Category: The most important DIY tips & tricks from Top Rank

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Learn how to remove your metal frame windows and replace them with energy efficient vinyl replacement windows.

Vinyl windows, replacement windows, how to install windows, installing vinyl windows

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In our past articles I talked about all the steps required to properly replace your old wood sash windows with energy efficient vinyl windows. I told you how to measure for the new windows. Then we discussed the removal of the wood sashes and parting bead. Finally, I told you how to install, seal, and trim the vinyl replacement windows. But, what if those old windows in your home are made of aluminum instead of wood? Is the process the same? No, it’s not the same at all. So, the next few articles are going to explain the differences between replacing wood windows versus aluminum windows.

When discussing the proper frame style for replacing the wood sash windows, I explained the difference between new construction frames versus replacement frames. When replacing aluminum windows, there is another option we have to consider regarding frame style. It’s called a “retrofit” frame. Let’s go over each frame type. First, we have the new construction frame with the nailing fin. If you choose to go this route, you have to remove the exterior around each window opening, pull out the nails holding the aluminum window to the studs, nail in the new vinyl window, apply flashing, caulk, and re-install the exterior around each window.(I get tired just talking about it!)In addition to being a whole lot of labor, you can run into major problems trying to install the exterior product around each window opening. If your home has stucco, you have to try and match the rest of the stucco. It can be done, but not by you. Even most professional stucco guys can’t get a perfect match. What if you have wood siding? Well, you can cut away 2″ of the siding around each window to get to the nail fin, then you can apply 1 X 2 or 1 X 3 trim around each window. Certainly not as much work as the stucco home, but probably more work than the average homeowner cares to tackle. What if each window is surrounded by brick? Let’s not even go there! You would have to remove the bricks, then re-install them all when finished.

Trust me, you don’t want to replace your old aluminum windows with new construction vinyl windows. You want to use either the replacement frame like the one used to replace the wood sash windows, or something called a retrofit frame , that is popular in the west where stucco is a common exterior. Since the procedure for measuring is the same regardless of the frame style chosen, this article will discuss the proper measuring procedure, and future articles will explain the difference in the installation process for replacement versus retrofit.

If you look at the portion of the aluminum frame that goes around the window opening into your surrounding walls, you will see three separate “legs” that form two pockets. The outside leg and the center leg form the first pocket. Your screen and stationary panel will be in this pocket. The center leg and inside leg form the second pocket, and your sliding panel is in that pocket. Find the “leg” that is the widest on all four sides. When measuring the width, run your tape measure from the widest leg on the left to the widest leg on the right. This should be the narrowest measurement. Then, subtract 3/8″ from that measurement. This is the width of the replacement window. Measure the height the same way. When measuring the height, measure as close to the center of the window as possible. This is especially important on windows wider than six feet, because the top wood header has a tendency to sag over time, making the center of the opening the narrowest. You don’t need to deduct 3/8″ from the height like you did on the width. 1/4″ is fine. These are the dimensions you use when ordering your vinyl window. If you have any picture windows(windows without a vent panel), there will only be two legs and one pocket. You still measure the same way.

Next week I will discuss whether your home is a candidate for retrofit frames or replacement frames..

John Rocco has been installing
replacement windows since 197

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Chandeliers add an elegance and style to a room that no other lighting fixture can even come close to. It is not surprising that when a chandeleir gets old or broken that it is not just thrown away, but repaired. Replacing chandelier parts takes precision and careful shopping. One bad part and the whole chandeleir can lose it’s charm.

Usually when replacing parts on a chandelier, only some parts are being replaced. It is important to make sure that any new parts match the …

chandeliers, glass lights, light fittings

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Determine whether to replace your aluminum frame windows with either vinyl retrofit windows or vinyl replacement windows.

Vinyl Windows, vinyl replacement windows, retrofit windows, installing vinyl windows, how to install windows, replacing house windows, installing replacement windows

For the best Excavation Boston company, call Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.

To find the best Excavation Boston company, click here for Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.How To Install Windows

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Whether you want to replace your cold, drafty windows or simply want to enhance the overall appearance of your home, you will have to go in for replacement windows even though choosing the right replacement windows is a burdensome task and involves a significant investment.

Replacement windows squeeze in air between two panes of glass, providing a layer between the inside of your home and the weather outside. Thus, replacement windows insulate your home from extremes of bo…

For the best Excavation Boston company, call Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.

To find the best Excavation Boston company, click here for Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.
Whether you want to replace your cold, drafty windows or simply want to enhance the overall appearance of your home, you will have to go in for replacement windows even though choosing the right replacement windows is a burdensome task and involves a significant investment.

Replacement windows squeeze in air between two panes of glass, providing a layer between the inside of your home and the weather outside. Thus, replacement windows insulate your home from extremes of both hot and cold. And at the same time reduce your home’s energy costs and change its decor.

Replacement windows come in many shapes, sizes, and styles to match your home. Basically, there are four types of replacement windows: (i) replacement windows add light and style to your home; (ii) skylights brighten the room and add an interesting design element; (iii) sliding doors are another form of replacement windows; and (iv) the slider helps you save on energy, especially in summer, because you can leave the screened portion open.

