You know they say that you only have about 10 seconds to make a great first impression. Well that goes for your house too. Your front door is the first thing most people notice when looking at your house. And if you are looking to sell your home – that door has got to look good. A well maintained good looking door tells people that you take care of maintenance on the whole house. We just put in door displays in the yards. And have had lots of interest. One of the nicest doors is one that has a “light” in it. A “light” is the glass insert that is in the door. Even a small fan light at the top of the door can add so much interest, and added light to the inside of the house, and they don’t cost a lot. Or you can put in a door that has a full light, and side lights also. If you are going to have a door installed, always get the lumber yard or home center to come out and measure for the door. They have experience in that and know exactly what to measure. If your front door is fine and doesn’t need replacing but you would like a light filled door way- put in a storm door, or they call them security doors. They are not just aluminum doors anymore. They come in colors that go with your home. They have beautiful door hardware and some have leaded glass insets. Now if your door is good, but your hardware is lacking – put in a new handset. Satin steel is one of my favorites. And while you are replacing the handset, replace the outside lighting around the door. Design House is a line that we carry that is available in most hardware stores, and you can get a handset and a light that are the same color. Sometimes an oil rubbed bronze by one manufacturer is not the same as another. So when you buy from Design House, you get the same finish all the way through from the handset, to the lighting to the faucet inside the house. Design House is great for those who are building a new home, or making there existing home like new! So go outside and look at your home with fresh eyes, and if the front door looks tired- check out a new front door!

Now to the mailbag…..

Question: Johnnie can you recommend a product to clean our old wood paneling in our den? The wood is about 35 years old. I would like to paint it but my wife would like to just clean the wood to give it a nice shine.
Answer: Nothing cleans and beautifies wood better than a product called “Feed and Wax”. It will bring the patina back to the wood. Whether that is paneling, or cabinets or your front door.(that product is called “SunWax”) You just act like you are dusting the paneling with the Feed and Wax. Your neighbors will think that you have refinished the paneling.

Question: I have been reading your column in the Greater Houston Weekly and I thought you could help me with my problem. I have brick floors, they are dull and the mortar seems a light porous. I would like to use a sealer that world be lasting and make the floor smoother – perhaps 2 or 3 coats, and give a soft sheen. I prefer not to use a wax due to the polishing and rewaxing that would be required.
Answer: I have the perfect products its called Patio and Stone Sealer by McCloskey. Not only is this finish a tough finish it will bring out the color of the brick. This product gets around 200 to 300 ft per gal. And 2 coats is all you need.

Question: A few weeks ago you had an article about a product for exterior window washing. If I remember correctly it is sprayed on, rinsed off and no need for rubbing or using a squeegee. What was that product?
Answer: That product is called Rinz EZ. And you are perfectly correct on how to use it. And with all the rain and the cooler temperatures it is a good time to use it. That is the only exception to using Rinz EZ, it has to be cool- so use it in the early morning.

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KTSA (5500 AM) from 9-11 or call 828-8907. Reach him on the web at www.AcmeLumber.com.