Make your Windows Hurricane-proof

Strong winds might be a signal that a hurricane is coming. Be prepared!

At some point, we have all seen some photos taken after a major storm, where tree branches lay speared through a window, shattered glass covering some unfortunate individual’s valued possessions and their light belongings sucked through a window and scattered. Hurricanes, tornadoes, straight-line winds; all of these natural phenomenons can wreak havoc on your home if you don’t have the right windows in place for protecting it.

One of the first breaches that the wind takes advantage of your house during a hurricane is the windows. Non-impact windows won’t pose resistance to the wind, weather and projectiles the way impact windows will. Weak, ineffective windows can be the difference between keeping safe the family and its possessions, and a natual disaster.

According to the International Hurricane Protection Association, once winds get inside a home during a hurricane, the roof (And most of the home’s structure) won’t stand a chance. Pressure build-up will cause these elements to separate, devastating a home in a matter of minutes.

Why Hurricane-Proof Windows are a Necessity

‘’Most of the time it’s not the wind that shatters our windows, but instead what the wind picks up and throws through windows what poses a bigger threat.’’ - Say our professionals here at Universal Group Inc

Hurricane-proof windows or storm-proof windows are composed of impact resistant glass, that contain a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two thick slabs of glass. The most effective type of impact-resistant window is the inner-membrane window, capable of withstanding storm winds up to 200 miles per hour. An impact-resistant glass will most probably shatter on impact but it will remain attached to the inner membrane along with the window frame.

There is always the alternative of using a shatter-resistant film that covers window glass, that will prevent glass from shattering. This tough, clear plastic hurricane film is popular among homeowners because it’s almost invisible, and they can leave it in place year-round. If the glass breaks, hurricane film prevents glass shards from zipping around inside your home.

The downside to hurricane filma is that the film isn’t resistant enough to stop hurricane winds from blowing in the windows frames. That’s why most insurance companies don’t often offer discounts for hurricane film and why we recommend that you should also shield your windows with plywood.

The great thing about windows with high-resistance glass is that they’re always in place, ready to beat back anything hurled by the hurricane winds. They come in standard sizes and shapes so they won’t make your home look less pretty. Expect to pay three times as much for a window with high-impact glass as for a regular window of the same size and type, nonetheless.

We hope you enjoyed reading our article. Universal Group Inc, where we care not only about making your house bigger and prettier, but also a safer place for you and your family. Please, follow us on our social networks, and don’t hesitate in contacting us for any questions, suggestions and contracting.

Safety is one of the most important concerns for a structure.

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Recomendaciones financieras para remodelación

Es imprescindible empezar por un presupuesto conciso antes de iniciar una remodelación.

En algún momento todos tenemos ganas de renovar nuestra habitación. Sin embargo siempre existe el temor a gastar dinero en ello de manera innecesaria o excesiva. Eso nos quita el incentivo y todo plan de renovación acaba por no iniciar. Sin embargo, no tiene por qué ser así. ¿Quieres saber por qué lo decimos?

Para que las remodelaciones de tu hogar no sean motivo de pánico y para que podamos hacerlas sin tener que gastar una cantidad excesiva, hoy Universal Group te brinda algunas ideas sobre cómo presupuestar la remodelación de una habitación.

Sigue el consejo de nuestros profesionales y verás como esa remodelación y ese aire innovador que anhelas no será tan costoso y podrás permitirte el gusto de modificar aquello que ya no sea de tu agrado.

Recomendaciones de Universal Group para el Lector que busca una remodelación accesible

Lo primero que debemos hacer es pensar con objetividad, date permiso de sentarte en la cama y mirar alrededor en busca de lo que verdaderamente necesita ser cambiado, esa es una buena manera de comenzar a establecer tus prioridades.

Luego de darte cuenta de que no todo ha de estar en mal estado o notaste que ciertos detalles no te desagradan, entenderás el por qué debemos identificar qué es lo que realmente hay que remodelar para así no excedernos en presupuesto ni en cansancio.

Asimismo dentro de las prioridades y posibilidades podemos establecer ciertos y determinados niveles. Ver qué es lo más urgente a modificar y en base a ese ranking comenzar a remodelar con tiempo y sin apuros. Prioriza en base a necesidades, no caprichos.

En Universal Group hemos sido testigos en reiteradas ocasiones de que casi todo tiene el potencial de ser reciclado. Por ello revisa bien las áreas y estructuras de tu hogar para determinar si no existe necesidad de remodelarlos, o sólo darles un aspecto nuevo y así evitar el gasto excesivo o peor, el desperdicio.

La renovación siempre es una alternativa menos drástica a la remodelación radical, re-tapizando, pintando o utilizando técnicas como la del decoupage, podremos darle una nueva cara a aquello que necesita cambiarse sin tener que excedernos en presupuesto.

El pintar las paredes antes de remodelar el resto de un espacio es una buena manera de saber si la remodelación es realmente necesaria o no. En ocasiones un buen cambio de tono hace que nuestra vista se renueve y nuestras ganas de tumbar paredes se aplaquen.

