Why You Should Consider PVCu For Exterior Home Doors And Replacement Windows

Exterior home doors and replacement windows are among the larger home improvement projects that you can undertake. There are several options to be considered when it comes to remodelling, such as stained glass panels in exterior doors, double glass windows and vinyl patio doors. Home improvement articles provide much of the information you need to undertake such a major home improvement scheme. Before you begin to remodel, it is worth finding out about some of the advantages and disadvantages of different types and materials of exterior home doors and replacement windows.

PVCu and vinyl are popular choices when it comes to selecting materials for replacement windows and exterior home doors. That’s because they have several properties that will reduce home maintenance and improve efficiency. When you install vinyl windows or double glass windows as your house windows, you improve insulation in the house and cut down on heat loss. This means your central heating system will be much more effective. You can get similar insulation from weathertight front entry doors.

With exterior home doors of PVC or vinyl, you can be sure that once the doors are shut properly you will not be affected by rain or snow. These doors are much better than timber doors for keeping the weather firmly out. Like double glazed replacement windows, vinyl exterior home doors have a central membrane and lock tight mechanism that forms a tight seal which will last for decades. This material has unparalleled insulation properties. In city centre locations the right kind of PVCu replacement windows can reduce traffic noise, which is useful if your street is a main thoroughfare.

Although uPVC doors and windows may not be exciting to look at, don’t let this stop you from using them for your home improvement projects. There is a wide range of finishes for exterior doors and replacement windows, which can give your home a touch of style as well as providing warmth. With many exterior doors PVCu is no barrier to beauty and there are countless door designs that incorporate beautiful stained glass panels. The stained glass designs can range from simple to ornate and will suit many tastes. This is a good alternative to the plain vinyl door as it will let some light into the house. You can also consider exterior doors with frosted panels down the side. Again, this is a way of increasing light flow into the house.

Another major advantage of uPVC exterior home doors and replacement windows is that they have very secure locking mechanisms. Some incorporate Yale locks, while others have their own locks. With both doors and windows, twisting the handle helps to secure the lock in place. Many vinyl windows have an additional feature to improve air flow: the ability to lock the window in a slightly ajar position. This gives the best of both worlds, allowing home owners to have both security and comfort.

With security, style, comfort and savings on heating bills, it makes sense to consider PVCu exterior doors and replacement windows when starting a home improvement project. These will enhance the v

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off

Common Causes and Solutions for Concrete Settlement

If a home has a sunken sidewalk, steps, porch or patio, or driveway, it is likely caused by one or two very common factors: water runoff from the roof, and poor soil, such as clay or top soil. Addressing the cause of the sinking, as well as having concrete raising done, are a cost-effective way to solve the problem and save the homeowner money in the long run.

Many homeowners do not realize how much water comes off a roof during even a mild rain; it can actually be gallons! A home with improper water run off, such as a lack of gutters or downspouts, can begin to display sinking concrete and even a wet basement.

To help fix the problem and prevent further damage, we advise clients to bury downspouts in a way that directs water away from the home. Installing proper gutters and a solid drain pipe in the ground, then connecting the downspouts to that pipe, gives the water from your roof a place to drain, leaving your concrete, landscaping, and basement safe and dry. This is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair.

Once the cause is fixed (if a fix is possible), then a homeowner can have the hazardous concrete raised back up, which not only prevents further problems, but also repairs the aesthetics of the home.

Concrete raising (also called concrete lifting, or commonly, mud-jacking) is a cost-effective way to raise a home’s sunken concrete back to its original grade. A matrix of holes is drilled in the desired sections of concrete and a slurry (or concrete-like liquid) is pumped down under the slab. The slurry fills the void, forces the concrete back up to grade, and supports it. Afterwards, the drilled holes are patched inconspicuously with concrete and the job is complete.

Many homeowners, who are not aware of this mud-jacking process or the cause of sunken concrete, will replace the concrete without repairing the cause of the settlement. The new concrete will settle just as the old did because the true problem was not addressed, and in most cases, the cost of replacement is double the price of an effective repair! However, resolving the cause of the settlement and raising the concrete is a combination that assures a long-lasting and cost-effective repair.

Call Kent Home services to schedule a visit to your home and pr

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off