If you have older windows in your home, there’s a good chance that they’re taking away from its beauty. Getting new replacement window products could be a great way to make a change and ensure that your home looks its best at all times. If you’ve noticed that your home is looking dull and lifeless lately, it may be time for you to get some new windows. Just by changing this one feature on your home, you can make a vast improvement that will refresh the look of its whole exterior.

Although it’s obvious when some windows need to be replaced, the need for replacement windows is
not always so obvious. In some cases, windows may look fine from the outside, but they may be difficult to open or close properly. If one of your windows does not close all of the way, this could end up costing you a lot of money in heating and cooling bills. Furthermore, a window that does not close or open properly makes it much easier for intruders to access a home. If you want to make sure that your home is protected as well as your wallet, you should take the time to inspect your windows occasionally to see what kind of state they are in. Getting new windows just might be your next home remodeling project.

Inspecting Your Old Windows

Inspecting the windows in a home is an easy task that any homeowner can do on his or her own, so there’s really no need to call in a home remodeler unless you’d just rather someone else complete the task. The first thing that you should do is visually inspect the window to see if there are any signs of rotting, cracking, or warping in the window and its frame. You’ll need to take your time when doing this, as rushing through could mean that you end up missing something. Make sure that you check the panes in the window to make sure that none of them are broken or loose. If you find anything amiss, then it may be time for a window replacement.

Once you’ve visually inspected the windows, you should spend some time trying to open and close each one. Windows should open and close easily without having to be forced and should not be excessively noisy when sliding up or down. If your windows make noises or get stuck easily, then it could be time to consider window replacement and order some new custom windows for your home. There are lots of different options for homeowners to choose from, including vinyl replacement windows, which can make any home look great while minimizing maintenance chores.

If you’re only trying to change the look of your house, getting replacement windows right away may not be of great importance. If, however, there is something wrong with your windows, then you should consult
with a home remodeler and get your project started right away. The sooner you get new windows installed, the more secure and energy efficient your home will be.

When it’s time to update your home with new window treatments, you may want to consider more than just aesthetics. Of course, you’ll want your new window shades or blinds to be attractive and stylish, but you may also want to keep energy efficiency in mind.

In the average American household, over 40% of your utility bill goes toward heating and cooling your home. That wouldn’t be too bad if all of that energy–and money–actually contributed to creating a comfortably warmed or cooled environment. But did you know that heat lost through your windows could add up to 10-25% of your energy bill? Keep that money from going right out your windows–literally!–with cellular window shades. This versatile window treatment solution provides homeowners with all of the benefits of standard window coverings like Roman shades but with the additional benefit of improved energy efficiency. So when you choose to install cellular shades in your home, you get easy operation, sleek looks, and lower energy bills.

Unlike Roman shades or window blinds that are typically made of one or two flat layers of material, cellular shades are formed in a unique honeycomb style. Two or more layers of a non-woven material are pleated together, sandwiching pockets of air between the layers. This distinctive design offers a soft, elegant appearance, but it’s also what helps insulate your windows. By trapping air inside the cells, these window shades create a thermal break between your window glass and the temperature inside your home. This helps ensure the hot air stays in during the winter and out during the summer. High-quality cellular shades typically offer R-values (measures of insulating property) of between R-4 and R-6 for double honeycomb styles. Compare that with a typical R-value of 2.5 for horizontal blinds and 3.0 for basic Roman shades. These numbers spell out just how much more efficient a cellular window shade is than many of your other options!

Cellular shades are a particularly good investment for warmer, sunnier climates. That’s because in addition to heat transfer from the hot temperatures outside, the sun can actually warm up a space with solar radiation. Those bright sunbeams that make the beach so pleasant are also making it hotter in your home, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, and your energy bills through the roof. However, when you install cellular shades in your home, you can combat solar heat gain as well as thermal heat transfer. By drawing your cellular shades when the sun is streaming in, you can block out the sun and insulate your windows at the same time, ensuring your home stays comfortably cool for less.

So if you’re in the market for window blinds or shades, make sure to consider the whole picture, including energy efficiency, before you make your selection. With cellular, or honeycomb, shades, you’ll find that their great looks mean you won’t even have to sacrifice to make your home more energy efficient. Contact your local window treatment specialist to learn more or to place your order for a cellular window shade today.

Energy efficiency is a big buzzword when it comes to home improvement, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s pretty amazing how much energy–and money–you can save with simple projects like weather stripping your doors or installing additional insulation. With major upgrades like putting in energy-efficient replacement windows, you can actually save up to 30% off your heating and cooling bills. But when it comes to deciding on which windows to choose for your home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and confused. Sometimes it seems like window replacement has a language all its own; however, that jargon doesn’t have to get in the way of finding the perfect window for updating your home and downgrading your energy costs. Here we explain the most common features of energy-efficient home replacement windows so you can make an educated decision for your house and your bottom line.

