Jeld Wen Exterior Doors - Get Them for Cheap

It is no secret that having a fancy exterior door on your home will make it look quite a bit richer. However, choosing the right brand is just as important as choosing the right color. Jeld Wen exterior doors are more durable, built of better materials, more aesthetically pleasing, and more affordable than any other type of door on the market. You can even get a custom design built from them for cheaper than you would pay from most manufacturers. It's hard to believe, but it is true, and the reason is the fact that Jeld Wen is a newcomer. They are building their reputation and you can take advantage of that.

exterior doors for sale

Now that we have established that they are the brand to go with, you need to choose the right design and material for your exterior door. The current trend is to go with longer, heavier door for the front of the home. This is because it is essentially because it plays a big role in the initial impression of your home. A very sturdy and elegant looking front door can make even the tiniest and plainest of homes seem like they are expensive. This doesn't mean that you have to go over the top with a bright red design. On the contrary, you simply need to select a color that suits your home.

EXTERIOR DOORS

When it comes to other doors in the house, you have to consider the French style, which are mostly comprised of a large window, and the sliding types. Both are ideal for leading to the backyard, though you might want to avoid the sliding ones if you have young kids. They may get hurt by accidentally running through the glass, and their fingers could get caught in them as well. The French doors achieve a very similar look, and they are more child friendly.

The last thing that you should keep in mind when selecting a door is that you can save quite a bit of money by going with a hollow option. Solid wood doors are nice, but they don't add a lot in terms of aesthetics or function, really. There are both options available from Jeld Wen exterior doors, and both will still be considerably less than you would expect from other manufacturers. And when you buy the more affordable brand, you really don't have to settle on any material or design. You are free to go with whichever type you please.

Jeld Wen Exterior Doors - Get Them for Cheap

Click here to find out how you can get any of the Jeld Wen exterior doors for next to nothing.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Eco-Friendly Garage Doors

There has been an accelerated drive to save the environment from the degrading which must be effected from all sides. This has lead to every manner of campaign which will help resolve this menace and the garage doors manufacturers have not been left behind. There are now many people who are choosing to install eco-friendly doors to their garages and this has brought about major benefits. The doors that have been made using the eco-friendly materials are durable and as useful as any other door or even better. Every material that is used for the construction of garage doors can be recycled in order to make better and consumer friendly products.

wood exterior doors

You may be surprised to know that the depilated garage door that you have could be used to make a brand new garage door. This will only need to go through a recycling process for it to produce a better material which can make a door which will by all means be as new and useful as any other. Using the eco-friendly materials will not only lower the cost of production but also be friendly to the environment. Material like wood is recyclable and can be used to make an entirely green product.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Steel doors are also made from recyclable material which saves the environment from a lot of danger and pollution. This then works as a double pointed spear in reducing the cost of making the doors as well as helping in the environmental conservation. The eco-friendly materials can be used in the making of high class garage doors contrary to the notion in the mind of many people.

Once recycled, the product you get is not second hand but purely new and useful. There is actually no material that is used in making the doors which cannot be used afresh I case of dilapidation. From fiber glass to the aluminum, all can be used afresh for great products. Searching in the website will give you great choices to pick from of people and companies that are making these doors and contributing to the salvaging of the environment.

Garage doors made from highly durable material such as steel are also considered environmentally friendly since they take a very long time to wear down. When doors are constructed in an appropriate way and then insulated, they will work in the saving of energy which can be used for other things within the house. These energy proficient doors are available from many manufacturers and can be accessed at friendly rates.

Eco-Friendly Garage Doors

Toby Gibbon has been providing helpful information regarding Garage Door Repair Memphis for many years. His expertise is the result of years of hands on experience in the garage door business. If you are having trouble with your door and would like some help he recommends giving Garage Doors Memphis a call.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Accentuating Your Home Decor With French Closet Doors

French closet doors, without a doubt, are great addition to your home decoration. Many are well constructed, durable, sturdy and elegant. They can go with modern or contemporary home style. Because clean, straight lines are the basic elements of a contemporary design, these doors, with their sleekness and elegance, go into this category.

The basic designs of French doors are sliding, bifold, folding and pocket. And the common materials used are glass, wood or mirror. If you are planning to install French doors in your bedroom closet, be organized which means that you have to keep everything in its place to avoid messy closet interior which would not look good on your doors.

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

When installing these doors, you must know the exact dimensions of your closet doorway. The sliding type of doors is ideal for walk-in closet. It is a must that accurate dimensions must be taken because an error in measurement would not allow your door to fit properly in the doorway.

This is true with folding or bifold doors which operate on tracks, thus they are not adjustable and therefore, they require exact measurements for installation. Many French doors are available online. Check out some retailers and compare their prices to get the best deal. Here are some products that you can find online:

French Doors by Jiangmen Huayi Door Industry Co. Ltd.:

Globalsources.com offers this HY-3052 molded French interior door in diversified designs. The door is made of MDF board covered with wood skin or PVC coating. The glass is designed with grill in the center for a simple and classic look. The dimensions include a door standard size of 800 by 2,000 by 40mm and a left and right opening direction.

French Doors by Shandong Hongyuan Group Co. Inc.:

This door has custom-built dimensions which the manufacturer can produce based on your requirements. The materials available are pine, oak and fir. The door surface may be veneer, PVC or painting.

60-inch 10-Lite Wood Reversible Hand Interior Double Pre-hung Door No Casing:

This Reliabilt door is available at Lowes.com. It measures 1 and 3/8 inches thick. You have the option to stain or paint it in any color of your choice because the door comes unfinished. It retails at 8.00 under model number 30151023948.

Masonite Pine French Double Door Clear Flat Jamb Pre-hung:

This door measures 60 inches by 80 inches by 1 and 3/8 inches and requires a flat jamb. It features a tempered safety glass and can be purchased unfinished to allow you to paint or stain with any color of your choice to match your home decoration. This door provides a sleek style and contemporary look all of its own. It is best used as walk-in closet doors and you can alter its style by using frosted glass or mirrored panels.

French Closet Doors by The Sliding Door Co.:

The sliding French closet doors offered by the company have a framework width of 1 and 1/2 inches or 3 inches. It is built with aluminum anodized and powder coated in black or white. The framework is available in maple, walnut, silver, wenge, white and black. You have materials choices of glass, frosted, laminated linen, mirror or milky. The designs available are Quattro, Pentagon, Trio, Tokyo, Duo T and Combo.

Accentuating Your Home Decor With French Closet Doors

For more information about French Closet Doors, visit http://www.replacementclosetdoors.com.

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

Closet Door Options For the Home Interior

The market is inundated with numerous closet door options. As such, you can find closet doors in varied styles, designs and colors that finding one that is right for your home can be the real challenge.

As there are various brand names so there are also myriad door options to choose from, including sliding, bifold, folding and louvered. To make shopping for a closet door easy and stress-free, determine your budget and find a quality product that will fit into it as well as blend with your existing décor. Here some that can be found at such sites like doitbest.com and homedepot.com:

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

Birch Flush 1-3/8" Interior Hollow-Core Door Only:

These doors are made of medium density fiber rails and clear stiles. They are perfect alternative closet doors as they can be installed in the pantry, laundry, utility, linen and almost all residential rooms. They come with 2 lockblocks and square and full edges. These birch doors with quality grade rotary veneer are suited for paint or natural finish. It sells under model number 161327 for only .99.

Spectrum 32 In. x 80 In. Horizon White Folding Door:

This door is a designer's favorite for use in wardrobe and walkin closets. It is also a favorite of many budget-constrained homeowners. This door is made of matching binding cord and ½-inch decorative plastic, woven slats. It is a good choice as a replacement door as it is durable and maintenance free. The overall dimensions are 79.5 inches high by 32 inches wide by 3.5 inches thick. This door is available under model number HHZ3280H for only .15.

Pinecroft 719 Series 24 In. x 80-1/2 In. Unfinished Glass Over Panel Tuscany Bifold Door:

This paintable and stainable decorative glass bifold door will look good in any contemporary-style room. The design of this door provides elegance and brings light to any modern room. It features a glass panel designed with ivy and accented with simulated brass trimmings. This pine croft door is easy to install and comes with rails and clear. Retailing under model number 871920, this door costs 1.00.

TRUporte 6 Ft. White 1110 Series Cottage 3-Panel Door:

This door is embellished with attractive, stylish and high-quality rich finishes that will never fail to add warmth, beauty and vitality to any living environment. It features a 4-foot wide frame, sub-assembled hardware, 2-piece track, 2 fascia and 7/8-inch thick panel. The overall dimensions are 81 inches high by 73 inches wide. Buy this door under model number 24921 for only .00.

Wood Classics Plantation Style Composite Bi-Fold Door 36 x 80 Louver/Louver White:

This 3-inch louvered door comes ready to be installed. This multipurpose door is ideal for both commercial and residential uses. It is made of polymer and wood fiber with steel reinforced. This door is designed to be moisture resistant, humidity resistant, dust proof, mold and mildew resistant. It sells under model number 7303680100 for only 7.00.

