Sunday, June 29, 2014

What Makes Sliding Glass Doors St. Louis MO Extremely Popular Among Homeowners?

It used to be that sliding glass doors were only exclusive for the homes of the rich. This was owing to the fact that only few could really afford to have them installed in their homes. It took advances in the field, particularly in the manufacturing techniques, before it became possible to make them available in more budget-friendly price tags. Nowadays, sliding glass doors St. Louis MO are also offered in a wide variety of styles and designs in addition to their affordable price options.

Homeowners often opt for sliding glass doors to have an easy access to their outdoor space. They are also used to serve as a barrier to a three-season porch, a game room or pool room. Regardless of your purpose for installing a sliding glass door in your home, it never fails to bring in a touch of class and elegance along with some very useful functions.

On the other hand, one of the issues attached to sliding glass doors is their cost. Admittedly, they have higher price tags than standard doors. But how much do they really cost? A standard sized sliding glass door made of aluminum and glass can cost you between $400 and $700. Larger dimensions, say an 8 foot door of similar construction, can run you around $950 to $1,200. It goes without saying that the bigger the door, the more expensive its cost.

Aside from the cost of your sliding glass door, you also have to consider the installation fee. This can range anywhere from $400 to $1200. Typically, this price range is the standard rate in many areas and for practically all types of door installation. If you are running on a tight budget, you can actually keep the expenses down by installing the sliding glass door on your own. However, if you don’t have enough knowledge and skills to carry out the job, it is much better to hire a professional even if it will cost you more. A professional installation will reduce if not totally eliminate the odds of bad installation. If you think about it, hiring a contractor for the job given the rewards you will be able to reap, is actually the more practical and cost-effective approach.

Sliding glass doors are functional as they are beautiful and elegant. If you are looking to have one installed in your home, consider sliding glass doors in St. Louis MO by Zen and see how you can obtain excellent value for your money.




Thursday, June 26, 2014

What Makes It Necessary To Buy Replacement Windows St. Louis MO For Your Home?

When you have leaky and defective windows at home, this can have a huge impact in your monthly energy bills. Take a moment to absorb this. In the colder parts of the US, a significant amount of energy loss (15% to 30%) in an average household is caused by poorly insulated home windows. You are literally throwing away your money out of the window. It doesn't seem fair that you are paying a significant amount of money for your energy when much of it just escapes out of your home through your leaky windows. This makes it more than necessary to invest in replacement windows St. Louis MO.

Meanwhile, in warmer regions, the same thing takes place during summer months. With their leaky windows at home, much of the cool air just manages to escape outside.

If you are in the same boat, the best thing to do is to insulate your home, which means that there should be a barrier between the outdoors and your indoors that will make your interior living space in comfortable temperature regardless of the time of the year. Insulating your home can be done in several methods ranging from simple to complicated approaches that can cost you anywhere from almost zero to fairly expensive.

For instance, you can add storm windows or you can replace your old and leaky windows. You may also choose to add thermal shades, or just the standard drapes with the proper size and thickness. The only issue with this approach is that they can limit your view of the outdoors and the amount of natural light that gets inside the home. You can also find other devices or products like insulating panels. If you don’t have the money to spare, you can even use the bubble wrap that’s lying around your house.

It is safe to say that the most expensive approach is updating your existing units. This can call for a significant amount. On a positive note, your new replacement windows can offer several benefits making the money you spent all worth it. They will not only boost the energy performance of your home, but will also boost its aesthetics. If you will be selling your home in the future, your efficient windows can improve the overall market price of your property. Just don’t over indulge when you go shopping for new windows, though. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the most expensive windows out there. Concentrate on the quality and performance. Make sure that they can serve you for a long time and will allow you to lower the cost of your energy bills.


Not all windows available in the market are the same. There are good and bad windows out there. To ensure quality and durability, consider home replacement windows St. Louis MO for your home. Check out Zen Windows St. Louis webpage for a free online estimate on the windows that you need. 



The Pros And Cons Of Patio Doors St. Louis MO

While traditional doorways will always be in existence, people now are looking at modern style windows as alternatives. Sliding glass doors for instance are getting more and more common not only in residential areas, but even in offices and other commercial spaces. When you've got a beautiful outdoor environment at home, make the most out of it by installing one of the patio doors St. Louis MO has to offer.

Sliding glass doors come with several advantages. They are practical and more functional than your standard doorway. Because of their wider opening, they allow big and bulky items to be ushered in and out of the home or building. They provide easy and convenient access which may be lacking or missing in standard doors.

Sliding doors are not just functional but aesthetically pleasing as well. They add style and elegance into your home. A patio door for example does not only give you an easy access to your backyard, pool or garden, but will also accentuate its natural beauty. When it opens up to a beautiful garden or lawn, it can add to the market value of your property. In addition, patio doors can invite a significant amount of light indoors which can make any room appear bright, roomy and wider than it actually is. And with a brighter indoor space, your home won’t be a favorite haven for unwanted and unhealthy insects and bugs.

Patio doors are also environment-friendly. Their production won’t require wood but will use alternative materials. Although indirectly, patio doors actually help save and protect the environment.

On the downside, having patio doors at home can be an expensive proposition. They are generally more expensive than your normal door style. Aside from the cost of the unit, you also have to pay for their installation. They also call for regular cleaning and maintenance. They typically need special kind of cleaning materials. In addition, compared to other door types, they may be less effective in enduring harsh outdoor climates. Plus, extreme heat can affect the durability and longevity of these glass doors.

In conclusion, sliding glass doors or patio doors can bring in several benefits that are hard to miss. However, before you have one installed in your home, you really have to weigh the pros and cons to enable you come to a decision that is to your advantage.

Thinking of adding a modern touch to your door? Check out affordable patio doors in St. Louis MO by Zen and see how they can give your home a contemporary look bringing along some useful functionality as well.