Option #1 Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is a good option to consider for financing your home improvement project.  The equity in your house serves as the collateral for the loan.  You can either receive a cash payment or a line of credit.  The advantage to the home equity loan is that the interest rate tends to be lower than other types of home improvement loans and the interest is usually tax deductible.

Option #2 Personal Loan

A personal loan is an unsecured loan, which means there is no collateral to secure the loan.  Personal loans have a higher rate of interest than secured loans.  These are also available as either a cash payment or a line of credit.  The advantage is that you will not need any collateral to secure the loan.  However, you will need to have sufficient income and a good credit history to qualify for the loan.  The disadvantages are the higher interest rate and the interest is not tax deductible.

Option #3 Home Improvement Loan

Some lending intuitions offer loans that are specifically called home improvement loans.  They are usually unsecured loans but sometimes might be secured by your house.  They usually have higher interest rates than home equity loans.

Option #4 Refinance Your Home

Another option to consider for financing your home improvement project is to refinance your home mortgage along with your home improvement costs into a new mortgage.  The advantage is you will only have one loan payment to make.  You will need to check to see whether your existing mortgage has a prepayment penalty and compare the interest rate on your current mortgage versus what the interest rate would be if you refinanced.  You will need to have sufficient equity in your home to cover adding the cost of the home improvement expenses to your mortgage.  The interest will generally be tax deductible, just like most first and second mortgages are.

You have several options to consider when choosing a home improvement loan.  You will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each home improvement loan type, along with your own personal situation such as the amount of equity you have in your home, your credit rating, and other considerations before you make your final decision on which home improvement loan is best for you.

Step 1 Gather the tools and supplies you will need to replace a broken windowpane

You will need a pair of gloves, wire brush, replacement windowpanes, window glaze, a measuring tape, paint, blow dryer or heat gun, hammer, chisel, putty knife, and safety goggles.

Step 2 Remove the old windowpane

Put on a pair of gloves and safety goggles.  Remove the broken glass.  For unbroken panes, chip out the old glazing and glazing points with a chisel to remove the glass.  To make the process easier you can soften the glazing with a blower dryer or heat gun.  Once all the glass is removed, use a wire brush to clean the frame.

Step 3 Measure the windowpane opening

Measure the windowpane opening and subtract 1/8 inch from the horizontal and vertical measures.  This will prevent the glass from being jammed too tight.  If there is no room for the window to expand it may break.

Step 4 Buy replacement glass

Once you have your dimensions for your replacement windows, go to a glass shop or hardware store and purchase replacement glass

Step 5 Set the new glass in the window opening

Place the new glass into the window opening, using two glazing points or more for each side.  Be careful not to press too hard on the glass or it may break.  Use your putty knife to push in the glazing point and then tap with your hammer to set it in all the way.

Step 6 Apply glazing

Apply the glazing onto the glass and window frame with your glazing knife or putty knife.

Step 7 Wait at least 24 hours before opening the window

Step 8 Apply a coat of paint to protect the glazing

A few days after the putty has dried paint the glazing.

There you have it.  As you can see replacing a broken windowpane is a relatively easy process.  All it takes is a little of your time and patience.  Just follow the above step-by-step instructions and you will have your broken windowpane replaced in no time at all.

Step 1 Gather Supplies and Tools

To repair your double-hung windows you will need: a hammer, screwdriver, pry bar, utility knife, sash cord or rope, 6D finishing nails and a can of WD-40.

Step 2 Pry the parting strip and the interior stops away with your pry bar.

If the paint has sealed the stops into place, use your utility know to remove them.

Step 3 Remove the top and bottom sashes from the window jam and remove the old sash cord.

You can cut the sash cords with your utility knife.

Step 4 Remove the weights

Using your screwdriver, open the access panel of the window jamb.  Lift the weights out of the wall cavity.  Remove any old cord from the wall cavity, weights and pulleys.  Spray some WD-40 on the pulley wheels to help keep them lubricated.

Step 5 Replace the old cords

Replace the old window cords with new nylon cord  over the top of the pulleys.  Thread the new cord through the wall and to the access panel.  Then tie the cord ends to the weights and put back into the bottom of the wall cavity.

Step 6 Knot the window cords

Pulling the cords taut, cut the cord about 4 inches from top of pulleys.  Knot the cord and push into slots that are on each side of the sash.  Be sure the knots are placed so that the inner window sash is able to move the length of the window jamb unimpeded.

Step 7 Replace window sashes

First replace top sash by nailing a parting strip into its slot.  Then replace the bottom slot.  Also replace access panel if needed.  Check to make sure there is good sliding action.  You can rub wax on the edges of the window sashes for smooth sliding.

Step 8 Replace the trim and interior stops

Nail stops in place with your hammer.  The stops should not rub against sash, but they should hold sashes tightly in place.

If you follow these step-by-step instructions, you will have your double-hung windows repaired in no time at all.

Step 1 Gather the tools and supplies you will need to fix your drafty windows

To fix your drafty windows you will need: a putty knife, utility knife, fiberglass insulation, a caulking gun, all-weather caulk, two-sided tape,  weather stripping, molding-strip films, hair dryer, and a heat-shrink film kit.

Step 2 Insert the fiberglass insulation

Remove the inner window trim and fill the gaps around the windows with fiberglass insulation.  Stuff the insulation in with your putty knife, but be careful you don’t pack it too tight.  Once you have the insulation in place, replace the window trim.

Step 3 Re-caulk around the outside of the window

Remove the old caulk from the window.  Then, using your caulk gun, caulk along the outside of the window with all-weather caulk.

Step 4 Place molding-strip films around the outside of the window

Using your utility knife, cut the molding-strip films to size.  Miter the corners of the strips at 45-degree angles.  Place the strips around the outside of the window.

Step 5 Add the interior weather stripping

To plug drafts around the window, add interior weather stripping in between the frame and sash.  The weather stripping can be vinyl, plastic, foam or felt strips. Follow the instructions given by the manufacture to install the weather stripping.

Step 6 Clean off the inner window trim.

Step 7 Seal the heat-shrink kit

Cut the heat-shrink film so that it is two inches longer than the window.  Add two-sided tape onto the window trim and press it into place.  Use a hair dryer to heat the film.  The hair dryer should be set on high.  Move the dryer from side to side across the film until it shrinks and there are no wrinkles or creases.

Insulating your windows will really cut down on the drafts and you will see a big difference in your heating bill.  Just follow these 7 easy steps and you will have draft- free windows in no time at all.