Jazz up Your Basement

Often times, our main floor living spaces are cramped with furniture and material goods - so much so it makes us consider, “maybe I should finish my basement…” If this sounds like you, perhaps it’s time to once and for all give your basement the remodeling it deserves. Before you get started, parse through some ideas we’ve put together to get your inspiration flowing.

Build your own bar Nothing brings people together more than a posh new bar to relax around. Consider a large, L-shaped bar nestled in the corner. These are great for bringing large groups of people  together and stimulate conversations - while other, traditional-shaped bars donning a single front-side offer a more quaint look. Along with housing refreshments, another nifty perk to a basement bar is the option of installing a tiny refrigerator beneath it to store snacks and soft drinks. With the right instruction, building a bar is a very doable undertaking that can add some serious lasting value to your basement.

Install a Doorwall Implementing a sliding glass doorwall into your basement promotes easy, accessible access to your backyard. Basement doorwalls go hand in hand with houses positioned near a lakefront or those with a backyard patio. If you’re interested in installing a new doorwall, contact Wallside Windows to schedule a free estimate and learn the many ways our custom-built doorwalls can enhance your home.

Exercise Room The basement is the most ideal workout zone due to it facilitating the most privacy, meaning it allows the lowest chance of interruption or distraction from others. To create an exercise room, first designate a space that wouldn’t result in floor damage by fallen heavy weights - like tile or cement floor. Opt for a room with carpet flooring and lay out a sturdy foam padding for extra protection against damages.

Workbench Similar to a workout station, there’s no more appropriate space for a workbench than the basement. A workbench is a vital addition to any basement; however, unless you have a private room or section to place the workbench, its naturally gruff look may clash with the rest of the basement’s aesthetic. Solve this by constructing a sectioned-off room, which is a project that may take longer than just the weekend - but nonetheless should be worth it with the end results.

Home Office In addition to turning basements into funhouses of entertainment, many people also repurpose them into offices. Make sure your basement internet signal is up to par and to implement lighting fixtures where necessary. Remember, this is where you will be delving into a majority of your work - so it’s essential you’re quartered off from the rest of the home’s raucous activity.

Bathroom Incorporating a bathroom into your basement adds convenience on multiple levels. For large parties or gatherings, an extra bathroom is essential for cutting down on long waiting periods. Additionally, another perk of a bathroom toilet: when the main floor's toilet breaks, it can be a real help to have another functioning one while the other is waiting to be fixed.

Three Reasons Homes Need Windows

Homes are dependent on windows in an inordinate amount of ways. If you think about it, without windows, our homes would suffer from a huge loss in curb appeal, natural sunlight, and ventilation. Let’s look into it a bit further...

 Interior Design & Curb Appeal Opportunities The first impression you have of a home is determined by a set number of qualities such as the curb appeal and general size. Among these, windows are one of the foremost defining features. Solely keeping visual aesthetic in mind, a lack of windows would yield a bland, singular look defined by no more than just the siding, shake, or brick. Windows provide room for creative embellishment, which can be experimented with in multiple ways. This can be done by the window frame, style, shutters, and placement of the window.

• Window frames don a distinguished texture, color, and design that can make a home’s exterior pop. For example, a home with beige siding could be complemented by adorning a vanilla color window frame.

• Installing a large picture window in the right spot can serve as a crafty yet sharp way of showcasing your home’s interior features, such as a chandelier hung above a front door.
• Design-wise, shutters offer the same decor opportunities that window frames do; implementing replacement windows with a custom-sized pattern, size, and color is a natural, chic way to beautify your home’s exterior look.

We Need them for Sunlight Try as we might to escape the sun during a scorching hot day or the wee hours of the morning, we need it to survive. This is where windows come in; they are the gatekeepers to our home’s source of sunlight - you have to get that Vitamin D somewhere! Let’s not forget plants; they need sunlight, thus depend on windows for their survival. Lastly, our electric bills would be through the roof if it wasn’t for the portals of light we call “windows” - not to mention too much indoor lighting can cause quite a headache.

Healthy Natural Air You know how a room gets stuffy when the door is shut for a lengthy stretch of time?  Well, imagine a house like that. It’d be awful! Once again, windows swoop in to save the day by allowing fresh air flow into a home. When air collects in a living space without any way of escape, its sense of freshness stagnates. Thanks to windows, we are able to balance our indoor-dominated lives with refreshing breezes and natural temperature regulation.

Best Movie Scenes with Windows

Spanning from eerie horror flicks, classic thrillers, to Christmas comedies, there are numerous instances in movie history where windows take the stage as key points of the plot. Keeping this in mind, we ranked the top scenes where windows steal the show on the big screen. Take a look below:

Rear Window (1954) As the title implies, windows are the cornerstone of this thriller. The plot goes like this: an injured photographer is stuck at home with more than enough time on his hands; so, he spends his time cracking a local community mystery by spying into a suspicious neighbor’s windows.

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) Charlie Wilson’s War documents the real-life events of Congressman Charlie Wilson and the tangled political drama he gets caught in. A memorable scene of the film exhibits the rage of a flustered CIA Officer (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) who takes out his anger by destroying an office window.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) It’s A Wonderful Life is one of America’s most cherished Christmas classics. To our dismay, in a famous scene, the protagonist chucks a stone through an abandon home’s window in hopes that doing so will make a wish come true (we don’t recommend this).

