Kitchen Window Treatments for Fall and Winter

If you have just had vinyl replacement windows installed in your kitchen, the one thing you may be wondering is what type of window treatments you should use during the fall and winter months. The truth is that you don’t want to take away from your décor, but you want to take advantage of the sun in the colder months. The following are just a few ideas for kitchen window treatments that you can use in fall and winter:

Shades When many people think about shades, they think of the unsightly plain white shades from thirty years ago or more. Today, shades come in many varieties and can be a great addition to your kitchen décor. It is best to find those that come with dual fabrics as you can use the darker shade facing out in the winter to help absorb the heat from the sun. Use it in reverse, the lighter side out, during the summer months to deflect the sun.

Blinds Blinds no longer come in white or off-white. In the colder months, placing darker colored shades on your windows in the kitchen can help to absorb the heat that comes from the sun. It is also a great way to create a stream-lined décor in your kitchen. For further décor, you can add a matching valance above it.

Curtains If you are one that prefers curtains, your kitchen windows are a great place to put them up. In fact, with the fall and winter months, you can utilize a wide variety of fabric patterns to celebrate the season. Because they are so easy to switch out, you can change curtains all of the time to change up your décor. The important thing to remember is that the thicker the fabric is, the more it will keep the heat in and the cold out. As the colder months in fall and winter approach, it may be time to think about some different window treatments in the kitchen. The above ideas will get you started on what you can do to save energy and take advantage of the heat that will come from the sun.

Keeping Your Air Fresh in Winter

As the weather gets colder, you may find yourself closing up all the windows and turning on the heater to keep the home comfortable. However, this is also the season for the sniffles, colds and flu-like symptoms. While you may associate this with normal winter illnesses, you actually may be suffering from symptoms caused by poor indoor air quality. Know The Causes Contaminants that include paint odor particles, volatile organic compounds, pet dander and radon can all accumulate inside the home. If there is no way for those contaminants to escape, they can accumulate to the point where you may physically feel ill. One indication that poor indoor air quality is the cause of illness symptoms is if they disappear when you leave your home. If your symptoms only seem to stick around while you’re at home, it might be time to look into what’s causing it.

Keep Your Home Clean Contaminant particles and dust often coat the surfaces inside the home. Using a vacuum that has a HEPA filter can help suck up the particles that accumulate in the carpet. Mopping and wiping down hard surfaces regularly can help to remove allergens and other contaminants that can make you feel ill. Putting a floor mat outside the front door can even prevent guests from bringing pollen and other allergens in on their shoes.

Maintain Your Heater As you use your air conditioning and heater, the air within your home is being recirculated in addition to being heated or cooled. Near the HVAC system, a filter catches bigger particles and prevents them from getting into the air. Over time, those filters become clogged and contaminants can escape. Filters should be replaced or cleaned every single month.

Remove Sources of Contamination Removing the sources of contamination is the best thing you can do to avoid poor indoor air quality. For example, replacing wood windows that may have been painted with lead-based paint with vinyl replacement windows can instantly improve air quality. When repainting or redecorating, avoid using materials that have strong odors or ensure that there is adequate ventilation. Avoid smoking indoors as smoke particles can accumulate and affect even those who do not smoke. Finally, be sure that your home has been tested for radon. By following these simple steps and being vigilant about what comes into your home, you can improve your health, your family’s health, and even the wellness of your guests!

Keep Your Home Safe During Renovation

A common problem among many homeowners is that their home needs renovation, but they don’t want to go through the process. The fact is that living in your home while a renovation is being done is difficult. The noise, dust, and strange people in and out of your home is enough to make anyone put off a renovation. However, the following are some tips that you can use to help you survive the home renovation: Protect Your Belongings A renovation is going to be dirty and messy. No matter what part of your home is being renovated, take the time to remove your belongings in the area being worked on as well as the rooms surrounding the area. Dirt and dust will spread and it can damage your items if left in the middle of the mess. The construction crew may put up a plastic over the doorways, but you can be guaranteed that the dust will still get through.

Move Essential Items If you are having the downstairs renovated, move all of the essentials into one room. This may involve moving the refrigerator and microwave into your bedroom, but it will allow you to have what you need close by. You may have to live out of just one room in your home until the renovation is done. You may feel crowded, but it is better than the alternative of not being able to get near your food when you are hungry.

Forget About Cleaning You may cringe when you walk through your house when you see all of the dust and debris lying around, but you must remember that it is a renovation in progress. If you spend your time trying to clean up after everyone is gone for the day, you will lose your sanity. Put your blinders on to the mess that happens during a renovation and remember that it will all be clean when the renovation is complete. The decision to renovate your home is a big one. If your hold up is worry about how you will survive during the renovation, you are not alone. However, by following the above tips, you will get through the renovation and be able to enjoy your home when it is complete.

Give Your Home Character with Crown Molding

If you have finished decorating your home, remodeling the outside with new replacement windows and cleaning and reorganizing the inside, and it still looks as though something is missing, it may be that your home is simply lacking character - that special something in a home that makes it stand out. Crown molding is a great way to give your home some character. It is simple to install and it can make all the difference in the world.

Styles of Crown Molding If you go to a home improvement store and look at the variety of styles in crown molding, you will be shocked at the number available. From the rose vine crown, which has roses and vines entwined on the trim, to the egg and dart that has a line of small egg-shaped designs, the choices in molding are many. The right one for your home depends on the style of your home and your own particular style.

Material Types The material that makes up crown molding is either wood or composite material. Crown molding made from hardwood is going to have the highest cost, while the composite molding will be the least expensive. While wood molding is perfect for those that want to simply stain it and enjoy its natural beauty, the composite is much easier to paint. The decision you make will depend on budget and the look you are trying to create.

Installation While the installation of the crown molding is easy as it simply requires it to be nailed in place, you will need to be careful when cutting it. When cutting it, you must make sure that the angles are correct and that the patterns line up. If this is something that is above your expertise, you will find professionals will be able to install it quickly for you. By putting the finishing touches on your home, you can give it the character you have been missing. Crown molding is one of the most popular ways to add character to a home and it is also one of the most economical changes you can make.

Entertaining Guests for the Holidays

When people are expecting a houseful of people during the holiday season, the host or hostess want their guests to feel like they are at home. There are a few essential things that every homeowner can do to achieve a peaceful season that spreads joy to everyone. Having vinyl replacement windows installed in the home at the end of summer is an excellent way to maintain the comfort level in the home while saving some money for the essentials needed for the celebration. Stockpile the Essentials A great way to make people feel more welcome is to have plenty of extras of everything. Running out of clean towels during a morning shower marathon is likely to create a bad atmosphere. Some of the most important things to stock up on ahead of time include facial and toilet tissue, hand and bath soap, first aid supplies, towels, blankets, and more.

Food - Something for Everyone The great thing about food is that no matter what your tastes, there’s always going to be something for anyone - the bad thing is that not everyone agrees on what they like, so when you’re expecting long-term company it’s best to have a wide variety of snacks and foods for everyone. Keep all sorts of beverages around, from soymilk to caffeine and caffeine-free options, or even something just for the grownups, and double-check on everyone’s food allergies to make sure you’ve got something to match any taste or lifestyle.

Decorate Accordingly Finally, purchase decorations for every room of the house. Homeowners can decorate bathrooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms with shabby chic or sleek and contemporary decor to achieve the exact look they want. Use personalized seating cards with names for every guest, make a photo collage for the people staying in each room, or add a favorite theme for each guest like NFL teams or holiday themes to make the space inviting.