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| Windows by HomeRite |
With the temperatures cooling,
one of the nice things about this time of year is being able to open the
windows and feel a nice breeze wafting through the house. However, sometimes
when you want to open the windows, it’s difficult. Likewise, when you want to
close the windows to keep the rain or the wind out, they might stick a little
bit. As a rule, windows should open and close easily.
One of the keys to having an
energy efficient home is to have windows and doors that seal the house
properly. This enables homeowners to keep cold air out in the winter and hot
air out in the summer. Fall is a great time of the year to check your windows
and doors to make sure they’re functioning properly. If you’ve been thinking at
all about getting replacement windows or a new door for your entryway, this is
a very good time of year to look into that as well.
Here are some of the things to
look for when inspecting your windows and doors:
Check window sills and tracks for
dirt and other debris. Open the windows and clean out the area with a soft brush or a
damp rag. Debris can keep the window from closing all the way. This can create
a gap that will allow cold air to come in. If you have sliding patio doors or
windows that slide horizontally, clean out those tracks as well. A small twig
or pebble can keep them from closing all the way. Your windows and doors will
slide more easily after removing any debris.
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| Windows by HomeRite |
Check the weather stripping
around doors. If it has come loose in places, re-attach it. Replace any pieces
that are ripped or torn. Also, weather stripping can flatten out over time. If
that happens, it will not properly close gaps where cold air can come in. In
that case, the old weather stripping may need to be replaced. The gaps around
doors should be even all the way around. If they are not even, it could be
difficult to seal them to eliminate any drafts.
Open and close the locking
mechanisms on the windows and make adjustments if they seem loose or they don’t
operate smoothly. In addition to keeping potential intruders out, locks also seal
the windows and save you money on heating and cooling costs. A proper seal
helps to keep out cold air, rain, wind, and even insects. Most new windows have
locks that can be adjusted. Some older windows can’t be adjusted at all.
If your windows have any weep
holes and breather holes, take a look at them and clean them if necessary. Weep
holes allow excess moisture to escape. Breather holes allow an air exchange
within certain window components.
Check sealants and caulking on
and around windows, inside and out. After years of expanding and
contracting, caulk and sealants can become brittle or even develop cracks which
allow cold air to enter the home. If you’ve had your windows long enough for
this to happen, it may be time to look into getting replacements.
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| Windows by HomeRite |
If you live near the beach, rinse
and wipe the exterior metal components of windows and doors. This will
minimize corrosion from salt in the air. If you live near the beach, you might
want to do this task quarterly.
Unfortunately, some windows can’t
be repaired sufficiently to seal them against the winter weather. Some windows
are just too outdated and worn to be fixed. They simply will not keep the cold
air out. For example, aluminum windows with a single pane of glass were very popular
in Jacksonville in the last century. There are still lots of homes in
Jacksonville with that style of window. When those old windows get loose in the
frames, there’s no way to get a proper seal to keep the cold air out. When
those windows go bad, they act more like vents than windows. They may slow the
flow of cold air down, but they can’t stop it. The only way to get a good seal
again is to replace them.
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| An old aluminum window. |
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “If
your home has very old and/or inefficient windows, it might be more
cost-effective to replace them than to try to improve their energy efficiency.
New, energy-efficient windows eventually pay for themselves through lower
heating and cooling costs, and sometimes even lighting costs. When properly
selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can help minimize your
heating, cooling, and lighting costs. Improving window performance in your home
involves design, selection, and installation.”
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| Replacement window by HomeRite |
The windows that are now being
sold are much more energy efficient than windows that were available twenty or
more years ago. Many windows currently on the market have two or even three panes
of glass. The air between the panes provides a layer of insulation. Windows
with insulating foam in the frames and Argon gas are also available now. These
provide superior energy-efficiency. The great thing about replacement windows
is that they start paying for themselves as soon as they are installed, in the
form of energy savings.
Vinyl Single Hung Windows
Vinyl Single hung windows operate
vertically. The sash weight is offset by a counterbalancing mechanism mounted
in the window. The vinyl single hung window features a stationary top and a
movable bottom half. One or more locking devices are furnished to secure the
sash in the closed position. Vinyl windows are available with double panes or
triple panes for added energy efficiency.
Vinyl Double Hung Windows
Vinyl double hung windows have an
upper (outside) sash that slides down, and a lower (inside) sash that slides
up. Both the upper and lower halves can be slid up and down. Vinyl double
hung windows are among the most popular on the market. HomeRite’s double hung
windows normally have a counter balance mechanism to hold the sash in place.
For more information about
HomeRite’s energy efficient line of windows and doors, call 296-2515 or visit
their showroom at 4801 Executive Park Court, Building 200, Suite 207,
Jacksonville; FL 32216.
In this article, I’ve outlined
several things homeowners can check in regard to their windows and doors to
make sure they seal properly. Windows and doors that don’t seal properly allow
air to come in – cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer. This reduces
the energy efficiency of a home.
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HomeRite is a window and door
dealer that specializes in energy efficient, quality windows with warranties
and service to match. The company has been in business since 1979. HomeRite has
partnered with a manufacturer that has been producing high quality products and
providing excellent customer service for over 60 years. Windows and
doors from HomeRite are some of the highest quality, most thermally efficient
windows and doors on the market.
HomeRite products add substantial
value to their clients’ properties. HomeRite is a member of the United States
Green Building Council, a non-profit organization comprised of leaders across
the industry working to advance environmentally responsible buildings.
Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in
Jacksonville, Florida. He and Richard Walden have
been serving the building products industry in Florida for
over 25 years. They strive to match homeowners with the right
windows and doors for their homes and budgets. They make the home
improvement process pleasant with first-rate, energy-efficient products,
affordable pricing, and award-wining installers who
employ the best practices and who always treat customers and
their property with the utmost respect.
