Window and Siding Materials
Sidings and windows are usually considered as decorations for the house. To contribute an aesthetic appeal of the house, people drain their pockets for sidings and windows. They pay more attention because it is what guests see when they enter a house.
Siding refers to the outer covering, or cladding, of the house. Besides the walls of concrete, the sidings are there for design. It is the basis of what vibe the décor of the house will give off. Before, the sidings were constructed of the bricks that were naturally showing cause of the brick houses. These day, there are a lot of materials that make up a siding of a house all installed with decoration in mind.
Windows are more than just for decorative purposes. They are still part of the beauty of the house, on top of the glass and curtains used, but windows have more purpose that just those.
They are there for ventilation and light inside the house. Natural light aids in saving energy and giving the inside of the house a natural appeal that creates an impact on the people inside.
Among the most common materials used for a siding is recycled metal. This is sustainable since it does not rot and can be molded accordingly. Recycled metal usually consists of steel and aluminum. With adequate research and studying, one can use old scrap parts and melt them to create sidings. This is common because of the scarcity of other materials and in conserving the environment.
Wood is another material typically used for sidings and windows. Unluckily, it is a material that is not easily sustainable.
For the most part, wood is harvested more than it is produced, so that creates an imbalance in the environment. With this, people usually make the switch to other materials for replacement windows like metals and some ceramic. It is still a famous options though, particularly for houses that have an antique look.
Finally, cement fiber is yet another popular siding material. It is rather new to the industry but has been gaining a lot of attention because of the advantages that come with it. It is considered environment friendly and low maintenance. It is sturdy and does not get compromised quickly.
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Streak Free Window Cleaning
If you have tried cleaning your windows by yourself, then you must know it’s harder than you thought it would be. You will find that there are many blemishes and marks ending up on the window no matter your attempts to do a meticulous job. In worst case scenarios, it can even turn out worse.
Streaks are one of the things to worry about. It will look like you have something sticky running down the surface of your glass. Maybe your windows have marks, but if the product that you opt for will leave large ugly streaks down your glass then this is going to give you a hard time.
Moreover, your windows are the only part of your home that you are able to see from both inside and out. Meaning, if you clean your windows in a certain method that would leave streaks, then you don’t only destroy the way your window looks for people who see it from the outside world, but also in your eyes.
That is the main reason why you should consider the streaks. What causes these to begin with? Water leaves what is known as a water mark. Other things can bring about the streaks, too. They involve those that use the wrong cleaning product not meant for windows, or when you have too much of the product and not enough water. If the product tends to be very soapy, you are bound to have sticky windows. Thus, they are more likely to collect dust and other debris.
A professional service is sure to give you streak-less windows. After all, they have all the right tools and experience. You can always do it yourself, considering you follow some significant tips. First, see to it that you have the best product and follow the instructions of how to use it properly. Then, leave it to soak before you wipe it off with the use of an arching movement. After which, wipe with water and then a dry and clean cloth.
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Categories: Window Treatments Articles Tags: Cleaning, give, glass, things, Window, window cleaning, windows
how to make room with huge glass windows look modern yet private?
Question by Alyssa Knowles: how to make room with huge glass windows look modern yet private?
is there another way to enjoy privacy without having to hang windiw treatments?
Best answer:
Answer by Sepro Grace
Translucent panels are easy to maintain, and are far more cost effective then other types of glass, or resin panels. They provide easy solutions to the various challenges faced by architects or interior designers. With residential buildings in particular, one issue that often comes into play is how to use the lighting to meet privacy requirements. With translucent glass, they can then diffuse the light so that it doesn’t bother neighbors, meets all building standards, and still manages to be aesthetically appealing.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Cleaning Your Windows
Just as eyes are the windows to the soul, the windows are the eyes of our homes. That said, it is necessary to keep them in their greatest condition. They should have no defects, dust, grime, dirt, and whatnots. Clean houses impress visitors. In this article, you will learn the ways in maintaining your windows through proper cleaning procedures.
First, get a spray bottle and pour club soda in it. Spray it on your windows and wipe them clean. Include the glass, too. You can use a clean rag or paper towel for wiping. Then, you fill a water vinegar solution into the same bottle after finishing it. The water and vinegar are of the same amount and shake it well so they mix together. Spray it again on your windows and wipe them clean. Afterwards, dip a squeegee in water so you can use it to clean your windows. You can also get mildew and mold remover for dirt that are hard to get rid of.
