I'm planning a home addition but would like peruse building material sources beyond what's available in consumer hardware stores. What sources do architects and contractors use for non-standard windows and other items? Is there a McMaster-Carr-equivalent for building materials? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Jan 30, 2009 - 4 answers

What is the best (most cost effective way) to insulate my apartment windows? [more inside]
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker on Jul 7, 2008 - 9 answers

What do I need to know about replacing my windows? [more inside]
posted by amanda on Jun 15, 2008 - 13 answers

How can we get these wooden blinds to fit in our windows? [more inside]
posted by JPigford on Nov 27, 2007 - 5 answers

The new Mac's on its way, the time has come to purchase a copy of Windows to run under virtualization on it. The question is, which version? And how to customize by size for my needs? [more inside]
posted by namespan on Oct 6, 2007 - 10 answers

I want to change the group policy on windows xp home. It is easy to do on Windows xp professional, but I have a computer that is running windows xp home. The windows firewall is greyed out and will not let me reactivate. When I try it tells me that the firewall is being controlled by group policy. Where can I find group policy on xp home?? I'm running sp2. Is this a known issue with SP2?? thanks.
posted by tesseract420 on May 31, 2006 - 10 answers

How do i open the top of really tall windows? [more inside]
posted by jeffe on May 15, 2006 - 10 answers

What are my options for installing a home security system? [more inside]
posted by DCTapeworm on Oct 31, 2005 - 10 answers

Windows XP Home Networking Problem [more inside]
posted by emptybowl on Mar 8, 2005 - 5 answers

The windows in my flat do a lousy job of keeping heat in and cold out. Is there a way to improve the insulating properties of window glass without installing double glazing? Ideally it would be something I could install myself (and if necessary remove when I move out of my rented flat.) Googling turned up various window films, both do-it-yourself and have-somebody-do-it-for-you. Any experience with these or similar products? Any other suggestions?
posted by yankeefog on Feb 21, 2005 - 12 answers

I live in a sorta gritty urban area in a ground-floor apartment that has semi-burglar-accessible windows that have no bars or gates. (The landlord is a cheap slum-owning pig, no help.) What should I install myself for serious home security that'll still let me enjoy a nice breeze and also peace of mind and body? Alarms? Internal bars? Any fave products? Money is almost no object, but I'd really rather not have to use a hammer drill on the exterior brick. (Question anonymous for ParanoiaFilter because my name is in my profile and also in the phone book with my address, and I'm a terribly sensible gal.)
posted by anonymous on Jan 21, 2005 - 13 answers