10 Ways to lighten your Home Rooms

 It is said that home is not just a place. It is a feeling. Home owners put their heart and soul to make their house a home. Undoubtedly everyone likes bright rooms and having Vinyl Windows is one of the ways to have a well-lit and attractive home. To have a bright and luminous home, you need to brighten your rooms. There are innumerable ways to make your home rooms look luminous. You can buy Vinyl windows online. This is one way. There are several other ways as well. In this blog, we will discuss top 10 ways to lighten your home rooms. Without further ado, let us have look at these ways:

1. Change the color of your walls
First and foremost, if you have dark colors on the walls of your rooms, then ensure that you change the color to a lighter shade. Darker colors will make your rooms dull whereas a lighter color shade will make your rooms look brighter and lighter. As simple as that.

2. Use Mirrors
Making use of reflective materials like mirrors is a fantastic way to brighten your rooms. Mirrors will make your home rooms look bigger. By having mirrors, your rooms will appear brighter since they reflect light. Best way is to place a mirror across the window in your room.

3. Replacement Windows
You can brighten your rooms with Replacement Windows. Just by replacing your existing windows, you can easily make your rooms appear brighter. You can read more about replacement windows in detail in the following informative Wikipedia article: Replacement Window

These days you can Buy Replacement Windows Online without any fuss.

4. Clean your Windows
This may seem obvious. But, the fact is that your home can look bright and shiny by just cleaning the windows. Dust and dirt can make your home look dull. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to lighten up your home rooms. You don’t need to clean your windows.

5. Get rid of the Clutter
You won’t believe but your house will look much lighter and cleaner if you just put some effort in de-cluttering. Having a lot of things in your house makes it look dark and messy. By just sparing some time and effort to get rid of the clutter will make your home look neat and lighter.

6. Change Curtains
If you have heavy curtains, then it is advisable to replace them with light and transparent. Heavy and thick curtains block light. Lighter curtains allow light to enter into a room. This way your rooms will look radiant.

7. Lighten Floors
If you have a dark floor, then it is better to replace it with a lighter one. Or you can cover your dark floor with a rug or carpet of a lighter shade. This will instantly liven up your room.

8. White Ceiling
Paint your ceiling to white if you have a dark ceiling. Dark ceilings make rooms appear small and dull. Painting your ceiling white will immediately jazz up your rooms. Also, if you have wooden beams, make sure you also paint them to white.

9. Light Colored Accessories
Use light colored accessories in your home rooms so that they can look lighter. Have a glance at all your accessories and try to use light colored accessories.

10. Use Brighter Bulbs  
Change your light bulbs with LEDs and CFLs since they emit more light and will also save energy.

These are some of the ways to lighten your home rooms. If you decide to use Vinyl windows, then make sure that you buy them from a reputable Vinyl Windows Company. Many of these tips are easy to implement and inexpensive.

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Egress Windows: What you should know about basement windows

 Are you looking for extra space for your home and considering building out your basement? In that basement, do you want an in-case-of-emergency (ICE) exit for your home? Then you might want to consider installing one specific style window in your home basement, an egress.

What are those basement windows called again?

The basement windows in this article are also known as egress windows (egress meaning escape). Though egress windows will provide your basement with more light, making it the perfect extra space you with space you need for living, their primary purpose is safety. Simply, this type of window provides an escape route in case of an emergency, for example a fire or an earthquake.

Due to an increased number of fire incidents and disaster-based hazards at homes, it has become crucial for homeowners to design an escape route that caters to situations requiring a quick response in case of emergency. One of the most confined spaces in homes is the basement. With increased importance being given to safety these days, installing a safe window option, like egress windows, in a basement is crucial.

They also serve other purposes, such as becoming a source of ventilation for basements. There are a lot of things that you should keep in mind before getting your basement windows replaced or set up, the foremost being get the work done professionally.

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Why do you need basement windows? 

More than 4000 lives are lost every year due to fire hazards and incidents. Due to increasing fire incidents, leading to massive loss of lives throughout the world, importance has been placed on safety.

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If you are looking to refurbish your basement and make it residential, an egress window serves the purpose of making it more livable. Other advantages of egress windows are listed as follows:

More natural light and air circulation

In addition to providing the function of safety, basement windows also provide a source of natural light. They help in lighting up a drab space, which describes most basements. With an egress window, your basement won’t look as much like a basement anymore.

Because these windows open by design, they can be source of air circulation for the basement. This will add to the room’s livability.

