Category: Door & Windows

Finding a gate that matches your style and needs to keep yourself and your family safe needs a bit of effort. You should have an idea of what type of gate you need, its uses, and how it can benefit you. If you want to find out how you can choose the type of gate that ticks the right boxes, you should keep on reading.

Type of Gates

1. Standard Gate

These gates are designed with a similar style and materials to suit your fence. First instance, if you have a wrought iron fence, you would most likely opt for a wrought iron gate. Generally, they are considered single-door gates that are designed for you to walk through. Standard gates are designed according to specific guidelines. For instance, your gate and fence should be the same height, you should prevent your gate from sagging, and you should strategically place your latch system.

2. Specialty Gate

If you are looking for a gate that is out of the ordinary, then a specialty gate is your best bet. You normally find them in residential areas. If you install this gate, you can choose between one that you can operate manually or an automated one. However, they are popularly recognized by their automation system. Specialty gates can come in various designs and types. Below are the three common types that you may come across.

• Swing gates
• Rolling and Cantilever gates
• Double gates

3. Safety and Security Gates

When you are looking for a gate you want to find something that can serve a decorative purpose and protect you. In addition, you want to find a gate that can protect your family. For instance, if you have a pool, you want to protect your toddler from taking a dive when you aren’t watching. Pool gates are there to lower the risk of your child falling into the pool while you’re making them a snack.

4. Automated Gates

An automated gate system enhances your home’s appeal while ensuring that you and your family are safe at all times. The best part is that you can simply add a motor-driven gate operator to your standard gate and viola! You don’t have to worry about being restricted by the style or design of your current gate. All that you need is a reliable access control system, and you are good to go.

In summary, choosing a gate takes a bit of consideration. You not only need to think of the style, but you should consider your fence and safety requirements. The best way to ensure this is by finding a reputable company to install like Gates Perth to install your gate.

Myths about Timber Windows

Many owners refuse to install or restore wooden windows in favor of PVC double-glazed windows, as many myths scare them. There is an opinion that natural wood does not withstand loads and serves less than plastic windows. However, this statement is not substantiated by anything. The original wooden window has a long service life – up to 100 years, and that’s why it is still popular today.

In the Scott James company, you can not only order timber windows restoration, but also the installation of a new glass unit made of natural wood. The constructions will have a presentable appearance and add value to your home.

Wood rot cannot be controlled

If you don’t pay due attention to your double-glazed window, it will quickly lose its appearance and functionality. Thorough washing of stains and treatment of your wooden surface will save you from unpleasant surprises. Not only paint is suitable for protecting your glass unit, but also a coating of a special varnish.

Regular repainting is required in areas with poor weather conditions, when the wood is constantly exposed to moisture and temperature changes. If you live in an area with a favorable climate, you can paint it once every 5-10 years. In order not to waste your own time updating your double-glazed window, contact sash windows specialists.

Sash window is expensive

At the first study of prices, it may seem that plastic windows are cheaper. Their distinctive feature from a wooden glass unit is their service life. High-quality natural wood windows will last up to 100 years if you carry out sash windows renovation from time to time. A PVC double-glazed window can be in use for up to 20 years, after which you will need to replace it completely.

Installing wooden windows is a great investment in the long term. They look very sophisticated and are great for both old houses and modern buildings.

Timber window is draughty

Wooden windows will reduce the energy efficiency of your home if you don’t look after them. To prevent this from happening, you just need to install a perimeter sealing system. This will bring you many benefits. In particular, it will help to:

• get rid of drafts;
• increase the level of noise insulation;
• provide a comfortable temperature in your room at any time of the year.

This innovative system doesn’t affect the appearance of your windows. This is especially important in older buildings that are of historical value to the city.

