“Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul”- Alice Walker

As the famous writer Alice Walker writes, creating beauty around you can help you feel better. In this article, we’ll share 10 ideas for your pergola. A pergola isn’t just great for the warm weather; it’s also great for cool weather. In this article, we’ll show you how to design your pergola for all types of weather.

What is a Pergola? Is it like a Gazebo?

At Kool Breeze, we often get the questions: “what is a pergola? Is it like a Gazebo?” The answer to this is complex. To help you understand what a pergola is and how it’s similar to and different from a gazebo, we’ll compare both types of outdoor structures. 

The similarities between a pergola and a gazebo are:

1. Both pergolas and gazebos are outdoor structures. Both also tend to be in the backyard.

2. Both pergolas and gazebos can have roofs. 

3.Both tend to have patio furniture placed inside the structure.

The differences are:

1.Pergolas tend to have roofs that are more open and with less covering. A gazebo tends to have a covered roof. However, at Kool Breeze, we offer different types of pergola roofs. That means each type of roof offers different degrees of shade. You’ll be able to decide which roof you want when you select a pergola. 

2. Pergolas tend to be more modern. Gazebos tend to look more traditional. Think of classical Greek structures and you’ll understand what we mean. 

3. Pergolas tend to emphasize a minimalist look. Gazebos, on the other hand, are more elaborately decorated

So, while there are many similarities between the two types of outdoor structures, pergolas and gazebos tend to have some differences. Consider talking to a professional about the differences and what might work better for you and your home. 

3 Ideas For Designing Your Pergola

Now that you have a basic understanding of pergolas. Here are some ideas for how to design your pergola for warm and cool weather.

Explore your options to pergola roofs and coverings

Sometimes, people worry that a pergola will not offer as much shade and protection from the sun as a gazebo would. The reality is that a pergola can be designed to include different levels of shade. 

For example, a Kool Breeze, we have roofs that offer 60%, 50%, or 40% shade. We also have different aluminum lattice covers that help with ventilation. 

Consider getting an outdoor patio heater for cooler weather

As we get closer to the fall season, it’s important to think about how you can still use your pergola. For example, by investing in an outdoor patio heater, you can heat up your outdoor area so that you’re not as cold. A patio heater will also be useful for sunny days in the winter or when there’s not that much snow. 

Invest in patio furniture that works for all weather conditions

A lot of times, people will get simple patio furniture because a patio is not seen as important as, say, a living room. The reality is though that investing quality patio furniture can help you avoid things like wet seating and cushions. It can also help you avoid rust and other stains. 

At Kool Breeze, we offer a wide variety of patio furniture. You can talk to one of your professionals to find what you’re looking for. One of our professionals will also go over what works best for the environment you’re in. 

Kool Breeze Can Help You Find The Right Pergola

If you have any questions about pergolas, contact us at Kool Breeze. Our pergolas are:

1.Strong & durable

2.Come in a variety of colors

3.Have many end cut options.

We would also like to help you figure out how to choose a pergola that will fit your needs and environment. Reach out to us for more information. 

There are a lot of homeowners who don’t realize the importance of having good quality windows in their homes and the many benefits they can get from it. Not only new windows, but many people don’t realize that windows need to be maintained and repaired as well to prevent the need for early replacement. While it isn’t always easy and for sure not cheap, it is a vital part of keeping your home warm and comfortable throughout the years. New and repaired windows can also help with the overall value and appearance of your home. 

Common Signs Your Windows Need Replacement

For some homeowners the signs indicating your windows are due for a replacement are obvious, while they aren’t so obvious for others. In fact, your windows may not show any noticeable signs that they need attention. Some indications to watch for include but are not limited to:

Condensation

Condensation between the window panes is one of the most common signs that your windows need replacement. This moisture can indicate that the seals on the glass have failed and may not be easy to fix, even by a professional. This may be due to the windows and the seals becoming old or it may be a sign that the windows are low quality. 

Drafts

Drafts are a very noticeable sign that you need to replace the windows in your home. Over time windows can become drafty and become ineffective at keeping the hot and cold air out of the house. Along with feeling the drafts while being inside your home you may also notice higher energy bills because your heater or air conditioners (depending on the time of year) have to work twice as hard to keep the living space comfortable. By replacing your windows you can save loads of money over time by keeping your energy bills low. 

