Archive for May, 2011
What You Should Know About Window Decoration
Window decoration is an important aspect of interior home design. These types of treatments add a lot of style to the interior of a property. There are different types of treatments for windows. This is a great way to decorate any room. There are many options, fabrics and structures to choose.
There are a few things to consider when designing treatments for windows. You have to consider how much light you want to enter the room. There are a number of different reasons why you may select some designs over others. You may be looking to block sunlight or to add privacy to a room. This will affect the type of treatment you use.
Once you have determined the purpose to the installation, it will be easy to select the right treatment. You will have to have all the accurate measurements of the windows. You should also consider the style of the room. If the style is modern, traditional, country or eclectic. It is also important to take into consideration the direction of sunlight, and the actual color scheme of the room. There are so many different options to choose from that can make coming up with a design daunting. Read the rest of this entry »
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Ways to Save Money on Your Heating & Energy Bills
Want to save money on your heating and energy bills this winter? With natural gas and heating oil prices skyrocketing, it’s a good idea to do everything you can to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. Below you’ll find a few useful tips to help you save energy and lower those bills this year.
Easy and inexpensive energy-saving tips:
1. Add new attic insulation — Many home attics are much warmer than they should be, and lose a lot more heat than they ought to. Making sure you have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money on your heating bills.
2. Check your windows — Minimize the loss of warm air from your home by repairing any broken or cracked glass. Putty old windows and make sure that they close properly. Also, consider adding new weatherstripping and caulking the frames around windows.
3. Check your doors — Make sure all of your external doors close tightly. Replace any doorknobs, latches, and striker plates that don’t work properly. Also, consider adding weatherstripping and caulking door frames as well. Read the rest of this entry »
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Top 5 Tips for Restoring an Older Home
You may have fallen in love with an older home but it needs some loving care. Before you attempt to remodel the appearance of the home, you may do yourself more of a favor to check and restore the structural foundation of the home. Many older homes, while quaint, require some upgrades as they age so that the home can continue to be livable for years to come.
Water Damage
Older homes may have more water damage, which attracts termites. Make sure to have the wood structures inspected thoroughly. Replace any wood damage and treat the foundation for termites. Make sure that when it rains, water is diverted away from the foundation of the house with appropriate gutters and spouts.
Settling and Cracks
Old homes have had more time to settle and so you might see cracks in the foundation walls. If water penetrates those cracks, you can have some serious problems. Make sure the foundation, basement walls and floor, are sealed against moisture intrusion. Exterior sealing may not be possible if you have a lot of landscaping. However, if it has not be done prior (as in homes that are about 40 to 50 years old), then you can think about doing it now to help seal out moisture and safeguard your foundation. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Home Improvement