Another option for side-by-side casement windows is a gliding window. Gliding windows can appear like double hungs in a wide space and they increase the glass area by eliminating the wood frame in the center. Even picture windows can be effective, depending on whether you open your windows or not. Creative solutions to window replacement can save you money and give you a more desirable outcome.

Depending on your location, the best way to explore creative window replacement options is to work with a window design consultant. You are under no obligation to purchase from them, however, you will benefit from spending a few hours with an expert like this who can give you great ideas, with the knowledge and experience of what works.

You will get your questions answered, a quote for the project you design, and plenty of workable ideas and solutions. Appointments like this are free and well worth the time and effort. Although there is plenty of information on the Internet, having an expert in your home is far more valuable in this case.

You know, your windows really are a decorating feature, just like the furniture or the art you put on the walls. I mean, just think about it. They are a huge part of the space in any room. So you want them to look right. (Read my article about decorating with windows!)

So to answer your question, you can get Renewal by Andersen’s energy saving FIBREX interior and exterior window frames with trims not just in any style but in a full range of colors too, from classic white to cocoa—even forest green now! In the wood veneers you have oak, pine and maple to choose from.

In total, we can offer 27 color combinations. Just take a peek at the full selection of ]]> http://askmrrogers.com/window-gray-cream/feed/ 0 http://askmrrogers.com/lead-paint-issue-surrounding-removal-windows-older-homes-mike/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lead-paint-issue-surrounding-removal-windows-older-homes-mike http://askmrrogers.com/lead-paint-issue-surrounding-removal-windows-older-homes-mike/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:25:43 +0000 Gerry Rogers http://askmrrogers.com/?p=849 Lead-based paint is often found in homes built in 1978 or earlier. That year is the time when the federal government banned lead-based paint from housing. Before then, no one really knew just how hazardous deteriorating lead paint or lead paint dust released during renovations really was.

That’s the short answer, Mike. But I’ve got an entire web page dedicated to this important topic. So I recommend you take a look at our pictures and the steps we take to be in compliance with federal government regulations. Check it out! Lead Paint Removal

The bonus is that, unlike wood, the engineered wood composites won’t rot and they won’t need painting again and again. And because you want to keep the architectural appearance of the house, a “combination window” can be installed—the interior will be made with the real wood veneers and the exterior will be made of the wood composite.

Composite materials are really versatile too. They can be manufactured to match any style and come in a variety of colors to match your home. Even the hardware can be matched. Not sure if you have grilles and panes on your windows—but the common small panes in historical windows, called “divided light” can also be replicated in today’s low maintenance option — Andersen makes full divided light grilles that look like the originals. Take a look at my website for more information about composites and about grilles.

We are all feeling the heat this summer both temperature wise and in our wallets, so it is most important to get a window that is going to keep the heat outside and keep you cool inside while saving you money on your utility bills.

Be sure you get a window that has Low E glass and Argon gas in order to ensure the maximum efficiency. The E- stands for emissivity. Really what it means is that a thin coating, usually silver or tin, is sprayed on the glass to reflect heat back to its source. This will keep the majority of that heat outside in the summer… which is where it belongs. I recommend the silver oxide coating. The tin is cheaper, but silver lasts. As my grandfather used to say “cheap ain’t good, and good ain’t cheap”.

In addition to the coating on the glass, a quality window will have an inert gas between the 2 panes of glass that is heavier than air, usually Argon or Krypton.

Here is a great way to understand how that works. If you took 2 glasses same size and filled 1 with water and 1 with dishwashing liquid and then you took 2 marbles the same size and dropped them into the glasses at the same time, which one do you think would reach the bottom the quickest?

Well if you guessed the one with the water you are correct because the dishwashing liquid is slowing that marble down. That is exactly what the Argon or Krypton gas does, it slows down the flow of your air-conditioned air thru that glass to the outside.

You need to ensure your window is Energy Star tested and rated. The Department of Energy through Energy Star has designed standard energy efficiency testing that will score a window and keep the results third party verified.

For a bit more information on “cool” window science and on the Energy Star rating system check out my article on Beat the Heat. And you might be interested in taking a look at the maps on The Lower My Energy Bill site. It will help you make the best window choice according to your region and state.

Hope this helps~
Gerry

As it stands now, the bill provides two types of consumer incentives:

1)   Silver Star – this provides up-front rebates at the time of purchase for insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing and water heaters. Homeowners may receive up to $1500 per improvement, with a total rebate of up to $3,000 or 50% of the total project cost.

2)  Gold Star – rewards homeowners that undertake a comprehensive energy audit and document their energy savings. Consumers may receive $3,000 for a demonstrated energy savings of 20%. For every 5% energy savings after that, they can receive $1,000. The cap is $8,000 or 50% of the project cost.

To make sure homeowners will be able to afford the home renovations, the bill includes $324 million for state and local governments to provide financing options to consumers to manage their share of the cost. This can be a powerful program for homeowners that can take advantage of it before the money runs out.

Projects must be installed by qualified contractors, and the states will have independent quality assurance providers auditing installations in the field to ensure the energy savings will be achieved.

President Obama strongly supports the Act, and agrees that it will not only reduce greenhouse emissions and help consumers lower their energy bills, but it will also stimulate the creation of green jobs (estimated at about 170,000) in construction and manufacturing. The administration views it as a key element of the economic recovery and green job agendas, and it has widespread support.

We have yet to clarify what this will mean in terms of real savings on windows and doors until the bill is finalized. However, upon first review of the bill it is very favorable to window and door replacement.

There is additional concern about the Home Star program being negatively affected by the recent passage of the EPA’s Lead Paint Rule which targets homes built before 1978. I expect to have more details on this in the next few weeks. If you have questions, please make a comment.

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.

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.