Tips for Reducing Outside Noise in Your Home

If you live close to a busy road or in a busy city, you might love your home’s location, but not the noise that comes with having so much traffic in your area. The frequent sounds of vehicle horns honking, sirens from emergency vehicles, or people yelling can keep you up at night or make it hard to relax during the daytime. Noise pollution is not good for your physical health and it also becomes frustrating mentally. Frequent noise from outside your home makes it difficult to relax by enjoying a television program or reading a book. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to cut down on the amount of noise you hear in your home.

Add Acoustical Caulking Around Windows

Instead of squirting basic liquid caulking around your home’s windows, opt for a higher quality acoustical caulking that blocks noise. You may have to order acoustical caulking from an online store because it might not be available at your local hardware store, but the extra expense is worth it. You can apply acoustical caulking the same way that regular caulking is applied. For the best results, use the acoustical caulking on both the outside and inside of a home.

Use Heavier Coverings on Windows

If you have only lightweight curtains or window blinds on a home’s windows, then switch to heavier materials. You can buy thicker draperies or have customized acoustical window coverings made. An additional way to eliminate street noise is by attaching wood shutters to windows that you can close when there is a lot of noise outside.

Have Multiple Layers of Window Coverings

Rather than having only one layer of window coverings, why not have multiple layers that include sheer curtains for privacy, heavy acoustical fabric draperies and window shutters? If there are windows in your home that aren’t needed on a daily basis to provide sunlight, then cut a piece of foam or wood to place over the windows. Just make sure that these devices are quick and easy to remove in case of an emergency such as a fire that requires exiting through a window.

Install New Windows If you have single-pane windows in your home, then it is time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows that have more than one pane. Not only will these windows help to reduce the noise you hear from outside, but you will also notice fewer drafts along with lower heating and cooling costs.

Top Ways to Maintain Your Home's Value

Anyone who owns a home knows the importance of maintaining the property value of the home. A home is one of the most important investments a person can make so the last thing you want to do is let it loose its value. And if you ever decide to sell your home, the things you do to maintain or improve its value will make it easier to sell once it's listed on the market. The more that a homeowner works to maintain the value, the more money they'll earn when it's sold to a buyer. Here are some of the best things you can do to preserve your home’s value.

Update the Exterior

It's important that the exterior of your home looks fresh and blends in nicely with the rest of the neighborhood. Consider painting it a neutral color that will appeal to potential buyers in the future while also repainting the trim. If your home has something like vinyl siding, you might want to consider replacing it if it’s starting to look worn.

Make Necessary Repairs

Over the years, it's normal for a door handle to become loose or a faucet to become leaky, which can detract from the home's functionality. It's important to make necessary repairs in a timely manner to ensure that the home doesn't have multiple issues on the property. The last thing a potential buyer wants to happen when they’re looking at a home is to start a mental list of all the little things they’d have to fix once they move in.

Update Old Features

From the fireplace to light fixtures, there are a number of different features in the home that can start to look outdated over time. Although the fixtures may still work well and can be in good condition, they can detract from the aesthetics of the property. It's important to update features that are several decades old to ensure that the home is attractive on both the exterior and interior.

Break Down Walls

As a homeowner, one of the most important steps to take as you maintain your property is to be aware of what current home buyers are looking for in properties. One of the most recent features that will sell a home quickly are homes that have open floor plans, which creates a spacious area that is easy to entertain in. Consider knocking down certain walls that are closing off rooms from the rest of the home and allowing them to feel small. This will create a property that feels as if it has more square footage and is easier to use.

Update the Basement

More homeowners are updating their basement and refinishing the space for an area that can serve different purposes. Consider using it for an entertainment room or even a home office space, which will enhance your home's appeal. If your basement is prone to flooding, being able to say your basement has been recently waterproofed can be very appealing to a prospective buyer.

Replace Doors and Windows Nowadays, one of the top things that homebuyers are looking for is energy efficiency. They want to be sure they’re moving into a home that won’t be losing heat in the dead of winter because of drafts old doors and windows can have. If it’s been many years since you had your doors and windows replaced, it might be a good idea to do so before putting your home on the market. Vinyl windows are much more energy efficient than older windows and a new door could not only be more energy efficient, but also more secure.

How to Childproof Your Windows and Blinds

As soon as a child begins to walk, you will find that the things they are attracted to are often the most dangerous things in your home. While you may find it cute that your toddler loves to peek at the neighbors through the window, you need to stop and think about the safety of the window. The fact is that if the window breaks or the child can get the window open, it is a definite safety hazard. Your job is to make sure that your windows and window blinds are childproof. The following are some tips to help you to make sure your windows are safe for your child:

Keep the Windows Clear

No matter how high your windows are, your toddler is going to want to look out of it. They will use anything in front of them to climb on so they can see outside. You want to remove all items that could be used as a makeshift ladder by them. Furniture should be moved further away from your windows as a child could easily stand on the arm of a chair and fall through a window. Also, be sure that all objects that could break the window are removed from the area.

