeric sand so that I don't need to worry about rain, weed growth, or insects destroying the patio anytime soon.
What's more, this adhesive only needs to be applied once a decade with minimal maintenance costs. And, regardless of the color of your patio paver blocks, you can find suitable polymeric sandthat blends into them.
How Much Polymeric Sand Do I Need?
Now, you need to know the amount of paver sand you should buy. To calculate this amount correctly, let's first consider the factors that will affect the amount of paver sand your patio takes up.
Factors Affecting The Polymeric Sand Amount
1. Patio Dimensions
Your patio dimensions include its area and shape. The larger the patio, the more tiles are needed to cover it. Thus, you need enough paver sand to fill all of these gaps.
However, the shape of your patio also affects this. If it's circular or curved, you'll need several smaller tile pieces to cover the paver joints without irregularities. As a result, you will use up more polymer sand.
2. Paver Dimensions
As a general rule, large pavers will cover the patio easily in fewer numbers. However, you require hundreds of small tiles to fill the same area.
Additionally, simpler shapes have fewer gaps. A triangle is the most uncomplicated shape, and each paver will have around 3 gaps between adjacent members. In the same way, a square has 4 gaps on each side; a pentagon has 5, and so on. If you want stylized or curved tiles, they will increase the gaps significantly.
3. Size Of Paver Gaps
Depending on your paver borders, the gap between them might vary.
A paver might have a honed edge and be firmly interlocked, leaving tiny cracks. On the other hand, manufacturers might create pavers with slightly rounded edges. These need more paver sand.
Calculation Of The Polymeric Sand Amount
Knowing The Patio Area
Ideally, you'd know the area of the patio. However, if you don't know the exact number or forgot it, there are simple ways to calculate the area.
If your patio has straight borders, the task will be easy. Just measure the length and breadth and multiply them to get the area.
On the other hand, if you have a more complicated or curved patio, the calculations will be more complex. If it's a recognizable shape like a pentagon or a hexagon, just look up "find the area of [shape]" and calculate it accordingly. If it's circular, treat the farthest point like the breadth and take a rough estimate.
Estimating The Joint Sizes
You can easily determine the joint size if the patio is paved. To do this, take a ruler and measure the gap between any two pavers. If the patio is even, this is the average gap size.
As a rule of thumb, a small gap is usually less than 0.3 inches in width. If the gaps measure 0.3 inches or more, they are wide.
Also, if you haven't paved the patio yet, you can still measure the gaps. Take out two pavers and place them side-by-side on a table. Then, press them firmly from both sides to ensure the gap is accurate, and measure it.
Finding The Product Coverage Area
The particular paver sand you purchase will have a specific product coverage ratio. You can usually find it on the back of the bag or in the product description online.
I'm using the most common coverage ratios I see to teach you the calculations. However, you should customize this according to your product.
Calculating The Amount Of Sand
Usually, a 50-pound bag of polymeric sand is enough to fill 75 to 100 square feet of a patio if it has small gaps. Thus, you need about 0.5 pounds per square foot for narrow paver gaps.
For wider gaps, you need 70 to 100 pounds of polymeric sand. Sometimes, there are irregular gaps in the patio. You should buy about 250 pounds to fill the wider gaps in this case.
If you find your exact product coverage, you can just divide the patio surface area by it. This quotient will tell you how many pounds of paver sand you need.
How Do I Add More Polymeric Sand To My Patio?
In rare cases, you might underestimate the amount of sand you'll need and have to go get more.
Thus, you're adding more polymeric sand to fill the gaps left by the existing sand. This is easy, but you should ensure that none of the sand has sealed. If you water half of the patio, this half will harden before you add the rest. Therefore, a gap will stay between them.
As a beginner, I sometimes messed up and let the partial sand harden. When this happened, I used a pressure washer to remove the hardened sand before redoing the patio.
What Should I Do With Too Much Polymeric Sand?
Sometimes, I do all the calculations and still end up with too much jointing sand. It happens to the best of us, and the amounts are only an estimate. If this is your situation, you'll be wondering what to do with all the extra sand now.
First and foremost, do not pour this extra sand onto your patio. If all the gaps are already filled, more jointing sand will collect on your paver surfaces and solidify in lumps, making your patio irregular. This is especially bad if pets or children walk onto the patio barefoot.
So, when you have leftover polymeric sand and don't want to throw it away, you can do a couple of things. First, look in other areas like the driveway, garage, and front door stairs. If you have weed growth issues in any of these places, the polymeric sand will stop it.
However, if you're still left with the bag, store it safely because you never know when you'll need it later. You might have to redo the same patio if you made some mistakes or if a particularly bad hurricane damages it. So, store the polymeric sand in an airtight bag and keep it handy.
Warning
You shouldn't pressure wash pavers after you use polymeric sand. It's resistant to water but not to a lot of force hitting it at high speeds.
Only use a pressure washer on your patio when removing the previous application.
How Much Polymeric Sand Do I Need Conclusion
Polymeric sand, when applied correctly, hardens and seals your pavers together and keeps your patio safe from pests or structural damage.
Estimating the amount of sand you need in advance will help you save time, money, and energy. I use a few factors to know how many bags to buy, and I've described my calculations to help you do the same.
Ultimately, you should trust your gut and note the particulars about your patio and pavers. For example, if your pavers are really high, you'd need more sand.
At all times, your best bet is to note the product specifications and factor them into your calculations accordingly. Using the right amount of sand will make your patio safe, durable, and more pleasing to the eye.
There are several reasons for polymeric sand not hardening properly, with the most common being excess water. Resolving issues with polymeric sand hardening is fairly simple, requiring a few precautions during the application process.
The application ofpolymeric sandis an involved process that can go wrong the moment a step of the process is missed. And a failed polymeric sand project is both costly and time-consuming.
So, to help you fix these issues and avoid them in the future, I’ve created a complete guide on polymeric sand. With this, you can make sure that your polymeric sand installation will go as smoothly as possible.
How Polymeric Sand Works
Made from a blend of sand and polymer additives, polymeric sand is used to seal the joints between pavers of all kinds. For instance, it can be used with brick and concrete pavers for optimal results.
Once you add water to the sand, the special polymers in the polymeric sand activate and begin to harden when the water dries up. The result is a strong binding agent that doubles as a good joint-stabilizing sealer.
Polymeric sand eliminates the need for frequent repairs because of how strongly it binds pavers together, making your patio look good for a long while. And once the compound hardens, it becomes water-resistant, which makes it a worthwhile solution for your patio pavers.
There is no room left over once the sand hardens and so, your patio becomes resistant to weeds and pests as well. But you can consider mixing in pesticides or weed killers to future-proof your patio from potential critter or weed infestation.
Possible Reasons For Polymeric Sand Not Hardening Properly
1. Pavers Contain Moisture At The Time Of Installation
Moisture present in the base or the bedding sand can lead to problems with polymeric sand. It can lead to the sand either hardening improperly or not hardening at all. Additionally, a lack of soil compaction can lead to the bedding sand holding more water than necessary, which can further exacerbate this issue.
Tip
Another thing to be wary of when you install polymeric sand is the weather.
If it has rained recently, your bedding sand may have too much water for a successful installation. I would suggest keeping the base of your pavers completely dry for proper installation.
2. Over-Watering And Under-Watering
One of the most important steps of polymeric sand installation is the watering stage. This step involves using a garden hose on the shower setting to spray the patio with water to activate the polymers.
If you’re not careful, this stage can easily lead to over-watered sand, which ends up separating the polymers from the sand during activation. The bonding strength suffers as a result, and the sand ends up not hardening properly.
On the flip side, if you don’t water the sand enough, it will form a slightly hardened top layer without properly bonded joints. As time goes on, the sand will erode and create gaps, exposing the sand that hasn’t bonded down to the base of the joint.
3. Improper Drainage
Poor drainage can easily destroy all the progress you made on the paver project. If water has no space to leave the bedding sand, the polymeric sand won’t set properly. And once the rainy season comes around, the polymeric sand will be left vulnerable to be washed out.
The lack of a slope can also lead to water pooling underneath your paving stones, further exacerbating the issue. And if the pavers don’t have a boundary of an either artificial or natural kind, the edges remain susceptible to the same issue.
4. Improper Joint Spacing
Both the lack of space in a paver joint and an abundance of it can lead to issues with polymeric sand. Too narrow or tight joints can cause spill-overs during the activation process, and the lack of space gives water no room to flow while showering.
In a similar vein, larger joints with too much space between them can lead to washout as well since they allow too much water between them. The same is applicable to joint depth as well.
Not only is this problematic for the polymer activation process, but the sand that washes out can also form a hazy, hardened layer on your pavers. This is an unsightly mess that can be quite difficult to resolve without professional help.
5. Poorly Removed Excess Sand
While using polymeric sand, you will need to brush off excess sand before and after the compacting step. But if the excess sand isn’t removed properly, the polymers in it will activate first and dry up before the sand in all the joints. And if you’ve already applied a sealer on top of it, the problem can become much worse.
The dried crust ends up trapping water underneath, causing issues in the long run. Moreover, the resulting hardened polymeric sand is far from a pleasant sight, leaving behind dried-up polymers that are a blemish on your pavers. The appearance is akin to a permanent layer of stone dust on your pavement, which is not a good look, to say the least.
6. Using The Wrong Type Of Polymeric Sand
Unfortunately, there are plenty of polymeric sands on the market that are simply not up to the mark. A cheaper price tag may seem enticing at first, but the product is likely to cause trouble in the long haul.
Poor quality polymeric sand uses cheap ingredients that lower its price and can set up quickly, but the results can be far from desirable. One such ingredient is portland cement, a material known to leave behind a hazy residue on the pavers.
Likewise, the combination of poor-quality materials may also result in the sand not hardening well enough to be satisfactory.
Other Common Polymeric Sand Problems
1. Polymeric Sand Crust
A crust forms on the surface of the sand as a result of it being filled too high or not being watered enough. This causes the sand to remain fairly loose underneath the hardened surface that erodes over time, necessitating frequent repairs. The only permanent solution to this problem is to remove and replace the existing sand with new polymeric sand.
2. Hazy Polymeric Sand
A white haze forms over the pavers as a result of improperly swept excess sand or overfilled joints. This hardened haze can be quite difficult to remove, requiring saturated chemicals to clean the pavers thoroughly. The process is quite involved and has several steps to it, which is why most people strive to avoid such hazy results.
What You Can Do To Ensure Proper Polymeric Sand Application
If this is your first time applying polymeric sand, you are probably going to encounter at least one of the issues I listed above. I certainly did the first time I got to use the paver filling material, and it was an educating experience, to say the least.
You can try to mitigate these issues- or outright prevent them- by following the set of tips below. These tips cover all the essentials of polymeric sand application, and I ensured to leave no stone unturned when it came to being thorough.
1. Buy High-Quality Polymeric Sand
One of the first steps you can take to make sure that your polymeric sand doesn’t fail you is to use high-quality products only. You won’t have to spend extra money on repairs for a long while, and the time you spend on it will be well worth the while.
Low-quality polymeric sand will require repairs far sooner than one would expect, and it’s generally better to use high-quality variants when such a time arrives. The price difference between high-quality and low-quality sand ends up saving you money as time goes on.
It may sound contradictory, but rest assured, you’ll be getting your money’s worth for years to come. Just be sure to use enough polymeric sandwhen starting the project.
2. Follow The Manufacturer’s Instructions
Several polymeric sands come with instructions specific to the particular product. So, if there is an additional sand application step that you have missed, you may want to start over with the project.
It’s always best to look up the paver manufacturer’s instructions manual before starting a DIY project, after all.
3. Take Your Time With The Application
A rush job can be the root of many issues, and polymeric sand installation is no different. While the application process will take you about an hour, the sand will require multiple days to set in well. Rushing through the steps will give the sand no time to harden, leading to a host of issues that are expensive and time-consuming to fix.
So, take your time with the application process and prepare well in advance to keep the patio off-limits. After all, you wouldn’t want to keep fixing the pavers over and over again for any accidental damage, would you?
4. Take Care While Watering The Sand
Over-watering and under-watering can both occur while showering on the patio, and you can avoid them by using your garden hose carefully. Some polymeric sandbags may make mention of the optimal amount of water required for the sand to set in properly.
You should wait for up to three minutes between watering sessions to let the water seep into the pavers. And once you see foam, stop watering at once. Doing so should give you a proper idea of how much water you need to spray in future showering sessions.
Tip
If you’re unsure about the amount of water needed, consider setting up a few square feet of test area away from your main pavement work.
It’s for the best to avoid spillover while lightly watering if you can.
5. Remove Excess Sand Carefully
Moderation is key when sweeping your patio to remove excess sand. Sweep too vigorously, and you may not leave enough in the joints to form a good seal. And if you do so too lightly, the excess leftover paver sand will form a hazy residue on top of your pavers.
Thus, you should be careful while sweeping to leave as little sand on top of your paver surface as possible, particularly with textured pavers.
If you are left with a hazy coat of sand on your pavers, you may be able to remove it using a hot water pressure washer. Water from a hot pressure washer can help reactivate the polymers in the sand and make it easy to remove again. Once again, moderation is key to successful removal.
6. Allow Proper Drainage
There are a few solutions to poor drainage problems that are easy to implement during installation. These include: installing pavers on a surface that lets water through, establishing boundaries, and creating a slope. Issues with standing water are eliminated completely with these practices.
Installing pavers on a surface made of crushed concrete sand or natural stone with bedding sand in between creates a medium for the fluid to pass through undeterred. Thinner pavers benefit from these particularly, getting the extra support while the polymeric sand hardens.
Depending on where you live, you may also want to look into installation guidelines on the impact of such substances on the garden soil. If you have a garden near your patio, this is a helpful practice in keeping the plants safe.
Next, create an artificial or natural boundary around your pavers to allow water to flow off the edges. Even if the surface doesn’t allow drainage, a boundary can help remove water from the pavers.
Lastly, you can consider giving your new patio a slight slope that naturally redirects water away from the pavers. Note that the slope should be tilted away from your home, so it doesn’t pool around the base of the structure. Additionally, electric gates and other electrical installations should be placed away from the end of a slope.
7. Be Mindful Of The Weather
Before you begin installing polymeric sand, you should check the weather forecast for chances of rain. Rain can easily wash away all of your hard work with no fault of your own, after all. And the same goes for any weather condition that can lead to the pavers becoming damp, such as snow storms.
Try to ensure that the weather conditions are completely dry before starting your patio project. And, for good measure, consider using a leaf blower on the surface before you begin working.
8. Avoid Topping
Topping is the act of using regular paver sand to fill in the paver joints before covering them with a layer of polymeric sand. Though this may sound effective both in terms of cost and results, this is anything but effective.
The primary issue with topping is that the base isn’t packed densely enough with regular sand, which can wash out quite easily during the rain. A thin layer of polymeric sand won’t last long enough to withstand the rainy season and soon, you will have a mess on your hands. It’s entirely possible that topping can end up costing you more money than simply using polymeric sand for the job.
Suffice it to say topping is not a wise approach when it comes to creating solid paver joints.
9. Compact The Sand Well
It may be tempting to skip out on the compacting stage of the polymeric sand installation, but it remains a vital step of the process.
Using a roller compactor or plate compactor for this causes sand particles to remain close while the binder materials in polymeric sand do their job. This ends up creating a solid and durable bond that will last for a long time. The pressure applied during this step removes pockets of air and any spaces left between the joints, reducing the likelihood of cracked and broken joints.
Polymeric Sand Not Hardening Conclusion
Though the application of polymeric sand is straightforward, the process requires a lot of care to be executed properly. After all, there is a lot that can go wrong with the compounds involved in the workings of polymeric sand.
If your polymeric sand doesn’t harden, the culprit is often excess water. Regardless of the reason, issues with polymeric sand hardening can be resolved without much trouble. All you need to do is remain vigilant during the application process and ensure you’re following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Should you face any issues with polymeric sand, I would suggest contacting professionals and letting them handle all the heavy lifting. The end goal here is a gorgeous-looking patio, and professionals can guarantee it for you at a small fee.
Soldering means sticking metals together by melting them at the joints. Since glass pieces don't stick together, you need to cover them in metal and solder those surfaces to achieve the final stained glass results.
Soldering is a critical aspect of creating stained glass. This is because, as an artist, you can only color a portion of the glass at a time. Then, you need to solder these glass pieces in a specific way to form a detailed image out of the solid colors.
As a beginner, I was intimidated by the concept of melting metals to seal them together. However, I learned that soldering was easy for a skilled stained glass artist.
I also understood the detailed instructions to do it effectively, and I'll share those steps with you today.
DIY Methods To Solder Stained Glass
When you make your own stained glass designs, it's a hassle to get them soldered by someone else. Furthermore, if you get it soldered at a hardware shop, you might feel unsatisfied when you see the result. So, it's best to learn to solder your own artwork from the start.
Stained glass soldering can be broken down into four main procedures. First, you need to plan the design and cut the glass. Next, you should cover the edge of the glass in adhesive copper and gel flux. After this, you need to solder the pieces together. Finally, seal off the ends, and you’re done.
At the end of the day, soldering takes patience and practice. If you work at the right speed, you'll see excellent results as your skills improve. So, you can read the steps below to understand my soldering process.
Procedure 1: Cutting Glass
Things You'll Need
Stained glass
Towel
Ruler
Glass Cutter
Sponge
What You Need To Do
Step 1:
It's essential to plan the design first. You can create your own design or use a paper pattern online. When I follow a pattern, I note the dimensions of the glass pieces. This also gives me an idea of how much glass I need.
If you are a beginner, choosing a simple pattern with proportionally large pieces is the easiest. Doing this will help you learn the basics without getting caught up in the hassles of perfect measurements.
After choosing the correct pattern, you can trace it onto your glass sheet with a CD marker.
Step 2:
Now that you have the design you want, it's time to score the glass. Scoring will help you create a guideline for cutting the glass.
Before scoring, you should use paper towels instead of placing the glass directly on your work table. The towels absorb the excess force from your glass cutter and hold the glass in one place.
Now, use your glass cutter to make one continuous line across the glass. This precise motion is challenging to get the hang of at first. If you pause or hesitate while scoring, it is difficult to break the glass smoothly. However, your results will improve when you use a metallic ruler as a guide.
Step 3:
After scoring, break the glass along the straight lines you created. The best method to do this is by snapping them apart. To break the glass, Hold it with two hands, one on each side of the scoring line. If you have done it perfectly, the glass simply pops apart, and you have the necessary pieces.
However, do not be discouraged if you mess this up your first time. Irregular scoring can make things more challenging, but you can always use a broken piece for something else. Also, you can correct your old glass pieces once you have more experience with this.
For maximum safety, I always get rid of extra glass pieces after I finish cutting. So, your paper towels should've collected most of the shards earlier, but you can also wipe the glass down with a wet sponge.
Procedure 2: Covering Glass In Copper Foil
Things You'll Need
Adhesive copper foil
Soldering iron
Liquid flux
Flux brush
Solder wire coil
What You Need To Do
Step 1:
Your soldering iron will take a while to heat up. So, plug it in before starting the next steps. Also, double-check that the iron is on its stand and not touching anything else.
In addition to this, it's best to wear gloves. Both glass and copper have sharp edges, and the safety gloves will protect your hands if you get clumsy.
Another thing to ensure before you start is the stained glass pattern. Check whether all the pieces fit together or have some gaps between them. If you find gaps, take note of them to take additional care during soldering.
Next, cut the copper foil into strips that fit your glass pieces. I've found that the ideal length is 0.12 inches longer than the edge on each side. This will help you cover all surfaces that you solder. Now, you're ready to begin.
Step 2:
Remove the backing paper from the copper foil. Then, place the edge of the glass on the sticky foil side. For the best results, place the glass edge right in the center of the copper foil and make sure there are no creases. Now it's easier to fold the excess foil over the glass surface.
After arranging the copper foil, you can smoothen them further with a roller. If you don't have a roller, you can use a pencil or a piece of rubber. When the copper foil is smooth, you will be able to easily wrap the remaining glass edges without any issues.
Additionally, I've learned that it's best to double-check the copper foil seam before soldering. To do the same, pick up the copper foiled pieces and ensure there are no cracks or air holes. This prevents any problems in the following stages.
Step 3:
Coating the copper foil tape with liquid flux is the last crucial step before soldering. This paste flux contains alloy metals that seal the joints and make them waterproof.
You can compare some liquid fluxes online to choose the best one. Personally, I use tinning flux because it has a very similar composition to copper. This similarity makes the seals stronger.
After choosing, use a flat flux brush to coat all copper surfaces with one flux layer. Cover all edges of one face before turning the glass piece over and coating the rest of the copper foil. This can get messy, so I wear latex gloves and keep my workspace covered with newspaper.
If you're worried about evening out the flux, don't fret because you don't need it to be perfectly consistent. You just need to ensure that all of the copper foil is covered and that there are no noticeable lumps. If you use too much flux in big lumps, they will crack during soldering.
Procedure 3: Soldering The Pieces
Things You'll Need
Solder
Foiled glass pieces
Spool of solder wire
Wire cutter
Gloves
What You Need To Do
Step 1:
First, arrange your stained glass pieces on a metal table. I consider this safest for soldering because it is durable and acts as a heat-resistant surface. Also, because of the heat, don't use a towel under the glass at this stage. The cloth might catch fire.
When I arrange the glass on my table, I leave a little gap of about 0.06 inches between the pieces. When you do this, the molten metal will have a space to flow into and seal the joints firmly.
Step 2:
Now, put on your gloves and pick up the soldering coil. The gloves are essential because the coils are made of lead, which is poisonous; the gloves will protect you. However, you might have tiny scratches or cuts left on your hand after the scoring and cutting. Lead on these cuts will be deadly, so it's best to bandage any painful areas and cover them up.
With your gloves on, unspool a 4-inch wire from the coil. I've learned that this is the ideal length for good soldering. It creates just the right amount of melted solder and is convenient to handle.
Step 3:
Hold the spool in one hand and your soldering iron in the other. When I was a beginner, I held the solder with my right hand and the wire in my left hand. As I gained experience, I understood the best direction for me.
Regardless of how you hold it, always remember to keep your fingers or body parts away from the soldering iron tip.
After you have the wire and iron, hold the extended wire over your glass pieces. Now, make it hover half an inch above the junction and parallel to it. In my experience, this slight gap between the wire and solder seam creates the most robust seal.
Step 4:
Now, touch the hot iron tip to the end of the unspooled wire. The iron melts the wire immediately, and the liquid drops into the gap between the pieces.
When I first began soldering, I thought I needed to solder the edge in one go, but it caused more issues. So, now I relax and take breaks as I create the soldering lines.
I'll teach you how to correct the mistakes people usually make in this step. For example, when you create too many beads, you can just make them even with the iron tip. You might leave drops of solder on the stained glass during this process. However, you can gently pry them away with your fingernails later, so it's no big deal.
You may also have left gaps between the copper edges in the previous procedure. You can correct those by holding the solder a little longer over the gaps. They fill up and seal naturally.
Step 5:
Now, it's time to solder the remaining glass. You should solder the next edge in the same direction. So, bend the wire and move your hands accordingly.
As you move along the edges, keeping a steady pace is vital. You need to do this at the right speed so that all parts of the solder seam are sealed without excess droplets.
Sometimes, I find it challenging to hold up the wire and manage the solder precisely for such long durations. To counter this, I've started practicing some upper-body warm-ups before I start, and I take breaks when my arms get tired. This helps me solder the panel properly.
Procedure 4: Finishing Off The Solder
Things You'll Need
U-channel came
Flat tool
CD Marker
Saw
Liquid flux
Soldering iron
Solder coil
Metal jump rings
What You Need To Do
Step 1:
You can border your solder with a U-channel came if you want to display the finished piece somewhere in your house. It also strengthens stained glass windows.
Before using the came, check your piece to ensure that all surfaces near the edges are more or less even. If you see a solder bead protruding more than 0.25 inches, file it down with a rough tool.
After smoothing the surfaces, hold your artwork upright. This is the position in which you'll hang it at the end. Holding the glass firmly in this position, slide the came into the right edge.
Sometimes I find that the came is too tight and doesn't slide easily. In this case, I use a flat tool or pencil to pry the came sides loose.
Step 2:
Now, you need to measure the came and cut it at the right place. For the measuring, you can use a small throwaway piece of came, usually an inch long. Fit it horizontally onto your piece at the top right corner. Then, raise your long came piece on the right side to meet the measuring came. Doing this ensures you measure the came's length from the right starting point.
Then, hold the long came firmly in its position and take out the little measuring piece. Fit it on the bottom edge of your artwork and slide it to the right so that it just touches the came. Now, mark this spot on the long came with a sharpie or a CD marker. Thus, starting from the top, this is the came length you need for one edge.
You can use a saw to cut the came at the spot you marked. Then, repeat this process to measure the correct amount of came for all edges. Also, while measuring the last edge, you need to remove the came from the adjoining side to measure it correctly.
Step 3:
Now, it's time to solder rings to hold up your decorative stained glass. First, use your coil and soldering iron to attach a ring to the topmost point of the left came. Then, repeat this process with the right came.
After I've let everything cool down, I test the strength of the solder by swinging the came around by the jump rings. If they break or fall here, I need a stronger solder. I remember to do this because I don't want them breaking my glass artwork when I hang them later.
Once you have attached the rings sturdily, start soldering the U-channel came to your glass. Like you did before, apply a thin flux layer on the came. Then, add droplets of solder one at a time and quickly dab them in the gaps between came and artwork.
Things To Keep In Mind When You Solder Glass
I've mentioned some error correction and safe soldering tips in the above steps, but I've learned some other things while working with stained glass. I consider these additional points for the smoothest work.
1. Choose A Well Ventilated Workspace
Firstly, I've learned that I need to choose my workspace wisely. I always solder in an open area or a room with plenty of ventilation. This keeps me safe from any gasses released when I melt all the metals, and I recommend you do the same.
I also keep my work table away from food and drinks. If your neighbor is having an outdoor barbecue, move your work to a place the solder smoke won't reach. This prevents your soldering from contaminating the food. It also keeps foreign particles out of your solder.
2. Additional Precautions To Keep In Mind
Further, make some preparations before you start. Before sealing the edges, cut a small wire and solder a few drops onto all the corners. This method is called tack soldering, and I do this to hold my glass design in place as I work. I also use it to maintain small pieces that get knocked out of place easily. If you want to keep the pieces arranged without tack solder, stick the glass to the table with double-sided tape.
Moving on, always keep a wet sponge handy when you solder the edges. As a beginner, I let my solder accumulate metal deposits, making the tool clumsy to handle. Now, I use a wet sponge to carefully wipe off excess metal every 5-10 minutes. It keeps the iron tip clean while soldering. Also, take care not to let the extremely hot solder touch your fingers when you do this.
3. Use Trial And Error To Your Advantage
Despite your best efforts, you might be disappointed with the soldering. You'll keep thinking about the irregular beading and what you could've done differently. However, resist the temptation of poking with that one edge to improve it. It might become messier, and all that concentrated heat in one place might crack the glass. Work on the rest of the glass and return to the issues with fresh eyes.
My first few soldered glass works were irregular and beaded. However, over time, I've experimented with different temperatures and solder poses. This is the best way to improve your technique because it is suited to your specific requirements.
I found it best to keep the soldering iron at around 700 degrees Fahrenheit and angle the iron straight in front of me to see where it goes.
However, you might discover a different method that works for you. Your materials and ambient temperature will affect your solder heat and speed. So, experiment with various temperatures and find the one that gives you the smoothest solder. As you experiment, you might also find that you work best when holding the solder like a pencil or a knife.
4. Get A Heat Iron
Also, invest in a good quality heat iron. As a beginner, it is tempting to select the most popular irons and use them blindly. However, some soldering irons have fluctuating temperatures. This will make your work challenging and frustrating. So, look at user reviews to determine which solder is consistent and has no cold spots. It will smoothen your solder to a great extent.
To solder the other side, you need to flip the artwork over without compromising the structure. In this step, the best lift method is to support the middle of the structure while you raise and flip it. Only lifting from the sides can weaken the solder in the middle region.
After soldering, I sometimes choose to fit a U-channel came on the edges. If you opt for came, leave about 0.25 inches of the copper foiling bare at the edges. You can melt this foil and solder it to the came later.
When you're not fitting came onto the piece, make sure every edge is soldered completely.
Which Soldering Materials Should You Choose?
I've mentioned the materials I use in each step, but as we learned, the type and quality are also important.
When I started soldering, I found various materials advertised online with equal praise. However, with experience, I've learned that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for soldering equipment. I experimented with various tools, solders, and cames to find the best ones for specific applications.
So, I'm going to go through my choices for each step and let you decide on the one that's best for your work.
1. Choosing Saw Types
First, you need to cut the stained glass into perfectly shaped pieces. You can use different glass saws to cut, of which the three primary types are ring, wire, and band saws.
I usually use glass ring saws with a metal ring and a sharp outer edge. This ring spins fast and cuts the glass in any direction I move it, but these are expensive. On the other hand, wire saws are comparatively affordable and have a rigid wire blade. Finally, band saws have a diamond-tipped steel blade, which makes them quick and effective glass cutters.
2. Deciding On The Correct Solder Composition
After cutting the glass, you'll start soldering the pieces. Stained glass solder comes in 3 types of compositions. These are 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, and 63/37, with the numbers representing the tin and lead percentages, respectively. Solders with higher tin content flow smoothly. Thus, you can work with 63/37 solder at low iron temperatures and use it for decorative soldering.
All solder types above will cool and solidify at the same temperature. However, 63/37 solder melts with the most ease, followed by 60/40, and so on. So, you can experiment with your soldering iron preferences and choose accordingly.
Also, you can use different solder types for different tasks. 40/60 solder is best for filling the gaps between the copper joints because it solidifies the quickest and doesn't fall through to the other side. After sealing the gaps, use solder with a higher tin content for the rest of the artwork because it has a glossy finish and allows you to work slowly. If you need a darker solder, cover it with a patina.
In my experience, 63/37 is an effective stained glass solder for a beginner. This is because it goes from solid to liquid and also cools down instantly. So it will be easy for you to go back and smoothen any large beads or irregularities. Also, you can remove it quickly in case of a mishap.
Many beginners opt for lead-free solder. They do this because lead is toxic when inhaled, and avoiding it is relatively safer. However, lead has some advantages, like sturdiness and affordability. So, you can opt for it and take safety precautions.
I will also compare solid core, acid core, or rosin core solder. I've learned that solid core solder is the only safe option for glass soldering, and rosin core solder is for electrical appliances. If you use rosin on glass, it leaves ugly brown marks and emits toxic gasses. Acid core solder also has similar issues with fumes.
3. Understanding The Came
After you choose the solder type and finish working with it, focus on the came. U-channel came can be made of lead, zinc, or copper. Of these, I use copper the most because it's compatible with my copper-edged glass pieces. However, you can also use lead came when your artwork has curved edges. I know that some artists use zinc for silver-plated glass art.
Moving on, it's time to choose the rings to fit onto the came. I usually create sturdy loops of copper wire, and it's best if these wires are tinned. Also, I can start with a thick wire or loop a thinner wire several times. Doing this allows me to choose the size and shape of the rings, and it's the most affordable DIY option.
However, if you're a beginner, you can buy readymade, recycled copper rings. These will help you get used to the procedures without risking the safety of your artwork.
Tip
Keep rubber yoga mats or a rubber-layered carpet under your worktable and the surrounding area. Rubber traps glass shards and prevents them from spreading to your entire room. Also, it protects you from electric shocks in case of an accident with the soldering appliances.
How To Solder Stained Glass Conclusion
That’s it for my guide! I hope you can successfully follow the above-mentioned steps to solder your first stained glass piece and create sturdy artwork. They always help me create long-lasting solders that complete my artistic efforts.
As you gain experience soldering, I encourage you to tweak these steps according to what suits you. You'll understand your personal preferences after working on a few projects. You can then opt for a higher temperature and different solder composition or skip some steps you realize aren’t needed.
The best advice I've ever received was to update my methods constantly. Even when I thought I'd nailed the perfect method, I experimented and discovered a faster or safer step. So, I recommend you to keep searching for new knowledge.
Regardless of experience, safety is always a priority. You can be the most skilled stained glass artist and still have an accident while soldering. So, be confident in your skills, but take all the necessary precautions before doing any soldering work.
Stained glass painting is the technique of mixing various shapes of colored glass that get their color from metallic salts added during production. You can find stained glass work in church windows, lampshades, and mirrors.
Rather than spending money on costly interior décor, I suggest customizing your home with designs and patterns of your liking. While DIY enthusiasts will already be readying their tools, you might be circumspect if you are not experienced in handling home projects.
But don’t worry, my guide about making stained glass is suited for amateurs and professionals alike to help them create standout creative pieces. Plus, it’s a lot of fun, so let’s get painting!
What Is Stained Glass?
A stained glass project is nothing but decorating colored glass that you can arrange in multiple shapes, images, and patterns to amplify the interior décor. While you can opt for a DIY stained glass project, some people hire professionals to assemble numerous colored glass pieces that fit over the windows like a mosaic.
But if you are wondering what gives stained glass its unique colors, manufacturers add salt or metal oxides during production. However, for DIY projects, you can use markers, paint, foil, glue, etc., to get the desired results.
How To Make Stained Glass?
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s look at how to create stained glass, starting with the necessary tools and materials. After that, I will discuss all the steps in proper order.
A. Materials And Equipment
While making stained glass projects is easy, you will need several tools and materials, and I have shortlisted all the supplies in this section. You can add more items to do this as and when needed.
