Livingston Reporting - page 355

Do you live in a newer home that was built during the big boom in new construction? Are your window panes thin due to the builder cutting cost? Do you wish your windows had blinds between the glass? This is all possible with window pane replacement. Window pane replacement is becoming a popular option for buyers who have sound window frames but are looking for more energy efficient windows. There are several options available in window pane replacement to give you energy savings and curb appeal. Along with these savings people are looking into the conveniences of luxury features such as blinds encased between the panes of glass. Below is a look into the benefits gained from replacing window panes.

We know that single pane windows are not nearly as energy efficient as windows that are double or triple pane. Old windows lead to a loss of heat and higher energy costs. Consider adding extra window panes to improve your windows. Also gas-filled windows are popular and have been proven to lower energy bills and also help keep your homes temperature comfortable and consistent.

It is obvious that if a window pane is cracked or chipped that it is in need of replacement. If air is allowed to filter through the crack you are not minimizing your energy costs. What happens in these instances is that air is allowed to filter in through this direct entrance and exit to your home. In the winter the warm air will be sucked out and in the summer the opposite will occur. Another benefit of replacing window panes that have damage is cosmetic. It gives the appearance that you don’t take much pride in the up keep of your home.

Privacy is also an advantage of getting new window panes. Not only can you have blinds between the glass installed but now most panes of glass come with a reflective coating that helps increase privacy. Having blinds between the glass not only helps with privacy they ease your life. No more cleaning blinds. No more pets and children destroying the cords or bending the blinds because it is all housed in the new window panes. They eliminate the maintenance involved in any type of window treatment and ease your life. Window pane replacement with blinds between the glass and filled with gas are the way to go for ease and energy efficiency.

Sometimes it is not economical or needed to replace an entire window to add value and savings to your home. Often window panes can be replaced adding energy savings and curb appeal. It is defiantly a more economical approach to updating your current windows with just as much benefit. Make sure this is an option you explore before purchasing replacement windows for your new home.

We are looking at purchasing a new home. There are so many things to consider in making this purchase. We love our current home and have installed replacement windows, siding and landscaping that we adore. The problem is that there just isn’t enough space for entertaining inside or out. It is becoming evident that we have outgrown our cozy home and that even with all the work that has gone into this investment we need to start looking for something with a lot more space. The good thing is that we have renovating experience and the market is fair for what we are looking at. All of those things are in our favor. We are also aware at how we can make certain renovations ourselves that others consider large deal busters.

In looking for a new home many potential buyers get caught up in new roofs, replacement windows and other purchases that they feel are deal breakers. We are fortunate to have the skills under our belt to tackle any home renovation project the new house will lead us too. If new home buyers took a second and looked into things such as replacement windows they would see just how easy it is to replace them. Now more than ever it has become one of the few home improvement project that people can look forward to. It will not be a deal breaker anymore after you review these handy steps in dealing with the purchase and installation of your new replacement windows.

First you will need to locate reputable replacement window dealers in your area. You will want to get quotes from at least three dealers. Compare the type of windows offered, the quality of the product, the ease of installation, available warranties and how satisfied previous consumers have been with the service provided. You will want to make sure that you premeasured all of the windows that you are interested in replacing and take your measurements in when you are speaking with the dealer.

When you are taking measurements you will want to measure your existing windows thoroughly. Make sure your measurements include the left jamb to the right jamb from the bottom, middle and top of the window. It should be the same but overtime windows often warp and shrink so measure everywhere to be safe. You will want to use the same technique to measure the height of the window from the inside jamb to the inside window sill. Make sure when you are ordering your windows that you specify that these are exact measurements.

The next step after you have ordered the new windows and received your replacement windows is to take off the old sash and remove the jamb liner from the existing windows. This should be done one window at a time so that if you run in to a window that needs extra installation time you don’t leave your home open to the elements.

From here you prep the existing window frame and the area for the new window. You will add a new jamb liner, spray in a low expansion foam insulation to seal the area within the wall if any gaps are present and caulk the opening for the window to be placed in. You will be installing your new windows before you know it.

The installation of the window involves placing the window and fastening it in loosely at first. You will want to shim around the window making sure that you have a completely level replacement window. If the window is not completely level you leave room for movement and air leaks. Once all the shims are in place and the window is completely level fasten all screws for permanent placement. That is it. You are done with your replacement window installation. Now all you need to do is caulk the inside frame and add a finish to the interior of the window. This finish can be paint or stain but you cannot leave your windows without any sealing touches. If you leave room for the window frame unsealed your replacement windows will have a shorter lifetime then if it had been sealed.

Congratulations you have just learned to replace a window. Now when you are staring at your dream home but see the windows could be replaced you won’t just walk away. Pull on some boots and a hard hat and get to work replacing them.

Deciding to renovate your home is a huge decision for most home owners. What renovations are going to give us the most bang for our buck? Is there any sort of order we should do renovations in? We worry that we are choosing universally accepted tiles and fixtures. We wonder if we should start with the ceilings, floors or walls. Renovating is different for all home owners and for all contractors there is a different set of guidelines. When renovating make sure that your contractor helps guide you through renovations and does not order you through steps. If you want you lay the tile before you choose wall color just to get a feel for the room then don’t let anything the contractor tells you detour you. If it makes sense to you then the renovations are being done correctly. Here is a guideline to follow when starting to plan for your homes renovations.

Outline your project
So many projects have been derailed because of poor outlining. When deciding to jump into renovations make sure you have a simple plan of attack. Sketch out what you hope the finished project will look like. Create a list of items that are must have, things you are willing to compromise on and absolute no’s. Get all of your ducks in a row with local and state permits. Decide what you want to hire out and what you would like to tackle on your own. Lastly, but most importantly make sure your funding is adequate for your project.

