Steps for a Safe Halloween around the Home

With lots of people roaming the streets for Halloween, if you are staying in and are handing out candy make sure the area around your home is safe.

Everyone have a Safe and Happy Halloween

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

An Amazing Week of Events - 10/10/14

This weekend will be one of the more full weekends of events that include Huntsville Real Estate, historical stories, and wonderful jewelry. There hasn't been a weekend like this in quite a while.  There are three major events going on this weekend:

Parade of Homes
The Parade of Homes covers this weekend and next weekend. This is when all the new construction have their models and pre-built homes ready for the public to walk through. It is also a time when most real estate agents have their homes have open houses as well for the public to come through. It is Fridays and Saturdays, October 11/12 & 18/19.


The Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll
A timeless Huntsville tradition to celebrate its history. The Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll takes place at historical Maple Hill Cemetery in downtown Huntsville. Local celebrities and members of the local populace will be dressed up in period clothing representing their characters. Each character having a strong impact on not only Huntsville, but sometimes the nation. Donations go exclusively to restore Maple Hill Cemetery.


Jewelry, Gem, & Mineral Show
This years (the 46th) show has been moved from its usual location at the VBC to the Jaycees building on Airport Road.  There is free parking, and the organizers ask for a $3 donation. This is always a great time every year. It runs Friday through Sunday.

There is a great amount to do this weekend and plenty to see. Everyone have fun.



Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Let's Talk About Windows

Picture taken by The Carol Jacobs Team

We here at Huntsville Metro Area Homes often have to look into window replacements.  Windows are a base object of any home. They can be found on walls, in ceilings as skylights, on doors as decoration, or even make up their own room for a sun room. Often one of the first things you'll see in a home remodel job in the remarks is that "windows have been updated" or "windows put in at this date - ". Much like anything else, windows have a limited shelf life. Depending on how well they have been maintained by the owner.

But once we move on from, "Let's get new windows" to "Which windows do we want" the choices can start to go in different directions. Now in terms of construction material, windows can be made of wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, or a composite of several of these. Getting the right material will depend on where you live as in some places wood windows in a wet, humid area can lead to quick cases of wood rot. Or having aluminum windows in a very cold climate can sting you with large amount of heat loss.  Vinyl & composite windows are not the be all and end all of windows, but research must be done to find out what windows are the best for your location.

Now the types of windows...most homes of older age are single hung windows. That is they are pulled up from the bottom. This is what everyone remembers seeing at one point in their life. But there are so many more to consider.

Double hung windows have the ability to not only pull up the bottom part of the window, but also pull down the top part of the windows all depending on the wishes of the owner.

Picture windows we often see in magazines looking out over mountain ranges or at the beach front. The uninterrupted view that they provide can give a home an elegant focal point which moving through different rooms of a home. These windows are non-operating, meaning they do not open. They are used to let in the maximum amount of light possible and can be fitted to go from ceiling to floor. A perfect example of these are skyscrapers in which office windows that cover ceiling to floor.

Transom windows lie on the tops of doors and windows and more often than not are used as a design piece. They let in more light where there would usually be wall and in most if not almost all cases these are non-operational.

Now combining the previous window types and you have a Bay window. Bay windows can have picture, single, double, and transom windows. Many homes have this type of architectural feature which does make it stand out. It provides an increase in light and physically makes the room larger.

This picture is a beautiful visualization of a Bay window, Transom, Picture, and Double Hung windows from Factory Direct Remodeling of Atlanta.

Awning windows are windows that are hinged at the top and opened outwards. This type of window strongly appears in both European homes and basement windows alongside sliding windows.

Sliding windows as stated earlier are found easily in basement windows. More similar to the single and double hung windows, these windows operate horizontally allowing the window to slide on a track to open and close. It is easier to relate to a sliding glass door.

Casement windows. Casement windows are not often seen in this area, but more likely in mountainous or beach settings. They are windows that are hinged either on the left or right and open outwards.

An example of Transom windows and closed Casement windows from Loewen

Miscellaneous windows are those that can technically fit any of the categories above but are not identifiable on every house. These can be specialty windows such as circular, lead beveled (colored stained glass or colorless glass), circular inlay transom, or large irregular picture windows. Most of the time pieces that fall into the miscellaneous category are those which are custom made.

