Tips To Puppy Proof Your Pool & Backyard

Tips To Puppy Proof Your Pool & Backyard

A new puppy is a real joy. Bringing fun and bundles of love to any household, you probably can’t wait to bring your new furry friend home. However, there is so much to consider before you even get your puppy back to your house; what food they will need, where they will sleep, and how you will train them.

One of the main considerations you should make as a dog owner is ensuring that your pooch is safe in all parts of your home – and this is especially important when it comes to the outside space. This is also a vital thing to think about if you happen to be bringing home a cat or kitten.

Read on to discover how best to pet-proof your backyard and pool area!

Swimming Pool With Glass Pool Fence — Frameless Shower Installations in Maroochydore, QLD

Plants

If you grow plants in your garden, you may find yourself concerned about how to keep them safe from a rambunctious dog or cat. Dogs especially are programmed to dig, so your best bet is to avoid exposed soil, and to put up low borders or barriers around plants. While this might not keep a cat out, it should keep a puppy at bay.

You should also consider what plants you are growing. Some can be poisonous to animals, so check ahead of time and remove any that could pose a danger to your pet, and be careful about what you plant going forward.

Fencing

The last thing you want is for your dog to escape into the neighbourhood, where traffic and other dogs could pose a threat, not to mention those who might steal your pup. Make sure that you install adequate fencing before you let your dog out into your backyard. You should check your existing fencing to ensure that there are no gaps in it – even a small sliver of space can be an escape route for a determined dog. Secure the bottom part of the fencing to keep them from digging their way out.

When doing this, also think about how high dogs can jump. A fence might be adequate at the bottom, but dogs can jump quite high and you may need a taller fence to keep them inside safely. This will also depend on the breed, so do your research.

Pool

Securing your pool so that your dog or cat cannot go for any unexpected swims is essential. Not only can this be dangerous to your pet, but it can contaminate your pool. While you might balk at the idea of putting up a fence around your pool and ruining the look of your stylish backyard, don’t worry. There is a perfect solution.

Glass pool fencing will keep pets away from your pool while still looking incredibly attractive. This allows you to keep your backyard looking great, while you can relax knowing your dogs and cats are safe from taking an unplanned dip.

Get in touch

If you want your outdoor pool to be safe from your furry friend (and vice versa!), then get in touch with Frameless Glass Installations. We provide beautiful and functional glass pool fencing for all types of pools and homes, so let us know how we can help you.

Why Winter Is The Perfect Time To Get New Pool Fencing

Why Winter Is The Perfect Time To Get New Pool Fencing

If you’re lucky enough to have a pool, there’s no doubt that it will be getting used in the hottest parts of the year to help cope with the intense Australian summer. If you’re thinking about upgrading your pool fencing, you want to do it at a time when you’re not using your pool a lot. Take a look at why winter is the perfect time to get new pool fencing.

Modern Swimming Pool With Glass Fence — Frameless Shower Installations in Maroochydore, QLD

It won’t interfere with outdoor activities

With Australian summers easily reaching the 30s and 40s almost every single day, your home pool is likely to be well used over the summer months. The last thing you and your family want is construction work interfering with your swimming and relaxing. This is why winter is the perfect time to think about getting a new pool fence.

You can get better prices

You are likely to get a much better price on your new pool fence if you decide to get it put up in winter. It comes down to supply and demand. Because spring and summer tend to be popular for pool fence remodelling, contractors will raise their prices accordingly.

The costs for materials are also higher, which can account for the higher costs that are passed along to the consumer. During winter, however, not only are the prices of materials significantly lower, but many contractors will lower their prices to try and increase their business during the offseason. For anyone wanting to get new pool fencing, this makes winter the perfect time.

It will be ready for summer

Construction of any kind can be a lengthy process. If you start the construction on your new fence in the warmer months, you might not be able to use your pool until the fence is finished and will then have to wait for winter to pass as well. This could potentially put your pool out of use for a large portion of the year. If you get your fence constructed in winter, it should be finished just in time for the beginning of summer.

You can beat the rush

While pool fencing can be completed at any time of the year, a lot of people opt to get theirs done in spring and summer. Because of this, many contractors are booked to capacity and may not be able to take your job, or you could potentially have to wait longer than normal for your fence to be finished. Beat the rush and avoid the masses by organising your new pool fencing in winter. While others are rushing to book in contractors, your beautiful new fence will already be completed.

