Creative Window Ideas: How to Add to your Home’s Beauty

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Window Replacement with Timber Windows:

Yes, you can actually have virtually maintenance-free and draught-free wood timber windows! These windows allow you to paint or stain them any color you desire, making your home your own unique refuge.  Modern oak windows are draught-proof with the newest seals, they are the highest in energy-efficiency, and require very little maintenance.  It is best to look for a timber window company that uses wood from sustainable resources. Stanbrook & Nicholson can help you with all of your window needs.

Do you need replacement windows? Consumer Reports gives tips for Choosing the Right Replacement Window

Try Bay Windows or Storm Proof PVC Windows:

If wood windows are not for you, then consider buying one of the multitudes of PVC storm-proof windows that are currently on the market.  With a proper casement and frame, storm proof windows can protect your home from the most severe weather. These windows can also be purchased in wood construction if PVC is not for you.

HGTV gives tips to help you choose windows if you need help.

Creative Window Hardware:

The style of the hardware that you choose for your windows will also dictate the style of your home; therefore look for hardware that matches your homes style or aesthetic when replacing current windows. There are so many choices: Lift handles can be an easy and accessible option, and they tend to look more modern. Lift handles can come in many different finishes such as brushed bronze, silver, brushed nickel, and PVC. There are also options such as crank handles, coupled with cam locks that come in many different colors and finishes as well.

Overall, choosing windows for your home requires some research. You will want to buy windows that are draught-free, safe, and effective. Buying windows that come with a life-time warranty or guarantee is also strongly suggested. Remember, windows for your home are like eyes to your soul; they should reflect your homes character and your tastes or style.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

10 Tips for a Successful Bathroom Renovation

1. Plumbing Supply or Drainage into your Bathroom:

Normally 4o millimeter pipes are used for drainage but if you choose large drainage pipe it’s better because the upgrade price of drainage is almost negligible. The larger will be the drainage pipe there will be fewer chances of the clog. So try to choose 50-millimeter pipe for the drain. In addition, for the people who are living in areas where the temperature is colder than its essential that your exterior wall and water supply should not touch each other.

2. Use Lighting to Brighten the Bathroom:

We all know that lighting brightens the room, consider having recessed light fixtures throughout your ceiling. Add at least two in your shower. Installation of a dimmer switch is necessary so that anyone can adjust the lighting in the bathroom. Consider the use of the mirror in bathroom whether you need functional lighting or aesthetic lighting. Proper light fixture helps you see clearly, shaving or applying makeup. A bathroom led lighted mirror is a necessity to enlighten the area where there is a need to do things with precise details like makeup. LED mirrors are also cooler than normal incandescent fixtures and can help save electricity in your bathroom.

3. Vanity Mirrored Bathroom Cabinets:

Mirrored bathroom cabinets help keep your toiletries organized while adding depth and reflection to your bathroom. There are a variety of types to consider based on the amount of space in your bathroom, as well as they style of your home.  Look to a variety of wood, mirror, and lighting styles to enhance your bathroom.

4. Wall-hung Toilets:

Wall-hung toilets have become more popular in residential homes and can use up less floor space than traditional floor mounted varieties. These types of toilet seats are becoming very popular and are in fashion. You can buy them easily from anywhere. These are also available online at different prices and styles.

5. Replacing Windows for Safety and Energy Efficiency:

When replacing windows in your home consider them for privacy, safety and energy efficiency. DIY Network has good tips to consider before replacing windows in your home. A frosted-glass panel for your privacy and if possible, one that provides fresh air. After that, make sure stone jambs fitting so that this area becomes watertight. In addition, make sure that the entire sill gets proper drained and sloped down. Finally, for showers choose a tilt-and-turn window, as on the outer side of window screen is situated; the handles are of plastic, so rust is not possible, and there will be no privacy issues when the window is tilted open.

6. Shower Enclosures and Shower Sills: 

Similar to the windowsills, it is important here that the entire shower sill slopes down properly. So, while selecting shower material try to select the material, which is solid for example material like quartz or stone. Selecting tiles for shower place will allow water to sit on grout lines and ultimately lead towards framing.

7. Shower Tile Flooring:

When choosing shower floors consider what type of tile you’d like to use. Smaller tiles can often make a larger shower look smaller and large tile can make it look larger. Ensure tile that has a gripping surface is used, and don’t substitute wall tile on the floor. Daltile has a good article about the 4 best types of bathroom tile flooring to consider. These are available in different color and designs, you can select them according to your bathroom theme whereas on the other hand, large tiles are usually not easy to slope properly, and without texture, they will slip because the grout lines are far from each other.

