You have lots of choices when it comes to replacing your windows, and as many of you regular readers know, I work with Marvin Windows and Doors promoting their fine products. But for the purposes of this article, I want to focus on the “how” of window replacement, not the “what.”

Replacing your windows can be categorized into two buckets: inserts and full-frame.

Inserts are when the new windows go into the actual frame of your old windows. The installer will remove the sashes and trim that holds it all in place. Now the key here is that the frames need to be sound and in good shape. The new window will have its own frame that will be custom sized and made to fit that exact opening. The new window may be slightly smaller than what you currently have, but this type of installing goes much quicker and can be less messy.

The new units are screwed to the existing frames, insulated, caulked and trimmed. Typically the exterior will be wrapped in aluminum if you have installed some type of low-maintenance exterior on your new insert windows. The interior trim will be the same that was there before; only a small stop or additional strip of wood will be added to finish off the interior.

Full-frame is the method that removes the entire window frame and all to expose the rough opening of the window as it was when the home was first built. This method is especially beneficial if there was substantial wood rot around the windows. This also allows you to get the maximum glass space available, perhaps even more than you had before because modern window frames and sashes have thinner rails (though very strong) to bring in more light into your home.

Full frame installation also offers a better opportunity to insulate around the opening and gives you more options as to the overall size of the window you install. Sometimes an opening can be enlarged depending on how it was originally framed.

As far as pricing, the general rule is that insert products are less costly than full-frame because labor time required for inserts is much less. Either way your new windows will help make you more comfortable, save you some money on your energy bills and add real lasting value to your home.

Note: You can learn more about the window replacement process, what to look for when shopping for windows, and more with this video series, Learn From Lou.

We can all feel that winter’s back is about to be broken and a fresh spring full of new life and warmer temperatures is on its way.  Winter can really put a beating on a home, and once the weather breaks, taking a slow walk around your home with a pad and pencil can be a really good idea.

Most of us are so busy we tend to never look at our homes from a distance to actually see what is going on. In the spring, I would like you to do a 30-minute outdoor inspection of your home.

Start from across the street. Take a look at your home from your neighbor’s point of view. What is the condition of the roof, the siding, and the windows and doors on all four sides of your home? Inspect the ground where it meets your foundation: Is it pitched correctly? Is there new erosion that can lead to water pooling and potentially entering your home?

Pay attention to gutters and downspouts.  Do you see any separation or leaking at the joints of the gutters? Give your sidewalks, driveway, patio and deck a good once-over. Make sure everything is in good repair with no large cracks or separation of material. What about the outdoor lighting? Are all the pieces in place? Is there rust on fixtures or even burned out bulbs?

Now take a look at all the landscaping. How did the lawn survive? What about the trees and shrubs? A professional spring clean-up can really get things off to a good start.

Whether you want to try some of these repairs yourself or just want to have a better idea of what’s going on when you contractor, the 30 minutes you spend on the outside can give you new knowledge about your home and how to maintain it properly.

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Most homes don’t come with an instruction manual. Whether this is your first or your fifth, a new construction or a fixer-upper, there are a few things worth taking note of. As a rule of thumb, all simple repairs should be handled as soon as you find them, and before they turn into very costly undertakings. Here are some tips every homeowner should be armed with.

Start with the shell – The outside of the house is important for more than just looks:

• The roofing should be solid, with no missing, curling or damaged shingles. If replacement is the answer, opt for a complete tear-off. Though more costly, it adds more value to your home at resale.
• Paint that has faded or is chipping should be scraped, sanded, primed and painted with a high quality exterior.
• Windows and doors should be devoid of holes and gaps that could be letting water in, and valuable heat and AC out.
• Take a look from across the street and assess your curb appeal.  Some potted plants, window boxes, a new mail box even some new address numbers can certainly spruce things up.

Inside, focus first on safety:

• If your electrical panel still uses fuses, consider upgrading to a safer, more efficient breaker system.
• Plumbing can be tricky, since often you don’t know there’s a problem until you see it. Leaks of all sizes should be fixed immediately.
• Clear slow-moving drains but avoid chemical agents, opting instead for a plunger. Plungers come in a variety of sizes and styles for toilets, sinks and tubs.

Little things on the inside – A well-maintained home doesn’t just look good; it’s worth more money:

• Paint regularly and don’t be afraid to experiment with color — it’s not permanent.
• Handles and knobs on doors and cabinets should be tight and feel solid. These are also easy to change, and can improve the look of a kitchen or bath in mere moments.
• Toilets should operate normally and without “handle jiggling.” A toilet repair kit costs about $15 and is very easy to install.

