Livingston Reporting - page 330

Easy Steps In Repairing Storm Damage To Vinyl Siding

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The weather has been so unpredictable lately.  Storms are ripping through the area leaving paths of destruction.  Many homes have had damaged that is too minor to file an insurance claim.  In this case homeowners are on their own to make repairs.  My home falls into this category.  Not only do we have issues with flood waters occasionally, we live on a river, we have an abundance of large trees in our yard that storms wreak havoc with.

The last heavy rain we had had brought several large branches down in are yard.  One of them actually took a large chunk out of our siding.  The storm damage to our home was minimal in comparison the tree that fell on our neighbor’s car.  We still had to take care of it but we were thankful it was something small to deal with.

There are minor obstacles involved with the repair of siding.  First you must make sure you purchase siding to match the existing color and size of the current siding.  In our case this was not hard.  The previous owner stored some in the garage.  The only problem we had was that the coloring was a bit off due to the sun fading the house.  Really not a huge problem for us because the area we were working on repairing was minimal. Many home maintenance stores will have siding samples that can be brought home for comparison.

My spouse and I are novices when it comes to home repairs.  We were able to use basic tools we already had for this job.  The first thing we did was remove the broken pieces of siding.  To do this we used a utility knife and a framing square.  This provided a straight edge and gave us a guide for the knife.  We cut the siding with an inch on both sides to spare and proceeded to pull it away from the house cutting it on the bottom.  Snips area great tool to have on hand as well as a zip tool for home improvement projects. A zip tool can be used to go up the backside of the siding to remove the nails with the siding.

We measured the piece of siding that came out and using our framing square and utility knife cut out a section of new siding to fill in the existing hole. We made sure our measurement include a half inch overlap on either side.  Our thinking was that this would prevent any weather damage from occurring behind the siding because access would not be granted to water, snow or rain. Thankfully damage did not extend beyond the siding to the actual house. We were lucky that we did not uncover any deeper issues.

The installation was super simple.  We slid it into the area and tapped in a few roofing nails.  The siding was good to go and blended fairly well considering that the house had been in the sun for awhile longer than the siding.  If this problem exists for you and your issue is in a more noticeable spot on the house you may consider removing a piece of siding in a more inconspicuous spot to cover the damaged area.  The older piece with camouflage right in around the other siding and the new piece will be somewhere inconspicuous.

If after this reassurance that vinyl siding repair after storm damage is easy even for a novice you are not convinced call in a local handyman.  This is a rather minor job that should be able to be completed in under an hour or two, depending on the size of the affected area.  Storm damage is not preventable.  However it is not always massive and can often be dealt with by an individual homeowner.  Professionals are available to assist you if the storm damage that affects your home is more than just a piece of bunked up siding.

Go Maher

Security For Your Home With An Automatic Gate

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Security is a large issue for many families.  The feeling of safety within ones home is of the utmost importance.  How do you go about creating a safe environment for your family and home?  One way that people are finding security and peace is through the use of automatic gates and fences.

When thinking about installing an automatic gate and metal fence around your yard there are a few questions to ask yourself.  It is true that steel fences and automatic gates have gone down in price relative to previous decades however still is a major home renovation that needs thought given to it.  Before signing the papers and having fence companies out to give you a quote there are a few things to think about.

First thing is why would you think your home is better off having a gate?  This answer can vary greatly.  One reason is for the extra sense of security it gives in keeping unwanted visitors out.  It also helps to restrict the boundaries for animals and small children.  Automatic fences that are closed send a strong signal to keep out.  You make yourself less of a target for thieves.

Another thing to ask yourself is if you need a gate that is automatic or can you live with a manual gate?  How often do you anticipate the gate being closed?  If the answer is every time someone enters or exists the answer is clear.  Although if you are only going to close the gate when the kids are in the yard or when you are on vacation the answer is going to need some more thought.  Automatic gates are much pricier than manual gates because the access system used to control them are expensive.

Another thing to think about is the space the fence will be used in.  Are you looking at a fence that will slide or swing?  Sliding fences take up less space and give full access to the yard when coming in and out.  Swing fences take up space within the yard and need room to swing open and closed.  A lot of what you choose will be determined on the layout of your driveway.  If you are on a large slope a sliding gate is obviously more practical then a swing gate.

