Interior Design, Design News and Architecture Trends

Blog

Why You Need to Meet With Your Window Contractor
Your contractor will determine how your window replacement project goes so it is important to find the right one. Doing your research will greatly help narrow down your options during the selection process but you can’t stop there. Before you fully commit to hiring anyone, you have to make sure that you meet them first. In the case of window contractors, you can carry out a meeting when they come in to give you an in-home consultation.

Do you really have to do a meeting?

Yes. Even when you’ve done your research and you’ve found a window contractor that has built a name for themselves by being reliable and offering quality craftsmanship. Meeting with a contractor does entail getting to the nitty-gritty of things for your window replacement but it is also an opportunity for you to get to know who you will be entrusting your home improvement project to. No, this doesn’t mean exchanging deeply personal details about your lives, but feel free to open up about a few things. A meeting is a chance to build rapport with your contractor, after all. The easier it is for you to talk to your contractor, the better you’ll be at relaying what you want to get out of your replacement project exactly. This will help ensure that your contractor delivers precisely what you’re looking for, allowing you to make the most out of replacing your windows.

The Importance of a Meeting

Prior to scheduling an in-home consultation, you may have already told your contractor what your problem is and they may have already given you a few suggestions to consider as solutions. However, it is only when a contractor has actually seen your old windows that they can give you more accurate recommendations. Not to mention that having them in your home puts you in a comfortable place to voice out all the questions you want to ask.

`

Asking the Right Questions

To get the answers you need, you need to ask the right questions. You should ask questions depending on your personal needs but consider these two to help you get started:
- “Do you perform background checks before hiring installers?” – Asking this question may sound off-putting but it is necessary for your peace of mind. An experienced contractor understands that safety is one of your concerns and thus will do all they can to allay your fears.
- “What’s the timeline going to be like?” – Window replacement projects will vary in length depending on several factors. It is important to know how long yours will run exactly because that will clue you in on any contingencies you have to plan for. Given the number of installations they’ve made, a reputable contractor should have no trouble giving you at least an estimate schedule after seeing your old windows firsthand.
Replacing your windows is a great way to give your home a boost in terms of form and function. By making sure you’re working with the right contractor, you’re guaranteed to make the most out of your investment.

Author Bio:

Jon Fleming, along with his brother Don, is the second-generation family business owner of Renewal by Andersen of Westchester. He spent eight years working as a reporter in New York after graduating from college and is now the company’s vice president of sales and marketing. For updates from Jon, check out the company blog!
February 9, 2016
7 Ideas For Your Landscaping Project

On the long list of home improvements, landscaping can often fall to the bottom of the list. Many have never done any kind of landscaping before and don’t know where to begin.

Even if you are ready to begin, you might be overwhelmed by all the decisions to make and all the options available to you.

If this describes you, have no fear! Here are 7 things to consider when beginning your landscaping project. With a little planning and hard work, you can create the front or back yard of your dreams.

Work With What You Have

This might seem obvious, but a problem many people run into is expectations for their space that are unrealistic.

Before you do anything, you want to consider space, climate, and taste.

If you have a small space, it doesn’t mean you can’t landscape, it just means you need to think carefully about what to use. If you have a large space, you have more options available to you, but you still need to consider the best utilization of your spacious yard.

If you live in Florida, you’ll need to know what to plant that will work well in your climate, and this will look different than if you lived in Minnesota. Make sure you do a little research before planting anything, making sure it will grow and thrive in your climate.

Lastly, don’t just read a magazine article and then get to work. Think about what it is that you want. Think of your favorite vacation spot, or a park you love to visit. What do you like about those places? Make choices that reflect your preferences, not someone else’s.

Once you’ve considered these things, here are some ideas to consider.

Add Color With Flowers

Flowers add color to your outdoor space and they create a welcoming environment for guests, particularly if they are planted in your front yard. Consider planting flowers near the entrance of your home and adding a short fence near the street, making your home look cozy and inviting.

When choosing colors and types, don’t go to crazy with the variety. Too many different plants can give your yard a hodgepodge, disorganized feel. Try using the same plant varieties, colors and shapes to give your space a more unified look.

