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Archive for January, 2012
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Bow and bay windows are sought after by homeowners to make a bold statement. Curb appeal is often enhanced by replacing a few standard double-hung windows on the front of a house with one large "showcase" window that projects outward from the exterior wall of the home. By extending the facade in this manner, you are afforded the ability to construct an interior window sill onto which you can set vases or other floral arrangements, fine porcelain or even trophies, if your heart desires. I had a customer several years ago who purchased a large bay window for one simple reason: to allow his cat a place to comfortably lay in the sun.
As with all replacement windows, there are many factors you must take into consideration when purchasing a bow or bay window. First and foremost is the energy-efficiency of the product. Remember, these windows are much larger than traditional double-hung windows, the ones you will likely find in your bedrooms. As such, there is substantial glass surface area which will be exposed to the elements. Choose a window with poor glass and you'll be miserable for years to come.
Similarly, the frame of the window is of paramount importance. Most replacement windows are made of vinyl, which does an excellent job of resisting heat or cold. Many manufacturers will offer an option to add insulation to the interior of this frame, which is traditionally hollow and multi-chambered, similar to a honeycomb. Always demand a welded vinyl master frame. Such a large window will require a welded frame to ensure its structural integrity.
Be certain to ask your window contractor for the "U-factor" of his or her window. This will inform you as to the efficiency of the bow or bay window. The lower the U-factor, the better its insulation properties will be. Next, consider whether your new window will have fabric curtains or furniture nearby. If so, the large expanse of glass will allow harmful solar rays to fade these materials and colors over time. Insist on a low-emissivity or "Low-E" glass coating. This barely perceptible coating will reflect the UVA and UVB rays, keeping them from destroying your furnishings.
The interior window sill on a bay or bow window can be vinyl or wood. Often, birch is the wood chosen by manufacturers for its beautiful wood grain. Be careful if you plan to place plants on this window sill. When watering, any overflow will damage the wood before long. It may be best to opt for a vinyl sill if this is your intention. If instead you plan on placing a large vase or artificial flowers on your new sill, birch will be your most attractive option. A wood sill can be stained and a polyurethane coating applied to not only protect it, but to complement your home's interior. Often we will stain a sill to match a wood banister or hardwood flooring in a customer's home.
For More Information About Our Window, Door & Siding Installation Services OR to Schedule a Free Consultation, Please call 610-667-7775 or CLICK HERE
Tags: bay window, bow window, Philadelphia windows, replacement windows, vinyl windows, windowsPhiladelphia
Posted in Doors & Windows, Energy Saving Tips, Home Renovation Tips | No Comments »
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
American housing can be divided into a few distinct groups. If you live in the Philadelphia suburbs, you likely dwell under a sloped or pitched roof. Such construction allows for the installation of fiberglass roofing shingles as the primary membrane keeping rain and snow from penetrating into the wood sheathing beneath them. Usually, shingled roofs are guaranteed by the manufacturer for 20-30 years, depending on the thickness and quality of the product.
If you reside inside of the Philadelphia city limits, you likely have a flat roof. A flat roof is exactly what you would expect…very little pitch or slope to aid in the draining process. These roofs are typically found on houses built inside Philadelphia between 1900-1950. A Philadelphia roofing contractor should have ample experience with these roofs.
Historically, rolls of fiberglass were installed over of the older layer of roof covering with the help of hot asphalt in order to adhere a new membrane for protection against the elements. Since flat roofs are problematic with regard to proper drainage, only 8-10 year guarantees were offered by flat roofing contractors. And even then, the flat roofs needed to coated with a fresh layer of asphalt every three years to keep the warranty in force and valid!
As you can imagine, after 30-40 years of continually adding layer after layer of new roofing material over the older layers, the durability of each new layer was reduced substantially. Look at it this way: suppose you placed a piece of duck-tape over a hole in the side of a styrofoam cup filled with coffee. For a while, perhaps a long while, the tape would do its job just fine, holding the liquid inside the cup. But, after a period of time, the tape would need some help doing its job. At that point, you'd add yet another piece of tape over the old one, extending the protection. Well, once you had about six layers of tape, you might be wondering whether tearing everything off and starting from scratch might be in order.
That's exactly what homeowners need to do in many cases: remove ALL layers of roofing membrane and haul them away in a dumpster, prior to applying a new roof covering over the original roof decking which is typically constructed of wood.
