Tag: insulation

If you are looking at making your home more energy efficient, there are several things that you can do. These include adding insulation, changing to double pane vinyl windows and installing a more efficient furnace. Each of these can help you to lower energy consumption and make your home more comfortable.

Many homes built before 1950 had no insulation installed when they were built. Other homes may have had insufficient insulation. Whenever your home was built, adding the enough insulation to bring the walls and ceiling of your home to the correct R value can help to lower your energy cost and keep your home from feeling drafty.

In many older homes wooden or aluminum windows were used. Often these older windows were single pane glass and they allowed a lot of heat loss. In addition, the single pane windows often allowed condensation to build up in the winter and this could lead to the formation of many different molds, including the unhealthy black mold.

Over time, wooden windows can become difficult to open or close and they may need to be replaced. Double pane vinyl windows are an easy choice. They remain easy to open for many years and the insulated double pane glass prevents heat loss and condensation.

In many homes, the original furnace is still in operation. While this may say a lot for the quality of that piece of machinery, it does not do much for your energy bill. These older furnaces were often very inefficient in their use of fuel. You could be paying much more for heat than you need to pay.

Your local utility company may offer a free energy audit for your home. The audit is an effective way to find out where your home is loosing head during the winter. You may find some simple changes that help to save you more money and keep your home more comfortable.

Many of the changes recommended by an energy audit can be inexpensive but will stop some of the draftiness of a home. By adding caulking around door and window facings, you can often stop cold air from penetrating your home and making it uncomfortable.

You may learn how to insulate switches and electrical outlets. If your covers to switches and outlets on outside walls are not insulated, try putting a hand over one of them and you will feel the cold air that is blowing into your home around this necessary item.

Make sure that your fireplace damper stays closed when the fireplace is not in use. Consider adding glass doors to prevent even more warm air from escaping from your home up the chimney when your fireplace is not being used for a fire. A fireplace pillow is an effective way to block a chimney.

For a lot of homes, the changes that need to be made can be inexpensive. In others, you will need to spend more money and may need to install new vinyl windows or a new furnace to save money. These changes will also help your to feel more comfortable in your own home as they will prevent drafts and cold spots in your home.

Quality windows doors manufacturer offers a large selection of vinyl windows and doors, bay/bow windows. View our range of replacement windows and patio doors. All back with our Stellar Lifetime Warranty that’s transferable from builders to home-owners.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

One way that people can save a significant amount of money very easily is to draught proof their home. By following a few tips to save on your energy bills by draught proofing your sash windows you will be able to address one of the areas where heat, energy, and money escape from your home on a regular basis.

In addition to heat loss from sash windows, you may want to check the other windows and doors in your home and address the energy loss from all these areas. Properly treating sash windows and making them energy efficient often has the greatest impact on home energy costs because of their size and location in a home.

An easy way to check for heat loss in your home is to light a candle slowly move it around the frame of windows and doors. When the candle flickers, there is a draught that needs attention. There are a few steps you can take to help eliminate draughts from your sash windows that are affordable and relatively easy to carry out.

Using heavy drapes or curtains across the windows will stop immediate draughts in the room. The curtains that are used should have an energy efficient backing to repel heat and cold. If you have sash windows that have not been regularly maintained, there may be costs involved in making them energy efficient. Checking for available grants from the Energy Trust may offset the cost of replacing or repairing the windows in your home.

When panes in windows are loose it is easy to seal them with clear silicone bathtub caulking. These sealant is water and moisture proof and will seal the pane securely in place. Silicone sealant is often very effective with large windows as well.

Sash windows that are very old often will need further assistance from a professional to achieve the level of energy efficiency that will save significant amounts of money. The professionals can re-glaze or apply secondary glaze to the windows which will increase their efficiency. These professionals are also available to re-fit the windows and make them thoroughly energy efficient with parting beads, foam, and seals. When you have completed the repair of your windows you will save on your energey bills by draught proofing your sash windows.

If you are going to save on your energy bills by Sash window draught proofing, you may want to spend little extra time taking care of all of the draughts in your home in the form of sash window repairs London and cut your overall energy cost.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Garage Screens – For You or Not?

You saw it on TV and wondered if this fresh product was a workable solution for your house. Garage screens, the advertising claims, are the answer to the quandary facing you on those very hot days in the middle of summer.

Where does one start to look…Internet, home improvement store or call the manufacturer? You are in the market for good service and a customized fit, not the standard, in-stock screen. Actually, it might be plain that your choice would be the previous. This addition to your home will provide much in expanding and opening up this space for additional use, as in the chance of inclement weather.

