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It isn’t too long until Winter will hit us with full force. While it’s often hard for us to re-adjust to the new cooler climate, did you know that your roof also needs some attention? Autumn is the perfect time to check the health of your roof and make sure that it is winter ready.

Some of the team here at Modern have come up with some great tips and tricks that you should do to ensure your roof is up to the harsh winter weather.

1. Clear Your Gutters

This isn’t a job that anyone likes but it’s extremely important that you keep your gutters clear. During winter we get a lot of rain and frost that needs to be able to effectively run along your gutters. If your gutters are blocked by leaves and other debris you run the risk of your gutters flooding which can cause water to leak into your home.

This rule applies in summer as well, blocked gutters can become a big fire hazard if you allow them to be filled with leaves, sticks and garden matter. Once you have cleared your gutters make sure you cut back any bushes, trees or plants that hang over your gutters. This will stop your gutters from blocking up again so quickly.

2. Check For Rust

While you are cleaning your gutters keep an eye out for any rusted sections. This is something many people ignore and rusty gutters aren’t going to help you during a large storm or larger period of rain. If your gutters are allowed to rust they will not be able to run rainwater along your house to the drain, meaning possible leaks.

If you do find any rust on your gutters our Modern Gutter experts can come and have a look and let you know what needs to be done to get your gutters back to tip top condition.

3. Check Your Tiles

Take the time to have a good look over your roof tiles and shingles. Any cracked or broken tiles need to be replaced as soon as possible. If left unfixed water can leak into your home doing more damage to the inside of your home as well as in your roof. These kinds of issues ideally need to be fixed before any bad weather so as to prevent bigger issues down the track.

4. Check For Damp Spots

If you see any damp spots show up on the inside ceiling of your home then you should get in touch with a roofer as soon as possible. This is a sign that your roof is leaking somewhere and needs fixing. If left untreated you will eventually end up with internal damage that can be very expensive to fix.

Modern are the experts in roofing and gutters and can help you whenever you need it. Our experts can give your roof and gutters a health check to determine if you have any areas of concern. We also understand that roof emergencies happen, we are available 24Hrs to help with emergency repairs.

Contact us today to receive an obligation free quote on a roof or gutter job!

We all know how stunning and timeless plantation shutters look in any home. Favoured among coastal areas, plantation shutters provide the maximum amount of light and air control for any room. There are many home owners who choose not to install plantation shutters due to the fact that they can’t give up their love for blinds and curtains.

But, why should you?

Plantation shutters and blinds and curtains can be teamed up to make the perfect window treatment. Not sure how? The experts at Modern have come up with some great reasons why the two go together perfectly.

1. They Finish off The Room
   Plantation shutters look amazing on their own, but team them up with blinds and curtains to really help bring your room together and finish it off. This combination gives a tailored and cosy look to the room. You will find your living space becomes a lot more inviting, especially during the winter months.
2. Play Around With Colours
   Using blinds and curtains allows you to add colour to your room without losing the benefits that shutters provide. Your curtains don’t need to be functioning, two panels of material either side of the window frame will give you the colour boost you have been missing.
3. They Add Another Layer of Privacy
   Pair your shutters with a heavy drape to create another level of privacy and darkness. While plantation shutters do a great job of blocking out daylight, adding a drape over the top will give you another layer of darkness. This also helps make the room feel a lot cosier in cooler months.
4. Add Height to Your Room
   Using a curtain rod to mount your curtains higher and wider than your window will give the illusion that your ceilings are higher than they actually are. This works because it makes your window look bigger and wider than it really is. Many experts agree that mounting the rod 6 inches higher than your window frame is the perfect height.
5. Use Tiebacks
   If you have a room that is more formal or if you are wanting a more tailored look, use tiebacks. The use of tiebacks will pull the curtain material back for a tailored and sophisticated look. Tiebacks are also a great way to help keep any fabric from getting caught in your plantation shutters.

Don’t let your love of curtains, blinds and plantation shutters make you choose one over the other. Enjoy the best of both worlds and pair the two together for a look you will absolutely love. To enquire about Plantation Shutters contact Modern for a free quote!

