Tips To Buy A Used Boat

Purchasing any kind of used vehicle is a daunting task, even if it is a boat. Most people are not very familiar with marine vessels and as such, don’t have much idea about how to differentiate a bad deal from a good one. If you are making plans to get yourself a used boat, here are the things that you will need to give thorough consideration:

Purpose : 

First, determine exactly why you need to have a boat. The power and size of crafts can vary depending on what they are used for, such as day trips, local cruising, fishing in rivers, extensive travelling, water skiing, yacht racing and so on. Therefore, it is very important to determine the purpose for which a vessel is required.

Power Requirement :

If you are looking for a secondhand boat with plenty of power, get ready to spend quite a fortune. On the other hand, less power means restriction to certain activities such as towing or carrying bulky loads, even if the vessel comes off cheap. Moreover, before you decide to buy a powerful boat, make sure you have got the skill to operate it.

Assistance of Broker : 

In case you want a tinnie, buying a secondhand one would not be too much work. However, you may require the help of a reputable broker if your objective is to purchase something upmarket. When hiring a broker, be comprehensively articulate about your requirements - type, condition and price.

Details : 

Buying a secondhand boat is undoubtedly a risky affair. If you are not careful enough, you can end up with a faulty purchase. Therefore, it is imperative that you get down to the details. Request for the maintenance records of the vessel. Check everything from top to bottom - engine, wiring, rigging, on-board gear, etc. Look for quick-fixed spots and extensive wear & tear. Besides that, also inspect the seating and upholstery carefully. If there is any issue, you can pay a discounted price and then have the seatings repaired by specialists of marine upholstery in Northern Beaches.

Paperwork : 

Before finalising the deal, make sure the owner produces written paperwork for the transaction. This would include a signed agreement, Hull Identification Number (HIN) or boat code, manufacturer’s plate and signed receipts.

Once you have bought the secondhand boat from its user, do not forget to get it registered with the Department of Transport (DT) in New South Wales. Also, make sure that you use proper methods to care for your boat. Thorough maintenance every once in a while might be enough.

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How To Make Your Bedroom Winter-Ready

Right now, most of us in Sydney are enjoying the cool winds of Autumn. In about a couple of months, winter will be upon us and the cold weather is bound to make many people wish for a nice sleep-in on chilly weekends. If you are planning to do the same, make sure that your bedroom is well-equipped to provide the comfort you seek. Given below are 4 must-haves that you would love including in your bedroom to prep it for the cold winter days and nights:

Luxury Bedding -

It would be quite needless to say that many Sydneysiders love the comfort offered by high grade, hotel-style bedding materials, which have become a common choice for countless homeowners. Sateen-finished sheets having high counts of thread woven from very fine linen and cotton, memory foam cushions, velvet-soft pillows, wool-lined quilts, down-filled doonas, well-sprung and multi-layered supportive mattresses - all of these are perfect for achieving a nice afternoon winter nap or an undisturbed night’s sleep. However, try not to buy them all at once. Instead, save up and purchase them one by one, and slowly arrange your luxury bedding before the arrival of the chill season.

Cozy Rug -

Do you hate the feeling of landing on the cold hard floor after stepping out of your bed on wintry mornings? If you do and have not got carpeting within your bedroom, purchase a nice plush rug having the deep pile that you can immerse your feet into. Just place it strategically to make sure that it cushions your feet when you get up.

Statement Bedhead -

Some upholstered bedheads in Sydney are created just for upping the comfort level of a bedroom, such as the button-backed, panelled, studded and tufted ones. In case you are a night owl and love to stay up reading books during winter, you definitely need to get one of these. Not only would a padded fabric headboard impart a significant touch of luxury, but provide a comfortable layer for your bed. Get in touch with a company that offers furniture upholstery in Sydney for getting this work of your done. 

Comfy Seating -

If you need a convenient place to relax within your bedroom beside the bed, add an upholstered bench seat or comfortable chair. If you want, you may even get a supportive sink-in seat that would serve as a place to put on your shoes. You can even add a small table along with the seating if you like.

Thus, use the above-mentioned items to rev up the comfort level of your bedroom before winter sets in.

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Have An Antique Outdoor Furniture? Want To Get Rid Of It?

If you have an antique outdoor furniture in your home and want to get rid of it, there are a lot of options for you. You can sell it online, hold a garage sale, turn to a consignment shop, refurbish, restore and reupholster it and the list goes on and on. See which one is suitable for you! 

Sell : 1. If your outdoor furniture happens to be in good condition you can sell it. After all, many people look for old furniture that's well maintained & will be quite happy to buy it for a very less price.