Home maintenance checklist – Don’t forget the items on this list:

Twice a year:

• Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Clean the vent from your dryer to avoid a potential fire.

Once a month:

• Change your furnace filters to enhance air quality in the home and extend the life of the furnace.
• Spot-check windows and doors to ensure they aren’t letting precious air in — or out.
• Inspect exposed electrical cords for damage.

Once a year:

• Have your furnace serviced and cleaned by a licensed professional.
• Drain your tanked water heater to improve performance and extend its life.

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While they say you can’t judge a book by its cover, a house could be a totally different story.

The exterior of your home is an investment. Whether you are a new buyer, seller or holding on to your home, your home’s exterior greatly affects first impressions as well as market value. By building an exterior that you could be proud of and is beautiful to look at, you are maximizing that investment.

As a builder, many of my homebuyers make their decisions within seconds of arriving at the new home.  Believe it or not, even before people take that first knock on that beautiful oak or mahogany front door, the decision has been made.

Tackling the Exterior Color:

Both the condition and color of a home’s exterior affect buyers’ impressions. Choosing the exterior colors of your home may sound limiting and a bit overwhelming, but today there are so many choices that your exterior colors can be.  And, with a little imagination and some terrific accent colors, you can make your home stand out from the rest of the neighborhood and make Ms. Johnson down the street even more envious than she already is.

How to Choose that Exterior Color:

Many of you may be familiar with the term “Painted Lady, ” which refers to older Victorian homes that can have as many as 25 different colors on the exterior. While most homeowners do not live in a home that may require this type of painting style, it’s very easy to get a beautiful looking home with minimal maintenance requirements as long as you consider the following tips:

• What’s your style? Figure out what you like. The right color choice can make all the difference in the look and feel of your home. Keep in mind that light colors make a house look larger, while dark colors tend to make the house look smaller. Also consider the color of houses nearby and avoid copycat or clashing colors.

• Consider the color combination. We’re not all Vincent Van Gogh when it comes to choosing the most complimentary color combinations, but I recommend applying a clay color to the exterior siding and, instead of using the normal white trim, apply a cameo color to the trim.  This is a softer white with a little cream in it.  Then, on the sashes of the windows (the part that goes up and down), paint these two shades darker than the siding.  This effect gives your home some depth and can be done with almost any color combination.

• Think small accents. They can go a long way in making your home pop out from the rest and make you feel great every time you pull up in front.

• Give it a test drive. Don’t be afraid to test out an area first before you paint the whole home. Spend a little time and money on test cans to make sure you are making the right choice. Also, leave the sample up for a couple of days and view the choices under different lighting conditions, like in the morning, afternoon or evening.

• Consider the grounds. Another thing you should also consider are the materials for your sidewalk, driveway and patio. Whether it is brick, concrete, tar or pebbles, you want the accents colors in your grounds to complement the final color of the home.

• Remember, this isn’t just a beautiful exterior – it’s an investment. Always go with the highest quality paint that you can afford. Avoid “bargain” or discount paints. For a bargain price without compromising quality, price-shop name brand paints at sale time, usually around midsummer, with major paint sales coming just after the 4th of July and again in the fall.

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There is a huge portion of the country that will be experiencing a lot of ice build-up on their roofs this winter, and one of the most common questions I’m asked during the cold winter months is how prevent those bothersome ice dams.

Every winter I battle with ice dams that form on my roof and in my gutters. I clean the gutters every fall, but the ice returns each winter. How can I get rid of it?

If you are one of the many homeowners who find ice building up and causing problems with your home, I have outlined a couple of simple tips on beating the deep roof freeze.

You know what they say about ice dams? They wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for all that dam ice! But seriously, the key to eliminating ice build-up is to maintain the same temperature between your roof and the outside air.

To do this, keep your attic well ventilated. Continuous soffit vents and continuous ridge vents enable air to flow into the attic and then circulate out the top. Also, be sure that there isn’t any insulation stuck in the crotch of the roof rafters. This can block airflow into the soffit vents. And make sure that your ceiling insulation has a rating of at least R40, meaning a twelve- to sixteen-inch thickness of insulation. Some areas of the country need even more insulation.

Another option is to install heat cables at the base of the roof and into the gutters and down spouts. Make sure that the cables are installed as described by the manufacturer and that they are plugged into a GFCI outlet to lessen the chance of a short and potential fire hazard. Also check to make sure that your city or village allows these cables to be installed