Word Count:
878
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

Every homeowner has dreams for their property, but often they don’t know how to frugally invest in their homes. Spring is an ideal time for beginning remodeling projects. There’s just something about the weather and the green grass that makes us want to paint the walls we’ve stared at all winter.

remodeling,home improvement
Article Body:
Every homeowner has dreams for their property, but often they don’t know how to frugally invest in their homes. Spring is an ideal time for beginning remodeling projects. There’s just something about the weather and the green grass that makes us want to paint the walls we’ve stared at all winter.
You can make choices to remodel your home that don’t hurt your pocketbook. What is the ultimate goal for the frugal homeowner? To have every cent that goes into a project come back to them. There are steps that can be taken to ensure that you don’t spend too much money on that project.
Whether you plan to paint a room, remodel your kitchen or add on a second story, you must make wise choices. Let’s look at some steps that will take you to a successful, and frugal, project.
Step #1: Decisions need to be made
This is your home, and you have some decisions to make. The first one is whether your project requires a contractor or not. This depends on how much time you have, what your skills are and how much stress you can handle. If there is even a slight hint that you might not finish the project or won’t finish it well, you should hire a contractor. Yes, you have to pay more, but in the end you have something that has the potential to appeal to buyers, not repel them.
If you decide to use a contractor, make some smart decisions. You have to shop around for a contractor. Ask plenty of questions and go with someone you are comfortable with. Word-of-mouth will tell you a lot, so ask everyone you know about what they’ve heard about the contractor in question. Don’t forget to call the Better Business Bureau and the state attorney general’s office about any investigations or complaints about the contractor and his subcontractors.
Step #2: Take it one project at a time
If this is your first remodel project, don’t start with something major. In order to keep your finances and sanity in tact, you should prioritize what you need to do in the home. Don’t try to do it all at once. For example, having your living room painted and your bathroom torn out at the same time will be a big strain on you.
Start with the smallest and most minor projects first. This often includes the things you can do yourself, like painting and new light fixtures. Then move onto the projects that will pay you in the long run, such as new windows and major systems. Then turn to the cosmetic and the finishing.
Step #3: Cheap will result in costly
There are many places where you can cut corners in cost. Your walls, roof and floors aren’t among them. You can buy cheaper fixtures, plain bathroom tiles and moderate-cost appliances. But your structure, insulation, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling are what makes your home efficient. By spending the full dollar for these things, you can save a little money in the long run. Believe me, rising utilities are all the reason to make your home top-notch efficient.
Along with this, you should invest in good windows and doors. They are expensive, but again, aren’t a place to cut costs. When you are purchasing windows, look for brands with high energy efficiency ratings and low maintenance. A good choice is often a good quality vinyl window.
Step #4: Classic design is always best
While trends are fun, they cut back your resell options. For example, my husband and I are into a western cattle baron look. We choose to show this in our leather and cowhide furnishings and decor. We know that if we go to far, like a mural of a cattle drive on the dining room wall, that only a special person will like the home.
You are best off if you use classic materials, like wood and granite, and simple design. Use your decor as a way to give your home style, or be prepared to repaint before you can sell the home.
Step #5: Expect your budget to be blown
It’s a nice idea to think that you can stick to your budget, or better yet, come in under budget. But this isn’t always possible with home remodeling projects. Why? Because homes hold lots of surprises.
You should give yourself at least 15% over your budget as maneuvering room. This will cushion you from any unexpected costs and surprises. Do this especially if you are working with a contractor. Remember you budget and his estimates are just numbers up in the air. When the dollars are spent, that is how much your work really costs.
There are a lot of ways to be frugal when making changes to your home. Walk through the aisles of your local home store when making decisions. Ask your contractor to help you get the best for your money. But the top factor to being frugal in your home remodeling project? Knowledge. Do some research and investigation into what you are going to do with your home. Look at the steps involved and what to expect the final project to give you. Use your potential for knowledge to your advantage and you will make wise decisions for your home.

