How to Get Your Home Ready for Holiday Entertaining
Introduction
The holiday season is a natural time for entertaining. People like to exchange gifts, return to their hometown to visit with family and friends, or attend neighborhood parties. No matter how you celebrate, all of these events entail hosting a party or holiday gathering. The most important aspect of holiday entertaining is friendly companionship, but having festive home decor adds a seasonal touch. Whether you entertain friends regularly or for the first time, here are a few considerations to make your home ready. 
The Entry Door
The entry door is the first impression your guests have upon arrival. Adding holiday decorations are a simple way to spruce up the door. Dressing up the front door with wreath or other holiday decorations, lets friends know you look forward to their visit.
Another consideration is to make sure the door is in good repair and working order. A fresh coat of paint can beautify an older door, but if it doesn't open and close smoothly it may be time for a new one. There are many options available, so take the time to choose one you really like and have always wanted.
Welcoming Windows
Windows can also be decorated for the season. Window candles are a standard holiday favorite, as are stained glass hanging ornaments. Removable stickers and window clings are also simple, inexpensive touches to add.
Just like with your doors, you want your windows to function properly. You may want to open them for fresh air when a large group is assembled inside, and you don't want an uncomfortable draft coming in when they are closed. Relative to the cost of a house, new windows are inexpensive and provide a great return on investment and a warmer home.
A New Kitchen
Regardless of what you have planned for the evening, guests are nearly always going to spend at least some time in the kitchen. It's simple to add a holiday themed centerpiece to the table. You may want a few decorations on the countertops, but not so many as to be in the way of food preparation. Having the kitchen clean and ready to present drinks and snacks is arguably the most important aspect of preparing it for company.
As with window and door home renovations, if you've always wanted new counters, cabinetry, floors, or even paint, it might be a good time to consider having the work done before the holidays. Your guests will be impressed, plus it’s a chance to show off your new kitchen!
Additional Considerations
The most important aspect of holiday entertaining is just to present a clean home in which you clearly thought about your guests and their comfort. Whether they are visiting for an afternoon, evening, or staying overnight you want them to feel welcome.
- Do make sure doors and windows function properly and look nice.
- Add flowers and small decorations to make the house inviting.
- Don't worry about making everything absolutely “perfect” as your guests won't notice something out of place the way you do.
- Stock the kitchen with food and drink for guests
- Refer to an online holiday entertaining guide for ideas about decorations.
What to Do Next
If you need work done to prepare your home for company, call RWC to have a representative come by and discuss your needs.
Open Concept Floor Plans: Here’s What To Know If You Want An Open Concept House
If you are considering a remodel or you are building your own home, there are numerous advantages to using open concept floor plans. When you have a large space, you may have enough room to have specialized areas throughout your home. If you have less square footage, you will need to become more creative with the living area you have. With an open concept floor plan, you will be able to maximize your space and create a more open concept home that is perfect for entertaining.
The Advantages of Choosing From Open Concept Floor Plans
When you build your home with an open concept floor plan, people throughout your home will be less isolated. For example, if one individual is in the kitchen cooking, they are still able to hear and see others in the home who are watching television. Parents of young children often enjoy open concept floor plans because they can easily watch the children and still get work done around the home. In addition, open concept floor plans:
- Allow for easier entertaining, creates a more open concept house by providing a large space for guests to walk around and feel comfortable in.
- Increase the amount of natural light in your home, as a home with fewer interior walls allows sunlight in.
- Provide space that is multi-purpose, allowing homeowners to maximize the space they are living in.
Open concept floor plans have been making a comeback in recent years as families are looking to live in smaller, more economical spaces while still having the advantages of living in a larger home.
The Disadvantages of Open Concept Floor Plans
While open concepts are great for families, there are some drawbacks. When you choose to create an open concept floor plan, you are going to have less privacy. In addition, a closed floor plan offers:
- Plenty of wall space for decorative purposes. If you have a lot of family photos and other wall art, you'll need extra wall space to accommodate everything.
- Spaces that can easily be shut off when not in use. Children can have their own playroom without the living room turning into a huge play space.
- A simplified way to stay organized. In a closed concept house, each room has a specific purpose.
- Noises don't always travel through the whole house, especially when there are interior walls to block the noise.
- Each room can have a specific purpose and decorated accordingly.
In a home with a closed floor plan, every room has an assigned use and there will be little flow. When your home is large, this can help keep your home better organized. You can also choose to have an open floor plan on the first floor of your home, while having more delineated spaces on your second floor.
Many homes today use a combination of open floor plans and closed. The pros and cons of open concept floor plans cause plenty of homeowners to choose a varied floor plan instead. If you are looking to remodel your kitchen or change your floor plan, whether you have a large or small home, it's time to contact RWC Windows, Doors & More to see how we can help you. Call us today at 973-435-4230 and we’ll share our ideas to make your home’s living space the best it can be for you and your family.
