[bc_video video_id="6253904747001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] There is so much you can do to improve your yard and you don’t really need lumber to achieve it. Lumber prices are crazy and there is low stock, contractors Dave Kenney and Joey Fletcher show us some great alternatives that are much closer in price than ever before: The Clubhouse decking:  Decks are high in demand, but did you know you can get PVC decking instead of wood? The Clubhouse decking has a lot of advantages: 

• Available in lots of beautiful colours
• Low-maintenance
• Made from recycled plastics
• Able to send back cut-offs for recycling

  The biggest advantage is that while lumber has a lifespan of 10-15 years if it is well maintained, PVC comes with a 25 year- lifetime warranty! Although the price point of PVC decking is higher, it is well worth it, especially since you don’t have to re-stain it every year! You can even use it to create really cool designs at PVC decking can be utilized to create a round deck with bending blankets. Regal ideas railings:  Regal Ideas railings are an aluminum railing that has a sleek design with many benefits:

• No sanding or staining
• Glass panels for maximum light exposure or pickets based on style preference.
• Lighting built into the railing
• Pricing vs lumber: wood railing $22/LF or $875 for 40’ vs. $46/LF or $1875 for 40’ with no staining every year!

Metal art screens:  If you’re looking for a bit more privacy, you can invest in metal art privacy screens. We recommend Hideaway screens: 

• These screens are powder coasted aluminum so they are made to last
• These are DIY friendly because it’s only a 3-part system.
• Great pricing
• Best of all, there are a ton of designs to choose from.

   

[bc_video video_id="6253912825001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Tired of staring at the same four walls? Contactors Dave Kenney and Joey Fletcher give us some easy DIY steps on how to create an accent wall in your home or office space. Draw on the wall: There are some easy steps to take first when improving a wall in your house of office; first find a trim that you like.  Now's your chance to draw on the walls! Simply use a pencil and a ruler and draw some straight lines wherever you would like on the wall or where you would like your trim/material to go. Make sure you have a plan where your lines to go. Find the studs:   Next, use a stud finder to find the studs on your dry wall this will help you to figure out where to nail your trim.  If you have wood or metal studs the process will be a bit different- if you have metal studs the nails aren't going to grab quite as well. Glue and brad nail: Use a strip of glue on the back of each trim piece, that way wherever you are not nailed into a stud you will still get a good hold.  Make sure to put in nails where the studs aren't and go on a bit of an angle when assembling so that the brad nail can grab into the drywall. Once that glue sets in, that trim will be set for life! Tip: If there is too much glue and it starts to ooze out, make sure to take a wet cloth and wipe it off right away before it dries. Final Steps:  The final steps would be to add a pop of colour!  Make sure to use filler or caulking to seal everything in beforehand, then you can paint the wall in place all at once. There are many other patterns and techniques that can be used to create a beautiful accent wall! Dave used this technique for his office, or zoom wall, to create a beautiful visual backdrop. If you didn't want to use a trim with wood tones, you can also use a trim with geometric details or shiplap!

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[bc_video video_id="6253721190001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Many people are not aware of the inner workings of the thyroid and its importance within the body. For starters, the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lives in the lower part of the front of the neck. It lies below Adam's apple and is very hard to find on their own body. The job of the thyroid is to make a molecule called thyroid hormone. This hormone contributes to the speed of the metabolism, digestion, and cardiovascular systems within the body. Over time there can be problems with thyroid function or with structure. The thyroid can grow bump and lumps that can create issues. Fortunately, the vast majority of these will not lead to cancer or affect the thyroid. Thyroid dysfunction refers to either over-function or hyperthyroidism. There can either be too much of the thyroid hormone or not enough. Hypothyroidism is where there is not enough of the hormone and is considerably more common. At least 1 in 5 women will experience hypothyroidism and need to take medication. The typical described symptoms of hypothyroidism are feeling sluggish, intolerant to cold, overly tired, and mildly gaining weight. Your primary care provider can request blood tests to evaluate thyroid function.

So, what is hypothyroidism? 

Hypothyroidism is treated with a small daily pill. It is a synthetic version of the hormone thyroxine call levothyroxine. The brand name would be either Synthroid or Eltroxin. The hormones are supplements from what your thyroid may not be able to create on its own. Blood tests repeat 6-8 weeks to determine the best dose for each patient.

How do you treat hypothyroidism? 

At this time, no data supports that thyroid dysfunction can help with dietary changes. There is some data that if the patient has celiac disease, they can limit gluten within their diet. When looking at supplements to aid with thyroid, there are two supplements where there are concerns. Iodine is known to be a supplement that helps with the thyroid. However, varying amounts of iodine can lead to thyroid problems. The supplement biotin is only harmful when taking test results. Biotin can interfere with the thyroid lab tests and make it appear that there is dysfunction. Therefore, individuals who take biotin shouldn't have it for three days before a blood test. For those who have prescribed thyroid hormone, there are two main things to consider. To ensure absorption of the medication, you should take it on an empty stomach away from soy, calcium, iron, and fiber. However, the most vital aspect is to be consistent with the timing of your medication. The second factor to consider is your dosage if you become pregnant. It is necessary to speak to your care provider immediately as the dose requirements often change and need to be followed. Lastly, don't believe everything you read on social media related to hypothyroidism. Media outlets look to increase their engagement through their information provided online. If you have concerns, be in touch with your health care provider for personalized care.

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