Drafty, cracked, or hard-to-open windows can drive up energy bills and compromise your home’s comfort. However, you don’t need to break the bank on full replacements. With these cheap window fix ideas, you can seal drafts, improve functionality, and boost efficiency on a shoestring budget.
Category: Tips
Tips
How Can I Replace Windows Myself? A Step-by-Step DIY Guide
Replacing your home’s windows can feel daunting, but with the right preparation and tools, many homeowners ask, “Can I replace my windows myself?” The short answer is yes—for standard, single-pane or retrofit insert jobs, DIY window replacement is entirely feasible. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything from assessing your skills and selecting materials to precise measuring and installation tips.
Tips
Broken Window Repair: A Homeowner’s Guide to Fast, Safe, and Affordable Fixes
A broken window isn’t just unsightly—it compromises your home’s security, energy efficiency, and even your family’s safety. Whether you’ve got a small crack or a fully shattered pane, knowing the essentials of broken window repair can help you tackle the problem quickly, prevent further damage, and save on costly replacements. In this guide, you’ll find practical tips, step-by-step instructions, and advice on when to call in the pros.
Tips
How to Tackle Broken Glass Window Repair: A Step-by-Step Guide
A cracked or shattered window is more than an eyesore—it’s a safety hazard and an energy drain. Whether you’re dealing with a single cracked pane or a fully broken window, broken glass window repair can be handled safely and affordably. In this guide, you’ll learn how to assess damage, gather the right tools, and choose between DIY fixes and professional replacement.
Tips
Safe windows for children: popular blocking systems
The Internet, TV and print media are literally filled with reports of tragedies that are associated with the fall of people from the upper floors. Unfortunately, the statistics are exacerbated by children, who always fall out of windows by accident, unlike adults (nobody canceled suicides). The reason lies in most cases in the imperfect design of windows and the irresponsibility of parents. But the situation is gradually changing, and today manufacturers pay special attention to the installation of special systems and devices that make windows safer for children. We will talk about them further.
How to make a window even safer
Now for some statistics. The most dangerous age when children fall out of windows is 2-4 years. A third of all cases occur in front of adults, the remaining cases occur within the first 15 minutes, as the child was left unattended. The main reason is the curiosity of children at this age: they actively explore the world, but don’t yet understand what security is, unlike older children.
Also, the cause is often a mosquito net, which seems to be securely installed on the window, but in fact it has an unreliable retainer: the latch pops out of the semicircular retainer with a slight pressure of only a few kilograms; the child thinks that he has found a reliable support, and falls out of the window. Also, a child can get hurt on a sharp window sill or cut himself by breaking glass.
Problems need to be solved in several ways:
Install high strength double glazing.
Limit children’s access to the openings between the window sashes as much as possible.
Lock hardware.
Close sharp corners on the windowsill.
Now let’s talk in more detail about the systems that families with young children need to buy in order to avoid tragedy.
Handles with locks
This is the easiest way to block a window. The technology is as follows: you change an ordinary handle to a handle with a lock, and if necessary, you block it by turning the key. This way, when you close the window, turn the key and hide it in a safe place, you can be sure that the child will not open the window sash. The popularity of this method lies in its advantages:
You don’t have to look for extra space in the window, you just change the handles.
You can fix the handle not only in the closed position, but also in the open position.
Such a system is suitable for almost any windows.
The child is guaranteed not to be able to cope with the blocker without a key.
You will also protect yourself from intruders entering, as long as they are not going to break the glass.
Installation is easy to do yourself, as it doesn’t take much time and does not require the use of special tools. If the key is lost, a new core can be inserted.
Lock in the sash
Such a lock is installed in the window sash, the locking mechanism is activated when the key is turned and the structure can’t be opened without a key. But the system has flaws.
Firstly, if the structure is locked, then you will not be able to ventilate the window, which can be a problem in warm weather.
Secondly, the installation of the lock is carried out directly in the profile, which may not look very aesthetically pleasing.
Thirdly, you will have to install a new lock if the key is lost; and the child may try to open the window sash if the key is left in the door hole.
Users are much more likely to prefer handles with locks for precisely these reasons.
Push button lock
The button with the locking mechanism is mounted on the handle, less often on the window sash. You just need to press it so that the window doesn’t open. Everything is very convenient. But there is a catch: there is no guarantee that the child will not unravel the «secret» and will not be able to open the window on his own. Random press can also unlock the system.
Window sash blocker
Another reliable system that allows you to completely block the opening of the window. It’s a rotary latch that blocks when raised the free movement of the window sash. After that, its position is fixed with a key, and turning to open the window becomes impossible.
But you will not be able to put the window sash in the ventilation mode during blocking, which limits the functionality. Another problem is the possibility of losing the key. Installation of such a blocker is not difficult.
Lock with ventilation limiter
In this system, the lock is installed in the lower part of the active window sash. You can carry out ventilation, and the child will not be able to climb into a narrow opening, and it will be impossible to open the window completely. If the child is supervised, then you can easily unlock the window sash with a key.
Removable handle
In this system, a device with a socket plug is installed instead of a handle. It’s removed from the nest with a simple movement, and it becomes impossible to open the window. System advantages:
Easy to use.
Doesn’t require a key.
Can be blocked in ventilation mode.
When the child is under supervision, the handle is quickly put into place, and you can use the window again.