If you are planning on installing a new pool fence soon, we highly recommend getting it done in winter. Not only will you save yourself money, but your pool fence will be completed and ready to use by the time summer rolls around again and your pool gets put to good use. For help with your new pool fence, why not give us a call on 07 5479 0003? We’re looking forward to starting the project.

4 Cleaning Tips for Glass Balustrades and Pool Fencing

4 Cleaning Tips for Glass Balustrades and Pool Fencing

Many people assume that having glass balustrades or a pool fence will involve lots of intensive cleaning. Surprisingly, glass fencing is actually fairly low-maintenance and doesn’t require work like painting that’s needed for other types of fences.

The glass panels are fitted above ground, and this means the glass doesn’t attract a build-up of dirt or dust around the bottom of the panels. To keep your glass balustrades or pool fencing in fantastic condition, we’ve put together some cleaning tips.

Door in glass pool fence

Keep up Regular Cleaning

You’ll need to keep up with regular cleaning, and we recommend cleaning the glass roughly every 10 weeks. It’s best not to use normal glass cleaners on this type of glass; instead, the best option is just warm water and dish soap. Apply soapy water to the glass using a sponge or soft microfiber cloth and then rinse off with a hose. Any leftover water can be removed with a squeegee, or alternatively, the panels can be left to air dry.

Tackle Stubborn Spots

For stubborn marks that soapy water can’t remove, don’t use extra-strength cleaning products. The best choice is a 50/50 solution made from water and vinegar. Apply this solution to the stubborn areas and the marks should come away with ease. Again, any leftover liquid can be easily removed with a squeegee.

If you’re really struggling to get rid of stains, applying the solution with a piece of screwed up newspaper is a smart technique. This helps to buff away the stain without leaving scratches or abrasions.

Cleaning the Railings

Glass balustrades will certainly have metal railings attached, and your pool fence may also have railings or metal posts attached to it if you’ve chosen a framed design. To keep your fence or balustrades looking fantastic, it’s important not to neglect the metal parts of the fence. Fortunately, they’re easy to take care of and can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth or sponge.

Methyl-based mineral spirits are a good option for removing any stubborn stains on the metal parts of your balustrade or fence without causing any damage to their powder coating.

Regularly Check your Fencing

The longer you leave dirt or stains to accumulate, the harder it’ll be when you get round to cleaning or maintaining your pool fence or glass balustrades. Regularly keep an eye on the condition of the glass, particularly if it’s an outdoor pool fence that might be hit with stains like bird droppings.

Tackle problems like this promptly to prevent them from becoming harder to deal with later on.

Get in Touch

If you’re looking for exceptional framed and frameless glass pool fences and glass balustrades on the Sunshine Coast, contact Frameless Glass Installations today. Our team has 15 years of experience supplying high-quality glass products, including pool fences and frameless shower screens.

Our wealth of knowledge makes us the Sunshine Coast’s local specialists for anything glass. Get in touch to find out more.

Kitchen Renovation? Why Glass Splashbacks Should Be Installed In Every Modern Kitchen

Kitchen Renovation? Why Glass Splashbacks Should Be Installed In Every Modern Kitchen

The heart of the home, your kitchen, doesn’t just need to look good; it also needs to function well. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, it’s well worth considering installing a glass splashback as part of the refurbishment process. A glass splashback is a solid piece of glass that’s installed on the walls adjacent to, and behind, the cooker. Its purpose is to catch any splashes or spills from the cooking process, preventing them from reaching the wall. Read on to discover five good reasons why glass splashbacks should be installed in every modern kitchen.

Kitchen with mirror splashback

Adding value to your kitchen and home

Glass splashbacks are timeless home improvements that add aesthetic and functional value to your kitchen. Glass is a highly durable material that needs minimal maintenance to stay looking good for decades. A hallmark of quality and versatile enough to suit any decor, if you want to add value to your kitchen (and even enhance the value of your property when you come to sell it), glass splashbacks are a good investment.

Protecting your walls

Unfortunately, removing food stains from paintwork is a challenging task. If you don’t install a splashback, your paintwork will usually need to be wiped over every time your cooker is used. This not only creates a significant amount of additional work, but it’s also almost inevitable that your paintwork will suffer. Glass splashbacks protect your walls, allowing your decor to show without compromising its integrity.