8. Shower bases:

In past the shower bases were usually assembled in just beige color. Now the trend has changed different color and varieties of shower bases are available in different material as well. You can select the modern and best suitable for your bathroom theme keeping your budget in the mind.

9. Bathroom Cabinetry Ideas:

Bathroom cabinetry is essential when renovating your bathroom to ensure it looks beautiful as well as functional. Look to cabinetry that has organization and also fits comfortably in your bathroom space. Bathroom cabinetry can be in the form of bathroom wardrobes for hanging robes and storing bath linen or it can be utilized under your bathroom sink for toiletries and cleaning products. Take a look at these tips from HGTV to select bathroom cabinetry for your home.

10. Determine if a Bathtub or Shower is Best:

For many bathroom remodeling projects choosing between a bathtub, shower, or a combination of both can be a challenge. Based on the space in your bathroom and the uses in your household will help you decide. A home that has multiple bathroom may not need both, while a smaller home may opt for both shower and tub in the same area.

For more bathroom remodeling tips on Stagetecture, see these tips.

Your home is your most important financial asset. You want to ensure that it is in good shape and well maintained for years to come. It is important to be aware of not only how your house looks aesthetically, but also how efficient it is from a practical standpoint. Weatherproofing your windows and doors, especially in an older home, can help you save on your energy bill while preserving the integrity of your home’s structure. Here are some tips to help improve the functionality of your home’s windows and doors for all kinds of weather, both hot and cold.

Image via: Menlo Park

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Seal the exterior side of doors and windows

You can do this by purchasing caulk at your local hardware store. You should use the caulk along the trim edges of windows and doors. This will prevent water from seeping through any gaps into your home. It will also keep out drafts in the wintertime that can cause your heat system to use extra energy. Caulking is also a good idea because it can actually preserve the exterior paint on your home. It will reduce chipping and wear by sealing the edges. Also, be sure to use caulk along varying materials such as wood next to vinyl or stone. The best types of caulk include clear silicone or polyurethane. If you are going to paint over the caulk at all, choose an acrylic or latex caulk for a smooth and durable paint job. Before caulking, always be sure to clean the area around the door or window with a cloth to remove dust and dirt. Also, take away any previous caulking that may remain on the edges.

Image via: Feldman Architecture, Inc.

Take a look at the weather-stripping on your doors

You should check around the seal for any gaps. A great way to test this is by lighting a stick of incense. This will show you where smoke is passing through the rubber stripping. If you have a metal weather-strip, check for any bends in the material or missing pieces that could be letting air through. These may need to be repaired or even replaced depending on the condition.

Consider installing storm windows and doors.

These protect the main window from any elements such as heavy rain, sleet, or snow. They are also useful for insulating your home and keeping warm air sealed inside so that your energy bill doesn’t sky rocket! Storm windows reduce heat loss. There is only a small gap between the window and the storm window to allow moisture to escape. These are definitely a good investment to protect your home and old windows or doors.

Image via: Visbeen Associates, Inc.

Install a doorstep or “sweep” at the base of doors.

This will prevent leaks from allowing air to enter your home from the outside. These are usually easy to install and just require the purchase of the kit with screws. Use a drill to screw the doorstep into place. You can also purchase doorsteps or “sweeps” that are bristly or made of rubber.

Make sure your door is properly aligned.

This can save you a lot of time and money trying to figure out where leaks are by being proactive. Adjust and modify the hinges as well as the strike plate. You will need power tool equipment to drill hinges back into place, so be careful! You should ask for help when attempting this project as it can be heavy.

Each of these options can weatherize your home and also improve your home’s indoor air quality. By reducing airflow from the outside, you can keep out unwanted allergens and particles allowing your home to be cleaner and more pure. You will also reduce your energy consumption, and therefore your energy bill! Old windows and doors can be difficult to manage, but if you take the time to maintain and update them, your home will be much better weatherproofed for years to come.

