Windows

Top Security Tips for Your Home

The rate at which burglaries happen these days is quite shocking, with the FBI reporting that over 1 million homes were broken into in 2017 alone. As a result, window repair has become a major concern for homeowners, with the most important measures being preventative ones that are meant to stop theft and break-ins.

However, you need to put in place really efficient measures in order to secure your home, and we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to help you do just that.

Securing Exterior Doors

Surprisingly enough, the main point of entry used by most burglars is the front door. Yep! They typically look for weak points in your front door that they can exploit, such as fragile hinges, a flimsy handle or lockset, as well as the strength of the door’s frame, jamb etc. French doors and sliding patio doors are the worst when it comes to safety. Luckily for you, we’ve got some good tips on how to secure your doors for much better protection.   

For one, install a strong deadbolt lock, which is much more reliable than your normal spring-latch lock that’s easy to pick. Then, fit your exterior doors with armor kits to reinforce the weaker parts of your doors. For sliding doors, we recommend installing auxiliary locks like security bars, loop locks or vertical bolt locks, and fit your French doors with a security bar to make them more impenetrable. You should also look into replacing the hinges on your doors for sturdier ones that won’t break easily when the door is kicked down.

Securing Windows

Place security film on your windows and glass doors so that they’re harder to break. If you’re looking to buy new windows altogether in a bid to increase window cleaning, opt for acrylic windows or reinforced (laminated or tempered) glass, as both options are almost impossible to break without applying some serious force.

Multiple glass panes are also a good idea, as is adding window bars and window locks, which are available in a wide variety of options for different types of windows. Plus they’re really inexpensive, which is great if you’re upgrading home security on a budget.  

Securing Your Garage

When burglars fail to enter your home the old fashioned way (through doors and windows), they may attempt to break in through your garage, because it’s often the most overlooked area in terms of window installation, and they know it.

To prevent burglars from gaining entry to your home via the garage door, make sure to take the garage openers with you instead of leaving them in the car, as that’s the first place a thief is most likely to look for them.

You should also secure the emergency release in your garage doors by putting up a barrier between the actual release and the top of the door. Invest in garage door sensors if you haven’t already, because not only will they alert you when your garage door is opened by activating your motion sensor lights, but they’ll also close the door automatically if it’s been left open for too long.

Make Your Home Look Occupied

Make sure the lights in your house are on even when you’re not around. You can do this by putting your strategically placed outdoor lamps and indoor lights on a timer so that they go on at different times to make it look as though there are people moving around and using different rooms in the house.

You can also switch your TV or radio on remotely, and make sure that they’re playing at a moderate volume to create the illusion of being at home. Leave your blinds and curtains open so that your neighbors or the police are able to see what’s going on from the outside if they need to.

Windows

How to Apply Window Tint

The quality and appearance of installed window tint depend on more than just the price of the film you’re using. Proper window repair application requires that you keep in mind the type of window that you’re working with, as well as the type of window tint film, because different types of film require a unique application.  

Here are a few tips on how to successfully apply window tint:

Preparation

First, you should give your window a thorough scrub down with whatever tools you typically use to clean them. Once dry, measure them carefully so that you know how much film is required for each. The following step is to cut the film, making sure to add an extra ¾ to every inch of the window you measured so that there’s extra film on each side of the window. Next, you have to expose the adhesive coating of the film, ensuring that the adhesive coating is kept separate from the protective liner. This way you can prevent the film from getting damaged.

Applying the Window Film

Now you’re ready to apply the film. Prepare the window by spraying a type of wetting solution to loosen the adhesive and then carefully start installing the window cleaning onto the window. For a really smooth finish without any wrinkles or bubbles, flatten the tint onto the window using a squeegee. You can also apply a wetting solution on top for a really flawless look.

Then trim off the edges to get rid of any excess film that may be peeking out from the sides so that the window looks consistent on all sides. Once you’re done, you have to allow the window tint to cure. This process usually takes anything from several days to even a month, depending on the type of product used.

Pros and Cons of DIY Window Tint Installation

Applying window tint by yourself has many benefits, but also a few disadvantages as well.

Pros – DIY window tint application is definitely more cost effective than calling a professional to do it for you.  Typically, professionals charge $35 for every square foot of the window on which the tint is being applied. The cost can escalate even higher when installing other forms of highly specialized window tint film, which often require professional expertise in order to be installed in any case. On the other hand, a basic DIY window tint application usually costs about $1 for every square foot of the window, saving you a whopping $34 on every ¾ inch!

Cons – On the downside, installing your own window installation means that you’ll be limited in terms of the type of film that you can apply, because a wide range of window tint film brands can only be purchased from professional installers, with the catch being that you won’t be able to install it yourself, and you will have to pay an installer to do it for you.

The good news is that if you’re planning on installing really basic window tint, then you can do it yourself because it’s quite a simple process, and we’ve provided you with all the tips you’ll need to get this job done right.

Windows

Why You Should Clean Outside Windows?

No one likes to do external window cleaning. However, ignoring the build-up of dirt and grime accumulating on your windows is definitely not a good idea, because not only will it turn your home into an unsightly place but it will also do a lot of damage to your windows. If you’re still not convinced, then maybe you should check out what happens when you leave your windows dirty for too long.

Benefits

 

You Will Enjoy the View

 

There’s nothing worse than looking out of your window and having to squint your eyes in order to make out if that dot is a faraway object or just a stain on the glass. Clean windows will give you a perfect view on the outside world.

 

Easier to Clean in the Future

 

Regular window installation will make it easier to clean them moving forward because there will be no stubborn dirt and grime build up to deal with. Effectively, it’ll take less and less time for you to clean the windows.

 

Improved Curb Appeal

 

When your home looks good, it improves the image of the neighborhood in which you live, which is why curb appeal is important to maintain throughout the year, even if you’re not planning on selling your house. Also, a house with dirty windows often ends up looking uninhabited and it causes the structure to look super old.

 

Your Windows Will Last Longer

 

New windows don’t come cheap which is why it’s always a good idea for you to take care of the ones you have right now to avoid the cost of doing a window replacement. It’s important to note here that due to the porous nature of glass, the build-up of grime and dirt on the surface of your window can significantly weaken the glass, thus making it easier to break. Apart from that, leaving your windows dirty for too long can lead to dirt that doesn’t want to come off, which means that even when you do eventually decide to wash your windows they’ll still end up looking somewhat discolored. The window seals can also get damaged when window repair isn’t done regularly, causing expensive air leaks.

 

Brings in Natural Light

 

Dirty windows can block the flow of natural light into your home, thus making the space permanently gloomy and dark. That’s obviously not good for your mood so it’s best for you to keep your windows sparkling clean so that you can enjoy the feel-good emotions created by getting maximum light into your space. And with clean windows, you’ll get to enjoy a lot of natural light all day long.

 

Saves You Money in the Long Run

 

Having clean windows will help you avoid costly heating bills, as the sunlight coming through the windows will naturally heat your house, thus eliminating the need to use artificial heating methods. Not only that but cleaning your windows regularly means that you won’t ever have to hire a professional window replacement service, as the dirt build-up will be small and easily manageable.