Most people care enough about energy efficiency that they'll make some changes to their own home to lower the bills a few bucks. But wielding the caulk gun at a stranger's house? Isn't that extremist? The volunteers at HEET don't think so. The Massachusetts-based organization combines weatherizing techniques and good ole-fashioned barn raising sensibilities to kill a few birds with one big good-will stone. Improve a home's energy efficiency? Check. Teach participants skills on said topic? Check. Build community? Check.
Their most recent "barn raising" (yes, they really call them that) attracted the attention of fellow blogger Martin LaMonica, who joined 40 others to help weatherize a leaky New England house before Old Man Winter starts his blowing. You can read all about his experience on his CNET GreenTech blog page.
Great concept, great cause. I wonder how many of these groups are cropping up across the country. Have you helped raise a barn lately? What are you doing to winterize your house this season? Get great tips for winterizing on a budget.
Hiding a key outside of your home for those moments when you are locked out used to be standard operating practice for homeowners. No longer. With Schlage's electronic keypad locks, the lock feature a keypad allowing homeowners to add, change or delete user codes in seconds. So no more leaving a key outside for visiting relatives; just give them a temporary user code. The lock also installs in under 30 minutes with a screwdriver. Use Schlage's locator to find retailers both online and off.
Show off your front door *and* have a screen door with a retractable screen. Photo courtesy of Screens Inc.
Nothing beats cracking open a door during the summer and letting in a cool breeze. Unfortunately, screen doors can be unattractive, unsightly and hide the beauty of a solid door. But how do you keep the bugs out? Now, homeowners can get the best of both worlds with the Retracting Screen System. When not in use, the screen retracts into its housing and blends in with the surroundings. The system can fit any opening in the home up to nine feet in height and over 50 feet in width. No wonder this product was developed in Arizona where it's great to let in a cross breeze with an open door but not great when the bugs come in with it.
The garage door is the new front door, or so says GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial site educating the consumer about new styles available in garage doors, openers and accessories. Check out the fabulous before and after pictures showing what a dramatic impact a new garage door can bring to your home. You'll also find new door styles, features and tips and be able to search for local garage door installers by ZIP code.
Awhile back I wrote about a man who used a strategically-placed bookcase to create a secret room in his home. As a kid, this was something I always dreamed my house would have as an adult. Well, there is a market for everything. Woodfold of Forest Grove, Oregon, sells bookcase doors that can be used to create your own personal secret area in your home. When they make these things, they don't mess around. The bookcase turns on a steel hinge system complete with rollers so it's strong and quiet. The bookcases are available in three different hardwood veneers and in widths of 54" and 66". Woodfold has an established national network of dealers and distributors throughout North America. You can call or write them for a brochure.
Ever tried to install a door by yourself? Ughh. There is little in this world more awkward to carry and install. One thing I've learned is installing a door by yourself is a great way to reenact your favorite scenes from The Three Stooges. That's where the Door Dolly from The Williams Development Group can help. The Door Dolly was originally developed by David Williams in 1986 when he did renovation work for the Miami International Airport Hotel. That work involved installing 1,400 new fire-rated doors. Install 1,400 doors and you are an expert in my book. Installing doors normally requires two workers but with the Door Dolly, it can be done single-handedly by one. The Door Dolly holds a door horizontally while hinges are mortised and installed. Then the rubber stoppers allow the door to be swung into a vertical position while hinge pins are installed on the door jamb. After that is completed, the door can be rolled into place for installation and adjustment. If you install doors on a regular basis, you'll wonder what you did before you found it. The clamps feature rubber padding to prevent any damage to the door and the handles telescope to fit multiple sizes. The Door Dolly's steel construction allows even the heaviest of doors to be installed without problems. It's made of heavy gauge aluminum and retails for $299 online.
Take a moment to think about the entry doors in your house. Do they open inward or outward? If you picked the first choice, you’re not alone—the entry doors of most homes open inward. But is that the best thing? Not in the case of severe winds. That’s because inward opening doors actually work with the wind to blow open. I know several people who learned this firsthand as they struggled to keep their front doors closed during a hurricane (Remember—keeping wind out of the house is key to keeping your roof on in severe winds). On the other hand, if entry doors open outward, the wind actually helps to keep them closed. So, if you’re building a new home now or thinking about replacing your existing home’s entry doors, consider installing outward opening entry doors. It’s an easy way to strengthen your home against high winds.
