Everything You Need to Know about Retrofit Windows

Everything You Need to Know about Retrofit Windows

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If you live in an older home and are looking to remodel or upgrade your home the windows of the home are usually the first place that someone looks at to replace. If you live in an older home this may be the only true upgrade that will need to take place. Some of the older homes have leaking single pane windows that will allow unwanted heat to enter the home during the summer and much wanted heat to escape during the winter. Retrofitting windows for your home can be accomplished in much easier fashion with the techniques that have been developed. We will look at some of the advantages that will benefit you if you decide to replace the windows in your home with retrofit windows.

Retrofit Windows Are the Best Choice for Older Homes

A lot of the older homes have windows that are not your standard sizes. If you want to replace the windows that are not standard these window opening can be matched with retrofit windows that are custom made to fit these openings. In some cases, windows have been hung behind bricks that cannot be removed. These frames have to be destroyed to be removed. After the frames have been removed a measurement can be taken at the window openings between the bricks. These custom windows are easily installed back in the brick opening to provide a great airtight fit. Making sure that replacement windows are installed into the openings in the correct way is very crucial. It doesn’t matter how well the window is constructed, what matters is window installation.

Why Retrofitting Windows Is Saving Money

One of the main reasons why we want to upgrade the windows of a home is for saving money. Saving energy and cutting heating and cooling cost is the best way to save money. In most of the older homes you will find single pane glass windows. These single panes windows will allow for temperature changes in the home through convection. In a lot of cases these single panes are installed with caulking or spackling that become brittle and crack with time.

Insulated Glass Windows

With retrofit windows, insulated glass panels are used to replace the single pane windows. These insulated glass panels can be constructed for any window size. Insulated glass windows are available with tinted glass as well. Check with your local glass contractor to see the several different types of insulated windows that are available to you.

Materials for Custom Retrofit Windows

Custom retrofit windows are also available in several popular materials. Aluminum windows were among the most popular when the construction of custom windows was first introduced. Several different colors and finishes were available to choose from. Today one of the most popular choice of building materials to use for these windows is vinyl. Vinyl is a long lasting, low maintenance material available in several different colors. Vinyl replacement windows are very popular when it comes to choosing custom and retrofit windows. If you are considering to replace your windows and you need custom windows constructed, your local contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, will be glad to work with you to see which types of windows are best for you.

Sliding Glass Patio Doors: Bring the Outdoors Inside

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Sliding Glass Patio Doors: Bring the Outdoors Inside
Sliding Glass Patio Doors: Bring the Outdoors Inside

If you really want to bring the outdoors inside, you might want to look into installing sliding glass patio doors. This is a wonderful way of opening the exterior wall so that the room exits into the yard. The sliding patio doors have become a fixture in many homes for good reason. While a nice bay window is lovely and it does open up the wall to a great view it just doesn’t match the useful beauty of sliding glass patio doors. The window does not give you access to your glass porch enclosure or outside living area and most bay windows are very expensive. You can achieve a great, open look without spending way too much money in the process.

A Convenient and Stylish Addition to Your Home

The sliding glass patio door is basically designed with a frame that contains two pane glass windows but it is also aesthetically pleasing in design. It also serves as a convenient entrance to your patio space, it also opens the room bringing some of the natural beauty of the outdoors and natural sunlight inside. The sliding patio door is a convenient addition not only to your bedroom but also is used in the kitchen, family, and great rooms. In some cases, there has been more than one sliding patio doors used so the entire wall can be opened when needed, creating a sliding glass wall.

Sliding Glass Patio Doors Are Great for Smaller Houses

You also can benefit from its smart design that does not require swing space for the door to open. Since the sliding patio door slides open rather than swinging into the home you have a lot more space in the surrounding area. This is wonderful for smaller houses that really benefit from the illusion of open space as well as the extra square footage in the room. The storm panels that are used for the glass in a sliding patio doors are insulated so that you will receive protection from the sunlight in the summer as well as allowing the natural sunshine to help you stay comfortable in the winter months.

