General Article

Before You Call A Glass Repair Company

Laura

Before You Call A Glass Repair Company

Maybe you’ve had a break-in. Maybe the kid who lives down the street tossed a wayward throw to home plate through your picture window. Or maybe you just closed it too hard and broke it yourself. In any case, you’ve got yourself a broken window, complete with dangling jagged shards and chunks of razor-sharp glass on the floor.

What do you do? You call a glass repair company. But before you do that, take a few minutes and gather some of the following information which will help expedite getting it repaired, hopefully the very same day.

What is the size of the broken window?

A major factor in same-day window repair is the size of the glass. A glass company employee won’t expect you to give them exact measurements over the phone, but will certainly ask you for a rough estimate. Find yourself a tape measure if you have one and (taking appropriate care, of course) measure both the height and the width. Measure only the glass surface you see (it’s what’s known as “daylight” in the glass repair business). Don’t have a tape measure or just can’t seem to find one when you need it? Use a sheet of typical copy paper – most are usually eleven inches long.

Knowing the rough size of the glass to be repaired will help avoid the glazier from having to return to the shop for a larger sheet.

Is the window single or double-pane?

Single-pane windows can usually be repaired that very same day, often on the spot. Double-pane (also referred to as thermal or insulated windows) are a different story. This type of window has to be custom-made and will usually have to be ordered by the glass company from their manufacturer. This can typically take anywhere from 5 to 10 working days.

Determining whether you have a single or double-pane window is a fairly simply endeavor regardless of how little knowledge of windows you have or how badly broken it is. At the edge of the glass wherever it meets the frame, look for a silver aluminum spacer anywhere from a 1/4 inch thick to 3/4 inch thick. The presence of this silver spacer almost certainly indicates a double-pane window.

If it is a double-pane window, are both panes broken or just one?

If both panes of a double-pane window are broken it will have to be boarded. If, however, only one pane is broken it can often be left in place without having to board it. Be sure to let the glass company know in advance if it’s just one pane that’s broken or both.

Is the broken glass in a door?

If so, it will have to be replaced with either tempered or laminated safety glass, even if there is ordinary plate glass in it now. Tempered safety glass must be ordered and typically takes a week or two to get, but laminated safety glass can be cut to size the …

Home Maintenance

Tricks And Tips On How To Efficiently Improve Your House

Laura

No matter what you are wanting to do, if you know how it is done, you will be a success. This is definitely true when dealing with home improvement. You do not need to have a leaking roof or any loose stairs. Check these improvement tips prior to starting any project.

Be certain your air conditioner’s filters is kept clean. The more clogged the filter is, the harder the unit has to work to cool down your home. This will also cost you money on the time it stays on. Each month, switch out the filter to avoid problems.

Use a porch light with motion sensors to illuminate your yard while saving costs on your electric bill. You can manually adjust the sensitivity of the light, as well as turn it on without engaging the motion sensor if you need to.

Thoroughly dust your home at least one time every week. It only takes a few days for dust to accumulate and for allergens to wreak havoc in your life. Cleaning your accessories not only guarantees that you are rid of the dust and dirt, it also helps check for uninvited guests such as spiders, ants or fleas.

Electrical outlets can be covered with aluminum foil if you are painting walls. The foil protects while you paint and is much easier to work with than tape. It is so easy to clean up! Allow the paint to fully dry prior to removing the foil.

You don’t need to be a handyman to repair a leaky faucet. You will make a big difference in your water bill if you can fix all your water leaks as they occur. As such, the savings will end up in your pocket, not the water comapnies’ pockets.

Before beginning a home improvement project in your kitchen, fireplace or any part of your house with a gas line, be sure to turn off the gas at the shutoff location before starting. Proceeding with extreme caution is essential in these situations. Be careful not to puncture, or otherwise penetrate the line at any point during your project, as it could lead to a leak of explosive gas.

When hiring contractors to perform any work in your home, always keep accurate and detailed records. Don’t just assume the contractor will do this for you. Keep a file of all invoices and contracts associated with your project. This helps you and the contractor stay focused on the job.

Things like gutters and chimneys are forgotten about when most people are making home improvements. Inspecting these areas of your house is important to ascertain they are in proper working order and also to make any needed repairs. If your chimney is not cleaned regularly it may catch fire, and downspouts and gutters may become obstructed with debris, this can result in water damage when not addressed.

There are many easy home improvements that just about anyone can do. However, it is still important to proceed with caution and research any …

Home Renovation

Solid Home Improvement Advice When Trying To Sell Your Home

Laura

As long as there have been homes, there has been home improvement. We all want our homes to be comfortable and look beautiful, and sometimes the only way to accomplish that is to do some updating. Keep reading to learn some modern home improvement tips.

