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Home Exterior Improvement Part 2: Small Things

welcome-mat

Home Exterior Improvement Part 1: Clean Up Your Yard
Home Exterior Improvement Part 2: Small Things
Home Exterior Improvement Part 3: Doors and Windows
Home Exterior Improvement Part 4: Garage Doors

When prioritizing the needs of our home exterior improvement project, one of the factors is budget. How much are we willing to spend? Later in this series, we will take a look at some of the more “budget heavy” improvements but let’s now look at some small additions that will be very easy on the pocketbook and simple for you to do yourself.

These are just a few of the many small things that really do make a difference.

Lighting Fixtures

Replacing your old exterior light fixtures will make your porch or entrance really pop. Remember how much you complained about that old fixture when you first moved in, but then got used to it? Cheesy old brass lamps or fixtures that are in disrepair can easily be replaced, by you, at just the cost of the new fixture. If you have never done something like this before, here are some clear instructions.

light-fixture

Door and Window Trim

If you have some basic cutting skills and tools, you may want to tackle adding or replacing the door or window trim, at least on the front of your home. If you have windows that are on an upper-floor and difficult to reach, we would recommend leaving this task to a professional tradesperson.

Granted, this task does take some steady hands and patience but it is well within the reach of Do-It-Yourselfers.
Here is one helpful tutorial.

replace-door-trim

Outdoor Furniture

Other than perhaps some furniture assembly, this one is easy. If you have a front porch or landing with enough space, adding chairs or small tables (or shelves, planters, etc) really can add a lovely personal touch to your entrance.  You may have to make a few trips back and forth to your local store, to find the perfect colour and piece, but adding some outdoor furniture at your entrance, or even in your yard, can provide a nice visual element and can sometimes be practical too.

outdoor-furniture

Even smaller, small things…

House Numbers

Get rid of those ugly old house numbers and find a style and colour that is more in line with your plans for your exterior. If the shape of your current numbers is fine, consider a fresh coat of paint.

house-numbers

Door Knocker

So simple, this is an addition that if chosen well, will be noticed by everyone that comes to your door.

door-knocker

Welcome Mat

You may not currently have a welcome mat, or it may be old and worn. This functional item is another small thing that is very noticeable and worth the marginal cost.

welcome-mat

I think we’ve determined that one does not have to dig deep into their pockets to do a few small upgrades that really give a nice visual lift to your exterior. Try to keep the big picture in mind, when updating items. If you plan to do a major task, such as painting or new doors and windows, then these smaller tasks are best to be done later. If you want to keep things low cost and don’t plan on a major overhaul, have some fun and take care of these (and other) high impact small upgrades.

Home Exterior Improvement Part 1: Clean Up Your Yard
Home Exterior Improvement Part 2: Small Things
Home Exterior Improvement Part 3: Doors and Windows
Home Exterior Improvement Part 4: Garage Doors

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Home Exterior Improvement Part 1: Clean Up Your Yard

This is the first part of an ongoing series of articles about improving the exteriors of our homes.

Home Exterior Improvement Part 1: Clean Up Your Yard
Home Exterior Improvement Part 2: Small Things
Home Exterior Improvement Part 3: Doors and Windows
Home Exterior Improvement Part 4: Garage Doors

Often we get used to the way our home looks, even if it is run-down or outdated. While it certainly is important to maintain our homes for practical reasons (roof, plumbing, electrical, etc) updating the exterior look of our homes have two benefits. We can enjoy the new look and it will add value to our home.exterior-improvement

While some of these recommended updates require the services of professionals, some can be done with a little of your own time and hard work.

Let’s start with the property surrounding your home…the yard.

Cut Back, Clean Up

Our properties get overgrown with foliage over time. This is one of those issues that creeps up on us; one day we look at the huge, overgrown shrub by the front door and say, “When did THAT happen?” The first, low cost item we can take care of is to give our yard a haircut and style. Aerate (if necessary), cut and trim your grass. If your grass is in poor condition, speak with a local that has nice looking grass and ask what type of things they do to keep their grass in good shape, weed/moss-free, etc.

front-yard-beforeTrim your trees and shrubs. At first you may feel like you do after visiting the hair salon, “Did you have to cut so much off?” Sometimes that first pruning is a bit more drastic and shocking to your system but next season, the pruning will be minor (Yes, you will need to do this work again). Open up space in your yard and crop back those branches that have been starting to block light from entering your windows.

front-yard-beforeUnfortunately, this process may uncover more things that need to be done with your home and property. Suddenly that walkway to your front door, which you never paid attention to before, looks old and in disrepair. At that point, you may consider replacing the walkway or sprucing it up with a new surface. These tasks may require professional service. Also, you may notice the bad condition of your siding or window trim. We’ll get to those issues in another article.

Add Some Beauty

You may also realize, now that you have opened up your front yard by subtraction, that adding a small tree, bush or some flowers may give an instant boost to the look of your home. While we are on the topic of flowers, as you progress through your home exterior improvement checklist, you may want to plan for some planters and flower boxes on your front porch or around your front door and windows.

Curb-Appeal-before-and-after-7

Understandably, sometimes the cutting back process is seemingly in opposition to your privacy concerns. That is a balance that you can be aware of, to cut…or not to cut. Taking a few weekends to clean up your property (or having someone do it for you) will bring instant gratification which does not break the bank. Your property opens up and you can more clearly see the other issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the exterior of your home.

These issues will be discussed in other blog articles in this series.

