Replacing Windows to Improve Energy Efficiency

Do you live in the Knoxville Tennessee area and are wondering what you can do to improve energy efficiency in your home? Windows are a primary area for energy loss and even if you cannot afford total replacement, there are things you can do to minimize the loss. Here are a few tips for weatherizing your windows to improve energy efficiency and save money.

Weather Stripping

Depending on what type of window you are dealing with, you may be able to cut out a lot of energy loss by applying weather stripping. These are thin foam sheets backed with an adhesive that can be cut and formed to the edge you are covering, which is typically the bottom edge of the window or inside the window frame where the window meets the sash. This type of weatherization is fairly easily done and unless you have, hundreds of windows will not require the assistance of a Knoxville window contractor.

Caulking

Windows with several smaller panes are common in older homes and doors. Each window is generally held in place by caulking and sometimes wooden trim. Problems arise as your home ages and the caulk begins to chip away or shrink. Caulking can also help fill any stationary cracks or holes in and around your window. Before applying new caulking it is important to thoroughly clean the affected area, sometimes this means scraping peeling paint as well. Once the area is free of debris or loose paint clean the area with soapy water and allow it to dry completely before applying new caulk.

Plastic Sheeting

There are situations where even your best efforts fail to completely seal a window, and if you are not quite ready to hire a Knoxville window contractor, you still need a way to stop the energy loss. Plastic sheeting is a great temporary solution, especially during the cold winter months. Home improvement stores and even big box retailers usually carry the equipment you will need which includes staple gun, staples, plastic and perhaps weather stripping. A really nice alternative is clear as glass plastic, it is applied with double-sided tape and you then use a hair dryer to pull the plastic taut. The end result is plastic so clear you cannot even tell it is there.

Replacement Options

If you are in a situation where the only answer is replacement or you are just ready to modernize the home, there are several great energy efficient products on the market. This is a big project, but one that will make the biggest difference in the value of your home and its energy efficiency. Work with a local Knoxville window contractor to determine the best replacement options for your needs, home design and wallet!

Final Thoughts

You would never go to an open window and through your hard-earned money into the wind, yet that is exactly what you are doing when you have energy losses. There are many ways you can address the issue, both temporary and permanent fixes, so why live with energy loss anymore? When you are ready to remodel, remember the only thing worse than needing replacement windows is having new windows improperly installed. Call a Knoxville window contractor today for more information.

Planned Sunroom Installation For An Entertaining Parlor

Before the decision to have a sunroom installed on your property is made, American home owners commonly want to have a justified reason for the sunroom's finished use. When considering the list of purposes that your finished sunroom might serve, don't forget to keep the entertaining parlor in mind! As your Nashville windows specialists, know all about the need to give your sunroom a purpose other than simply being a sunny spot to enjoy in your home.

Before you consider your sunroom installation, you need to think about how often you entertain guests, and how nice the option of an entertaining parlor would be. The sunroom itself would be a wide area, either attached to the home or detached and sitting on your property, where you could entertain guests by the dozens.

When you let your Nashville windows experts know that you want an entertainment parlor, the very design of the sunroom will reflect your decision. A wide, open area will be constructed, with bright, sunny windows and ceiling panels to let in plenty of light for your guests to see by. You could also include an opening area that can be slid back and held open, a sliding panel style door, which would lead into an outside entertainment area. This would permit the party to take place both outside and inside at once.

Your Nashville windows experts have seen plenty of entertainment parlor sunrooms before. For your family's personal use, this wide area will provide plenty of natural light for reading and relaxation. Add in a few comfortable chairs and a table or two, and your children can do their homework by the sun's natural illumination, helping to keep the family's electrical bill down.

In its natural state, your sunroom will provide your everyday guests with a sunny, bright place to sit and talk for a while. An exterior entrance can even allow you to bypass the home if it is terribly messy, allowing your guest to walk through your garden and into the relaxing sunroom area. Here, you can serve cold drinks from a small included kitchen or bar area, and relax in the sunlight with your company.

For the larger entertainment needs, the sheer size of the sunroom comes into play. Since your Nashville windows experts knew your plans for the sunroom from the start, it won't be difficult to transform your regular sitting area into a party zone. Simply move the chairs to the side of the room and position the tables so that the food is served on them at one end of the sunroom. Instantly, your sunroom installation takes on a dual purpose that your party guests will love.

Finally, for enjoying those starry evenings, or just for staying dry when it rains on your party plans, your sunroom will serve your guests well by making sure that it's never too stormy to party at your house.