The Best Home Remodeling Projects for Your Rental Property
Making a decent income with a rental property is an easy venture for many, simply because you don't have to put in a lot of effort to yield a consistent return from month to month. However, it is necessary to occasionally upgrade the properties and give them a little TLC to keep them attractive to potential tenants and avoid rental property depreciation.
As a landlord, keeping your costs to a minimum is how you actually make a profit, but this does not mean you can neglect your properties. The key is to find a balance between making upgrades and doing so in a cost-effective way. Check out this short list of the best remodeling projects for your rental property.
Replace the Entry Doors
The doors of a home are such a simple thing, but they are also one of the key things someone notices about a property. If the front or rear entry door to your rental is old with a shabby look and a lock system that's not that great, it speaks volumes about the whole property in the eyes of a renter. According to Expert Properties, a bad front door can actually make a home look cheap and unkempt. Thankfully, doors are a relatively inexpensive upgrade. Even if you go with the most basic design, it can work wonders if the existing door is damaged or unappealing.
Add Backsplashes Where Needed
How important is a backsplash? Actually, this is an important feature even in a rental property. Not only do prospective tenants appreciate a backsplash as a design and function feature in kitchens and bathrooms, this feature offers the dual purpose of being a form of protection to the walls in otherwise vulnerable places. A backsplash can be installed with simple tiles or formica. The average cost on the low end is only just over $500, so this is easily an affordable upgrade.
Upgrade to More Modern Windows
Ask any renter what they look for when considering a property before they sign a rental agreement and one of the things they will likely say is the windows. Windows can make a difference in a lot of important traits about the house, including:
- The outer and inner appearance of the home.
- The overall energy efficiency of the home.
- The overall security of the home.
Replacing the windows in the home can be a little more costly compared to some of the smaller remodeling projects, but replacing windows is also well worth the investment. You will see the value of the property rise, which also means you could potentially raise rental rates slightly because prospective tenants will be more willing to pay a little more for a place that has good windows.
Things to Remember About the Best Home Remodeling Projects for Rentals
- Replacing just the doors can make a huge difference in curb appeal.
- Backsplash additions in the kitchen and bathroom are attractive, easy, and cheap.
- Adding new windows is an upgrade that enhances property value and can garner you higher rent payments.
- Upgrades don't have to be expensive to make a difference.
Trust Professionals with Your Rental Property Upgrades
You may be able to set up a rental property and watch the funds roll in, but your attention to small details can make a big difference in how much your profit margin really is year after year in this kind of business. If you need help revamping your rental property as a landlord, reach out to us at RWC for help.
The Best and Worst Home Improvement Projects for ROI
If you are looking to put your house up for sale and make the most profit, the first thought is to make upgrades so your house fetches a better price in the market. While this works in most cases, not all home improvement projects give you a significant return on your investment (ROI); no matter how beautiful or practical they may be.
So, before you get down on your interior or exterior upgrades, consider these crucial projects that will positively impact your ROI.
Best home improvement projects for ROI
The following 3 projects are among the best home improvement investments that are known to cut across the board; meaning that they can give great ROI in almost any neighborhood across the nation.
1) Steel entry door and wooden window replacement
According to the Cost vs. Value report for the year 2016 by Remodeling, upgrading your entry door to a steel one offers a large return on investment with an average of 91% across the nation. The average cost of a steel door is around $1,200, so with a 91% return on this investment, it proves to be a worthy upgrade.
Installing wood windows can also help you recoup close to 80% of the total remodeling cost upon selling your home. Window replacement projects when combined with a stylish steel entry door replacement, create an attractive appeal that is perfect for creating lasting first impressions to buyers.
2) Minor kitchen remodeling
Kitchens are the hub of a home as this is where most people spend their time. According to the same 2016 report, minor kitchen remodels also offer good ROI with an average of 83% nationwide. The most common minor remodels include upgrading the kitchen cabinets, granite counter tops, fixtures, sinks, faucets, colors and finishes.
3) Bathroom remodeling
Bathroom remodeling is another key home improvement return investment. Bathrooms and kitchens are areas in a home where a buyer can walk in and tell whether money has been well spent or not. Bathroom remodeling does not necessarily call for expensive upgrades. It only needs minimal, but well targeted upgrades to create an impressive appeal to the buyer. Depending on the real estate market in your neighborhood, bathroom upgrades can give an ROI of up to 96%.
Worst home improvement projects for ROI
These are some of the worst upgrades to undertake when looking attain a maximum return on your investment.
