Cost Efficient Way to Gain Value to Your Home

     Looking for the most cost efficient way to grow your homes living space and value?  Consider adding a Sunroom, or three seasons room.  Sunrooms are more than just extra living space , you could “recoup 74.5% of their cost at sale time”  - Remodeling magazine payback factors 2005.  Many home owners have decks they can only use half the time because of weather.   Enclosing your porch can give you 100% usage of your outside space. Not only keeping you cool in the summer but warm in the winter.  

It keeps the bugs out

Enjoy extra dining space

Use it as a music room

Extend your family room

Space for a game room

Place for pets

Playroom for children

Relax with a good book

Utilize as a office space

Get and enclosed Hot tub/spa room

Entertain family and friends year round

Get creative in your own craft room

Extra space on rainy day / cold days

Winter Projects

Not being able to work outside in the winter, you might want to focus on projects you can do inside.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

Replace your old basement ceiling with The Styleline Zip-Up System.  The System is easy to install and easy to clean. 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.

Update the paint on your walls. Painting is a great way to cheer up your space or bring a new refresh feeling during these winter months.
Just make sure you have lots of ventilation while you are painting.

Clean out your closets and cabinets.  This a great way to reorganize what you have.  A great rule of thumb if you have not worn it or used it in a year get rid of it.  Start a box of items you do not wear or use. You can use this box for your spring garage sale or donate to your local goodwill or salvation army.

Update your flooring.  This will bring an uplift to any room.  Add carpet or a new rug to a hardware floor can warm up any drafty room.  In the winter months you can get good deals on materials and save you some money.





Get inspired this winter to work on those projects in the home.

What glass should you choose in a storm window?

You are ready to put storm windows over your existing windows.  What do you choose for glass? We offer a variety of styles of glass for our windows.  Many often have questions on the difference between what we offer. Sometimes terms can be confusing.  We have broke down the different styles we offer in our storm windows.  Remember that these windows go over your existing windows, they are not replacing the windows you currently have.

Double Strength Glass

The difference between double strength glass (1/8")  than a single pane of glass (1/16") is a thicker pane of glass that will help with noise and be a stronger glass to help with less breakage.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that is toughened by a controlled chemical or thermal treatment that increases the strength of the glass.  This process allows the glass to crumble in to small pieces instead of big shards of glass. This glass is safer than single or double strength glass.

Low "E" Glass

To protect against heat and the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, Adding a layer of metallic to the glass.  This layer is called “Low E”, acts like a mirror and blocks the damaging heat from the sun and blocks the harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage curtains, furniture and carpets. 

Argon Gas Glass

Twenty plus years ago they started offering the option of putting Argon gas between the two panes of glass to block the cold. The Argon Gas insulates better than air because it is heavier than air.  This option is not available in storm windows.

Call for locations near you or a free quote at 1-888-323-0594.

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.