As you prepare your home for new renovations, consider adding additions to your home. For example, aside from another guest bedroom or a second living room, adding a skylight or roof window can elevate the house and bring in more natural light. Consider our list on why you should consider installing skylights or roof windows onto your home as a sign you should get one.

Understanding the Terminology

The terms “skylight” and “roof window” go hand in hand, but they often get misconstrued with other similar words. Below are more phrases that can have similar definitions.

Skylight

A skylight is a fixed window that gets placed in the roofline. Usually, the skylight has venting options placed inside, but the window can’t open. (In Europe, many people refer to it as a “rooflite” instead of a skylight.)

Roof Window

A roof window can open by pivoting with an awning-style device. Similar to sidewall awning panels, the roof window can have a screen installed. Many manufacturers call this window type a venting skylight.

Light Shaft

A light shaft refers to a structure’s connection to the skylight or roof window. It acts as a shaft that links trusses and joists to the roof for easy placement. The light tube (or “chase”) is found mainly in one-story homes that have horizontal openings as part of the roof. Keep in mind that the framing system’s price adds up to the cost of installing the window.

Tube Window

The tube window is an inexpensive version of the light shaft, as it lifts a dome-like window from a flexible reflective tube. This skylight style can be seen in small spaces to add natural light to smaller places, such as the closet, bathroom, or laundry room.

Your Skylight and Roof Window Options

There are plenty of roof window or skylight options to pick from. You can also select the best type of glaze and glass for the panes. Other options to enhance the window include the ability to open them with remote control. The motor-powered window is an excellent purchase for properly ventilated windows in a light shaft.

Prevent window glass from breaking by using opt-in or shatter-proof glass. Then, as the weather becomes severe, you won’t need to worry about the windows breaking from hailstorms or tree branches falling onto the roof. Shatter-proof glass also improves your home’s security features.

Installation Options for Skylights and Roof Windows

You can install your skylight or roof window in one of three ways. Below, we’ve listed out three different approaches to install a skylight or roof window onto your home, even if you don’t have experience.

A Homeowner Installation

If you have basic carpentry skills, you can set up a skylight or roof window on your own. It’s even possible to DIY your skylight installation. The same core skills you’d use to install a side window can help place in a skylight or roof window. However, if you have a motor-operated window, hire an electrician. They can ensure the wiring is secured correctly before and after the window is mounted. Before beginning your home setup, consider your strengths and weaknesses to determine an efficient installation strategy.

A Window Company

Looking for window replacement or installation company in your area can lead you to many well-known companies, such as Bear Mountain Custom Painting. At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, our services extend beyond house-painting services. We also take time to service areas with our window installation.

With our services, we can equip you with the skylight or roof window of your choice. Before installation, we recommend picking an area that’s fully framed so the installation process can happen faster. After setting up, the rest of the process is up to you.

Hiring a Carpenter or Contractor

A carpenter, contractor, or handyman can install your skylight or roof window for you. This suggestion is inexpensive and, depending on whom you pick to set everything up, it can help you save money. For example, if you decide to use a contractor, they can plan everything with you, from inspection, choosing style choices, and hiring outside help. A carpenter or handyman will do the job solo or bring on one different partner.

Our best advice is to go with a carpenter or contractor who has good recommendations and is trustworthy. Do a quick background check on them and check that you can contact their references for questions or insight on their work ethic.

Roof Windows and Skylights Limitations

With every renovation project, there’s going to be some limitation on what you can do. However, this list is comprehensive and explains more about understanding your restrictions as you dive deeper into your home remodeling project.

• A building code limits you on what modifications get made to the house. Typically, windows grant easy access to escape a disaster like a fire or a flood. Unfortunately, roof windows or skylights aren’t great in these situations; one has a permanent seal and the other doesn’t have enough space to allow others to go through. Luckily, many window companies offer the option for roof windows to have an extra opening that allows for more space. To have an egress window installed, you also need a ladder attached to the side of your home so people can get down safely.
• Skylights are perfect for people who want to save on energy. Unfortunately, no blinds or curtains are included, so you’ll have to buy them separately.

Installing a skylight or roof window is an exciting venture to take when improving your property value and energy costs. However, it’s essential to keep costs in mind before you go and install a window on your roof. There’s more than style to choose from; you can decorate how you want it or even decorate the room to make the window stand out.

At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we do our diligence to ensure all services we provide get adequately done. We let you be the deciding factor when you’re figuring out the style of your windows—or even house painters in Cummings, GA. Now that you’ve read about why you should consider installing skylights or roof windows, contact us for more information. We can help you improve the interior and exterior of your home.

When you’re working on your home’s exterior, avoid making mistakes such as not cleaning walls before painting or not using a compatible surface primer. To help you avoid such troubles, here’s a list of mistakes to avoid when painting your house’s exterior.

