Change Your House So That More Beautiful

For most home owners, a screen door is an excellent way to provide a barrier between yourself and the annoying objects that fly in to bother you from the outside world. This of course includes insects which seem to never stop bothering you no matter how busy you are and despite how many swats you’ve taken at them. And even though bugs are the main culprit and source of frustration, random objects like leaves and pine needles are also sometimes blown in from out doors. But in addition to these benefits, some home owners also want a feeling of security that standard screen doors simply cannot provide. They want to be able to rest in their homes with a feeling of comfort while their families to remain safe at night when they sleep in their beds. For this commendable need, home owners should purchase a security screen door.

A security door is built from a much heavier material than normal, ensuring a very sturdy barrier between yourself as well as your possessions and whatever person is trying to break their way in. Fastened with special bolts and clamps onto the front part of the door are steel grilles, which are used to reinforce the door and provide extra strength. These special grilles can also be made out of cast iron or a different type of strong metal. The grilles are close enough together to provide the strongest protection, but allow enough room for sunlight to reach through the glass or wire mesh that lies beneath them.

The hinges on the security door will also be made of much stronger metals then other models, very similar to the grilles which are welded securely into the exterior. With all of this metal being used on this door, one might wonder just how disruptive the iron and steel will be to the eye. You needn’t worry though, as many models of security screen doors can be very decorative, even when providing that extra layer of protection for your home. While more pleasing models are available, it is advisable that you seriously weigh the options of your purchase and decide if you value a more decorative design over a safer home when choosing your model.

Upon review, the added benefits of this model of screen door will provide you with extra security that you otherwise wouldn’t have. This added protection is something that will help you and your family sleep easier at night, so if you’re serious about needing a more secure home, a security screen door is an excellent choice.

A garage door is really one of the most important safety features you can do for your home or office. It’s not just a way to keep your vehicle out of the rain and snow. It’s an important access point that some people take for granted. If you’re going to spend money on this important part of your home, you want to make sure you get the right size door for your garage.

Measuring Made Simple

You’ll want to measure the door height and width. Since most standard doors are in even feet, that is 8 feet by 9 feet, you can use a yardstick. If you try and gauge the size with by “eyeballing” it, you could really have a problem if your “eyeball” isn’t calibrated right!

Standard Sizes

There are a few sizes of doors that are considered standard. These include 8 x7 feet, 8×8 feet, 8×9 feet, 9×8 feet, 10×7 feet, and 10×8 feet for single car garages. For double doors, the standard sizes are 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet by 7 feet and 12, 14, 16, and 18 feet by 8 feet. You can also order a custom size, but expect to pay much more.

What Other Measurements Are Needed?

You’ll also want to measure the sideroom and the headroom. This will help in determining what type of track and hardware can be installed. Most will require at least 3 ¾ inches on each side of the door and 5 ½ inches at the top. However, each manufacturer may have their own specifications. Make sure you know what these are for the type of door that you are considering.

DIY or Professional Installation?

This will depend on your skill level as a handyman! If you are going to do the install yourself, you’ll need to ensure you have the proper tools. You’ll also need someone to help you, as the door is rather large, heavy, and cumbersome. A professional may be the answer you need if the garage door sizes are custom made or very large, such as a triple door. You don’t want to try and put the door up yourself, only to have it crash down in the middle of the night!

In Closing

Since so many of the garage door sizes today are standard, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be able to find a good deal. However, for custom doors, you can expect to pay at least twice as much and installation could cost you more as well.

If you have dogs or cats, you quickly learn how convenient a pet door could be. Especially with cats, there’s the constant open the door, shut the door. When they’re out they want in, and when they’re in they want out. Why wear out your door hinges and sliding door when you can give your pet the freedom to leave and enter your home at their leisure? Installing a pet door is a relatively inexpensive thing to do, and depending on the type you install, can be done in an hour or so.

Here are a few different options you have when it comes to installing a door for your pet.

Sliding Glass Door Attachment

One of the least expensive and easiest way to give your pet the freedom he or she wants is buy installing an addition to your sliding glass door. These are sold as vertical glass slats that vary in width depending upon the width of the pet door you need. You install it into the sliding glass door tract and it sits next to the original door. This addition has a pet door built in. You only need to seal the gap between the addition and the original door, as well as bolt the original door into place to keep it from opening. That is the only downside to this method – it almost renders the exit useless, except for by your pets.

Pets Doors Within a Door

If you don’t want to take the drastic step of cutting a hole in your wall and installing a traditional pet door, consider instead installing one into an interior door. Many homeowners will do this in the door leading to the garage, and then leave the garage door open. This serves a couple functions: it allows you some control of when your pet can leave the home, yet allows the animal access to food, water and bedding which may be located in the garage. It also doesn’t affect the resale value of your home, as a door can be inexpensively replaced.

Cutting a Hole in Your Wall

The most permanent and drastic way to install a pet door is by having one put into a wall that leads to the exterior of your home, preferably a fenced side or back yard. There are easy to follow instructions on most DIY websites, but you will need to cut a rectangular hole in your wall to allow for the installation of the door. Be sure to check wiring and plumbing locations before you begin tearing your wall apart.

If you’re still unsure whether a pet door is right for your animals, remember that there are styles that will allow only authorized pets through, keep wild critters out and your pets safe.