General Article

How to Pick the Best Window Treatments For Your Home

There have always been a lot of ways to decorate your windows, but this year, you might want to consider something that will further insulate your home from the cold and the wind. The money you spend on it will pay for itself in lowered heating bills.

If you have draw draperies, why not add a simple sheer underneath it on a plain rod? This will give you the sun and view during the day while still adding another layer between the weather and you. If you have tie-back treatments, you might want to add a window shade or a mini blind under your treatment. This can even be done if you have shears already hanging there, since both shades and blinds will pull all the way up, leaving your view unblocked.

Wooden shutters are a very good insulator, but a bit pricey. If you can afford them, they are a good choice if wind is a problem for you. Floor to ceiling sliding doors that move along a track are wonderful for adding protection and privacy to your home. And they can be moved from one side to the other, changing the appearance of the room in seconds.

But the easiest and quickest thing you can do is to simply go to a flea market and pick up some three section screens. These can be placed in front of a window if the wind is blowing in, or it is too sunny and warm, and can simply be moved aside or placed in another area (you can stand it in the corner with a plant in front of it for some drama when you don’t need it in front of the window).…

Tips For Buying Cheap Window Blinds

If you’re planning to redecorate your home or office, and window blinds are one of the things you’re replacing, they will eat up a considerable portion of your overall budget. There are things you can do to keep your costs down, however, and cheap window blinds don’t have to be poor quality.

If the blinds are going to be more functional than decorative – in other words, you just want them to block light and provide privacy – you will be able to save quite a bit of money by choosing inexpensive materials and designs that are still quite functional. If the decor is important to you, however, your costs will likely be quite a bit higher.

One way to save money on your blinds, whatever kind you decide on, is to order them on the internet. As with most things these days, you can generally find window blinds at lower prices online than you would in your local window covering store. This is true for all the major brands, such as Levolor, Nanik, Hunter Douglas and Sunburst.

The main disadvantage of buying online is that you won’t have someone local who you can talk to if you run into any problems with your blinds – you’ll have to deal with the company you bought them from, who could be across the country. Before you buy online, try calling them and speaking to their customer service line to see whether they are helpful. If they aren’t easy to get in touch with before you buy, it isn’t likely to change afterwards.

If you buy your blinds online you’ll also need to arrange for the installation, whether you do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you will want to be sure you have an installer lined up ahead of time if you’re not willing or able to do it yourself.

Buying your window blinds on the internet may be a new experience for you, but if you do your homework and research the types of blinds you want and the company you’re buying from, you should have just as good an experience as if you’d bought them locally.…

Get Quality Yet Cheap Window Blinds by Shopping Online For Discount Window Treatments

Cheap Window Blinds are no longer of sub standard quality these days. Rather, they are discount window blinds which are available in any imaginable color and styles. You have probably heard of faux wood window blinds, vinyl verticals, cellulars, bamboo window shades, roman shades, sheer horizontals, roller shutters, just to name few. Each has its own function and can help you create your very own aesthetic look and feel and set it uniquely apart. While it could pose a small challenge to find the right kind of quality yet cheap window blinds, the huge options available nowadays makes it very easy indeed.

Here are a few key points to note when buying blinds, shutters and shades browsing the countless websites on the internet. Ensure that these sites provide products from reputed companies and that the referrer sites also enjoy good reputation. Get quotes for your purchase request and find out more as most online purchases might offer more varieties in terms of colors and styles upon requests.

The drawback from shopping online for hard products shades is that you are unable to feel the texture of the fabric, and can only go by what you see. Pictures and images can sometimes be misleadingly more beautiful than the original, so carveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Also you need to ensure that the proper measurements are clearly stated in the advertisements.

Often, delivery charges and other admin charges are borne by the buyer and you need to be informed of the added cost. Reputed online sites like eBay or Amazon do provide clear indication of full charges, but some do not. You need to confirm before committing to the purchase.

Often times, the large brands in the market run Feature of the Week promotions too to expedite sales or move their stock at faster pace. The word cheap is relative to everyone. It could mean discounted pricing at the top brands or at a warehouse sale. Almost all the largest brands like Hunter Douglas, Hilarys, Velux, Bali Blinds, Levolor in the market have very competitive and reasonably priced online shopping. Some even have real life designers featured online to help you with your purchases.

A little persistence, patience and creativity goes a long way to ensuring that you get the right kind of quality but cheap window blinds for your discount window treatments.…

How To Fix Common Problems With Aluminum Windows And Doors

When people talk about aluminium windows and doors for use in your home, they will often tell you that they are ‘maintenance free’ and that ‘all you have to do is install them and leave them’. This, however, is not entirely true, as some maintenance is needed to keep aluminium frames damage free. Otherwise, some of the below problems may occur.

Blocked Outlets

This can prove to be highly damaging to aluminium windows and doors over time, as it can cause condensation to build up on the surface. Whenever you are cleaning your windows and doors, you should check the outlets for dirt and other obstructions, being sure to clean them out.

Deteriorating Frame Joint Seals

This is usually due to the age of the frames or to the thermal expansion of the seals and is bad for aluminium windows and doors because it could allow moisture to get in. Some frames have removable exterior glazing beads; if yours do, remove the rubber and beads for cleaning, apply a bead sealant and then replace them.

Pitting

Neglecting to clean windows and doors can lead to corrosion of the frames over time. This actually shortens the life of your aluminium windows and doors so should be avoided at all costs. You can repair pitting by cleaning, sanding and repainting your aluminium frames, being sure to carefully follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions.

Powder Coat Chalking

This is likely to occur to aluminium frames due to age. To help keep your powder coated finishes looking newer for longer, simply apply a vinyl restoring solution or a light oil to the surface after cleaning. This treatment can also help to reduce the effect of chalking that has already occurred.

Scratches

Noticing scratches on the surface of your aluminium window and doors is not a big drama, as they will not affect the performance of your frames. If, however, you do not like the appearance of scratches on your windows and doors, simply buff the surface by applying a vinyl restorative or light oil.

Window Sashes Won’t Open

The most common reasons for this occurring are if the sash is twisted, if the friction stays are too tight, or if the building has settled and the aluminium frame has swollen. If the friction stays are too tight, it is easily fixed by loosening or replacing them. Unfortunately, if the sash has twisted you will need a professional to repair it (as you are likely to break the glass if you try). You will also need a professional repair if the issue is due to the building settling (as there is construction work involved).…

Wood Fence Enemies and How to Combat Them

The beauty of a well-made wood fence is quite a sight. However, if left to the rigors of nature, a beautifully built wood fence can become a haven for pests and parasites that can destroy your hard work.

The most notorious wood-destroying offenders come in the form of carpenter bees, termites and carpenter ants. These three species of insects are bent on using your wood fencing as their personal stomping grounds, and if not dealt with, they will have their way. In order to keep your wood fence safe, you will need to know how to identify these pests and protect your fence from an invasion.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees create nests and lay eggs in different wooden structures, especially those that have been neglected and exposed to the weather. This makes wood fencing a preferred nesting spot for carpenter bees.

Carpenter bees are fairly large. They are similar in appearance to bumblebees, but can be distinguished by their solid black abdomen, which has a greenish-purple sheen. The appearance of carpenter bees is quite intimidating, but it is important to note that the males cannot bite or sting, while females will only sting when they are handled directly.

Carpenter bees damage wood fences by boring holes deep into the wood. They do this to create breeding chambers for laying their eggs. These holes can be spotted by their size, which is about the size of a dime. One hole is not enough to cause any significant damage to your wood fence, but when it becomes more densely populated, the wood will begin to weaken and become vulnerable to damage from other pests.

In order to control an outbreak of carpenter bees, take measures to seal up any burrowed holes that you see. This can be done by using a liquid sealant to fill in the hole, and then covering the entrance with wood putty or steel wool. Pesticides can be used in cases where carpenter bee nesting is extreme.

Termites

Termites are another threat to the security of your fencing materials. There are several kinds of termites, each with different characteristics and behavior:

Damp wood termites. Damp wood termites are more prone to feeding from stumps and dead limbs of trees. These termites love wooded areas with a constant supply of moisture.

Subterranean termites. These are smaller in size than damp wood termites. They usually appear to be grayish-white and are around three-sixteenths of an inch long.

Dry wood termites. Dry wood termites are the kinds of termites that can cause a lot of damage to movable wooden objects like furniture, as they require no contact with soil to live. And unlike the damp wood termite, they feast on un-decayed wood with low moisture.

There are several ways to treat a termite infestation. One way to use a liquid termite treatment that kills or repels the insects. Another is to use termite baits. These work by spreading small amounts of pesticides through the worker class. Borate termite treatment is applied directly to the wood like a coat of paint. One of the best methods against the dry wood termite is to use fumigation. This is an efficient method of stopping termites that are hard to spot.

Carpenter Ants

The next biggest threat to your wood fence is the carpenter ant. These pests nest in moist wood, such as rotting trees, tree roots, stumps, and logs. Carpenter ants are known for establishing “satellite” nests away from their parent nests. These nests do not require moisture, and they can be found in insulation, doors and wood. The workers move between the satellite colony and the parent colony. In late summer, the queens and males may appear winged and emerge from the satellite colonies. They can invade structures in late winter and early spring from their satellite nests.

To keep carpenter ants from infesting, it is important to keep moisture content low. Any moisture damaged wood will have to go, or you risk a carpenter ant infestation. Firewood should be stored in a garage or shed to keep it dry and provide air circulation. Tree and shrub stumps and roots should be removed, as should low overhanging branches.