2. The garage sale is a great way of unloading furniture, which you need no longer. All you need to do is plan the sale several weeks before so that you don't have a problem putting advertisements online and in newspapers. You will also have to clean your outdoor furniture and make sure to talk over on the price. 

3. You can sell your outdoor furniture online. There are many online portals that will help you do so. But just remember one thing that everything needs to be done locally. 

4. When a furniture is taken to a consignment shop, a price will be put on it for it to be sold. Here the shop will take a small amount and give you the rest of it. 

Trade-In:This is a good option if you want to buy a new furniture but do not want to pay the entire price of it. In such a case, asking for a trade-in is the best option for you. There are a few furniture stores through which you can trade in your old antique outdoor furniture for credit towards the new one. 

Repurpose, refurbish, reupholster and restore : There is no such hard and fast rule which says that you have to use the furniture as it was intended. You can undoubtedly give it a new shape and look and use it for other purposes. Re-purposing, reupholstering and refurbishing the outdoor furniture is a good option. It can make the space look better and brighter and can even save you a lot of money on purchasing something new. Get in touch with Luxafoam North, if you're in look out for a company in Sydney that can help you with your upholstery job. 

Pass down : You can pass the antique outdoor furniture down to your other family member or close friend if they need one. This can be a good option for you as well as for them. You will have it among your own circle. But this would only be okay for you if you consider not taking money from the person you are giving to. 

Donate : Donating to a charity is also a good idea. There are several charities that may love to use the antique furniture that you gift it to them. Some may even sell it and use the money for their purpose. 

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Different Materials Used For Stuffing Furniture

Any upholstery project, be it DIY or professional, can breathe life into worn and tired looking furniture items if done properly. If one selects the right type of fabrics and materials, it would not be long before the upholstered item is restored back to its original state. However, there are several important factors involved in the overall process which must be taken care of meticulously. One such factor is the kind of material that will be used to stuff the furniture.

At present, there are three primary types of materials used by professional upholsterers in Sydney as stuffing for a wide range of furniture products:

Batting : 

Batting is commonly applied over the foam in cushions for preventing slippage and providing a sleek appearance. It is available in varying densities of up to ¼ inch and generally manufactured in two fabric types - cotton and wool. Cotton batting is quite durable and often used for upholstering headboards to give them a smooth look and feel. Wool batting, on the other hand, can be either layered or needled, with the former option being weaker than the latter.

Foam : 

Upholstery foam in Sydney is the most commonly utilised stuffing material that comes in varying densities which determine the quality and grade of different options. The ones labelled as high resilient (HR) are ideal to reduce sagging in couch cushions and make them more comfortable. Besides that, they are also resistant to fire and come tagged as FR to indicate that feature.

Animal Feathers & Hair : 

Using animal hair or feathers for stuffing furniture items is a very old upholstery technique that can often be found in antique pieces. The hair used is generally from tails or manes of horses. At times, the hair is even combined with cotton or wool for adding extra loft during restorations. In upscale items, hair is replaced with down and feather for providing more comfort.

In addition to batting, foam and down, there are pillow forms which often serve as padding for pillows. They are usually available in down, feather and polyester fillings. For serious projects, most experts prefer pillow forms with natural fillings.

The type of stuffing required generally depends on the upholstery project being worked on. For example, light use furniture pieces like footstools, headboards, etc. can be easily packed with low quality batting or cushion foam. On the other hand, seating, mattresses, etc. that undergo heavy usage must be upholstered with good quality stuffing.

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Outdoor Furniture Can Also Be Used Indoors - But Why?

Most people in Sydney purchase separate furniture items for indoor and outdoor purposes. However, many homeowners completely overlook the fact that whatever they are buying to place in their patio can also be kept within their living room. The idea can seem to be quite outlandish and awkward, but it has been given a thumbs-up by many furniture experts and professionals dealing with upholstery in Sydney. Why?

Given below are some of the most practical reasons:

Strong and Durable : 

If someone has kids in their house, then the idea is even more practical for them than anyone else. The daily activities of children are bound to cause damage to furniture items by ruining the fabric and upholstery. However, chairs and couches designed for the patio can easily withstand impacts and are often resistant to stains and spills. On top of that, they also require very low maintenance. All one needs to do is wipe the pieces occasionally to keep them clean.

Affordable : 

Most of us know very well that outdoor furniture items are relatively less expensive than their indoor counterparts. One can easily get a brand new patio set for the price of a traditional living room couch. Even high end options can be bought for 12 people to hang out comfortably without burning a hole in the pocket. Besides that, there are always sales to further lower the price.