Today, homeowners would be well-advised to steer away from fiberglass and hot asphalt on their flat roofs. Instead, rubber roofing material, typically modified bitumin, should be applied over the decking or existing roof. This material is warranted for 15 years if installed by a professional Philadelphia Roofing Contractor . He will also replace the drain-box and downspout in the rear section of a flat roof to ensure that all water will drain easily, leaving no puddles on the rooftop. Inside our city, these drain-boxes often need to be lowered by a qualified contractor familiar with flat roofing projects on 60-100 year-old housing. Only then can you be certain that your new roof will last for nearly a generation.
For More Information about our Roofing & Siding or Door & Window installation services or to schedule a free consultation, call 610-667-7775 or Click Here.
Tags: Philadelphia roofing, roof contractor, roof installer, roofer Philadelphia, roofing, roofing contractor, roofing Philadelphia
Posted in Ask The Contractor, Home Renovation Tips | No Comments »
Monday, January 9th, 2012
Replacing your old, drafty windows is one of the best ways to reduce your heating and cooling costs. But, just any new window won't necessarily solve your problems. Windows come in many shapes and sizes, to be sure, but you'll want to consider window components to ensure that you won't regret your purchase.
Let's remember, you have enough to worry about. Providing you with the components and features available on replacement windows in Philadelphia is a contractor's job! Frames may be made of several materials, insulated-glass can contain Argon gas for additional insulation and frames offer the option of insulation as well. The only true way to make certain you buy the "right" window for you is to see a physical sample of a contractor's window right there, in the middle of your living room.
A professional will always bring a scaled-down version of his window when he visits your home. If he doesn't have one available, you need to find another contractor. You wouldn't purchase a car or even a barbeque without seeing it first! Why on Earth would you not do the same with windows.
Replacement of rotted woodwork and installation of exterior capping is necessary on most homes. Make sure your window contractor has the equipment required to perform these important tasks. An uncapped window will need to be painted, otherwise it will rot, causing you more maintenance headaches in the coming years. And headaches are exactly what you're trying to put an end to.
For More Information About Our Window, Door & Siding Installation Services OR to Schedule a Free Consultation, Please call 610-667-7775 or CLICK HERE
Tags: vinyl replacement windows, vinyl replacement windows Philadelphia, window company, window installer Philadelphia, Windows Philadelphia
Posted in Ask The Contractor, Contractor Selection, Doors & Windows | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
Most of us rarely have the need to hire a contractor to perform our home alterations. If you do so regularly, you have no doubt encountered a sub-par company or two (or several!) along the way. For those of us who don't regularly make improvements to our house, exhaustively researching when choosing a contractor is of paramount importance. Philadelphia homeowners should make certain that they're hiring the best company for their project the first time. Most remodelers won't be happy coming to the rescue to repair shoddy work done by a less than professional contractor.
So, how do you do this? How do you ensure that the skills necessary to properly complete your project are possessed by the company you choose?
State Registrations – Qualified home remodeling contractors in Philadelphia will be registered with the Office of the Attorney General's Office in Harrisburg. Check the website online for proof of state registration.
Work Experience – Find out which homes in your neighborhood or even on your street have been improved by the contractor you are considering. If they don't have references which you can walk to, they simply haven't completed enough projects on homes similar to yours.
Innovation & Style – Nearly anyone can install a store-bought cabinet or front door. But when you are interested in a "look" that is entirely your own, you may want to hire a contractor who offers a unique selection and options you may have never thought of before. Don't settle for a firm with limited experience, find a remodeler with a sense of style who has ample experience employing creative ideas.
When you hire a remodeling contractor in Philadelphia, you need to find a company whose employees are willing to work with you. They must understand the problems you need solved, as well as your time-frame. Finally, while you must ensure that you are not overcharged, make sure that you don't choose the cheapest contractor either, as you will likely get what you pay for.
If you are interested in more information or a free estimate on our line of replacement windows, vinyl siding & doors or our kitchen, bathroom or basement remodeling projects, please call 610-667-7775 or click here.
Tags: Bathroom Remodeling Contractor, door contractor, kitchen remodeling contractor, Siding contractor Philadelphia, vinyl replacement windows
Posted in Ask The Contractor, Contractor Selection | No Comments »
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