Sliding Glass Door Frames – Different Dimensions and Materials

Sliding glass doors frames can be constructed to almost any dimension to retrofit any opening you may have in your home. In some cases, the windows of the home can be removed and a sliding glass door frame can be constructed that will fit in the opening after the windows have been removed. Not only can these frames be constructed to certain dimensions there are also several different materials that can be used. One of the most common materials used for sliding glass door construction is aluminum. Aluminum is lightweight and is available is a few different colors and finishes. Vinyl is also a great choice of low maintenance materials available in a vast array of colors.

Consult Your Local Contractor

If you want to add something to your home that will allow you access to your patio or outside living area be sure to check out glass sliding doors for your home or business. Your local glass contactor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, will be able to assist you with any questions you may have concerning sliding glass patio doors. SkyWindowsNJ.com also provide, glass door and window installation.

Frameless Glass Shower Doors in Bathroom Design

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Frameless Glass Shower Doors in Bathroom Design
Frameless Glass Shower Doors in Bathroom Design

Big strides have been made today when it comes to bathroom design. One of the biggest additions to any ideal bathroom is the showers. Showers of today have become an elegant addition to any bathroom. A shower can be added to just about any location and are constructed from beautiful tiles and glass blocks that provide a pleasant retreat from the daily routines we all experience. Along with these fantastic showers come frameless glass shower doors. These doors help to give the shower a great finishing touch while benefiting the shower in several different ways. Not only do they provide great benefits but also great functionality.

Shower Doors That Look Elegant and Are Easy to Operate

Frameless glass shower doors will provide you with a more open feel. You will not feel like you are confined inside a small shower much like you would in the showers of the past. In the past most showers were made of tub and shower combinations that used sliding glass doors that hung from tracks. These sliding doors were hard to operate and always seemed be covered with soap scum and build up. Frameless glass shower doors will be easier to operate as well as keep clean. With the openness of these doors you will not cover up the beauty of the tiles work and other great shower and bathroom fixtures keeping your shower the focus and showcase of your bath.

Frameless Glass Doors Are Stronger

Frameless glass shower doors are also much stronger than your typical shower doors offerings. These doors offer you a look of elegance with the great quality of toughness. Standard shower doors range from 3/8” to ½” in thickness. This will provide your shower with doors that are rigid and will last for years to come. Frameless glass shower doors are made completely of glass. They do not need frames to support their weight. These doors operate universally by opening and shutting on hinges. This will eliminate any type of track and other hardware that would get in the way as well as take away from the elegant look of your shower.

Safety of Frameless Glass Shower Doors

A question that you may ask as a homeowner when you start looking into frameless glass shower doors is whether the glass is safe if the edges aren’t hidden by a protective frame barrier.  Frameless glass edges are filed down to a smooth surface that presents no danger to anyone climbing in or out of your shower. And since glass showers are made of tempered glass they are also very difficult doors to shatter or break. Glass shower doors are actually much safer than the shower doors from the past. Glass doors can be used in any design situation. These doors can be circular, oval, or triangular in shape allowing you to add the doors to any type of shower design.

Seek Professional Advice

Consider adding frameless glass shower doors to your shower to help upgrade your shower proving you with the look of elegance that will enhance any bathroom. Contact your local contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, to have your frameless glass doors measured and designed for your showers and baths. SkyWindowsNj.com also provide shower doors installation. Make your shower standout from the rest.

Handicap Showers and Bathroom Accessories

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Handicap Showers and Bathroom Accessories
Handicap Showers and Bathroom Accessories

Sometimes it is difficult to choose handicap showers that will accommodate loved ones or even yourself. Today it is easy to purchase handicap products that will make life easier. You will find a wide array of handicap products that will include handicap showers. These are the same shower designs that are used in adult foster care homes and nursing homes. Most people find that handicap showers along with the accessories work very nice to accommodate for their needs.

