5 Telltale Signs You Need Residential Glass Repair

On average, the shelf life of glass is from 15 to 30 years. However, at some point, it is common for glass to experience a few problems. It's safe to assume you will need residential glass repair at one point or another.

For instance, if your window has massive cracks, a residential window repair makes practical sense. However, how do you figure out if glass needs repair if there are no glaring cracks? The following are foolproof signs it's time for a residential glass repair:

1. Water is seeping between the glass panels.

If you notice water entering your house during a rainy day, it is highly likely that glass repair is needed. Ideally, your door and glass windows should stop torrents from entering your house.

If water comes in through the glass, there is a possibility the glass pane is loose, or there are chips that are obscured from view. In similar cases, the solution would be to either repair or replace the glass, depending on how extensive the damage is.

Left unattended, water that comes into your home might lead to additional problems like molds and rot. That said, get in touch with your local glass repair expert at the first sign of water damage.

2. The glass no longer provides ambient noise protection.

A good door or glass window should be able to protect you from ambient and external noise. Sounds from outside the house can be disruptive. This is especially true if you work from home. 

If your glass windows or doors no longer provide any protection from outdoor noise, likely, it has not been sealed properly. Another possibility? You have poorly-made and low-quality residential glass.

If you reside in a busy and noisy neighborhood, a double or triple pane glass is considered ideal. Those types of glass have been known to help decrease external noise significantly.

3. The glass panes often get too foggy.

It is normal for glass panes to get foggy now and then. When warm air hits the cold air, condensation can occur on the glass and windows. If you notice that your windows cloud up more than usual, it's safe to assume there's a problem.

Glass windows that are working accordingly can keep the draft outside effectively. Foggy glass panes often mean there is a gap somewhere. This can also happen to glass tables or mirrors. 

In this case, it is recommended that you check with residential glass repair experts and have them inspect the problem. Some experts might recommend replacing your glass with a stain-free and energy-efficient type.

Understandably, you would have to pay extra up front. However, the long-term savings are worth it. If anything, it's an investment that will eventually pay for itself.

4. The heating and cooling costs are higher.

If you notice that your heating and cooling costs are higher than usual, there are two possibilities: you either have a faulty HVAC that needs to be replaced, or you have a non-insulating glass window.

Over time, glass windows become less energy-efficient. Non-glazed and low-quality ones can cause air to flow freely. It can also block the ambient temperatures from quickly passing through.

The more cold or heat radiates from outside, the less efficient your indoor systems can become. When this occurs, your heating and cooling system would need to work more. Taxing your HVAC system can lead to more energy consumption and higher utility bills.

Check if you can remedy the situation by adding curtains or blinds. If there is no improvement, a residential glass repair is the next logical step. Opt for energy-efficient glass windows and doors because they are designed to minimize ambient heat and cold.

Low-e glass and glazed windows with Argon and Krypton are also excellent and cost-effective options. They can save you a significant amount in the long run.

5. Glass windows and doors become harder to operate.

If your windows or doors at home become hard to operate, a glass repair might be necessary. This problem can be attributed to several factors. For instance, if you have a sliding shower door, this can be caused by a squeaky frame or a broken rail.

If you encounter a similar scenario at home, it is recommended that you check with a glass repair expert as soon as possible. It is also likely that you are not merely dealing with faulty window frames but a faulty installation as well.

As a general rule of thumb, have your glass inspected by a professional before attempting to replace it. A professional can get to the root of the problem right away and can recommend solutions that can fix any glass issues for good.

Over to You

While it can be tempting to fix any residential glass issues on your own, it is still ideal to invest in the services of an expert. Apart from fixing the problems accordingly, they can also recommend options that are durable and can save you money in the long run.

How to Prepare Ahead of Time for Your Home Remodeling Projects

Starting a home remodeling may be intimidating, especially if you have never done one before. Whichever the project, your redesign will entail a variety of details that can quickly become overwhelming. Use the following tips when planning a home improvement project to decide how to arrange, prioritize, and create a thorough home renovation plan that will help you decrease stress while staying on schedule and budget.

