Window Vision

One question I am often asked is if you can change the style of windows that exist in your home.  Many folks think if you have a double hung window in an opening, you are stuck with a double hung when you choose to replace it.

That is not the case!  As long as you are keeping your window opening the same size, you can swap one style for another.  The problem is, it’s often hard to visualize what the new window will look like, especially if you are adding grids or making a major change.

What I have suggested to customers is to grab a roll of painter’s tape and mock up what the new opening would look like.  Not sure what prairie or colonial style grids would look like in your Living Room’s picture window?  Tape out the pattern.  It’s a great way to visualize its new appearance and any changes you will see.

We recently had one customer who wanted to convert the picture/awning combination in the Family Room into a cottage style double hung, and also add vertical grids to the top sash.  She couldn’t imagine what the new configuration would look like, was nervous to make the change, and almost stuck with what she had.  However, after taping out the pattern in the opening and experimenting with the number of grids, she couldn’t have been more excited for the change.  The attached picture shows her taping handiwork.

So, grab that trusty roll of painter’s tape and start experimenting.  Then give us a call and we can help you change the look of your home in time to enjoy this summer.

Thanks!
Dave

Ice Ice Baby

The temperatures here in the Midwest are the lowest they’ve been in a couple of years.  As a result, you may be seeing some ice on the inside of your home’s windows. 

The glass on your windows has a lower temperature than other surfaces in your home, as glass is a good conductor.  The warm air inside your home contains more moisture, which results in condensation.  Since the windows are so much colder now than normal, the moisture typically associated with condensation is drawn to cold surfaces then freezes on that glass.  This is especially true of older, single pane windows.

Newer double pane windows, with an argon gas fill and LowE coating can greatly reduce the cold air being transferred into your home, thereby reducing the potential for ice build-up on these extremely cold days.  The technology available with today’s energy efficient windows not only helps with ice issues, but can protect your home from UV rays that fade floors, window treatments, furniture and upholstery.

If you have an older home with storm windows, make sure those are closed tight.  The goal is to stop the cold air from getting inside your home as best as possible.  

You could also reduce your home’s relative humidity by turning down the humidifier on your furnace.  Most humidifiers nowadays have settings to remind you to what level it should be set based on the outside temperature.

Hope these tips help, so the only ice you see in your home remains in the freezer.

Stay warm,

Dave

Draft Diagnosis

Temperatures are continuing to drop and the blustery wind is picking up with a major chill.  With that, we’ve been getting a lot of calls lately about drafty windows.  Some of these calls are from homeowners with old windows that truly are allowing a cold draft to infiltrate the home.  If the windows weren’t professionallyinstalled, are of lesser quality and/or don’t offer the latest in energy efficiency, you will most likely feel a cold draft, (and feel the pain when your heating bill comes.)

However, windows and doors aren’t the only culprits when it comes to drafts.  There are many places from which outside air could be entering your home.  You can take a simple household test to find the source of the cooler air you are feeling.  Light a solitary taper or pillar candle and hold it next to the windows and doors of which you are concerned.  Hold it still.  If the flame flickers, there is some air infiltration.  If you don’t see a flicker, there is no draft, and what you may be feeling near the windows is simple convection.  

There could also be another source of a draft.  A friend of mine couldn’t determine the source of the draft she was feeling in her new home.  Upon taking the candle test, it was discovered that the flue in her fireplace was left open.  This allowed for any warm air in the home to get sucked right up the chimney.  Once the flue was closed, the candle was relit, and alas, no more flickering – that draft was eliminated.

The kitchen seemed drafty to her as well, but neither the windows nor the back door were the culprits.  She lit the candle below the kitchen exhaust fan and “the flame danced.”  It turns out there was a faulty damper with the exhaust fan allowing cold air from the outside to flood her kitchen.  Once the damper was repaired, the kitchen draft she felt was gone.

So, take a candlelit tour of your home (careful of course not to burn any window treatments) and see if you have any areas of your home resulting in the draft.  It’s not always your windows and doors….but if it is, give us a call.

Thanks,

Dave

A Delightful Year

We are nearing the end of the year, so it’s a natural time to both reflect back and look forward.  I’ve written about the emphasis we place on Teamwork here at Feldco, and that remains a very strong key to our success.  I work with some outstanding people here day in and day out, and together we strive to be the Midwest’s leading Home Renewal Company.  This teamwork translates to a positive work environment for us, but also a positive experience for our customers.

