3 Benefits of Double Entry Doors [Infographic]
Whether building or remodeling a house, a double entry door vs a single entry door is an important consideration. Home front entry doors set the tone for your home's theme. The front door adds curb appeal to an investment house, welcomes you home and greets your guests. Although single entry doors are perfectly fine and can look great, there are several definite benefits of double entry doors you’ll want to consider:
- Increased curb appeal and architectural style
- Larger access point for entertaining or moving large furnishings
- More natural light with sidelights and transom windows
Room for Moving and Activities
One of the most obvious reasons for double entry doors is the amount of space they offer. Whether you're moving in or replacing furniture, you'll appreciate the ease of carrying large items through the double doors instead of having to maneuver through a single door entry. The space can also be advantageous when entertaining guests, whether the doors open to the front porch or a rear deck and patio. Double doors provide less separation between inside and outside. This is great when entertaining, but also nice if you spend time outdoors grilling, reading, or sunbathing -- while also providing a clear view if children are playing in the yard while you remain inside.
Aesthetic Appeal and Balance
Another of the double entry doors advantages is the appeal and balance they can add to a home. Double doors can give a sense of welcoming to a larger home and provide an open feeling for a smaller one. They can also create a smooth balance when planned in conjunction with the layout of the windows and design of the front facade. Double doors are an inviting focal point, drawing people to the doors you want them to enter through, instead of approaching a side door or garage.
Natural Light
An additional advantage of the double door entrance is the amount of natural light they allow in. Depending on the compass direction the door faces, you might choose clear glass doors with curtains or doors with stained glass features. Alternately, solid doors with secure storm doors or a screen can be opened during the day to allow light in when you're home, and then be locked at night or when you're away. Natural light has proven health benefits. And surprisingly, being exposed to more natural light during the day will improve your sleep quality at night. Another surprising fact is that double doors typically allow for more than double the amount of light a single door allows in, because shadows or shade can potentially cover a larger percentage of a single door entry compared to the larger space of the set of double doors.
Points to Consider
- Additional Entry Space: Whether moving furniture or for daily comfort, double entry doors allow for ease of moving in and out of the house.
- Appeal: Double doors add value to the home by providing curb appeal if you plan to sell, or intrinsic value to daily life through personal comfort and convenience in their regular use.
- Lighting and Design: Double doors allow natural light in to provide a wonderful ambiance to the interior.
Conclusion
If you have more questions about double door vs single front door, contact us at RWC: Windows, Doors, and More. One of our professional representatives will be happy to discuss entry door styles and schedule an appointment at your convenience to review your options.
Ultimate Guide To Winterizing Windows
If your home has drafty windows, it's almost like you’re throwing money away every time you heat your home. According to the Department of Energy’s website, homes will lose up to 30% of interior heating by the transfer of cold air in and the leaking of warm air out. The best way to increase your home's comfort -- and lower your utility bills -- is with an energy efficient window replacement.
This guide will give homeowners several options for replacement windows, along with ways to seal and insulate windows for winter. You may have some windows that are in fairly good condition, but even those can benefit from sealing cracks and/or insulating the glass and frame.
These are the two ways you can maximize your heat and protect your windows:
- Sealing - to block wind and moisture from entering through frame joints and sealant cracks
- Insulation - to block the transfer of cold surface air through the glass and into the home
Living in a cold and windy winter climate means your home should have energy-efficient windows, or at a minimum low-E coated storm windows. High-efficiency storm windows feature an invisible layer on the window's glass that will reduce both radiation and conduction heat losses. Other ways to winterize windows include:
Install Heating Saving Windows
Heat saving windows are highly efficient. Double-glazed low-E windows with insulation perform much better over single-pane, insulated windows because they have a better U-factor (the measure of heat transfer which indicates how well the window insulates) and a better solar heat gain coefficient (which indicates how well the window transfers solar heat).
Other benefits that are built-into energy saving windows may include:
- Vinyl frame for greater thermal performance
- Insulated with 2 panes of sealed glass to trap cold air
- Gas filled between the panes will further reduce heat transfer
- Spacers to allow for thermal expansion and prevent moisture leaks.
