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Doggy Doors – Why DIY May Be Barking Up the Wrong Tree

dog in doggy doorA doggy door is a simple way to let your dog have access to your yard to improve his or her house training skills and enjoy being out in the sunshine. However, doggy doors require more than just a quick installation before enjoying it. Check out these tips from All-Weather on what you need to know before choosing and installing a doggy door.

Safety First

A wide variety of dog doors include options that lock or open only for dogs wearing an electronic collar. These add increased safety to your home, and keep wandering wildlife (possums, raccoons, etc) out, while also allowing Fido to roam freely. Make sure to choose doors sized precisely to fit your dog, and check out energy-efficient weatherized options as well.

Installation

When deciding to install a dog door, the first choice you should make is where to install it. A variety of doggy door kits install in the bottom of an exterior door, a wall or even a screen. Large panels allow you to create a doggy door in your sliding patio door. You will find dog doors to fit nearly any type of location, but be sure to ask a Kansas City entry door professional which doggy door is right for your existing door.

Installing a dog door is a project that requires woodworking skills and precise cutwork on your doors. Some dog door installations require even more complex work than others. Adding a dog door to a wall requires woodworking skills, and it is a task that is difficult for the average homeowner to accomplish. Hiring a professional is the best way to achieve a finished look and an efficient installation process.

Is My Door Ideal for a Doggy Door?

Most different types of wooden doors are ideal for including a dog door. Most dog door kits include a cutting template and all the hardware you will need for professional installation. Metal doors are also appropriate for dog doors, but having a hole cut in this type of door is more difficult, as it requires a metal saw blade. Dog doors cannot be added to very thin doors, hollow-core doors or glass doors.

Risks of Installing a Doggy Door

Risks of installing a dog door include the opportunity for other neighborhood pets or wildlife to access your home along with large dog doors inviting the opportunity for burglars to easily enter your home.

Choosing a locking or electronic door will eliminate this issue, as only your dog will be able to trigger the door to open. If you plan to sell your home, a dog door could deter potential home purchasers; however, a high-quality locking door closes tightly if no dog is in the home.

Dog doors also may create drafts or allow cold or hot air to enter your home; however, high-quality insulated doors that have a two-flap system will eliminate this problem and close securely. Two-flap systems that install in the wall are effective, as the wide air lock that forms between the two flaps serves as an insulative space.

Avoid a DIY Doggy Door disaster and contact the professionals at All-Weather today! And for more tips and tricks for homeowners, check out our blog.

Tips to Keep Small Critters from Destroying Your Screens

Have you been wondering how to keep kids, pets, and bugs from destroying the screens in your doors and windows? You are not alone. After having a beautiful new door installed, the last thing you want to look at is gooey bug guts, and holes in your screens. Here are a few tricks the team at All-Weather want to share that will keep your screens clean and looking like new.

Bye Bye Bugs

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Bugs stuck to your screens, and even worse bug guts, are just plain gross! Try these suggestions to minimize unwanted embellishments on your screens:

  • Grow insect repelling plants near windows and doors. A few lovely and fragrant selections are Rosemary, Lemongrass, Citronella-scented Geraniums, and Marigolds. As a bonus, you can use the Rosemary and Lemongrass in your cooking.
  • Turn the lights off. Turn porch lights on only when needed. Many night-time insects are attracted to the light and will use your screens as a landing pad. Be careful too, of leaving lights on inside. When it is dark outside, and inside lights beckon, bugs will flock to your screens.
  • Dab essential oils on your door frames, window frames and screens to keep the bugs away. Try citronella, tea tree, rosemary, lavender, clove, peppermint, or combine two or more, until you find what works best for you.

 

For Curious Kids & Playful Pets

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Kids and pets are also enemies of screens. Here are a few things that can help keep your screens intact and looking beautiful even when toddlers, kittens, and puppies, are on the attack.

