Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 44 states and the District of Columbia in the second quarter of 2023. Economic activity contracted in six states. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the percent change in real GDP increased ranged from 8.7 percent in Wyoming to -1.9 percent in Vermont. Nationwide, growth in real GDP, measured on a… Read More ›
The bond market appears to be responding to cooling macroeconomic data, including labor market reporting, as long-term rates fall back. Among the risk factors that previously led to higher interest rates (more debt issuance, higher-for-longer monetary policy expectations, long-term fiscal deficit conditions, and strong current GDP growth data for the third quarter) was an ongoing, elevated count of open jobs… Read More ›
Brought to you by HBA Gold Industry Partner, M&M Glass Company
So, you’ve finally decided to get rid of the old shower curtain. Whether you’re tired of replacing the crinkly plastic sheet or just looking to enhance your space, a glass shower door is a great option. Deciding you want to upgrade is just the first step. Next, is choosing the right glass shower door for your needs. Here are the pros and cons of framed and heavy glass shower doors.
Framed Shower Doors
Framed shower doors are a big step up from shower curtains. These doors encase all glass edges with a metal frame, typically aluminum. Their moving parts consist of stainless-steel pivots and piano hinges. Framed shower doors also use thinner glass plates, making them more affordable than other options.
The Pros:
Water Insulation: Framed doors often have better waterproofing abilities than other options. Encasing the door in metal makes it hard for droplets to escape. They also use metal tracks to capture water and caulk linings to seal their edges.
Installation: These doors also benefit from a simpler installation process. Because framed doors do not need a specific material to sit on, they can be installed in more spaces. However, we recommend professional installation to ensure the proper placement of hinges and hardware.
Affordability: Framed showers typically use lightweight glass plates that are ¼” thick. The lighter material makes it a more affordable option for shower doors. That said, prices can vary depending on the types of glass and framing used.
Variety: Framed glass doors offer many options regarding customization. You can choose between textured glass patterns or a smooth, satin finish. Frames also come in many materials, like standard aluminum, stainless steel, and even plated brass.
The Cons:
Limiting Design: Since framed shower doors are a staple of a vintage interior design, they might make a bathroom feel more old-fashioned. Their retro designs might stray away from homeowners looking for a more modern aesthetic.
Maintenance Difficulty: Framed showers do require more upkeep than frameless designs. Soap scum and water tend to collect within the frame’s crevices. Over time, limescale might build up, staining your shower’s exterior. Additionally, metal frames can corrode over time due to excess moisture.
Accessibility Challenges: These frames typically use frames that only swing outwards. This might limit your bathroom space, making it feel smaller. There is also a higher risk of injury for doors that only swing in one direction.
Heavy Shower Doors
Heavy (or frameless) shower doors use tempered glass panels that stand without the help of metal framing. These doors also give bathrooms a sleek, modern look sought out by many homeowners. Their seamless finish also allows frameless doors to complete a variety of design styles. No matter the setting, heavy shower doors can help a space feel both minimal and luxurious.
The Pros:
Appearance: Heavy shower doors can make a bathroom look bigger and more open. Its smooth glass finish meshes seamlessly into a space, creating a more expansive point of view. These doors also let natural light into your bathroom, creating a space that feels even more open.
Easier to Clean: Framed shower doors can collect water and soap residue leading to a tricky cleaning process. Their metal crevices trap moisture creating calcium deposits if not consistently cleaned. Luckily, since heavy shower doors are simply glass panels, a quick wipe-down is all that’s needed to keep frameless doors in shape.
Emphasizes Decor: The metal of a framed door can hide or even clash with a bathroom’s design elements. Heavy shower doors help make the most of your interior decoration. Their minimalist glass doors emphasize other design details like tilework or faucet design.
Long Lifespan: Frameless shower doors use heavy tempered glass, typically ½” thick. High-quality glass plates tend to be sturdier and more shatter-resistant than framed doors. Additionally, because heavy glass doors use fewer pieces than framed doors, the repair process is much simpler.
The Cons:
Price: The cost of glass panels tends to rise as the plates become thicker. Experts also perform a heat-treating process to temper the glass, strengthening it. These result in a higher-end product with a price that follows it.
Chance of Leakage: Though you can’t guarantee 100% waterproofing from any shower, heavy shower doors have slightly more leakage than framed doors. With their minimalist designs, frameless shower doors lack water-stopping traps like framed doors. Additionally, not being encased in metal does increase the chance of water escaping.
Installation: Heavy shower doors do require professional installation. Creating the enclosure requires specialized tools used to drill into the thick glass. Furthermore, it’s necessary for an expert to assess your bathroom space to ensure a frameless shower can be installed safely.
