Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Carol asks “When the temp gets around 35 or below, the windows sweat really bad. It freezes around the frame and I have to scrape it off. Our home is 11 years old but the windows have done this since it was new. My husband says it is the gas fireplace that we use that does it. Would a dehumidifier help?”

While this covered courtyard featured a beautiful brick fountain, it was hard to keep clean and received little use during the hot summer months along the Gulf Coast. To remedy these problems, the homeowners decided to enclose it by adding a fireplace flanked by glass doors.

While skylights are a great way to bring more natural light into your home, they can be hard to install, result in unwanted heat buildup, and are prone to leaking. ODL Tubular Skylights solve these problems by using a small diameter round lens on the roof to gather sunlight and shine it down a reflective metal tube to an diffuser mounted on the ceiling.

Kristen asks, “My house is 35 years old and the double pane windows are original. A few of them have begun to lose their seal and are taking on an almost opaque look. I’ve heard that I can have a professional put air in and reseal these windows? Any credence to that? Thank you.”

Janette asks, “Our large front windows face west. Is there any new window product that will make the rooms shady and keep out the heat in summer?” Windows have come a long way in recent years and are now able to deflect much of the sunlight in the summer while at the same time retaining the heat inside your home during the winter. One of the biggest advancements has been in low-E coatings.

Windows and doors are an important part of any addition. With Today’s Addition, it was important to match the existing vinyl windows on the outside and the new trim and warm-stained wood recently added in the inside of the addition. Energy efficient Jeld-Wen Premium Clad Wood Windows provided the solution. These windows featured a low maintenance aluminum exterior and clear pine wood on the interior.

Linda asks, “We are remodeling our utility room and would like to use a pocket door, because of space. Is this something that we as homeowners should be able to do, or do we need to hire a professional. We’ve done a lot of remodeling ourselves but nothing like this.”

Entry doors take a lot of abuse from the elements. If yours is looking a bit shabby, perhaps it’s time to dress it up by refinishing and replacing the hardware. These simple steps will turn an eyesore into the envy of the neighborhood.

Sliding closet doors are a common feature in some older homes. They are not always the best choice, however, since they limit access to only half the closet at a time and have a tendency to come off the track at the most inopportune moment. Replacing them with easy to open bifold doors allows full access to the closet space.

Our Today’s Addition master bedroom project moved one step closer to completion with the installation of the windows and doors. The addition has four large casement windows that crank out to allow plenty of morning light and fresh air into the room while a smaller octagonal window over the breakfast bar provides a design focal point. Double glass doors opening onto the deck will allow the homeowners to step outside and greet the new day.