Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Draftproofing your home reduces air infiltration which saves energy and lowers your heating and cooling bills. To draftproof your home you should apply caulk and expanding foam to gaps and cracks around the perimeter of your house and install foam gaskets around exterior plugs and switches. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

With the rising cost of gas and electricity, finding ways to cut back on your energy consumption is more important than ever. To help you cope, we’re taking a look at four great ways to make your home more energy efficient that are also eligible for the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit: upgrading your heating and cooling system, water heater, windows, and attic insulation. Read in full.

Old doors can be reused for a number of home improvement projects, including headboards for beds and dividers in a room. Watch this video to find out how to convert an old door into a writing or computer desk complete with bookshelves and coat rack. Watch this video.

Gary asks, “The outer pane of glass on my French doors is broken, but the inner one is fine. Do I have to buy both panes, or can I just fix the one that is broken?”

When one pane of insulated glass breaks, you have to replace the entire piece, since the space between the panes is filled with an inert gas then sealed to keep moisture from forming between the panes. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Jessica asks, “We have double pane windows and are thinking about installing storm windows in front of them. Would that be a cost efficient way to save on our energy bills?”

While you could add storm windows to your existing double pane windows, the energy savings would not be nearly as great as installing them over single pane windows. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Natural light in homes can have a positive influence on our mood while reducing the energy used by artificial lighting. Take advantage of natural lighting during daylight hours to brighten up your home by installing mirrors in strategic locations to reflect sunlight. In rooms with little or no natural light, consider installing tubular skylights in the ceiling to provide natural light. Watch this video.

Drowning in utility bills? JELD-WEN Windows and Doors can provide some relief! Enter the JELD-WEN Utility Bill Bailout for a chance to win an entire window and door makeover for your home. The winning home will also be featured on an upcoming episode of Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford®. Watch this video.

Joan asks, “I have several windows that receive a lot of sun in the afternoon. What’s the best way to keep the heat and sunlight out while still being able to see outside?”

UV rays and solar heat from windows can damage furniture and fabrics and increase air conditioning bills. To prevent this from happening, consider installing special window film on the inside of your glass that blocks UV and solar heat. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Byrnes asks, “Our front door is galvanized metal and the paint is popping off. What is the correct way to remove the old paint and repaint it?”

If the door is peeling badly, you may need to use a stripper to remove all the paint. If only a few places are causing problems, you can probably get by scraping and lightly sanding the door to remove any loose or peeling paint. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Larry asks, “Why won’t my interior door stay completely open? When I open it, it always moves to a half open position and will not stay fully open.”

The reason your door won’t stay open is probably that the door frame, or the wall it’s attached to, was installed slightly out of plumb. While there’s no easy fix for the framing, there are a couple of ways to keep the door where you want it. Read on to find out more. Read in full.