Door hinges come in many forms and made from many different substances. A shiny new set of hinges on a freshly painted door can make a world of difference when sprucing up an old door!

Fallow these helpful tips on how to put on new door hinges:

1. Do you intend to get new hinges similar in size and make of the old hinges? Will the new hinges be able to fit into the existing holes in the door? If not, you will need to make arrangements for having new holes drilled.

2. Once you have brought your new hinges home from the store, line up the new hinges with the existing holes. Use a pencil to mark lightly where the new hinges will be attached, both on the new door and on the doorframe where the door will hang.

3. Stand the door up to be sure that your hole drawings are in the proper locations before drilling the new holes.

4. Drill the new holes in both the doors and in the door frame where the hinge will attach to the building.

5. Screw in all of the hinge hardware, being sure that the hinge is in an acceptable location.

6. Add the final pin that attaches the door portion of the hinge to the wall portion, and be certain that the door swings freely when open and closed.

7. Lubricate the hinge before finishing the job.

Below are some tips on how to install a new screen spline:

1. Remove the old screen and screen spline from the “spline channel;”  pry the old screen spline and screen out of the “spline channel” with a small screwdriver, taking special care to pull the old spline gently so as not to hurt the screen frame  or spline channel while doing so. Applying excessive force to the frame may cause it to bend if metal, or break, if wood and plastic.

2. Have the new screen precut, with a 1”  overlap to enable you to install the new screen along with the new spline in the spline channel.

3. Insert the new spline carefully into the spline channel along with the new screen, again gently using a small screwdriver to insert materials into the channel.

4. Repeat this along all sides of the screen, taking special care with the corners of the frame to enable the screen and spline to be inserted smoothly.

5. When you have finished, trim any additional spline material using a sharp utility knife and trimming along the frame side of the screen.

Follow these quick and easy steps to install your own replacement door screens:

1. With a tape measure, measure the space to be covered with the new screen material. While many types of screen may easily be repaired, there are certain types which must be fully replaced instead. If the old screen material is available, measure that as well to get a more accurate computation of the amount of screen required.

2. Allow for at least 1 inch of extra screen on all four sides; this overlap will be the screen that is actually attached to the screen’s frame. If you have too much, it can be easily trimmed; too little will mean buying an entirely new piece of screen! Err on the side of too much! Having to trim off a little extra is far easier and cheaper than buying a whole new piece of screen.

3. Most screens stretch over a frame, usually the screen’s molding, that is then pressed into or attached to the door for a tight fitting screen.

4.Staple or tack the screen to the frame to ensure that it is tight and firm.

5. Be sure that the frame itself fits snugly back into the door.

6. Similar steps are used for metal screens. Snap the screen frame free of the door. Cover the frame with overlapping screen as you would for the wood frame. Snap the metal frame back into place. Follow these 5 tips to repair your screen door.

By following these simple steps you can clean your mini-blinds in no time at all and without any worries.

1. Remove the curtains carefully from the window.  You will want to make sure that you save every piece that you remove while taking down the blinds.

2. Place the blinds in the bathtub and run hot water over them.

3. Add any type of household cleaner and let sit for approximately five to ten minutes. If your blinds have any color besides white for the string, do not use bleach.

4. Begin to wipe the blinds using only your hands.  You will use your hands because you know exactly how much pressure you are applying and therefore your mini-blinds will be less likely to break.

5. Drain the water from your bathtub and begin to rinse the blinds with semi-warm water.

6. Place the blinds outside to dry, and leave them there for a half hour.

After completing these steps you can then put back up your mini-blinds.  Be careful not to break any of the blinds and to use all of the pieces that you removed when taking the blinds down.  Your blinds should look as good as new.

The process of cleaning windows will depend on the type of window that is in your home, but normally the procedure is the same. When cleaning your windows these three simple steps should be followed.

1. Gather the cleaning products you choose to use on your windows.  Some people choose to use a window cleaner and an old newspaper.  Using a newspaper is an old fashioned way of cleaning windows however it is found to be very effective.  If you choose not to use a newspaper any type of towel will do the same job.

2.  Tilt the windows so that you can see both sides of the window to clean them properly.  The newer windows will have a latch that you can pull in, however the old windows may have to completely come out.  No matter what the process, make both sides of the window visible and accessible to clean.

3. Spray the windows with the cleaner of your choice, and wipe with the newspaper or towel.  To prevent streaking you should move in circular motions, applying the same amount of pressure.  When finished place the windows back in place and start on the next.

By following these simple steps you can clean your windows with little trouble.   It is important to know that cleaning windows does not always have to be a long procedure; it can take just a few minutes of your time.

Here are some simple tips on how to repair your screen door: 

1. Be sure to ascertain how the original screen was attached. Is the original frame wooden, with the screen nailed or stretched into place, or metal, and stretched and screwed into place?

2. Measure the original piece of screen and how large the piece was, and how much overlap must be provided to enable the screen to be fastened back to its frame.

3. Determine if any additional parts are required for the repair and have them on hand as you work.

4. Perform any incidental maintenance to the door that can be completed at the same time as the screen replacement.

5. Consider painting the door if  it has a wood frame; the effect will be to  have a completely new door once the door is repaired and painted with the new screen in place. 

