Renew My Home - A Home Improvement Blog

Photo by: boydiz

            Spring is in full swing and it is time to make your house a little brighter.  Below are a few quick tips to transform the outside and inside of your house to fit the season.

Exterior

The outside of your home is a visitor’s first impression of you. It can generate a reputation for you throughout your neighborhood, friends and family. Landscaping, lights, decorations and pops of color can turn an ordinary exterior into a house to remember.

Landscaping

Landscaping can be time consuming and costly, depending on the tasks that you take on. But, simple yard maintenance such as, trimming the hedges, spreading new mulch, and fertilizing your lawn, can go a long way.  

Planting perennial flowers and blooming trees are also a great way to add a pop of color to your front yard. Blooming trees can be an expensive addition, but in the future it can be a green way to keep your house cooler, providing shade from the sun.

Lighting and Accessories

Homeowners can change the feeling and overall style of their house just by adding new lighting fixtures, changing house numbers, a Renewal by Andersen of Central PA door, and even wind chimes or bird feeders.

If your style is more modern or you lean towards traditional, adding color with your front door is a great way to show it. Once your front door is chosen, you can accent it with new house numbers in numerous finishes and colors.

Choosing the right patio furniture with cushions and accent pillows can be an exciting task that can add personality to the front of your home. There are several materials that are available in different price ranges, such as wicker, wood, and recycled material.

House numbers, potted plants, doormats, mailboxes, wind chimes, and bird feeders are accessories a lot of homeowners seem to push to the side. Each of these can be changed to fit your style and to make a living space on the outside of your home that you are proud to show off. Things such as hummingbird feeders, painted or framed house numbers in bright colors or patterns, and even timber or cork doormats to welcome your guests. With the growing popularity of sites like Pinterest, there are even DIY projects to make all your own personal touches cheaper than you can find them in stores or online.

Interior

            Just because of the gorgeous weather outside, doesn’t mean we should forget to add a little Spring and Summer to the inside of your home.

Fixtures

Painting is the number one way to add a little color to your house in a big way. But, with vacations, spring sports, picnics and just enjoying the beautiful weather, a lot of us don’t have that much time on our hands. So take a look around, are the fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms needing some TLC? Changing out the hardware on your cabinets, fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen sink, or even just your accent towels in either room can give these rooms a breath of fresh air.

Lighting is also something that can be changed on any budget. If you don’t have much money to spend, changing the lamp shades or even making your own are beautiful touches. Homeowners are looking to be more energy efficient going into the summer, so adding ceiling fans or changing old ones can help with keeping your rooms cool without cranking up the air conditioning.  

Windows and Coverings

Windows are a major culprit in losing energy efficiency, but can also be used to add to your personal style. Always keep an eye on your windows and losing cool air out of them. If that is happening, it is time to call Renewal by Andersen of Central PA to get our experts out to your house to take a look!

Window coverings should be changed with each season. Room darkening shades can keep your room cool, adding plantation blinds can add a more natural feeling to any room, or brand new curtains or hardware to hang them on. This can be done on a budget and it will help with your Spring cleaning.

No matter, how big or small your budget, make sure you take advantage of the beautiful spring weather, and make some improvements to your home that can make both the interior and exterior of your home brighter and more welcoming.

The transition from winter to spring is one that brings change and the need for some bright colors and new beginnings. No matter how mild our winter has been so far in Central Pennsylvania, you can still do some minor changes with a little bit of paint.

Painting different surfaces is a challenge for any homeowner. There are multiple steps to painting every surface, but each step is detailed and different depending on what you are painting. So, to help homeowners, below is a list of the multiple surfaces that you can paint to bring a little color into your life, as well as the different supplies, prep and tips.

Brick

To prep brick for painting, scrub with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or muriatic acid, rinse with vinegar. The muriatic acid can remove dirt and grime and you should rinse with 2 tablespoons of baking soda per gallon of water.

Apply a masonry sealer and depending on how big the area is, you can use a brush or sprayer. To apply paint to the surface, you can use a long-nap roller and then use a brush to get the paint into the grout line and crevices. If you are painting exterior brick, look into elastomeric paint. It is designed to expand and contrast, so it can hold up against all types of weather and outdoor conditions.

Always make sure that you are ready for a permanent change when painting brick. Removing the paint can cause a lot of damage. Also, wait at least 30 days before painting newly installed brick.

Concrete

To prep concrete, scrub with TSP and then bleach solution. Look at the concrete carefully, make sure to repair all the cracks and degrease the oily spots. Etch surface with a 10 percent solution of muriatic acid and water.

The best way to paint concrete is to use a roller to apply a sealer. Once that is dry, apply two or 3 coats of paint. If using to paint garage floors, look into an epoxy paint because it is impervious to oil and stains.