1) Home office remodeling
While it may seem like a great idea to revamp your home office before resale, you may end up recouping less than half the cost of your remodel. Home office remodeling has a very low ROI of around 48.7% on average. This is because even though some people would want to have a home office, only a population of around 2.8% works from home part-time and hence they don’t really need a remodeled office.
2) Garage addition
A garage addition is also a poor investment project if you are aiming on getting a good return on your investment. Building a garage calls for intensive labor and expenses with only an average ROI of 60% on the project’s cost. However, undertaking a garage door replacement can see you recouping over 90% of the project’s cost.
3) Bathroom addition
According the 2016 Cost vs. Value report by Remodeling, bathroom addition home investment projects had the least return on investment nationally with an average percentage of 56%. Getting an additional bathroom costs around $42,000 but you can only expect to recoup around $23,000 of that cost, which is very low ROI.
Takeaways
- Home improvement projects can help boost your property’s value during resale.
- However, not all remodeling projects have a good return on investment.
- Some of the remodeling projects with the best ROI include; bathroom remodeling, minor kitchen remodeling, steel entry door replacement, and wood window replacement.
- Some of the remodeling projects with the worst ROI include; garage addition, home office remodeling, and bathroom addition.
- There are many more types of remodeling projects you ought to look into, particularly those that are specific to your neighborhood.
For professional advice and consultation on how to go about your home upgrades, contact us at RWC. We are the number all-stop shop for windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms remodeling services.
Mold Prevention Tips You Need To Stop Mold On Windows
Most homeowners think of mold as a problem in basements, laundry rooms, or crawl spaces only. But knowing what really causes mold on windows doesn’t limit its growth to these areas of your home. Actually, mold can grow anywhere there is an accumulation of excess moisture and the proper temperature. It just so happens that the ideal temperature for human comfort - between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, is also optimum for the growth of mold and fungi.
Is Mold on Windows Dangerous?
Moldy windows can have harmful effects on your family's health. Upper respiratory symptoms along with skin and eye irritation are possible. Identifying, removing, and preventing mold around windows is crucial to your family health. In some homes, replacing the windows and frames may be the best mold prevention solution.
How To Identify Mold on Window Frames & Glass
Favorable conditions for mold are often found on or around windows. The problem for the homeowner is that mold around windows is not always visible to the eye. The joints where the glass meets the window frame, especially near the bottom is a common breeding ground for mold around window sill. Sometimes mold can be invisible on the glass, matching the color of the window itself. Other times, mold can be identified as a green, white, yellow, pink, or black - depending on the specific mold spores.
Getting Rid of Mold on Windows
The CDC cites the mold around window sill as an increasing concern, with serious possible side effects such as memory loss and lack of energy. Follow these general guidelines to remove mold from windows:
- Dampen the mold by spraying with water from a spray bottle to prevent mold spores from circulating in the air.
- It is recommended to wear gloves, an air mask, and safety goggles for personal protection.
- With a non-abrasive brush, scrub the mold around windows with a solution of 1/4 to 1/2 cup bleach added to a gallon of water.
- Wipe away all loosened mold with paper towels and discard in a sealed plastic bag.
If you prefer not to use bleach when cleaning your window frame and other surfaces, alternate methods are available. Soaking the molded areas with white vinegar followed by a good scrubbing with baking soda – or use a diluted fungicide according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Replacing your windows is always an option for ensuring the complete removal of mold on windows.
Mold Prevention Tips
Regularly clean your bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom windows to remove dust and moisture. Take steps to prevent condensation from forming on windows and other places in the home that sweat. Ventilate rooms where moisture is present, such as the bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen. You may also consider a dehumidifier if air moisture is a problem in your home.
When to Consider New Windows
Double pane windows with moisture on the inside is an indication of the seals deteriorating and provide a breeding ground for mold. If your casement windows or wood framed windows are difficult to open and shut, this can indicate water infiltration within the frame causing swelling or inlets for debris. All these problems can be a sign of moisture infiltration, which can lead to hidden mold growth.
Takeaways:
- Consistent sinus and respiratory problems may indicate mold within the home
- Perform mold inspections by examining the joints, casing, and window sills for signs of mold growth
- Regularly clean your bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom windows
- Follow mold removal guidelines carefully to prevent mold from going airborne
- Control mold growth by removing moisture in your house and on interior surfaces
- Replace windows that may have mold growing in unseen crevices
Contact RWC, a family owned and operated window and door replacement company located in West Caldwell, New Jersey with over 50 years of experience in window replacements to solve your home's window mold problems. We don't just specialize in removing mold from windows. We'd love to use our knowledge of window care, safety, design, and installation to help you get the best windows for your home. We take pride in quality service and offer a wide range of solutions for window replacement in New Jersey to fit your budget.