Learn about New Windows or Replacement Windows and Doors for Today's Homes: vinyl windows

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Vinyl or Aluminum Windows?

By Gates Dearen

There are many choices when it comes time to upgrade the windows on your home. Everything from single and double hung windows that are a breeze to swap out for your existing windows, to casements and specialty windows that can transform an ordinary room into a visual masterpiece with spectacular views are available nowadays. However, when it comes to selecting the material from which your windows are constructed, there are really only two choices to make: Vinyl or aluminum. Since both materials have pros and cons, I thought I’d devote this blog to helping you decide which is best for your home.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

By Gates Dearen

What homeowner wouldn’t want his or her house to look its best?

While the term “curb appeal” is generally related to the real estate industry, the concept is a good one to think about even if you aren’t selling (or buying) a home. If it’s been a while since you took a good, objective look at the exterior of your home, now is a great time to assess your home’s appearance, especially in terms of cleanliness, maintenance, and design. We’ll discuss all of these aspects, including paying special attention to your windows and doors. Going through these simple steps can help you determine if it’s time to replace any of your windows and doors; there comes a point when they can’t be fixed, or are otherwise outdated and/or inefficient, and need to be replaced. It can be hard sometimes to look at your house objectively, after all, you see it every day, so taking a picture and examining it in detail will help you spot problems you may miss with the naked eye.

Cleanliness

When you look at your home from the street, or from a distance (if your home isn’t visible from the street), what’s your overall impression? Do your windows sparkle? Are your window frames and doorframes clean and intact? Is your entryway free of clutter and debris? The first step to improving the appearance of your home is to wipe off the windows and doors, including the surrounding areas, and sweep the entry area and walkways. Next take a good look at the windows and doors themselves. If you have older windows and doors, keeping them clean can be a greater challenge. While the newer types of frames require only a quick rinse with a hose, and maybe a gentle wipe-down, older frames – especially wooden ones – tend to attract dirt and are more difficult to keep clean. If the frames are chipped or exceedingly dirty, you might also need to apply a new coat of paint. Never use a pressure washer on or around windows; it’s unnecessary and could break the windows.

Maintenance

Silicone caulk can be used as a basic sealant ...

Once you’ve cleaned and tidied up your home’s exterior, it’s time to do a maintenance check. (For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see our previous article, “Window Maintenance 101: 3 Ways to Keep Your Windows Looking and Functioning Their Best”.) If you have a painted entry door, make sure that the paint doesn’t show signs of weathering. Repainting is a quick task that can add a high-quality look to your door and really freshen things up. Don’t be shy about changing colors; a bright or contrasting color can make your door “pop”. Next, check the weather stripping and caulk around your entry door and all of your windows to make sure they are in good repair. If the weather stripping is damaged, you should replace it or have it replaced by a professional. If you have gaps in the caulk between the wall and the window casing, or around the doorframe, you can fill them yourself. Remember to apply caulk sparingly with a steady hand. (If you aren’t experienced at applying caulk, practice on a piece of newspaper before working around your frames. The small amount of caulk you’ll use to do this is worth not having to remove it from your frames if you get off-track.)

Remember too that maintenance isn’t just about appearance. Are your windows and doors keeping the hot air out and cold air in, and vice versa? If not, no amount of maintenance is going to help. It’s time to replace your windows and/or doors. (For more information on this topic, read our earlier article, “How Do You Check for a Leaky House?”)

Design

The style of your windows and doors is limited only by your imagination. A new entry door with an etched glass or stained-glass panel lets you express yourself while also providing improved security. In addition to the many styles of doors available, add to your unique look with shiny new hardware. Locksets come in many styles and finishes, so they can help you put the perfect finishing touch on your door. Windows, too, come in many styles, including custom types for special needs – or for a special look. Do you have an odd-shaped space in your home that could use more light, or an angled wall that could benefit from a replacement window, perhaps in a new design? Consider a custom window. You’ll find yourself using that wasted space more than ever before! If it’s been awhile since you updated your windows, you may be surprised at not only the number of choices when it comes to design, but also the many recent technologies that greatly improve functionality and energy efficiency. From argon gas between panes to low-emissivity coatings that increase efficiency to better locks that offer ease of use, new windows will not just improve the look of your home. They will enhance your quality of life.

Keeping your home looking its best is easy; it just takes a little bit of time and effort. If you follow the above steps, your home will be the envy of the neighborhood. You’ll reap the rewards of an attractive home and, if you update your windows and doors, better energy efficiency and improved security.

