Tag: Windows

Categories
Doors & windows

The benefits of double glazed windows

Windows are definitely an item to take care of on your home construction or renovation list, and sooner or later, you will need to choose between single and double glazed windows. It is common knowledge that the latter insulates the home better, although it comes at a higher price. If you are wondering whether it is really worth investing in double glazed windows, the points listed below will help you make the right choice.

How do they work?

The reason that double glazed windows provide good insulation is the trapped air in the space maintained between the two glass panes. This air works in three ways, with the first being to reduce the transfer of hot or cold air between the outdoors and indoors of the home. It also prevents condensation within the home when the outdoor temperature is much colder than that inside. Further, double glazed windows keep all external noise out, thereby making your home more peaceful to live in.

It’s important to note that double glazed windows only provide insulation from hot air temperatures and not from radiant heat. This means that they are not capable of preventing the heat of the sun’s rays from entering your home. If you want to achieve this, you need to get your single or double glazed windows tinted with special UV light-blocking film.

Double glazed windows provide great insulation for bedrooms / Source: MacKenzie Lane Real Estate

The benefits of using double glazed windows

Some main benefits of double glazed windows are:

  • Energy efficiency: Double glazing adds to your home’s insulation, which in turn reduces your electricity accounts.
  • They reduce noise: This is done by reducing sound transmission via your windows by up to 70 per cent.
  • Ability to use a wider variety of window coverings: Glazed windows make it possible for you to use any type of window covering, as there is no need to prevent heat and cold from entering the home. You can opt for any covering, ranging from blinds and lightweight curtains to no blinds at all for those who want to keep their views unblocked.
  • Condensation reduction: double glazing lowers the condensation that usually forms on the interior of your window.
  • Improved security: Security is enhanced as denser glass is used with the conversion to double glazing. There is also an additional pane, which in turn, boosts safety. You can opt to improve security even further with a special glass that has been laminated.

Style and colour choices

Another great benefit is the fact that with these windows you have a variety of options that you can choose from. They are available in many styles including awning, casement, tilt and slide, and fixed.

Double glazed options for your doors

Double glazing is also a great option for glass doors. Double glazed front doors come with a range of options. From single doors and double doors to French doors, there are a variety of stylized doors for you to choose from. Another benefit of opting for a double glazed door is that they are available in traditional as well as modern styles enabling you to select a front door that fits in with the general theme of the rest of your home. 

Contact local window experts

Protective-coated windows

An alternative to double glazed windows is having protective-coated windows. Additionally, you can have a protective coating applied to you double glazed windows for extra insulation. This special coating blocks UV rays and heat to help keep your home cool in the summer, without having to kick on the air conditioner. The protective coating also keeps the heat from escaping your home during the winter so that you can keep your home warm without having to blast the heater 24/7.

There are two main types of special coatings that are applied to protective-coated windows, which are liquid coatings and e-glass coatings. Liquid coatings utilise nano-technology to make a virtually invisible but extremely durable coating that can be applied to any window.

The big advantage of protective coatings is that they can be applied to your existing windows, so you won’t have to spend money buying new glass.

E-glass protective coatings are special coatings that reflect UV rays and heat. Soft coat and hard coat e-glass protective coatings are available. Soft coats can only be used on double-glazed windows. Hard coats can be used on single or double-glazed windows.

The disadvantage to e-glass protective coated windows is that the coating has to be applied at the factory, so you will either have to purchase new window glass or remove your existing windows and send them to the factory to be coated.

Double glazing is a great option for glass doors / Source: S.F.D Caringbah

The price of double glazed windows 

With these benefits, though, comes the cost. Most people compare the price of double glazed windows to regular windows and think that the overall cost is too high. Although the initial installation is pricey, double glazed windows save you money over time because of their energy efficiency. The insulation keeps the warm/cool air inside during the colder/warmer months, which in turn allows you to use your heater and air conditioner less. With electricity bills only growing larger and larger, anything that you can do to stem the tide is worth it in the grand scheme of things. It’s much better to pay a little more now for double glazed windows than pay for your choice in the years to come if you decide not to install them.

Believe it or not, double glazed windows actually cover their own cost pretty quickly and not just where your energy bill is concerned. With double glazed windows, you won’t need heavy curtains (which are definitely expensive). You can opt for a lighter window treatment instead. Whatever your window needs are, double glazed windows are a sensible option for the overall cost and energy efficiency of your home.