Glass

To prep, use the instructions from the paint manufacturers. Depending on the type of project you are doing, choose the paint accordingly. Some instructions include washing the glass with soapy water or brushing with surface conditioner.

You can buy a 2 ounce bottle of paint or small spray paint for smaller projects and each bottle will have the instructions on applying the paint and how to finish it. If you are unsure of which paint to buy, test multiple paints on inexpensive glass vases.

Painted or Varnished Wood

To prep, remove dirt or wax buildup with a high-strength household cleaner and then rinse completely. If you are working with a glossy surface, use 150 grit sandpaper, then wipe with a damp rag to remove residue. Patch all holes with spackling, sand smooth and let dry.

Coat the entire surface with a stain-blocking primer; let dry. For the topcoat, use a self-leveling latex paint in matte, satin, or semi gloss. If using in the basement, use paint with a mildewcide. If it is wood paneling, use a brush to cover grooves and a roller to spread the paint. Alternate brush and roller so the paint doesn’t dry and leave edges. Make sure to wash the finished product with a mild household detergent when needed.

For more surfaces and tips, check out www.BHG.com/DIYpaintanything

We here at Renewal by Andersen of Central PA would like to take this opportunity to thank those people responsible for our continued success-YOU!

 Your trust in us, our windows and our workmanship has allowed us to have a wonderful year and we couldn’t go let it go unnoticed. Because of your unwavering support, we have decided to pay it forward. It is the season of giving and we are giving back to those who have sacrificed everything and to a special family who is in need.

We are looking for your help in collecting cell phones for soldiers. We will then send them out to be recycled and turned into calling cards for those soldiers who are deployed during the holidays. Any of your old cell phones or accessories would go towards the brave men and women protecting our country. For more information, click here.

We have also adopted a family through the Salvation Army. The family we adopted this year consists of a single mom of two young boys, ages 2 and an infant. They need our help to make this holiday a great one! We are asking for donations of food, clothing, toys or money to add to the donations collected throughout the company. All of our donations will be dropped off to the family on December 22nd.

Not only is this the most wonderful time of the year because of the holiday celebrations, but all of us at Renewal by Andersen of Central PA are celebrating for a different reason! We have selected the winners of our $25,000 window and door makeover. The Walter Family from Harrisburg, PA won a complete makeover for their home to include any combination of our windows and doors. They chose their windows, we ordered them and installed them and they couldn’t be happier.

Don’t forget to enter to win a $10,000 makeover for your home next year!

Photo by P Keigan

Most homeowners prepare for spring cleaning every year, but many do not know the same rules apply when preparing for winter. Leading up to autumn, many people spend time outside or with their windows open enjoying the weather. However, this could track a lot of dirt and allergens into the house that you may not be able to see. Here is a checklist of chores you should do around the house, to make sure this winter is a warm and comfortable one for you and your family.

Outside

It is important to keep the cool air out and the warm air in during the cold Pennsylvania winters

Store patio furniture, umbrellas and summer toys. Drain all outside hoses or water lines.

Check caulking around all windows and doors, and if you need any help, you can call Renewal by Andersen to get tips.

Install weather stripping on garage doors or any other doors that do not close tightly

Check all gutters and downspouts. Make sure to clean out any leaves or other debris and since Central Pennsylvania is prone to ice, heating cables can be installed to prevent ice build-up.

Check for cracks and holes in siding or outside paint.

Rake up the leaves that fall. They can prevent your lawn from getting the sunlight it needs during the winter months.

Check roof and chimneys for any birds’ nests or other animals and insects to prevent any damage they can cause.

Trim all trees and shrubs near the home.

Inside

Since the cold air will stay out with the above checklist, here is a checklist for the warm and cozy home!

Clean from top to bottom, vacuuming drapes, window sills, window wells, couches and furniture, baseboards and the floor.

Look into getting all carpets cleaned throughout the house.

Flip your mattress then clean all bedding including pillows and mattress pads.

Clean and organize your kitchen to get ready for the holidays and entertaining.

Check all filters and appliances throughout the house, including dryer vent, stove hood, room fans and furnace. Stock up on any filter that should be changed before turning on the heat.

Check vents in attic, it should remain open year-round.

Clean the fireplace of all ash and soot.

Check all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Replace any batteries or broken safety equipment.

For more tips and checklists, check out Organized Home

In honor of the school year starting again, I thought it would be a good idea to share a project that I saw on Whatever. It is a fun back to school project that is inexpensive and can involve your children. All you need is a piece of canvas, hot glue gun, Crayola crayons and a hair dryer! Although it calls for canvas, we used a piece of poster board. It still worked just as well, but I believe the canvas keeps the colors a little neater as they melt down.

Organize the crayons to the color scheme you want. I bought 120 crayons because of the size of board that I have in the office.  Although I included all the crayons in the box, I was considering doing this project again to include only blues and grays to match my son’s room.