ReliaBilt 30" 6-Panel Hollow Molded Composite Interior Slab Door:

This 6-panel door is made of high density fiberboard and comes ready to be painted. It is made to resist warping, cracking and shrinking. The overall dimensions are 30 inches wide by 80 inches high.

Closet door options are available to provide you with alternatives to traditional closet doors. When choosing one, make sure that it satisfies both your aesthetic and functional requirements.

Closet Door Options For the Home Interior

For more info about various Closet Door Options that will improve your home, visit http://www.closetdooroptions.com.

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

How Do You Prevent Burglars From Gaining Access Into Your Home and How Do We Secure Those Doors?

You might have heard lots of news about burglars who breaks open the doors of the house and commit the act of burglary, right? There are people who spend a lot of money in decorating their house but they forget the most important things. One of them is securing the front doors of their house. They install cheap locks and devices to their doors and at the end of the day they have to lose everything that they had in their house. But do you think that is there no solution to resist the burglars from robbing all your household properties? Why not? There is a solution to every problem in this world. So, in this article, we would focus on how you can prevent burglars from gaining access to your home as well as how you can go for securing those doors.

door sweeps for exterior doors

Doors and windows

EXTERIOR DOORS

There are many people in this world who are overconfident of their security of their homes. They also spent tons of money to buy locks for their doors as well as windows. But they make careless as well as silly mistakes which really prove them very costly. It is very important that you go for your total home security. The doors and windows should have dead bolts as well as padlocks which are very important to secure your house. The strike plates should always be in place. You should also go for using non-removable pins on the hinges as well. It is also very important that you buy branded security door locks so that you get the best quality. You can also go for securing your windows with track locks o even crane bolt locks. This would help a lot in making your home much safer.

Go for burglar alarms

You should always install burglar alarms in order to remain alert when somebody tries to break open a door in order to get in. You might have to spend some extra bucks for that but you would be sure that you would get the ultimate safety from the money that you have spent. It really serves a very good purpose in scaring away potential thieves because of the fear that they could get caught. Nowadays you would find security locks that send email or even text messages to your cell phone when somebody tries to break the security lock. This is the main reason why people are buying this type of security locks in large numbers in order to remain safe.

Get the best security locks

So always make sure that you are buying the best security locks for your house. It should be quite reliable as well. Make sure that you look at the specifications of the security locks before you go for purchasing it from the stores. Always be careful when you leave for your office or to some other places. Remember that it is always very necessary to secure your house and so you should never go for compromising it.

How Do You Prevent Burglars From Gaining Access Into Your Home and How Do We Secure Those Doors?

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EXTERIOR DOORS

The Difference Between Asphalt Shingles and a Composition Roof

Back in 1989 when I installed my first asphalt shingle there was many changes in the roofing manufacture sector. The end result was down-sizing the weight to accommodate a more flexible shingle. The old shingles in the USA were known as Asphalt roofing shingles or a standard strip 3-tab shingles. At that time there were other shingles on the market known as Standard strip asphalt composition shingles or Architectural shingles called Timberline or heavy weight shingles known as random tab, and three tabs or standard were becoming composition shingles.

masonite doors

The older organic shingles were just simply called asphalt shingles made with number five crude oil with the advent of the fiberglass standard strip composition shingle was born. Owens Corning helped innovate this process. Since they are the largest fiberglass manufacture in America today.

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Many of the other shingles manufactures by fiberglass mats from Owens Corning. This was told to me directly from Owens Corning as a result of a factory tour on the anatomy of the shingle required by Owens Corning Certification. Most of the old asphalt shingles have been torn off and they are in land fills now in the US.

The new fiberglass composition shingles are the norm in today's society. I know this because I am a Professional Contractor, not somebody hoping I am right in marketing, although marketing takes precedence more than any other thing for any business model.

Referrals are Always the Best just to let you know my feelings on the subject. I have personally installed many shingles in my life and I have always know the newer shingle to be considered composition because of the composite make up of the materials that have been blended by the various manufacturers today in the US.

If you find true asphalt shingles today chances are they manufactured in a third world country where the resources are limited, the standard strip shingle was the first of this innovation followed by a multitude of several shingle brands. Any and all fiberglass shingles are considered composition shingles by most roofing professionals.

These composition asphalt shingles have fire ratings, wind resistance warranties and failure warranty's based on the fiber glass mat and asphalt fiberglass thickness, granules and algae resistant ratios. The asphalt composition shingle is made to last longer than the old asphalt shingles not to put more weight than the asphalt roof structure can hold according to ICC specification on weight load limitations of roof framing and spans. The asphalt composition is lighter, more flexible and durable than the old asphalt shingle in1989 and previous years.

GAF Elk happens to be largest asphalt roofing manufacturer in the USA and has any brands in the asphalt roofing shingle world. Owens Corning and CertainTeed have a multitude of designer, architectural and standard strip roofing products. The same can hold true with Atlas and Tamco of which all manufacture asphalt composition roofing shingles in the United States today.

GAF/Elk carries the strongest warranties on their roofing materials for their Certified and Master Elite Roofing Contractors. I welcome any and all comments from CARE (Center for Advancement for Roofing Excellence) and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association of America (ARMA)as well as any National Roofing Contractors Association of America (NRCA), members of affiliates to correct my definition on the difference between asphalt roofing shingles and asphalt composition roofing shingles.

There are roofing shingles that I have seen come and go, such as the masonite shingle, which is a composite material that requires flashing between each joint to seal it off. There are also concrete tiles which I would consider composite since it does not have the slate or clay tile attributes, known as concrete tiles. There is also another material called Mira Vista of which was a fake slate the Owens Corning made that would fall under the composite material that was made of a plastic or a plasticiser type composite material.

At any rate it is up to you to decide what type of roof you would like to put on your home. Every shingle manufacturer in the USA is an asphalt composition roofing shingle. All Asphalt fiberglass composition shingles come with a 20 year to lifetime warranty and anything in between.

The Difference Between Asphalt Shingles and a Composition Roof

To find out more about different asphalt roofing products please visit the following links: Marietta Georgia Roofing Companies or Austell Georgia Roofing Contractor.This article was Authored and Submitted by Joseph Vann Hamby. Call today 770-577-9758

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A Look at Patio Doors

When preparing to install new French patio doors into your home, there are two varieties to choose from:Gliding patio doors and hinged patio doors. Hinged patio doors open and close like regular doors, and with an outswing design can save a great deal of interior space. Additionally, their look can be improved with the addition of a number of beautiful features that add to the classic look of the doors. One common feature is to add grilles, which divide sunlight breathtakingly as it enters the home. As with any door, hinged patio doors should always be positioned within the natural flow of traffic in and out of the home. They're ideal for decks, bedrooms, patios and balconies. The addition of French patio doors to any room of your home will be sure to add natural light and a classic beauty.

fiberglass exterior doors

When area is limited , gliding doors allow you to move easily without having to be concerned about interior or exterior furniture placement or possible exterior obstacles. A gliding patio door contains two or more panels made with glass, with one panel gliding past the other, to give your home a modern, yet ageless ambiance. As with all hinged patio doors, gliding patio doors are recommended to be installed within the natural flow of traffic in and out of your home.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Deciding on the patio doors that are ideal for you all come down to preference. No matter which doors you decide on , French patio doors will fill your home with natural sunlight every day of the year. These gorgeous additions have been in use since first commissioned at the Palace of Versailles, and will give your home the endless beauty of a classical palace, or a modern villa. Whichever style of French patio doors you decide on will be a fine decision that will immediately add excellence and luster to your home.

A Look at Patio Doors

Bill Spiez is a contributing author who writes articles about french patio door, and patio door

EXTERIOR DOORS

Exterior Wood Door: The Pros and the Cons

When it is that time to install your exterior doors for a home, it is a time during which you need to make really good decisions. The material to use is usually the first thing that one debates so much about. A good number of people settle for an exterior wood door but there are those people who are still skeptical about the suitability of this material for use on exterior doors. There are various reasons for the divergent views of people.

exterior doors with glass

The people who would rather go for other door materials will mostly sight the vulnerability of wood to damage due to weather changes. There is some truth in this claim, but not wholly as most people take it. There have been considerable improvements in the field of woodwork and the experts have come up with a way to treat wood that is specifically targeted for exterior doors. As a result, the exterior wood doors that you will find from credible sellers will be minimally affected by weather.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Exterior wood door may require more maintenance than doors made from other material like steel or fiber glass. This is perhaps another major reason why most people would rather not use wood as material for exterior doors. The fact that exterior doors experience high traffic everyday means that if the door is made of wood, it will be required that the owner does refinishing and other maintenance work very often.

The greatest advantage of exterior wood doors is that they give a beauty that is rare with other materials that can be used in place of wood. While some people would argue that fiber glass would give a door better looks, there is nothing that can be compared to the beauty of wood's natural grain. Another advantage of wood is that it can be stained into any color that the owner may want.