Categories
Cleaning

The best way to clean windows

Windows can get dirty so easily. Cleaning them is simple enough, but there are a few tips and tricks you can learn to make them dazzling. Here’s what you need to know to do it yourself.

How to clean your windows

1. Wash the outside

For the exterior windows, start with the flyscreen if you have one. Doing this prevents your window from rapidly getting dirty again, since dirt and dust can build up from inside. Get rid of the cobwebs first by using a brush or a broom, then set aside. Then, wash your window down using a hose, soap and water or window cleaning agents.

After this is out of the way, it’s time to clean the windows themselves. There is a selection of glass cleaning agents and solutions you can pick from, or make your own from soap or vinegar and water. After cleaning one window, ensure that you dry it quickly with a cloth (make sure it’s lint free!) Once your windows look clean and dry from the outside, put the fly screens back on.

Windows need to be cleaned from both the inside and the outside / Source: S.F.D Caringbah

2. Wash from the inside

This is a simple but arduous task. It can take a bit of time, so be patient. The best way to start is with the frames, which you should sweep with a duster or indoor brush. Follow this up with soap and water to make sure all dust and cobwebs are gone. Once the frames are clean, move to the glass. Like the outside windows, you can use soap and water, a specialised window cleaning agent or vinegar and water. All of these work pretty well.

Once you have wiped down the glass, dry it quickly with a cloth to prevent streaks, wet spots and marks that will mean you have to start the wiping process from scratch. Dont forget to dry the frames!

Cleaning your windows with vinegar

White vinegar can also be used as a great tool for cleaning, but can cause streaking if you’re using it on a window that has been cleaned with a commercial cleaning solution before. To prevent streaks, mix a solution of water, white vinegar and a touch of liquid detergen to wipe your windows down with. After this, use a mix of water and white vinegar solution on your windows to get them sparkling. You can dry them with a lint free cloth, but paper towels and newspapers also work well. After doing this, your windows can be cleaned with the vinegar and water solution regularly.

Cleaning roller blinds

If you have roller blinds in your home, you know that they are practical, easy to use, and elegant, but they do get dirty over time. They are not always the easiest thing to clean either. It is possible to clean them if you know how, or if you can turn to a professional for help with your specific needs.

Determine the material

Before you can get started with cleaning roller blinds, you need to determine the specific type of material it’s made of. Depending on the material, you may need to spot clean them. In other cases, you will be able to wash them. If you are not sure what the material is, it is best to ask a professional before getting started.

Source: Australia’s Cheapest Blinds

Washing your roller blinds

In many cases, it is possible to wash your roller blinds, including those made with fabric. In this case, you will need to start by vacuuming to remove as much debris as possible from the surface. Then remove the blind from the roller, lay the blind down and use a brush attachment for your vacuum to help further clean up the dust and dirt from the surface. If necessary, you can then place the blind into a large water container, such as in a bathtub, and allow the water and some mild detergent to gently work over it. Meanwhile, allow the blind to soak in a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. This will loosen any dust or dirt and will allow you to use a cloth to wipe it clean. For stains, use use a toothbrush.

Once the blind is clean, you can drain the water and then fill it again with clean, fresh water. This will allow all of the soap to come out of the blind. Once you have completely washed it, lay it on a flat surface to dry and allow to fully dry before reattaching to the roller.

Contact local window cleaners

Tips for spot cleaning

Sometimes you may not be able to wash a roller blind. In this case, you can spot clean it to remove visible dirt.This is the safest and easiest way to clean non-washable blinds.Vacuum the blind first, then create a solution of laundry detergent and warm water to use to wipe off debris. You will want to use a sponge or toothbrush to tackle problem areas. You do not want to wet the entire blind, but work on just those areas necessary. Remember to spot test before you tackle the whole blind in case the cleaning solution discolours it.

Categories
Automotive

A guide to car window tinting

Have you seen cars with tinted windows and thought it would be a good idea to try it yourself? If you want to do it right, there are certain things that you need to have in mind, and it needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. There’s nothing worse for your car’s aesthetic than doing a bad tint job. If it results in a streak of bubbles between the window and the translucent film that is the tint, you’re in trouble. Here, we’ll go through what to take into consideration when opting for car window tinting.

