Holiday Window Decoration Ideas

When it comes time to decorate for the holidays, be it Halloween, Christmas, or anything else your family may celebrate, there’s a lot that has to go into it around the house - but have you considered your windows? Whether you have new vinyl windows or the windows that came with your home, there’s plenty of ways to make your windows just as festive as the rest of your home.

Stickers and Clings You probably haven’t thought about these since you were a little kid, but there’s still plenty of options out there for easy, removable window clings to help get you in the holiday spirit! Holiday- or party-themed retailers will offer a wide variety of vinyl static-based window clings that will hold tight to your windows through the whole season without any mess or cleanup!

Window Paint Or if you prefer something a little more personalized, there’s plenty of options to paint directly on the window! Tempera paint provides a safe and easy to clean option for painting directly on the window pane, allowing you to paint pumpkins, turkeys, Santa Claus, or anything else you want directly on the window for a more personalized look - and you can wash them right off when you’re done! This might be a fun project for the kids to get in on to help them feel like they’ve had a hand in the decorations!

Repurpose Other Decorations or Items Why stop at just using items intended for windows? Depending on the shape and layout of your windows and the rooms they hang in, you can take other decorations and re-use them on your windows instead. String garland and Christmas tree ornaments along the tops of your window panes, or re-use holiday-themed table settings to create impromptu window treatments. Don’t just stop here - there’s plenty of decorations that you can use to make your windows just as festive and decorated as the rest of your home during the holiday seasons!

Home Improvements That Get a Great Return

Whether you are trying to sell your home or you simply want to fix it up, there are many home improvement projects that will quickly increase the value of your home. A simple paint job can make it more sellable, but will more than likely not get you a great return. However, the following are some projects you can do that will get you the return you need and improve the value of your home:

Vinyl replacement windows are a relatively easy project to complete and most people see a substantial return on their investment. The cost of the project will vary, depending upon how many windows you have in your home, the size of the windows, and the style you choose. However, you can be guaranteed that this project is one of great value.

A vinyl siding installation is another great investment. It’s easy to do and will help your home in a number of ways. Like the windows, the cost will vary depending on the size of the home and other factors, but it should help maintain the value of your home and reduce utility costs. If selling, it is a great way to improve your curb appeal as well.

Adding a wooden deck is another project that is appealing to potential buyers and, if you are not selling, one that can be enjoyed by you and your family. The initial cost and investment for a new deck might be pretty hefty looking, but you can almost be guaranteed that it will improve your home’s value and provide years of enjoyment for you and your guests.

A new garage door is another project you can take on, and the cost of this project should still be manageable. However, this project, once complete, can improve the curb appeal of your home and make life a little easier when using your garage.

If you are selling your home, you may not wish to invest a lot of money into it. However, even if you are not selling, the projects above are all good ways to increase the equity in your home. If you are not selling, it will still benefit you in the long run as you and your family can enjoy a great looking home and one that is going to put more money in your pocket should you ever decide to sell in the future.

Saving Energy With Window Treatments

With fall fading and winter approaching now is the time to start thinking about ways to keep the chill out. One way to save energy is to replace leaky wooden windows with energy efficient vinyl replacement windows. This improvement will pay for itself in reduced heating and cooling bills. You can also think about window treatments that keep cold air out and heat in.

Drapes Properly hung drapes can keep drafts at bay. Consider letting hems hang or pool to the floor. This pooling gives a look of elegance, but also stops drafts from underneath. Make sure that when drapes are closed they overlap slightly. This acts as a seal to cold breezes. Drapes that extend to ceiling height also block drafts from the top. A cornice with the top closed with also block upward drafts.

Insulated Panels This is a quick do-it-yourself project that can save energy and money. Measure a panel made of foam core board to fit the inside window frame. Cover it with a decorative fabric. Adding a quilted fabric increases the insulation. Attach the panel with heavy duty Velcro strips or simply pop them inside the window frame. These can be put up at night or on especially cold days.