The Right Equipment Reduces Stress

Handicap showers allow those with immobility issues to lie down while showering, rather than sitting up. People that cannot sit up can lie down on a shower bed and enjoy their shower. Most people will use a chair when they cannot stand in the shower. Having the right equipment is essential since it reduces stress. Most elderly people find it difficult to bath and shower without stressing, which is why many elderly people will stop bathing. Handicap showers encourage the person, since they can relax and enjoy a nice bath. The handicap showers are made for shower chairs and beds. These showers make it easier to put the people in and out of the showers. The showers do not have any bumps to go over they are just like a bathroom floor in most cases, the bathroom floor has a drain for the water to drain into.

Safety and Comfort

The shower looks almost like a room of its own. The showers are large, but most caregivers enjoy the luxury the shower brings them. It has the soap dispenser, which you attach on the wall. The dispenser combined makes it easy to store shampoo and get to it with ease. The concept is to save time when showering, since everything you need is at your disposal. The shower is large enough that the caregiver can stand in the shower comfortably without getting wet.

Purchasing Handicap Showers

You can purchase the handicap showers at any medical store. Perhaps your local Home Depot may have handicap products. You may want to go online and check out the different products, since technology has created a number of styles to select, or consult your local contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com. In most instances, the showers are similar to brick tiles. However, some showers are made of fiberglass.

Maintaining Handicap Showers

You can maintain the shower as you would any other shower. You have to clean the shower by spraying it down with cleaning supplies. The best cleaning supplies is the mildew and mold cleaners, since showers produce moisture. The sprays will help keep mildew and mold away. In addition, there are long brushes used to clean hard spots and above the head. The brushes are great for reaching areas you ordinary could not reach. Like all showers, you have to watch for water under your feet. There is a non-slip surface on the floor of the shower so no one should fall. Most times if you are careful the patient is fine yet in few cases the patient may slip and fall. In this case seek medical care immediately.

 

Main Tips on Choosing the Right Bathroom Fixtures

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Main Tips on Choosing the Right Bathroom Fixtures
Main Tips on Choosing the Right Bathroom Fixtures

Choosing your bathroom fixtures can make or break a bathroom remodeling project. There are so many different types as well as different colors and finishes available to make your decision harder. Knowing how each finish will age and react to years of exposure to water and steam will have a determining factor on your choice of bathroom fixtures. The color scheme of your project will also determine the choice you will make when it comes to your fixtures. Paired together with the right bathroom hardware you will create some of the best looking effects that you have ever seen in baths today. We will look at some of the most popular choices available to you to help you with your decision.

Polished Brass Fixtures

Polished brass is one of the most popular choices.  This type if finish is more suited for a vintage look. It is a durable finish that is easy to clean and it can easily be found. Polished brass can easily match other types of bathroom fixtures. Polished brass is one of your more expensive choices. Satin Brass is much like the polished brass except it doesn’t appear as bright of a finish as polished brass. It will offer a nice accent without overpowering the color in your bathroom lavatories and showers. However satin brass is usually harder to find therefore making it more expensive than polished brass.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze Bathroom Hardware

Oil-rubbed bronze is another option that is growing in popularity. If you are looking for a more traditional feel and look in your bathroom then oil-rubbed bronze is for you. This type of fixture is durable and easy to clean. This type of finish will also not show water and fingerprints like other finishes. It is however more expensive than your standard chrome and brushed nickel finish. This is a great choice for traditional and Mediterranean themes. It is also one of the harder finishes to find in the fixture type you may need.

Copper Bathroom Fixtures

Copper fixtures are definitely a unique choice. It goes really great with materials such as a marble top. One thing about copper is the fact that it gets better looking as time goes on. Copper patina is fast becoming one of the favorite options of bathroom fixtures today. It is also harder to match accessories to copper fixtures.

Less Costly Options

There are other very popular choices such as polished nickel, brushed nickel, and chrome that are more common and will be less costly. These fixtures can easily be cleaned and they are also less expensive that other fixtures. The reason they are less expensive is because they are the most commonly used finishes for bathroom fixtures, faucets and shower head fixtures.

