If you know why and how windows become stuck then you can learn how to fix them too. Read on to learn more about getting that creaky window in your house.

Your windows can become stuck for many different reasons. Sometimes the wood can expand or contract, a moving part may get painted over, or sometimes they are fused together. Here are some of the most common problems solved for stuck windows:

If the joint is painted over then you can cut the paint with a window zipper. This tool is designed to do exactly that. You can also use a putty knife to accomplish this task. Try holding the blade against the sash and then push the edge into the joint while you also draw the tool over the surface at the same time.

If paint has built up than that can cause a lot of friction to occur. Use a paint scraper to get rid of the old paint from the window stop, blind stop, and parting strip. If you lower and raise the sash while doing this it helps. If the sash is low then you might want to take the window stop out and sand and scrap the edges of the window. If you can’t do any of these things you might have to do something more complicated. This means you need to take out the sashes and strip all the paint off the wood. Afterward you can repaint the sashes and then install them again when the paint is dried.

If there is too much friction you can lubricate the sash channels. Use candle wax or baby powder for this job. This will also help the surfaces that are painted from sticking together. If you need to reduce tension caused by spring metal weather stripping in the sash channels than just use a hammer and a wooden block to flatten them out.

If it is stuck then don’t get a table saws! You can try to whack it on the center rail to get it free. Do this near the place where the window locks. This can break a bond between the painted pieces and allow you to open the window up. Use your hand to do this task, but if doesn’t work then try a mallet. A rubber one is best. You can also try to tap a block of wood against each side of the sash as well.

If you are worried about preventing heat loss, then you can install friction channels. If you want to do this then take out the sashes, weights, and pulleys. Use fiberglass insulation into the openings of the weigh cavities. Work your way down from the top with a rod or stick. Create new channels using a hammer and chisel. Follow these tips and never find a window you can’t open again!

Trends come and go in fashion, but one that’s common today is the trend in furnishings to mimic the trend in fashions. Window treatments are striking a familiar color chord and picking up the flavors of details found in clothing, from bold prints to color pairings. In all, windows are heading in some interesting directions that provide more choices for homeowners at better than ever prices.

The new black

Far from dull brown, the new black is brown. But this isn’t your grandmother’s brown; it’s rich, deep dark chocolate brown. Paired with blue, teal, mint green, orange or apricot (it just sounds delicious), brown is coming back onto the window scene in a strong way. Brown evokes the color of tree bark and nature itself, making it a comfortable and relaxing color that has a strong presence without being overbearing the way black sometimes can. Brown is friendly and it’s a color most men love.

Cues from nature

Another strong theme in window treatments continues to be the use of natural materials. This can range from bamboo curtain rods, to reed shades, even bamboo fabric home items. Bamboo fabrics are showing up in clothing and in home furnishing lines, such as towels, blankets and sheets. Wood elements are also showing up in decorative accessories and elements. To bring a current twist to window treatments, try adding a small border of hand-carved wooden beads. This may be all it takes to make a window topper or panel feel more current.

Bold and beautiful

Strong patterns with bold color are another window trend that’s coming into fashion. Taking a bold pattern into a panel doesn’t make much sense, though, because the folds of the panel will make the bold pattern disappear. To make the most of bold, bright patterns, apply the fabric to window shades set inside the window openings. These look especially good in rooms with little color or pattern going on because the strength of the pattern on the window really pops against the plain walls. Or, apply a bold or busy pattern on a cornice – another window treatment that’s coming back into fashion again. Cornices allow for a big punch of color and texture without becoming a deluge. Paired with simple panels, a brightly colored or bold patterned cornice will add real design zing to a dull window.

Touch of luxury

Texture is also a key design trend in window fashions and luxury fabrics stand at the front of the line. Many are looking for privacy and old-fashion movie theater drama in their home theaters and velvet is the perfect option. The rich opulence of velvet is hard to beat except by one fabric and that fabric is silk. Nothing says richness like silk. Why? The drape. Silk floats unlike any other fabric and has tremendous body without feeling heavy in the room. Top that with the luxuriant luster of silk, and silk has a combination that’s hard to beat. It also says you are a fan of quality that nothing is too good for your windows.