Home Exterior Improvement Part 1: Clean Up Your Yard
Home Exterior Improvement Part 2: Small Things
Home Exterior Improvement Part 3: Doors and Windows
Home Exterior Improvement Part 4: Garage Doors

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3 Types of Contemporary Garage Doors

Clopay Aluminum and Glass Garage Door

A garage door may represent up to 40% of the façade of your home. If you have a modern home, it’s important to choose a contemporary style that fits well with the home’s style and architecture. Contemporary garage doors are known for their clean lines and can be customized to suit the style of your home.

The 3 most common types of contemporary garage doors are aluminum and glass, steel, and wood. Which type of door is best suited for you? What are the distinguishing features of each type?

Let’s take a look.

Aluminum and Glass

Clopay Aluminum and Glass Garage Door
Clopay Aluminum and Glass Garage Door

Transform the look of your home with aluminum and glass garage doors while you allow natural sunlight into your garage space. You can choose the colour of aluminum and the level of glass transparency. Also, there are options for the placement of aluminum panels to suit your privacy needs.

Features

  • Visually clean, sleek and modern
  • Low maintenance
  • Many aluminum colour options
  • Window options for the amount of light transmission and privacy

 

 Steel

Steel Garage Door
Clopay Steel Garage Door

Steel garage doors are a great complement for contemporary homes. Available in many colours, they also have a variety of options which have varying thermal ratings. Steel doors are available in flush or grooved panels and are protected with a multi-layer coating system that prevents rust.

Features

  • Visually clean, sleek and modern
  • Variety of thermal/insulation options
  • Many colour options, even a faux wood grain!
  • Rustproof coating

 

 Wood

Custom Wood Door
Custom Wood Door

Yes, wood can also be used in contemporary garage doors. A major benefit of wood is that you can have a completely custom look designed. Using a variety of wood types and finishes, a completely unique look can be crafted for you.

Features

  • Completely custom appearance
  • Custom window design
  • Variety of thermal/insulation options
  • Many stain or paint options

 

 Which type of door do I choose?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question but there are a few thoughts to consider. Do you want low maintenance? Then perhaps aluminum or steel is a better choice. Do you want to allow a lot of natural light into your garage? Aluminum/glass is best for that. Do you want a completely customized look? Wood can be fully customized to match your design vision.

Either way, a new contemporary garage door for your home will be beautiful, practical and add value to your home.

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Garage Doors Rank #4 on New ROI Report!

garage door victoria

Looking for a new garage door?  Good News – Garage Doors rank as #4 in the latest ROI (return on investment) report!

Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report compares pricing for many popular remodeling projects – both midrange and upscale!  If you are wondering how much a new garage door might be – give us a call and we can come out and do a site measure.  Then we can provide you with a free, no obligation, cost efficient estimate.

Our selection of garage doors includes everything from Steel, Insulated doors to Custom Wood and Full View Aluminum!  We are sure to have something you like!

Check out this link to the article for all the details!

Top 5 Cost-Effective Home Improvement Projects by Builder Magazine

PC26 Clopay Premium Series, Long Panel, Madison Glass in Top Section – 8' High

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Award Winning Project

commercial garage door

commercial

Harbour Door is the proud supplier and installer of the 10 Specialty Overhead Doors, High Speed Door Operators and the 3 Security Gates for the New CFB Esquimalt Firehall and Emergency Response Center.  The Victoria Real Estate Board recently honoured this project with the 2013 Excellence Award For Community!

Here is a link to the article :  http://cba.vreb.org/cfb-esquimalt-base-fire-hall-emergency-response-centre-2/

Also, here is a link to a video that features the New Firehall during the construction of the project :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN2opKS0GuI

CFB Gates 005

 

 

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Super Tech Day

Super Tech Day - Harbourdoor Team

Super Tech Day

 

Super Tech Day 2013
We celebrated “Super Tech Day” on June 28, 2013. We treated our technicians to breakfast – with lots of both “good for you” and some “not so good for you” food! They loved it! We wanted to take a moment to thank them for all the hard work they put in to help us make our company a continued success! Thank you to you all!

The IDA (International Door Association) writes : “By recognizing door technicians and service personnel we call attention to a very important member of our industry,” stated Michael Beltrami, IDA president. “Super Tech Day” provides all of us the opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who provide professional installation and service for the products we dealers sell,” he added.

 

 

 

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Intellicore Insulation Technology

garage door victoria

Introducing Clopay’s new Intellicore Insulation Technology –

Clopay has patented a new type of insulation – Intellicore!

This insulation is a proprietary polyurethane foam that is injected into the garage door to fill the entire cavity, providing an end result that is Warmer, Quieter and Stronger – with industry leading R-values of up to 20.4!

This product is available on a wide range of steel, insulated products.

Watch these informative (and slightly entertaining) videos for more information :

Strength test video : http://vimeo.com/63093290

Noise test video : http://vimeo.com/63092380

Temperature test video : http://vimeo.com/63092927

And, Check out the attached the brochure link :

http://clopaypdf.pvcomm.com/pdf_files/RSDR-INTELLICORESS-13.pdf

1367764220_intellicore-badge-square_RGB

 

 

 

 

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Spring Special

Spring Special

Replacing your garage door generates one of the best returns on investment of all home

improvement remodeling projects! Harbour Door can dramatically change the look of your

home in JUST ONE DAY!! From now until the end of June, 2013, let Harbour Door change

out your existing garage door and operator, and you will receive FREE “Removal and Haulaway”

of your existing door and FREE “Perimeter Weatherstripping” – a combined value of up to $250.00!

Arrange a free in home estimate by calling or visiting Harbour Doors showroom at 210 Mary

Street. For “Serious Service” of overhead garage doors, operators and gate systems, count on

the door professionals at harbourdoor.com. Celebrating over 25 years in business!

02-Now

02-Then (Custom)