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Ways to Convert Your Garage 

For those who don’t know, only 30% of homeowners use their garage for storing their cars. Most of the time, they dump clutter inside it. However, you could increase the value of your property if you convert your garage into a living space.  

Nowadays, people are spending more time inside their houses due to recent lockdowns. That is why a lot of homeowners are reevaluating their living space. According to reports, around 40% of homeowners have renovated or extended their properties, with around 23% being all garage conversions.  

So, if you’re planning an ADU garage conversion, here are several ideas you can try: 

Home Gym 

According to studies, around 75% of individuals around the world have tried working out at home during the lockdown. Around 66% of these individuals prefer their home gym. Furthermore, there has also been a rise in online fitness resources and classes. This makes it a lot easier to work out without leaving your house.  

Because of this, you should consider converting your garage into a home gym. With this, you can create a workout space that is tailored to your needs. You can also save a lot of money in the long run by saving on gym fees every month.  

Additional Bedroom 

Aside from extending your living space, adding a bedroom by converting your garage can also add additional value to your property.  

If your garage is not attached to your house, you can transform it into a separate guest suite filled with an ensuite for when visitors stay over.  

Kids’ Playroom 

During the pandemic, most schools closed their doors. Because of this, a lot of kids have stopped doing their usual sports and social activities. In addition to that, a lot of families also have a hard time clamoring for space and getting under each other’s feet.  

If this is your case, consider converting your garage into a children’s playroom. This offers your kids the much-needed space of their own to play in and relax. In addition to that, this also helps you prevent having toys scattered around your living room.  

Home Office 

According to reports in April 2020, around 45% of people in employment worked from home. The reason for this is the pandemic.  

A lot of these employees found themselves commandeering the dining table or taking over other rooms.  

As a result of the pandemic, attitudes towards working from home have greatly changed. Though it does not suit every person, it has resulted in a lot of employers moving towards flexible working.  

Your garage provides the best space for creating a professional work environment.  

Kitchen Extension 

For those who don’t know, the heart of your home is your kitchen. It’s sometimes the most utilized room in the house. Attached garages offer the best space for extending the kitchen to have more space.  

Do you want to create an open-plan kitchen diner? Do you like to add a utility room? These things can easily add a lot of value to your property. This depends on which region you live in.  

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Different Pruning Techniques

If you want to guarantee great health and long life for your tree, it is vital to know the right solution. One of the most common tree maintenance tasks that most homeowners do is pruning.  

If you want to prune the tree yourself, you should know that there are various pruning methods that you can use. If you don’t properly prune the trees, you might end up killing it and having to hire a tree removal Charlotte NC company for it.  

Here are the different methods of pruning trees: 

Canopy Cleaning or Dead Wooding 

This is a direct pruning practice that gets rid of every single ugly and dangerous dead wood from the tree.  

Structural Pruning for Young Trees 

This pruning method is perhaps the most ignored by homeowners and so-called tree service providers. Your tree grows a lot more different compared to its natural setting. The reason for this is that almost every site condition in an urban location enables for more light to your tree compared to if it was in the jungle. Correct structural growth for the tree from tree establishment is vital for your tree’s health later in the future. This is especially true when it comes to preventing storm damage.  

There are a couple of steps to perform the right structural pruning. This includes: 

  • Getting rid or shortening the limbs 
  • Recognizing branches that will be competing with the dominant trunk 
  • Choosing the branch that will be the dominant trunk 

Canopy Thinning 

Oftentimes, this is done on overgrown trees. Thinning is sometimes vital for a couple of reasons. One of the common reasons for this type of pruning is improved light penetration. The ideal method is not to get rid of more than 15% to 20% of the tree’s foliage and you should only cut branches that are 2-inch in thickness. 

Reduction 

This is a method that concentrates on the discriminate and skillful reduction of stems that might have to be cut back for a couple of reasons. One method that you shouldn’t do is topping trees. The reason for this is that you’re getting rid of the vital trunks or branches that cause big wounds in the tree if you top the tree. This leaves the tree open to decay. You have to respect the tree’s natural branching.  

Reduction needs in-depth knowledge about how a tree grows back and what branches are vital. When it comes to this type of pruning, it is best to hire a professional tree service company and let them do the job. 

Raising 

This type of pruning method is done to raise the tree’s crown. To make things simple, you will have to clear some of the lower branches. The routine raising of the canopy needs to be done on younger trees to prevent leaving marks or wounds. The purpose of this pruning method is to accommodate more urban environments. In general, it is implemented if the branches of the tree get in the way of people or structures. Around 10 feet to 15 feet is the preferable clearance for structures.  

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Things to Know About Bourbon Whiskey

For those who don’t know, a bourbon is a form of whiskey in the United States. It’s refined from a mash primarily made of corn. One great example of this is WL Weller special reserve. This type of whiskey stays a mystery to a lot of people, despite its popularity.

Thus, how can you differentiate bourbon from other whiskeys? Are there other things that you should know?

Bourbon is Great for Cocktails

In a lot of cocktail recipes, bourbon is the featured spirit. This includes mint julep, old fashion, and much more. There are a lot of great cocktails that use the special flavor profile of bourbon.

It Has Diverse Flavor Profile

Though law directs that no color or flavoring additives might be added to bourbon, it still has a diverse profile of flavor. Usually, it is characterized by spice, caramel, oak, and vanilla. Of course, the ideal way to know the flavor of bourbon is to taste it yourself.

What’s Bottled-in-Bond?

For those who don’t know, bottled-in-bond is associated with the US-made distilled drink that follows the legal requirements laid out in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. According to the act, the spirit should be a product of a single distilling season from a single distillery. It should also be bottled at 100 proof. Furthermore, the spirit should be aged for at least 4 years in a warehouse that is bonded federally.

No Aging Requirement

Though the rules state that bourbon should be stored in charred oak barrels, there is really no requirement for aging. But, bourbon that has been aged less than 4 years should state the age on the bottle. The bourbon should also have been aged for 2 years for it to be called “straight bourbon”.

Where Does the Name Come from?

Up until now, nobody still knows where the name bourbon came from. But, the most prominent contenders are Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Bourbon County in Kentucky. These locations took the name from the House of Bourbon. It’s a royal house in Europe with a French origin.

What Brand is the Best?

Because bourbon has different storied heritage and various flavors, it is usually best for exploring. This means that it’s best to try every type of bourbon you can find. However, it can be a bit hard to know where to begin since there are a lot of brands out there.

Difference between Whiskey and Bourbon

The mash of whiskey should contain at least 51% corn for it to be called bourbon. The mash should be distilled at less than 160 proof. It shouldn’t include any additives. Finally, the result should be stored in charred new oak barrels at less than 125 proof.

Bourbon Can’t Be Made Outside of the United States

According to the federal standards, the word bourbon shouldn’t be utilized to define any whiskey or whiskey-based spirits that are not manufactured in the US. According to the federal standards, Bourbon is a distinctive product of the US. Thus, it can’t be made outside of the country.

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