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التعليقات (4)
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Upgrading and Replacing Doors
Replacing doors is an affordable way to quickly enhance and upgrade the appearance and decor of a home. In addition, replacing a front entryway door can add curb appeal and improve energy efficiency. But before you run off to the door store, take a few minutes (and careful measurements) to consider all the options available in both exterior and interior doors.
Exterior Doors
Wood Doors
Wood doors come in an almost endless variety of colors and styles with either a large or small amount of glass or none at all. While wood offers the benefits of natural and traditional beauty, it is best used in an entryway that is somewhat covered to protect the door from too much exposure to the elements.
Price: $150 and up
Metal Doors
Metal doors offer the benefit of being very affordable and extremely durable. However metal doors cannot be stained, only painted.
Stanley Sta-tru Plus Entry Doors
Price: $199.00 and up
Therma-Tru Steel Door System
Price: retail pre-hung with frame, hinges and sill: $129
Fiberglass Doors
A more popular choice in exterior entry doors today is fiberglass. Fiberglass offers all the beauty and versatility of a wood door along with the added benefit of tremendous durability. Fiberglass has little expansion or contraction with weather changes and ensures long-term and easy operation of the door. Fiberglass doors come in many styles and can be stained or painted.
Therma-Tru Classic-Craft Door Systems
Price: retail price pre-hung with frame, hinges and sill: $900-$1,300
Interior Doors
Smooth Wood Doors
A smooth wood door is the most basic type of interior door and certainly the most affordable. They are generally hollow, making them lighter and therefore easier to hang. Once hung, they can be stained or painted to match your interior decor.
Price: $25.00 and up
Paneled Hardboard
The next step-up from a smooth wood door would be a paneled hardboard door. This door is somewhat more affordable than most wood doors. However it can only be painted, not stained, and is therefore slightly less versatile.
Price: $30.00 and up
Paneled Wood
As with any wood door, a paneled wood door offers both beauty and versatility allowing you to either paint or stain it as you are upgrading or enhancing the decor of your home. You will, however, pay slightly more than you would for a hardboard door in a similar style.
Price: $75.00 and up
Glass Doors
Many areas of your home can be enhanced by replacing an existing door with a glass door. These doors can be ten lite, fifteen lite or full view glass as well as etched, leaded or beveled.
Palermo 15 lite door
Price: $153
Steps to Replacing Your Door
Once you decide to replace a door, you will first want to choose the new door’s style, then decide whether you will use the existing hardware or replace it with new and then, of course, take accurate measurements. Once you have your new door, follow the following steps:
1. Remove the hinge pin from hinge
2. Remove the door from the frame
3. Remove the doorknob and 1/2-hinges from the side of the door
4. Place the new door on top of the old door on either a workhorse or flat on the floor
5. Line up the doors and trace the hole for the doorknob and areas for the hinges
6. Chisel out the recessed area for the hinges
7. Drill a new hole for the doorknob
8. Attach the hinges
9. Hang the new door in the frame
10. Paint or stain
11. Let dry and then install the doorknob.
If you choose to replace the hinges with new ones, simply remove the entire hinge from the existing frame and then follow the remaining steps.
Whether replacing an interior or exterior door the steps are the same. However, if you wish to completely upgrade your front entryway you may want to hire a contractor, as the process can be somewhat more involved depending on how much you wish to change around the doorway.
Upgrading and Replacing Doors
Replacing doors is an affordable way to quickly enhance and upgrade the appearance and decor of a home. In addition, replacing a front entryway door can add curb appeal and improve energy efficiency. But before you run off to the door store, take a few minutes (and careful measurements) to consider all the options available in both exterior and interior doors.
Exterior Doors
Wood Doors
Wood doors come in an almost endless variety of colors and styles with either a large or small amount of glass or none at all. While wood offers the benefits of natural and traditional beauty, it is best used in an entryway that is somewhat covered to protect the door from too much exposure to the elements.
Price: $150 and up
Metal Doors
Metal doors offer the benefit of being very affordable and extremely durable. However metal doors cannot be stained, only painted.
Stanley Sta-tru Plus Entry Doors
Price: $199.00 and up
Therma-Tru Steel Door System
Price: retail pre-hung with frame, hinges and sill: $129
Fiberglass Doors
A more popular choice in exterior entry doors today is fiberglass. Fiberglass offers all the beauty and versatility of a wood door along with the added benefit of tremendous durability. Fiberglass has little expansion or contraction with weather changes and ensures long-term and easy operation of the door. Fiberglass doors come in many styles and can be stained or painted.
