Oaken Gearbox

Although conventional wisdom (or at least a window salesman) would say that replacing will always save you money, that isn't necessarily true, and depends on a lot of factors, including the condition of your windows,  the cost and type of fuel available in your area,  and not least your climate. Read on for the actual results I've gotten from both new windows and rebuilt origin My suburban Minneapolis story and a half, like many thousands of others that popped up during the post WWII baby boom was built with the traditional double-hung, single pane windows and removable wood-framed screens and storms, each one custom fit and labeled in neat black sharpie for its parent window, NE Bedroom, for example, or Kitchen Sink. Although it is well documented that low-e glass, double pane windows allow less heat to escape your home and don't require the screens and storms to be swapped every spring and fall, that doesn't necessarily mean they are the best energy invest...

For the first twenty years or so of my life, burglary was not something that I thought much about. I locked the front door when I left home or went to bed, and that was the extent of my home security. Then during my senior year of college, the house I shared with four other guys was broken into; twice. Once through a back window left unlatched for ventilation, once by picking the deadbolt on the front door. That experience, combined with the added responsibility of my own home and family have caused me to give home security some more serious thought. These are a few of the simple measures I've taken to protect my own home. I'm convinced that if my roommates and I had adopted even a few of them we'd be at least one entertainment system and two iPods richer. Although I actually learned most of these tricks from friends and family, and not USA's 'Burn Notice', I'm convinced they would make ex-spy Michael Westen proud. Note that following these tips will not...