Receive FREE Estimates from Local Contractors (Fast & Easy): Windows | Cabinets | Siding | Kitchen | Basement
|
|
 |
||
|
|
||
0
Energy efficient window curtains keep a home’s temperatures idea year round. In the cold months these curtains may be insulated. This is in order to keep the cold air out of a home.
In the summer, energy efficient window curtains should keep the hot rays of the sun out of a home. This will help to keep the interior of a home at a stable and comfortable temperature.
You’ll be inspired to create the cabin of your dreams with the exciting collection of 62 cabin floor plans in “Compact Cabins.” These creative cabin designs feature innovative storage, mix-and-match modular elements, and off-the-grid energy options — all in less than 1,000 square feet.
Though cabins may have a small footprint, with good design, they can offer a comfortable living space. The challenge is to create that feeling of space in a small cabin. I find that, in particular, high ceilings and strategically placed windows make even very small cabins feel comfortable.
This is the year. If you’ve been sitting on home fixes, waiting for the right time, it’s 2010. Lucrative federal tax incentives are set to expire at the end of 2010, meaning these projects will never be more affordable. The government will cover 30% of the costs, in most cases, and investments in energy efficiency generally pay for themselves over time, since you’ll be paying for less wasted energy year after year. (Except where noted, taxpayers can qualify for no more than $1,500, regardless of the total cost of multiple qualifying projects were performed in 2009 and 2010.)
If home is where the heart is, then the kitchen is a home’s soul. If you want to improve the look, style and function of your kitchen, but think the project is too complicated or expensive, DIY’s Kitchen Renovations is for you.
Reducing your home energy use is the best of win-win deals — not only does it reduce your carbon footprint, it also saves you big bucks on your energy bills. That’s especially exciting when you consider that many home energy improvements are fast, easy and inexpensive. Often, the savings from an individual project are small, but when you start putting them together they add up quickly.
Do you want your old trim to look fresh, smooth and crisp after you’ve painted it? These tips show you how the pros do it. They’re DIY friendly, so you can prep your trim yourself and still get professional-looking results.
Stained glass windows are not only for churches. The most common residential application of stained glass windows is in the entryways of homes. Stained glass window panels in a door, or on transom sidelights, beautify a front entrance, admitting light without compromising privacy.
We know, we know: The economy’s iffy, jobs are tight, housing values aren’t what they once were. But if there were ever a perfect time to invest in your place by adding more insulation or replacing a creaky old water heater, it’s now. The economic stimulus package passed by Congress last February included a federal tax credit—not just a deduction, but a full-on credit—of 30 percent of the cost of all sorts of energy-saving systems, with a cap of $1,500 per house, if installed by the end of 2010. These upgrades pack the double benefit of slashing your utility bills while increasing your house’s long-term value, too.
1. Build a clothesline
Next to your refrigerator, your dryer is likely the biggest energy-guzzling appliance in your house. And while we wouldn’t ask you to store your food in a vintage icebox, an old-fashioned clothesline is actually a pretty good idea. (If that sounds too retro, think of it as a “solar dryer” instead.)
You can buy a pulley kit like the one pictured here at the hardware store. Or you can order the components online. But it’s easy to make a traditional clothesline yourself, using 4×4 or 6×6 pressure-treated posts for the uprights and 2x8s for the cross arms (which don’t need to be pressure-treated). Simply notch the posts to receive the cross arms, set them in concrete, and run the lines on eye hooks between them. A 4- or 5-foot cross arm should give you enough room for five lengths of line, nicely spaced.
Lumber: $42
Hardware: $10
100 feet of line + 100 wood clothespins: $17
Total: $69
Installing replacement basement windows can be a cost-effective way to improve moisture protection and energy efficiency in your home. At the same time, replacement basement windows can add light and appeal to a dark and cluttered space while improving the value of your home.
Evaluating replacement basement windows begins with energy performance ratings, considerations of size and local building requirements. Are the windows going to open or remain fixed? Be sure that any replacement windows provide security as well as ample egress in the case of emergencies. You’ll find a range of materials from vinyl and wood, to metal or composites.
Energy Ratings for Replacement Basement Windows
All replacement windows today carry ratings from The National Fenestration Rating Council. Generally speaking, you’ll want windows that perform well in terms of R-value, visible transmittance, air leakage, and U-value. U-value measures the window’s heat conduction, while R-value measures the actual resistance to heat flow. With replacement basement windows it’s best to find the models with the lowest U-values that fit your budget.
Then, consider functionality. If you have slider replacement basement windows you’ll have the widest opportunity to let in air. Hopper windows only tilt open, but are typically the most affordable option. Awning windows are frequently the most-expensive option, but can offer the greatest flexibility in controlling ventilation.
Many homeowners prefer using vinyl window frames to help fight moisture, rot, and mildew common to basements. Vinyl also tends to offer greater natural energy efficiency over other materials.
Back to top
