Crown molding is adds a charm to a house as well as value. Trimroc molding is, according to experts, the best to use in a do it yourself project. It cuts easily and smoothly and goes up in a flash and, believe it or not, can be finished in a weekend.

In preparation of your crown molding project, measure the room at least two weeks in advance.

First off, you will want to lay out and cut the molding. Focus on making the crown molding look parallel with neighboring trim, starting at an inside corner and working to outside corners. Some walls may not be level so allow you eye, instead of a level to guide your positioning. Hold a strip of the molding above a door or window and adjust it until it looks even. You may want to get someone to stand back and give you their opinion. Next, draw a line with a pencil to mark the positioning that you will be installing the materials.
Place the material in a miter box upside down and brace it against the bottom and side of the box in order to cut it. Use a handsaw and cut the molding at a 45 degree angle. Note: on an outside corner, the bottom part will be shorter and on an inside corner the top part will be shorter.

Now be sure there is a tight fit by using a sanding block or rasp to shave the cut and create room for the corners to come together tightly.

Now you are ready to install the molding. Joint compound will make the molding adhere to the wall. Note: too much of the compound will cause the material to slide down the wall. As the compound is drying, support long runs of molding with nails (8d). Then, using a putty knife, you will spread a ½ inch bead along the length of the molding both on top and on bottom with liberal amounts on either end of the cut.
The two mitered ends should be pushed together creating the inside corner. Be sure their faces align in the corner. Use mud to fill small gaps.

On an outside corner, press the mitered ends together until mud squeezes out of the joint and backfill gaps using your finger or a putty knife.

Use 8d nails under the molding every few feet and at the joints to hold the material in place, making sure you angle the nails upward. Create butt joints by pushing straight cut ends.

Note: Cleanup will be easier if you clear away excess joint compound while it’s still wet.

Using your finger, smooth out any seams. Now a wet sponge or cloth will wipe away the residual compound and clean up the molding.

Using a putty knife, pulling over each detail, push more compound into and over butt joints. Any excess can be sanded away.

After sanding to smooth out all the rough edges and compound has dried completely, use 150 grit sandpaper to smooth the area. Now you will want to mask the walls with tape and use an angled brush to paint the molding to match the doors and windows of your home.

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While shopping for a new door, there are several things to consider, including designs, materials and colors. Front doors provide security and energy efficiency as well as add value to your home. Remember, the front door both greets and invites guest.

Wood exterior doors are naturally beautiful as well as strong in structure. The do require higher maintenance, but do come in different types of woods including oak, walnut, pine and mahogany. The only way to make the wood door last and perform to its maximum capability, manufacturers are required to treat wood with a preservative which prevents rotting.

Steel doors are made of a combination of materials, but the structural components are often wood and filled with foam with the outer part made of galvanized steel. The foam provides great insulation and the outer part of the door is durable and more resistant to rotting and warping and requires less maintenance.

Fiberglass doors are relatively new and constructed in the same way that a steel door is made. They have wood stiles and rails and the inner core has foam for insulation. It can be embossed to give the appearance of wood or textured.

Vinyl doors are also new and are multi chambered for both frames and steel, wood or aluminum re enforcement. This adds strength and helps prevent distortion. They are multi chambered and offer good thermal insulation. They are durable and resistant to extreme weather conditions. Also resistant to breakage and is good protection against forced entry. They do not rust, scratch or dent.

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Whichever windows you choose will directly affect the way your homes overall look as well as how energy-efficient your home is.
Some styles of windows are more energy-efficient than others.

Casement windows open from a hinge either at the top or on the side by the turn of a crank and are the most energy efficient. The sash on these windows are designed for a tight fit for a good weather seal and let little air through. These work best on contemporary homes.

Another style is the double hung window which is more tradition and consists of a lower and upper pane. You open and close it by sliding lower pane upward. The seal on these windows becomes damaged over time and it will let in more air.

The next type of window is the sliding window, which is basically a double hung window which slides from left to right. It is subject to the same sort of damages as the double hung window.

*What is R-value? It is the measure of how much heat loss your windows are capable of preventing. You want the windows with the highest R-value possible. The R-value is measure by how much heat is lost. The higher the R-value is, the more expensive the windows. The R-value is rated according to window’s efficiency in the center of the glass.

*The U-factor is the second big factor to consider. The U-factor measures how well your window prevent air from leaking between the sash and frame. U-factors less than 0.35 are considered energy efficient. If you life where it is cold and windy, you will want to give the U-factor just as much consideration as the R-value.

*Low-E (also known as low emissivity) windows consist of an inner and outer pane and the area between is filled with inert gas such as argon and provides great insulation without messing up the clarity of the glass. The next step down is single-glazed and double-glazed windows that are coated with transparent metallic oxide and prevents some heat loss. Single-glazed are only glazed on one side while double-glaze have the glaze on both sides.

Remember, in order to get the look and savings that you are looking for, the windows have to be installed correctly. There are certified installers for most of the windows that you purchase. Be sure to read installation instructions for the windows that you choose and be sure that your installer intends to read and follow them to the end. If you plan to paint the windows, be sure that the installer uses acrylic-latex caulk, which can be painted, not silicone.

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