Choose Double Duty Plants

This can be an especially helpful approach if your space is on the smaller side. Choosing plants that will serve multiple purposes can be a great way to make the most of your yard or garden.

Larger fruit trees, such as apple or orange trees, are a great example. They’ll provide beauty, privacy, and, in certain seasons, delicious fruit!

Add An Island

A typical impulse is to surround the perimeter of your yard with flowers and foliage. Instead, try adding a group of plants to the center of your yard, creating an “island” in the midst of your yard.

By adding some colorful plants, you create a focal point. It also adds some height to the middle of your space, adding visual interest in an otherwise plain area.

Add A Blooming Tree

Another way to create interest in the center of your yard is by adding a tree as a focal point.

There are many trees that bloom annually, such as dogwoods, magnolias, hydrangeas and redbuds. These add a burst of color to your yard and require little to no upkeep (other than raking up those petals and leaves!)

Try looking on a site like The Tree Center, where you can order trees online and, if the cost is over $100, have it shipped to your home for free!

Create A Path

This might seem to be a huge undertakng, but even a small path can add some charm to your space and make it an inviting oasis.

You can purchase large stones from your local hardware store’s garden department (try Lowes, for example), and create a small curving or circular path through foliage, a flower, or even a vegetable garden in your yard.

You can also create a path by leaving a path of grass between islands of flowers or bushes in your yard. This is a less expensive way to accomplish this feel.

Make Space For People

As beautiful as all of the landscaping is, it’s a little pointless if there’s nowhere to sit and enjoy it!

Devote some time and money to creating an inviting patio or seating area. This can be elaborate or simple, but beautiful either way.

A site like Wayfair is a great place to look for great patio furniture at discounted rates. Add some potted plants and flowers to this area that coordinate with the rest of your yard so that visitors feel a part of the yard instead of simply spectators.

Don’t put off that landscaping project any longer! With these 7 ideas you can get started on the yard of your dreams.

February 8, 2016
Four ways to add more color to any room of the house

Do you have one room of the house that is just plagued by grays, whites and other neutral tones? Natural hues can be a good thing, but when used in excess, the room may begin to feel a bit weighted and drab. Sometimes all you need is the simplest color accent to bring the room back to life. Here are some ideas for bringing your colorless room from drab to fab:

Murano glass: Our search takes us all the way to Italy, but for an interior design accent that adds a burst of lively color, choose room accents made of Murano glass. Whether it be a bowl that draws the attention to the coffee table or something as simple as decorative candle holders, a little bit goes a long way. Look into the Italian company Farsetti Factory that handcrafts home decor objects using Murano glass. Not only do they play with magnificent eye-catching colors, but they also tinker with abstract forms. You can even line the mantle with stained glass photo frames from a strong style statement.

Lux Illimuniation: Whether it’s in your bedroom or the living room, or maybe even your kitchen, make the place spring back to life with some luxurious lighting accents. Whether you’re going for unique recess lighting or artistically painted table lamps, this is a great way to add color without committing to something like a bright red couch or painted purple accent wall. Try a boldy-patterned Majolica-style lamp. In this case, going for a series of colors as opposed to one vibrant color, you will able to pick up a variety of hues to decorate the rest of the room.

Magical mosaics: I say magical because, in addition to getting mesmerized in some of their magnificent patterns, they have a way of bringing a room from dormant to 100% alive. Many people may tend to skip mosaics these days, but they’re not to be overlooked and can really change the look of a room. Whether it’s a bathroom wall or floor or something as simple as a mosaic-trimmed mirror, this is the technique to look into. And they don’t have to necessarily be bold colors either, they can play with all natural hues as well.

Colorful centerpieces: Another way to make a vibrant change without a huge commitment. Jazz up some rather drab table tops with colorful or patterned centerpieces. If after a while they just aren’t doing it for you anymore, trade it in for something else or simply swap it to another room. A bold design accent, move it from the coffee table to the kitchen, even a nightstand. Check out some great artisan ceramics with Mediterranean colors like yellow, red an turquoise.

