And remember, this is a door that’s getting a lot of use. You are opening and closing it, going in and out, especially now that it’s summer, you know, deck and patio season. So you are probably noticing things more—it’s not sliding as smoothly, the latch isn’t latching properly, a lot of other irritating things going on…

You’re much better off going with a combination door. Using a combination of wood and PermaShield® vinyl exterior you get a solid door that is attractive and won’t succumb to the weather extremes. The other thing that is important to evaluate when choosing a patio door is the track and roller system. You want a track that is solid and rollers that rock for the backward and forward motion of opening and closing a door.

And with any patio door, you also want to be think about security. You need a really solid door, that can’t be lifted up off the tracks. I write about the pitfalls of vinyl in the article: The Life Cycle of a Vinyl Sliding Door. Lots of reasons why vinyl is not the way to go for a sliding patio door. Check it out!

Below I have provided a link to the Andersen online parts website. This site will enable you to locate and order an auxiliary foot lock for patio doors online or provide you telephone numbers to call and talk with someone to place your order.

Huh, imagine that a telephone and a person, that’s something you don’t see much of anymore.

http://www.andersenwindows.com/servlet/Satellite/AW/Page/awGeneral-3/111

6852780873/

Hope this helps!

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!

When the installer comes back out, have him to do two things. First, he should caulk all around the outside of the door. Second – and this is very important – have him remove the inside trim around the door and fill that space with a
minimum-expanding foam insulation. All of my installers use it. This insulation dries quickly and is very effective. Then they can replace the trim and you should be in good shape.

Here’s a great insulating foam sealant from Dow Chemical to try:
http://greatstuff.dow.com/

Let me know if this works for you.