Next thing you can do is mix two cups of baking soda with just the right amount of water. You will make a thick paste with it, which you can use to coat the window ledge. Let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes, and then have it rinsed and use a soft rag. Go for circular motions to avoid streaking the windows. Rinse it using the vinegar and water solution again to get rid of residue, as well as disinfect the windows
Make sure to clean your windows at least every quarter of the year. If it gets dirty more often than usual, clean it at as often as you can. It doesn’t matter whether you have single-hung windows or double-hung windows with sash windows. Maintaining your windows is a must.
Cleaning is not the favorite thing of many. However tiring it could be, we should still keep in mind that cleaning our windows has its benefits. If you don’t, they will deteriorate more quickly.
Categories: Window Treatments Articles Tags: dirt, eyes, keep, window cleaning, Window Treatments, windows
Q&A: How do I get rid of, and prevent further, the mildew and mould round my upstairs windows?
Question by jo 🙂: How do I get rid of, and prevent further, the mildew and mould round my upstairs windows?
It’s in the back bedrooms and bathroom and is spreading to the walls.
No matter what commercial stuff I clean it with, it’s back the same day.
Any magical cures?!!
Best answer:
Answer by Rated [R] DXJokerDX (nWo)
Getting Rid of MildewLower humidity levels to make it harder for mildew to grow. Install ventilation fans, set up a dehumidifier or air conditioner, or just open a window to create air flow through a room. Choose drier heating methods, like electric heat (gas and water heat are obviously going to contribute moisture). Pay special attention to high-humidity areas, like shower stalls, bath tubs, the undersides of sinks, and plumbing.
Manage temperatures to discourage mold and mildew growth. Lowered temperatures in areas prone to mold and mildew growth will make it easier to get rid of mildew and prevent more growth. Turn down the heat in bathrooms and laundry rooms when you’re not using them. Avoid using space heaters or high-moisture heat (like radiators) in rooms with additional moisture (like bathrooms).
Keep everything as a dry as possible, since mildew thrives on moisture (wait. haven’t we covered this?). Use a sponge or squeegee to remove excess moisture from areas like shower walls and shower curtains. Avoid leaving damp laundry in a pile or in contact with other surfaces. Hang bath towels on individual hooks. Don’t put dishes away wet. Clean up any spilled or pooling water right away.Clean regularly to prevent and get rid of mold and mildew growth. Scrub shower walls and bath tubs on a regular basis, and use a shower spray after each shower or bath as a preventative measure. Clean oft-ignored and mildew-prone areas like the floor around and underneath a tub, walls behind washing machines, the grouted areas between wall and floor tiles, and the plumbing beneath sinks.
Look for a strong mold- and mildew-inhibiting cleaning agent. Keep in mind that most strong cleaning agents will contain harmful chemicals, especially chorine bleach in the case of mold and mildew. This can be a deterrent if you have children, animals, health problems, or just prefer to use non-toxic natural cleaning products. For more information on commerical mildew cleaners, read the information below.
Commercial Mildew Treatments
Many strong cleaning solutions and treatments will contain diluted chemicals like chlorine, bleach, and sodium hypochlorite that will kill the mold fungi that cause mildew. While these products will be highly effective when getting rid of mold and mildew, the chemical they contain can be toxic and dangerous to you and others. Chemical cleanres can also cause damage to sensitive organic surfaces such as fabric, leather, some paints, and wood.
Luckily, you can find natural alternatives that will still fight mildew and mold. Look for brands like Seventh Generation and Ecover that use plant-based, biodegradable, environmentally friendly products that are just as effective as chemical cleaners.
Give your answer to this question below!
Why are my new replacement windows sweating?
Question by momof3: Why are my new replacement windows sweating?
my windows are about 2 years old and have done this since they were installed mostly in the winter months.
Best answer:
Answer by beverlydesigner
Yes, it’s true that your windows are sweating because of the differential between the inside temperature and the outside. It means that your windows do not leak around the place where they meet the wall but what most homeowners do not know is that there is still heat loss through the glass no matter if it is single, double or triple glazed. This is because heat transmission is conductive not convective…so no matter how many layers of glass you have, when the warm air hits it, that warm air will want to escape through the glass and will eventually do so. Warm air always travels towards cooler, never the other way around.
Here’s what you need to do in order to avoid damage to your new windows. You must get rid of the sweating problem or else the condensate will ruin the window frame and potentially cause problems in your wall if the seeping occurs for a season or longer.
Window treatments are the only answer to this problem but they must be constructed properly in order for them to do their job.