Word Count:
311
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

If you take care of your air conditioning unit, you could prolong its life and get the most use out of it. Generally you should be able to do most of the maintenance yourself. However, in the more serious cases, it would be better to hire a contractor.
The first and most simple step to take to prolong your air conditioner’s life is to change the filter. You should change it whenever it gets dirty. Depending on the usage, that could range from every three to six months. The…

Article Body:
If you take care of your air conditioning unit, you could prolong its life and get the most use out of it. Generally you should be able to do most of the maintenance yourself. However, in the more serious cases, it would be better to hire a contractor.
The first and most simple step to take to prolong your air conditioner’s life is to change the filter. You should change it whenever it gets dirty. Depending on the usage, that could range from every three to six months. There are some filters out there, which can last up to a year. Ask someone in the hardware store for more tips!
Once a year be sure that you check the evaporator coil located inside the air handler to make sure there is no dust build up.
When the weather starts to cool you should check the outside of the air conditioning. You should check around the unit and make sure there is no debris on the surface of the condenser that will stop airflow. Also you should check between the fins of the condenser to see that it’s not plugged with dead bugs or pollen. Spraying the condenser with a hose will usually be good enough to get rid of all the debris.
Although many air conditioners today use direct drive motors, it is a good idea to check the belt in the air handler. You may have to replace it. If no change is required, you may only have to oil the motor bearings once a year.
It is also good to check contactors and other electrical; most of them are located inside the condensing unit. The contactor operates the compressor and the contacts get pitted and need to be replaced occasionally. Different manufacturers use different types of contactors so check the manual to find what kind you need.

Word Count:
404
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

If you are serious about your construction work, and do not have a table saw, you will definitely want to look into purchasing one. This is one tool that will make your projects much easier, and will surely cut back on the amount of time that you spend sizing materials. But before you go out and hastily make a purchase, you will want to make sure that you properly research the industry. This will allow you to make an informed buying decision.
The General 50-185M1 Contracto…

Article Body:
If you are serious about your construction work, and do not have a table saw, you will definitely want to look into purchasing one. This is one tool that will make your projects much easier, and will surely cut back on the amount of time that you spend sizing materials. But before you go out and hastily make a purchase, you will want to make sure that you properly research the industry. This will allow you to make an informed buying decision.
The General 50-185M1 Contractor saw is one of the most highly rated models on the market today. This table saw is for serious people only, and will set you back about $700. Even though the price tag is steep, you will be getting a lot of features that will make your life much easier. It is powered by a 2 horsepower motor and 15 amps that makes cutting easy. It is praised by people who use it for its high quality, durability, and value for its money.
If you are in the market for a smaller alternative there are a couple of options that you will want to consider. The Delta TS200 portable bench top saw is one of the best bargains that you will find. It costs approximately $110, and for this you will get a very capable performer. This saw only weighs 40 pounds which makes it very easy to move from one work site to the next. The TS200 is the perfect saw for anybody that does not want the top of the line model, and only needs it for simple jobs.
Another bench top saw that is rated highly is the Bosch 4000. For $550 you will get a saw that is capable of making precise cuts without any issues at all. It is powered by a 15 amp motor which is enough power to get you through any job that you may face. The approximate weight of this model is only 60 pounds, making it very easy to move from one job to the next.
A table saw is a great buy if you are serious about construction work. They offer a great way to get top notch results in a quick amount of time. If you are looking for a table saw that you can use a lot, you will want to go with a top notch model. But if you only need your saw for smaller projects, a budget model will work just fine.

Word Count:
460
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

The term table pads refers to a number of different things, all of which are essentially table top pads that serve to cover and protect the surface of the table somehow. Normally table pads go beneath a table cloth, if there is one. There is some variety in table pads available, ranging from rigid-surfaced table top pads that fold up along hinges, to soft vinyl covers that simply sit over the top. The materials used can vary a fair bit, as do the intended purposes.

table pads, table top pads, table cover pads, dining table pads
Article Body:
The term table pads refers to a number of different things, all of which are essentially table top pads that serve to cover and protect the surface of the table somehow. Normally table pads go beneath a table cloth, if there is one. There is some variety in table pads available, ranging from rigid-surfaced table top pads that fold up along hinges, to soft vinyl covers that simply sit over the top. The materials used can vary a fair bit, as do the intended purposes.
The range of materials used includes simple cloth, vinyl or hard plastic, water-proofed weave (much like a mattress protector), soft felt, and wool for poker tables.
As well as serving as a surface protector it is possible to find certain themed table cover pads that serve to add some functionality to your table. For example, card game enthusiasts may be interested in felt poker table pads which go over the top of whatever table you’re using and give the effect of a card table that you’d find in a casino. Avid card players are rewarded with a more convenient playing surface suited to the task and a more authentic feel.
There are smaller pads available called dining table pads, or place-mats, which are small cloth or vinyl table pads that sit on top of the table cloth or table surface, one at each position on the table. The purpose is simply to catch any drips or spills that may occur at the dining table and prevent the table cloth from being soiled, since it is easier to clean small dining room table pads than the whole table cloth each time there is a minor accident.
In addition to the ones mentioned you can find large, hard, table cover pads that fold up along hinges. These are particularly useful if you have a fine wooden table that you wish to prevent damage to the surface during day to day use so you have an undamaged surface to present guests with on special occasions. If a loss of authenticity concerns you, you may consider table top pads in a wooden veneer finish so as not to spoil the effect.
Due to their fairly simple construction, most table top pads start at about US$30 and reasonable quality dining table pads can be bought for as little as $5. The folding rigid table pads will cost more especially if they have a pattern like imitation wood veneer. You can get higher quality pads tailor made to your table if you’re willing to pay more still. The most expensive of the table pads are usually the felt poker table pads which vary greatly in quality, but can cost as much as $200 or possibly even more if you have a large custom-order.

