Older homes in Irving, TX add character to the area and they can be beautiful both inside and out. They can also be very costly when it comes to maintenance and everyday living. If you have an older home, chances are you are spending too much on utility bills every month. Older homes are known for their air leaks, drafts, inefficient appliances and other problems that can raise the amount of energy you have to use. The good news is you don’t have to live that way. You can put a few different home improvement tasks into motion in order to reduce your bills and save money over time. Here are a few ways to lower your utility bills in your older Irving, TX home.

Add Insulation

Older homes may have adequate insulation for the time they were built, but things have changed in recent years. If you improve the insulation in your attic, you can reduce your utility bills. Install new insulation over the old and add an extra layer to keep your house drafts to a minimum.

Replace the Windows

Have you ever stopped to think just how much space your windows take up on the surface of your home? If those windows are drafty and leaking air, your older home can feel chilly in the winter and downright hot in the Texas summer. Your air conditioner and heater will work long, hard hours trying to keep up. Replacing your windows with Energy Star windows will reduce your utility bill in mo time flat. You can also talk to Southwest Door & Window about additional features like low-E coatings that can keep the heat out in the summer and in during the winter. New windows will make your home more efficiency overall and the house will look nicer too!

Replace the Front Door

Replacing the front door can cut back on drafts at the front of your house. There are often many areas that join at the front door and replacing that door will increase the efficiency in all of those areas. You will want to find a door that looks nice on the house, but also one that has a tight fit against the frame. Buying a door and then having it professionally installed is the best way to ensure that you get the most from your purchase.

If you are interested in speaking to a professional about new windows in order to increase your home’s energy efficiency and decrease your utility bills, call Southwest Door & Window at 214-341-2212. We want to offer higher levels of curb appeal to your older home along with plenty of energy efficient windows Irving, TX and safety benefits. Stop by and see some of the options we offer at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238. Our showroom highlights the different products so you can start to visualize what your home will look like when the new window installation is complete and your electric bills are much lower.

There is a time for everything, right? We live in a very time-oriented world. You get up at a certain time, go to work at a certain time, and pick the kids up at a certain time. If there wasn’t a time schedule in place, you’d never know when to do anything! There are also occasions when it is time for new windows. But you can’t judge the need for new windows based on the clock on the wall of your Dallas, TX home. There are other signs that will tell you when it is time for new windows. Here are a few to watch for.

Your Energy Efficiency Is Sinking

In Dallas, TX, it’s even more important to have an energy efficient home now than ever before. It can be ragingly hot in Dallas. Do you really want that humid air seeping into your home? Of course not! And do you really want to be air conditioning the whole neighborhood because your air is leaking out through cracks in your old windows? No way! Everyone else has their own AC unit to use! If you notice a rise in your bills, your windows aren’t energy efficient. That means it is time for new windows!

Your Curb Appeal Is Lacking

Your neighbor’s house looks great. The house across the street is beautiful. Your house…well, it’s seen better days. It might be time for new windows! Sure, there are a lot of things you can do to bring your home around to a better appearance, but when you put in new windows; you’re doing more than just working on appearance. New windows will bring your exterior to a new level of style. But at the same time, you’ll improve the interior appearance of your home and you’ll get energy efficiency and other benefits. There’s no other way to do all of those things at once. Multi-tasking is the best when you invest in one thing and get a long list of benefits from it.

These are just a few of the small ways to tell when it is time for new windows Dallas, TX. If you aren’t sure what your home really needs or when it still may be time to call professionals in for advice. At Southwest Door & Window, we would be happy to speak with you and you would be under no obligation to us. Simply give us a call at 214-341-2212 and ask for a free consultation. We’d be happy to come to your home and take a look at your current windows so we know better how to advise you in moving forward. If you want to see what windows are on the market today, you are welcome to stop by our showroom and take a look. We’re located at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238 and we carry only high-quality options. You know what’s best for your home in the end and we’re here to offer you the use of our professional knowledge where windows are concerned.

The outside of your home tells a lot about your house and who you are as a person. If you keep things neat and tidy, people are going to assume the inside looks just as nice. If the home is unkempt and peeling, no one is even going to want to see it inside. If you live in an older home in Frisco, TX, it’s going to need some work and upkeep from time to time. If you see the curb appeal sagging, there are a number of things you can do in order to bring it back up to the proper level. Here are a few suggestions.

Get A New Roof

The roof of your home can make a difference in the exterior of your house in a number of ways. It can also work a world of wonders inside, even though you can’t see it.  Outside, when you have loose or missing shingles, your home just doesn’t look right. Installing a new roof will help the home look better on the outside starting at the very top. Inside, a new roof will give you protection. You don’t want leaks, right? They can cause water damage and even dangerous mold. And the right roof will keep the structural integrity of your home intact.