Today's Tidbit: Always make sure the window looks like it will go with the house. Windows that don't go with the house will make the house be known as the odd one on the block. For more information on windows, please seek out your local window professional. They'll have all the answers you'll need.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

UAH Ranking on US News and World Report

The University of Alabama in Huntsville made the US News and World Report rankings of best universities in the nation. UAH came in at #181. UAH has many areas to be pleased about concerning this report.

7th Best Online Bachelor's Programs
21st Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs
53rd Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs
6th Best Online Graduate Nursing Program

63rd Best College for Veterans
99th Best University for Nursing
111th Best University for Physics

To read more information and statistics please click the link above to go to the US News and World Report rankings.  Other major Alabama universities: Alabama, Auburn, University of Alabama in Birmingham. Other statewide universities such as University of North Alabama, Troy, Tuskegee, and Samford were put into the Regional Universities category.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Huntsville's $383 Million in updating roads

We have not seen this on local news yet and thought we would pass it along. This was just released by the City of Huntsville today 9/3/14: Updates, upgrades, and expansions of Huntsville area roads. Please click the links below from the City of Huntsville to read both the article and the PDF document of projects.

Press Release from City of Huntsville

For a list of current roadway projects in PDF format.


Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Pool Information To Help You In Your Selection

Recently we have seen more and more salt water pools being installed by owners. So the question has to be asked which would be a better choice for you if you are looking into purchasing one. Many choices concerning pools tend to be personal preferences whether they be financial, convenience, or taste.

Regular pools need to maintain a certain level of chlorine which is added based on a pH value. The chlorine has to be purchased every month, and the chlorine can be an irritant to the eyes, skin, and hair to those that are sensitive. The initial set up for these pools are less expensive than their salt water counterparts, but still do need monthly pool cleanings and filter inspections. An ionic purifier can help with the pool sanitation by releasing small amounts of copper and silver to stop the growth of algae and bacteria.

Salt water pools use less chlorine by way of a chlorine generator that takes salt and through electrolysis forms chlorine.  By this process there is no harsh chlorine smell, is better for people with sensitive skin or chlorine allergies. As always there is maintenance. The chlorine generator must be maintained at the right levels specifically inside the control box, and salt is usually purchased once or twice a year. Salt water pools can cause corrosion of materials such as stone and other pool surfaces, pool lighting and other equipment. It can also leave calcium deposits. A maintenance and cleaning around the pool can cut down on this type of corrosion. Also pool cleaning for salt water pools is usually every three months. Now as with regular pools, there can be an irritant. In the case of salt water pools it is irritant to the eyes for those sensitive.  Just for quick information, usually salt water pools have between 3,000 to 5,000 parts per million while ocean salinity has 40,000 parts per million. The costs of salt water pools other than the initial set up can depend on your area of the country, utility costs, etc.  But there is an increase in the electric bill and it all depends on the filter motor & generator, pool size, generator size and local utility rates.

Remember as with location and company, costs and rates from anything from initial set up, chlorine/salt purchases, to equipment purchases, utility rates will all vary.  So do some shopping around and ask others who have pools. See how they like it and who they used. Reviews and personal interactions will always help you to make an informed decision.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Huntsville Restaurant Week & News

Just a heads up to everyone that Huntsville Restaurant Week starts this Friday 8/15/14 and runs through 8/24/14. Amanda Conger at Our Valley Events and the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau have both done a wonderful job of putting out information on the what's, who's, where's and how much. Our team looks forward to experience all the dishes that these restaurants will be showcasing to the city.

A few of the Huntsville Restaurant Week Participants

Also coming across the news, specifically WHNT. It looks like there are plans in the works for Stone Middle School to be converted. Part Straight to Ale brewery, part Yellowhammer brewery, part ampitheater, and even Bandito Burrito seems to be interested in taking part. Currently Bandito Burrito has a small location across the road and this certainly would allow them an upgrade in space inside but also parking.

Site Plan by Matheny Goldmon Architecture & Interiors

Huntsville Metro Area Homes