Not Taking Your Time

When you rush through a project, you make and see lots of mistakes. As such, it’s essential to take your time when you’re painting your exterior. Bear Mountain Custom Painting has professional services that provide exterior painting in Cumming, GA. From helping you choose colors and assisting with the prep beforehand, we can help you plan everything out.

Not Preparing for Inclement Weather

Dancing in the rain is one thing—but painting in harsh weather conditions can delay the process and even ruin the work. If there’s bad weather, our painters will work around your schedule to pick a day with suitable conditions. If you’re worried about the paint getting ruined from moisture, you can purchase paint made with moisture-lock components. In other words, your paint won’t melt, chip, or warp the material when it’s humid.

Not Using a Primer

As a homeowner, you want the best shield against weather and other harsh conditions that could ruin your paint job. Unfortunately, a mistake many novices commit is not using a primer—or if they do, they use the wrong one. When you use our services, we guarantee a primer is placed on in several coats to protect wood after every paint job.

When exploring your options for the best painters in Atlanta, Bear Mountain Custom Painting is here to help you plan every step of your process. So, when selecting a painting company for your next exterior painting job, consult Bear Mountain Custom Painting. We can help you learn what mistakes to avoid when painting your house’s exterior while completing your first exterior home painting project.

Say goodbye to ordinary swinging doors and say hello to sliding barn doors. Barn doors are a new modern approach to use in a home because of their functionality, space-saving abilities, and much more. Read on to discover our list of the benefits of installing sliding barn doors.

Barn Doors Save Space

Do you need a new system to help divide rooms into separate areas? Sliding barn doors are what you need. Having barn doors can allow tight spaces to feel more spacious rather than swinging doors that take up an entire room. You won’t need a ton of floor space when you have a barn door since it rests up against the wall. Barn doors are especially ideal if you have a tiny home or apartment.

Barns Door Are Easy To Install

Compared to other door types, barn doors don’t need to get measured before installation. Measuring for a traditional door requires cutting down the doorway before placing the door in, but a barn door is installed in a simpler way. Because it’s simpler to install, attaching it to your wall won’t take a long time.

Barn Doors Are Functional

Your space can become more open due to the functionality of barn doors. They’re made from lightweight materials and are easy to open if you have your hands full. With them, your doorway develops into a walkway that doesn’t require you to prop the door open. They’re also useful when you need to move furniture or other items through the doorway.

Barn Doors Match Every Style

They’re chic, fabulous, and entirely up for interpretation on taste. A barn door is multifunctional and can suit every homeowner’s style; they range from rustic to shabby chic. They can even match different finishes, configurations, and wall colors.

When you’re looking for door and window replacement services, consider replacing your doors with barn doors. They match every home style and make life easy. Our contractors at Bear Mountain Custom Painting are more than happy to help you learn more about the benefits of installing sliding barn doors. Contact us, and we’d be glad to help discuss more options for you and plan your next door replacement.

Kitchen remodeling is a difficult task that can take a while to complete. Inexperienced people fear they might waste money on a professional, so they try to remodel it themselves. This isn’t a good idea. It’s essential to seek guidance from professionals who can help tailor a suitable layout of proper steps to follow when remodeling your kitchen. These steps can range from getting inspiration to finishing the project.

Get Inspiration and Plan

The first step in a revamp project is finding your inspiration and building your dream kitchen based on the design you want. Planning a layout is key to finding what areas need replacing and what you can fix later. As you develop your design layout, make any necessary changes when required.

Plan a Door and Window Replacement

Map which windows or doors you want to replace. Maybe you want to knock down a section so you can add more windows to access natural light. Or perhaps you want to replace your ordinary aluminum steel door with a glass-paneled French door so the kitchen will feel bigger. When you’re looking at windows and doors, write down the correct measurements, so you don’t accidentally get any that are too small or big.

Plan Replacement Countertops and Sink

Figure out what you’re replacing your countertops and sink with. Countertops create strains in a budget, especially if you’re open to spending a lot. If you want to avoid paying a lot on countertops, consider inexpensive options such as laminate countertops until you can afford something a little more expensive.

Secondly, your sink doesn’t need replacing right away; in fact, it can be considered the last step to follow after completing the countertops and flooring. If you aren’t sure how else to plan your replacement countertops and sink, reach out to Bear Mountain Custom Painting, one of the leading home improvement companies in Atlanta. At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we pair you with one of our many talented contractors who can help plan out your next countertop replacement.

Replace the Flooring

The biggest mistake to make while renovating is prematurely replacing the floor by yourself. If you aren’t confident in replacing or installing new flooring, one of our contractors at Bear Mountain Custom Painting can help you with all the questions you have. Before you lay the tiles down, draw out measurements and tile or wood types you’d like to have.

