LED Horticulture Lights Vs Fluorescent Lamps: Which Is Better for Growing Indoor Plants?

If you are planning to grow indoor plants, then one of the important things you must consider is finding the best type of light that can safely and effectively facilitate the photosynthesis of plants. Today, there are several types of indoor horticulture lights available for you to choose from. Two of the most popular choices are fluorescent lamps and LED horticulture grow lights.

Fluorescent Lamps

In terms of cost and heat, these lamps are a better choice since it is less costly and is cooler than any other incandescent bulbs. It is more suited for growing leafy and vegetative plants, especially during the first few stages.

But if you are growing fruit-bearing plants, then this type of light is not the most beneficial. It is because it does not produce the best spectrum of light for flowering. Since it is cooler than any other incandescent bulbs, it also emits the weakest spectrum of light that can enable plants to thrive even further. If you think placing the light closer to the plant can solve this issue, then you better think again.

It is because doing so can only result in dehydration, slow growth or severe damage of plants. And though it is safer to the environment than incandescent bulbs, it strictly requires proper disposal of the bulb because of its high mercury content, a very toxic element that can cause severe damage to the environment and human health.

LED Grow Lights

If you are looking for a far more environmental-friendly indoor growing light, then why don't you try using LED grow lights? Initially, these lights are used for display screens in electronics. After a series of studies and comprehensive laboratory tests, it has been found that this light can safely and effectively support the proper growth of plants indoors. It works by producing adequate amount of heat that can promote fast and efficient plant growth.

Compared with fluorescent lamps, this light consumes less energy (which means less electricity cost) and often lasts longer for approximately 60,000 hours. So if you think you were able to save money from buying cheap fluorescent lamps, then think again. It is because LED grow lights guarantee a cost-effective solution for growing indoor plants with extremely satisfying results at reasonable prices.

Useful Tips for Buying LED Lights

Whenever you are choosing between LED grow lights and fluorescent lamps, it is highly recommended to select the one that best suits your individual needs or requirements. Let us take for instance you are only going to use the indoor growing light for quite some time, then a cheaper fluorescent bulb will do. But if you are planning to use it permanently for growing indoor plants, then always consider using LED lights as the best option.

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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Wooden Workshops

The use of wooden workshops is advantageous in many ways given that the wood is a commodity that can be easily accessed in different places. To a certain extent, it can be noted that there are also disadvantages that can be achieved from using a wood to construct structures that can be used as shelter at different workplaces.

Basically, wood is a cheap commodity compared to other building materials and the main advantage of using it is that it is cost effective. Different types of wood are affordable compared to other materials. The other advantage is that it is relatively easy to construct a structure using wood given that the building blocks are already shaped such that they are simply placed on top of each other.

Wood structures are movable and this is one of the advantages of using it for building shops where different work is done. Some kinds of jobs such as construction are temporary since they are expected to be completed within a specific time frame. Therefore, a workshop that is made from wood is ideal for this particular task since it can be moved after the completion of the work being carried out.

Structures that are made from wood can be designed into different styles and these are very attractive. It is easier to design wood into different shapes and these are portable. They can be carried easily from one place to the other. It can be noted that wood-shelter is ideal for people who perform their work in different places since it can provide temporary shelter.

They are suitable in places with extreme weather conditions, when it is hot the interior part of the workshop will be cool. In areas that are extremely cold, wooden shelters can retain heat once they have been warmed by fire or an electric heater. Generally, structures that are made from wood provide a comfortable atmosphere which is suitable for different types of work.

However, there are certain demerits of using wood when constructing a structure like a workshop. Wood does not last a lifetime like cement bricks or steel. Wood can succumb to extreme weather conditions such as excessive rain which can cause it to rot. As a result, such structures can easily crumble if they are not maintained well. It may need to be replaced periodically. Therefore, it can be noted that wood may not be ideal for constructing a permanent structure that is used to store valuable assets.

Wood can be easily destroyed by fire which can cause extensive damage to valuable things stored inside which can result in losses. The other disadvantage of using Wood is that it is not very strong since it can be easily broken using a strong metal bar. It is not secure to leave valuable property in Wood shelter without a guard since it can be stolen by thieves.

Wood is used to construct various structures that can be used for different purposes. Both small and big structures can be constructed using Wood. As noted above, the advantages of using wooden workshops outweigh the disadvantages.

Material Choices For Building Your Own Shed

The thought of building your own shed can seem overwhelming at first. How big should I make it? Where should we build it? What permits do I need? We will examine the various materials that can be used to build your own shed.

What should the foundation be made of?

There are two main materials for a shed foundation, a concrete floor or a wood floor. A concrete floor is poured onsite via a concrete mixer. Depending on your experience, it may be beneficial to outsource this portion of the project. A concrete floor will outlast a wood floor but is more expensive. On the other hand, a wood floor is cheaper by nature but will not last as long. With some 2x6 lumber and some plywood almost anyone can build a wood floor

What can the walls be made of?

Most pre-bought sheds are made with smaller 2x3 lumber. If you are building your own you can take this route or upgrade to 2x4 dimensional lumber. It provides more support and is less prone to warping or twisting. If you are ambitious you can even make the walls from metal studs.

What are my choices for the exterior siding?

By far the most common exterior is T1-11 sheathing. T1-11 is found in almost any home improvement center. In case you are not familiar with it, T1-11 sheathing is essentially a 4 foot by 8 foot piece of plywood with grooves ever 12 inches or 8 inches. You simply nail it up and you are finished. There are two main downsides to T1-11. After some time the siding will decay and you have to paint it.

The other main option for exterior siding is vinyl or metal siding. Contrary to popular belief, vinyl siding is about the same price as T1-11. With vinyl siding you put it up and you are done. There is no initial or future painting its maintenance free! If you are hesitant about installing vinyl siding, don't worry it's not as difficult as it looks.

What about the roof?

The most common material for the roof is asphalt shingles. They are durable, relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to install. Shed builders in the Northeast are prone to using wood shakes. It's more expensive, but gives that authentic Cape Cod look. Another choice is a metal roof. These will outlast asphalt or wood shake roofs by far, but you will pay for it initially.

What about shed doors?

There are two main choices for doors. You can either buy them or build them. Building shed doors entails nothing more than a 2x4 frame and a piece of plywood on top. Then you trim the outside with 1x4 pine and paint. It takes a little time but is the most economical option. The only downside to wood doors is the can warp and are prone to deterioration over time. Metal pre-bought doors are another option. You pick out exactly what you want from a home center and install it. Metal doors will outlast wood doors by far and will not warp. They are more expensive however.

Are there any other accessories?

There are many accessories for sheds. One of the most popular is a window or two. Shed windows add valuable light to an ordinary shed and give your project a unique look. You can also add flower boxes, shutter, and even skylights. The choices are almost endless.