Exterior Wood Door: The Pros and the Cons

Click here http://www.essenceofwoodworking.com to see pictures of my work and services. You can contact me or order the woodwork project for you on the website.

EXTERIOR DOORS

How to Hang Bifold Doors

Although bifold doors come in different designs, the method of installation is the same. It's a good idea to read the instructions that came with the bifold doors before you begin. Generally the doors are 80 inches tall but can be cut down to fit. The height of the door opening should be two inches higher the length of the doors to allow enough clearance for the track and the rest of the hardware.

Start by marking the top of the opening with a pencil and line up the track. Mark and pre drill screw holes. (Use a drill bit that is smaller then the screw itself ).

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

Position the pivot brackets (inside the header track ) 3/8 inch away from the end of the opening.

Line up the pivot bracket with the header track. (You can use a plumb bob or lay a carpenters level against the side frame and make a mark at the floor and align the bottom track. I always take the measurements of where the top track will line up and transfer that measurement to the bottom where the pivot bracket will be installed).

If the floor is covered with carpet, you will need to use a wooden pad underneath the bottom pivot bracket. Cut away the carpet just enough to fit the wooden pad and fasten it down to the floor.

If it's a cement floor, use adhesive especially made for gluing to cement. Let the adhesive set for 24 hours, line up the pivot bracket with the top track and fasten it to the wooden pad.

Once all the brackets are lined up with each other and in place, you can hang the bifold doors by simply folding the doors in half and fitting the guide pin in the upper track. Next, lift up the door and fit the adjustable pivot into the pivot bracket at the bottom of the door opening.

Repeat the last steps for closets with four panels.

Install the doorknobs at a height where it is most comfortable to reach. Don't install the doorknobs too close to the edges.

If the opening requires four section bifold doors, you will need to install alignment brackets on the back side of the two middle doors. (Approximately 16 inches from the bottom of the doors). These brackets will interlock and keep the doors aligned with each other.

I hope this rough guide will help you understand how to hang bifold doors.

How to Hang Bifold Doors

Tommy Tool Time

For more do it yourself projects, Click here to find out how I can help you.

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

Exterior Painting Tips

Painting the exterior of your house is part art form, part science. Because your house might have many different surfaces, you will have to be familiar with a wide variety of preparations as well as a number of paint products and application techniques. In addition to that, you'll need to consider upcoming weather and organize your work based off of local forecasts. Also, you should consider the path of the sun throughout the workday. Since the exterior of your house is probably the largest surface you will ever work on, you'll need to do much of the work from work platforms or ladders. All of this requires a level of planning, preparation, and patience.

exterior doors for home

Preparation of the surfaces that you are going to paint is essential to your eventual success. In fact, preparation can consume a majority of the total time you devote to the project. In the long run, this preparation will most certainly pay off. If done correctly, this extra care taken before you paint can help a surface to last for decades.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Preparing the exterior of a building for painting begins with the site itself. The whole idea is to cover up or remove anything that you do not want paint on. Also, it is important to move objects that might get in the way during the painting process. Take a tour of your yard and move items far enough away that they won't get any paint on them from spatter or overspray. Next, go around and remove any items fastened to the house like light fixtures, electrical outlets, address numbers, flagpole holder, doorknobs, hooks, brackets, etc. Finally, tape or mask anything that you do not want or cannot remove. With the careful application of masking tape, you can easily mask door hardware and other smaller objects. Remember to tape down all tarps and plastic sheets as well. This will keep them secured despite movement and weather. If you are planning on painting all the way down to ground level, dig a small trench around your house, exposing the entire surface of the siding.

No matter what kind of siding you have on your home, you should always perform a general inspection before preparing it for painting. Check it for damage, rotting, mildew, or mold. After you've inspected the siding, preparation follows a general order: remove mildew and mold, wash away dirt, replace or repair damaged siding, remove excess or loose paint, and spot-prime the affected area. On glossy surfaces, scuff sand to get the best finish.

In the end, water is the chief enemy of both wood and paint. Because of this, it is very important to caulk any gaps. Apply a top-quality all-acrylic caulk to the inside and outside corners, joints, seams, and other gaps where water could possibly seep in. Most caulks will adhere to a range of materials, even when they are wet.

When painting the exterior of your house, take ample time to plan and prepare the job. The most common mistake that people make when taking on a project of this caliber, is to jump right in without prior thought. You can plan for most problems and avoid them in the future with the right amount of preparation.

Exterior Painting Tips

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EXTERIOR DOORS

The Basics of Building Cheap Solar Panels at Home

Are you one of those people who believe that building and installing your own solar panels would be an incredibly daunting task? Do you think that it would cost far too much money and take way too much time? Well, this article is here to tell you that you are wrong on both counts.

masonite drawing board

As far as this being a daunting task, the only thing you really need to be able to build is a shallow plywood box. If you can operate a drill and a screwdriver, then you have all the necessary skills to complete this project. Aside from building the box, the only technical application is to actually hook the solar panels up to your house. In truth, that part is nearly as easy as plugging in an appliance.

MASONITE

When it comes to cost, you have probably already done quite a bit of searching and price comparisons. Commercially available solar panels are pretty outrageously priced and can run you anywhere from ,000 to ,000 a piece. Yet, if you go down to your local hardware store and purchase all of the items you need to make a panel, you'll only need to spend about 0. If you want to install solar panels on your home, that is a savings that you just cannot ignore.

The following supplies will be needed to build cheap solar panels:
36 3x6 Solar Cells Boards and lumber to build a shallow box Peg Board, cut to fit the shallow box plexi glass screws & misc. hardwar Silicone Caulk Wire Diode Jones Plug Paint Storeage BatteriesThat is about all there is to it! Most of these items are easy to come by at your local Home Depot or hardware store. Heck, many of these items are probably already on hand in your garage!

Building the box is the first step. It's as straight-forward as that. You'll want to make sure the box is in two sections, as you will wire two sub panels of solar cells together for this project.

The peg board will serve as the substrate for the actual solar cells, so ensure that you cut it to fit into the shallow box easily. Also, each panel will have a plexiglass front to protect it from the elements. One the box is built, you can begin on the solar cells.

The cells will be mounted on a piece of masonite peg board. Each half panel will contain 18 solar cells, all soldered together in a series, using a low-wattage soldering iron and copper wiring. This part requires a bit of a delicate touch, as the solar cells themselves are quite fragile.

Holes drilled through the top of each panel provide an exit for the wires connected to each panel. Each panel will need a blocking diode to prevent the panels from discharging the charge in your storage batteries. A polarized two-prong Jones Plug attached to the end of the wires completes the project!

The Basics of Building Cheap Solar Panels at Home

That is the basics of building cheap solar panels at home. They will pay for themselves in no time, and it's a great way to help out the environment! If you want some more detailed instruction, as well as some links to some valuable info, please check out my page at http://www.squidoo.com/Build-Cheap-Solar-Panels

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An Overview of Frameless Glass Patio Doors

According to Building Regulations, patio doors need to meet certain levels of thermal insulation standards to be approved. This means that continental Glass Curtains, single glazed tempered glass frameless panels, are unsuitable as external doors for the British housing market. How, then, are thermally compliant double-glazed frameless doors possible?

fiberglass exterior doors

Patio doors are traditionally available as sliding or bi-folding panels.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Because sliding doors always remain fixed between the top and bottom runners, the frames can be very slim, perhaps frameless; the disadvantage of the system being that at least one of the panel widths is always present as a barrier to unrestricted access between home and patio. Bi folding doors open fully in concertina style to stack compactly at the side of the opening. The panels are hinged together, therefore frames are necessary for the hinges to be attached to the doors, particularly to strengthen the free edges that are not supported by the fixed top and bottom runners.

The frameless glass patio doors system has been based on the glass curtains method of using separate panels that slide and pivot, interlocking like jigsaw pieces when closed. When fully open, the doors are stored to the side of the opening, similar to stacking bifolds.

Frameless double-glazed doors do not provide such a purely uninterrupted view as can be achieved with single glazing. This is because the double glazed unit has to be sealed with a gasket that is approximately 20mm (less than 1 inch) wide. Insulated glass or double glazing has thermal and acoustic properties attributable to the a vacuum or special gas in the cavity between the inner and outer glass panels. A gasket needs to be reliably airtight to retain the gas or vacuum and to prevent humidity and condensation.

There is no additional frame on frameless glass doors but the gasket is opaque and forms a frame-like interruption to views through a set of double glazed door panels, albeit minimal. There are places where you can install non-double-glazed frameless glass doors, e.g. conservatory doors, room partitions, balcony enclosures, outbuildings and commercial premises.

An Overview of Frameless Glass Patio Doors

Double-glazed frameless glass doors are now being made to order and installed by UK manufacturer of aluminium-framed bi folding doors, SunSeeker Doors Ltd, as may be seen on their web site http://www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk with further information on their blog and frameless glass doors web site.

