by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
If you live in Miami, you know that it is never too early to prepare for hurricane season. After all, strong winds of any kind can impart great damage to your home, which is why you need to fortify it against these threatening weather conditions.
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune to prepare your abode for the lashing winds and gusty rains. Check out these simple steps that you can begin implementing as early as now.
Tackle Those Trees
Trees are a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal, but they can also turn into a liability during hurricane season—the wind can hurl snapped tree branches through your windows, for example. Therefore, be sure to trim trees and shrubs beforehand to avoid any damage to your property.
Fix Your Roof
Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements. This is no more true than during hurricane season. If it has holes or missing shingles, be sure to patch the voids and replace the shingles to prevent rainwater from otherwise dampening your home and valuables. Likewise, keep your gutters clean so that they can divert water away from your roof efficiently, as they are supposed to do.
Get a Storm
Similarly, your front door also keeps the driving rain from entering your home, but it can be damaged by heavy winds. Luckily, you can find impact doors in Miami that withstand strong winds and whatever debris it may be struck by. Even if the glass in these doors is damaged, it does not shatter on impact, thereby keeping you safe from flying shards.
Keep a Disaster Supply Kit
When preparing for hurricane season, you should always plan for the worst. Hence, cobble together a disaster supply kit to help get your family sustain a calamitous event. It should include essentials such as a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, prescription medications, cash, important documents, and ample food. Make sure that you learn more about disaster preparedness.
For residents of Miami, hurricane season is a fact of life to which everyone must adjust. But by following these simple tips, you can minimize the risk of home damage and keep your family safe during this tumultuous season.
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
Most people think of doors as a mechanism for merely entering and exiting, but they are meant for so much more in the modern home. They can be used to enhance the look of the interior or your home’s curb appeal for all who drive by to see. These mini-remodel projects don’t have to be confusing or time consuming if you choose the right custom doors. Here are some tips to help you with your minor makeover.
Exterior Entry Doors
There are many facets of a door that can add appeal, panache or a particular style statement to your home, but perhaps the first and most important one deserving your focus is the entry door’s exterior. This is often the focal point of your property and there are many popular options available today. In terms of durability, steel entry doors are a great option. They don’t cost a lot and are designed to last a long time, no matter what elements they come across. Since steel doors are also structurally sound, you won’t have to worry about people easily damaging your doors or potentially breaking in. This gives you peace of mind as a homeowner, especially if you have a family.
Fiberglass, custom, exterior doors are also great because of their varied styles, and they don’t expand or contract when the temperature changes. They can therefore resist cracking and chipping. Additionally, even after decades, these doors won’t require many touch-ups or expensive restorations.
Interior Doors
Most doors can last up to 30 years, but if it’s time for an interior door replacement in your home, there are many custom door styles you can choose from. Some of the most popular include aluminum sliding glass doors, French doors, and swing doors. French doors, in particular, are ideal options because of their customizability. They come in many different styles and sizes, depending on the theme you want your home to have. They also lend the illusion of airiness and open space, an advantageous feature if you live in a small home or condo. Additionally, French doors act as windows, offering plenty of natural light throughout the day.
Sliding glass doors are gaining popularity in homes today because they increase the visibility to the outdoors. This can provide some solace to a homeowner as it allows you to see that everything is safe and sound. Just like French doors, they let in plenty of natural sunlight and make your home’s interior seem more spacious.
If you are looking to enhance your home’s doors in a cost-effective and safe manner, contact a company that installs custom doors in Miami. These companies possess ample knowledge and specialized tools to deliver and install your dream doors.
Sources:
How long your front door last, angieslist.com
11 Different Types Of Doors To Consider For Your House, civilblog.org
Choosing an Exterior Door, houselogic.com
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
Living in Miami can be considered one of the best experiences you ever enjoy. The pristine beaches, constantly sunny weather, and its beautiful scenery certainly make every day worthwhile. However, if you live in Miami, you know these sunny days do not go on forever.
From June to November, the area of Miami actually gets visited by more than just a few hurricanes, ranging from minor category types to the more serious and threatening Category 5 storms. Because of this, it becomes critical for homeowners to ensure that they are ready for changes in the weather.