Original sash windows cannot be double glazed

To add warmth to your home, add extra glazing to your wooden windows. You will notice that heating bills will go down after the refurbishment. If you have single glazing installed, you can improve it by adding another sash. In other cases, new sashes are used, which are equipped with double or triple glazing. A complete replacement of the box is not required, and the updated window will serve you for many years, providing comfort and coziness for the owners.

The whole point of having locks on your doors is so intruders stay out, right? This is only possible when your locks are functioning properly. Sometimes you can notice random malfunctions in the way the lock functions and wonder if you just let it be, fix it, or replace it? This is complicated enough with regular locks, but when you’re talking about deadbolt locks, things get even more confusing.

Deadbolt locks are made in a way where springs are useless. The only way you can open a shut deadbolt lock is by unlocking it with the right key. Sometimes, these locks either don’t open or cause issues while opening. However, not all malfunctions need replacements. Some can be fixed too! So before you jump into it, we’re here to outline times you should replace a deadbolt lock, and times when you should just get it repaired!

Does Your Deadbolt Lock Really Need to Be Replaced?

Below are the common reasons your deadbolt lock might be causing trouble, and what you need to do to fix it!

1. The lock won’t turn: This is one of the most common problems people have with deadbolt locks. When this happens, it seems like your lock and key might not be the same, but they are. The problem is usually with the lock mechanism here. Anything that’s damaged or not functioning properly in the lock can cause the entire lock to freeze up and not let the key turn. Sometimes, a repair is possible if the entire lock is taken apart and put back together again. Have a Handyman in NYC or a local handyman in your area come in and take a look at your lock. If it can’t be repaired, it might be a good time to replace the deadbolt lock altogether!
   
   
2. There’s a misalignment: If your deadbolt was working perfectly fine, but suddenly the bolt doesn’t properly line up with the strike plate, it won’t let the lock latch on. This is usually a quick fix. All that’s needed is to see how misaligned the lock and the strike plate are, mark the correct position the two need to be in for the lock to function and move the strike plate accordingly. When you’re done, the lock should work just fine!
   
3. The key won’t fit: If you’re inserting the key in the deadbolt lock, and noticing that it’s either “sticking” inside the lock like something is grabbing on to it, or gets jammed in a way that doesn’t let the key turn, it’s usually not the lock that’s the culprit, it’s the key!An old, worn-out key can start to stick in locks and sometimes won’t even turn the lock at all. The great thing is that fixing this is fairly easy, you just have to get a spare key made!
   
   If the key was the problem, the new key should let the lock function just fine, if it wasn’t, you can take a closer look at the lock too. If the lock is dirty, which can happen when years of dirt and grime get on it, it won’t work properly. This can be fixed by first spraying the lock with a cleaning solution. Special sprays are made just for this problem. If that doesn’t cut it, try taking the lock apart and cleaning each piece individually. If there was some sort of gunk messing with the way the lock works, cleaning every little piece and then putting the lock back together should fix your problem! No replacement would be needed!

Using this guide, you should be able to spot these three problems if your deadbolt is running into one of them. If it is, you’ll know whether it’s actually time to replace your deadbolt or is it a repairable issue immediately!

 

You don’t think about your garage door until something goes wrong. When your garage door doesn’t open or you worry it might fall on your car, then it’s time to get a new one. You’ll see lots of garage door installers searching Google, but which one is right for you?

You need a door installation service that you can trust that won’t charge you an arm and a leg. We created this guide to help you choose the qualities you need in a garage door replacement company.

1. Garage Door Installers Need Experience

Installing a garage door isn’t a simple process, so you need someone with experience. Most websites tell how long a business has been in operation. If it doesn’t, then that’s not a good sign. You want someone that’s been in the area for a while and has plenty of experience in installing garage doors.

It’s not just the company either. You need to know the installer they send has experience as well. It doesn’t matter if the company has been there for 20 years if the installer just got hired last week.

2. Installers Need a Good Reputation

You want quality work when they install your garage door. The business has online customer reviews you can see that show the experiences of actual clients. There are many places to find reviews such as Yelp and Google My Business.

