Home elevators are specially designed for use in apartments and private homes for personal use. In most cases, these elevators are installed for older adults in the house who have difficulties in climbing stairs. Individuals with mobility issues will also find such home elevators very useful. Many also install home elevators as a lifestyle statement or to increase the value of their house. Unlike commercial elevators, home elevators have different designs in terms of style and size, which are more suited for residential properties. Here are the three most common types of home elevators to be found in the market:

• Hydraulic elevators: This type of elevator is powered by the pumping of hydraulic fluid through a valve to a cylinder located in the hydraulic arm of the elevator. Pressure is generated by the fluid forcing a piston in the mechanism to move upward. The movement of the piston pushes the elevator up. Most hydraulic elevators require more space than other types of elevators for set up and installation. Homeowners have to create a separate machine room if they want a hydraulic cable elevator in their house. Moreover, this type of elevator requires regular maintenance and servicing, which can make them more expensive than the other types of elevators.
• Chain elevators: These elevators use counterweights for balance and are operated using chains. A toothed flywheel is located at the top of the elevator. The chain goes over the flywheel and through the counterweights located at the bottom. The flywheel is turned by a geared motor that is located at the top of the shaft of the elevator. This motor powers the elevator to move up and down. Since a chain lasts for nearly 20 years, chain elevators are more cost-effective as compared to cable elevators that last for hardly 5 years.
• Pneumatic elevators: Also known as PVE, pneumatic vacuum elevators are the latest innovations in elevator technology. These elevators use a vacuum system and do not require counterweights, pistons, chains, and cables. There are no machine rooms or pits required for setting up or the installation of this type of elevator. The elevator is placed in a tube-shaped cab, and it is self-supported. The elevator is powered by a system of air pressure, turbines, and pumps. These move the elevator up and down. PVEs are usually noisier than the other types of elevators.

Tags: home elevators

Garden or outdoor places such as pools have been places of relaxation and leisure. It is that place in a house where one would want to sit under the sun or have a Sunday brunch along with friends. However, it is no wonder that by then furniture would also evolve to accommodate such places. Furniture that is used to decorate these spaces is often called outdoor furniture or patio furniture. In this article, we’ll be discussing how to make your patio comfortable, no less than your living room. The key to comfort is not just the kind of furniture you choose, but also the kind of patio furniture and the seat cushions for the same needs o complement them.

Material

A patio can be done up as comfortably as any other space in the house, and just as stylistically. The key to an elegant patio space lies in understanding how you want it to look, and then getting the right kind of furniture. A patio should always be done up in a way that uses maximum outdoor light, never losing sight of the fact that if the weather turns for worse one might have to leave it there. In that case, you would not want to choose material that cannot withstand daily wear-and-tear. Patio furniture with comfortable seat cushions is what makes all the difference. They brighten up the outdoor space of your home, which is also are easily removable and come in a wide variety. Imagine splashes of numerous colors and patterns you can experiment with. You can choose from a wide variety of textures that are available at large in the market, or get one of your own choosing and have that tailor-made. Also, goes without saying, while choosing cushion fabric one should always opt for weather-resistant ones which last from season to season.

Size

Always remember that when it comes to seat cushions of the patio furniture, the size and the material is an important feature to be considered before buying. Most often, people make the mistake of choosing seat cushions for the patio furniture without taking note of the correct measurements. The wrong seat cushion can be uncomfortable, and this will not solve the purpose of having a patio furniture. The outdoor chair and seat cushions should not only fit the size of your patio furniture but also the shape: an oval seat cushion goes for a sofa but not for a chair, but if it is any bigger than half the size of your back, then it fits well for a lounge than a sofa. It is better to always get a proper measurement before settling for something. The better the fit of the seat cushions, better is the comfort level of the patio furniture.

Types

There are different kinds of seat cushions for different purposes of the patio furniture. Often, these depend on the capacity of the patio space, or the kind of furniture one chooses for it. A lounge cushion seat is usually apt for Sunday naps than sofa cushions, which are more useful for a group of a people to sit and have brunch or have a small get together. Another way to make a patio space more comfortable is to put up outdoor pillows, which you can almost put up on any hard surface that’s outside. They’re easily moveable, and a treat for the back while you spend hours talking about your favorite recipe or author. However, it is useful to keep certain distinctions in mind. Smaller square pillows go better with a sofa whereas bolster pillows are useful for chairs and provide relaxation in case of long hours of sitting. If bench cushions and outdoor seat cushions do the job, ottoman cushions paired with proper backrest, or chaise lounge seat cushions are the ultimate deal as long as the requirement of the patio furniture is comfortable and at the same time solves its purpose.

The invention of the electric blankets is a technological advancement that has made life easy for millions across the country. Some people wonder if electric blankets are worth considering. They can come in handy if you always feel cold or when you want the additional warmth. A simple warm blanket might not provide you with the comfort and cushiony feel of electric blankets. Yes, there are wires, but the heating that the electric blanket provides you is worth it. Most manufacturers provide you with reliable electric blankets that are safe to use. Earlier, there used to be a problem of overheating, which has been curbed in the latest electric blankets in the market now. In addition, extra features have made electric blankets all the more sophisticated and safe for use. Here are our top picks.