Interested in plantation shutters but not completely convinced? We have put together our top 5 plantation shutter ideas for 2017.

We have some great ideas to keep up with modern living but with a touch of privacy and control. There are even some ideas of what you can do with old plantation shutters!

1. Choose a bright white colour for a contemporary feel

Who says that shutters have to match the colour of your room! While shutters are there for practical reasons they can become a statement piece at the same time. Choosing a bright white colour will make your new shutters stand out due to the colour contrast with your walls.

If you are looking for a contemporary window fitting that will stand out and bring your room together we can help! Our experts can come and provide advice on the best colour to suit your needs.

2. Old plantations can be reworked to look rustic

Having new shutters installed and don’t know what to do with your old ones? Old shutters can be re-worked into wall art that can be used around your home. This works well for homes where vintage is the style of choice. Give your plantation shutters a rustic look to fit in with your vintage theme. Light colours work really well for this. Painting your shutters a bright colour and hanging them on the wall is a fantastic way to frame statement pieces of furniture.

If you’re looking for something a little more out there, you can even fashion your old plantation shutters into a bed head. This actually looks spectacular once the shutters have been sanded back and given a new lick of paint!

3. Shutters and heavy curtains

Plantation shutters are perfect for giving you full control over light and privacy in your home. There are many home owners who are put off shutters because they can’t give up their drapes and heavy curtains. Why do you have to give up one for the other, why not have both?

Plantation shutters are perfect when paired with drapes and curtains. Your drapes will frame your window and shutters for an elegant and sophisticated look. In the day your drapes can stay open to let in the light from the window but still be in control of how much light comes in. At night drapes and curtains can be closed to give the room warmth and softness. This is perfect for bedrooms and living rooms where you spend lots of time in the evening.

4. Shutters to separate rooms

Many homes now are designed to be open plan. While open plan living is fantastic, in some areas you may prefer to have a bit more privacy. Rather than splashing out lots of money to have walls put up and rooms made, plantation shutters are fantastic for breaking open areas up.

Sliding plantation shutters are perfect to break up open areas and provide privacy. Just like window based plantation shutters you still have total control over how open the shutters can be. With lots of different colour choices available you will have no problem picking a colour that blends in seamlessly with your home decor or for a contemporary look choose a bold and contrasting colour.

5. Shutters on glass doors

Glass sliding doors have always been popular in Australian homes. They connect the inside with outside and make outdoor living all the more appealing. For some people glass doors can be very exposing. You may also find that heat from the summer sun becomes a problem, heating up the house too much.

At Modern, we can install plantation shutters to go with your sliding glass doors. This will give you excellent protection from the sun in summer and help keep heating in during the winter months. The best thing about these kind of shutters is the access to light and views. Plantation shutters will still make your room light and bright without taking away from your outdoor lifestyle.

There are so many things you can do with plantation shutters. You will be spoilt for choice when you choose plantation shutters through Modern. Plantation shutters are timeless and elegant, making them a perfect addition to any family home!

There are so many things you can do with plantation shutters. You will be spoilt for choice when you choose plantation shutters through Modern. Plantation shutters are timeless and elegant, making them a perfect addition to any family home!

Summer has well and truly arrived. The long hot days are here and they’re not being kind. Like most Australian’s you are probably spending a lot more time outdoors, wearing the least amount of clothing legally possible. Once it is time to come back inside the house is usually so hot that a late night trip the cinema (don’t forget your cardigan, you know how cold it gets in there!) seems like a good idea.

If you’re trying to give the a/c a break and lacking cool down inspiration, we have some cool tips and tricks that will help you cool down and enjoy a hot summer.

1. Sleep like a baby

If you have left it too late in the day to be able to properly cool the house down you can take advantage of the old frozen sheets trick. Putting your sheets in the freezer a couple of minutes before you go to bed will give your body a chance to cool down, making it easier to fall asleep. A secret tip is to put your sheets in a bag first so that you don’t get any ice, water or food on them!

