Doors & Windows

One may have work experience at home improvement stores or may have worked as an apprentice in trade. One may have worked security at construction sites or could have been working alongside contractors as a handyman doing renovations whenever needed. Whatever the story behind involvement, home improvement with some experience comes with endless possibilities. Doors and windows are one such topic that might be worth considering for extensive research. 

 First of all, doors, whether front or back, are not only good for aesthetics but they are also a key aspect to security, protection from weather elements, as well as accessibility. Unlocked doors may lead to home burglaries and house break-ins. Next, one of the major expenses for homeowners is a finished basement. Though doors are the least of all worries, they too are a piece of work. Cutting through concrete with tools requires experience. A few incorrect measurements are all it takes to mess up the entire passageway or stairs area leading down to the basement. Furthermore, a larger opening than the size of the door leads to an expensive fix. Not to mention, the entire time that this area of the house is left exposed to outdoor elements. Also, the door opening must be large enough to move in furniture, a mattress and appliances. Moreover, they should have "watertight seals and maintain thermal insulation of the exterior walls they penetrate (Ching, 2014). To add, a door frame is a key to maintaining the appearance of the doorway. And, the threshold or the sill of the doorway should provide further weather protection. Also, there is a minimum manoeuvring clearance at doorways for wheelchair accessibility. Not to mention, the type of door is also important as it is constantly being exposed to weather elements like snow and mud in the passageway. Moreover, unlike the front door of the house, the basement door usually does not have a porch or a patio. However, there are building code requirements even for basement doors in terms of "fire resistance, emergency egress and safety glazing (Ching, 2014). Fire door assemblies include fire resistive door, door frame and hardware. Door frames "must be grouted with mortar or plaster for structural rigidity and increased fire resistance" (Ching, 2014). Also, the front door of the house is the one that needs to be aesthetically pleasing as well as suit the wall or paint colour. Door designs include panel doors and panel doors with sash. The most convenient type of entry door is the door with a swinging operation. These doors "turn on hinges about a side jamb when pushed or pulled"(Ching, 2014). They also need space around the doorway for a door swing with minimum clearance. Furthermore, these doors are also fitted with thermal and acoustic insulation for weather resistance and may be rated. Hence, most if not all doors have elements and features for aesthetics, security, protection and accessibility.

  Door hardware is another topic for extensive research. Though most hardware is easy to operate, there are times when key changes are needed, as the door locks rust over time. The "mortise locks" of these entry doors are housed in an opening in the door edge, which makes the locks available on both sides. Doors usually have peepholes with bolts and chain locks as a security measure. They also have a door stopper in the bottom corner of the wall to avoid damage caused by the swing of the door. Should there be a door knocker on the door, it must be properly examined before installation in terms of the damage it might cause in the future. Next, there are doors with a hydraulic or pneumatic device, especially the ones linking garages to passageways. These hydraulic door openers may also be custom fitted into any interior doors to reduce the shock to the frame from door slams as a result of violent wind.  Building codes require the use of self-latching, self-closing doors with UL-rated hardware to protect openings in firewalls and occupancy separations. Also, Interior doors without self-latching or self-closing features, like a bedroom door, may have a door stopper on the other side of the door. These door stoppers prevent drywall damage and even injuries from accidents involving doors.  One of the most important doors in terms of maintenance is your patio door.  Patio doors are also called sliding glass doors since they slide along a track on the floor. They do not need any operating space, but could be a challenge in sealing against weather and sound. Because of constant snow and ice accumulation on the deck and near the patio doors, the wheels that slide along the track are prone to corrosion. Hence, sliding door hardware requires constant care and maintenance throughout the winter season. Then, there are shed doors. These doors are unique as their appearance and materials often date back to the pre-industrial age. These doors should be waterproof with corrosion-resistant hardware. If one considers garden gates as doors, these are doors that are usually designed with wind resistance in mind. They also provide an element of security for the deck portion of the property, which may or may not include Barbecues, outdoor furniture and an Air-conditioning unit. Hardware for garden gates should also be maintained regularly for corrosion resistance. Overall, doors play a key role in aesthetics, security, functionality, as well as real estate value.

  Last of all, windows are also a key aspect of home design and improvement. Living rooms and bedroom windows are usually similar in construction and design. First of all, A rough masonry opening is made with space at the top of levelling and shimming of the window opening. Then, there is a casing trim around the window opening to be fitted in with "head and jamb casings, window sills and aprons"(Ching, 2014). The head fits the uppermost member of the window frame, while the jamb is on two sides of the frame. Next are the skills and subskills to shed rainwater. Also, there is an exterior casing with a drip cap or head casing. Furthermore, an insect screen may be installed as per requirement. The building code requirements for window construction and installation are "Natural light and ventilation, Thermal insulation of window assembly, structural resistance to wind loads" (Ching, 2014), clear opening or emergency exits for windows, safety glazing, as well as type and size of glazing in fire-rated walls and corridors. A visit to the window manufacturing facility may reveal the design process that includes trimming and levelling of window frames, as well as the procedure of fitting glass inside the frame. Hardware such as casement handles and accessories is also pre-installed in a manufacturing facility. Since the casement handle and accessories are exposed to weather elements, they are made corrosion-resistant. Blind and curtain installations on new and existing windows are also an essential part of home improvement. Not only do they improve the aesthetics of the room, but they also provide privacy and block sunlight. Overall, windows are also a key aspect of home design and improvement.

 In conclusion, doors and windows are a major component of home improvement that affect real estate value among other factors.

References

Ching, F. D. (2014). Building Construction Illustrated (5th ed.). Wiley.