Terry Xiao Blog

The term sash windows can be confusing. When learning about the structure of windows, it can help to use the comparison of a door’s structure. Both have casements that give stability and frame the entire structure. A door has a panel that opens and closes. Windows open and close differently, but the glass could be compared to the door panel, but it is fragile and needs something to safely contain it. The sash of a window is what frames the glass pane. Sash also can refer to the panel of glass and sash together as a unit. How the window opens and closes is what determines its style.

The basic styles of hinged window are casement, hopper, and awning styles. Casements crank outward on their hinged sides and are often called crank-outs. Hoppers are usually used in basements and are hinged on the bottom and open toward the inside. Awnings are hinged at the top and open toward the outside.

Another style of window more common in tropical climates is the louvered window. Many small lengths of glass panes are mounted in an overlapping horizontal pattern and are swiveled open for air circulation.  Read more...

The likelihood is that if you have single glazed windows in your home, you will benefit from looking at the environmental benefits of secondary glazing.

Before discussing the pros and cons, it is important to know exactly what this is as it can often be confused with double glazing. While the aims are similar to those of double glazing, this is a cheaper and easier option and is often used as an alternative when local building and planning restrictions exist.

Secondary glazed windows can be achieved either by adding an additional pane of glass to an existing window, or by fixing a plastic sheet to the existing window. It is best to have an expert install any additional panes to get the most out of the improvements, but the plastic sheeting can easily be installed by any amateur DIY enthusiast.

Greater thermal performance is generally considered to be the main advantage of these windows as an increase in efficiency of up to 60% is obtainable and troublesome draughts can quickly be remedied. As most energy conscious environmentalists know, the majority of heat lost in the home is through the windows, and carbon emissions can be significantly reduced by fitting a secondary window.  Read more...

Secondary glazing and condensation are two terms that many people tend to not link together. However, if you are attempting to insulate your home through glazing, you need to have a pretty strong idea why these two terms are normally grouped together.

Before you can gain a proper understanding of what these two terms have in common you will need to properly understand what secondary glazing is first. Secondary glazing and double glazing are very similar to one another. However, they also have some crucial differences that you will need to have a strong understanding about as well.

When glazing is performed this practice is done by applying a light layer of glaze between two parallel sheets of glass. This task is normally performed to assist people with insulating their dwellings and helping to block out excessive noise. This form of glazing may sound beneficial to most individuals, however there are some drawbacks when it comes to electing to have your home insulated in this manner.

With secondary glazing extra moisture can build up between two panes of glass. Whenever moisture builds up in between two sheets of glass, condensation begins to form. Condensation will appear between the two panes and look like small water droplets.  Read more...

It seems as though sometimes we get way too much rain and then all of a sudden it stops coming down and we do not have enough. A solution to this inequity is the use of Rainwater tanks Adelaide. With these tanks, one can collect rain and stored it for later use.

In North America, these tanks are also called rain barrels, in the UK they are known as rain butts and in Australia they are called Poly Tanks. No matter what you call them, their purpose is to collect water from rainstorms that can be stored and used later. Usually the tanks are above ground receptacles but sometimes they are built in the ground. This is particularly the case in extremely arid climates where residents fully expect long periods of drought.

A rain water tank may be made out of plastic, concrete, galvanized steel, stainless steel or fiberglass. Fiberglass and stainless steel are resistant to chemicals and also rust proof. The most common tank is the Poly Water Tanks. In most cases, they are stored above ground in places like rooftops, patios and at the ends of driveways as well as other surfaces where water cannot penetrate.  Read more...

Having a basic understanding of double hung windows will help when learning how to replace a sash cord. There are two sashes on a double hung window, the upper and lower. The framework that holds the glass in place is the sash. The two sashes slide up and down in the window frame. The jambs are the sides of the frame. Sash weights are heavy oblong shaped pieces of metal that connect to a rope-and-pulley system. They sit in a cavity behind the jambs. The windows are easy to open due to the counterbalance the weights provide.

A series of stops are attached to the jambs to provide grooves in which the sashes can slide. The stops that keep the frames separated and the inside stops can be pried off to remove a sash.

Before you start this project, make sure you have the correct tools and material readily available. You will need new sash cord, a putty knife, a hammer, a utility knife, putty, finishing nails, paintbrushes and in case you chip away the paint, enough paint to touch it up.  Read more...

Did you know you can do your loan modification on your own, without having to pay for the service of a professional? Many consumers today are looking to cut the cost of their mortgage, and a loan modification is one way to do that. However there are no guarantees that your request for a loan modification will go through, and that’s when consumers are faced with a choice. Do you take the chances to do it yourself, or do you leave it in the hands of a company?

Do it yourself loan modification is a complicated business, however it is very possible to accomplish. If you decide you are going to give it a try on your own, there are two important things to keep in mind. First and probably most important, you need to be honest with yourself, and with your lenders. When you submit your application, your lenders are going to want to see hard evidence that your debt to income ration, or DTIR, is what you claim it is. If there is any hint to them that you may be lying, or inflating the numbers, you will not be approved.  Read more...