Autumn Window Cleaning and Care Checklist

Autumn Window Cleaning and Care Checklist | Lifetime Windows & Doors in Portland OR

Brisk autumn weather has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. It’s such a beautiful time of year here. It’s also a great time to continue to work around your home or business to ensure your to-dos are completed before the cold winter days arrive. Fall is a great time to clean and care for your windows. Here are some tips on how to care for your windows this autumn. 

REMOVE SCREENS AND CLEAN

Remove screens on the windows and make sure they are tear-free. Once the screens are off, you can hose them down with soap and water. While you let them air dry, clean the windows inside and out with a residue-free glass cleaner. It’s also a good time to check the sills or tracks of the windows, wiping them clean of any dirt or other debris that has started to build up over time. 

DUST

Take some time to dust the blinds and clean the draperies on or around the windows. This will help with seasonal allergies and help the space feel cleaner and brighter. 

CHECK FOR LEAKS

Are the seals around your windows tight? Worn seals are a major source of heat loss when the weather cools down. This translates to wasted energy and higher utility bills. 

ADD NEW WINDOWS

The sunniest days of summertime are gone and overcast Pacific Northwest days are here to stay for a while. That’s why bringing in as much natural light to your home as possible is important. Adding a new skylight, a large picture window, or other smaller windows to dark rooms can lighten and enlarge the space. Extra daylight can even make you feel happier and improve your mental outlook in life! 

REPLACE OLD WINDOWS

Perhaps your windows are single-pane and simply not up to today’s energy efficiency standards. Now’s a great time to get a quote for replacement windows. Whether you need custom windows, bay windows, egress windows, or a combination of all of those, our experts at Lifetime Windows and Doors can help today. With more than 25 years of industry-leading expertise, you can count on us to get the job done right with top-rated brands. Considering replacing your windows this autumn? Call us today to learn more about our expertise and to schedule your consultation!

How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Renovating Your Home

How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Renovating Your Home | Lifetime Windows & Doors

If you’re planning a home remodel, you know how much thought and preparation goes into it. Determining what changes are most important, which companies will complete the work, and ensuring you can stay within your designated time frame and budget are all important. If you plan on remodeling your home, here’s how to avoid costly mistakes. 

Set a Budget

Renovations can get expensive, especially if you don’t plan your funding accordingly. So, set a realistic budget with a buffer in place. Building up to 20 percent extra into your overall budget can help you better prepare for any surprises that happen along the way. 

Choose the Right Company

Unfortunately, there are many companies, contractors, or fly-by-night workers claiming to be the “best” and most experienced in their field. If you don’t research, you could be in for a big – and expensive – headache later down the road. Be sure to ask potential home contractors direct questions before you hire them. These might include ‘How long have you been in business?’, ‘What is your specialty?’, or ‘Do you have references’? It’s also important to read online reviews. If you notice a significant number of negative reviews or if you see a recurring theme about their quality of workmanship, ethics, or customer service, take note. Don’t rush your decision: an honest company or contractor will take the time to answer your questions with no complaints. 

Don’t Forget Functionality

When considering windows, doors, siding, or roofing, don’t forget to keep functionality in mind. For example, you don’t want doors to ding or damage other doors or countertops, and you want to make sure you can access and open and close windows easily. Talk to your contractor about how you want the space to flow so you can ensure it functions exactly how you want it to. 

Buying the Right Materials

The changes you make during a home remodel are things you’ll want to enjoy for many years to come. That’s why it’s important to select high-quality, durable materials that are built to last. Our team at Lifetime Windows and Doors is proud to install top-quality products from Milgard, Malarkey Roofing, James Hardie, and more. We focus on installing everything accurately with attention to the details. Whether you live in a historic home that needs modern touches, or you have a newer home that simply requires some updates to old windows or doors, we pride ourselves in doing the job right with materials you can count on. 

Ready to Get Started?

Our team has industry-leading experience and has been serving the Portland OR area since 1998. We take pride in delivering exceptional workmanship and providing a great customer experience, so you know you’ll be in good hands. Call us today to schedule your free quote.  