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Safety first, and always

For a contingent option in case of any unforeseen event such as natural disasters or fire incidents, the basement becomes a place to refuge safely. Egress adds an added advantage for basements, making them more secure. With basement windows, you can rest well assured knowing that your family is safe with an ICE (in case of emergency) option installed at your home.

Increase in the property’s value

Whether you are looking for potential buyers for your property or not, you might want a better value for your home. Adding an egress window provides the opportunity for an additional bedroom in the basement. It also adds value to your property since not all properties on the market will have basement windows or other way to provide natural light or escape in an emergency. Also, a building that is in congruence with different building codes set by the municipality provides the advantage of attracting many potential buyers.

Protection from Flooding

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When it rains, it pours, and this affects our homes. When we face flooding or waterlogging issues, it is tricky to get the excess water out of the constricted spaces such as the basement. The last thing you want after spending the money to make a livable space in your basement is water, and if that happens, you need to get the water out fast. A basement window will help you remove the excess water quickly.

Comfortable and dry

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Basement windows help in providing a source of light and air in the basement. It helps in regulating the internal temperature of the room. It also protects your space from potential mold infestation and other related problems. It turns your basement into a room just like any other in your home.

Some standards you must follow to install an egress window.

You must conduct a thorough evaluation of the building to create an egress or basement window that specifically works for your building type. It is where height, width, length, and other specifications come into play.

Incorrect measurements lead to faulty designs that can turn out to be expensive.

Before you commence your basement window project, you must adhere to some guidelines that are also part of the building regulations set forth by your municipality, such as:

• It should be of a minimum 3.8 feet (1.16 m) height with 15 inches (ca. 38 cm) width.
• It should easily be accessible. Open and close functionality should be simple and easy to use.  
• Bars (if any) must be accessible from inside without any additional knowledge.
• The window should be in a manner such that one can escape safely without any obstructions, for example, a glass panel that might be obstructing.
• If you are installing window wells for your egress windows, they should be at least 44 inches (1.12 m) in depth or more. There must be a space of 22 inches (0.56 m) between the basement window and window well.
• There should be a provision for a ladder, preferably at least 12 inches wide. It should be three inches away from the wall, and its steps distanced not more than 18 inches. 

This is a job for a professional

An egress window is not just a regular window that anyone with the right tools can install because its installation is not easy. There is a decent amount of expertise needed to install an egress window as a solution for your home basement needs.

Before you start planning on extending your window, it is wise to seek consultancy from Window Liquidators’ engineers. They will guide you depending on the building codes set by your municipality.

There are aspects of basement windows that only an experienced engineer can solve. These include calculation of structural loads, conducting an audit of the basement’s moisture profile. These can cause severe problems in the future if left unattended.

For extending the window area, you need consultation of different contractors for getting the work successfully done. It is important that you get them coordinated on the same day (for example concrete cutting and basement windows installation) to save both money and your valuable time.

You can read more about egress and other kinds of windows here.

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The Wonder World of Window Shutters

 Add charm to your windows with shutters!

Adding window shutters to the exterior of your home adds an element of beauty to your home. They are pretty simple to build, affordable to buy, and provide a fresh look to your house. Whether you create them from scratch or buy them, window shutters have options and styles that suit any home. Not only to they look good, exterior shutters have many additional perks, like offering an extra layer of protection to your windows, keeping your home safe during storms.

Window shutters come in various designs and styles. So, before you start building or shopping for shutters, let us review all the options available in outdoor shutters for windows.

Louvered Shutters

Source: Louvered Shutters

Louvered shutters are one of the favorite styles among window shutters. They are built from even and overlapping slats lined up into a frame parted by a center guide rail that gives it a traditional look. The size of the slats can be chosen to suit your preference. When closed these slats block the light from entering the room while letting the air pass through, and when open they give your home’s exterior windows an attractive frame.

Raised Panel Shutters

Source: Raised Panel Shutters

The raised panel shutters give an appealing look to the house. As their name implies, they have a raised panel in their structure, and they actually resemble a wooden door. When closed this design totally blocks the outer sunlight, which makes them an excellent pick for the summer season.

If you are a plant lover, raised panel shutters are ideal for you. Window boxes attached to a raised panel shutter give an authentic look to a Cape Cod or Colonial-style home.

Board and Batten Shutters

Source: Board and Batten Shutters

Board and batten shutters are among the most versatile shutter styles that complement a traditional home exterior. They are built from several individual vertical boards linked together by shorter horizontal pieces of woods or battens. These battens are fixed on both sides and meet in the middle when the shutter is closed.