Look out for bubbles

It is essential that your view is clear. So, if your tint job results in big bubbles all over the place, it certainly won’t do. However, even very small bubbles can create distortion. This is why you need to find a professional for the job, as they will make sure that the risk of them appearing is minimised. Also, if you opt for a low-quality tint, it will take about six months for bubbles to form, as the adhesive that holds the tint will begin to break.

Source: Tintacar Victoria Park

A dark shade doesn’t necessarily mean top quality

You must keep in mind that the fact that a tint is dark doesn’t necessarily mean that it does the best job of blocking heat or providing UV protection. When your car is in the sun, put one hand behind the window and the other in the sun in order to tell the difference. Generally it is true that the darker the tint is, the better it will reduce heat, but there are solutions such as high-quality ceramic tints and spectrally-selective tints that can do an even better job. This basically means that a lighter shade of something of high-quality can work better than a darker shade of something cheap.

Know your local tint laws

How dark your window tint can be really depends on where you live. Do some research and find out which country or state laws for car window tinting apply where you are located. For example, Oneflare’s car window tinting experts point out that Australia has strict laws when it comes to this. Make sure that the professional installing the window tint on your car knows these laws. If you install window tint that is way too dark, you may end up being fined and wasting money on removing the tint and getting another one that is appropriate.

Contact local car window tinting experts

Tint the windshield

Applying a very light tint to the windshield is allowed in most places. This is where you should also check local laws. If it’s legal in your location, make sure you do it. It’s the largest size window on your car, so if you tint everything else and leave it uncovered, it will kind of defeat the purpose of tinting in the first place. This is the case where you should apply the previously mentioned high-quality tints that aren’t necessarily as dark.

Avoid purple

When your tint goes purple, it means that it has aged to the point that it has lost its protective properties and that it needs to be replaced. It’s most common with tint made out of cheap materials, as they simply start to break down.

Tinting your car is a fancy way of making a statement, and also an essential aspect of protecting the inside of your car from the negative effects of the sun. Make sure that you keep these points in mind when getting your tint job. Also, it’s far better that you get a professional to do it for you than to do it yourself.

Categories
Doors & windows

Roller shutters: How do they work?

Roller shutters are the ideal way to protect your home from elements such as extreme and cold, excessive noise and intruders. Home security is an issue that every homeowner should address. It is important to keep the house safe at all times, not just because there are expensive belongings inside, but also because your loved ones are there. Having roller shutters at home can be a good form of home security.

What are roller shutters?

A roller shutter is a type of shutter that is permanently mounted above a window or door. The shutter can be rolled down when desired or left up to let air and light into the house. Most roller shutters are made of metal, most commonly aluminium or steel. They’re comprised of slats, which control how much the shutter closes, and can be painted any colour to match your home décor.

Roller shutters are available in manual and motorised varieties, usually operated from within the home. Manual roller shutters are operated using a manual winder crank, and motorised roller shutters are operated using a control panel or remote control.

Source: All Star

Electric roller shutters

These roller shutters have a small motor that allows you to open and close them through the push of a button. You can also opt for those models that use solar energy or those that are wired to your electrical supply. Electric roller shutters are operated using a panel or remote control. There are even others that can be automated, which makes them convenient for you and your family to operate. It’s easy for you to close and open them when needed and from wherever you are in the house. Automatic roller shutters with sensors can close and open automatically, depending on the time of the day.

Electric roller shutters are more expensive and can be difficult to install. However, they last longer and are quite durable. Note, for electric roller shutters you will need an electrician to wire them up.

Manual roller shutter

With manual roller shutters, you have to open and close them by yourself. They have a winder that allows you to adjust them as needed. These are preferred by many homeowners because they are cost-effective and easy to install. It’s also easy to fix and troubleshoot rollers when there’s a problem. Manual roller shutters are more affordable and can provide the same protection as electric ones. This can be useful in securing windows and smaller doors that are exposed to many passersby since you can easily purchase a shutter for every house opening.

The only drawback to manual shutters is that you have to go to every shutter to open and close it. This may be a bit of a hassle and can take time since you need to open them every morning and close it at night.

Solar-powered roller shutters

For a more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly option, choose solar powered roller shutters. Solar-powered roller shutters operate totally separate from mains power and get their power from the sun. The solar power is generated by solar panels on the roller shutters, which convert solar energy into electricity which is then stored in a battery. If your roller shutters are located in an area that is away from the sun, you might have to install two or more solar panels. Usually, you will only need a single solar panel to operate the shutter.