Once you are able to organize the crayons, you can start gluing them onto the board or canvas. Make sure to use Crayola crayons,  the others crayons do not melt as nicely if at all.

Here is the fun part!! Use the blow dryer to move down the crayons little by little. Once they start warming, they will look glossy and then start melting.

On the poster board, the wax did not move very far down the paper. So I had to use the hair dryer to warm it again and move it where I wanted.

Final product! The canvas will be easier to hang but this one is going up in my office as a successful art project that I can use with my son. Happy Autumn and back to school! I hope that you enjoy this project also and if you do try it, don’t forget to share pictures.

Picture by: Care_SMC

With the heat wave that hit Central Pennsylvania in July, a lot of homeowners are just now getting their energy bills. I’m pretty sure my face was the same as all of yours….shock! So, that started my research on more energy efficient, or “green”, ways to stay cool. I have put together some of the best and most practical tips and explanations that I could find on the internet in one place for you. Most of the tips will not make you change your entire way of life, just get you to the more green side of life one step at a time. Hope you find it just as helpful as I did and hopefully, I will be able to give you the same kind of tips for this winter when the time comes!

I can break down the following tips into kitchen, indoor, outdoor and general health and diet:

Kitchen

• Turn off appliances that give off heat including lights, computers, gaming systems, and surround sound.

• If possible, do not use the stove top or oven. If you must use the stove top, make sure the pilot light is turned down so it does not give off too much heat.

• Use outdoor cooking as much as possible, grill is the best option, but you can also look into solar ovens.

• Instead of using the dishwasher, which can give off hot steam, try air drying your dishes. It may take more time but won’t raise the temperature of your kitchen.

Indoor

• Try to stay on the lower floors of your house since heat rises.

o If still uncomfortable, lie on your stone or tile floor.

o During my ROI blog, I found that finished basements are valuable. But especially during hot summer months since you can set up sleeping quarters there and stay cooler.

• Open opposite facing windows at night to support air circulation. During the day, keep them closed and shut thermal curtains and window coverings to keep heat out in the summer.

• Install an attic fan. Since most of the heat comes through the roof, this will help get the hot air out before it reaches the rest of the house.

• If desperate enough, drench a sheet or curtain in cold water and hand over open windows. It creates a cooler breeze.

• Fans are essential to being more green. Install ceiling fans properly or place fans in open windows. Make sure if they are adjacent windows, that one is cooling the air coming in and one is taking hot air out.

• Program your thermostat to 78. This will use the minimum amount of electricity and will still keep your house cool enough.

Outdoor

• Do your double green duty and plant large trees outside your house to create more shade in the summer and help block wind in the winter.

• Try using bamboo mats for outside chairs, they look great and work well in higher temperatures.

Health and Diet

• Make sure the fridge and freezer are stocked with water bottles.

• Eat small, light meals instead of heavy ones and incorporate high water-content fruits and veggies.

• When heading to the fridge, know what you are looking for and do not stand with the door open. Although it will cool you for a moment, it will use up a lot of energy.

• Eat spicier foods! Sounds a little strange, but spicy foods make you sweat but do not raise your body temperature. Once your skin is damp with sweat, it is cooled while it evaporates.

• Take a cold shower. It will cool your body temperature as well as make your skin and hair more radiant looking. It also stimulates circulation and closes pores.

• After your cold shower, skip the lotion and use aloe vera. Once it is spread, it has a very cooling effect.

• In between showers, use a spray bottle to wet your skin at your pulse points, especially the wrists and allow a fan to blow on it.

• And finally, change your wardrobe! Wear a lot of pure cotton and linen. Those fabrics are much more breathable than synthetic ones.

I hope these tips helped you as much as they did for me at my house so that next month a smile forms on your face instead of shock.

Photo by: USDAgov

 With moving into a new home myself, our first concern is to make sure that no air or water can get in or out. RBA windows take care of window leaking for water and heating and cooling problems. However, water leaking is always a concern whether you rent or own because it can cause damage to your belongings and could potentially cause dangerous mold.

There are different areas in your house to waterproof. Basements are a huge part of the potential problem, as well as, foundation, and exterior waterproofing, such as a deck and all doorways and windows if they are older.  

Basement/Foundation  

•  Common causes of a wet basement: foundation problems/water seepage, leaking pipes, problematic gutters/plants. Make sure to check all possibilities
• Foundation should be free from any water pooling. Check all areas around the house and next time it rains, take a walk outside.
• Make sure the foundation of your house slopes away from the walls. Adding dirt to this is always helpful, but should still be at least 6 inches below the sill plate.
• Dehumidifiers work wonders in some basements that get moist, but on the outside there are products on the market that can form a protection when painted on cinder block.
• Sump pumps may be needed in extreme cases.
• Check for any rust spots and holes in the gutters and that they are clean. Make sure downspouts are not allowing water to pool and shoot water at least 5 feet away from the house.
•  A pipe leaking is a serious problem that you will have to call a professional to check on it. 