  • Keep a spray bottle with water handy, to warn away the kitties and pups, (don’t do this to your toddler!). If you see them trying to paw at, or climb a screen, spray the screen with water. The water will deter your pets and should soon train them to keep away.
  • Place a baby gate in front of the screen door. Baby gates are a temporary and moveable solution.
  • Install a screen door saver, like one from Safety First. It is a more permanent solution than a baby gate and protects your screens from kids and pets.
  • Put a favorite scratching post near the door or window your cat has targeted for scratching (bad, kitty!). Her favorite scratcher may lure her away from the screens.

Try these tips and let us know how they worked for you! And, if it’s too little too late for your screen doors and windows, contact us online today or call us at (913) 262-4380 and we’ll take care of them all.

Front Door Facelift: How to Transform Your Front Door

Is your front door becoming an eyesore? It may be time for a front door facelift. There are many ways to freshen your front door, for example, a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to give your home instant curb appeal. However, not all front doors have the same painting process, and some may require more than just a touch-up.

Follow this guide from All-Weather to find out how to transform your front door from an eyesore to a total score!

Painting Your Front Door

Things to Consider

If you know your front door needs fixing up, but don’t know where to start, here are a few things to consider:

  • What type of door do you have? This is a crucial question to answer before moving forward with any improvements. Different types of doors require different care and maintenance, so be sure to do your research beforehand.
  • Is there wood rot? If you have any type of wood rot around your door, it needs to be addressed. Depending on how bad the wood rot is, you may be much better off replacing your door than wasting your time with quick fixes.
  • Is the door panel warped? Same as wood rot, if your front door’s panel is warped, it needs to be fixed. This is another instance where considering a new door may be your best option.

If you are looking for a new door, we suggest a fiberglass door because they are pre-finished and ready for installation from our shop. Check out all our other great options on our website and find out how we can help solve your front door needs!

However, for those of you who have a wood door and want to take a shot at DIY here’s how to do it.

Painting for Wood Doors

Step 1: Choose a Color

When choosing a color for your home, pick something that shows off your personality as well as the overall style of your home. Consider all the colors surrounding your home and within your home. For instance, your landscaping, walkways, and other elements leading up to your front door. These elements can serve as inspiration when choosing a paint color.

Also, remember that your front door serves as the first impression for the rest of your home. Pick a color that complements the decor in your home in order to tie it all together from start to finish.

Once you’ve chosen a few colors, tape the swatches to your door and leave them up for a few days to decide. Make sure to look at them in the morning, afternoon, and evening to see how each color looks in different lighting.

Related Read: How to Choose a Front Door Color

Step 2: Time to Prep

The first step to prepping your front door is removing all the hardware. This may seem tedious, but it is much easier to achieve a professional look if you take the time to do this step. If you’re considering replacing your hardware, now would be the perfect time to do it.

Next, you will want to sand your door. We recommend using a palm sander because it roughens the flat surfaces, giving your primer the ideal surface to adhere to. If the palm sander doesn’t reach the small details on your door, you may have to hand sand them.

Once you’re finished sanding, take a dry rag and wipe it down to remove any excess sanding dust.

Helpful Tip: Don’t want to take your door apart? Check out how to paint your door without taking it off its hinges.

Step 3: Prime & Paint

Now that you’ve prepped the door, it’s time to prime and paint! Usually a white primer will do, but depending on the color you choose, you may have to get your primer tinted. Not sure if you need a tinted primer? Find out when to use a tinted primer in this article.  

When the primer has dried, lightly run the sandpaper over any imperfections, and wipe away any dust left behind with a dry rag.

When it comes time to paint, start with the details and trim. Once you have hand-painted all the details, you can use a small roller, we recommend a six-inch roller with a low-nap texture, to paint the rest of the flat surfaces on the door.

After a few coats, examine the door and find any imperfections. If you find any inconsistencies, use a brush to hand-paint for a perfected finished product.

Related Read: Paint Trim Like a Pro: Tips for a Prettier Paint Job

Step 4: Last But Not Least – Dry & Cure

You’re almost there! Although you may want to cut corners and put your door back together right away, it is important to give your freshly painted door a full day to dry and cure. After it has had a day to set, all that’s left is putting it back together!

Now it’s time to reattach your old hardware, or attach the new hardware. Once you’ve done this, it’s time to take a step back and enjoy your new front door!