Affordable windows

Window treatments used to be hard to find and were very high priced even for so-called inexpensive lines. But with the Internet and online shopping, now even silk and velvet window treatments are available to consumers at prices that won’t cause financial hardship. Some good options for luxury curtains online includes halfpriceddrapes.com or Crate and Barrel (crateandbarrel.com). The consumer faces an ever-widening field of window treatment options and choices. It’s nice to know that these choices also range in price that also matches the wide variety of window treatment styles today.

Discount faux wood blinds offer the look of wood with the cost and ease of vinyl blinds. Decorating your home can be expensive and saving money without sacrificing quality or looks makes everyone happy. When you are considering blinds for your home, think about saving money by buying faux wood blinds rather than wood blinds.

Many people prefer the look of wood when they are buying blinds. Their appearance adds elegance and class to any room. But, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get this look. Discount faux wood blinds offer a number of advantages to traditional wood blinds.

• Cost: a discount faux wood blind can save you more than 30 percent of the cost of real wood blinds. When you’re working with a budget, saving money in one area means that you can spend the money elsewhere. By using faux wood, you’ll have more money for furniture, flooring, or other items.

• Long Lasting: faux wood blinds last longer on average than traditional wood blinds. They are more durable and will resist cracking, staining, and other problems.

• Suitable for All Rooms: Unlike wood blinds that can warp, crack, or swell in humid environments, vinyl faux wood blinds are suitable for any room in your home. You can put them in bathrooms or kitchens, where you ordinarily wouldn’t be able to put wood blinds.

• Easy to Maintain: faux wood blinds are also easier to care for. Simply take the blinds down every once in a while, put them in a tub of soapy water, hose them off outside, and allow them to dry.

Discount faux wood blinds, then, offer a number of benefits over traditional wood blinds. You’ll find that they are easy to install as well. Like with any other type of blind, decide whether you want the fixtures inside the window frame or on the outside and measure your window accordingly. Once you install the brackets, the blinds slide in and are held in place by a small covering.

To soften the look of the faux wood blinds, you can add a valence or other window treatment. Most blinds come with a covering for the head rail so you don’t need to add anything to cover it up, but many people prefer to do so.

Whatever kind you choose, discount faux wood blinds will add the elegance and privacy of wood blinds at a fraction of the cost. Even ordering custom sizes will still be cheaper than doing the same with wood blinds.

If you are like many others, you don’t have any proper garage storage system. Your garage has turned into an overloaded storeroom crammed with stuff you don’t want in the house. With sports equipment, gardening tools, bicycles, toys, boxes, lumber, snow blowers, spare tires, and (yes, you saw this coming) even the kitchen sink, it’s a wonder that there is any room for a car in there!

There is usually a lot more room inside the garage for storage that is not being used. Reorganization and a little bit of common sense is all you need to get your garage into shape. In order to find a garage storage solution follow these guidelines.

First, decide what you want to store in the garage. Take into account that not all things do well in an exposed environment like that. Anything that can be damaged by humidity and extreme temperature change should probably be stored in a more stable environment. Once you have a clear list of items, then you can divide them into those things that you need easy access to (like tools) and those you don’t (like Christmas decorations).

Once you have your 2 lists, you can start to think about garage shelves and garage cabinets. A good rule of thumb is to start at the top and work your way down. Ceiling mounted racks, lofts and storage solutions take advantage of all the unused space up there. This is a great way to store bikes, as well as off-season sports equipment, boats, gardening tools, etc. There are racks that are fixed permanently, as well as more versatile ones that can be raised and lowered on a pulley system. It’s cheaper to install the fixed lofts, but obviously it’s more difficult to get to the stuff that you store up there. You might consider a combination of the 2, putting the more used things on the pulley system, and saving money to store the other stuff that you really don’t need all that often.

Once you’ve decided what your ceiling storage needs are, you can then turn to your walls.

For wall-mounted shelves, it is a good idea to install a system that allows you to mount hooks where you need them, and move them when your needs change. This way you simply move the hooks around, no need to drill more holes or patch up the walls. This is a more expensive option, but it will save you headaches and damaged walls in the future. Also, these wall systems come with a variety of specialty hooks hangers brackets and baskets, designed especially for bikes, sports equipment, golf bags, boats, gardening tools, you name it!

Cabinets are the next option. They have the advantage of keeping dust and dirt off of your stored things, and also there are lockable units that are good for keeping dangerous chemicals away from children. If you are still concerned about floor space, there are wall mounted garage cabinets available as well.

