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How a Stitch in Time Saves Your Exterior Painting Project
Fall is in the air, and for many that means time to put a fresh coat of paint on the old homestead before winter sets in to take its toll. When it comes to an exterior painting project, there are numerous things to consider: what kind of paint to use, what color to choose, paint the whole house or just the sides that really need it, and budgeting considerations.
One of the most important steps to an exterior painting project is to prepare the painting surface, ensuring your hard work turns out a diamond, and not a diamond in the rough. And here’s how your start.
Clear the perimeter
Rake up and dispose of any leaves and yard debris around the house. Trim back hedges, bushes, and trees from that restrict access to surfaces that need to be painted. Use drop cloths to cover air conditioners, water meters, exhaust vents, plants and fences, anything close to the exterior painting surface that can’t be removed.
Wash thoroughly
A thorough power wash to remove dirt, chalky paint, and mold and mildew is the best guarantee that your exterior painting project will be a success. Oil, grease and dirt will prevent the paint from adhering to the wood. So, take a wire brush to the surface, and use a TSP-free detergent to eliminate dirt and a bleach/water solution to eliminate mildew. Allow the siding several days to dry thoroughly. If you don’t, moisture in and behind the boards can cause newly-applied paint to blister.
Sand and scrape
Use a power or hand sander to remove peeling and cracked paint, and to rough up shi
ny surfaces. Scrape away all traces of cracked and peeling paint. Fill any holes or cracks with filler and sand smooth before applying primer.
Caulk and prime
Scrape away any loose caulk around doors, windows, and trim. Caulk seals cracks that can leak heat and air conditioning, and keeps insects from entering your home, so replace where needed. A good primer creates a smooth surface on which to apply the paint. It also helps whatever paint you use on your exterior painting project to dry evenly without lumps or brush marks.
Although there are numerous steps to preparing your home for an exterior painting project, there is some truth to the old adage of measure twice and cut once. Spend the time to prepare your house’s exterior. That way you can reap the rewards of a beautifully painted home that will stand up to time and the elements and serve you well for many years.
For more information about exterior painting, please visit CertaPro corporate website.
Using Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights In The Backyard
The use of outdoor string lights is not relegated to just holidays anymore. Commercial outdoor string lights are now being used year round for security and lighting up backyards around the country so homeowners can enjoy the evening hours outside. Using commercial quality lights is essential to ensure that the lights last a long time.
String Lights
String lights come in all shapes and sizes. They also come with ratings for indoor, outdoor, and both indoor and outdoor use. It is really important to make sure that the string lights that are going to be installed outside have an outdoor rating. On top of that, try to purchase commercial grade outdoor string lights as they are superior to any of the domestic products in terms of quality and longevity. Businesses rely on quality commercial string lights to dress up their places of business.
Decorative Outdoor String Lights
Decorative outdoor string lights are very popular these days. Many business now have them installed around the facade of buildings because they create a welcoming environment for customers. Homeowners can do the same thing and use the string lights to show of features of their house or yard and create that same welcoming environment. Not only do the outdoor string lights show off a home or business but they also make it safer. The lights can be used to light up walkways or driveways so visitors can see where they are going.
Effect Of String Lights
At the end of the day, the best result of the string lights is the great look they give a property. There is nothing better than enjoying a nice summer evening in the backyard. There is no better way to take it easy after a hard day at work then sit in the backyard and take in the beauty of the soft light given off by the string lights.
What To Do To Keep A Luxury Log Home Looking New
Luxury log homes tend to be larger homes. They are often built from big logs of at least twelve inches. The look of uniqueness is found in other features such as master suites designed as gazebos, high cathedral ceilings, and big stone fireplaces. But it is usually a top priority of the owner to keep their new home looking new. So here are some ways to make this happen.
Logs are a natural product. Over time the logs do stay strong, but the color washes down to a gray tone if they are not maintained. The first step of good maintenance program is to choose a high quality stain. San-Sin Classic stain has a whole line devoted entirely to the log homes. It is specifically designed from natural tree resins so that the moisture in the logs is slowly released, instead of being sealed inside. When it is sealed inside the sealant will peel back (similar to plastic peeling away) and leave the home looking poor. The moisture will find a way to escape, so having a sealant that is conducive to that is important.
Usually the first coat of exterior sealant is applied by the builder. Whether it only requires one coat or five, the builder bids that into his cost. But then five years later you see some weathering to the logs. Now it is your turn to either stain it yourself, or to hire someone to do it. If you choose to do it yourself you do save a lot on labor, but you will have to invest in at least an extension ladder. For those who are scared of heights, sometimes scaffolding is easier to use. Scaffolding can also come with guard rails and plank units that hook to the scaffold framework. Just laying boards on the bucks can be dangerous. There is nothing to anchor it to and if you step on the edge it is easy to fall. For a ranch log home a smaller extension ladder may be all you need.
When painting or brushing the sealant on the luxury log home you must be sure to get all the surfaces. On checks or cracks be sure to brush in several different directions. This gets it down into all the little crevices. More than once I have had bugs run for cover or fly away as soon as the stain gets near to them.
Why are patio string lights so popular for your home?