With your fence and gate what type of style do you desire?  Ultimate privacy is given using a paneled fence while ultimate aesthetic beauty comes from ornate steel fences.  This will depend a lot upon the look, feel and what you wish the fence to accomplish.

Another thing you will want to look into is if you want a fence that works on hydraulics which offers owners a quiet entrance and exit. This of course comes with an expense. A cheaper more sound defiant system is one in which an electro mechanical system is used.

What controlled access system is appropriate for your gate?  Will you choose something that automatically recognizes your voice, remote control or keypad?  The options are endless and really require you to think about how easy you want the access to be.

Another thing to take into consideration is the little ones you are trying to protect.  Do you need a fence that offers special safety features?  If so what cameras or sensors?  Automatic gate options have grown.  With technology advancing so rapidly you are sure to find one that fits your budget and need.

SAC Fence

Purchasing A Wheelchair Accessible Home

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Looking for a new home is time consuming and downright painful.  Imagine however if you were looking for a home that needed to be handicap accessible. Your laundry list of requirements is totally different than the average homeowner.  It is important to find a home that can be easily altered to become wheelchair accessible if you have not found one that is already suited for the needs a wheelchair imposes.

Requirements to make a home more wheelchair friendly start with the entrances and exits of a home.  In order for a home to be accessible there must be at least one entrance equipped with a wheelchair accessible ramp.   It is a good idea that you make all of the homes exits and entrances safe for wheelchairs to provide comfort for the individual to get in and out easily.  It is easier than one might think to add a ramp off the deck in a backyard and to add threshold ramps to garage entrances and exits.  Also, wheelchair accessible ramps are made to enhance the beauty to any front porch area.  The more ways to get in and out of the home the safer and more comfortable a wheelchair bound individual will feel.

In dealing with exits and entrances it is important to remember the width of a wheelchair and the turn radius required to move freely in and out.  Make sure all door and hallways, including vestibules are at least thirty-six inches to provide adequate space for wheelchairs and walkers to maneuver.  If hallway doors are too tight it can help to reverse the swing of the door out to provide an extra few inches through the doorways to rooms throughout the house.

Wheelchair access throughout the home is only one issue that handicap people face within their own homes.  Issues that are just as important are items such as accessible electrical outlets, accessible smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, along with making sure fire extinguishers are all within reach of a wheelchair user.  Simple tweaks can make sure that items are made to be convenient for all household users.  Smoke detectors can be wired into the wall and outlets can be placed higher up making the reach less of a burden.

I mentioned earlier wheelchair accessible ramps and think it is important to also mention that outside ramps will need to be maintained in regards to snow and ice.  There are two ways in which this can be done, manually or by installing special heat coils designed especially for the prevention on snow and ice build-up.  Otherwise ramps become obstacles not only for the member of your household in a wheel chair but also those maneuvering the ramp by foot.  Keeping a clear path in and out of your home is of up most importance.

In keeping your home accessible for wheelchair use it is important to remember that rugs and carpet add to the difficulty of maneuvering.  Furniture should be place so that a thirty-six inch path is clear with a turning radius of at least five feet.  The more open the floor plan, with the least amount of clutter is the best option for a home that needs to be handicap accessible.  Threshold ramps can be installed to make transitions less difficult from room to room.

A home that is wheelchair compatible would have a wish list of a thousand things to make life easier.  Levered door handles, roll in showers, removable shower heads, grab bars and appliances only those with front controls and front access however we know this is not always going to be possible right off the bat when purchasing a home.  When the search begins narrow your must haves down to include a list of things that a home can have that can be easily converted.  The house might not come all together but at least make the work that you need to put into it minimal with purchasing a house that comes with tools that will make it easier.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Are You Ready To Run?

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Being a novice in a sport is one of the hardest parts about getting involved in something new.  My girlfriends challenged me in a five kilometer race two years ago and I was beyond nervous.  Not only am I not a runner I had no idea what I would need to do to start.  I see people running daily and they seem to have all of this technical running gear where should I turn to get started?  I know what you are thinking, ‘Just put one foot in front of the other, and stride a bit wider than a walk, go!’ However, I found running is not as easy as it sounds.

