Long gone are the days when families are routinely able to splurge on luxury home improvements without serious consideration of the long term cost effectiveness of the job.  These days homeowners are far more likely to spend money on improving the energy efficiency of their homes and on increasing curb appeal and resale value.  One of the advantages of contracting out labor intensive outside jobs in the summer is that you are likely to get a fast turnaround because summer demand is often slower for the service industry due to a lot of people leaving town for vacation or relocating before school starts.

1. Maintenance might seem unnecessary, time consuming or expensive, but following the instructions that come with products made for outside really can help increase the life of your wooden doors, furniture, fencing and gates.  When it comes to real wood, we suggest a thorough cleaning every year, a light sanding and an exterior approved stain or seal.  Replacing a gate with a composite wood gate can save you this step as all this type of wood needs is an annual physical wipe down with soap and water and a complete drying of all moisture applied to it.  It really comes down to personal preference, but if it's maintenance you want to avoid, replacing wood gates with composite wood is the way to go.

2. A facelift for your home can be as simple as a new paint job.  Repainting the exterior of your home can be costly and ranges from about $1.45 - $2.38
per square foot including materials if you have a professional contractor do it. It will drastically improve the curb appeal of your home, though, so if you are planning on selling this would be one of the first things to consider.  If you decide to tackle this project yourself, remember preparation of the surface is key.  Fresh paint, in modern colors can be a perfect way to brighten up a dull exterior. Consider using low-VOC paint which is eco friendly and releases less toxic off gassing into your immediate environment making it a healthier choice for your family. 

3. If you live in an older home, consider replacing your windows with energy efficient ones which will help reduce your summer utility bills.  Energy Star rated windows will also get you a federal tax credit which helps to offset the cost of this project.  In today's market, home buyers frequently report that old style single paned windows - i.e. those that are drafty - are a huge deal breaker when it comes to buying a home, so if your windows need replacing, think energy efficiency and go with low-E options.

4. Replacing your wooden front door with an iron entry door can make a massive difference to the facade of your home, making it look like a new place!  Iron entry doors require virtually no maintenance other than oiling hinges and wiping down the hardware and glass every 3 or 4 months. If you order a new door from us in the summer you will be rewarded with some of the fastest turnaround times all year! Our iron entry doors offer security, quality beauty and wonderful increased air flow since the glass is mounted on a hinge that can be easily opened to let the breeze flow through your home without compromising safety.  According to several studies, replacement iron doors offer the best return on investment for mid-sized home improvement projects across the board at almost 100% - and sometimes more when it comes to selling your home.

5. Flush your water heater once a year, especially in areas where there is hard water.  Doing this will make your water heater last twice as long because sediment can build up at the bottom making your heater have to work much harder to heat the water and therefore placing unnecessary burdens on its operation.  This maintenance task can be done at any time but we like doing it in the summer as it's a good time to use the drained water on landscaping that will be more parched in the sun's rays.

And, if you need a quote or need more information about our products please give us a call at 1-800-361-7989 and we'll be glad to help you.

Our customers love to visit our state of the art showrooms and Gilbert manufacturing facility. Take a look behind the scenes at some of the things we offer and then head on down to check it out for yourself!

First Impression Security Doors Behind the Scenes

Save money with our huge summer clearance sale on select designs of Security Screen Doors or Iron Gates from First Impression. Both products are available in our SUMMER SALE featuring more than 20 stunning designs!!  Act now for huge savings on any of these designs, call today for details (800) 361-7989 or email sales@fisd.biz.  Over 60 powder coat colors to choose from! Ask us how to personalize your door or gate by adding upgrades such as an arch, kick plate, glass, custom artwork, baubles, brick molding, or steel mesh. Purchase matching doors for the front and back of your home with this limited time offer!

 

Scroll Set #4   SALE PRICE $719	Small Arizonan   SALE PRICE $719
Napa Asymmetrical   SALE PRICE $979	HD Butterfly   SALE PRICE $1249

 

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