What’s a Mesh Network?

Chances are, you use the internet for a number of different things during the course of your day. The internet plays a key role in everything from gaming and entertainment to social interaction and even work these days, so it’s important that you have a reliable internet connection. Depending on the layout and even the materials used in your house, though, it isn’t always easy to stay connected everywhere within the home.

If your Wi-Fi coverage isn’t quite what you wish it was, replacing your existing setup with a mesh network might be the answer. Mesh networks have become increasingly popular in recent years due to how easily they solve some connection and coverage problems. If you’re curious as to whether your home would benefit from a mesh network, here’s what you need to know.

How Mesh Networks Work

A traditional Wi-Fi network usually has a wireless router that serves as an access point, and perhaps a few additional access points connected to the network depending on its size. All of the data routing is handled by the router, and both signal strength and network speed vary depending on how far away you are from the router and/or the access points. Some materials can also block signals from the access points, explaining why it may be harder to connect to your network in some rooms than others (especially if you only have a single wireless router as your only access point).

Mesh networks remove the need for a central routing device and distribute access much more evenly throughout your home. Multiple network nodes are placed around your home, with each acting as an access point and playing a part in routing your connection through its most efficient path to the internet. One node connects directly to the Internet in much the same way that a wireless router would, but it also connects to every other node within its signal range. Each of those nodes also emits a signal, boosting your network so that it more easily covers your entire house. Your phone, computer, and other wireless devices all connect to the node that is closest to them, and the nodes automatically route the connection through the most efficient path to the internet at large.

Do You Need a Mesh Network?

There are definitely advantages to implementing a mesh network. If a single node goes down, the other nodes will automatically reroute their connections to ensure that coverage isn’t lost. Likewise, when multiple devices connect to a single node, the network can reassign some of those devices on the fly to prevent network congestion. If you have a lot of devices spread out across the entire house, or are trying to provide fast and reliable coverage throughout a large house or across multiple floors, this sort of smart routing and internet sharing will definitely make things easier.

With that said, mesh networks aren’t necessarily right for every home. If you have a small or single-floor home and are able to install your wireless router in a centrally located area, you can likely save money by installing a single fast wireless router instead of buying and installing multiple mesh nodes. This is especially true if you have a mostly open floor plan, as there will be little that would interfere with the wireless signal in most rooms.

Mesh Network Installation

While installing and setting up a mesh network is doable as a DIY project, it’s not a bad idea to talk to an electronics pro to make sure that you’re getting all of the equipment that you need to get yourself set up. You may also find yourself in need of an electrician to add additional outlets if you want to install nodes in areas where power connections are at a premium. Regardless of your need, HomeKeepr is here to help; sign up for a free account today to get in touch with pros that can help you get the network you want without breaking the bank.

How to Create a Property Alert System @ FtBendHomeSearch

 

How to Create a Property Alert System

@ FtBendHomeSearch

 

Visit www.FtBendHomeSearch.com and y’all will have the ability to create a Property Alert System to notify you when a property that matches your criteria hits the MLS Market. Y’all can search for Single Family Homes, Country Homes, Foreclosures, Auctions, Lots, Land and Acreage!

1.      Go to www.FtBendHomeSearch.com

 

In the lower middle part of the Screen type in the city y'all are Searching in the system will display a list and then select the collect one!  (example; Rosenberg)

2.      The next screen will display a Map and List of Homes on the MLS Market.

3.      If searching for Rentals, change the Button called "For Sale" to "For Rent" and the Screen will Automatically change to Display All Rentals for the City y'all selected.

4.      Now you can click on the Button "Save Search" it will have a pop-up window which allows y'all to give the Save a unique name like "Rentals in Rosenberg" or just use the default name. I like to change the name since I like to track different properties around the area...

You can always adjust the search in other ways, like price point, Number of Bedrooms, Number of Baths, Lot Size, Acreage etc. and save them as your Search Alert...

 

 

#FtBendHomeSearch #ShayneStone #HomeSmart #PropertyAlerts #Land #Lots #Acreage #CountryHomes #SingleFamily #Homes #Houses #ForSale #ForLease

 

What to Consider When Adding On

Additions can be a good way to get more functionality out of your home. Your addition might be an extra bedroom for your expanding family, a home office to provide you with a space to work from home, or even a sunroom or hobby area. Your add-on might even be a way to add more space to existing rooms, removing or extending walls to let your current kitchen, bedroom, or other area flow seamlessly into your new addition. There are just so many possibilities.

Regardless of what you plan to use the room for, though, adding on to your house is a big undertaking and may be kind of a big investment as well. Even relatively small additions can be a big project, so it’s important that you know exactly what your plans will entail before you start work on expanding your home. To help with this, here are a few things to consider when making plans to add on to your home.

