Posts Tagged ‘replacement windows’

Project Spotlight: St. Agatha Church Improves Safety & Looks While Reducing Energy Costs with Glass Block Windows– Columbus Ohio

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Before - St Agatha Church Gymnasium Windows

Before - St Agatha Church Gymnasium Windows broken and cracked blocks

The problem: St. Agatha Church in Columbus Ohio had a legitimate concern about the functionality and safety of deteriorated old glass block windows in several second story windows surrounding their gymnasium. Some of these challenges included:

 

  • A good number of the 70 to 80 year old glass blocks (which used an old cold fusing technology) had been cracked and some had even retained water.  There was a concern about a block cracking and injuring someone or damaging the wood gym floor.

 

  • The old glass block installation was not properly done with materials to allow for expansion and contraction and therefore the mortar joints were failing and had been patched with silicone caulk several times over the years.

 

After St Agatha Church Windows with new glass blocks

After St Agatha Church Windows with new glass blocks

  • The broken and dingy old blocks (glass blocks used to be manufactured with the pattern on the outside which retained dirt & debris) did not provide a nice appearance for the gym or provide as much natural light as was desired.

 

  • The energy efficiency of the old blocks was not up to modern standards.

Continue reading “Project Spotlight: St. Agatha Church Improves Safety & Looks While Reducing Energy Costs with Glass Block Windows– Columbus Ohio” »

4 Cost Effective Home Improvement Tips to Improve Resale Value

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011
Solar sun tube used in a kitchen

Solar sun tube used in a kitchen

Bathroom improvement using bathtub liner & new acrylic wall surrounds

Bathroom improvement using bathtub liner & new acrylic wall surrounds

Is your attempt to sell your home giving you a major case of the blues? If so – you’re certainly not alone! Maybe it’s time to step back and evaluate your property to see what can be done (without breaking the bank) to improve it’s appearance, function and marketability. Consider the 4 tips below to breathe some new excitement into your home in the crowded and challenging real estate marketplace.

Continue reading “4 Cost Effective Home Improvement Tips to Improve Resale Value” »

How to Choose the Right Type of Vinyl Replacement Windows

Friday, March 25th, 2011
White double hung vinyl replacement window tilts in for easy cleaning
White double hung vinyl replacement window tilts in for easy cleaning
Bow woodgrain window in a family room
Bow woodgrain window in a family room add light & seating

Are your old single pane metal framed or wood framed windows hard to operate and costing you a lot of money in excessive heating and cooling bills? If so the time is right to upgrade to a vinyl replacement window. The options and types of windows are varied. Here’s the answers to 5 frequently asked questions to guide you through the window selection process. Continue reading “How to Choose the Right Type of Vinyl Replacement Windows” »

Deceptive Home Improvement Sales Practices – Don’t Be Victimized By “Tin Men”

Saturday, December 4th, 2010
Tin Men Movie about Deceptive Home Improvement Sales Practices
Tin Men Movie about Deceptive Home Improvement Sales in Aluminum Siding Industry in 1963
Vinyl replacement window industry has been target of deceptive sales practices
The vinyl replacement window industry was the first target of deceptive sales practices in Washington State

Remember the movie Tin Men with Danny Devito about high pressure sales tactic used in the 60’s selling customers door to door aluminum siding jobs? Although Danny Devito was hilarious in the movie getting pressured or deceived into making any type of purchase is not good.

Unfortunately if you think the days of the “Tin Men” (high pressure home improvement sales people) are over – think again. In Washington State Jack G. Zurlini Jr. (the Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division) is taking action against multiple home improvement companies selling vinyl replacement windows for unlawful marketing and sales practices (and the practices mentioned are not confined to the state of Washington). Here’s 3 questions to help educate and protect you against making a bad choice in contractors:

Continue reading “Deceptive Home Improvement Sales Practices – Don’t Be Victimized By “Tin Men”” »

Remodeling Trends 2010 & 2011 – How to get the biggest bang for your buck

Thursday, November 25th, 2010
Basement Remodeling to add cost effective living space
Basement Remodeling Adds Cost Effective Living Space vs. a Room Addition
Steel Entry Door for curb appeal and high cost/value relationship
Steel Entry Doors Add Curb Appeal and Provide a Great Value vs. Cost

Maybe at no time in recent history is it more important than now to spend your money wisely. We’re just pulling out of a recession (at a slower pace than most would like), housing and resale prices are still depressed, and unemployment is coming down (very slowly).

So – if you’re in a home that’s in desperate need of several home improvement projects where should you begin to get the most return for money spent? Is there some type of statistical guide to help you prioritize remodeling projects based on the market value they will add to your home? Fortunately the answer is yes!

Every year the remodeling industry with the assistance of Realtor magazine, the National Association of Realtors, Specpan (an on line market research company) and HomeTech Information Systems (an estimating software developer) team up to complete the Cost to Value Report. Here’s a quick recap of the findings:   Continue reading “Remodeling Trends 2010 & 2011 – How to get the biggest bang for your buck” »

5 Reasons to Use a Tinted Acrylic Block Window

Saturday, November 13th, 2010
Sun and Solar Block acrylic block window wall
Tinted Acrylic Block “Solar Block Plus” Window Wall
Sun Blocking Acrylic Block
E 3 Sun Block Acrylic Block in 8″ x 8″ or 6″ x 6″ sizes

Are your carpets washed out from the sun? Are your heating and cooling costs chocking the family budget? Would you love to cut off the view of nosey neighbors? If you’re experiencing any of these problems you’re not alone. Here’s 5 reasons you might want to replace an old window with a sun blocking acrylic block window: Continue reading “5 Reasons to Use a Tinted Acrylic Block Window” »

“Take advantage of the Federal Energy Tax Credit before time runs out”

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Vinyl replacement windows for energy savings

vinyl replacement windows for energy savings

You may be wondering how you can take advantage of the Economic Stimulus bill that was signed on February 17th 2009. Well if you’ve got inefficient upper floor windows or doors in your home which are in need of replacement and you’re worried about large heating bills coming your way this fall the time to replace old windows/doors may never be better than now. Here are the “rules of the game” with these federal tax credits: Continue reading ““Take advantage of the Federal Energy Tax Credit before time runs out”” »