Este simple cambio puede darle a la habitación un aspecto nuevo y reducir el presupuesto de remodelación considerablemente.  Siguiendo estos consejos que te indican nuestros expertos en Universal Group Inc. y teniendo en cuenta que las cosas no deben ser drásticas ni de un día para el otro podrás darte a la tarea de la remodelación sin tener que estresarnos ni invertir un gran monto de dinero en ello, Para resolver tus dudas y concretar posibles contrataciones, por favor síguenos en nuestras redes sociales y deja tus comentarios en la sección correspondiente.

Marcar límites y fechas de entrega es parte del asesoramiento que ofrecemos.

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The Importance of Waterproofing your Home

By impermeabilizing our roof, we avoid uncomfortable situations and prevent damaging the interior of the house.

Water is a creator force, but it can also be the destroyer of a building. Therefore, waterproofing a structure is very important, and it’s become more of a necessity in recent times. It is now understood that if water gets in a house and it’s not stopped in time, it can cause severe damages to the structure. The life of your home (a priority for us at Universal Group INC) depends upon its stability, and that is why is affected by water.

Waterproofing, or protecting structures against the damaging actions of water, derives from the need to avoid water and humidity to cause damage to a building and its materials. This adverse effect can manifest in several ways, creating health problems, structural detriment, corrosion, which is like a sort of cancer for a building, facility damage and several other issues. Repairing (and more important, preventing) a construction from water damage can be very expensive, particularly corrosion damage.

The primary goal of building waterproofing is to prevent as much water as possible from getting into a structure, and providing outlets and drainage so that, if water does get inside, it cannot possibly remain there. While creating their layouts, many designers forget that there is going to be water.

Dear Universal Group: How can water enter my house if it’s built well?

The science behind this lays not only in the construction itself but in the materials that have been used to build the house. Concrete, bricks, stones, and mortars are composed of crystals of elements like carbonate, silicate, aluminates or oxides, whose surfaces are abundant in oxygen atoms, which carry a negative electrical charge of hydroxyl groups and can give both negative and positive charges.

Such surfaces are polar and are also called hydrophilic (they get along with water). When water comes in contact with these surfaces, hydrogen bonds are formed between the surface and the water molecules. Once the building materials come in direct contact with water, they absorb it through their pores by capillary action.

Concrete, which is prepared by mixing cement, sand, aggregate, and water, is the most successful building material of the postmodern era. Once the cement has been mixed with water, a reaction begins. The chemical reactions are complex, but the hydration reaction of cement with water produces insoluble silicate compounds, and calcium hydroxide carbonation starts simultaneously with hydration. Carbonation hardens the concrete and helps reduce the permeability of the concrete.

The Importance of Having a Waterproof Structure

• Protects your Belongings from Water Damage: The inner part of any house is usually exposed to many unpredictable weather conditions, like sun rays and rain. Waterproofing your home protects the walls from creating a seepage. It will help prevent water damage from occurring, procuring in your fledgling building a healthy, strong start.
• Prevents Onset of Health Problems: When moisture finds its way into your walls and ceilings, it leads to the growth of mold and mildew. This creates spores, which again lead to many health problems. Spores get projected into the air, and when you breathe in, they will travel to your lungs, which can cause health problems.
• Saves Your Money: While waterproofing your home can feel like a daunting task, the cost of the process also seems like a blow to your budget. But prevention is always better than cure. It is best to think of it as a long-term investment that will make you money during the building’s lifetime.
• Ensures Long-Term Stability: Waterproofing helps to seal a new structure which has been found to promote long-term comfort. The measures help to reduce the moisture in the interior of the building. It makes it more comfortable to live in, while also providing a foundation for further work later on.

A bit of advice from our Universal Group professionals. Build your houses on stone, not on sand. Build for the future, and you will be prepared for when the rains come. Please follow us on our social media and don’t hesitate to contact us for future inquiries.

Leaks can lead to rotting woodworks, damaging electricals and even disturbing your sleep.

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Vintage-Style Remodeling!

Fashion and style always come in cycles, and house-remodeling is no different. Give retro a chance.

Most old houses have a reputation for carrying extra work and structural problems. Many complain about the noise wood makes on cold days or the humidity that gathers in some areas of the house. Today we will see that it doesn’t have to be like this. Universal Group always offers you the best alternatives for your home. And yes, that also includes vintage-style houses, both for the restoration of these structures and the remodeling process of your home to fit its vintage-style architecture.

FAQ: How do I know if my house is vintage or what style belongs to?

This is one of the many frequently asked of questions from our readers about the style of their home, especially when it doesn't adjust to the descriptions they have read in books, magazines, or internet.

Is it a cottage? Is it a bungalow? Is it Victorian style or is it something different? And what does it mean when someone says your house is eclectic? Do not worry; those are details we will be glad to take care of.

First, let us explain why vintage houses often come in so many different shapes and sizes. The way houses were laid out (that is, the floor plan), changed dramatically between 1900 and 1960. At the turn of the century in 1900, the “Queen Anne style’’ was waning and the old style organization of interior space was changing as well. Bedrooms were still called chambers, many homes were built without bathrooms (that’s as impractical as it reads), and reception halls excluded visitors from the inner sanctum. Modern structures like the free-flowing, open bungalow, did away with small, isolated, boxy rooms. But that’s just a small piece of history.

