Ms. San Francisco Real Estate (Janice Lee)

What to know when buying new windows Shopping for new windows means sorting through an overwhelming amount of numbers, options, performance factors and styles. But once you learn the basics, you’ll work your way around the stats like a pro. Before you dive too deep into the window buying process, first consider whether your existing windows are nearing the end of their lifespan. Aluminum windows generally last between 15 and 20 years, while wooden windows last around 30 years. Efficiency also plays a major role. According to the Department of Energy, heat loss or gain through windows are responsible for more than 25 percent of residential heating and cooling energy use. You can make a big difference in your energy bill by upgrading to more efficient windows. Reading a window label Two labels provide vital information on window performance: the Energy Star label and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label. Don’t overlook these, because they tell you quite a bi...

How to decide whether to repair or replace your roof You can save a lot of money in the long run if you pay attention to this vital component of your home Your roof is one of the single biggest investments in your home’s infrastructure, and it plays a vital role in the rest of the house’s well-being. This means the decision to repair or replace it needs to be taken very seriously. Questions to ask a roofing inspector Roof damage can create expensive problems in a hurry. Water intrusion or obvious gaps in the attic are a major warning sign. Buckled shingles and damaged flashing could alert you in advance of problems. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends getting your roof inspected every spring and fall to identify potential problems. Those are the busiest times for roofers, so you’d be wise to make calls now in order to get someone out in September. A roof inspection costs about $200, but you can head off much more expensive repairs down the line. And this ...

How to Make Your Home Your Stress-Free Sanctuary Everyone deserves a little peace and contentment in their own home. As the stresses of school, work, relationships, social and political issues, and the environment all continue to compound on a seemingly daily basis, the need to escape into an inner sanctum and close out all of the distractions and frustrations of the outside world. Your home should serve as your oasis – as a safe space within which you can fully relax. With that in mind, here are a few simple ways to turn your home into a den of serenity: Fresh, Natural Light Allowing more   sunlight   in your home not only reduces the need for artificial lighting, thus benefiting the environment, but also does wonders for your mood and emotional health. By making changes that allow for more of the sun’s rays to come streaming into your home, you will find that it makes everything brighter and more luminescent, improving your attitude and the friendliness of you...

Contemporary Lighting Techniques Lighting can transform your home and change the appearance of colors and textures. More than just light your way, it creates a mood. Lighting options have dramatically improved in recent years with the introduction of compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs, and LED lighting, or light-emitting diode. A new lighting plan should include the use of energy-efficient lighting, which in some cases is required by building codes. Successful lighting has a layered effect so that there is general ambient lighting as well as one or two zones for task lighting, such as reading or cooking, or low light in a media room. Hire a qualified electrician to install your lighting. Kitchens and Bathrooms Good-quality lighting in your kitchen makes preparing and cooking much more enjoyable than a poorly lit room. To illuminate the entire space, recessed lighting is a good basic provision of contemporary lighting style. Install task lighting such as LED rope above your coun...