New Siding or Paint

If you have old, worn siding, sometimes the best thing you can do is get new siding. If your siding is just peeling, you can scrape it and paint it and give your home a whole new look. When you think about how much space siding takes up on the outside of your home, painting or replacing it can make a big difference in the appearance of your house.

Landscaping

Landscaping has a way of giving your house a finished look. It can be the finishing touch to highlight your home and really make it shine. Plant a few bushes around the entrance or some flowers up the pathway and you will see a big difference in the curb appeal of your home.

Replacement Windows

Replacement windows will revolutionize the way your home looks from the outside. Windows take up a lot of space as well and replacing them will give your home a whole new feel from the outside. But you will also get a long list of benefits inside including a boosted appearance, energy efficiency, ease of operation, longevity, and much more. Putting replacement windows in can do a lot for curb appeal, but it gives you even more benefits to the interior of your home.

If you are ready to carry out home improvement projects on the outside of your home, consider replacement windows Frisco, TX home for the better. For that job, all you have to do is call Southwest Door & Window at 214-341-2212. We’ll help you find the replacement windows that will work best in your home. Stop by our showroom for examples at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238.

If you have a pet, or are thinking of getting a pet, there might be certain home renovations that you will want to consider for your Dallas, TX home. If you are going to do renovations anyway, it is good to keep your current or future pet in mind so everyone in the family is as comfortable as possible. Here are some things to consider as you move through renovations.

Flooring

When you are thinking about getting a pet, you need to consider that option as you install new flooring. Dogs have toenails and many cats have claws. So hardwood flooring that is easily marred and scratched is not ideal. You might also want to avoid new carpet because there could be accidents at first. Instead, consider something hardy like laminate floors or ceramic tiles to create a long lasting beauty in your home that is also pet friendly.

Door Options

If you are installing new doors onto your home, consider something pet friendly like a sliding door. You can easily open and close the door to allow your pet to take a potty break without letting in too much hot air. You might also want to have a pet door so your pet can get in and out on their own. Or, consider a pet proof screen door so you can let in the fresh air on nice days without allowing bugs through and without having your pet charge through the door and get injured.

Replacement Windows

Of course, you aren’t going to put in replacement windows just because you have or are getting a pet, but they are a great idea for any family in Dallas, TX. Replacement windows will keep everyone (including your pet) more comfortable because of their energy efficiency. They also will lower energy bills so you have more money for pet food and obedience training on a monthly basis. Replacement windows can also cut back on the dangerous UV rays that can damage items in your home. When you get replacement windows, you will also want to think about window treatments that will be good for your family and your pet. Any family with children or pets will want to avoid long curtains or blinds that have long cords attached. Perhaps consider shutters or something motorized to enhance safety.

There are plenty of home renovations you can do, but when you have a pet in the family or are about to get one, you have to keep them in mind as well. When replacement windows are on your to-do list, contact Southwest Door & Window at 214-341-2212 and let’s talk through the details. We’d be happy to set up a free consultation with you and we can even show you around our showroom so you can see the options in person at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238. We want to put the best replacement windows on your home and we’ll help you meet your energy efficiency goals.

When you live in Dallas, TX, you know all about being hot. Even in the fall and sometimes during the winter, you can break a sweat. But the summers are especially miserable. No matter what time of year you’re enduring, you can still feel the summer sun beating down on you. The good news is, there are things you can do to beat that Texas heat. The major task is to make your home more energy efficient. How do you do that? There are a number of ways.

Home Energy Audit

The first thing you might want to do is get a home energy audit from a professional. They will inspect your home and tell you how it compares to energy efficiency levels in every matter. They will also make recommendations for exact steps you can take to make the house more energy efficient. These estimates are free and can help you figure out where you will get the best return on your investments, and where you can make the biggest difference.

Consider Age

Once you have an energy audit, you will want to think about the age of your home and the items inside it. If your house is ten years old or older, there are certain items, like your air conditioner, that might be reaching the end of their efficiency life span. Some things, like insulation, last a lifetime, but appliances will need to be replaced at some point.

New Windows

You might also consider when is it time for new windows? If your windows are on the old side and don’t have good insulation, you can do yourself a huge favor in the energy efficiency department by replacing them. Keeping outside air out and inside air in will help your home become more much comfortable and energy efficient. You will have a nice, fresh look for your house too. If energy efficiency is your goal, don’t be surprised if the home energy audit professional recommends new windows for your Dallas, TX house.