I began my running gear quest at a local store that sold only merchandise associated with running.  At first it was a bit intimidating but going in I realized they were so excited to have a novice to teach all about the sport of running.  It was a change of pace from their usual clientele.  They directed me to the running shoes where I was immediately confused.  The sales person explained that the shoe was actually the most important part of all the running gear out there.  I saw Asics, Nikes, New Balance and then these alien type Vibram Five Finger shoes.

Seeing that I was just beginning I wanted a shoe that looked the part so even thought the sales person explained the benefits of having the more natural, true to form Vibram Five Finger shoes I leaned towards a more traditional Asics shoe.  It had traction, support, durability and fir my foot like a glove.  I was so happy I started my search here with this knowledgeable staff to support my purchase.

The next item we addressed was my chest.  The last thing I needed was to blow a shoulder out because of improper support.  Unfortunately the running shop could not assist in this because they only sold bras in smaller sizes which I preceded to chat with the sales person about. I think he realizes that not all women interested in running are an A or B cup.  It turned out I needed more than a little compression style sports bra I was fitted with a sports bra that had two cups one to hold up each breast.  With that finally taken care of we were on to the rest of my running apparel.

I was able to choose breathable materials for both the pants and top that would remove the moisture from my skin as I glistened my way through each run.  I was all set now to get to the actual motion of running and training for our race.  I will not lie, I looked really good. The running gear was great; my body however was as soar as it had ever been.  My shins stung, I perspired way more than a glisten and I found I was icing parts of my body I did not know existed.  However I love it!  Maybe I will be buying those more natural true to form Vibram Five Finger shoes.

Elite Feet Running

Journey Into Buying Running Gear

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When you are interested in trying a new sport what is the first thing you do?  I know I look for the gear to go with the sport.  That is why when I was challenged to take part in a five kilometer race in November I started to seek out advice on the running gear I would need.  Right off the bat I found the two essential things I would come to need were a supportive bra and the right pair of shoes.

I thought I would have no problems.  I would go to any store get a pair of tennis shoes and a sports bra and I would be on my way.  Of course that is not how it happened but I thought it would.  The bra was an entire issue all itself.  Not all runners have an A or B cup but the bras available in stores would have you assuming they do.  I did have to special order a style online and am happy with the choices available to me.  Shoes were abundant but I found finding the right pair for my foot and running style were a bit trickier.

Thankfully I had help from knowledgeable staff members. The first thing I was told was that I needed to narrow down the pronation of my foot when running.  Thankfully I had worn my old tennis shoes.  From them they were able to determine that I had a pretty uniform wear pattern.  This meant that I was going to be choosing a stability style running shoe.

Had the staff noticed that I tended to wear out the inside of my shoe they would have recommended a motion control shoe specifically designed for a foot that has little to no arch that would typically result in wear on the inside portion of a shoe.  On the other hand had I wore out the outside of my shoe I would have had to look into cushioned running shoes which help to offer extra support to people with incredibly high arches.  A low arch means are naturally going to be an overproator and a high arch means that you are an underpronator.  I have a neutral pronation which means my foot offers perfect proportion; the middle arch width is equivalent to the width of the connection between my heels and toes.

In order to find the perfect pair of shoes I was told to come back later in the afternoon after I had done some mild walking.  This would allow for the natural expansion that a foot goes through as the day progresses.  This makes sense also because as I run my foot will expand.  I also went out and bought socks that had moisture wicking qualities and brought them back with me later that afternoon.

The sales person was great and I felt he asked all the right questions in my quest for running shoes.  I had never given any thought to running shoes so I was happy to have his assistance. His questions revolved around my novice status; he wanted to know how many miles I planned on running, what was the ground going to be like that I was running on, my weight and also about any past foot issues.

With this information he measured each of my feet and pulled shoes to help me find a perfect fitting shoe.  I was told a perfect fit would include a thumbs width between my big toe and the front of the shoe.  Also, that the width should fit like a glove not too snug but not at all loose. The heel should not move and the laces should be tied without causing irritation to the top portion of my foot.

After trying on multiple styles I narrowed my quest down to two different shoes.  I was lucky because the store I went to had a treadmill to run on to try the shoes out before purchasing.  It was lucky that I did this because the pair that was more appealing to my eye and would have won the contest was not the perfect shoe for me.  Putting in my first few miles was torture but not because of improper foot wear.  My body took time to adjust to running but my feet were fabulous with my new running gear.