Planning the Expansion

Though you may have a good idea of where you want your addition to go, it’s important to spend some time actually planning it out. Consider details such as where the property line is located, whether there are any size or location restrictions based on state and local building codes, and whether there will be issues with the location of utilities or the slope of your property that could cause problems. Taking the time to rule out potential problems with your addition now will save you a lot of headaches down the road.

Another thing to keep in mind is how well your addition will combine with your existing home. While you obviously have a good reason to want more square footage, if you just have an added room tacked awkwardly onto your home, it can have a major impact on your home’s overall value. A good addition will blend seamlessly into your existing home, matching the exterior and making it difficult to tell that an add-on was made down the road.

Cost and Investment

Depending on the sort of addition you want to make, the budget for your add-on can fall within a pretty wide range. It’s very important that you spend some time researching exactly what it will take to make your expansion plans a reality. The time of year, materials costs, and factors such as the size and types of materials you choose will all affect how much you’re going to have to spend. Taking the time to do a bit of research and consult with your contractor about the options available to you can end up making a big difference in the final cost of your expansion.

This is important not just because of the immediate impact to your pocketbook, but also the overall difference that it makes on your home’s value. All the money that you put into your addition is an investment in your home, and you want to get the biggest return on that investment that you can. Making smart choices and not letting your budget balloon out of control will go a long way toward maximizing your home’s value in comparison to the cost of your add-on. It’s more work now, but you’ll be thanking yourself if you find yourself wanting to sell your home at some point down the road.

Moving Forward With Your Addition

Choosing the right contractor is one way that you can affect the overall cost of your addition and maximize the return on your investment. HomeKeepr can help you with this, matching you with contractors and other pros in your area based on real recommendations from people that you already know and trust. Best of all, creating a HomeKeepr account is free. Sign up for an account today and get started finding the right professional to make your expansion dreams come true without breaking the bank.

 

Wood Isn’t Your Only Option: Building Materials Outside the Box

Whether you’re adding a shed to your property, expanding with a new room, or building an entire house, the cost of lumber is likely going to affect your plans. Though not quite as high as it peaked early in the pandemic, buying lumber in any quantity still isn’t exactly what one would call a cheap endeavor. There may be a bright side to all of this, however; the high cost of lumber is highlighting the fact that there are actually a few alternatives to wood out there that you might not have thought of.

This doesn’t mean that you can completely avoid the use of wood in every project, of course. Some projects work better with alternative materials than others. Still, the fact that there are options out there other than just using lumber for everything might help you to think outside of the box and find at least some cheaper (and in some cases, possibly even better) options when planning out your next construction project.

Non-Lumber Construction Materials

Lumber is probably the most well-known material that’s used for framing construction and building out projects, but it isn’t the only option out there. When it comes to creating frames for rooms and buildings, steel and other metals are not only an option but they’re actually becoming an increasingly popular one because of the added strength that they provide. Metal framing is used in everything from sheds to exterior garages to whole homes and creates very sturdy structures that can stand up well against severe weather and other events.

Metal isn’t the only wood alternative that you can use in construction around the home, either. Plastics such as composite decking and fencing are increasingly popular for use around the home, creating a look that is often reminiscent of wood while providing superior resistance to fading and weather damage. Bamboo products are also seeing an increase in use as a building material, as they have similar capabilities to wood but often come at a lower cost than wood lumber because of the fast rate at which bamboo grows. Even concrete and fiber cement are seeing a growing popularity as materials, especially given their relative strengths and the ability to mold both to a variety of shapes to better match the project at hand.

Minimizing Wood in Your Projects

Even with a variety of materials as options, you may still need to (or want to!) use some wood in your construction projects. You may simply prefer the look of wood, or have specific idea in mind that does require wood. This doesn’t mean that you have to commit to wood for the entire project, however, and you can use alternative materials in places where they aren’t visible or won’t affect the project in substantial ways as a means of reducing your overall project cost.

A great way to do this is to use alternative materials for framing and then attach wood to that frame. You can also use wood in areas where it’s strictly necessary for the project that you have in mind and then supplement that with paintable composites or fiber cement siding so that the end product can get a coat or two of paint to make it all mesh. There are a number of ways that you can be creative and keep your costs low while still giving you the look and functionality that you want in the end.

Working Without Wood

Of course, being able to use a material other than wood in your construction projects only works out if you’ve got contractors or other pros who are used to working with these alternative materials. HomeKeepr can help you in this regard. Using our app you can connect with pros in your area and find professionals that have experience working with metals, composites, and other alternative materials to help you get the job done with the materials you want. Best of all, creating a HomeKeepr account is free. Sign up for your free account today to get started.

 

Conquering Cottage Kitchen Clutter

Cottage-style kitchens are an increasingly popular option when it comes to creating an attractive yet functional kitchen layout. These cottage kitchens usually rely on an open layout so that everything is easily accessible regardless of what you need. In lieu of bulky cabinets and endless drawers, these kitchens make heavy use of open shelving and pegboards to hold everything. It can be a very attractive look for your kitchen and a pretty functional layout as well, but if you’re not careful, it’s also an invitation for chaos.