1. Glass
First, you must choose the right type of glass, but that’s also the challenging bit, as there are so many choices. While streaky or textured glass is one of the most common options, here are other materials you can try…
i) Glass Sheets
Make sure to get enough stained glass based on the size and complexity of the project. You can get the stained glass as sheets, with the smallest available in a 1-foot x 1-foot dimension, while the largest is four times that size. Most importantly, remember that a quarter of the glass will be lost due to trimming.
ii) Opalescent Glass
Opalescent glass comes in various shades, with most people going with opal or white tones to make the color palette more eye-catching. Similarly, you can use blue opalescent glass that’s not entirely transparent, but the trickiest part is cutting the glass surface into the desired shape. You will usually have to apply more pressure due to its higher density than other glass.
iii) Cathedral Glass
Cathedral glass is transparent and consists of colors that are added later. It doesn’t require much energy to cut this material into smaller pieces of glass.
iv) Combination Of Opalescent And Cathedral Glass
You can even combine the two types to get contrasting transparent and colored glass shades. Or go with streaky glass, which has opal mixed into its structure.
2. Glass Cutter
There is no dearth of glass cutters, from simple variants to more fancy units, like a tungsten carbide wheel cutter in which the handle has an oil reservoir. You will also find a glass cutter with a pistol grip, perfect for beginners cutting thick glass because they don’t have sufficient hand strength.
Apart from that, use a hand cutter for template cutting due to their greater flexibility and accuracy, while a pencil-style cutter offers more control during trace cutting. And along with a glass cutter, get cutting oil for proper maintenance.
3. Soldering Iron
If you didn’t know, solder combines lead and tin. When the tin content is high and the melting point is low, it allows the tin to flow quickly and deliver a silvery finish. When getting a soldering iron for stained glass projects, choose one with a relevant tip and a minimum of 75 watts.
4. Copper Foil
I have used copper foil with copper or silver protective backing for soldering it to the glass surface. You can choose a suitable copper foil based on the width of the glass, allowing you to hold the glass pieces on one side using the adhesive. With Cathedral glass, the backing is visible, and you must use the right color to blend it with the surface.
5. Grinder
When running on a tight budget, use a Carborundum stone instead of a grinder to grind down the sharp edges of the stained glass. You can do this after cutting the glass in straight lines, for which an electric glass grinder is ideal owing to its fast performance.
These devices have water-cooled grinding wheels to blunt the rough edges and shape the glass according to your needs.
6. Pliers
Rather than using ordinary house pliers, you must use Grozer and Running pliers. Grozer pliers help break glass and rip off the sharp edges while Running pliers come in handy for snapping long cuts in stained glass.
7. Flux
To ensure the solder flows freely between the copper taped pieces, use flux available in liquid or gel form. I also recommend brushing every copper-foiled surface using flux prior to soldering to get the best results.
8. Gloves
It may not seem important but take it from me, a person who has several cuts on the hands and fingers, that safety gloves are essential. You can use latex gloves for maximum protection and durability.
9. Eye Protection
You can use most safety glasses so long as the eyes are covered. Also, tiny pieces of debris fly around when you cut stained glass or even grind it, so long sleeves are a must.
10. Lightbox
With a lightbox, it becomes easier to transfer the idea from the paper onto the stained glass. Or you could cut the paper pattern and trace it onto the glass surface, although it’s slightly more challenging.
B. Preparation
Once all the materials are ready, a stained glass artist chooses the patterns. For beginners, I recommend coming up with a simple pattern that does have too many parts, so you can easily fix the panel to the windows.
While picking a pattern, keep 2 things in mind - your skill level and whether you like it. When going through several patterns, look at how many glass pieces it will need to ensure you won’t have to do much soldering or cutting.
In most cases, artists can find a suitable glass pattern from many free patterns available on the internet. The best part about readymade patterns is that you won’t have to think about how they will look on the window.
But some like that challenge and customize their own pattern by taking inspiration from their surroundings. Or take the help of art books and nature to get the creative juices flowing.
C. Designing
When the design is ready, draw, print, or copy it on graph paper that’s the same size as the stained glass. You must cut the pattern piece by piece and study the glass to label each piece by grain direction or color.
Place the glass over the pattern, helping you trace the different parts on the surface with a permanent marker. But make sure to leave at least a couple of centimeters between each piece, depending on the thickness of the copper foil.
Some artists also prefer using a specialty black pen; however, I always take the help of a lightbox since it promises greater convenience.
D. Scoring The Glass
The next step is scoring the glass by imprinting the glass pattern with the cutter. Hold the cutter between the forefinger and thumb while pressing the iron tip with the middle and forefinger.
This is the safest way to create the pattern lines but feel free to develop a grip at your convenience. Then place a steel ruler over the lines and press the cutter into the stained glass while scraping inwards.
Start from the outside before moving toward the main body of the pattern. You will learn how to apply the right amount of pressure with practice because too much will wear out the surface, whereas gentle pressure won’t break the glass.
The score line should travel to all the edges, so follow the pattern accurately and rotate the glass if needed.
Tip
When scoring the glass, ensure you follow the pattern in a single movement instead of stopping and starting, and always score on the smooth side. Breaking the score is also easy; hold it at one end and snap the glass gently or apply pressure on the score line with pliers.
E. Cutting The Glass
It would help if you employed a suitable cutting technique based on the size and curves of the stained glass. When you notice a line forming on the straight edges, use pliers to squeeze the cracks and separate the pieces. More seasoned artists can break the glass with their hands, but you should take your time before trying such an advanced technique.
The tricky bit is cutting deep curves since the glass tends to break along other lines. You must remember the same principle and work from one edge to another. An interesting technique is tapping the glass with the ends of the pliers to break glass, but I always use a glass cutter and treat each curve like multiple shallow curves.
Try to keep the curves gentle when designing, and don’t worry if the edges are slightly jagged, as grinding will help smoothen them.
F. Grinding
Once all the pieces are ready, it’s time to grind the edges to achieve a smooth texture. While most people prefer a grinder, sandpaper can also blunt the edges. The important thing is to wear gloves and prevent accidents if your hand slips accidentally.
Similarly, wear goggles and a mask to keep the glass shards away from sensitive body parts when using the grinder. Usually, grinding is time-consuming since you must be thorough to avoid chipping any stained glass pieces.
Place each piece over the pattern and grind the glass into the necessary corrective lines. Doing so allows all the pieces to fit like a puzzle when you align the glass. Moreover, I like to frame the pieces after grinding and arranging them to see how the finished art looks. This further keeps the pieces from slipping when foiling the stained glass.
G. Copper Foiling
For proper foiling, use a 7/32-inch copper foil to cover the edges of the stained glass. While handling glass, exercise extra caution and apply the foil to the center; otherwise, it just looks odd.
Some people use a table foiler, but I’m more of a manual operator, although the choice is yours. When you have the right-sized copper foil, peel off its protective backing and center the glass on the copper tape.
Press the copper foil down to secure it from the glass to the edges using a firm instrument, like a tongue depressor. Once the copper tape is secured and appears, even know that your job is complete. But if one or more sections get bunched together, tear the portion off and start again.
H. Soldering
With proper copper foiling, you are sure to get perfect soldered pieces so that the final result is one smooth, stained glass project. Soldering takes time, so you will have to stay patient because there are several intricate methods you need to follow.
The basic method is to tack the pieces together, tin the seams, and add the bead. So, starting with the first step, you must add flux to the desired areas and melt a slight portion of solder on top to tack the pieces.
After that, apply the desired quantity of flux to the seams along with a thin amount of solder to tin the seams. Take time to coat the whole copper foil and apply another layer of flux to the newly tinned seams.
In such an instance, you must apply more solder to the seams and run the soldering iron back and forth to melt the solder completely. Then, gently lift the soldering iron leaving a shiny and smooth bead over the piece.
I. Picture Frames And Hanging
The final step is framing and holding the stained glass piece, for which you can either use a lead channel or a zinc frame. But for this, you will need more soldering, similar to the steps above.
Suppose you are using the lead channel - cut the channel to ensure it fits around the edges before soldering them and the glass pieces at every intersection. For hanging the stained glass work, solder tinned copper wire in two loops to hold its weight, but after cleaning the art piece with glass cleaner or a mild detergent.
And always hang it in a well-lit room or window for the best results.
Taking Care Of Stained Glass Projects
Making stained glass is the first step because you must spend adequate time cleaning and maintaining it once it's ready. Here I have jotted down some basic steps for taking care of stained glass for your benefit.
1. Managing Gaps
If it's your first time making stained glass, you will find it tough to cut or grind the edges accurately, leaving gaps between two pieces. But there's no need to worry since you can fill in most gaps with a soldering iron; just solder like you normally would to complete the project.
2. Issues While Scoring
Scoring the glass is one of the most crucial and intricate steps in determining how the rest of the project turns out. Usually, people who are adept at scoring stained glass focus on 3 things -
The pressure they are applying
How they are standing
The type of cutter they are using
Over the years, I have realized it's important to stand as if you are scoring only long lines. This will offer better reach while bringing the upper body and shoulder into the scoring motion. It would be best to complete the long lines first before moving on to the shorter scores.
For the latter, you must stay seated to concentrate better and follow the line of the permanent marker easily. It's also equally important to use the right glass cutter - a unit that isn't cheap or too expensive.
Ideally, you should spend a few dollars more on a quality glass cutter to cut clear glass well and get smooth performance. I prefer carbide head glass cutters because the oil lubrication makes them pretty useful.
And to guarantee smooth cutting lines, you must apply the right amount of pressure to the glass surface. When you hear a zipping noise while scoring, know that you are doing it right. Most importantly, remember it takes more pressure to score opalescent glass than Cathedral glass.
3. Soldering Issues
Like scoring, you can encounter problems with soldering, so ensure the soldering iron tip is properly heated and of the correct size, depending on the scale of the project. Moreover, the flux must be suited for higher temperatures to deliver the best results.
When people use the wrong flux, it results in black tip syndrome and subsequent charring. In other words, the soldering iron tip goes black, and you can't re-tin it or use it again.
Other than that, measure the width of the stained glass you use to choose the right size soldering iron tip. And maintain the necessary space between the copper and the tip.
Using The Right Paint For Stained Glass
While there are many types of paint, I always use enamel paint for stained glass since it is made from ground glass, flux, and color pigments mixed together. In most cases, there are two types of paint - high and low fired, but in both instances, they are placed in a kiln at temperatures ranging between 968 degrees and 1,382 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, note that enamel paint is either transparent or opaque glass paint, and if you use colors from the same manufacturer, it's possible to mix them. You can create vibrant color combinations but keep a record of each type for future use.
A. What Are Low And High-Firing Paints?
I gave you a slight idea about high and low-firing paints, so apart from the temperature, let's see how they differ. Obviously, higher temperatures make a paint high-firing and vice versa.
With high-firing paints, you will get better results during fusing as they can withstand higher temperatures. In comparison, low-firing paints are most used on stained glass because it's easier to include them within copper or lead-foiled panels.
But whatever your choice, always wear masks and gloves while painting since stained glass paint can pose a health hazard.
B. Applying The Paint
Let me begin by telling you what happens if you apply transparent paint to stained glass sheets by sandblasting, abrasion, or etching techniques. This will give you a semi-opaque effect along with a greater depth of color, which will help block out the view at the bottom of the window.
Moreover, I find that using either of these techniques delivers more creative glasswork with intricate textures. The trick is to use multiple layers of paint, gradually building on the density of each layer to achieve a rich shade.
But refrain from painting thick layers on the stained glass to prevent it from cracking during firing or turning black. That's why it would be best to work with clear or pale glass sheets while using light colors.
C. Engraved Glass
Many artists use enamel on stained glass that has been engraved beforehand, or you can engrave the paint after firing it in the kiln. This technique is effective for adding details and making the painting lifelike.
You can also mix the paint with several mediums, such as oil, gum arabic, damar varnish, or any other commercial screen medium. As a result, you can create different effects depending on the subject.
While you can even use water but I don't recommend it. Water is ideal for achieving subtle shades, but damar varnish will produce more vibrant thick line work. Apart from this, you will find opaque paints for stained glass, called glazes, and fired up to 1,562 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them perfect for slumping and fusing techniques.
D. Painting With A Sieve
You will mostly be handling dry paints when using a sieve, so make sure to wear a mask. Apply the color pigment before firing them in a sieve and shaking it over the desired areas of the sheet glass.
For greater control, you can use a stencil and mark out the areas on the glass to apply the paint. Moreover, don't shy away from drawing patterns into the dry paint with blunt instruments, like a stick.
Another technique is brushing the glass with glue using random patterns or preset designs and shaking the sieve over the surface. Once the paint dries, you can shake the loose pigments from the surface.
E. Hand Painting
And the final step is getting your hands dirty, which is the best technique, in my opinion. What better way to add detailing and texture to your artwork than manually applying the colors with precision?
For regular stained glass painting, you can use the following tools to achieve the desired texture-
Paint brushes
Using sponges to print on the surface
Stencils
Screwed paper
Potato prints
Remember that it will take time to master any technique, so keep practicing to become more proficient. Once you develop confidence, it will be easier to make numerous stained glass paintings on various subjects without much difficulty.
To lend a helping hand, I have decided to share how I mix the paint. You must mix one part of the paint with two parts of a liquid medium, such as oil or water. Use a palette knife to mix them until they attain a creamy texture, and be thorough so that the paint flows after being fired.
Also, remember that the paint is likely to show brush strokes, and since you can't repaint the surface with thicker layers, I have a solution. Let the brush strokes be but use a softer brush that holds more paint and apply it in swift, confident strokes.
How To Make Stained Glass Conclusion
After reading my guide, are you confident about creating stained glass projects?
While it may appear tricky and complicated initially, stained glass artwork is fun apart from serving a practical purpose. It enhances the room's interior décor and provides a different dimension to the space while blocking the outside view for greater privacy.
When you have a dark and slightly dull room, using stained glass might be the decorative piece you need. Remember to take your time and practice it as a hobby to get better.
And although you can take inspiration from other people's work, don't compare your progress or skill level with another’s. Learn at your own pace and for everything else, read my guide to create decorative pieces of glass that are unique and eye-catching.
Gothic cathedrals contained stained glass windows to help illuminate the church interior with colored divine light. Besides creating a heavenly abode of worship that helped visitors feel closer to God, each Gothic stained glass window told a biblical story that was beneficial to those members of the congregation who couldn’t read.
There’s no denying that Gothic cathedrals, with their soaring towers and ribbed vaults, are some of the most magnificent structures that have made a mark in the history of French architecture.
Interestingly, stained glass windows were also a crucial component of Gothic cathedrals. And stained glass paintings were one of the most widely known art forms practiced throughout Europe in medieval times.
But why did Gothic architecture see a rise in stained glass windows? Keep reading if you’re intrigued to find out, just like how I was!
Gothic Style Architecture - A Brief History
Abbot Suger is the name that introduced the world to Gothic architecture in the 12th century. He is still a powerful figure in French history known to be the “mastermind” behind the Basilica of Saint-Denis located in a northern suburb of Paris. This is the first Gothic cathedral featuring tall and elegant structures - characteristic components of Gothic-style architecture.
Architectural Components Of Gothic Cathedrals & Abbeys
The Gothic style made its mark throughout Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries, following the Romanesque style and prior to the Renaissance period. Here’s a quick breakdown of the Gothic period:
The early Gothic Period (12th to mid-13th century C.E.) - marks the beginning of Gothic architecture with artists learning the art of stained glass painting and glassmaking
High Gothic (1250 to 1300 C.E.) - a rise in the popularity of stained glass windows across Europe
Late Gothic Period (13th century to the end of the era) - a shift to the Renaissance period with a mix of Gothic style and Renaissance ideals
Gothic architecture did away with the thick and heavy walls and rounded arches that were prominent prior to the Gothic period. Architects focused on building thinner and taller walls by making use of ribbed vaulting and flying buttresses.
That being said, here are the key components crucial to Gothic architecture:
1. Flying Buttresses
While Romanesque buildings featured internal buttresses to support weights, Gothic churches featured external or “flying” buttresses. They helped shift the weight of the roofs to an external load-bearing structure. As such, the Gothic cathedrals could be built taller with significantly higher central naves.
2. Pointed Arches
Gothic cathedrals are known for their pointed arches that help bear more weight, unlike Romanesque buildings that feature rounded arches. And besides practical functionality, pointed arches also had the symbolic significance of pointing toward the direction of heaven.
These were not exclusive Gothic architectural components, but they did become a defining feature of the Gothic style.
3. Ribbed Vaults
While groin and barrel vaults were more common in Romanesque architecture, Gothic architecture preferred rib vaults. These are diagonal frameworks that helped architects build thinner and taller structures.
The ribbed vaulting technique also allowed for more intricacy in the design. And you can easily spot the crisscross detailing in the ceiling of the central nave of any Gothic cathedral.
4. West Facades
The front of a Gothic church (or the West Facade) includes three entranceways, two towers, and a rose window at the center. Consider the Notre Dame in Paris, for example - crowds gather at its west facade to gaze at the magnificent carvings and structures that tell a story.
On the left, you’ll find the Portal of the Virgin, and the right side is known as the Portal of Saint Anne. And, of course, the Portal of the Last Judgment is the central portal.
5. Rose Windows
I’m sure you must have noticed purple or blue light streaming through the enormous round windows of Gothic cathedrals. Of course, the taller structures enabled the construction of such large windows. But what makes them stand out even today is the use of stained glass.
Furthermore, the 13th century enabled the possibility of making clear glass windows, thanks to the use of silver stains. This helped brighten the interior of Gothic churches.
In fact, circular glass windows have also been a huge part of the Romanesque style. But rose windows became the feature that defined the Gothic period. They were secured in place with further development of stone tracery techniques.
Abbot Suger & The Birth Of Gothic Architecture
I’ve already introduced you to Abbot Suger and his role in developing Gothic cathedrals. But it makes sense to understand more about him and how he brought about the renovations in the church of Saint-Denis before we dive deeper into the significance of stained glass windows.
That being said, Suger was the advisor to both Louis VI and Louis VII. And he was the appointed regent who was left in charge of France when Louis VII had to leave for the Second Crusade. During this time, he decided to transform the church of Saint-Denis into a place that would transport visitors to the divine realm. And he believed in using light and material objects to achieve this goal.
His infatuation with light was the main driving force behind the renovations carried out. Sugar believed that illuminating the church would not only brighten the minds of his congregation but also lead them to “the true light, where Christ is the door.”
People in the middle ages started believing that any fancy material object could be used as a vessel to connect with God. And light was the key factor that would activate these objects. This was the reason Suger used to justify his renovations, along with the use of gold and precious gems as decoration in the church.
The church would be considered a space between the earthly and heavenly realms. And Suger made sure to eliminate anything that could obstruct the flow of light into the Saint Denis cathedral.
Divine Light As A Guiding Force In Gothic Architecture
Lumen, lux, and splendor - these were just a few of the words used to describe light in the middle ages. While lumen is the light that interacts with the material world, lux is the light emitted by the sun. Then there’s reflected light, also known as splendor.
That said, the goal of Suger and his followers was not to only flood the church interior with light. He wanted to use lumen, splendor, and light to symbolize the divine realm. That’s what prompted him to add the west rose window at Saint-Denis cathedral- which was referred to as “a floating signifier of heaven” by Dr. Mark Jarzombek, professor of architecture.
Another good example of the use of light in Gothic architecture can be seen at the Chartres Cathedral. The three lancet windows inside the western facade under the rose window are some of the best examples of 12th-century French art.
The Importance Of Gothic-Stained Glass Windows
Abbot Suger discovered that large Gothic stained glass windows were the way worshippers could feel closer to God and saints. They helped create a divine physical manifestation that enabled religious reflection. A stained glass window allowed colored light to enter the cathedrals, representing the Holy Spirit that would illuminate one’s soul while pushing away evil.
That’s not all; the stained glass art depicted images of Jesus, saints, and kings. These illustrations told biblical stories that benefited most of the congregation, who could not read or write. The stained glass windows depicted stories from the Old and New Testament that had to be read from the bottom of the window to the top.
As such, the need to make the cathedral windows intensified over the years, allowing more divine light to enter the church. It started with Saint-Denis, and then renovations were done to make the rose window at the Chartres larger. Even the detailing of the colored glass became finer to resemble intricate paintings.
In fact, one of the windows in Saint-Denis cathedral featured an illustration of Abbot Suger himself at the feet of the Virgin Mary. The Tree of Jesse window, which depicts the genealogy of Jesus Christ, is also a notable example of such a painting. It became a common feature for most Gothic windows, including the Chartres Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle.
What Is Stained Glass?
Now that we know why stained glass was used to create Gothic windows let’s understand what stained glass is. For the unversed, the term “stained glass” refers to colored glass made using painted glass and metallic oxides fused together in a kiln (wood-fired oven).
The term itself was derived from the silver stain applied to the window side facing outside. It changed color (ranging from lemon yellow to gold) whenever the glass was fired. In fact, silver stains (made using silver nitrate) were often used to change the color of blue glass to green to represent the illustration of grass on the glass window.
Another standout feature of stained glass is that it gets enhanced by daylight, which varies depending on the weather, time of day, and the season. So, when strong sunlight passes through the glass, you’ll notice colors floating above the panel, which indeed is a mystical sight to behold.
How Was Stained Glass Made?
Stained glass windows played an important role in Gothic cathedrals, with light passing through them to make the place more divine and holy. But how were these large circular windows made? Well, stained glass windowsare essentially made the same way they were made 1,000 years ago. I’ve briefly explained the steps involved in this section:
1. Creation Of Cartoons
The European artists would begin by making a sketch of the stained glass window. They would create full-sized drawings (also known as cartoons) of the large panels on whitewashed boards. Shapes of the glass pieces, glass colors, and other details of the painting would also be mentioned in the cartoon.
2. Cutting The Glass
Different glass colors would be chosen for individual sections of the painting. Next, the artist would draw the outlines of the glass pieces using lime wash. And a dividing iron would be used to cut them into rough shapes. These pieces were further refined to create the exact shapes using a grozing iron. Today, you get stained glass ring saws for the purpose of cutting.
3. Painting The Stained Glass
Ground copper and iron oxide would be mixed with powdered glass to create a pigment. This was then mixed with vinegar, urine, or wine to paint the glass pieces. After painting them, the individual glass pieces would be placed in the kiln. The heat would help the vitreous paint permanently fuse with the glass pieces.
4. Using Strips Of Lead To Join The Stained Glass Pieces
Narrow strips of lead were then used to hold the pieces of glass together, forming a panel. This is because lead offered the flexibility required for fitting around the diverse shapes of glass pieces.
5. Glazing
Assembling the stained glass panel and making it ready to be set into the window is what glazing refers to. The individual stained glass pieces were fired and positioned on the cartoon using lead strips.
Artists also had to use a hammer and combination knife for the process. While the knife helped cut the lead strips in the middle ages, the hammer edge was used to secure the nails to the board.
The sections of the lead came were then soldered using an alloy of lead and tin, which melts easily at low temperatures and sets rather quickly.
6. Cementing The Glass Panels
Finally, the stained glass panel would be cemented using semi-liquid cement. It would be applied using a brush and covered with a layer of sawdust or chalk to absorb any extra liquid. Now, I’m not really sure about the primary ingredients used to prepare the cement. But I do know that they would use linseed and chalk.
Tip
If you plan on using this process for making stained glass art, do remember to scrub down the glass panel with a dry brush. This will ensure that the cement remains under the lead strips, hidden from sight.
Earliest Examples Of Stained Glass Windows In Gothic Cathedrals
The visual stories depicted in the Gothic stained glass windows of cathedrals are some of the most powerful art forms that are relevant in French history. As such, I’ve listed some of the most popular stained-glass window installations in Gothic cathedrals:
1. The Seraph
One of the most famous stained glass window installations is in the Reims Cathedral. This is where the popular arresting lunette (or half-moon shape) in paintings originated from.
It’s a painting of the Seraph - one of the six-winged angels who stand in the presence of God. I don’t know much about the painter of this stained glass artwork. But they’ve done a commendable job in creating the facial features and eyes of the angel using thick strokes of vitreous paint.
2. The Virgin And Child
The achievements of medieval stained glass are reflected in the glass panel of the Virgin And Child. This window was installed in the Abbey of Klosterneuburg just outside Vienna. Now, the art piece itself is quite small, but even then the clarity of line work made it easily visible from a distance.
Be it the facial features or beautiful curls of hair, the painter has managed to express himself with the use of black vitreous paint in this art form. That’s not all; the vitreous paint applied to the glass surface helped add three-dimensional detailing to the painting. And the silver stain used to create the yellow halos completes the radiant appeal of the stained glass window.
3. Saint John
This stained glass panel (which should have been part of a larger Crucifixion scene) helped medieval painters express themselves through the emotion-filled portrait of Saint John. They applied vitreous paint on a clear glass and then stabbed it with a brush for the points of light. A pointed brush was then used to create the most expressive and calligraphic line-work for Saint John’s facial features and hair.
Large-Scale Production Of Stained Glass Windows During The Renaissance
The production of stained glass windows flourished during the late Gothic or Renaissance period. One prime example of this is a window in one of the churches featuring a Crucifixion scene (on the left panel). It shows the painting of the Virgin Mother and Saint John the Evangelist.
On the right panel is a young donor protected by Saint Christoper while he kneels and adores the Crucifixion. The stained glass window shows exceptional craftsmanship with the use of brilliant colors and details that reflect the religious beliefs of the unidentified donor.
That being said, it’s easy to understand the funamentals of the stained glass used to create this large window. For instance, the rich-colored robes of the Virgin Mother and St. John indicate that the panels are partly made of colored stained glass.
Along with the consistent use of blue and red glass, you’ll also notice the ample use of silver stain for the yellow tinge seen on the panels, especially for the hair of the Christ child. On closer inspection, you’ll see that the stain has been applied to the back of the panel.
Here I also have to mention the use of the flashed glass technique to create this stained glass window panel, indicative of the halo of Christ. This was made using a piece of clear glass stained with red color. The painter then painted the rays using a silver stain on the back.
Single Piece Stained Glass Windows - Saint Michael The Archangel Conquering Satan
One of the early examples of single-piece stained glass windows in the late 1400s is the roundel of Archangel Michael conquering Satan. It was a small glass window painted using golden silver stain and vitreous paint to bring out the depth behind the painter’s thought.
I also love the symbolic interpretation of the window using light - the guiding force behind Gothic architecture. With light passing through the glass panels, one could establish the identity of St. Michael as the angel of goodness and light.
This intricate art piece was created on colorless glass using oxide paint and silver stain. You’ll notice the light yellow color of St. Michael’s hair and the use of orange-yellow colors for his feathers and armor. What really stands out to me is the deep orange stain that gives the realistic interpretation of flames when light passes through it.
I have to also applaud the attention to detail created by the artist using light brown paint. They used pointed sticks and brushes to scratch the paint and achieve the desired effect in Satan’s body and Saint Michael’s drapery.
Gothic Cathedrals Contained Stained Glass Programs Final Words
Gothic stained glass windows provided a canvas for artists to express themselves through paintings and diverse art. Each Gothic stained glass window, be it in cathedrals, town halls, city halls, or houses told a story that inspired religious faith among the congregation.
Of course, “light” was the primary driving force behind the installation of stained glass windows in cathedrals. As renovations were made to allow more light to pass through the stained glass windows in churches, worshippers were able to feel closer to the divine realms.
Even from a scientific standpoint, sufficient light and airflow in a space helps promote good mood and productivity. No wonder the well-lit medieval church could transport visitors to a different world while making them feel divine and holy.
Sealing pavements with sand can help preserve them from aging and stains. It is critical to use polymeric sand and coat the pavements as soon as possible after installation. Sealing the pavers makes them look brand new and protects them from possible harm.
There are two major scenarios in which homeowners learn about using polymeric sand to seal their pavements. The first is when they've just finished installing pavements for the very first time.
The second is when they employ paver repairs because the pavers start looking worn out. Paver sealant is an essential maintenance product for keeping paver patios and driveways free from damage.
In this article, I have provided advice on whether you should seal pavers to achieve the desired finish.
Why Should You Seal The Pavers?
Sealing your pavers is the most effective approach to maintaining your pathways, patios, walkways, pool decks, retaining walls, and other hardscapes. The highly efficient sealers provide a durable finish that restores the original color depth, repels stains, and prevents surface damage.
Just as you would clean and polish your automobile regularly, your pavers and retaining fence blocks require the same attention to keep them functional and as good as new.
Benefits Of Sealing Pavers
It is always recommended to seal pavers immediately following a fresh installation. However, the tried-and-true procedure of repairing, cleaning, and sealing can restore the original brilliance of even worn, unclean, and fading pavers.
The following are the benefits of sealing the pavers:
Dissuades ants and some other insects by inhibiting weeds and grass growth in joints
Prevents sand loss in joints
Resists oil, grease, filth, and stains
Simpler cleaning
Color, texture, and brightness are all improved
It is resistant to the impacts of extreme weather conditions
Protects against salt damage
Surface degradation and wear are reduced
Ensures long-term beauty and value
Is It Really Necessary To Seal The Pavers?
Most manufacturers and builders advocate sealing pavers for one reason. The materials used to make pavers are permeable - cement and stone are both porous. This implies that your pavements will absorb fluids, which is what causes stains.
When the pavement gets wet, it darkens for a moment, but all that moisture will dissipate with time. The underlying problem is that your paver stones are exposed to grease, hard water, corrosive water, and other contaminants. When these liquids penetrate pavements, they leave a discoloration that’s difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
The sealer is designed to infiltrate the holes of your paving stones and make them impenetrable, forming a layer that protects the surface and makes it easier to clean. A completely sealed pavement will not discolor and will readily erase any markings.
Is There A Disadvantage To Sealing Pavers?
This very important question may loom in your mind: "Is there any disadvantage to sealing pavers?" The answer to this question would be: "If the item required for sealing is not adequately chosen and the application was badly executed, there might be a problem in the sealing process."
If you don't like the color improvement option, you should use a natural-looking sealer. Since you may be unable to create a paver patio with a shiny surface, the chosen product must give greater friction. These are legitimate issues that you must address before purchasing a sealer.
Poor application may also result in haze and white films. Worse, it has the potential to trap dirt behind the sealing layer. However, these are not necessarily disadvantages of paver sealing. As mentioned before, they are disadvantages of poor product selection and implementation.
Can You Seal The Pavers On Your Own?
While it is true that you can, you should not. You will benefit greatly from hiring a professional unless you are skilled and have the necessary tools for sealing pavers. Many things could go wrong if you don't have the requisite experience. A professional will take all of these factors into account.
And I'm guessing you won't be able to save any money by going the DIY route. You'll have to pay retail for your sealer and will most likely have to rent gear for power washing before sealing and spraying the sealer evenly. Furthermore, you will waste a whole weekend on a task that might turn out differently than you’d want it to.
How Often Should One Seal Pavers?
A decent rule of thumb is 3-5 years. However, you only need to correctly examine your pavers to understand when the true moment is approaching. You will notice that the film begins to wear off, particularly when it rains.
When your pavers are exposed to water, they will darken. While conducting routine washing, use the garden hose to see if the water is being absorbed instantly by the pavement.
4 Things To Check Before Sealing Your Pavement
1. Find Out What The Supplier Has To Say About It
Before getting to your neighborhood hardscape supply store, examine the paver manufacturer's sealing standards. This will provide you with crucial information on the type of sealing materials that are appropriate to apply to your pavers and the recommended waiting time before adding sealer to new pavers.
2. Examine The Weather
Before beginning your job, ensure no rain is on the horizon for the next 24 hours. In most circumstances, you should only apply a sealant on totally dried pavers. You should also avoid sealing jobs in severe temperatures. Generally, temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are optimum.
3. Clean The Paver
I cannot emphasize how important this step is! Not only should you clean dirt from your pavements before sealing them, but you should also start taking care of any efflorescence. This cleaning phase prepares the pavers for optimum sealer bonding.
4. Clean Out Any Dirty Sand From The Connectors
If you're going to handle the sealing procedure, don't cut any corners. Make sure to replace any contaminated sand in the joints with polymeric sand.
Tip
If you're replacing sand, do the efflorescence cleaning after you refill the polymeric sand and then before you seal.
What Are The Different Types Of Sealant Available On The Market?
Following are the different types of sealants available on the market:
1. Sealant For The Surface
A surface sealer is a transparent coating applied to the paver's surface. It protects the pavement from discoloration and makes cleaning easier.
2. Sealant That Penetrates
A penetrating sealer enters the paver's pores, forming a shield against moisture, oils, and debris.
3. Water-Based Sealer
A liquid sealer is a penetrating sealer composed of acrylic polymers. It forms a transparent, protective layer after bonding to the paver.
4. Sealer Made Of Oil
An oil-based sealant is a penetrating sealer created from petroleum-based materials. It forms a transparent, protective layer after bonding to the paver.
What Is Polymeric Sand And How It’s Used To Seal Pavers?
What Is Polymeric Sand?
So, what is polymeric sand and how is it used? Well, it is a sand that includes polymers, often known as plastics. This sand binds pavers together and fills up any fractures or gaps. Polymeric sand comes in various hues, allowing you to match it to the shade of your pavements.
Is Polymeric Sand Superior To Regular Sand?
Yes, polymeric sand is superior to normal paver sand for several reasons. For starters, it strengthens the bond between the pavers. Second, it aids in the filling of any fractures or gaps between pavers. Finally, it is resistant to pests and bug infestation.
What Are The Negative Effects Of Polymeric Sand?
There are a couple of drawbacks to polymeric sand. To begin with, it is more costly than normal sand. Second, if you ever have to repair the pavers, it might be tough to remove the sand.
How To Apply Polymeric Sand?