Home decor junkies take note: scour the web and interior design stores for these design accents that will bring any room of the house back to life.

February 7, 2016
6 Renovation Disasters and How to Avoid Them

When it comes to renovation, you will have to make sure that you are well prepared, otherwise, you might be in a lot of trouble, which could cost you dearly in the end. Nevertheless, with careful planning, you can avoid the X most common renovation disasters at home.

Damaging Walls

Be sure to check your walls prior to any kind of rework done, because if they are drywall, you need to be especially wary. Avoid hammering in hard or you might have to replace the entire section. On the other hand, check with your home’s layout plan, because there might be hidden surprises in your wall you are not aware of.

Stand Firm on the Ground

Repairing and renovating your house’s outside, or even inside, will often require that you use a ladder. Though, you need to ensure that your ladder is standing firm, or you might fall and seriously injure yourself. Reaching high places will be inevitable, but it does not mean that you should endanger yourself while doing so.

Electrical Wires Can Be a Hassle

Doing work on the electrical wires should be left to the professionals, because there is a good chance that you might accidentally shock yourself. Nevertheless, in order to prevent wire disaster, be sure to always turn off the main switch, and to use protective equipment. Furthermore, be aware that faulty wiring could cause fire damage, if you are not paying attention.

Tighten the Screws

Whether you are installing new shelves, mounting something on the wall, or just putting something back together, you have to be sure that you have tightened the screws. Not only can you save yourself from being hurt in the future, but you can ensure that your renovation project will last longer.

Plumbing Can Be Scary

Your bathroom can be quite problematic if you do not take care of the pipes in time. However, you can try a number of home remedies in order to fix the problem on your own. Nevertheless, experts for blocked drains from Sydney advise that you take great care, and call in the professionals if you are unsure how to go about it.

Use the Appropriate Tools

Unless you have the right tool for the job, it could be hard to fix your problem, because you might cause more damage. If you are unsure how to use some of your equipment, call in the pros to help you out. Remember that practice makes perfect, and you will have to complete a number of renovation projects before to be good at them.
Safety is your number one priority when renovating at home, and unless you pay attention to the small details, you could injure yourself. Always plan out repairs, to make sure you have enough money, and that you have the right tools. When you face an overly complicated problem, do not hesitate to call in a professional, before you cause structural damage.

February 4, 2016
Tips for Settling in to Your New Home

Moving into a new home is a big step to take. You want to feel as comfortable as possible from the moment you enter your new house. There’s a right way to go about settling in. This article will demonstrate how to begin settling into your new home.

Unpack ASAP

So you’ve finally finished moving? New home needs filling with all your stuff. Don’t drag this out over days and weeks. Things will remain in a state of disruption. Your professional movers can help by placing the boxes in the right rooms in the first place. Now all you have to do is unwrap everything and place it in the way you see fit. Generally, professional movers will position any heavy furniture in the right places for you without any problems. Getting unpacked straightaway will enable you to make your house feel like a home in record time.

Leave the Big Projects for Later

It’s easy to have a range of thoughts flowing around your mind. You want to do this and that. Jump right in and you’ll soon discover that you’ve accomplished nothing. In fact, all you’ve managed to do is spend a lot of time thinking and starting half-finished projects. The best way to settle into your new home is to take on each project one step at a time. Start with the basics of moving in before you decide to make your mark on the place.

Explore the Area

A home is so much more than the building you will spend most of your time inside. You can have the perfect home, but if you don’t like the surrounding area you’re never going to feel at home. Start out on the right foot by dedicating some time to exploration. Walk around the area and meet some of the neighbors. Get some of your daily routine in-check. Something as simple as paying a visit to your new local store is a great way to get used to the area and feel at home.

Start to Belong

As the new person on the block, you have to try to find something that grounds you in your local community. This is how you truly feel that you’re home. Figure out what you enjoy and whether you can find something to facilitate that. For example, readers may want to join a local book club. See if you can find a local sports team for the kids to join.

It’s vital that you do this for every member of the family. The quicker you do it the quicker you’ll feel like you’re home.