Therma-Tru Classic-Craft Door Systems
Price: retail price pre-hung with frame, hinges and sill: $900-$1,300
Interior Doors
Smooth Wood Doors
A smooth wood door is the most basic type of interior door and certainly the most affordable. They are generally hollow, making them lighter and therefore easier to hang. Once hung, they can be stained or painted to match your interior decor.
Price: $25.00 and up
Paneled Hardboard
The next step-up from a smooth wood door would be a paneled hardboard door. This door is somewhat more affordable than most wood doors. However it can only be painted, not stained, and is therefore slightly less versatile.
Price: $30.00 and up
Paneled Wood
As with any wood door, a paneled wood door offers both beauty and versatility allowing you to either paint or stain it as you are upgrading or enhancing the decor of your home. You will, however, pay slightly more than you would for a hardboard door in a similar style.
Price: $75.00 and up
Glass Doors
Many areas of your home can be enhanced by replacing an existing door with a glass door. These doors can be ten lite, fifteen lite or full view glass as well as etched, leaded or beveled.
Palermo 15 lite door
Price: $153
Steps to Replacing Your Door
Once you decide to replace a door, you will first want to choose the new door’s style, then decide whether you will use the existing hardware or replace it with new and then, of course, take accurate measurements. Once you have your new door, follow the following steps:
1. Remove the hinge pin from hinge
2. Remove the door from the frame
3. Remove the doorknob and 1/2-hinges from the side of the door
4. Place the new door on top of the old door on either a workhorse or flat on the floor
5. Line up the doors and trace the hole for the doorknob and areas for the hinges
6. Chisel out the recessed area for the hinges
7. Drill a new hole for the doorknob
8. Attach the hinges
9. Hang the new door in the frame
10. Paint or stain
11. Let dry and then install the doorknob.
If you choose to replace the hinges with new ones, simply remove the entire hinge from the existing frame and then follow the remaining steps.
Whether replacing an interior or exterior door the steps are the same. However, if you wish to completely upgrade your front entryway you may want to hire a contractor, as the process can be somewhat more involved depending on how much you wish to change around the doorway.
ديكور المطبخ
Give your Kitchen A Facelift
If you thought you had to spend $20,000 and up on a brand new kitchen think again. We have a simple, three-step plan that will take ten years off your kitchen without breaking your bank. Whether you are planning to stay in your home or are trying to sell it, a “kitchen facelift” is one of the best investments you can make in your home.
The three steps to give your kitchen a brand new look and feel for a fraction of the cost are:
1. Revitalizing your cabinets
2. Replacing countertops
3. Installing new faucets
As with any home improvement project, be sure to do your homework before beginning. Choosing the right colors, styles and materials for your home and your lifestyle will help ensure successful results. Most of this project is do-it-yourself friendly and can probably accomplished fairly easily over a few weekends.
Close The Door On Replacing Your Cabinets
There are two ways to get great looking cabinets without completely replacing them. (Interested in completely replacing them? Read How To Get The Most Kitchen And Bath Cabinets For Your Money.) One is simply ordering replacement doors, which can completely change the look of cabinets and still provide a tremendous savings. An even more affordable choice, however, would be to simply refinish the existing doors.
Start by lightly sanding down wooden doors, touch up existing stain (try to find the best possible match) and then apply several coats of varnish. You will be amazed at the way your cabinet doors come back to life. If you prefer the painted look or are starting with a painted surface, simply use a liquid deglosser or sander to achieve a flat surface, apply two coats of primer and then several coats of high quality top coat. Again, you will surprise yourself at the ease with which your cabinets can be transformed. If you do paint your cabinets, try your hand at a process currently growing in popularity called “glazing”. It is very simple and involves taking a can of clear finish and having a tint added to it. The glaze is then applied sparingly (brush-on/brush-off) to the newly painted cabinet door offering a unique finish.
For a finishing touch, be sure to find some interesting new hardware for your doors and you are on your way to beautiful new looking kitchen.
Hint: Be sure to take your old hardware with you when you buy new hardware in order to match up the existing holes.
