If you’re nervous about buying these fixtures online, you need not be. Many retailers offer a wide variety of selections at deep discounted rates – lots of times with free shipping! Products are usually shipped within a few days (or a few weeks if a specialty, made-to-order item). In the unfortunate event that any item arrives defective or broken, you can easily return or request a replacement fixture.

Each of these retailers are featured because of their selection of contemporary models, excellent customer service, and special savings offered to customers. If you’re remodeling on a budget or simply a price-savvy consumer, shopping for outdoor ceiling fans online may literally save you hundreds of dollars. But the first step on the road to savings is to know exactly where to shop!

Lighting By Gregory
The brick-and-mortar location for Lighting by Gregory has been part of the famed Lighting District of Manhattan for over a quarter of century. One of its claims to fame include being named as “Best Lighting Store” by New York Magazine. You will find a variety of contemporary and traditional lighting fixtures at Lighting By Gregory from bathroom lighting to home decor to torchieres. Their inventory also includes a wide variety of ceiling fans. Simply choose one of its featured styles (contemporary, traditional, tropical, or transitional), and you’re one step closer to finding the perfect fan for your outdoor space. Be careful before you buy because there isn’t a quick link for indoor vs. outdoor models on the website. You want to make sure that your fan is damp- or wet-listed if you plan on mounting outdoors.

Lamps Plus
Established in 1976, Lamps Plus is also far from a newcomer in the industry. Lamps Plus prides itself as the nation’s largest specialty lighting company with brick-and-mortar locations found primarily in the Western United States. The website itself is easy to navigate. Again, be careful, while outdoor ceiling fans are listed, they are not separated from indoor models. You want to be certain that your chosen fan is damp- or wet-rated to be suitable for outdoor conditions.

If there are any questions, there is a live chat service where you can instantly connect with a customer service agent. You can even use the personal callback service where you leave your name and number to be contacted by customer service. You can easily compare styles and prices across models by adding to your “portfolio.” And lastly, if there is not a ceiling fan that suits your fancy, try the “Design Your Own Fan” feature by choosing motor size and type, custom fan blades, light kit for a one-of-a-kind model that perfectly fits your space.

Want to save hundreds of dollars on outdoor ceiling fans? Please visit Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans for the best featured models from major retailers. Be sure to check out the buying guide for links to discounts to buy outdoor ceiling fans for less!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

The shipping containers are stacked, painted and customized to form the outer structure of the houses. Glass ceilings, walls and windows add light and give the structures a very bright and airy look.

The Shelburne Museum, located in Vermont, features a Collectors House designed by interior designer Albert Hadley and architect Adam Kalkin. It was created by using 3 overseas shipping crates that make a very striking house. The building features glass garage doors, a large patio area, living space, bedrooms and a full sized kitchen.

Adam Kalkin has designed houses out of shipping containers before, but his last one is actually a luxury dwelling for the rich. He unveiled his creation at the Art Basel Miami Beach art show in December 2005 and the attendants were surprised to see lavish furnishings and a beautifully designed interior inside a shipping container. The project has the interesting title of “Push-Button House” because it can be loaded in the back of a truck to be moved and it opens up like a Murphy bed to expose the interior.

Jennifer Seigal is another architect that uses shipping containers to create beautiful living spaces. One example is the Seatrain house she built for real estate developer Richard Carlson, equipped with all utilities and featuring an indoor fountain. She indicates that these houses are much less costly to build than the traditional ones, and that they are very modern looking and can be customized to the individual needs of the buyer.

While the use of shipping containers for shelter is not new, the thought of making architectural statements and unique creations is. Architects strive to create a feeling of openness, light and beauty using the prefab shipping containers as the foundation.

Although his Push-Button house is only an experimental project, Mr. Kalkin has built houses that he intends to make available to the public, like his Quik House. He currently has orders for ten. These modern prefab houses are made from five shipping containers and are then loaded on a truck and delivered to the buyer. It takes less than a week to reassemble them on location. The Quik House sells for between 150 to 175 thousand dollars, depending on the distance to deliver the house and the options that the client chooses. There are many different options, including mahogany sliding doors and a full stainless steel kitchen.

In addition to this deluxe version of a prefab home Mr. Kalkin is also planning on selling a single shipping container living space called an A-Pod. This will be equivalent to a studio apartment, and will sell for under $100,000.00.

Humanitarian issues

Most architects have noted that the prefab shipping container habitat is ideal for setting up in emergency situations and for humanitarian needs. These very structurally sound and durable homes can be moved easily on the back of trucks and can be loaded and unloaded numerous times with no damage or need for repairs. They can be moved virtually anywhere there is a road and it is easy to hook up plumbing and electrical connections to the outside of the shipping container.

They are very dry, leak resistant and easy to care for. They can be insulated to keep out the cold and, despite being metal, are reported to be easy to cool even in hot climates. The shipping container homes are virtually fire resistant and can be easily cleaned or painted if necessary.

While a shipping container home may not have been an option you had previously considered, it might be something to ponder in the future. The sky is the limit to using your imagination in designing your very own low cost prefab home.

Cornelia Myers believes that shipping containers can make viable and comfortable houses. Visit http://www.Shipping-Container-Housing.com to find out how to build a house from shipping containers and how much it costs and to learn more about the companies that provide design services for shipping container housing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cornelia_Myers

So, what is teak?

Teak is a deciduous tropical hardwood that is native to the south and southeast of Asia. There are three types of teak: common teak, daphat teak, and Philippine teak. The latter two are endangered, so you most certainly do not want to have any teak outdoor furniture made from them! Common teak, though, is yet to be considered endangered, and it is still a fine material for teak outdoor furniture, among other things. Fortunately, the popularity of teak has led to more sustainable production.

What other things is teak used for besides teak outdoor furniture?

First and foremost, teak was and is used as a material on ships. This is interesting, because teak does not actually float very well. In fact, when teak is being logged down, they cannot float it down the river like you can do with other logs. Rather, elephants would drag it out and stack it!

Obviously, teak is not a popular material in shipping because of its great flotation properties. Rather, it is used because it is easy to work with, resists decay, and can help prevent rust on metal that it is in contact with.

Teak is also used for teak outdoor furniture, too, of course, and it is used for fairly similar reasons. Because of the natural oils in teak, it is highly resistant to all weather conditions and it can also resist insect (termites, etc.) attacks. In other words, teak is perfect for practically all outdoor uses.

Therefore, it is used not just for teak outdoor furniture, but also for doors and window panes in India, as well as many other things.

Should you buy teak outdoor furniture for yourself?

Teak is a wonderful material for outdoor furniture that will last a lifetime (or more if properly cared for). Of course, the cost of teak outdoor furniture reflects this. So, whether or not it is worth it to you to empty out your wallet on a set of teak outdoor furniture is totally up to you.

Outdoor furniture made from other woods can be just as stylish, and it can even last almost as long when properly cared for. The choice is up to you.

If you do buy teak outdoor furniture, you will not regret it, though!

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on outdoor furniture, please visit Outdoor Garden Furniture and Outback Patio

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke