I love to use architectural pieces in decorating and kitchen walls are no exception! While it’s true some antique pieces are quite pricey you can still find pieces that might not be too old but still have a nice chippy paint look for less than a fine antique. Try hanging out at dump or driving around on trash day! Depending on your kitchen decorating scheme, you might want to add some iron grates, wooden columns or fancy metal architectural pieces to your walls. Just hang them up like pictures and they make a unique and unusual display. Some old heating grates in fancy designs or those architectural stars that hang on old buildings might be nice for a country look. You can use wooden pieces from old houses, porch railings or even columns (you can cut them in half lengthwise and make them look like they are holding up wall!

Probably least expensive kitchen wall decorating idea is faux painting. This does take some skill but you can usually get free lessons down at your local paint store or Home Depot. It’s a good idea to practice on large pieces of cardboard before you take your brush to walls. You can even tack cardboard up on wall and use it to decide if that’s what you really want for walls before you go to all trouble of painting.

Much of installation process for a replacement frame is same as retrofit frame. But, there are a few differences. When you put new window into opening using a replacement frame, you don't have flush fin holding frame in place. You and your helper have to hold frame in place while you put a screw in top center to support frame. Then, you can do your adjusting for a square condition. All of procedures on inside will be exactly same, from hole plugs, to insulation, to trim and caulk. The outside is different. You have to apply trim that was part of retrofit frame. Again, i prefer flat trim. Once again, you apply a bead of caulk to old frame,then measure and cut top and bottom trim pieces. Apply adhesive part of trim to vinyl frame, and let other part contact bead of caulk. Trim all four sides, then caulk again where trim meets exterior material.

As you can see, it really doesn't matter if exterior of your home is brick, stone, siding, or stucco. You can install vinyl windows without having to damage surrounding structure. We have step by step instructional videos for sale on website at how-to-install-windows.com. Next week we are going to start discussing sliding glass door replacement.

John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978. To learn more, visit http://www.how-to-install-windows.com