Timeless Look : 

Outdoor furniture have a unique timeless appearance which can work well with almost any type of interior decor. For example, a white patio wicker would look great if placed inside a room with sandy brown walls. In other words, outdoor pieces are clean, basic and always ready to rock the interior of any home.

Easy To Move Around : 

Since patio furniture is generally lightweight, it can easily be moved whenever needed. This can prove to be highly beneficial when it comes to performing a throughout clean up job. Even the most inaccessible corners occupied by the furniture can be easily cleaned without requiring extra help for moving the furniture.

There is just one drawback of patio furniture - their affordability can sometimes mean that they would not have upholstery on them. However, that issue can be resolved as well. A homeowner can either follow a DIY procedure for upholstering patio furniture or get in touch with a professional upholstery company for getting the job done. Either way, the pieces would become comfortable enough to be used as efficient alternatives for indoor furniture anywhere within the house.

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Top Exterior Design Trends For 2016

With the evolution of new ideas for enhancing the exteriors of a house, mundane techniques of placing plants and furniture seem to be fading away quickly. People are starting to adopt a mountain of fresh trends for improving the aesthetic appeal of their garden, backyard and patio areas.

Let’s have a look at some exterior design trends that are going to be hot this year:

Appreciation of Subtlety Within Gardens : 

Nowadays, people do not want their gardens to be overly embellished. And this year, they are going to be head over heels for more subtle ranges of colours in the detailings of stone walls or delicate branching and intriguing edging patterns in landscapes. Besides that, residential gardens are also expected to feature simple and colourful display of florals with summer or spring hues.

Rethinking The Outdoor Experiences : 

This year, serious changes would be made in the ways patio areas are setup. People no longer want a space that allows them to just sit and dine outside. According to designing specialists, modern homeowners would be transforming patio spaces into conversation areas by incorporating innovative facilities such as a fire pits. Dealers of outdoor upholstery in Sydney are of the opinion that people would change their fabric choices for patio furniture.

Newer Lighting Schemes : 

Automated lights is expected to dominate the schemes of outdoor lighting in 2016, and LEDs are going to play a paramount role in making that happen. Since LEDs come in a plethora of systems and are essentially warm, they would be utilised in soft tones for highlighting various plant materials. They can also be arranged for lighting up a landscape for any special event or a holiday.

Manageable Maintenance : 

After working for several hours or having a busy weekend, most people do not have enough time for performing extensive maintenance work on their outdoor areas. As a result, low and manageable maintenance is anticipated to be big this year. That is why people would be appreciating hard wearing types of outdoor upholstery fabric, blooms that are easy to care for, multiseason florals, and so on. The aim would be following design principles that do not conflict with one’s busy schedule or necessitate extensive care.

Apart from the above mentioned primary exterior design trends, there are several other simple ideas that can be embraced by homeowners looking forward to improve their outdoor area. They include painting the house with a dramatic shade, integration of design in sustainable features, and so on.

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Vinyl - The Most Durable And Preferred Fabric For Your Boat's Upholstery

There are many suppliers of marine upholstery fabrics in Northern Beaches who supply different quality of materials to their clients. However if you are looking for one for your boat, you have to ensure that the upholstery fabric is made up of durable material. Since marine vessels are exposed to sunlight most of the time you will also need to be careful here.

You will find flotilla of marine upholstery fabrics present in the market but don't just go for anyone - you have to select them carefully. There are several things that you will need to consider before you buy one. You have to evaluate your budget, compare prices of different companies providing the marine upholstery fabric and so on. Remember when you select a fabric for your boat seat you should look out for resilience factor as well; this should never be neglected.

Vinyl is however the most preferred fabric for marine upholstery in Northern Beaches. It is regarded as the mainstream fabric and has been in limelight for several years, in the industry. It is available in a wide array of colours, sizes and shapes. It is easy to maintain and cleaning it does not take a long time. For years it has been preferred due to its feature of durability and ease of maintenance. This is in fact one of the main reasons why many boat owners generally select vinyl over other fabrics. Its durability is unprecedented and known to last for a long tenure in the marine fabric industry. 

But vinyl's usage in past few years has not only been limited to the marine industry. They are being used almost everywhere you cast your eyes on; at homes, offices, hospitals and automobile industry for years. 

Another good point about this upholstery fabric is that it can get disinfected easily and can be effortlessly wiped down. The fabric does not tear or get harmed easily but cleaning needs to be done carefully. 

The other reason why vinyl is preferred as an upholstery fabric in Northern Beaches is because of its low price and attractive look. In terms of its appearance, it has a resemblance with genuine leather products. And its price is also very low. 

This marine upholstery fabric is very much in demand also because of its diverse range of colours and texture. 

