The way people consume TV and movies has changed. The average age of the traditional TV viewer is now 50, breaking out of the 18-48 demographic marketers and TV programmers have targeted for decades. That’s because younger viewers are cutting the cord and defecting to streaming services faster than ever.

Traditional TV viewership has fallen 43.6% since 2012 and the pace of decline is only getting faster; Nielson logged a 15.7% decline year-over-hear between 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Now are taking over the market. As traditional TV viewing declines, subscription streaming services are on the rise – and changing the way people consume entertainment. People no longer want to wait a week for new episodes when they can binge watch entire seasons.

TV isn’t the only type of media that’s been impacted, either. Movies were hit hard by pirating and torrents, but many of the same TV streaming services that have changed the industry are managing to bring customers back from the era of free-for-all consumption.

When it comes to choosing welding helmets, there is sometimes confusion as to which one to choose. In this article we aim to ease the confusion and give some guidance in the right one to choose. Welding helmets are a crucial piece of welding equipment that must be taken seriously.

Passive or Auto Darkening Lens?

Passive lens helmets will have a fixed shade value that Is usually #10. It is the economical choice as these cost less than the auto darkening lenses. It does however, come with some downsides though.

When using a passive lens helmet it is necessary to lift and lower the helmet, which can make it more difficult to do a tack weld, or short weld. Sometimes it is also hard to position the electrode whilst the helmet is snapping into position, which in turn can cause poor weld quality particularly in novice welders. There is also a risk of welding flash if the helmet doesn’t snap into position correctly when flipping it downwards.

Auto darkening welding helmets solve these issues, by having a variable shade lens. The way this works, is that when the sensors in the helmet detect an arc has begun, it will automatically darken in a fraction of a second, to a shade between #8 and #13. When there is no weld occurring then the welder maintains a lower shade of around #3 or #4 which is enough for the operator to see through and allows them to set up the weld without the need to flip the helmet into place.

The result of this, is generally better quality welds due to not having to shift the head around, whilst adjusting the helmet, and also better productivity. It will also prevent neck injury from consistently flipping the helmet into place.

French country décor has been a popular design style for centuries, but it’s gained more popularity thanks to the show Fixer Upper. Joanna Gaines and many other designers use elements of French country style in their remodels, and you can too.

Today’s contemporary designs involve cleaner lines and less ornate and colorful décor items, but the details tend to be a little more elaborate. For a more sophisticated spin on modern French country décor, designers use a combination of neutral colors, allowing the elaborate details to stand out.

If you love French country design and want to incorporate it into your home, here are some of the best ways to do so.

1. Rustic Pastel Rooms

Although neutral rooms are very popular, sometimes a splash of color is nice. Choose pastel colors for your 19th century arm chairs and floral-patterned curtains. Pastel is easy to mix and match, so you can include a variety of colors in a single room with a striking result.