Count On A New Countertop
While you are waiting for the paint to dry on your cabinet doors, get ready for the next step by choosing a new kitchen counter. Today, there are many choices in countertop materials and prices can vary widely from affordable to high end. Below are some descriptions of the choices available:
*
Laminate Countertop
Still the most common counter surface in homes today, laminate countertops are durable, attractive and an affordable choice for many homeowners. The countertop starts with a particleboard to which your choice is applied. There are countless colors and patterns to choose from and almost any style of home can be complemented by an attractive new laminate countertop. Be sure to ask your distributor for suggestions when it comes to finding a contractor to install the countertop, or better still, call your local Home Builders Association.
Prices range from $15 - $25 per square foot installed.
*
Solid Surface Countertop
Solid surface countertops boast performance, style and function. They are as durable as they are beautiful and allow you to create the look and design you’ve always wanted. Easy to maintain and repair countertops made from solid surfaces such as Wilsonart’s Gibraltar and Earthstone are available in a wide array of colors and stone-like patterns.
Solid colors and smaller patterns are less expensive. Pricing depends on local market and design complexity, i.e., more complex and radius edges, cove backsplashes,etc.; hence the broad price range.
Prices range from $40 - $60 per square foot installed.
*
Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a fairly new choice in countertops offering a blend of 90% quartz and 10% resin. Silestone is one popular new type of engineered stone that offers the natural beauty of granite and is also almost completely resistant to staining. Silestone is also less likely to break than granite as it is slightly more pliable and can be fabricated with less thickness than granite.
Prices range from $60 - $70 installed
*
Natural Stone
Simply put - there is nothing you can put in your kitchen that quite looks, feels or performs like granite. It is the more resistant to heat and scratching than any other material and offers the beautiful, natural look of stone that is unparalleled. he good news is that, while previously thought of as the “top of the line” and most expensive choice, granite has become relatively affordable due to improvements in fabricating technology and as many fabricators now offer services over the Internet, a beautiful granite countertop that will last a lifetime is just a click away.
Prices range from $40 - $60 installed
*
Concrete
One of the fastest growing trends in kitchen countertops today is concrete. Providing a warm, natural look, concrete fits well with the increased popularity of more natural materials like wood, stone and brick. The beauty of this material is also, to some extent it’s drawback. Over the life of a concrete surface it will evolve, building character as it ages. A great benefit of concrete is its versatility in terms of shape and design. Features including integrated sinks and the ability to mix colors and ingredients make concrete the high-end almost designer choice of more and more homeowners every year.
Prices range from $50 - $80 installed.
Make a Splash with a Fabulous Faucet
The final and possibly easiest step is changing your kitchen faucet. Besides providing the finishing touch to your kitchen facelift, gleaming new taps with interesting features may even have your kids fighting to do the dishes. Make sure you choose a faucet style that matches your overall style in your kitchen.
We hope we have provided you with some ideas and that you will plan to embark on this project in the near future. Be sure to drop us a line and let us know how it goes.
موفقة
Give your Kitchen A Facelift
If you thought you had to spend $20,000 and up on a brand new kitchen think again. We have a simple, three-step plan that will take ten years off your kitchen without breaking your bank. Whether you are planning to stay in your home or are trying to sell it, a “kitchen facelift” is one of the best investments you can make in your home.
The three steps to give your kitchen a brand new look and feel for a fraction of the cost are:
1. Revitalizing your cabinets
2. Replacing countertops
3. Installing new faucets
As with any home improvement project, be sure to do your homework before beginning. Choosing the right colors, styles and materials for your home and your lifestyle will help ensure successful results. Most of this project is do-it-yourself friendly and can probably accomplished fairly easily over a few weekends.
Close The Door On Replacing Your Cabinets
There are two ways to get great looking cabinets without completely replacing them. (Interested in completely replacing them? Read How To Get The Most Kitchen And Bath Cabinets For Your Money.) One is simply ordering replacement doors, which can completely change the look of cabinets and still provide a tremendous savings. An even more affordable choice, however, would be to simply refinish the existing doors.
Start by lightly sanding down wooden doors, touch up existing stain (try to find the best possible match) and then apply several coats of varnish. You will be amazed at the way your cabinet doors come back to life. If you prefer the painted look or are starting with a painted surface, simply use a liquid deglosser or sander to achieve a flat surface, apply two coats of primer and then several coats of high quality top coat. Again, you will surprise yourself at the ease with which your cabinets can be transformed. If you do paint your cabinets, try your hand at a process currently growing in popularity called “glazing”. It is very simple and involves taking a can of clear finish and having a tint added to it. The glaze is then applied sparingly (brush-on/brush-off) to the newly painted cabinet door offering a unique finish.