Different Not the Same

We have to make the point that the goal isn’t to simply replicate what you had in your old house. The goal isn’t to do that. You want to embrace change and you want things to be different, which is why you presumably left in the first place. However, it’s always good to bring back some of those old home comforts. It will help you to settle in quicker, but in time, you’ll cast away these old habits and develop new ones.

Moving new home

February 2, 2016
Are Casement Windows the Right Choice for Your Home?
Are Casement Windows the Right Choice for Your Home?

Choosing what kind of window to put in your home can be a challenging experience. With different options offering their own set of strengths and weaknesses, it seems that whatever you choose is good enough. However, I can help you further narrow down your list of choices by making a case for casement windows.

What can casement windows offer you?

Casement windows are windows that feature moving sashes attached to the side of the frame by hinges. They can be installed individually or in pairs, and can swing in or out. The benefits of using one include:
- Ease in operation – Double hung windows must be moved up or down in order to open or close. On the other hand, sliding windows have sashes that drag their entire as they move along a series of rails at the bottom of the frame. See something in common? Whenever you’re operating both types of windows, there’s gravity and friction making things a bit more difficult for you. On the other hand, using casement windows is a breeze. They also support one-handed operation with the crank, which makes it possible to open or close the window even when your hands are full.
- Amazing views – One of the main purposes of your home’s windows is to provide you a good view of the outside, and casement windows excel at that. This is because they feature larger, rectangular frames that offer expansive glass areas. They’re not as big as picture windows but still do great work in letting you enjoy outdoor views from your home.
- Lots of natural light – Thanks to their expansive glass areas, casement windows let in not just outdoor views but plenty of natural light. This makes it possible to take advantage of daylighting, which reduces dependence on artificial light to help you save on energy costs. Make sure your windows use low-emissivity (low-E) glass and you can also enjoy protection from fading and too much passive heating.
- Ample ventilation – Most people think that larger frames automatically translate to better ventilation, but that’s not always the case. Sliding windows can be just as big (or even bigger) than casement windows, but they offer limited ventilation. This is because the best you can do is slide one of the sashes all the way to one side, and half of it will still be closed. On the other hand, casement windows can be fully opened to let in as much fresh air as possible!
To ensure you enjoy these benefits that casement windows have to offer, make sure that you get yours only from a reputable contractor. Aside from ensuring you’ll be getting a top-notch quality product, working with a window contractor you can trust will guarantee that your replacement window will be installed right. Proper installation is crucial in a replacement project because it assures you that conditions needed by a window to perform its best are met. For more on casement windows, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a contractor from your area.

Author Bio:

Sheaun Smith is currently a project manager at Renewal by Andersen of St. Louis. With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, he has helped countless homeowners make the right decisions in improving their homes. For updates from Sheaun, check out the company blog!
February 2, 2016
Window Woes: 4 Things Your Windows Are Trying to Tell You

Your windows play a large part in your home’s protection against the weather, energy efficiency, and curb appeal, so taking care of them should be a priority. And that entails understanding what they are trying to tell you, through these common signs that hint at possible problems.

Condensation on the Glass

Where condensation forms helps determine the root of the problem. If condensation occurs along the bottom of the glass then, chances are, there are either high levels of moisture inside your home, or it lacks ventilation. In our experience, this condition is less likely to be an issue with your window than a problem with the moisture levels in your house — which you can easily have corrected.

If the condensation forms between the panes of glass in a multi-pane window unit, moisture has already entered the unit. This is largely due to the failure of window seals. The good news is, you do not have to replace the entire unit to take care of the problem. You can just have the pane removed and replaced.

And if the condensation is located on the center of the glass and inside your home, the culprit is normally a gas leak. In such cases, the gas fill inside the unit manages to escape (mostly owing to improper manufacturing) which, in turn, causes the glass to bow in. Window warranties typically cover the cost of repair or replacement for this problem.

Leaks

Water leaking around the window – especially during inclement weather events – means the window is not as tight as it should be. This can be remedied merely by properly closing it, or checking to see if the weatherstripping has failed. If the window continues to show signs of a leak despite your closing it and checking its weatherstripping, the damage may be coming from your roof or siding.