In order to protect your family, you should make sure that your house will be up to the task. From doors to windows, you should invest in quality impact materials that will keep your Miami property intact, despite the strong winds. If you haven’t yet invested in this sort of fortification for your property, make sure to do it quickly because experts predict that the 2017 hurricane season is going to be “above-average”.
Door Requirements
You will want to get a door that has the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) seal of approval. This means that it’s been tested and certified to have withstood wind pressure as high as 250 mph at minimum. Even a 100-mph missile flying horizontally should be no contest to a FEMA-certified impact door.
While the composition of such doors is high-grade stuff designed for the purposes of shelters or safe rooms, it can also be used for regular homes. The sturdier your impact door is in a hurricane-prone area, the better it is for your safety and home.
Of course, if you’re going to upgrade your door material, it follows that you should also upgrade the doorframe as well. After all, your door is only as strong as its frame when it comes to Miami gales.
Retain Home Aesthetics
Understandably, one of the major concerns for homeowners is how high-impact doors affect the appearance of their property. During hurricane season, their fortress-like presence is acceptable, but when the city is bathed in pleasant sunlight from December to June, homeowners may be a bit turned off by the ominous appearance of these doors.
But, actually you can find high-impact, sliding, glass doors that afford you great views outside without putting your house and family at risk. There are contractors and suppliers, such as Ready Windows, who are readily available to provide the fortified door requirements you may need to prepare for the hurricane season, all without having to sacrifice the aesthetic appeal of your home.
If you must upgrade your doors and windows, just make sure to do it well ahead of time so that you can avoid making hurried, inadequate choices.
Sources:
8 Tornado Proof House Tips. Popular Mechanics.
Types of Hurricane Impact Testing for Windows, Doors, and Other Building Components. Engineering Express.
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
Florida’s homes possess architectural styles that are an eclectic mix of the old and new. And with all the sophisticated abodes in the vibrant city of Miami, simply selecting the perfect door frame or style can be a tough decision. By identifying key features that each architectural style is known for, one can learn about the options for shapes, sizes, and material finishes that will marry well with any theme.
Timeless Allure of Foreign Elements
Showcasing influences from Latin roots of yesteryear, many houses in this region are built in the Spanish and Mediterranean style. Perfect for the warm and sunny months, these homes exude earthy tones through clay tiles, stucco walls, and other terracotta elements. You may often find a small courtyard in these houses, and each room has a small balcony with dark iron rails.
Homeowners often choose grand arched doorways to match the opulence of their Spanish or Mediterranean themed home. The door frames are often made of deep-colored woods, and edges adorned with wrought iron finishes. These aspects are reminiscent of the lifestyle and splendor of influential families that frequented these vacation spots.
New Urban Gives New Meaning to Seaside Living
A popular style in the 1980s, New Urban was the look of choice for communities living near the beach. With shingled walls and windows with characteristic wooden shutters, these houses were the ideal retreat for families who want to feel the cool sea breezes. There were small balconies and mini-porches with white railings that make for a bright and sunny look.
Most doors in Miami homes of this type are basic, symmetrical, and made of solid wood. Some patio and porch doors them were fitted with thin wooden slats that allow ample light and ventilation to enter the home.
Show off Your Own Flair through Contemporary Styles
Contemporary homes exhibit clean lines, slanting roofs or multi-level roof lines. Windows are often wide and with few embellishments, maximizing the use of natural light. These abodes use a variety of materials from wood, marble, stone, brick, iron, and steel.
Keeping true to geometric details, front doors for these homes are simple, single-colored, sleek, and often do not have any intricate designs. Doors are often made of warm wood finishes like pine, oak, or cherry. A single glass window, may be also be found on the door, as this allows light to enter, and gives a partial view of the front porch. For the back porch or patio, sliding doors are popular elements, allowing for easy access and a more vast view of the outdoors.
To truly match the perfect doors for your dream home, talk to the experts today. They’ll help you discover the best materials and styles to suit your design needs. Use our quote request page to find out pricing information today!