The ugly truth is that cabinets and drawers became popular because they keep all of the clutter and disarray hidden safely away and add a bit of built-in organization to the pandemonium of kitchen layouts. Do away with most of the cabinets, and all that clutter is left out in the open. Fortunately, there are ways to tame it. It does require a bit of thought in your approach, though.

Be Smart With Your Shelving

One of the big traps that people fall into with cottage kitchen shelving is trying to maximize its display properties without thinking about how to maximize efficiency. The look of plates, glasses, and various other bits of kitchen must-haves arranged neatly on shelves is certainly appealing. If you’re not careful, though, you’re going to end up with at least some of your shelves being overcrowded and a pain to work with as you sort through them to find exactly what you’re looking for.

The key to successful shelving is to arrange everything so that it’s not only appealing to look at but also on the shelves for a particular reason. Before placing anything on shelves, stop and think about which shelves those specific items would be best on. Consider where in the kitchen you’ll use them the most, and install shelves in those areas so that your prep tools can be near your prep station and your baking tools can be near your oven. Supplementing your shelving with under-table drawers, cabinets, and other unobtrusive storage solutions can also aid with this without ruining the cottage aesthetic you’ve created with your shelving.

A Place for Everything

Pegboards are another common sight in cottage-style kitchens, but they can become a messy array of items stuck up seemingly at random if you aren’t careful. It can take a little while to find an ideal layout of your spoons, tools, and other pegboard items, but once you have it then you should do everything you can to keep it. Even a few items placed incorrectly can throw off the entire arrangement and lead to your perfect organization falling into clutter.

A great option here is to get everything placed on your pegboard and then carefully trace around the various items lightly with a pencil. Once you have outlines of everything, remove it all and take the pegboard down. Carefully fill in those outlines with paint, using a variety of colors that match or accent the dominant colors in your kitchen. For added flair, paint a small stripe on the handles of your spoons and other tools that match the space you filled in for it on the pegboard to make it easy to see when anything is out of place.

Designing Your Dream Cottage Kitchen

The more thought you put into the design and functionality of your shelving and other cottage kitchen storage solutions, the easier it will be to avoid clutter in the future. This is where HomeKeepr can help. Using our app, you can match with shelving installers and other pros in your area that can help you design the perfect layout to make your kitchen both attractive and easy to use.

 

Why Is My Furnace in the Attic or Crawl Space?

Though it’s not as common as traditional furnace setups, some homes feature a furnace that’s installed in either the attic of the house or in a crawl space. It might seem at first that this would be inconvenient compared to standard furnace locations, and in some ways it can be. There are some advantages to having an attic-mounted furnace or a furnace in the crawl space, however. If you’re thinking of buying a home (or recently bought one) that makes use of one of these alternate furnace locations, it was probably done to take advantage of one or more of these factors.

With that said, you may have some questions about your furnace and how to maintain it. First, the good news: A lot of your maintenance will be about the same as you would have with a more traditionally located furnace. There are a few specific things that you may be wondering about, though, so here are some things that you should know about using and maintaining these furnaces.

Filtration and Air Flow

Most of the time, when people get nervous about a furnace that’s mounted in the attic or crawl space it’s because they think they’ll have to venture up there every time a filter needs to be changed. For the most part, airflow with an attic-mounted furnace or one that’s in the crawl space will be pretty much the same as a more traditional furnace setup. The thermostat is still on the wall, there are still vents in every room, and the air return is still inside the main house. This means that maintenance tasks like changing out your air filter will be pretty much the same as it would be for any other furnace, as the filter is placed in the air return.

Attic and Crawl Space Advantages

As mentioned before, there are a few advantages to placing a furnace in the attic or a crawl space. Some of these, such as a possibly reduced installation cost, will only affect the homeowner who installed the furnace in the first place. Even if you bought a home that already had a furnace installed in the attic or crawl space, though, there are still advantages that you can enjoy.

One of the biggest is that this installation type frees up space in the home that would otherwise be taken up by furnace equipment. If that doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, think about what you could do with an extra closet or a little bit of additional storage space that’s convenient to rooms like the kitchen. Depending on the layout of your house, an alternate location for your furnace could also simplify the ductwork layout and make checking for damage or other ductwork issues much easier.

Accessing the Furnace

There may be a few times when the location of your furnace becomes inconvenient, such as if your pilot light goes out and you actually have to venture into the attic or crawl space to relight it. In most cases the pilot light will be situated to make it convenient to access, but you still have to get to the furnace unit, which can be annoying at least. Bigger issues may arise if you run afoul of actual hardware issues, as the more enclosed space and slightly different layout of the furnace can make some forms of maintenance more difficult.

In these cases, it’s best to call an HVAC pro for any maintenance beyond the basics. They’ll have a better understanding of how the furnace is laid out and just the tools that they need to fix it even in a tighter space.