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Top 3 Reasons To Use Accent Windows in the Home

When remodeling or constructing a home, window placement is a primary consideration. Windows add to the exterior and interior design of the house and create an interior luminosity that cannot compare with electrical lighting options. A dark and dank home interior can drastically change with the addition of one or more new windows. The windows you select might also include accent windows. Depending on your choice, they might be used as transom windows above a door or as sidelights flanking an entrance. Additionally, they often come in unique curved shapes or as popout windows used for kitchen gardening, giving a highlight to whichever surface they grace. Many homeowners realize three important reasons for using accent windows in their homes’ construction or remodeling.

1. To Increase Interior Light

Accent windows help to bring more light inside the home. For example, adding window light increases natural light within the dwelling, which relies on free solar energy, thereby giving you a bit of a break on your electricity costs.

2. To Increase Curb Appeal

Because most windows feature square or rectangular forms, accent windows draw the viewers’ focus due to their unique shapes. They can appear in round, oval or hexagonal forms. Placing one of them over a door or under an eve brings attention to that area in grand style, thereby improving your home’s curb appeal.

3. To Increase Interior Heat

Another reason for adding one or more accent windows to the home is the window’s ability to allow sunlight into the house. The sun provides a beautiful energy source that you can utilize for free if you place your accent and other windows in appropriate places to take advantage of the sun’s rays.

Accent windows provide the light and bright spots where your eye travels when looking at any home exterior. Furthermore, their unique shapes add the extra spark or even function as the home’s jewelry that the residence requires to help it feel right for you and your home design sense.

How To Prepare for Your Fence Installation

Fencing clearly distinguishes your property from that of your neighbors. It can also provide privacy and security. If you have determined the type of fence you want to install and have chosen your contractor, you are almost ready for the work to start. These are a few things you should do to get ready for your installation.

Clean Up Your Property

To prepare for your wood fence installation in Forest Lake IL, need to clean up your property. First, remove everything out of the way of the line where the fence will go. You probably don’t want to pay for the extra time it will take for your contractor to remove it. In addition, you should move anything that could cause an accident. Your contractor will be carrying wood and other supplies around your land, so clear all the paths that will be used.

Call Your Utility Companies

Before you do any kind of building or digging on your land, you should contact your utility companies. If any of your utilities are disrupted or damaged or someone is injured, you could be looking at heavy fines and repair costs. Avoid these dangers and fees and call your utility companies.

Have Your Land Surveyed

Your fencing contractor may be able to look over your property description and layout your fencing, but these individuals are not surveyors. They can make mistakes. To ensure that you aren’t encroaching on your neighbors and that you aren’t giving away your land, hire a professional to mark your property lines.

Speak With Your Neighbors

Before you do any work on the property line, you should have a discussion with your neighbors. Let them know that you will be doing construction and show them samples of your fence. You never know, they may offer to pay for part of the fence since it will be shared.

It may seem like a lot of work, but if you spend some time preparing, you can speed up the installation process.

4 Ways To Bring Your Kitchen to Life

The kitchen in your home is more than just the place where you cook. It is often the center of everything that your family does. For this reason, you should make its design a priority.

If you have been thinking about installing new countertops Pittsburgh PA, why not use this time to come up with other routes to add some life to the area? Even if you are on a budget, there are numerous ways to bring your kitchen to life. For some inspiration, check out this list of ideas. 

How does the backsplash behind your oven look? To add an artistic touch, you can give the wall space more style by adding geometric shapes, bold colors and sharp lines. Whether you use tiles, paint or both, the options are limitless. For a seamless look, try using colors that match cabinets and countertops. 

3. Mix History With Modernity

If you are someone who appreciates more of a historical look but you also want some modernity, why not have both? For example, another great kitchen remodeling idea is to make your cabinets echo the style of a past period in time while complementing them with modern appliances. 

4. Create an Open Space

How much open space does your cooking area currently have? Depending on the size of your kitchen and the number of belongings that it contains, it may be a bit crowded. This is common for many households. However, by creating more of an open space layout and decluttering, you can give the room an entirely new (and welcoming) character.

If you want to add more life to your kitchen but are unsure where to start, this list can help you brainstorm. However, do not be afraid to get creative!

What To Do After a Tornado

Tornadoes can wreak havoc on entire towns in just a few minutes, so it’s no wonder that they often do extensive damage to people’s homes. If your home or business fell victim to a tornado, there are several steps you should take to get things back up and running safely.

Assess the Damage

As soon as it’s safe to do so, step outside and assess the damage done to your home, business, or any other outbuildings or property that you have. Look for uprooted fences, damaged vehicles, broken windows and doors, downed walls, or torn-off roofing. Create a list of all the damage that you find and take as many pictures as possible to document it.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

The sooner you call your insurance agent, the better. You’ll need to have your policy number handy and provide a basic description of the damage that you found. Your agent will send out a claims adjuster who will take his or her own photographs of the damage as well. Avoid doing any clean-up until after you meet with the claims adjuster. When you do begin the cleanup process, keep your receipts to further help your insurance claim.

