Archive

November 2000

How to Choose the Right Front Door for Your Home

Your front door is the heart of your home. It is one of the first things people notice when they look at your home. Besides, it stands for your home’s style and personality. Simply put, it is the first impression of your home. No matter how big or small the door is it can leave a lasting impression on people. Handyman in NYC has a solution for you.

Choosing the right front door is an efficient way to improve the appearance of your house, and can be a great investment into the value of the home.

Here are some important things to consider while remodeling or replacing your front door.

Style:

First of all, choose the door that relates well with the rest of the exterior as well as your home’s style. For example, the wood stained door is a great counterbalance to the white painted brick as it adds charm and warmth.

Whether you choose a door that has partial glass, sidelights, glass or no glass at all depends on the style you are looking for and the appearance of the rest of the home. Simply put, the front door should “architecturally” fit with the rest of your home or you can take help from a handyman in NYC.

Material:

Front doors are available in a variety of materials and each material serves a different purpose. For example, a steel door is the most durable and robust, thereby ensuring optimum security. Plus, they are also counted among the least expensive door types. The only downside is that they have a short lifespan. Plain metal doors might last for 5 to 7 years in wet and saltwater climates. If security is your topmost priority, considering a steel door can be the right option for you.

Vinyl doors are also a popular option and can last around 20 years. Although they are generally affordable, they are less secure than wood or steel doors.

Wooden doors unleash rusting vibes as well as make your home look expensive and luxurious. From hollow, solid, and solid core, there is a wide range of wooden doors to choose from.

Hollow wooden doors are affordable and can last 20-30 years.

Solid core doors are filled with a wood composite material and come with a life expectancy of 30 to 100 years.

Solid wood doors can last for over 100 years. Plus, they are robust and hard to break, making them an efficient security option. If you need help you can call a handyman in  NYC.

You can also go for a fiberglass door that can be costlier than vinyl or steel. They can last for over 100 years just like their wood counterparts. Cheaper fiberglass doors might crack easily. Solid fiberglass doors are more expensive but are more secure.

Light:

If you want the door to let in some natural light, go for a door that comes with an inset window. Or you can look for the doors with sidelights windows that are attached to either side of the door, letting in more light.

Glass windows can be damaged, triggering security concerns. If security is your topmost priority but still prefer a front door with a window, buy a door where the window is placed above the doorknob. This way, it would be more challenging for a potential burglar to open the door from the outside by damaging the window.

Consider the Dimensions and Handedness of Your New Door:

Make sure to measure the dimensions of your existing door if you are looking to replace your old front door. You also like to know if you want your new door to swing open to the right or left.

This is termed as the handedness of a door. Left-handed doors are fixed to the left side of the door jamb, while right-handed doors are fixed to the right side of the jamb. Therefore, make sure to prefer the one that has the same handedness as your old door. However, if your existing door blocked traffic within the house or hit against the wall when it was open, you might opt for a new door that opens on the other side.

Online or In-Store Purchase?

You can shop your new front door offline or at the store. With online shopping, you can choose from a variety of right front doors in many styles. Many eCommerce websites let you buy directly from stores and warehouses. If you buy a door in a store, you can see, touch, and feel the products. Besides, there will be store employees to guide you through the door purchasing process. Buying your new door at the store is a great way to see the finish, texture, and durability of your new door before you buy it. You can also take advantage of a handyman in NYC.

Cost:

While the front door options are diverse, it is important to be well aware of the cost as well as the maintenance expenditures. Door pricing is generally determined by the design and material selection. Wood doors are the most expensive, followed by fiberglass and steel.

Doors can be extremely equipped with hinges, handles, transoms, sidelights, and textures, adding to their overall price. For instance, a wood door with custom hinges and glass can often cost more than $4000. The price can easily hit the $20,000 mark if you add in the cost of side and patio doors. On top of that, you need to consider the long-term cost of maintaining your front door. For example, wood doors are expensive, but they hold the pain well. Steel doors, on the other hand, are prone to denting.

Energy Efficiency:

Energy efficiency is another factor you can consider. Old doors can impact your overall heating bills when the weather gets cold. If your door is not energy efficient, cold air can let in even when the door is closed tightly. A single, thin paned glass door can let in the cold breeze, while a hollow wooden door can be a concern in a snowy area. Therefore, investing in energy-efficient doors can help you lower your heating cost in the long run. Glass or wood are generally not counted among good insulators, meaning that they lose heat much faster than other doors.

If you are living in snowy areas, prefer a thick insulated door that offers more energy efficient than regular doors. Even if you face any problem you can schedule a meeting with a handyman in NYC.

Therefore, make sure that your new front door doesn’t hurt your budget.

So you must have understood how to choose the right front door for your home.

What do you think? Let us know by commenting below!

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Painting Guide: Different Types of Paint And Where You Can Use Them

When you are thinking of painting, there are a million decisions to be made. There are numerous types of paint that are used for different surfaces. Choosing the paint that is right for you is crucial as the paint is much more than a decoration. It provides your surfaces with a layer of protection and using the wrong kind of paint can actually ruin the material as well. When you paint your house, it is suggested to choose the type and color of paint that highlights the perfections of the house while hiding any damages. A good paintwork does not accentuate the things that you don't want to show. Painters in NYC can be consulted, in this case.

