Keeping Your Home Safe with the Best Smart Home Technology
Safe Home Technology
With modern computer technology, upgrades and new home designs allow lifestyle improvements for the savvy homeowner. While you may have heard of voice controlled entertainment systems, programmable heating and air conditioning units, or ways to check on your house via smart home technology, there are some practical applications which may be useful.
In today's world, security is an important aspect of most people's lives. Some essential tips keeping home safe start with locking windows and doors, and preventing strangers from peeking inside. An additional aspect of home security is fire prevention, which can be achieved with programmable kitchen appliances which can be set to turn off when you leave the house.
Doors and Security Features
Over time, the house may settle a bit. Weather conditions, wood framing and doors can shrink or swell. While this is normal, it becomes an issue when doors don't open or close as easily. At this point, it is time to consider installing a new home safe door. There are numerous safe materials to choose from, including:
- Steel
- Wood
- Fiberglass
Due to their durability, these options are the most secure options to prevent break ins. As another safety precaution, installing new locks with a remote access features will allow give you peace of mind when not home. The best smart door locks can be checked remotely so if you leave in a hurry you can “call” your house with your phone and lock the door. Likewise, if you're expecting a service call, you can unlock the door then lock the door when the person leaves, without having to be there and leave the door open all day.
Windows and Smart Technology Options
Windows can incorporate a Smart feature by closing blinds at night or when you’re not home. Additionally, if your house uses security cameras, you can conduct a routine security patrol with your phone. When out of town, you can check your windows, open them, or lock them remotely.
Kitchens and Cooking
Kitchens are another aspect of your house which is especially adaptable to smart technology. Imagine setting up dinner in the oven and being able to turn it on when you leave work, thirty minutes before arriving home. By using new kitchen technology, many aspects of your daily cooking chores can be automated, leaving you more time to relax. Kitchen automation simplifies cooking and makes safety a priority.
Conclusion
The latest smart home technology might seem intimidating at first, but it is fairly intuitive and easy to learn. Once incorporated, it will make your life better in a number of ways according to your needs.
- You can check on doors while away from home to make sure you remembered to lock them.
- You can unlock a door while away for someone you've hired, or for a friend.
- It allows you to control security aspects of your windows.
- Smart technology simplifies kitchen and cooking tasks.
What to Do Next
For more information about Smart Home technology and how to incorporate it at your house, call us at RWC to schedule an appointment with a representative.
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 973-227-7123 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.
Battle of the Bathroom: Combining His and Her Bathroom Trends [Infographic]
Men and women often have very different ideas about what makes the perfect bathroom. Some of these differences arise from simple discrepancies in taste, but others come from disparities in habits between men and women in general. That said, men and women aren't different in every way. Both have several overlapping bathroom preferences, especially when it comes to pet peeves. Men and women also tend to prefer setups that have practical usefulness for their daily routines. While some of these things can be addressed by behavioral changes, others are best dealt with by carefully planning the physical design of the bathroom.
Things that Bother Both Men and Women
- Toilet paper holders being left empty
- Spots on the mirror
- Toothpaste in the sink
- Dirty clothes on the floor
What Women Don't Like in Terms of Behavior
- The toilet seat being left up
- The shower not being wiped after use
Bathroom Behaviors that Men Don't Like
- Towels "covered in" makeup
- Counter clutter
- Hair left in the sink, shower, or tub
What Men Like in Bathroom Design
- Dark, masculine colors
- Vanity at standing height
- Clean lines
- Big steam showers
- Stone tiles
- A magazine rack
- A TV on a swing arm
What Women Want
- Light, feminine colors
- A dry vanity
- Vanity at sitting height
- Painted cabinets
- Storage closets
- A soaking tub
- Better lighting
How to Reconcile and Peacefully Share a Bathroom
- 85% of men and women would like to change their bathrooms. Combine the best parts of both his and hers bathroom designs to create a compromis
- Use light-colored stone tile to reconcile her desire for light colors and his desire for stone.
- Put in a vanity/countertop that has two parts: One area, with a his and hers bathroom sink duo at standing height; and another part that is dry and positioned for use while sitting.
- Add that storage cabinet. It will help with the countertop clutter that men want to get rid of, yet keep everything handy.
- Remember that men need some storage and working space, too. Make sure there is plenty of room around his sink.
- Put in other storage solutions, such as shelves and towel rods, to help keep clothing and wet towels off the floor.
- Install the biggest counter that is practical.
- If you have enough space, install a soaking tub and shower stall.
- Use a toilet paper holder that can hold multiple rolls or that has a unique, but easy, reloading system.
- Add a hamper to catch dirty clothes.
- Don't hesitate to remodel. One of the things both men and women agree on is the need to change the actual design of the bathroom.