Okay, now that you’ve decided what you need, you should discuss the issue with the whole family, and set aside a day to overhaul your garage. Include your whole family in the project. Buy all the equipment and tools that you’ll need beforehand, and make sure that everyone understands what they’ll need to do.

Start by emptying out EVERYTHING. It’s easier if you start with an empty garage. While the adults and older kids start installing the ceiling and garage wall storage units, the younger ones can sort through the stuff outside and put it into categories. Also, they can help to clean out the garage and sweep it.

Don’t forget to take many breaks, keep it light and entertaining for the kids, and maybe have some favorite foods on hand to make the work go a little easier.

Once the stuff is organized, and your storage units are installed, it’s time to repack the garage. Keep an open mind about where to store the stuff, and remember that the garage is for everyone, and the kids will be more interested in taking part in the whole process if they feel that it affects them.

Once all the work is done, everyone will be amazed at the change! You will have a garage that is spacious, organized, neat and tame. It’s a hassle to think about doing, but once your finished you’ll be very pleased that you did it.

Many homeowners forget that they can expand their living spaces by remodeling their garages. Think about it – your garage is usually just sitting there, crowded with stuff if not your car. It is the perfect space for your new studio or pool house. You can turn your garage into the room of your dreams. Would it really be so bad to park your car in the driveway? If you live in a temperate climate, a car is not going to suffer much out of doors. Granted, if you live in Minnesota, you have a garage attached to your house for a reason. You can go straight to your car without having to step out into the cold. But if you live in a pleasant environment, try parking your car in the driveway and look at all the space you just opened up for yourself. You just added hundreds or even thousands more square feet to your living space.

Garages are so much fun to remodel because you can really personalize them. Have you always wanted an art studio, or a place to write your great American novel? Have you always wanted a workshop or a place to play music or whittle wood? Decide what the best use of the space would be. Do you need a place to put a washer and dryer set, or space for a deep freezer? If you have the money to do a big remodeling job, then consider turning the garage into a small apartment. You can either rent it out and make some extra money, or let one of your older children live in it. You could even reserve the apartment for an elderly parent or grandparent that you want to keep close to you. The apartment can be on the first floor, or you can add a second story to the garage, maintaining the parking space below. You can add a separate door on the second story with a staircase located outside the garage. This will be a nice retreat for anyone.

Garage remodeling jobs do not have to be huge. They are sometimes the simplest form of home repair that you can do. Most garages already have electricity, and many are already attached to the home and can easily be hooked up with plumbing. You do not necessarily have to install a bathroom in the garage, if the cost of that investment scares you. When you go to sell your house however, a separate “house” will always be a selling point. Just spend your remodeling money wisely and do not blow it on a lot of customized extras that will not come back to you in resale value.

If you do not need a new workshop or apartment, then consider turning your garage into a home gym. You do not even have to do major remodeling to put a treadmill or a stair climber in the garage. You can put a set of free weights in there as well, and plug in a TV to watch while you are working out. Many people also decide to convert their garages into music studios. However, if you are going to go with this option, make sure to invest in some soundproofing so you do not alienate your neighbors.

Modern storage building kits are quite easy to follow and the average person could have one built in just three or four days. You can find these kits at most outdoor or hardware stores, along with the ubiquitous big box stores as well.

Some storage building kits are easily upgradeable, they are also energy efficient and if you can build it yourself then you will be saving money, instead of having a contractor build it for you. If you are inexperienced, you could always ask a friend to help. Plan to do some research as well, study some internet sites to give you an idea what you are getting yourself involved with. You do not want an unfinished project sitting in your yard for several months or even years.

If you are not interested in building your own, you can buy pre-built storage sheds and have it delivered to your address. For the hands on kind of person, storage building kits are the way to go. These types of buildings can hold many of a home’s outdoor belongings. Depending on the size of the shed, you can store anything from boats, camping trailers, motorcycles, classic cars and any other large toys. Obviously, any garden tool, lawn mower, lawn tractor or anything else associated with a backyard can be stored in these types of buildings.

The basic steps for putting a storage building kit together consist of pouring the foundation, then installing the floor joints, which is followed by installing the wall panels. Once that is done then it is time to cut the openings for the windows and doors. Next, it is time to install the roof, followed by attaching the insulation and siding. This is just a basic plan of putting a storage building together.

