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How to Order a Safe Online

April 22, 2016 By

ecommerceIf you know what you plan to store, shopping for a safe online should be a simple process. Choose one that provides room for items you might consider adding later. A good burglary safe needs to be sturdy enough to resist repeated attacks and it should have a lock that can’t be easily disarmed. A TRTL30x6 safe is a rating that indicates its ability to withstand attacks on all six sides for up to 30 minutes. These are the highest rated burglary safes, having a thickness of at least 1-inch, and one of four ratings that include a UL label.

If you are considering used safes for sale, the age is always an important factor. Keep in mind newer, higher grade burglar safes, epecially those with UL ratings are constructed with sturdier materials. Quality safes manufactured within the last 10 to 15 years typically have walls made with concrete, layers of steel alloy, and ceramic rods, which make them harder to puncture. Some older, top-grade models are sturdy enough, but the locks can be easily punched by experienced burglars. In addition, many combination safes have steel plates position behind the lock to keep the tumblers in place.

Safes are made with a few different types of locks, including the Smart and biometric locks found on newer models. Still, UL rated floor safes with passcode and combination entry offer a moderately higher level of security. If the electronic lock fails, the dial lock continues working hard to keep its contents secure.

 

First Security Safe offers high security safes, AMSEC and ISM safes, online or at their Los Angeles location.

Filed Under: Home Security

Add Value to Your Home with a New Garage Door

April 20, 2016 By

 

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While there are very few renovation projects that you can do and recoup 100% of your investment, there are many things you can do and still keep a good bit of the value when it comes time to sell. One of the oft overlooked options is to replace your garage door. A new garage door can increase your curb appeal, increasing the speed at which your house moves on the market and adding a bit of value to your home.

Your largest increase in value will likely be if your home has an older, manual garage door. These can be a major deterrent to prospective buyers. In an age where automatic doors are commonplace, few people want to expend the energy to open the door themselves. Not to mention the strength needed to open a manual garage door may be more than an elderly person could possibly summon. If the automation of your door is merely broken, you could also get by with simply getting a company that specializes at garage door repair in Atlanta to come and fix it for you.

To maximize the added curb appeal of your home, make sure to check out a variety of businesses that specialize in garage door installation in Atlanta and preview different materials and styles. There is plenty to choose from, and you could go with some that blends well with the neighborhood or you could try for something that gives your house that extra bit of pizzazz and set it apart from the rest of the market.

Another added bonus, providing you go with a door that it is an insulated, would be a drop in your utility bills. Technology has come a long way since the early days of garage doors. It could  significantly reduce the cost of your heating bill while keeping the garage at a more pleasant temperature in the extremes of summer and winter.

If any of this sounds like something that might help improve the value of your home, a great way to find out if it’s for you is to contact a professional in garage door repair near Kennesaw, GA. Most companies are more than happy to provide you with more information on just what they can do for you.

Filed Under: Home Repair

Why New Yorkers are Being Pushed to Grow Native Plants

April 4, 2016 By

By Phineas Upham

Most plants that are used in the front of back yard of New York homes were brought in from outside of the state. These plants tend to thrive because New York meets the conditions for growth, but they are not naturally occurring. If an invasive species were introduced, it could wreak havoc on the eco system.

New Yorkers who own property that can have a garden on them have been encouraged to garden using native plant species found in the New York area. There are a few reasons why that is.

Maintenance

Everything has a maintenance cost, as anyone with a front lawn will tell you. Native plants tend to thrive in the conditions of that city, so New Yorkers will find themselves buying a lot less fertilizer and using less water to grow a particular species of plant. Native plants also save you money on pest control in some cases, as they have adapted over time to the natural pests in the area. This also helps cut down on toxins in the immediate area, which may have a beneficial effect on fruit-bearing plants in your garden.

Beauty

New York plants are attractive, and feed off the natural beauty present in parts of the state. There are also a wide variety to choose from, leaving homeowners with their choice of color or shrub. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to help native plants reclaim their landscape.

There is one final benefit you don’t see up front: erosion control. With native plants, the soil erodes less. That has all kinds of benefits, including keeping storm drains clear for heavy rainfall.

Phineas Upham is an investor from NYC and SF. You may contact Phin on his Phineas Upham website or Twitter page.

Filed Under: Landscaping