Even though the board and batten shutters’ design might appear pretty simple, these shutters are very durable.

Plantation Shutters

Source: U.S. Verticals Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are a modern window covering offering privacy, sun protection, and style to your home. This style is preferred for its easy maintenance and superior look.

The crucial thing about these shutters is that the slats are flexible, which allows you to decide the amount of light entering your room. As the slats are adjustable, you can close them in stormy weather and also enjoy the fresh and energetic breeze of the morning. The slats are available in different materials. Plantation shutters are in high demand today, though you also see them on historic homes found in New Orleans and Key West.

Cut-Out Shutters

Source: Cut-out Shutters

One of the styles which became very popular in the 1920s is the cut-out shutters. They come with a cut-out design. The impressive characteristic of the cut-out designs is their flexible design. The cut-outs in these shutters are available in many different shapes so you can make a choice, according to your taste. Cut-out shutters are purely decorative; otherwise, they are just a plain shutter and not very functional.

Hurricane Shutters

Hurricane shutters are explicitly built to prevent the windows from breaking during a hurricane or other major weather event because of flying trash, violent winds, heavy rainfall or hail. They are usually built of a panel to guard the entire window. They can be made from various materials, including fabric, steel, aluminum, plywood, etc.

Scandinavian Shutters

Source: Scandinavian Shutter

Scandinavian shutters are beautiful, unique and rarely seen. These shutter designs somewhat resemble both cut-out shutters and board and batten shutters. Their structure is like board and batten shutters, which makes them long-lasting. However, their decorative elaborate designs make them like cut-out shutters. Scandinavian shutters are available in many cut-out designs and bright colors, which makes a unique decor element and can add personality to a home’s exterior.

Bahamas Shutters

Source: Bahamas Shutters

Bahamas shutters are identical to louvered shutters as they have similar slats that prevent the light and wind. Rather than connected to the joints at the sides, Bahama shutters are fixed at the top of the window. They are opened and closed by pushing them out and pulling them in, respectively.

These shutters are sturdy and close instantly, especially in case of powerful winds. Their durability and ease of use are why they are so often seen in tropical regions that face both the blazing sun as well as storms.

Installing Exterior Shutters

Adding shutters to your windows can boost the curb appeal of your house in no time. Window shutters not only look great, but they are also pretty straightforward to install. To begin installing exterior window shutters, start with gathering needed tools and materials.

• Window Shutters
• Screws
• Level
• Drill
• Ladder
• Paint for touch up

Remember: Additional tools and materials may be required as per your shutter style and window location.

Following are the steps for exterior shutter installation:

When choosing the shutters for your home, size matters. The wrong size shutters can ruin the look of your windows, so check the shutters visually against your home’s exterior before installing. Then carefully measure and mark for installation and install your shutters.

Follow these steps:

• Temporarily hold one shutter in the position where it is to be installed. Line it up next to your window and adjust it a bit where it seems the best.

• After holding the shutters in the precise position, mark the position of your screws from the screw holes of the shutter with a pen or pencil.
  • NOTE: If your shutter does not contain the screw holes, remove it after marking the screw position and place it horizontally on a table or sawhorses. Now, use a drill and dig four or six holes on each side of the shutter as marked.

• Drill some pilot holes on the marked positions of the screw holes.

• Now put up the shutter with the screws this time but do not tighten them.

• With the help of a level, check the edge of the shutter and adjust the final position. Now, tighten the screws. 
  • NOTE: If the screws do not tighten down firmly, put some anchors or plugs to tighten them.

Repeat the process for the other shutter, and you’re done. Give yourself a pat on your back!

Additional Tips:

• Be careful while installing the shutters on heights with ladders. 
• Wear a tool belt for your safety when you go up for work.
• Please ensure the shutters are secured properly because they need to stay in place during powerful winds and storms.
• For heavy shutters, use three-inch stainless-steel screws with a star driver head.

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Vinyl Windows and Doors: Enhance Your Home’s Beauty

 Windows and doors are important design elements of any home. They are not just products; they are a part of our home that brings the beauty of nature inside, while protecting it from the outer elements. Ask any homeowner what they love about their home, and their answers would usually include its location and views. Many residents choose to live in a smaller home if the home has a magnificent view. Choosing the right windows and doors for your home enhances both its physical appearance and the view of its surroundings.

When building a new home or renovating an old one, the material of the windows and doors is one of the most vital decisions because it influences both the style and energy-efficiency of your home.