Word Count:
526
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

Some people say that shopping for the perfect swimming pool can be as mind-boggling as shopping for a new car. The choices of make, model, and accessories are just as overwhelming, and advice from competing salespeople often make little sense.
The most important swimming pool accessory is the pool cover. You will use the plastic cover to seal the pool for the winter and to protect the pool from the harsh elements such as wind, ice and debris. A durable plastic cover will …

swimming pool,pool accessories,pool cover,pool pump
Article Body:
Some people say that shopping for the perfect swimming pool can be as mind-boggling as shopping for a new car. The choices of make, model, and accessories are just as overwhelming, and advice from competing salespeople often make little sense.
The most important swimming pool accessory is the pool cover. You will use the plastic cover to seal the pool for the winter and to protect the pool from the harsh elements such as wind, ice and debris. A durable plastic cover will also prevent children or pets from taking an unplanned dip. The pool cover usually needs something heavy to keep it in place, such as sandbags or plain fabric straps.
Another popular swimming pool accessory is a skimmer to collect dead leaves, branches, insects and other debris from the water surface. A skimmer looks like a huge badminton racket that collects the floating objects. A sturdy solid skimmer will save you money on the pool maintenance. Ideally you should clean dead leaves daily, because too many leaves in the pool can damage your water filters and make you use more harmful chlorine to keep water clean.
If left untreated, a concrete pool surface can be quite hard on skin and not too appealing. Many people opt for cheerful pool paints to keep the pool tidy and fun. Pool paints are usually water- or rubber based, or epoxy. When used regularly, pool paints will greatly prolong the life of the swimming pool protecting its surfaces from sun, harsh elements and chemically enhanced pool water.
Antifreeze is an essential pool accessory for those who live in colder climates. When sealing the pool for the winter, you should drain the water out of the swimming pool plumbing and pour the antifreeze into the pump and pipes. Now you are ready to seal the pool for the winter.
Pool furniture can be as basic as possible. You can limit yourself with two or three lounge chairs and a table, or you can decorate your pool side like a second living room. No matter what style you choose, remember to pick the pieces that have rubber no-mark coating on the legs so not to disrupt the pool paint. The ideal pool furniture should be able to withstand the winter under a plastic cover and still please your eye in the spring.
Swimming pool accessories and pool supplies is something that you can cut corners on. If your budget is running low, you can still keep your pool clean and safe with discount swimming pool supplies that you can buy online or in swimming pool store outlets.
However, there’s something that you can’t really save on: pool chemicals. Choosing discount chemicals may often mean choosing outdated or otherwise low-quality and deteriorating supplies which in the long run could cause pool problems that could cost you more.
On the Internet you can find a lot of swimming pool equipment stores that can sell to you for less since they don’t have overhead store costs. Choosing and buying your pool accessories can be quite time and money consuming, but carrying out proper maintenance costs much less than large repairs.