There are several custom boat seat manufacturers in Northern Beaches who will provide you with the best of services and help you find out the finest of material for your boats requirement.  

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How to Choose The Right Upholstery Foam

Most professionals involved in the upholstery business generally make use of polyurethane foam for providing padding to a wide range of furniture items like mattresses, couches, chairs, etc. Choosing the right type of upholstery foam is important. But the task of selection can feel overwhelming to an individual if they are not familiar with certain technical phrases used to describe the various grades and quality of foam. 

Given below are some tips that can be taken into account for choosing the right upholstery foam in Northern Beaches: 

Considering The Firmness : 

The first step towards picking top quality foam is inspecting the compression or firmness measurement of the product. The amount of firmness can suitably indicate purpose and quality. According to the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA), this test is called indentation load deflection (ILD) or indentation force deflection (IFD). Soft foams are best for back cushions and arms. High to medium firmness is ideal for couch cushions. 

Checking Density Rating : 

This one is a must for determining the quality of a foam. Higher the density rating, greater are the quality and price. The ratings suitable for use in upholstery generally lie between 1.8 and 3.2. They perform better even under continuous or repeated pressure, as in the case of sofa cushions subjected to regular usage.

Determining The Cells Type : 

The next important task is to make inquiries about how the cells are assembled in the foam that is being considered for purchase, that is, whether they are ‘closed’ or ‘open’. Open types can be a perfect choice if one needs to glue pieces together. On the other hand, close cells are more ideal for marine upholstery because they can stay afloat in water.

Choosing An Option With High Resiliency : 

High resilient (HR) foam is far more durable than any other types and therefore suitable for use in furniture items subjected to frequent usage. Sometimes, they are also treated to provide resistance against fire.

Selecting A Suitable Thickness : 

Thickness of the foam has to be chosen keeping in mind the item which will be upholstered. A thickness of 10 to 15 centimetres is enough for sofa and chair cushions. That figure is, however, lesser for cushions of dining chairs, either less than or up to 10 centimetres.

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Two Best Upholstery Choices For Pet Owners

If you are a pet owner, you have to be very careful when choosing an upholstery fabric. You need to opt for a fabric that has a long durability. Pets like cat and dogs often cause unwanted damages that include scratches and claw marks, furs clinging on the upholstery, stains from excretion or throwing up and other dirt marks.

It is better to train your pets in order to avoid such kind of incidents. Using durable products can also aid in protecting your valuables from undesirable damage. Otherwise, you can simply select pet-friendly fabrics for upholstery. To make sure that you pick the right material, you can appoint or take suggestions from a professional dealing with upholstery in Sydney. Your best bet would be to avoid light coloured and low textured fabrics. Given below are some options which you can use as an upholstery fabric in your house.

Leather: Leather is the best covering option to choose if you want your upholstery to survive claw marks. It has the resistance power to stand up against the pet's behaviour. Its smooth surface does not allow pet hair to stick with the furniture like sofa. As a result, it remains clean and clear. It is also easy to maintain and comes in different colour options with different price points. If you face any kind of problem in cleaning the leather fabric, make sure that you hire a professional to take care of the maintenance work. 

Microfibre: This fibre is a lot like leather, but manufactured using a synthetic fabric. Selecting this fabric can be prudent because it can be cleaned easily using water and a little soap as per the cleaning procedures of the manufacturer.  Besides that, microfibre is much more affordable than leather. It comes in many colour options as well. The best quality of this fabric is that it does not allow your pet's claw to get caught into it. Thus there will be no loops in it. It also does not hold back the furs of pet animals. 

The above mentioned fabrics are the best upholstery option for all pet owners. So, if you are a pet owner always try to avoid heavy, woollen and nubby textured fabric. Use simple and soft fabrics in order to protect your upholstered furniture.

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Factors to Consider While Buying An Upholstered Sofa

When planning to buy a new upholstered sofa for your living room, you must be aware of certain factors that will help you to make the right choice while hopping from one furniture shop to another. Given below are some tips you can use while purchasing an upholstered sofa:

• Check The Framework :A sturdy framework is the key to a durable furniture, be it an upholstered sofa or a simple wooden chair. The market is flooded with inexpensive options like pine, but they may start to wrap or teeter after some years. Sofas having a frame made with hardwood such as beech, oak or ash can be costly, but they would make your investment worthwhile. Check the legs of the product you are considering and make sure that they are either connected via pegs and screws or a part of the mainframe. 
  

• Inspect The Joinery :While at the furniture shop, request for a written manufacturer’s information about the joinery of the sofa you wish to buy. Wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks, double wooden dowels or metal brackets and screws are all signs of a strong joinery.
  