Patio string lights are the most popular type of lighting home owners are buying today to add accent lighting to their homes exterior. But have you ever wondered why? For most home owners, it’s their versatility that makes them so appealing. You can place them almost anywhere you can imagine and they are available in so many different styles and designs you’re sure to find some that match your homes decor.
There’s many ways you can use them around your home such as adding to your decks accent lighting, outlining your homes entryways, or even hanging them from your roof line or gutters to create a icicle effect on your home during winter. Your imagination is the limit and there’s many kinds that are available for you to choose from.
Some of the more popular kinds are:
Outdoor lantern string lights – These are string lights that are weather resistant and are available in many styles of lanterns such as metal, glass, or even hardened plastic. You can find small lanterns only three inches tall or large ones over twelve inches tall depending on your mood and what you’re looking for. They are also available in different colors so you can create different moods.
Globe string lights – Basically the same as lantern string lights except with different sizes of globes. Some are even made of paper.
Solar string lights – These are fast becoming the most popular type of string light as not only are they environmentally friendly, they save you money to operate since they use the power of the sun to make them work. Instead of having a plug at the end of the light string to supply power they have a small solar panel that charges the battery in the light. They are available in as many styles and designs as traditional string lights so you can easily find some that you like.
Benefits Of Motorized Exterior Window Shades
We often underestimate and even at times take for granted the importance of window shades (and even roman shades). It may just be there all the time, but do we really know what it’s for and the whole spectrum of what it is capable of doing? To begin, they are marvels of window furnishing. Unlike curtains, they are able to control the light that enters the room to various levels, to suit whatever your taste is at the moment. It is also capable of being combined with other window accessories and it does combine well with others, without looking bulky and overly decorated. But how about exterior window shades? Is there a difference at all?
Exterior window shades are more durable and are designed in such a way that it can withstand heat (in all degrees for that matter), and withstand dirt, wind and all the elements, in general terms. Since it is outside, it leaves your inner window space free, to place additional furnishings in order to liven up your interior design. Exterior window shades also benefit from having motorized variants, which eases the burden in so many ways.
Having a remote control or even a sensor to control the exterior window shade would save you time from having to go from point A to the window just to adjust the level and the sunlight permeability of the shades. It also give you a greater level of control of the window shade, and you can fine tune it the way you want it to. Or on the other hand, motorized exterior window shades also enable you to use the default settings so that you wouldn’t have to ponder on adjusting the window shades. And since it is your first line of defense against the sun, the remote control function allows you to control it from the safety and comfort of the inside of your home.
Having exterior shades is a benefit in itself. Having a motorized version raises the benefits to another level, by giving you the capability of controlling in a very minute, or even in a very broad way.
Oak Front Doors Give a Home Elegance
If you are thinking of getting solid oak front doors for your new home, there is no need to hesitate because some of the best doors are oak. Oak is a preferred choice when it comes to doors because of its endurance. Since it is hardwood, it resists dents and break-ins. Oak can tolerate much harsher weather conditions compared to other materials. Another factor that attracts people to oak doors is their unmatched beauty. That is something even mahogany cannot give you. When you are ready to choose a door, you are offered many options oak being one of the best. It makes a sturdy door and is pleasing to the eye even from a great distance.
There is one problem with solid oak front doors and care should be taken during the installation process itself. The oak should not get damp and shrink or swell at any time. If the door is not properly installed, then you will have severe problems later on.
How you want your home to be fitted with oak doors depends on each person’s personal taste. Some people like to have an outside view from the front door. In that case, they can fit the door with lovely looking durable glass so that you can have your privacy and a view too. Placing lights on both sides of the door will make it look even more attractive.
The type of oak front door you want is also a matter of consideration. Getting a smooth oak door will decrease your maintenance level, because they are easier to clean. Front doors always call for extra maintenance, so if you are not bothered with that, then a smooth door will be feasible. If you need that contemporary look, then choose an oak door without any panels. If you prefer panels then you can have a door made of flat panels or raised panels.
Types of Plantation Shutters
Buying things for your home can be very difficult due to the variety of choices out there on the market; one can never know the extent of variety out there. There are different types of sofas, paint, carpets and even roofs, when you don’t know what you are looking for then you are in big trouble. When redecorating your home, a lot of homeowners have this predicament especially picking the appropriate window treatment. When you want a window treatment that has a high functionality and aesthetic value then you should go for interior window shutters.
Interior plantation shutters are a type of interior window shutters that are very popular with homeowners and experts. The plantation shutters are made of horizontal wooden slats with a single vertical bar in the middle to provide control of the shutters. The design of the shutters is made to provide the room with elegance but with a sense of simplicity. It also provides the home with a lot of benefits such as light control and controlled. It is also easy to install, clean and maintain. Most importantly it helps the house become a home because of the homely feel it conveys.