Before making your decision as to whether or not to get, you contact the maker and you are stunned with the welcoming voice on the other end of the line. It appears that your decision in manufacturers is a small, family business of craftsmen who are devoted to wonderful quality and customized service to each consumer. You have many questions about the functionality of this new innovative product that will convert your space into a place of privacy and freedom to enjoy the flow of fresh air without the numerous insects that prove quite troublesome during the days and nights of summer. Imagine providing a space for the children or grandkids to play in a safe environment – even obstructing of the sun’s harmful rays!

From a practical point of view, the issue of ways to store such a giant article comes to mind. As in most garages, there is barely space for anything more, but now we’ve got the convenience of the retractable garage screen available in an array of color decisions, customised design, choice of retractable screen door and even an automation system.

You can expect to have your space opening measured by a consultant who will then coordinate with the manufacturer to have the product made to your specs. Installation is a matter for the trained technician who will make sure the product is working efficiently. Your screen can be operated by hand or through the automation system and is placed in a housing unit above the opening. Now you are ready to enjoy your garage in new tactics.

Imagine the suppleness of having the ability to set out beverages and snacks without the worry of pests as you use your new space for entertaining. You may not recall who the flick actress was in the TV advertisement, but her testimonial was sufficient for you to begin the process of researching retractable screen door.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

These days more and more homeowners are doing their own home remodeling projects. The DIY movement has taken over, with TV shows showcasing the products, probabilities and methods. If you need to update your home and do some of the work yourself, you are really not alone. Many folks are taking advantage of new technology as well, including garage screens and retractable door and window screens. These products can provide a high impact way to update your house and yard.

The modern garage is way more than simply a place to park a car and store junk. Many people have taken merit of the new products that make it increasingly simple to turn your garage into a workable and accessible space. However, it’s really tough to get the full effect if you are stuck with a standard garage door.

Retracting screens open your workshop space, letting in clean air while safeguarding from out of doors bugs, pests and inappropriate wind and sunlight. You can control the screen either with a remote or by installing an automated detection system. When wind or direct daylight hits your sensor, your screen will open and close so you always have perfect comfort for your workshop area.

Installing garage screens are actually just the top of the iceberg of what this product can offer. More people are using their homes and yards for entertaining buddies and relatives. If you have got a deck, it’s the perfect place to add a retractable screen. This may provide comfort and protection for your family and friends for evening drinks, food and laughter. You can also use screens for sun rooms, pool areas and even out of doors kitchen spaces.

In each application you can expect to get protection from direct sunlight, a little bit of added privacy and the avoidance of troublesome insects like mosquitoes. Like the garage, you can either control the screens with a RC or by installing sensors.

Instead of totally ripping out your kitchen, instead give some thought to installing garage screens and screen door coverings. This will increase the comfort and appearance of your house and yard with minimal cost and inconvenience.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Story of Box Sash Windows

Sliding windows have existed throughout Europe for Many years, dating back to the thirteenth century as very simple timber sliding shutters.

It was not until roughly the end of the sixteenth century that glazed versions started to appear that where horizontally sliding windows, and during the mid seventeenth century vertical sliding sash windows arrived, mainly in France.

French nobility escaping the guillotine in France arrived in England bringing with them the latest technology and designs of more advanced sash windows.

One of the first glazed sliding sash windows was created and fitted for Henrietta Maria, the Queen Mother, who returning from France with French joiners, encouraged the renovation of Somerset House in London.

The exact history of how the weighted and balanced glazed sash window came about is not clear, although some say that the invention was a British one, many could say it was a french one.

The original vertical sliding sash windows would have been very heavy with thick bars separating the tiny glass panels due to the fact that the glass was so thin, the window would have been a difficult window in its function.

The counter balance was developed for use in doors originally but it did not take long for someone to apply the system to windows.

Throughout history the sash window has never been patented, nor has anyone ever claimed to be its inventor.

As glass manufacturing advanced sash windows started to have less glazing bars but it was not until the King of England ended taxation based on how much glass you had in your windows that the glass in sash windows became larger.

During the period of British history when glass taxation existed, it was a great sign of extreme wealth and prestige to have large glazed windows in ones home.

Want to find out more about sash windows in London , then visit Robert Wood’s site on sash window restoration in the UK at www.sashwindowrepairs-london.co.uk.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Back to top