• Select A Good Fabric :Cotton, synthetic microfibre, linen, leather and wool are some durable as well as commonly preferred fabric options for upholstery in Sydney. Cotton and linen would generally be your best bet, but they can snag if woven loosely. Therefore, take that into account while choosing the fabric. Synthetic microfibre can resist stain and dirt. If you are willing to spend some more money, then go for wool or leather. They might be expensive, but would pay back well in the long run.
  

• Examine The Springs :Rest yourself on any corner of the sofa in a seated position and listen for creaky or squeaky sounds. If you can hear that kind of noise, it means that the springs are either getting pressed against the frame or have not been installed properly. A good sofa will have the springs placed in close proximity of each other. Do not purchase a sofa devoid of springs, it would feel very uncomfortable and flimsy.
  
  
  

If the above mentioned tips are followed properly, your hunt for a suitable sofa would be far less overwhelming.

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Marine Upholstery in Northern Beaches

Marine upholstery typically involves providing boats, schooners, steamers and other types of marine vessels with protective padding, webbing, fabric or leather covers. It requires the material that is water resistant, UV ray resistant and one that withstands hard usage. A vinyl material that has been pre-treated for resistance against UV is generally preferable. The main aim of marine upholstery is to keep the water out and prevent it from entering the boat or damaging the wood. Even the wood chosen for making boats is of such quality that it can effectively repel the atrocities of different elements in the waters. Stainless steel hardware such as staples and screws are used so that the materials can tolerate wear and tear over a long period of time. Usually high density foam with a thin sheet of plastic is used to keep water out of the seams, and zippers made of nylon are employed to ensure waterproofing.

Marine upholstery also includes the cushions and beddings inside a boat, that make it both comfortable and waterproof. These include cockpit cushions, exterior and interior upholstery, interior curtains, cushions, foredeck cushions, etc. All these need to be of top quality if they are to stand the test of time. 

If you are looking for a marine upholstery solution that is world class, Luxafoam has a lot of great options for you. Their Enduro range of Dunlop foams are flame retardant and treated with Ultra Fresh, which helps control the growth of mildew and bacteria and eliminate odour. Their Dunlop Dry Flow foams drain away or reticulate the water they come into contact with. When used in combination with suitable fabrics, such as outdoor materials that have been open-weaved and a base of mesh, the cushions would dry out quickly and effectively, thus providing the superior performance and comfort for the years to come. The foam can be bought in sheets, and is also made available in options that can be cut to any shape or size that might be needed.

Luxafoam also specialises in customised seat covers for the V-berths, seating areas and cockpits.

To get more information about Dunlop foams sold by the firm, you need to get in touch with Rob, who has many years of useful experience in dealing with marine upholstery in Northern Beaches and an extensive knowledge of all the foam products.

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How To Care For Your Boat

Boat owners often hunt for ways that they can use for keeping their marine vessels in good condition for a long time and protect the valuable investment. Regular maintenance is an important part of the upkeep process. Let us take a look at some of the basics for keeping that schooner of yours functional for a prolonged period.

Rinsing With Water :

If your boat travels in saline water more often, make sure that you give it a freshwater bath after every trip. Do not forget to clean any residue of salt left behind on its exterior entirely, because they can corrode the surface finish. During the task, make use of soft sponges and wash the deck, sides, hardtops and exterior fibreglass thoroughly. Rinse the canvas covers, if any, using appropriate fabric cleaners. Dry the interiors before closing up the boat, because trapped moisture can cause mildew growth and formation of rust.

Protecting The Upholstery :

In order to protect marine upholstery in Sydney from damage, treat them from time to time using commercial vinyl treatment solutions or cleaners. Wipe down the seatings with a damp cloth for eliminating salt and dirt. If there is any kind of mildew growth, clean it immediately using a mixture of ammonia and water and a medium brush. Apply wax on the seats to prevent color fading due to the UV rays. If you notice that the seats have become ratty in appearance, it would be better to get them replaced. You can either do the job of replacing vinyl upholstery of the boat seats by yourself or call in a professional to handle the task.

Flush The Engine :

If your boat is dry stored or tailored boat, recognise the fact that you need to flush traces of salt and other impurities from the cooling system using freshwater. However, make sure you do the task by following the user’s manual of the boat. You may also require to wash the sterndrive or outboard. Spraying corrosion inhibitors on the drives and engine can be a good idea, but do so as per the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Clean The Windows :

The interior as well as exterior surface of the windows in your boat will have to be cleaned using commercial cleaning agents. If they are not available, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water instead. Apply the solution on the surface of the windows and then wipe gently using a dry cloth.

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