The Karate Kid (1985) In this 80s feel-good classic, a karate student under the tutelage of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, learns martial arts while also experiencing the growing pains of teenage-hood. In a heated scene between Mr. Miyagi and a cocky fighter, Miyagi dodges a Karate jab, sending the fighter’s fist straight through a car window - ouch!

The Kid (1921) The Kid is a silent dramedy starring Charlie Chaplin. Recognized around the globe as one of the most important films ever made, it also happens to contain an iconic scene involving none other than, you guessed it, windows! The clip shows a child recklessly hurl stones through windows (what’s up with this trend?) - once again, not a venture we condone. Watch the classic reel below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7nMV3ujeMo

Home Alone (1990) A clever eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) repurposes his home into a burglar trap zone in this definitive Christmas flick. Midway through the film, one of the burglars manages to sneak into the home by opening a window - but does so at a price. After hopping through the frame, he steps barefooted onto glass christmas ornaments (expertly placed by Kevin).  Remember to give your windows regular check-ups to make sure they’re in good shape and able to securely close.

If you have any questions concerning your home windows, contact Wallside to speak with a professional and learn about the custom-built replacement windows we offer.

What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?

When it comes to energy bills, the quality of your home windows are usually one of the first things that comes to mind. We break down what makes a window an effective insulator and what you can do to ensure your windows have these qualities.

Quality of Installation The contractor that installs your replacement windows plays a pivotal role in their functionality and longevity. Improper installation could lead to gaps, air leakages, and an outright crooked look that could severely decrease your home’s curb appeal. At Wallside Windows, window installation is our second nature. With over 70+ years of experience in custom-designing vinyl windows in our own factory and working with Michigan homeowners, we know how to do it right. After a free in-home estimate, we'll come to you and ensure a job well-done by checking:

• Functionality (ease of open and shut)
• Removal of old windows
• Thorough clean up
• Add extra sealing defense with insulation foam and energy-efficient caulk

Grade of Glass In recent years, window insulation technology has made amazing advances. The glass is a key component to the conductivity and energy efficiency of a window. Window glass is rated by its U-factor, which, in short, gauges its ability to protect a home from absorbing external heat while preserving the energy produced inside. Wallside Windows adds Low-E coating to its windows to ensure a balanced home climate throughout all of Michigan’s seasons.

Single, Double, or Triple Pane The number of panes—a.k.a. sheets of glass—a window uses is correlated to amount of insulation it provides. Double planes are widely renowned for their affordability and energy preservation whereas triple panes, which teeter are on the pricier side, offer an even greater protection.

Type of Frame Each style of window frame offers a unique insulation capacities. Wallside Windows prides itself on offering vinyl window frames due to its ability to provide strong insulation armor throughout the seasons while also considering customers’ financial needs.

The Art of Soundproofing Your Home

Whether you live in a city, suburb, or rural community, noises from outside are a constant burden at all times of the day. Just when you think you’re going to get a good night’s rest, your neighbor decides it’s time to jam out or a family member begins to blare the television.  Although not all of us may share the same circumstances, we most likely experience a similar noise annoyance from in our outside our house. Listed below are some of the most effective solutions to take when it comes to soundproofing your house..

Re-seal your Windows After constantly being exposed to storms and other adverse weather conditions, window seals begin to wither and sink in value. Use silicone caulk to fill gaps and apertures around your window’s frame; this will ensure that both drafts and noise are impeded from traveling into your home. However, if your window frames are beaten with cracks and require over-the-top maintenance, it may be time to install new replacement windows.

Noise Control Draperies A plentiful variety of soundproof curtain manufacturers exist across the web. These companies specialize imbue curtains, draperies, or blinds with leading noise-reduction technologies so that your home is shielded from unwanted clatter while simultaneously retaining the fashionable look and light-blocking functionality of regular window treatments.

Padded Carpeting or Underlayment Due to low cost in pricing or a focus on fashion, there are a lot of carpets out there don’t hit the mark in insulating noise. If you enjoy the look and feel of your current carpet but are having issues with noise, consider investing in carpet padding or underlayment; generally constructed from foam material, these work in a way that lighten the external spread of audio from devices such as radio and television so that it’s contained within a room (your roommates will thank you). Although these are effective in all livings spaces, they are especially handy when it comes to apartment or condo owners who want to be mindful of their noise output.

Acoustic Foam Panels This mainly applies to those who record music or podcasts in their home. Whether you record in a home studio or a small room, having a soundproof interior furnished with soundproofing equipment is key to clear, quality audio. After purchasing your acoustic panels—which can be found at your local hardware store or around the web—the next step is to discover the areas in the room that bounces the soundwaves around the room in a way that makes it overlap and degrade quality. Place the panels at these locations so that a maximum amount of reverberation is absorbed into them. Also, take into consideration the room’s size, design, and the placement of your speakers or the source of where the sound is produced from; this is important so you know the size and optimal location to diffuse the waves.

Hedging and Shrubbery There’s no better defense against exterior noise pollution than large bushes and plants. Look into tall, thick hedges and year-round bushes around the perimeter of your home (next to the street, if possible). Not only does your home benefit from a plunge in annoying noise, new landscaping also increases its curb appeal and privacy.