At Mr. Rogers Windows, I become your advocate if something ever goes wrong with your windows so you would never have to wait 5 years for your claim. And you wouldn’t have to pay for installation again either, which is often times more costly than the windows themselves.

That’s the kind of guarantee you want when you buy replacement windows. Here’s what ours says:

• All windows and doors from Mr. Rogers Windows are guaranteed to perform as well as the day they were installed, for as long as you own your home, no matter what.
• If anything goes wrong with your windows and/or doors installed by Mr. Rogers Windows, other than intentional misuse or abuse, the problem will be fixed for free, no questions asked.
• Regular wear and tear that affects the performance of your windows and doors, and accidental damage or breakage is also covered, free of charge, for as long as you own your home.
• Mr. Rogers Windows’ guarantee covers everything. Parts, supplies, labor, time and clean up are all included. There are no hidden fees, and no surprise charges.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a consumer guarantee. You can read more in my article, “What You Need to Know – Replacement Window Warranty v Guarantee”.

So let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon.

Warping vinyl siding has occurred before. In fact, the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) issued a warning about such distortion over 8 years ago. The Institute reported that a number of other variables can contribute to siding distortion:

• outdoor temperature and wind speed
• how close other heat sources are, such as air conditioning compressors
• color and solar absorption of the vinyl siding (darker colors absorb more heat)
• the heat distortion temperature of the vinyl siding (cheap siding has a low distortion temp)
• architectural designs that block wind and trap heat
• angle of the sun and orientation of the glass relative to the vinyl siding
• distance of the window to the vinyl siding

It’s usually a combination of one or more contributing factors that occur before the siding “melts”. Even home-builders are reluctant to blame the neighbor’s windows, and point to a variety of factors that could affect the intensity of the reflected sunlight.

Each case needs to be investigated on an individual basis.

For example, melting can occur from the reflection and radiant heat of a dark roof, or the pavement, or some underlayments. And crazy at it may seem, even an interior vapor barrier installed behind drywall can trap enough heat under the right conditions to affect siding. Alcoves that block the wind, overhangs that trap convected heat, and inside corners that capture glass reflections…these can all contribute to the problem.

A home inspector friend of mine agrees—there are other contributing factors that can cause vinyl siding to warp, buckle and melt. He’s observed it mostly in newer neighborhoods, where the homes are built really close to one another.

And it could be the quality of the siding.

According to current manufacturing standards, normal grade vinyl siding begins to distort at 160 – 165 degrees. That’s pretty low to begin with. Now consider that newer homes and retrofits have darker siding options—grays and beiges—which absorb considerably more heat than white siding when exposed to reflected or even direct sunlight.

Research from Cardinal Glass Industries shows that vinyl siding with high solar absorbency can distort from solar reflections from all glass products, including clear glass as well as glass with one or multiple Low-E coatings.

In my opinion, Low-E windows are not the problem.

Local building codes all over the country now require installation of energy-efficient windows with Low-E coatings. Low-E glass and energy-efficient construction make good sense for your home and for the environment. We’ve saved millions of dollars in energy because of these requirements, plus we substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the lower energy consumption. Low-E windows are here to stay.

I think what’s happening is more indicative of the cheap, lower grade siding commonly used by tract builders. Maybe you’ve heard toe saying, “Cheap is the most expensive price to pay.” Wood and metal siding products, which cost more, react to reflected solar radiation at much higher temperatures. Inferior products just can’t be trusted to hold up under extreme conditions.

So what’s a homeowner to do? Choose siding with a high heat distortion rating, high solar reflectivity, and a light color. If you already have vinyl siding that may be affected by heat distortion, plant shrubbery or trees to deflect heat, and in some cases screens or awnings can help.

For more technical information about vinyl siding distortion, you can read the Cardinal IG technical bulletin here.

Single pane glass door panels are easy for burglars to break.

Are you worried about home break-ins around your neighborhood?  I just listened to an article from NPR, that states crime trends are showing spikes in localized areas related to the poor economy.

Although national statistics show lower crime rates overall, there are localized pockets where crime has risen dramatically. What’s more, the onus for preventing burglaries and home invasions is falling more and more on the individual and neighborhoods.

It happened to a client just the other day: One evening, I got a call at home. She had purchased one of our steel ProVia exterior door entry systems not even a year before, and had just been burgled. She didn’t sound panicked, but I knew we needed to help because the door could not even be closed.

I was relieved to find one of our technicians at home, and when Rob got there, the police were still dusting for fingerprints.

Amazingly, this is what they found. Seems the burglars had tried repeatedly, with several tools, and for a while to break the door in. In fact, they didn’t actually break the door; the entire 20-gauge steel door was pounded so much that it caved in, bending enough for the bolt to come out of door frame. And the art glass window? It wasn’t even broken. No splintered and broken wood on the door jamb where the strike plate is, either. Here’s why I think this is amazing…

Rob was able to get the door back in place, secure and locking until the customer could get a new steel or fiberglass back door installed. She was able to stay in her own home, and sleep comfortably in her own bed without hesitation. Now, it wasn’t pretty, mind you; the door was smashed in and really looking rough. But it locked.

Had my client been at home, she would have heard all kinds of commotion, and been able to call the police. Since she wasn’t at home, some might suspect the determination these guys had signaled that they may have known exactly what they were after.

This true story points out the fact that a determined burglar can get through any exterior door you may choose to place at your property.  However, a good door can help to prevent burglaries by making the intruder take extra time to get in.  Many times, even the slightest impediment will make a burglar move on to the next attractive target rather than taking the time to overcome the obstacle you have placed in his way with high quality exterior steel or fiberglass door.