The BPc manages SunSeeker Doors' Internet presence, including article writing, blogging and social media. Visit FaceBook business page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-BPc-Internet-presence-and-promotion/151585228130

EXTERIOR DOORS

Exterior Double Doors

There will come a time when you will want to give your home a totally new look when you remodel. The question is why not consider using PVC for your exterior double doors? Many people hear the term PVC and are quick to go in the opposite direction. This tends to make a lot of people think twice. The truth is that when you install exterior double doors, you are making an improvement on your house that will lead to an increase in the resell value of your home. When you go with using a PVC version of these doors, you are also saving money along with reducing energy cost.

exterior doors home depot

Now a couple of other reasons that you will want to look into the use of PVC exterior double doors, is the fact that they can withstand a lot of the abuse that the weather and little kids will put them through. One example of this is the problem with peeling paint; if you have wooden doors, then you already know the hassle that is associated with trying to keep them painted and resistant to peeling every couple of years. In addition to the problem of paint that peels every couple of years, there is the issue of the wood that is used in these types of doors rotting and the whole door needing to be replaced.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Now I already hear those people that are out there that are saying that PVC doors are just not that attractive. This might have been true in the early years of PVC doors, however advancements have allowed for the doors to be more attractive than earlier models. There are options to have doors that are in wood finish along with other types of finishes, this will allow a person to have a door with the wood look they are trying to get, without having a door that is not as durable.

Another thing that you may want to keep in mind with your exterior double doors is the need for light to come in. Adding glass panels to these doors is a wonderful way that you are able to get natural light into your home. This again serves two purposes, the first is getting light into a normally dark part of your home, and second this natural light will allow you to reduce your energy bill. If you are worried about privacy, then consider a mixture of clear panels with ones that are frosted. This will help to maintain your privacy, while making you home the center of attention.

As you can clearly see PVC exterior double doors, is an excellent option to keep in mind when you are looking for options for your next remodeling job. These doors provide bout functionality along with being economical in the overall. There are no better way of making a remodel project be a sure fire success than installing exterior double doors into your home. These doors feature the best options to ensure that you have the best in functionality along with being easy on your wallet. These are going to be your best option as opposed to using wooden doors that will need to be replaced after a couple of years of use.

Exterior Double Doors

David has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his latest website that discusses some great ideas on home renovating products such as the best front entry doors and a great range of wood front doors that can be used for homes of all shapes and sizes to add some great street appeal.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Traditional Solid Brass Door Knockers

Traditional Knockers for Victorian and Modern Homes
Door knockers have been an elegant and popular addition to homes throughout time, reaching their peak in the Renaissance, Romanesque and Gothic eras. Although designs and materials have varied, the basic function has remained the same; to alert home owners they have a visitor. A door knocker is perhaps the most prominent feature on a front door so selecting a style that reflects your unique personality is important.

steel exterior doors

Sizes and Finishes
Traditional door knockers range in size but the average door knocker is between 5 and 8 inches. The most basic door knockers consist of a ring and striking plate (which is sometimes a separate component from the actual knocker). Although now door knockers are more ornamental than functional in most homes (they were replaced by doorbells) they can still be used on modern and Victorian homes. This style knocker is available in a variety of finishes including Polished Brass, Antique Brass, Polished Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze. Use a common finish for your knocker, door knob and kick plate to create a common theme for your door and tie the look together.

EXTERIOR DOORS

How to Choose
When selecting a new knocker for your home it is important to follow a few basic steps. First, if you are using existing holes from a previous knocker pay attention to the center to center mounting distance - this varies between knockers. Second, choose a knocker that is proportional in size to the door you are installing it on. Larger front doors typically have larger knockers. Replacing older and worn doorknob sets with beautiful brass or crystal knobs is a great way to update your entryway door also. Choose a traditional or roped pattern to coordinate with your new knocker and a kick plate in the same finish. The front door is the first impression guests will have of your home so create a beautiful entryway set that focuses on detail.

Where to Find

LookInTheAttic & Company offers a wide variety of traditional door knockers in several sizes and finishes. They also offer kick plates (standard and custom sized) as well as entryway doorknob sets. Replacing your exterior home hardware is a great way to update your home without spending a lot of time and money. Look for solid brass construction to ensure durability and be sure to ask questions. By adding or replacing your old knocker with a solid brass traditional knocker you can bring new life to your front door.

Traditional Solid Brass Door Knockers

Kohn Coleman born in Michigan - received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2000. He is president of LookInTheAttic & Company online at http://www.LookInTheAttic.com and authors numerous articles and publications on historical architecture.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Why The Exterior Vinyl Shutter is a Must Have

Hurricane shutters are a necessity when living in the Midwest and Southern States of the United States. This thanks to the severe storms that come from the Atlantic during the months of June to November causing flooding and damage to property.

door sweeps for exterior doors

Everyone knows that even the best inventions today are no match for the fury of Mother Nature. The best thing anyone can do is to try and minimize the damage by using something like an exterior vinyl shutter.

EXTERIOR DOORS

The exterior vinyl shutter is the most popular type of protection used in homes. This is because it is relatively cheap whenever these are purchased from the home improvement store.

Someone with basic carpentry skills can buy everything needed, then put this up without calling on a contractor to have this installed.

This type of shutter has been used for more than a century, which really adds style and color to the home. The homeowner should check on it once in a while if the vinyl is beginning to chip off so this can be replaced.

Vinyl shutters can be designed into different shapes. The individual will just get the measurements and perhaps a picture of the window so that the sales clerk can assist in finding the right one for the home.

Wood is also ideal in making exterior shutters. In fact, many suggest the use of cedar because it doesn't require that much to keep it in good condition. This is the reason it is also used in the making of picket fences, poles and trellises. Cedar also absorbs paint well and serves as a deterrent against bugs.

When painting Vinyl, it is recommended that the person does not use a paintbrush but rather a sprayer. This will make it look smooth on the surface.

Two coats are needed and the first layer should be an oil-based primer that is similar to the final color. The second should be latex paint. This will give added protection against termites.

It is important to do the same thing for the edge of the shutters. Some people tend to forget this area and this is where moisture penetration happens.

There are also vinyl shutters that have already been given the protection against the decay when these are purchased. This means the person can just put it up or change the color to make it match the rest of the house.

Putting up the exterior vinyl shutter is similar to attaching the doors to the main frame. Maybe someone can help hold it in place while the other uses a nail gun or a screwdriver to put this into position.

The exterior vinyl shutter unfortunately doesn't offer that much protection if the weather is really bad outside. This is the reason other people sometimes use other types made of something stronger such as aluminum to absorb the impact.

Vinyl shutters are great to have in the home. People who live in higher ground and want to have that classic look can do the same thing by going to their local DIY store and installing this on their windows.

Why The Exterior Vinyl Shutter is a Must Have

Travis runs a site dedicated to the latest news and developments in Exterior House Shutters and the Exterior Vinyl Shutter

EXTERIOR DOORS

Fresh New Bedroom Decor Ideas - Platform Beds

Your bedroom décor is ready for a change. It has enjoyed the mattress and box spring combo for many years now but you're looking for something different, new and fresh. Aren't all beds the same though? You'd be surprised to know that there are many branches of sub-categories of beds that exist today that came about because of people like you and me that needed something more specific for our space than just a simple metal frame on the floor. In this article we'll take a look at just one of these sub-categories of beds referred to as the platform bed.

masonite siding

Platform bed designs have actually been around for some time. The platform bed is defined as a bed that has its own platform foundation built into it for use with only a mattress. These beds typically offer a lower profile than other beds and often have space beneath the bed that allows for the use of drawers or drawer systems or other unique features not available with conventional beds. Which now leads us into the foundation for platform beds.

MASONITE

The foundation of these beds can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The most common is called the slat roll or slat system. These are a series of wood slats that are strapped or banded together with a polypropylene material that allows for proper spacing. The rails of the platform bed will have a ledge or shelf built into them that the slats rest on. Another form of foundation would be solid panels. These also rest on a ledge but provide the advantage of a solid surface without gaps for mattress manufacturers who require their mattress be on a solid surface.

Platform bed frames are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. Many are available in solid wood construction. Domestic platform beds that are made in the United States will be made from common woods such as oak, maple, ash, cherry and hickory just to name a few. Typically most import beds you'll find are made from rubber wood which is close in characteristics to maple in its tensile strength and durability. Rubber wood may sound like its rubbery but the sap that comes from this tree is used in many products such as rubber and latex.

You'll also find these beds made from metal. Metal platform beds can be made in traditional, transitional and modern bed designs. With metal you can create anything from intricate ornate styled headboards to smoother designs. Metal can also be finished in a wider variety of finish styles and colors. These beds will usually use a steel cross bar system as the foundation and some styles may make use of masonite panels over the top of the cross bars to create a solid foundation.

