First, all of Andersen’s patio door models are made of tempered glass, which is four times stronger than regular glass.

But it’s Andersen’s five-point locking system that really seals the deal. Just as it sounds, this door locks five ways. Here’s how it works:

When you throw the deadbolt, which by the way is longer than the average deadbolt, you are in fact locking two other locks at the same time, one at the top that hooks downward and one at the bottom that hooks upward. These two hooks grab and literally capture the other door frame, holding it firmly in place. This means that the door cannot be jimmied, kicked in or even buffetted by high winds.

Now, there’s a locking system on the other panel, so when the handle on that door is closed to lock up, it drives a pin over an inch long upward into the header of the door
and another pin of the same length downward into the threshold of the door, firmly and securely holding that door into its frame. Again, no chance of the door being raised or lowered, jimmied or kicked in.

Five points of security!

Finally, let’s not forget that Andersen French patio doors are solidly constructed too, with solid wood on the interior and reinforced composite material on the exterior. As with all Andersen products, these doors are built to last—and endure.

Definitely, you and your family will sleep soundly if you have an Andersen French patio door. Here’s an interesting video that demonstrates this fantastic five-point locking system in action.

We at Mr. Rogers Windows take the dangers and health risks of lead paint very seriously. Our sales consultants and installers have undergone rigorous EPA training, as well as most of our support team. We will provide clients with our EPA Certification, and remain in full compliance with all Lead Safe Work Practices.

If your home or building was built before 1978 you should know that we are actively engaged in the regulations, and up to date with federal and state compliance requirements in order to assure the safety and health of your home and family.

If you have questions or need information contact me, or the National Lead Information Center. Click herefor important lead hazard information in the EPA’s Renovate Rightconsumer brochure.

Gas fills between window panes have shown a measurable improvement in the thermal performance of windows and patio doors.

Our windows and doors are filled with argon gas. It is inexpensive, non-toxic, clear and odorless.

Krypton gas has a higher thermal rating than argon, but it is much more expensive to produce. It is also clear, non-toxic, non-reactive and odorless.

The tradeoff is that krypton performs best in a window where the space between the glass is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch. For this reason, it is more commonly used in triple pane windows.

The atmospheric pressure can affect windows that have so little space between the glass. Tests have revealed that Krypton has a higher gas leakage rate than argon as well.

The Renewal by Andersen Fibrex composite replacement window is designed with a wider space between the panes, 1/2 inch, and that additional space plus the argon gas, Low E4 coating and Smart Sun glazing provides excellent efficiency, without the risk of seal failure.

Thanks for your question.

But what about the quality of the air inside your home?

You may not have any health symptoms now, but chances are you need to eliminate, reduce or control your exposure to indoor air pollutants.

For example, if you have damp or wet spots in your house, you will probably get mold, a big contributor. And then there are chemicals emitted from household cleaners, paints, carpet, vinyl shower curtains and window blinds, tobacco, etc…the list goes on. Some of these are more hazardous than others, and some people are more sensitive to the affects of these.

Building materials like insulation, vinyl window frames, cabinets, and furniture made from certain pressed wood products, release chemicals in the form of gasses that get trapped into your home—and lungs—as well.

Ok, so what do you do? Everything you can; eliminate, control or reduce the sources of pollutants. Medline, an online service of the National Institutes of Health has great information on the prevention and screening of indoor air pollution.

If you’re remodeling job includes replacement windows, French doors, or sliding glass patio doors, you can be assured to know that Andersen doors and Renewal by Andersen bay, bow, casement, picture, awning and traditional double hung windows can contribute to a healthier living environment for you and your family.

Find out more about Andersen’s indoor air quality certification.

Andersen and Renewal by Andersen FIBREX windows and patio doors are the only brands to receive independent certification for the highest levels of indoor air quality. And I’m talking about the strictest indoor air emissions criteria. The most stringent standard that’s in place for use in elementary schools…in California.

So if you’re concerned about the quality of air inside your home, you’ll want to consider Andersen doors and windows for your next home improvement project.

Pollen can get in your house through windows and doors.

It’s that time of year again. The grass is green. The sky is blue. And your car is yellow from all the pollen. That’s right, it’s allergy season. It seems to get worse every year, and pollution certainly isn’t helping. Luckily you can limit allergens from getting in your home by sealing up your windows and exterior doors.

Here are a few tips:

1. Walk around outside of your house and inspect the caulking. Recaulk any gaps or cracks.
2. Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors. If it’s old or has cracks, buy and install some new stripping.
3. Make sure your windows and doors have good screens without holes. This stops insects and pests from getting in, which can carry allergens and worse.
4. Clean up any mold that may have grown inside from condensation or outside on window trim. Use a bleach-based cleaner to kill it completely.
5. Keep windows and door closed so pollen can’t come inside, especially on the worst allergy days. You can find pollen alerts for your area here.
6. Run your air conditioner continuously.