Outside in
When beginning any remodel project take a look at the outside projects first. Inspect the foundation of your project. If required make repairs to the home structurally before continuing with any renovations. It is also wise to make any changes in the roof lines before starting inside renovations. You will want to ensure that inside walls and joists are strong enough to withstand the prevailing projects. Windows are a big part of most remodeling jobs. Windows with blinds between the glass have become a popular renovation feature. Make sure you install all windows and repair and install siding before jumping to the interior.

Annihilate
You will want to demolish anything you are not saving when beginning the interior projects. This way you will not have to do demolition in the kitchen after you have finished the bedroom. Any and all demolition should take place prior to beginning the renovation process. In order to start the process you will want to rent rubbish containers to keep the mess of demolishing your home to a minimum. Be as careful as possible when removing any surfaces that you are unsure if they are covered by lead paint. During this phase of renovation it is best to not occupy your home. Demolish as much as possible if you will not be living in the house.

Construct
This is the point in your renovation project where you will want to be ready with the structural elements of your renovation. Whether you are knocking in walls or building them up it is a good time to begin those projects. If you are adding windows, such as the windows with blinds between the glass you will want to enlarge existing window frames. This will ensure that any new walls being built or taken down will still provide symmetry for your renovations. During the construct stage you will also want to add support beams to existing structures especially if you plan on adding weight to your structure.

Guts
Don’t forget about any new electrical, ducts and plumbing that needs to be run for your renovation project. With the walls exposed it will be much easier to put the guts of the systems into place. You also need to have the inspectors out while the walls are down. This will make any necessary repairs easier to fix.

Insulate and drywall
Now that you have all the guts in your walls it is time to add insulation and drywall. Insulation will progress rather quickly while the process of drywall may take up to a week. In order to achieve perfection and seamless wall surfaces it will take time.

Floors and finishing touches
After all the major construction is done and the walls are up it is time to install flooring. You will want to install flooring before the finishing touches on paint and moldings are put in. It is easy during flooring to bump into walls. You would not want brand new moldings and paint jobs to be destroyed by these preventable blemishes. Trust me it is easier and less expensive to cover the new flooring with drop clothes rather than redoing paint and molding.

Extensive renovations on your home take time and money. When beginning any major home improvement project plan ahead. You will need an extra stash of emergency money for the unexpected repairs that pop up along the way. No one plans for their pipes to leak but you never know what you will come across when you are in the annihilation phase. The best advice I could offer any one starting on a home renovation is to be patient and trust your gut.

Are you bored with your between the glass window treatments? Even with the plethora of between the glass treatments available curtains visually add something unique to the interior design of any room. Adding curtains to your room is one of the least expensive ways to add drama. Sure you can paint or add some wall paper for dimension but curtains are affordable and easy to switch out. If you aren’t pleased with your wall paper you are looking at weeks of peeling it off.

Adding personality to your rooms by adding curtains takes little to know interior design experience. Curtains are one of those items that can be added to any window even if the windows already have blinds between the glass. There are only a few decisions to make when installing curtains to your room; color, length, purpose, hardware and personal flair.

When deciding what type of curtains to add to your rooms make sure to measure the windows and furniture in the room before becoming too set on one type. For instance if you have a large bed frame with large nightstands but small windows you will want to place more emphasis on making the windows grand. When you measure for a small window that is in a room with large items you will want to look for hardware that can extend past the existing window frame. This will make the window appear larger and won’t allow the furniture to be the main focal point of the room any longer. With extra large windows if you want to down play them you will want to use simple window treatments to deemphasize their size.

Color, Print and Pattern
Colors are often used to describe our mood and the same exists with the mood of a room. Curtains can be one area where you use color to create an ambience. Neutral is always a good choice for walls because you can change the accessories to create the mood. If you choose a patterned wall paper or bold color to create a statement then let the walls stand as the room’s statement. Downplay the color, print and pattern of the curtains so that the room does not become overly busy. Whatever you choose when using curtains to decorate a room make sure it fits your style and taste. You are the one who has to love what you see when you enter the room.

Length
This is really important when placing emphasis in your interior design. Don’t think that just because you have short windows that are set higher off the ground you must use curtains that are short. If you want to add drama and flair you will want to emphasize the window. Use the windows natural light by using sheer curtains that go to the floor. Floor length curtains will always add a touch of class and flair. Short curtains tend to be great for kitchens and baths. These areas in your home can use curtains in a fun playful nature. Feel free to choose half curtains or only a valance where you aren’t concerned with privacy such as in the kitchen. If you have windows with the blinds between the glass privacy won’t be an issue anyhow. Windows that have the blinds encased within look wonderful with valances or even sheer curtains. It is all personal preference.

Function
Will the curtains you are installing serve a light control purpose? If so you will need to purchase room darkening curtains. This comes into play for bedrooms mostly. If you work nights and sleep days make sure you take this into account when planning for curtains in the bedroom.

Hardware
There are so many rods and hooks out there to jazz up your curtains. If you have a more neutral personal style then add the decorative touches in the rods and tiebacks. This is an inexpensive way to change the look of your curtains without going too extreme.

Personal Flair
When doing any kind of designing in your home this is the category to put ninety-five percent of your energy into. You will want to enjoy the space and the way it feels to you. Make sure when doing window treatments that they compliment who you are and what you want to say about yourself through your home. This is truly the most important piece in the puzzle of interior design.