Before you agonize over the color you want, you should ideally spend some type of deciding the type of paint that is the best for your requirements. You need to decide if you should opt for paint color in semi-gloss, eggshell, flat, or other finishes. Since there are so many choices available, it is not exactly going to be easy. But once you do make an informed decision and choose the finish that is right for your surface, you will be able to relax for years.

Without further ado, let us look at the different types of paint surfaces and see where you can use them.

What are the Different Types of Paint?

There are majorly two kinds of paint, water-based and oil-based. Most of the wall paint sold nowadays is water-based. This is because it is very easy to use. It does not need a pretreatment. Water-based paints have no mold and can easily be cleaned with water. Check the kind of paint your surfaces had before. If your surfaces previously had an oil-based paint, you need to be careful before switching to water-based as it may not stick that well. You can wash the surface and roughen it with an object like sandpaper to make the paint stick. This will make your surfaces dull, dry, and clean and prevent the new coat from peeling off. If you prefer an oil-based product but you want to opt for a water-based one, consider waterborne enamel. This paint behaves and looks oil-based and has very good leveling qualities that give a smooth finish. Oil-based paints are versatile and can be used on all surfaces. They give a very rich finish and are highly durable. However, they can't exactly be washed with water and might be a bit difficult to clean.

Different Kinds of Paint Finishes that You Need to be Aware of

Your paint finish and sheen options share common characters. With newer paints hitting the market, there is an increased durability with each paint. This means that you can mix and match different kinds of paint while keeping its value intact. By using different types of paint on different surfaces around the home, you can create a real texture and impact within a scheme. For example, you can paint a stripe with gloss paint on a matte wall in similar colors to create a textured and striking textured look.

You can also try an accent wall with a glossy sheen and keep the rest of the room matte. The paint you select depends on the atmosphere you want to set. For instance, a matte sheen gives a serene and calm feeling due to its texture. Gloss however adds excitement and energy. Every kind of paint finish adds something to your surfaces. Darker and richer colors naturally have a higher sheen because of their increased colorant. It is common practice to go for a lower sheen while painting a dark color. You can use satin and eggshell in places that are smaller and get less natural light such as the powder room. It will end up reflecting the light to bring out the color. Eggshell is scuff resistant and is great for hiding imperfections.

Matte Paint

Matte paint is known for its density. It gives the least reflective sheen available. It has a very velvety texture. Matte paint is preferred by designers to hide imperfections in the ceilings and walls of the house. Since it is basically non-reflecting, it offers a very deep color. It is considered typically to be a standard sheen for ceilings. However, due to its non-reflective look, it can be hard to clean sometimes.

Satin Paint

Satin paint is known to be slightly glossier than eggshell. It offers some degree of reflectivity. As compared to other types, it offers more durability. Due to this characteristic, it is used in demanding environments where you need easy cleanups like bathrooms and kitchens without a very glossy look.

Gloss Paint

This popular type of paint works well with bathrooms, accent walls, window trims, doors, and kitchens. Gloss is the most reflective paint available and offers great sheen. It is very durable and can be cleaned regularly without any wear and tear. Traditionally gloss paint was used on doors, moldings, and baseboards. Although it makes a statement, gloss paint can also end up highlighting your surfaces' imperfections.

Flat Paint

Flat paint gives a very luxurious and sophisticated and luxurious finish. It is great for interior walls that aren't touched frequently and ceilings. Flat paint is a good choice for surfaces that have noticeable imperfections as it creates a low-reflecting surface. Although it doesn't give a very dynamic look, flat paint is very affordable but it is prone to damage. It is commonly used in a room that doesn't get a lot of use such as closets and storerooms.

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell paint is known for its low luster. It is a low-key version of an actual eggshell and works very well with decorative finishes. It is much easier to clean than a flat finish. Eggshell paint is durable and versatile. It doesn't get washed away even when you wash your walls. Because of its tough nature, it is commonly used in open spaces to protect their look from wearing off by natural factors such as the sun and rain.

Semi-Gloss Paint

Semi-gloss paint is used to add a little shine to the room. A durable paint, it holds up to vigorous scrubbing. Hence it is considered a good choice for wet rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. However, you need to keep in mind that semi-gloss paint can highlight the imperfections on your walls. Semi-gloss paint works well on trim, baseboards, and doors. It dries up to give an extremely hard finish. This allows semi-gloss paint to be amazing for woodwork that might get beaten up.

Conclusion

Before starting, it is a good idea to get as many samples of the different kinds of paint as you can. You should examine how easily they spread an area and how you can clean them once they are dry. When you browse through photos and read the information in this guide, you will get an idea about how different paint finishes look. You can shortlist a few and see how they look on your surfaces to select the one that works well for you. To make an informed decision, use the information spelled out in this guide and try these paints yourself.

If you have a requirement of best painter in NYC  you can contact Hays NYC.

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