Are Your Windows Leaking?

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It’s only during the winter months when its cold outside that you realise your home is losing heat. You may find you need the burner on for extended periods and the home doesn’t seem to retain the important heat as your energy bill continues to increase.

We all know that our bills increase during winter, your burner will run for longer hours and you need to keep your lights on for longer, but you shouldn’t be haemorrhaging money.

How to Tell if Your Windows Leak

Wait until your home has warmed up and the burner is on before heading off to each window. Run your hand along the edge of the window frame and where the window closes, if you feel cold air seeping in then the window isn’t being as energy efficient as it should be.

Its worthwhile taking notes of which windows you are having problems with, measuring them up for size and finding out what replacement windows will cost you. While replacement windows will set you back some money, they will soon pay for themselves as your energy bill drops in price.

Choosing Replacement Windows

If you’ve noticed that a couple of your windows are letting in the cold air and allowing all the warm air out, the most logical step is to replace them. Resealing them may work as a temporary measure, but replacement windows are highly energy efficient so they will pay for themselves in no time at all.

You will want to keep the design of the windows the same as all the others, changing the design of one or two windows will look strange from outside; you want everything to look the same, adding to the visual appeal of your home.

Start off by getting three quotes from window companies. Ensure the windows are energy efficient, a minimum of double glazing and made from durable material which can last a long time.

Also double check that the window company is certified and that they test their windows, out of the over 2,000 window companies in Canada only a handful actually test their windows.

Once you have found replacement windows at the best price you can install them yourself with a bit of DIY know how or you can pay a window installation expert to come along and put them in for you. Once done your windows won’t leak anymore and you can enjoy the warmth your burner offers during the cold winter months.

Clera Windows and Doors is known for quality windows and doors and for excellent customer service. We custom manufacture vinyl windows and doors to your exact requirements and specifications in our factory near Toronto, Ontario. Visit our website at www.clerawindows.com.

Finding a Window Installation Expert

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When it comes to replacing the windows in your home, finding the right window installation expert can make the experience seamless and completely hassle free.  It’s how you determine which company is the best to go with, don’t always take the cheapest price into consideration, there are quite a few factors you will want to consider.

Estimates

Start by calling in a minimum of three window installation experts, this way you will have three quotes to review later, you can then compare windows, prices and the professionalism of the companies before making your decision.

Have Them Come to Your Home

This is one of the most important steps in finding the right window installation expert.  They will send someone to your home to measure and give an estimate accordingly. This is your opportunity to ensure they arrive on time for the appointment, you can also measure their level of service, from your initial phone call to the representative they send to you.  Remember you need to be comfortable with these people working in your home.

Ask Questions

Asking questions always help you determine their knowledge and experience.  It’s a good idea to note down the questions you want to ask and ask each installation expert the same questions.  Always have someone with you, so between you, you can determine their knowledge and professionalism.

Review the Quotes

Always get the quotes in writing, they should advise the windows you are after, the price and installation date. Ask that the quote includes the energy efficiency of the windows, materials and anything else you feel is important.

Review each quote thoroughly taking everything into account from the price to the professionalism of the company, you will soon realise that cheapest isn’t always better.

References

Once you’ve made your decision it’s time to confirm they are as good as they say they are, you can read up customer reviews online, but also ask the company for some references of work they’ve recently carried out.

Contacting past clients is the ideal solution to determining whether you’re making the right decision and if everything checks out then you have found your window installation experts.

Visit clerawindows.com for more information on window installation.

DIY Stained Glass Exterior Windows

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stained glass window

Stained glass exterior windows are now popular in both offices and homes. They has been gracing windows for thousands of years already, but do you know that this design was once reserved only for places of worship and important venues like royal castles and churches?

It is  common knowledge that designing stained glass exterior windows will require a great deal of expertise and patience. However, once the work has been completed, it will never fail to showcase beauty, glamour, and function. Aside from the outstanding look it gives, stained glass exterior windows are famous for offering privacy without completely blocking the sunlight. Because of the great wonders this window design provides us, it will take a professional to master this kind of work especially since attention to detail is what it calls for. But do you know that even the inexperienced can work on a simple stained glass exterior windows design? If you even consider the thought of adding this kind of functional artwork into your home, consider following the steps:

You have two options when making your stained glass exterior windows. One method includes the use of materials from scratch and the other requires you to use special paints to make faux stained glass. Depending on how eager you are to work on the job, you can choose between these two options. The first approach will involve soldering, cutting, and fitting on your window frame. The second option is something you can do on your existing window. However, we will discuss only the first option in this article.

The Classic Approach for Stained Glass Exterior Windows
If you would rather do the job of creating something like a genuine stained glass window then you must first deal with the frame. You may want to remove the existing frame of your window to make a brand new look. By the time you have broken your window into four edges, you can reassemble the stained glass. You can also work on a new frame if you can buy the pieces to make your prefabricated window. If you like to work on this, you must stain or paint each piece separately.

Settle on a particular pattern for your window. Stay away from adding too elaborate a pattern since you will have to manually cut each piece. The internet is a good source of information on how to sketch out your design for the stained glass. The rule is to use neutral tones to back your bold colors. Using a thick piece of paper, you can cut the same size that you wish your glass panes to be. Carefully cut these pieces because they will serve as your guide when cutting the glass.

colourful stained glass window

Through the use of rubber cement, place each paper guide into your desired glass color. Allow this to dry and cut each piece through the use of a glasscutter. Smooth the sides afterwards. Arrange the pieces in a way that they look like a completed window while laying them above a sturdy piece covered with plastic sheets. By the time you get the right arrangement for your window, you will now apply epoxy on each piece. Clean the epoxy on the top of the glass since it is impossible to remove them once dried. You can use an old butter knife to scrape the surface of the epoxy. Then apply the solder above the epoxy and let it dry. If you are comfortable with a soldering gun, you can also use one. Once done, put the stained glass in a frame and install on the wall. Now you have a home-made stained glass window without spending big bucks!

Windows and doors – A few things to consider

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Many small things collectively make a house. Everything is important in this regard, and we cannot deny the importance of a single factor. However,windows and doors are really significant, not for the safety of house but for the beauty as well. Here, we are discussing few aspects of windows and door, which you should consider before choosing them for your house.

A great variety of windows and doors are available on the market these days. It is very difficult to decide that which is the correct choice for your house. If your house has a lot of wood trim on then wooden doors and windows are preferred. They will compliment the beautiful wood features of your house. Vinyl windows are also very commonly used these days. However, you should consider the placement of the windows. In small rooms bay windows are preferred. If you are busy and everyone is working in your house, so try to install easy to clean and easy to operate windows.

If we talk about doors, it is the focal point of the house and attracts the visitors in first glance. Interior doors are different then exterior doors, so keep the difference in mind. Steel, fiber glass, Vinyl and wood are few commonly used materials, in case of exterior doors. Interior doors are also of many types, some have smooth finish while other are manufactured textured finish.

Another aspect of windows and doors is the safety. Especially, exterior doors are really important in this regard. So, no matter which is the material of your choice, but it should be strong and durable. Moreover, it should be water resistance, as rain and snow can destroy the exterior door easily.

I hope these few tips will help you to choose appropriate doors for your house. Make a wise choice about all home fixtures as everything is important.