Expect the occasional negative review, but if you see many then consider a different company. When your garage door is installed, it must be done properly, or it could end up damaging your car or leading to a second visit.

3. Is Emergency Service an Option?

When you go outside to leave for work and your garage door won’t open, you need someone right away. You can’t go without access to your car, so an installer needs to get there as soon as possible. Check to see if the business is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

It may not sound like a big deal but talking to someone no matter the day or hour gets the ball moving faster and helps calm your nerves.

4. Do They Offer a Free Quote?

You don’t want to install a garage door without first getting a free quote. The free quote is standard and lets you know how much you’ll pay ahead of time. If the business doesn’t offer a free quote, then that’s suspicious.

Don’t start a door installment without knowing how much it will cost. You can visit directserviceoverhead.com and learn everything you need from the business.

5. Ask About Liability Insurance

When you’re dealing with a large heavy garage door, there is always the possibility that an accident might happen. Your door installer needs to have liability insurance to cover any accidents that happen during the installation.

Choose the Right Installer

Do your research when picking garage door installers. In the end, it can save you money, time, and hassle. You deserve the best service for your money and that comes with choosing the right installer.

For more information about installing garage doors, explore our website.

Cleaning high-rise windows is not for the faint of heart. It requires significant focus and consideration before ever stepping up on a ladder or out on scaffolding.

In the following article, we’ll be giving you the essential information you need to know before taking that step. Let’s begin!

1. Windows Serve Multiple Purposes

The first thing to ask about high-rise window cleaning is why even do it. No one notices windows that much, right? Wrong!

Employees working inside high-rise buildings notice windows by the natural light that pours through. Potential customers or clients notice how you upkeep your building, and a first impression goes a long way. Keeping your windows clean improves energy efficiency for a building and improves curb appeal, so don’t let it fall by the wayside.

2. It Might Be Easier to Take the Windows Out

Before we get to the high-rise window cleaning equipment you’ll need, it’s important to check your windows to see if you might be able to remove them. Some windows are removable while others are reversible to keep you from having to climb out on scaffolding.

The more mobile yours are, the better. Mobility allows you to properly care for your windows without potentially placing yourself in harm’s way.

3. Never Attempt to Clean Without Proper Equipment

Using the proper high-rise window cleaning gear is essential to getting a good clean while protecting yourself at all times. Just what type of equipment do people use for high-rise window cleaning?

Well, there are many options that we could list to make the job easier or more convenient. The bare essentials you’ll need, however, include some form of water filtration system, a water-fed pole, a squeegee blade, and several replacement blades.

Depending on the window, you might also require a bucket truck, ladder, or scaffolding to reach particularly high places. Last but not least, don’t forget the water and cleaning solution!

4. Accidents Do Happen

Unfortunately, high-rise window cleaning accidents do happen, and they are deadly, more often than not. In fact, of the 88 window-cleaning accidents noted across a period of several years, OSHA found that over 70 percent proved fatal.

This one statistic shows two truths: that intense focus is important to the job (see No. 5), and that there isn’t room for error because of the high rate of fatalities.

5. Timing and Focus Are Everything

The number one thing you have to remember before you pick up your first high-rise window cleaning tool is that timing and focus are everything. It’s not something you have the luxury of just going out and doing.

You have to make sure weather conditions are favorable with limited winds and precipitation. You also want to pay intense focus to what you’re doing as a slip-and-fall could lead to serious injury or death.

Window cleaning is a skill, and you might wish to entrust the process to those who have it. Otherwise, realize and plan for the risks.

Cleaning High-Rise Windows Gives Your Property a Boost

Cleaning high-rise windows might not be your first priority as a property owner, but you should make it one. You have much to gain from energy efficiency and curb appeal by keeping them in tip-top shape. Just make sure you’re also emphasizing safety in the process, or trusting those who do.