Word Count:
665
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

Beds are regarded as the most central article of furniture in a bedroom. They set the ambiance and climate in any bedroom. No matter how monstrous, spacious, and brightly colorful a bedroom is, it won’t have a snug and homey ambiance if the bed looks petite and untempting.

beds
Article Body:
Beds are plainly the first furnishing one should have in a bed room. Beds are purchasable in different sizes. There are twin, full, king, and queen size beds. With the numerous sizes, one does not have to be controlled in determining the exact type of bed for their room. Beds are also made either of fine-grade wood or alloy.
Since it is the feature of the bedroom, beds must be given decent importance and decoration. You want to dress it up with the best and most dashing cloth, since it is the most salient thing that you will see when you move into the bedroom.
One of the more frequent items owners put in to emphasize their beds is the bed cloth. Bed linens put a feeling of quality and class in any sort of bed. Bed linens can be developed out of cotton, silk, polyester, and linen which is considered the most expensive. Linen sheets are effective for hot climates because they tend to cool, and they can also last for a long time. On the other hand cotton sheets are good for any type of season, and they are considered a toughened fabric. These sheets should be washed through machines on a warm setting, bleached only using non chlorinated bleach as specified by washing instructions. Vintage linens then must be hand washed in warm water using mild soap.
You should also consider the placement of the bed in your room. Situate the bed against the middle part of the wall, or opposite the entrance to the room. This makes the headboard the focal point of the room once one enters the room. If you cannot place the bed against the middle portion of the wall, then place it on the part of the wall which is sufficiently extended and spacious to contain the bed.
There are also limitations in placing the bed. You cannot just place it anywhere you wish. Specifically, you cannot place the bed under a window, especially if the window will be opened frequently. A bed under two windows is more feasible.
To complement the look of the bed, you can put some essential pieces of bedroom furniture such as dressers, cabinets, and night stands. Other bedrooms host chairs, loveseats, and benches where one can place extra linen and clothes, and of course, provide a nice place for guests to sit.
In choosing a bed, avoid shopping online as much as possible. You need to try the bed yourself in order to appreciate how it feels lying on it. One of the best ways to determine the right texture of the bed is to place a hand on your back and try to move it while lying. If the hand can move easily then it means the bed is too hard. If you are having a difficult time moving your hand, the bed is soft. If your hand can move with little resistance then the bed is good enough for your comfort.
In buying a bed, do not hesitate to spend. You need to pay more in order to have a more quality item. People tend to be tightfisted on buying bedroom furniture and accessories, believing that they can settle on less expensive materials. But in reality what they are getting is a poor quality bed. So if you have some space in your budget to afford another thousand of dollars or two, then do so! You will be benefiting from a more durable and stylish bed in the long run.
You also have to take into consideration the space that the bed will take up in the room. Beds should not eat half of the bedroom. The bed’s size, for one, should be big enough to take substantial space in the room. It should not be oversized though for the room since it could take space more than the room can offer, leaving you with little space to add other essential furniture like drawers, writing desks, and night stands.

Word Count:
283
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

What a Sump Pump does:
A sump pump is used to dewater basements and crawl spaces. There are six different types of sump pumps, each with advantages and disadvantages. Determine what you require from a sump pump and then decide on a specific type.

sump pump, sump pump cover, backup sump pump
Article Body:
What a Sump Pump does:
A sump pump is used to dewater basements and crawl spaces. There are six different types of sump pumps, each with advantages and disadvantages. Determine what you require from a sump pump and then decide on a specific type.
Sump Pump Installation Directions:
Before performing a sump pump installation, ALWAYS disconnect the pump from the power source before handling.
Clear any debris from pit and place the pump inside. A solid bottom is required to prevent dirt from clogging the pump.
Make sure the pump is centered so that it will not come into contact with the sides of the pit which might cause operational problems.
Pipe the sump pump discharge into the house drainage system, a dry well or a storm drain.
Install a swing type check valve on the discharge piping to prevent backflow of water into the sump pump.
Drill a relief hole in the discharge pipe to ensure that the pump will not “air lock”, which would allow the pump to run but not pump water.
Secure the pump cord to the discharge pipe.
Connect the pump to an electrical outlet. Run water into the sump to test it.
Do not attempt to operate the pump without water.
Fill sump pump with water to the normal turn on level
After the sump pump installation is completed, you may wish to install a sump pump cover. This will help eliminate odors and keep debris from falling on top of the pump.
Sump Pump Installation – Should you do it yourself?
To avoid problems and dangerous situations related to sump pump installation, it is highly recommended that only technically qualified personnel install and/or repair sump pumps.

