Home Improvement

by clickandimprove.com

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I don't know about you, but I have been taking a tally recently on the amount of time I spend dining out, and thinking more, and more if I am really getting my monies worth. Is it me or has the quality in food gone down? Perhaps it has been this way, and I have been very forgiving. Forgiving why? Why am I compromising? I guess for a long time, I have been giving a blind eye because I am too busy caught up in the moment. Whether it is the drinking scene, the vibe, being surrounded by people, I find that I have been feeding into a fix at my expense, and it needs improving.

The other day I was at a spot, and ordered a cream of chicken that was served in a Crate and Barrel soup bowl. You know the one I am taking about, it is the one that is 3 times larger than the 1/2 cup of soup that is poured into it. It was actually comical, even the waitress gave me a smirk as she served me. We made eye contact as we both stared at the bowl with an outrageous basil leave in the center, there was a knowing without words. I am a big wine drinker, so yes, wine was a must. My $10 dollar glass of red was served in a huge goblet with the obvious cheap fill that I have now started to become observant to. Granted, the place is a chic eatery in the city, but come on.....In the end, who is the joke on?

The experience has not been the first, and I have been taking a genuine effort in being a critic than the customer. Meaning the times I have gone out to eat I have been on guard, watching the picture repeat itself over, and over. I have a thing about complaints at a restaurant. Unless I plan on not eating anything, I usually just settle for what is served or ask to have the platter removed off the bill....if I only touched it a couple of times. I have come to the conclusion that it is time to make time at home. It is sad when you have to make a run for a Big Mac after dinner.

By no means am I boycotting the dining out scene. I love it! There are many great places that serve with a smile, and deliver to perfection. Unfortunately, those places are either too far, and out of the way or just too expensive for a Tuesday night out. For me, I am just tired of wasting hard earned funds on a meal that I am only taking bites from. I might as well just walk into a restaurant and hand over a $20 dollar bill, and just leave. I know for me, the choice to eat out has always been impulsive. I do it, just because. Well, just because does not serve anymore. It is time to be sensible. The kitchen is the heart of the home. If your kitchen is missing a beat, then work to make it tick again. What is keeping you out of your space? Look at what draws you out of your house, and bring it in. Is it a certain style, design, or paint color. This you can fix. It can be as easy as a new dining room set.

I should be ashamed of myself because I have a wine rack of bottles that are just sitting there while I am wasting my money on less than a 1/2 a glass at a swanky wine bar, and I happen to be a good cook when I do. This experience cannot be mine alone, and I am sure that others agree, as well as can relate. So, if you are like me, make an effort to take the time out for a home cooked meal. You wind up enjoying it more, than signing a bill for mediocre. If wine is your thing, and I know I am not alone with this addiction...buy a bottle or open the ones you have in your rack. Do not wait for the company to arrive to open that expensive bottle of wine. Just go for it. Treat yourself to it. If you are like me, you are spending the same amount of money on a few $10 dollar glasses of wine anyway. What is the point in waiting? Pay yourself first!

The more you push yourself for a good dining experience at home, the less time, and money will be spent having a bad one somewhere else. Home improvement begins in the kitchen and starts with you. Give yourself a night out at home. Turn off the lights, and get those candles ready. Sometimes we are paying for an experience that we can replicate in our own homes. Plan a fun night, whether it is pasta night or open a cook book, and be creative. Just because, you cannot cook, it does not mean you do not know how to read. Trust me, you can do it. You may even surprise yourself with a hidden talent, 2nd servings, and with some monthly savings in the end.

by clickandimprove.com

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Residential windows are not complicated when you get down to it. In fact, they only fall into two categories:

1. New construction windows

2. Replacement windows

Not knowing the scoop on windows can cost you. So, you want to be clear on your investment when making your selection.

I am not going to spend a lot of time on new construction windows because the vast majority of homes don’t need them. New construction windows are not reserved for newly built homes. They are called new construction windows because they require the construction of new window framing to be installed. As a result, you can expect damage to be done to the exterior of your home (i.e. siding, stucco).