Best electric blankets in the market

Velvet Plush Heated Blanket by Sunbeam

This top-rated product is soft and cushiony. It heats quickly and has the ability to automatically adjust as per your ideal temperature. The blanket comes with impressive 20 heat settings and an automatic on/off setting. The dual control helps you and your partner choose your setting separately as per your need. The blanket is dryer and washer safe.

MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket by Biddeford

This heated blanket comes with 10 heat settings. It automatically shuts down after 10 hours to ensure maximum saving. You can select your ideal temperature and the blanket will consistently remain at that level. It heats quickly and comes with a digital display that makes it convenient. The temperature range is vast. You can wash the blanket in your washing machine.

Microfleece Low Voltage Electric Blanket by SoftHeat

This is the best energy-saving blanket in the market now as it utilizes only  25 volts. The king- and queen-size blankets come with dual controls that are easy to understand. Due to the placement of the wiring, even heating takes place. There is preheat function, but it takes a longer time to heat. Their blankets are wash and dryer safe.

Luxury Plush Warming Blanket by Serta

This product helps you save energy too. It uses low-voltage mechanism. There is a backlit display that helps you adjust when it is dark. The wires are fitted well and are thin. This ensures you do not feel the wires when you pull over the blanket. This helps you sleep peacefully without any disturbance. There is a preheat option as well.

Best Electric Blanket Throws

Listed below are some of the latest and best throws available in the market today.

Microplush Heated Throw by Sunbeam

This throw is made with a plush polyester that is extremely soft. It has the ability to keep you warm for a little longer even when you turn the heating off. It comes with three levels of settings: low, medium, and high. It shuts off after 3 hours. It is available in 18 colors and performs marvelously. It is easy to use and comes with ThermoFine Warming mechanism.

Reversible Heated Throw by Sunbeam

This heated throw by Sunbeam helps you stay cozy on your couch. The throw is extremely fluffy and soft. It has a heat sensing methodology of knowing when to adjust the temperature. The cord measures 6 feet, which is helpful if you have power source far from your sofa. The top of the throw is made of mink, while the lower part is made of sherpa. When selecting electric blankets and throws you need to consider its usage and the type. While most blankets do come in various sizes, others might be limited. If you do not intend to use them for long, it is better to reconsider splurging a lot. However, always choose quality electric blankets so that you get to sleep comfortably with consistent warmth all through the night. Sunbeam’s blankets and throws are known for their fantastic performance which makes them great. Warm up your winter night with any of these quality products and give yourself a refreshing sleep.

The discipline of product management (PM) has evolved into an increasingly popular one across businesses. Drawing on all three fields of marketing, design, and engineering, PM is essentially an interdisciplinary process that reaches across teams to design and plan in such a way that uninterruptedly brings better products to the market. Listed below are the important steps in the PM process: Market study and portfolio: Firstly, depending on in-depth market and business analysis, marketing executives pass on the information to the business development team. An official market study takes place and a portfolio is built as per the research. Appointment of product manager: Product managers play an integral role in any product-based companies. They are the ones who interact with clients and gather their requirements for the product to be made. The product manager is the single point of contact of the company with the client. Contract signing: A contract is signed between the development company and the client. Commencement of contract: Once the product manager brings all the requirements to the in-house team, the respective development and project teams are formed. Every engineering team will have a technical leader assigned and will be reporting to individual engineering managers. A project manager or project management office assigns a point of contact to the project who will be tracking the statuses and report the progress to the product manager. Beginning the work: An office project begins once the teams have formed and have divided the responsibilities accordingly. The product manager is constantly in touch with both the development teams and the customer to keep everyone on the same page in terms of expectations and requirements. An intermittent progress report is shared with the customer as to how the team is progressing with building the product. If the client is concerned about the tools being used in the process of building the product, they will specify it during the contracts negotiation. The security and copyright of the product will be two major criteria for any releases as they will hold customer or project details. Product clearing: Once the product is built, it would go through a rigorous process of clearing security requirements internally and then will be approved to release to the client or market in case of generic software. Logistics: For the ordering process, a logistics team, such as supply chains and shipping teams, are set up after the product is ready for an official release. Once after the product is released, there will be regular upgrades and patches planned in order to keep the product up-to-date from the security and functionality perspective.