Best of luck! For more tips and information on property care and cleaning, check out some of our additional posts!

It’s true, you need to get a new garage door every once in a while. You probably never saw your pops do it, but that’s because he pinched every penny he could. You might also find it surprising, but there’s a benefit to replacing the door; on average, the greater curb appeal yielded an 88% return-on-investment.

How do you know when to get a new garage door? These are the 5 signs it’s time to replace that creaky, old door.

1. That’s a Lot of Noise

You shouldn’t be waking up the neighbors three-doors-down when you come home at night. But try as you might, you’ll get a nasty Facebook notification about it from a cranky neighbor. Can you blame them, though? — your door should not be making that noise.

Noise is indicative of a lot of wear and tear, especially in motor components. If there’s a grinding or rattling noise omitted from your garage door motor, it’s on its last legs. You might be able to get away with a squeaky garage door, though.

We don’t recommend DIY garage door installation. You really should use a professional installation team.

2. Get a New Garage Door If It’s Hard to Open

Doors are meant to be open. And some are meant for closure. But if you can’t do either, then it’s no door at all.

When you’re having trouble with the door crawling its way up the rail, then you should invest in a new door. It may be a motor issue, and those are replaceable, but that can be just as expensive as a new door.

Some things just stop working properly after a while. Nothing is rated to last forever, this includes garage doors.

3. There Shouldn’t Be Any Sag

In the past, a lot of garage doors were made strictly from wood. Your forefathers didn’t have that fancy, lightweight polycarbonate aluminum. If your house is vintage, and vintage is in style right now, you might have a wooden garage door.

Wood suffers from sag and deterioration from age and exposure to the elements. A sagging door is a sign that the wood is rotten, and the door should be replaced.

4. Puddles in the Garage

Are your feet getting wet while in the garage? That can’t be good. There should be no leaks anywhere on the interior of your home.

If your garage door is the obvious source of a leak or exposure to the outside, you must replace it immediately. Interior leaking can cause serious damage to structures, flooring, and other elements not graded for exterior conditions.

5. Visible Damage

Who hasn’t backed into their garage door? You might do it once or twice a week — all is well.

If your garage door is visibly damaged, replace it. A new smile for your home will drastically increase curb appeal.

Open Sesame!

The garage door is one of the first things people notice about your house. Sometimes, your home needs a new garage door to be inviting. There are a few signs that indicate it’s time to make a replacement.

If your door is making a lot of noise, has trouble opening, has significant sag or damage, or is causing leakage, then you should get a garage door replacement.

Interested in renovating your home? Check out our other articles on home alterations.

Garage door accidents range between 20,000 and 30,000 every year. This makes garage door accidents the primary source of accidents in most homes. Some of these accidents are fatal and sometimes lead to death. Unfortunately, most of these accidents result from poor garage door repair and neglect.

Garages are an often-neglected part of the home until it breaks. See how you can avoid a last-minute phone call to a repair company using the following garage door fixes.

1. Maintain Rollers and Springs

Rollers and springs are essential components of opening and closing your garage door. Inspect the rollers and springs regularly so that you can open and close your garage door without straining. You don’t want to get stuck early in the morning when you are going to your regular job in cold winter.

The belt drive garage door opener depends on the repair and maintenance of the rollers and springs to perform effectively. If you maintain these components, you can get 15 to 20 years of service from your belt. Make sure you replace any worn-out spring or roller if you are looking for smooth garage operations.

2. Auto-Reverse Garage Door Fixes

Auto-reverse has been one of the major causes of accidents. It is usually a safety feature expected to reverse the door when it comes into contact with anything. This prevents possible garage door accidents. However, this critical safety feature is likely to fail if it is not maintained.

A simple garage door DIY inspection can help detect some possible challenges in the auto-reverse garage door system. If the auto-reverse system is not responding, you need to look for professional garage door repair immediately to avoid possible accidents.