Technology is transforming the world of interiors with some leading-edge discoveries. Vinyl, which is a polymer consisting of polyvinyl chloride, is a versatile innovation of the modern world. It is available in stylish, fresh designs and in a wide variety of shades for doors and windows for use in homes and offices. Vinyl windows and doors present great design options because of their pleasing appearance and minimal maintenance.

How to Choose the Best Doors and Windows

The days where you had to choose between beauty and efficiency are long gone. With the significant product line expansion in the door and window industry, now there are a truckload of options. You can scan through countless catalogs until you find the ideal solution, which caters to your every need.

If you need stylish doors and windows that are also durable, vinyl doors and windows are best in class. Vinyl doors and windows make an excellent first impression on people, even before they enter your home. Due to their high-quality, timeless appeal and energy-efficiency, they are a favorite among home builders, interior designers and homeowners alike.

Why has the demand for vinyl windows and doors grown significantly in recent years? Our guide offers necessary information to answer that question.

Light Up Your Home with Vinyl Windows and Doors

Here’s what makes vinyl doors and windows a good fit for your home.

• Easy Installation and Maintenance

Vinyl Windows and Doors require very little maintenance. They are weathertight, rigid and easy to install. Also, these products never chip, fade or rust, and only require occasional cleaning with a simple foam wash.

• Durability

The vinyl material makes these products long-lasting and flexible, when compared to other door and window types. Vinyl doors and windows resist pests and corrosion, plus they’re built to withstand any harsh climatic changes and last for a longer time than most without dropping their shape.

• Well-Insulated

Vinyl doors and windows provide remarkable thermal insulation that helps you lessen your electricity bills. Moreover, these products offer outstanding insulation against noise pollution, which is highly preferable for houses near roadways, harbors, airports, etc.

• Style

Another popular benefit of vinyl windows and doors is they give a touch of elegance to the interior of your home. They are available in a variety of designs, vibrant colors, trendy styles and sizes. They come in diverse options that match the vibe of every home.

• Safety

Who does not wish to build a safe space for their family? In terms of safety, vinyl windows and doors are more secure. The frames are put together with galvanized steel, which makes it tough to break or damage. In addition to this, it is water-resistant, chemical proof, pollution resistant and naturally fire-proof.

• Price

And as if all of those other properties aren’t enough, vinyl doors and windows prove cost-effective, as compared to traditional wooden or aluminum doors and windows.

Stylish Vinyl Windows and Doors Choices

Sliding Doors and Windows

Source: Sliding Doors and Windows

Browse as many catalogs as you want, but you would not find anything more perfect than sliding vinyl doors and windows.

Vinyl sliding doors are available in a number of designs and shapes. They add more beauty to your home, and their use seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living spaces. Choosing these doors made of vinyl helps them stand up to the elements, which prolongs their attractiveness and use.

Vinyl sliding windows are one of the best design options for limited spaces; thus, people living in small apartments can profit from it. Its superior insulation is a unique solution for your safety, security and maintains a peaceful ambience in houses. These windows have panels where one panel slides behind the other. The vinyl sliding sash window prices are also entirely legitimate, given its advantages and features.

Casement Windows and Doors

Source: Casement Windows

Casement vinyl windows and doors are known for their durability and security. They have one or more joints that connect to the frame and are much easier to use than other window types. Also, they offer a classic outside view and let in a lot of natural light.

The vinyl colors do not fade, and the casement window design blocks rainwater and prevents any contraction or expansion of the frame, even with variations in temperature. Casement vinyl doors and windows can be customized by design, color and pattern with many choices at affordable prices.

Tilt and Turn Windows

Source: Tilt and Turn Windows

Tilt and Turn Windows offer a combination of comfort and security. They are becoming immensely popular with homeowners. The classic style of the window gives it an aesthetically pleasing appeal and makes it an ideal choice for modern homes.

Other than aesthetics, the tilt and turn windows have the advantage of being easy to clean and providing some added security to your home. To clean tilt and turn windows is easy because you can quickly bring the outside pane in. The security advantage of having these windows is that the style limits how far one can open a window.

Bay Windows

Source: Bay Window

The bay window is a combination of three or more windows, which are projected outwards from the main wall, forming a bay in a room. This type of window gives a touch of elegance to the entire room. Bay windows are preferred by those who want a broader view of the outside and wish to let in more natural light.

They are known for their functionality and are one of the most advanced window styles in interior design. Today, designers have come up with drop-dead gorgeous bay window styles, like square, polygon, semi-octagonal, semi-hexagonal, etc.

