CURB APPEAL: INVEST IN A NEW ENTRYWAY DOOR

Don't let your front door be the spookiest thing in your neighborhood this Halloween! When they say 'You never get a second chance at a first impression', that doesn't just mean people. The front of your house is the first impression for any visitor, and the front door is an important part of that impression.

When you walk up to someone’s home, what you’ll notice right away is the entryway door. What does your door say about you? Is it unique? Does it add character to your home?

You’d be surprised what adding a new entryway door could do for your home. There are many reasons why you should invest in a new entryway door, but today I’m going to hit on three main reasons to consider it for your home. Investing in a new door can lower your utility bills, is easier to maintain, and it also gives your home more curb appeal.

NEW ENTRYWAY DOOR – ENERGY EFFICIENT

These days we are all about energy-efficient everything. Replacing your entryway door or any of your doors for that matter could lower your energy bill significantly. With our doors at Maze Lumber, you’re getting a sturdy construction of steel or fiberglass that will be more durable during Midwest weather. New homeowners want to know they are going to stay warm and cozy all winter long. One of the main things people look into when buying a new home is if they are going to have to pay an arm and a leg for their utility bills. If they know one of these bills will be much lower, you are a shoo-in for a buyer.

LESS MAINTENANCE

Investing in a new door could also help reduce the time you spend on maintenance. Fiberglass doors are almost completely maintenance free. It would be extremely wise as a homeowner to replace your old wood door with a new fiberglass or steel door. We know that as homeowners you might not have alot of time to maintain to your home. Take some of the stress out of your upkeep and invest in an entryway door that will make your life a whole lot easier.

ENTRYWAY DOORS ADD CURB APPEAL

Last, but certainly not least, is greater curb appeal. Adding a new door makes a statement about your style and there are so many beautiful doors. Choose a decorative glass door with full or half sidelites for a sparkling entrance. Perhaps a simple or subtle door design that allows for more privacy. The door is the first impression. When people are looking for a new home, they are greeted at the front door. Make them excited to enter your home! A new door adds value and appeal to your home. Make the best first impression possible and spruce up your home with a new entryway.

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

Don't forget!!!

Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Check us out on Instagram!

MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

13 Hacks to Winterize Your Home – and Trim Your Heating Bill

Fall is an excellent time to make repairs that will make your home more energy efficient.

It's officially fall, which means winter is not far behind. The good news is that winter weather in much of the country is expected to be milder than last year's frigid conditions, and heating costs are also projected to be lower, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But the cost of heating one's home should still be a considerable expense in most parts of the country.

Heating is expensive enough already, so you don't want to pay for heat that escapes out windows, doors and cracks rather than staying inside and keeping you warm. A lot of time we're generating energy that we're sending out into the air.

Fall is an ideal time to make repairs that will make your home more energy efficient, both saving you money and keeping you warmer. Even if you can't afford major repairs, such as a new furnace or new windows, there are small things you can do to save big bucks on heating costs – and you can handle most of them yourself. Homes can lose heat in a lot of different areas and there are a lot of things that can be fixed in someone's home.

Here are 13 hacks to winterize your home while also trimming your heating bill.

Caulk around windows. Warm air can escape and cold air can enter your house if the area around your windows has cracks. Caulking needs to be replaced periodically, and you should check every fall for holes that need to be patched, as well as holes anywhere outside your house. You want to make sure your home's envelope is secure.

Replace weatherstripping around doors. If you can see light around the edges of your doors, you need new weatherstripping. A small weatherstripping costs you five or six dollars, and it will save you hundreds of dollars in electrical bills.

Close up your fireplace. Make sure your flue closes all the way, and check whether you can feel air coming in when it's closed. Glass doors around your fireplace opening are another way to keep warm air in and cold air out of your house.

Put up storm windows and doors. If you have older windows and doors, adding storm windows and doors can help considerably. Window insulation film is another option to provide a layer of protection.

Add heavy drapes and rugs. Changing light summer drapes for heavy winter drapes was common in earlier times, and it's still helpful. Drapes can keep the room warmer, while putting down rugs provides a layer of insulation above the floor.

Improve your insulation. Insulation deteriorates over time, so you may want to add more material in your attic. Other places to add insulation are in crawl spaces and exposed areas of decks. Its also recommended to create a false ceiling in unfinished basements and insulating between that ceiling and the living area. An insulating cover over your attic opening also helps trap in the heat.

Cover your water heater. You can buy a water heater blanket for around $20 at the hardware store that will keep the tank from losing heat as quickly, saving you money on your heating bill.

Get an energy audit. Many utility companies will provide a free energy audit and give you suggestions on improvements you can make to your home. You can also pay for a more extensive energy audit where they'll look at all the places you're losing energy.

Change your furnace filters. If the filters are dirty, your furnace has to work harder. In most homes, filters should be changed monthly in the heating season. You should also have your furnace serviced periodically to make sure it is working properly. It's easy to overlook but it can mean your system isn't working efficiently.

Get a programmable thermostat. The newest thermostats can learn your family's habits and set themselves to keep the house cooler when no one is there and warmer when the home is occupied. You can also purchase a more basic programmable thermostat. Prices vary considerably, depending on how sophisticated you want your thermostat to be.

Lower your water heater temperature. You can lower it from 140 degrees to 120 with no ill effect. And 120 degrees is the temperature recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Replace less efficient windows and doors. Adding double- or triple-pane windows, insulated doors and insulated garage doors will significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Lower the thermostat. It's actually more comfortable to sleep in a colder home, and you can always add more blankets. When you're awake, wear a sweater or sweatshirt to stay comfortable with a lower thermostat setting.

4 Fall Home Improvement Ideas

With cooling temperatures and the kids back in school, fall is the perfect time for a variety of home improvement projects. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a weekend warrior, Maze Lumber has all the building supplies you need in the Illinois Valley.

The months before the holiday season are ideal for either small-scale projects or major upgrades. Here are four ideas for updating your home:

• Patch, Paint, & Protect The Exterior: Now that the heat isn’t as severe, there’s no better time to address any exterior surface issues. Patch up any holes, dents, or scratches in your home’s finish, and repaint or reseal as needed.
• Upgrade Windows & Doors: If you have single-pane windows, you might want to change them to double-pane before winter hits; they provide significantly more insulation. New doors can also add insulation to your home while bringing better aesthetic appeal and soundproofing as well.
• Replace Weatherstripping: If upgrading the windows and doors are out of this year’s budget, you can still make some energy-efficient improvements with a quick trip to your local building supplies provider. Look for any cracked or brittle weatherstripping and replace what you can. It will make quite the difference in keeping the cold out and the heat in.
• Repair The Roof: Before freezing temperatures and snow arrive, have a professional inspect your roof. Even if you don't have leaks, it’s beneficial to repair or replace broken shingles to prevent any further issues.

For more home improvement ideas this fall, visit our website &check us out on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram!