Posts Tagged ‘windows’

Spring Cleanup Checklist

Spring Cleanup Doesn’t Have To Be Daunting

Spring cleanup always seems like a daunting task at the end of the winter. It seems to take forever and it isn’t the fun job. It is very beneficial though, it can make your home look picture perfect and ready to show off all summer long. It also can save homeowners money, depending on how much the homeowner checks the siding and windows for cracking or leaking they can either spend a lot of money or very little on repairs after a winter.

Checking regularly on the siding for splitting or rotting can help save a homeowner money because replacing siding can be pricey.
Check the bricks on your home and make sure nothing is loose that can cause injury or damage to the home.
Cleaning gutters and checking on their repair before the rainy season is a must. Proper draining can help prevent things like leaky homes and rotting siding.
Washing and treating the driveway helps prevent cracking and plants growing in it that can eventually decrease the integrity of the driveway
Clean the deck and make sure all of the boards are in good repair, stain and seal if it is needed.
Pull out all the furniture and make sure they are clean and in good repair. Make sure all of the decor is also in good repair
Weed the yard and treat it with fertilizer and treatments to make it grow healthy and strong all summer.
Ensure the sprinklers are working and reaching the entire yard. Sprinkler pipes are the easiest to crack during the winter so making sure they are in good repair is important.
Once you are sure the cold freezes are over plant the garden and trim the trees and shrubs for a healthy growing season over the summer.
Cleaning the front porch of cobwebs and dead bugs makes a big first impression to visitors.
Clean the garage door and remove the cobwebs to have a clean exterior

Spring cleanup can be daunting, but there are so many rewards to getting it done. Having a clean home is always a satisfying feeling and giving your home a face lift after a harsh winter is a great reward.

Benefits of wood and aluminum windows

Wood windows are the most traditional style of window and are found in most traditional style homes. Wood windows are great insulation, more so than steel or aluminum windows. Wood windows can last a very long time if cared for correctly. They are a great investment in your home but they require a lot of work so they are hard to care for with the homeowner’s busy schedules. Wood windows are the most Eco-friendly, for wood is a renewable resource.

Aluminum windows have many benefits, mentioning a few would be the carbon footprint, strength, price and durability. Aluminum windows generally save more energy every year than it took to produce them. Aluminum windows are recommended for hot climates based on the amount of energy savings. Homeowner’s heating and cooling costs reduce greatly based on the type of windows they have and aluminum windows do a great job. Aluminum windows are very durable, they won’t warp or sag in extreme temperatures giving homeowners the satisfaction for years to come. For the durability and the savings, aluminum windows won’t cost an arm and a leg. Generally, they are priced in the spectrum with other style window frames so you are able to find them at a reasonable price. Aluminum windows have one of the highest recycling rates of all windows.

Benefits of vinyl windows

Most homeowners choose vinyl windows for their homes, and for a good reason too. Vinyl windows have tons of great benefits for the everyday home. Upgrading your homes windows shouldn’t cost a small fortune and with vinyl windows you can get the quality you want for a reasonable price. They come in almost any style, shape or size you could come up with. Vinyl windows have many other great features such as noise reduction, homeowner’s heating and cooling costs are lowered, and they are very low maintenance. Vinyl windows don’t require any painting or scraping so they are very convenient to the busy homeowner. Most cleaning can be done from inside the house, depending on the style of window you chose. Exterior maintenance is slim to none, and cleaning them is just as easy. Overall, the uses and benefits of vinyl windows makes them a top choice for homeowners.

What window is the best choice for the climate you live in

Windows: Best Choice for the Climate Based on Region

The US varies in climates and temperatures throughout so you have to pick a window that will stand up to certain weather patterns or heat waves and be the best choice for the climate you are in.

In the Northwest, windows are exposed to a lot of moisture so the materials need to be able to withstand the precipitation. Vinyl, composite, and wood-resin are the most common for this geographical location. Wood windows are generally not a good choice for the area, the moisture causes the wood to warp or penetrate the wood and cause it to deteriorate faster.

The Southwest is a sunny spot in the US, and windows are an important choice depending on the sun exposure. Based on the climate, most types of windows can be used. Sunlight is the biggest factor in that area, so it is important to have solar heat resistance on the panes of glass. Having cheap glass can cause negative effects on heating and cooling bills, for the sun is able to come through and heat up the home.

In the Midwest, a different factor to take into consideration would be wind and twisters. For that general reason, homeowners tend to favor insulated double hung windows and casement windows, for they generally hold up well to strong winds. The highest demand of windows in the northeast are double hung windows. Wood frames are a very common choice in the area for the timeless and traditional look.