Storage building kits when put together are designed to withstand all weather conditions. This type of storage option is great for the homeowner that does not have a garage or not enough space in their basement.

Storage building kits can be made of wood or metal in most cases. Metal units are east to put together and are more durable than most other types of materials. They are also quite economical. Homeowners want more storage space for less money. They also do not want to be encumbered by a shed that requires plenty of maintenance. Therefore, when researching your purchase, make sure you get a low maintenance unit.

Part of your research should consist of deciding how much space you have available for your storage building kits. Make sure you can actually build it in your yard. Many localities may require a building permit depending on the size of the shed. In addition, you do not want to cause any problems with your neighbors, so make sure you do not cross any property lines with the unit as well.

One area that people tend to overlook when searching for storage building kits is the size of the doorway. If you have large items that will be stored inside, remember to install a suitably sized door.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right roofing for your home. You have to consider everything so you can get a roof that will work well for your home and provide it with the best protection.

You will also have to consider the installation. You should decide if you are going to install it yourself or if you will be hiring someone to install it for you. This is important when considering the budget for the project.

Roof Types

The first thing you should do is identify the type of roof you have. In general, houses have one of four different roof types – flat, low pitch, medium pitch or steep.

Flat – This type of roof has no steepness to it and lies flat. With a flat roof you will have limited options as to what material type you can use.

Low Pitch – This roof has a slight slope and is easy to walk on.

Medium Pitch – One of the most common roofing types, it is not the steepest roof but has more slope than a low pitch roof.

Steep – The maximum roof slope, this type of roof is difficult to walk on.

Roofing Materials

The next thing you will consider is the type of roofing material you will use. You have many options. You can get tile, shingles, metal or other materials. You will want to choose the material based upon the slope of your roof.

The style of roofing material is going to determine how the finished roof will look. This is usually matched to the style of your home.

Roofing Concerns

Here are some things to always keep in mind when choosing new roofing:

- ease of installation

- ease of maintenance

- cost

- life span of materials

- upkeep needs

- repair costs

You will also want to consider if you will install the new roof yourself or hire someone to do it. If hiring someone you need to shop around and find someone with experience installing your type of roof. If doing it yourself then you should make sure that you understand exactly how to do it.

Your roof is an important part of your home. It protects your home and when it goes bad you can end up with major damage to your home and to your belongings inside. You have to choose a new roof with care. You should consider everything mentioned above so you can make the best choice possible.

High class workmanship and meticulous care about the details are the things that make a good roof, fully as much as the choice of materials.

Roofing shingles should be thick at the butt. The most popular thickness is expressed as 5/2, meaning that the butts of five shingles will measure 2″ in thick­ness, so that each shingle is 2/5″ thick, at the butt, tapered, of course, to less than an eighth of an inch at the tip.

These shingles should be put on with galvanized nails, as the blued or bright nails will soon rust and let the shingles blow off.

Expose wood shingles about 41/2″ to the weather on the flatter roofs, and 5″ to the weather on the steeper roofs. Note that the roof must not be too flat for shingle roofs, minimum rise 5″ per foot of run.

Shingles are laid with a small space, about 1/4” wide, between the shingles. If they are laid too tight­ly together, they will buckle when they get wet, look unsightly, and give opportunity for the rain to blow under them.

Always put two nails in every shingle, no matter how wide or narrow. Split all shingles over 8″ in width, as they will split of themselves if you don’t do it.

To start shingles, stretch a line along the lower edge of the roof about two inches out from the cor­nice. To do this put a shingle on at each end of the roof, and let it project the required two inches beyond the cornice. Then with shingle nails in the ends of these shingles, tie the string and stretch it tightly.

This will give you the line for the first course of shingles. Always double the first course of shingles; that is, lay a second course directly on top of the first course, with the lower ends even so that you have two thicknesses of shingles at the start.

Then measure up 41/2” or whatever your exposure is to be and strike a chalk line, or lay a straight piece of 1″ x 6″ on the correct line to mark the bottom of the next course. Put the next course of shingles to this line, or against the straight edge, and nail them in place. Put the nails about 3/4” from the edges of the shingle, and far enough up so the next course will cover them. Give the shingles a side lap of at least 11/2″.

Sheathing does not need to be tight together for shingles. Do not use roofing paper under wood shin­gles.