Get in Touch With Service Professionals

Chances are that you can’t perform your own contracting work to rebuild walls, install new doors and windows, and perform roofing service Bloomsburg PA. It might even be a good time to put in some solar panels if you need to rebuild your roof anyway. As soon as you can, get in touch with the right contractors to help you rebuild your home or business and get in back in safe operational order. 

There is nothing quite as scary as falling victim to a tornado, but it does not need to mean the end of your beloved home or business. Finding the right contractors could even mean making improvements along the way.

Best 2 Gutter Types For Your Home

When building your home, there are many different types of exterior features you should consider, both stylistically, and practically. You need to make decisions regarding what type of paneling to install, what color paint you want to use on the house, what type of trim you must install; but the most important decision you have to make is what type of gutter is best for your family. Here are the top two most popular types of gutters for residential homes.

Out of all the types of gutters available, the one that sticks out the most to most people is the basic K-gutter. For reference, if you think of a gutter in your mind, you are likely thinking of a K-gutter. K-gutters are the most popular gutters by far because of 3 things. They are practical and feature an efficient design. They are stylish and blend well with the majority of housing styles, and they are cheaper than most other types of gutters. They also work well with gutter guards Gresham, as they have a nice square bottom to work with. However, you should not jump to the conclusion that these are the best gutters, as there are other gutters to consider.

Half-round gutters are the second most popular type of gutter, second only to the K-gutter. Half-round gutters are stylish on brick houses and they often can be made out of old pipes, which can reduce cost and waste dramatically. Online resources are available to help you decide whether half-round gutters are right for you 

These are the two most popular types of gutters for use at residential properties. By taking advantage of these gutter types for your home, you can be sure that you will have a stylish exterior that will impress any invited guest that has the privilege of entering your home.

Tips for Cleaning a Hoarder’s Home

Nobody ever expects to be a hoarder, and the problem can come about for a number of reasons from physical disabilities to mental health struggles. Unfortunately, homes stuffed full of items are often more likely to attract pests, mold, and other health hazards. If you’re helping someone clean out a hoarding situation, these tips can help you get through the process.

Rent a Dumpster

Chances are that much of the items you come across not only aren’t worth keeping but aren’t worth donating to charity, either. Many hoarder homes collect a lot of garbage along the way. Making multiple trips to the dump will tire you out quickly, but residential dumpster rentals Cincinnati can combat the problem. When you have a dumpster right on the property, throwing items away will be faster and easier.

Focus on One Room at a Time

Walking into a hoarder’s home can be overwhelming, and that feeling will only be amplified if you try to look at the house as a whole instead of focusing on one room at a time. The main room is usually the biggest room, the fullest room, and the room that the person needs most in his or her home. Tracking one room at a time will make it easier for you to see the progress you’ve made. After the main room is done, move to the next most important room, which is typically the kitchen or the bathroom. Save unused rooms, such as spare bedrooms, for last.

Bring All the Supplies You’ll Need

Create a list of supplies that you’ll need and bring them with you upon your first entry into the home. This will keep you from needing to slow down or pause progress to go to the store for supplies. In addition to basics, such as mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies, you’ll need plenty of large trash bags, boxes to hold donations, and a step ladder for those hard-to-reach areas. If the home is a health hazard, you’ll also want plenty of cleaning gloves and a cleaning mask to keep from inhaling mold and dust.

Above all else, be sure to enter the home with compassion, kindness, and patience. It is often hard for a hoarder to part with things, so expect there to be some negotiations when it comes to throwing away or donating certain things. Cleaning a hoarding home often takes days or even longer, so be sure to give yourself plenty of rest throughout the job as well. With the right supplies and the right focus, you’ll have your loved one’s home back to functional order before you know it.

Benefits of Installing Landscape Lighting

Like most people, you are proud of your home and want to show it off – day and night. Unfortunately, when the sun goes down, it may be difficult to see the stunning architecture or interesting landscape elements you have in place.

Don’t worry; there’s a solution. Investing in landscape lighting St Louis MO will ensure your property is bright and visible day and night. Learn the biggest benefits of investing in landscape lighting below.

Light Up Your Outdoor Living Space

Your living room isn’t the only place where you will spend time with friends and family. You can extend your existing living room outside. Your backyard and patio are the ideal locations to entertain your guests, eat, and spend time with your kids. Installing landscape lighting lets you light up your outdoor space, which means you can continue to use them at night.

Highlight Interesting Décor

When you place your landscape lighting strategically in your yard, you can highlight the features present. Using solar path lights, you can help guide people to your front door or down walkways. It’s also possible to use this outdoor lighting to mark your property lines and to set barriers to parts of the yard where you want to ensure people don’t venture. The right lights can highlight interesting elements, too, such as ponds, trees, or fountains.

Increase Curb Appeal

The outdoor lighting you have installed will help you increase your home’s curb appeal significantly. The right lights will make your home more visible while showing off some of your favorite elements.

Landscape Lighting for Your Home

As you can see, installing landscape lighting in your yard offers more than a few appealing benefits. Be sure to keep the tips and information here in mind, which will help you make the most of the landscape lights you install. You can also hire professionals to help you design your landscape using the right types of lighting elements. 