Sources:
Patio Materials and Surfaces, HGTV.com
Window and Door Review: Sliding and Patio Doors, ArchitectMagazine.com
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
According to the Miami Weather Forecast Office’s (WFO) County Warning Area (CWA), the southern portion of Florida averages 12 severe wind disturbances per year. This number is based on actual storms that occurred from 1955 through 2004. With everything from tornadoes and hail to hurricanes, it is easy to see the importance of impact doors in Miami.
What Is Impact Glass?
Impact glass, used in many patio doors today, is the addition of polyvinyl butyral that is sandwiched between 2 sheets of glass to provide high-strength durability. The nature of the area’s strong winds convinced architects that something needed to be done in order to bring a safer product to the market. One important safety feature of impact doors includes tensile strength properties that make the glass sturdier than a car windshield. This does not mean that impact glass will never break, however. What it means is that it will not shatter into bits. The refined design is acceptable in frames made of aluminum, vinyl or wood. According to those in the glass industry, aluminum is the most popular choice for framing.
Safety Plus Aesthetic Appeal
When impact doors are installed, unsightly shutters and other exterior protective devices are not needed. Instead of trying to keep outside barricades in sync with the style of your home, fabulous open windows can keep your property looking more attractive. The safety of impact glass and doors also provides peace of mind to homeowners that may be away from the house when a storm begins to brew. Homes have a better chance of withstanding battering winds and in many cases, insurance premiums decrease due to the extra protection.
Secondary Benefits
There are many other benefits to add impact doors during a home improvement project. For instance, external noises will be kept at a minimum due to the density of the structure. The sturdy glass also blocks 99 percent of all transmitted UV light, keeping your home cool and energy efficient during summer. Best of all, installing impact doors is considered as permanent solution since protection is pretty much guaranteed.
There are many local window companies like Ready Windows that have adapted the new technology of impact windows and doors. Trained professionals with years of experience can quickly install your impact doors and guarantee their quality. They can make a custom system for your home to ensure that each product suits all of your needs.
Sources:
Windows & Doors Review: Impact-Resistant Glass, ArchitectMagazine.com
Hurricane Resistant Windows: Cost and Advantages, TheBalance.com
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
When choosing custom doors for Miami homes, it’s important to keep in mind that the heat and humidity that is so common in Florida can take its toll on an exterior door. This is especially true if your front door is exposed to direct sunlight and the damaging effects of UV rays. Of course, some materials will be able to stand up to this environment better than others. When you’re ready for installation, be sure to contact Ready Windows for professional pricing quote.
Wood Exterior Doors
There’s no doubt, wood doors can bring a warm and inviting characteristic to the front entry of your home. While wood doors can certainly be painted to match the exterior of your home, they are most often stained and sealed in order to showcase the natural beauty of the wood.
You’ll be able to choose from the warm glow of mahogany to the traditional look of oak, as well as beautiful bamboo, knotty pine, or even rustic cedar. The type of wood you choose will make a big difference in the finished look of your door.
Wood doors can also be customized to suit the architectural style of your home. Whether you’re looking for a classic design, a rustic look, or you want something modern to complement the interior of your home, you’ll certainly be able to get a door that suits your particular needs.
Fiberglass Doors
Many homeowners choose fiberglass doors in Miami because they are easy to maintain, and they are available in a large array of design styles. Homeowners looking for custom doors in Miami will find that a fiberglass door offers them a durable door that will not rust, warp, dent or rot. This makes fiberglass an excellent option for the heat and humidity so common in South Florida. Additionally, many fiberglass doors look just like solid wood doors, but cost significantly less, and they come with the added advantage of requiring less maintenance. Fiberglass entry doors can also be painted, if you prefer.
Steel Doors
There are definitely a number of advantages to choosing a custom steel door. For example, steel doors are generally one of the most energy efficient types of exterior doors. These doors have an inner layer of foam that is able to trap both heat and cold, making it extremely energy efficient. Of course, steel doors are also highly durable, and they offer a very secure door for an entry point into your home.
Many steel doors have a vinyl coating, so they never need to be painted. You can also opt for a pre-painted layer which makes it easy to paint your door any color that you choose.
Sources:
How to Pick a Front Door, thisoldhouse.com
The Pros and Cons of a Wood Front Door, diynetwork.com
Best Entry Door Buying Guide, consumerreports.org
