Removing Old Aluminum Windows
June 22, 2008
This week we are going to talk about the process of actually removing your aluminum windows in preparation for installing vinyl replacement windows. Let’s start with a horizontal sliding window, which is pretty common nationwide. There is going to be a sliding panel and a stationary panel. You want to remove the slider first. All you do is slide the panel open, grab the sides of the panel with your hands,lift up and swing out. Under ideal circumstances, it would be that easy. However, there are small obstacles that can prevent you from lifting out the panel.
Why Posters are Great Gifts
June 21, 2008
Posters make great gifts. They are large but easy to ship, wrap, and give away. They are often dramatic, often reflecting a story of some sort, whether it’s the latest film or the enduring stories of the Bible and literature.
Gift posters make a statement that you cared enough about your family members or friends to choose one you thought they would like.
So naturally, gift posters say something about your relationship with the person you are giving them to. Perhaps you share common interests. If you are both fans of a particular rock group, for example, a concert poster would be appropriate. If you belong to the same church, a Christian poster might be the thing. If you both love dragons… well, you get the idea!
Another way that you can choose gift posters is by selecting a topic that your friend or family member cares about but that you don’t. This makes a statement that even though you don’t happen to share that particular interest, you respect them and their interests.
Posters are good gifts for many different occasions. Christmas and birthdays, of course.
Replacement or Retrofit Style Frame? Which is Right for You?
June 20, 2008
Last week I told you how to measure for your vinyl replacement windows when replacing aluminum windows. Now that you’re ready to order your new vinyl replacement windows, we need to talk about the different frame style options available. In most of the country your choices are limited to either new construction or replacement frames. New construction frames come with a nailing fin to attach the frame to the studs during the construction of the new home. The replacement frame is basically the new construction frame minus the nailing fin.
But in the west, where stucco homes are common, manufacturers came up with a third type of frame called a retrofit frame. The retrofit frame has a fin about 2 inches wide, located flush with the outside face of the window. This is the best choice when replacing old windows, but not all jobs will accomodate a retrofit frame application. So let’s discuss how to determine which frame is going to work for you.
Replacing Aluminum Frame Single Pane Windows
June 19, 2008
In our past articles I talked about all the steps required to properly replace your old wood sash windows with energy efficient vinyl windows. I told you how to measure for the new windows. Then we discussed the removal of the wood sashes and parting bead. Finally, I told you how to install, seal, and trim the vinyl replacement windows. But, what if those old windows in your home are made of aluminum instead of wood? Is the process the same? No, it’s not the same at all. So, the next few articles are going to explain the differences between replacing wood windows versus aluminum windows.
Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows In A Wood Frame Opening
June 18, 2008
When we left off last week, we had removed the old wood sash windows and prepared the opening for the vinyl replacement windows. Now it’s time to install your new windows. You should have someone there to help you when doing the installation. First, Remove all shipping materials from the window. Now, if you are installing several different sizes, make sure you are putting the correct window in the correct opening. You need to put the window into the opening to make sure it’s going to fit, then remove it and run a bead of caulk on the face of the outside blind stop where the window will rest. You don’t want to caulk, only to discover the windows are too big. It’s worth the extra few minutes to make sure it’s going to fit. Lift the window and set the bottom in first. Then raise the top until it rests against the outside blind stops. Sometimes, when raising the top into position, the window frame will hit the top of the wood frame. You need to tap down on the top of the vinyl frame while keeping pressure towards the outside.
Displaying Posters: Some Ways You Never Thought Of
June 18, 2008
How many ways can you display posters? With the easy availability of thousands of inexpensive posters online, you can turn any house or apartment into a unique art gallery!
Sure, a poster can be hung on a wall, or attached to it with tacks or tape. But often a more interesting look comes from placing a grouping of posters on the same wall. They don’t have to be in the same colors or about the same subject. Just let them reflect what you like. Then get a balance among them, by arranging them in different ways and with different amounts of spaces between them. Paying attention to the blank spaces helps get that sense of balance. Soon you will find an arrangement that makes you say, “Aha! That’s it!” Once a grouping is up on the wall, you can still change it any time you get a feeling that you want to add another poster or to rearrange the ones you have.