Deck/Exterior

• If you are thinking of building and do not currently have a deck, I suggest applying a water proofing product to the wood before you start.
• This will allow the product to get on every side of the wood and not just on top and you can buy it with anti-mildew also.
•  If deck already exists, CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! Always make sure you are waterproofing a clean deck and allow drying for a number of days.
• You can spray or paint waterproofing products onto the wood, and can have a tint to it if you want to change the color.
•  Don’t forget to always maintain. If water is no longer beading up on the deck, it is time to re-do.
• For other outdoor surfaces, such as doors and windows, make sure all the sealants do not have cracks and if they do, apply caulk, which you can smooth with your finger, and allow drying for 24 hours.
• Look at all vent and flashing. You make also need to replace the caulking if it is cracked where it meets the roof.

Hope this gives you your first step to water proofing your home. If there was a leak already in the house from the rain storms the last few months, make sure to check for mold growing. There are many types of mold that can cause serious health problems for people and animals in the house. Make sure to have all equipment and safety material before starting any project. 

For more information on water-proofing, click here.

Renewal by Andersen realizes that deciding on when to replace your old windows is not an easy decision to make. There are many reasons why you would hesitate and postpone the work. That is why RBA has put together a list of ten reasons you should install new windows.

1.  Your old windows look unattractive and make your home look outdated.

2.  Your old windows have leaks and are drafty.

3.  Your old windows have become difficult to open and close.

4.  New windows will lower your monthly energy bills.

5.  New windows will offer improved energy efficiency.

6.  New windows will improve the curb appeal of your home.

7.  New windows will add to your home’s value.

8.  New windows have great low maintenance features – no painting or fading.

9.  New windows are actually easy to clean because of their tilt in features.

10.  Your purchase will qualify for the new 2011 federal tax credit.

Renewal by Andersen replacement windows are the right choice for your home. We offer a start-to-finish replacement process, starting with a personal design consultation. Your custom-crafted, energy-efficient replacement windows are professionally installed with your utmost satisfaction guaranteed.

Original post:

http://www.findreplacementwindows.com/blog/2011/03/31/ten-reasons-why-you-should-replace-your-old-windows/

Renewal by Andersen of Central PA prides itself in having one of the best teams around. Any person that comes to your home from RBA Central PA has been extensively trained and tested on the product as well as customer service. But, if you haven’t contacted us for your window replacements yet or are looking to do work somewhere else in the house, RBA would still like to give you a few pointers on what to look out for when choosing the company you welcome into your home.

Here are a few major points that you should look into whether you are doing specialty projects or hiring a contractor:

• Company History: Research the company or contractor you are choosing. Make sure they have a long history in the community or a stable business background. Especially in the recovering economy, you have to protect yourself from the possibility of hiring someone that will go out of business.

• Read Reviews: Even if they come highly recommended to you, make sure you seek out other reviews online. Utilize websites like Yelp, Better Business Bureau and Facebook to see other people’s opinions. You can also ask for company references of past jobs they have done and you should actually call them!

• Ask for Identification: Whenever someone comes to your door and claims they are representing the company you are working with, always ask for identification. Reputable businesses and representatives will always be able to provide this with no problem. Know the people that you are inviting in and if you do live alone, try not to broadcast it to whoever they are.

• Ask Questions! Your home is tied to your emotions and you need to feel comfortable with someone working inside or on it. Know as much as you can about the overall process of the home improvement and make sure you ask any questions you have before they start. Also, feel free to watch the work being done and ask questions along the way.

• Obtain Written Contract: After given a quote or scheduled the work, make sure it is in writing! There should be no surprise costs and events. You should have a hard copy of how much you paid, will pay, and what product you have ordered. Installation dates may depend on ordering from the company or anything specially made but they should be able to give you a rough estimate. An informed customer is a welcome customer for reputable companies!

• Quality of Product:  Most people debate the difference between the products you receive from companies and contractors and ones you can pick up at your local home improvement store. Before buying anything, make sure you know the difference between each of the products that are offered and which has the higher quality and will fit your home better. RBA of Central PA sells a very high quality window that you cannot get anywhere else.

• Trained Installers: The final step in any project is the installation. Another difference between companies and home improvement stores is the training of the installers. RBA’s installers are specially trained in our own windows and doors and most of the home improvement stores have men or women who do not have a specialty, just general knowledge on many things.  Although they may be able to get the job done, I always feel better to have trained professionals working on my home

We do hope that these tips help you on your next home improvement project and if it happens to be Renewal by Andersen windows, we welcome any questions or research you have done. Good luck!