Tips to Get More Life Out of Your Roof

You rely on your roof more than you may know. After all, you depend on the structure to protect your property, your family and your peace of mind. To get as much use out of your roof as possible, you must take specific steps to maintain it with help from roofing experts.

Schedule Yearly Inspections

Rather than respond to roof issues, get ahead of them with annual inspections. By having an experienced roofing company Killeen TX, inspect your roof regularly, you discover minor problems that could become expensive and severe complications if left unattended. Do yourself and your financial health a favor and spend money on regular inspections to save money on major and unavoidable repairs later.

Tackle Leaks Sooner Rather Than Later

If you notice signs of a roof leak, you could feel tempted to delay repairs for a little while. Moisture, such as wet spots on the ceiling, high humidity and water leakage, is a prevalent reason for roof damage. If you think you could have a leak, let a roofing professional investigate the matter further. It could be nothing, or it could be a potential emergency.

Don’t Forget Your Gutters

While tending to roof maintenance, include your gutters. If you have backed-up gutters, the trouble could spread to your roof and trigger avoidable damage. Pay close attention to the condition of your downspout extensions, as they help your roof last longer and keep water off your sidewalks. Another reason to tend to your gutters is to help them last longer and save yourself even more money.

Prioritize Repairs

If you discover you have roof problems during an inspection, take care of repairs ASAP. You have more control than you may realize over how long your roof lasts, and letting problems persist longer than necessary could pave the way to bigger, pricier repairs later on.

Keep an Eye Out for Termites

Termites can wreak havoc on your roof and the rest of your property. The pests are especially dangerous because they can infiltrate support beams and cause rotting and erosion. Common signs of termites include flying ants, discarded wings around doors and windows, and mud tubes. It also makes sense to research your zip code to see if you live in an area where termites are common.

Do your part to bring out the best in your roof. A few tips help save you a lot of stress and money.

Tips for Winterizing Your Home

Every winter it is important to prepare your home for the freezing temperatures and potential snowfall.

Heating the Inside

While the outside environment gets colder, you need your home to stay nice and warm inside. Some new homes are even built with heated floors that use electricity or water to consistently heat a room in your home. Make sure to get your heating and air conditioning systems checked to avoid any unexpected issues. The last thing you want is your heat not to work during the winter, so start this before the season even begins. For oil-fired furnaces or boilers, you can contact oil tank services NY for any needed maintenance or assistance. Otherwise, you might be stocking up on firewood for your chimney or wood-burning stove. Preparing early before the season starts can even save you money. If you wait to stock up, you might notice the prices go up as it gets closer to the colder season. Once you know your heating systems are in check and ready to get you through the winter, you can begin to inspect and winterize the outside of your home.

Preparing the Outside

From the outside of your house, you want to ensure all entryways are insulated and sealed shut. Check your doors and windows for any weak spots or cold air coming through in the molding or framework. If there is a gap between any siding and door frame, consider using silicone caulk or putty made to seal it up. Whether it’s freezing rain or heavy snow, you need your gutters cleaned out and free from any blockages. If left unchecked, these drainage systems can work improperly, leading to ice dams or a buildup of melted water in your home. Make sure your chimney is clean and ready to be used and that your gutters and drainage systems are clear to avoid potential water damage. Your roof also needs to be in good shape to withstand the winter and snow, so make sure you also want to check your entire roof for any damages, weak spots, or missing shingles. With your house secured, you can then prepare your lawn and garden for the winter to come. Turn off your outdoor garden hoses or faucets to prevent any water from freezing inside the pipes, including your sprinkler system if you have one.

While your home might be built to endure the harsh weather conditions, it is still important to take some annual measures of safety and preparation.

4 Ways To Prevent Cockroaches

Just the mention of the word “cockroach” is enough to put a look of disgust on any face. While the occasional insect at home is part of life, the last thing you want to see in your house is a cockroach. To eliminate the risk of roaches, here are four ways to protect your home from a potential infestation.

Maintain a Spotless Kitchen

Hungry cockroaches love a free meal which is why they’re usually spotted in the kitchen. To prevent these unwelcome visitors, you must eliminate every trace of left-out food right down to crumbs. Be sure your counters, sinks and floors are spotless and always cover food tightly before storing it.

Keep Trash Contained

To prevent cockroaches, or any other pest, your trash must be contained at all times. Make sure receptacles both inside and outside the house are sealed tightly and wiped clean. If you do see a cockroach, call Staten Island pest control to inspect your home and eliminate the problem before it gets worse.

Find and Seal Entry Points

When it comes to getting inside your home, cockroaches are experts. They’ll get through any crack or crevice they find, so it’s important to locate these entry points and seal them. Look for holes in your foundation and gaps around pipes and caulk them shut. Then, use weatherstripping to seal spaces around windows and doors.

Check for Leaks

Cockroaches are often drawn to damp environments. Eliminate moisture by inspecting your entire home looking for leaks around sinks, toilets and in the basement. Repairing drips not only wards off insects, but also hinders mold growth and saves you money on your water bill.

If you’ve spotted a roach in your home, call a professional immediately. To prevent them in the first place, never leave food out and close up any and all entryways.