Elite Feet Running

Obtaining Loan Company Worthiness

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There are many reasons people need a loan.  However it is not something that is dealt with on a daily basis so people often don’t have the information needed to make informative decisions regarding a loan company.  Whether a loan is needed for the purchase of a home, home improvements, a car, school or getting a business started banks and credit unions are loan companies willing to lend to those who show credit worthiness.

Loan companies must determine if the risk is worth the reward in lending money.  Of course the risk is that a client may not be able to pay the loan back and the reward is the money they will earn on the interest paid.  How do loan companies determine a client’s risk?  It will help you in obtaining a loan to know what lenders are looking for.  Education is the key is making the loan process less difficult and you will be more likely to be approved and at a better rate.

The first bit of information that is crucial in getting a loan approved is your credit history which creditors determine with your credit rating.  It is imperative that you keep track of your credit by obtaining a copy of your history report a couple of times a year.  It is easier to change errors that have been submitted when they are recent.  It will also help keep you in track to improving your credit score if you are aware of what information is being reported.  Credit scores can be raised based on the timely fashion your payments are made.  Makes sure you are paying all bills before they are do and that you are not keeping overly high balances open on accounts. These are all ways to keep your credit score high and new loan interest rates low.

It is also important in obtaining a loan that you are aware of your current and future financial situation.  You will have to prove employment history and also your financial accounts.  Often time’s lenders will request information on investments, checking and savings information and outstanding debts.  This information will help lenders access your debt to income ratio.  This tells them a lot about your ability to pay a loan back.  For larger items such as homes and cars it is always wise to have a down payment to go along with the request for a loan.  This shows lenders that you are responsible a trustworthy.  Money in savings and a good credit score are two major factors in determining your interest rate, the amount of money it will cost you to borrow funds.

If you are new to the world of credit how do you work on obtaining a credit history?  This is often the tricky part of lending.  If you have not been allowed to establish credit history then how do you get credit?  The answer is simple, a co-signer.  This is a person, maybe a parent or relative that has an established credit history that backs your financial obligation by offering to pay the loan back if the loan is defaulted on.  Another way that you can work to establish history is by offering collateral.  Maybe you have equity established within a rental home that grandma and grandpa gave to you upon their passing.  You can use the equity as collateral to help improve your chances of gaining credit until you find yourself more established in the rat race of lending.

Ask 4 Funding

Creating Independence For A Handicapped Loved One

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When we found out my father had a stroke we were devastated.  As the patriarch of our family he always provided support for all of us.  How in the world are we going to be able to take care of him? Seeking out the right support was important for my mother and fathers needs.  We needed to make sure the house was in order and accessible for his wheelchair and that he could be as independent as possible.  Multiple times he told us that he would rather pass away then to become dependent on anyone else.  We knew in order to keep his sanity along with moms things in the house needed to change.

We got advice from other wheelchair users and found many independent people that are mobile dependant on a wheelchair.  Their tips help narrow down specific targets for us to take care of out of the gate.  Knowing that we will have other modifications down the road does not scare us it is just the knowledge that his perception upon coming home has to be that of an independent lifestyle or he will fall into a depression.

The bathroom was the first area of interest.  We knew this is where my father would want the most independence and privacy.  We started by removing the bathroom door and replacing it with a curtain that easily glides closed.  Next we replaced his low lying toilet with a new toilet designed with extra height for the ease of transferring it would provide him.  Installed on the side of the toilet was a grab bar that was actually bolted to the floor for the ultimate amount of stability.   Next a removable shower head was put into place along with a bath chair and new easy to maneuver faucets.  The sink was at an acceptable height already but the turn knob faucet was replaced with a levered one and removed the cabinet doors so that we could “pull” right in.

People warned us that carpet would be difficult for his wheelchair to maneuver on.  To remedy this we went out and purchased plastic floor runners and strategically placed them throughout their home.  The throw rugs that had been placed around the house were removed.  The plastic will make sure the wheelchair is met with little resistance when moving about the home.