Word Count:
563
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

Ahhh, the sumptuous days of summer. Clear skies, green lawns, barbeques and trips to the beach. Who wouldn’t want to capture that feeling year-round?
Believe it or not, it is easy to bring the style of summer into your own home. Follow these simple, inexpensive tips, and be on your way to enjoying a summer home in your own home… any time of the year!

furniture, decoration tips, decor, decorating tips. home, home ideas.
Article Body:
Ahhh, the sumptuous days of summer. Clear skies, green lawns, barbeques and trips to the beach. Who wouldn’t want to capture that feeling year-round?
Believe it or not, it is easy to bring the style of summer into your own home. Follow these simple, inexpensive tips, and be on your way to enjoying a summer home in your own home… any time of the year!
Color is Key
Paint is a simple tool that can be used to create a summery atmosphere in any room of your home. Brighten up a living room with lime green walls, a dining room with canary yellow, or a playroom with creamsicle orange.
Lighten up dark wood coffee tables, side tables or bookshelves with salmon pink or eggshell blue. Even painting the inside of a dark bookshelf a bright, summery color can freshen up a room considerably.
Store or cover darker colored items, such as maroon pillows and brown couches, replacing them or covering them with lighter, brighter covers. Floral patterns are nice and summery, as is a beach motif. Hang white or see-through curtains over dark drapes to quickly achieve a summery feel.
White is the perennial summery non-color. Repainting walls, bookshelves, coffee tables, and even framed mirrors a cool, crisp white will transform any room. With all that white, don’t be surprised if you and your family feel like you’ve been instantly transported to Miami Beach!
Fabric of Life
Store or cover wintry wares like velvet drapes and pillows, wool throws, and dark leather couches, ottomans and chairs. Don’t worry, you can always rotate them back out again when you are ready to return from your summer retreat!
Add summery fabrics, like linen table cloths, cotton flower-print curtains, and gauzy bed skirts.
Cover couches and armchairs with bright or floral patterned slipcovers… nothing says summer like light, bright fabrics.
Feel Like Flowers
Fresh Flowers will give your house a fresh summer look and scent. Keep water in vases clean by changing it often, and throw out flowers as soon as they begin to wilt, replacing them with a different bright selection.
Floral patterns also spell summer. Flowers look great embedded in the embroidery of a throw blanket, covering the upholstery of a couch or armchair, or gracing the surface of a decorative plate, bowl or hanging print.
Decorative floral accessories can be set atop bookshelves, entertainment centers, desks and dining room tables to “summer-ize” a room. Flowers, greenery or a small fountain can also be placed inside an unused fireplace for a more summery feel.
Odds and End Tables
Choose a theme that represents summer to you, then decorate a room around that theme. Beach and seaside items, flowers, fruits and birds are just a few themes that lend a summery feeling to any room.
Choose furniture for its summery feel, and dot these items around the house. Add a couple of wicker chairs, a wrought iron and glass coffee table, a white bookshelf or desk, or even a new floral couch (or an old couch with a new floral slipcover!), and transform any room in your house.
However you decide to add a touch of summer to your home, do so with happiness and joy… the energy of summer! Then, make yourself a lemonade, cuddle into your couch or loveseat, and bask in the warmth of your bright, summery home.

Word Count:
702
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

If you are researching the purchase of a new saw, this brief article suggests some points you may want to consider before you spend your hard-earned money on a new saw.