There are different types of plantation shutters in the market but three types stand out the most because they make your home aesthetical sound. The main difference of these types is the timber from which the wooden slats are made of. The first type is the poplar plantation shutters; this is the most popular because it is environmentally friendly; the slates are plantation grown, it not prone to warping, it is light weight and strong, can be custom painted to match your room colors, it is made of hard wood and most especially it is cost effective. Another type is the Basswood Plantation shutters, this is popular because of the wood used; basswood. The slats are made of solid timber so you can be guaranteed that the slats are durable, not prone to weathering and very stylish; it can be matched to any dulux paint color. The last type is the western red cedar, it is made of solid wood, yet lightweight. The wooden slats can be lacquered, painted, oiled or stained to match timber frames. It is the most stable shutter for outdoor areas perfect for your patios, porches or even terraces.
The plantation shutters bring together both style and functionality a worthwhile investment for your home. If this is what the type of window treatment you are looking for, then go buy yourself one now.
PVC Windows Save You Money
In today’s economy everyone is looking to save money. Most people have their bills piling up and don’t know what they can do to reduce them. Utility bills can be reduced drastically by cutting down the use of heating and cooling in the winters and summers. This can be accomplished by installing insulation in your home and by purchasing a new pvc window.
In older windows there is a problem of energy loss. This is due to windows permitting air to leak through the cracks and fittings because they are not weather tight. When there is energy loss that means your heating and cooling units need to be constantly running. This results in a chain reaction of having very high bills. Pvc windows offer excellent insulating which means that your air conditioned air stays inside in the summer and heated air stays inside during the winter. Since there is less fluctuation in the home temperature that means your heating and cooling units will turn on less often.
There are factors to look into when analyzing your energy loss. This is calculated by the R factor and U factor. The R factor measures the effectiveness of your insulating materials. The more the R value increases the better it is. The U value is a measure of the amount of energy or heat loss. The lower the U value the better it is for your budget. So after you have your home analyzed and the results do not come in your favor the next decision to make is replacing your old worn out windows.
When your home is better insulated you will save hundreds of dollars in your utility bills. In the economical crunch today any money saved can help out a lot. With instant savings and a more pleasant home environment you will be happy that you made the right choice to purchase new pvc windows.
Double Glazing Repairs
Windows don’t last forever and for homeowners the day will arrive when the windows in your home will need double glazing repairs. Repairs differ depending on the age of the house, the location of the house and whether or not the homeowner performed regular maintenance. If you live near a beach, then the chances are your house windows are probably thick with salt and sand – it goes with the territory. Living near a beach is wonderful in the summer season, but has a downside in the winter months. Once you’ve checked each window around your dwelling and have ascertained that a few windows should be replaced, the next step is to contact a glazer.
Find out the double glazing repairs cost over the telephone first. The glazer will probably tell you that he or she needs to see your windows before giving you an estimate. This is understandable. But asking over the phone first, gives you some idea of how much to budget. If, for example he says, “Oh, roughly $2000”, you’ll then have a ball park figure. Now you can invite him or her to your house to visually inspect your windows. The double glazing cost you first receive, should be compared with other glazer costs, that have visited your place. The same should be done for any and all double glazing repairs that may need to be done. Never accept the first estimate as the cheapest.
Double glazing repairs can take a few days to complete; it often depends on weather conditions. Not many people want a hole in the wall during a storm or a freezing cold night, so if possible have your double glazing cost estimate and other home repairs done in the spring or summer months. Trade’s people too, don’t enjoy freezing their butts off handling glass in winter.
Getting to Know Termites
Highly destructive to property, the prevention and containment of termites is an important factor for consideration by any homeowner. At a high level the property owner should know the signs of infestation, be familiar with the various species and have a fairly good idea on the best termite control program for each type.
Know Your Enemy
Termites are winged ant-like insects that live in colonies. Considered as social insects, a colony may range from a few hundreds to several million members. Certain kinds require a moist environment and there are species that may or may not thrive in the soil. Of the various kinds of termites, the three types that are prevalent in the Southern California area are the Drywood, Dampwood and Subterranean species.
Sleeping with the Enemy
Are there undesired guests in your house? These invaders usually come in stealth so it is common for the damage to go unnoticed until it is in the advanced stages. As termites feed on wood and paper, the common areas affected are wooden walls and floors, as well as furniture. Thinning or darkening of the wood is an indication that the colony has started its work, while evidence of tunneling is proof that the pests have been at it for a while. These tunnels or mud holes may extend from the ground to the structure. Other indicators are unusual waves or slits on the wood.
Confronting the Enemy
As the adage says, prevention is better than cure. Soil and wood treatments should be part of the plan before construction. Once the structure is up, regular monthly inspections of frequently affected areas like windowsills, doorframes and similar wooden fixtures will keep unpleasant surprises at bay. Ifyou are purchasing an existing infrastructure, it is also prudent to include a termite inspection in the to-do list. However once the damage has been done, a termite problem is best left to the care of professionals.
Although there are do-it-yourself products in the market to address this type of problem, it is better to leave the colony untouched. Contact a pest control expert to handle the situation but be cautious though, of securing cheap providers as they may not provide quality or effective service. One effective and popular treatment is Termidor termite treatment
The problem management will depend on the species that have invaded your territory. Generally the ways to kill termites are liquid treatments that are sprayed, borate treatments that are applied, termite baits and fumigation. There should also be regular inspections afterwards either quarterly or bi-annually to keep the pests from coming back.