5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Windows

You may have been too busy to notice the slow damage that’s been happening to your widows. Wind, rain, and the occasional hailstorm—not to mention stones and debris from all the cars that drive by—can really take a toll on them. Your windows are your portal to the outside world, especially on days when you can’t go outside. Don’t let them be a burden! Know the five signs it’s time to replace your windows so that you can enjoy them for all they’re worth.

Visibly Damaged Windows

Your home’s windows are constantly exposed to wind, rain, and debris. Overtime, wear and tear can cause the glass or frame of your windows to crack, warp, or rot. Check for cracks and chips in both the glass and frame of your window. Sometimes these can be repaired, but often, you will need a full replacement. If your frame is soft, it may be a sign of dry rot and mold caused by too much moisture.

Windows that are too foggy and can’t be easily cleaned should also be replaced. It’s important to allow natural light into your house so you can enjoy it. If your house is near a lake, field, or other stunning view, you will want to enjoy the views. Keep your windows clean to avoid having to repair or replace them as often.

Drafty Windows

Drafty windows are most noticeable in the winter; they’ll cause curtains to billow and produce a whistling sound from all the wind rushing by them. If you still feel a breeze near a closed window, it could be coming from damage to the glass or frame of your window. While a draft is one of the signs it’s time to replace your windows, a window repair may be enough to solve the problem.

Windows That Won’t Close

A properly working window is important to your safety as well as your overall comfort. If your window won’t lock properly or is difficult to open, something may be hindering your ability to use it. You may need to replace your window when it isn’t functioning due to:

• Poor installation

• Rust around the lock and window frame

• Failure with the sealing

• Balance problems

Window Condensation

When your windows start to sweat in the summer and frost in the winter, it’s a sure sign they have lost their insulation. Poorly insulated windows allow the air from inside your home to escape. It’s typically due to failed weather stripping, possibly because of a crack in the frame or glass.

Pro Tip: If your energy bills are starting to rise, it could be a sign you need to have your windows replaced. Houses with poor insulation overwork their heating and cooling systems.

Noise

It’s great if you can hear birds through your windows in the morning, but it might not be so wonderful if you are woken up by the cacophony of a busy road or your noisy neighbor. Windows that are poorly sealed or poorly made can allow noise pollution into your home. Get double or triple pane glass insulated with Argon gas to decrease exterior sounds.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable in your home due to the temperature, noise levels, or rising energy costs, check your windows. They just might be the culprits. The main signs it’s time to replace your windows are that they are cracked, causing drafts, or have lost their insulation. New windows are a fabulous way to spruce up your home’s interior and exterior.

Guest Post - Wood Flooring Styles for Every Room

For the ultimate in style and durability, many homeowners can't resist installing beautiful, engineered wood flooring in every room. It helps to create a seamless flow throughout, enhancing your interior decor and providing your home with a pleasing ambience and sense of space. But what confuses many people is whether each room should have the same pattern. With bespoke engineered wood flooring that is made to measure and installed with the greatest care, you need to spend some time thinking about the catalogue of patterns that can add such a unique touch of style to every room, whether you are moving into a new home or remodelling.

Hallway

The hallway is the first part of your home that guests encounter. It's often one of the smallest spaces and can be frequently cluttered with coats and shoes. Wood flooring in a light to medium color will help to provide an illusion of extra space, but the pattern you choose is crucial in emphasizing the size of the floor. A simple Long Plank design with the timbers laid side by side is the best pattern to make floors look open and spacious. But a clever trick is to continue it into your living room.

Living Room

Your living room is usually the largest single space, but it's where your family and guests gather, so it needs to look spacious. Continuing a plain Long Plank style from your hallway into the living room symbolizes a warm welcome as it leads everyone directly to the heart of your home. Your living room is often the showpiece of your house and will usually undergo more redecorating than any other. Long Plank is a traditional, timeless pattern that is perfect for adapting to different trends and fashions over the hundred years or so that your engineered wood floor will last.

Kitchen

The Herringbone pattern produces a zigzag effect with short timbers cut at ninety-degree angles. This straight cut interlocking design is ideal for complementing the Long Plank of hallways and living rooms. Kitchens are frequently large, but the space is often occupied by island cabinets and breakfast bars that can make the room feel enclosed. The Herringbone creates a spacious appearance as the eye is drawn to the joints of the zigzags. It's also a tough, durable design that can withstand the heavy traffic endured by the average kitchen. Herringbone has been popular since the sixteenth century, so it should enhance your kitchen for years to come.

Bedroom

Your bedroom is a place of relaxation and privacy so you can be far more indulgent with the pattern of your engineered wood floor. An alternative to the Herringbone is Chevron. This beautiful pattern has each short length of timber cut at an angle to form a sharp 'V' as it zigzags across your floor. Engineered wood flooring adds an elegant touch of luxury to your bedroom particularly as it's suitable for cozy, underfloor heating. It is also extremely durable, ensuring the pattern of the floor will last for decades.

Another option in your bedroom is the Versailles Panel. It's a sumptuous design of square panels of interlocking timbers that appear to be woven together. The texture of each timber's surface along with its natural grain and color, increase the appeal of this luxury design. The Versailles Panel needs a room with a reasonably large floor space to highlight its intricate pattern.

A Perfect Finish

Bespoke engineered wood flooring is a beautiful addition to any room whichever pattern you choose. When choosing your design, consider how you use the room, its size and the footfall it might receive. But it's entirely up to you whether you choose to install your favorite pattern throughout your home or a different design in each room.

