3 Reasons Your Home Windows are an Important Investment

contemporary windows

According to Architectural Digest, your windows take up about 15% of your home’s wall space. This is space that can be used by a burglar to get into your house. Apart from that, this space can also be a source of cold drafts. You can already see how your windows play two important roles in your home. Here are some other reasons why windows are an important investment.

Windows Play a Role in the Safety of Your Home

It’s important to invest in windows that have advanced security features. This is a good way to keep intruders out. For your home to be safe, you need windows that close tightly, and that comes with reliable locking systems. However, you should also ensure that your windows retain the functionality needed for emergencies. For instance, while painting your windows shut can seem like a great idea, that can make it impossible to use them as an escape in a fire emergency. Your windows need to be equipped with features like impact resistance. If you have the budget for it, you can even invest in advanced windows with security sensors that enable you to check the status of your home remotely.

Keep the Weather Outside

Windows can cause serious problems in your home if they are not functioning properly. For instance, if there are air leaks originating from your windows, it will be difficult to maintain constant indoor temperatures. It can also result in your HVAC system working extra hard to keep your home comfortable. Apart from keeping the cold out, you also need weather-resistant contemporary windows that can save your home during inclement weather. If you don’t invest in the right windows, you can end up putting your family at risk during strong winds and storms. Cheap windows can easily shatter, leaving your family and belongings exposed to dangerous weather conditions.

Aesthetics

Windows don’t only play a functional role. They also beautify your home. This is one of the reasons why it makes sense to invest in modern contemporary windows. Your home’s outward appearance is an important factor that you should invest in. This will not only make you feel good about your home, but it will also increase its value. You will find that your eyes are instinctively drawn to the windows whenever you see a new building. If you get modern windows for your home, its curb appeal will be greatly enhanced. However, there are many window options to choose from, and you need to strike a balance between functionality and looks.

These are some reasons why windows are a great investment. Windows also play a huge role when it comes to a home’s energy efficiency. Contact us if you need help selecting the best contemporary windows for your home.

3 Questions to Ask Your Contractor About Your Interior Doors

interior doors

Are you interested in replacing your interior doors? If so, it’s a great way to keep your home safe and increase its value. However, there are many things you need to decide on when replacing interior doors. For instance, what’s the ideal width of an interior door and why? According to Deco Alert, the majority of standard interior doors come in widths that range from 28 to 32 inches. Here are some other important questions you should ask your contractor.

Which Door Type is Best for My Home?

This is one of the questions you need to ask your door replacement contractor. In general, the type of door you need depends on your top goals for door replacement. Different door types have different properties and benefits. Finding out your door type based on the outcome you want to achieve is a good way to ensure that you get the most out of your door replacement project. A great contractor will always make you the center of the project. They will not try to force one type of door on you and pretend like they understand your needs more than you do.

What Types of Door Locks and Hardware Should I Install?

When you install new interior doors, you must also select new locks and hardware to go with the doors. Understandably, most homeowners will invest a lot when it comes to the security of the exterior doors. However, this doesn’t mean that interior doors should not be equipped with security features as well. There are different types of locks that you can get, and the price varies with the levels of security they offer. If you are unsure what to get, your contractor will help you select the best locks and hardware that fit into your budget.

What Does the Replacement Fee Cover?

It’s important to ask this question so that you know exactly what you are paying for. Most contractors charge a fee that caters to the replacement of the entire door system. This fee will cover things like the exterior and interior trim as well. However, you must assume that because most contractors charge this way, the one you are about to work with also charges that way. You don’t want to budget and make payments only to find out that the quotation doesn’t cover things like hinges and hardware. Everything that’s covered by the contractor fee should be clearly outlined so there are no surprises later.

These are some of the questions you need to ask when getting new interior doors. This project can give you significant returns if you get the right doors and the right contractor. Get in touch with us today if you need help with your interior door replacement!

Is Air Leaking From Your Home Windows or Doors?

window types

Air leaks can cause several problems in your home, and these problems will continue unless you identify where the leak is coming from. According to the United States Department of Energy, air leaks originating from doors and windows can increase your heating bills by 10%. Here’s how you can find out where the air leak is coming from.

Inspect Windows and Doors Visually

If you aren’t sure whether air is leaking from your windows or doors, the first thing you will want to do is take a walk around your home. It’s best to start on the outside so you can carefully inspect the caulking between the windows or door frame and the siding. If there appear to be problems with the caulking, you will probably identify some gaps where the air is getting in. Likewise, when you inspect from inside the house, check under the doors. If you manage to see daylight, then the air leak is probably coming from there. From the inside, you can also check the weather stripping around your windows, depending on your window types. If there are gaps, you should easily identify them.

Smoke Test

Air is not visible. This means it can be difficult to identify an air leak unless there is a big enough opening. As such, there is a need to use a more specialized and effective method of testing for air leaks. This is where the smoke test comes in. A smoke test is an effective method of identifying the drafty areas. To conduct the test, you should close all your doors and windows. After that, you should also turn off the water heater, furnace, and all vents. This will enable you to create negative pressure in your home. The last step involves lighting an incense stick and slowly moving it around your windows and doors as the smoke wafts into the air. If you are close to a leak, you will see that the air will be drawn towards the inside of your home.

Hire a Professional

Some door and window types can make it difficult for you to identify air leaks. If you have tried to identify an air leak on your own and failed, the next step should be to hire someone who is trained to identify air leaks. That’s the only way to ensure that your home is absolutely airtight. Not only will the professionals check for drafts, but they will also do a home energy audit for you if you ask them to. You must never wait until the situation is uncontrollable before you hire a professional. The idea is to fix problems before they get too complicated and costly.

These are some of the methods you can employ to try and identify air leaks in your home. Once you find out the source of the air leak, you should close it immediately. Give us a call if you need help identifying any air leaks in your home, and we will come up with a specific solution for your door and window types.