Archives for November 2017

3 Benefits to Painting Before You Move In

November 15, 2017 by ·

So, you scored the dream house. You already know that you’ll want to take down that outdated wallpaper and paint in the living room, the master bedroom, maybe even the kitchen. The question is when: do you paint before moving in or after? There are advantages to both options. Many homeowners feel they won’t be able to properly judge what color they want until they’ve lived in the space. Some have a short timeframe in which to move and have to save the paint job until after the move. However, if you can afford to wait, there are several benefits to painting before you move in.

It’s Easier

Painting is one of the easier home improvement projects, but it can still be a pain when you have a fully furnished room. Everything has to be tarped down so that paint doesn’t end up anywhere it shouldn’t (like your new sectional or rug). Things have to be moved back and forth so that you can cover the whole wall. You have to live with the smell of wet paint until it dries. But you can avoid all that by painting before you move in. In an empty room, you won’t have to worry about wall hangings or moving furniture. You’ll even have a little room to make a mess.

The ease of painting before you move in still comes in handy if you decide to hire a professional painter. The easier the job is for the painters, the less time it will take. The less time your paint job takes, the less you’ll be charged at the end of the day.

You Won’t Have to Live With Toxic VOCs

Remember that charming wet paint smell? That actually comes from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted into the air when you paint, and it can be pretty bad for you. Significant exposure to VOCs cause headaches and nausea, and it can even cause damage to your liver if you’re exposed to it for a long period of time. Fortunately, VOCs dissipate with time. If you paint your house before you move in, your air will be nice and clear again by the time you finally move in. And of course, it will smell a whole lot better.

It’s One Less Thing to Stress About

Moving can be a stressful process all the way through. Buying the home can be stressful, selling your old home and moving out can be stressful, and home remodeling can certainly be stressful, especially if you have to live through the remodel. So don’t. If you have all the painting and remodeling done to your new home before you move in, you can walk into a brand new space that’s already custom-remodeled to your tastes. Imagine walking into your home on move-in day and seeing a fresh, neat coat of paint. All you have to do is unpack and start enjoying your dream home.

You can also ease some of the stress of moving by trusting a professional like Windham Construction to take care of your paint jobs. Windham Construction has 20 years experience providing excellent home remodeling service to Bryan-College Station. They’ll take care of your paint job with ease and quality, so you don’t have to worry about it. Contact them today for a free estimate.

Filed Under: Home Remodel College Station TX, Tips ·

What Causes Window Leaks?

November 5, 2017 by ·

Now that the temperature is finally beginning to drop, you might start to notice that one or more of your windows has a leak. Window leaks can be small and easy to ignore, but they can cause big problems for your home. They can let in a draft and raise the cost of your HVAC bills or give small critters easy access to the interior of your home. In the worst case scenario, the moisture from outdoors can leak through your window and cause damage to your home in the form of mold, mildew, or rot. Window leaks are a pesky issue to have to address. So what causes window leaks anyway? Today we’ll get into a few of the most common reasons why your window might have a leak.

Cracking Caulk

One of the most common causes of leaky windows is caulk that’s past its prime. The caulk around your window is used to give it an airtight seal even in the midst of bad weather. But even good caulk will eventually start to deteriorate.  When that happens, draft is able to leak through the cracks. If you notice your caulk cracking, it might be tempting to cover it with newer seal, but that cracking speaks to the structure of your caulk as a whole. It’s better to take the whole thing out when you notice it going bad and simply replace it.

Faulty Glass

Caulk isn’t the only kind of seal that your window should have. You may notice moisture between the glass panes of your window. Even if it doesn’t leak to the other side of your window (in the form of window condensation), it’s still a bad sign for your home’s insulation. Your glass is letting in too much moisture, cold air, and probably hot air during the warmer months. This can cause your HVAC use to spike. If you’re the kind of person who cares about your carbon footprint–or just saving money on energy bills–you may want to consider switching to a more energy efficient window.

Weather Damage

Heavy rains and wind can wear down the insulation of your window. Whether it’s the structure of the glass, the window frame, or eroding the caulk, if you don’t have sturdy windows prepared for extreme weather, you’re going to have leaks. It’s also important to make sure the rest of the house is doing its job to protect your windows. Take a look at your gutters. Are they clogged? Clean them out. Are they broken? Repair them. If your gutters don’t do their part to funnel rainwater away from the house, that storm damage is poured onto your window, causing disastrous effects. But even the extreme heat of summer can have an effect on the structure of the window, so make sure you have a sturdy, energy efficient window.

If you frequently have a problem with window leaks, it may be time to switch to new windows. Windham Construction provides sturdy, airtight windows in a wide variety of tints, colors, and openings. These windows will improve the look and insulation of your home at the same time. Windham Construction has over 20 years of experience providing home remodeling service to the Bryan-College Station area. They’re experts at remodeling and window installation. Contact them today for a free estimate for your window installation.

Filed Under: Tips, Windows ·