Thinking about a new front door for your home? Give All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding a call at (913) 262-4380 and check out our blog for even more helpful tips!

4 Simple Steps to Replace Your Screen Door

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Screen doors take a lot of abuse, and pets and kids seem to be the worst offenders. Whether they’ve left holes and tears or loosened your screen beyond repair, it may be time to replace that worn-out screen.

Don’t worry! You don’t have to replace the door entirely, just the screen! Even better, this is a task you can do all on your own. Follow these four easy steps from All-Weather and you’ll have a new screen door in no time!

Tools & Materials

    • Scissors
    • Utility Knife
  • Screen Door Spline

Step 1: Ditch the Damaged Screen

Out with thman-replacing-screen-door-all-weathere old and in with the new! Remove the frame of your screen door and lay it down on a large, flat surface.

 Locate the spline on the outer edges of the frame, and pull it from the frame to release the damaged screen. Don’t worry about keeping the old spline or screen material, you will replace these altogether.

Now that you’ve gotten it down to just the frame, it’s time to measure for your new screen.

Step 2: Measure & Cut

replacing-screen-door-spline-all-weatherNext, it’s time to make your screen like new. Take the roll of screen material and roll it out so it extends past the frame on all sides about two to three inches.

It is important to leave this extra screen on all sides because as you apply the spline, it will tighten the screen and you can trim away the extra, but if the screen doesn’t extend far enough it may not reach all the edges.

Related Read: Phantom Screens-Now You See Them, Now You Don’t

Step 3: Securing Your Screen

This is where the screen spline installation tool becomes your best friend. This tool makes wedging the spline into the frame easier because it has both convex and concave rollers on either side. 

First, you will cut the spline to measure the length around your frame, leaving a few extra inches on the edge just in case. Next, align it over the frame above the groove where it will be secured. Use the concave end of your installation tool and press the spline into position.

spline-installation-tool-convex-concave-all-weather-screen-doorWith one hand, slowly roll the spline into place, and hold the screen taut with the other hand to ensure the screen is tight and doesn’t bunch. As you reach the corners of the frame, bend the spline into a right angle, and use the other side of the roller (the convex side) to push it in.  

 Once you have done all those steps, go over the entire length of the frame with the convex side of your tool to ensure the spline is completely secured into the frame.

Step 4: Trim & Enjoy!

trimming-screen-door-all-weatherLast step is to take your utility knife and cut around the inside of the frame right above the spline. This will eliminate the excess screen and leave a nice clean look for your newly improved screen door!

Now all that’s left to do is put your screen door back on its tracks and enjoy!

For more helpful tips and tricks, check out All-Weather’s blog or contact us today to discuss what All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding can do for your home this Spring!

Paint Trim Like a Pro: Tips for a Prettier Paint Job

Painting the trim on your doors and windows can often be the trickiest part to maneuver. Those tiny cracks and difficult-to-reach edges can leave you frustrated and ready to give up.

We’ve been around our fair share of windows and doors here at All-Weather, and we want painting your trim to be a breeze. To ease some of that frustration, here are tips for before, during, and after painting your trim.

 

supplies-youll-need-painting-trim-all-weather

  • Painter’s Tape: Painter’s tape keeps things looking precise and polished.
  • Stiff Angled Paint Brush: The right brush will make your life a lot easier when it comes to painting your trim, so if you need to splurge, do it on this item!
  • Interior/Exterior Trim Paint: Many prefer a semi-gloss or high-gloss when painting their trim, but remember, if you are painting inside or outside you will need to buy a different trim paint for each area.
  • Clear it out: Make sure to move any furnishings, cords, drapes or other items near the trim and place a drop cloth beneath the surface you’ll be painting. 