Since there is no box spring unit used with these beds, the platform that the mattress rests on is made higher. This means that there is ample space beneath the bed to incorporate other design elements into the bed. These may be anything from integrated under bed storage systems to bed lift systems that reveal storage. Manufacturers can get pretty creative when given additional room to work with and platform bed frames offer an interesting canvas to create new ideas in bed design.

In this article we've examined a sub-category of beds referred to as platform beds. Platform bed frames are defined as being made to accommodate just a mattress and have their own foundation built in. They're available in a variety of woods as well as metal with a wide selection of stains of finishes. Whether you need traditional or contemporary platform bed frames come in almost every flavor. So if your bedroom is ready for a fresh start, consider adding a platform bed into your room's look for a new and different take on a good nights sleep.

Fresh New Bedroom Decor Ideas - Platform Beds

P.Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience in furniture production, distribution and sales. He continues to work with other professionals to promote platform bed models and modern beds.

© Copyright Phil Pendleton. All rights reserved worldwide.

MASONITE

Why So Many Old Masters Used Impasto Painting Techniques

The impasto painting technique involves varying the thickness and texture of paint on the canvas. This results in paintings that offer an exciting emotional response that is quite different from artwork with a more uniform application of paint. If well done, the subject of a piece of art will almost appear to leap out of its frame.

masonite cake boards

Some of the old Masters like Rembrandt and Hals, employed impasto techniques to selectively add depth and emphasis to specific areas of a painting such as the folds in clothing or wrinkles in skin. Monet used a widely variable thickness of paint to increase excitement and therefore hold and direct the eye of the observer. Van Gough utilized these techniques to evoke certain emotions.

MASONITE

Oil and acrylic paints dominate impasto for the simple reason that straight out of the tube they are already very thick. Their viscosity naturally allows the paint to stand out from the surface. Simply put, the more paint applied the more it raises off the canvas. Other types of paints like watercolors can be used but require a thickening agent.

The painting surface needs to be somewhat rigid and non-porous. If traditional canvas is used then it must be tightly stretched on its wood frame and coated with several layers of Gesso or toned thoroughly with oil paint. Since any stretching or bending of the surface can cause the paint to eventually crack, an extremely rigid Masonite board is often used.

Because creating texture is the name of the game with impasto painting techniques, it is necessary for the artist to develop many different stroke styles. Also a wide range of brushes and knives are employed for unique effects. Some painters have been known to raid the kitchen for utensils that may yield unusual textures.

Why So Many Old Masters Used Impasto Painting Techniques

Learn Impasto Painting John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Painting Lesson Reviews

MASONITE

Great Garages and Great Garage Doors

There is simply nothing more exciting than being able to design and build the perfect dream home that has every single feature a family desires. One of the most rewarding stages of the process is meeting and interviewing architects that will present their ideas and help transfer the dreams onto paper and then into production. Watching the home take shape is inspiring and should be reflective of all the creativity and planning conducted. An important part of the perfect house is a truly customized garage complete with custom garage doors.

exterior doors with glass

Many residents used to see a garage as a necessity that only needed to be able to hold a vehicle and maybe some tools. The new trend is to incorporate custom garage doors into the exterior styling of the home and maximize the use of any space created. The boring and plain metal doors are no longer very popular and have given way to exciting new ideas. Too many individuals simply settle for a lesser option or alternative instead of insisting upon what they actually want.

EXTERIOR DOORS

The great thing about custom doors is that they are limitless in their creativity and design and can be customized for virtually any purpose or style. While a truly unique design may be somewhat more costly, if the end result is what is actually desired then it is the better option. Many homeowners may not be ready for a complete remodel and may not be in the process of building a home. Instead, they may just want to do a door repair, or a simple upgrade. Working on improving the style of the exterior of the home is always a good choice.

Many exciting projects and amazing results have been delivered when the first thought was to simply make some minor changes. Some of the rich and famous have been enjoying great garages for quite a while. Many of us may have become quite envious of the amazing creations that architects have been able to come up with on some celebrity homes. Jay Leno, for example, has a garage that was truly custom built from the ground up and accommodates nearly 30 vehicles in a two-story layout.

Incredibly detailed custom doors secure the area and lend a hand in a perfect exterior image. The only true limitation to a unique and custom designed garage is the amount of money that can be spent. There are plenty of fancy ones that are found on the market that can help prove this fact. Many of the higher end details can become very expensive. There are no limits to how creative the plans can be and if there is a will, then there is definitely a way to make it happen.

Any building project can be exciting and rewarding, so go ahead and enjoy yourself. However, don't forget that here are few areas of your home that are as frequently used as the garage. So whether you are going for an entirely new dwelling, or simply remodeling, a nicely designed garage space with attractive and functional doors can greatly enhance your home's livability. The end result should also increase curb appeal and resale value.

Great Garages and Great Garage Doors

Nick Messe is president of Lead Frog LLC. Allied Garage Door has been providing Chicago area residents and businesses with North Shore garage doors and outstanding garage door service for over 30 years.

EXTERIOR DOORS

A French Patio Door Looks Great

When people are looking to make a design impression in a room, one of the things that they do is try to find a particular type of door. One of the best that they can choose is the French hinged patio door, because this really does make a splash where that it is installed. This article will cover some points that need to be borne in mind when choosing a French hinged patio door for the home.

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The first thing that many people think of when this kind of door comes to mind is the fact that he can make the house looks like a cafe or a saloon. Some people may think that this is a little bit strange, and many people also think that it adds a type of design to a room that cannot be found with fitting any other type of patio door. You can also have one of these on a balcony, and that really does make a place look different.

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Some people even go so far as to fake a hinged patio door in the bathroom, which means that the whole place begins to look like some kind of hotel. One of the more popular types of material for this type of door is fiberglass, because it is very lightweight and easy to install. This makes entry into the room also very easy, because it means that you can very quickly opened the door.

Sometimes there is a reason to go for a metal hinged patio door, and although these can be much heavier than doors made of PVC or fiberglass, they do have the advantage that they can be secure. Taking a look at this style of French hinged patio door can be worthwhile.

If you want to fix this type of tool at the front of the property you may want to make some additions to make show that it does not spoil the overall design of the house. Although these are a fairly traditional style there are some house designs which do not suit them.

It is a good idea to do quite a bit of research into this type of door to make sure that it really does fit in with your design needs. French hinged patio doors can do a great job but you need to take care that you are choosing the right style.

A French Patio Door Looks Great

frenchpatiodoordeals.com is full of info on Masonite French Patio Doors [http://www.frenchpatiodoordeals.com/masonitefrenchpatiodoors.html] and Outswing French Patio Doors [http://www.frenchpatiodoordeals.com/outswingfrenchpatiodoors.html]

MASONITE

Sliding Glass Door With Blinds

Sliding glass door blinds are the perfect solution for the homeowner who would like to have a glass door installed but values his or her privacy. This type of door has become so popular over the last few years that most new homes these days feature them. They are usually the largest window in the house so they provide an excellent view of the outside, but they also provide the dual purpose of being a functional door. All of that open space can really cause issues when it comes to privacy, so in most cases you will want to invest in sliding glass door blinds.

masonite panel

When it comes to sliding glass door blinds, the most common choice that you will find are the standard, vertical blinds made from plastic or vinyl. While this is a perfectly fine solution for most people, you should be aware that you have many other options to choose from if you would like to do something different. The standard white blinds will get the job done, without question, but they can be a little boring and expected. If you are interested in setting yourself apart from the others you should really look into something a bit different.

MASONITE

One option that you may want to try out is a sliding glass door with curtains. Just like blinds, they can keep others from looking inside of your home, but they come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and fabric types so your options are much more numerous. They are easier to clean than blinds since you can just throw them into the wash, and you do not have to worry about them breaking. However, they will wear out over time so they will eventually need to be replaced.

If you insist on having a sliding glass door with blinds, one thing you may not have thought of is opting for wood blinds. These provide you with an unusual look that can be quite rustic while still being very attractive. Best of all is that they are not very common so you can do something different. Wood, as you know, is a bit more high maintenance than vinyl however, so you will have to spend more time taking care of them.

Finally, if you have an interior sliding glass door, you may still want to consider using sliding glass door blinds. Although you do not have to worry about people outside looking in, if the door is to the living room or particularly a bedroom, you will still want something to provide you with privacy from other members of the household. Regardless of which window treatment option you eventually go with, you are sure to be happy with your purchase if you take the time necessary to truly find the best solution for your door and your privacy needs.

Sliding Glass Door With Blinds

Read more about sliding glass door blinds. Visit Better Home Guide.