The battery of a solar powered roller shutter powers a motor which in turn operates the shutter. By simply hitting a button on a remote control, the shutter can be raised and lowered as per your need. These roller shutters work exactly like electric or automated shutters in this respect. Thus a solar-powered roller shutter gives you the same functionality of an electric roller shutter at a fraction of the operating cost. There is only an initial cost that you will incur when installing the solar panels.

The advantages of using roller shutters

Roller shutters provide many benefits over other types of window coverings. The main benefits are:

Security

Roller shutters add a layer of security to your home. The shutters are made out of strong material and are tightly fitted against windows and doors. When the roller shutters are closed, people cannot see into your home, and intruders cannot easily pull the shutters off your windows or doors which means they often act as a deterrent to potential thieves.

Source: pcwiz

Insulation

Most roller shutters are built with a layer of insulation, which helps keep your home from getting too hot or too cold. Roller shutters can block up to 90 percent of heat from escaping or entering your home, which is useful in both summer and winter weather. Rollers shutters also block up to 50 percent of the outside cold from entering your home.

Insulated roller shutters block noise, in addition to temperature, which helps keep outside noise from entering your home. So, your house will be a more comfortable temperature and peacefully quiet.

Weather protection

Roller shutters protect your home during windy and stormy weather. If branches or other debris break your window or door glass, the roller shutters will prevent broken glass, debris and water from entering your home. During fire season, rolling shutters can deflect burning embers to help prevent your house from catching fire.

Versatility

Roller shutters offer you choices and options. Open them up a little or a lot to control how much light enters your home. Do you want to sleep in during the day? Leave your roller shutters closed to keep the inside of your home nice and dark.

Do you want to allow air into your home, while still maintaining your privacy? Open your windows, but only crack the shutters to allow air in and to keep prying eyes out.

Categories
Doors & windows

Why should you apply home window tinting?

Who says only car windows can be tinted? Home window tinting is now a popular trend among homeowners and interior decorators – and not just for aesthetic purposes. Also called ‘solar window film’, window tinting your home by applying specially designed film sheets to the interior side of your glass windows has several benefits.

The benefits of home window tinting

1. Protect you & your family

The primary purpose of tinted windows at home is to protect you and your family from direct sunlight and harmful UV rays. At certain times of the day, sunlight causes more harm to the skin, which, as you may already know, may cause premature aging or even skin cancer. Window tinting helps deflect harmful UV rays by up to 99%. This is good news, especially to those who may have children or family members with extremely sensitive skin. You can easily have fun in the sun – but outdoors. Inside the home, you should be spared of sun exposure as much as possible.

A protective film not only helps combat harmful UV rays in your home – it can offer protection against hurricanes, tropical storms, bomb blasts, projectiles, break-ins, and more.

2. Protect your home

To those unfamiliar with home window tinting, it may come as a surprise that tinting home windows protect your house and your furniture as well. Sunlight is one of the many natural elements that cause the deterioration of home furniture like drapes, blinds, and the carpet. Window tinting effectively absorbs up to 70% of solar heat that will otherwise make its way into your home and onto your material possessions. This way, your furniture is bound to last much longer.

Beyond prolonging the life of your upholstery, window tinting also offers a measure of privacy for your home that can assist with security concerns.

3. Save on electricity

Another significant benefit of tinting your windows at home is for the environment. Believe it or not, tinted windows can quickly help you save up on electricity bills. As tinted windows absorb heat and deflect light, your house will be relatively cooler on the inside as compared to when you did not have window tints.

In fact, it can reduce the amount of heat that enters the home by up to 80 percent, helping you maintain a comfortable temperature – and cut back on expensive, carbon-producing air conditioning.

Applying home window tinting

Keep in mind that there are various products available. Some products are completely clear, which makes it possible to maintain the beautiful view of your home. Other products are opaque and help reduce heat transfer, while also adding privacy to your home. Consider which option is right for you, keeping in mind that there are numerous options.

In order to get the most out of the use of window tinting, it is often best to turn to a professional service for these needs. The company will work with you to determine what your needs are for this type of product. They will tell you if it is a good idea for your glass, what types are available, and how much it will cost. You can then make the decision to install it or not.