When purchasing a home, hire a professional home inspector. This will help you know for sure if anything needs to be replaced or fixed if you buy the home, without relying on your own expertise or information from the seller. Having a professional that is neutral will also be beneficial to both parties.

To help free up counter space, install an over-the-range microwave. These microwave ovens are installed where the range hood normally goes. They offer various features, including convection cooking, and prices range widely. However, these units often only provide a recirculating filter, so if you are a cook who needs a good ventilation system, you may need to look elsewhere.

If you are hiring someone to perform your home improvement work, make sure to ask for their references. Think of this as hiring someone to work for a business. Do your homework and check all of their references.

Be sure you properly install ventilation or windows in the bathroom. Humidity can cause a lot of damage to a bathroom. No matter how many times you paint the walls, it won’t completely destroy the mold. Therefore, something should be done that will prevent mold growth altogether. Put in a vent or new window to help air the room out.

Include peepholes on your outside doors. You never know who’s standing outside on your porch unless you can see them, and seeing them before opening the door is important. The great thing is that almost anyone can install a peephole in very little time. The only tool you’ll need is a drill, and the project takes very little time to complete. With a peephole, you will not be fearful of opening your door.

A high quality and attractive door and doorway can add up to a 10 percent increase to your home value. If you update your door and get a good door lock, you can choose from a lot of options.

Consider buying extra pieces when working on a project involving brick. When repairs or additions must be made to brick work, it can be surprisingly difficult to match new bricks to the color and texture of the originals. The styles of bricks come in and out of fashion. This problem can be avoided by purchasing extra bricks during your original purchase, so they can be stored and available for use as needed.

If you do the right homework, you can make your home as nice as can be. Some projects are not as easy as they appear to be, however, so proceeding with caution is essential. Many a homeowner have found themselves deep into a project, only to find they are in over their head, increasing the time frame and expense of their …

Room Additions

Practical Home Security Advice For Puzzled People

Laura

Keeping a security strategy in place is always wise, but it is not always easy to do. You need more information to help you make a better understand everything and make a good decision. Continue reading to find out more about a good home security plan.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Is your dog outside when you are away? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. Place a C-Clamp on the door track near the roller. This will prevent the door from lifting.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Have lights that sense motion. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.

When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. You want the best security possible for your family.

Not too many people know exactly how to make their home more secure. Studying the subject needs to be a top priority for any person that worries about their family’s safety and their items’ safety. The above article should be an excellent starting point for establishing your knowledge on …

Remodeling Contractors

Finding The Best Deal On A Professional Landscaper

Laura

A little piece of knowledge gained in advance will help you with whatever landscaping project you have in mind. Not knowing what you’ll face will ensure ruin, so read this article in full, in order to help you take over your landscaping project and do it right.

When it comes to landscaping, there’s a lot you need to consider. You need to know the differences between annuals and perennials, what plants thrive in what regions, and what will work in your climate. You must also remember your seasons when landscaping as well. It is very important that you know this information in order to get the best results from your landscaping experience.

Water your plants with a drip-style system. These types of watering systems are simple to install and help you to provide your garden with the correct amount of water. Drip style systems are advantageous as well because they actually conserve water. Sprinkler systems, in contrast, are water hogs and don’t distribute a steady flow of water to the roots of the plants.

Do you think you will be putting your house on the market soon? Landscaping can provide you with great returns on your home. Use the front yard to give your home curb appeal and the back yard for an outdoor entertaining area.

It is not necessary – or even wise – to try to landscape your entire property all at the same time. So, what you should do is split up your landscaping in phases, which will also make it better for your budget. It will also benefit you when you’re changing your design down the road.

Choosing plant life wisely to assure your landscaping project is successful. You don’t need plants that will needs tons of sun in the shade. You want to avoid planting bigger trees in small growth areas. Take time to do adequate planning to ensure that your plants do well where you plant them.

Most people haven’t considered buying landscaping materials online. There are several factors that make shopping for plants online a good idea, though. Besides its ease and convenience, shopping online gives you access to a wider variety of plants than you could find at a home improvement store or a local nursery.

Before you visit lawn or garden centers to get plants, measure your landscaping area first. You will be able to determine the amount of any item you will need. This simple step can ensure you do not end up with either a shortage or surplus of materials.

If you want your yard to be colorful but inexpensive to maintain, plant some wildflowers. All home improvement stores carry wildflower seeds, and they can be scattered on large areas that are hard to plant. You will end up with beautiful varieties of flowers. They will be great for bouquets!