The flexibility of a screen door at your home is a pleasant amenity and will permit you to enjoy beautiful weather from inside the house. Enjoy the beauty of summer days and cool nights through your screen door.

Here are a few tips on how to refurbish your cabinets cheaply, giving your kitchen a new breath of fresh air: 

1. Take down the cabinet facings—doors and drawers—and see what the kitchen cabinets really look like, to see what you have to work with.

2. Once you have ascertained the condition, you can decide whether or not to strip and stain the wood, or paint it to match your walls or accessories.

3. A popular new look in the kitchen is to paint the cabinet frames one color, and then the facings another contrasting color. Another popular look is to leave the facings off altogether, line the shelves with a bright shelf liner, and have open neat shelves to organize your kitchen contents.

4. If you have a really limited budget but still want to make a small change, change the knobs on the drawers or doors.

5. If your budget really limited, buy a preparation such as Liquid Gold or some type of wax and exert a little elbow grease to make the doors gleam like new. 

Rejuvenating the look of your kitchen can be done on the cheap or planned to use up some set aside savings. Play around with your options. See if the local paint store has a designer who can help you. Write down a number of your choices and their costs, and think about the various ideas before you act on them. Use your imagination and have fun with your new kitchen look!

Here are a few simple steps that can get you on your way to being a real do-it-yourselfer. 

1. It is very important to take an accurate measure of the old windows.  Take your tape measure and size them up!

2. You can then go to the home improvement store and pick out the windows that suite your needs and budget and give them the proper sizes.  You may want to subtract a quarter to half a quarter on each side of the window.  Older homes where not built the same as newer ones and this could make a difference in size.

3. Make certain that the opening for the new window is level and is a perfect square.  This will allow the new window to slide in easily.

4. Now, remove the old window and the existing frame.  It is important to remember how the older window was attached.  If the new one comes with a wooden frame, simply screw it into place.  If the home is made of another material, like brick, you will need some wood blocks around the window to securely screw it in place.  If you do not have the wood blocks, consider using shims.  This will help keep it properly in place.  It is easier to install in homes with vinyl siding.

5. You will need to make sure you have screws for this process and caulking for around the area to seal it from moisture.

This is a fairly simple process for anyone looking to improve the look of their home or just save some money on their energy bills!

1. Reduce heat gain by as much as 78%, increase comfort, and reduce utility bills by tinting windows.
2. Cut harsh glare without darkening your home.
3. Eliminate harmful UV rays by 99.9%. Preserve carpets, fabrics, furniture, and wood finishes by tinting windows.
4. Increase privacy from curious onlookers.
5. Shatter proof your glass to protect from flying glass during accidents or earthquakes by window tinting.

Why Window Film?

Ordinary window glass is inadequate to satisfy all our demands for high standards of performance in safety and security, privacy, comfort and visual appearance. Winter heat loss through glass is an expensive waste of energy, just as summer solar heat and glare through glass cause irritation and inefficiency and also increased air conditioning costs. Sunshine through ordinary glass causes UV fading of color pigments in everything from shop displays and furniture to works of art. Windows allow unwanted intrusion of privacy, whether by prying eyes or criminals, and glass is often the weak point attacked by vandals or burglars, or just damaged by storms. Window tinting is a primary solution to the above.

What Causes UV Fading?

Exposure to direct sunlight can cause many colored or painted materials to fade. Damage due to fading is caused by UV light, visible light, heat (including infrared light), artificial lighting indoors, humidity and poor dye anchorage. The first three cause about 90% of general fading. UV, visible light and heat all pass through ordinary glass and can cause expensive damage to goods and furnishings in offices, retail shops and museums. LLumar films are specially designed to help protect displayed objects in museums, shop windows and similar environments. They filter out at least 99% of the harmful UV, reject infrared heat, reduce visible light transmission and still leave a pleasantly lit environment. Window tinting will help.

Testimonial

I have a 3,900 square foot home in a very hot desert type of environment. I keep a constant temperature of 73 degrees. Before the window tinting the air conditioner compressor seemed like it was constantly cycling and my electric bill was $450 per month.  After the glass tinting, the electric bill was immediately cut in half.  With the money I save each month, the window tinting will have paid for itself within 1 year! Now that’s a great investment!

Mr. & Mrs. A
Murrieta California CA
Temecula Valley

1.)    You will find that skylights help to heat your home because they are letting natural sunlight in and warming up a room.

2.)    When houses are built really close together it might be really difficult to obtain privacy while letting in some light.  However, you will be able to achieve both of these things when you install a skylight.

3.)    Many people do not realize it, but skylights actually make a room look much lager than it actually is.  They can really lighten a space up and make it more enjoyable.

These are just a few of the advantages related to having a skylight.  You can place them in just about any room and they are sure to please.  Just be sure that they are installed by a professional so that you will not have problems with them in the future.  You may also want to determine if a warranty is included in the installation.

You may also want to consider a Solar Tube. A Solar Tube is a great way to go green with little cast. Solar Tubes work like skylights, however they Solar tube consists of a dome mounted on the roof of your home connected to tubing lined with highly reflective material. The light is reflected downward to a diffuser on your ceiling that resembles a light fixture. Having nature light is proven help both your mental health and your physical health. Another difference in a Solar Tube from a skylight is that Solar Tubes come in many different shapes and sizes.