Set Your Budget

A house remodeling will undoubtedly cost a significant amount of money. Set an anticipated budget with the contractors to determine how much you should invest in the project. Establishing a budget well in advance of the project's start helps you streamline your funding sources to prevent delays or the project taking longer than planned. Include a certain amount for emergencies and unanticipated expenses.

Research and Buy Some Supplies and Materials

You by now know what improvements your budget allows for. You also have a general concept of what is required for the project. Consider buying a few products at a time, depending on the deals and discounts you encounter—for example, materials utilized for safe path scaffolds, paintbrushes, and protective clothing. Consult the contractor about these materials to prevent purchasing unnecessary products.

Find Professionals to Work With

Your budget and workmanship quality mainly determine the quality of your house remodeling endeavor and its completion. Organize interviews before the project begins to identify the finest industry specialists. Let them understand what is required of them, go through the contract terms, and keep them updated on the project's timeframes. This will help you plan the remodeling job more efficiently and decrease the likelihood of being dissatisfied. Seek the help of a project manager to find the ideal contractor.

Organize the Workspace

Renovations include the demolition of existing structures, the usage of gases, cement work, and other strenuous operations. Consider removing any appliances, furniture, and other objects from the work area. In the meantime, you might move them to a storage room until the renovation is completed. Remove hazardous materials and chemicals and seal the work area to keep pets and kids out. Don't wait until the last minute to set up your workspace because it will push the project schedules forward. Consider getting a dumpster rental to manage the debris removal.

Planning and organizing your remodeling project long in advance allows you to get a less stressful experience. With these tips, you will get your house renovation project off to a good start.

Ways of Boosting Curb Appeal With Your Garage Door

One of the things that homeowners talk about when they’re thinking about putting their house on the market is making improvements that will help them fetch a good price.

More often than not, homeowners go with major remodeling work, but some choose to boost their curb appeal instead. After all, the first thing that someone shopping for a new home readily sees is how a prospective house looks from the curb.

Then again, you don’t necessarily have to be selling to boost your home’s curb appeal. You can do it for aesthetic reasons, and still improve your home’s value over time.

There are many ways of improving a home’s curb appeal. One of them is making use of your garage door as a focal point. Considering how your garage door occupies much of the curb-facing part of your home, it makes sense to utilize it to boost curb appeal. Here are some ways that you can do just that.

Get a new garage door.

Of course, this tip assumes that you’ve had your current garage door for a long time, and its age is showing. You’ve already called for garage door repair services several times, and it doesn’t look that good from the curb anymore. Replacing your aging garage door with a newer model that goes perfectly with the design of your home is going to do wonders for your curb appeal, and how!

Repaint it.

If your garage door is relatively new and you’re unwilling to replace it, then you can opt to change things up by repainting it. Many homeowners go for a color that would blend well with the exterior paint of their house, while some prefer a color that would create a lovely contrast. If you’re going for a darker hue, make sure that it wouldn’t contrast starkly with your home’s exterior paint.

Accessorize

Many homeowners have rather plain-looking garage doors, and that’s okay. Many prefer things that way, but if you have boosting curb appeal in mind, you might want to consider accessorizing. You can install decorative door handles or even magnetic decorations.

You can also beautify the area around your garage door. Potted plants or shrubs on either side of your garage door would do the trick. The same goes for putting up decorative stonework on your driveway.

Lights!

If you want your home to look amazing from the curb even at night, then you might want to consider installing exterior light fixtures. With your garage door as a focal point, put up overhead and side lights that will frame your garage door and your home perfectly in the evenings. You can also install ground lights that you can point toward the trees and tall plants you have planted in the area around your garage door for an even grander look.

Achieve balance with the front door.

