The care and upkeep of a home is an ongoing process. Improvements need to be made from time to time as things deteriorate or wear out. One of the greatest improvements you can make on your home is replacing the windows throughout the house. There are times that the need for new windows is very obvious. In other situations, the windows may still look new and modern but lack efficiency and should be replaced.

While there are many good contractors, there are also those who cut corners with both installation and choices of product. Cheap windows are exactly that?poor quality and very inefficient. Remember, they may look new but still lack the energy efficiency needed.

It can seem like the great unknown ? the huge abyss! For most of us trying to decide the what, when, where, and how of replacement windows is such an intimidating task that it often will sit on our to-do lists without a check mark for years. It's not that we don?t think it is important to accomplish or that it doesn't really need to be done, but rather it is the fear of the unknown that keeps us from completing this job. After all, how much practical experience do we really have with replacing windows? It's not exactly like it is a job that we do often, and for many of us, it is a job that we have never done before. We don?t have any basis in our experiences that would make us feel that we can'tackle this huge undertaking successfully; so we put it off.

Well, that procrastination, no matter how understandable, is still costing you money; and the need for new windows is not going to just go away on its own. So let's take a look at the main mysteries in the window replacement process and try to gap that huge abyss of the great unknown.

Secondly, you need to know what to expect during the actual installation of your new replacement windows. Your installation team will arrive at the appointed time led by a factory trained and certified Master Installer. He will perform a walk-through with you to ensure that there are no misunderstandings or unanswered questions and to survey the work site again. Next, your existing window openings will be re-measured to ensure accuracy. Drop cloths will be laid to protect your floor and other items from dust and damage. We are also equipped and trained to follow EPA lead containment practices if necessary. Once this is complete, we will remove your old windows making sure not to disturb any interior trim or framework. The new custom built windows will be set into place, insulated, sealed, capped, and the exterior trim will be reinstalled. Finally, your team leader will review the job with you, show you how to operate your new windows, and answer any questions you may have. The very last thing is to make sure all areas are as clean as when we arrived. It is that simple.

How much is a penny worth? There was a time when a penny stretched a whole lot further. In the early 1900s, you could get a few eggs for a single penny, or buy some produce at the market. In the 40s, you could get a bag of popcorn or lemon flavored shaved ice. Even in the 70s, a penny still had some worth. Stores had shelves dedicated to penny candy that could be purchased individually or selected and put into a brown paper bag. How sweet is that?

Today, a penny isn't worth a whole lot by itself. It has even become a hassle to put them in a jar, wrap them, and bring them to the bank. Fortunately, more and more stores are installing a machine that will take your coins and give you something in return. If you have kids, this is a great way to give them some meaningful work to earn a few dollars.

In light of how much a penny is worth in today?s economy, it may not excite you to know that you can save pennies on your heat bill by replacing your windows with energy efficient windows, but consider these three points.

• Pennies still add up. While we can't tell you how much you?ll save on heating your home in the winter and cooling it in the summer, we can'tell you that it adds up. For some of our customers, it made a big difference. In fact, one of the things we hear quite often is how our customers feel a positive difference in rooms that were too cold or too hot, even before the installers leave.

• You don?t have to wrap those pennies. If you save hundreds of dollars in pennies this year because you swapped out your old, drafty windows, that is money in the bank. You don?t have to do anything, except enjoy the savings.

• Pennies don?t always stay pennies. Right now we are enjoying a break from high oil prices. But as you know, they can go back up at any time. That means those pennies You're losing when you heat your house, could turn into nickels or dimes.

The things we cherish the most deserve the best protection. Our health should be at the foremost of our mind with proper care of our bodies and adequate insurance. We nurture and care for our children, protecting them from as much as possible while preparing them to successfully care for themselves. But other than our children and our health, our forever home is probably the largest financial investment and most important possession we have.

Your home may be an old house handed down from your ancestors, or it could be your first purchased home?a fixer upper. Perhaps it has just become weathered with age and environmental conditions and in need of a facelift. Regardless of the type of home you own, protecting and preserving it is of vital importance.

One of the most cost-effective ways to increase the value of a home is to add a new entry door. This value can be figured out on a calculator, almost to the dollar. It takes into account the materials used, the cost of labor, the savings on energy bills, and other quantifiable factors. But, installing new French doors on your home will increase its value in a way that is much more subtle. There are some things you just can't put a price on.

Light.

Do you have a living room that could use some light? How about a bedroom with a tiny window that looks out onto your porch? How about a kitchen that only gets sun in the morning? Most homes have a room that could use more light, and adding light to a room is one of the ways French doors really shine.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that isn't entirely true. Dim light can make any room look dreary. Light makes colors pop. It adds vibrancy and life. When you have new French doors installed, You're going to notice all that extra light almost immediately. And, anyone looking to buy your home in the future will notice it too.

Access.

French doors excel at providing access. Not only are they the perfect enhancement to a bedroom you?d like to have open up to your outside deck or balcony, they are the right choice when you need to add a ground floor entry that allows you to easily bring large items into your home. If you've ever tried to stuff a big couch through a standard sized front door, you know exactly what we?re talking about. Having French doors is like having a two lane highway. This is a great selling feature.

Style.

Every home is more beautiful with French doors. This entry choice adds style and elegance, and you just can't put a price on that.

There are so many subtle ways new French doors can add to the value of your home. Whether it is the way they create warm shadows on the ceramic tiles in your kitchen or how they open your living room up to give access to the outside pool area during family gatherings, French doors are an investment you?ll be glad you made, especially when it comes time to sell your home.