ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604220013
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: CUT YOUR UTILITY BILL
SOURCE: JAMES DULLEY
Q: Help! I'm on a limited budget and cannot afford all new windows, but I have to do something about my old leaky double hung windows. Some don't even stay open without a stick. What can I do? - T. N.
A: There are many new do-it-yourself kits available to upgrade your old windows without the huge investment in new replacement windows. You just have to pay for the sashes and some new hardware, not an entire new window. You can easily install a kit yourself in an hour and save labor costs too.
Tilt-in replacement sash kits offer all the convenience and efficiency of complete super-efficient replacement windows at a lower cost. Since the frames are not changed, the windows still match the original ones.
Most kits use special pivot pins and strong sash locks to allow them to tilt in for easy cleaning from indoors. In cold climates, the new efficient sashes reduce winter condensation and summer heat and fading.
Tilt-in sash kits usually include two sashes with insulated thermal glass, two vinyl balances (to make them stay open), balance clips, parting stops, and rubber spacer blocks. Some also have built-in foam insulation.
For the lowest maintenance, choose a kit with an aluminum-clad wood exterior. They never need painting. Options for the interior surface of the sashes are attractive natural wood, primed or prepainted custom colors.
Although insulated thermal glass is standard on most kits, some kits offer the same super-glass used in expensive replacement windows. These include, low-e with argon gas filling or Supersmart triple pane with double low-e.
For bathrooms, several types of privacy frosted thermal glass is available. You may want the lower sash frosted for privacy, but the top one clear. For a decorative look, choose elegant beveled glass.
In hot climates, tinted low-e glass blocks the sun's heat. All types of low-e glass block most of the sun's fading rays from destroying furniture. Built-in top, bottom and side weatherstripping block drafts, noise and dirt.
There are many options of grids and grilles in the sashes to match your existing windows. Removable grids are most common. For a very expensive look, some kits offer rectangular or diamond-shaped true divided Sites.
The lowest cost window repair (about $20 to $30) is installing replacement channels only. Power Lifters are designed to balance and hold a window open. Window Fixers are snug-fitting replacement channels that allow the sash to be easily removed for cleaning. Either kit is simple to install.
Write for Update Bulletin No. 584 showing a buyer's guide of efficient do-it-yourself tilt-in window sash kits and channels listing frame materials, glass options, colors, features, installation instructions and prices. Please include $2 and business-size SASE. James Dulley, The Roanoke Times, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45244
Q: I use the workbench in my garage a lot, but I hate to switch on all the overhead lights to light just one spot. I'm not good with wiring. How can I hook up a cheap small workbench light? - F. G.
A: Try making a homemade pivoting shop light. Bend an 8-ft. piece of standard 1/2-in. conduit at a 90-degree angle. Slide a compression coupling on one end up to the 90degree bend.
Attach to eyescrews to the wall and slide the conduit down through them. The coupling will rest on the top eyescrew. Hang a spring clamp photo flood light on the conduit over the workbench and plug it in.
Q: Help! I'm on a limited budget and cannot afford all new windows, but I have to do something about my old leaky double hung windows. Some don't even stay open without a stick. What can I do? - T. N.
A: There are many new do-it-yourself kits available to upgrade your old windows without the huge investment in new replacement windows. You just have to pay for the sashes and some new hardware, not an entire new window. You can easily install a kit yourself in an hour and save labor costs too.
Tilt-in replacement sash kits offer all the convenience and efficiency of complete super-efficient replacement windows at a lower cost. Since the frames are not changed, the windows still match the original ones.
Most kits use special pivot pins and strong sash locks to allow them to tilt in for easy cleaning from indoors. In cold climates, the new efficient sashes reduce winter condensation and summer heat and fading.
Tilt-in sash kits usually include two sashes with insulated thermal glass, two vinyl balances (to make them stay open), balance clips, parting stops, and rubber spacer blocks. Some also have built-in foam insulation.
For the lowest maintenance, choose a kit with an aluminum-clad wood exterior. They never need painting. Options for the interior surface of the sashes are attractive natural wood, primed or prepainted custom colors.
Although insulated thermal glass is standard on most kits, some kits offer the same super-glass used in expensive replacement windows. These include, low-e with argon gas filling or Supersmart triple pane with double low-e.
For bathrooms, several types of privacy frosted thermal glass is available. You may want the lower sash frosted for privacy, but the top one clear. For a decorative look, choose elegant beveled glass.
In hot climates, tinted low-e glass blocks the sun's heat. All types of low-e glass block most of the sun's fading rays from destroying furniture. Built-in top, bottom and side weatherstripping block drafts, noise and dirt.
There are many options of grids and grilles in the sashes to match your existing windows. Removable grids are most common. For a very expensive look, some kits offer rectangular or diamond-shaped true divided Sites.
The lowest cost window repair (about $20 to $30) is installing replacement channels only. Power Lifters are designed to balance and hold a window open. Window Fixers are snug-fitting replacement channels that allow the sash to be easily removed for cleaning. Either kit is simple to install.
Write for Update Bulletin No. 584 showing a buyer's guide of efficient do-it-yourself tilt-in window sash kits and channels listing frame materials, glass options, colors, features, installation instructions and prices. Please include $2 and business-size SASE. James Dulley, The Roanoke Times, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45244
Q: I use the workbench in my garage a lot, but I hate to switch on all the overhead lights to light just one spot. I'm not good with wiring. How can I hook up a cheap small workbench light? - F. G.
A: Try making a homemade pivoting shop light. Bend an 8-ft. piece of standard 1/2-in. conduit at a 90-degree angle. Slide a compression coupling on one end up to the 90degree bend.
Attach to eyescrews to the wall and slide the conduit down through them. The coupling will rest on the top eyescrew. Hang a spring clamp photo flood light on the conduit over the workbench and plug it in.
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC:by CNB