2. Hit the bottle

If putting the sheet in the freezer doesn’t really appeal to you what about a water bottle? Water bottles can be used for hot and cold water and come in really handy in summer. Fill the water bottle up with cold water and pop it in the freezer for a few hours. Once the water is frozen you can put the water bottle between your sheets to cool yourself down. If the water bottle starts to perspire due to the heat, just wrap it in a towel and you’re good to go!

3. Long Live the Fan!

If you have fans lying around put them to good use! Opening a window and pointing the fans out of the window will help to push hot air house of the room you are in. Alternatively you can put a tray of cold water with ice in it, in front of the fan. This will turn the air colder as the fan blows on you. Give this one a try, it actually does work really well!

4. Live in Darkness

If you know the day is going to be exceptionally hot in order for your house to remain cooler you need to think ahead. Beat the heat and close all your windows and blinds. This will make your house dark and will not let any sunlight in.

If you have roller shutters they will become your best friend during the hotter months. Roller shutters are perfect at blocking out the sun’s rays and significantly reducing the heat inside your house. Lower your roller shutters in the morning and you will notice the difference throughout the day. You will also notice the difference when your power bill comes in! If you don’t already have roller shutter Modern can help!

5. Hydrate

Finally, staying hydrated is one of the biggest ways to help yourself stay cooler. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day but try to stay away from coffee or energy drinks that contain caffeine. Drinks containing caffeine dehydrate you and make you feel thirsty, make water your number one option during summer and you will feel much better.

Don’t let the heat ruin your summer, stay cool using our tips. If you feel your house needs a bit more protection from the sun, let Modern help. Our team have been helping Australian’s stay cool for over 25 years! Call 13 11 78 today to arrange a quote!

Have you ever found yourself in the supermarket looking for a new set of batteries? Most likely the answer to this question is yes. You know exactly what you were looking for, how many you needed, the size of the battery and of course, the different brands available.

With over 500 million batteries used in Australia in 2010, the majority of these batteries were used in small hand-held devices. 15 million were conventional car lead acid batteries and around 7 million were of larger batteries. Batteries are being used in all types of applications and keeping up with new technology and essentially what powers them is becoming ever more difficult.One new type of battery that directly impacts us all is Solar Batteries.

So what do they look like? What brands are the best? How much do they cost? How many do I need? Why are the important? These are some of the questions you may be asking, and we have the answer.

Many existing solar-powered electricity households are looking to store their excess solar energy for later use. This is in high demand, and of course, why wouldn’t they be? Who really wants to give their excess electricity generated by their solar panels back to the electricity providers for next to nothing? They’ll then be required to pay a significant amount for the same electricity later that night? This just doesn’t make much sense.

The Rise of Solar Battery Storage

In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in battery offerings in the market. From battery sizes, brands, pricing and types. So how do we know which solar battery storage would work best? The answer is actually more complicated than it needs to be. You’ll first need to find out what type of battery is right for your home, much like how there are AAA batteries and AA batteries. A set of AA batteries would not fit into a AAA-powered application. This applies the same solar battery storage.

Secondly, what we’d need to determine is the quantity of batteries needed. Would there be enough sufficient electricity generated to charge each battery? What happens during winter when there isn’t enough solar energy to charge the batteries? Each question seems to create another question, and these questions aren’t typical questions you can simply Google.

So before you rush out and buy new solar storage batteries, make sure you get all the relevant information needed in order to make a well-informed choice.

Modern Solar are one of the leading solar companies in Australia. With over 35 years of home improvement experience, we will have a local solar technician visit your home for an obligation-free inspection. Your technician will then complete a full inspection of your property and provide you with the most important information you’ll need to make a well-informed decision regarding your new solar storage batteries.

Electricity Tariff Reform in South Australia – What does this REALLY mean to 750,000 homeowners already struggling with some of the highest electricity prices in the world?

Well, it’s not all good news, except if you own an electricity company of course. Consumers are going to a pricing structure known as ‘cost reflective pricing’. What this means is that, if it costs the electricity company less during the day for power then they will, of course, have to charge the homeowner less, and vice-versa, when it costs them more, they charge will more. Sounds innocent enough doesn’t it?