When installing these windows, expect to pay for the window itself, labor and materials for framing, and replacement/repair of the exterior. It is only when your existing framing is deteriorated or damaged to the extent that it cannot support replacement windows that you should consider new construction windows. Again, this is a rare event.

Most of the time, replacement windows are what you’re looking for. They are nailed into the existing framing in your home and if installed correctly, should be just as effective as new construction windows. You don’t have to worry about damage to the exterior of your home or extra labor and material charges for new framing. As a result, for the remainder of this section of our guide, we will be focusing on replacement windows.

Perhaps more important than the actual quality of the window itself is how it is installed. Even if you purchase the most expensive, highest quality window on the market, it will never achieve what it was designed to do unless it is installed properly.

Make sure that your window installer knows exactly what they are doing before you hire them.

Energy Efficiency

There are entire books dedicated to this topic so, let’s stick to the basics. What determines whether or not a window is energy efficient is debatable, but I always have followed the guidelines set forth by Energy Star. They are the foremost respected authority when it comes to energy efficiency standards and each and every window I’ve provided for my clients has been Energy Star rated and approved. The following are the most important factors that help determine a window’s energy efficient value:

Let’s start with the U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. We are going to make this simple. Each window will have values clearly marked on its label.

1. U-factor

2. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

U-factor — measures the transfer of heat by rate, which tells you how well the window insulates. U-factor values range from 0.25 to 1.25 and are measured in Btu/h·ft²·°F. The lower the U-factor, the better insulation value.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient — measures the fraction of solar energy transmitted and tells you how well the product blocks heat caused by sunlight. SHGC is measured on a scale of 0 to 1; values typically range from 0.25 to 0.80. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat the window transmits.

As per the number of glass panes in the window (important), I recommend nothing less than two. One glass pane will not be sufficient in most parts of the country and three is overkill. For starters, double pane windows are insulated. The cushion of air maintained between two panes of glass keeps heat in during the winter and AC inside during the summer.

Installing double pane windows will mean a big difference in your energy bills, and keeps you feeling comfortable. Also, double pane glass windows make it very difficult for intruders to enter your home. A single pane glass window is easier to break. Something to think about.

You’ll see many window manufacturers advertising that their windows are the most energy efficient because their windows are indestructible or are the same windows used on NASA space crafts. Most of these are seductive sales tactics and nothing more. Stick to the basics above and don’t get caught up in the busy rigmarole of sales.

Window Frames

Window frames come in a multitude of materials and each can impact energy efficiency, albeit to a lesser extent than the 3 main factors. Below are the various types of frame materials and the pros and cons of each:

Aluminum

– Generally used in commercial applications, aluminum frames are the least energy efficient.

Wood

– Moderately energy efficient, wood frames require the most amount of maintenance due to deterioration from weathering. Expect to have to paint them often.

Vinyl

– Referred to as the Goldilocks of window frames, vinyl is the best value when considering its energy efficiency and durability.

Fiberglass

– Generally very expensive, fiberglass is the most energy efficient and available in the most amount of colors.

As tempting as it may be to buy common name brand windows from Anderson, Pella, or Marvin much of what you are paying for is the brand name. These windows can be twice as much as lesser-known window brands and, in reality, aren’t any better. Don’t get me wrong, these name brand windows can be great but you can get the same performance from a smaller brand for half of the price. After all, the only person who is going to know the brand of your window is you!

by clickandimprove.com

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Believe it or not, dust mites are everywhere. We hear about them, get disgusted by them, and swear they have not made a home in ours. The question is, have they? So, what are these nasty crawlers? They are microscopic, eight-legged, non-parasitic insect/creatures. Are you ready to get grossed out? Dust mites feed on human skin, bacteria, animal dander, pollen, fungi, to name a few. They thrive in high humidity (70 % and over). Have a tremendously dusty section in the house? Like under the sofa or bed? Have pets? They live mostly on dead human and pet skin. Beware….

