5 Benefits of Vinyl Windows

You ask what the hype is about vinyl windows. Why are they the “in” thing and why are they becoming a popular alternative over aluminum, wood and fiberglass? Here’s some insight into the big “why.”

Who doesn’t want it all - easy maintenance, energy efficient, aesthetic appeal, low economic costs and excellent value for design and installation! That is one package deal. So if you are looking for a change and would like some interesting windows in your home, vinyl windows offer quite the bargain.

Energy efficient

Vinyl windows are made of a substance called poly vinyl chloride commonly known as PVC. PVC is a synthetic chemical compoundthat has moderate to high R-value. R value is a number given to the degree of insulation a material provides. This means that vinyl is a good insulator preventing air infiltration, keeping warm air in and cool air out of your home. Of course this leads to reduced electrical costs. Vinyl windowsalso keep out harmful UV rays preventing the fading of your curtains and upholstery. Everybody loves that!

Aesthetic appeal

Our homes are important to us, the way they look, the way you feel when you walk into your front door and even the amount of light that filters in through the windows. Vinyl windows can be custom made to suit the exact look of your home. They are available in a variety of colors and shapes. They can be molded and shaped to the exact style you want and are available in shiny or matte finishes. For those of you who love the wood look vinyl windows are also available with a faux-wood grain finish.

Easy Maintenance

Vinyl windows wouldn’t be quite the rave if they weren’t easy to maintain. They don’t stain. They don’t allow water to seep in and hence are resistant to mold. They can be washed and cleaned whenever needed.  They are scratch free,don’t dent and definitely don’t rust or corrode.

Economic Savings

Since vinyl windows are easily manufactured it is easy to make them in bulk. This reduces the price of them considerately. Compared to other windows vinyl windows are the cheaper more economic option. They also have a larger variety of options to choose from as they are manufactured in a wide range of colors and styles. Vinyl windows are durable, can weather a number of climatic conditions and come out looking good and hence don’t need to be changed regularly.

Installation and Design

Vinyl windows are easily installable into your home as they can be made to fit the size and shape of your already existent window. You can choose how many window panes you have,whether they open on the inside or outside,the width of the sill and even the kind of locking mechanism you would like.

Champion Windows has a great variety for customizable vinyl windows. Champion testimonials should help with that little bit of insight you are looking for. When choosing vinyl windows just be sure to choose a color you will be happy with for a long time since you cannot repaint these windows.

Go “window shopping” today!

Roofing- Why choose a professional?

Storm chasers- they are called. They literally chase storms and then dupe homeowners by offering to do a free inspection and then to fix the roofs after the storm. These fly by night contractors are known to create problems on the roof even as they supposedly inspect it. They will of course fix it temporarily and disappear off the scene leaving you with more serious problems to deal with a few months later. You will not find them to fix it again for you. BEWARE of such contractors.

Roofing your home is not something that can be taken lightly. Apart from the huge expense and the stress of getting the whole project done, you don’t want to deal with inefficient contractors and the disastrous after effects of a job shabbily done. It is essential to look for a professional to do the roofing for you. An established, well known contractor will help you fix any problem which may arise later.

A professional will thoroughly examine your roof and give you an idea of what needs to be done and the approximate cost estimate. Sometimes it may look like a simple repair but as the roof is opened up, it may turn out to be something more major, calling for even replacement of the roof. A professional will caution you beforehand about such issues. He may ask for some amount before he starts work, but not ask you to pay the whole amount upfront like fly by night contractors.

Another reason to choose a professional is the technicalities involved like a permit needed for replacement of roof. A professional will have a license and will be registered with the local authority. He will get the permit for you and follow all safety procedures to install the roofing. He will also most probably have general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to check out whether he has the license and insurance.

While you research thoroughly and look for a contractor look for all the things discussed above and then decide. Don’t settle for the lowest bidder, but talk to neighbors, friends and relatives and get references. While most contractors use branded material, quality installation is necessary. Investigate more about that.

Most roof manufacturers require certified contractors to install their product to make the warranty valid .It thus makes better sense to buy the whole roofing system from the company who will install it for you. One such company is Champion Window. All other aspects related to roofing like attic ventilation, leak barriers etc. apart from the aesthetics is taken care of by their professionals. Not only that, reviews of Champion Window has customers expressing their satisfaction about the courteous service and the thorough job done by the company professionals.

