What to Look For in a Storm Door

Whether you're wanting to add a storm door to your home, or replace your old, worn out storm door, there are plenty of options now available.  Sifting through the options and picking what's best for your home depends on a lot of things, including personal preference.  So let's take a look at modern options for storm doors!

• Retractable Screens.  Upgrading to a retractable screen in your storm door is a great option.  The screen is self-storing, meaning you do not need to remove the glass pane and install a separate screen frame.  Secondly, it leaves an unobstructed view through the glass, because there is no screen in the way.  Third, to ventilate, the retractable screen rolls down as you lower the glass sash.  Talk about convenience!
• Decorative Glass.  There are many different options of decorative glass that you can use instead of simple clear glass.  For instance, ProVia makes storm doors with beveled glass, as well as decorative colored options in their Inspirations line.  
• Self-storing Screens.  The standard self-storing screen option will cost less than the retractable screen, but still offers the convenience of being able to ventilate without having to take out the glass frame.  
• Heavy Duty Screens.  Upgrading to a heavy duty stainless steel screen is great for homeowners with pets and small children.  These screens are much stronger and resilient than a normal screen.  
• Upgraded Hardware.  Better hardware options are available in most storm doors, such as Mortise hardware.  These feature a multi-point locking system for added strength and security.  
• Pet Door.  Did you know you can add a pet door to a storm door?  This is a great option if you don't want to add a pet door to your main entry door, but would like your pet to enjoy the freedom of going in and out while you're home.

There are plenty more options and upgrade available in a modern storm door.  But it's important to buy a storm door from a reputable company, such as Windows Plus in Dayton and Cincinnati.  They offer ProVia storm doors that have a vast array of features at an affordable price.  

Energy Star Partner of the Year

If you're looking to replace your old, drafty windows with something a little more energy-efficient, make sure to check out Energy Star when doing your research.  Because not all vinyl windows are the same!

Windows Plus offers Soft-Lite replacement windows in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.  Soft-Lite has earned the distinction of being the only vinyl window manufacturer in the nation to earn the prestigious Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence!

Soft-Lite has earned this distinction due to their dedication to energy-efficient technology.  Since 1934, Soft-Lite has focused on offering superior windows at an affordable price.

So whether you're shopping for the best windows in Dayton or Cincinnati, check out Windows Plus.  We're focused on offering you the most energy efficient products in your area!

Energy Star Tax Credits 2016

If you're considering buying new windows or entry doors, you should be aware that the IRS has continued the Energy Star tax credit for 2016.  Replacement windows and entry doors are eligible for a tax credit, assuming they meet the Energy Star specifications for your specific area.

Your local window company should be able to tell you which of their products meet these criteria.  You can also use the Energy Star climate zone finder to figure out which climate zone you live in.

There are certain eligibility requirements that you must meet to receive your tax credit:

• The product(s) purchased must meet Energy Star program requirements
• The product(s) must be installed at the taxpayer's primary residence
• The product(s) must be installed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016

You are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the product cost, not including the cost of installation/labor.  There is a maximum of $500 total for all Energy Star tax credits.  If you've claimed a tax credit in a previous year, make sure to consult with your tax professional to make sure you are still eligible.

There are maximum tax credits for both windows and doors:

• $200 maximum credit for eligible windows
• $500 maximum credit for eligible doors

For more information, check out the Energy Star website.  And if you're shopping for windows or doors in the Southwest Ohio or Northern Kentucky areas, make sure to check out Windows Plus of Cincinnati and Dayton to find Energy Star rated replacement windows and entry doors.

And most of all, make sure you're not leaving money on the table!

Entry Door Finish Warranties

Most entry doors that you find come with some type of "limited lifetime warranty".  Many people make the assumption that this covers more than the warranty actually does.  It's a common mistake, but a mistake that can prove costly.  Especially when it comes to the door's finish warranty.

The finish of a modern entry door, whether it be a steel or fiberglass door, is usually made of either paint or a stain.  It is often applied at the factory, and therefore comes with its own distinct finish warranty.  But just because the door has a "limited lifetime warranty" doesn't mean the finish warranty is for a lifetime!

Entry doors from the big box stores often come with a substandard finish warranty.  This can become a headache for the homeowner, when they notice the the factory finish on their recently installed entry door is beginning to fade, crack, or peel.  Especially when they realize it's no longer covered by the door's warranty!

Big box store entry doors are notorious for providing short term finish warranties.  A deeper look into the warranty of one of the popular Home Depot entry door lines shows that the finish warranty only lasts for 45 days!