MASONITE

Wooden Bi Folding Doors

Many people are choosing to enhance their homes or business properties by installing a bi-folding door. These doors are made up of glazing panels set in hinged frames that can span large entrance ways. The frames can be made from different materials, but one of the most attractive and versatile materials used is timber. Wood has a natural and traditional appearance that is highly desirable and suitable for most properties. Some people are wary of wooden exterior products, such as windows or doors, due to the many problems associated with wood. Some of these problems are shrinking or expanding, warping and rotting, each which lead to further problems in functionality and eventually the demise of the window or door.

exterior doors home depot

These problems are no longer a great issue in high quality bi-folding doors, due to the treatment of the wood. Firstly, the wood is laminated. This is a process where the wood is split into several parts and then placed back together with the grains in different directions and then glued under high pressure. Because wood tends to warp and twist with the grain, this process stabilises and reduces the chances of the wood changing shape during seasonal heat changes. Once the laminating process is complete, the wood is dipped into special treatments which prevent the wood from rotting or growing mould. The result is a stable, strong and damp resistant frame. The build up of condensation is prevented by giving the frame a water trap and outlet, further reducing the chances of damp-related issues.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Different types of timber can be used to make a folding door. Choosing between them depends on your preference or the existing wooden windows and doors in your property, i.e. if you already have oak windows, it would look more uniform to also choose an oak bifold door over a pine bifold door. The selection offered by most folding door companies includes softwoods and hard woods, generally a range like pine, meranti and oak.

Wooden folding doors can be supplied with a range of different finishes, including an unfinished door. This is good if you already have a paint or stain you wish to apply (again, to match other windows or doors). Otherwise, you can choose between a stain and factory-sprayed paint finish. Although there are only a few different stains to choose from, they are preferable due to their translucent quality. They protect the wood and enhance or add to the colour, while allowing the natural grain to show through. Factory-sprayed paint finishes are, as the name suggests, paints applied by a factory spray. These differ from brush applied paint as it creates a more even finish without visible brush strokes. On top of this, each coat of factory-sprayed paint is the equivalent of 15 brush coats. The result is a very long-lasting and low maintenance finish that protects the wooden frame. There are hundreds of different paint colours to choose from, so it is easy to get exactly what you want.

The wood frames are highly energy-efficient, with the highest energy rating of A. Coupled with the right double glazing, the wooden bifold doors can help to reduce energy bills.

Wooden Bi Folding Doors

For further information on folding doors, visit http://www.bifolddoorshop.co.uk

EXTERIOR DOORS

Spring is the Time For Exterior Home Maintenance - Painting, Roofing, Siding, and Window and Doors

In the cold, wet months of winter, it's easy to procrastinate on home improvement and repair projects. Exterior tasks simply aren't as feasible. But now that it's spring, you need to get those pesky problems taken care of-before they get any worse!

exterior doors with glass

Roofing

EXTERIOR DOORS

If your roof is deteriorating, or allowing water to penetrate into your home, you need to have it assessed by a professional roofer immediately. The stakes are high when it comes to roofing repair because if you wait too long or have it installed improperly you could end up with damage to the insulation, drywall, paint, furniture, and everything else that's under your roof!

Signs you need new a roof can include:

Curled up shingles Asphalt worn off the shingles Loose or missing shingles Cracked shingles Spots on your interior ceiling Black or green streaks The age of your roofing

When it comes to protecting your home and family, professional roofing contractors are a must. Not only can they accurately evaluate the state of your existing roof, but they also have the skills and experience to install your roof properly.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are the gateways to your home; however, many people don't realize the importance of maintaining and replacing these fittings. If a window or door is old or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Old windows leak heat and air-conditioning, raising energy costs, while new thermal windows can help you conserve energy. Broken windows and doors are not only dangerous to your family, but they also leak heating and cooling, allow pests to enter your home, permit moisture to pass through, and can even grow mold and fungus.

Door and window replacement is an easy and relatively hassle-free process. Adventurous DIYers can handle most types of window and door replacement, but using a professional will guarantee correct installation and make the process totally stress-free.

Siding Installation or Replacement

Tired of your old aluminum siding? Sick of scraping and repainting your wood siding every few years? Looking for an energy-efficient house siding solution? Then it's time for siding replacement. With the great selection of siding products available today-including high-tech insulated vinyl and cement fiber, you're sure to get great looks and superior performance out of your new siding!

The two most popular options in house siding today are vinyl and cement fiber. Vinyl siding is hugely popular because it is low maintenance, long-lasting, durable, good-looking, and affordable. Unlike wood siding, vinyl siding won't rot or need painting. A new option in vinyl siding is insulated vinyl, which offers low maintenance and attractive appearance as well as the added benefit of thermal insulation to increase your home's energy efficiency. Cement fiber siding, a newer exterior siding material, is made from compressed concrete and wood fiber. It has the strength and longevity of cement and the appearance of wood. Cement fiber siding is extremely durable and offers the beauty of wood siding without all the maintenance. And, although cement fiber is more expensive than vinyl, it can easily last the lifetime of your home, making it a fantastic value over the long term. Contact your local siding contractor to learn more about the options available for upgrading your siding.

Exterior Painting

When your house paint is starting to flake, peel, chip, or just look dull, it affects the whole appearance of your home-and it also leaves your house exposed to damage! You need to call a professional house painter today. They'll be able to correctly prepare the surfaces, repair damage, and apply paint to get your home looking great again.

Many homeowners don't realize that house paint is about more than aesthetics: the paint is there to shield your house from the elements and environmental dangers, not just to look pretty! Exterior paint is designed to safeguard your home from UV rays, mold, moisture, and even insects. However, when the paint starts to wear off, it no longer fulfills these roles, leaving your house vulnerable! That's why it's crucial to keep your house paint in good repair, and to have your home promptly repainted when the paint does begin to wear off.

So if winter weather has kept you from going through with exterior home repairs, now is the time to get them fixed. The longer you put off home improvements like window replacement or a new roof, the more likely it is that your house will develop real (and expensive) problems. As with most things, an ounce of prevention goes a long way! Call your localhome improvement contractor today.

Spring is the Time For Exterior Home Maintenance - Painting, Roofing, Siding, and Window and Doors

Matt Gallo is a home improvement specialist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leader in online local advertising

EXTERIOR DOORS

Installing An Exterior Door

Installing an exterior door is one of the easiest of all door installations. Whether the door is installed in new construction or in a replacement situation, there are a few factors that make this an easy task.

exterior doors for sale

The biggest reason this is a simple operation is that these doors come prehung. What this means is the door is already hung in its jamb. The hinges are mortised into the door and jamb and screwed in place. The door is held in position by the hinge pins, leaving the perfect reveal around the door and the jambs top and sides. The holes are also bored for the lockset and if necessary, for the deadbolt too. Exterior doors come in wood, fiberglass, and the most popular, steel. The two sizes are normally used for exterior doors are 32" and 36". With the sizes of todays furniture and appliances the smart choice is the 36" door. The standard height for a door is 6'8" but taller ones can be special ordered.

EXTERIOR DOORS

The exterior trim comes nailed to the jamb. This trim, called brickmoulding, is mitred and already installed, saving the installer(s) another step. These doors also have an aluminum threshold already attached to the legs of the jambs. All these things make the door and jamb one cohesive unit.

The standard jamb size is 4 and 1/2 inches wide. With the demand for a higher insulation R value in exterior walls, 2x6 framing is being used more frequently. Jambs to fit these walls, 6 1/2 inches, are becoming more common. Jamb widths can be made to order for whatever a projects needs are and would cost more.

To install an exterior door, first check to see if the rough opening is correct. The width of the opening should be 2" wider than the door itself (38" for a 36" door, 34" for a 32" door). For a rough opening height 83" will suffice for most door manufacturers. Also check to see if the framing and floor is reasonably plumb.

Door installation is easier with 2 people but can be done alone. Put the door in the opening from the outside. If you are working alone, tack the door to the wall through the brickmoulding, not driving the nails home. I like to use galvenized ring shank splitless nails that are used for cedar siding. They don't split the wood and the smaller heads are not as obvious to the eye. The ring shank feature gives them great holding power.

With the door tacked in the opening, go to the inside of the door and check the reveals around the door. There should be about an eighth of an inch all around the door. Shim the jambs of the door so the reveals are right. Check the door jamb on the hinge side for plumb. If it is not plumb, then the floor is out of level. One jamb leg or the other will need to be shimmed so the threshold is level. Now readjust the reveals by moving the door and jambs sideways in the opening to a point where the reveals are right. Once the door and jamb are in position, shim the jamb at each hinge and at the strike, top and bottom on the strike side. Nail the shims in place by nailing through the jamb, through the shims and into the framing. Check the door swing to see if it opens and closes properly. If all is well, go outside and nail through the brickmould using the splitless nails to nail the door frame to the house.

Most door manufacturers provide long screws that replace some of the shorter screws in the hinges on the jamb. The top hinge is the most important place to use one or two of these screws.
These screws go through the jamb and into the framing and keep the door from sagging over time.

Most doors come with an adjustable threshold. This may have to be adjusted up or down to create an airtight seal.

With the door securely in the opening, it is ready for door hardware installation.