Adding beauty and style to your kitchen

Glass is a beautiful material that reflects light wonderfully well. Suitable for both modern and more traditional kitchens, glass splashbacks look stunning and can really brighten up a wall. Splashback panels are a modern alternative to tiling that can update your kitchen instantly.

Making cleaning easier and more effective

Who wants to spend hours cleaning discoloured grouting? Because glass splashbacks consist of a single panel, they’re very easy to clean. They’re also an even surface, which is more hygienic than the uneven surface that a tiled splashback presents. Glass requires no specialist cleaning, simply wipe over with a damp cloth and buff to complete the job. Occasionally, a proprietary glass cleaner will be needed for stubborn stains or baked-on grime.

An installation that's built to last

Glass will last literally centuries! A long-lasting and green alternative to tiles or plastic, glass is extremely durable. It’s also immune to high temperatures, UV light or the effects of moisture. Glass doesn’t absorb substances easily, which means any splashes can be easily wiped away, leaving the glass in pristine, as-new condition. The lack of deterioration means that many people find that their glass splashbacks look nearly as good in a decade or two as they did when first installed.

If you’re completing the plans for your new kitchen, the addition of glass splashbacks could deliver a selection of benefits. Suitable for any home, they’re a great way to enhance the value and visual appeal of your kitchen’s interior.

Contact the experts

If you’re considering installing a glass splashback in your home on the Sunshine Coast, contact the professionals at Frameless Shower Installations by calling 07 5479 0003 today.

Benefits of Glass Shower Screens vs. Perspex Screens and Shower Curtains

Benefits of Glass Shower Screens vs. Perspex Screens and Shower Curtains

5 reasons why you'll be glad you chose a glass shower screen

Your initial outlay for a glass shower screen may be higher than for other options such as perspex screens or simple shower curtains, but in the long run, a glass shower screen will pay for itself many times over. Here are some of the benefits of glass shower screens over perspex screens or even shower curtains.

Glass shower screen - Sunshine Coast

1. Appearance

A glass shower screen simply looks better. The newer frameless and semi-frameless shower screens add a touch of class to your bathroom, making it appear bigger and brighter. With regular cleaning, the glass remains clear and sparkling, whereas perspex shower screens can very quickly graze and become dull with age. Shower curtains can look very untidy and even ugly too, particularly if they become mouldy due to infrequent cleaning.

2. Easy to clean

Glass is easy to clean and is quite forgiving even of the strongest cleaning agents. A quick wipe-down of a glass shower screen will usually have it looking clean and bright in no time. In comparison, perspex shower screens can be badly affected by bathroom cleaners and will break down if not treated with care. Shower curtains must be removed completely and washed, either by hand or in the washing machine.

3. Durability

A glass shower screen can last a lifetime if correctly installed and maintained. Shower screens use tempered glass, which is a treatment that is used to make them stronger. This type of glass is also shatter- and scratch-resistant, which means that it’s safe and long-lasting. In comparison, a perspex shower screen can scratch very easily. Although perspex is a type of plastic, it can still fracture, creating jagged edges that can be very sharp. At the bottom of the durability scale, shower curtains may last a few months to a few years, depending on the material they are made from. All shower curtains attract mould, and the only way to remove it is to take the shower curtain down and soak or wash it. Sometimes the mould leaves permanent stains, at which time the shower curtain must be replaced.

4. Light and space

When you hang a shower curtain in your bathroom, it immediately creates a barrier in the room and takes up more space, making it seem smaller and darker. In contrast, a glass shower screen allows light to flow through and around it, creating a feeling of space. This is particularly important for smaller bathrooms, which may seem cramped and dark when you add in a shower curtain. Even perspex shower screens can let less light into the bathroom as the perspex dulls over time.

5. Comfort, stability and quality

Nobody likes the feeling of the shower curtain sticking to their legs when trying to have a shower. Glass shower screens eliminate this problem, as do perspex shower screens. But a solid glass shower screen provides a feeling of stability and quality that perspex just can’t offer. With their much lighter weight, perspex screens feel flimsy in comparison, and don’t offer the high-quality look and feel that a glass shower screen does.

Get a quality glass shower screen

For high quality shower screens on the Sunshine Coast, contact Frameless Shower Installations today by calling 07 5479 0003.