Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Set Up a Measuring Appointment at No Charge

Are you living in Tulsa, Oklahoma and looking into renovating your home?  Maybe your windows or doors are way over-due for replacements and you want to take the opportunity to give your home or office a nicer appearance.  Most people are unsure of the measurements of their building, so while they have an idea of what they want, they do not know what windows or doors would actually fit and look best for their building.  In order to find out what type of window or door would be suitable for your home or office, having measurements is vital.  The last thing you want is to go out and purchase a beautiful window or door, only to arrive at home and find that it is the wrong size.  It is important that you properly measure your windows so that you can replace them with the right ones.       

However, if you do not want to go through the hassle of figuring out the measurements yourself, One Source Windows and Doors, a Tulsa window and door provider, will be happy to visit your home or office building and take care of the measurements at no cost to you.  The window and door specialists at One Source Windows and Doors are committed to making things more convenient for customers, even if a customer chooses not to purchase from One Source.  If you are a Tulsa resident and looking into window or door replacements, simply call One Source Windows and the Tulsa window and door provider will send a specialist to help you with everything you need!     

Monday, January 7, 2013

Antique Brass or Polished Brass – Does It Matter?



Emtek Art Nouveau door hardware.

You've made the decision to replace your front door with a beautiful new luxury wooden door and now is the time to select the hardware.  “What difference does it make”,  you're asking your wife, “A handle is a handle, right?”. No, not really. There are many selections to chosse from when looking at hardware for doors. 

First are the colors such as bronze, antique bronze, polished gold, or perhaps solid black. What will compliment the door you just purchased as well as the rest of your home's outside? Do you have polished brass lamps on the front porch? Or do you have black colored gas lamp on the sidewalk with a black mail box?  Will you be changing them out as well?

You want the hardware on your new wooden door to match the other hardware on your home. While it may seem like a small detail, having colors of the hardware antique bronze while the lamps and mailbox are polished brass is just not a good aesthetic look.

Your next concern should be the quality of the hardware, especially the door knob. This doesn't mean you need to buy the most expensive one on the market, but you should buy a good quality handle that can't be twisted and forced open by an intruder. If you have small children, you need something they can operate with ease, but at the same something with child safety in mind as well.

You may select a beautiful antique brass handle for the exterior and a handsome, crystal handle on the interior, one that may match the rest of your home's interior. Along with your wooden door's hardware, more than just the know, you should select good, sturdy hinges as well. Making sure they match the handle and are weather resistant in this are of the country is a must.

While you're ordering your new wooden door, choose a peep hole or a small window for viewing. Consider the height you want it so that it is useful to you, then make sure you use it. Your safety and security should be first and foremost when opening your door to the unknown on the other side. There isn't much hardware for this, but you do want to make sure that it matches the rest of the hardware.

Congratulations on the purchase of your new wooden door! Remember that the picture isn't complete without the frame. When picking out the perfect hardware for your door, look to the Tulsa building products suppliers at One Source Building Products.

Who's That Knocking On My Wooden Door?



Wooden interior door.

Are you looking at getting a new front door for your home? Is that aluminum and glass door worn out and looking old to you? Well take a step back in the past and consider getting a wooden door! That's right!, wood is back and looking good. Going away are the doors made of fiberglass or metal. New technology is giving us wooden doors that are just as weather resistant and providing as strong a security as those fiberglass and metal doors have. 

Older homes shift, that's not secret. Existing homes can be hard to fit for doors, they aren't always the exact same measurements as the pre-hung fiberglass and metal doors. Wood doors are easier to customize for the exact, perfect fit.

Manufactures tried, but they just didn't quite make those fiberglass and metal doors look as good as wooden doors. When wood is used, the grain changes and each cut can give a door just a little different look. They are easier to add glass designs to as well. A fancy cut glass window will look much better in a wooden door than a metal door.

Wood is a lasting beauty too. Fiberglass and metal can turn color with age, usually a yellowish color, making your home look older. In the past, the winning argument was that wooden doors needed more maintenance, but that’s not the  case today. Manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and offer us a better quality door that is almost maintenance free and still has the rich beauty that only wood can offer a home.

When it comes time to order your new front door, remember that going with wood, you will need to allow more time than you would with the fiberglass or metal door. They are custom ordered to fit your home's specific size need. While your new wooden door will still need some maintenance, remember the beauty, longevity and  individuality it will bring to your home. For quality doors in Tulsa as well as door installation in Tulsa, look to One Source Windows is pleased to bring Oklahoma residents the finest in building supplies.

Why Do You Need New Windows?


Home office desk by windows and office chair.

Another summer has come and gone and we're pretty much in the middle of winter for this area. Somebody mentioned to you about getting new windows and doors in their home after winter is over and you're thinking to yourself, why? Their home is beautiful to you and why would anyone worry about windows in the winter?

There are a number of reasons that people replaced the doors and windows in the home. Often times, homeowners will replace them to improve the value of their home while other homeowners do it totally for lowering their utility bills. Still others are not sure of the purpose or the value to replacement doors and windows. It can be a costly project with some inconvenience during the process, but well worth it in the long run.

Here we offer you ten reasons that replacing your old doors and windows is an investment you can't afford to not take:

  • Old windows make your house look outdated and are often hard to open and close. This can be a safety issue in case of fire if the occupants can't get out.
  • Your old windows are probably aren't sealing correctly, making them drafty in the winter. Not to mention the old glass lets the heat radiate through to the inside in hot weather and radiate to the outside in the winter.
  • When your old windows aren't sealing correctly, the outside elements like dirt and dust get inside the house. It's also a door way for bugs to get into your house too. Old windows are prone to building up condensation which allows mildew and mold to grow making for an unhealthy environment.
  • Your old windows lack in being energy-efficient which only contributes to higher energy bills. With old doors and windows that aren't insulated good, your HVAC system has to work harder. The harder it works, the more it cost you each month. Appliances are the only thing that have Energy Star-rating these days.
  • Replacing your old doors windows will prevent energy from escaping the house and allowing your HVAC unit to work less. This is another money saver in the long run because you won't be having the expense of replacing that unit too soon!
  • New doors and windows can give your home an updated look that can change the whole being. So many different designs and shapes are available today that can give your home a completely different look on the outside and the inside too! If your house is old and dark on the inside, newer windows will let the sun shine in making the inside brighter.
  • Most new doors and windows are made of material that is low-maintenance, meaning they never need painting! Not to mention, they are easier to clean too. 
  • Your old windows aren't the most protective when it comes to UV rays, which means the carpet, curtains and rugs are getting more direct UV rays and fading them to look old and worn. New windows provide superior UV protection and keeps the inside of your home looking bright and fresh.
  • It today's economy, we all want to save money where we can and with new doors and windows, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. Factor this amount in and see a reduction in the net cost of your new doors and windows.
  • You will improve the security to your home with new doors and window too. The  materials they are made of today are more durable and stronger, making unwanted entry almost impossible.
Here we have listed only ten reasons that you need to consider replacing your doors and windows. Over time, we are certain that you will find many other reasons and be glad that you made the investment. At One Source Windows and Doors, the Tulsa building products suppliers are pleased to provide a wide variety of windows as well as doors with professional installation.