Blocker with restriction of the window sashes opening
The blocker is a cable of a certain length, which is mounted on the passive window sash on one side, and on the active window sash on the other. It’s like chains on doors. It’s used on windows in which there is no «window leaf» mode. The part that is fixed to the active window sash has a key hole. If you need to limit the opening of the window sash, then you install the free end of the cable into the mechanism and turn the key. Thus, the window sash can only be opened by the length of the cable, and the child will not be able to climb out through a narrow opening.
In addition, don’t forget to install impact-resistant triplex double-glazed windows or use anti-vandal film for especially active children. Cover sharp corners on window sills with smoothing overlays.
If you use the above recommendations, you can’t worry about the safety of your child, especially about falling out of windows.
Tips
Best Door Painting Techniques
MT: How to paint an interior door — six top tips from professionals
MD: Painting a door yourself is not always easy. This process involves a few intricacies and challenges. Discover six crucial tips that will help you prepare the door for painting and paint it as experts would.
Tags: paint a door, how to paint doors, paint doors, paint interior doors
Best Door Painting Techniques
Painting a door is a quick way to give your interior a fresh look. If you have 6-panel doors, these are the trickiest to paint smoothly. Follow our tips to do it like a pro. Well-painted doors look impressive for many years!
Decide about Priming
This is necessary if the door was previously covered with oil paint, lead paint, or latex. If the previous latex coating is in good shape and you want to paint over it with latex, go for it.
Prepare the Door
You may decide to remove the door or keep it in place. In the first case, you will also need to take off the latch and knobs. Lay the door on sawhorses horizontally. This way, drips will not be an issue. Besides, there will be less pressure on your back. However, removal is not always easy.
In any situation, protect the area under the door — use some cardboard, rags, newspapers, etc. to cover it. Sand the surface, but only slightly — use some sandpaper or a sanding block. Remove any blemishes or bumps. The surface becomes a little rough, so the new paint will adhere better. Remove sawdust with a damp rag.
Paint Interior Parts
You may use a brush or a small roller to speed up the process. First, tackle the flat panels. Roll the paint, smoothen it out with a brush (always follow the grain direction), and then work with the surrounding detailed areas.
Wooden doors include different pieces where the grain usually changes direction. If you follow it, you will create a high-quality look even on inexpensive doors with a hollow core. Brushstrokes must always go parallel to the wood grain — the opposite looks awful.
Paint Central Pieces
Use a roller on the inside vertical piece. Move it up and down following the grain. Next, switch to a brush. When you are finished with this element, move on to the horizontal cross pieces in the middle. Again, make sure to follow the grain with your brush strokes.
Paint The Border
Again, follow the grain. It usually goes vertically. The border includes a header and a footer. These are the panels located between the left and right sides. Paint them with horizontal strokes of your brush.
Paint the Edges
Remember that you must never paint the hinges, as this looks glaringly unprofessional. If they were painted previously, you may consider removing the paint from the metal. The same applies to the knobs.
To paint the edges, use a roller first. Smoothen the areas out with a brush. Look out for any drips of paint in the process.
Finishing Touches
Check the door face for imperfections before the paint dries (this should take between 30 and 60 minutes). Apply another coat of paint, and let the door dry for a couple of hours. Next, paint the other side following the same logic. Voilà!
Tips
5 Tips for Choosing an Inexpensive Front Door
Your front door is the first thing any visitor will notice. Choosing the right style, color, finish, and material is not easy. This task is even more difficult if you intend to save money: the cheapest options may not withstand the elements. Discover five tips that will help you.
Homeowners have an impressive choice. Front doors may be paneled, double, or arched. They are made of wood, metal, and fiberglass. So, which is the best inexpensive option?
Steer Clear of Wood
Material is the main factor behind the price range. The most popular options are steel, wood, and fiberglass. Hardwood like oak is the most expensive, and it also has the most luxurious look. Nothing can beat its natural beauty. However, if you want something more affordable, other options will not disappoint you. Besides, you will not have to think about damage from moisture or sunlight.
Choose Fiberglass Or Steel
In terms of value for money, fiberglass wins hands down. A composite door is extremely durable. Maintenance is also easier: touch-ups will be rare, even in the harshest climates. These doors come with a core made of foam that has perfect insulating properties.
Steel doors are also affordable, but less durable. You may need to fix minor damage at least occasionally, as dents do occur. If these are large, you may need a replacement. In terms of properties, steel is energy efficient, but it will be hot to the touch in summer and cold in winter. The material conducts temperature, so it is not suitable for extreme climates.
Choose the Right Style
Of course, you need to make sure the door suits the rest of your home. It may also make a statement about you. Are you conservative? A classic 6-panel door could reflect this. Whimsical personalities may opt for an arched model with stained glass. Overall, everyone can express themselves if they want to.
Choose the Right Size
It is essential to take accurate measurements of the space you want to fill. Most single doors are between 32 and 36 inches wide. If your entryway is non-standard, you may need something bigger. For example, there are 42-inch doors.
You may also consider getting a double door. Some homeowners prefer to include additional elements like sidelights or a transom. You will need to make sure any extra elements are properly framed, so they do not fall out.
Calculate Costs Wisely
Consider both up-front and long-term costs. Some materials require more frequent maintenance than others. You will also think about hardware and accessories.
Take Your Time
These are the most basic recommendations. Finding a durable but inexpensive door is possible, but you should avoid rash decisions. This task has its intricacies. The more painstaking you are — the longer your choice will last. Remember that maintenance of the cheapest door may cost you a lot in the long run.