If All Else Fails, Try the Nuclear Option
- Designate separate bathrooms
- Custom design them to match the exact preferences of the intended users
Keeping all of these things in mind will make it much easier to design a bathroom that meets everyone's requirements. While not all people need to make all of the suggested changes, almost everyone can benefit from going ahead with at least some of them. Contact the professionals at RWC Windows, Doors and More to plan your bathroom remodel today.
Sliding Glass Door Installation in NJ: Patio, Exterior & Interior Options
Large sliding glass doors are always useful, but it takes the proper sizing and placement to ensure that they are also safe. It's also important to consider the structural requirements of the home when you're planning on installing a sliding glass door. This way, you'll be sure to enhance your home and enjoy years of trouble-free use of the doors. Learn more about the key steps involved:
Choose Potential Sites for Your New Sliding Glass Doors
While it's possible to open up beautiful views with large-sized sliding glass doors, they should also be placed so that they will offer convenient egress to an area you're likely to frequent. Doors facing backyards, decks, or patios are all popular, but if these areas aren't of that much interest to you, feel free to choose another destination.
Consider the impact of the elements on these doors when choosing a location. These doors should be somewhat sheltered to avoid excessive sun, snow or wind to increase energy efficiency. While the EPA notes that efficiency-minded improvements such as multi-layered glazing have been made, it's still a good idea to choose a fairly sheltered spot for these doors.
Are Sliding Glass Doors Only for the Exterior?
Most people put these doors facing outside the home, but there are several options that are styled for interior use. Interior sliding glass doors are excellent partitions between rooms with wide openings, such as between kitchens and family rooms. Closing them when the rooms aren't in use will help save on energy usage.
Steps for Installation
It is recommended to hire professionals to install sliding glass doors, especially when exterior doors and existing walls are involved. It's important to have professionals who are very knowledgeable about structural requirements to complete the work.
The exterior walls of a home contain load-bearing timbers, which are what keep the house from falling down. Therefore, when a large door or window is installed, a frame has to be constructed to distribute the load to other areas.
Once that is done, a separate frame is made to hold the new door. This is built into the house and provides a place for the visible part of the door frame to be seated. It's important that this is done right so that water, drafts, and insects can't get into the wall and cause problems.
Finally, the door and its attached frame are installed. Since these doors slide, tracks will be put on the top and bottom to allow for easy motion.
Keeping Your New Sliding Doors in Good Condition
Maintenance of these doors is quite simple. Most of the time, they only need to be cleaned with window spray and a cloth to keep them looking their best.
Under some conditions, the doors may stick in their tracks. This typically happens due to grit from outside getting into the lower track. To restore motion, just use a whisk broom to remove the grit and then put down a layer of WD-40 or another lubricant. There is usually no need to replace sliding glass door hardware.
Takeaways
- Keep convenience in mind when choosing a location for sliding glass doors
- Trust professionals instead of worrying about how to install sliding glass doors yourself
- Avoid locations that would increase energy usage too much
- Interior sliding glass doors create beautiful partitions between rooms
- Structural adjustments are often needed to account for alterations to load-bearing areas
- It's important to get a tight seal between the door frame and structural framework
- Metal frames ensure that the doors will continue to slide well
- Caring for sliding glass doors is easy – washing is usually all that is needed
- Clean grit from the track and lubricate it if the doors become sticky
We are professional remodelers with plenty of experience installing sliding glass doors and other upgrades. To get a quote, just contact us here at RWC in West Caldwell, New Jersey.
Exceptional Finishes Found in the Best Bathrooms
The bathroom might seem like an unlikely place for design and decor trends, but this area has seen a surge in innovation over the last few years. Many new ideas in finishes have arrived, as well as an upsurge in the popularity of natural stone tiles. Topping this off is a change in how tubs and showers are built. Let’s explore some of the latest trends.
Paint
Even the best bathrooms have some areas that are painted instead of tiled. In some cases, the only paint is on the ceiling; but in others, it covers at least one wall and usually more.
The latest trend in paint is the eggshell finish. It is described by Rodda Paint, a paint manufacturer, as being halfway between satin and semi-gloss. Uniquely, it looks flat when viewed straight-on, but slightly glossy if it is seen from a sharp or low angle. Its main benefit is practical; an eggshell finish in bathroom environments is easy to wash and releases dirt far better than matte options.
Colors have been more predictable this year, with a preference for relaxing hues. Good Housekeeping's list of the 12 best colors for bathrooms includes several shades of light blue along with many beiges. It does note, however, that not all people want the "relaxing, spa-like experience." For those contrary to light colors, it mentions the bold option of black offset by white or neutral tiles for a dramatic look.