Plant Trees

In order to continue down the path to energy efficiency, it is a good idea to plant trees around your house that will shade your window areas and your home in general. The direct sunlight warms your home and causes the air conditioner to run more. Shade will help cut back on those effects.

Close Blinds

No matter what windows you have, closing your blinds to avoid direct sunlight can cut back on the heat of the day as well. It will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Getting the right blinds is key to the process, but anything will give you at least a little insulation.

If your energy audit shows that you need new windows, you will be doing a great service to the energy efficient windows Dallas, TX of your home by working with Southwest Door & Window at 214-341-2212. Stop by and see our window products in our showroom at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238.

If you are sending the last child off to college, you officially have an empty nest on your hands. Before you get too sad about the situation, think about the possibilities. Now is the time to focus on you and what you’ve always wanted to do to your home! You may not be ready to turn their old bedroom into a gym or hobby room, but there are some things you can do to your Frisco, TX home now that you have more time and money on your hands. Here are a few things to consider.

Master Bath

When you have an empty nest, it’s time to put the focus back on what makes you happy within your home. You might automatically gravitate toward the master bathroom. You can increase your home value by making changes in that room and, more importantly, you can increase your relaxation zone. Consider a spa tub, a beautiful back splash, or marble accent walls. You might even think about luxuries like heated floors. You can do whatever you can afford and whatever your imagination can dream up!

Home Gym

While you might not be ready to turn your child’s room into a gym, you have to admit, there are less games, videos, and other items lying around the basement. You might be able to create a home gym out of the corner of the space or in another area where you have more room than before. Pick up a set of hand weights to start and perhaps some new workout DVDs. If you like to run, consider a treadmill. If you like to go easier on your knees, think about an elliptical machine. You won’t have to venture out in order to get your workout in.

New Colors

When you are going through a life-changing event, such as having your last child leave home, it might be time for an aesthetic change as well. Something as simple and inexpensive as a few new colors on the wall can brighten your outlook. Paint the kitchen a cheery color and add an accent wall in the living room. It’s a fun process that can mark the change in your life.

Replacement Windows

One of the biggest, most home-changing things you can consider at this stage in your life is replacement windows. Replacement windows will change the appearance of your home inside and out and they will also allow you greater levels of energy efficiency. You can start to save money monthly and put it towards that cruise you’ve always wanted to take instead. Replacement windows are a great addition to the home windows Frisco, TX because they add comfort as well. They even raise the value of your home so when you want to sell, you’ll get the money you invested back.

If replacement windows are your project of choice, it’s time to call Southwest Door & Window at 214-341-2212. You are welcome to stop by our showroom and see what we have to offer in person at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238.

When you have a home in Dallas, TX, you know the cost of living in the area can be steep. If you can save money on a few things around your house, you will have more money in the bank for summer vacations, college funds, and anything else you need for the future. While it might sound strange, installing vinyl windows into your home can actually end up saving you a lot of money! Here are just a few of the money-saving benefits of vinyl windows on homes in Dallas, TX.

You will lose less heat and air
When your home gets hot in the summer or cool in the winter, you run your HVAC system in order to maintain a comfortable system. Older windows might cause the system to run quite a bit in order to keep the house at the temperature you set. IF you get new vinyl windows, you have a great deal of insulation added to your home. Vinyl materials don’t conduct any heat from the Dallas air into your home. Plus, they seal tightly to your house and keep drafts out as well. All of this saves you energy, which translates into savings on your utility bills.

You won’t have to pay for maintenance
Old wood windows need quite a bit of maintenance. You either have to buy materials each year and paint, scrape, and stain the windows yourself or you have to pay someone to do it for you. Either way, you’re paying for the maintenance. One of the benefits of vinyl windows is their lack of maintenance requirements. You don’t have to pay a dime for maintenance over the years because they simply don’t need any.

You’ll get more money for your house
Whether you plan on moving soon or not, vinyl windows will get you more money for your home when you do. Homebuyers see vinyl windows are a big benefit since they know about their energy efficiency and low maintenance. They want to take advantage of the money saving benefits of vinyl windows themselves so they are willing to pay more upfront for your home.

The saying goes, ‘you have to spend money to make money.’ That is very true when it comes to home improvement projects. No home improvement project is free and most aren’t cheap. But when you choose the right ones, you can make quite a bit of money by saving on bills, increasing the value of your home, and in other ways. If you want to save money with the benefits of vinyl windows Irving, TX on your home, contact Southwest Door & Window at 214-341-2212. We’ll walk you through the installation process from start to finish and make sure you understand how much vinyl windows can make a difference in your home and in your life. You can also stop by our showroom at 10255 Miller Rd Dallas, TX 75238, and take a look at the high-quality products we offer.