Knowing what you’re doing before you start a landscaping project can mean the difference between success and costly mistakes. Take in as much information as possible and keep it …

General Article

Repairing Windows Is an Economical Alternative and Could Save You From Severe Future Home Repairs

Laura

Repairing Windows Is an Economical Alternative and Could Save You From Severe Future Home Repairs

Many homeowners spend thousands of dollars worth of home maintenance and repair expenses in a short period of time. Some of these costs can catch some over-anxious new home buyers by surprise, let alone the veteran homeowner. As I have mentioned in almost every publication, crunch the numbers on homeownership and maintenance before jumping to any conclusions. However, if you put window repairs at the top of your to-do list, you may save money for some other unexpected future home repairs.

Most people know that if they ignore routine car check-ups or don’t go to their dentist for routine cleanings, they could have more serious and more expensive issues down the road. Our society mindset is, if it’s not leaking or smoking, procrastination takes over. Some routine maintenance to repair windows in your home may not cost you an arm and a leg and save you from major home repairs later in life.

What costs to expect

According to the US world News report on 5/29/12, on average, people will spend between 1 to 4 percent of a home’s value annually on maintenance and repairs. The older the home gets, the more maintenance it tends to need. Lack of home maintenance may lead to depreciation of the home’s value. Of course, you don’t have to perform major repairs on a yearly basis, but maintaining window repairs can save you from major headaches in the long run. That way you can be prepared for the unforeseen expenses, such as losing the heating element in your clothes dryer. In addition, window repairs along with other efficient home improvement maintenance can tightening up the envelope and cut monthly energy bills significantly.

I would recommend speaking to a Window Repair Expert to diagnose your window problems. That way they can and should be able to give you an idea of the potential costs you might incur to take care of these issues. Furthermore, a true expert may recommend that a simple maintenance plan of serious cleaning and very basic care could save homeowners on major window repair bills.

Let me reiterate by saying before performing any home improvement repairs, be sure to weigh the costs especially between window repairs or replacements. Even though you may think the materials used in a repair job might be economical, the cost will also depend on the time it takes to properly get the job completed. Sometimes the cost of replacing your windows might be the best alternative depending on the extent of the damage and the cost of completing the window repair job properly.…

Remodel Kitchen

Make A Change In Your Life With These Home Improvement Tips

Laura

Anyone who owns a home can benefit from home improvement projects. You can increase the overall appearance and value of your home through simple home improvements. Home improvement projects can be both valuable and very fun. Keep reading for some advice on how you can get more out of home improvement.

Many lampshades are plain and boring. You can pep up your lamp shades by getting some stencils and acrylic paint, and decorating them to your taste. Doing this will add personality to your room and take away from your boring lampshades.

If you are unable to get rid of a persistent squeak in a door, you may need to replace the hinge. You can pick up this piece of hardware in a big box retailer. Remove the current hinge and replace it with the new one that you purchased. Then, replace the pins after aligning the hinges.

Adding a second bathroom to your home can significantly increase the worth of your house. A second bathroom can be really helpful, especially when you have more than one floor in your house. There will always be times when more than one person has to use your bathroom, and additional bathrooms will make things better for everyone.

A great home improvement to undertake is installing motion-sensitive lighting on the outside of your home. This lowers your electricity costs by automatically switching off the outdoor lights when no one needs them. You can take your home’s safety up a notch by installing motion detectors that cause lights to turn on when a thief is present.

Install new knobs on your cabinets for a fresh look. Few projects are as simple and effective as replacing the knobs and pulls on kitchen cabinets and drawers. After removing the old cabinet knobs, scrub the cabinets before installing the new knobs. You can install your new cabinet accessories quickly, and enjoy the decor upgrade you get from them for years to come!

Replacing any wall boards with a water-resistant version is a great upgrade to any kitchen or bathroom make-over. Water-resistant wall board referred to as “green board” is made to resist moisture and also to prevent dangerous mold from forming.

One cost efficient way to improve a bathroom is glaze. A fresh coat of glaze will help your bathroom look new. A glaze treatment can be done at a much cheaper price than bathroom floor replacement. A great way to improve your bathroom’s appearance is with some fresh glaze.

In order to create precious floor space or clear out other much-needed space that is being take up by your television or television stand, you might want to consider getting a wall-mounted bracket to hold your television. If you follow the directions, this will take a minimal amount of time.

By starting with various small do-it-yourself projects, the homeowner can build up their confidence to the point they will be ready to tackle the more challenging project. This is always good. There is no limit for a …

Basement Remodeling

Having A Hard Time With Landscaping? Keep Reading

Laura

Whether you are looking to do a small maintenance project or a major overhaul, take the time to do some research first. If you don’t know what you’re up against, you’re highly likely to fail. Reading this article will help you get your landscaping project under control.