If you aim to boost curb appeal with your garage door, then you must also do the same with your front door. Do whatever you can to improve the look of your front door, all to achieve balance and consistency between the two most prominent features of your home’s façade.

Make the garage look great, too.

People admire your home’s curb appeal, boosted by the gorgeous treatment you’ve done for the garage door. Then that same garage door opens, and people will see that the actual garage doesn’t match the appeal of its door, to say the least.

Do what you can with your garage door, but don’t forget about the garage itself. Keep it as clean and orderly as possible. If you have the budget for it, you can also do things that will improve your garage’s overall look, like applying a garage floor coating that comes in a wide range of colors and designs. That way, people standing on the curb will still admire your home even when the garage doors are wide open.

For a homeowner, few things are as satisfying and flattering than watching people walking or driving by and admiring your house. The sight of them stopping for a bit and appreciating how your home looks from the curb is quite a way to tell you that you’ve done something right. With your garage door featured like a crown jewel, you can expect more and more people doing the same thing for the foreseeable future.

How to Choose Blanket to Match Bedroom Style

You can add texture to any interior with a stylish throw blanket—whether tossed on the arm of a sofa, laid along the end of a bed, or hung from the back of a lounge chair. A chic throw is terrific for heating a space. Your home is your refuge and solace – but there's no place like the bedroom. Adding a throw blanket to your home is an easy, low-cost way to add big style! Throw blankets let you play with a little more risk than more significant investments like furniture, rugs, and paint. If you're thinking about picking and styling a throw blanket to match your modern nightstand, there are several things to consider. There's location, texture, style, size, color, and your style.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT THROW BLANKET FOR YOUR HOUSE DESIGN

Have you got a "style" you find most desirable? So, based on general style rules, you'll get hints on what to do and what not to do. Here's an essential guide to some popular blanket styles and tips for choosing the right one.

1. Eclectic 

Eclectic style doesn't mean a random assortment of things; it comes from a blend of periods and styles, blended with thoughtful scale, space, color, shape, and texture for a beautiful, harmonious look that's not bound by time or a particular look. It's a style that combines elements of several styles into one. It's an informal mix of furniture and decor, with plenty of different styles to choose from. Eclectic decor is often bright and colorful with unexpected elements, like boho bedroom decor.

2. Picking a throw blanket

Your throw should be balanced, so mimic something else in the room. Does one side of the room have a bunch of colorful globes? Put a bright throw on the opposite couch to match the splash of color. Don't expect everything to match. Balance and scale are essential. You shouldn't be scared to mix textures, add global/ethnic elements, or be super bold with your throw.

3. Traditional

Classic and comfortable. We've all grown up in a traditional home. Place furnishings in pairs, and keep them centered in the room, understated, relaxing, gentle curves. The traditional style is all about beige, browns, upholstered furniture, and classic lamps & window coverings. Traditionalism is inspired by, well, tradition. Taking hints from the 18th and 19th centuries, it combines classic art, antiques, and pieces from history. While the traditional design is usually influenced by European decor, it can incorporate elements from England, France, or even East Asia.

4. Picking a throw blanket

It's not chaotic, but proponents don't mind color. Pick fall colors in bold shades or a contrasting teal to liven up browns. Don't try to make your throw unique or significant. Try adding personalised blankets. Keep the proportions consistent. Feel free to pick any pattern you like. Pattens are a low-risk way to add a little fun and personality to the room.

5. Minimalist

A minimalist style emphasizes clean lines, minimal clutter, and open spaces. The most standard colors are black and white. The Scandinavian style similarly combines warm wood and plants. The minimalist interior design uses only the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. A monochromatic palette and clean lines are the hallmarks of this style.

6. Picking a throw blanket

You don't have to be afraid of an accent. Layers are an excellent way to add warmness and depth to a minimalist look. Don't go for anything too flashy. Rather than a wild floral or organic pattern, choose a geometric or line design with a modern dresser. If you want the blanket to match your couch or walls, try a different fabric or texture, like sheepskin or chunky-knit.