3. Clean and Paint the Door

Cleaning and painting the door does not look like one of the standard procedures of ensuring that your garage door operates at optimum levels. However, for steel doors, it is always necessary to clean and paint them regularly to prevent rusting and corrosion. Environmental aspects can also have some devastating impacts on your garage door, especially when cleaning and painting are not done.

If you have a wooden garage door, applying paint prevents warping and water damages. Painting is also an essential method of installing a weatherstrip to avoid water damages, especially at the bottom edge.

4. Test the Door Balance

A properly balanced garage door opens quickly and will last longer. However, if the door balance slightly changes, you will always have to work harder when opening your garage door and it will not last long enough. Most garage door accidents are also caused by a lack of balance, which forces the door to tilt on one side.

Garage door improvements can help in addressing issues to do with balance. Inspecting the springs and ensuring that they are working seamlessly enhances the balance of the door. If you’re struggling to open your garage door, you need to replace the worn-out springs.

5. Lubricate the Moving Parts

Many homeowners tend to ignore the lubrication process with the argument that their garage door is not regularly used. However, if you have to open your garage door several times a day, you need to ensure that all the moving parts have been lubricated. There is no way you can have a quiet garage door without regular application of lubricants.

By lubricating the rollers and other moving parts, you reduce the stress and prolong the usefulness of these essential components. Always make use of high-quality lubricants and not the old oil from the car engine, which has some unwanted elements.

6. Tighten the Hardware

A typical garage door in a typical home will move up and down thousands of times throughout the year. This regular motion and vibration can easily loosen up the door and damage the hardware. Most of the bolts and nuts are likely to get loose, which weakens the entire system rendering it ineffective.

Tightening your garage door hardware helps in preventing comprehensive garage door renovation. Most of the homeowners who have ignored tightening the nuts have been forced to overhaul their garage doors after realizing the whole system is out of shape and cannot perform as expected. You can easily prevent extra repair expenses by tightening all the hardware once in a while.

7. Clear the Tracks

Ensure you inspect both sides of your door to check whether the tracks are in good condition. Some of the common elements that you should remove along the tracks are debris and rust. Make use of a level to ascertain that the tracks are plumb along their vertical sections. Tracks from a vital section of your garage door and need regular attention to avoid some possible accidents.

It is effortless for you to remove rust and lubricate the tracks. You can also make some slight adjustments if you realize that such tracks are not performing smoothly. However, avoid touching anything complex and call for a professional garage door technician to handle complicated problems.

8. Check Cables and Pulleys

There are different mechanisms for operating garage door systems. If your garage door is operated by cables and pulleys, you need to regularly check such systems to ascertain whether they are in good condition and whether they are working as expected. If you notice some slight delay in opening, you need to replace all the worn-out cables and pulleys. Note that replacing cables and pulleys is better done by professionals.

Keep Your Garage Door Running Smoothly

Using these simple garage door fixes will ensure that your door stands the test of time and operates smoothly. There are some simple techniques that do not need a technician’s assistance, but they will have some long-standing impacts on your system. A well-maintained garage door will not only make it easier for you to open and close, but it will also not cause accidents to young children and pets playing around.

However, if you feel everything is getting out of hand, it is always necessary to call a garage door technician for professional services.

To read more informative articles about garage door maintenance and other essential topics, please check out our other posts.

Replacing the garage door is not as easy as you might think. If your current garage door has been causing a lot of problems and needs to be replaced, it might be a wise idea for you to visit a decent garage door showroom to see what kind of options they have available.

If you are interested in buying a garage door, the first thing you need to do is decide which kind of garage door you want. There are several options available to you, such as:

• Roller shutter garage doors
• Sliding garage doors
• Swing-out garage doors

The best thing to do is get in touch with a garage door company in Fareham. You may want to visit their showroom to get a better idea about the different options available to you. Here are a couple of tips for buying a garage door.

