Articles by Jane Muder on ArticleSnatch.com

Exterior shutters or interior shutters? Let our guide help you decide

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:14:25 -0400

If you're in the market for new sets of shutters, you're probably overwhelmed by choices, including sizes, styles, and types of materials. But one of the first questions you should ask yourself is Do you want exterior shutters or interior shutters?â€ Consider exterior shutters if: -You live in an area with extreme weather Several types of exterior shutters offer excellent window protection and terrific home insulation. If you live in a tropical storm belt, such as on the coast of Florida or Texas, consider installing Bermuda exterior shutters. These top-hinged shutters can be closed tight against your windows in advance of a hurricane or tropical storm, thus protecting your home from water damage and glass blowout. If you live in an area famous for its cold winters, such as Chicago or Minneapolis, consider installing operable panel exterior shutters made from all-natural hardwood. Genuine hardwood has a high R-value, meaning it is more resistant to heat flow than other building materials. Installing hardwood exterior shutters and keeping them closed in the winter can insulate your home from heat loss. You'll enjoy savings in your energy bills, too. **End Summary** Topics: exterior shutters]]> wood shutters]]> custom exterior shutters]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Estate Millwork manufactures exterior shutters from top-grade hardwood. To learn more about their manufacturing techniques for their wood shutters or to place an order for custom exterior shutters , visit estatemillwork.com

Exterior shutters on Pittsburgh's hottest homes

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Pittsburgh is a great place to buy real estate right now. Unlike much of the nation, its housing market is stable, and homes are appreciating at a modest pace. If youâ€™re buying real estate in Pittsburgh, you should consider adding sets of exterior shutters to your home. Exterior shutters provide protection from the elements and improve the efficiency of your home heating and cooling systems. Theyâ€™re also beautiful. If youâ€™re a new homeowner, you can easily and affordably incorporate exterior shutters into your new home purchasing plan. Exterior shutters: Historical significance Pittsburgh has many wonderful, historical neighborhoods, and those lovely old homes look great when accompanied by period reproduction exterior shutters. Four neighborhoods in particular strike our fancy: Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Friendship, and the Mexican War Streets. Follow our guide to selecting exterior shutters for Pittsburghâ€™s hottest homes. Panel exterior shutters in Bloomfield and Lawrenceville Bloomfield and Lawrenceville are mixed-use neighborhoods in the East End of Pittsburgh. The prevailing architectural style in both neighborhoods is row-homes. Brick row-homes and row-homes finished with vinyl siding are most common. However, in one portion of Bloomfield the part between Friendship Ave. and Penn Ave. **End Summary** Topics: exterior shutters]]> wood shutters]]> custom shutters]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Estate Millwork sells hand-crafted exterior shutters , wood shutters , and custom shutters for your home. To learn more about Estate Millwork wood shutters, including panel and louvered styles, visit www.estatemillwork.com.

Custom door installations: part of a cost-effective home maintenance plan

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In a slow housing market with limited economic opportunity, you're probably eager for ideas to lower your monthly bills and preserve the home you have. Consider installing a well-fitted custom door. A well-crafted door can improve your home energy efficiency and raise its value. But read this guide before you buy. Selecting the right kind of custom door and pairing it with energy-efficient accessories now will save money later on. Tip 1: Invest in a pure wood door Wood doors are smart choices for several reasons. First, they're easier to customize than doors made from synthetic materials â€” and when making home improvements to add value, aesthetics are important. Custom wood doors can be carved, painted, stained, or outfitted with ornate hinges and knobs to match any type of period architecture. A custom door will look great on a home from any historical period, and can increase the resale value of the house, too. Another reason wood doors are smart investments is their durability. Solid wood doors don't warp or crack when exposed to rough weather conditions; the same cannot be said of doors made from false wood or synthetic materials. **End Summary** Topics: Custom Doors]]> Interior Doors]]> Exterior Doors]]> Wood Doors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Estate Millwork's wood door factory is located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but ships made-to-order and handmade custom doors anywhere around the country. For more information or to place an order, visit www.estatemillwork.com .

Mod fashion tips: Selecting clothing that's right for your hourglass figure

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Spring is here, and clothing designers are introducing their newest styles in skirts, dresses, denim jeans, shirts, and halter tops. The mod, hipster, and retro fashion mavens among us tend to covet certain styles. However, to look your best, it's also essential to select clothing styles that complement your figure. At first glance, the hourglass figure seems like the embodiment of feminine perfection. Men lust after it and women covet it. Surprisingly, we've found that hourglass-shaped ladies can't wear everything. Too-tight clothes, like leggings and provocative halters, tend to look trampy. Too-big clothes, like baggy sheath dresses and very wide-legged denim jeans, tend to look sloppy. Read on to discover the clothing styles that flatter you, and get hip to the hottest clothing design trends, too. Dresses If you have an hourglass figure, play up your curves by selecting clothing with a defined waist. This year, designer Corey Lynn Calter introduced the Ravenâ€ dress, a sheath, rust-color patterned dress with a slim waist. This dress accents your curves in all the right places without revealing too much flesh. Another flattering dress for your figure is the Duoâ€ strapless sailor dress by clothing designer Hype. **End Summary** Topics: boutique]]> clothing]]> shoes]]> men's clothing]]> women's clothing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Selecting the right costume is never easier. For those with hourglass figure, clothing should perfectly fit the body. Knowing the importance of selecting the right clothing, the author of this article has explained the most wanted tips to find the tight clothing. Being a great fashion designer , the tips provided by the Author are highly valuable.

Home decorating ideas: shutters, doors, and more

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Spring is just around the corner, and you might be feeling the urge to redecorate. If so, here are a few ways you can brighten up your home in a cost-efficient way. 1. Install exterior wood shutters Exterior shutters can enhance the beauty and value of your home. The right style of exterior shutters can complement period architecture handsomely. Shutters are practical home decorating choices, as well. They protect your windows from hail, rain, and wind damage. And, they offer excellent interior climate control. Some shutter styles feature operable wooden slats, or louvers. You can open or close operable louvers to control air flow. Other shutter styles, such as Bahama shutters and board-and-batten shutters, can be opened partway to provide a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day. Wood shutters are optimal choices for home exteriors. Synthetic shutters are more likely to warp and crack, while wood shutters withstand rough weather well. Real wood shutters are also highly customizable. A good shutter manufacturer can create period shutters from old photographs or drawings, and can add special decorative touches, like beveling, inlays, and radius work. Before purchasing exterior shutters, measure your windows carefully to ensure optimal fit. Don't purchase one-size-fits-all shutters. **End Summary** Topics: wood shutters]]> custom doors]]> custom cabinet doors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 'Estate Millwork provides' custom wood shutters , wood doors , 'and' custom cabinets 'created from premium quality FAS hardwoods. For more information, visit www.estatemillwork.com'.