House Design News
| Kick up Your Home’s Comfort With Three DIY Projects Posted: 11 Feb 2014 11:35 AM PST 
Your home is your private oasis away from the world where you can rest and relax. Because of this, it is understandable that you would want to do what you can to create a more relaxing home environment. There are a few different projects that you can tackle on your own that will help you to improve your home's comfort in a number of ways, and these are some ideas. Install Blackout Curtains in the Bedrooms
One rather easy and affordable project that you can get started with right away involves installing blackout curtains in the bedrooms. Whether your window faces the east where the sun rises or not, the early morning sunlight can prevent you from sleeping in or even sleeping comfortably past sunrise. Many people love the early morning sunlight, but with blackout curtains, you will be able to control when you see the sunrise. This is a great way to ensure that your home's bedrooms provide you with a relaxing environment that promotes restful sleep. Improve Your Roof
If your roof is damaged in any way, its overall ability to maintain the interior of your property at a comfortable temperature may be hindered. Making small repairs as needed to the roof may be an easy project for more skilled do-it-yourself enthusiasts to tackle. However, if the roof is significantly damaged, has a steep incline or is elevated high off the ground, using the services of a roofing company may be a better option. Install Dimmer Switches
Installing dimmer switches in certain rooms of the house can be a pleasant improvement that you will love, and it can also help you to reduce your home's energy costs over time. These switches can be purchased at any home improvement store, and they are relatively easy to install. They can help you to control the amount of light that is provided from overhead lights, and they are most useful in rooms like bedrooms, dining rooms, media or TV rooms and other similar rooms where full lighting may not always be desirable. Making improvements to your home may be a great way to improve the comfort level of your home, and each of these projects can help you in significant ways. Take time to consider how these improvements may improve your home's comfort level, and take action to implement these changes soon. Creating a more comfortable environment in your home is a great way to ensure that you love relaxing at home. Author Bio
Hayley is a home improvement blogger and former roofing company consultant.  |
| Helpful Hints for Replacing Your Garage Door Posted: 10 Feb 2014 11:34 PM PST 
With seven out of 10 Americans using the garage door as their primary entrance to the house, choosing the correct replacement door is a decision that should be carefully considered. The type of door, the material of the door, the reason for replacement, as well as the cost should all be considered when purchasing a new garage door. There are many reasons why garage doors are replaced. Some reasons include:
• It does not properly operate
• It presents as a hazard to the users
• It does not offer the desired level of security
• It does not offer the convenience of a keypad
• It does not enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home Whatever the reason for replacement, there are several options the individual should consider. Garage doors come in wood, steel, aluminum, and sometimes a combination of different materials. In addition, they come in 4 basic styles: swing out, swing up, roll up, and slide to the side. Wooden Garage Doors
Wooden doors offer the greatest customization; they can be painted or stained in any color desired. They are very beautiful, offering an aesthetic appeal other materials can only pretend to imitate. The downside, though, is that they are often expensive and they require upkeep; they must be refinished and repainted often. Steel Garage Doors
Steel doors, while not as beautiful to some homeowners, are durable and require little maintenance. They are relatively inexpensive and, to help alleviate some scratches and dents that may occur, there is the option of a fiberglass overlay. A fiberglass overlay will help prevent scratches and dents form marring the surface of the door; however, the overlay will require maintenance in the form of repainting or re-staining, since the color will fade over time. When purchasing a steel door it is important to remember that the smaller the gauge, the stronger the door: a 24 gauge door will be stronger than a 27 gauge door. Aluminum Garage Doors
Aluminum doors offer a rugged look, which is also rustproof. In addition, because they are very light they are suitable for use on an extra-wide double door. They don’t require much maintenance but they are expensive—sometimes as much as $10,000. Multiple Material Garage Doors
Some doors are made of multiple materials, often to lower the price. Such doors include lightweight wooden frames that are packed with foam insulation and enclosed in a hardboard or plywood skin. Other combination doors include those with an aluminum frame that surround high-density polyethylene panels.  |
