Spotlight on: Signature Window & Door Replacement

Here’s a pop quiz! What do the weather, design, lighting, and comfort all have in common? The answer: Windows. Would it surprise you to learn that windows do more than just let in some light? What if you were told that they played a crucial role in managing your home’s temperature and energy usage? The truth is, windows do all these and more. Windows are responsible for keeping the heat in, and the cold rain out, in addition to other debris, bugs, and dust. In addition to their practical job, they also make a big difference in your home’s design and lighting. So how important are good windows to you? When you’re ready to make them a priority, you need to call Signature Window & Door Replacement.

Located in Auburn, WA, and serving the greater Tacoma and Seattle areas, Signature Window & Door Replacement are your window and door experts. Representing a wide variety of manufacturers, they have the knowledge and skill to help you select the best windows for your home: aesthetically, and functionally. When it comes to design, they offer hundreds of options, and customization through an assortment of trim designs. When you call Signature Window & Door Replacement, you can expect to have an expert help you choose the best windows for your home, make the design work, and move on to top quality installation.

Even the best windows are only as good as the installation, and that is why, when selecting a contractor, it’s important to be confident in his skill. Signature Window & Door Replacement employees installation specialists, who are craftsman with a decade or more of experience. With some of the best technicians in the industry, they set a high standard. They are so confident, in fact, that they offer complete warranties on all their windows and doors, both the product and the installation.

Signature Window & Door Replacement know that your home is among the biggest investments you’ll make. It’s personal, it’s where you spend your time, and it’s where your family will make grow and make memories. They know that compromise isn’t an option, and have done their best to build a strong reputation, so that you will have confidence and peace of mind in your windows and doors.

At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. When it comes to windows and doors, we can’t think of a better company to call than Signature Window & Door Replacement. To read more about them and find other companies we recommend, visit us online at responsiblecontractors.com.

Enchanted Evenings: Outdoor Lighting

We’ve all driven through the neighborhood with beautiful, magical homes at night, wondering how their landscaper made the yard look that spectacular under a dark sky. Not all of us can afford a landscape designer, but all of us can create a beautiful outdoor landscape! The winter, when the sun sets before many families sit down for dinner, is the time of year you will want your front yard to look inviting, and your guests to be able to find their cars without tripping in the dark. So here’s what to know about outdoor lighting.

There are many choices when it comes to outdoor lights. From wall light and lanterns, to hanging lights, ceiling lights, flood lighting, cove lighting, lights for decks and steps, the choices can get overwhelming. How do you choose what is right for your yard?

First, consider the purpose. Do you just need something basic to light the pathway? Are you in need of some flood lighting on the driveway? Do you have a wrap-around deck that hasn’t been used past dark? The scale of your project will help you choose the appropriate lighting. When you have an idea of what you want, determine the approximate square footage of the area lit. You can use a simple formula to roughly estimate how much wattage your project might use: Multiply the square footage by 1.5. While not exact, it will give you an estimate of how much energy you’ll be adding onto your monthly bill.

Next, consider your project, and options to conserve energy. If you want to turn your home into a light exhibit, you should prepare to use significant energy doing so. Today’s market does offer some energy-saving options, though! When shopping, look for lighting with the Energy Star logo on the packaging. You might also consider LED bulbs. While the look may be different than what you’ll get from a traditional incandescent bulb, the energy savings can reach up to 75 percent, and they have a significantly longer life span. Another great design tip that can conserve energy is to install light-control options. Dimmers, motion sensors, and timers are among the options on the market today. These make your home smarter and give you options to use light only as needed.

Did you know that you can actually choose light bulbs based on desired color? Bulbs come with ratings that will tell you how the light will appear. Ranging from 2700k-7000k, the lower the number, the warmer the light.  On the upper end, anything over 4000k will appear cool, white, or blue. Use this knowledge to set your home’s ambience.

Some other tips to keep in mind: Only use fixtures designed for the outdoors. It’s important to use weather-resistant materials, and the simplest way to do so is to only use a light outside that was made to be outside. Remember when lighting to keep it reasonable. You don’t need the brightest lights in every corner of the property, and you’ll want to make sure the light stays in your yard. It’s not neighborly to let your lights reach your neighbors’ homes. And remember your priorities before you get carried away. Walkways, entryways, and any feature you wish to highlight. Good design highlights the focus points, and provides the right ambience elsewhere, and as needed. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! Design is always an exciting update, and now you’ll have a reason to look forward to the shorter days.

Remember, if you do need help, we can refer you to a professional. At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best of construction. To see contractors we recommend to help you with your home, visit us online at responsiblecontractors.com. For a specific recommendation, contact us! We are always happy to give you a referral.

Before You Turn on Your Heater

Our summer heat has finally left us, and while fall has been pleasantly warm, the cold weather is just around the corner. Soon your home will grow cold, and blankets, sweaters, and slippers will all make an appearance. Before you start using the heater, though, it’s important to have your systems checked. Your home’s heating system has been resting, unused for months. Here’s why you need to have it checked.

The first, and most important reason, is for your safety. According to the National Fire Prevention Association’s website, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Why is this? Your heat exchanger is responsible for transferring heat from one substance to another, allowing heat to move throughout the home. While not in every home, heat exchangers are in a variety of heating systems, and found in many homes. When debris builds up, or if your system is allowed to cool to too low of a temperature, it can crack. This can lead to house fires, and there may not be any noticeable warning signs other than having it inspected by a professional. The other common danger with unchecked heat exchangers, is they provide an opportunity for carbon monoxide links. We all know of this silent killer, but did you know that in the United States, it is responsible for approximately 430 deaths per year? It’s not worth taking a chance.