The quantity of paver sand required will be based on the size of the paver. You'll need around 2 pounds of sand for a modest patio. For a bigger patio, you'll need around six to eight pounds of sand.
Once you've established how much sand you need, spread it onto the pavers. The best tools for the job are a push broom and a hose with a nozzle connection. To begin, moisten the pavements with water. Next, use the hose or broom to distribute the sand over the pavers uniformly.
What Are The Other Types Of Sand That Can Be Used?
The purpose determines the ideal sand to use. Concrete sand, for example, is commonly used for pavement projects, but brick sand is best suited for masonry construction. Polymeric sand is the finest option for sealing pavers since it holds them together and fills any fractures or gaps.
Following are the types of sand that can be used for sealing the pavements:
Playground
Concrete
Masonry
Brick
Polymeric
6 Mistakes To Avoid While Sealing The Pavement
1. Joints That Are Too Narrow Or Too Wide
I recommend a joint width of 1/8th of an inch to 4 inches and a joint depth of at least 1 inch between your pavers. This helps you to get the most out of your polymeric sand's bonding performance.
Furthermore, too-thin or excessively narrow joints might create spillover during the setup process. Tight channels do not enable water to circulate and sink downwards to the bottom of the connections while washing the pavement.
Sand is put through the joints. As a result, I do not advocate utilizing polymeric sand in excessively thin connections. Similarly, overly-wide joints can induce washout by allowing too much water to enter during the activation phase.
2. Pavers Or Joints That Are Wet
Before putting in polymeric sand, make sure the pavements and gaps are dry. If there's any dampness present, the polymers will prematurely activate, resulting in a haze on the surface, or the sand will not firm up correctly. Wait until the morning dew has burned off before putting the polymeric sand in a humid area.
3. Filling Your Joints Too Much
This is a reasonable and frequent error. You stuff your joint to the top, hoping to get the finest joint stability possible. But don't do it. It is critical to leave around 1/8 inch from the surface of your pavers. This is essential to avoiding spillover once you begin wetting the joints to activate the sand.
Whenever the sand is 1/8 inch thick, it provides for the optimum bonding and adhesion of the paver joint below the surface. Furthermore, overfilled joints will deteriorate over time with activity on the surface. This is going to appear poorly on your project.
4. Overwatering Or Underwatering The Pavement
You should try to obtain the finest adhesive effectiveness from the peak of the junction to the bottom. Ensure that you wet your joints for the appropriate amount of time, and use the "spray" mode on your pump attachment.
A. Underwatering The Pavement
Underwatering the pavement leads the polymeric sand to create a "crust" on top. As such, the joints won’t connect properly, and the crust will eventually break away, damaging the joint. Since the sand has only partially bonded the whole depth of the joint, it also generates fissures and gaps.
B. Over-Watering The Pavement
Over-watering may cause polymers to separate from the sand during reactivation, lowering bonding strength.
5. Drainage Issues
Poor drainage might jeopardize your project. To seal your pavement properly, you should adhere to the following guidelines:
A. Pavers Should Be Put On A Drainage-Friendly Foundation
Pavement or paver stone should be placed over cement, limestone, or other similar materials, with bedding soil in between. Thin pavers can be put on concrete in some circumstances, often with bedding soil in between to create a padding effect and drainage.
Installation recommendations differ across the region for different soil constraints, temperature conditions, and usage demands. Water must be able to escape for the polymers to harden. If polymeric sand is utilized in locations with poor drainage, the liquid will subject the sand to extended wetness and moisture, rendering it susceptible to washout.
B. Ensure Your Pavements Have A Border, Whether Natural Or Artificial
If your pavers are parallel to the ground, you will have a natural barrier and drainage. Otherwise, you should install a cement boundary or edging to avoid runoff at the borders.
C. The Project Area Should Have A Modest Incline
If the area has places that retain water for extended periods, avoid using polymeric sand.
6. Excess Sand Isn't Thoroughly Removed
Since it adheres so well, polymeric sand is ideal for paver stabilization. This becomes an issue when activated and afterward left to dry on the pavers rather than between them.
The problem can be made more difficult to resolve if the sealer is applied on the surface of the sand-crusted paving stones, accentuating the coarse texture and haze. Of course, when used correctly, the sealer may provide an exquisite touch to your project.
There are two critical periods during installation when you must remove the polymeric sand from the surface of your pavements:
After sweeping the sand into the joint
During the process of activation
Should You Seal Pavers Before Polymeric Sand Final Words
All patios settle, wear, and disintegrate over time. Instead of merely filling up the gaps between the pavers with conventional sand, use polymeric sand to provide long-lasting functionality and appeal to the surface.
If you don't, a lot of the sand you pour in will flush away after a few hard storms, and weeds may sprout before you complete the sealing process.
Sand sealing is an important step that may help preserve pavers from weathering and stains. You can properly seal your pavements with polymeric sand and rest assured they will last for years to come by following the professional recommendations in this guide.
Polymeric sand is a specialized construction material typically used for landscaping projects like sealing pavers and driveways. It can also be a long-term solution for repairing cracks on these surfaces.
Damaged pavements and driveways are more than just an eyesore- they can compromise the safety of your landscape like nothing else. That’s why most homeowners take special care when sealing these surfaces or repairing them in case of damage. And if you ask me, polymeric sand is one such material that can help you achieve both purposes effectively.
But, what is it and how do you use it? Read on to find out!
What Is Polymeric Sand After All?
Simply put, polymeric sand is a special material used for construction purposes, which is made by combining fine sand particles with additives (like silica). Polymeric sand is used by professionals and DIYers alike to fill the gaps between surfaces like tiles and pavers. Once exposed to water, the material hardens over time, creating a strong, durable bond.
Now, regular building sand, the material used for the formation of paver beds, can be used for filling gaps and joints between the above-mentioned surfaces. But there are quite a few advantages that makepolymer sand stand out when compared with regular sand, such as:
1. High Durability
The additives in a polymeric sand bind with the material when exposed to water, creating a fundamentally durable bond. So, when you apply the material to fill gaps or joints, you can rest assured about its longevity to keep the surface secure. However, this is not the case with regular building sand, as you may have to reapply it every few weeks, especially with heavy use and inclement weather conditions.
But polymeric sand is said to be resistant to rain, the elements, and even corrosion. In hindsight, it reduces the need for frequent repair and reconstruction of your driveway, pavement, or other tiled surfaces.
2. Ease Of Use
No matter which brand of polymeric sand you opt for, it will come with detailed instructions on the package for hassle-free application. Although the process may be time-consuming, especially for first-timers, it’s relatively easier to get the hang of.
Tip
Make sure you follow the application instructions to the tee, especially if you want to apply polymeric sand to make the surface resistant to water. Moreover, you should clean the remaining polymeric sand thoroughly to ensure that everything “sits” in the gaps or joints and there’s no leftover on the surface.
3. No Weed Infestation
Since polymeric sand settles in the joints and gaps of pavers and tiles without leaving any gaps, you don’t have to worry about weed infestation in these places. This also means that you won’t have to use any weed killer or use manual weed-pulling methods, thereby preventing any unnecessary damage to the surface.
4. Multiple Colors
Polymeric sand is manufactured in different colors, with red, brown, and gray being the most popular options that blend with most pavers and tiles seamlessly. As a result, homeowners don’t have to worry about spoiling the aesthetics of their outdoor projects.
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Using Polymeric Sand?
Like any other construction material, using polymeric sand requires users to be careful about certain aspects. For instance, this material can harden very quickly, meaning you won’t have much time to work with it, especially once it’s exposed to moisture. Hence, you have to work quickly during the application; otherwise, there will be chunks of sand all over the surface and joints.
Another thing to be aware of is if there’s leftover sand on the surface when it rains or if the surface the sand is being applied to is moist, the material will harden immediately. And this will result in ugly-looking patches.
Furthermore, you should always use the right amount of sand and sprinkle the right amount of water to fill the gaps and joints. If you use too much water, the polymers in the sand will wash away before getting the time to set. Likewise, using less water will result in weaker bonds, which will be fragile and highly likely to break away.
How To Use Polymeric Sand?
The most common use of polymeric sand is in landscape paving projects, such as stone, brick, and concrete pavers. Aside from that, you can use this material to fill cracks on tiles and similar surfaces. But how do you use polymeric sand to get the best results? Find out below!
Start by cleaning the surface to ensure that there’s no dirt or debris which can interfere with the bonding process. And once you’ve ensured that the surface is completely dry, spread small amounts of the sand on the required areas. Do not use too much, as the leftover sand will become hard to clean- you can always add more if required.
Now, use a push broom to sweep the sand and “force” it into the cracks and joints. Do this a couple of times in one direction, then sweep in the opposite direction to ensure that all the gaps have been properly filled. Continue this step until all the gaps have been visibility filled with the sand.
To reinforce this step, I’d suggest using the handle of the broom or using a vibratory compactor to tap the sand and help it settle. You will likely see that the level of the sand in the gaps will drop, which is when you should apply more sand and repeat the application process. Continue this until the cracks are filled to the brim after the tapping.
In case of excess polymeric sand on the surface, use a leaf blower or a brush to clean it, but make sure you’re not removing the sand from the cracks or joints. Finally, use a mister to spray water on the applied sand and activate the binders. However, remember that too much water or a strong water stream will wash away the applied sand.
How Long Does Polymeric Sand Take To Dry?
Once exposed to water, the applied polymeric sand should dry within a couple of days. You can check the bond by inserting a stick or pen into the joints- if it fails to penetrate the crack, the sand is completely set. If not, you can use more water or apply more sand as required and repeat the application process.
But “should you seal the pavers before using polymeric sand?” Well, this isn’t really required, as the material itself will work as a sealer to lock the paver joints in place. However, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as some manufacturers may recommend otherwise.
What Is Polymeric Sand & What Is It Used For FAQs
Can you use polymeric sand in cement?
Although there’s no rule to stop you from doing so, using polymeric sand to fill concrete slabs may not be the best idea. This is because the material will eventually harden over time, preventing flexibility in the slabs and promoting cracks in the long run.
As such, I’d suggest using backer rods, which are specifically made for sealing cement pavers. You can even take the help of a professional if you’re unsure about the process.
Can you use polymeric sand with gravel?
Filling gaps and joints with polymeric sand that already has gravel in them can be extremely cumbersome, as it will take a lot of effort to force the sand between the gaps. And leaving the sand on the surface for too long will increase the risk of discoloration.
Ideally, you should try removing all the gravel from the joints, cleaning and drying the joints, and applying polymeric cement. Once applied, finish it with a layer of polymeric sand before spraying water to activate the polymer.
Does polymeric sand work with flagstone?
No, polymeric sand should never be used to fill joints and cracks in flagstone pavers, as they are typically built on a foundation of gravel stones. As a result, the sand will not reach the lower level of the paver and simply settle on top, eventually cracking and creating a mess.
Not only that, but the void left at the bottom of the flagstone pavers can facilitate the growth of weeds and promote the entry of ants or other small pests.
Does polymeric sand work with porcelain pavers?
Yes, polymeric sand can perform very well when sealing porcelain tiles and pavers. As the material sets in place and bonds with the tiles, it facilitates a durable connection that’s equally flexible to reduce the chances of cracks and other foundational damages.
Can you use polymeric sand with brick pavers?
Yes, many professionals prefer joining clay brick pavers and fixing cracks on brick driveways with polymeric sand. As the material hardens inside the gap forming one continuous unit, it strengthens the bricks to prevent cracks. Moreover, it takes up all the space inside joints and cracks to deter weeds and pests.
Additives like resin and plastic in the polymeric sand can also protect the surface integrity of your pavers and driveway by facilitating even weight distribution.
Can bluestone driveways and pavers be set with polymeric sand?
Bluestone concrete pavers are generally designed in a wet-laid application, which isn’t really suitable for polymeric sand. If you use polymeric sand to fill gaps and cracks in wet bluestone pavers, the material will invariably harden to form ugly chunks, eventually cracking. Besides, the joints may not hold in freezing and thawing conditions.
Due to these reasons, many professional contractors prefer using mortar instead of polymeric sand when setting or repairing bluestone pavers.
Can you apply polymeric sand to set pea gravel driveways?
The answer to this will depend on the size of the pea gravels you have used. For instance, if you have placed the pavers 2 inches apart and used small to medium-sized pea gravels for the base, there should be enough space for the sand to enter and do its job.
However, using polymeric sand may not be useful if you’re using large-sized pea gravels at the base or using them on the surface.
Should you use polymeric sand for installing or fixing travertine pavers?
Polymeric sand works very well when setting or fixing gaps and cracks in travertine (natural stone) pavers. All you have to do is pour the sand in small heaps on the required areas and sweep it in the gaps a couple of times to ensure they are completely filled.
Then, clean the leftover sand on the paver and lightly mist the filled gaps to activate the additives, setting the sand in place.
What Is Polymeric Sand & What Is It Used For Final Words
That’s all I had for today!
But before I leave you to the job, here’s one last tip. If your pavers have been discolored due to leftover polymeric sand, spray some white vinegar on the required area, leave it for a couple of hours, and scrub it lightly. Then, wash it with soap and water and let the area dry completely.
See you another day!.
Polymeric sand proves particularly useful during path or patio installation, and you must apply it after laying all the layers. Also, remember to apply water and activate the bonding agents in the sand so that the pavement doesn't shift.
Before knowing about the polymeric sands and how did they works properly. I always wondered how to get polymeric sand off paverswhen engaging in landscaping or home construction projects. As the sand settled, tiny particles came loose and stuck to the surface, creating a haze and affecting the beauty of the reconstructed surface.
But in my efforts to find a solution, I learned regular sand is useful for many hardscaping tasks. Today I will highlight how regular and polymeric sand is different and when to use them.
Polymeric sand isn't a natural compound; instead, it's a man-made product specifically manufactured for use in landscaping and construction work. The basis for creating polymeric sand is combining silica or other relevant additives with fine particles of sand.
Using proper additives helps create a strong bond between the sand particles for greater durability. Moreover, non-activated polymeric sand possesses the same texture as regular sand particles after production. All you need is to add water to activate the bonding agent within the sand and create a hard, gel-like compound.
Advantages Of Polymeric Sand
Suitable for path and patio installations
Adheres strongly to pavers
Creates a durable and reliable bond
Simple and convenient application
Available in multiple shades to match the walkway and patio design
Better drainage
Eye-catching aesthetics
Can withstand heavy rainfall
Protects against insects and weed growth
Longer lifespan
What Is Regular Sand?
Even the best polymeric sand is not suitable for all hardscaping projects, which is where regular sand proves useful. For such projects, you must use all-purpose sand, known as leveling or joint sand, to create a tight seal between the paver joints.
I have seen that regular paver sand does not have bonding agents in many instances, but as the sand particles are coarse, they interlock to form a strong gap filler. People mostly use regular sand due to its convenience and easy application.
Advantages of Regular Sand
Creates a level base
Suitable for paver installation
Guarantees even distribution over the walkway or patio
Affordable option
Versatile and better for making adjustments
Doesn't form a permanent bond and is easy to remove
Polymeric Sand Vs Regular Sand - Which One Should You Choose?
I have provided a basic idea of how polymeric and regular sand differs, and in this section, I will highlight how they match up in various categories.
Durability
For any hardscaping project to bear fruit, it must last a long time. While the lifespan of any surface or paver joint can vary based on the climate and product type, polymeric sand usually lasts for 10 years.
Regular sand can also last long but will require adjustments every 2 years so that the pavement doesn't shift.
Pest Control
Regular sand doesn't offer a permanent solution against pest infestation and can only slow down weed growth or insects burrowing for a short time after installation. On the other hand, polymeric sand is more beneficial for preventing weeds and insects from pushing through the joints.
Appearance
After you have let the material set, it's challenging to tell the difference between polymeric and regular sand. Both options are available in various colors and shades, although polymeric sand delivers a cleaner look, suitable for daily use.
This is due to the strong binding agent holding on to the sand particles, preventing them from blowing away or loosening from the joints in high-traffic areas.
Ease Of Use
The major difference between regular and polymeric sand lies in the application method. I have noticed that applying polymeric sand is easier as there is more room for error, but remember to apply water to activate the bonding agents.
Also, use a broom to blow away dust from the surface of both materials and maintain a vibrant appearance. Once the loose sand settles on the surface and forms a haze, it becomes challenging to clean the paver.
Common Problems
To tackle the haze problem, you can use cement-free polymeric sand while removing dust from the surface while adding water. Meanwhile, regular sand erodes more quickly, especially when exposed to natural elements, like rain or strong winds. To prevent this, add more sand or a strong sealant over the surface of the pavers.
Price
Polymeric sand is pricier than all-purpose sand; however, spending a little extra is worth it, given the durability of a polymeric paver.
Tip
Choosing the correct sand, depending on the area, is vital because if the pathway or pavement is in the shade, it will be too moist and cool for the sand to set. Also, check the weather and postpone all construction work if it's going to rain.
Polymeric Sand Vs Regular Sand FAQs
Can you mix polymeric sand with regular sand or cement?
Even though it is possible to mix polymeric sand with regular sand or cement, I recommend that you don’t do it. This is because when the cement settles and forms a compact mass, it prevents the sand from adjusting to temperature changes, increasing the chances of cracking.
Moreover, applying cement between the cracks is challenging, and if you don’t wipe it off before it hardens, it can hamper how the paver looks.
Is it important to use a paver sealant?
A sealant is applied to the surface of the pavers and the joints in between to protect the surface from stains and keep the color intact. Most importantly, it strengthens the joints more than just polymeric sand to guarantee longevity.
Polymeric Sand Vs Regular Sand Conclusion
Both sand types have pros and cons, and which material you opt for depends on the type of project and personal preference. Ask yourself what you wish to achieve and the purpose for choosing the most suitable option.
Overall, I feel the benefits of polymeric sand outweigh the advantages of regular sand, providing more value for money on multiple projects. But regular sand is ideal for people on a budget and lasts several years with proper maintenance.
Polymeric sand is an ideal option for renovators performing driveway or walkway projects. Since this compound hardens when it is in contact with water, excess sand on the pavers needs to be removed using a brush, pressure washing, or boiling water.
Although slightly expensive, polymeric sand has been a favorite among many renovators, including myself.
Though it is a great material for bonding pavers, excess polymeric sand on the paver floor can lead to an unpolished look. So, to combat this issue, I have compiled a summarized guide that helps efficiently clean any excess polymeric sand from pavers flooring.
Let's dive in.
How To Get Polymeric Sand Off After Installation?
Ideally, I recommend removing polymeric sand from pavers as soon as you finish your patio work. The polymeric sand haze that develops on top of the flooring is mainly due to the leftover material. To remove polymeric sand haze, it is necessary to know what polymer sand consists of.
Polymeric sand typically contains 85-90% crystalline silica and quartz, allowing the sand to bind together. When this sand is wet, it begins to activate polymers, which in turn toughens the numerous components and locks the pavers.
I have mentioned below the required steps required for cleaning pavers effectively:
For starters, make sure to avoid moisture or water whatsoever before cleaning. Wet polymeric sand would be much harder to get off the surface, so ensure the floor is completely dry.
On the dry paver flooring, sweep the floor with a soft-bristled broom. Keep repeating this step as many times as necessary to get rid of excess polymeric sand. I opted for a soft-bristled broom to avoid accidentally scratching or damaging the pavers.
Sweep the surface to deposit the materials into the paver joints, thus utilizing every inch. After sweeping the paver's surface thoroughly, I employ a leaf blower to get rid of any remaining polymeric sand.
Warning
Be extremely careful while using a leaf blower to avoid blowing sand in excess. If not leveled properly, it can remove polymeric sand from paver joints.
Removing Polymeric Sand Post Hardening
Unlike normal sand, polymeric sand remaining on top of the paver surface will harden quickly when it comes in contact with water or moisture. This leaves the paver stones hazy, making the surface quite tough to clean. However, cleaning the paver floor surface after the polymeric sand hardens is still possible.
Sometimes the haze on the paver will be quite thin. In such cases, I use my garden hose to wash the pavers. I did have to do the process several times to ensure I got rid of all excess polymeric sand.
But if the sand hardens into thick polymeric sand and forms rough clumps, just hose water would not be enough to get it off the paver surface.
This is when pressure washing comes into play. But a pressure washer is not to be used on a regular basis. If the excess polymeric sand cannot be removed from the top layer even after washing the surface for days, then using a pressure washer can help.
A vital thing to keep in mind when performing a pressure wash is not to let it remove polymeric sand from pavers joints. The most suitable water pressure for cleaning the pavers, without disrupting the sand from the joints, is the medium range (from 1600 to 2000 PSI).
For more efficient performance, I use a hot water pressure washer at 180℉. The heat tends to activate the polymers in the sand once again and help in removing polymeric sand from pavers effortlessly. If the area of the paver floor surface is small, I use boiling water to remove excess polymeric sand.
Precautionary Steps After Removing Polymeric Sand
After removing polymeric sand from pavers, some preventive measures will help give the paver flooring a much more polished look.
Once I remove any polymeric sand from pavers, I check for spots in the joints that may have had the sand removed. While adding material again to these joints, it is necessary to avoid adding it to a wet surface. I also keep track of the weather so I can avoid adding extra materials if there is a possible chance of rain in the coming days.
After I fill the pavers joints with polymeric sand, while keeping the precautions for cleaning in mind, I wet the sand with a garden hose to trigger it. After activation, the polymeric sand will form the alloy that effectively keeps the pavers in the right place.
Another precaution to be taken once the entire process is complete is to apply a sealer over the entire flooring. The sealer will help to attach the polymeric sand to the joints of the pavers, preventing it from being washed away by any water hose or rain, for instance.
Polymeric sand is a semi-permeable substance which means it will only allow a small amount of water or moisture to seep through. The sand gets softer when wet but remains intact and firms up as soon as it dries up again. It does not get washed away easily when it rains, but it is not immune to constant heavy rainwater run-offs.
Advantages Of Polymeric Sand
Stops weed growth in paver joints
Prevents erosion
Improves the aesthetic of the floor
It makes the floor durable
How To Get Polymeric Sand Off Pavers Conclusion
With this, we come to the end of this article. I have mentioned above all the steps needed to remove any excess polymeric sand from the pavers efficiently. However, be sure to do it with utmost care so as not to wash or blow off any required sand from the joints.
Polymeric sand is a semi-permeable sand that contains additives and binding agents to lock paver joints into place. And although it is not completely waterproof, it can hold its structure by firming up when completely dry.
The best polymeric sandis made of binding materials such as quartz, silica and other chemical binders that offer a strong bond. Due to its water-resistant properties, polymeric sand can also sustain heavy rains and bad weather conditions.
As such, carefully applying polymeric sand can improve waterproofing and increase life expectancy of the pavers. And to help you achieve the best joint stabilization, I have curated some detailed information about polymer sand and its application. Read on…
Is Polymeric Sand Waterproof?
Most types of polymer sand are activated only once during the joint stabilization process, after which the sand becomes completely waterproof. However, applying excess sand on the paver surface before adding water can interfere with its waterproof abilities and create an unsightly look.
However, some polymeric sands available on the market can be softened with water to correct minor imperfections on the surface.
Tip
Do not apply polymeric sand on paver joints if there is a rain forecast. The sand acts immediately when in contact with a moist surface and can become useless.
Benefits Of Polymeric Sand
1. Durability
A polymeric sand project can last up to ten years. And with good maintenance, it can protect concrete pavers for 15 years! Unlike regular sand, polymeric sand gets its durability from polymers and binding materials. It will bind the wide joints so tightly that even heavy rainfall won’t be able to budge the fine sand. For this reason, I always recommend using polymeric sand instead of regular sand for jointing.
2. Prevents Weed Growth and Ant Infestation
Since the polymeric jointing sand seals the tiny cracks and crevices on the concrete pavers, no space exists for weeds to grow. However, one or two pesky weeds might grow even after applying jointing sand.
My trick to prevent this is to ensure airtight uniformity during the activation process. Moreover, their anti-weed chemical construction this achieved keeps your space tidier for a long time.
This will also prevent washouts and tiny pests like ants entering and nesting in the cracks to create unwanted vegetation further.
3. Anti-Erosion And Easy Installation
Preventing erosion by tightly binding the paver joints is the main function of polymeric sand. When the activation agents bind the sand particles, even the heaviest rains cannot wash away any more sand.
Using polymeric sand is also relatively easier and less time-consuming than traditional sand.
4. Better Variety
Like regular jointing sand, polymeric sand comes in many different colors to choose from. You can use the color that best suits your patio or house, or the one that’s most appealing.
Drawbacks Of Polymer Sand
1. Accumulates Polymer Dust
Over time, polymeric sand may accumulate dust from the ground and form white specks. However, this is not a serious issue since regular cleaning makes the dust specks easily removable.
2. Expensive
Installing polymeric sand can often be expensive since a one-pound bag costs more than that of regular sand. However, if you choose polymeric sand, I suggest not to compromise on its quality. Instead, measure the joint size to determine much sand you will need for the project so that there’s no wastage.
3. Tricky To Apply
If not applied properly, polymer sand can trickle out of the pavers and harden on the surface. And fixing this mess can be very challenging, as polymeric sand hardens very quickly and tightly adheres to the surface.
Installing Polymeric Sand
Not installing polymer sand properly can ruin your patio or hardscape. That’s why I have a guide on how to apply polymeric sand to help you ensure that the jointing sand adheres to the concrete pavers.
Things You Will Need
Polymeric jointing Sand
Plate Compactor
Brooms and water hose
Leaf blower
Pressure Washer
Steps Involved
1. Prepare Your Paver
If the concrete pavers on your patio are in good condition, you can begin your application. But first, you must thoroughly clean them since using polymeric sand on the entire depth will be helpful in the long run. Using a pressure washer and a leaf blower to dislodge the stubborn sand particles might help.
Tip
I highly recommend wearing protective goggles and gloves as a safety measure. You can also use a raincoat since the pressure wash may get you wet.
To ensure uniformity, you should also remove all existing sand from the joints and the bottom of the paver. Then, remove any weed growth between the paver joints. Make sure that all the weed roots are removed to prevent future infestations. You can apply a non-selective herbicide on the joints the day before. This will loosen the roots and make pulling up the weeds easier.
2. Avoid Staining
Polymeric sand is very easy to stain if applied on damp pavers. To prevent polymeric sand from staining, thoroughly dry the pavers to the bottom and remove any moisture. If it rains, wait for at least three to four days before the polymeric sand installation. Also, do not apply sand on the same day you pressure wash the pavers since they remain wet.
Another way you can prevent the sand from staining is by removing any stone dust created while dumping the polymer sand. When wet, this dust can cause stains that are difficult to fix. Use a leaf blower to remove any excess dust. Also, I do not recommend using polymer sand on red clay bricks.
3. Apply Polymeric Sand
Pour the polymer sand on the pavers and sweep it between the joints using a broom. Repeat this process until the sand reaches ⅛-inch of the top of the paver. Don’t go overboard with the application since adding water to it will increase the volume. In other words, don’t add polymer sand up to the surface of the paver; this will cause the polymer sand to trickle out of the joints.
Then, carefully brush away the excess sand using a brush or leaf blower. Proceed to compact the sand with the plate compactor.
4. Add Water
Using a water hose, slowly fill the paver joints with water. Remember to use enough water to provide adequate moisture to the stand, but ensure it does not overflow. If you add too much water, the polymers in the new sand will start floating. Moreover, excess water can lead to uneven application and severe stains.
Adjust the nozzle of the water hose to spray mode and spray for a few seconds at a time to observe its drainage. Repeat this process to ensure the sand is watered thoroughly.
5. Protecting Your Pavers
There are certain measures you’ll have to take to protect your pavers to help harden the sand properly. Cover the pavement or treated area with a plastic cover and hold it down with tarps. This simple covering can prevent the polymeric sand from washing away in the rain.
However, if the rain pours at a right angle directly onto the pavement, then it might be a problem. Consider putting up awnings or other covering to redirect the rain.
Moreover, you must ensure there is no pedestrian traffic for 24 hours. Close off the area for 72 hours if there are chances of vehicular traffic.
6. Apply Sealer
Applying a joint stabilizing sealer is the best way to consolidate the surface and it ensures your hard work remains fruitful for a long time. I recommend using a water-based sealer to boost the waterproofing ability of the polymers.
However, you should wait till the sand hardens before applying the sealer. After the sealant is completely dry, give a final sweep to the paver.
Mistakes To Avoid While Applying Polymeric Sand
1. Damp Pavers
Ensuring the pavers or joints are dry before installing polymeric sand is essential. Moisture will prematurely activate polymers, leading to uneven surfaces and stains. To avoid humidity, do not use this sand during morning and evening since the dew can prevent the pavers from being completely dry.
2. Over-Watering Or Under-Watering
Over-watering can cause the sand to separate while activating, leading to foam build-up. It prevents the walkway from hardening and causes poor bonding strength.
However, under-watering causes the sand to form a crusty layer on top. This crust signifies that your pavers do not have a strong bond. Over time, the crust will break away while eroding the paver simultaneously. Underwatering can also cause gaps and cracks throughout the depth of the paver.
3. Not Removing Excess Sand
Although polymeric sand can effectively stabilize your pavers, letting extra sand dry on top of them can create problems. Therefore, before applying the sealant, remove extra sand twice during the application. First, sweep it away before adding water, and then do it again before applying the sealer.
Consider using materials like crushed cement, aggregate or stone for the pavers along with the bedding sand. You can also add thin layers of pavers over concrete with bedding sand in between for better drainage.
Also, ensure the pavers have natural borders and are even with the ground level. Additionally, do not apply polymeric sand in areas without slopes that tend to retain water.
Is Polymeric Sand Waterproof Final Thoughts
Even though polymeric sand has inherent waterproofing traits, only correct application can guarantee it. Mistakes like overwatering or underwatering can disrupt its structure and cause it to lose its bond. Therefore, you must not take its water-resistant abilities for granted.
I highly recommend checking the compaction of the pavers and the patio slope before using this sand. Also, consider waiting three months before applying the sealer for a stronger hold and smoother application. However, if it doesn’t harden after following the necessary step, do not hesitate to call a professional to fix the issue.
I hope my detailed guide on the properties of polymeric sand and how to apply it helps you. Until next time!
Applying polymeric sand involves pouring it into paver joints, watering it, and allowing it to set for a few days. The process is quite DIY-friendly, making it a convenient solution for issues associated with patios.
Patios crack and wither away over time, be it due to human activity, the weather, or simple aging. That’s where polymeric sandcomes into play, proving to be one of the best materials for paving projects.
Here’s everything you need to know about polymeric sand, its properties, and how you can use it to renovate your patio project.
Polymeric Sand: All You Need To Know
Polymeric sand is a blend of sand and polymer additives, the primary function of which is to seal the joints between brick pavers and concrete pavers. As a result of blending special polymers with sand, polymeric sand acts as a strong binding agent, which is what makes it a good sealant.
Let’s look at what makes installing polymeric sand preferable for paver jointing over regular sand:
1. Higher Durability
Once applied to pavers, polymeric sand locks the blocks together, improving the durability of your patio for a long while. You won’t have to repair your patio as often, and the porch will continue to look just as good over the long haul.
The joints made as a result of polymeric sand don’t decompose or crumble, making it a truly permanent solution for your paver joint woes. And polymeric sand is water resistant to boot once it sets in properly, making it a worthwhile solution for your patio pavers.
2. Weed And Pest Resistant
Polymeric sand leaves no room for weeds or pests to make room as it holds paver blocks more homogeneously than regular sand. You can also infuse the sand with pesticides or weed killers to truly make it free of infestations.
And since these joints don’t deteriorate quickly, polymeric sand will make it so you won’t have to face frequent pest or weed infestations.
3. Large Color Variety
Polymeric sand can be used for more than just function, as it is available in several colors to appeal to your aesthetic sense. They have become a critical part of landscaping projects and, as a result, can have a positive effect on the value of a property.
Most polymeric sand manufacturers make sure to provide a wide range of colors that can be matched with any paver block.
4. Simple Installation Method
Polymeric sand is easy enough to apply on your own, meaning you won’t have to rely on professional services for repairing your patio. The application process is a simple matter of allocating an hour of your free time to finish fully.
I have applied polymeric sand on my patio porch a number of times, and it only gets easier the more I do it.
Applying Polymeric Sand: What You’ll Need
To apply polymeric sand effectively, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
Leaf blower
Plate compactor
Two push brooms with hard and soft bristles
Garden hose
Tip
Before you begin applying polymeric sand to your patio, you should check the weather forecast. Rain can deter the sand from binding your pavers together, so you should wait until the weather conditions are completely dry before proceeding.
6 Steps To Apply Polymeric Sand
1. Pour The Sand
Spread your bag of polymeric sand over the walkway in several small heaps while taking care to not apply excessively. It’s important to be careful while spreading the sand since it can be difficult to remove if overapplied.
Take care to fill the gaps between the pavers and any visible blemishes before proceeding to the next step.
2. Perform The First Sweep
Use a hard bristle broom to direct the sand around the pavers and into the grout lines. Do so as evenly as you can before finishing up the first sweep, brushing in opposite directions to leave no crack unfilled. Add more sand as necessary and see if there are any patches left to be filled.
If you see no area left untouched, you can begin compacting the sand next.
3. Compact The Sand
It’s time to use your plate compactor and press the sand further into the grout lines of the pavers. You can go over the area as you did during the first sweep, using the compactor as many times as necessary. In the end, you’ll have fully compacted the sand into the joints to a satisfying degree.
4. Perform Second Sweep And Blowing
This is where you begin the cleaning-up stages, starting with another sweep of your paver patio. Using a fine bristle broom, you can get rid of any excess polymeric sand left on the pavers.