If you follow these simple steps, you can cut down on the amount of allergens and pollen that gets into your house.

Mr. Rogers' replacement windows are certified sustainable and made from recycled materials.

“Going green” is the big thing in business these days. You probably see a lot of products with labels like ”all natural” or “green.” If you’re skeptical of those claims, you’re smart. A lot of all natural foods, for example, are still heavily processed and contain ingredients unhealthy for us.

That’s what makes Andersen Window’s recent move to have their environmental claims certified  by a leading, independent organization all the more amazing. Andersen’s products and manufacturing have been tested, and the recycling claims have been certified under internationally recognized standards.

Some of Andersen’s products, like the Renewal by Andersen Fibrex replacement windows we offer at Mr. Rogers Windows, are made with 22-24% recycled material! Even the Andersen French patio doors and Sliding patio doors we offer are certified for recycled content.

You can read the full story here.

Sustainable Replacement Windows in Hampton Roads, VA and Charlotte, NC

The energy tax credit, passed as part of the Stimulus package in February, raised the maximum claim to $1,500, but also raised the energy standards. The new “30/30” standards require all windows and doors to have a U-Value and SHGC of .30 or less.

This new standard exceeds current Energy Star ratings, which was the standard in 2007, and means that many Energy Star windows would not qualify. The IRS and other government agencies were also slow to update their information about the tax credit. Many homeowners bought windows they thought qualified, only to find out they weren’t going to get the credit.

The IRS’ Safe Harbor provision reinstates the old standards to qualify for the tax credit from Jan 1 to June 1 of 2009. If you purchased and installed any window or door that is Energy Star certified or has a Manufacturer’s Certificate validating it’s rating, you qualify for the full tax credit. That’s 30% of the cost of the product, up to $1,500.

This is great news for all those who thought they were going to get the credit, but found out their windows didn’t qualify. The new 30/30 standards will be enforced on June 2, 2009.

Do you think the IRS is doing the right thing? Let me know your thoughts.

I made this quick video to answer some of the questions:

The energy-efficiency requirements for windows and doors are very specific, so make sure you understand how to claim your energy tax credit. And stay tuned, because I’ll be blogging more about this!

Myself and my wife just bought our first house. The living room has two sliding doors (patio doors). They’re pretty beat up and we want to replace them. We’re thinking about using French doors instead, but we’re not sure of the pros and cons. Stuff like energy efficiency, maintenance, security etc.

Thanks.

Answer:
Congratulations on the new house. I remember buying my first house; it was exciting…and scary all at once.

On to your question. When it comes to performance, maintenance, and security, there’s not a big difference between a French door and a sliding door. If you get a good patio door and solid installation, a French door will perform just as well as a sliding door. You can get quality locks for both types—auxiliary foot locks for sliding doors and multi-point locks for French doors.

Maintenance depends on what kind of material you get. Wood will need to be scraped and repainted to stop rot. Vinyl or vinyl-clad won’t. I would just stay away from aluminum—it will kill your energy bills.

Here are the three differences you and your wife should consider:

1)    Looks: French doors look more classic, while sliding doors are more modern.
2)    Space: Sliding doors are going to take up less space than French doors because the panels don’t swing out. I don’t know what your living room is like, but an inswing French door in a small living room could be a problem.
3)    Function: A big benefit of a French door is that you can open both panels. The extra wide opening is great when you need to haul in furniture. Sliding doors will always have one panel that stays put.

Most people make their decision based on number 1 alone. There’s nothing wrong with that. A lot of homeowners choose French doors purely for looks. Of course, now you can get a sliding door that looks like a French door! Check out the Frenchwood  sliding patio door on this page.  Just make sure you get a good door and a good installation.

Can I do this without buying a brand new door?

Answer:
Without knowing the specific make and model of your door, I would say probably not.

Patio doorframes have built-in parts for the stationary panel that would make it difficult to switch the two sides. Then there are holes for the locks in both panels and anchor points for the locking system. You would have to drill new holes and reinstall the locks. Weatherstripping and gaskets would be an issue too.

No matter what you do, don’t try to take the door out and reverse it. If you tried to pull the whole thing out and turn it around, then the exterior of the door, where any weatherproofing is, would be inside your home. The outside of your door would be exposed to the elements with no protection.

Overall, this isn’t a good choice for performance or looks. If you really want that stationary panel on the other side, you’ll probably save more time and money getting a new patio door.