When selecting a dishwasher, you first need to determine your needs. Probably a family of five is going to need a larger-capacity dishwasher than a couple of empty-nesters. You have three considerations other than size; noise, water usage and energy efficiency. The more insulated the model, the quieter it will run. Some newer models use less than five gallons of
Refrigeration is no longer a question of which refrigerator do you need. It can also be how many refrigerators do you want. If you’re a traditionalist and you only want one refrigeration unit, then the decision is either side-by-sides, or freezer above or on bottom. The drawback with a side-by-side is that bulky items are hard to store. The
Oh, the accessories available today. If you’ve ever thought, “It sure would be nice to have. . .” you can probably get it. Gotta have it items include burners that pop out to accommodate slide in steamers, deep-fryers, griddles, and grills. With all these choices, you can customize a cooktop based on the way you want to cook. You
Like it or not, if you cook meals at home you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. And if you’re like most people its just one of the many things that you have to do in a day’s work. For this reason, you want a kitchen that is designed to function well. And as long as you’re taking
Toilets, or water closets as they were first called, have been steadily improving since their general acceptance in the mid 1800’s. By the 1940’s the toilet had taken on the general look and function that we’re all familiar with. By the end of the 20th century, the “jet flush” toilet had become more popular in higher-end homes. The pressurized flush
The bathroom, once designed with only function in mind, is now elevated to the level of a sanctuary. Sinks, hardware, antique cabinets, showers with body sprays, jet-flush toilets, and claw-footed tubs are commonplace. And new water heating methods and water conservation techniques add to the design elements. Laundry rooms have also grown up. In this section, we’ll look at what’s
Exterior doors have three main functions; security, style and insulation. And unlike interior doors, they have to stand up to the ravages of sun damage, extremes of heat and cold, wind, and swings in humidity without warping, shrinking or swelling. They also have the added challenge of having one half subjected to exterior conditions while the other half is exposed
A great way to improve the performance of older windows, or give a boost to new ones, is to apply professional window films. Some quick facts about window films: • They have a completely natural appearance • Your views and visibility are preserved • They reduce glare and enhance comfort • They block over 99.9% of harmful UV rays • They reduce solar heat
Wood and Clad Wood The most common material for windows is wood, either alone or clad. One of the great advantages to wood besides the incomparable beauty, is that it can be milled into virtually any custom shape. If you don’t want a standard window, wood is for you. Also on the pro-side, it has great insulation value and if