Tip
It can be somewhat difficult to remove the sand from small areas where it resists the push broom. In such cases, you can put your leaf blower to work, using its lowest setting to get rid of difficult-to-remove patches of sand.
5. Water The Sand
Water activates the polymers in the sand and once the moisture leaves it, the polymeric sand hardens. Using a garden hose on the shower setting, spray your paver patio with water and allow the polymers to do their job.
Try to ensure that there are no puddles forming on the pavers and if you do see them form, stop watering at once.
6. Drying And Cleaning
You can use the leaf blower to dry-clean your patio and get rid of any leftover polymeric sand or water. Once the surface has dried up, your patio is ready to be used again.
Additional Tips For Polymeric Sand Application
1. Purchase High-Quality Polymeric Sand Only
Low-quality polymers seriously affect the lifespan of your paver joints, and though they may cost less, the end result is similarly unsatisfying. Despite being made of the same material base, there is a stark difference in quality. It won’t be long before you have to repair your patio with high-quality polymeric sands again. And this means more time and money wasted than what you would have with a bag of high-quality polymeric sand.
The extra money that you invest into high-quality polymeric sand ends up saving you money in the long run. It may sound paradoxical at first, but the price is well worth the return, as I’ve learned over the years.
2. Manufacturer’s Instructions
Every bag of polymeric sand comes with manufacturer-specific instructions that you must follow before applying it. This includes any additional sand application steps that you may need to perform to extend the lifespan of your patio further.
It’s always wise to check up on the instructions manual before you begin a DIY project, after all.
3. Don’t Rush The Job
While the application process takes up a little under an hour of your time, the sand takes time to set in properly. If you’re planning to use the patio the very next day, you may want to reconsider, as the sand won’t have set in by then. It’s better to reschedule any plans you may have on the patio, so you don’t have to put in extra work mending the damage.
4. Be Careful During The Watering Process
The sand needs a particular amount of water to set in properly, something that should be specified in the instructions.
Too much water can cause polymers in the sand to wash out completely, nullifying all the work you put in. Moreover, this can result in polymers binding to the paver surface, which is notoriously difficult to remove and results in an eyesore.
On the other hand, not using enough water will cause the sand to sit in poorly, resulting in a reduced patio lifespan. Since the sand won’t have settled in well, it won’t resist the weather or pests properly either.
5. Be Thorough While Removing The Sand
Something to keep in mind while using polymeric sand is that it can bond on top of the surface of the pavers. While it’s a desirable trait when using sand to fill in the false joints, it can become a problem if your new pavers are covered with excess sand. And if you use a sealer without taking care of the sand-encrusted pavers first, the problem can grow even worse.
You should be careful during the sweeping stages not to leave any excess sand on top of your pavers. This is particularly the case with textured pavers, as these can make it difficult to remove once enough time has passed.
6. Allow Proper Drainage
Similarly to how overwatering can harm your polymeric sand application, poor drainage conditions can also lead to problems that should be taken care of quickly.
Firstly, you should consider installing pavers on a surface that allows water to pass through. Surfaces like crushed concrete and limestone with bedding sand in between act as appropriate draining materials. And if you’re considering installing pavers thinner than usual, you may set them up on concrete with bedding sand in between. Depending on where you’re located, you can look into the installation guidelines to gauge how the soil is impacted.
If you use polymeric sand on a surface without proper drainage, the sand may wash out when exposed to the moisture present in it for long. The sand won’t have enough time to settle in, causing a weakened bonding process.
Secondly, you should establish a boundary around your pavers, be it the natural or artificial kind. This will allow water to flow off the edges, even if the surface doesn’t particularly allow for drainage.
And lastly, your patio should have a slight slope to it to allow water to flow freely. This eliminates issues with standing water completely, allowing polymeric sand to set in properly.
Tip
The slope must be tilted away from your home or other structures so that water doesn’t pool near it. Elements such as electric gates that open outwardsshould not be at the lower end of a slope.
7. Be Mindful Of The Joint Width
To get the best bonding results out of your bag of polymeric sand, try to make the paver joints be between ⅛ and 4 inches wide. As for the joint depth, it should be at least one inch deep to allow the sand to bond well between the pavers.
If the joints end up being too narrow, overwatering becomes a real problem, causing the sand to flow all over your patio. In a similar vein, false joints that are too wide can cause the sand to wash out through the channels formed. The sand is carried into the water flow before the activation process can begin properly.
Regular Sand: How It Fares Against Polymeric Sand
Regular sand is also a perfectly fine bonding material with a few caveats that set it behind polymeric sand. The coarse sand particles are effective and long-lasting as a paver joint sealant, creating a leveled base for paver installations.
Distributing sand evenly across the paver foundation is quite easy, as there is nothing bonding the particles to one another. If you are on a budget, you can consider using regular sand as the paver foundation for your patio or walkway. Regular sand is quite budget-friendly, after all.
I find regular sand to be a perfectly good alternative for polymer sand, especially if you’ll be making adjustments to the patio layout in the future. Regular sand is easy to remove, making it a great non-permanent solution for your patio troubles. Moreover, it requires no maintenance and in areas where rain and humidity isn’t an issue, you can use it over polymeric sand.
If you’re torn choosing between polymeric sand and regular sand, it all comes down to what you want your patio to be. The former is more of a reliable permanent solution, while the latter gives you room for readjustments. For those who like changing the aesthetic of their home frequently, regular sand may very well be the sealer of choice.
How To Apply Polymeric Sand Conclusion
Polymeric sand is one of the best options when it comes to paver joint sealers. It remains effective in both aesthetic and functional senses, and it’s easy to use. The DIY-friendliness of polymeric sand makes it quite a convenient solution, in my eyes.
Consider topping off your sanded pavers with a sealant to preserve their looks for a good while. Old pavers benefit from this especially, making them look as if they were new. You can apply a sealer once the patio has dried up and is ready to be used.
And lastly, if you find yourself in a bind over the paver installation process, it’s always good to reach out to professional help. Professional paver installation services are always available for you to take advantage of, and these professionals will ensure that you encounter no issues with your patio.
After all, a well-sanded paver is the end goal you want to reach, be it through a DIY method or through professional help.
White is seldom associated with serenity, purity and calm. Therefore, a white bedroom design is usually the first choice, a smart choice because the bedroom should be associated with a restful color. Further more, white is an excellent background for other colorful accents that can add a note of happiness and drama to the entire decor. Whether you are a fan of elegant, classical interior design where black, heavy furniture pieces take place in a white decor or you prefer the more bold approach of a modern, colorful, vibrant atmosphere, the basic white bedroom is a good starting point.
White can also represent romantism so don't hesitate to compose a decor based on fragile white curtains and a baroque bed with a baldaquine and a bunch of fresh cu colorful flowers on the nightstand. There is also the big issue of how to control the overall design in order to not transform the chamber into one which can strongly resemble a hospital room. But here the answer is an easy one: just remember to personalize the space. Family pictures, mirrors, a touch of color on a chic chair, unusual nightstand lamps, candles for romantic nights, flowers. Every little accent and detail can make the difference . Materials and textures are also of the most importance: silk, velvet which can exude richness and elegance or cotton, wool more cozy and warm, each can express a different state of mind and attitude of the owner.
Many could state that choosing to adopt a pure design is the most easy choice but from that to transforming it into your bedroom, your serene piece of paradise and relaxation is a long way to go. We have prepared a selection of white bedroom design ideas to inspire you in the search of the perfect interior design that can truly represent and express your personality. Enjoy!
Located in the center of Prague, Czech Republic, the small apartment ahead is an oasis of inspiration, calm and equilibrium, sheltering breathtaking materials welded together with great refinement. The small tiny loft apartment has been envisioned by Radka Valova and Pavla Dolezalova of OOOOX Studio with a minimalist interior, black and white interior design completed by neutral shades of light grey and light wood textures. The small spaces generated are of an attic loft and happily the authors have used these shapes and volumes to their advantage, the work and dinning area being located directly under direct light. The storage is covered in mirrors which are emphasizing the feel of space, and the general color of the walls and ceilings is stark white enlarging the small spaces, making them brighter fresher and healthier for the eye.
The breathtaking small bedroom designshelters great ideas as well, the small reading nook under the window can work as a mini bed, which also has storage underneath, to use the space as much as possible. The entire apartment uses the black and white color scheme with little accents here and there, the interior images created being very dense and filled with bold accents of personality . This is an interior that`s very different from others, surfaces being enhanced with unique textures and unusual items.
As you can see despite the airy attitude the whole interior has a clear focus on artificial lighting, everywhere lighting appliances having their own role clearly defined. Even though we don`t have any pictures of the apartment in the evening animated by the sunset light and completed with artificial one we`re sure the atmosphere is rather scenographic and dramatic, such atmosphere and vibe should be the default asset of any black and white interior design in our opinion.
If you like blending colors and playing with different gradients, you will love pastel colors. They tend to color very easily, and you can find distinct shades too.
Being very easy to smudge, you can use them on smooth as well as rough surfaces. That’s not all! Play with different colored papers too, and you can create wonders on it. The white, lemon yellow and the grey color looks amazing on a black paper.
What’s more, simple items like cotton and rough paper can be used to blend the colors. But before you can get started, we have a list of 61 pastel drawing ideas to inspire you.
So, without further ado, let’s start exploring.
Pastel Drawing Ideas
Day And Night
This is a beautiful way of representing day and night in the same frame. Divide your paper into two and color each side differently. You can stick a paper tape in the middle to ensure the colors do not overlap. Once you are done, take the tape off, and you will have clear boundaries.
The Doorway
We love the lovely summer hues in this picture, and you can paint this style with any door. Draw a door that you relate with and pair it up with orange branches and colors of the day.
Birds On A Branch
If you like this design, draw the birds and branches beforehand and then color the background. You can use tools to blend it properly. Once done, use a black marker or sketch pens to draw the birds and branches.
Parrot
Bird lovers can opt for this beautiful picture of a parrot’s head. It is colored in shades of green and yellow, and we loved the detailing. Add some white to the eye for the shine, and you will have a masterpiece.
Sunflower
Painted on handmade paper, this is a simple and beautiful drawing of a sunflower. The rough texture adds to the beauty, and you can use yellow and peach with brown to color it.
Story Of A Dusk
This is a beautiful picture of dusk with the sun setting behind a pond and the light reflecting on it. It is not very difficult to draw and you should remember to color the trees and stars in the end.
Burning Candle
A burning candle against a dark backdrop is something that is easy to draw and looks beautiful. Pay attention to the shadows here and the color gradient that has been used.
Green Valleys
How many of you love open valleys and blue skies? This is a very appealing drawing of the countryside with a lot of green and blue.
Woman Potrait
If you like contemporary art, this is something that will please you. It is a picture of a woman which is painted in a very unconventional way. Look at all the colors that have been used to paint her skin while she stands against a red background.
Snowfall
Do you love winters? Then you will love this scenery of a snowy winter night. The moon shines bright behind and it looks mystical. Shades of blue and white have been mostly used for this drawing.
Vibrant Face
We have another drawing of a face here where the colors stand out. Use different color shades to color the face while using a grey and black pastel to make the eyebrows, lips, and nose.
Pastel Lines
If you want to paint something unique, this is an idea which you can try out. This picture has been drawn only with multi-colored lines that bring out the beauty of it.
Donut Oil Pastel
What about drawing your favorite dessert? Here is a plate of donuts that have been painted. One even has pink cream oozing out of it. We love the detailed work that the artist has created.
Girl In The Moonlight
This is a beautiful picture of a girl standing in front of a moon with a bird on top. The blue hues are beautifully blended and this giant moon takes a lot of the attention.
Owl And The Moon
We have another picture with the moon but here, there is an owl in front and the sky is painted purple. This looks mystical and you can easily create it with shades of purple and black.
Girl In Blue
Up next is a beautiful image of a girl colored in shades of blue. Her skin stands out and matches very well with the contrasting red and brown shades of her hair. The shadow effect is truly commendable.
Oil Pastel Portrait
Have you ever thought of painting a picture with lines? The artist has done a brilliant work in representing an entire figure with the help of blue, orange and red lines. We would recommend first drawing it out with a pencil.
Man In Bed
What stands out in this picture is the play with lights. Look at how the light falls and the shading that has been done on this man’s face. Also, the bright colors used make this drawing very vibrant.
Fairy In The Night
This is another mystical image of a fairy against the night sky. You can only see a silhouette which stands against the big moon and the tree beside adds to this enchanting scenery. Add some white stars in the blue background and you will have a masterpiece.
Morning Coffee
Here we have a girl holding a cup of coffee. The entire picture has a reddish tone and you will see that a lot of warm colors have been used. The placement of the face and her hair is something to notice.
Lazy Afternoon
Paint a picture of a lazy afternoon without actually showing the sun. This girl has her legs up on the wall with a pretty wallpaper behind. The pink and purple pillows compliment the blue wall and her pants.
Girl With The Book
This is a picture of a spring morning with a girl whose face is hidden by a book. The strategic placement of the bird makes this picture prettier to look at.
Modern Art
How about a minimalist art piece like this one which only shows two pairs of legs with a few wine bottles and a vinyl tape. This is very attractive and will work as a framed image that you can put up in your room.
Greenery
Remember the green meadows and countrysides where your favorite bunch of kids from Enid Blyton books would be roaming around? This is a picture that you can draw in remembrance of those happy times.
White Flowers
These white flowers look very pretty and neat against the green background. The flowers have been colored with white and blue to show the light and shadow effect. We love the orange in the middle which is highlighted in this picture well.
Candle Against Painted Glass
If you want an idea to get your kids started with oil pastels, then this can be a great source of inspiration. You will find a simple candle with boxes behind. It will help them learn to color within boundary lines and decide on which color fits with what.
Morning Scenery
This is a scenery that will immediately lift up your mood. It has a beautiful red roofed house with colorful plants all around .The brook adds to the ambiance and makes it prettier. You can give your kids this piece to recreate.
Desert and Camel
A sunset in the desert is already something beautiful. Imagine coloring that along with a silhouette of a camel in front. Pay attention to the color blending and tones that have been used.
Electric Wire Line Drawing
We have chosen this picture especially because of the beautiful backdrop that it has. The black silhouettes of these electric lines go very well with the blue, pink and yellow sky.
Magical Moonlight
Up next is an enchanting image of a girl performing magic. The sparkling fog with a pink undertone stands in contrast with the dark blue sky.
Flamenco Dancer Art
This is a drawing that represents a girl dancing. You can see her in motion and that has been shown with the help of vertical lines. The yellow and blue lines look beautiful and enhance the red saree that this woman is wearing.
A Mystic Poster
Here is another artwork of a woman. The entire face is not visible and the attention is caught not by her face but by her blue veil. The shades are beautiful and are complemented by Afghani earrings that are drawn in a detailed manner.
Girl’s Face
If you want to learn how to draw a basic human face, this could help you out. The texture of the hair and skin is something to notice and learn from.
Wine And Fruits
Do you want to practise shadow effects? This one will help you do so. The cloth behind along with the edibles on it are colored with proper shadows behind them. Learn about how the light reflects on opaque and semi-transparent surfaces.
Sundae School Ice Cream
This is a beautiful picture that will make you remember your childhood days. The brick house with large windows has been colored to perfection. This picture shows how you can add tiny details with pastel colors.
Eastern Bluebird - Giclee Print
If you are a bird watcher, this is something that will please you. The Eastern Bluebird is drawn on a white background and colored to perfection.
The Most Beautiful Place On Earth
What are the few things that can please anyone? A bright sky, the ocean ahead with mountains behind. Yes, it sounds perfect and now you can draw it too. This picture will be very inspiring in this case.
Original Pastel Painting Of The Lowcountry River By Kellie Jacobs
This countryside image with a river flowing in between can be extremely inspiring to draw. Check out the subtle shades that have used to give the painting a very autumn vibe.
Postman Joseph Roulin, After Van Gogh
Have you been interested in caricature drawing? This could be a great inspiration to begin with but you have to pay attention to the details .The beard plays a major role in making it look out of the box.
Sunset Drawing
What about a drawing with the typical sunset and silhouettes of trees in front? Yes, it looks breathtaking and you can recreate it yourself. Use a cloth or a sponge to blend the background and you should have a great picture.
Brown Dog
If you have a pet, you can create a picture of it. Draw your own dog and then color it taking inspiration from this picture. Look at how the shadows fall and how the fur stands out.
Landscape Marine Pastel Drawing
Up next we have a blurry image of the sea with a bright sky and people. The image was not meant to be clear and hence here, details are not important. What you need to focus on are the colors and you got to get the color and their positioning right.
Wine Country Oregon Wineries
This is a drawing of a winery that spreads over a large area. It is more drawn in an abstract form and is not very detailed. This will be easy to follow for beginners.
Do What- From Artist Wendy Leedy's Mule Collection
Here, we have a horse going to war.Notice these color tones that have been used which signifies that the picture is of the past.
Daenerys
If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, you will know the dragon queen, Daenerys. We love how white pastels have been used to make the hair. It is best to take an off white or a grey sheet to draw this.
Girl With An Umbrella
Here, we have a beautiful image of a girl walking her dog with an umbrella. You can see the silhouette against the brilliant bright sky. The background needs to be painted well to achieve the effect.
Vintage Abstract Expressionist Pastel Portrait
Next is a portrait of a woman who seems to be exhausted. It is a vintage picture and you will have to use subdued tones to achieve the effect.
Charleston SC City Scene Downtown
A balmy day in the middle of summer, that is what this picture reminds us of. Look at the brightly colored building and the cycles in front. This could be a great inspiration for beginners.
Sunflower Oil Pastel Drawing
Do you want a floral pattern that can be put up in your room? This bunch of sunflowers and white flowers look pretty and will add to the ambiance of any room.
Dumbo Pink Elephants
This is a unique piece that is made on black paper. Use bright colors to draw the elephants and color it up with strokes instead of blending.
Custom Pastel Cat Drawing
Next we have another realistic drawing of a cat. Look at how realistic it looks with its eye painted to perfection. You can use oil paints and pastels to achieve this effect.
Abstract Wildflowers
If abstract art pleases you, this is something that you can use as an inspiration. You will be able to see a number of colorful wildflowers growing and a faint view of a water body behind. The sky is beautifully colored and blended to achieve the shades of dusk.
Fruit Still Life Pastel Drawing
A palate of fruits is a great place to begin learning the light and shadow effect. Observe carefully how the shadow effect has been incorporated. The background cloth also has folds that have been highlighted.
Pet Drawing
How would you like a parrot painted in different shades. Pay attention to the feathers and make sure they are distinct. Using dark and lighter shades of the same color, you can achieve the perfect effect.
Alpine Painting Austrian Mountain Art
This is a beautiful example of a winter landscape with snow and trees. Since you are working with white, make sure that you get the shadows correct. Otherwise the snow slopes wouldn’t be distinguishable.
Expressive Portrait Art
This piece is focused on the face and the expression on it. Blue has been used instead of the typical black to draw the face and hair.
Pink Roses Soft Pastels Painting
This is a beautiful picture of a bunch of flowers. Pink, yellow, and blue are the dominating shades that stand in contrast with the dark background. Black has been used to provide proper shadows.
Vintage Artist Pastel Drawing of Laguna Beach California
How pretty is this view of houses by the mountain on a cliff. This is a vintage picture of a day with subtle shades being used to preserve the vintage effect.
Women Selling Fish Art
This is yet another vibrant picture of women with colorful saris selling fish. It is drawn against a midnight blue background and the yellow and bright green stands out.
Prima Ballerina
Made on Velour art paper, this is an oil pastel portrait to inspire. We love the expression and the use of various colors to highlight the face. The colors match the aqua green of her dress.
Bamboo Landscape Drawing
This is a closeup drawing of some bamboo plants growing together. If you want to keep a view of nature in your homes, this is going to be a great addition. The shades of green will go with almost all decor.
Final Words
Now that you have a set of 61 pastel drawing ideas for inspiration, you can finally sit with pastels and paper and begin coloring. Remember to add shadows and shades of the same color wherever needed. Blend well and use a rough cloth or cotton piece for it.
Some prefer to use textured paper, and that brings out a different kind of effect all together. We feel that you should try out different textures and shades before finding the ones you like. And please remember to let us know your favorites in the comment section below.
The bedroom design of a boy`s room should never be boring, every boy has a strong personality hidden and this asset should be materialized in his interior design. At different ages and in different cultures and environments kids have different tastes and influences by various factors, but wherever the bedroom is, the design should be up to date as much as possible. Trough time children`s generation have evolved, today every kid being aware of what he wants . This thing is reflected in every belonging from toy to clothes, every little item being able to complete the atmosphere in which the child lives.
Car Bedroom Interior Designs Ideas
If you are thinking about remodeling the interior for your little boy you should definitely anticipate his taste and surprise him a little with his favorite theme, he will use his space to dream and play, if you do a good job he will free your space of his toys, his room being so much cooler. Encourage him to spend his social life in the real world playing and having friends over rather then spending it on Facebook Twitter and other social platforms, the room should be inviting and you should consider such events and prepare them in advance.
Probably the most common theme out there is the car them, and if you`re kid loves cars you`re in luck, they`re far more greater challenges in different themes. For car enthusiasts you can start easy from car stickers and evolve in time up to the real car transformed in a bed, this being one special example of attention. Such scenarios are really easy implemented , you can use small carpets and curtains to match the theme, different car shaped pillows impersonating either cars, bat mobiles, sports cars, motorcycles and many other models. These kind of interior design can be used to create a educational motive as well, you can teach your kid about traffic rules and how he should behave both as a pedestrian and driver, education should start early and such opportunities are one of the few that can make it fun.
You should take the opportunity and get closer to your kid, to see what he really likes and involve him in the whole design.
Even if most of the time our main goal is to blend in and be a part of the ever changing world and busy mass, one should not forget to express himself and not loose his personality.Your home and the choices you make in matters of design can say a lot about yourself. But if all you have to work with is a tern house, you can always choose to go with the usual colourful accents that can lighten your atmosphere and change the hole décor in general. Never underestimate the power of vibrant accents.They can always do wonders in all black contemporary interior design.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."(Ralph Waldo Emerson) Those accents are the ones that separate us from the crowd and speak for our personality and taste. Golden accessories can transform a gloomy, morbid black interior into one that exudes elegance and luxury. A colourful chair placed in the right setting can attract more attention and change the focus of the entire room. Also try placing bits of colour on your walls and generate thus a brighter atmosphere. Pillows, table settings, decorations, flowers, every little accent counts and can really make a difference. Just try and experiment with your interiors.
The most reward-full and luxurious addition to a backyard landscape is also the most popular one world wide : the swimming pool. All contemporary modern mansions and dream homes now include a custom swimming pool englobed in the design from the very beginning, the swimming pool now enhances the home and the living quality dramatically . As the functionality of an exterior swimming pool is limited during the winter architects and homeowners alike consider bringing the swimming pool indoors to extend its use. Despite this tendency to extend the use nothing compares to the timeless charms and extraordinary serenity of a natural pool that evolves along with the surroundings as the colored leaves are nestling on the sky mirrored in the a spectacular swimming pool. Nature enhances everything and can transform your backyard landscape in one of the most extraordinary panoramic getaway, always at hand.
Metal Roofing in the Backyard Enroots The Nautral Pool Setting Appeal to Earth
by Becker Studios
Certain individuals may enjoy a spacious backyard that can accommodate extensive and surreal landscapes along a natural pool yet most contemporary homes reside on small plots and therefore homeowners are pushed into complex, creative and beautiful cozy solutions in their designs. Further on we will present a few ideas and pictures meant to feed your imagination from a heavenly natural point of view on natural pools.
A Natural Pool Area That Enhances Both the Appeal of the Backyard Landscaping and Your Own Health
by Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes
Perfect Setup and Equilibrium Between the Home and the Site
by Locati Architects
Rustic Natural Pool with a Farm Backdrop and Faux Ruin Shelter
Natural Landscape Complementing and Idyllic Landscape Beautifully
by Armond Aquatech Pools / Halkin Photography
Beautiful Simple Natural Pool
Tropical Flavor Added To a Natural Pool Through Plants
by Freddy Landscape
Design Completely Natural As Nature Does
As soon as you spell the word "natural" everything changes. The true meaning of the word today lost a whole lot of substance and meaning yet it still means a whole lot more then aesthetic values. A natural swimming pool is obviously surrounded by living things whether they`re plants or microorganisms. A natural pool relies on the greenery in which is embedded to maintain the water clean on a daily basis and they are completely chemical-free. This in theory means that they will never negatively effect your skin your health or the environment in any manner. A natural pool though is tougher to build because it makes use of a larger landscape in which water circulation and purification will take place using a regeneration zone.
Escape the Rush of Urban Life with a Relaxing Pond
by Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes
Humongous Natural Swimming Pool for Big Backyards
Biotop Natural Swimming Pool Creating a Sustainable Landscape
by R. P. Marzilli & Company Landscape Contractor
The size of the regeneration zone is directly proportional to the size of the pool and the amount of water that it needs to filter daily. This basically means that even small backyards can shelter natural pools in small sizes with the additional regeneration area. Submerged plants, floating plants and rooted ones alike are improving the water quality whilst maintaining the right oxygen content. These does not meant that additional plants on the sides should not exist, these add a certain appeal and they help the sustainability of the complex ecosystem.
Natural Pool Coupled With Multiple Ponds and Intricate Pathways in an Extensive Natural Landscape
by Legacy Landscapes
Canopy That Surrounds the Pool Defining Its Natural Relaxing Appeal
by Robins Nest Aquatics
A Natural Refreshing Pool That Replicates a Pond in The Forest
Stunning Natural Pool San Francisco That Presents a Tropical Beach In Your Backyard
by Bradanini & Associates
Add Waterfalls in Your Landscape
Swimming pools and natural pools in particular are not just for the benefit that they offer. It`s worth knowing that there are a couple of homeowners with a swimming or natural pool that invested into them for their jaw-dropping effect or sense of proximity with nature. With this thought in mind, a spectacular asset to the aesthetic value of a pool is the waterfall. The waterfall is one of the hottest trends in outdoor pool designs mainly because they are mind blowing beautiful, they add an exotic vibe, they keep the water fresh and create one of the most relaxing sounds in the world.
Basalt Rocks Along Japanese Maple and Dreamy Waterfall Shaping the Stunning Pool Retreat
by Alderwood Landscaping
Natural Chemical Free Swimming Pool Design Enhancing a Magnificent Mesmerizing Backyard
by Kane Brothers Water Features
Through natural rocks you can manipulate and shape the landscape around a natural pool magnificently. Huge basalt rocks are a popular yet very expensive choice and they add authenticity to your pool. The shape of the pool and depth are also very important factors that will determinine its appeal, simple straight lines and constant depth might kill the mood. However a less natural addition can enhance it : LED lighting. LED lighting will shape and highlight your natural pool in an unique manner after sunset.
Brilliant LED Lighting Enhancing a Natural Pool Magnificently
by Placid Pools
Spectacular Natural Pool with Waterfall Fed by a Hillside Creek
Natural and Serene Look in a Pool with Waterfall
by Poole’s Stone and Garden
Impressive Setting Obtained Through a Simple Natural Design
by The Landmark Group
Draw Inspiration From Nature in Your Natural Pool
The major setback of a natural pool is the maintenance, natural pools are far more demanding in terms of care then regular chlorinated pools. If you are unable to maintain such an instrument yet you still desire that connection and feeling of proximity with nature in your backyard consider making a compromise. Combine your backyard pool with the inimitable look of a natural swimming pool, draw inspiration from nature and infuse it into yours. Through some natural rocks, greenery and maybe even a small waterfall you can create something charming, beautiful.
Natural Organic Style With a Tropical Motif
by One Specialty Landscape Design, Pools & Hardscape
Perfect Natural pool Setting for a Modest Small Backyard
by Pool Environments
While the maintenance costs of a natural pool are near to a chlorinated pool the systems are a little more complex and delicate therefore on a long term the natural pool is more demanding.
Wood and Stone Deck Around a Small Natural Pool
by Waterscapes – Jesse Dutra
Natural Rock Shaping The Pool
by Designworks
Landscape Around the Pool And Waterfall Providing a Natural Elegant Vibe
by Cipriano Landscape Design & Custom Swimming Pools
Surround Your Natural Swimming Pool with the Right Plants and Shrubs
by Creative Environments
Clear Pool Resembling a Natural Lagoon
by Water Wizard Custom Pools and Service
What do you think? Is it worth the hassle? We would love to hear your opinion in the comment section bellow.
A bed comforter is a large sheet of thick insulate bedding kept on a bed for two purposes - beauty and warmth. The downside to comforters is that they could cause your body to get over heated and really cause a lot of bulkiness on your bed. Then there's the issue of getting them cleaned at the dry cleaners or doing it yourself. The whole idea of having a gorgeous comforter for your bed is luxury! Comforters can be a great enhancer to your bedroom decor. If you are one the verge of getting some comforter bedding then keep these few tips in mind.
Know the size of your mattress. Are you looking for a comforter for a queen size or king size mattress?
What is the color theme of your bedroom? What would go with it, polka dots, stripes or a beautiful shabby chic bedding design?
Thirdly, you don't want to be hot at nighttime, so check the material your bedding is made of at the store. You don't want 100% cotton knowing you leave the heat on 80 degrees at night. Plus, which area do you live in, seeing that the temperatures in some states and countries are much lower than others.
Would you have to take the comforter to the laundromat or would you be washing it yourself? All hings to be considered.
Now let's have a look at the comforters in this article and choose the right one to keep you warm this cold winter ahead.
Elegant Bed Comforter Designs
#1 navy blue and white patterned comforter bedding
No question about it. Comforter bedding undoubtedly brings something incredibly transforming to an otherwise ordinary bedroom decor. Do you agree? Leave your feedback in the comment section below.
Wooden pallets can happily be used by anyone to tailor their design solutions creatively, regardless of the level of skill in diy projects wood can work with anyone willing to start on this path. Thanks to its nature it can also be processed through professional and amateur tools alike, being accessible to a wide range of process whilst delivering satisfactory and legendary results alike. 27 ingeniously beautiful diy pallet bed designs to materialize right now have been featured underneath, all of them creative and fairly easy to realize.
Cast a glance at the selection below and wonder on how good can an inexpensive diy project can be. With the proper accessories and in the right design line the wooden beds materialized can make a huge statement, sculpting Scandinavian design lines in an exemplary manner.
Beautiful DIY Pallet Bed Designs
#1 Make a Beautiful Wooden Pallet Crib For Your Little Loved One
What do you think about these diy pallet bed designs? We would love to hear your opinion in the comment section below. Would you choose a wooden pallet setup only as a temporary solution or would you be brave enough to infuse it in a high end Scandinavian interior design accessorized properly?
It is time to enjoy the great summer outdoors, on our yards, patio, balconies or terraces. In all its splendor summer gives us the opportunity to see things completely different by spending more time outdoors, in cozier and warmer weather. A hammock or an outdoor bed are great ways to relax outdoors and happily both can be achieved through DIY projects.
Cast a glance at the 19 relaxing suspended outdoor beds showcased underneath and choose the one that suits you. You can construct your own hanging bed from two wooden pallets, an old sturdy door, trampolines, boats and thousands of other resources. Get creative and materialize an item that will relax you.
Relaxing Suspended Outdoor Beds
#1 suspended bed on the deck made from barn wood
via anthropologie.com
#2 re-purpose an old boat into a cool hammock on the porch
The bedroom is probably the space in which the combination of black and white along with traditional furniture, decor items and accessories would be the easiest to achieve, this enhancing your living quality and the aesthetic value of the bedroom. The most amazing part is that the black and white on traditional items can easily offer a really Hollywoodian look along with a bohemian lifestyle, it just fits.
The black and white combination is a really bold statement of design, their classic nature and natural contrast defining the very nature of sophistication, elegance and style. We invite you to throw a look on our selection of black and white traditional bedrooms and leave us your opinion bellow.
A teen's bedroom is a place perceived as a method of getting away from the rest of the world, clearing their heads, discovering themselves and simply going into a world of their own making. Every young adult's quarters is different, a place that is supposed to reflect who they are - personality, sense of style and a gist of what they're all about.
Believe it or not, a teen's bedroom could be the place where they can get an idea of what they would want their first apartment to look like. Your adolescent can have a spacious bedroom or something just small enough to sleep, hang out and maybe have a friend or two over. When deciding on how to redesign your child's sleeping space, try to create a mental picture of what they might like. This article is meant to serve as a starting point filled with ideas of what the room of a sporty, studious, glamorous, country or hipster girl could imitate.
If you have the finances you may want to consider constructing a large room furnished with a computer, queen sized bed, T.V and sofa with a few throw pillows. Nonetheless, money is not the topic in hand but versatility, inspiration and creativity. Ponder on these few pointers if you're on a tight budget though:
Instead of buying pillows, make them tie-dye each one in its own set of colors.
An old shabby chic comfort could be laden with a few jewelry pieces you may not have need for to give it a more modern look
Consider a vintage styled room with an iron bed, or a rustic look with wooden furnishings and unpainted wooden ceiling.
Having a well ventilated room is always to be desired and carries a permanent sunny disposition. Added to that, if the room is on the ground, having a doorway to go directly outside would be something to consider.
Secondly, if you have two girls sharing one room, as seen in this article, a small space could be made to appear larger with a vaulted ceiling and the use of many bright colors,while a large area can accommodate swinging beds or even a do-it-yourself hammock with floor pillows and two sets of everything. Take a look at the 18 Teenage Bedroom Ideas pictures below to learn more about decorating your teen girl's bedroom.
Teenage Bedroom Ideas
#1 Consider a turquoise and silver grey room with silver chandelier and fairy tale wall stickers to match
Undoubtedly the biggest challenge that we face when decorating our home is "space". This simple five letter word answers all the problems in most cases. We do our best to put every single inch, every single centimeter to good use in our homes and we quite often dream about that one extra storage room that would probably solve all our space conundrums.
Even the luckiest ones that eventually move into a bigger home and obtain that one additional room are finding themselves, once again, craving for even more space, even if we have sufficient space, an empty bedroom corner should receive your attention.
To the question of space at the end of the day we can answer only with planning, with a smart organization and utilization of our space, through a proper cleansing of useless items and smart bedroom corner ideas. Through a few smart tricks we can transform a cramped shelter into an airy immersive and relaxing home.
Bedroom Corner Space Ideas
Tucking The Bed Into a Corner Can Save You a Tremendous Amount of Space
Some of us are in permanent search for that elusive "additional nook", today we cast a glance to the forgotten solitary corner in the bedroom that is often overlooked and rarely utilized properly. The bedroom corner is a space of great potential just waiting to be unlocked. With the right decor and a little piece of creativity you can easily emphasize your bedroom through the corners; further on we will showcase 12 ideas that we find useful for the bedroom corner, we hope these will feed your imagination and serve as ground work for your future projects.
1. The Corner Bed
The bed is without a doubt the main focal point of your bedroom and it should remain so regardless of its position. Even if it has the main role in the scenario this does not mean it should be always in the center symmetrically. Corner beds in the bedroom corner have been used a while back quite often and today they start to slowly become popular once again. They`re used mainly because they save space and utilize the corner that is usually left unused, gathering dust.
Simple Asian Themed Bedroom With a Trendy Corner Bed
Highly Colorful Kids Room with a Cool Corner Bed
Square Corner Beds With Dual Headboards are Coming Back into Fashion
2. Twice the Comfort
In a corner bed the comfort can be enhanced by a dual headboard easily, this offering the feeling of more safety and warmth as well. The biggest advantage though is unraveled in the kids bedroomswhere bunk beds are highly space efficient, allowing you to organize the rest of the room as a playground for your little loved ones, probably the best bedroom corner use in the kids room.
Twin Beds Tucked In The Corner Saving Up Playground For Children
Small Black and White Girls Bedroom Making Use of the Corner Space Efficiently
Corner Bunk Bed Saving Up an Ample Playing Space for Children
3. The Fiery Corner Fireplace
If you are not willing to realign the entire room and move your bed into the corner there are other methods of enhancing your bedroom corners as well; after all an elegant bed into the middle is rather special, it becomes the heart of the room. If this is the case you might consider the corner a good place to materialize a stunning fireplace : a contemporary model with a glass front or even a classic stone fireplace. Consider utilizing a standalone fireplace that will save you the hustle caused by a tedious makeover.
Neat Simple Corner Fireplace Adding Elegance to the Serene Bedroom
by Lapis Design Partners
Adding Coziness and Warmth in the Bedroom Corner Through a Fireplace
by Fisher Heck Architects
One Corner Warms Up the Space Through a Fireplace While the Other Serves as a Reading Nook
by Platt Architecture
4. Lovely Reading Nook
An all time favorite and probably the most utilized way of decorating a bedroom corner : the reading nook. This permits you to relax and immerse yourself into a fine read before you hit the sheets. Whether it`s just a plush comfy char and a cool ottoman along with a side table and table lamp or the most expensive Eames Chair this little space will offer extraordinary experience through your readings.
Stylish Small Reading Nook in the Corner of the Bedroom
by Mina Brinkey
Moroccan Flavor Added Through a Simple and Trendy Reading Nook in the Bedroom
by Sean Litchfield Photography
Simple Sleek Side Table Perfectly Fit Into the Small Corner Space
5. Share Your Special Moments
This is addressed mainly to young couples and parents which tend to spend their morning in the quiet refuge of their intimate bedroom. Replacing the reading nook with a simple coffee table and two chairs or even a plush couch by the window would do the trick extremely well. A small breakfast, the morning coffee or just reading the first newspaper at an early hour quietly in the bedroomcan help you enjoy little moments in life easier.
Utilizing Every Corner in the Bedroom Can Be Space Efficient
by Stonewood
6. Ergonomic Workstation Enhancing Workaholics
We all are happy because we all are different. If you are more of a workaholic then you are a romantic you should properly consider more pragmatic solutions. You know how much time you spent in front of your laptop or desktop at home and you probably consider an efficient workstation in of the corners of the home. Basically all you need is a work table that can be mounted onto the wall and a chair, you can use a table top that would be able to fold and a fold-able chair to enhance your space. Moreover you can use the vertical space for books, magazines, CD's, you can`t run out of storage if you use vertical space properly.
Chic Bedroom Featuring a Compact Workstation in the Corner
If Needed You Can Turn Your Bedroom Corner Into Your Own Home Office
Floating Shelves in Neat Corner Bedroom Workstation
If a reading nook seemed like a good idea then the idea of a corner bookshelf will shine before your eyes. Obviously, the shelf also doubles as a magnificent display, adding to the aesthetics of the room variety, variety that can be changed every season to match your interior design line.
High Corner Bookshelf in the Bedroom Doubling as a Magnificent Display
by Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
8. Relax in Style
A plush daybed or beautifully colored armchair is another great point of view, this works even better with a spectacular corner window enhancing your rejuvenating spot. The combination is extraordinary and it will give your bedroom a fairy-tale atmosphere especially during winter along with your favorite beverage the loved one and the first snow. The corner window can enhance your interior atmosphere through natural ventilation as well.
Cozy Daybed in the Corner Serving as the Perfect Reading Nook
by Ryan Group Architects
The Corner of the Bedroom is Opening Up to Priceless Expansive Views
by GM Construction
Chaise Lounge Enhancing the Bedroom Corner and the Aesthetic Values Through a Uber-Comfy Apparel
by Craig Denis
9. A Good Nightstand
If your bed is already very close to the corner and the small space can accommodate a nightstand, then consider a cool maybe one of a kind DIY nightstand to create a picture-perfect image. Adding twin nightstands on each side gives may be an option giving the room geometric visual composition balance. Simple, timeless and practical, this nightstand will sure be worth it.
Superb Nightstand with a Table Lamp Tucked Away in the Bedroom`s Corner
by Greg Natale
Different Nightstands in the Bedroom Creating a Beautiful Asymmetrical Look
10. Greenery Brought Inside
Bedroom interior design is far more then decor and accessories alone, you may buy everything you`ve ever wanted yet not feel at home, you may need a special something within, you may need a plant, a small touch of greenery to en-root you. Plants can be added in tropical-style bedrooms that are currently spreading like wildfire, nature brought inside is one of the best methods of enhancing your bedroom interior design with vitality.
Touch of Greenery in the Corner Adding a Hollywoodian Vibe
by Laura U
11. Snapshots of the World Outside
This is definitely one of the ideal cases with which we are not all blessed. A superb bedrooms able to cast a glance towards idyllic mountains or the waves crashing onto the beach. With such a magnificent privileged vantage point you should take full of advantage through glass walls opening up, probably in the corner, creating a very important exterior interior connection. We are unable to imagine a modern mansion in Cape Town without a view or one at a vantage point near Mont Blanc not overlooking the natural splendor.
A Spectacular Snapshot for the Contemporary Corner Bedroom
Simple Epic Bedroom Interior Design With No Dull Corners
by Carney Logan Burke Architects
12. Use & Feed Your Imagination
Last but not least is more of an advice to read, dream and feed your imagination with extraordinary ideas. These will serve you as lived experience when you`ll want to redecorate, these will allow you to envision a space of your liking and give you more options to choose from. Imagine and materialize. You don`t have to recreate an interior design from a picture to say that an article or picture served you well: a simple bathtub in the corner or a painting illuminated in an unique manner enhancing your perspective may do the trick, a simple vase or a chair you`ve seen somewhere, invest in yourself, be creative and feel free to change your decor whenever you feel the need.
Unusual Loft Bedroom Featuring a Standalone Bathtub in the Corner
The Corner Here Becomes a Natural Extension of the Wall Behind the Bed Thanks to the Big Mural
Feminine and Visually Brilliant Method of Decorating the Bedroom Corner
by James Thomas
What do you think? We`ve convinced you that your corner bedroom should be revitalized? Have these 12 ideas served you any good or you had something very different in mind? We would love to hear your opinion in the comment section bellow and complete this guide with your own ideas!
Re-purposing old objects and giving them a second life has become a common practice and people from all around the world recycle old items and put them to another good use. Have you ever re purposed something in your home? Since winter is just around the corner, here you are going to see some Winter Home Decorations By Re-purposing Sleighs, Skis And Snowboards. If you have some of these tree objects in your home which can not be used anymore as sports equipment, it's about time you turn them into something else. There are so many ways to reuse them in your home, and in this article you are going to see only the best ones! Happy scrolling!
RE-PURPOSE old snowboards
Snowboards are super cool and I believe that you will be amazed with all of these ideas and you will be having a hard time picking the perfect way to repurpose your snowboard in your home. You can turn it into a wine holder, or maybe a lamp. What do you say about creating a fabulous table out of it? Make your pick from some of the ideas below!
Can you imagine the reactions of the people who come to your home and see the incredibly re-purposed skis in your home? They will be all fascinated, and you will be glad to see the skis reused in some super cool and unique way. What do you say about using the skis as shelves on the boring walls, or maybe making a chair out of them? Displaying your holiday cards and photos on them is also an interesting idea! There are many more in the photos below!
If your sleigh is broken don't even think about throwing it away. It can look wonderful in your home winter decor and will bring you warming memories from your childhood. You can turn the sleigh into shelving unit, use it as a decorative centerpiece, decorate your entryway with it, use it in your kitchen to hold your pots and pans, use it as a decorative item in the bathroom and so on. All of these uses are aesthetically pleasant to the eye and super functional! Take this ideas in consideration too if your kids have grown up and they don't use the sleigh anymore!
What do you think about these winter home decorations ? As the main material used is envisioned for a winter sport one could say that they are by default a great pick for winter, Christmas decor, how do you see them ?
We would love to hear from you in the comment section below !
Using a planer in a workshop does not require the latest and greatest innovations to do a job well.
However, there comes a point where a little more power or functionality is needed when moving onto more advanced projects. Enter the WEN 6552 planer, a slight upgrade from its previous model with more features, packing a bit more power.
It should be noted that this unit is more suitable for those who have more experience with using power tools. For beginners or casual users, the model will serve its purpose well.
On the other hand, quality and efficiency are what it brings to the table. With several useful features, this benchtop planer is able to adjust and perform well, no matter what the project is.
Read on to find out what the WEN 6552 has to offer and what makes it such a good pick-up.
Onboard material removal gauge informs users about the...
Plane boards up to 6 in. T and 13 in. W
Why Buy This Product?
There are a few unique qualities that make the 6552 planer a standout above other average benchtop models. Some of these features are designed for specific purposes that can make completing a particular task that much easier.
If you are on the fence about this planer, here are a few areas where it shines. Who knows, perhaps it is the upgrade you have been looking for all along.
Increased Power And Three-Blade Design
There comes a point in woodworking where a power tool is unable to complete a cut or begins overheating due to the strain on the motor. More common in regular users and heavy-duty projects, this problem arises from time to time.
To overcome this, the benchtop planer shines in its upgraded power thanks to the 15 amp motor powering it. It is by no means a light performer and can handle heavy-duty tasks with ease.
Capable of reaching up to 8,500 RPM, it can give you the result you need in no time at all. To provide a specific benchmark on its speed, it can attain an astonishing 25,500 cuts per minute!
Taking full advantage of this increase in power, there is also an upgrade to the carbide blade system. Now packing three blades, the resulting cuts made by the unit are smooth to the point of making after-sanding an obsolete task.
What’s more, the number of blades has not only been increased, but the design of the carbide blade itself has changed. Now with a double cutting edge, these blades can be reused once it becomes dull on one side.
Simply flipping the carbide blade to the opposite side will give you a fresh set of blades with performance on par with a new set. This can extend the life of the planer blades immensely, saving you money, time, and energy in replacing an old set.
Precision And Performance
A feature on this model that more experienced woodworkers may appreciate is its built-in depth gauge. By controlling how much the planer cuts away from the material, you can achieve incredibly precise results.
With the dial and measurement tool included on the planer itself, a number of cutting depths ranging from zero inches to 3/32” are possible. With such a variety of options to choose from, it is able to perform even the most precise cuts. Complete control and precision are the key benefits to using a more advanced planer, such as the 6552.
Additionally, the tool is self-feeding, which means it is able to pull the boards into it automatically. The double rollers within the planer will align the board and minimize the snipe. As a result, these rollers extend not only the life of the board but the planer itself.
Another helpful feature that improves the performance and efficiency of this unit is the upgraded support tables that make the most space on the planer. Located in the center of the worktable under the cutter head, they can fold away for a smaller footprint.
Alternatively, these tables can be adjusted to accommodate larger pieces of wood. The table’s surface has been improved to have a smoother transition when feeding wood into the planer.
Build Quality And Portability
With a cast-iron casing, the WEN 6552 is built to withstand many uses over a long time. The protection of the inner mechanics by this housing allows it to last longer while maintaining its efficiency.
Furthermore, the cast-iron shell is less prone to becoming brittle due to exposure than a plastic shell. This allows the planer to remain durable even if left exposed to certain elements.
As far as benchtop planers go, this option lies more on the heftier side. However, it is by no means cumbersome to work with, but it may cause some difficulty in portability.
Besides being a bit more challenging to carry around, the extra weight of the planer works to its advantage. Having extra weight brings more stability to the tool when being used.
Coming in at 66 pounds, the WEN planer is quite heavy for a benchtop model. To compensate for this hefty weight, there are a few features to help make it as easily portable as possible.
Carrying handles are placed on the sides of the planer for a solid grip to hoist it around. Additionally, the tables on the infeed and outfeed can fold into the planer itself for a smaller footprint.
While these features may not lighten the load, it does help in making it more compact and manageable when on the move. Additionally, these features can be taken advantage of by those with smaller workshop spaces.
Useful Features
WEN has included a few extra features that can make using this product a more convenient experience. These features add value in functionality and efficiency.
An especially helpful feature is the built-in dust port. Having a dust port can make cleanup so much easier by having all your dust and debris collected in one place for easier disposal.
However, a dust port on a planer is not a unique feature; there are many other models which make use of a dust port. The model differs by having a fan to blow the dust into the collection port.
By blowing the debris into the collection system, there is minimal clogging of the machine’s ports and internals. Overall, the dust collection system is top-notch and makes maintenance and cleanup a breeze.
Another helpful feature is the mounting holes on the base for increased stability. For heavier tasks, these holes can add more security with little to no effort.
What Could've Been Better?
While the WEN planer may have a durable cast-iron casing, the internal mechanism is not so sturdily built. Within the planer, the choice of materials used does not inspire the most confidence.
Perhaps done to minimize the cost of the planer, WEN has used plastic molds to make up some gears. These gears are an integral part of the planer’s mechanism and can handicap the entire machine if broken.
Being made of plastic, the gears are more susceptible to breaking or being damaged. Of course, the brand compromises this by providing a two-year warranty. Additionally, it should be noted that the occurrence of the plastic gears breaking is not universal but rather a more case-by-case scenario.
Another potential drawback to using this model is the loud noise level while using it. It is not to the point of being deafening, but it can become uncomfortable if operated for an extended period of time.
Pros
Three-blade design for greater efficiency and quality results
Precise thickness adjustment
15 amp motor capable of up to 8,500 RPM
Cast-iron housing for stability and durability
Adjustable tables for infeed and outfeed
Cons
It can be uncomfortably loud when used extensively
Plastic gears are susceptible to damage
WEN 6552 Planer Buying Guide
Before fully settling on whether or not to pick up the WEN 6552T planer, keep in mind a few points that can sway your decision. Choosing the most suitable planer model for you can help increase your efficiency and quality of work, so make sure your decision is a well-informed one.
Motor
Benchtop planers do not have the most outstanding stability as they are designed to be portable and compact. As such, the motor that powers the blades can determine how efficiently it is able to cut through different types of wood.
A weak motor can struggle with hardwood by not providing enough torque to the blades to make a clean cut. Similarly, the quality of the resulting cut may not be as smooth as that of a powerful motor.
In order to have the best result in a planer, look for one that is capable of at least 8,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). This speed is sufficient to handle most hardwoods with satisfying results.
Additionally, having a more robust motor in any power tool helps cut down on heat production. The motor can handle denser and tougher materials easier, so the strain on it is less. On the other hand, weaker motors are prone to heating up more when working with these same rigid materials.
Experience And Use Case
As is the case with any woodworking tool, every purchase is an investment. Choosing a power tool based on how experienced you are can help you to get the most out of it.
It may be tempting to go straight for the most advanced models available, but these do not come at a cheap price. Additionally, you may not have the expertise or knowledge to take full advantage of the features a more complicated model provides and use it to its full extent.
Furthermore, depending on what task you have in mind for the tool, it can vary the options available to choose from. Light and straightforward tasks can be taken care of by a similarly simple tool. For complex and heavy-duty users, a more complex model may be necessary.
Build Quality
Planers are subject to a high level of wear and tear while being used. Debris and wood chips flying about can damage sensitive parts and bring functionality to a stop.
To ensure your planer has the best performance possible, it should be made of quality materials. Especially important in benchtop planers, the machine’s build material can determine how well it holds up over time.
Sturdiness can be a hit or miss with benchtop planers as they need to remain portable enough to fit on a workbench or table. Furthermore, the planer must also be able to support itself when being used. A shaky planer can only result in a low-quality result and potentially damage the machine or yourself.
Blades
Typically, benchtop planers come with a two-blade system. It can be said that the more blades a planer has, the smoother the resulting cut will be.
Having more blades is not just a marketing scheme to up the price of a planer. By having more surface area to cut away the material, the planer is able to make a cleaner cut with minimal strain.
Additionally, more blades prevent wearing away to a certain extent. Instead of having two blades take the full brunt of the chipping and blunting brought on by usage, multiple blades can distribute the breakdown across the blades.
Your blades will last longer while providing a higher quality finish. If possible, investing in a model with multiple blades can be an excellent investment.
Cutter Head
Besides the number of blades a planer has, the type of cutter head can give differing results. There are two variants of cutter heads available-the straight knife cutter head and the helical cutter head.
A straight knife cutter head is the more common head type of the two. This type is built to handle most daily use cases.
However, for a more heavy-duty capable head, the helical cutter head is a better option. While this option is more expensive, it is also more durable and, as such, can handle tougher woods.
What sets these two apart is the positioning of the sharp bits on the surface of the wood. Straight knife cutter heads have a more direct approach which can be susceptible to breaking and chip away faster when dealing with more challenging surfaces.
On the other hand, the helical cutter has a slight spiral that allows it to pierce the wood at an angle. This gives the cutter head a sharper point for cutting into more robust surfaces.
A quality planer will be capable of accommodating either cutter head type. Using these interchangeably is the way to go to maximise the efficiency of your planer.
Maintenance
Keeping your woodworking tools clean is an important preventive measure to take to maintain the performance of your planer. Dust and dirt accumulation within the mechanism or on the body of the planer can cause malfunctions, decrease efficiency, and even cause health problems.
How easily a planer can be cleaned is another factor to keep in mind before making a purchase. You should be able to access and clean the planer easily as and when it is needed.
Some models of planers have a dust collection bag system where most of the residue is collected by the planer itself. This waste is stored in a bag until it is full, making it only necessary to empty it out when full.
Additionally, there are more advanced maintenance options available such as a fan to blow the dust into the collection system. This keeps all the dust flowing into the collection system with no refuse left behind.
This collection system is more efficient than a regular dust collection system as it makes sure there is no blockage in the piping of the system.
What’s more, a regular collection system will not be able to collect every single piece of dust. There are still some small traces that need to be manually cleaned up. A fan attached to the dust collection system removes this extra step of maintenance.
Warranty
Purchasing a quality tool can be expensive, so selecting one with insurance against any potential mishap can save you a costly repair job. While not a requisite, it is still a good safety net should anything go wrong.
WEN 6552 Planner Verdict
Now that you know what makes the WEN 6552 planer so unique, is it a good idea to invest in? For those who are working with a large number of projects or need commercial-grade power, this model may not be the right one for you.
However, if you are a moderately experienced woodworker and need an improvement from your old planer, it is a great investment. The useful features can help add a new level of quality and efficiency to your projects.
Investing in this model gives you incredible performance and power for an affordable price.
What does it come to your mind when you see the world "relaxing"? To some relaxation means going for a walk, or taking a holiday in a tropical resort, to others it resumes to having a cup of coffee in a rainy day and enjoying a good book. I tend to fit into this last category and I run to a good book any chance I get. Therefore, one of my biggest dreams is having my little cozy reading nook in my home from where I can admire my garden enjoy some quality reading.
Designing such a place is not a difficult task, but a key factor that will contribute to your overall state of mind when relaxing here is the design scheme including shape, materials, textures and, most important, colors and tones. As you will notice in the collection displayed below, a neutral color scheme or pastel tones and even an all white decor empowers your corner and creates a more fresh, cheerful relaxing atmosphere suitable for reading. Mirrors, big windows, flowers, fluffy cushions complete the design and are the important factors in the following cozy reading nooks. Our top covers a list of 27 Cozy Reading Nooks That Will Inspire You To Design One Yourself In Your Home.
1. Use your existing window as a reading nook
2. Mirrors amplify the space and help you relax
3. An all white scheme keeps you dreaming
4. Level up reading nook, add a ladder to your private retreat
5. Use that window in between floors
6. Add paper lamps and different textures for a tent-like effect
7. Even strange organic homes can have reading nooks
8. A reading nook in the kitchen can be very beneficial and will invite your kids to spend some more time with you while you are cooking
9. Of you have floor to ceiling windows add a beatiful lounge chair
10. Make a reading nook is pastel colors in your kid's room as well
11. Your home desk deserves a reading nook for those work breaks everyone needs
12. Be creative and have fun with the decoration
13. Turn a very small room into your own little cozy retreat
14. Rustic decor can be cozy too
15. Flowers brighten up any atmosphere
16. Use that window seat at its maximum and even use the space underneath as storage
17. Add an Oriental touch to the decor
18. Cozy wooden reading nook
19. Get cozy with fluffy coushions and pillows
20. Big windows are a big plus. Surround them with book shelves
21. Or fit your reading nook in between book and decoration shelves
22. Sometimes simpler is better
23. Custom made nook in the attic
24. Curved shapes for a better pose
25. A glass reading nook as a transition between inside and outside
26. Use bright colors as accents
27. Use a wall niche as a cozy intimate reading nook
Have you bought an attic apartment recently and you are planning about decorating the kitchen? Do you feel like it's impossible to add a nice kitchen because of the low ceiling? Although decorating the space under the roof may seem a little bit challenging to decorate, it's not impossible. There are lots of ways to fit all of the appliances and cabinets in the space, so here I'm going to share some tips with you that are going to be of a good use. Scroll down through the photos below and see the Smart Ways To Decorate Your Attic Kitchen With Ease. All of these kitchens make the best use of space and prove that the attic is a wonderful place for living. You will have a uniquely decorated home that will fascinate everyone. Check out the designs below and get your imagination going!
Lighting is a crucial thing that you should seriously consider. These kitchens may lack windows or have really small ones, so if the space is dark you should add lots of pendant lights that will make the kitchen brighter and more spacious. You can also add lights under the cabinets which will help the area feel brighter. If there are big windows and roof windows just enjoy the natural sunlight!
You may not have enough space to accommodate the upper cabinets, and they can either be really small or shelves may come in their place. This is why you should make use of any space available in the room for extra storage. The kitchen island is a smart way to go, so take it in consideration.
Due to the lack of natural sunlight, the attic kitchen may appear dark, so when you are thinking about the color theme, make sure you choose light colors. Stripes also help make the space appear more spacious than it really is and you should add some if you want to trick the eye that the ceiling is higher.
The white kitchen may be the best choice for the attic kitchen design. Do you feel the difference from this one and the ones with darker tones? You probably want to feel relaxed and carefree during your meals, so this is really an important thing to consider.
How do you like these smart attic kitchen decorations? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below !
Every home owner's goal is to keep their kitchen clean and organized. If you have set this goal yourselves, then I'm here to give you some tips so you can achieve a clutter free home easily. There are lots of tricks that can make your kitchen well organized with smart and well-thought out maximized storage.
You are going to see some Smart Kitchen Storage Ideas That Will Impress You and teach you how to squeeze everything even in a small kitchen. Check them out and find the solution that will work the best for your space.
Smart Kitchen Storage Ideas Follow
If you have an empty corner in your kitchen, we suggest you to add open shelves because in this way you can see everything that is displayed on them and locate things quickly.
Pots and pans usually take lots of space, if the space allows it one should have separate cabinets for their storage.
Don't leave empty space on the walls, add shelving units wherever it's possible. They will provide you extra storage for the plates and mugs that you are using daily.
If there's space between the fridge and the wall, use it to add a vertical drawer. Here you will get enough space to store food in a practical way. How do you like the idea?
Reuse window shutters in your kitchen in a practical manner and get space to store your kitchen utensils.
What do you say about hanging storage? In this way you can use even the space that it's not functional at all, add magnets under your cabinets and on your jar to suspend them!
Kitchen utensils can make a big mess in the kitchen if they are not stored properly. See some tips from the photo below and recreate them in your kitchen.
Aren't these smart kitchen storage ideas just fabulous? Have you found the perfect way to store things in your kitchen? I hope you did and that you are going to recreate them as soon as possible!
Backyard landscaping designs and ideas are sadly highly underrated in architecture and design magazines these days. Landscape design is actually highly underrated today. We should be encouraged to spend as much time outdoors as possible enjoying nature, fresh air and if we have the opportunity to spend this time in our own small backyard why shouldn't we do so? The following example has been materialized in Barnsbury, London, England and it is entitled Barnsbury Townhouse Garden, featuring dense greenery complemented by a rock texture that beautifies everything in an extraordinary manner.
The project has been envisioned and completed under the instructions of Daniel Shea. The backyard design line showcased by the artist is the extent of the owner`s taste, embracing colors and patterns that he used in his interior design and nestling iconic furniture pieces.
Daniel Shea further relates on the Barnsbury Townhouse
“The brief was to create a sophisticated contemporary space that would allow for relaxing, entertaining and to provide a vista from the house and it its many levels. Screening of the neighbours was also a priority to ensure that the garden was not overlooked.
The clients, a professional couple with a dog, would mostly use the garden on the weekends and in the evenings. Lighting would be crucial to extend the use of the garden well into the dark London nights.
The garden was inspired by the client’s interior decors of fine artwork, contemporary furniture, picking up on the tones of dark greys and greens, the garden reflects these tastes in the choice of wall paint and green planting. The main social area contains a large gas fire, gas BBQ and work surfaces along with a chrome framed modular sofa. White sawn limestone paving adds a real luxury to the space.
The central area of the garden has a water trough, clad in white limestone that spills onto and through a dry stone path. Towards the rear of the garden are the two sun loungers and the glorious dry stone wall, up lit by 3 spotlights, highlighting the textures of the hand crafted wall.
The planting with its contrasting textures of green and white flowering perennials provides the soft relaxing tones to the garden. Three Silver birches provide a reassuring sense of seclusion amidst the surrounding matrix of townhouses.”
A new home - a new beginning, a journey we all await or one that we`ve already enjoyed tremendously among family and friends, among the people that we love and cherish. A new start, a fresh clean slate, a new home layout and yet another opportunity to organize a home thoroughly once and for all, maybe even achieve the much desired clutter-free home status, something epic. During this time guests are what we need, we simply need to mediate these changes with family and friends and there is no better than way to do that than throwing a housewarming party, successfully.
Throwing a Housewarming Party Successfully
A beautiful guide stands in front of us and it`s about to showcase some brilliant housewarming party hosting ideas for when you're moving into a new home, ideas that could help you shape the ultimate housewarming party, one that will remain in the mind of your loved ones for years to come.
Adopt the open House format
One of the first things that you ought to decide is whether it will be a sit-down calm and highly organized venture or an open house. It goes without saying that the earlier you are in the moving process the harder it is to organize a sit-down, moreover, the larger the guest list the harder it is to accommodate the number of seats needed. An open house naturally feels better for the guest and encourages people to feel free to stay as long as they can or want where a sited event puts both parties in a difficult, rigid position.
Reuse the paint chips to send housewarming party invitations
You`ve had the paint chips at your grasp through-out the first stages of your interior decor; a cool way to put them to good use now is to simply adapt them to invitations, a pretty cool and meaningful move.
via handmakemyday
Clean the entire home from a to z
The first sight of your home should be impeccable, your guests ought to perceive the home as the perfect refugee for you and as a possible nest for future events that will birth memories. Make sure everything is spotless even if you still have things to organize in the home, surfaces should be flawless.
adopt the open-door policy
The guest list for this event is really really hard to conceive. One could launch an invitation to family and close friends yet he could open the front door to shelter that inviting, welcoming vibe that one neighbor might need to pick up to come for a casual drink. It is important to invite people in indirectly, this might be the opportunity to bond, to create connections with your neighborhood.
think about your house tours
It is important to be realistic, people are interested in your new home. Make sure you feed their curiosity, it is important to have some house tours prepared in mind, maybe a joke at a room you`re not comfortable with yet or additional information on what you like on the home so far. These house tours themselves can be ice breakers in awkward situations.
have fun with diy sunshine-dyed napkins
A pretty unique project that uses ink-o-dye on regular linen napkins to create surprisingly graphic look in a short amount of time. The craft might emphasize your party with a welcoming-particular feel and it could be yet another great ice breaker to have in your pocket.
via campmakery
have your menu displayed publicly
A guest asking the host about the menu might be an awkward situation for both parties; this could be avoided with an open menu, one showcased clearly near the food stands. Purchase simple, colorful containers and provide all the necessary means for the individual to serve itself and actually feel very good about it, welcomed, happy he can serve the delicious snacks seamlessly.
tailor diy paint chips cutlery holders
Creativity plays a crucial part in everything in our lives and a creative mind does appreciate an original take on simple, mundane items. In the painting process you`ve had the paint chips at grasp; use them now to create little pouches to serve the cutlery in, the graphic aesthetic values are phenomenal, the idea will remain in the guest's memories. Insanely beautiful and insanely easy to realize.
have various activities and games prepared
For little ones and adults alike some entertaining should be prepared especially if we have the possibility to host these outdoors. It`s important to have distractions and energy-burning activities at our grasp for the little ones and for the calm of their parents.
build a paint chip garland
The paint chip garland can work in pretty much any festive celebration yet at a housewarming party seems to makes the most sense. The colorful presence infuses energy and a festive vibe through inexpensive means.
Very much like garlands that can be implemented everywhere to cheer up the space and create that festive vibe, string lights too create an awesome atmosphere, a cozy and warm inviting light that simply offers a familiar feel, something special that can be reused at any celebration, a housewarming party decor with which you simply cannot go wrong.
install a note guest wall with post-it`s
The normal guestbook route is in no way dull or outdated yet there are alternatives that one might consider and the example above is a clear contender. The note guest wall invites the individual to pick a color from the composition for completion; the arrangement once final can be framed and displayed in the hallway as a timeless memory; a great welcoming message to future guests, a mirror in time.
Various sketches portraying balloons, trees or flowers can be painted with fingers gradually by guests who step by; make sure you print these beautiful pieces on thick white paper and have ink pads ready for guest. This can be framed or be kept safe in your treasure chest as a great memory. A beautiful craft, a small collective effort with insanely splendid, delicate results.
finger foods supremacy
Housewarming parties with open house should shelter some pretty epic finger foods ranging from veggies to exotic cheese, fruits, crackers and sushi the menu should be defined by variety in a small form factor. Get as creative as possible with finger food.
The gifts are not required nor are they expected but if they do show up, one ought to be prepared for them. Housewarming gifts are a traditional part in the housewarming party and a few will surely surface so prepare some counter space, a side table or a patio corner. Welcome them with a huge smile and a short thank you.
have the bathroom ready
One of the most important part in the home is the bathroom and although it is new it should be ready, well-stocked, welcoming and familiar from first glance. Towels, toilet paper, soap and a spotless mirror are a must, add a fresh scent and greenery for the atmosphere.
ensure an easy flow in between furniture pieces
Whether it is ideal for your permanent layout or not, that is not important during the housewarming party; make sure you have enough space to move in the living areas, ensure an airy layout and keep in mind that there will be a fair amount of people walking around. Make the walkways comfortable, wide enough for passing through and if need be, even for a small gathering. All people involved will need space to breathe and at a certain point, you, more than anyone, will.
nestle mason jar flower vases
Mason jars have thousands of uses in do it yourself projects yet the most beautiful ones reside by the natural habitat, featuring flowers on a piece of wood. The simple glass recipient is breathtakingly beautiful itself and when animated by the flower`s color everything becomes extraordinary. A positive, elegant look that will bring pure smiles in your event.
have simple drinking cups
In most settings disposable cups might seem way to casual and at the opposite pole high maintenance glasses might ruin everything. Mason jars equipped with a colorful straw might be the ideal way to serve the refreshing beverages in style.
ensure diversity with cold and hot foods
It might be more difficult but the more diverse the food the better; if you could provide both hot and cold food alike you might have something available for all present.
exquisite straws
One could have a great deal of fun creating simple and equally odd flaming straws for his house-welcoming party; these could address to guests of any age and lighten up the mood of the party. Infusing color in a party is always a great idea.
via campkaery.com
Nestle light in paper lanterns outdoors
If weather allows you, spending time outdoors should be a clear must. Outside festivities in fresh air always end up far better than their indoors counter parts.