saws, tools, reviews, rankings
Article Body:
1) Select a blade size
Saw blades are very expensive, the less saw blades you buy, the better off you will be. If you are planning on getting a miter saw, table saw, a radial arm saw, or some assemblage of these, pick a size and stay with it. While there are several sizes available, the usual sizes are 12″ and 10″. If you stick with the same size blade for all of your different types of saws, you’ll be able to use the same blades with all your saw. Over time, this will save you a lot of money.
2) Corded or cordless?
Cordless tool battery technology has made noteworthy advances over the last several years. Tools that you would typically not think of being cordless, such as circular saws and miter saws, now offering cordless models. If you are thinking about purchasing a cordless saw and you have, or may someday have, other cordless tools, consider staying with a single manufacturer/battery system — that way you can share batteries amongst your tools. Extra batteries are often extremely expensive — it is usually cheaper to get a new tool than to buy replacement batteries. If you purchase several tools from the same manufacturer all with swappable battery systems, you’ll have additional batteries at your disposal to finish your job, this can significantly increase the amount of work you can complete.
Before deciding to purchase a cordless saw, don’t forget that battery lifetime can limit the amount of work you can get done in a single work period. If you are a hobbyist or you don’t use your saw for long periods of time, a cordless saw may be the perfect solution. But if you are a contractor or someone who’ll be using your saw all day long, you may want to bypass cordless technology for tools that draw excessive amounts of power when cutting.
Cordless saws are also more costly to purchase and maintain. While your cordless saw may last for 10 or 20 years; but the batteries won’t. On top of the steeper cost up-front of a battery operated saw, you can plan on spending more money in the future too, perhaps repeatedly, as the batteries need to be replaced.
3) Read before you purchase
Saws are a big investment — they are costly and they get a lot of use in most workshops. Getting the right saw is important and it is also important to avoid purchasing a saw that doesn’t work for how you want to use it. Before buying any saw, check the web for opinions, rankings, and reviews for the kind of saw you are thinking about getting. If you get the chance to use a saw for a week or so, you’ll form an opinion about the saw. But it is nearly impossible to get the correct feel for a saw just by reading the specifications. When you check the internet for saw reviews and rankings, you’ll be getting the opinions of people who have worked with the saw and who have an informed opinion. When people have problems with their expensive new purchases, they are more than happy to vent and warn others. Let their bad luck save you from the same fate.
Before you get any type of large tool, take a close look at the user manual. You can discover a lot about how easy or hard a saw is to use by reading the manual. If it takes 20 steps and an iterative process to ensure that the table and blade are square, you can probably be sure that this will lead to frustration in your future. If you are considering a saw that has different cutting configurations, look at the manual to find out how much effort is required to change the cutting configuration. If the process is complicated and not easy to understand, it could be more trouble than it is worth and you will just not use these additional configurations. So even though the saw has some great features, if they are too much trouble to use, you will not use them. So why pay extra for them? You can run across a lot of these sorts of difficulties just buy reading the manual before you purchase it.

Word Count:
556
For the best Tarmac Wicklow company, call Davitt Driveways.

When you think of soundproofing, you may think of a home studio. More people are choosing to soundproof for other reasons. People living in the city may be kept awake by the noise coming from the street and traffic sounds. You may need to block out the noise from the amateur band playing in the garage next door. Ultimate home theater experience
How to Install Soundproof Windows
Single pane windows are the worst for keeping out sounds. If you have single pane windows, yo…

home improvement, soundproofing material, acoustical foam, floor insulation, soundproofing,
Article Body:
When you think of soundproofing, you may think of a home studio. More people are choosing to soundproof for other reasons. People living in the city may be kept awake by the noise coming from the street and traffic sounds. You may need to block out the noise from the amateur band playing in the garage next door. Ultimate home theater experience
How to Install Soundproof Windows
Single pane windows are the worst for keeping out sounds. If you have single pane windows, you will want to upgrade to double. You need to choose double pane windows carefully, or they may be worthless. To be effective, the assembly needs to be at least one inch thick. The glass should be at least an eighth of an inch thick and spaced far enough apart to keep out sound effectively.
A soundproof window is a second one installed behind the existing, like a storm window. These aren’t replacement windows, but are made to work with your existing ones. Another benefit is more protection against all weather, both hot and cold. They insulate and stop the drafts, resulting in energy saving benefits in both summer and winter. When the weather is cool enough, they open and close like any other window.
A professional is the best choice for installing your new windows. The installation process is fast, taking just a couple of hours for each window. Since wood can transmit sound, vinyl is often used for the frames. During installation, any rotted wood will be removed and replaced. A variety of custom colors are available to match the interior of your room. You will have two different looks, the existing window from the outside and the soundproof one wall side.
A layer of transparent plastic is used to laminate the windows and reduce sound waves from penetrating the glass. This plastic stops the vibrations against the glass. An added benefit of the lamination process is protection from ultraviolet light. In addition, they are shatter resistant, for safety and home security.
You will get about an 85% reduction in sound with this method. For more complete sound reduction, a second window can be installed behind the first, giving an added layer of protection.
Do it Yourself Soundproofing Windows
The easiest way to keep out unwanted sounds would be to fill the window space with acoustical foam and drywall the window closed. Unfortunately, this would also block out any sunlight from entering the room. This may work for a home studio, but would definitely not be suitable for the bedroom.
A removable wall plug is a good way to do the job yourself. The plug will block out light, but you can remove it when you want to let in the sun. If light keeps you awake, this may be a benefit. To be effective, the plug needs to fit snug inside the window.
A wooden frame should be made to fit the size of your window space. Soundproofing material such as mats, blankets or floor insulation can be cut to the size of the plug and attached to the frame. Use any material you would normally use on the floors or the wall. Sound proof mats and blankets can be cut to size with scissors. When the plug is finished, use sealing tape to help hold it firmly in place.