Nowadays, everyone seems to have a different opinion about what defines each style. At Universal Group, we offer you our professional advice and a few guidelines to grasp the essential characteristics of your home. You'll find that there are dozens of different ideas about what "style" is and how it's categorized, and therefore restored.

The first thing we can assure you: There are no ugly houses; there are only homes with structural flaws. Sometimes those flaws need some hard work, but almost every home deserves to be loved and treated with a caring hand.

How can I improve my vintage house?

Restoring a vintage house is not a simple task. Vintage homes not only require special precautions because we're dealing with old structures and building materials, but they are also full of surprises in their unique way, and costs can add up quickly. If there’s one thing we’ve learned here at Universal Group, is that a renovation done right can turn a budget nightmare into a dream home. Here are some things to take into consideration when working in a vintage house.

1. It takes commitment: Do you count on things like radiant, easy-to-sweep floors, or even something as common as evenly heated or cooled room as necessities? If not, maintaining the style of an older house, with its quirks, may not be for you. 
2. Avoid water damage at all costs: This is a serious issue, especially in vintage houses, and it needs to be addressed. It has long-term effects like dry rot. Also, bugs love wet environments, which can have its own consequences. Keep an eye out around ceilings, floors, and windows, for signs of water damage. That could be a warning of serious structural issues.
3. Hire professionals (Universal Group): A contractor and an inspector can be helpful when it comes to estimating the amount of work that needs to be done and its costs (an important matter). But it could be even more helpful to search for people with experience in historic houses preservation. And, above all, anybody you bring must understand your ultimate goal of restoring the property, because a lot of people don’t understand the difference between preservation and ripping something out and starting over.
4. Are you on a budget? Then take it slow: While older houses (regardless of size) will need renovations here and there, if you don’t have unlimited funds, look for a smaller house, which can be more manageable. Another practical alternative is to buy quality materials so you renovate less.
5. The roof, windows, and masonry are your priority: We know it might be tempting to pick out kitchen cabinets and paint swatches first, but the primary stages of the renovation should be the most practical, rather than the aesthetic ones. And by saying that, we mean to get the house watertight. Fix the roof, windows, and masonry. Sometimes the location of the house is related to the strength and quality of the structure’s materials. 

We sincerely hope you enjoyed reading our article. It is there to keep you informed and to help you improve your home. Follow us on our social networks, and don’t hesitate to contact Universal Group INC for questions, suggestions and contracting.

How can you turn a simple household into a vintage home with all the modern advantages?

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How to make an audit of your home energy consumption

It's time for you to learn the benefits of knowing exactly where energy is consumed in your property.

Did you know that most of the appliances you use in your home have a tab or electric consumption frame? And that said tab is considered amongst the new factors that affect how property is valued? Because of the new trend of ownership, more and more buyers are interested in properties that have a low electrical consumption rate. For that reason, if you’re thinking of buying or selling, it’s essential that you know how to make an efficient energy consumption audit.

How can you identify what uses energy on your property?

While you can hire a professional to do this job, you can get an estimate all on your own when it comes to a home energy audit. Then you can get an expert to contrast your findings with. While they will implement another set of studies, the relative usage of energy will be similar in both cases. If you're in no rush to find out how much power you use, then doing so by yourself is not a wrong choice.

Now, what steps should you take to do so? Let's talk about them.

• Inventory: what are you using on your property on a daily basis? What's connected to the grid permanently? These appliances, regardless of their size, must be considered among the ones that use the most electric wattage around your abode. Doing a proper inventory helps you determine what's going on in your electric bill.

• Investigation of appliances: most of the ones you have on your property have a sticker that indicates how much energy they consume. You can also check it out online, and get an estimate of yearly, monthly and even hourly use, depending on the appliance.

• Verify your bills: if you get a detailed electrical bill, make sure to check the usage of electricity throughout the month. With that in hand, you can check how much power you use on your property. A sudden spike or decrease on the consumption on the last few months could be the indicator of a negative or positive change in your electric usage. For that reason make sure to check it out frequently, not only while doing an energy audit.

• Measure the usage: now, if you have appliances that are not permanently turned on, you need to check how much energy they use per period of usage. How much time do they spend turned on and how much power they use when you contrast it with other electronics?

• Living arrangement data: find out how much time people spend on the property. How many hours do they need to have heating or cooling systems on? What are their active hours on the premises and the like? The living arrangements have a significant impact when it comes to electric energy usage in an audit.

What are you waiting to check how much energy you're currently using on your property? And if you find out you're using more than what you're comfortable with, then make sure to check the alternatives for improvement that Universal Group INC can offer you. They are PACE financed and certified, making them the best choice for you to improve both your property value, as the energy consumption characteristics. Get your quote now!

It's time for you to improve the consumption of energy in your property, and to do so, you'll need to know exactly how energy is consumed.