NEW WINDOW TECH MEANS NO MORE NEED FOR CURTAINS?

Glass Dyenamics is a company that offers new smart glass technology that allows homeowners to adjust window tint with the push of a button. Known as dynamic glass technology, the “smart” glass uses an electric charge to tint and untint windows, eliminating the need for curtains and dramatically improving the amount of energy it takes to keep a house warm or cold throughout the year. With billions of dollars earmarked to cut greenhouse gas emissions, a new smart glass technology promises to help speed up the transition to make homes more energy efficient. In fact, according to a recent report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Berkeley Lab, adoption of dynamic windows in residential homes would avoid 78 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030. This is equivalent to 9.3 million homes’ energy use for an entire year in the United States. On top of this, individual homeowners would save up to 20 percent on their utility bills. Learn more about the new technology at https://glassdyenamics.com.

QUESTION: How do I fasten together cement boards to make window shutters out of Hardie Trimboard?

ANSWER: We do not recommend that you fabricate window shutters from Hardie Trimboard. We turned directly to the experts at James Hardie Co. to field this question, and here is their response: “Unfortunately, we do not recommend our trim products be used to make shutters. It is not structural and there is no reliable way to attach Hardie to Hardie.”

As an alternative, try building shutters from Western Red Cedar because the boards tend to remain straight over time, and the wood’s natural oils protect it from insect infestation and rot.

QUESTION: How do I remove scratches from a stainless-steel appliance?

ANSWER: You should be able to remove light scratches with a non-abrasive, stainless-steel scratch-remover compound, which can smooth out the surface to remove minor damage. This product is sold under brand names such as Rolite Metal Polish Paste and 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound. Use microfiber cloths to apply and remove the compound. Deeper scratches can usually be removed with an abrasive pad and a small amount of cooking oil. You’ll need a scouring pad or scrubbing sponge, plus some cooking oil (olive oil works), but this only works with uncoated stainless steel—not if it’s coated by a protective coating. It’s also important to understand that, similar to wood, stainless steel has a directional grain as indicated by the very fine lines seen throughout the metal surface. Always work the abrasive pad in the same direction as the grain to remove scratches, because abrading the surface across the grain will only create further scratches. Sandpaper can effectively remove deep scratches, but you should only use fine-grit abrasive (around 400 is sufficient) that has been soaked in water.

Need more info? Visit Matt’s blog at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com.