Going with a name brand product may not be cheap. However, you may be stuck with a worthless agreement if you buy from a company that goes out of business or is sold after you purchase your windows. When this happens, you are likely to get the run around on who is actually responsible for honoring your claim.

That’s also something to take into consideration when it comes to the installation warranty (which is a separate agreement). There are plenty of fly-by-night home improvement “professionals” who will be long gone by the time the defects in their work become apparent. Choose an established installation company that has a reputation to uphold.

A full lifetime warranty that covers your windows for as long as you own your home is ideal. This type of guarantee generally means you can’t be charged any service or repair fees for fixing a defective product. In addition, the warrantor must actually correct the problem and can’t simply refund your purchase price and walk away without your consent.

Read the Fine Print!

Some manufacturers may offer to transfer the warranty when you sell your home to a new owner. That’s an additional perk that can increase the value of your investment in replacement windows. Always store your warranties for home improvements with your mortgage documents so everything is in one place when you need it.

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Here’s a quick step by step guide to fixing indentations in your aluminum siding:

Use a power drill with a 1/8” bit to create a hole near the center of the dent. For large dents, you may need to make multiple holes.

Thread a machine screw into the drilled hole. It should be a snug fit. Leave 1/2” of the screw shaft and the head sticking out.

Grip the screw with a pair of pliers and pull in a smooth, firm motion. This should pop the dent out. Remove the screw completely.

Use an automotive putty to fill in the screw hole and level out any remaining dip in the aluminum. Let it dry completely. This step may take more than one application - it’s better to put in too little than too much at one time.

Sand the putty so it is completely even with the surface of the siding. Prime the repaired area and allow it to dry again.

Apply two coats of paint, allowing it to dry between applications. Now, the formerly dented patch will match the rest of the aluminum siding on your home.

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Celtic Window Decal

Frosted vinyl decals are available in sizes for every window and glass door. These can feature palm trees, lighthouses, frolicking dolphins, or other pleasant images. You can place decals on just the borders/corners or choose a large design for the center of the glass for greatest visibility. For kid’s rooms, decorative stickers that represent favorite cartoon characters or other interests may be appropriate.

Full color “stained glass” decals or intricately etched film can be applied in sheets if privacy is preferable to having a view. For best results, choose a product that is removable. That way, if you make a mistake during installation you can peel it off and start over.

If you want to maintain the clear appearance of your windows while keeping your feathered friends safe, consider bird decals. WindowAlert stickers are transparent to the human eye. However, they contain a substance that reflects UV light. Birds can see colors in the ultraviolet spectrum and will be able to avoid flying into the glass.

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Damaged Chimney

As a homeowner, you probably check your roof (at least from the ground) after any significant storm event. However, it’s probably been a while since you inspected your chimney stack. The exterior brick portion of your chimney is exposed to hot and cold weather as well as moisture. It is common for wear and tear to take a toll. Freeze and thaw cycles can cause damage very quickly. Check your chimney every couple of years and have maintenance done before problems get out of hand.

Do It Yourself

Replace or repair metal flashing that is loose or has fallen off. Flashing keeps the seal between your chimney and the surrounding roof watertight. Preventing moisture penetration into your attic is important for reducing the incidence of mildew growth.

Install a metal chimney cap. This keeps birds and other animals from entering your chimney. It can also double as a rain cap keeping water out.

Waterproof the exterior of your chimney. A silane/siloxane sealant is ideal. It prevents liquid rainwater from penetrating into the bricks and mortar. However, it is breathable and permits water vapor to escape from the bricks.

Hire a Professional

Check the chimney crown for proper construction. Builders often cut corners when it comes to protecting the interior of your chimney from the elements. The crown should extend at least 2 inches beyond the walls of the chimney. It should be made of a precast (or metal reinforced) concrete slab - not mortar mix. The crown should slope away from the center slightly so water runs off the edges.

The flue liner extends up through this slab. It expands and contracts with the heat of the fire below. This means the crown slab should be protected from direct contact with the flue. Heat tolerant silicone caulk should be used to seal the gap between the flue liner and the crown to prevent water from seeping in.

If there are problems with the crown, chances are there is also damage to the mortar on the stack below. Get cracks and flaking repaired ASAP to prevent further deterioration.

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Remodeled Kitchen

Check the exterior of your home outside the kitchen. Seal any cracks or openings that may allow critters to infiltrate. Pay special attention to entry points for pipes. Use weather stripping or caulk to fix any gaps around windows or doors in your kitchen.