However, as mentioned above, certain designs are more suited to specific rooms. In the hallway, consider a Long Plank design in a light to medium color which will create the illusion of space. The Long Plank design will also work well in your living room. This is an important room for every home, so it is important that the color matches the interior design. 

For the kitchen, consider Herringbone. This is a strong and durable design that can withstand the heavy footfall. Finally, there are two main options for the bedroom. Chevrons beautiful patterns will add an aspect of luxury to any bedroom but if you have a larger space, Versailles Panels are worth considering.

Author Bio: This article was written by Martin O’Callaghan of Wood Flooring Ireland. Martin has over two decades experience designing bespoke Chevron floors for households and businesses.

How to Transform a Shed into the Ultimate Home Office

With so many people working from home for the past year, there has been a surge in home office setups and revamps. However, due to noise, family, and other distractions, some find it difficult to concentrate on work inside the house. Others have discovered that the blurred line between work and home life takes a toll on their wellbeing. 

Therefore, many are turning to an inventive solution: the backyard office. By converting an unused shed, garage, or cabin into a private workspace, you can work from home while still being physically separated from your house. Unique backyard offices make excellent, quiet getaways to get more done, and as designated focus areas, they help you leave work at work.

There are several things to consider when thinking about renovating an old shed and designing your perfect office. We’ll go through several practical pieces of advice as well as creative design inspiration. 

1. Consider the Logistics

Make sure the structure you’re renovating has the capability to suit your work needs. For example, is it large enough to fit all your equipment? You will need enough space for a desk, chair, storage, and possibly other furniture, like an armchair or small sofa. Then, ensure that you are able to set up electricity and Internet access. 

Next, consider the temperature. For example, if your summers are unbearably hot, will you need to install air conditioning to keep comfortable? 

Spend some time inside the shed or structure before you move any furniture. Make sure that outside noise from neighbors, dogs, or lawn mowers won’t severely interfere with your concentration. If noise is a problem, you can look into installing soundproof walls or sound-absorbing panels on the inside of the shed.

Once you’ve thought these practical factors through and determined if the cost is worth the renovation, it’s time to start designing. 

2. Maximize Natural Light

Natural light improves mood and minimizes eye strain, especially when you face a computer for most of the day. Therefore, if possible, you should maximize natural light in your backyard office shed. 

If your shed doesn’t have windows, consider installing them. Alternatively, if the temperature is suitable, you can leave the door open for a breath of fresh air while you work. Research has shown that exposure to greenery and nature reduces stress at work and even improves decision making.

For more light, add fixtures like floor and table lamps, or install track lighting on the ceiling. 

3. Keep Clean and Organized

In a small space like a shed, one of the most important things to keep in mind is to use your space effectively. To keep things from feeling cramped, you’ll want to minimize mess by keeping things well organized. At House to Home Organizing, we can help you create the perfect, clutter-free office space for maximum focus. 

Multifunctional furniture, such as cubbies that double as tables or sofas that have storage space underneath, will be perfect for compact organization. Keep your cable management in order and display only the bare essentials on your desk surface. 
In terms of design, minimalist furniture is a great choice because it emphasizes simplicity and functionality. In a small workspace, sleek and simple decor won’t distract from the tasks at hand. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t also personalize your office; hang family photos or include a pop of color with an accent pillow or two to make the space feel like your own.

Consider adding elements that will make the room feel bigger. Hanging a mirror on the wall will create the illusion of more space, as will painting the floor a light, off-white color.

For more backyard office design inspiration, check out 1stDibs’ visual below. 

How to Find the Best Way to Upgrade Your Home's Patio

Investing in a home requires more than simply just paying your mortgage payment on time. When you want to truly get the most out of your home investment, it is important to update and maintain various areas of your home throughout the time of your residence. If your home has a patio, there are a few ways to upgrade and update the space to help add value to your home while also providing you an opportunity to truly transform your yard space for dining, entertaining, and future events.

Calculate Your Budget

Before you begin upgrading or updating your home's patio, calculate the budget you have available. Calculate how much you are able to spend not only on construction and replacements, but also on updates as well as decor and other items you may envision for space.

Consider Your Vision

Consider the vision you have for your home's patio before you begin implementing changes, updates, and new upgrades. How much are you able to spend on your patio renovation project? What purpose do your envisioned upgrades serve for your home patio? How long will it take you to complete the renovation you have in mind? Having a vision of your completed patio project can help you to stick to your goals and any timeline you have in mind for the completed area.

Hire a Contractor

Hiring a concrete contractor or another contractor who specializes in patio updates and upgrades is highly recommended if you are unfamiliar with the process of working on patio spaces yourself. Hiring a contractor is a way to ensure the vision for your completed patio is brought to fruition, even if you are interested in an entirely new patio or surface area to work with outdoors.

Smaller Updates

It is also important to keep smaller updates in mind when you are in the process of upgrading your home's patio area and space. Consider the type of decor as well as the overall aesthetic you are going for with your patio space. If you are unable to completely overhaul your patio space with new concrete and by hiring a contractor, there are plenty of other ways to go about transforming the outdoor space on just about any budget.

Upgrading and updating your home's patio is a great way to add value to your home. It is also a way for you to build an entirely new entertainment space for your loved ones as well as any guests you host at your home in the future.