Keeping your home protected in cold weather.

Winter is upon us and this year has brought below -0 temperatures for most of the country.  Many are hearing their homes pop and crack in these cold temps.  Keeping your home protected from damage this winter let us look at ways you can achieve this.

Pipes that burst can be a big problem during this cold weather.  This will occur when frozen water will cause a build up between the blockage and the closed faucet. This usually occurs in attics, outside faucets, and under your home. To help prevent this from happening:

1. Locate any exposed pipes and wrap them with insulation.
2. Caulk around holes and cracks that maybe on the outside of your home near water pipes
3. If your home is unattended in the winter make sure your pipes are drained for winter.
4. If power is lost keep a slow drip running in your pipes.
5. Disconnect water hoses from your outside faucets.
6. If your pipes are in a cabinet open it to let the warm air heat the pipes.

Snow accumulation can also cause problems.  Make sure you are clearing snow away from stairs and window wells and places that may be issues when the snow begins to melt.  Look for heavy snow on your roof, this can be damaging cause of the weight of the snow and as it melts water can leak around your home. Make sure you are safely removing the snow,or you can hire a professional to help with the removal. 

Keeping your roof well ventilated can prevent ice from forming on your roof edge that creates damage. The temperature in the attic should be close to the air outside so that the snow does not melt and refreeze to ice. 

Keep your gutters clean from debris.  If the snow starts to met and water is blocked from draining, the water will be forced inside your walls. This causes flooding inside your home.

Many other resources and tips to be protected in this cold weather can be found at http://www.epa.gov/region03/winter/.   Stay safe and warm.

Would you move into a smaller home?

Many are looking for ways to help with expenses. One way that has been trending is moving into a small home.  Some even to the extreme of a tiny home.  Would you? Lets look at some benefits.

Smaller homes are less in price than bigger homes. This could free up money to travel more.  Having more cash also could be less stress on you when you budget expenses.  You could even put more money in you retirement account for the future.

Less cleaning. Spending less time on your home cleaning frees up time for you to spend with you family. You also can condense you belongings so that there is less clutter in your home.

Family bonding. In a smaller space this may force your family to interact more which could bring your family closer.

Smaller home equals less utilities.  In a small space you will use less utilities. This will free up more money in your budget to save for your kids college, retirement, vacations, or even to treat yourself more with your hobbies.

Less repairs. With a smaller home you might find that you will be saving money on home repairs cause it is less space to repair and the cost of a small window or roof could be more affordable..

If you do want to add on later, you would have the funds from all the money you are saving to do so. Adding a small patio room or sun room would give you an affordable way to do so.

With these benefits, what do you think could you live in a smaller space?  Maybe, 2014 could be the year of saving more on your home and utilities for you to enjoy more leisure activities and save for your future.

Happy New Year!

 “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Happy Holidays

What color you choose for your windows say about your personality.

Our homes sometimes are the key to our personalities.  Picking colors for your home can represent they type of personality that you may be.  Find out what your color choice may say about you.

White

You like to be logical and like organization.  White is a symbol for purity and simplicity.  Your home and home life may not have a great deal of clutter.

Black

Artistic and like to give the appearance of mystery.  Like to be dignified with out being to flashy. Your home is and home life you do not like to share easily with others.

Red

Love life and live it to the fullest. Red is the color of strength, health , and vitality.  Quick to judge others, and want everything out of life.  You can be optimistic and do not do well with monotony. Your home and home life is open with a zest for life.

Blue

Harmony and reliability are in your nature. Caring ,compassionate, and patient. Your home and home life are faithful, charming, clean and tidy.  

Green

Green is a symbol for hope and peace.  You tend to be frank, social able, and worry about what others think of you.  Your home and home life is modest, refined, and always try to keep up with your next door neighbors.

Brown

Your a great friend and patience.  You love with all your heart and are reliable and dependable.  You home and home life are not flashy and but stable, always have a open door for family and friends.

Gray

The color of compromise. You love to work with out reward and have great business sense.  Your home and home life are stable but do not share to much, but withdrawal within yourself.

Yellow

Your colorful and have a great imagination. Good in business and have a great sense of humor.  Your home and home life is adventurous, open, and every detail has been selected with a meaning or story to your life.

DIY Ceiling for your basement

   

• The Styleline Zip-Up System Is a great way to update the look to your basement ceiling.  The System is easy to install and easy to clean.  It is made of Poly(vinyl chloride), commonly abbreviated PVC,  It has panels that interlock with rails that attach to the ceiling. No glue needed. It sits higher that a drop ceiling giving you more head room on your basement ceiling.  Easy access to Plumbing and wiring with the pull "zip" panels. They are water and moisture resistant that will not mildew.  It cleans with a damp cloth and has a fire rating of Class-A.
•  The Zip-Up UnderDeck System is the best way to finish off your under deck living space.  Installation is simple with only a few common tools and only has five components. This is a water tight system that effectively channels water to a gutter system and provides a flat, clean finish under the deck.  No other system offers this much functionality and beauty at such an affordable price.

Call for a free quote or a dealer near you at 1-888-323-0594. Visit us at Styleline.biz

Building Your Own Sunroom. Are you ready to DIY?

DIY is trending in the home improvement industry. Television and the Internet instructs us how easy home improvement can be.  It is really so simple?  Can DIY really save you money?  These are some good questions you should be asking yourself when you take on your home improvement projects.  Investing in your home improvement is a important decision that can be rewarding or a money pit if you are not prepared or have the proper skills to do it yourself.

Here is a couple of quick questions you should ask yourself to see if you are ready to tackle a big project as home improvement.

1. Are you a hard worker that is patient and enjoys physical labor?

2. Do you have the skills and tools to complete the project?

3. Are you familiar with the city codes and building permits that are required?

4. Will you be able to get all the materials you need?  If not will your supplier deliver?

5. How long will your project take to complete?  Do you have the spare time?

6. What happens if you have a mistake, do you have the extra funds to get it fixed?

If you could answer "yes" to all these questions, you might be ready to take on you home improvement project. If  "no" was your more common answer you should consider hiring a contractor.

You have looked at your home improvement project and decided it is time to hire a contractor.  Hiring the right contractor for you can save you money, time and stress. Here is some crucial questions to ask a contractor before you hire them for your home project.

1. Do they have creditable references?

2. How long have they been in business?

3. Do they pictures of the work they have completed?

4. Do they have the proper licences for their business?

5. Will they give you a written agreement outlining what work will be done?

6. Will they give you an exact price or just an estimate?

7. Will they take care of the permits and inspections?

8. Is the work they do guaranteed?

Weather you decide do it yourself or hire a contractor, do your homework.  Be prepared, do a budget, and know the project you are going to tackle.


Here at Styleline we offer a DIY window the Styleline Riviera V4 Panel Sliding Window.  Visit our page to learn more at Styleline.biz and Kaufmann Window and Doors.  Quotes are free and if living in the Midwest let us help you find a dealer near you. 1-888-323-0594. #DIY