• Get a solid core, fiberglass or metal door for all entry points–front, back and sides
  Hollow doors are way too easy to kick in. Use solid wood or steel frames,
  and make sure the door fits properly. Gaps make it easier to
  remove the door from its frame.
• You will not go wrong with a quality, heavy-duty lock set on the door
  Look for a deadbolt with a 1″ throw, instead of the common 3/4″ bolt.
  That extra 1/4 inch of rod extending into the door jamb makes it much harder
  for a burglar to dislodge the lock from the door frame.
• Get added security protection on both the door and the frame
  Instead of the average wood panel, look for a lock with a 20-gauge steel
  reinforced strike plate, and use with 3″ long screws that make it almost
  impenetrable. It takes a lot more than a swift kick to splinter a
  door jamb that has been reinforced.
• Choose secure glass panels
  The most secure option is not to have glass panels.
  Burglars can smash decorative door windows and art glass panels to
  gain access to your home. If you have sidelites and art glass panels
  on your entry doors, make sure they are made with triple-pane,
  impact resistant and tempered glass. They will still look beautiful,
  and they are much more secure.

In just a few minutes, my client lost a few possessions, but she wasn’t robbed of her peace of mind. She’s replacing the old door with the same, secure steel door. I owe it to myself and my family to provide the best protection possible. So don’t lay awake at night wondering if you’ll be the next target on your block to experience a home break-in or home invasion.

I made a short video that will show you some of these security features in action. The Burglary Prevention Council has many more tips on their website.

Until next time, here’s to your safety, neighbor.

The Problem:
When the Dabuls bought their new house, the windows were a huge sore spot. They were difficult to open and close, hard to clean, and let in cold drafts. Even worse, several windows were starting to bow.

To make up for that weakness, the frames were big and thick. So thick, in fact, that the Dabuls could barely see out.

“I have a real nice backyard,” Lori said. “And with those bulky frames, you couldn’t enjoy it.”

The Solution:
The Dabul’s problem isn’t uncommon. Builder-grade windows and many replacement windows have thick frames to make up for the weakness of the material. Add in grilles and you create a bulky monstrosity that barely lets you enjoy the view.

Then the Dabuls saw the Fibrex windows. The frames were thin, especially compared to a replacement window. And since they wanted a lot of light, our salesperson suggested sliding windows, which have the thinnest frames of any style we offer.

But the Dabuls didn’t want to replace the windows if the color and style didn’t accent the traditional wood interior of their house. Luckily, Fibrex windows allow you to choose different tones on the inside and outside of the house. The Dabuls chose a wood interior and a Fibrex exterior. The windows looked as good as new.

“Since having the new windows installed, there’s a significant difference in the whole house,” Lori says. “It used to be really drafty, and the new windows just changed the whole feel of the house. We really notice the difference on our energy bills, as well.”

The Problem:
On one of the first days of spring, Suzie Diaz opened her Pella replacement window to let in the breeze. She was shocked by what she saw inside the window.

The Diazes' rotting Pella window.

“The ledge was filthy,” she said. “When I looked, I nearly passed out.”

The wood in the Pella windows was crumbling with rot. It was so bad the Diazes were afraid the windows were going to fall apart. And these windows were only seven years old.

What Went Wrong:
Unfortunately for the Diazes, the Pella window had a serious defect. The windows had wood frames covered with aluminum cladding, supposedly to protect the wood from the weather.

But the aluminum cladding could be faulty. When it rained, water ran down the glass and seeped under the aluminum. The moisture soaked into window and rotted the wood. But since it was beneath the aluminum cladding, the Diazes didn’t notice until it was too late to stop it.

Pella had already discovered this problem. What did they do? They stopped manufacturing that window. Because they no longer made the window, they no longer upheld the warranty that covered it. The Diazes were out of luck. They wrote and called Pella again and again with no satisfactory response.

The Solution:
I came out and we looked at the windows with the wood rot, a series of casements in the family room. The room had the same windows on three walls. Only the windows in the back of the room had failed, and the Diazes were hesitant to get new windows because they would clash with the other eight Pella windows.

There was no question that the Diazes needed to replace these windows. But the new windows would look different. So we suggested they make a dramatic difference and go with a bow replacement window. It would stand out from the house—but in a good way. Plus it had a beautiful window seat to showcase their backyard.

The Diazes love their beautiful new bow window.

The Diazes loved the solution. They loved that their new replacement windows are 100% resistant to rot, too. And they felt confident in the Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee I give to every customer. I believe a business has to stand behind its products, no matter what.

Sidenote:
Pella is currently entangled in a class action lawsuit over the windows the Diazes had. If you have Pella aluminum-clad windows that rotted, you may be able to receive compensation. Visit:

Information for Pella Windows Class Action Suit

The Mitchell’s trouble began when the one window in their master bedroom fogged up. They loved the view of the little creek winding through the woods out back, and now the fog had spoiled the view.

The Mitchells had never liked this window. It was aluminum and it had never kept them comfortable. Their bedroom had always been too hot or too cold, and now it was gloomy, too.

The Solution:
The Mitchells came to Mr. Rogers Windows looking for a replacement for the fogged window. But as we talked to them, their love for the wooded setting outside the bedroom became clear. They were even talking about adding a deck.

We suggested a patio door to the Mitchells. Not only would they would have a large, private view of the woods outside, they would have instant access when they wanted to take a walk. Plus, with an auxiliary foot lock, a patio door is just as safe as a window.

The Mitchells' new Frenchwood sliding door.

The Mitchells thought the idea was great, and they quickly fell in love with the Frenchwood sliding door. Our installers came out a few weeks later and cut a new opening for the door. With the help of an electrician they rerouted some wires and installed the patio door.

Now the Mitchells have a lovely view and quick access to their backyard. Their energy bills are falling and the bedroom is their new favorite room.