The truck covers are highly beneficial. You can use them to safeguard your truck cargo and keep them protected from inclement weather conditions. The truck covers are highly versatile. They prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris. Apart from that, your transported goods remain protected from thefts and other intrusions. You can get a good gas mileage and keep your trucks in great condition with the truck bed covers. Since the truck covers require huge investments, it is essential to have a proper knowledge before proceeding to purchase. It is mandatory to make a well-informed purchasing decision. If you want to buy truck bed covers, you must keep in mind some considerations. It is essential to choose the best truck cover for the trucks. The type of truck cover you buy depends on the type and style of truck cover you want, the money you want to invest any kind of usage activities for the truck. When buying the truck cover make sure the truck bed cover you buy fits the size, make and model of the truck. It is advised to measure the truck bed before buying the truck bed cover to get an appropriate estimate of the required truck cover. You must always look for retractable truck bed covers which can be easily folded, rolled and retracted depending on the usage. This is one of the prime features you must consider when buying the truck covers. If you plan to spend less money to buy the truck cover you can buy the roll-up covers. The rolls up covers are fabricated using the soft vinyl material. They can be rolled easily and can be clamped into a single location. Well, those with limited budgets can make the ideal choice of choosing the roll-up covers. Soft and hard folding truck bed covers are some of the other recommendations if you want to buy the truck bed covers. The truck covers have the pre-installed clamp systems. You can easily fold them which facilitate a quick and complete access to the truck bed. The truck cover you buy must support other truck accessories such as toolbox and racks. Before buying the truck covers make sure you check the installation of the truck accessories. This way you can figure out if there could be a conflict of the truck cover with the accessories. Some truck covers require you to drill out the holes in the truck bed to secure them to the surface of the truck bed. In such cases, many people may be reluctant to drill out holes in their truck bed. Generally drilling out holes reduces the overall value of the truck. Well in such cases it is advised to buy the truck cover with has clamp system. The cost of the truck bed covers vary. The truck bed covers with a harder vinyl are costlier than the soft vinyl covers. However if you can afford to pay high costs, you can consider buying the retractable and fiberglass truck covers. Though the cost may be exorbitant yet they are high-quality products which will give you the best functionality. If you plan to buy the truck bed covers, spare some time and conduct online research. You can shortlist some good dealers which provide high-quality truck bed covers. Ask the professionals for help. Tell them the make and model of your truck and they will assist you to get the best fit for your truck bed cover. You can choose from the wide range of truck bed covers. All the truck covers provide maximum protection for your trucks. You will definitely reap benefits of your investments on truck covers.

A powerful Android phone, Samsung Galaxy S8 was launched in March 2017. The phone is powered by 1.9GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 8895 processor and comes with a 5.8-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1440 pixels by 2960 pixels at a PPI of 570 pixels per inch, and a 4GB RAM. The phone has 64GB of internal storage which can be easily expanded up to 256GB by inserting a MicroSD card. As far as the cameras go, the model comes with a 12-megapixel primary camera on the rear and an 8-megapixel front shooter for self-portraits and videos. With Android 7.0, the handset is powered by a 3000mAh non-removable battery. It measures 148.90 x 68.10 x 8.00 (height x width x thickness) and weighs approximately 155.00 grams. The single SIM (GSM) phone’s connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, 3G, and 4G. The phone also comes with a Compass Magnetometer, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Gyroscope, and Ambient light sensor. Samsung Galaxy S8 pricing on different e-commerce websites The Samsung Galaxy S8 pricing is in accordance with the features that Samsung is offering. The 5.8-inch QHD Super AMOLED display comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 coating. The futuristic phone boasts of a 12MP "dual-pixel" camera at the back that promises optical image stabilization and f/1.7 aperture ensuring that no picture comes out bad. This android phone is equipped with an Intelligent Bixby interface which allows the helps the phone to keep a track of your daily activities in order to provide the right content and apps at the right time. It keeps a note of the to-do list and offers a detailed understanding of what you've looked at. On the official website of the company, Samsung Galaxy S8 is priced at around $724.99. The company is giving AKG headphones as a free gift on the purchase of a Galaxy S8, S8+. However, this excludes all Sprint carrier devices. Priced at around $629.99 on Amazon, Samsung Galaxy S8 phones with 64GB is the international version and is offered in the Arctic Silver color. The handset is compatible with GSM carriers. However, it is incompatible with CDMA carriers, such as Sprint and Verizon Wireless. Samsung Galaxy S8 is priced at around $724.99 on Best Buy. The open box is offered for approximately $688.99 and the dealer on the website is also offering Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charger, ZAGG - Invisible Shield Glass Curve Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Insignia - 4' USB Type A-to-USB Type C Charge/Sync Cable. In Target, the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 G950F GSM Phone is available for $699.99. This sleek and fast phone comes with a hybrid dual-SIM configuration. If you plan to purchase the smartphone from Target, you can save $50 on the purchase of an unlocked model and will also get Cricket Sim Kit and a $40 or higher value Cricket email delivery airtime item with your purchase. Costco is running a mind-blowing which is offering a 32" Samsung TV at time of purchase of a Samsung Galaxy S8 device on a device payment plan, or an instant rebate of $200 on any 40" or larger Samsung TV. On T-Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is priced at around $750. If you register yourself, you can save up to $150 that is after rebate and qualifying trade-in. You can also avail a bill credit for the trade-in value of your old phone. Samsung's Galaxy S8 is a great choice for your next phone as it comes with the new Infinity Display that makes it look like a piece of revolutionary tech with near bezel-less design, and an Iris scanner that helps you unlock the phone.