 

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  • Sand it down: It is extremely crucial to sand down any imperfections and clean the surface of your trim before doing anything. This helps paint last longer, making your life easier in the long run.
  • Clean it up: Whether you are painting the indoor or outdoor trim of your home, it is crucial to clean the surface. Painting over dust and other debris may affect the effectiveness of your primer.
  • Tape it off: Painter’s tape is the best way to achieve clean lines. Make sure to spend time on this, it will be worth it when you’re done. In addition to painter’s tape, you can use a paint guard to get clean lines.
  • Prime time: Before you paint you have to prime, right? Wrong. Skip this step with a primer-and-paint blend. If you do decide to prime separately, make sure to let it dry completely before the next coat.

 

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  • More is more: You heard right. Many don’t put a lot of paint on their brush to avoid dripping and running, but this may be counterproductive. Putting too thin of a layer of paint can cause it to dry too quickly, leaving behind uneven lines.
  • Once is enough: Many think you need to layer it on when it comes to paint, but often times one coat is all you need. Paint your first coat and walk away, with the primer underneath it should be good to go. If not, paint one more coat and repeat.
  • Quick, the tape!: Remove the painter’s tape while the paint is still wet. This will avoid creating chips and ruining your masterpiece.

Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your (semi) professional paint job! For more tips on painting windows, doors, and all other types of trim try Black & Decker’s The Complete Guide to Windows & Entryways: Repair – Renew – Replace.

 

Are you considering new windows for your home? Let the professionals at All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding help. Learn everything about our windows, here.

 

Security 101: The Safest Locks for Your Home

The only thing standing between an intruder and your home is your front door. With this frightening reality, it’s no surprise that homeowners want the best when it comes to their door locks. All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding wants to ensure that your home is fully protected, so today we are showing you the best options and what to look for in a quality door lock.

dead-bolt-lock-entry-door-all-weather-doors

Time to Lock It Down

Homeowners have many brands and options to consider when securing their home, but first, they need to decide on the basics. Here are the basic types of locks you will choose from.

  • Deadbolt locks are the king of locks. They provide the utmost security for your home and are, without a doubt, the most durable. For residential homes, these are often paired with another lock below for enhanced security.
  • Locksets & Handlesets are medium security door locks, and they have two doorknobs, one on the outside and inside, that can be locked from either side. These aren’t quite the same caliber as a deadbolt, but these are great to pair with a deadbolt for maximum security.
  • Keyless locks are becoming more and more popular amongst homeowners because of the convenience and advanced home security they offer. These have an anti-theft rolling code feature that makes sure the same code can’t be used twice. Certain models even sound an alarm after so many failed attempts.

Related Read: A Front Door Safety Feature So Good, It Changed Building Codes in Kansas City

 

Check the Grade Before You Pay

After deciding the basic type of lock you need, checking the grade of that lock should be your next priority. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) created grades for door locks to identify their quality and durability. Every lock that is ANSI graded is extensively tested to ensure maximum safety and is categorized into the three grades below:

  • Grade 1: This is the highest grade security available. Typically this grade is used in commercial buildings, but residential customers can purchase a grade 1 deadbolt to meet this level of security in their home.
  • Grade 2: This is a more common grade lock for residential purposes. A grade 2 lock exceeds standard residential security and is the next best option when choosing a door lock for your home.
  • Grade 3: This grade only meets residential building requirements and provides minimal residential security. If you have grade 3 locks in your home it may be time for an update!

The type of lock you choose and the grade are crucial to the safety of your home. Next time you are replacing your locks, or even your door, make sure to consider these helpful tips.

Thinking it’s time to make security a priority? We’re here to help! Let the professionals at All-Weather guide you to the right choice in your entry doors.  

Upcycle Your Old Door: Create a DIY Table

Reuse Old DoorIf you’ve recently remodeled your home, you might have a lot of excess materials you need to dispose of. Instead of throwing all of your old things out, see if you can upcycle or repurpose some of them. Old doors are one item that you can reuse in other ways, especially they have unique or interesting characteristics. One of our favorite ways to upcycle an old door is by making it into a table. These are great for unique dining or kitchen tables that spark conversation at dinner parties. All-Weather explains how you can create a DIY table with your old door.

