Burglar alarms are not the be-all and end-all of home security. There are plenty of other things you can install in your home that will help to stop a burglar from gaining entry – and many of them are very simple and inexpensive.
The key is to secure the possible points of entry. This means that doors should be made of strong, solid material (definitely not plastic or glass), be properly secured to their hinges and have tamper-resistant locks. Ideally, you should have an extra deadbolt that you put on at night, made from very strong metal.
Windows should be made from toughened glass, preferably double-glazed, so that they are almost impossible to break. Although window locks are relatively uncommon, they help greatly with security, and you should consider installing them. If your house has windows in a position where they can be easily and discreetly accessed from the street, such as basement windows, you should consider putting metal bars on them.
It is also important for your garden to be secure, as far more burglars enter through the back of your house than the front. This means that your fences should be high and have some kind of anti-climbing measures (spikes or anti-climb paint can work well). If you don’t like fences, get big hedges instead.
Another thing to consider is getting a dog – surprisingly effective against burglars, who don’t generally want to mess with dogs if they can avoid it. For this strategy to be more effective, put up a ‘beware of the dog’ sign. Smaller dogs are not so great for this because they are not generally scary – something like a big German Shepherd works best, not only because of their size, but because of their strong guard instincts that cause them to be hostile to strangers.
Window Replacement
windows
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Replace Your Windows – Save Money!
If your home is an older building you may be thinking about ways to update and modernize it. Maybe your home is cold and expensive to heat. You may find that your windows let in air or possibly even water. All of these problems can be solved by replacing the windows in your home. Doing so can help with the insulation in your home which, in turn, will help to reduce your energy bills as well as increasing the value of your home.
Window frames used to be made from wood. Although these were suitable for a short term basis, they do begin to rot and warp over time and continued exposure to the elements. The sealant, known as caulking, around the windows begins to flake away, making gaps where air and moisture can get in and accelerating the rate at which the original frames deteriorate. In addition to this affecting the insulation of your home, and increasing your energy costs, it is also not pleasing to they eye. This is a particular problem if you are thinking of selling your home as it makes prospective buyers think they have to spend time and money replacing the windows after they’ve bought the house and most people want to buy a home and move in without having to do any work to it. As such you may find that your home does not attract a buyer.
Vinyl windows are a great solution to this problem. These windows are not hugely expensive and are an investment worth making whether you would like a quick sale for your home or if you just wish to improve the energy efficiency or appearance of your home. These windows will never rot or warp and because there is no painting of frames required you will never need to touch it up due to flaking paint! These windows are efficient, easy to clean, virtually maintenance free and visually appealing.
If cost is an issue to you then you will be pleased to learn that it is possible to install vinyl windows yourself, cutting down on the cost quite significantly. Although a little bit of research is required, the process itself is actually relatively simple, provided that the measurements are taken correctly. Put simply you merely need to remove all traces of the original caulking seal and with the help of another person gently push the window out. Once the window has been removed you need to clean the area thoroughly before inserting the new window. If the old window had become lopsided you can correct it now by inserting shams then seal it in with another, new line of silicone caulking. That is the basics, although I recommend doing further research before undertaking the work yourself.
Window Replacement
windows
Window frames used to be made from wood. Although these were suitable for a short term basis, they do begin to rot and warp over time and continued exposure to the elements. The sealant, known as caulking, around the windows begins to flake away, making gaps where air and moisture can get in and accelerating the rate at which the original frames deteriorate. In addition to this affecting the insulation of your home, and increasing your energy costs, it is also not pleasing to they eye. This is a particular problem if you are thinking of selling your home as it makes prospective buyers think they have to spend time and money replacing the windows after they’ve bought the house and most people want to buy a home and move in without having to do any work to it. As such you may find that your home does not attract a buyer.
Vinyl windows are a great solution to this problem. These windows are not hugely expensive and are an investment worth making whether you would like a quick sale for your home or if you just wish to improve the energy efficiency or appearance of your home. These windows will never rot or warp and because there is no painting of frames required you will never need to touch it up due to flaking paint! These windows are efficient, easy to clean, virtually maintenance free and visually appealing.
If cost is an issue to you then you will be pleased to learn that it is possible to install vinyl windows yourself, cutting down on the cost quite significantly. Although a little bit of research is required, the process itself is actually relatively simple, provided that the measurements are taken correctly. Put simply you merely need to remove all traces of the original caulking seal and with the help of another person gently push the window out. Once the window has been removed you need to clean the area thoroughly before inserting the new window. If the old window had become lopsided you can correct it now by inserting shams then seal it in with another, new line of silicone caulking. That is the basics, although I recommend doing further research before undertaking the work yourself.