Set Your Budget

The first thing you need to do is set your budget for the maximum amount that you can afford to spend on it. Depending on the materials you choose, the costs are going to vary. You may want to visit a showroom and get a better idea about the prices.

Financing

Garage doors are expensive, there’s no doubt about that. Instead of spending the whole amount upfront, you may want to consider getting the garage door on financing. You will just have to pay a monthly instalment to get the garage door installed.

Windows aid natural light inside the rooms and provide ventilation along with the outside views. But sometimes, who doesn’t love a little privacy? Do not worry! Using blinds on the windows can solve this issue by allowing one to have control over their privacy. Window blinds available in different types, patterns and colours, promise an attractive outlook to the homes, offices or apartment spaces. For easy and convenient use, pleated blinds are the best option. They can either be hung or glued to the windows, allowing one to stretch and compress it effortlessly with the flexible control system.

What Are Its Uses and Advantages?

One can move window blinds either horizontally or vertically using control rails. Apart from acting as a mode of privacy, they can also control the entry of sunlight to the inside of the rooms. The varieties of designs and materials can manipulate the entry of the light. While dense materials and darker shades allow less light to enter, materials like fabric with bright shades draw in more light. Window blinds that come with aluminium coating can avert the entry of ultraviolet rays. They can also warm up the rooms during the winter by blocking cold from outside.

The most appealing quality of aluminium coated pleated blinds is its durability. One can use them for a long time without any damage, thus, ruling out the need for frequent replacements.

Use of blinds is not only limited to windows. One can also use them in the balcony, kitchen, and to separate spaces within the house. Their availability in a wide range of styles, colours and all prices has spiked the demand. They are more pocket-friendly than roller blinds and roman blinds. One of the most significant advantages is that the homeowner can customise them. One can design them according to the colour of the walls and the size of the windows.

Pleats usually come with cords for operation, but cordless blinds are also available. If one is looking for a more advanced one, remote-controlled blinds are also available in the market. For households with kids and pets, cordless and remote-controlled blinds are more convenient to be on the safer side.

How to Clean Pleated Blinds?

While opting for window blinds, one might be worried about cleaning and maintaining it since they are prone to the accumulation of dust and dirt between the pleats. Unlike curtains, cleaning blinds is not much of a herculean task. One can wipe off the dust and dirt using a piece of cloth or a vacuum cleaner. If it still remains unclean, wipe the blinds gently using warm water and mild detergent, and dry it using another cloth. However, it is not suggestible to soak the blinds in water as it could damage the material. One must always remember to unfold the pleats while cleaning.

Installing pleated blinds are not only limited to providing privacy but can also be an addition to the interior decorations. Being one among the best methods of window treatments one can opt for, it perfectly suits the user’s demand and does justice to the beauty of the interiors. Get the windows modified using pleated blinds, without compromising on one’s needs. Who doesn’t love windows that are both aesthetically and functionally appealing!

There may come a time where your home or commercial business building needs new doors. This can be the result of a number of different things but the fact of the matter is that it can happen. That means needing a quality installer to do the job for you.

You might be looking for bifold doors in Caterham and that means needing a quality installer to do the work. There is a need to get the job done in short order and on budget so that you can avoid interruptions to your life or daily business.

Bifold Door Options

The best Caterham installation services will offer different options when it comes to bifold doors. This means bifold doors such as

• Atlas
• Residence collection
• Solidor
• Integral blinds
• Liniar

That is a comprehensive set of choices so you can get the doors that you have been after. With the right doors, you can get the proper aesthetic that you have always wanted while getting the practicality that is necessary.

Quality Installations

Most importantly, a Caterham installation service needs to be trustworthy and reliable. When you are left to question the quality of the work done, this means that you need to go with a new service.

For the installation of new doors, you need to be able to depend on the job being done. This means that trusting that the quality is of the utmost and that you get the peace of mind that you deserve when having any job completed.