U-factor: This is an overall measure of a window’s energy efficiency. U-factor measures a window’s resistance to thermal heat transfer, that is how much heat the glass will let in during the summer and how much heat the glass will let out in the winter. A variety of factors contribute to a replacement window‘s U-factor, but this number can be used as a handy reference for all-around efficiency when comparing several models. The LOWER the U-factor, the better the window is at resisting heat transfer and the more it will help you save. For example, a window with a U-factor of 0.30 has more insulating capability than one with a U-factor of 0.40. Especially if you live in New England, where your home is subjected to both cold and hot seasons, a low U-factor can be critical for your new windows’ performance.

Low-e glass: Low-e stands for low emissivity and essentially indicates how much heat a material will reflect. For windows, low-e typically references special coatings applied to the glass to improve the glass’s naturally high emissivity. In plain English, low-e treatments help windows reflect heat: This keeps the heat out in the summer and in the winter. The smaller the number, the more heat will be reflected.

Argon/Krypton filled: In double-paned windows, the space between the two layers of glass has traditionally been filled with air or, in some cases, nitrogen. However, recent technologies have illustrated that filling that area with a different gas can reduce conduction and increase energy efficiency. The two most commonly used options are argon and krypton. Argon is a lower cost gas than krypton, but krypton does offer improved performance, so you’ll need to compare cost versus benefit to decide which is right for you.

Now that the terminology of window replacement makes a little more sense, you’re armed with the information you need to determine which options are best for your home. Get on the road to a more energy-efficient property by getting started with your window contractor today!

Windows can be beautiful features of just about any room, allowing natural light to enter and offering vistas of the surrounding landscape. But without the right window coverings, windows can appear stark and unattractive, not to mention let in too much sunlight on glaring days. Window draperies are a great choice for dressing up the naked windows in your home or office. Generally falling into one of two categories, drapery window treatments tend to be decorative or practical.

Decorative

Many types of decorative window draperies simply frame the window at the top and/or sides, rather than covering the window itself. These styles include:

• Cornices
• Swags
• Valences
• And other kinds of top treatments

Pattern designs are virtually unlimited, so no matter whether you’re looking for an elegant finishing touch for your formal decor or a simple valance for a bedroom, there is certain to be a decorative custom drapery that suits your needs. Remember, your choice of fabric can make a huge difference in the final look of the window treatment: even using the same pattern, custom draperies made up in linen, silk, and damask will look vastly different. However, regardless of which pattern and what type of drapery material you select, a decorative top treatment or cascading drapes can take a plain window and really make it shine!

Practical

Often called curtains, the more practical type of window drapery does cover the window in its entirety. This creates privacy from overly curious neighbors and enables you to keep out the natural light, if desired. Many times this type of window drapery is made from a translucent, or sheer, fabric, enabling light to filter through while dissipating the glare. Frequently installed on tracks for your convenience, most custom drapery options can be opened and closed so you can decide how much sunlight or visibility you want on any given day.

Of course, even if you opt for custom draperies that are purely decorative, that doesn’t mean you have to completely forgo privacy and light control for those windows. Many types of window draperies look great when paired with functional window coverings like horizontal blinds, roll-up shades, or even Roman shades. Enabling you to get the best of both worlds, a combination of window drapery and other window treatments allows you to manage light levels while still getting the attractive appearance that’s perfect for your decor.

To learn more about drapery window treatments, contact an interior designer or window shade shop in your local area. Numerous window drapery patterns are also available online, so if you’re an adventurous DIYer, there are resources available to tackle your window covering project on your own.

If your new bamboo window shades, custom draperies, or fabric vertical blinds don’t do what you want them to do, it doesn’t matter how good they look or how well they go with your decor–you’ll never be totally happy with them. When it comes to window treatments, we sometimes get sidetracked by form and we forget about function. In order to make the most of your time, energy, and money, make sure you determine what practical objective you want your window coverings to perform before you get sidetracked by matters of color or construction.

One major practical element of window coverings is light control. Sheer window draperies, for example, will let in a lot of light, while horizontal blinds, often made of wood or aluminum, will block most light from coming through, at least when the slats are turned down. If you are installing new window coverings in your home, think about how you want the light to be in whatever room you’re considering. In a bedroom that has eastern-facing windows, you may want to have coverings, such as cellular shades with blackout inserts, that will block out light very well. That way, you won’t be woken up by early morning light on weekend mornings before your alarm even has a chance to go off! If, on the other hand, you have a room that you want a lot of light to come into, you might consider an option such as roman shades or even sheer window drapery, which will screen some light while still letting a goodly amount through.