Simple party favors for guests
A simple, small attention for your guests on their way out is a beautiful, thoughtful way to end a successful party. Filled with candy, the sweet thank you will appeal to all guests.
An avid gardener might also want to gift a plant, a little succulent grown in his garden, an item that will remain in the receivers home as a beautiful memory for years to come. Needless to say that this appears in events with a smaller guest list and that we can all particularize these little gifts.
In the end it all comes down to one thing: having fun. Among your friends and family everything should be easy, any mistake can be forgotten, the atmosphere should be relaxed and highly positive.
We are not having this house-welcoming party to receive gifts, to show off or to update our peers indirectly with the latest news, this event should be kept to celebrate a new beginning with the people that you love, a new step in the life in which they too will be a an extraordinary presence. After this event, hundreds of memories built with friends and family will animate this home, this is the first of many, enjoy it to the fullest.
Yellow is definitely not everyone's cup of tea yet yellow means happiness. Yellow dares to create a vibe comparable with no other color. It contrasts by default with almost any color and it is the color able to create the highest contrast possible when paired with solid black. Consider this color a valuable weapon in your arsenal and wherever you need it, liven up your world with bright yellow painted furniture ideas for a change of scenery. The refresh will be substantial and in most design lines this triggers smiles and a healthy positive attitude at a first glance. We have showcased underneath a few isolated yellow furniture ideas that are worth using in your household, cast a glance and tell us what can blend in your decor.
Yellow Furniture Ideas
#1 Powerful Yellow Apothecary Unit
#2 Vibrant Dresser Boosting Textures
#3 Small Side Table In a Discrete Yellow
#4 Small End Table Emphasizing a Small Reading Nook
#5 Subtle Simple Nightstand
#6 Yellow Bench Welcoming Guests
#7 Restored Side Table Wearing a Bold Yellow
#8 Small Chest With Colorful Cushions
#9 Up-cycled Furniture Piece Floating Thanks To The Yellow/White Setup
#10 Positive Yellow Dresser
#11 TV Sitting on a Yellow Stand In Airy Decor
#12 Apothecary Table Complementing a Beautiful Orange Fridge
#13 Simple Yellow Nightstand
#14 Bookshelf Up-cycled Into a Vibrant Yellow Life
#15 Shabby Chic Yellow Nightstand
#16 Yellow-One Pillow and One Chair
#17 Wire-frame Terrace Set in Yellow
#18 Space Efficient Yellow Dinning Setup
#19 Yellow Desk With Textured Drawers
#20 Simply Colorful
#21 Up-cycled Furniture Pieces in Yellow
#22 Small Side-table With Storage
#23 Vintage Drawer Unit in Yellow
#24 Black and Yellow Contrast
#25 Reading Nook Emphasized by Yellow
#26 Yellow Origami Chair
#27 Up-cycled Yellow Chair
If you want to refresh your interior fast, a simple yellow chair will do. If you are bold enough you can go even further. We would love to hear which scenery from the one above seems the happiest in your opinion in the comment section below.
Designing with re-purposed item is different, re-purposed and up-cycled items bring in a swift refresh in items with experience, items enriched by time.
Repurpose old picture at frames at home if you are just starting and learn how a really simple window can become a picture frame, how an old vintage picture frame can become a bulletin board or how beautifully it can hold your bathroom mirror at home.
No old picture frame ought to hit the landfill, if you have no use for it, ask around, a DIY enthusiast will gladly use it, their versatility amazes, cast a glance below.
Ways to Repurpose Old Picture Frames
1. old frame becomes bathroom mirror
The simplest way to obtain an exquisite bathroom window is to salvage a beautiful old picture frame and simply contain a mirror, it will greatly change your space.
You have unlimited possibilities, the opportunities are extraordinary, the old picture frame can showcase a priceless memory, a thing you love from you art collection or simply a meaningful piece of fabric.
10. sculpt an extraordinary side table from picture frame
It might look like a long-shot yet the frame can really shape something extraordinary, use a sculptural leg, a contrasting color, you`ll definitely succeed.
A wire mesh on the back of a really graphic old picture frame can hold earnings beautifully organized; the display can be doubled by fabric or remain transparent. The organizer becomes wall art through the items displayed.
Source Unknown
14. enhance your interior design theme
Elegant and swift as a craft the composition above can sustain the sea-inspired airy ambiance that you`ve always looked for, embrace it.
15. burlap and dollies
The same old picture frame jewelry organizer can be envisioned to match a rustic, cozy theme and the use of burlap and dollies could certainly help.
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16. frame greenery
To showcase greenery in your home is extraordinary yet to frame it in wall in transparent containers is an entirely different thing, naturalness and organicity are cherished, they beautifully sculpt space.
Not a wreath per say but a beautiful welcoming display to carry your flowers. Simple and effective the old picture frame can be embellished with flowers, guarding your door till you find it a better use or a holiday wreath comes on.
Source Unknown
18. picture frame key holder
Let a small picture frame welcome you with the right support. It will gladly keep your keys where they belong: at your grasp.
Picture frames can be arranged in a certain manner in the attempt to create wall art; a creative setup can also become easily functional as AN organizer, coat or towel hanger.
23. affordable DIY chalkboard table framed
Create a chalkboard frame by simply repurposing an old frame and painting an MDF board that serves as the picture with chalkboard paint.
How do you see the epic ways to repurpose old picture frames at home presented above? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Located in one of the 290 municipalities of Sweden, Höganäs Municipality (Höganäs kommun) in the Skåne County, Nilsson Villa is a black compact modern beach house that takes advantage of its small lot as much as possible.
The home has been obviously designed as a vacation home including everything that one would desire for a temporary visit, the backyard landscaping includes a swimming pool and terrace surrounded by green vegetation, the interior design is mainly based on black and white, being very light, airy and breezy. The minimalist interior design would satisfy most of us because it sets the focal point more towards the expansive views; towards the beach and sky blue waters, the interior serving more as a background.
The small bedroom interior design is definitely one of the coziest rooms in the home, with a tall bed and black and white interior design it would not seem like it but if you look closer and observe the fluffy rug you will start feeling at home.
What do you think about this modern beach house?
When it comes to design, going simple is always a good choice. You don't want to be the one who overcrowds a space and goes overboard with details, textiles, textures, colours and materials. The following dream home has surrounded itself with nature and went along that very one suggestion: pure concrete, in raw form, transformed and molded in different shapes and sizes, creating in the end the perfect modern dream home. Dark wood was been used as accent to warm the atmosphere, giving it a more elegant touch and fines.
Huge glass walls offer a beautiful view of the surrounding environment, lighting beautifully the clean smooth surfaces and connecting the exterior with the interior design and life.At night, the shimmering lights transform the entire property, reflecting in the long turquoise swimming pool and emanating a luxurious feel. Minimalism defines the created spaces and keep the atmosphere light and fresh, without being cold and unwelcoming, a truly modern dream home for the ones who appreciate the simple things in life.
Classic, elegant and stunning - these three words describe French country kitchens well. Homes with this majestic kitchen interior style surely get praised for the earthly colors and delicate details incorporated. While modern kitchens are truly lovely and ideal as well as practical and sleek, the imposing beauty of French country kitchen is still unmatched. The following country kitchen designs will surely make an impression even for the most delicate of tastes in matters of kitchen design. Let's take a glance.
earthly tones that never go out of style
French country kitchens are stunning without doubt, more or less due to the earthly tones used that do not overpower the whole design of the kitchen. Instead, the earthly tones become the lovely background of the wood, metal and bricks used for each part of the kitchen whilst highlighitng the other hues incorporated.
clean white french country kitchen
While earthly tones are beautiful, white makes a kitchen stunning, neat and clean. A spotless kitchen, no matter the design, is best when white is used as the main color theme. The plants used as decorations for this French country kitchen stand out well with the clean, white background.
The earthly tones of French country kitchen cannot only be achieved by the use of stones or bricks. The use of wood brings out a natural earthly tone perfect for intricate designs. The intricate details on the window frame makes this French country kitchen quite stunning, don't you agree?
classic french country kitchen cabinet in lovely teal
The soft color of teal does wonders in any kitchen, and it is the most beautiful when used in classic kitchen cabinets for French country kitchen designs. Teal creates a lovely accent for the whole room and stands out with any background while also adding to the whole room a look that is softer and more feminine.
Chandeliers add drama to the whole look of a room, and the kitchen is no exception. This French country kitchen with the medieval chandeliers create a stunning effect. The chandelier also makes the whole kitchen look larger than it actually is.
Distressed wood creates a country feel for any part of the home or piece of furniture. Having a clock made with distressed wood in a French country kitchen seals the classy look of the whole room. This decoration is not just for the aesthetics though since it is functional and can definitely be useful in the kitchen.
the beAuty of black and white in french country kitchen
The use of black as a room's color theme is never wrong, even for kitchens. Back and white mixed with the earthly tones of a French country kitchen create a sophisticated mature look. The black and white rooster decor piece also mixes well with the whole look of the kitchen.
The natural flowers and teal mixed in this white French country kitchen create a dreamy effect for the entire room. Not only does it look clean and neat, it is also stunning in its simplicity. The white background also allows the other items inside the kitchen stand out effortlessly.
softer brown hue for the perfect dark chimney vent
Chimney vents are sometimes quite simple and not usually highlighted in a kitchen. In this French country kitchen, the chimney vent takes its place in the limelight with its dark color against the soft brown hue of the whole kitchen.
a mix of old decors to fit a french country kitchen
French country kitchens boast the use of animal decorations, plants and classic decors and trinkets. This kitchen cabinet encompasses all the lovely features of the classic French country kitchen.
bricks and dark hues in a wonderful mix
The soft earthly tone of bricks is the best color choice for French country kitchens. The darker hues of the wood used for the kitchen cabinets create a magnificent effect for the kitchen. Both the bricks and dark hues of the cabinet are a classic combination that can make anyone stare in awe.
all eyes on a lovely kitchen center table
This kitchen features a great combination of soft and dark hues, but the kitchen center table simply stands out. It works well in a French country kitchen because of its earthly tone and classic taps.The chandelier lights also helps highlight the center table.
classy tap and sink in a pretty harmony of design
Sinks are an essential part of functional and even not so-functional kitchens. This soft hued sink with lovely floral design creates a wonderful accent for the entire kitchen. Most French country kitchens have this type of sink incorporated and it usually works like a charm.
French country kitchens do not look stunning just because of the cabinets, sinks, windows and tables. The small trinkets, plants and flowers add a lovely design line for the kitchen, whether it is a French country kitchen or any other style.
a simple french country kitchen setup
French country kitchen designs exude grace and femininity in all sides. Even in a very soft hue, French country kitchens are still majestic with something as simple as a vase of flower for decor.
White is never boring with the right combination of decorations. This French country kitchen sink setup is a perfect example of how white can show elegance like no other hue can.
Earthly tones do not have to come from bricks or stones. Wood can create a lovely mix of earthly hues that go well in French country kitchens. The items made from wood also get the highlight each deserve from the lighter background.
Trinkets that are vintage can add a classic feel to a kitchen. These vintage cutlery along with the lovely vases and dainty flowers can create a huge impact on a Franch country kitchen design.
What is your take on the classical French Country Kitchen Design? Feel free to share your input in the comment section below.
Winter signals thicker clothes, hot soups and endless opportunities to decorate the home with winter decorations made in the warmth of your abode with your family. Welcoming the winter season is actually welcoming the holiday season, and most winter crafts will revolve around this theme. Whether you will decide on using recycled items at home or buying new materials for your crafts, the ideas presented below will surely be interesting and worth the effort. Enjoy!
clothespin snowman to hang your photos
Winter means snow in many places and snow means the classical jolly snowman. Most people find the iconic snowman as an inspiration for winter crafts, just like this simple but useful clothespin project below. Use the funny snowman to hang your lovely family photos or other decorative items around the house.
Giving away favors is but natural for many, a method to end a lovely party. This cute winter craft is definitely one worth the effort and time. The craft can be personalized, becoming a great project for kids and adults alike.
Mittens are always brought out once the chill of winter days hit. They protect your hands and are usually very comfortable, especially the ones for kids. And what best way to draw the dame warmth and fashion than making a wreath inspired by the same winter gloves.
Elves are very popular during the Christmas holidays and cold winter days. They are believed to be Santa's little helpers and would often don pointed hats, scarves and winter clothes. With the use of a little imagination and free pine cones during the winter season, these little helpers can be the best inspiration for pine cone winter crafts that can fit any home.Create your own little cute army now.
Another winter craft inspired by the iconic snowman, these tea lights can be hung outside or even inside a home. Simple to make and easy to spot, guests will surely be interested in making some for their own winter inspired homes.
Pine trees are in demand when winter comes, since the cheerful Yuletide season is upon us. And while pine trees are often used as Christmas trees, not everyone can afford to have one in their homes. These pine cone Christmas trees are cheaper and smaller alternatives that can easily blend in with the furniture and whole winter interior design of any home.
Pine cones are truly abundant during winter, bringing out that winter feel in a home no matter what season it may be. Pine cones can bring out that rustic feel you might be searching and can easily stand out from the rest of the winter decors. This winter wreath can also create a homey welcome for guests and loved ones like no other wreaths can.
Winter will definitely ask for the warmth of fire no matter how small the source of heat is. And for dinners during winter nights, the soft glow of candles is enough to warm any dining room. With a lovely design like this, even the coldest of winter nights will not beat the warmth of the room this candle holder is placed in.
Discarding plastic is not just irritating to see scattered in the garbage but also very dangerous for the environment. These snowman cups can be hung around the home to exude a fun childish vibe.
In any home, there are several ways to make it appear more fabulous. Winter crafts represent a wonderful solution in this matter. Paper snowflakes are a greta idea for creating the most loved winter decor. Hanging these around the porch can create a wintery feel even without actual snow around the home.
Mason tea lights with popular winter designs can create a warm glow and still have the right theme for winter. Even left simple these mason jars can get the winter theme spot on and not overpower the whole design of a room. The subtle light exuded can be inserted into your decor, preferably on your window to be seen from outdoors as well on winter nights.
personalized sharpie mug to spread the joy
The simple and lively colors mixed with white make the word on the mug stand out. It creates a lovely decoration on the dining table and does not overpower other decorations spread around the table.
This winter craft is perfect for any modern or classical home. The decor is not as complicated as other winter crafts but still manages to create a lovely rustic design that fits any interior or exterior design of a home. It resonates winter and is definitely lovely all the way.
Winter days are incomplete without the ever famous Christmas tree, or its counterparts at least. When a home has not enough space, creating paper pine trees can be a perfect option. Paper pine trees still create the same wintery feel without taking up much space .
Having a bar at home is a lovely addition to its interior. And this winter chalkboard is a great decor piece for bars and for those who want to add a little winter touch in the simplest way. Instead of featuring liquors, the use of warm mugs can make a warm welcome for people of any age.
Having small decors here and there add a little more detail inside the home. These simple crafts can go well inside a child's room or can be a cute addition to a family room's interior design. And since it is easy to make, doing these decorations will not take much time at all.
These decorations are perfect for those cold winter barbecue parties or morning porch parties. They are rustic and do not ot take up much space. These may even be a great way to welcome guests in an awesome note.
While others concentrate on the furniture, windows can actually become a big canvas for people who want to make a statement. These snowflake window clings can create that wonderful impression to any one coming into your household.
Photographs are those little details that once added into an interior design transform the space and claim it your own. Adding a personal touch in winter crafts by making frosted stone photo ornaments can help the Christmas tree or any part of the home stand out and look amazing.
Have you started preparing your Winter Crafts? Feel free to share your ideas in the comment section below.
Do you have empty frames in your home and you are wondering where to store them and what to do with them?
Are you even considering the option of throwing them away?
Stop for a minute and take a look at the Inspiring DIY Empty Frame Projects That Are Easy To Make, and you will change your mind instantly.
All of these DIY designs are totally adorable, and they will show you how the frame can be incorporated in the home in so many different ways. Be creative and come up with new ideas or recreate your favorite one from the photos that I have rounded up just for you!
Have you ever seen an empty frame up in the ceiling? This design will attract all of the attention and will be the first thing people will notice in your home.
If you are organizing your wedding, save the frames as decoration. They will serve you as a perfect photo backdrop, or you can stand behind them for more interesting photographs.
This is the most inexpensive design that you can make on your own and refresh your home with ease. Go outside, get some branches and insert them in the empty frame. As easy as a pie!
What do you say about using the empty frame to hold and display your cards? I say it's a wonderful idea that you have to try if you get so many cards. It's a really nice way to display them and show them to the rest of the world.
Kids enjoy drawing and coloring, so put the empty frames on the walls in the kids' room and let them have their own exhibition every once in a while, or every day, who knows!
Christmas is just around the corner, so you may want to have this design in mind. Hang some Christmas balls in the frame, add a bow and use it to decorate the dull wall in your home, or use it as a wreath on your entry door.
How are you going to give your empty frame a new chance? All of these diy empty frame project seem amazing if you ask us so start prepping your home for awesomeness, get crafting !
A superb list of last minute easy Easter crafts has been curated, it brought together colors, flowers and great joy. The ideas showcased had a strong foundation based on recycling and up-cycling , inviting the creative individual to emphasize its decor through sustainable crafts and all one needs is patience and time.
Easter is a celebration that offers us a great opportunity to be around family and friends and getting the opportunity to shape a very beautiful decor for the loved ones is magnificent, if we were to craft the decor pieces with them and build the interior spatiality in which we built memories, things will be even more spectacular, invite your loved ones to participate and shape a beautiful Easter celebration. Cast a glance at the gallery below and surge inspiration for your next craft, we would love to hear your valuable feedback in the comment section below.
Last Minute Easy & Inexpensive Easter Crafts
#1 simple plastic bottle can become great diy gifts
Recycle plastic bottles creatively with a few pieces of paper into a great sweet DIY Gift. Inexpensive and really easy to realize Easter crafts within seconds, use them as rewards for the egg hunt or simple easy diy gifts.
What do you think about these superb inexpensive easy Easter crafts? We would love to hear your valuable feedback in the comment section below.
When a budding painter squeezes out a dab of acrylic paint from the tube for the very first time, more often than not, he/she is quite taken aback by the sheer thickness of the paint.
This is what puts off a lot of acrylic beginner painters from trying out this paint medium in the first place.
Even if you’re itching to represent a piece and looking to use the color depth of acrylic to put your ideas to canvas, things might not go as you may have imagined it.
Before using acrylic, it needs to be thinned and prepared, and this, by all means, is the hardest part of the process. A lot of things can go wrong at the same time, and without the proper knowledge and know how it will be very difficult to get the shade and viscosity that you desire.
However, to help you out with all your acrylic thinning needs we have brought a guide that not only covers the basics behind the process but some of the more advanced steps as well.
There are a lot of ways to thin acrylic paints, but we shall be going over the more common ones: like water, and additional mediums.
So sit back, and read along.
Acrylic Paint Thinner 101 | How to Thin Your Acrylic Paints
What Exactly are Acrylic Paints and Why Do They Need Thinning?
Before we get into the entire acrylic thinning process, let us first go over some of the basics of acrylic paint; primarily their construction and their very form and nature.
Any artist worth his/her salt will be able to tell you the importance of certain solvents such as odorless mineral spirits and turpentine. However, the more adept and professional painters know the characteristics and the composition of the products they use inside and out.
And acrylic, though might seem daunting at first, once you get to know its very nature and characteristics; the entire process of dealing with it becomes significantly easier.
So what exactly is the nature and characteristics of acrylic paint?
If gone by a simpler definition, it can be said that acrylic by its very nature is a water-soluble paint medium. When added to water it will slowly start to dissolve and become thinner in as a result.
Herein lies the contrast between acrylic and the more oil-based paints. Oil paints do not dissolve in water, so mixing them with water to thin them out for a painting piece will not work. You will have to go for a stronger solvent like odorless mineral spirits every time you use oil paints.
Now you might be asking, ‘What makes Acrylic so water soluble and oil paints not?’
Well, it all comes down to the binding agent present in the paint. Acrylic paints exclusively rely on ‘acrylic polymer emulsion’ which is a binding agent that is highly soluble in water, and thus grants the paint that very property.
Additionally, this polymer also comes with a coloring pigment [which grants the paint its color] which again is a great water-soluble agent.
Hence, it’s not surprising that acrylic breaks down so quickly and thins out when water or any other medium is added it. Thinning the thick and extremely viscous acrylic paint even out its consistency and makes it quite akin to that of watercolor or even gouache paint.
Water - The Primary Acrylic Thinner
Water is perhaps one of the most effective and pocket-friendly thinning mediums that you will ever come across. Needless to say, it’s practically free and a much cheaper alternative to the more expensive mediums that you will find in the online market and retail stores.
But, before you jump the gun here and immediately start adding water to your paint, it’s important to keep in mind that when it comes to acrylic, you can’t just blindly add water to it.
This is one mistake that a lot of amateur artists make, and this is also where the importance of a complete knowledge of acrylic’s composition comes in.
When it comes to adding water to acrylic, you will need to be extremely cautious. And in our experience, it’s best to not mix more than 1:2 (50%) ratio, or it won’t turn out like the way that you want it to.
Adding too much water and over-saturating the paint can cause the paint to peel and flake from the canvass after it dries. The chances of chipping are even greater especially if the surface that you’re adding it to is a primed one.
But to get the ratios completely right, one trick that we can suggest you try, is to moderate the thinning process. You can do this by either mixing the acrylic with water on separate palettes or in a small cup.
This will prevent a lot of the water seepage, and help you get the viscosity that you’re looking for.
Finally, you might feel that a palette knife can be the best tool for mixing the two. Well, this might have been true for other paint mediums, but not acrylic.
Palette knives have a tendency to make the acrylic mixture too thin. So, you’re better off using a cheap spare brush for the mixing process, which you can easily rinse off later on.
Other Acrylic Thinning Mediums
Often advertised as ‘flow improver’ these mediums are specifically made to thin acrylic paint. However, they are quite expensive, and we will be recommending them more for professional use than domestic and practice artworks.
These mediums have the unique ability of getting your acrylic paint to the level of a stain which is even thinner than a wash. This opens up a whole new field of options and techniques that you can use and explore with your acrylic paint.
Additionally, they are much easier to apply than water, you don’t have to constantly keep in mind the ratios, and best of all there is no need to worry about flaking and peeling as well.
The flow improvers come equipped with acrylic polymer emulsions, which as we have mentioned before is the same binding agent present in acrylic paint itself.
This is what will allow you to add as much flow improver to the polymer as you want, till you get your desired consistency. You will not have to worry about the paint peeling nor keep a firm lookout for any sort of a mixing ratio.
If you are about to embark on painting a piece which you want to preserve for a very long time, then it’s best to go for those mediums which has the same binding ingredients as acrylic themselves.
However, one point of note. It would be rather unwise if you wish to use such flow improvers for oil-based paints. The results will never turn out to how you expect them to be.
Still not getting the particular shade or result that you want?
When it comes to feverishly stroking out an inspired piece on a canvass, a lot of artists make the mistake of getting too wrapped up with the painting and not paying close attention to the process of work at hand.
What this does is, it will not ultimately provide you with the result that you’re looking for.
Well, that might be ok for casual work, but on professional jobs where time is a factor, one doesn’t have much leisure for mistakes.
It’s always wise to take a step back and access your working process a bit before going into the art piece any further. This will, in the long run, prevent you from recklessly mixing countless mediums to thin the acrylic, which would have otherwise done more harm than good.
So, if you’re not getting the right shade, we suggest that you employ mixing different colors together than just pouring in thinning mediums. Under such situations, it’s always better to give into your artistic instincts and find creative solutions for the problem at hand.
Also, here are some tricks you can use to get your acrylic viscosity and shade just right:
Using a Primed Layer to Help with Results
If perhaps you make your own canvas or just want to try out your thinned acrylic on certain non-traditional surfaces like wood or even metal, then we would advise that you prime the canvas surface before using it.
And when it comes to primers, the most effective one we can think of is gesso. It’s quite a staple in any artist’s studio and can be found in any art supply store [try not to get gesso from a hardware store; the ones there are stronger and used primarily for outdoor purposes].
Gesso attaches itself very easily to most of the non-traditional canvas surfaces and provides a fantastic base for any acrylic based work. And a primer like gesso comes extremely handy if you’re thinning your acrylic to a wash or even a stain.
This will help you get the shade just right, and naturally, bring out the color depth that acrylic paint can provide over watercolors and oil paints.
A non-primed, non-traditional surface often tends to suck up all the paint and will not be able to give you the result that you want. Additionally, a primer will allow your paint to last long as well, for it will prevent flaking and the paint will not peel off anytime soon.
This will depend more on where you’re in the process of making your current painting more than anything else.
Though this point might seem elementary to many, however, we thought it’s better to point out the importance of this step for those who are still quite new to the method of acrylic painting.
So, if you prefer using the more standard #6 brush to lay down the initial steps of your painting, then we would recommend that you rethink your approach.
For the very first wash for any acrylic art piece, it’s wiser to opt for a much wider brush, at least a couple of inches wider than a standard #6.
You can get a relatively cheaper brush model for this part, preferably from a hardware store, as all you will be doing with it is applying a wash. However, if you’re planning to go for a multi-layered painted surface, then it’s better to go for a more expensive option from an art store.
One alternative that you can consider is a foam brush. Its working function is much opposed to that of a bristle brush; however, it’s significantly cheaper and will be able to apply a much more even coat of thinned out acrylic paint onto any surface, may it be traditional or even a non-traditional one.
This will save you a lot of time in the long run, and you will not have to constantly try to brush out the imperfections from the surface with the aid of a smaller detail brush. It will provide much better results in terms of color contrast for your painting as well.
The Fat Over Lean Method for Painting Longevity
So what exactly is the fat over lean method?
The thorough process of painting in layers is called the fat over lean method. It’s a trick used by a lot of adept painters where they apply a fat over lean, which means that every layer that you put down on the surface should be thicker than the previous layer.
The fat over lean method is one of the ‘cornerstones to proper painting techniques.’
This type of layered painting is a lot like making a cake, where you will have to dress and structure the layers in such a way that you’re able to bring the best out of your colors.
However, you might be thinking now, that if it’s more of a painting thing that deals with color layering, then what does it have to do with acrylic thinning?
Where herein lies a little secret. If you constantly put in thin paint on the surface of the painting, i.e., go for lean over fat and not fat over lean, then you significantly increase the chances of your artwork flaking and cracking.
No matter how well you’re able to apply your flow additives your painting will not be as durable as you like if you go for the lean over fat option.
Considering the fluctuations in its natural state that the paint goes through throughout its drying process, along with the various environmental conditions; for the lean over fat method, any drastic contraction in the state of the acrylic paint will lead to immediate cracking.
And we know how tempting it can get to add a little light wash to bring out the contrast of a beautiful landscape painting and give it an ochre like tint. But giving into that desire can ultimately lead to your piece to flake especially when using acrylic paint.
Is that all to thinning acrylic paint?
Although we might like to say that we have covered everything, all methods of acrylic thinning for you today, but that’s simply not the case. We have mentioned the two most popular methods along with some of the problems that you may have when thinning.
There are a lot of different methods of acrylic thinning emerging in recent trend, so feel free to give them a try whenever you feel like.
No matter what medium you happen to use as an artist, shading will always be a quintessential part of the artwork.
Shading enables you to create depth in your paintings - and besides perspective, it makes them more lifelike and attractive.
Mastering any medium through this art technique requires you to understand the essence of shading and how to do it effectively using that medium.
But as all artists have experienced, shading can be a more difficult ordeal than it might seem at first glance.
So, today, in this piece we are going to discuss the various tips, tricks and methods to master the art of shading with colored pencils.
Let’s get on with it, shall we?
How to Shade With Colored Pencils
Different types of strokes
Before we discuss the nuances of shading, we need to first get familiar with the medium itself.
So, in this section, we are going to learn the basic kinds of strokes that you can apply using colored pencils. Of course, this is a very basic and brief study of the various ways of application.
Hence, we recommend you to get a better grip on these strokes before you start focussing on more complicated methods and factors.
Side-to-Side Shading
The simplest and the most basic stroke that you can do with a colored pencil is this side-to-side shading.
Even though it’s the simplest stroke of all, one shouldn’t skip it. Mastering this simple stroke will ensure that you have a more fluid arm and finger control.
The goal is simple. You’ll have to keep the lines straight and smooth while going from side to side. And as a bonus lesson, you can also decrease the pressure as you gradually traverse in the vertical direction.
Many novice artists would swing by their wrist instead of maneuvering using their fingers, causing a curved line instead of a flat one. You can also use your elbows to pivot instead of your wrist to make a straighter line.
You need to master this stroke enough so that you can draw straight lines and make a smooth gradient.
Side Shading and Tip Shading
One alternate version of side-to-side shading is tip shading. The only difference between the two is that in this case, you use the tip of the colored pencil.
With this method, you get a smoother, richer and broadly toned shading. Of course, the colors are a lot denser too because the pencil sheds more pigment on the paper.
The grains of the pencil is a lot finer and seem to fit into the crevices of the paper giving a smoother appearance and broad tone range.
It may seem that tip shading is far more superior and the “correct” way to do shading. But that is not the case.
Both methods of shading are unique and cater to the different needs of an artwork. Side shading is a better option when you want a softer, more coarse and even shading.
Master both of these techniques by drawing straight lines and getting a smooth gradient. If you happen to get well acquainted with these techniques, then you are now way better at controlling your hand movement.
You should then move on to more stylistic and nuanced methods of application.
Hatching
Hatching is a unique method using which you can give direction, volume, and texture to your artwork.
It’s a simple method that can add style and depth in your subject. If you apply hatching lines along the contour of the subject, then it gains form and volume.
The goal of this technique is simple. You have to keep your lines bolder, uniformly directed and evenly spaced. There should be adequate space for the paper or the color underneath to show.
The lines should be of equal length and shouldn’t look uneven. You can also keep a slight pressure variance over the application of the line to achieve a more graded effect.
Obviously, to perfectly execute this technique your pencil should be sharp and your hand movement should be swift and short.
Above all, only practice and dedication will make your art perfect.
Crosshatching
When you apply two layers of hatching perpendicular to each other, you get crosshatching. The technique can be used to make darker areas within hatching or to make a unique visual blending effect of two different colors.
You can also play around and create more interesting textures by placing the second layer of hatching at a slight angle to the first layer, instead of being perpendicular to the first layer.
But no matter what, the lines should be the same in length and evenly distributed.
It is also now that you should experiment and tinker with the many variables of hatching and get a hold of all the sub-styles. Play around with pressure, spacing, sharpness, and hues.
Try to get acquainted with the different styles and understand their purposes.
Of course, this small section can’t do justice to this style of pencil sketching. So, read and follow other guides and tutorials as well. The knowledge will surely help you in achieving your goal.
Scumbling
Scumbling or ‘Brillo pad’ technique is a very unique and rare form of stroke. You can already guess that this style results in patterns that resemble the texture of the brand’s steel-wire scourer.
A more articulate description of this style will point out that the shading is done with clean circular lines of one color that intertwine with similar lines of another color.
The use of more than one color is not necessary either. You can do this stroke well even if you use only one color instead of two or three.
The size of the circle and the pressure used to draw determines the nature of the end result. You can make it look smoother with smaller and lighter circles while you can also make it rougher with larger and darker circles.
The desired result should represent a random and more organic surface. So, we recommend you to move the pencil in a more figure-8, daisy or spidery motion rather than a circular one.
This will create more random darker patches that will look more raw and authentic.
Directional Mark Making
The function of directional marks is to suggest the direction of the elements on a surface in an extremely subtle fashion.
These lines follow along the contour or represent the direction of individual elements on a surface like grass or hair.
The nature of these lines and their distribution is not fixed. You can make them sparse and uneven to emulate fluid surfaces or make them dense by overlaying to produce a more solid and rich texture.
But ultimately, the craft in this technique is all about the subtlety. Often it is used along with shading and is blended softly to not harshly grab attention.
It rather intends to just softly suggest the texture.
Shading With Colored Pencils Tips & Tricks
Now that we have discussed the various kinds of strokes that you can make with colored pencils, we shall talk about the many tricks that you can use to achieve various effects of shading.
These tricks are not about the fundamental aspects of shading with pencils but are more about the different overall styles and approaches of shading.
The following are some tips & tricks that you should adopt if you want to refine your craft of shading with colored pencils.
Pressure Shading
The simplest way to do shading is by manipulating the pressure of your application. It also looks the most natural and true to the effect of colored pencils.
The process is simple. You have to start putting the color with as less pressure as you can put on the lighter section of the solid. Then gradually increase the pressure as you move towards the darker sections of the solid.
Do this slowly and evenly until you fill up the solid.
The science of pressure shading is simple. The more pressure you apply, the more pigments are shredded by the tip of the pencil.
You can also do this in layers where you fill up the entirety of the solid with an initial light shade. And then you can redo the darker regions of the solid by adding more layers and putting more pressure.
This technique helps in getting a wider range of hues from your pencils than intended. A single color in a basic colored pencils kit will at least produce two or three different shades at different pressure points.
Practice this technique before you plan to move on to more nuanced tricks because you will only use them in conjunction with this method.
Burnishing
Using pressure shading often leaves white spots in the shaded region. This can often be an undesirable effect especially when you need your artwork to be smooth.
One unique way to tackle this problem is by using colorless blenders to mix the shades together. This is called burnishing or colorless blending.
These unique blenders are just regular colored pencils without the pigments. They often come accompanied in pencil sets that are meant for semi-pro and pro artists.
If the quality of the result is incredibly important to you, then it is highly advised that you should use the colorless blenders of the same brand as the pencils.