Customer Delight is another key to our success.  We don’t want to just satisfy our customers, we want to DELIGHT them.  I’m proud to say 2012 proved to be a banner year for us delighting our customers, with exceptional customer rating scores.  We will continue to emphasize this in 2013.

I love reading the positive feedback our customers provide day in and day out, and appreciate the time that is taken in providing this feedback.  We can’t learn and grow as a company without hearing from both current and potential customers.  

So, in 2013, and beyond, we will continue to delight you.  We will continue to be the home renewal company you refer to your friends and family.  And we will continue to provide you with energy efficient products and improve the value of your home.

Here’s to a Healthy and Happy New Year for us all!

All My Best,

Dave

Weather the Storm

Have you ever wished for more light to come through your entry way?  Do you often wish you were able to provide a little ventilation in your foyer?  Do you have a beautiful old front door you aren’t quite ready to replace, but want to seal the small draft it has?  Well, a storm door can do all this, plus showcase your entry way.

There are some great features that make storm doors even more functional nowadays.  You may be interested in a self-storing, retractable screen on your storm door or a storm door that offers a stronger pet-friendly screen.  Rest assured, you can design the storm door that best fits your needs while enhancing the look of your home.

While storm doors were originally designed to protect your door and home from the elements outside, all of the design elements storm doors offer now can do so much more.   So, you may want to consider adding a storm door or replacing an existing storm door to transform the look of your home, and add the functionality you desire.

Whatever reason you are considering a storm door, just know you aren’t limited to the boring old standard options you may first think of when you think about storm doors. 

Dave

Enjoy a Garden View All Year Long

You haven’t had to mow your lawn in a while, the last leaves have fallen off your trees and everything that once was once green and lush is now barren and brown. 

How would you like to capture some of the beauty of your garden from its prime and enjoy it all winter long?  A Garden Window can do just that!  You can bring a little garden inside as light pours in from the top and sides of the window.  Plus, with an insulated seat board, plants can thrive even over the colder winter months. 

Garden Windows add maximum light, delightful ventilation and actual living space to a room.  As the window extends past the line of your home, you gain additional shelf and counter space in whatever room you choose.  While most popular in kitchens, I’ve seen Garden Windows also utilized in living rooms and porches where folks wanted to add some plants and flowers to spruce up their rooms.

Even if you don’t have an existing Garden Window in your home, you can easily swap out one style for another, and really transform the look of your home.  Rest assured, the Feldco Garden Window will still offer you the best in energy efficiency.

So, you don’t have to lose your green thumb over the winter and can still enjoy some greenery over the long dreary winter months.

Happy Gardening!

Dave

How to Take Your Own Measurements

You may have heard us say “One Call Takes Care of it All”, and it’s true!  If you are looking to replace your windows, siding or doors, one call to us gets you on your way.  We’ll set up a date and time at your convenience for your free in-home demo and provide you with a detailed estimate for your project.

However, if you would rather visit us at one of our showrooms, as opposed to having us come to you – that’s no problem!  To make your time at our showroom most valuable, please feel free to bring in the measurements of your project.  We’ll then be able to provide you with the most accurate quote possible.

When measuring your windows – pretend like you are measuring for blinds or shades.  Those are the dimensions we’d need to cover the entire window opening.  Basically, measure the distance between the inside trim – left to right and top to bottom.

For your doors – it’s simple.  Measure the actual door slab itself. 

If you are interested in a quote for attic insulation, provide us with the approximate square footage of your home – just get the width and length of the home and we’ll take it from there.  And, if you can get into the attic – see how much attic insulation already exists up there.  Take a yardstick and stick it between the rafters and see how much you have.  This will help us determine how much more you need to adequately insulate your attic.

Rest assured, we’d still send out a technician to your home to verify the measurements…to ensure we get the information with 100% accuracy.  We operate under the motto of measure twice, cut once!

So if you want to visit us at any of our locations – grab that tape measure, yardstick or ruler and start measuring.  And know, we are always here for you at 866-4FELDCO with any questions.

Thanks,

Dave