Seal Windows for Winter
Sealing your drafty windows may be necessary to block air drafts and moisture from entering through the smallest cracks and crevices. A homeowner will find multiple options for sealing your windows:
- Caulking - First, all old caulking should be removed from the perimeter of windows. The frame and window should be clean and dry before caulking. A fresh bead of continuous caulk, usually a silicone based product, is applied around the entire frame.
- Weatherstripping - This product is sold as an adhesive-backed foam, tubular rubber-gasket, or a V-shaped plastic strip. Each material has its own process for installation. The benefit is that most weatherstripping can be removed if you prefer open windows during milder seasons.
Insulate Windows for Winter
You can gain some energy saving if you have damaged windows by installing a window insulation kit to block the transfer of cold air from outside, and to keep warm air in the home for longer periods of time. These kits will include a plastic shrink-wrap that is first adhered to the interior window casing using double sided tape. Heat is then applied with a blow dryer, to shrink the plastic and effectively insulate the home against drafts. Window insulation kits are only a temporary solution, and they are often not aesthetically appealing. They can also be prone to failure. Therefore, the plastic should be reapplied each year.
Takeaways
- Homes will lose up to 30% of interior heating by the transfer of cold air in and the leaking of warm air out
- Double-glazed low-E windows with insulation perform much better over single-pane for heating saving windows
- Seal windows for winter by using either caulking or weatherstripping products obtained from home improvement stores
- Window insulation kits are only a temporary solution until home window replacement can be planned
For the best energy efficiency during bitterly cold and windy winters, you may want to consider combining different techniques, especially if your home is older or your window frames are damaged. Continue to discover what homeowner window replacement options RWCNJ recommends.
Note: This is an updated version of our previous blog post, “The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Windows".
How Long Will Your Bathroom Renovation Take?
Introduction
It isn't uncommon to need a bathroom renovation. What is uncommon, is a common job. Every bathroom is different, every client has different expectations, and every home undergoing a bathroom renovation has different needs to be filled. Even HomeAdvisor can't give a final determination on a cost to replace a toilet other than the wide range of $130-$780. While pricing estimates may vary, the bathroom renovation time length can be estimated before the project starts. What your contractor doesn't know is whether there may be some hidden or unforeseeable problems.
What a Bathroom Renovation Includes
A bathroom renovation can mean different things to different people according to what the room needs. In some cases, a bathroom renovation might be as simple as installing a new vanity and a fresh coat of paint. It also may mean installing a tile floor and water saving fixtures. Then again, a full renovation might include moving an interior wall or adding a structural extension to the house itself in order to create a more luxurious space.
Remodeling versus Full Renovation
It is important to understand professional terminology before beginning a bathroom project. Typically, a remodel job entails replacing what is already there. This can consist of installing a new vanity and countertops, replacing the floor covering, adding new electric and plumbing fixtures or updating any out of date pipes and connections to modern code standards.
A renovation, on the other hand, can include architectural changes to the very design of the bathroom. Switching from a bathtub/ shower combination to a separate tub and shower requires new pipe installation. Moving the sink from one wall to a different location also requires major structural work. Moving a wall to add floor space to the room or make a specialized linen closet is going to take more time than adding updated shelving to an existing space.
Determining a Time Frame
The time frame deserves some thought, keeping in mind what you may have seen on a home improvement reality show isn't entirely accurate. If a piece of drywall needs to be replaced, it has to be plastered. The following day, the plaster is sanded and a finish coat of drywall plaster is applied. It has to dry overnight, be sanded again, and a coat of primer must be applied. Then two coats of paint color need to be added. Assuming you don't want to pay someone to literally watch paint dry, that means five days of real time -- but perhaps only 5-10 hours of billable time. The same concept applies to a tile floor, and to some extent, hardwood floors as well. Each step requires time to dry and cure in order for the job to last for years to come.
Considerations
This is an updated post from June 23, 2017 and has since been updated. Read the original post here.
- A bathroom remodel job requires a series of processes, and each step takes time.
- A great contractor has the experience to estimate a time, but can't predict every hidden problem.