All apartments and houses have many places that you can display posters:
Any wall, so long as you can see it. If you can’t get far back from it, choose a poster that looks good up close.
Removing Your Old Wood Double Hung Windows
June 17, 2008
Last week I told you how to measure your wood window openings to properly order your new vinyl replacement windows. This week I’m going to explain how to remove your old windows. The vast majority of wood sash double hung windows in America have the same specifications. Starting from inside the house and working out, you have a wood stop approximately 3/8″ X 3/8″. Then comes the lower sash (the sash is the piece of glass and surrounding wood frame). Then you have another wood stop (called a parting bead) between the lower sash and upper sash. This stop is approx. 1/4″ X 1/2″. Then you have the upper sash, and finally, the outside wood stop (called a blind stop) that is approx. 1/2″ X 3/4″.
Measuring For Your Vinyl Replacement Windows
June 16, 2008
Let’s say you’re tired of those old wood windows, and you decide it’s time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. You get 2 or 3 contractors to come out and give you an estimate. After they leave, you can’t believe windows can cost so much. I mean, having to get financing to replace your windows just doesn’t seem right. Let me explain to you why the windows are so expensive. You have to pay the salary of the salesman who comes over to give you your “free” estimate. Then, you have to pay the salary of the installers. Finally, you have to pay the owner of the company. In some cases there is a broker who acts as a middleman, and he or she gets a cut too. No wonder you need financing!
Now, imagine if you already knew how to shop for windows, how to measure for new windows, how to remove the old windows, and how to install the new windows. You just eliminated everybody except the owner. All of a sudden you can afford to replace your windows without taking out a loan! The next few articles are going to cover this process. This article is going to discuss the proper way to measure for your double hung replacement windows.
Unfinished Furniture - Finish It Yourself!
June 15, 2008
Unfinished furniture has started to become extremely popular in the last few years. As customers have discovered the benefit of buying unfinished wood furniture, the industry has responded with an even larger selection. There are many benefits to buying unfinished furniture. One is that you are able to see what you are buying. Unlike finished furniture, you will be able to immediately see if your furniture has defects like discoloration, knots, or clear weak points.
Manufactures of unfinished furniture know that they must use superior quality lumber in unfinished wood furniture production, because they know they can not cover up defects that they could under a finished wood piece of furniture. Another benefit of buying unfinished furniture is that you will be able to save money. As the company will not have to pay for the finishing, they will pass the savings on to you. Not only will it be cheaper than finished furniture, it may have higher quality craftsmanship because the manufacture would not be able to cover up the defects like they would if it was finished. Sometimes it is difficult when buying furniture to find furniture that matches the décor of your house. With unfinished furniture, that is never a problem.
How To Choose The Canvas For Your Awning
June 14, 2008
The main factor for the canvas for your awning, it’s to choose to do in PVC, because will be light and malleable.
Between their advantages we have the following ones:
- It’s resistant to the UV rays
- Allows any color
- They possess some protection coatings, as the following:
- Not to allow the fire propagation
- With blockade against UV rays (with great resistance against the effects of the ultraviolet rays that discolour along the time)
- Fungicides (addictive that avoid the formation of mould and stains)
- Non oxidizer, to avoid the appearance of iron stains
- Addictive to avoid negative effects to the aesthetics and the brightness, that could damage the coating and to reduce the useful life of the canvas)
- A varnish layer or lacquer in the coating (the varnish is not only designated for protection of the canvas from the UV rays, but also improves the self-cleaning characteristics; one of the used material for that is the Tedlar).
If you choose the canvas of your awning taking the above suggestions, certainly you will have an awning with excellent useful life, allowing the change of the canvas to be in a much larger period than the standard one.
