Soon it will be cold and windy — are your patio doors ready? If not, you may want to consider repairs or upgrades before more of your home’s heat is gone with the wind. Patio doors have many functions, but their main function, of course, is to allow you convenient access to your patio. In this capacity, they must[…]
A skylight is a rewarding project because it makes such a big impact and costs so little in comparison to other home improvement projects. The materials themselves can be quite inexpensive. Installation costs are higher, but the total still comes in well under almost all home renovation projects. Read on to find out how and why your home[…]
Your windows don’t have to be rectangles. Your eyes aren’t rectangles, and you use them to look out your windows, so what sense does that make? If you’re tired of your boring old windows that are the same as most any other window you’d see in any other house, consider changing one or two to[…]
What’s the better material for shutters… real wood or composite? The answer is that each has its merits, and your particular preferences and the specifications of your home will likely dictate what you ultimately decide. Read on to find out some pros and cons for each type of shutter. Many homeowners prefer genuine wood, not just for their shutters, but for their siding, their furniture, their garage doors and many other parts of their home. Wood is beautiful, and it’s natural. It’s that natural part that makes it less durable, however. You can take steps to prolong its life, but it still won’t last as long as a man-made material, and it’s more expensive. Here are some factors to consider before you make your purchase: Looks— Some people swear there is no substitute for real wood. It’s true — composites aren’t real wood, but[…]
What can protect you from the relentless summer heat? Blinds! That’s why they call them blinds. Think about the origin of the word. The first image that probably comes to mind is blind in the sense of not being able to see. Another usage is blind is blinders for horses, so that they can only see a restricted area. Or hunters use a blind so that their prey cannot see them. What you need is a barrier between yourself and those strong rays of sunshine that brighten the long summer days in Utah. You’ve come through a good part of the summer without them, but the dog days are coming up, and you — and your electric bill — want some relief. Blinds are the way to go. But understand that they are an investment in your home — don’t go the cheap route. Get[…]
How are your patio doors holding up this season? Patio doors get a lot of use in the summer, with the kids home from school, dashing in and out every few minutes. If yours are warped, cracked, don’t fit tightly anymore or have just seen better days, it might be time for a new set. The Ins[…]
June is the perfect month to get a skylight because now is the start of the season for beautiful weather. Skylights brighten up dark interiors year-round, but once that last frost is past, you can open them to let in that sweet smell of spring. While installation sometimes can be done in colder months, February is not a[…]
What is the u-factor of your windows? Summer is on its way, and with it the relentless heat of the summer sun. If your home doesn’t have trees nearby that offer protective shade, the indoor temperature can shoot up, causing your air conditioning bills to skyrocket. Depending on your home’s style and structure, poorly insulated windows could be the culprit that lets in the vast majority of the heat. Most homeowners want large windows that let in lots of light, giving their home a cheerful, airy feel. Homes with small windows, heavy drapes, porch overhangs or a thick growth of trees or shrubbery can have a dark, dungeonous quality. The trend in windows today is definitely more, bigger and better. Insulation and Tinting You have many options when choosing new[…]
Do you have condensation trapped in your windows? It’s not just ruining the view, it’s ruining the windows. You will sometimes find condensation on the inside of your windows, which can be wiped away with a cloth or paper towel. It can come from cooking, showering, running a humidifier, or other activities involving water vapor. But condensation trapped between[…]
Spring is the time your thoughts turn to sun, and sunrooms. If you have always wanted a sunroom, March is the best time to plan for it — it gives you enough time to meet with a contractor and get on the schedule before peak sun season. Porches and patios are great, but face it,[…]