If your kitchen adjoins your garage, this is particularly important. Garages are usually not well sealed and pests can easily enter from outdoors. If you keep pet food or organic material like mulch in your garage, it is very likely that there are bugs present.

Check all the plumbing in your kitchen including the sink, dishwasher, and the water line to your refrigerator. Fix any leaks or drips to discourage pests. Replace any water-damaged or mold infested particle board.

When you repaint your kitchen or resurface the floor, take advantage of this opportunity to move all your appliances away from the walls. Check behind them for egg casings and rodent droppings that may indicate an infestation.

Are you installing new appliances? Choose built in models that don’t leave gaps between the countertop and the unit. That way you don’t have to worry about food crumbs or spills between the counter and the fridge or stove.

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Elliptical Round Top Window

Round top windows can be used anywhere on the exterior of your house. However, they provide the most impact when used on the front of your home. You can install a small half round over your door or use a large, single paned model as a picture window. Round tops are also often used as part of multi-window assemblies with several rectangular panes crowned by an arched piece. Locating a curved window under the peak of a roof can soften the harsh angle and make your home look more inviting.

Types of Round Tops

The arched upper edge of this type of window can be based on a segment of a perfect circle (this is called a true radius). Or, it can be elliptical or oval if you need a shallower curve. For an arc that doesn’t round off at the side edges, choose the “eyebrow” style. Gothic windows are another option. These are pointed at the top like the windows you might find in a cathedral. This imposing look often works best on larger homes with a historical motif.

Additional Information

Installing a round top window requires more skill than putting in a simple rectangular pane. The basic steps are the same; but accuracy in measuring and cutting is absolutely critical. If the radius opening is off, the window will not fit or there will be gaps along the upper edge. If you have your window custom made rather than selecting a standard size, the molding may need to be pre-bent by a company with special equipment.

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New Copper Gutters

Do you have a custom roof made from slate, metal, or cedar shakes? You might not want to detract from its stunning appearance by adding cheap vinyl gutters. Using copper for the gutter system in these situations may be ideal.

What To Expect

Copper doesn’t rust because (like aluminum) it develops a very thin oxidized film over its entire surface. This provides some protection for the underlying material. Oxidation causes copper’s first color change from metallic pink/orange to rich, reddish brown.

Sulfur mixed with moisture in the atmosphere creates the gradual change to green patina. This final sulfate coating is highly resistant to corrosion and protects copper over the long term. This finish can take more than a decade to develop depending on the specific atmospheric conditions in your area.

Style Choices

Half round and K-style gutters are the basic choices available for copper gutter systems. The half round style often costs more up front but is easier to clean because of its open profile. Both styles are durable and can be installed on modern and historical homes by using the appropriate hangers or brackets.

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Ideal Placement and Accessories

If you are having new cabinets installed, the lower ones should be set 6” off the ground. Put roll-out shelves in these cabinets so you don’t have to bend, twist and reach for cookware. Lazy-Susan rotating trays are an excellent accessibility option for corner cabinets.

Bonus tip: Replace round knobs with easy-to-grasp pull handles to make opening cabinet doors easier.

Pull Down Shelves

Upper cabinets should be no more than 10” deep and no higher than 48” above the floor. If yours are higher and you are just repainting but not replacing them, consider adding pull-down shelves. These metal shelves are hidden in the interior of the cabinet. They pull out and then down, locking into place so you can find what you need. A gas assisted device carries the shelf back inside the cabinet when you are finished.

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Blinds and Shades

Louvered vinyl blinds or roll-up bamboo shades are the cheapest option for the floor to ceiling style windows in most sunrooms. These can be installed as a DIY project and are available in a wide variety of sizes. Consider purchasing shades from the same manufacturer or distributor who supplied the other materials for your sunroom. This is one way to get a fairly good deal and ensure a proper fit. If you have a bespoke sunroom built to your specifications, expect to pay more for custom blinds.

Sunroom Drapes

Sheer Sunroom Curtains

Do you prefer curtains but don’t want to spend thousands on a custom window treatment? Buy sheer fabric from a discount store and make these yourself. For full drapes, each fabric panel should be at least 1.5 times the width of the glass pane it is covering. Allow several inches of extra fabric at the top and bottom for a hem and the channel for the curtain rod. Finish with ribbon tie backs for a breezy, simple effect. If you want to be able to fully block light and conserve energy when you aren’t using the room, install solid drapes with a thermal blackout liner.

Fun Stuff

Don’t forget that skylights may need to be shaded as well. Motorized blinds can be installed to open and close with the flick of a switch. This gives you the option of blocking the rays of the sun when it is directly overhead. During the summer, this can make your sunroom easier to cool.

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