windows: Do Your Windows Have the Power to Melt the House Next Door?
- 04/19/17 06:49 PM
With a fair amount of buzz recently about how some energy-efficient windows can create a laser-beam effect that warps siding on a neighboring house, we thought we’d check into the hubbub. Bottom-line: It doesn’t mean you should abandon your decision to invest in low-e (low-emissive) windows, which limit heat transfer so that your house stays cool or warm. In fact, some areas require low-e windows on new homes or in retrofits. Anyway, the melting tends to occur under a perfect storm of conditions -- so not very often. Still, we’ve got some tips for you, below, in case your window or your neighbor’s window … (0 comments)
windows: Save Money with Home Window Repair Tips
- 03/20/17 06:54 PM
Perhaps your wood sashes are cracked, peeling, and prone to rattle in the wind. Or the insulated glass in your vinyl casement is “blown” -- filled with foggy condensation. Maybe your aluminum slider gave up sliding years ago. You’ve got a window problem, and you know it’s going to cost you. Confronted with such ills, many home owners leap to the conclusion that it’s time to replace their windows. That’s an expensive proposition: A double-hung 3-foot-by-5-foot vinyl replacement window costs $300 to $500 installed. Fact is, none of the symptoms mentioned above necessitate new windows. By repairing windows with a few dollars and … (0 comments)
windows: Skylight Costs and Tips for a Mistake-Free Installation
- 03/16/17 06:09 PM
Skylights are a popular option for bringing natural light into a home. Even a single skylight can transform a room, adding 30% more light than a window and bathing interiors with balanced, energy-saving light. At first glance they seem inexpensive: A quality 2-by-4-foot skylight and flashing kit costs $150 to $500. However, installation adds another $500 to $3,000 to the project cost -- good reason to carefully evaluate whether a skylight is right for you. Until recently, roof slope was a determining factor for skylight installations. Roofs that were too flat or too steep required special installation techniques. Most modern skylights, however, include … (0 comments)
windows: What You Need to Know About Buying Energy-Efficient Windows
- 03/15/17 08:53 PM
If your windows are more than 15 years old, you may be putting up with draftiness, windows that stick in their frames, and skyrocketing energy bills. Energy-efficient windows would be a great improvement, but replacement can be very expensive. All-new vinyl windows for an average 2,450-square-foot house run about $15,000, according to the "Remodeling Impact Report" from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. But that doesn’t mean the numbers can’t make sense for you. For starters, window replacement is one of the best home remodeling projects in terms of investment return: For average-quality vinyl windows, you can recoup 80% of the project cost in … (0 comments)
windows: How to Inspect Windows and Doors to Stop Air and Water Leaks
- 03/13/17 07:37 PM
Take a close look at your windows, doors, and skylights to stop air leaks, foil water drips, and detect the gaps and rot that let the outside in. You can perform a quick check with a home air-pressure test, or a DIY energy audit. Luckily, these inspections are easy to do. Here’s how to give your house a checkup: How to Check for Air LeaksA home air pressure test sucks outside air into the house to reveal air leaks that increase your energy bills. To inspect windows and other openings: Seal the house by locking all doors, windows, and skylights. Close all dampers … (0 comments)
windows: Choosing an Exterior Door
- 03/08/17 05:42 PM
Good looks and value -- what's not to love? Not only does replacing your front entry door kick up your curb appeal, it's a solid investment with a decent payback. According to the "2015 Remodeling Impact Report" from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, a new steel entry door has a national median cost of $2,000, and you'll recover 75% of that investment if you decide to sell your house. Your payback will be more than just financial, too. Homeowners polled for the "Report" returned a healthy Joy Score of 9.6 -- a rating based on those who said they were happy or … (0 comments)
windows: Add an Egress Window to Your Finished Basement
- 12/01/16 05:33 PM
When converting a basement into a living area, your safety is a primary consideration. That’s why building codes specify that a finished basement must have an emergency egress--an egress window or door large enough to allow people to easily exit the space, and for rescue crews to gain access in case of fire or other emergency. Besides gaining peace of mind, you’ll also benefit from more natural light and ventilation, adding to the comfort and value of your below-grade oasis. Adding an egress window usually means cutting a large enough hole in your basement wall. If your basement has solid concrete or … (0 comments)