So far no alarm bells are ringing but perhaps they should be ringing loudly. That’s because wholesale prices for electricity outside peak demand times are actually quite cheap, very cheap in fact (not a lot of home electricity demand at midnight or in the middle of the day when people are working). Peak demand times are periods where people use the most electricity, this is usually in the late afternoon, evening after work, after school and during morning breakfast times. Electricity prices spike during these times.

So, by moving to the new cost reflective pricing structure, this would essentially have the effect of reducing electricity prices during the day and in the middle of the night, and increase electricity prices at the times you actually use electricity.

Did you know that 70% of all home break-ins are through vulnerable window openings? It comes as no surprise that windows are considered the target of choice for intruders when planning a home intrusion. So what can Aussie home-owners do to protect themselves and their families from this potential threat?

Residential roller shutters have become one of the most cost-effective ways to improve security and overall aesthetic appeal of any residential household. In fact, roller shutters have become increasingly popular over the past decade in many parts of Australia. This is no coincidence. Residential home-owners across Australia are quickly realising the benefits of roller shutters and there’s no denying the substantial investment value they provide.

What are roller shutters?

Roller shutters are shutters that are mounted above a door or window and can be rolled down to provide a shield of protection for the door or window as needed.

Roller shutters come in a diverse range of sizes and colours to suit all households. This means families are able to quite easily find the perfect roller shutter solution to match their home.

Modern roller shutters are typically made from either steel or aluminium. The first aluminium roller shutter was developed in Germany and has since grown to become the roller shutter of choice by both manufacturers, home-owners and property developers.

Roller shutters comprise of aluminium slats that are joined together to provide a protective barrier for window openings, garage doors and shop fonts. Located in each aluminium slat contains layers of special insulated foam designed to absorb heat in the summer and trap in warm air during the winter.

How do roller shutters work?

The concept of roller shutters is simple. Roller shutters operate by simply rolling up or down advanced side guides fitted onto both sides of the window or door. By following best Australian building design standards, access to the shutter side guides should be very minimal, has been specially designed to prevent intruders from attempting forced entries.

As roller shutters are reclined all the way upwards, they are neatly tucked in behind a narrow cassette. Neighbours and visitors are unable to see this. This preserves the shutters natural beauty and aesthetic appeal.

Types of roller shutter systems

There are a few types of popular roller shutter control systems available in the Australian market. This includes electric motors, battery, strap winders and manual winders. Electric motors and manual winders have proven to be the most popular 2 options in the Aussie market.

With such a diverse range of options, home-owners are able to manually or remotely operate their roller shutters based on their preference and of course, budget.

Electric roller Shutters

Australians opting for the electric motorised option are able to raise and lower their shutters with the convenience of pushing a button. Electric roller shutters offer a complete shutter solution, removing the need to manually wind the shutter handle.

Modern temperature and weather sensors are also viable product options that are able to automatically reline and shut the shutters depending on weather conditions. Areas suffering from constant weather changes may find this a very handy add-on to have.

Manual roller Shutters

Manual roller shutters are just as the name state; they require a small amount of elbow grease to operate. By turning the manual handler clockwise, the window shutter will slowly recline upwards and vice versa to eventually completely shut the shutter.

Benefits of Roller Shutters

Protection against household intruders

One of the key benefits of installing home roller shutters is to ultimately keep unwanted visitors out and the family safe. If intruders were to attempt to force a physical break-in, the positioning and design of the shutter would make it very difficult to pry open. Not only have they being specially design to resist forced entry, they make excellent physical deterrents on their own.

Reduction of noise pollution

If you live near airports, highways or schools, then you will understand first-hand the importance of noise pollution. Roller shutters are one of the best and most effective solutions in blocking out excessive noise from local surroundings.

Aluminium roller shutters are designed to reduce and control the level of noise of up to 50%. Say good-bye to old curtains and blinds and say hello to new window protection technology.

Savings on energy and power bills

Energy prices are constantly on the rise with no signs of stopping anytime soon. An electric or manual roller shutter may act as your family’s saving grace. Industry standards state that roller shutters lower power consumption of up to 64% all year round. Insulation is provided in the winter and heat is absorbed by the shutter foam, keeping your household cool in the summer.