Talk to an Expert
Here at the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge, we are fortunate to work with trusted partners who are experts in their fields. If you are looking to find the right glass shower door for your home, we recommend working with one of our partners, like M&M Glass Company. They have experts who will assess your bathroom interior and help you find the best option to elevate your shower experience.
Brought to you by HBA Gold Industry Partner, Louisiana Generators
We never truly realize how much we depend on electricity until it goes out. Your reports are due tonight, and Susie can’t sleep without her “12 Hours of Baby Mozart” playlist. No matter the circumstances, a reliable generator is critical to maintaining peace of mind in the modern world.
With all the options, you might wonder what size generator you need. Here are five essential steps to finding the right generator for your home.
1. Consider the Size of Your Home
The simplest way to size a generator is by looking at the size of your house and air conditioning. Be aware that this method is best used as a starting point when searching for the right generator. To size a generator safely and accurately, we need to look closer at your household’s specific energy needs.
- Up to 1,500 sq. ft with 3-ton A/C
- 8.5 KW Generator
- 1,500 – 3,000 sq. ft with 4-ton A/C
- 12.5 KW Generator
- 3,000 – 4,000 sq. ft with 5-ton A/C
- 14 KW Generator
2. List Your Devices & Their Wattage
Next up on our list is deciding which devices you’d like to power. By listing which electronics you want to power you’ll have a more accurate view of your generator needs.
Looking to maintain total normalcy in the event of a power outage? There are ways to size a generator that powers every device in your home during an outage. One way is to collect all your electricity bills from the past year. Next, find the month with the highest power usage. Once you find your highest monthly wattage, use that as your guide in buying a generator.
Here’s another method if you’re having trouble gathering a year’s worth of electricity payments. All you need to do is take last month’s energy bill and find your peak load time. Peak load time takes the wattage of all devices if they were to start simultaneously. This figure gives you an upper limit when determining desired wattage.
Please be aware that powering your entire home with a generator can be incredibly pricey. Not only will your generator cost several thousand dollars, but you will also need much more fuel to sustain this power. Next, we’ll discuss a more standard, cost-efficient method for generator sizing.
When sizing a generator, we recommend listing all essential devices you wish to power. Then, find the running wattage of each appliance. Running wattage can be found online or on your product’s manufacturing label.
Here are some examples of electronics and their average running wattage:
- Central Air Conditioner: 3,800 watts
- Refrigerator: 700 watts
- Microwave: 1,300 watts
- Laptop: 250 watts
- Dishwasher (cool dry): 216 watts
- 2 TV’s (46”): 380 watts
3. Find the Starting Wattage of Each Device
It’s important to take starting wattage into consideration when powering only a few electronics. Many appliances take approximately 2-3 times their running wattage upon start-up. Just like running wattage, manufacturers typically list a device’s starting wattage online or on the product labels.
Below are the same appliances paired with their average starting wattages:
- Central Air Conditioner: 3,800 watts
- Starting Wattage: 8,750 watts
- Refrigerator: 700 watts
- Starting Wattage: 2,970
- Microwave: 1,300 watts
- Starting Wattage: 1,300 watts
- Laptop: 50 to 100 watts
- Starting Wattage: 250 watts
- Dishwasher (cool dry): 216 watts
- Starting Wattage: 1,200 watts
- 2 TV’s (46”): 380 watts
- Starting Wattage: 380 watts
4. Calculate Your Total Wattage & Add 15-20%
After you’ve listed your devices and found their running/starting wattages, you just add them together. For example, take a dryer with a running wattage of 5400 and a starting wattage of 6,570. Add them together, and you’ll get a total wattage of 11,970 watts. Do this for your other desired electronics, and you’ll have the total wattage needed to power your essential products.
Before you start generator shopping, be sure you add 15-20% to your total wattage. It’s important to give your power supply this leeway to prevent an overload. An overload occurs when your energy demands exceed your generator’s power supply. Overloads can cause serious damage to your generator and the electronics it’s powering.
5. Talk to an expert
Here at the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge, we are fortunate to work with trusted partners who are experts in their fields. If you are looking for the right generator to power your home, we recommend working with one of our partners, like Louisiana Generator. They have experts on call to ensure your power supply is always protected. Contact them today to learn more.
NAHB analysis of Census Construction Spending data shows that private residential construction spending rose 1.2% in October, after a dip in September. It stood at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of $884 billion. Total private residential construction spending is 0.7% higher compared to a year ago. This was the first year-over-year increase since December 2022. The total construction monthly increase… Read More ›
Pets can have a significant impact on home buying decisions for many people. According the U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 data shows that there are 63.8 million occupied housing units have at least one pet which represents almost 50% of the 128.5 million occupied housing units. A recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys examines the increase in household… Read More ›