~Ben Anton, 2010…

How to Make Your Office Space Conducive For Working by Investing in Window Blinds

Do you own your own business? Are you considering renting a new office space? If so, then you should think about finding a place with natural sunlight and having it decorated with a set of window blinds. Why, you ask? Well, offices should also be considered to be the company’s home base and natural lighting can affect the efficiency of your workers.

Take it from my experience. When I started my own business a year and a half ago, I had been using my basement as my working space. I often felt tired and sluggish, most of the time I had no clue what time it was. Not being able to see the sun has affected my productivity. Well that did not last long, I decided to hunt for a new office that had windows with natural lighting. 

It was difficult at first. Most of the rent were expensive and pre-owned. The latter ones were often empty. The bad part about this is that I would have to pay a huge sum and pay for extra for redecorating. Thanks to a realtor friend of mine, I was able to find a cheap office. It wasn’t too shabby and it only needed a few adjustments. What I did was to go to outlets and find discounted desks and chairs, as well as cheap window blinds and cabinets. Unfortunately, the old paint job and rundown carpet was enough to distract my staff. It even caused simple accidents! Do you want this for your new office? 

Having your own office space means that you should develop the place. You might not realize it but a well-lit and pleasing environment may affect your employees’ productivity. If they see that the place is rundown, it may make them feel lazy and distracted. Have a new paint job or have window blinds installed. This will also help with regards to weather conditions. If there is no protection against the sun, heat may penetrate the windows and create an uncomfortable climate within the workplace. …

How to Install a Wood Privacy Fence

There is no fencing material that has the natural beauty of real wood. Most people assume that a wood fence requires yearly maintenance and that it will not last very long. But that is certainly not the case. If a wood fence is installed properly there is actually very little maintenance and the fence can last for many, many years.

The key to longevity for any wood fence are the fence posts themselves. Never use a wood post for a wood fence. Wood posts (both cedar and treated) that are in contact with the ground can rot out in less than five years depending on soil conditions. Treated wood posts may also twist and warp as the posts dry out over time. A galvanized steel post will never rot or twist. It will last a lifetime. When installing a steel post be sure to use one that can be covered to look like wood. With a steel post that is covered the fence will look like wood and but will have the durability of steel.

People often think that a steel post is too expensive. A steel post can in fact cost less than a wood post. A wood post will use more concrete than a steel post does. The hole for a fence post should be three times the diameter of the post itself. This means that a wood 4 x 4 post requires a hole that is 12 inches in diameter while a steel post needs only a 6 inch diameter hole. And, the hole needs to go below the frost-line which can be up to four feet deep. A wood post should also have gravel below the concrete to allow for water drainage. When the cost of the post, the concrete and the gravel is added together the total price of a wood post may be more than that of a steel post. And then of course there is the additional labor of digging a bigger hole and disposing of all that dirt.

For dog-eared wood privacy fences the tops of the posts should be about six inches below the top the fence itself. A post that is 7′ 6″ tall is the correct length for this type of fence. For a fence that will have a top rail, or picture frame, the top of the post should be 6 feet out of the ground. For this type of fence an eight foot post is required.

To begin the fence installation, lay out a string line and mark the hole locations. In most cases the posts should be on eight foot centers or less. In high wind areas six foot centers may be necessary. The diameter of the hole for a fence post is recommended to be 3 times larger than the diameter of the post itself. Make sure that the hole goes down below the frost-line. The frost-line can vary anywhere from 0″ to 48″ depending on location. All fence posts should be set in concrete. Fill the hole with concrete that has the consistency of thick oatmeal. Slide the post down into the concrete making sure that the post is plumb. Fence posts are normally set two feet deep into the concrete. A string line can be used to insure that the posts are at the correct height. Or, the posts can be set high and then cut to the correct height after the concrete has set.

Once the concrete has set, the stringers can be attached. Cedar stringers are preferable. Cedar stringers will more closely match the look of the fence boards and make for a more uniform looking fence. Treated stringers are not recommended as they have a tendency to twist as they dry. The stringers are attached directly to the sides of the posts without any brackets required. Usually only two stringers are needed. The bottom stringer is often installed about a foot up from the ground. The top stringer is installed at very the top of the post. In high wind areas three stringers are recommended.

When all the stringers have been installed it is time to attach the fence pickets. Cedar fence pickets should be as thick as possible. Try to avoid the thin pickets that are sold at the big box stores. They may cost less but in the long run they are not worth it. Thin pickets will cup and warp over time. It also helps if the pickets are rough sided rather than smooth. Rough cedar will accept stain and/or preservative much more readily than smooth wood will.

Attach the pickets with ceramic coated or stainless steel screws. There is no need to have a wood privacy fence with black stain lines going down from each of the screws. Use …