Before you buy replacement windows, you need to decide how you want them to open. Again you have various choices, such as: (a) casement windows with vertical hinges that swing in or out by winding a handle; (b) double or single hung types made of two cases that slide up and down; (c) sliding windows that move horizontally; and (d) plain fixed form windows that don’t open at all, but let the light come in.

You also need to see how your replacement windows have been fabricated to make sure they match with the architecture of your home and provide maximum insulation. You can now choose from some recent manufacturing developments like vinyl and fiberglass that are highly insulating.

Vinyl windows are a popular and economical alternative to aluminum, wood, and fiberglass, because they are energy efficient, easy to install, and effortless to maintain. Made from a plastic called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC they provide a superb degree of insulation. Moreover, they require practically no maintenance because their durable surfaces are already stained, finished, and sealed. The exterior casing of vinyl windows doesn’t fade or wear under ultraviolet sunlight, making them far more durable than aluminum or wood.

For the purpose of energy efficiency, you can go in for triple-pane windows that have three pieces of glass with layers of air between them. Air absorbs heat and cold much better than glass. You can further reduce air conditioning and heating costs if you replace the air with a gas called argon.

Replacement windows involve heavy expenditure, so it is important you make an informed and confident decision based on the needs of your house, the kind of windows to be replaced, and your budget constraints.

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It is very true that hardwood floors will increase the value of your home. However, if your wood floors are damaged they could actually detract from your home’s overall value not to mention aesthetic appeal. Scratches, scuffs and gouges are the most common problems wood floor owners face. Squeaking can also be an annoying issue. Before you can begin repairing, you need to determine the extent of the damage. If the stain or scratch has not penetrated the wood, you’re dealing w…

wood flooring repair,hardwood flooring installation

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It is very true that hardwood floors will increase the value of your home. However, if your wood floors are damaged they could actually detract from your home’s overall value not to mention aesthetic appeal. Scratches, scuffs and gouges are the most common problems wood floor owners face. Squeaking can also be an annoying issue. Before you can begin repairing, you need to determine the extent of the damage. If the stain or scratch has not penetrated the wood, you’re dealing with a surface problem, these are generally easier to deal with. If the stain or scratch has penetrated into the wood the fix is bit more involved but still not too difficult.

Surface scratches can usually be repaired with touch-up kit made for urethane finishes, you can find these at just about any wood flooring retailer or online. Removing surface stains depends on the type of stain it is. Most commonly you’ll be dealing with water and pet stains. For these use a wood floor cleaner developed specifically for urethane finishes to remove the stain. More stubborn stains may require additional scrubbing with the cleaner and a wood flooring scrub pad made for urethane floors
For penetrated pet stains rub the spot with fine steel wool and wax. If this doesn’t get the stain out completely, lightly sand the area with fine sandpaper, and clean it using steel wool and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner . Once the floor is dry, apply stain, wax it and then hand buff it. If the stain is really stubborn, apply a household bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak for an hour. Rinse the floor with a damp cloth, wipe dry and smooth with fine sandpaper. Once again apply stain, wax it and hand buff it.

Regular maintenance can help prevent scratches and stains from penetrating into the wood. Be sure to vacuum and/or dry mop your wood flooring once a week. Be sure never to wax a floor that has been coated with a polyurethane finish. That would make it impossible to re-coat your wood floor in the future without first sanding it.

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Once you have detected a pinhole leak in your copper pipe, and it is above the slab it is not that hard to repair. Isolate the leak, and turn the water off to the house, either at the valve where it comes in or at the water meter by the street.

water leaks,repair pinhole leaks,repair leaks in copper pipes,pinhole leaks,water leak,leaking pipes

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Guidelines to repair cleaning equipments

cleaning equipment repair, helpful household hints, household cleaning schedules

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If you are contemplating a one time home improvement project that you intend to undertake on your own, you may be wondering how you can save money on the tools that you will need for your project. If you are contemplating only one project, you likely would prefer not to have to invest a great deal of money in the purchase of tools for that endeavor.

In point of fact, there are options available to you short of running out and making the purchase of tools for a one time ho…

For the best Excavation Boston company, call Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.

To find the best Excavation Boston company, click here for Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.

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High prices of furniture and office equipment are the most common obstacles any start up or home-base business face. With the current trend of setting up home businesses, it is still important to maintain a degree of functionality and professional appeal to your home office. After all, clients might want to meet with you at your office and you surely don’t want them to see you slump in your kitchen chair. They may not want to close deals on the counter top or the kitchen tabl…

leasing equipment, furniture rentals, home business, start up business

For the best Excavation Boston company, call Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.

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Learn how to remove the old metal frames of your windows before installing new vinyl replacement windows.

vinyl windows, replacement windows, how to install windows, installing vinyl windows, window replacement

For the best Excavation Boston company, call Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.

To find the best Excavation Boston company, click here for Top Rank Roofing and Masonry.