There are shops and stores that deal strictly with bathroom and kitchen fixtures. When you visit their showrooms you will see some of the best displays of fixtures available to you today. If you are considering to build a new bathroom or are now ready to upgrade the fixtures after tile and tub reglazing you now have to take the time needed to contact your local contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, so they can get you headed in the right direction. SkyWindowsNJ.com also provide, glass shower doors installation, glass shower enclosure.

 

4 Things You Can Achieve by Tile and Tub Reglazing

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4 Things You Can Achieve by Tile and Tub Reglazing
4 Things You Can Achieve by Tile and Tub Reglazing

Tile and tub reglazing is often used in bathroom and kitchen remodeling. The bathroom is the second most remodeled room in your home. The kitchen is the most frequently upgraded and remodeled. There can be a lot of money sunken into a bathroom remodeling or upgrade. No matter how much money you have saved just for the purpose of the dream project you have in mind there is always something that comes up that will require you to spend more money than you wanted to spend. There are ways that you can remodel a bathroom and cut the cost putting some of the money back into your pocket. One of those ways is tile and tub reglazing. There are some distinct advantages that you will see when you choose to remodel your bathroom by tile and tub reglazing.

Change the Color Theme of the Room

The main issue when we decide to remodel is changing the whole theme or color of a room. This can be done by choosing from colors such as white, bone, biscuit, or almond for some of the basic glaze colors. These particular colors tend to blend well with some of the more popular choice for your ideal bathroom colors. You can also choose from a line of designer colors that the innovations of today have given us. Much like a fresh paint on an old car a fresh color on your tubs and tiles will make your project standout.

Save Your Time and Effort by Tile and Tub Reglazing

Another great advantage of shower, tile and tub reglazing is the less demolition you have to take part in. Some of the older tubs are made of cast iron and can be very heavy to move and relocate. If you had to carry this tub up or downstairs, you would probably reconsider replacing the tub and move towards the bathtub refinishing. Another advantage of tile reglazing in your shower also has to do with demolition. If you have ever tried to tear down a shower that is made of plaster and tile you know how big of a task this is. Reglazing the tiles you already have in your shower will save you a lot of time and work. Not to mention how much more the cleanup from a tile and tub reglazing job would be.

Give Your Tub and Tiles a Renewed Look

A lot of times you may not be looking to remodel the whole bathroom you just want to do some cosmetic work. Older tubs do obtain scratches over the many showers they are exposed to. Glazing can fill in the scratches and chips giving your tub and tiles a renewed look.

Get Rid of a Dull Finish on Tub, Shower and Tiles

Another thing that will dull the finish on tubs, showers, and tiles is the constant cleaning that these items will endure. The cleaning solutions that are used to clean your tubs and tiles over the years will dull the finish in a big way. Not only does the finish appear dull there are also minor scratches that develop with the use of some cleaners that contain abrasives. The next time you are considering remodeling your bathroom to upgrade consider taking advantage of tile and tub reglazing to help you save time as well as money.

Custom Bathroom and Shower Designs for Elderly and Handicapped

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Custom Bathroom and Shower Designs for Elderly and Handicapped
Custom Bathroom and Shower Designs for Elderly and Handicapped

Becoming older is one of the changes that that will come our way that we have no choice but to accept. Not only do we grow older we are also faced with some life changing situations that we have no control over. Regardless of the situation we are involved in it will require some changes to be made in the home we live in. One of the first places that will need to be changed for our adaptability as well as our safety is our bathroom and shower. We will take a look at some of the necessary changes in bathroom and shower design when constructing custom bathroom and shower to help you decide what you will need to do.

Custom Bathroom Door

The first place we come to when we enter the bathroom is the bathroom door. This has to be adapted to be accessed by wheelchairs and walkers. Most of the times when we construct our homes in the earlier years, we do not look ahead to the needs we will face down the road. Most of the doors we install are much too narrow to enter with a wheelchair.

Handicapped Toilet

After a custom bathroom access is made wider we will then take a look to make sure a handicapped toilet is installed. A handicap toilet is taller than a standard toilet to allow for easier access. This taller toilet is easier to access from a wheelchair and is also easier to get up and down when using a walker.