Mike Merisko (c) 2007

Installing An Exterior Door

Mike Merisko has been a carpenter for 27 years. Most of those years were spent in the homebuilding and remodeling industries. He was also in business as a carpentry and general contractor. While that is his forte, he also has experience in bridge building, commercial construction, and exhibit building which is how he earns his living these days. You can browse through articles by him and others at his website http://www.sawkerfs.com or visit his blog at http://www.sawkerfs.blogspot.com

EXTERIOR DOORS

Scary Low Exterior Painting Bids

With people spending less money during these economic hard times, painting contractors are struggling for work and offering crazy low bids just to get work. The bad side of this scenario is that it can cost the homeowner three times the amount of money to paint their home if they accept a crazy low bid.

door sweeps for exterior doors

If you accept Joe Blow's scary low bid, Joe Blow can and probably will quickly turn into Joe Blow-and-Go. Anyone who bids low on a paint job will have to cut as many corners as possible in order to earn a respectable wage.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Joe Blow-and-Go will buy cheaper paint if possible and he will add ¼ gallon of water or more in each gallon, instead of the standard half gallon of water per five gallons of paint recommended for spraying.

If your home is being painted with the same color as the existing paint, Joe Blow can get away with murder in savings and be able to use a lot less paint than it should really take. If there is any color change, Joe Blow-and-Go will need to be slightly more careful about getting the paint to cover. I will soon add a video to show what will happen to your home, in a couple of years, if the paint is applied too thinly and watered down.

Joe Blow-and-Go will then spray the extremely watered down paint on thin and you'll end up with a bad looking paint job in a year or two.

Since your surface will be covered, you won't know if you got a good paint job or not until it's way too late. You won't even know if they prepared the surface properly. One or two years later, when the thin spots start wearing down from the weather, you're going to be furious. But, Joe Blow will be long gone with your money by then laughing on some bar stool.

Since you will be furious about the shoddy paint job, you'll want to have it done right the second time. That's when you'll end up paying the RIGHT price to get it done and you will more than likely do your homework getting bids and checking references.

Basically, you lost all that money to Joe Blow-and-Go and now you're having to pay for another paint job all over again.

What else can happen as the result of scary low bids from an inexperienced painter?

Joe Blow-and-Go will not prepare your surface properly, because he won't make any money if he takes the extra time to do the proper preparation.

Surfaces that are not cleaned, scrapped, sanded or primed properly will result in continued aggravating problems.

If quality products, primers and paints are not used, your problems will grow faster and can be more costly in the long run.

Scary Low Exterior Painting Bids

Dave Drew

Phoenix, Arizona house painting contractor for 18 years.

http://www.drewpainting.com

EXTERIOR DOORS

Home Exterior Upgrades Pay Off

Are you wanting to sell your home in the near future? Well, it might be time to spruce up the curb appeal.

door sweeps for exterior doors

Right or wrong, homes are often judged from the time eyes first light upon them. You can't judge a book by its cover? Well, we do ... all the time. And it's no different with a home. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a good first impression.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Your Home's Book Cover

What are the most visible and important exterior factors of a home's appearance? Here are some of the most effective ones. If you pay attention to these, and make some nice upgrades, you'll be in great shape.

The Landscaping: Most people love a beautifully cared for lawn and garden. In the faster paced world, people do not want to think they'll have to start over with landscaping. They want something good to start with! Siding & Roofing: The siding, paint, stucco, rock, brick, or whatever outward appearance your home has must be fresh, clean, balanced and in good repair. When I say balanced, it means that everything should match and compliment. Especially the trim and roofing. Windows and Treatments: Your home's windows and trim really say something about the home. This is another area where they must compliment the rest of the exterior look. The Front Door: Glass and color are very attractive to most people. Beveled or stained glass and solid, substantial doors give the sense of quality and welcome. Walkways and Driveways: Very often there are walks and driveways right out front and adjacent to the street. These, being extremely visible, can really catch the eye and attention of the first time visitor.

These are the most valuable changes you can make. They can be costly or they can be done frugally. Your neighborhood and your current value will dictate the approach you should take to spending money.

Match the Neighborhood Style & Value

Never try to become the highest price home in your market or neighborhood. The years have proven that people just will not pay more than the going price for a home in any particular neighborhood. There can be a range and some flexibility to this, as an exception to the rule, especially if the homes in the area are customs, and vary significantly in size and style.

Whatever approach you take, remember that you have only one shot at making that first impression. So, make it a good one!

Home Exterior Upgrades Pay Off

We'd like to give you a FREE email course called "Dream Home Creation" that you can find by clicking here http://DreamHomeCreation.com. The order button is on the upper right corner of the page. Again, there is no charge or obligation. You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

EXTERIOR DOORS

What You Should Know About Painting Exterior Steel Doors

Painting exterior steel doors is a very manageable home remodeling project for most homeowners. You do not need any special tools or equipment, just some basic knowledge of how to select paint, how to prepare the surface, and how to actually do the physical painting. None of this is terribly complicated or difficult, so you can even make it a chore for a parent and a child to work on together.

wood exterior doors

When painting exterior steel doors, your first consideration is paint. Do not just head straight to the paint store, because the type of paint you need to use will depend on the type of paint already on the door. You can apply latex paint over the top of existing latex or oil-based paint but you cannot apply oil-based paint over existing latex paint. If you are not sure what kind of paint is currently on the door, then opt for the highest quality 100% acrylic latex paint (gloss, semi-gloss, or flat). Think also about the color you choose, especially if the door is subject to direct sunlight, rain, or wind. Bright colors look terrific at the start but tend to fade more noticeably over time, requiring more frequent repainting.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Painting Exterior Steel Doors

Preparing the surface and doing the physical painting are next to consider. The surface must be free of dirt, debris, and flaking paint. It should also be thoroughly rough sanded to ensure the new paint will adhere properly. Many people choose to do the surface preparation and painting with the door still installed, but this makes the job much harder.

A better way to do it is to remove the door and take it into a sheltered area such as a garage or covered porch. Lay the door on a pair of sawhorses so it is easier to work on it. The sanding will be easier and the painting will be easier as well. Painting on a flat surface makes it possible to apply a heavier (more durable) coating of paint without the problem of runs or drips. If you follow these simple guidelines, your project of painting exterior steel doors will be both fun and easy.

What You Should Know About Painting Exterior Steel Doors

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

EXTERIOR DOORS

DIY UPVC Doors - Best As Front Door, Exterior Door, Back Door

When you think about change or fix a door in your new house or office. Front doors come first because it is leads to the impression of your taste and choice for your home or office well-being.

exterior doors home depot

Making a simple house using attractive windows and doors, is affecting further than just ordinary. Looking for change diy uPVC windows and doors are the best alternate for your home improvement as it is becoming trendy day by day.

EXTERIOR DOORS

uPVC doors are finished with harder wearing material compared to the wooden doors absorbs rain water. For exterior look, uPVC door simply repels the element and keeps your home warm and keeps the cold weather condition outside.

They are made or two panes of glass placed several millimeters apart. This creates a compartment between the panes that traps air and forms a highly efficient insulating layer in windows and doors. So uPVC windows and doors are excellent insulators.

Want to make your home more attractive & bright, try panels of glasses to allow light to stream into home. By adding stained glass panels or other attractive panels to an uPVC door, dark areas of your home shown to be natural light.

Advantages of uPVC doors & windows

o Required low maintenance and little cleaning, only to do is wash and wipe.

o Cuts down utility bills.

o More energy saving compared to the traditional door.

o Reduce outside noise pollution.

o Offer multi locking system.

o More secured and durable for protecting your home.

o Less price compared to traditional wooden doors.

o No impact on its attractiveness for years, because uPVC doors do no lose their shine over the period of time.

There are more options and collection available of uPVC windows and doors like attractive, affordable, designs and customised sizes. So your home looks exterior appearance and modern architecture.

You can decide right diy uPVC doors for front, back, entry, entrance; exterior, interior, internal and external looks according to the best colours suiting your house and also available in wooden colours to choose from.

DIY UPVC Doors - Best As Front Door, Exterior Door, Back Door

Author shares about Imperial Doors is UK leading manufacturer and suppliers of home doors, residential doors, industrial doors like composite, bifolding, stable, GRP, uPVC, fibreglass, French, folding, sliding, bifold, double, folding sliding, PVC, PVCu, entry, front, back, entrance doors. Do not hesitate to contact us. www.compositedoors.com

EXTERIOR DOORS

Repair Or Replace Your Automotive Headliner

What can be done?

masonite drawing board

There have been some temporary headliner solutions offered in the past, such as those "twist in pins", but they are at best a temporary solution to repair the problem and will actually damage the headliner board, and cause more problems when it comes time for a more permanent repair.

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The best solution to repairing your headliner is to completely replace the fabric of your headliner. You could have that done professionally, although that would be a rather expensive solution. A much more affordable solution would be a "do-it-yourself headliner repair kit" that make this project something that anyone can do.

At stockinteriors.com we also offer a complete replacement for the entire headliner board, which comes pre-covered with the fabric color of your choice. This option is only avaialble for a very small selection of automobiles.