windows: Guide to Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
- 11/07/16 08:56 AM
Many of today’s window coverings are more than pretty--the shades, shutters, blinds, and films currently on the market offer homeowners a variety of sunning and shading options that make a room look nice while giving your heating and cooling bills an extremely green makeover. Many energy-efficient window coverings have insulating values of R-2 to R-4, effectively doubling the insulating value of a standard, premium vinyl window with double-pane glass and a low-E coating. An average house featuring 15 windows outfitted with energy-efficient window coverings can achieve an annual energy savings of $150. Expect payback in about 15 years. Here's a guide to different types … (0 comments)
windows: Choosing Windows for a Sunroom Addition
- 09/25/16 11:29 AM
Windows make a sunroom. When planning sunroom additions, you’ll need 20 or more windows, so the style, material, and price point you choose will have a huge effect on the project. There are hundreds of window options to choose from, and the selection process becomes far easier if you think about a few big-picture questions before you head to the showroom. How efficient do you want to go? Today’s standard windows ($700 to $1,000 each) are made from double-paned glass with a low-emissivity coating that helps block heat from entering in the summer and escaping in the winter. They’re twice as efficient as the single-paned … (0 comments)
windows: Hurricanes: Protect Your Windows and Doors
- 08/02/16 10:55 AM
Windows and doors are especially susceptible to wind damage, and water can infiltrate your home quickly if these openings are breached. There are steps you can take to protect your windows and doors from hurricanes. Not only can these improvements pay off during a hurricane, but they might even lower your insurance premiums. Windows and Doors are Vulnerable You know the damage an errant rock can do to a home's unprotected windows or sliding glass doors. Now imagine that rock driven by hurricane-force winds in excess of 155 mph. Keeping your windows and doors intact during a storm prevents injuries from flying glass. When … (0 comments)
windows: Storage Solutions: The Secret Life of Pocket Doors
- 07/05/16 11:18 AM
Pocket doors maximize under-utilized areas around doorways and transform them into smart storage spots. The swing of a standard interior hinged door eats up as much as 10 square feet of floor space. That’s not to mention the unusable wall space the door occupies when open. By gliding on a track that disappears into the wall, pocket doors reclaim that space and increase the usable square footage of your home. Is the additional space worth it? It’s not exactly an open and shut case. For starters, unless you’re dealing with new construction, you’ll need to demolish a wall. Here’s what else you need … (0 comments)
windows: How to Hurricane-Proof Windows
- 05/19/16 12:19 PM
Hurricanes are scary enough, but the idea of broken glass flying through your living room at 155 mph is downright terrifying. Add to that the scary thought that hurricane winds coming in through broken windows can create dangerous pressures inside your home that can collapse your walls and roof. Here are four ways to hurricane-proof your windows: Add hurricane window film Tough, clear plastic hurricane film is popular because you can’t really see it, and you can leave it in place year-round. If the glass breaks, hurricane film prevents glass shards from zipping around inside your home. If you’re an average DIYer, you can install … (0 comments)
windows: Protect Exterior Doors from Hurricane Damage
- 05/17/16 10:33 AM
You know the damage a kid’s baseball can do to a home's unprotected siding or sliding glass doors. Now imagine a whole bunch of baseballs hurled by hurricane-force winds in excess of 155 mph. That’s enough force to punch through exterior entry doors and shatter patio doors. And that’s an invitation for rain and surging floodwaters to get inside. So if a hurricane comes knocking on your front door, make sure it can’t come in with these smart ideas for strong exterior doors. Check and strengthen exterior doors Your first line of defense is to check all exterior doors for loose or missing hinge … (0 comments)
With a fair amount of buzz recently about how some energy-efficient windows can create a laser-beam effect that warps siding on a neighboring house, we thought we’d check into the hubbub.
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