1) Install a shade (cellular preferably) on the inside of the window frame if possible with gaps no larger than one-quarter inch at each side.
2) drapery panels with a return…that means that they run across the face of the window but make a 90 degree turn back to the wall and are secured by a hook so that they encapsulate the window.
3) to completely eliminate the transfer of cold air, a cornice or board mounted valance should be placed over the draperies, again this has a return to the wall
So what you’ve done here is to create a little box which isolates your windows from the room. If you are not going to put up draperies and a cornice, at least invest in some cellular shades.
Did you know that a full 1/3 of your heat escapes through your windows? And that if you have shades on your windows and use them only at night, you can save significant dollars with heating and cooling. This savings is continuous for the life of the shades, it’s not a one-time savings. They payback is huge and you will be making your home more comfortable and more attractive at the same time.
Best,
Beverly
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Categories: Window Treatments Questions Tags: Replacement, sweating, windows
Tall, Skinny windows.. window treatments?
Question by Victoria: Tall, Skinny windows.. window treatments?
I have two tall, skinny windows, one on each side of my fireplace in the living room. They are about 22″x70″. I’m having a hard time picking a nice window treatment. I am putting up wood blinds through out the house, including these windows. Do you think I should go with just a valance, I was thinking a balloon hem valance or tie up valances or should I go with panels?
Best answer:
Answer by Lee
Hi
Why don’t you hang a scarf swag over a decorative curtain rod. You can have the tails of the swag hang down as far as you want. These are really simple to do but can really look good.
You can make them yourself without sewing or just buy some ready made. If your not sure what they look like then do a image search for “scarf swags”.
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Categories: Window Treatments Questions Tags: Skinny, Tall, Treatments, Window, windows
Q&A: What kind of window treatments can I do for really tiny windows?
Question by .: What kind of window treatments can I do for really tiny windows?
The windows are in my bathroom on the largest shower wall so a curtain is a must. The windows are not flush with the walls, there’s about a 7″ box/legde. They are 14W” x 36L”. I was going to make some roman shades but I need them to be washable, usually they call for dowels and other wood. Also I have no way of putting hardware in because I’ll be going into the window frame itself.
Here’s what they look like:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/XblackResonanceX/0702081810.jpg
Close up of the top…the only wood is the ceiling part and the sides:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/XblackResonanceX/0702081810a.jpg
What can I do? I’d rather make my own instead of buying. (I’m a seamstress so this is definitely do-able)
Yeah, we have a bit of a strange layout for our apartment.
Best answer:
Answer by dngrzdmn
An hour glass shape on each window or 1/2 a swag on each pane, a panel hanging on the wall in the middle would give the illusion of a bigger window. Use 1 rod for this.
I think your best bet wood be a stick on-not the frosted glass but kind of stained glass effect, not covering the whole pane. The punch of colour will look fantastic against those white tiles and there is minimal maintenance, cleaning and mildew.
Make sure your linens and accessories pick up/contrast the colour in the pattern.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Categories: Window Treatments Questions Tags: kind, really, tiny, Treatments, Window, windows
Blackout Cellular Blinds For Insulating Windows
The windows treatments used depend upon the homeowner. You have to choose the best one for your home. You will base it on your needs. A lot of us use window treatments to block out sunlight, while some use it for decoration purposes.
If you want to cover your windows and at the same time cut costs with regard to electricity, you must then opt for cellular window blinds. It’s a perfect solution to save on costs.
Typically, to avoid wasting electricity, you must come up with solutions like building isolators in the walls, but how many people can afford taking down their entire walls to install isolators? Not so much.
That said, the cellular blinds can do all the work conveniently, and they will save a lot of energy inside the house and prevent the heat or cold air from escaping through the windows.
Cellular blinds also help prevent global warming. It may be strange to hear but holds true. Cellular blinds can also be referred to as honeycomb blinds. They are not so expensive yet very effective.
We should know the benefits of these window treatments to begin with. Because of the continuous rise in electricity bills, it is essential to look for ways to save money.
Generally, there are three levels of cellular shades or blinds. They are single blinds, double blinds, and triple cell blinds. Actually, it is easy to identify which offers the highest levels of insulation for your home. The triple cells are more expensive, but are more secure and insulating too.
The final thing to look into is the cost of the window treatments. They are reasonable in price, but you can find more expensive ones too, whatever works for you.
Always just keep in mind that it is your call how you want your windows to look like, if the initial ones don’t work for you, you can always opt for some other types.
Categories: Window Treatments Articles Tags: Blackout, Blinds, cellular, Insulating, windows