What is a "Headliner"?

Most cars, trucks, vans and SUVs after the mid 70's have what is called a fabric covered headliner board. This headliner board is usually made from a pressed material, much like cardboard. That headliner board is then covered with a foam backed headliner fabric, which is glued directly to the board. In most cases, the sagging or separation occurs when the headliner fabric separates from the foam.

What should I buy?

When looking for a do-it-yourself headliner repair kit, look for several things. First of all, make sure you are buying a quality material. Most headliner fabric comes with either 1/8 inch thick foam, or 1/4 inch thick foam. It is usually best to go with the 1/4 inch thick foam as it is more durable and will give a better finished look. Make sure that wherever you buy, you can get the exact color that you want; a reliable headliner store will send you samples to match your existing headliner. Keep in mind, that time and sunlight can fade your headliner, so look for a piece that has been protected from the sun when matching colors.

Also, make sure that you order the correct size headliner repair kit. Cars, trucks, van and SUVs all come in different widths and lengths, so you want to make sure you buy enough material to cover the entire headliner board. If in doubt, always buy a little extra, as it is easy to cut it smaller, but impossible to make it larger once you buy it.

And last of all, make sure the headliner repair kit you buy comes with enough glue adhesive. Typically, headliner kits include a spray contact adhesive. Usually one can is enough for a small van/SUV or car, but anything larger will require 2 cans of glue. Make sure the glue is specifically made for headliner fabrics and the high temperatures that can build inside of a vehicle.

How do I replace the Headliner Material?

Without going into too many details, the general idea of a do-it-yourself headliner repair kit, is that you scrape the existing headliner material off your old headliner board and glue on the new material. Most quality headliner kits will come with the detailed instructions on how to do this. The hardest part of the job may be getting the headliner board out of your car; be sure not to damage the board in any way, or you will be in worse shape then when you started. And remember that the smoother you can get the headliner board before you glue the new fabric in place, the better the end result will look.

As you can see, replacing or repairing your headliner material is a job that anyone can do. You just need a little time and patience and you can repair that ugly and dangerous headliner.

Repair Or Replace Your Automotive Headliner

Todd has been in the automotive industry for several years, but in the last five years has spcialized in the automotive interiors industry. His new venture is Stock Interiors which specializes in auto carpet, headliners and other interior products.

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The Trouble With Moissanite

Natural mined diamonds have been coming under a lot of heat recently. Award-winning journalist Cecil Adams sums it up the best in a recent article: "diamonds are a scam, pure and simple." Most people in the new millennium understand that between the DeBeers diamond cartel, the issue of child labor in Third World diamond processing operations, and "blood diamonds" used to finance oppression and genocide in Third World African countries, not to mention your snooty and pretentious local jeweler, diamonds are just not worth the hassle, guilt, and let's not forget thousands and thousands of questionably spent dollars.

masonite cake boards

Lately, new synthetic diamonds have come on the market that have all of the look, appeal, and glittering beauty of natural diamonds, but without the baggage, and at a fraction of the cost.

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Since moissanite burst upon the scene in the late 90s, it has created quite a stir. Moissanite is gem-quality silicon carbide. The production of moissanite is a proprietary process and it is available only from C3 Inc, a division of Cree Research.

When moissanite was first introduced to the market it created a great deal of publicity. This was due to the fact that moissanite would often fool a jeweler into thinking it was a natural diamond. Both the Nova and 20/20 TV news shows did segments featuring hidden cameras showing jewelers fooled and embarrassed by moissanite. What was actually happening though was not quite so simple.

Jewelers generally rely on something called a "thermal-probe" to detect a fake diamond. Thermal probes work well with cubic zirconia, for instance. Moissanite, however, has a thermal conductivity that is very close to diamond. They were able to fool the older thermal probes. The fact of the matter is though; moissanite really just does not look that much like diamond. The two substances have radically different optical properties. These differences are clearly visible to the naked eye. It was obvious in both the Nova and 20/20 segments that the jewelers were clearly confused. They kept looking at the stone and then testing at and saying things like, "Well, I guess it must be real." What they were really saying is "Well, I guess it must be real, but it sure is a weird looking diamond!"

Problems with Moissanite as a Diamond Stimulant

Anisotropy

Unlike natural diamonds, or some of the better quality synthetic diamonds like those available from Diamond Nexus Labs, (http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com) moissanite stones have an optical quality known as "hexagonal polytypic." What this means is that moissanite is doubly-refractive. And because of this they create a strong visual effect known as "birefringence." This is visually seen as a doubling of the stone's back facets that creates a marked "drunk-vision" effect.

Dispersion

Moissanite has a dispersive power nearly 2.5 times greater than that of diamond. This creates what's known as the "disco-ball" effect. Some think that this excess fire is beautiful; others think it cheap and fake looking.

Color

It is impossible to produce a pure white moissanite. The stones have a quality known as "fluorescence" that causes them to appear slightly green or gray. This effect is much greater under natural light. In the jewelry store a moissanite dealer will always show the stones under a pink tinged light, as this tends to cancel out the fluorescence. Many people say they loved their moissanite ring until they got it into the sunlight.

Cost

Due to its relatively extensive manufacturing process and the fact that it is only available from one source, moissanite tends to be quite expensive (though still cheap when compared to diamonds) good quality moissanite stones run around 0 per caret.

Better Synthetic Diamond Alternatives

In the last two years there have been almost miraculous breakthroughs in the science of synthetic diamond creation. There are several new processes that create gemstones that are virtually indistinguishable from natural diamonds. One of the best I have found are the gemstones available from http://www.DiamondNexusLabs.com. I recently did independent research for several synthetic diamond companies and found their products to be among the best.

Diamond Nexus gemstones cut glass, they have brilliance, dispersion and radiance factors that are very close to mined diamond, and best of all, as they are new in the US market, they are priced at an incredible per caret. This is a bargain that probably will not last.

Conclusion

Moissanite stones are beautiful in their own right. They offer great sparkle and flash. However, if you truly are trying to purchase a gemstone that comes as close as possible to the properties of a natural diamond moissanite is not the best choice.

The Trouble With Moissanite

Gary LaCourt is an expert in refractive dynamics and a technical consultant who has recently done independent research for a consortium of synthetic and a natural gemstone producers including http://www.DiamondNexusLabs.com

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Where to Find Unique Ranges of Masonic Jewellery

For gift giving occasions, jewellery is an ideal choice. If there is someone in your life who is difficult to shop for, jewellery is the perfect solution. Masons have their own unique gifts that can be given and with the increasing popularity of the group, more places are carrying unique selections of Masonic jewellery. There are many varieties that you can purchase, one for just about anyone's taste. So, if you have a friend or family member who is a Mason, consider the gift of jewellery. Today, there are many places to find a unique range of selections.

masonite board

Purchasing options

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Many brick and mortar jewellery stores carry a small selection of items for Masons. Even large chain department stores may carry a selection. For elite jewellery stores, items can be custom made or ordered to suit your preferences. However, these types of stores typically have a premium price associated with it as well. The place where you can find the widest array of selections, especially ones that are hard to find, is on the Internet. At your fingertips you can search for specific types of jewellery or specific designs tailor made for the discriminating Mason. In addition, the prices are more affordable. Because you are often working directly with the jeweller or because overhead is much less you can get significant savings. The amount that is saved cutting out middlemen and reducing overhead is passed on to the customer in the form of discount merchandise.

Types of jewellery for the mason

The type and style of Masonic jewellery is limited only by your imagination. Masonic symbols are incorporated into many of the common forms of jewellery available for both men and women.
These include:

Watches
Rings
Necklaces
Pendants
Bracelets
Cuff links
Tuxedo buttons
Brooches

Various symbols including the Mason crest and esoteric symbols are embossed on the jewellery. You can choose dressy pieces or those that are designed for every day, casual wear. The type of jewellery can match anyone's budget, also. You can choose simple designs with inexpensive metals all the way to precious metals and gemstones.

The tradition of Masonic rings

Traditionally, Masons wore rings more so than other forms of jewellery. The Templar seal ring was especially popular, bearing the crest of the Mason and used to seal wax on correspondence. This tradition has been adapted and expanded for additional fashion as opposed to primarily functionality. Now you can choose rings in a variety of designs. Royal Arch degree rings, rings embossed with the motto "Vide, Aude, Tace" and brotherhood rings are the perfect way to carry on the tradition of wearing a Masonic ring for those in the order.

If you have a friend or loved one who is a Mason, consider the gift of jewellery the next time there is a gift giving occasion. Masonic jewellery is the perfect way to show your thoughtfulness to someone who is in the order. They will have a fashionable accessory that is sure to be worn often and greatly appreciated.

Where to Find Unique Ranges of Masonic Jewellery

Are you or a member of your family a Freemason? If so then you need to speak with Letchworth's. This company can help with Masonic Jewellery. Any questions you may have and for more information on the company please visit the website at http://www.letchworthshop.co.uk/

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