Fill your yard with native plants. Native plants require less maintenance as they are already in their ideal climate. Thus, they are a great choice for anyone who is unwilling or unable to spend a lot of time on maintenance. Information is readily available at any local gardening store regarding which plants may be native to your location.

Choose quality products over cheap ones. In many home improvement stores you will normally find low-quality products. Visiting a store that specializes in landscaping will net you higher quality products with the added benefit of being able to get advice on your product choices from the employees. You may pay slightly more at these stores, but in the long run the products and help you get will be worth it.

You can save money by timing purchases. For instance, winter is the best time to purchase lumber, while shrubs, mulch, and tress should be bought later on in the season. When a new species of plant is introduced, you can save money by waiting a few years before buying your specimen.

Measure the area in which you will be working before you start buying plants or other supplies. You will be able to determine the quantities of products needed much easier with proper measurements. Doing this will ensure you buy the right amount of various products.

Next time you mow the lawn, consider leaving the cut grass where it falls. This will give good nutrients to the lawn and grass and you won’t need to add as much fertilizer.

Don’t underestimate the importance of quality plants and products. There are many places to buy discount supplies, but the quality is often questionable. If you are a landscaping novice, a specialty store will cost more, but have the quality and advice that you need.

Use curved borders on your plantings when you’re landscaping your yard. Use rounded shapes to have better visual appeal as opposed to straight, squared-off borders. When people look at your yard from the curb, they will see a softer design that stands in pleasant contrast to the sharper lines of the home itself.

If you choose to landscape your property by yourself, sit down and figure out what the costs will be. Just take a bit of time to think about what additions you want to make and do some research on them. Next, figure out where you can get all of the materials. Depending on where you live, prices can vary greatly. Do your research to figure out where you can buy high quality items within your budget.

Landscaping is similar to any renovation you do in your home and just a small about of knowledge can go a long way. …

House Improvements

Unhappy With An Aspect Of Your Home? Do Something About It!

Laura

Many people assume that professionals are always needed when it comes to home improvement, but that’s not always true. The tips from this article will allow you to make any home improvements you desire. You’ll find that handling the work yourself can be a lot easier if you heed the following advice.

Go with real floors over laminate if you have the money. Although laminate might look real and be easy to clean, you cannot refinish it. Having real wood floors means that in a decade or two, you or the new home owner will have the option of refinishing instead of replacing the floor.

Lampshades all look the same. Get cheap stencils at the crafts store, an ink pad or acrylic paint, and try dabbing the designs around the shade. This will add a little personality to any room, and give your lighting source an interesting effect.

If you door still squeaks despite your best efforts to remedy the situation, it may just need a new hinge. It’s easy to buy door hinges at any home improvement center. Removing the old hinge and installing the new one is an easy project. Line up all the parts and put in new pins.

Think about installing insulation. Put in weather stripping around your windows and doors. Your heating and cooling systems will be more efficient if you can reduce the amount of outside air entering your home. That is going to mean savings on your utility bills.

Shut off your house’s water supply when your home improvement work takes you into the kitchen or the bathroom. Find the shutoff for water in your home before you begin any kind of work on rooms that use water. This will ensure a flood does not happen.

Use light colors to create a soothing atmosphere: purple, green or blue often work well. When choosing fabrics, use airy materials such as linen or cotton. A bit potpourri and a scented candle can go a long way to maintaining the peaceful aura.

If an older person lives with you, you should plan your house in a way so that it’s safe for them to live in. Showers that are easily stepped in are safer and easier for them to use and will reduce the chances of slip and fall injuries. Other things that can be incorporated include 36-inch doors and grab bars in the bathroom.

Apply a glaze to your bathroom to improve its looks. A fresh coat of glaze will help your bathroom look new. While replacing your bathroom floors or fixtures is costly, a bathroom can typically be glazed for only a few hundred dollars. This is a good way to increase your home’s value without spending very much money.

With any luck, the information you’ve just read will help you in your future projects. The fact that you have chosen this article tells us that you have big plans for your home! You can get the work done yourself and achieve your goals …

Home Contractors

Improve Your Home Security With These Awesome Tips

Laura

Just how much does home security matter to you? Do you think that most major security companies are too costly? Do you wish there were cheaper solutions available to you? Well, they could be hiding directly under your nose. Read on for home security tips, both big and small.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. A lot of people do not know this until a thief steals them from the house. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. They might not be who you think they are. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be deliberate in preventing hazards.

Your budget will tell you which security measures you can put in place. Use the inexpensive methods of securing your home if you cannot afford the more expensive ones. …