Choosing the Right Vinyl Windows and Doors

Are you still looking for beautiful vinyl doors and windows for your dream home? Well, your search ends here. At Windows Liquidators, we combine our knowledge with top-notch door and window materials to offer the combination of beauty and functionality. To ensure customer satisfaction, we take care of everything from the consultation to the selection process, and then through the final installation. We hope you’ll contact us today for more information.

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Choosing the Right Window by Room

 Windows are the ultimate source of natural light and fresh air for a house, giving it life and enhancing its visual appeal at the same time. Rooms without properly placed windows may feel like dull and stuffy chambers. Windows are not just a traditional requirements in a house, on the contrary, any house is incomplete without them.

While the casement type windows were the only choice for a long time, window choices have now evolved. Depending on the type and size of a room, you get many window designs from which to choose, finding the best one to serve the purpose. But with an abundance of choice, can come a dilemma of being overwhelmed! Not to worry, we have crafted a list of best window types for different rooms in a house to help.

Living room

• Bay windows

The name bay window is derived from the French word ‘baee’, which means an opening. Bay windows are designed to angle out beyond the exterior wall and to offer individuality to a house. They are a combination of 3 or more windows, which can be of the same or different sizes. Together, they create a square, hexagonal or octagonal shape.

Adding an overhead light and club chairs in the window area, placing a couch to face the window, or positioning a large furniture piece on the opposite wall are some great ideas to implement in a living room with bay windows. It also offers the perfect space to build a window seat that is guaranteed to be a favorite lounging spot.

Source: Nimvo

• Picture windows

A picture window is generally a large, fixed-pane window. Designed to give you a vast and clear view, these windows act as a frame for the outside scenery. If you have a garden or if you reside in a high-rise apartment, a picture window would offer an amazing view.

If you love the idea of a picture window, consider keeping furniture of the same height at right angles in the room space. This would balance the room and provide great contrast to the furniture.

Kitchen

• Double hung windows

Double hung windows are quite popular for the kitchen. With various size variants, they offer 100% control over the air circulation as you can open them an inch or all the way from the top or the bottom. And it is so easy to open them without creating any obstructions! Over the kitchen sink or the counters are some of the right places for double hung windows.

• Sliding patio door

If there is enough space available in the kitchen, then why not! A sliding patio door enhances the incoming natural light and fresh air making the kitchen lively. It would not only elevate the look of the kitchen but also add more character to it. Plus, this is not only a window to the outside, but a door.

Source: Simonton Windows

Bedroom

• Casement windows

It is a type of window with single or multiple fringes attached on the side and is permanently mounted. Casement windows open like a door and hence provide excellent safety. Depending on the preference and room size, you can choose a medium or large sized window, but it will certainly provide good air circulation and great views.

Source: Norandex

• Double hung windows

If we talk about the most common type of windows for a bedroom, we need to mention double hung windows. Traditional double hung windows are a great choice for the bedroom where they are easy to operate and to clean as they tilt in. Also, the ability to open both the upper and lower sash provides better ventilation to your bedroom.

Bathroom

• Awning windows

Awning windows are the ones which have a hinge on the top and opens from the bottom sash. Since it opens away from the main frame, it provides the biggest advantage for bathroom placement. Without being worried about the weather, you can open the windows to improve air circulation. Specially for the bathroom, privacy glass can be used in the window, which would allow light to enter but prevent visibility.

• Skylight window

Installing a skylight window did go out of style a few years ago but they have already made a comeback! How can one resist the view of the sky, warmth of the sun and the great amount of light? For privacy concerns, internal glazed partitions can be installed to check the visibility. This window is the right choice if a conventional window does not fit in the bathroom.

Source: EBOSS

Walk in closet

• Hopper windows

The best way to efficiently utilize compact spaces for a window is to have a hopper window. Hopper windows open from the top and generally can be moved all the way to 180 degrees. Since we are talking about a closet here, the opening structure of hopper windows prevent dirt from entering the inside space due to its structure and design.

• Sliding windows

Keeping the space in mind, sliding windows are another great option for a walk in closet. Since the one half of the windows slides overtop of the other half for opening it, there is no hindrance caused in opening or closing it. Sliding windows come in large as well as small sizes with two or more than two sashes. A small or medium sliding window with two sashes could be an ideal choice for a closet.

Source: Caroline on Design

Finally, your choice of window type for each room of your home comes down to room size, furniture and, most importantly, your design and use preferences. The above list should come in handy for making an informed and quick decision.

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