For a finishing touch, be sure to find some interesting new hardware for your doors and you are on your way to beautiful new looking kitchen.
Hint: Be sure to take your old hardware with you when you buy new hardware in order to match up the existing holes.
Count On A New Countertop
While you are waiting for the paint to dry on your cabinet doors, get ready for the next step by choosing a new kitchen counter. Today, there are many choices in countertop materials and prices can vary widely from affordable to high end. Below are some descriptions of the choices available:
*
Laminate Countertop
Still the most common counter surface in homes today, laminate countertops are durable, attractive and an affordable choice for many homeowners. The countertop starts with a particleboard to which your choice is applied. There are countless colors and patterns to choose from and almost any style of home can be complemented by an attractive new laminate countertop. Be sure to ask your distributor for suggestions when it comes to finding a contractor to install the countertop, or better still, call your local Home Builders Association.
Prices range from $15 - $25 per square foot installed.
*
Solid Surface Countertop
Solid surface countertops boast performance, style and function. They are as durable as they are beautiful and allow you to create the look and design you’ve always wanted. Easy to maintain and repair countertops made from solid surfaces such as Wilsonart’s Gibraltar and Earthstone are available in a wide array of colors and stone-like patterns.
Solid colors and smaller patterns are less expensive. Pricing depends on local market and design complexity, i.e., more complex and radius edges, cove backsplashes,etc.; hence the broad price range.
Prices range from $40 - $60 per square foot installed.
*
Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a fairly new choice in countertops offering a blend of 90% quartz and 10% resin. Silestone is one popular new type of engineered stone that offers the natural beauty of granite and is also almost completely resistant to staining. Silestone is also less likely to break than granite as it is slightly more pliable and can be fabricated with less thickness than granite.
Prices range from $60 - $70 installed
*
Natural Stone
Simply put - there is nothing you can put in your kitchen that quite looks, feels or performs like granite. It is the more resistant to heat and scratching than any other material and offers the beautiful, natural look of stone that is unparalleled. he good news is that, while previously thought of as the “top of the line” and most expensive choice, granite has become relatively affordable due to improvements in fabricating technology and as many fabricators now offer services over the Internet, a beautiful granite countertop that will last a lifetime is just a click away.
Prices range from $40 - $60 installed
*
Concrete
One of the fastest growing trends in kitchen countertops today is concrete. Providing a warm, natural look, concrete fits well with the increased popularity of more natural materials like wood, stone and brick. The beauty of this material is also, to some extent it’s drawback. Over the life of a concrete surface it will evolve, building character as it ages. A great benefit of concrete is its versatility in terms of shape and design. Features including integrated sinks and the ability to mix colors and ingredients make concrete the high-end almost designer choice of more and more homeowners every year.
Prices range from $50 - $80 installed.
Make a Splash with a Fabulous Faucet
The final and possibly easiest step is changing your kitchen faucet. Besides providing the finishing touch to your kitchen facelift, gleaming new taps with interesting features may even have your kids fighting to do the dishes. Make sure you choose a faucet style that matches your overall style in your kitchen.
We hope we have provided you with some ideas and that you will plan to embark on this project in the near future. Be sure to drop us a line and let us know how it goes.
موفقة
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مقال تحت عنوان : اختيار النوافذ الصحيحة
Choosing The Right Windows
With icy-cold winter winds blowing through much of the United States, homeowners in all parts of the country are beginning to notice how drafty and inefficient their windows are. Whether the windows are just old and worn down or were simply of low quality to begin with, poor windows can not only make your home feel uncomfortable but also add hundreds to your heating bills. Upgrading to better quality, more modern and energy efficient windows can instantly add warmth and comfort to your home as well as additional value and curb appeal.
However, selecting new or replacement windows, can be overwhelming with all the styles, materials and features to choose from. In addition, as this project is a major investment with windows expected to last up to 20 years, doing some homework before you make any decisions can save on headaches later on.
New Or Replacement?
One of the first decisions a homeowner must make is between “New” and “Replacement” windows. Here is the difference:
Replacement windows refers to when an old or poor quality window is removed without disturbing the surrounding trim (and/or frame), and is replaced with a new window that is designed to fit right into the existing opening. Replacement windows cost around the same as new windows, however there is less labor involved in the installation and therefore the overall cost is less. Replacement windows are a great option when the existing frame is still in good condition or when the trim is attractive and fits the décor of the home. Obviously the savings on labor costs are helpful when budget is a consideration. Depending on the manufacturer, replacement windows can be a stock size or they can easily be custom-ordered to fit any opening.
