Home Windows can be one of the most expensive ventures or money saving ventures you can embark upon in your pursuit to remodel/upgrade your home.

Before doing anything with the windows in your home, you should decide whether you’re going to restore or simply replace the windows. Most people will come to the conclusion that replacing windows is the best idea.

Once that is done, then you have to decide whether you will do it yourself or have the pros come in.

While replacing windows yourself may save you some money and time (depending on if you had to go on a waiting list), sometimes, you won’t get the full effect of the warranty or possibly the sealing of the home from leaks (heat transfer). This would depend on your skill level and who is helping you.

The pictures in this article show both replaced and restored windows. Can you tell the difference. See more photos HERE

Replacement Windows

* Replacement windows can be well-insulated, cutting down on energy costs and noise.
* You can open the windows with minimal effort, and they stay open, unlike old windows with no springs or pulley systems.
* You can replicate the architectural designs of old windows, although extensive designs might become a bit pricey.
* Efficient, thorough weather stripping is a given on new replacement windows.
* You can install replacement windows quickly, which leads to less disruption for those who live there.
* Removing the existing windows can damage the surrounding wallboards, stucco, or plaster and can lead to expensive repairs.
* Replacement windows with pulley systems, bubbled glass, and other historic details necessitate a custom order and can become very expensive.
* If you are seeking a landmark or historic designation, reviews of the window replacement details can take quite a bit of time, and might hold up the work schedule.

Window Restoration

* The original materials and design are preserved.
* Most historic windows were built of durable wood taken from large trees, and in some cases, those woods are now extremely rare–some species have died out or are not plentiful enough for new construction.
* Any damage to the surrounding area during a restoration is minimal, and usually only cosmetic.
* Unique, beautiful original glass details can be left undisturbed.
* If the windows are in good shape to begin with, restoration might be surprisingly affordable.
* If the historic windows are single-pane, simply restoring them provides no significant energy savings.
* Restoration can take a great deal of time.
* Old windows are often painted with lead paint and require costly, specialized removal.

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You might have one in your home or have seen them at a friends or business – the tanks on today’s toilets are much smaller or are gone entirely.

Below is a list of rated toilets that have caught our eye – and other things.

Gerber UltraFlush 21-312

• Removes the most solid waste in a single flush
• Quiet but powerful
• Large water surface

• Requires home water pressure of at least 25 psi

TOTO Eco UltraMax MS853113E

• Meets WaterSense certification
• One-piece design is easy to clean
• Simple technology
• Softclose seat eliminates clanking

• More expensive than two-piece toilets
• Average solid-waste removal

Caroma Caravelle 305

• Dual-flush system saves on water bills
• Easy-to-use push buttons
• Powerful, efficient

• Expensive
• Low water level

American Standard  Mainstream FloWise WaterSense™ High-Performance Round Complete Toilet

This unit costs about $129.00 at LOWES!

If you’re like most people, you have hundreds of square feet of room in your basement either collecting dust or storing things long forgotten.

With Spring right around the corner, now is a good time, to begin visualizing what that space would look like if it was finished. Imagine all the extra room and increased value to your home, if you were to finish even half of that space, still leaving room for storage.

Depending on your basement, whether it’s sound, waterproofed, humid, and so forth…your basement could be upgraded to an extra room, office, or relaxation area with a little bit of elbow grease and a little bit of money.

Most home improvements aren’t that expensive. What tends to hit peoples pocket books are the finishing touches, furniture, and decorations they want to put in that space once it’s completed.

If you’re going to do it yourself, be sure to plan for everything, and create a proper and complete budget. If you’re going to hire the work out. Make sure they are reputable and get it in your contract that they come back and repair issues for the first year. If you’re in MA or RI, a good company to call is: George Sebesta Renovations 774-328-9293. They do it right the first time and stand behind their work.