Aging-in-Place Features For Your Home

If you are newly retired or you are thinking about retirement soon, chances are you are crunching numbers and determining what life will look like after working. Many retirees want to stay in their homes as long as possible, so making their home as updated and convenient for aging-in-place is very important. Here are some things your home should have as you set out toward your journey of retirement.

#1: Updated windows.
Chilly winter days and hot summer nights – we have a little bit of everything in the Pacific Northwest.  New windows are energy efficient and can even help reduce your utility costs each month. That’s a real win when it comes to conserving your retirement dollars!  Updated windows also help keep outside noise out, so you can kick back and relax in the quietness of your own space. And last, new windows add value to your home and enhance curb appeal!

#2: New roof.
A reliable roof is one of the most important parts of your home’s structure. A new roof is one of the best long-term investments you can make for your home. It will help keep you comfortable and protected from the outside elements. We use Malarkey Roofing Products in our roofing jobs, a company committed to protecting the environment in their Energy-Star rated roofing materials. One thing is for sure – a high-quality roof will serve you well for many decades! And, you’ll be confident knowing that the roof above you is doing its job to keep you secure and safe from whatever the weather decides to do outside.

#3: Reliable siding.
Is the exterior siding of your home showing any signs of failing? If so, don’t ignore this. This could expose your home to water, which could lead to dry rot and mold. Not to mention, it can take a hit from the sun and cold weather in the winter. Be proactive and make sure your siding is ready to go for your retirement years. If it isn’t, consider replacement with fiber cement siding. This type of siding installed by our professionals at Lifetime Windows and Doors is one of the best things you can do for your home’s exterior. It is moisture and rot resistant, doesn’t crack, split, or warp, and is resistant to pests.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your home’s aging-in-place projects! We proudly serve the Portland metro area, Southwest Washington, and Central Oregon. Our experience is something you can count on, so call us today!

Budgeting for Home Improvement Projects

It’s no secret that home improvement projects can be costly. Many homeowners need to budget and save for the projects that can transform their home to what they want. Whether it’s a simple exterior door replacement project or a complete window replacement throughout your home, our team at Lifetime Windows and Doors is committed to helping you get your project done on budget. Here are some tips on how to budget for your home improvement projects.

#1: Determine your home goals.
Are you looking to simply boost your home’s curb appeal? Lower energy bills? Add a new addition to your home? The larger your home goals are, the more expensive things will be. So, determine your long-term goals. Then see how that aligns with what you can spend. For example, if you’re replacing your home’s siding, that’s a good time to also replace windows. But if both of those things are not in your budget, you should consider saving for the one that is the highest priority first.

#2: Research.
Determine what kind of materials you can afford for your renovation. For example, wood windows might be great, but vinyl windows might be a better fit for your budget. Read up on the various options that are out there and find some of your top choices that don’t stretch your budget in an uncomfortable way.

#3: Look closely at quotes and prices.
Getting quotes from licensed companies is important. When you’re getting estimates, remember that while some costs might seem high, there are often promotions, financing offers, and manufacturing or energy rebates that can help cut costs. And keep in mind that even though one company might have a low price, it doesn’t mean it’s a good fit. Low prices can unfortunately translate to poor quality product, inattentive customer service, or substandard installation.

Want to learn more?

So, when you’re ready to start your home improvement project, schedule a free estimate with our experienced specialists at Lifetime Windows and Doors. We’ll discuss your project with you and provide you with the best windows, siding, and door with door frame options for your home. We love serving our Portland, Vancouver, and Central Oregon clients. So contact us today for details on prices, products, and promotions that are happening.

Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Replacement Window Installation

If you’ve recently decided to replace your old and inefficient windows and you have the installation day on your calendar, you may be wondering what else you need to do to prepare. Choosing your windows is the hardest part. Once you have hired our experienced team of window installation specialists at Lifetime Windows & Doors, you can sit back and relax knowing things will be completed with efficiency and accuracy. Here are some tips on how to make the replacement window process easy and stress free.

#1: Move things out of the way.
When your new windows arrive, your old ones will need to be completely removed. While this is something our team will take care of, you can make their job easier by moving things out of the way around the existing windows. For example, if there is furniture inside under the window or there are overgrown bushes on the outside, move the furniture and trim the bushes. In addition, ensure that pathways are clear in the areas that they will be working in, so they can haul the new windows in and the old windows out.

#2: Remove window treatments.
Any blinds or curtains that are attached to your old windows will need to be removed and stored. It’s also a good idea to take down surrounding paintings or wall décor so nothing gets knocked down during installation. Our team of window specialists are safe and attentive to each home’s surroundings, but it is important to minimize the risk of any accidents by removing things that surround it.

#3: Keep pets contained.
If you have pets, keep them away from the workspace, either in a closed room, closed garage area, or a crate. Pets could get anxious from construction noise, and we don’t want them to escape through a door that is open during installation.

In order to get ready for your installation project, it just takes a little bit of planning ahead and effort. This will ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible!

Ready to get your installation project started?  Contact us today to talk about your window style options! We offer a variety of styles and design options that fit with your home and your budget.

What Questions To Ask Potential Home Contractors

If your windows and doors are old and inefficient, replacing them can be a great investment that will not only add value to your home, but it will also save you money on utility bills and bolster the curb appeal of your house.  When you’ve decided to make the leap to do this kind of project, you will need to take some time and do some important research on companies and contractors. Unfortunately, there are many out there claiming to be the “best” and most experienced in a specific field, but they truly aren’t and could create a headache later down the road. Here are some important questions to ask potential home contractors before you hire them.

  1. How long have you been in business?
    A quality contractor or company doesn’t have to be in business for decades, but remember, the longer that they’ve been working in their field, the more hands on experience they have to bring to your home.
  2. What are their reviews like?
    If there is a significant amount of negative reviews online, take note – this is not a good sign. Do your research and read the negative reviews to see if there is a recurring theme. In the same way, if there are a lot of positive reviews, read through those as well and see if there are comments about quality workmanship, staying on budget, and attentive and responsive customer service. Reviews speak volumes about a company. In addition, if you should choose to ask for references from the potential company or contractor, they should be happy to give you some, with no complaints or questions.
  3. What is their specialty?
    When it comes to window or door replacements, working with a contractor that knows what they’re doing and specializes in these types of projects is key. This means they will be able to handle any unexpected issues with ease and ensure that your project will be completed the right way, the first time.
  4. What are their prices like?

Homeowners generally don’t like overpaying for things and when it comes to window and door replacements, the same goes. When you are talking to a potential company to get a quote or a bid for a job, they should be upfront with it and provide a professional written-up quote. A reputable contractor or company will never ask you to pay for a job in full until it’s completed to your satisfaction.

Our team at Lifetime Windows & Doors brings decades of experience to each homeowner’s window or door installation. We have worked on thousands of projects over the years and we know how to approach each one with confidence, so we can get everything installed quickly and efficiently, the first time. If there are any issues that arise while we’re working on your home, we will talk to you about them right away to get the problem solved.

Not sure where to get started? We’re happy to provide free quotes on replacing your worn windows or doors with new ones that are energy efficient and insulated. We are proud to serve Portland, Oregon and the surrounding areas, as well as Central Oregon and Southwest Washington. Whether it’s new windows or doors, new siding, or a roof replacement, our professional team can help you get your home updated and beautiful. Ready to get started? Visit our specials page to see what our current specials are, then contact us today for information on how to get your appointment on the books with us.