In the Southeast, the biggest choice homeowners consider is the heat. Windows can be a great energy saver in locations that are greatly exposed to sunlight. Double pane windows with low-e glass are the most common choice. It reduces the amount of sun exposure so heating and cooling costs are lower. Depending on the area of the Southeast, homeowners need to worry about storms and hurricanes. Homeowners tend to choose aluminum windows based on the strength and durability to withstand tropic storms.

Whatever climate you live in, it is important to choose the correct style and material to highlight your home and endure the weather. Choose correctly and get the best choice for the climate you are in.

How to weatherproof your home for a Colorado winter

Colorado residents know how harsh winters can be and you are always told to plan ahead. That advice should be used for everything from storing canned food and emergency candles to weatherproofing the exterior of your home. Weatherproofing sounds like a daunting task, but there are many things you can do to help prevent damages to your home when a big storm hits. Having your roofing, siding, and windows in good repair before the winter kicks up is always beneficial, but there are some basic things you can do that only take a few minutes to check on.

Make sure to drain any exterior water hose spouts so they don’t freeze.
Blow out your sprinkler pipes.
Make sure your gutters are clear of debris, secure to the roof and in good repair.
Check that interior and exterior pipes are in good repair and are properly insulated.
Cover your air conditioning unit (optional, but prevents leaves and other debris from entering that could cause damage).
Service your heater and furnace.
Make sure your furnace filter is clean.
Check for loose tree branches around gutters, windows and house entrances.
Check the conditions of storm doors and windows as well as shutters.
Insulate your home to prevent cold air from entering.

These are all basic things that can make your winter less stressful, and help your spring to start off right. Taking these precautions before the weather gets cold can prevent busted pipes, tree damage, gutter damage, icy paths, and many other typical cold weather inconveniences and hazards.

What to do when Spring Storms Wreak Havoc on your Home

Oh boy…just now I was sitting at my desk getting some work done when a fairly large thunderstorm rolled in. Lightening, thunder, rain and hail pounded my building. It was a pretty quick one, but it came in fast and hailed hard. It’s that time of year when these severe storms materialize and do damage to our homes and property. Wind, hail, rain and lightening can cause many problems. The thing we see most often with homeowners is that they’re not sure what to do when a severe storm pops up in their area.

Follow these tips to make sure you and your home are protected after a severe storm:

1. Check the outside of your home for obvious damage.

Look at your roof for missing shingles or holes you can see from your yard. Check your windows for broken or cracked glass and damaged trim. Walk around your house and look at your siding. If you see dents, chips or cracks, take note.

2. Call a qualified contractor to inspect for less obvious damage.

Some damage can’t be seen by an inspection from your yard. Getting up on your roof can be dangerous and much damage caused by severe storms can only be seen by a trained eye. Although this damage can be hard to spot, it can cause long-term harm to your home. A qualified contractor is trained to spot storm damage and should be experienced in working with insurance companies. They can help you submit a claim and make sure you get the coverage you need to make any necessary repairs.

3. Contact your insurance company.

Most insurance policies cover severe storm damage such as hail and wind. Check your policy details to see exactly what your policy offers in terms of coverage or call your agent to find out details. Every insurance company handles storm claims differently and has different requirements in terms of inspections, documentation, paperwork and completing the work. Most insurance companies will send out an adjuster to inspect your home and determine what damage has been done by the storm and what repairs need to happen. Make sure that your contractor is well versed in working with insurance companies; a good contractor can save you thousands of dollars and make sure you get the most out of your policy.

4. Hire a qualified contractor to make repairs to your home.

Once your insurance company has issued your claim, they should provide you with a detailed report on what repairs they will cover. By now, you should have done your homework and hired a qualified contractor to complete these repairs. Make sure your contractor is bonded and insured. Check with your neighbors to get recommendations on contractors they’ve used and had good experiences with. Do some research online – there are many sites where you can find reviews from homeowners so that you can get a clear picture of the contractors reputation; bbb.org, homeadvisor.com, houzz.com, and angieslist.com are a few places you can look.

HRTI’s experienced consultants and contractors are happy to come to your home to inspect for damage to your roof, windows and siding. Call us today to set up an appointment.

Posts Tagged ‘windows’

Spring Cleanup Checklist

Spring Cleanup Doesn’t Have To Be Daunting

Read More...

Benefits of wood and aluminum windows

Read More...

Benefits of vinyl windows

Read More...

What window is the best choice for the climate you live in

Windows: Best Choice for the Climate Based on Region

Read More...

How to weatherproof your home for a Colorado winter

Read More...

What to do when Spring Storms Wreak Havoc on your Home

Follow these tips to make sure you and your home are protected after a severe storm:

1. Check the outside of your home for obvious damage.

2. Call a qualified contractor to inspect for less obvious damage.

3. Contact your insurance company.

4. Hire a qualified contractor to make repairs to your home.

HRTI’s experienced consultants and contractors are happy to come to your home to inspect for damage to your roof, windows and siding. Call us today to set up an appointment.

Read More...

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