Bathroom Tile
Natural looks have taken the floor – and the walls, and the shower enclosures by storm! In the most upscale bathrooms, large-format, natural stone tiles are ruling supreme. Typically, the tiles are tan or brown stone, bringing a neutral and calm feeling to the room. It's also a big improvement over the garishly-colored and patterned looks of the past. Matte bathroom tile finishes are often used for the walls and other areas that do not need to be completely waterproof, though even these are almost surely treated to resist moisture penetration.
Showers and Tubs
While guest bathrooms still tend to use the old-fashioned tub/shower combo, the same is not true of master baths. There, the current fashion is to have two separate units, both of which have been enlarged to bring a luxurious experience to users. Stand alone soaking tubs have become better in design too. The tubs have gone from the narrow lie-down type to spa-like sit-in versions.
For showers, frameless glass enclosures have taken center stage in the upscale market, and waterproofed natural stone tile typically lines at least one wall. The appearance is very stunning, but it takes meticulous cleaning of the glass after every shower to maintain the crystal-clarity of clear glass elements.
Bathroom Sinks and Vanities
Custom cabinetry, square sinks and double sinks are among the most popular sink trends, however, there too many options to identify a solid trend. This is not the case for bathroom fixture finishes! The once-ubiquitous chrome finish has finally been recognized as boring, and the trend is to replace that look with one that is more sophisticated and creative.
Burnished and/or brushed brass, burnished bronze, and other warm-toned options have taken the fore for metal bathroom elements. They add an aesthetic appeal to the bathroom at any price point, but of course, it takes a bit of an investment to get the top quality versions.
Takeaways
- Eggshell has become a very popular paint finish
- Calming paint colors are in fashion
- Large-format stone tile is hitting the scene in a big way
- The tub/shower combo is out for master bathrooms. Instead, large separate units have taken over.
- Burnished and/or brushed metal finishes are in vogue for bathroom sink fixtures and other metal accessories.
For your bathroom renovation, contact us here at RWC in West Caldwell, New Jersey. We have over 50 years of experience in home remodeling, and will provide the results you seek.
From Ceiling to Floor: How to Make Your Windows Picture Perfect
There's little that can match the stunning visual effect of floor-to-ceiling windows. In fact, just looking at them gives the impression that there are no downsides – but is it true? Here are some of the benefits of these windows, along with a couple of hidden drawbacks that you should be aware of:
The Pros of Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
The biggest pro of these windows is also the most obvious; they look great. They provide excellent, panoramic views of the outdoors, bringing natural elements into the home. Their size makes the room look bigger from inside and out and they make your home appear more expensive.
Floor-to-ceiling windows also create spaces with an abundance of natural light. Combined with the great view of the outdoors they provide, this creates a relaxing space. Studies cited by the University of Minnesota have shown that views of the outdoors lower blood pressure and speed healing. This is a benefit that will make you feel better physically and mentally.
With these windows, you eliminate the need to repaint the walls in order to get a fresh view. The outdoors is constantly changing, with minor differences every day and major ones with each season. You'll be happy to put down the paintbrush once and for all, both indoors and out – and best of all, the scenery will always be more interesting than any paint color!
Adding these windows also increases the perceived value of the home. They look very opulent, and it goes without saying that would-be home buyers will expect to pay more to get a house that includes them. To maximize this effect, be sure the windows are placed so that they overlook the best possible view.
The Drawbacks
As with anything else, there are a few drawbacks to these windows. The cost of floor to ceiling windows can be quite high - from $700 to $1,600 according to Modernize.com - not only because of the amount of glass involved, but due to the amount of engineering and carpentry needed to install them. Since they can take up most or all of a wall, new beams and frames will need to be installed to take the weight of the house. This can make the price prohibitive for some homeowners. That said, home improvement financing can eliminate funding delays.
The lack of privacy offered by the bare windows can be a problem if they are facing in a direction that allows passers-by or neighbors to see in from outdoors. However, this is just a minor issue. Drapes, curtains, blinds, and other standard window coverings are available in large sizes and will provide plenty of privacy when they're closed. For privacy even while the coverings are open, consider tinted or mirrored glass. The drawback with this sort of glass is that it can block too much light if the windows are facing a shady side of the house.
Takeaways:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows look expensive, and this can raise the value of a house
- These windows let in plenty of light
- Natural views reduce stress and can even lower blood pressure
- Large windows don't just look expensive. They actually are, so financing is often needed.
- Privacy can be a concern in some locations.
- Use window coverings or tinted glass to increase indoor privacy
When you decide to go ahead with a home renovation that includes floor-to-ceiling windows, call RWC or fill out the quick form on our site. We serve customers in northern New Jersey and can handle all of your renovations and upgrades. We'll not only install your windows, but take care of any structural updates that are required for these large openings.