Materials You’ll Need

  • Old door
  • 4 wood posts
  • Drill and screws
  • Pocket-hole jig
  • Power sander and sandpaper
  • Chop saw
  • Paint and brushes
  • Four 1x3x8′ plank boards
  • Beveled-cut glass the size of door/tabletop

Related Read: The Best & Worst Doors for Increasing Energy Efficiency in Your Home

Get Building

  1. Cut your wood posts to length. The height of most dining tables is 29 inches. Subtract the thickness of the door and the glass covering, and what’s left over should be the height of your wood posts.
  2. Use 1×3 plank boards to make the skirt boards. The skirt is the wood overhang that spans the length between the legs and holds the tabletop up. To determine the size of the skirt pieces, measure the length and width of the door (tabletop), then subtract the thickness of the posts (legs), then subtract  another 2 inches to give the tabletop a 1-inch overhang on all sides.
  3. Drill three pocket holes on the inside ends of skirt boards. This is where you will attach the skirt to the posts.
  4. Drill single pocket holes along the inside of the skirt board spaced about a foot apart. These will be used to attach the skirt boards to the underside of the tabletop.
  5. Assemble the table base by screwing the legs to the skirt through the side pocket holes.
  6. Sand, prime and paint the table base. Let it dry completely.
  7. Attach the table base to the top, then screw through the single pocket holes on the inside of the skirt boards.
  8. Last, lay the beveled glass on top of the door.


On the flipside, if you’ve recently had an All-Weather door installed in your Kansas City home and don’t want to reuse your old one, we will dispose of it for you free of charge. Call us today at 913-262-4380 to install your new doors.

The Best & Worst Doors for Increasing Energy Efficiency in Your Home

Holiday Entry DoorWhen the cold air moves into the Kansas City area you know it because you can feel it start to seep into your home through undetected  nooks and crannies. One of the best ways to keep your home energy efficient during the winter months (and year round) is with high quality windows and doors. Stop cold air in its tracks this winter with one of these three energy efficient door picks from All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding.

Steel Doors

Steel doors have some of the highest energy efficiency ratings, usually just behind most fiberglass doors. Since many steel doors are manufactured for the utmost security, they’re usually tightly fitted to the door’s frame and lock shut securely. Newer steel doors don’t look like the cold, bland doors we’ve seen in the past. Newer steel doors have increased style, but you still don’t get quite as many options as with fiberglass or wood doors.

Fiberglass Doors

Considered some of most energy efficient options on the market, fiberglass doors, from brands we carry like Andersen and Therma-Tru, are a great option to keep your home nice and cozy this winter. Decked out with properly fitted weather stripping and door sweeps, these doors are almost totally resistant to winter weather from wind to sleet to snow. Fiberglass doors are also among the most durable door materials. They get fewer dings than steel, and don’t require restaining or repainting like wood.

Related Read: Why You Should Install Storm Doors Before Winter

Wood Doors

Wood doors are beautiful and still a classic look, but they are not the best at insulating your home from the elements. Wood allows more heat to pass through than steel or fiberglass doors. Wood doors can still do a decent job though, especially in more temperate areas. If you love the look of wood, make sure you add weatherstripping and a door sweep to maximize its energy efficiency. While they aren’t the most energy efficient doors, they still have a lot of pros. Wood doors are less likely to get dinged than steel doors, and are also very easy to repaint or stain when you decided to change the style of your home.


All-Weather can help you find the right door for your home in one of our showrooms conveniently located throughout the Kansas City area. Call us today at 913-262-4380 to set up an appointment to find your perfect door with one of our product specialists.

The Importance of Storm Windows in Kansas City

Protect Windows with Storm WindowsThe inevitable chill of winter is not far off. Before it gets here make sure your home is prepared to fend off the elements efficiently and able to keep you and your loved ones nice and toasty. While your mind might immediately think about calling your furnace technician, you might actually want to take a second to think about your home’s windows and doors. Up to 40% of your home’s energy costs in the winter can be spent combating air infiltration through windows and doors. Infiltration is the air leaking around and thru older and poor fitting windows and doors. At All-Weather, we know that one of the best ways to keep air infiltration to a minimum in your home is by installing storm windows and installing front doors in Kansas City. Here are just a few reasons they’ll help keep you warmer and your energy bills lower this winter.