Window Locks

Most windows come with a locking mechanism that allows you to lock the window and preventing it from being raised or tilted. Unfortunately, your toddler will quickly learn how to unlock it by simply watching. There are products available that can prevent the window from opening, even when it is unlocked. Window stops and window guards are made for several different types of windows and will keep your child safe.

Window Film

You will also find there is a special window film that can be purchased to prevent the glass from shattering if a window does get broken. It is affordable and will help to keep your child safe. If your windows are old, you may want to consider replacing them with vinyl windows so that you no longer have to worry about your child getting hurt on the unsafe windows.

Window Blinds

If you have blinds in your home, you must do what you can to get the cords out of the way of the child. There are safety products available or you can simply cut the cords and refit them to a tassel stay or fit them with cord stops. The idea is to get the extra cordage off the blinds and keep the remaining cord out of the child’s reach.

Wallside Windows Advice for Winter

The joys of winter have officially arrived, bringing the blustery winds and cold drafts that always seem to make their way into the home. Unsealed doors and windows are one of the biggest culprits for causing a temperature drop during the day and night. Old windows and doors that are poorly sealed can cost the homeowner hundreds of dollars each year.

Windows to the World

Windows are meant to let in light, not the bitter cold of winter. One of the best ways to stop the chill is to install new vinyl replacement windows that are designed to look great and insulate. That is a concept that energy-conscious homeowners can really grab hold of. Energy-efficient windows are a proven way to save money each and every month by keeping the cold air out where it belongs and the warm air in.

Doors Welcome in Winter

Doors should stop winter in its tracks, not welcome it in like an old friend. Drafts around doors make the home an unwelcome place during the winter months. Rather than feeling warm and cozy, the cold creates an atmosphere where people leave their coats on when they come and visit. Quality insulated doors are designed to reduce heat flow and have a high energy efficiency rating.

Patio Doors: A Thing of Beauty

Patio doors really let in the bright rays during the winter, but they can also be a particularly troublesome area when it comes to energy efficiency. They are traditionally larger than regular picture windows and come in hinged, French, or sliding styles. Patio doors add a great aesthetic element to any home and are the perfect way to blend inside living spaces with the great outdoors. To really enjoy the patio and its doors, one must make sure that it is well insulated and sealed.

Seal It Up

Sealing around doors and windows is easy to do and has a real impact on energy usage. All entrances should be checked for cracks before winter hits to make sure that the home is in the best shape to face the revenges of cold weather. Caulking and weather stripping are the two most common ways to winterize around windows and doors. Professional installers are trained to look for cracks, but homeowners can do it by following a few simple steps. Take the time to examine the seal around doors and windows for any damage that will let in the cold and learn to enjoy winter all over again.

5 Tips for Saving Money on Your Winter Heating Bills

Now that we're into the winter season keeping our homes warm and comfortable is a top priority. That first heating bill after the cold weather hits can, however, put a dent in your wallet. There are several steps you can take to make sure your winter heating bills are as low as possible. Here are a few easy ways to minimize the shock of seeing your heating bills this winter.

Adjust the Heat at Night

Lowering the thermostat at night is a quick way to easily lower your heating bills. Pull out a few extra blankets and you may not even notice the difference. A few extra degrees, however, may make a difference when your heating bill comes. Some people actually find that they sleep better when the temperature is a little bit cooler.

Put in New Replacement Windows

Windows can be a major source of lost heat in a home. Older windows in particular can be drafty, even if you can't see any obvious open spaces. Vinyl replacement windows can help you save on energy and lower your monthly heating bills. Not only will better windows save you money on heating bills, but this kind of improvement can help improve your home’s overall value.

Put in a Humidifier

Air during the winter months normally becomes much dryer. Having a humidifier can not only make the air more comfortable in your home and help cut down on the annoying static cling that dry air creates, but can save you money since moist air holds heat longer than the dry air does. This will mean less strain on your furnace to keep your home warm.

Replace Furnace Filters

Making sure your furnace is running as cleanly and efficiently as possible can help keep heating costs as low as possible. The more efficiently your furnace is able to run, the less energy it needs to operate. A very easy way to do this is to regularly replace your furnace filters. When you change out your filters regularly, your furnace doesn’t have to use as much energy to work through filters that are full of debris.

Heat Only the Rooms You're Using

Most of us have rooms that we rarely use, like guest bedrooms. Closing these rooms off during the colder months means saving money since there is less space to keep heated in the house. If there is a vent in the room that is providing heat, make sure it's closed.