Grab Bars and Handrails

Placement of grab bars and handrails need to be carefully considered beforehand. Make sure that the person can easily access these rails from the most vulnerable situations that they can find themselves in. Not only should they be easy to access you have to make sure they are properly installed to carry the weight load and pressures that the handrails and grab bars will be exposed. Make sure that these are also not too big in diameter to be comfortably gripped by the weaker hands.

Custom Shower for the Disabled

The most important aspect that needs to be considered is the handicapped shower. Careful consideration needs to be taken to make the shower access as easy as possible. There is a big advantage of having a walk-in shower conversion. A custom shower can be constructed just about any location that is needed. Custom shower doors can be built to allow for access with wheelchairs and walkers. Benches can also be placed in location that can be easily accessed from wheelchairs and walkers. Bathroom and shower fixtures can be conveniently placed to allow for the person to have access to the water in a comfortable and safe position. You can also place the grab bars and guardrails anywhere you need them in the shower.

Your local shower and glass contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com can help you with any type of custom bathroom and shower that need to be made. SkyWindowsNJ.com also provide, tub conversion, glass shower doors installation.

Glass Innovations | Glass Countertop and Walk in Shower

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Glass Innovations | Glass Countertop and Walk in Shower
Glass Innovations | Glass Countertop and Walk in Shower

Glass has been around for centuries even before the BC times. In those days glass occurred naturally and it was used in ways that were looked at as precious commodities. The first thing that comes to our minds when we think of glass is windows. Windows have helped us to look through walls as well as helping us to feel more comfortable in the different weather climates we live in. Today techniques have been developed to help us use glass in many ways that were not conceivable in the past few years. Glass and architecture are combined in ways today that allow for some really awesome designs. We will take a short time to look at the ways glass is being used today in a glass shower enclosure and for a glass countertop.

Glass Shower Enclosure

Glass allows for the development and construction of walk-in showers in places that you have never dreamed that you could put a shower. Glass shower enclosures can be made almost any size and shape to accommodate for a shower to be constructed almost anywhere. There are several different types of glass available to you for the creation of almost any type of ambience you prefer in a shower. Clear and tinted glass is available for you as well as obscured glass choices for people that prefer more privacy. Smart glass technology of today allows for glass to go from clear to obscure by the flip of a switch. You can pair your glass showers with the many types of hardware that is available for you to create your own one of a kind shower.

Coated Glass Countertop/Vanity Top

As the years have past our countertops have been through many years of abuse as well as many different types of materials that have been adapted for use on our countertops. I can remember the days when laminated countertops were the way to go. These countertops were available to you in any color imaginable. Laminated countertops needed replacing after a few years. The development of stone and granite tops gave us a longer lasting option. Today there is a glass countertop option that is available for you to consider. With the development of laminated glass you can obtain a glass countertop that is much like the glass top stoves we are using today. Not only are these glass countertops strong they are much easier to keep clean. The ease of cleaning that the glass countertop provides makes it an excellent choice for use on bathroom vanity tops.

Implement Glass in Your Project

These are only a couple of ways that glass in being developed and used in many different ways in today’s architecture and design. There are many ways that glass is being developed for use to give us the elegant choices we have from glass today. If you are deciding on a remodeling or a new construction project it is time you visit your local glass contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, to be sure to see the many ways glass can be used today in your shower enclosure and for your glass countertop. Not only does glass look amazing it will also last you for years to come.

6 Great Reasons for Using Glass Partitions in Your Office

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6 Great Reasons for Using Glass Partitions in Your Office
6 Great Reasons for Using Glass Partitions in Your Office

Glass partitions are becoming more and more popular today. When many businesses locate to a new building they have to remodel and reconstruct the buildings they move to so they can take advantage of the huge spaces that the building has to offer. One of the simplest and cost effective ways to accomplish this task is through the use of glass wall partitions. They will offer you several distinct advantages that your typical wall partitions will not do for you. If you are looking to add new office spaces to your building then you will want to take a few minutes to look at some of these advantages that glass partitions have for you. Here are some of the great reasons why glass walls and partitions will benefit your business.