In addition to light control, the other major practicality to take into account when it comes to window coverings is privacy. In a given room, how much do you want people on the outside to be able to see in when the coverings are down or closed? Again, your response to this question will likely depend on the particular room in question. If you are putting up window treatments in the first floor bedroom of a city apartment, you’ll probably want the privacy provided by thick roll up shades or mini blinds. In most cases, these treatments will block the view from the outside, including silhouettes, so that you don’t have to worry about sharing your private life with the rest of the world. If you live in a more rural area, though, or if privacy isn’t an issue in a particular space like a living room or kitchen, there are other options to choose from for window coverings. If privacy isn’t a major concern, a more transparent or sheer window shade or blind might be right for you. Whatever your privacy preference, there’s a window treatment out there to make it possible.

There are hundreds of different window coverings on the market, and all of them are designed to do a slightly different job. As a customer, knowing what purposes you want your window coverings to fulfill will help you pick the option that will best serve you, and your space, in the long run.

Houses give us shelter, but in order to continue to live in comfort, we have to give them some care in return. When it comes to home maintenance tasks, both cosmetic and practical, no one benefits more than you, the owner. Keep your home something to be proud of, or flip that fixer-upper into a dream house by staying current on home improvement tasks with help from a handyman service.

Congratulations! You’ve just bought a house. You’re in for many years of joy… but with the perks of owning a home come great obligations. After all, your house won’t just maintain itself after you’ve signed the deed. It takes diligent maintenance in order to keep your structure in good shape on the inside and out.

Some major benefits of keeping current on your home maintenance include:

• Aesthetic appearances: Do you want to be known as the person who lives in the house with the peeling paint or the broken steps? Probably not. Fixing problems like these are pretty straightforward, but not everyone has the time, knowledge, or physical ability to perform them, causing these seemingly small household needs to pile up until your honey-do list seems endless! If you’ve found yourself drowning in chores, or you simply need help with one particular household challenge, call a professional home handy man. You’ll be surprised at the difference you see after just one visit. In addition to being a great way to maintain your property’s outward appearances, keeping up with these tasks is also excellent preventative maintenance.
• Convenience: You can’t fully enjoy your home if your essential utilities leave something to be desired. Flickering lights and stopped up pipes just won’t do. Having your local plumbers or electrical contractors in for repairs and upgrades ensures that the vital pipes and wires in your home are up to date and in safe, working condition. Services from these professionals can also help you maintain your property’s value.
• Energy efficiency: When you’re paying high utility rates, energy efficiency becomes a major priority. Heating and air conditioning can escape from many points in your home, even places you’d never suspect. When you have good insulation and fully functional windows and doors, you can keep energy inside where it belongs. This reduces your bills and allows for more efficient use of your energy–and your money. You’ll be amazed at the difference that replacement windows and quality exterior siding can make!

Another way to bring out the full potential of your home is to make sure that your home’s interior style fits your particular needs and tastes. After all, no one can be truly comfortable when they are forced to use a kitchen that is too small to handle the constant demands of their large family, or a bathroom equipped with fixtures so old they’d be better off in a museum. If your home doesn’t match up with your everyday needs, don’t just put up with the inconvenience. Call a remodeling contractor today to help you modernize and customize your home. Most are available for kitchen and bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, and more.

Every home presents different challenges based on the structure’s initial construction, the care it has received in the past, and its location. No matter what your home requires, prompt attention is the key to preventing further damage or deterioration, keeping labor costs low, and ensuring that your full enjoyment of your home is not affected. When you make the effort to take care of your property, you will reap the benefits now and for years to come. Make the smart move, and start crossing out items on your chore list today. Your home handyman service is here to help.

When your home looks unkempt on the outside, it brings the value down and can even affect the energy efficiency of the house. That is why siding and roof repair are important issues to keep in check. Many construction companies can do jobs ranging from vent cleaning to remodeling and can make your home more valuable and less costly to maintain.

Hiring a construction contractor may sound intimidating, but in reality it will probably make your life hassle-free. Replacing your roof or siding is quite a big job, but it will make your home warmer, safer, and dryer and can even reduce your energy costs. By purchasing replacement windows or hiring a remodeling contractor, you will increase the value of your home without having to take on any time-consuming projects yourself.

Although replacing your siding may seem like a huge undertaking, it is actually one of the fastest ways to improve the look of your home. With this one project, you can change the entire appearance of your house. In addition, a siding contractor can help you safeguard your home by improving its R-factor for better insulation, keeping out the elements, and blocking insects or vermin from entering.

With a small, multipurpose remodeling contractor, things like fire restoration become less stressful and take less time. Area professionals can get the job done quickly and can even make your home look better than it did before. This makes the tragedy and hardship of a fire easier to deal with.

However, even if you are looking to do something cosmetic such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling, your local home improvement contractor is still the best option for the job. Even if you are happy with your home but want something along the lines of replacement windows for aesthetic reasons, you can get the job done quickly and economically.

It can be somewhat alarming to look at a project as large as a roof replacement or outdoor kitchen construction, but a contractor can make the job seem easy and take the stress off of you. For help with your next remodeling or home improvement project, large or small, contact your local pros today.