New windows would be chosen when the homeowner wishes to change the size or shape of the current window opening (generally enlarging) and put a completely new window in its place. This generally requires the work of a contractor to complete the installation and surrounding carpentry. Again, new windows generally do not cost more, however the labor does add to the overall price. A big advantage of new windows is that you have the option to completely change the appearance and feel of your home both inside and out.
Style Or Type Of Window
Once you have decided between new and replacement windows the next decision is the style or type of window you would like. The four most basic and popular types are listed below:
*
Single or Double Hung Windows
Single or double hung windows are probably among the most common windows seen in most homes. They are comprised of two separate “sashes” (the actual pane of glass in the inner frame), which open or close by sliding up or down. A single hung window opens from the bottom only by sliding up whereas a double hung window (which looks exactly the same) can be opened from either the top or the bottom. Double hung windows are ideal for creating wonderful ventilation when you lower the top sash. They are especially suited to homes where there are small children as they prevent the danger of a child climbing out the bottom window. (Remember: window screens do not support the weight of a small child.)
*
Casement Windows
Casement windows generally consist of one large pane of glass that is hinged vertically on one side or the other, and opens by swinging open from opposite side. Usually a lever or other mechanism is used to open this style of window.
*
Awning Windows
Awning windows are hinged horizontally at the top and are opened by tilting the window out from the bottom. As their name suggests the awning window creates the appearance of an awning. These windows are most popular in coastal areas and in bathrooms.
*
Slider (or Glider) Windows
Slider (or glider) windows - do just that. They slide open from side to side. These are an excellent choice when there is limited space outside to swing the window open such as in a casement window.
Materials
Once you have determined the style or type of window, next you have to consider materials. The most popular window materials today are wood, vinyl and PVC. There are also variations including “wood clad”. There are also aluminum frames but they are being used less and less.
Wood
Wood, of course, is beautiful and certainly resistant to heat and cold. However, the natural look that homeowners love means considerable maintenance. Besides periodic painting or staining, the wood must be treated to protect from moisture as it can warm, crack and stick.
Vinyl
Like their cousin, the vinyl fences, vinyl windows have become one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Vinyl is virtually maintenance free, provides excellent insulation, is reasonably priced and of course looks great!
Clad
Clad offers the beauty of wood on the inside with a vinyl coating on the wood frame outside. This offers the maintenance free feature that makes vinyl so popular.
Glass
Next you must choose the glass. Nowadays, as with every other area of our lives, advancements in technology have made choosing glass a lesson in science. Besides choosing between double-, triple- or even quadruple-pane you also get to choose the distance between the panes. As a point of interest - the additional panes of glass do not add to the insulating factor of the window. It is the air between the glass that provides the additional insulation. Nowadays, most companies offer a gas fill (usually Argon) that costs very little and insulates better than air alone.
Low Emissivity (Low-e) Glass
Low-e glass refers to glass with a special microscopically thin, virtually invisible layer of material on the surface of the glass. This serves to reduce the amount of heat that can flow through the glass itself.
Impact Resistant Glass
While if you wack this glass with a baseball bat it may crack, but it will not shatter and spread glass all over the place. The beauty of this glass is that under extreme weather conditions it holds up beautifully. And of course the occasional stray baseball won’t leave you with a big mess to clean up.
Let’s recap, new or replacement, style or type, materials, glass, and finally…
Quality
When choosing windows, one tried and true rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. While cost is certainly important, it is very important to choose a quality product made by a well-known company. It is imperative to choose a well-constructed product that will provide the energy savings with well-made mechanisms that will hold up over time.
Warranty
Carefully examine the warranties offered by the various manufacturers. This is where a well-known company with a good reputation will serve you well. Companies that have been around for a while are more likely to be around in the future should your lever cease to operate.
Choosing a Contractor
There are several ways to find a good window installation contractor, but Danny’s recommendation is that you choose the product you want first and then seek a contractor who is especially trained by that manufacturer. For example, Pella offers a specialty training to contractors so that they are specifically trained to install Pella products properly. Of course, as always, a great idea is to call your local Home Builder’s Association.