My father did not want to sleep apart from my mother.  He convinced us that a hospital bed was not in his best interest and we agreed.  In order to help him get in and out of bed we had another grab bar installed into the floor along the side of his bed. A large platform was constructed to help him transfer onto the bed without too large of a gap between the bed and the wheelchair.

Getting in and out of his home was another issue.  We purchased a metal handicap ramp.  This was easily installed and will not only be easier for my dad but as my mom ages will take pressure off her knees that the stairs would present in the future.  Handicapped ramps were easy to find and inexpensive.  For the door walls in the home we were able to purchase mini handicapped ramps called threshold ramps.  The thresholds will not be an obstacle with these in use.

In order to keep him active on his computer and crosswords we bought larger size writing utensils and an extra large button keyboard. We were also informed that fine motor skills would be difficult so purchased an electric can opener and an electric jar opener so that he could cook independently.  It was also brought to our attention that a crock pot would be the easiest way to cook for him and a food processor instead of a cutting board.  The other thing we did is bought him a cell phone so that he could use the speaker and could take it around with him as he goes about the house.

Truly the point of looking into making the house more accessible for his wheelchair is to make him independent.  My mom is not home all the time when he is around and will not be able to cater to his every whim and he really would not like this even if she was.  There will be things that come up that are not a simple as installing a handicapped ramp or levered faucet and we will be there to come up with unique solutions to keep him mobile and independent.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Ensure Mobility In A Traditional Home Even With A Disability

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It wasn’t until two years ago that I realized how easily shattered mobility could be.  Out on a family sledding trip my son decided he would fly down the sledding hill as I was walking up.  When he hit my leg going full speed on a blow up tube I knew immediately that my leg would never be the same. When all was said and done I had pins and plates holding my ankle together and my fibula was trashed.  I would not be walking for three full months.

When it finally hit me was when I got home after surgery and realized that maneuvering around our home on crutches and a walker were near impossible.  We have two different areas in our ranch home that have a step up to access the next room.  How was I ever going to access the bathroom without crawling?  I knew modifications were needed if the next three months were going to be bearable at all.  My family and I got to work planning and executing plans to make life smooth for all of us.

Our home is a traditional home.  The builder never had to consider that this home would need to be made handicap accessible.  As with most homes built today they are made today disabilities and limitations to ones mobility are not considered because that is not what the main stream needs.  However as we age or in my situation, are disabled, needs change and our homes need to be modified.  The first step for our home was the step up in the garage from where we park the car to where we enter the home.  My husband made a simple platform wheelchair ramp. I was able to slowly crutch up, the incline was less steep than most so it was easy for me to use with my crutches.

My next issue was the two step ups in our home.  In order to use the bathroom or get to the kitchen area I would have to maneuver around steps or have a wheelchair ramp installed.  My girlfriend rented me a scooter that accommodated my bad leg so I could just drag it along instead of using crutches so this was super nice.  We just needed to figure out a way to get me and the scooter up the steps in the house.  We solved the step up to the bathroom with a wheelchair threshold ramp.  It eliminated the small step completely and made using my scooter to get to the bathroom a chinch.

The next bigger obstacle was the main step in the living room.  First and foremost our furniture needed to be rearranged because getting around was too tight.  Wheelchairs, scooters, and crutches any aide used to help the disabled needs clearance to maneuver.  My husband had to construct a wheelchair ramp to accommodate the scooter and me with a very slight incline.  He managed to do this using wood that we could reuse later and rigged the step up to accommodate not only me but regular foot traffic.

We realized that for this home to accommodate us in the future, as we aged, we would have to make more permanent changes to the layout of our home.  This experience was an eye opener and I am certainly glad that we are able to have a bit of foresight into the needs we will have as we age.  This is needs after this experience with my leg.  The issues with the steps were only one battle that we faced.  Needless to say some bathroom renovations will be taking place and some major flooring renovations.  Hardwood floors are going to be put in throughout the place because carpet, we have found, makes mobility difficult using crutches, walkers or a scooter. Lesson learned.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Surprise! Your Windows Need Replacing

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We were so excited our daughter tried out and made the local travel softball team.  She was one of twelve girls picked out of thirty five that were trying out.  This was all the start of my search for replacement windows for my home.  I know it wasn’t totally their fault but of course a ball went right through the window in our bedroom.  My husband had taken her outside to throw around and then decided it would be a great idea to practice hitting.  They did everything right.  She was pointed away from the house, our son was playing catcher and the ball was being pitched in by my husband.  As soon as the ball was released my husband said he knew there was no way our son was going to get it or she would hit it and bam the window caught it.  I was upset to say the least.