The growing concern about dust mites is the allergic reaction many have to them, and do not even know it. General symptoms people on average have are allergies, not limited to respiratory issues (asthma), sneezing, itchy eyes, and eczema all associated with dust mites. Are you ready to get grossed out, again? The allergen associated with dust mites are their feces and surrounding body, which make up dust among other things, and because they are microscopic they become airborne almost immediately after the dust has been moved around during activities, like cleaning.

We shed about 1/5 ounce of dead skin each week. Did you know that? An average man or woman sheds about 600,000 particles of skin per hour, which is approximately 1.5 pounds (680 grams) per year. Using this figure, by the age of 70, a person will have lost 105 pounds (47.6 kilograms) of skin which is equivalent to two-thirds of their entire body weight, and because we spend one-third of our lives sleeping, dust mites are found on bedding and your mattress. Grossed out even more?

Things to do:

(1). Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum your carpets, even hardwood floors to get rid of dust mites. Consider vacuums with HEPA filters, they remove 99% of particles in the air.

(2). Have a cluttered house? An over cluttered space will increase in the collection of dust, which increase your chances with dust mites. Do the one year test. Have not used it, looked at it, toss.

(3). Use a wet microfiber cloth when cleaning surfaces. Microfiber cloths rule in dust pick up, and when wet prevent circulation when dust is disrupted.

(4). Wash your bedding on the regular. Remember we shed dead skin while we sleep. These crawlers find solace on pillowcases, bed sheets, blankets, and your favorite down comforters. The rule, wash in hot water and dry it the same. High intensity heat if done weekly will remove dust mites.

(5). Lower the humidity to 50. Studies have shown that air-conditioned homes have 10 times fewer dust mites.

(6). Looking for a new living room set? You may want to reconsider overstuffed furniture. Sure, they are undoubtedly stunning and comfortable. Give it a few weeks in the house or apartment and do the old fashion slam with the hand on one of the cushions. Need I say more?

by clickandimprove.com

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Do you have a slow drain issue in your bathroom or kitchen sink? Even after using the handy plunger? If you are like most, we hope that time will remedy the problem and miraculously drain away. Unfortunately, this problem left unattended can create a bigger issue over time and become an expensive job to repair. Before you reach the phone to call the super, plumber, take a run to the local store for Drano or some other toxic substance; try an environmentally friendly route first. You may already have what you need in your cabinet to combat this small problem. All you need is washcloth/rag, water, vinegar and baking soda. Are you ready for battle? You just might win this one if you caught the slow drain issue on time. So this is what you need to do:

STEP 1.Take a box of baking soda and pour ½ of it down the drain. Make sure not to combine this with any other chemical. You also want to do this dry. Do not water down the sink. Apply it as is down the drain in its powder form.

STEP 2. Next you want to take a ½ cup of vinegar and pour right after the baking soda. Be sure to have the washcloth or rag immediately ready to plug the hole in the sink. This needs to be done because the combination of the 2 substances will immediately cause an over flow of fizz, a chemical reaction similar to the eruption of a can of soda being opened after shaking it. You want the fizz to remain in the drain, not out.

STEP 3.Wait 30 minutes and boil some water, at least a ½ gallon.

STEP 4.Unplug the hole and slowly pour the boiling water down the drain. This method has been proven to be effective in pushing everything through the plumbing system. Letting the mixture sit longer will not remedy the problem any better. Vinegar is an ethanoic acid, and the baking soda acts as a base (sodium bicarbonate). When these two are combined, they will cause a fizzing reaction while forming carbon dioxide and a solution of the salt, sodium acetate.

Sometimes doing this experiment twice can be just as effective for good measure, but if it does not work and you still encounter a slow drain, make that call. Unless you are a true DIY kind of person, some repairs should be left to the experts. Be mindful of your limitations. Not doing it right the first time can be another expense you do not want to incur.