Drafts

Drafty windows, on the other hand, usually require changing the weatherstripping or the panes. This may be fixed by applying either new weatherstripping, rope caulking, or a clear plastic shrink film. You can also use a draft snake, or opt instead to fill in the cracks in the window pane with nail polish. If none of these solves the issue, you should consider replacing damaged glazing, adding a storm window, or replacing the entire unit.

Issues with Opening and Closing

Windows are supposed to open and close with no issues. So if yours are not doing so, something as simple as cleaning the tracks of dirt and debris may be all that’s called for. In some cases, operable parts may have to be cleaned and lubricated, too. Make sure to use the right lubricant, however, to prevent further problems.

The Need for Professional Help

Forget about trying to solve the above issues on your own; keep in mind that doing so may just escalate some of the issues further. Moreover, you may inadvertently void your warranty if you damage your windows in any way while you’re trying to fix them. We recommend that you instead delegate the task to a professional window installer. Such a professional will not only have the technical skills critical to solving the problem, but will also be able to advise you on what to do to keep the problems away.

Author Bio

Jon Fleming, along with brother Don, is a second generation family business owner of Vinylume Home Improvement. Upon graduation from college, Jon worked eight years as a reporter in New York City and Albany, NY, before rejoining the company. Today, Jon is vice president of sales and marketing.

January 13, 2016
Improving Your Home’s Look with Specialty Windows

Finding just the right window to complete a specific “look” that you’d like to have in the home can prove frustrating and tedious. Sometimes, it may seem like you’ve considered every available option, but none seems to be good enough. If you’re one of the countless homeowners who’s found himself in this untenable situation, perhaps you should give specialty windows a shot.

What are specialty windows and what makes them the ideal choice when no other window types appear to fit the bill?

A very special window

A specialty window is a type of window that follows a shape, or has dimensions not usually found in other more conventional window styles. Specialty windows are usually custom-made for a specific part of the home, unlike conventional window options that are readily available in standard sizes.

So what makes specialty windows a good choice when nothing else seems right? These windows have plenty of advantages over the usual window styles. Most of these benefits arise from the fact that specialty windows are customized.

Where no window has gone before

Specialty windows are often used in areas that require natural lighting, but do not have the right amount of space required for standard-sized windows to fit. These areas include small spots beside or above the entry door. They’re also ideal in areas that require larger-than-average-sized windows. In some cases, it’s more about the shape of the available space that makes specialty windows a better option over their standard rectangular- or square-shaped counterparts.

Complementing the classics

Specialty windows don’t just fit well where other windows can’t be installed, they also work well in tandem with other window types. When placed next to or above standard window types, smaller specialty windows can serve to complement their classic appearance. On the other hand, you can choose to install a larger-than-the-usual specialty window to provide a focal point for the room, with your other windows providing a counterpoint to draw one’s eyes towards the larger window.

A match for both old and new fashion

Specialty windows are more versatile than standard window styles not just because of their ability to fit where other windows can’t, but also because they can work well with both a more traditional and a contemporary look. This makes specialty windows a good match for almost any style of home.

Personal satisfaction guaranteed

Specialty windows are made to your specifications – which means you can pick out the options that you can truly be happy with. Having a window custom-made to complete the appearance of your breakfast nook or hallway according to your exact specifications makes for a satisfying home improvement project.

Form and function

Specialty windows are not just for show; they can be just as efficient – if not more so – than your average window. Using a durable material such as Fibrex and opting for low-E glass can be a huge factor in helping you cut down your monthly energy bills. An added benefit to Fibrex is that it barely requires any maintenance.

A specialty window may be just the thing you need to complete your home’s look. Check with a reputable window professional today for more advice on specialty windows and how to make the most out of them!

About the Author:

Steve Grendahl has helped countless homeowners build their own fine custom homes. Currently a co-owner of Renewal by Andersen of Sacramento, he is presently focused on window-related services. He shares most of his experiences and insights with his clients through online articles and blog posts.

January 13, 2016