Window Replacement
windows
Saving On Home Energy Costs
These days, a major factor for many home improvement projects is the need to cut down on energy costs by making the home more energy efficient. Many home owners are finding that simple projects that require little initial investment will save them a bundle in the summer and the winter, when heating and cooling costs really begin to add up. Here are some areas and ideas you can check on to make sure that your home is wasting the least possible amount of energy.
Water: Water in any form is a general conservation concern, and there are areas throughout North America where water is at such a premium that usage is measured in much the same way as electricity; through the use of meters. The same methods for conserving your water in the home can also be used when it comes to cutting down on your gas or electric bill by watching your hot water intake.
A major area for the loss of hot water is the bath. In order to cut costs, consider installing a water smart showerhead- these easy to screw on water savers can be bought both as attachable heads, which are mounted directly on your shower spout, or as heads attached to a tube which allows for flexibility and a large range of motion. The best water saving heads will have several controls to adjust the flow and pressure of water.
You should also take a look at repairing any leaky taps in your home, whether in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. A leaky tap can mean hundreds of gallons of water used needlessly every day, in addition to the annoyance of the noise.
Heating and Cooling: The main factors in energy use as far as homes go is in their heating in the wintertime and cooling in the form of air conditioning in the summer time. Some basic home improvement ideas can help you maintain a static temperature in your home without having to use extra power.
Windows are always the first area to check in the event of air loss. Older houses contain only single-pane windows, and in order to retain the air temperature of your house double paned windows are necessary; in fact, in many places double paned windows are mandatory. Upgrading your windows is a relatively easy task, although the windows themselves may be expensive. Check the seals around the window edges to make sure they are intact and offer no leaks.
The next area to check for air leaks is around your doors. Doors will contract over time, leaving minute cracks along the bottoms and the edges which can allow drafts or escaped air. This is a pretty simple thing to fix, simply by adding some additional caulking or weather stripping to the area where you can feel the leak.
Finally, a roof in need of repair can cause a lot of air to escape. Remember that heat rises, so if your roof is in disrepair you stand to lose quite a lot of heat out of the top of your home. Check your roof every year to make sure there are no loose shingles, and most houses require a roof to be replaced every twenty-five years. Adding a second whirlybird to the top of your house can greatly improve the circulation of air inside.
Window Replacement
windows
Water: Water in any form is a general conservation concern, and there are areas throughout North America where water is at such a premium that usage is measured in much the same way as electricity; through the use of meters. The same methods for conserving your water in the home can also be used when it comes to cutting down on your gas or electric bill by watching your hot water intake.
A major area for the loss of hot water is the bath. In order to cut costs, consider installing a water smart showerhead- these easy to screw on water savers can be bought both as attachable heads, which are mounted directly on your shower spout, or as heads attached to a tube which allows for flexibility and a large range of motion. The best water saving heads will have several controls to adjust the flow and pressure of water.
You should also take a look at repairing any leaky taps in your home, whether in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. A leaky tap can mean hundreds of gallons of water used needlessly every day, in addition to the annoyance of the noise.
Heating and Cooling: The main factors in energy use as far as homes go is in their heating in the wintertime and cooling in the form of air conditioning in the summer time. Some basic home improvement ideas can help you maintain a static temperature in your home without having to use extra power.
Windows are always the first area to check in the event of air loss. Older houses contain only single-pane windows, and in order to retain the air temperature of your house double paned windows are necessary; in fact, in many places double paned windows are mandatory. Upgrading your windows is a relatively easy task, although the windows themselves may be expensive. Check the seals around the window edges to make sure they are intact and offer no leaks.
The next area to check for air leaks is around your doors. Doors will contract over time, leaving minute cracks along the bottoms and the edges which can allow drafts or escaped air. This is a pretty simple thing to fix, simply by adding some additional caulking or weather stripping to the area where you can feel the leak.
Finally, a roof in need of repair can cause a lot of air to escape. Remember that heat rises, so if your roof is in disrepair you stand to lose quite a lot of heat out of the top of your home. Check your roof every year to make sure there are no loose shingles, and most houses require a roof to be replaced every twenty-five years. Adding a second whirlybird to the top of your house can greatly improve the circulation of air inside.
Window Replacement
windows
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