Tips for Designing Your Home Addition

Home after a remodel and addition

If you’ve lived in your home for a while and you’ve decided you want to add on to it or remodel the existing space, you understand how much planning it takes. It’s a big project to tackle. Determining your biggest priorities is the first step. Once that is done, you’ll need to set your budget and find professionals that can get the job done accurately and on time. Here are some additional tips to consider when designing your home addition.

Think About the Future

Designing a space that is not just luxurious, but functional and comfortable for the long-term is key. Adding new siding and roofing are two of the best things to do to ensure your home stands the test of time. A quality roof can last for decades. Siding – especially top-notch fiber cement siding installed by our team at Lifetime Windows and Doors – will protect your home for years, too. Exterior doors also provide the protection you need.

These home improvement items are also important in case you choose to sell your home later. So, when it comes to designing your addition or planning a remodel, consider what your style preferences are, but also keep in mind that things should appeal to other buyers if you have to sell your home somewhere down the line.

Watch Your Budget

Home improvement projects, remodeling, and home additions can get expensive. Whether you’re replacing windows and doors or adding a whole new level to your home, look closely at your budget and determine what things are “must haves” and what are just extras. There will be things that pop up throughout the course of your project that may put a strain on your budget, so make sure to put a buffer in there for those extenuating circumstances, as well. Setting out with a set budget will help you work within it, so when the project wraps up you can enjoy the results and not be anxious about finances.

Do Your Research

Planning for a home addition or large remodeling project that includes replacing windows, doors, roofing, or siding, requires you to do some research beforehand. That means getting quotes from various companies and contractors to determine you’re working with the most qualified team. Unfortunately, there are companies and individuals in the industry who are not honest or simply don’t do quality work. Make sure you read online reviews, ask for photos of completed projects, and read about what their area of expertise is.

Get Professional Insight

At Lifetime Windows and Doors, we have 25 years of industry experience in the home renovation space. We have worked on thousands of residential and commercial projects around Oregon and southwest Washington. Our quality products, commitment to great customer service, and positive online reviews speak for themselves.

Ready to start your renovation or home addition project? Contact us for a free quote for your home addition or home improvement project! We have the experience you can trust and regularly offer specials that can help save you money.

Planning a Remodel? Ask Potential Contractors These Questions

If you’re planning a renovation of your home or business, there are a lot of considerations that go into that. Whether it’s a roof replacement, window or door replacement, or new siding, it’s important to do your research before making your decision on which company to hire. Asking the right questions is key to determining which company is the best choice for you. 

Here are some must-ask questions when deciding which home improvement company you should work with.  

  1. “How long have you been in business locally?” 

It’s okay to ask them how long they’ve been working in your area specifically. The company should have proven experience in the local area. It’s also a good idea to ask for references. They should be happy to provide those to you or direct you to a place where you can find that information.

  1. “What are your online reviews like?”

In our digital era, online reviews are where people go to share their positive or negative experiences. If you ask the company what their online reviews are like, they should be able to answer you honestly. Read through the reviews and if you see a common theme, take note – especially if they are negative reviews. Look closely at customer service experiences, quality of workmanship, pricing, and more. If there are a lot of negative reviews, be aware. 

  1. “Do you have a specialty?”

Your home or business is an investment. You want to preserve your investment – that’s why you want to make sure to use products that will last and keep them looking beautiful for years to come. So, if you’re planning to purchase new windows, doors, siding, or a roof, you want to make sure the company specializes in these things and uses durable, top-quality products. This ensures that they’re able to handle any unexpected issues or problems that may arise during the project.  

  1. “How do your prices compare?”

It’s a good idea to get quotes from two to three companies and then compare them. If the company is reputable, they should fall in line with other companies’ prices that provide similar services. However, if you get a quote that is astronomically high or low, that should be a red flag. A high price may mean they are trying to take advantage of you, while low may indicate that their quality of workmanship may be not up to standard. 

Find the Best Remodel Contractor for You

Ready to get your home or business improvement project started this spring or summer? 

Lifetime Windows and Doors has 25 years of expertise in the local community installing windows, doors, siding, and roofing. We’ve proudly worked on thousands of commercial and residential projects around Oregon and Washington. 

Visit our specials page to see what our current specials are, then contact us today for information on how to get your quote scheduled!