Low Cost Way of Reshaping Your Office Space

Glass partitions offer you a low cost way of adding extra rooms for your business. You can also take advantage of glass panels that are removable. Sliding glass walls will travel along tracks to make the partitions movable so you can close them when the need for privacy arrives and then you can move them out of the way if you find the need for a more open area.

Glass Partitions Vary in Color

There are also plenty different choices when it comes to color. You may choose to have a clear glass partition but you also have the option of tinted glass for a more private option. There are also smart glass panels that are available that will go from clear to obscure by the simple flip of a switch.

Class Thickness Choice

Glass thickness is another option that you can choose from when choosing your glass wall partitions. It goes without saying if you prefer a more permanent glass partition then you would choose the thickest option. If your partitions are movable then you will choose the thinner less heavy partition.

Soundproof Option for Privacy

Glass partitions are also a great choice when you want privacy for your conversations because thicker glass will offer you a soundproof option. Today’s modern glass partitions can be made completely soundproof.

Hardware Elegant Look

When you add the hardware for your doors and other parts of your partition walls you will maintain a more professional look with the different options you have available to you. The hardware choices for shelving options as well as other objects such as glass front cabinets will also add to the great look of your glass partitions.

Open Working Environment

Glass partitions will also produce a more open working environment. Your employees will not feel like they are shut off from the rest of the workforce. They are more comfortable and you will receive more production from your employees. One of the great things about glass partitions is the fact that they can be added or taken away as the needs in your business change.

If you are getting ready to expand your office space without having to purchase another building then glass partitions is the answer you are looking for. Check with your local glass contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, to let them put together a glass partition package for you offices today.

 

 

 

Using LED Displays and Wall Applications

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Using LED Displays and Wall Applications
Using LED Displays and Wall Applications

One thing that we are all aware of when it comes to attracting attention the brighter and more eye catching the better. That is no different today when we go to the mall, casinos, and even major sporting events. The first thing we notice is the big and huge as well as bright display screens that illuminate our surroundings each time we enter these places. There are several reasons why LED wall panels are used and why the user benefits from them as well. LED displays are becoming more and more popular each and every passing year. Let us take a look and see why this type of display is growing in popularity.

LED Displays Are Bright and Clear

LED wall applications are used because of the brightness and clarity they will provide for us. If you can remember the last time you attended a professional or college sporting event you can remember how bright and clear the replays would be upon the screen. You can also remember how the advertisements would draw your attention because of the way the LED screen would display the ads.

Using LED Displays in Advertising

Take a look at some of the ways that big cities are using the LED displays. Look at Times Square in New York and you will see these displays as far as the eyes can see. The Mercedes Benz Superdome is another great example of how LED lighting is used. Other place such as casinos will also use the bright output of these particular sources of light to draw your attention. Just about anywhere you go many different types of businesses are turning to LED displays and video walls to obtain a different look when it comes to getting more visual effects. Some of the television monitors as well as computer monitors use LED to provide a more appealing display.

LED Displays Are Energy Efficient

LED displays are also very energy efficient when it comes to operation. The LED displays do not use as much energy to achieve the effect they project. You will receive a brighter image while using less electricity. Another reason LED lighting sources is a good choice is the temperature at which they operate. LED displays will provide you with a cooler display that will not heat up like a projector bulb or any other type of projection that will produce a large amount of heat. This is one of the reasons the LED lightbulbs are becoming more popular. Many advertising firms are turning to LED displays to give their clients a huge choice when it comes to advertising. LED displays can be programmed to give you many different looks when it comes to lighting and graphics. The use of LED video walls and displays will only grow even more in the coming years.

Work with Your Local Contractor

If you are looking to add the extra touch to your business and what to put the message across in a unique way while saving money through cutting energy cost then LED video displays could be your answer. Be sure to contact your local contractor, SkyWindowsNJ.com, to see the many options you have to choose from.