extremenew

Is now the time to replace your front door?

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:23:24 GMT

MORE THAN A REPLACEMENT. It's an upgrade!

Is now the time to replace your front door?

Swap out your current front door in favor of one that not only looks better from the curb, but also functions better day to day. Everyone knows the importance of making a good first impression. Yes, that’s advice for first dates and job interviews, but it also applies to home design and remodeling. And while curb appeal depends on many factors, the front door is the focal point of the facade and trumps the others in terms of importance.

Signs That It's Time to Replace the Front Door of Your Home

There's Space Under or Around Your Doors. ...
Your Front Door is Damaged. ...
The Lock on Your Front Door Is Not Locking Properly. ...
Your Doors are Hard to Open. ...
Your Energy Bills Are Increasing. ...
Your Door Is just not curb appeal.

Of course, deciding to replace the front door isn’t the only choice to be made. Exterior doors differ in size, architectural style, and accessories. They also differ in material, and for many homeowners, differentiating between wood, fiberglass, and steel often ends up being the most challenging part of the process. Selecting one is a matter of your budget, and of weighing the pros and cons of each material.

A new front door is one of the best improvements you can make, as it offers a potential return on investment of around 75%. A return on investment, or ROI, means you'll get back about 75% of what you spent on your new entry door in the form of your home's increased value. You might think it’s easy to pick your door style, but it’s not. It’s true that most doors have only a single panel, but there can be many more components. When you want more sunlight, you can do this with glass panel(s) built into the main door panel. You can also add narrow glass panels on one or both sides of the door, or when your home won’t accommodate that big of a change, you might be able to add a transom over the door.

From entryway doors and patio doors to back, side, and basement doors, exterior doors can serve several different purposes. Yet many homeowners often consider three main things when selecting a replacement door – security, protection from the elements, and overall style. EER offers many different exterior door options, styles & colors to choose from.

What is James Hardie board siding?

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:25:20 GMT

What is James Hardie board siding?

Hardie Board siding is a super durable siding product from the James Hardie company that looks amazing, is long-lasting, and comes with a fabulous warranty. It's made of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers which combine to create an outstanding material to both protect and beautify homes..

Which is better Hardie board or vinyl siding?

To start, vinyl can become more brittle with age and exposure to the elements. It can be damaged by wind debris, hail or any number of other external forces and may crack, buckle and warp with changing temperatures. By contrast, Hardie® fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding.

Is Hardie board wood or vinyl?

Hardie board is a fiber-cement board made from sand, cement, and wood fibers that were introduced in the 1980s as an alternative to vinyl siding. Like vinyl, it's very durable. It is also quickly becoming a popular option for housing exteriors.

How long does Hardie board last on a house?

With the proper care, your James Hardie fiber cement siding will outlast its 30-year warranty. It can even last up to 50 years if cared for properly.

Does Hardie board need to be painted?

Painting Hardie board siding will significantly improve its look and its longevity. Siding finishes generally last for around 15 years, so you need to do it, and do it right. Painting, when done properly, can really bring out the wood feel of the Hardie board.

Why is Hardie board so expensive?

It's debatable if it's worth the high costs of buying James Hardie siding. High demand for a low supply of fiber-cement siding drives up the price. The material is heavier than vinyl, so it requires additional cost for shipping, more specialized labor, and longer installation.

One way to permanently rid your siding of pesky mold is to reside your home with Hardie siding. Made of cement, sand and cellulose, this durable siding resists moisture intrusion and mold growth. Although the Hardie board isn't technically waterproof, it's resistant to water damage. It can get wet since it absorbs moisture efficiently, but it has exceptional drying capabilities and will not deteriorate when exposed to water. Hardie siding products resist moisture, mold, and mildew. They save you time and money over the years because you can avoid the costly hassles water intrusion causes to your home siding. Hardie Board siding resists pests including termites and carpenter ants. It's also woodpecker resistant, so you don't have to worry about the hassle of repairing termite or woodpecker damage.

How do you maintain Hardie board siding?

Wash down the exterior surfaces every 6 to 12 months with a garden hose to remove dirt and debris, gently clean your siding with a soft brush or wet soft cloth in a side-to-side motion in the direction of the plank siding.

Interested in learning more? Contact us for additional information!

What are double hung windows?

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:18:31 GMT

Trends come and go. New innovation delivers new window styles, colors and options. Yet the double hung window is still the homeowner’s top pick.

What are double hung windows?

It is called a double hung window because both the top and bottom sashes are operable, move up and down. The ability to open both sashes create increased airflow and ventilation, one of the big reasons this window is so popular. Both sashes of a double hung window can also tilt for easy cleaning. Since the top sash opens, air can circulate between indoor and outdoor spaces. Warm air leaves the house through the opening at the top, and cool air enters through the opening at the bottom.

Comparing Double Hung vs. Single Hung windows

Instead of having two operable sashes, a single hung is a vertical window that has a fixed upper sash and an operable bottom sash. The amount of air ventilation is more limited with a single hung since only air comes through one opening, and it can be challenging to clean the outside of the upper sash on the 2nd or 3rd floor of your home since the single hung doesn’t come with tilt sashes.

Do double-hung windows have full screens?

Double-hung windows have half-screens that cover the bottom sash area and lift up and down. Occasionally, a customer will request full screens; that is, screens that cover the entire window so the top sash can be lowered as well.

Do double-hung windows help with heat?

Double Hung Windows Keep Things Airy & Bright This allows for better airflow when opened at various levels while still providing insulating double panes of glass. This can also vastly improve your heating and cooling costs.

Do you need storm windows with double-hung windows?

The short answer is no. Quality double pane windows will provide all the comfort and security you need. Your windows can be a significant source of heat loss, which means the more you can eliminate drafts and loss of heat through your windows, the more money you'll save.

What is the R-value of a double pane window?

3 to 3.8
Double-pane windows have an R-value ranging from 3 to 3.8, while triple-paned windows have an R-value of up to 7- 8, making them more effective at blocking heat flow. This means that replacing double-paned units with triple-paned windows reduces heating costs.

Why won’t my double hung window open all the way?
The most common issue related to single or double hung windows not opening or closing is the build-up of dust and dirt. As time passes, dirt, dust, and other debris can accumulate on the window frame, resulting in more friction. This is going to make it hard to open and close with ease.

Interested in learning more about EER’s windows? Contact Us