Storm Windows & Doors Create an Extra Barrier Against Air Infiltration

Storm windows are secondary windows installed on the interior or exterior of the primary windows. They can help buffer extreme temperatures by blocking the amount of outside air that reaches the inside of the home. A properly installed high performance storm window can virtually eliminate air infiltration by creating a barrier outside of the primary window. The result is much less pressure on the primary window and the reduction of air leakage.

Related Read: 6 Steps to Button Up Your Home for Fall

They’re an Economically Smart Decision

Not only will installing storm windows and doors help decrease your energy bills, but they can also be a less expensive alternative to installing all new energy-efficient windows. While energy-efficient replacement windows in Kansas City are still your best bet to cut costs and increase the longevity of your windows, it’s not always in everyone’s budget. Storm windows can cost as little as a quarter of the price of a quality replacement window, and they can help reduce heat loss by up to 20% or more if you currently have single pane windows.

Storm Windows & Doors Reduce Maintenance Needs

Since storm windows and doors add an extra barrier, they also help protect your primary windows and doors from the elements. Besides harsh winds, storm windows also help protect against rain, snow, sleet, hail, and other debris that gets hurled through the air by heavy winds. This can help reduce the amount of maintenance you’ll need on your windows and doors, which will also help increase their lifespan.

Not any old storm window or door will do though. Make sure you look for a quality product that can be installed by a company that knows what they’re doing. Call All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding today at 913-262-4380 to check out your storm window options before winter gets here.

6 Steps to Button Up Your Home for Fall


With the changing leaves comes a change in season as well. Before winter’s chill sets into the Kansas City metro area, make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row. Taking a few preventative steps now towards
winterizing your home can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle later on down the road.Fix Drafty Windows and Doors

Take Care of Leaky Windows & Doors

Take these extra steps to keep your home more comfortable and your energy bills lower this winter. Check your windows and exterior doors for air leaks near the edges and frames. Put your hand an inch or two away from your window or door near edges and feel around for a draft of wind. If you find any leaks, use caulk to seal them up. You can call a window and door expert from All-Weather to come out to your house and test the energy efficiency of your windows and doors for a more thorough evaluation. If you’ve been on the fence about replacing any windows or doors, now is also the time the bite the bullet while the weather is still nice out.

Related Read: Energy Performance Ratings for Windows & Doors and What They Mean

Clear Out the Gutters

All the foliage is beautiful this this time of year, but it can get stuck in some hard to reach places when it falls for the season, like in your gutters. If you don’t already have gutter protectors, now is the time to clean out leaves and debris. Leaves and other debris can clog your gutters, causing water damage to your roof, dislodging  gutters, and creating ice dams in the winter that can be downright dangerous.

Winterize Outdoor Faucets

You’re probably watering your lawn less and less now, but pretty soon it will be time to leave it be for the season. At that point it’s important to drain your outdoor faucets and hoses of all water and disconnect them for the season. If the water supply is kept on, you could risk frozen water still in the system bursting some of your pipes, which can be a costly repair.

Clean Out the Chimney

Make an appointment  to get your chimney cleaned before your start using your fireplace again this season. This will ensure that your chimney is clear of any debris that might have gathered in the flue since last winter. Animals can build nests and soot can build up over time. These can  become a potential fire and smoke hazard if left uncleared and clogging your chimney.

Test Smoke Detectors

You should always test your smoke detector twice a year, and the fall should be one of those times. When the holiday season gets here you’ll have all types of potential fire hazards, christmas trees and lights strung up, the oven baking, a fire in the fireplace, the list goes on. Make sure your smoke  detector has full batteries and is working correctly leading into this busy time. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Get a Furnace Tune-Up

Now is also a great time to get a furnace tune-up to ensure a more comfortable season. Furnace tune-ups keep your system working efficiently, which helps keep your heating bills lower, and helps decrease the likelihood of breakdowns when you’ll need your furnace the most this winter.


Call All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding today at 913-262-4380  to help you prepare your home for the cold season in Kansas City.

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