- If the job takes an extra week it might seem a nuisance now, but in ten years you'll be glad you took the time to do the job right.
Conclusion
It's difficult at best to declare the average time to remodel a bathroom because of the fact that every job is different. A base figure, for an average size bathroom that is having a new toilet and vanity installed along with a floor, paint, and new bathtub and shower outlets, is about three to four weeks. For more detailed information about what your bathroom needs and how long it will take, contact us at RWC Kitchens and Baths to discuss the job with a courteous, experienced professional.
New Year Resolutions for Your Home
When making your New Year resolutions to exercise more, start a new hobby, or save money for retirement, don't forget to include your home improvement resolutions. Making a plan for home improvements at the beginning of the year can serve as a guide for short-term projects and larger renovations that will make a big difference for years to come.
Plan For A Kitchen Renovation
When it comes to new year home resolutions, a new kitchen ranks as number one according to HomeAdvisor.com. The benefits of a kitchen renovation go beyond the added beauty, dining convenience, and improved kitchen functioning. Expect a substantial payoff from a kitchen renovation, most likely reflected in an increase of your home's value.
A budget-friendly kitchen remodel plan for the new year can simply improve the details - replacing fixtures and lighting, painting walls, and installing new tile backsplash and LVT flooring. But, when you plan for a kitchen renovation, there are ways to get that must-have peninsula, upgraded sink, cabinet refacing, and granite countertop by working with a kitchen and bath remodeling service with an array of design plans to fit your budget.
Homeowners should plan to spend between 5 and 15 percent of their home’s total value on a kitchen remodel, as this is the optimal range for homeowners to spend and expect to recoup at resale.
Purge and Declutter
HGTV suggests home improvement resolutions to purge and declutter your home - getting rid of old shoes and too-small clothes, organizing closets and drawers, donating unused toys and electronics, and tossing out old makeup, pantry items, and medications. Find unique ways to stash less used items in woven baskets and decorative bins.
And if you don't already have a system for keeping your house clean, the new year is a good time to create a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule.
Reduce Your Energy Bills
If you're looking to find ways to save money in the new year, consider home resolutions to reduce utility costs in demanding summer and winter months. You can contain your heat and cool air better when you replace your old windows with energy efficient windows and replace drafty doors along with the addition of storm doors to keep the cold out.
Similar to kitchen and bath renovations, replacing your home's windows and doors will add beauty, value, and increased home performance. You want window styles that allow an abundance of sunlight to filter into the home. This improves the ambiance and natural light, while still maintaining privacy and security. And when it comes to door replacements, consider a double entry door for gaining dramatic curb appeal and allowing for easy wheelchair or motorized scooter access.
Organize Basement and Garage
You can gain useable living or hobby space when you organize the lawn and gardening accessories, sports equipment, and automotive tools using pegged wall hangers and custom storage solutions. Not only will you gain more room for vehicles or fun activities, it will save you time when looking for things.
If you dread going into your basement or garage, and want to eliminate any safety hazards that are lurking midst the clutter, turn what was storage space in living space. Today, homeowners see the value in having an at-home gym in the basement or a climbing wall for the kids in the garage. And for teenagers, a dedicated space for virtual reality games is also trending.
Transform Your Bathroom Into a Spa
Who wouldn't want a spa experience in the convenience of their own home? With a master bathroom remodel, you can turn that dream into a reality. Imagine a free-standing soaking tub, a double walk-in shower with rainfall shower head, and heated floors to vanish cold feet.
Add some dreamy lighting, a digital music system, and natural elements like wood seating, weaved baskets, and cottony window treatments, for a new year's resolution you will not regret.
Takeaways
- A kitchen renovation is the number one new year home improvement resolution, while a bathroom remodel is number two.
- For the greatest energy savings, replace windows, exterior doors, and add storm doors to prevent hot and cold air transfer caused by drafts.
- Decluttering your home, purging unused items, and organizing your basement and garage are small home improvement projects that increase safety, add to home functioning, and support occupant comfort.
The New Year is the perfect time to speak with a RWCNJ representative and start planning for both large and small home improvements.