Remodeling your kitchen takes time, but we’re here to help you in every way and answer every question you have. At Bear Mountain Custom Painting, we take every floorplan seriously. We look forward to helping you with yours as you learn the proper steps to follow when renovating your kitchen.

Fall is upon us, and unlike spring cleaning, we’re going to do some autumn renovating. To us, fall is more than leaves changing color; it’s about trendy new home improvement projects to try this fall. On a side note, you can accomplish these projects in one afternoon or on the weekend. But, if you need extra help, hire a professional contractor to do the tasks for you so that you’re ready for winter.

Clear Out the Gutters

Hearing you need help with a home improvement task is music to our ears. We enjoy nothing more than helping someone out with gutter inspections and cleaning. If you want clean gutters and resistance against foundation damage and flooding, you should clean your drains of debris. Also, you must remove any nests that rodents or other small animals have made in them. You can clear out your gutters in one afternoon.

Care For Your Roof

If you clean your gutters, you might as well have your roof checked for damages and any possible fixes. When you hire a roofing company, its professionals come out to inspect every nook and cranny. They’ll also fix any damages that they notice. If a roofing service can’t do a task, they usually recommend other specialized businesses that can complete that work for you.

Insulate Your Attic

Attic insulation is vital for winter, so why wait until December to do it? Right after you fix your roof, the next part to fix is the attic. Cold air can slip through cracks, causing the entire house to freeze. Free up some time this week to get a crew down to help put insulation in your home. Insulation traps warm air and can lower your monthly financial expenditures on energy.

Paint Your Exterior Walls

Painting is a relaxing activity to complete at any time of day, making fall the right time to get this task done. While the temperatures are comfortable outside, the paint won’t cause your siding to warp or chip. While you’re making decisions on paint colors, consider hiring a professional house painting service in Cumming, GA to do the job quickly so that they can give you the space to focus on other tasks to do throughout the season.

Prepare Your Fireplace

If you have a hearth in your home, you should have a professional chimney sweep check and clean it once a year. Otherwise, you risk soot accumulating on the flue, which can cause an inability for smoke to rise. With that in mind, get your chimney clean to have a warm room to come home to after you get off work.

Organize the Garage

Even though a garage is the last thing you’d think about cleaning, it’s important to have room to store lawnmowers, bikes, and even cars. However, if you have trouble organizing everything in the garage, consider purchasing storage containers and ceiling hooks to keep things tidy. For starters, if you have tools lying around, install a cabinet or get a workbench to help manage them. For other things like bikes, ensure that the hooks you purchase are sufficient to hold their weight. As for your car, keep the entire area where it parks clear. This way, you won’t risk running anything over, and you won’t accidentally hit anything while backing in or out.

Install Smart Home Upgrades

Nothing says trendy new home improvement projects to try this fall more than some smart home upgrades. Your home will have many jaws dropping and take the breath away from many guests when it has devices ranging from a smart thermostat to a self-cleaning stove. Start small when getting new home upgrades. Begin with a smart home thermostat and a security system. Before installation, ensure that the products work with your home correctly.

Upgrade Your Closet

Your closet becomes more cramped with all of those clothes piled in it. In this particular situation, you end up facing two options: declutter the space or upgrade it. We think you deserve a bigger closet. Knocking down a few walls can help make the closet feel expansive and more accommodating to your needs.

Replace Your Outdated Fixtures

Not many people like having outdated fixtures in their homes. A home can look aged if you don’t change its style now and then. To do this, consider switching out your light fixtures for new ones with refreshing designs. Go with a more neutral style and also think about eco-friendliness. However, if you’re looking to retain some of the home’s character, go with floor lamps while removing the ceiling lights.

Install an Elegant Wet Bar

You’ll need to add a special place for wine or other fancy drinks to incorporate more modernity into the home. A wet bar can be a perfect addition, especially if you want something sleek, easy to install, and chic. A simple installation in your closet can help make a dream of having a wet bar come true. Not only that, but you’ll have easy access to your favorite wine.

Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

You should update your porch often. Staying on top of this can help increase your property’s value if you’re looking to sell it. If you want to up your curb appeal game, consider painting your front door, replacing hardware, getting new street numbers, or changing your outdoor lighting fixtures. Additionally, don’t be afraid to dress your porch up a bit with fun fall decorations. Also, don’t forget to change your garage door if you’re looking for something new there.

Take Care of Your Lawn Maintenance

If the grass is tickling the back of your knees, it’s time to do some yard work. Upgrading your landscaping can help improve your curb appeal and make life more meaningful. To beautify the yard, consider adding plants and decorative rocks to bring visual variations to it and help it stand out. Also, make sure to rake up any leaves and throw them away correctly when taking care of your lawn.

Fall is the ideal time to carry out maintenance and improvements. Have your yard work and all of your home improvement projects completed through Bear Mountain Custom Painting. We can help make your dream home become a reality.