They contain the same wax and oil that is used in making the colored pencils. This will result in smoother and more even blends.
To do this correctly, one should start from the lighter regions of the solid. Move the blender in an overlapping circular fashion. Then, gradually, shift to the darker regions of the solid.
This way, the end result will have intensified colors and the white specks will vanish.
Using dark colors to do shading
The most contributing factor to shading is contrast. And what better way is there to increase contrast other than using a darker shade of the same color?
But you should be careful while shading with this technique because any error in estimating the behavior of the color will result in unwanted streaks and spots that will require a lot of fixing.
Often, you can apply darker colors in the second layer with medium to high pressure over an even spread of a lighter shade.
It is recommended to pick the darkest shade first and then gradually use lighter and intermediate shade to blend the gradient in the solid.
You can also use colorless blenders to make the transition look more even and smooth.
But many times artists get carried away and put too much pressure on the paper that makes it worse. So you have to get acquainted with the colors and their behavior well enough to plan out your shading beforehand.
Otherwise, you’ll commit a lot of errors and the end result will not be desirable. Of course, practice is the key here as well.
Blending light on dark colors
In this technique, you start with the darkest spot of the solid with the darkest color rather than the lightest one. And instead of reducing the pressure to vary the gradient, you shift to another shade of the same family.
You can use this relatively lighter shade to also create a blend between the two regions. This way you have no need for a colorless blender. And you repeat this step until you fill up the entirety of the solid.
Of course, this technique has a lot more careful planning than the ones mentioned before. And any error is much harder to fix as it’s harder to put an impression on darker shades with lighter colors.
You have to carefully craft a mental picture of the final piece to correctly control the regions of the various shades. Along with that, you’ll also need to softly blend the various shades.
There is no alternative to learning this technique than to practice it repeatedly. This needs a lot of intuition and visualization to perfectly execute but the result will be worth it.
Shading with solvents
To achieve even smoother and watercolor-like blend, you can, of course, use watercolor pencils. These pencils behave like ordinary colored pencils but also blend with water.
Of course, to the more careful eyes, the two variants perform differently enough to make not interchangeable.
But there are still many other solvents to consider. The colored pencils may not have to be just water soluble to achieve this smooth blending.
Ronson or Zippo lighter fluids also work for colored pencils. Besides that, you can also use rubber cement thinner and Turpenoid to blend the pigments of colored pencils.
The purpose of these solvents is to achieve a very smooth and natural blend between different regions of shade. Of course, no two solvents are bound to behave exactly the same.
The key to mastering his technique is, obviously, practice but in this case of practice, you should focus on understanding the key features of different solvents and how they can be used to achieve different results.
Conclusion
With that, we are done!
We have laid out all the fundamentals of shading with colored pencils. We have also sprinkled some nuanced methods and tips in the guide to help you get further in your goal.
These pieces of advice and the knowledge will surely help you in shading with colored pencils correctly and swiftly.
But of course, all of this will bear no fruit if you are not diligent in your practice. So, dedicate yourself to the art and you shall master the craft.
Finally, we wish you well and thank you for reading!
You are now just a few scrolls away from envisioning your home in an entirely different manner because underneath we have showcased few of the most extraordinary beautiful blank wall solutions and inspirations that we have ever come across. These are complementing the collection of diy wall art projects already featured on Homesthetics and all of those can be found here.
Below you will find a comprehensive display of arrangements wall art pieces that through color, texture or patterns are beautifully enhancing the scenario in which they reside. Some are showcasing old vintage maps, others are showcasing dense abstract immersive drops of color while others only present a simple landscape or pattern. Through simplicity or complexity bound by the rules of our composition and color scheme we will be able to find the perfect equilibrium in our decor and through it we will transform the abstract spatiality of the house into a cozy and warm home.
What do you think about the extraordinary selection of diy wall art projects? We would love to hear your opinion in the comment section below.
Crates have been used form ancient times to keep and transport fruits, vegetables, wine and even milk. Recently designers have rediscovered the aesthetic qualities of an old vintage crate and have started re-purposing them into truly elegant design pieces. New or old, a wooden crate can be revived and reused in many different ways from storage ideas to coffee tables, side tables, cutlery storage, wedding table decorations, flower planters, balcony wooden benches and so on. If you are not in possession of a vintage crate you can make it seem older yourself by stenciling a brand new crate. It will look spectacular in a shabby chic decor and very contrasting in a sleek shiny new interior design. The trick is to restore the crate just wright, and not overdue it or paint a vintage crate and destroy it aesthetic value. Like wooden pallets, Re-purpose Old Wooden Crates and get some very interesting and creative design items suitable for every interior design and taste.
1. Take a new crate and stencil it to seem vintage
Colored pencils are a versatile and capable medium of producing some of the most tantalizing, attractive and creative artworks.
Many people underestimate its capabilities because of the simplicity of its design and the method of its application.
But, as friendly as colored pencils might seem, there are many artists who have proved that these pencils can be used for some marvelous and outstanding works of art.
And if you happen to be looking for techniques and tricks that will enrich your skills using colored pencils, then you have come to the right place.
Because today, we are going to discuss the 10 effective colored pencil techniques that will seriously enhance your drawings.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s take a look!
Colored Pencil Techniques
Hatching
Hatching is one of the simplest techniques you can adopt with pencils that will make your artworks look amazing.
But even if the trick may seem simple in its implementation, both application and implication of this technique have serious depth.
If all that you have been doing with colored pencils is back and forth filling, then hatching will incredibly improve your results. It is a wonderful technique to emphasize shade and define the form, depth, and volume of the subject.
It is also incredibly effective in providing a sense of direction in terms of lighting and gives the artwork a menacing and unique look.
The core idea of hatching is very simple. All you have to do is draw consecutive lines that are evenly spaced and are uniform in terms of size and direction. But the execution has to be mastered.
First, make sure that the pencil that is being used for hatching is sharp and is of a darker shade. Otherwise, then the lines will be thick and irregular.
Second, do it fast. The core of this technique is that you draw fast by using muscle memory instead of conscious thought.
If every line is put down measured and carefully, then it’ll be uneven and look odd. Only with regular practice, the lines will be even, smooth and will look natural.
Cross Hatching
An advanced version of the previous technique is cross-hatching.
In this technique, you basically do two layers of hatching. In a more traditional version of cross-hatching, you use the same color and keep the lines of the two layers perpendicular to each other.
A more nuanced version of this trick include a variance of colors and drawing the layers at arbitrary angles instead of making them perpendicular to each other.
Of course, to get the desired result from this technique, you’ll not only need to master hatching but will also require you to have a good understanding of what colors and angles work the best with your piece.
While the choice in the latter part remains to be your artistic choice, the right way to do it remains to be the same as hatching.
That is, do it quickly so that the lines are even, crisp and uniform.
Scumbling
Scumbling is an incredibly unique and kind of a strange technique. It is done by drawing circular figures in a seemingly random way.
It can be done using one layer or only one color but mostly it used in multiple layers at a time; sometimes, with different colors.
The goal of this technique is to achieve specific kinds of texture that is otherwise not achieved. Now, what you use this for specifically depends on what you deem it fit for.
But the crux of the technique lies in drawing an evenly shaped circle that travel in an apparently random way.
The trick is a simple one overall but the craft of it lies in how genuine this “randomness” seems. The success of the technique purely depends on how aesthetic the texture is, or whatever is your visualized end result.
All and all, it is a very unique, simple and interesting way to add more depth to your work.
Directional Lines
Directional lines are exactly what they are called, directional lines.
Often, like hatching, you do it around the contours of an object. But instead of going against the direction of the contour, you go along with it.
Now, you can vary this technique by altering the density of the lines and the combination of colors you use.
You can even vary how long each line is because not all lines have to be of equal length like hatching.
Overall, the method itself is not very complicated. However, the choice of its use can be.
This technique is often used to make voluminous textures like grass, fur or hair. The idea is to represent each element of texture to produce an overall volume.
It can be also be used to draw things like flame and gust of air. Anything that has volume and direction of movement can be better represented with directional lines.
The right way to implement this technique will be to start with less dense lines and increase the density and number of colors as it best suits the desired texture. Just make them of the same thickness.
Stippling
Besides scumbling and directional lines, stipping is also a great way to make some interesting textures.
But often artists use this technique to create unique art pieces made entirely from stippling.
In stippling, you make dots. How dense and what color depends on the region you are trying to cover.
Often a denser stippling represents a darker part of the solid while a blank or low-density stippling is used to represent the lighter region.
The choice of color is simple and only depends on what the object is supposed to look like. You can use two colors in the same region if you are trying to represent a blend or a mix of hues.
There is not a lot of complexity to it but there is one thing to remember, always keep the dots separated from each other.
Ultimately, this technique is incredibly rare and tedious one to execute. But when executed correctly and aptly, it can have a strong and unique result.
Incising
Incising is a method in which you create white line indents on the paper using wax, parchment paper or butter paper and a hard pencil.
When we paint over these crevices the pigments don’t settle inside the valleys which leaves fine white lines behind.
Overall, there isn’t much to this trick. It’s a quite innovative and simple trick that can come in handy when you least expect it.
Even if it takes some extra equipment and deviation from the conventional use of colored pencils, when smartly used this trick might prove to be worth it.
Rubbing
Rubbing also performs a very similar function of incising, i.e., create depressions on the paper that leave white spaces around.
But while you make fine valleys of white lines using incising, in rubbing different textured surfaces are put underneath the paper to translate it on the paper.
Light strokes on the paper with a textured surface underneath will only produce colors on the top of the texture. All the crevices will result in blank white space.
Of course, this technique doesn’t have widespread usage in this art form. It’s either you find very specific cases to use this for or dedicate the whole piece to this technique.
But some common uses, of course, include copying patterns and imitating coarse textures.
Overall, it’s a non-conventional but innovative and fun way to use your pencils. But, if you use this method wisely, you might be able to save a significant amount of time and produce excellent results.
Scraping
Unlike incising and rubbing, scraping manipulates to colors after application rather than before it.
In incising, we used translucent paper and a hard pencil to make the crevices for producing white lines.
But for this method to work out, you’ll need a knife. Many artists prefer X-ACTO knives to make this work but you can use any other sharp blade.
The trick is to just scrape out the color from where you need to make the white line. Of course, this technique is much more imprecise than incising where you can trace the lines with the help of butter paper.
On the other hand, this technique requires you to meticulously scrape off the color to create white regions.
It may seem that this technique is overly complicated, but that’s not the case. Scraping is much better than incising or rubbing when you need to create a gradient of white space.
Since you control how much color remains on the paper, you can create softer whites and more stark white regions.
But overall, this technique does need a lot of practice to do perfectly. And also, to make sure that you don’t tear the paper, try to use a thicker paper if you are planning to use this technique.
Burnishing
In burnishing, you use a colorless blender or a tortillion to create a smooth blend that looks incredibly realistic.
It’s one of the most widely used techniques with colored pencils because it brings out the full potential of the medium.
To execute this trick correctly, you need to first decide the colors of the various regions and many layers you may want to put on top of it.
If you don’t do that correctly, then there’s no point to this technique because it acts as more of a touch up rather than the main work.
After filling up the complete region with different colors and/or in layers, it’s time to slowly blend the pigments from the lighter to the darker side.
The reason behind this is that it creates a more intense color contrast than the other way around. So, do this very slowly and methodically as you don’t want to create a blend that looks unnatural.
And as always, practice is the key. Try different colors, textures, and shades, and practice blending them. You’ll, then, get a hint of what works and what doesn’t.
Watercolor Pencils
Working with colored pencils doesn’t mean you can’t use other mediums to enhance its appeal.
There are many ways to use other mediums to enhance the work of colored pencils but there’s nothing better than watercolors for this case.
The most ideal scenario for the mixed-use will be by using watercolors to fill out larger regions and working the details with colored pencils.
You can also use watercolors in an incognito fashion to give more volume to your subject. For example, you can use watercolors to fill out the hair while using colored pencils to shine each strand of hair.
You can also use watercolors primarily and use colored pencils for hatching and contours.
Obviously, the possibilities are many. But there’s no denying that watercolors and colored pencils can be used together to effortlessly give birth some incredibly attractive works of art.
Conclusion
So, that’ll be all for this piece.
We hope that these techniques helped you finding new ways to advance your skills. Of course, these tricks will aid you to draw more swiftly and also provide your work with some uniqueness.
With that, we wish you well in your creative endeavors and thank you for reading!
Looking back, we never thought these familiar, common colored pencils used on coloring books to have the capability of producing exceptional masterpieces as well.
Colored pencils give the artist power to manipulate the outcome of a drawing in the easiest ways other mediums would since they are very easy to erase and work with.
Unlike other mediums, colored pencils do not require any preparation besides sharpening. They are also portable, which is ideal for artists who love to travel and work simultaneously.
While using them is easy, they can actually be very hard to master without both practice and tricks.
In this article, we divided the tips and tricks into two parts: the basics and the techniques. We suggest going through each section because they correlate with each other. But most importantly, they will come in very handy on your journey to mastering colored pencils art.
So without any further delays, let’s dive in!
Color Pencil Tips & Tricks to Enhance Your Skill
Part 1 | The Basics
While many beginners overlook the kind of color pencils and papers for drawing, these materials actually play a very crucial part in producing a great piece of artwork.
Prepare Good Color Pencils
When purchasing colored pencils, the first feature you need to look for besides the price is the quality. The result of your drawing heavily relies on the quality of the pencils you use.
We all have seen that using inferior quality pencils results in low-quality artworks most of the time. So it is only obvious that working with higher quality pencils, we get amazing outcomes.
However, high-quality colored pencils do not necessarily have to be expensive. Of course, most cheap pencils are terrible when it comes to quality but what we’re saying is you should look for a good-quality set that comes at a decent price.
In order to find a good set of colored pencils, check for the grade that they normally use on most art supplies. You will see it’s either student or artist grade.
If you are a beginner, student grade pencils will do you just fine, even though the quality is compromised to an extent. But if you are an intermediate artist, we would suggest going for the latter option to improve your artworks.
The difference between the two grades goes beyond quality in the sense that they differ in price and purpose as well. While student grade pencils are made to fit the budget of students, artist grades are way more expensive. Moreover, artist quality pencils offer you more flexibility while working due to their soft composition.
When you compare low and high-quality colored pencils, you’ll also see that the texture is completely different from each other.
Within the range of professional or artist grade, you’ll find that there are pencils which deliver great layering results while there are others which provide desirable coverage.
Although many high-quality pencils have most of the features that we need, it is likely that they always excel more in one single aspect. Therefore, when buying a pack of colored pencils, you might want to look for the one that best meets your requirements.
There are also pencils which are oil-based but these can be difficult to start with if you’re a beginner.
But keep in mind that these are much vibrant than regular colored pencils because of the oil or wax composition. You can also blend them pretty easily without any hassle, which makes them highly desirable for creating a magnificent piece.
If you face difficulty finding the right set for your work, the good news is that good colored pencils are available for purchasing individually too. So, you can try out the same shade from different brands and find the most suitable one.
Keep the Pencils Sharpened
It is important to always keep a sharpener beside the colored pencils.
You may be wondering why we’re stressing on keeping the pencils sharp and what difference does it make.
The main reason is they produce better drawings! A sharp tip lets you work on the drawing very precisely, hence, giving you more control over the outcome of each stroke. The best example for this benefit is when working with outlines and filling in the little details.
On the other hand, a dull tip leaves messy trails beside the actual lines and requires you to apply pressure which can ruin the tooth of the surface.
Although we mentioned using a sharpener, there is also another more convenient way to sharpen your pencils - a blade.
While using a mechanical sharpener is faster, it also can waste more pencils that you may realize. But with a blade or a knife, you have control over sharpening the tips to prevent unnecessary wastage.
We know high-quality pencils are not cheap at all so if you want to preserve them from getting chewed off quickly, we suggest using a knife/blade instead of a mechanical sharpener.
However, if you’re drawing with soft pencils, using a blade for sharpening can easily break them. This is when using a sharpener will help keep them pointed without damage.
Choose Your Colors
On the way to becoming a great artist, it is important to understand and learn about different colors.
It’s alright to admit that we judge the color from the outer shell color most of the time. However, there is always a difference between the real colors and the ones depicted. Even with the help of a color chart, there’s still a tendency of slight changes in the shades.
What you can do when looking for the right shade is to actually swatch some of the colors you already own and title them. Some shades will be very similar to each other, hence, by naming them you can find the exact intended shades.
Another way to find the exact shades is to get yourself familiar with the shades from a single brand. It can be tough for beginners to memorize the names of each color so that’s when you can use the same trick of swatching colors on a piece of paper before heading out to look for those tones.
And if you want the colors to produce amazing results, go with the brand names which have high ratings from other previous users. It is likely you’ll always find vibrant and rich pigmented colors most of the time.
If you want to preserve the sheets, work on them efficiently and get them laminated so that they will come in useful for future references. Keep a separate sheet for every color and their immediate shades, then store them in a file.
The Right Surface
It’s no surprise when we catch ourselves overlooking the paper surface sometimes, especially when we’re just very excited to get started already. But if we pause for a moment to think about the outcome, we might want to reconsider the rush.
While using any kind of surface is encouraged for artistic creations, finding the right one for a specific medium is also crucial, especially when you’re learning.
The same way artists choose papers for watercolors, colored pencils also require the right surface to produce an archival quality piece.
Whether they are oil or wax-based, working on the right paper helps highlight the best performance of those colored pencils.
Although testing different papers is a must to find the desired surfaces, however, we do not recommend shifting from one brand to another too soon. Doing so can only interrupt the flow of learning about a particular surface.
On the other end, if you stick with one brand, you get used to it and can easily tell how your piece is going to turn out, therefore, giving you more control over the final results.
We would also suggest having different types of papers that you can practice every now and then while at the same time, keep the ones you can work on better for display purposes.
Also remember that choosing a surface for colored pencils mostly depends on these two aspects: tone and tooth.
The tooth or texture is responsible for creating effects on the surface of the paper. If you take a smoother pick, the final result will also appear smooth. It even allows you to work on it very easily.
However, this does not mean that papers with a rougher tooth are bad, but both have their own benefits. For instance, if you want to have more control while working, the latter would be a good option as it can accept more pigment.
Sometimes techniques can be very complicated but the following are both simple and easy to follow.
Pressure
The pressure you apply on the colored pencil decides how your painting will look like in the end. And the problem usually comes up while layering - not all layers need the same amount of pressure to be used.
To get the desired intensity, the artist must learn to apply the right pressure. If you are new to this concept or have issues with it, don’t worry because all it takes is practice.
Get yourself familiar with applying the right pressure by experimenting with swatches. We recommend trying to create a piece while practicing since then, you’ll be able to tell where and when to use the right pressure in order to achieve the intended results.
Layering
There are times when you’ll notice that a single color does not give full coverage to the area in the artwork because it can either be too thin or too dull. In such cases, applying more layers is necessary.
Layering can help the artist get satisfying outcomes as it provides the piece with more depth, hence, making it appear more real.
To get the best layering results, choose colors which are close representatives of each other or those which are of similar shades. You can also use colors which are total opposites to each other.
Following this technique, you will witness amazing enhanced color combination which cannot be achieved when using a single shade throughout.
Strokes Direction
This is a technique which most beginners usually do not pay close attention to.
No doubt, it is fun to move the pencil in whichever direction you want to while coloring. But when it comes to creating commissioned or archival quality art, following a stroke technique becomes necessary.
The same way brush strokes are important to monitor while painting with liquid mediums, so are colored pencils with every stroke.
The direction of the strokes will decide how the texture of the drawing will be. If they go in every direction possible, that will leave the piece look uneven and messy.
In order to get this technique right, it’s important to first decide where the strokes should face, especially when working with realistic pieces.
However, if you do not know how to put the right strokes for the right effects, try following the cross contouring trick. Cross contour means filling in the colors by going with the shape of the subject slowly and precisely. Although it may take some time in the initial stage, it will eventually pay off when the drawing is finished.
Mix the Colors
The benefit we get from mixing colors is that they appear to be more natural.
With wet medium, we can always blend two colors together and create a totally different tone. But in the case of dry mediums such as colored pencils, we are required to layer the colors.
Mixing colors is a technique which produces exceptional results, yet, working with it does not come very easy.
For example, if we want to produce a natural shade of red, we can try mixing the colors yellow and purple by layering them.
But since good layering is hard with colored pencils, there is a trick called ‘optical mixing’ where you progressively mix the right shades by dotting them in the area where you want to. On a closer look, you can tell the different shades used while the big picture reflects the intended look.
Create Your Own Shade of Black
Similar to the previous point of creating your own shades, we shall also focus on how you can produce a unique shade of black which can meet unique preferences as well.
Finding a natural black or white can be pretty hard in the world of many options.
We cannot deny the fact that black is an extremely strong color which when mixed with any other color, it can turn them dark every time. This is one of the reasons why black as a color is used for mixing only when required because it can make the drawing look flat.
So instead of using the ready-made black, you can try mixing dark colors such as brown and dark blue to achieve a completely different shade of black which can also be used for mixing with other colors easily. Moreover, it will appear looking less synthetic as the normal black would.
The process of mixing dark colors to create black requires layering and burnishing directing on the surface of the paper.
We also encourage experimenting with other colors to achieve different shades of black for your masterpiece.
Edges and Details
It can be pressuring at times when having to work on small details but we’re gonna tell you to have fun with it. Think of it as the moment you put your brilliant judgment to work.
The best thing about details is that you can assign a different time to work on it - and that’s when you’re coming to the end of the drawing.
Moreover, it is an easier task when done with colored pencils since they allow the artist to have more control over the outcome. Also, the amount of time required for creating details is shorter if compared to wet medium paintings.
Having high-quality colored pencils is a bonus since they do not require pressure to work with. A light application is all it takes to highlights the pigments.
The idea is to first work on putting the color underneath, then when it’s sufficient, start working with the edges and details on top of it.
However, it does require preparation and planning beforehand on where to put the details since lighter areas can give you a hard time to highlight.
Heavy Application
As a cautious action, we sometimes tend to apply the colors gently over the surface so that it does not look too harsh. This can work if the concept is to produce a light drawing.
But for a realistic value, it will need more work to be put in since the light effect only shows off the white bit of the paper which is definitely not ideal for this purpose.
In order to achieve a more natural look, the artist has to use heavy application of colors. But then again, applying colors heavily does not mean dumping all the pigments at once. Instead, it’s about using multiple light application over and over again.
One must work through the application by progressively layering the shades until there is visible full coverage, and this is how the drawing will become more appealing to the eye. Keep in mind to burnish those layers for achieving that compact look.
Position of the Pencil
While there are many ways to use the pencil and create different effects, we will recommend one of the tips which always work for layering.
For layering, do not hold the pencil too close to the tip. Instead, place your hand a little higher from the tip and start with light, thin strokes.
The direction of the strokes should be uniform and light. When one light layer is done, move on to the other. Using this trick will prevent visible lines and make the drawing appear smoother.
We do not recommend rubbing the colors if you’re trying to mix them together because it can damage the painting. Colored pencils tightly hold on to the surface of the paper and this is what makes the pigments hard to rub off, especially if they are oil-based.
If you make a mistake and want to erase it, use a kneaded eraser which can be peeled off afterward.
Blending
Since blending is a major part with colored pencils, there are many ways to get it right.
First of all, there are solvents to help smoothen out the texture of the colored pencils. We suggest mixing the colors with odorless mineral spirits because they work best when used with oil or wax-based pencils.
The trick is to finish the drawing, then brush it up with the solvent so that the pigments will deeply sink into the tooth of the surface, making the paints look more subtle. When the harsh edges disappear, your work will look more realistic and natural.
In case you’re not aware, there are manufacturers which offer solvents in the form of markers, making it easier for us artists. However, after using markers, do not forget to wipe off the remaining stain on the tip after use so that it does not dry along with the marker.
Use tissues for blending because they are great for creating a smooth feel over the surface. Do not use too much pressure as the tissues can take off most of the pigments. Instead, gently and carefully pat over the area you want to blend.
But if you’re not ready for solvents, try using the white colored pencil instead. Gently going over the other colors with the white pencil helps smoothen them and cover the empty areas.
And it is obvious the white pencil will make the colors lighter than how you want them to be. This is the reason why manufacturers come up with the idea of a colorless pencil to meet the blending requirements.
Burnishing
Burnishing is what makes a drawing turn into a painting through colored pencils. What it does is letting the colors seep into the surface’s texture to help make the drawing appear more compact.
When using either wax or oil-based colored pencils, the process of burnishing automatically happens because the composition starts to build up.
If you want to learn the process of burnishing with colored pencils, keep in mind that it’s very easy. All you need to do is use a light-colored pencil and apply it on the spot using pressure. The best colors to perform burnishing with are cream, white, and similar light colors.
Acknowledge that the actual intended pigments will be compromised in that the appearance will be lighter.
But as it is with blending, there are colorless blenders, such as a marker or a pencil, which can be used for this purpose as well. We do recommend going for the pencil because it suits the process better since they are made to meet this need.
Another way to burnish your drawing is to use Turpentine of rubbing alcohol over it with a brush after the drawing process is done. This will take more effort but the results are pretty much similar to when using manufactured blenders.
Tooth of the Surface
The trick to a beautiful piece is finding the right tooth for layering your colors perfectly.
If you are new to the term, ‘tooth’ means the texture and depth of the paper’s surface which influences the overall outlook of the drawing/painting. Think of it as the grain of the paper and the intensity needed to hold the paints firmly so that they don’t flake.
Since oil or wax-based colored pencils are not meant to work on a smooth surface, it becomes crucial to first look for a rougher platform with a deep tooth.
Although selecting a surface with a nice tooth isn’t a tough job, but mastering the art of working on it actually is.
An important aspect to consider while working on the tooth is the way you hold a pencil. However, it’s not as complicated as one might think since you can hold it the usual way holding a pen for writing - vertically. That is how you’ll get to sink deeply into the tooth.
The second immediate trick is to go with circular strokes because they can be blended easily at the end without leaving any harsh visible lines. But if the concept is different, in that you want to create a crosshatch effect, circular strokes are not required.
The pressure applied to the paper will determine how deep the pigments go under the tooth. But it’s important to start off with a light application and proceed to adding more layers than just giving it all at once.
Finally, keep in mind not to press on the tooth too hard because that will make it go completely flat, hence, you won’t be able to create further textures anymore.
Tortillons
Tortillons are very similar to those colorless blenders used for burnishing. These are made from paper which is rolled tightly in order to form a tip at the end.
The tips are used for blending colors in areas which are difficult to blend with tissues or blenders, especially around the edges.
The main benefit of using tortillon is that they cost lesser than blenders and they are also indispensable.
Other Considerations
In order to improve your master skills, we would recommend going to several art communities which are specialized in guiding upcoming artists in the area of using colored pencils.
Examples of such communities include WetCanvas, DevianArt, and the like.
Lastly, the only path to becoming a master in any artwork is to embrace both practice and patience as all great artists do. Give yourself the time required for learning the art.
With that, we will wrap up today’s article and we hope it has been helpful for your progress.
Imagination has no limits, it wonders freely, it roams our world feeding on everything deemed "interesting" to creatively grow and feed us. Imagination and creativity nurture our minds and souls, they invite us to step into a world without boundaries where everything is possible an artist would say. In here we can change Dracula's castle to our pleasing, we can imagine Orc villages and towns a tad different than the Warcraft universe depicted it, we can change Stormwind or Darnassus or we can surge inspiration from both to create our own city.
In these times, the possibilities of digital arts are pushing boundaries more than ever, challenging us with each Game of Thrones episode or World of Warcraft expansion to see castle concept art and medieval buildings or whole towns concept art depictions differently, we are challenged to re-imagine imagined worlds, our creativity is fed with steroids and we cannot get enough of it.
Every now and then, we take a step back, we gaze at all the castle prints, disconnect the internet and start sketching, we often fail, we rarely succeed, we always grow though; creative experiences for us are nothing short of a great victory. Thus, in the following gallery, we have curated no less than 67 simply breathtaking creating efforts of artist we love, cherish and surge inspiration from. Every art piece links back to the source with a byline credit to the artist.
Without further ado, we invite you to browse our gallery and begin your creative journey!
Medieval Buildings, Towns, Cities and Castles Concept Art Illustrations Follow
Talking about castles, we can’t help but list down the first one that comes to mind - the one from the animated movie Hotel Transylvania.
Yes, we’re drawing inspiration from Drac’s crib! It’s hard to ignore the haunted ruins of this giant castle. Take a look at the picture and see for yourself!
Who wouldn’t want to paint this famous imaginary and isolated tower?
How about a castle with a lot of scenery complementing its beauty? You can barely see the castle but the point is to make it stand out and be the focus of the painting.
It also looks like a tower from a magical land which exists in an unknown realm, which makes us more interested in doing a painting of it.
If you want to create a dynamic painting of a castle, this is one of the options. Keep your audience in awe with another imaginary castle that looks more like a huge fort in a fantasy kingdom.
Notice that it has the touch of animation to it, but you can actually modify your piece however you want to.
Let’s now take a look at a castle that’s large enough to form a small town. The structure of the building here makes it look haunting and desirable at the same time.
If this idea doesn’t bring you a sense of longing, or perhaps nostalgia, then we don’t know what does. However, there are more ideas coming up so there’s no need to worry about what catches your attention. Overall, we assure this one will keep your audience’s eye locked on it.
Source Unknown
Create a fictional world with a fictional castle of your own. Look at the picture and tell us if that does not take you to another universe - one which is probably imagined and depicted only in movies.
There are a lot of us who are drawn towards something that doesn’t exist as a form of exploring the possibilities, so choosing this will draw their attention.
Here, the painting has a lot of minor details which in case you’re a seasoned artist, you can try to pull off something similar of your own by using unique tricks.
This one here looks like a castle in a kingdom that’s doomed, or perhaps ruled by a tyrant. You can see there’s no sunlight shining through and everything else seems dead.
One look at this painting, we would think the land is barren and not a single soul has experienced true happiness in a very long time; waiting for a kind of redemption to come soon.
The point is you can create something which triggers people’s imagination such as this one.
This one portrays an astounding palace standing on a rock in the middle of a waterfall.
We think the best form of art is one which is open to interpretation, allowing people’s minds to also get creative while analyzing the piece. And the same thing applies to painting.
If you’re wondering what kind of painting ideas will intrigue your viewers, we would suggest going for something that’s pretty much similar to this.
From all the ideas listed down, we personally think this one is the quickest to grab our interest. And you might know why.
Yes, it has a scene in it which can mean anything. In this case, our interpretation would be that these soldiers and monks are rushing towards the castle hastily.
In this example, each and every part of the painting gets the focus of the audience, yet, the focus is still directed towards the main subject - the castle.
Take a look at this painting and you’ll see how the castle seems to be standing alone in the midst of a new era.
It appears as if there was a point in time when it was glorious in a prosperous kingdom but as time passed, it had fallen to ruins. And in the painting, only a part of it is visible, as if to hint its abandonment.
There is also another subject facing the castle and the meaning behind it is, again, open to interpretation.
For this one, we’ll focus more on the details. From the way those clouds are portrayed to every single cut on the rocks, this painting is so far the most realistic.
To achieve a realistic painting as this requires putting in a lot of time and energy.
We also have to put it out there: a lifelike piece with a lot of details will really test your patience in the painting process. Therefore, it’s important to take this point into consideration if you are ready to tread on this path.
If you desire to paint a beautiful haunted fairy tale castle, focus on the effects of this one. Notice how there are a lot of colors used in the painting to make it appear magical and spooky.
However, remember to always give a touch of originality to any painting that you’re doing but just be sure to learn from experts while you’re still practicing.
We will take some time to analyze and describe the meaning behind this painting.
The first thing we noticed about this piece is that it displays a castle whose structure differs from a normal one. Yes, this might be another idea of a castle in another universe.
What grabs our attention is the human figure which is staring at the castle’s direction, hence, leaving us wondering about the storyline behind it.
Our personal interpretation would be that this being has come a long way to reach his destination (being the castle, in this case).
Then we have here a palace which is covered in ruins - one of the best ideas to keep for display, right?
There are many of us who admire something else besides the usual. And in this case, it is an imaginary palace which may have had a long history behind it.
Tell a story through the strokes of your brush like this painting does.
As it is with one of the paintings we mentioned before, you’ll see that these soldiers are marching towards the castle, which is the main subject of the painting.
We also cannot leave aside the effects which this painting carries - bold, detailed, and precise.
Alright, this one reminds us of some castles we’ve seen in movies. The Witch’s castle from Narnia and Elsa’s ice castle from Frozen are a few to name some.
What do you see when looking at it? We would say that it seems unwelcoming because of the pointed rocks covered in snow. Not only that but it also appears to be very intimidating.
We don’t know about you but this one reminds us of the Van Helsing movie. If you have seen it, you will know what we mean. The stunning similarities include a small dark town with rugged buildings.
The castle in this picture is like the church where everything takes place in the movie.
It’s something that will leave the audience in a state of excitement, don’t you think?
What we like about this is that it portrays a brilliant castle standing in the valley of death and decay. It can be a symbol of finding hope during trying times or it simply tells a tale of what is going on in the painting.
Yes, we have a lot of abandoned castles on our list - each very different from one another and bewitching too.
If you observe the painting, you’ll see two human figures heading towards the castle. What does this mean? We can only guess.
It looks as if something terrible had happened and destroyed the whole place while a firm castle stands alone, providing shelter to the ones who need it.
If you are looking to surprise your observers with a unique castle painting, why not try something like this?
Yes, anybody will be drawn to a piece that shows strength in the midst of tough situations just like this castle is standing still in the middle of a waterfall.
Let’s not also forget that it looks very appealing to the eyes with its fantasy theme.