We had been saving, thankfully, for replacement windows in the future so the expense was not an issue.  We considered replacing just the one window but then quickly realized that would look very odd given we were going to buy wood windows to replace the vinyl ones that existed. To buy just one vinyl window to tide us over for a year until we had planned to make the purchase now seemed silly.  We had been saving a while knowing that the wood windows of our dreams would cost more than the original vinyl windows. Our budget was set based on the amount of money we had saved to date so that battle was already settled upon.

The timing of the accident could not have been more perfect.  The fall weather provided us a perfect time of year to replace the windows.  It was not to hot where we were in need of the air on and windows shut or too cold for the heat to need to be on.  We did not have to rush the installers along because the weather was great.  I would suggest thinking wisely about replacing windows in the winter.

Per a referral from a friend we were able to find an installer/vendor that was reliable and trust worthy.  Word of mouth is really the best way to go when looking for someone to complete any home renovation project.  Otherwise you really need to trust your gut.  The lowest price, the quickest turn around and location are not always the best criteria to base home improvement projects on.

We knew we wanted wood windows so the vendor was able to narrow are choices down significantly based on this.  With vinyl windows you will not only need to find a style but also a color that works well with your home.  We had decided that double hung and casement windows best fit our home.  For the larger windows on the second floor we choose casement windows that open out overlooking the river.  When you open them it truly feels like you are letting the whole world in and give the rooms a very romantic feel.  Double hung worked well for the rest of the house because they were able to be opened from the top or bottom.  I liked this option for the lower level because at night the windows could be left open but were not exactly easily accessible to outside visitors.

The replacement windows are a terrific addition to our home.  It was the right amount of renovation for our home to make it feel bigger, more energy efficient and beautiful again.  I don’t allow them to play softball in the back yard anymore because it is not where I am interested in putting more money into our home.

Heatkeeper

Features In Replacement Windows

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How do people go about purchasing replacement windows?  When you are renovating or building a new home the choices are plentiful and windows are no different. How do you sort through all the information you are given and make an educated decision based on anything other than the style?  With windows it is pretty simple; your checklist will include window types, style option and energy efficiency.

The materials windows are made out of differ greatly. Aluminum, wood and vinyl all have qualities that are good and bad.  When looking into the material you would like your replacement windows to be constructed out of think about the style of your home, maintenance of the material, energy efficiency and your budget.  Aluminum windows might not be the best option in the north with cold windows and wood windows are easily damaged in intense heat so the region in which your home is also affects the material used for your windows.

Types of windows vary also.  Casement, awning, double and single hung and sliding windows are amongst the options for you to choose from.  Casement windows are beautiful.  They window swings open using a crank mechanism and are often used in larger windows such as bay windows.  Awning windows open from the bottom and are pushed out connecting the window to the frame at the top.  These windows are often seen in kitchen and bathrooms. Single and double hung windows slide open vertically.  These windows have the option of folding out for ease in cleaning.  Sliding windows slide horizontally.

Budgeting plays a large role in choosing replacement windows.  Wood is generally more expensive than aluminum and vinyl.  Along with being more expensive wood windows require more maintenance.  They must be stained and sealed to prevent the wood from warping.  Vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free. This is a selling point for many homeowners because maintenance and homeownership already do together like two peas in a pod.

Where you live plays a huge role in the materials and glass you will choose for your windows home.  Homes in moist areas prone to storms and the abuse of salty air need to meet different requirements than an environment with four seasons.

It is also wise to think about privacy in regards to your new windows.  An option other than tinted windows is replacement windows with blinds between the glass.  These windows are becoming popular in many homes because of privacy but also the extra efficiency they provide and the convenience of being low maintenance.

Look at the warranties and what is covered under them with each individual window company you get a quote thru.  This may sway you in one direction or another.  Warranties can save you a lot of money, time and hassle when it comes to getting a replacement window fixed. However, for a warranty to be valid regular maintenance needs to be done.  This will keep the warranty intact and your windows looking new for many years to come.

Heatkeeper