For asphalt or composition roofing shingles the sheath­ing must be tight together. If you want a projection at the eaves, it will be necessary to support the as­phalt shingles, as they are too limber to project by themselves. An easy way to accomplish this is to use a double course of wood shingles at the eaves, giving a projection of about 11/2″; the asphalt shingles can then be made even with the wood shingles and will be adequately supported. This will get the drip far enough away from the cornice.

To get a smooth effect, some shinglers place the first course of asphalt shingles with what is normally the top edge toward the bottom, then place the next shingle immediately on top of this one in the regular way to start the pattern of the shingling.

Care should be taken to keep the pattern of the roof running in straight lines, as the regular size of the composition shingles make any deviation very noticeable. If you get started right, no difficulty should be encountered.

Nail the composition shingles with 7/8” galvan­ized roofing nails, or with other size if recommend­ed by the manufacturer. Directions for placing com­position shingles usually come in the bundle with the shingles.

It is a good precaution to put a layer of 30 1b. felt on the sheathing before placing asphalt shingles.

The principal disadvantage of wood roofing shingles or asphalt and paper shingles is that they are not fire­proof.

The fireproof roofing materials include such ma­terials as slate, tile, rigid asbestos shingles, copper, and galvanized iron.

With some careful self-application you should be able to construct a sound roof.

Rain gutters protect your house from water damage, but they only do their job when free of clogs. To keep your gutters flowing freely, you need to clean them periodically.

The conventional wisdom says to clean your rain gutters twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring. In fact, this is the minimum frequency at which you should clean them. If you live in a rainy climate or have trees near your roof, you will need to clean your gutters more often.

Check your gutters once a month during the rainy season to make sure they are clean. In addition to leaves and pine needles, check for small seeds and nuts. If allowed to build up, these can leave a tar-like residue that’s hard to remove.

To clean your gutters you’ll need the right tools, and the most important tool for this job is a steady ladder.

If you have a low roof, a step-ladder may be enough to do the job. Otherwise you will need a stabilized extension ladder. Lean the top of the ladder against your roof and place the bottom on level ground about one quarter of the ladder’s length away from the wall.

Leaning an extension ladder against your gutters can damage them. You can avoid this by using a ladder stabilizer, which is a metal triangle that attaches to the ladder, allowing it to rest safely against a wall and keeping its weight off of your gutters.

Remember never to stand on the top step of your ladder. If your ladder isn’t tall enough for you to comfortably reach your gutters, don’t be a hero, just get a bigger ladder.

Once your ladder is in place, you’ll need a plastic bucket to store debris. Hang the bucket from a ladder step with an S-hook. Don’t be tempted to hang the bucket from your gutters, since the added weight can damage the gutters.

Next you’ll need a tool for scraping leaves and other debris from your gutters. A trowel or garden spade will do the job, but avoid sharp tools that can gouge your gutters. Some hardware stores also sell a specialized “gutter scooper,” which is basically a long-bladed trowel shaped to fit most gutters.

Begin near a downspout and scoop out debris, working your way along the gutters and away from the downspout.

After you have cleaned out the debris, flush the gutters with a garden hose. This is also a good time to check for leaks in your gutter system.

Next, check for clogs in your downspouts. Insert your garden hose into the top of the downspout and turn on the water. Compare the flow from the hose to that washing out of the downspout. A slow flow means you have a clogged downspout.

Unclogging your downspouts is undoubtedly the hardest part of cleaning your gutters. You can try blasting water through the downspout, but this can potentially worsen the clog.

In many cases it’s better to disassemble the downspout. Take out the elbows, which are where clogs usually occur, and clean them with your tools.

Another option is to use a plumber’s snake (sometimes called a plumber’s auger or drain auger). Essentially an auger with a flexible tube, the plumber’s snake lets you bore through the clog. Just be sure to buy a plumber’s snake that’s wide enough for your rain gutters.

Instead of cleaning your own gutters, you can a hire service to do the job for you. The cost depends on the size and height of your house. To clean the gutters on a two-story, 2,000 square-foot home with 180 feet of gutters will cost anywhere from $90 to $200.

Another option is to install gutter screen or gutter covers, which help keep leaves and debris from getting into your gutters. These cost anywhere from $0.50 – $6.00 per foot of gutter, depending on the type of system you buy.