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

As any homeowner knows, half the fun of moving into a new place is decorating in order to make your living space your own. You want it to reflect your personal style and give you a feeling of familiarity and comfort every time you walk in the door. But even if you have a strong aesthetic sensibility, a highly-developed personal style, and a fair amount of knowledge when it comes to decorating, you might face some problem areas when it comes to selecting appropriate décor. And one of the major issues that many homeowners come up against when adorning their interior space is the conundrum of how to treat the bathroom windows. If you’ve tried metal blinds then you’ve no doubt discovered that moisture can cause them to rust. And most curtains will mold over time from the steam. So what can you do to provide some coverage in the room in your house where you likely want it most? Here are a few tips to help you select the right window treatments for your bathroom.

Image via:  Tidg

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Provide ample coverage

There are generally three main goals when it comes to treating the windows in your bathroom. First, you want to supply ample coverage so that nobody can see in. Second, you want to ensure that you can still enjoy the natural light that filters in. This is especially useful for women who put on their makeup in this room, since it’s always best to apply it under natural illumination (if possible). Finally, you want to find materials that are going to stand up to long-term exposure to heat and moisture, since these elements are common in bathrooms. Luckily, you’re not the first person to face this decorating problem, so you don’t exactly have to reinvent the wheel here. There are several solutions that will meet all of your needs.

Window film ideas

The easiest and cheapest option is to create an etched-glass effect using window film. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and levels of opacity, it’s available at most hardware stores (and online), and as window treatments go it is decidedly low on the cost spectrum. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to install. You can trim down sheets to cover your whole window or use pre-made patterns to get a custom look with little effort on your part. Then all you do is peel and stick to obscure the view through your windows. The only real problem is that you can’t exactly pull it aside if you want to let more light in, and this film will dilute the light to some degree. Also, it won’t entirely block the view. Those looking in won’t get an eyeful of your goodies, but they could likely see shapes moving around, especially if there are gaps in the pattern.

Image via: Ed Ritger

Consider blinds

If you want total control over the amount of light and visibility into your bathroom, your best bet is going to be blinds. You can certainly use plastic-coated curtains or cut a small section from a plastic shower curtain to hang in the window, but this isn’t going to look very attractive and frankly, these curtains are a pain in the neck to clean. However, you can order custom blinds online to save some money. And if you opt for plastic options they will resist the rust that affects metal blinds as well as the mold, mildew, and warping that can ruin wooden options, making them an ideal window treatment for your bathroom.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

There are many exciting projects to do when you’re remodeling your home. When you think about home improvement the first things that come to mind are usually curb appeal, kitchen renovations, and bathroom remodels. Windows just don’t float to the top of the list.I encourage you to make them more of a priority instead of putting them on the back burner until your fun remodeling projects are over.

Image via: Mackenzie Horan

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How To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Windows Now

• When you sit next to your windows is the air around them noticeably cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer?
• If you place your hand on the interior glass, is the glass cold in the winter and warm in the summer?
• Turn off the lights and slowly move a candle around the perimeter of the window. If the dances than you’ve got a draft problem.
• Do your windows get stuck in the open or closed position?
• Is there any broken glass or trim on the inside or the outside? Rotten trim can be hidden under paint.If any answered yes to any of these than you more than likely need to replace your windows.

Which Windows To Choose

There are lot’s of different brands of windows to choose from. Some of the most popular, as well as expensive, are Pella, Marvin, and Anderson windows. You don’t need to buy the most expensive windows that money can buy in order to get a quality product. Check out brands like Eagle, Bonneville, and the 200 series from Anderson. You’ll find that these brands are very competitively priced and that the windows are very high quality.

Image via: Cocokelley

Working On A Limited Budget?

There are some very inexpensive window brands that can be bought from stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. If your budget is a major stumbling block and you need new windows very badly, I would recommend these windows. They will be a huge improvement over your current windows and it’s likely that you will never have a problem with these windows.

They are not the greatest quality, but when you consider what you are paying for them and the huge improvement they will be over your current windows, they are likely worth the expense.

Image via: Jeffers Design Group

Hire A Contractor Or Do It Yourself?

If all goes well, replacement windows are very easy to install. But how often does everything go perfectly according to plan?

I always hire a contractor for these types of jobs. It’s not worth the headache and the hassle that comes along with a medium sized home improvement project like this one.

Before doing the work yourself, get a few quotes from local contractors. They can usually replace a house full of windows in a day and the peace of mind is often well worth the price.

The author of this article, Scott Jenkins, has decades of experience remodeling homes. Some of his favorite products to introduce to his clients are silestone countertops and cambria countertops. Both are countertop options for a kitchen remodel.

For more Remodeling ideas on Stagetecture, click here.