In this article we’ve given three steps to making your home look its best. We discussed the importance of keeping your house, especially your windows and doors, clean and in good repair, and talked about ways you can add distinctive style to your house, improving its curb appeal.

If you would like to receive an official factory authorized 30% discount coupon for your next window replacement purchase, print out this article with the coupon on it and bring it with you when visiting HomeRite.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Gates Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. We know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Our approach is a little different. We strive to match the homeowner with the right windows for their home and budget. Home improvements can be a hassle. We’re here to make life easier with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; strong warranties and expert, award-winning installers that provide excellent service while respecting your home as if it were their own.

New Windows: An Investment That Pays Off for the Life of Your Home

By Gates Dearen

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Are you looking for a way to save money and update and improve your home’s appearance? New vinyl windows could be the answer. Vinyl frames are better than wood and metal in many ways: They won’t pit, chip, rot, flake, or crack; they don’t require constant scraping and painting; they are more energy-efficient, keeping cold and heat out (or, alternately, in); and they are, in many people’s opinion, more attractive. Just an occasional washing keeps them looking like new.

Updating

Updating your windows can add peace of mind through improved safety features, especially if you live in an older home. As Richard and Michelle Barnett explain in the video linked below, they were concerned about thin glass and lead paint on the single-pane windows and aluminum frames in their 1940s-built home and very poor sound proofing from outside noises. When they updated their home with vinyl windows, those fears disappeared. They no longer had to worry about paint chips or shattered glass once they had vinyl frames and double-pane windows installed. Here’s a link to the video where they tell their story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-J_ojVGsbE

Energy Savings

Of course, the Barnetts are also thrilled by the increased energy efficiency their new windows provide. Not only have they saved money in energy costs on every electrical bill since having their windows installed, but they are able to enjoy their home much more now that it cools down so quickly in the evenings when they come home from work – less than a half-hour to reach ideal temperature compared to nearly four hours before. Richard says that with their old windows, they could “feel any change in wind, any change in temperature.” Of course, if you can feel the wind through your windows, you know you’re losing valuable cooling, or heating energy. But with new windows, the outdoors stays outdoors. And that doesn’t apply only to the weather, but also to noise, in fact the Barnetts mention in the video that they used to be able to hear dogs barking from three blocks away! While it’s easy to measure energy savings from one month to the next, quality of life gains are no so easily quantified, but they are certainly significant.

You might be wondering how windows can save you money. The short answer is that technology has improved glass coating and glazing techniques and materials. The slightly longer answer that follows will explain how that helps cut your cooling and heating costs. Low-e, or Low-emissivity, refers to glass panels’ ability to reflect light. Low-emissivity windows cause heat to be reflected off, rather than allowing it to collect and “seep through” (be emitted) into the home. The Low-e coating keeps the heat from being absorbed and emitted, instead reflecting it away from the glass. This technology is related to the insulation used in spacecraft to keep heat from accumulating on both reflective surfaces, inside and outside, but actually the application of the technology is more complicated in windows because glass has such a high level of emissivity, thus posing the challenge of maintaining Low-e while letting in light. Manufacturers of high-quality windows apply coatings to reflect radiant energy, which helps to keep heat on the same side of the glass it’s coming from – outside in summer, inside in winter – while allowing light to pass through. This improves thermal efficiency (insulating properties) because radiant heat stays where it belongs, outside or inside depending on the season and the weather.

Ease of Maintenance

If you’ve ever spent time scraping and repainting wood or metal windows frames, you know it’s no fun. To be kept looking nice, the older types of windows need this kind of maintenance every few years, and the in-between cleaning is no picnic either! Dirt seems to cling to painted wood frames in particular. Grimy windows and frames give your home an overall dingy appearance. Vinyl window frames need almost no maintenance. They truly could not be easier to care for. A quick rinse or wipe every once in a while, and they look as good as new, keeping your home’s exterior looking its best.

The benefits don’t stop there; your new windows will cut down on the UV rays coming into your home, which can extend the life of your carpeting and furniture too. You could also add light – and maybe, as the Barnetts did, space – through good planning, placement, and installation of your new windows. Improved appearance, lower energy bills, better quality of life, and a more attractive home – that’s what we call a good return on investment!