Quality matters when it comes to entry doors.  If you're shopping for entry doors in Dayton or entry doors in Cincinnati, check out the line of ProVia doors offered by Windows Plus.  These entry doors are not only built to last, but the finish warranties are good for seven to ten years!  Much longer than those doors offered at the big box stores.

Mike
The Window & Door Guy
Windows Plus of Cincinnati
Windows Plus of Dayton

What is Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)?

So you're shopping for new vinyl windows, and you're trying to figure out what all the window ratings mean.  In your research, you come across something called SHGC.  Below is a guide to solar heat gain coefficient, to help you better understand this particular window rating.

So, what is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient?

Technically speaking the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and subsequently released inward.  Since it is a percentage of total solar radiation, it is expressed as a number between 0 and 1.

Is the SHGC the same thing as Visual Transmittance (VT)?

Although they may seem to be measuring the same thing, they are not.  Solar radiation comes in a wide spectrum that includes ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light (among others).  These parts are defined by their particular wavelengths.

The solar heat gain coefficient measures the entire spectrum of energy, not just visible light.  Visual transmittance, on the other had, is only a measurement of the visible light that passes through a window.  And visible light only makes up a small fraction of the entire solar energy spectrum.

Does window tinting help with SHGC ratings?

Yes, but not nearly as efficiently as low-E.  Low-E is designed to let in as much visible light as possible, while attempting to reflect as much of the rest of the light spectrum as possible.

Window tinting only aims at lowering the visible light penetration.  So it lets in less visible light, but lets in much more of the solar radiation (from other wavelengths) than low-e.

So what SHGC rating should I look for in a replacement window?

The answer to this question depends on what region you live in.  There are different climate zones defined by Energy Star.  You can click here to find out which zone you live in.


Windows Plus is here to help answer any of your questions.  Visit Windows Plus of Cincinnati or Windows Plus of Dayton to get more information.

Tips for Replacement Window Shopping

I wanted to cover a few key things everyone should be aware of BEFORE they contact their local window company for an estimate.  So I broke down three different things everyone should know when they're window shopping.  Take a look below, and let me know what you think!

1. Learn the Replacement Window Vocabulary.  Study up on the terms you might hear when your friendly window salesman comes to your home.  Do you know the difference between a sill and a sill return?  Or the difference between a hopper and an awning window?  Do you really want a bay window, or are you considering a bow or garden window?  Studying up on key terms will make any window presentation less overwhelming.
2. Learn the Replacement Window Science.  No, I'm not saying you need to become a window expert.  But studying up on structural and energy ratings for windows will really help you make an informed decision when comparing windows.  You can check out the window ratings guide from Windows Plus, which breaks down the most important window ratings, how to read them, and explains exactly what each rating measures.
3. Check out Company Reviews BEFORE you Call!  You should be able to find reviews from any window company you're seriously considering.  There are multiple websites you should check out, so don't look at just one.  Angie's List, BBB, Google reviews, Yelp, etc., should be a great place to start.  Just remember:  if you can't find any reviews about the window company, chances are they haven't been around long enough.  So maybe move on to the next, more reputable company.  A company that has NO reviews may be just as bad (or worse!) than a company with a few BAD reviews.

Preparation is the key here.  Taking a bit of time to learn about windows BEFORE you shop will keep your window shopping from feeling overwhelming.  And an informed shopper is a smart shopper!

For more information, check out Windows Plus of Cincinnati or Windows Plus of Dayton anytime.  We'd be glad to help!

It Ain't Just About the Glass

When most people think about replacing their windows, there's one thing that people tend to focus on most with their new replacement windows:  the glass.  But there's  more to energy ratings than the glass panes (and what's between them)... the rest of the window!

EnergyStar uses the U-Factor as an assessment of energy efficiency of a window.  It's one of the most important ratings of any window.  But they don't use center-of-glass U-factors and R-values.  The reason is that center-of-glass values only measure the efficiency of the glass--not of the entire window as a whole.  A standard U-factor (or R-value) measures the energy efficiency of the entire replacement window.

The frame of the window (and the sashes) can make or break the efficiency of a vinyl window.  And there are ways to make a vinyl window stand out from the competition.  One of the most effective ways is to insulate the dead air space between the vinyl.  Not all window companies offer this, so it's important to make sure you're asking about it when shopping for your windows.

Of course, you can learn more about what makes up an energy efficient window by visiting one of our websites:

Windows Plus of Cincinnati
Windows Plus of Dayton

Thanks for reading!
Mike G.
The Window & Door Guy