Waukesha County Home

Dear Jim: I want a strong window shutter for security and storms, but I don't want it to block my outdoor view. Is a rolling shutter strong enough and will it improve the effi- ciency of a large window? — Celeste N. Dear Celeste: Installing rolling shutters can protect your windows and sliding glass doors from damage during severe weather. In some hurricane-prone states, such as Florida and the Texas coast, new homes or ones doing major improvement projects are required to install approved rolling shutters. In other parts of the country, they are also popular for energy savings and security ben- efits. Energy savings with a rolling shutter can be significant, especially over large win- dows and glass doors. Considering only the insulation value of the shutter slats, a rolling window shutter can triple the R- value of a standard window. Additional sav- ings come from the dead air space which is created, reducing air leakage and blocking the sun's heat and fading rays during sum- mer. A rolling window shutter operates simi- larly to an old roll-top desk. It is mounted in outdoor vertical tracks on each side of a window or door and rolls up into a small box mounted above the window or door. The individual slats are often only 1 to 2 inches tall and interlock with each other. The mech- anism to raise and lower them is indoors. There also is an emergency hand crank rod that can be used outdoors. When the shutter is lowered covering the entire window, some shutters still allow nat- ural light to come indoors. Each interlock- ing flange connecting the slats together has long narrow holes. When the shutter is com- pletely lowered against the sill, these holes are hidden. As the shutter starts to lift, the slats separate to expose the holes while the bottom slat is still resting on the window sill. There are several slat design options. The least expensive is made of hollow rolled sheet metal. Metals become stronger and stiffer from the rolling and forming opera- tion. Another option is this same type of roll-formed slat with insulation in the cavity. This makes it a little stronger and provides more insulation. The strongest and most expensive slats are heavier extruded metal. The type of opening device and controls will be determined by the type and size of the rolling shutter you install and the level of convenience you desire. If a shutter is dif- ficult and inconvenient to open and close, you will end up just not using it as often as you should for the greatest energy savings and storm protection. When installing a shutter over a normal- size window, an inexpensive pull strap oper- ator is effective. For larger shutters or heav- ier extruded ones, a hand crank is a good choice. This is still reasonably priced and easy to use. For the most convenience, elec- tric operators are available. With modern electronics, groups of shutters can be oper- ated from just one control. It is not difficult to install one yourself. Measure and mount the side track on the outdoor wall. Slide the support ends into the top of the tracks and secure it with screws. I installed a very large Roll-A-Way one with an electric operator over a 7-by-11-foot pic- ture window. Even with the help of three neighbors, its size was awkward to handle, but it was a fairly simple project. The following companies offer rolling window shutters: AC Shutters, 800-745-5261, www.acshutters.com; Alutech United, 800- 233-1144, www.alutech.com; Roll-A-Way, 866- 749-5424, www.roll-a-way.com; Rollac Shut- ters, 888-276-5522, www.rollac.com; Shade & Shutter Systems, 800-522-1599, www. shadeandshutter.com; and Wheatbelt, 800- 264-5171, www.rollupshutter.com. Dear Jim: I am going to add some wall insulation to an old farm house when I re- side it. I plan to use real cedar lap siding. What is the proper method to nail it after the insulation and sheathing are installed? — Wayne H. Dear Wayne: Ring shank nails are best because they grip tightly and should not pop. Use either aluminum or galvanized steel nails to eliminate rusting. Hammer the nail head in just flush with the siding sur- face. The proper nailing location is just above the edge of the piece of siding below. Never try to nail through two pieces of siding with the same nail. Do not nail up too far though or the siding is more likely to split. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Free- man, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) HOMES PLUS MAY 2017 4 Fo r m o re i n fo r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t B e t h Wa l s h a t 414 . 3 3 3 . 5 8 5 3 o r v i s i t w w w. Fox L a k e Vi l l a g e . c o m Speculative Homes Under Construction Now 42 N EW LOTS AVAI LABLE NOW $5,000 Discount for Addition #2 Lots Reserved Prior to 6/1/17 • 23-acre water feature • Fully improved homesites with city sewer and city water • Homesites from $89,900 and speculative home/lot packages from $415,900 • Waterfront homesites available Enjoy the best of all worlds in this community as you discover the beauty of nature, as well as the conveniences that the City of Waukesha provides. The Kathryn Ranch $444,500 2916 Makou Trail, Waukesha ★ Open House on Sat. & Sun. from 12-4 ★ Exceptional design prevails in this new 3BR/2BA ranch home available now with immediate occupancy. Open concept great room/kitchen with painted cabinetry and huge island. Partially exposed basement with 9' poured walls and large windows. MLS#1498576 252362003 HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS FULL INSURED/ BONDED LICENSE A+ RATED WITH THE BBB HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS FULL INSURED/ BONDED LICENSE A+ RATED WITH THE BBB www.tweetyspainting.com (262) 677-4222 Drug-free workplace www.tweetyspainting.com (262) 677-4222 Drug-free workplace All major credit cards accepted Senior / Military / Teacher discounts Interior Paint Service • Wallpaper removal • Drywall repairs/ textures •Multi-color paint schemes • Garage floor painting Exterior Paint Service • Pressure cleaning • Caulking • Deck staining • Aluminum spray Painting Improve cooling with outdoor shutters James Dulley I installed a Roll-A-Way shutter over a large picture window in my family room. JAMES DULLEY

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