Choose only a professional and don’t compromise on the quality of the work even if it may cost you a little more. Choose the right roof suitable for the climate you live in. If you live in regions prone to high winds, hail or storms choose material able to withstand these.

Right roof, right contractor = safe, comfortable home.

How to know your garage door needs to be replaced

Just like the entry door of your home, the garage door is the feature which is most noticed and makes your home standout in the neighborhood. Garage doors are available in various sizes, styles, colors and materials. The right garage door will enhance the appearance of your home and even increase the value of your home, if ever you plan to sell your home.

However if you already have a garage door, ensure that it is cleaned and maintained regularly for it to look good and function smoothly. Since the garage door is one of the components of your home with many moving parts, there will come a time, it will start having problems.

Some problems can be attended by repairing while in some cases like safety issues, it is best to consider replacement. So how do you decide – when to repair or replace. There are some simple things you can do to check the functioning of your door.

Look for dents, scratches, warps or any other damages to your door. If it is superficial, they can be repaired. However if it is serious and can affect the whole door structure, consider replacing.

Check the opening and closing mechanism of the door. If the door is jammed shut, it may be due to a bent track or worn pulley. If it makes a squeaking sound while opening or closing, the rollers and bearings may need lubrication.

If the door makes a scraping sound, there may be misalignment. Check whether the tracks are clean for smooth operation of the door. Check for the proper working of the garage door opener.

Another important feature to check is the auto reverse safety option. This protects your pet or child from getting accidentally injured. Place some object under the door and close the door. It should auto reverse and go up as soon as it hits the object.

If your garage is attached to your home, as in most cases, check for proper insulation to avoid air infiltration. A properly insulated door will reduce your heating and cooling costs.

While these are some simple checks you can do, it is best to call a garage door professional to get the repairs done, unless you have some experience. Unsafe garage doors can cause serious accidents, even death sometimes.

However if your door is too old, looks too dull and has too many repairs to be done, the best option is to replace the garage door. While buying a new garage door, the right style to suit your home would be your first consideration. However, be sure to get the necessary safety features and good insulation for the door too. Another aspect to consider would be the strength of your door. It should strong enough to keep intruders out. Also buy durable doors which are easy to clean.

Buy your garage door from companies which install it for you and provide any other service needed later on. Regular maintenance of the door is extremely important for better performance and durability.

Champion Window manufacture, supply and install garage doors for you. Available in various styles and able to withstand even extreme climates and storms, their garage doors have satisfied many customers with their good performance. You can check out the website and reviews of Champion Window for further information and give them a call for free consultation.

Tips on Cleaning Windows

Over time our windows get stained and scratched and it seems like no amount of cleaning will make them look new again. But there are a few things that we can do to make our windows looking new and shiny for longer. First off, regular cleaning, as tiresome as it sounds, is something that must be done. We don’t want permanent stains that sometimes form because of irregular cleaning. Here are a few tips on how to clean your windows.

1. Avoid Streaks

The most annoying part about cleaning a window is not the cleaning but the drying. It requires painstaking effort to properly dry your window without leaving a single smudge of streak. Using newspaper to wipe a wet window is the probably most popular way to do it.

Another thing you can do is use a rubber squeegee. The trick here is to dry one corner of the window first and then use the squeegee to dry the rest of the window. Starting in a wet patch is likely to cause all sorts of streaks. You can also wipe the edge of the squeegee from time to time if you feel like there is too much water being spread around.

2. Use Clear Floor Wax

A clever way to keep dust from building up on the outside of your window is to apply a clear coat of floor

wax to the glass after you have thoroughly washed and dried it. This prevents the dust from sticking to your window and it makes your next cleaning a lot easier. It also prevents water spots after the rain and any other smudges that are likely to appear on your window. You could probably even get away with a dry wipe the next time you clean.

3. Vinegar for Windows

For those of you who like to experiment with environment friendly cleansing agents you can try adding vinegar to water and use this solution to clean your window. If you find that it leaves streaks, add a dash of liquid hand soap to the solution the first time. From then on, vinegar should work just fine.

If you feel like you have tried everything and your only hope now is to get new windows go for it! Many manufacturers make windows with glass that is very easy to clean. My neighbor just had her windows replaced by Champion Windows and gets splendid results just by wiping her windows with a wet cloth and taking a squeegee to them. I have never seen someone look forward to cleaning as much as she does now!