So, let’s focus on the style of painting with this one. From what we have analyzed, this can either be a digital or a traditional acrylic painting.
We find this to be very pleasing with its outlook as a whole. Moreover, the different usage of colors makes it look like a dreamlike palace from a fairy tale.
For a more realistic painting which looks as if it stands somewhere on earth, take a look at this one.
What you can do is look up existing castles and study their features. At the same time, don’t forget to add a little bit of your own original touch to the painting.
We very much wish to see something like this exist. A castle that’s attached to a town shows how prosperous and united the kingdom is.
The location of the castle is what catches our attention first. So, we would suggest planning your painting carefully if you want to achieve something similar.
As it is with other suspense paintings that have a meaning behind, you’ll see on the left corner a man is standing and staring at the town’s direction.
An abode in the clouds along with marvelous structures - what else can make you feel more royal and divine than that? Talk about the homes of gods and demigods, right?
Our thoughts on the meaning behind this would be somewhere in the lines of power, glory, and responsibility of whoever are looking after the whole kingdom in order to protect them.
We have here another dark castle painting that hints a story of a person who as walked miles to get to this specific castle. To us, he looks likea hero who has unfinished business to be dealt with.
We love the effects used for the rain and the mist because even if they go unnoticed through the conscious mind, they still create a great impact on our subconscious one, which will make anybody say that this is a great painting.
Bear with us because we will keep giving references as they can be exciting when they’re mutual. And this one here looks so similar to that castle from the movie Jack The Giant Slayer.
If you want to paint something similar, look up castles during ancient times, especially from the medieval period, and you’ll find many similar results.
Completely different from what we have looked at lately, this one drew inspiration from East Asian architecture. It is from a game Age of Conan and is known as the Kithai Warmonk Monastery.
We added it on this list of castle ideas because of the fact that we found it to be rather amusing and close enough to be called a castle.
Here is a castle painting with many textures and colors. With this one, you can actually experiment many kinds of effects in order to achieve different concepts.
We love the beautiful sunset textures as well as those of the rocky mountains. You’ll notice that the only subject with a completely different texture is the castle, which is also the main focus in this painting.
If you want your audience to get intrigued by what they see, here is a sample painting you can follow. It portrays a castle burning in flames which can actually mean anything.
Our take on this would be that there was a war or an attack going on in the painting. There had been countless similar situations to this in the past.
Go for an actual event that happened if you want to paint history.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this painting. If you know about the Kizkalesi Castle in Turkey, then you’ll know that these two have a lot of resemblance.
We love this one because of its serene and peaceful atmosphere.
This is one way to attract audience who has a desire for quiet places. But it only works if you have the same desire towards such places too.
The details in this piece of art are spectacular. Although the focus is on the castle, somehow it’s hard to not notice every single detail about this painting.
It comes in a full package because it tells a story about a journey and contains amazing textures, along with various effects. Overall, the painting required a lot of time and patience.
Just one look at this piece and it takes us straight to Wonderland. There is a scene from Alice Through The Looking Glass (2016) which portrayed a castle with its surroundings and it looks exactly like this one.
No, the tale is not overrated and you can create paintings about Wonderland with your own imagination.
Are you looking for some painting ideas to excite the audience and keep them on the edge of their seats? Well, we feel the same way looking at this painting.
It is not hard to create something that will give your viewers that rush. If you observe very closely, you’ll see that there’s a lot of action and motion in this painting. From the flowing lava to the flying dragon - that’s how this piece of art extracts excitement.
Keep aside all the fancy castles for now and have a look at this one. It reflects a kingdom that has gone through a lot of pain and struggle. However, this looks pretty amazing, given the concept and the effects.
Also, notice how the artist uses only very few colors in this painting and gives it a serious appeal.
How about adding another magical castle to the list?
This one is a dreamy castle with a lot of designs and structures. It’s a great idea for artists who like to create non-traditional designs and have fun with their paintings every once in a while.
We love how spooky and beautiful this appears to be at the same time.
Image via wangrays.com
Do you want to paint an imaginary castle and make it seem as if it’s somewhere here on earth?
Great! Because this one is a perfect sample of such painting. You’ll see there is some activity going on as well, which makes it come to life.
You probably have seen a lot of castle paintings such as this one. There’s always a giant fortress with someone heading towards it.
However, trust your instincts and add personal style to your piece. It may appear simple but it never goes out of style once you learn to make each piece a unique one.
What do you think of a castle which is located in the same place where the town is? Yes, we have mentioned it before but for this one, we are focusing more on unity and community.
If the concept is representing the strength of a kingdom, then you have found your idea right in this artwork.
Ah, here’s another painting that will keep your viewers excited and intrigued.
If you remember that we already talked about motion and action, you’ll instantly know this is another sample of those paintings. Also, see how the focus revolves around the main subject with all the dragons and those knights.
How about a painting of a castle which stands alone, separated from the kingdom? It may not seem like a practical concept but it probably has a meaning behind it.
You can come up with any meaning for a painting like this. For instance, we personally would associate it with power that breeds loneliness.
Speaking of 3D animations, this painting also has a digitally-designed feel to it.
We like the view from this angle so we would recommend taking this sample and create something similar with oil paints. The result will vary largely, in the sense that yours can actually look much better.
As a total opposite to our previous castle, this one signifies the reign of terror. If the purpose is to instill fear and excitement in the minds of the audience, then you would look forward to settling for this idea.
We have to admit the textures and the sharp rocks did take away our peace of mind while glancing at this.
Keeping aside castles fancy and terrifying castles, here is a sample of an average-looking one. Painting something like this can actually work when you’re trying to hint historical events.
We admire the details done by the artist, whom we’re sure to have spent a lot of time and energy on this painting.
What comes to your mind seeing this castle? We’re not sure about you but this takes us straight to Dracula’s lair. Does it provoke as much morbid curiosity in you as it does in us?
The best feature we love about this painting is the scary mood that it evokes.
In an alien civilization, this is what the artist imagines the castle would be. If you do a similar painting, it will gain the audience’s appraisal about your creative imagination. It definitely captured our undivided attention as well.
However, we recommend using multiple other colors if you’re going to create a colorful concept.
We find this one to be a paradoxical painting. We like that there is a touch simplicity and a few complications at the same time.
What’s simple about this is that there is only one subject in the big picture - which is the castle. On the other hand, the subject contains a lot of tiny details and textures as well.
We have here a castle which looks like it just came straight from a comic book.
What makes this different from the other paintings we’ve discussed is that the castle here stands at the background and does not have many details to it. But still, the soldiers symbolize that they belong to the royal palace, which again makes it the main subject.
Whether this painting is of a real or imagined castle, it pretty much represents the normal ones which we would find back in the old times.
And this artwork contains a fair amount of effects, yet a lot of details. We admire the effort put in by the artist to create every single detail to finally come up with this finished look.
If you are an advanced artist, we would recommend taking this idea for the upcoming project.
Within this painting, there are many visible textures which add to the whole theme. The idea is to make the surface pop up by creating different multiple patterns on it.
You might even enjoy this kind of technique once you get the hang of it.
Finally, we’ll wrap up the list with this last castle painting.
Both the castle and the landscape remind us of a few after-doomsday movies, which we are sure you have some in mind too.
What’s interesting about this piece is that it has a story to it, judging by the figure who is facing towards the castle. Similar concepts to this will never lose the observer’s curiosity.
What can possibly be better than a swimming pool in your backyard landscape, a small pool waterfall to create that relaxing vibrant sound while you are enjoying your favorite beverage in a suspended outdoor bed or lounge chair? Swimming pools are an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation today and they tend to become an integral component in newly erected modern mansions and dream homes. These superb assets can be improved further on if you can believe it through certain features like LED lighting, pool waterfalls, natural sceneries and a few others. From these we will present further on some swimming pools enhanced magnificently by pool waterfalls mainly and here and there LED lighting.
Quiet and Peaceful Retreat Located in New York City
In the Chinese Design Philosophy of Feng Shui the flowing water and the positive impact of the sound it creates has a major role resembling health and happiness. Simply magical, brilliant and audacious before we have showcased a pack that will help you find your fluid path in your designs.
Colorful Magic Fairytale Setting Empowered at Dusk
A Spectacular View From the Grotto Underneath The Waterfall
Massive Rock Grotto With a Swimming Pool Bar Included
by JM Lifestyles
Backyard Design Enhanced by Glittering Features
Natural Terrain Used to Design a Natural Looking Landscape
by Highline Partners
Exotic Tranquil Getaway in Your Backyard Landscape
Whether it`s residing in a tropical ambiance or a cool mediterranean setting the swimming pool will surely enhance everything. Natural stone mixed with faux rock are attempting to generate a natural scenery as close as possible to a real one. Today technology that allows homeowners to control speed of the waterfall is at hand to any individual and along a LED lighting customizable system the dynamic pool waterfall can evolve along with your mood in both flow and colors. This creates a staggering image that your guests will never forget.
Swimming Pool Waterfall That Flows Naturally
The Sound of Flowing Water Exudes a Calm and Relaxing Atmosphere
by Alderete Pools
Waterfall Pool Surrounded by a Natural Scenery
by Great Oaks Landscape Associates
Waterfall Cascade Over Stone Into an Organic Shaped Swimming Pool
Not all swimming pools should have rocks around them but all swimming pool should have greenery around them, it`s simply the best possible combination, it creates that sense of proximity and appurtenance in the world in which the waterfall sound will be at home, vibrating though greenery naturally.
Custom Created LED Lights Shows Enhancing this Phenomenal Grotto and Waterfall Design
by Caviness Landscape Design
Simple Hot Tub Positioned Above the Swimming Pool Glancing at the Waterfall
by Swan Pools Southern California
Natural Beauty Brought in Your Backyard in Style
by SURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + Construction
Simple Small Magical Outdoor Space
by Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction
Depending on the size of your waterfall you might be facing the opportunity of creating a grotto structure that will emphasize the mystical aura of your setup especially along a dim lighting setup. Most waterfall grotto designs showcased bellow are also matched with some trendy swim-up bars and serving areas that will give your relaxing evening and entertainment nights a whole new dimension. The fairy tale can go on with spiral staircases, hidden rooms ...you only have to dream and it will start happening.
LED Lighting Enhancing Swimming Pool Ensemble Magnificently
by Richard Lusk Landscape and Design
Tropical Setup with Multiple Setups Enhanced Massively by LED Lighting
Several Torches Changing the Entire Atmosphere
by Shehan Pools
Simple Rocky Setting That Transformed After Sunset
Rock Swimming Pool Design With Waterfall Feature
by Dolphin Pools
Indoor Pool Featuring a Waterfall That Can Be Enjoyed During Cold Seasons
BE Creative Beyond Limits
Every picture we serve here to be fed to your imagination or any other picture you see online should encourage you to be creative and materialize something that you`ve never seen before. All these are tools at you hand. Take only the things that you like from each setup and create your perfect scenery that will fit your own backyard as a glove. Through contrast authenticity and originality we are enhancing absolutely everything. Add color, texture and sound to your outdoor space through a waterfall that can be in scene with mountains, sand desert or tropical trees. You can flank your ensemble with playful water slides that both children and grown ups would be able to use do disconnect from time to time. You can simply use three vases from which small waterfalls will emerge, not all waterfall designs should be humongous and massive yet all should be enjoyable, especially through sound.
Unforgettable Dinning Experience
by Phil Kean Designs
Minimalist Design
by Kadir Asnaz Photography
Superb LED Lighting and Swimming Pool Waterfall Breaking Boundaries
by Platinum Poolcare
Waterfalls Serving as the Main Focal Point on a Pergola Covered Patio
by Marquise Pools
Simple waterfalls are able to trespass conventional styles easily and elegantly. Simple vases as stated above, overflowing bowls or even a custom water screen would be able to do the job magnificently. These should be an extension of your indoor space that would naturally embrace the surroundings as a transition in which you will feel comfortable. A fireplace next to the pool or a simple lovely pergola would complete the outdoor space design magnificently. The features that you add to you over all scene should fit effortlessly without compromises so be careful and design responsible.
Array of Texture Offering Substance
by Matthew McKelligon Design
The Simple Overflow of a Swimming Pool Can Create Super Waterfall Visual and Sound That You Need
by Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture
Water Features Enhancing a Regular Swimming Pool
Custom Pool and Spa Fireplace in the Perfect Scenery
by Rue Group
Tropical Scenery With Two Waterfalls
by DeMaria Landtech
Simple.Beautiful.Epic
by KCBA
Unusual Waterfalls Enhancing a Swimming Pool
Clean Minimalist and Contemporary
Not all waterfalls should be bold or natural looking. Minimalist styled swimming pools are everywhere so a simple pool waterfall that would maintain things simply whilst being chic and elegant can be a great asset. A simple water circulating mechanism with an elegant end element is all that you would possibly need. Some would also like to use water fountains which would do the job properly even though they cannot be traditionally entitled as waterfalls they could fit your minimalist contemporary design better.
Jaw Dropping Water Screen with a Rear Projection System
by Harold Leidner Landscape Architects
Perfect Pool Waterfall Idea for The Minimalist Lover
by Creative Environments
Simply and Stylish Illuminated Swimming Pool
by Mark Scott Associates – Landscape Architecture
Neat Contemporary Waterfall
by Omega Pools
Proffesionally installed waterfalls will definitely come with a price tag. For those trying to avoid the huge expense yet bring the amazing sound in their backyard there is creativity, imagination, improvisation. Serene, beautiful, dramatic and captivating the waterfalls are able to transform any pool in a fairy tale.
Vertical Space Enhanced by Small Tropical Retreat With Breathtaking Expansive Views
by The Anderson Studio of Architecture & Design
Special Contemporary Organic Shaped Pool Design Idea
by Robinette Architects
Simple yet Magnificent
by Sunmar Construction
Simple and Stylish Pool Design in a Modern Residence
by Nicholas Design Collaborative
Jacuzzi Pouring Water Into the Swimming Pool
by Ekman Design Studio
Water Propelled Through a Negative Edge
by Tate Studio Architects
What do you think? What kind of waterfall would you add to your dream swimming pool? We would love to hear your opinion in the comment section below, Facebook, Twitter or G+!
Spring is here, greenery is just around the corner, after the first, extraordinarily blossom, today we ought start to envision our decorating plan, we ought to envision how we are going to enjoy spring and summer outdoors, in fresh air, relaxing, soothing our nerves, loosing ourselves in the lush, green garden.
To emphasize spring`s colors, to highlight the immense possibilities and opportunities brought forward by color, texture and patterns in the following article we showcase 34 colorful bohemian garden designs, bohemian ideas defined by sensible, spectacular patterns wearing great color, exuding immense joy; cast a glance in the search of incredible and feel free to share with us your garden spring decorating ideas.
Bohemian Garden Designs
One colorful flowered canopy surrounded by flowers and greenery might be the ultimate photo boot or the supreme corner for outdoor relaxation, choose the right pillows and enjoy quality time outdoors.
Earth brings us closer to our roots, to enjoy its coolness and humidity in perfect harmony with the environment is something, an extraordinary experience. The right mattress, rugs, pillows and a good tea might be everything you need.
Boost color and boost greenery to create a vivid contrast between Mother Earth`s naturalness and our vivid sense of joy, extraordinary experience of living surrounded by nature and loved ones.
via thejungalow.com
Find balance in a simple setting, a few pillows, a canopy peace of mind can define happiness.
via gigsandgarnet.com
Build a wooden tee pee, this can be used as a meditation spot in your household or as the ultimate playground for your little ones. The green wall on the left, surrounding flowers and amazing sculpted wood mushroom stools greatly contribute to this setting too; little things add up to something extraordinary.
Color boosted on a wooden deck tailored with wooden pallets creating a lively joyful atmosphere.
via eyphoto.net
Textile color can be easily replaced with colorful flowers supported by greenery, here an old shabby chic bench supports beauty in the form of candles and flowers, it brings a great balance in color and ambiance that can speak of the bohemian style.
Source Unknown
Succulents, colorful diy tin cans and the extraordinary in an old window now re-purposed, how do you see this particular scenery?
The shade of an old tree can shape an unique space, here items with memory, items that speak of authenticity, experience and memories are animating a really graphic scenography.
via payload.cargocollective.com
An ambiance can be emphasized with ease by a fire pit, here the presence of color and the green background are enlighten by fire, exposed concrete is the only cold element in the composition that disrupts, wood ought to be present too to shape an extraordinary cozy and warm setting yet the overall design is peaceful, calm.
Ethereal is the right word. White shaping light to animate a simple sitting area embellished in greenery, at night emphasized by warm string lights, a beautiful place to seek calm, peace, refuge.
One might argue that painting a color over wooden textures would be a mistake in the realm of aesthetics yet it is what brings us joy that matters; it is what you cherish what you ought to pursue, shape your reality, live, love, learn, experience.
A romantic setting can incorporate color, comfort and a delicate, sensible ambiance, here surprised by colorful suspended lampshades and textiles that invite one to sit down and relax.
Wooden pallets will always have a place in bohemian and shabby chic settings, they`re natural, they have memory and they are imperfect which is basically the main attribute of coziness and warmth, imperfection ought to be something different, loved, cherished.
Have fun in your household with epic instructions towards landmarks in your garden, create a little bit of something in each space, carefully designated with the little ones, it will be an unforgettable childhood memory that they will surely love, surely remember.
It goes without saying that our curated bohemian garden designs are defined by color, greenery and naturalness, they describe an imperfect balance with which we often identify, it is therefore sufficient to embrace it to understand and absorb calm, peace and a deaf joy that we so desperately unknowingly pursue in our everyday life.
How do you see these ideas, how do you pursue calmness in your garden design? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
An outward-swinging electric gate is not a common sight. However, electric gates can open outwards under limited conditions. Keeping that in mind, a driveway gate is an excellent way to add value and style to a property.
Electric sliding gate openersgive the home a luxurious look. However, when starting with a driveway gate, many people have questions about its installation.
One such question is, can the automatic gate open outwards? Though a rare occurrence, the answer is yes. Some driveway swing gates can open outwards in specific conditions.
Let’s take a look at a few of these conditions.
When Can Gates Swing Outwards
There are various reasons why people may opt for an outward swinging gate, or maybe it’s just sheer curiosity about all the available options. Irrespective of what the reason can be, mentioned below are the instances where it is acceptable, or even necessary, to have the gate swinging outward.
1. Length Of The Driveway
If a homeowner prefers to have a gate that swings outward and they have a driveway that is long enough, there will not be any issue in doing so. To measure if my driveway was long enough for an outward swinging gate, I ensured the gate had enough room to swing without being blocked by any roads.
Tip
Do consider the length of the driveway, so cars can give the gate space to open without any hassle.
2. Barriers
A gate that swings inward requires a lot of space. It should be able to open fully without being blocked by or colliding with any necessities in the yard. For homes that lack the space inside to have gates open inwards, installing an outward swinging gate might be more of a necessity.
3. Upwards Sloping Driveway
I have noticed that some homeowners have driveways that slope upwards. Though not a common sight in developed cities, upwards-sloping driveways are more functional in mountainous regions. If the driveway is slanting upwards within the property, an automatic gate that opens inward will end up colliding with the ground and will only open partially.
Considering the slope is not as intense, a gate with a slight rise on taller hinges can be opted for. This will not necessarily pose an issue to any cars or vehicles. However, it will not be efficient in keeping small pets or even curious children in since they can easily crawl beneath the taller gate.
A commonly used fix to this issue is to use a sliding gate instead of a swinging one though sliding gates require more room to move around within the fence.
4. Oddly Shaped Boundary
If an area has a boundary fence angled at 45 degrees inwards, a gate that swings inwards can be blocked by the fence. This is another event where an outwards swinging gate is acceptable if not necessary.
5. A Curved Driveway
Some homeowners have a driveway that swerves inwards right inside the gate. When this curved driveway is paired with an inward swinging gate, it can cut across the entirety of the driveway. An outward swinging gate will be ideal for such situations.
An Alternative Option
If neither an inward nor an outward swinging gate is feasible, a good alternative that can be considered is the gate doors that slide open rather than swing open. A sliding gate can significantly decrease the amount of space that needs to be left out to accommodate the gate. This is because slide gates move along a fixed section of track in your fence.
Though much more expensive than traditional swing gates, it offers more security for the home and looks visually pleasing on the property.
Factors To Consider For An Outward Swinging Gate
I was surprised to know that you couldn’t just walk to a store and purchase an outward swinging gate to install on the property. However, there were several factors that needed to be considered. The factors are as follows:
1. The City Council
Prior to installing the outdoor opening gate, I had to ensure that I checked all the council rules in my locality pertaining to property boundaries and swing gates that open onto public land.
I was able to find some information online. However, a call or an in-person meeting may be necessary to get hold of more information or a clearer picture.
2. The Actuator And Arm
An actuator is a mechanical device used to open the swing gates remotely. It makes use of power to push the swing arm so that it can open the gate by pulling and pushing it close when necessary.
Typically, the actuators and arms are located inside the swing gate to eliminate tampering or unauthorized access. In most cases, if the electric gates open outward, the actuator and arm can be exposed. There is also a major risk of the device scraping the vehicle as it passes through.
The most crucial factor that I had to consider when installing an outward-opening swing gate is the potential foot traffic outside the gate. It would be impractical to have an outward opening gate if there is no extra space between the footwalk and the gate.
If pedestrians walking through will experience difficulties when the gate opens, it can be quite troublesome for both parties. It is best to have a professional inspect the driveway and install an outward opening gate if necessary space is available.
Can Electric Gates Open Outwards Conclusion
Ultimately, an inward swinging gate or an outward one is nothing but a matter of preference. These gates are a great option if there are no laws pertaining to outward opening gates or if the driveway is large enough. However, it is imperative that the homeowner take necessary measures before installing an outward swinging gate to avoid any trouble later on.
If you enjoyed this informative guide, I suggest checking out my other articles, like my recent piece, “How to apply polymeric sand.”
Building or setting up vehicle sensors for automatic gate openers is easier than it seems. With various accessories available with the sensor kit, all you need are some PVC pipes, a shovel, or an auger, and you’re good to go! Proper placement of the sensor and transmitter is also crucial to the building process.
Investing in the best sliding gate openersadds a lot of convenience to your property, along with a touch of extravagant elegance. And in today’s tech-driven lifestyle, many homeowners are making the most of it by installing sensors on both single and dual gates.
That said, a driveway vehicle sensor forms the core of an automatic gate. So, in today’s guide, I’ll be explaining my foolproof method of building a sensor to open your gate automatically.
Types Of Automatic Gate Sensors
Before getting to the method, you must invest in a high-quality wireless vehicle sensor for your gate. Depending on the design of your gate, you can choose from below:
1. Optical Sensors/Motion Detectors
These are the most common types of sensors, as they detect motion using an antenna. Although they are highly effective and convenient, the only gripe I have is that these sensors detect motion only. So, if you have a visitor standing still outside, the gate may not open.
2. Active Infrared Sensors
This type of sensor consists of a transmitter and two or more receiver chips featuring high-performance optics. As such, these sensors are ideal for protection against cutting or crushing edges in different types of doors.
3. Passive Infrared Movement Sensors
These sensors recognize the infrared image within the set range. And when the image changes, the sensor triggers the gate to automatically open. Notably, these automatic sensors are highly precise and compact.
4. Pressure Sensors
Despite being the first sensors developed for automatic entry, the sensors are widely used to date. They detect changes in pressure (weight) around a specific area around the gate.
When the set weight limit is increased, the sensor triggers the gate opener and keeps the gate open until the person or vehicle passes through. Hence, these gate sensors are excellent for allowing guests to move swiftly without accidents (like “closing in” on a person).
5. Radar Movement Sensors
Radar movement sensors can detect individuals in a specific area. They can even sense through materials like plastic, plaster, wood, and more. However, they cannot identify stationary objects.
Considering all of these types of sensors, I recommend trying out the Mighty Mule FM138 or FM130 Driveway Vehicle Sensor to open your gate automatically. Both of these devices are easy to install and can be used on both single and dual gates. You even get to choose from wired and wireless options of the same product. Plus, the brand offers a 12-month warranty to back your purchase.
How To Install A Sensor For Automatic Gate Openers
Now that you have chosen the right wired or wireless vehicle sensor for your gate opener, it’s time to install it. So, let’s get started with the easy DIY installation process:
Step 1
Start by finding the right placement for the sensor and transmitter module. The distance of both these devices from the gate will depend on the product you choose. However, the Mighty Mule driveway vehicle sensor recommended above will require the sensor to be placed within a range of 2 ft. and the transmitter within 100 ft.
Tip
Ensure that you install the sensor away from general moving traffic (not directed toward your property), power transformers, power lines, underground gas lines, and telephone lines.
Step 2
Now, dig a 1-ft deep hole for the sensor. It should measure at least 2 feet lengthwise and almost parallel to the driveway. Follow up by digging a trench for the sensor cable all the way to where you plan to install the transmitter module. Note that the trench should be at least 6 feet deep to prevent damage from lawn aerators and other similar equipment.
Step 3
Next, place the sensor in the hole and the cable in the trench. If you’re left with extra cable, you can coil it up the mounting post. Then assemble the post by connecting the two long pieces with a coupler.
Tip
Do not bury anything before testing the transmitter module.
Step 4
Run the sensor cable through the mounting post and plug it into the transmitter module. I recommend leaving two inches of the cable to avoid damage if the transmitter is removed.
Step 5
Attach the mounting pole and transmitter module. Thereafter, you may or may not require a “receiver,” depending on the product you choose. Hence, I recommend checking the manufacturer’s instructions for further pairings.
Lastly, test the driveway vehicle sensor and if everything works correctly, bury all the parts.
Vehicle Sensor For Automatic Gate Opener Final Words
Before I sign off, here’s another piece of advice - for convenience, you can use standard car batteries for gate openers. However, the batteries should not be less than 50 volts, as they may not be strong enough to trigger the sensors.
A standard 12-volt marine or car battery is good for most gate-opening systems. However, depending on components like solar panels or a motion detector, many people use a deep-cycle battery for higher power.
Installing a gate opener requires adding an energy source. In fact, the best electric sliding gate openers can fully function with a standard 12-volt rechargeable car or marine-type battery with six regular cells.
However, before choosing your battery, consider which connection or energy outlet you wish to use. A standard AC outlet or solar applications can help charge the gate opener and the motion sensor, if any.
Potential Problems Of Using A Standard 12-Volt Battery
Standard battery-operated gate openers like the Mighty Mule gate opener function pretty well on an average car or large marine battery. It works especially well if the solar panel receives enough sunlight during the day. However, adding a motion sensor flood light to my opener has disrupted its energy source.
Although my battery seemed to have enough juice, adding just a small light led to a large drop in voltage. Hence, I resorted to checking the water level in each battery cell to see if there is adequate power. Next, I checked whether the solar charger was producing the required energy by observing the voltmeter.
However, both the water level and the solar panel were functioning properly. After some online research, I found that many people face this problem. Some even report audible beeping when they add lighting, and I believe the problem lies in the low energy capacity of the battery.
What Battery Should You Use For A Remote Gate Opener?
Getting a new battery and a larger panel is fine and all, but how do electric sliding gates work? Electric sliding gates are automatic swing gates that utilize a battery-operated system and/or solar panel to produce energy for mobility. This energy then helps the gates pull the wheels on the fixed track.
Using a standard 12-volt battery is often sufficient, but there’s always a chance that you may face the above problems. Or, your sun panel may not receive enough sunshine on cloudy days. Either way, a failed battery in the sliding gate may cause substantial security threats.
In this case, I think the best idea is to replace your standard battery with a marine deep-cycle battery. This is because, unlike regular ones, deep-cycle batteries draw down the charge evenly without causing any drop in surface charge.
Tip
After replacing the battery, hook it up with an AC battery charger that connects to 12-volt LED lights and a digital voltmeter. Also, I recommend buying a sliding gate with a built-in shunt relay or charging control to prevent a high-voltage drop.
Standard Car Battery For Gate Opener Final Thoughts
From my experience, deep-cycle batteries are much more beneficial in providing energy to gate openers. They can sufficiently power automatic electric sliding gates and utilize higher levels of solar energy.
For gate openers that do not have too many features, a standard starting battery is adequate. Moreover, an average starting battery can work wonders if you have a larger solar cell with connected regulators that receive regular sunshine.
However, you should carefully consider your requirements before choosing a battery. I hope this discussion helps you tackle problems regarding sliding gate openers.
Electric sliding gates are operated with the help of remote controls. When you press the button on the remote control, the access control system initiates the gate opener motor to open or close the gates. These gates usually operate over a track, but the design of the track may change based on the type.
Homeowners these days prefer electric sliding gate openers over conventional driveway gates. And with the benefits they offer, it is clear to see why that is the case.
Despite their surging popularity, though, a large number of users do not know how sliding gates work. This makes it difficult to troubleshoot any problem (related to their working mechanism) that one might encounter.
That’s why I have made this guide for all those curious folks out there. If you are one of them, then dive in!
How Does An Electric Sliding Gate Work?
As you can guess from the name, an electric sliding gate comes with an in-built electric motor that helps to operate the gate. It does not require any manual effort, which is why it is also known as an automatic gate. All you need to do is press the button on the remote control, and the sliding gate motor will open or close the gate accordingly.
That was, of course, the simplest explanation of how automatic gates work. Now, I’ll explain their operation in greater detail for those who want to know more. These gates come with an access control system that is programmed into the gate motors. This is the primary element that helps with gate automation. When you press the button on the remote, it signals the motor to open or close the gate.
Conventionally, the gates are placed on top of a sliding track. A set of roller guides or wheels are placed on the bottom of each gate, which helps to slide it along the track when the motor is activated.
That said, the mode of operation may change slightly with the gate’s design, but the fundamental principle remains the same.
On that note, modern automated gates come with a range of additional convenience and security features. For instance, they may come with motion sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, or voice controls so that you can operate them with little effort.
They can also be programmed to provide pedestrian access, which means that you can use them as the main gate instead of a driveway gate. Apart from that, they may come with cameras and alarms to enhance security.
What Are The Different Types Of Electric Sliding Gates?
Broadly speaking, there are three primary types of sliding gates available today. I have discussed each of them below:
1. Tracked Sliding Gates
Tracked sliding gates are the simplest and most common type of automatic gate system used on properties. It runs over a single metal track embedded in the ground. Now, the motor is generally placed beside the gate post. However, many homeowners today are opting for underground motors to save space and keep it protected from rain and storms.
Warning
In case you plan to install an underground motor, make sure that it comes with a powerful remote control or good Wi-Fi connectivity. If it doesn’t, you will not be able to operate the motor under the ground.
2. Telescopic Sliding Gates
Telescoping gates consist of multiple segments that stack in front of each other when the gate opens. Such a design is well-suited for homes that do not have a lot of space for a conventional sliding gate. They can be operated by standard electric motors, similar to tracked sliding gates.
With that being said, the installation process is a bit complicated since you need to lay a separate track for each segment. Likewise, the drive cables from the motor need to be separately installed on every gate segment.
3. Cantilever Sliding Gates
Cantilever gates operate a bit differently compared to tracked or telescopic sliding gates. This type of gate comes with no embedded tracks on the ground, which means that Cantilever sliding gates remain suspended in the air. Instead, there is a tubular track fitted on the lower side of the gate, which slides over mounted roller wheels on the gate posts.
The cantilever system is worth considering if the ground below the gate is uneven for laying tracks. Additionally, these gates are relatively longer than the previous two types due to the added counterbalance mechanism. This makes them an ideal choice for industrial or commercial buildings.
However, the caveat is that the posts need to be much stronger, or else the gates might fall. That’s because the posts hold the entire weight of the gate, as well as the post-mounted rollers.
Benefits Of Using Automated Sliding Gates
Compared to traditional gates, automated sliding gates are a lot more convenient to use. Besides that, there are several other benefits to these gates, as I have outlined below.
1. Relatively Durable
Automated sliding gates are designed to be highly durable. Therefore, they can withstand most weather conditions or impact damages without any issues. Also, the materials used for building the gate and the motors are resistant to rust and corrosion, which further enhances durability.
2. Added Security
Most automatic sliding gates these days come with advanced features, such as motion sensors, alarms, and other anti-tamper mechanisms. This will discourage trespassers and burglars from manipulating or tampering with the gate, which will improve the security of your home and make your life easier.
3. Increased Safety
As I have already mentioned, a typical automated sliding gate comes with motion sensors. These sensors can detect the proximity, speed, and distance of incoming objects. On top of that, there are strong brakes on the roller guides. So, if any person or vehicle comes too close or touches the gate, it will stop moving immediately to avoid any accidents.
4. Energy-Efficient
The motors that are used in these automated sliding gates are designed to be highly energy-efficient. That way, you won’t have to worry about increased energy bills from using your gate.
As a matter of fact, the gate opener system operates entirely on battery. This means that it won’t have any major impact on your electricity usage, except for when you will need to charge the battery. And if the gate has solar charging capabilities, it will charge on its own when the sun is out, which makes it even more convenient.
In that context, you might ask - “can I use a standard car battery for gate openers?” Well, you absolutely can! Of course, you need to ensure that the car battery has enough energy left in it to power the opener mechanism. After all, you wouldn’t want the battery to run out when the gate is only partially open.
How Do Electric Sliding Gates Work Final Words
Electric sliding gates are definitely worth it, especially if you want the added security and convenience they offer. That is why they have become so popular these days.
You can get an automatic swing gate for your driveway, too, as it operates using a similar system. The only difference is that the gates swing open instead of sliding to the sides.
Whichever you choose, you can get the new gates installed with the help of a professional. That will ensure you do not encounter any issues related to the gate after a few days of usage.
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