Archive for August 26, 2011

admin | August 26, 2011
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Home Security While On Vacation



A house that appears empty has the highest likelihood of being the victim of a robbery.  The last thing a burglar wants is to come face to face with a homeowner; if it looks like no one is home, your house is a prime target for a break-in.  Worrying about home security should not be a part of your vacation plans, so make sure before you set off that you have taken some basic precautions and ensure that your home alarm system is properly installed and in functioning order.

Following are some useful tips to consider when going on vacation and leaving your home unattended:

1.    Only tell people you trust the dates you will be out of town.  

2.    It is a good idea to purchase timers for several lights in your home so that they will go on automatically at night.  This is an good way to strengthen your home security system and will deter burglars from attempting to break-in.  If they see a light on in your home, they will most likely think someone is home and move on to the next target.

3.    Put a hold on your mail and newspaper delivery so that these items do not pile up on your front doorstep.  Uncollected mail sends a clear signal to potential intruders that no one has been home in a few days.  You could also ask a friend or relative to collect mail and newspapers on a daily basis.

4.    Leave a car parked in the driveway.  This also signals to intruders that someone is home.

5.    Set your answering machine to pick up after three or four rings.  A phone continually ringing is a sure give away that no one is home.

6.    If your neighborhood has a crime prevention program or neighborhood watch, be sure to inform them of your vacation plans.

7.    If you plan on being gone for more than a week, it may be a good idea to notify local police as well as your home security provider.

Before leaving your home for any extended period of time, make sure to double check that all doors and windows are securely locked.  Also, make sure that you do not have any hidden keys in the mailbox or under the door mat, burglars know to look in these traditional hiding places. This is also a good time to test your home alarm system and make sure that they are set.  It is also wise to secure all your valuables in a locked safe and make sure that nothing of value is visible from the outside windows.  Try not to leave anything tempting within eyesight of potential burglars.

If you do not already have a home alarm installed in your home, this would be a wise investment to make before setting off on your vacation.  There are a myriad of home alarm systems to choose from in a range of prices and security levels.  By following these useful tips and installing a reliable system, you can rest assured that you will find your home safe and sound upon returning from your vacation.

Category: Security | Tags: , ,
admin | August 26, 2011
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Replacement Windows Available Online



Replacement Windows add both value and beauty to your home. The value is seen right away with replacement windows as your house will appraise at a higher value after you have made this particular home improvement. You will also be able to notice the difference in your heating and air conditioning bills. Because Replacement Windows offered today are much more energy efficient than older windows, you will notice that it takes a lot less money to heat or cool your home.

One of the best aspects about getting replacement windows is the ease in which the new windows can be cleaned. Most people spend a couple days each year cleaning their old windows and they still never seem to look clean. It can be quite a chore, especially if you have to get on a ladder to reach the outside of windows on a second floor. Removing storm windows and replacing them may be a rite of spring, but it is very time consuming.

In addition to being more energy efficient because of the glazing process in the glass, the structure of the replacement windows is more efficient when it comes to cleaning ease. Most of them make it easy to clean both sides of the glass from the inside of your home, eliminating the need for a ladder. And storm windows are now a thing of the past as well.

Ordering replacement windows online can save you quite a bit of money and allow you to peruse the different styles of windows right from the comfort of your own home. Best of all, you do not have to put up with a pushy window salesman who will continue to hound you or try to use the “hard sell” approach to get you to sign up on the spot.

There are several window manufacturing companies such as Hurd, Crystal, Lang and Simonton, that offer assistance to those who want to order their replacement windows online. By ordering directly from the manufacturer, you are saving at least 50 percent of what it would cost you if you ordered from a sales representative, without the hassle.

Check out the different online sites where you can order your own replacement windows and take a look at the prices. You will be absolutely amazed at the difference. Measuring is easy and there are websites that can even instruct you on how to install your replacement windows, a home improvement that anyone with simple carpentry skills can undertake.

If you are looking for the best way to add value to your home, save on energy costs and improve the beauty of your property, take a look online at the replacement windows offered by the leading manufacturers.

Category: Windows | Tags: , ,
admin | August 26, 2011
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Why Door Smoke Seals Are Important



Are you aware that most of deaths caused by fire are not from burning, but from smoke inhalation? If you have invested in fire doors, you must also invest in smoke seals.

The law often stipulates that many types of business and manufacturing concern must have fire-rated doors in strategic locations. However, many homeowners and condo owners also want the feeling of safety and security a fire rated door with a door smoke seal can provide.

Door smoke seals are available in a variety of sealing capacities and should be combined with fire-rated doors of a similar capacity.

There are two notable types of door smoke seal, the brush smoke seal and the smoke seal with fins. Brush seals have been around longer, having been introduced in 1979.

They are still effective smoke seals, but building regulations have become more stringent since they were introduced. Brush seals have disadvantages. For example, brushes are particularly poor at providing acoustic containment.

The brush fibers allow air to pass straight through and are thus acoustically transparent. The brush type of smoke seal also increases friction, thus making the door difficult to open. This may violate accessibility requirements as stipulated by law.

Fin-style seals provide a much more up to date, comprehensive and even hygienic solution to the problem of door smoke seals. They have much better acoustic containment properties, especially if they are the kind of door smoke seals with dual fins.

They also dramatically lower friction resistance, thus making the door easier to open and therefore accessible to all. The fin seal must, however, remain continuous around the door, for both acoustic containment and smoke containment purposes.

A solution with offset dual fins provides the best low-friction acoustic, smoke and fire containment solution. Durability of the seal is vital, so make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer who thoroughly tests their door smoke seals.

In addition to a seal around the top and sides of the door, your fire rated door may need a threshold seal. Normally a door with a gap of 3mm or greater requires a threshold seal.

Generally you won’t be able to tell until the door is installed. The threshold has traditionally been regarded as a low risk area. Current research, however, disproves this. An unsealed threshold is actually a significant cold smoke hazard.

Threshold sealing is also essential for acoustic containment also. A threshold plate will ensure a good seal is maintained between the threshold seal and the door, by giving the seal a firm surface to rest against.

If your floor is particularly liable to wear and tear the seal can help protect your floor around this high traffic area, the door threshold.

Do not paint over door smoke seals, as this will compromise their smoke containment performance.

If smoke seal has already been painted over, even if it has only been partially painted over, you will need to replace it. As long as you have to replace the seal, you might as well choose one in a color you like.

Category: Doors | Tags: , ,
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