In this article, we discussed the ways that investing in vinyl replacement windows can pay off for many years. Some of the benefits we mentioned are improved appearance, better energy efficiency, better quality of life, and a more attractive home.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. They know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Their approach is a somewhat different than others. They strive to match the homeowner with the right windows and doors for their home and budget. They know that home improvements projects can be a hassle. They strive to make the process as pleasant as possible with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; and expert, award-winning installers that employ the best practices and who respect your home as if it were their own.

Six Tips for Choosing Vinyl Windows

By Gates Dearen

Congratulations! You’ve made the wise decision to purchase vinyl windows. Vinyl frames are superior to wood and metal in many ways: They won’t pit, chip, rot, flake, or crack; they don’t require constant painting; they are more energy-efficient, keeping cold and heat out (or, alternately, in); and they are attractive. Just an occasional washing keeps them looking like new. But with so many options out there, how do you know what to look for?

Prepare

If you plan to install your own windows, keep in mind that it can be tricky. Unless you are experienced in installation, you will likely find that it’s a rather unwieldy task. With large windows in particular, the risk of dropping and breaking a window is substantial. If you leave it to the experts, not only will they get the job finished much more quickly and efficiently, but if a window is broken in the process, they will replace it at no cost to you. Whether you choose to install your own windows or leave it to the experts, here are some tips that can make it as “pane-less” as possible.

· Measure – twice. Determine your window needs based on the size and location of the windows. For example, let’s say that most of the windows in your house face west. Since the sun comes in from that direction most of the day, the windows on that side need to be especially efficient to keep the house from getting too hot in the summer.

Budget (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Budget

After you know the sizes of the windows you need to purchase, decide what your total budget is for the project. In addition to the variety of window sizes, there are also many other options. Generally the higher priced windows are going to be more energy efficient. Keep in mind that this is an investment that will pay off in energy savings and peace of mind. If you’re on a tight budget, you might consider

replacing only some of your windows now and some later, making it possible to buy higher-quality windows, rather than buying cheaper windows for your entire home all at once.

Shop and Compare

Look for this logo when considering your
new roofing materials (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once you’ve established your budget, and you know the sizes of the windows you need, it’s time to find the right windows. Now you want to compare energy ratings, wind and rain resistance, warranties, and window features. The ratings can be hard to understand. Do your homework and make sure you understand the differences before you shop. Get a sense of what the ratings mean and why they are important.

· Energy efficiency: The Energy Star label is one indicator. Also compare the U-value of the windows. The lower the U-value, the more energy efficient the window. A U-value of 0.35 or below is typically considered a good level. Also look at the R-factor of each window option, which indicates how insulated it is. More insulation translates into more energy efficiency for your home. Look for a high R-factor; the higher the number, the more energy efficient the window. For best insulation, choose multi-paned windows with argon gas between the panes, and with an E-coating. These features ensure maximum weather protection and comfort. In Florida and other southern states, it’s also important to look at the solar coefficient, a measure of how well the window keeps out heat while letting in light.

Our glass warranty.

· Wind and rain resistance: If you live in an area that is prone to high winds and/or damaging rain, you’ll want to be sure that your windows are made for such a climate. It’s important to investigate the quality of not just the glass but also the frames of any windows you’re considering

· Warranties: Compare both manufacturer and seller warranties. Up-front savings won’t save you much if the product doesn’t have a repair or replacement warranty. Read the warranty carefully so you won’t have any surprises in the event that you need replacement or repair of your windows. In addition, it’s a good idea to read customer reviews and testimonials. Find a company with satisfied customers.

Our windows have a Lifetime Warranty

· Window features: The features you choose are largely a matter of personal taste, unless you have children, in which case safety is also important. Work with a professional to decide which features will increase your comfort and your windows’ function and durability. Single-hung windows open from the bottom only. Double-hung windows can open from the top or the bottom. Again, it’s all about preference. If you want to transform a simple opening into a stunning room accent, you can choose from a variety of custom shapes for your windows.

Choosing vinyl windows may seem like a daunting task, but with a little research and some help from a professional, you will find the windows that work best for your home and your lifestyle. A variety of options allows you to add your own personal flair, especially if you go for a custom window. Whichever features you choose, vinyl windows are a great investment in energy savings and comfort.

In this article I talked about how to choose vinyl windows. I offered six tips for making the selection process less difficult: measuring, budgeting, and four aspects of shopping and comparing energy efficiency, wind and rain resistance, warranties, and window features. . If you have a comment about this article, please feel free to post it below. Also, if you found this article useful, please pass it on.