Cold To The Touch

Old windows are usually very ineffective at keeping the cold air out during the winter months. They can lead to drafts inside the home as well as being cold to the touch. Modern windows are effective at keeping the outside air out and inside air in and keeping the house well insulated and warm even in the coldest of temperatures. 

Hot To The Touch

Similarly to being cold to the touch during the winter months, older windows are also hot to the touch during the summer months. Replacement windows can keep the warm air out better than old ones can and keep your air conditioning system working longer and not working harder than necessary. 

Cracked Window Frames

Over time, even high quality window frames can become cracked and although this is not an urgent issue it puts the panes at risk of breaking and avoids an entire window replacement if the cracks are taken care of sooner than later.

Broken or Cracked Window Panes

Unlike window frames, cracked and broken window panes is a serious issue and should be addressed immediately to save you more stress and money in the long run. They can spread and cause bigger issues and affect your home’s energy efficiency. While sometimes the individual pane can be replaced, the entire window has to be replaced most of the time. 

Outdated Windows

Even if your windows are working properly and keep your home well insulated they may still need to be replaced so they don’t look old and dingy. The appearance of your windows can make or break the overall attractiveness of your home and lower the value of your home. If your home needs a curb appeal boost we recommend calling your window and door specialists at Kool Breeze for a modern window replacement. 

Why Your Windows Need Replaced

It is understandable why many homeowners avoid replacing the windows in their home because of the cost, however there are many downfalls that come with not maintaining them. Homes can depreciate in value when they have outdated, unsightly, or broken windows and frames. Your energy bill may also increase significantly due to the lack of insulation your current windows provide. There are so many benefits to replacing your windows and the experts at Kool Breeze assure you that they are worth the cost. 

You May Not Need a Full Replacement

Full window replacements are often recommended for most situations because they fix any and all issues related to the windows and the frames. Only fixing one problem at a time can lead to a domino effect where you may fix one frame and another one cracks, and then a pane, and then another pane until you have replaced each individual pane and frame on your home for more than it would’ve cost you to have a full replacement done. Some issues are minor enough to only need minor repairs whereas others require an entire replacement, no matter what your window needs are, Kool Breeze can help you get what you need.

Solar shades can help to create a far more comfortable environment inside of your home. When you obtain solar shades, you will often be able to add insulation to your home and protect various components of your property. At Kool Breeze, we offer an array of solar shades and various fixtures to ensure you can obtain a more comfortable home. Here are some important things that you should know about solar shades.

What are Solar Shades?

Solar shades are essentially fixtures or curtains that are specifically created to help block sun and light from entering the area. They are often created with tightly woven materials to prevent the light from entering into the area. Solar shades can be utilized to provide an array of benefits to your property. We offer multiple solutions to provide these benefits for your property. Drop curtains, rolling shutters, and solution screens are just a few of the options we have available to improve your property.

Reduce Glare

One of the advantages of solar shades is that they can reduce glare that can reflect off of the various screens in your home. This can help you to operate your electronics more effectively. Television screens and computer monitors can benefit from adding solar shades to your windows.

UV Ray Protection

When UV rays penetrate through your windows, they can easily cause fading and damage to the various fixtures inside of your property. In addition, these UV rays can cause damage to your skin. By adding solar shades, you will be able to add UV ray protection to your property and eliminate this damage. This will often help you to prevent this fading from impacting your building, patio, or other areas of your property.

Block Heat

By blocking light from entering your home, you will be able to reduce the amount of heat that is able to penetrate into the building. This often enables you to create a cooler, more comfortable environment. This, in turn, can help you reduce your energy expenses. Adding solar shades can also help you to add an extra layer of insulation to your property, which can keep the building warmer during the cool months, as well. This is another way in which solar shades can help you to save energy and reduce your utility expenses. The insulation can also help to reduce the amount of noise that can enter through your windows, which can further help to create a more comfortable environment.

A More Comfortable Patio Space

Solar shades are often used on your patio. This will help to ensure that you have more control over the sunlight that can enter into your patio. With solar shades, you can create more shade, as well as add privacy to your patio area.

An Array of Choices

Solar shades come in a broad array of choices. Not only do we offer multiple types of solar shades, but we can also provide solar shades in a variety of colors. This will help you to modify the appearance of your property.

Solar shades can often help you to create a more comfortable, private atmosphere inside of your property. They can be added to your patio, windows, or other areas to protect your home. To learn more about the various solar shades that we have available, contact us at Kool Breeze today!