The Window Depot

The front of your home serves as the welcome mat to your home for family and friends to visit. Every homeowner wants the front of their house to be warm and inviting at first glance. Your front porch is a versatile place where you can enjoy alone time or special moments with a loved one.   So if it is time to update your front porch, here are a few tips and ideas to update your front porch and maximize it as an extension of your home.   Seating   Make your front porch a comfortable place to curl up with a good book or an afternoon chat with a friend by choosing new seating for your space. A cozy outdoor couch or chair set can withstand the weather and offer you a place to take in the outside world.   A little table might provide a nice place to play a card game or let the kids do their homework outside. Adding colorful outdoor pillows or cushions that coordinate with your front door will add to your curb appeal.   Another fun option for seat...

  There is nothing quite like the sounds and smells of summer wafting through the screen door. After all, the screen door is the original air conditioner. While you might think you need a screen door for your home, other options exist.   So what kind of door, storm doors, or screen doors are the best choice for your home?   Screen Doors   Screen doors are usually made of aluminum or wooden frames with mesh screening for most of the opening. Sometimes, the screens only span the top half of the door, offering the option to have fresh air flowing into your home without bugs or other unwanted items coming into the home. In addition, screen doors lend themselves to being used on doors to screened porches and patios.   When adding a screen door, remember that noise travels easily through the screen, so if you have noisy neighbors (or vice versa!), you may lose some privacy with a screen door. Additionally, screens are less durable than the alternative...

  As you plan for window replacement, the list of options is endless. Many choose to add a classic, stunning bay window to their living rooms. Bay windows consist of three panels and protrude from the inner room. These windows open up the room, creating more space and an interesting architectural feeling. There are many ways to make your bay window the focal point of your living room.   Arched Bay Windows   Let light stream into your living room with arched bay windows. The arch adds a bit of interest to the room, and with careful design, you can echo the arch in other windows and features of the room. Many arch bay windows have window coverings that cover the lower half of the window, allowing you to have privacy in the evening but letting the arched portion shine all night long.   Bay Window Seats   Add seating to your existing space with a bay window seat. Including a window seat helps maximize the window space on your wall and offers a cozy plac...

  When the time comes to get new siding on your house, you have a rare opportunity to change the tone of your home completely. New siding means a chance to change the color of your home. Because the exterior of your home makes a statement to your guest and passersby alike, the decision does not come lightly. Let's look at popular trends in exterior home colors.   The good news is that when it comes to exterior house colors, the trends don't vary as dramatically as interior color trends. Many homeowners tend to use neutral color palettes on the home's exterior, opting to bring in pops of color through trim, doors, or landscape.   However, remember that the exterior of your home makes a first impression on visitors and potential buyers. You may not be planning to move for many years, but it still makes sense to ensure your home retains its value. Installing siding that is on-trend and up to date makes your home look beautiful for you and potential buyers while inc...

  One of the benefits of a double-hung sash window is that they are easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance purposes. While removing the double-hung window sash is not hard, we have some advice to make it super easy and quick.   Double-hung windows are made of two separate glass panes, called sashes, that slide past each other. These windows can be tilted inward and removed from the frame quickly following these simple steps: 1.       Unlock the latches and pull up the sash   The latches are on top of the bottom sash. Unlock the latches and push the sash upward.   2.     Pull the sash in Pull the locking tabs located on the top left and right corners of the sash inward, then pull the top of the sash inward.   3.     Remove the sash pin   Twist the sash to make one side higher than the other and remove the sash pin. The pin is located in the window clutch, the part enclosed in the wi...

  At this point in the winter, the cold season has set in, and we are willing to do just about anything to keep our homes warm and avoid feeling the chill.   However, did you know that an estimated 25% of the heat in your home escapes through the windows? Insulating your windows is one of the best ways to save energy and keep your home at a comfortable temperature in the winter. Here are a few ways to insulate your windows.   Window Repairs   Start by checking your windows for leaky spots. One way to do this is to move a lit candle around your windows on a windy day. If the flame flickers, you have a draft. Patch drafty spots with weatherstripping or caulk the cracked areas to create a tighter seal.   Window Insulator Kits   Sold at a local hardware store, these can often do an excellent job of keeping out drafts for a low price. In addition, they are very quick and easy to install to winterproof your windows.   Thermal Curtains ...

  We know the winter prep list for homeowners is long because there is much to do to prepare for the cold weather that comes with the season. But getting everything done as the nights get longer and the days get colder is tricky.   Was removing window screens from your windows on your winter preparation list? Here are some benefits of removing your window screens during the winter.   Let Natural Light In   It is hard to believe that removing your window screens will allow a staggering 40% more natural light into your home. Additionally, while screens do great work of reducing solar heat coming into the house in the summertime, removing them will help to heat your home naturally in the winter. Enjoy warmer rooms and lower energy costs by removing screens from windows during the winter.   Winter Storm Protection   Don't let nasty winter weather damage your screens and windowsills. Some screens are on the outside of windows, and others are on...