The next reason you need to have your heating system checked is to keep your energy usage and bill down. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for approximately 56 percent of American homes’ energy usage. A heating system which hasn’t been checked in months may not be operating efficiently. Or you may have an outdated heating system in your home. Either way, these will cost you more money to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

We recommend having your heating checked each fall, so that when winter comes, you can maintain a desirable temperature, with confidence that your family is safe and your system is efficient. Don’t know who to call? We can help! To find a professional we recommend to inspect, and if necessary repair or replace your home’s heating system, visit us online atresponsiblecontractors.com. Or contact us and we can give you a direct referral!

Spotlight on: My Ph.D Services

Plumbing, heating, and drains. Three essential components of your home. Three systems that are expected to function when needed. Three jobs you don’t want to have to touch yourself. So why do it yourself, when you have the right company to call? Located in Tacoma, WA, My Ph.D Services is family owned and operated. With over 13 years of experience and thousands of completed jobs, they are difficult to surprise, and always ready to help! Having a home emergency? They have after-hour emergency help available, as well.

My Ph.D Services are fully licensed plumbers, and offer a full selection of plumbing services. They can work with you residentially, or with your business. Leaky faucet? Toilet not working? Garbage disposal smells funny? They are prepared to resolve these, and more. Their emergency line is a great one to have in your phone, in case you ever find yourself with a bathroom outbreak.  In addition to being your go-to emergency number, they are a great resource for remodels and new construction. They are your local, high-quality plumbing professionals!

Of course, plumbing isn’t the only thing they do! They are a great resource for various methods of heating as well. They repair and install many types of hot water systems, from gas, to electric, to tankless, and boilers. If you are remodeling, they can help you choose the right heating system for your home! Hydronic heating is a good choice for allergy sufferers, as it heats the home without circulating dust and impurities. Radiant floor heating systems are a creative, luxurious way to bring your home to a comfortable temperature as well. And the ever-envied solar heating is also an option when you work with My Ph.D Services! This is a great option for those who care about having an environmentally friendly and efficient home. But, don’t take our word for it. Call My Ph.D Services and let the experts more thoroughly explain your options.

Drain cleaning can seem like a small task, but is important for a healthy water system. As dirt, grease and debris accumulate with usage, it can cause blockages, which will lead to messy back-ups that can reach your sewer lines. Many just grab a drain cleaner from their local hardware store, but there are alternatives that will not be so harsh on your sewer and skeptic system. My Ph.D Services has the skills and equipment to provide that alternative! When you notice a sink is draining slower than it ought to, consider calling them to take care of it before it turns into a messy blockage.

There are many moving parts to a healthy, efficient, functioning home. Plumbing, heating, and draining are among these parts. Take care of your home, and make sure these systems are working as they need to be. If you run into a problem, or need emergency help with them, My Ph.D Services are exactly the people to call! Their family will take care of yours. It all starts with a phone call. At Responsible contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. We proudly recommend My Ph.D Services for your plumbing, heating and drain cleaning needs.

Preparing for Rain: Mudrooms

The rain is returning, and the dirt is going to turn to mud. While we love fall, the crisp cool air, and the green and orange landscapes, we don’t want the rain and mud in our house. As you trade your sandals for boots, and your t-shirts for large coats, it will become more of a challenge to keep the outside from coming inside. If your home has a mudroom, it’s time to get it up to date! If it doesn’t, we can help you create something similar in your entryway. 

What is a mudroom? It is a designated space at the entrance to your home, designed to keep your muddy boots and wet coats properly stored when you come in. Some homes come with a mudroom already built in, making it much simpler to outfit the space. If your home doesn’t have a mudroom though, there are ways to mimic the effects.

If you’re getting your mudroom up to date for the season, here’s a few elements to have on your checklist. The first step is to clean it out. Once it’s clean, you can check the quality of the floor and furniture finish. Do you have scratched hardwood? Grout that is cracking? Your floor is met with lots of traffic, and will sustain damage over the fall and winter if it isn’t properly protected. The same rule applies to your furniture. If you have wooden furniture, how is the seal? Water damages wood, so it’s important to keep your furniture sealed and protected from the moisture and mud that will be chaperoned inside. Additional elements to consider adding are matts to wipe your boots on, coat racks that are high enough for long coats, and a laundry basket for dirty outerwear that needs to be sent to the wash. These essentials will help you quickly make your mudroom a functional, weather-proof entry!

If your home does not have a separate mudroom in the floor plan, you can still apply the same principles to your front entry to make your home fall-ready! Your floor should be ready for the dirt, mud and water that will trample it. Most homes have a hard floor at the entry such as tile, vinyl or wood. A simple trick is to have a water-resistant matt placed by the front door. If your entry has a closet that doesn’t allow room for air to dry your coats and scarves, consider a coat rack as a quick addition. This will give them a place to dry before being put back in the closet for storage. Another way to mimic a mudroom is to have a bench with storage by the door. Storage will allow a place to store gloves, hats, and miscellaneous items that are best kept by the door. And a place to sit and take off boots and outerwear will not only be more comfortable for everyone, but will discourage incomers from wearing their shoes inside. Also, a laundry basket by the door will prove a quick, effective addition!

Preparing your mudroom or entryway for the cold weather is a quick, yet effective step towards a fall and winter ready home! If in the process, you find any damage to your floor, door, or windows, don’t hesitate to get it fixed. Contact a contractor to take care of it before the winter hits. To see contractors we recommend, visit us atresponsiblecontractors.com!