Shades Window shades are one of the cheapest alternatives to keeping out cold. They are also available in many styles to fit any window or decor. Roman shades can be a decorative accent while saving energy. Many styles are filled with insulation so that when shades are drawn they act as a barrier to heat loss. There are also shades with magnetic strips to attach to the inside of the window frame. The shades cling to the strip making a perfect seal. Choose a translucent style to admit light while keeping out the cold.

Shutters Exterior shutters can be very effective at keeping out cold air. Aside from protecting against cold weather and rain, they provide extra security while protecting your windows from external damage. They are usually made to be operated from inside. Interior shutters provide most of the benefits of exterior shutters. These shutters are easily opened and closed and are effective at reducing drafts.

Plumbing Issues That You May Be Able To Fix On Your Own

When it comes to major plumbing problems, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional. However, there are some simple plumbing issues that you can probably handle on your own. Below is a list of common plumbing issues that can easily be fixed in many cases:

Clogged Drain Clogged drain is a plumbing issue that most people will have to deal with at some point. Regardless of whether you have a clogged toilet, sink or bathtub, it can be frustrating to deal with a clogged drain. It is a good idea to have at least two plungers. You can use one plunger to fix toilet clogs, and the other plunger can be used to fix any other type of clog that you have.

Most simple clogs can be removed with a plunger. If you are unable to remove the clog with a plunger, then you should consider using a drain snake. There are many rental places that have drain snakes. It is time to call a plumber if plunging and snaking do not fix the problem.

Leaky Faucet A leaky faucet is often easy to fix. You will need a screwdriver, pliers and an Allen wrench to fix a leak. If you are unable to fix the leak yourself, then it is time for you to call the plumber.

Dishwasher Draining Issues Your dishwasher draining problems may be easier to solve than you think. If your dishwasher is not draining problem, then you should try to clear the filter. You should also try running the dishwasher again. If neither one of those things work, then you should consider calling a plumber.

Toilet Will Not Stop Running Most of us have used a toilet that continued to run after we flushed it. Modern toilets should not run because they are designed to conserve water. If your toilet keeps running, then the water may be leaking from the tank into the bowl. This can usually be fixed by replacing the rubber flap in the toilet. It is time to call a plumber if you water is leaking outside of the bowl. If you notice water around the toilet, then the water is likely leaking outside of the bowl.

Lesser Known Ways To Save Money in Winter

Many people notice a drastic increase in their energy bill during the winter months due to increased usage of the heater for most of the year. The good news is that there are still many things you can do in order to save money on your energy bill while keeping your family warm and comfortable. Below are some lesser-known tips that will help you cut the cost of electricity during the winter months:

Use A Ceiling Fan If you have a ceiling fan, then you can use it to keep your home warm. Warm air naturally rises. When the blades are turning clockwise, they push the warm air back down. Make sure that you have your ceiling fan set on a low setting. You may be able to set your thermostat on a higher temperature if you use a ceiling fan to keep your home warm.

Use Cold Water To Wash Your Clothes Your heating system is not the only thing in your home that uses a lot of energy. Your washing machine also uses a lot of energy. It is estimated that people can save up to 40 cents per load by washing their clothes in warm water. This may not seem like a lot, but it can help you save a lot of money in a year's time.

Reduce The Temperature Of Your Hot Water Heater Your hot water heater is another machine that uses a lot of energy. Many hot water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should consider reducing the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering the temperature will not only help you save money on your energy bill, but it will also help prevent scalding while keeping your baths and showers warm and comfortable.

Insulate Your Attic Warm air may be asking your home through the attic, causing your bills to rise higher without much change in your home’s comfort and warmth. One of the best things you can do to prevent air from escaping your home is to make sure that your attic is well-insulated. You may also want to consider installing an attic tent. The attic tent fits over the hatch, and you can unzip and zip it.

Use A Programmable Thermostat A programmable thermostat will raise or lower the temperature based on the pre-programmed settings. You can set the thermostat to where the temperature is lower when you are sleeping or not at home. A programmable thermostat will prevent you from wasting energy.