This winter shut out the cold. Seeping cold air is fighting hard to get into your Kansas City home, but there are ways to keep it at bay. This winter take a few steps to prepare the windows in your home, or invest in new, energy-efficient replacement windows. Here are the winter energy savings suggestions from the window experts at All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding.

Improve Energy Efficiency of Existing Windows

• Add Storm Windows: This can reduce air leakage and increase the comfort of your home.
• Use Caulking: Using this can reduce the amount of air leaking through the opening between your home’s walls and the window frame.
• Add Weatherstripping: Installing this around window openings can help decrease the amount of air that slips in around the edges of the window where it meets the frame.
• Use Window Treatment Coverings: Window treatments or coverings won’t necessarily decrease air leakage and seepage into your home, but it will help decrease the amount of heat loss in the winter.

Related Read: Winter Is Coming: 3 Ways to Prepare Your Home’s Windows

Install Energy Efficient Replacement Windows

If you’ve already taken the steps above to protect your home from the cold to no avail, then it might be more beneficial to install new windows in your home. But how do you decide which windows are the right fit?

Look for the Energy Star Label

Start off by narrowing your search down to energy efficient replacement windows. A great way to spot these types of windows is to look for the ENERGY STAR label, which will give it an energy efficiency rating. The lower the U-factor on the label, the more energy-efficient the window is.

Pay Attention to the Style of Window

Another important aspect to look at is how the window operates. Some types of windows are naturally more energy efficient based on the way they operate. Awning and Casement Hinged windows typically are more energy efficient than sliding windows because the sash closes by pressing against the frame. Fixed pane windows are also more energy efficient since they are airtight when installed properly. But they aren’t ideal for areas where you want window ventilation.

Call All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding today at (913) 210-8810 or (816) 673-2480 to view the most energy efficient windows in the Kansas City area.

We may not live in the Game of Thrones series, but their saying “winter is coming” is still very applicable to this time of year in Kansas City. While the weather may be beautiful right now, winter’s wrath is only a few short months away – if that. So make sure your home is winterized and ready to stand up to the elements. One of the most important aspects of your home to prepare for winter are your windows. All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding has some tips to help you get them ready for the cold.

Shut & Lock Windows

This is the time of year to make sure your windows shut and lock properly. Make sure there are no gaps between the window and the frame when it shuts, and make sure they lock completely. Stick your hand a few inches away from the frame of your window when it’s shut and locked and see if you can feel any wind or air slipping through. If you do, your weather stripping could be worn down or your window could be misaligned.

Check Windows for Safety

Also make sure your windows operate the opposite way. What we mean is, make sure they can open easily if need be, like in the case of a fire or other emergency that might require you to get out of a window quickly. This is important during every season, but before winter especially, since many people usually light more candles and have lots of string lights around their home during the holidays.

Fix Window Screens

This is the time of year you should make sure your window screens don’t have any holes, or dents that could allow bugs or mosquitos inside. The end of the fall season and the beginning of the winter season is the time of year when bugs try to make their way inside your warm home. Keep out mosquitos and other bugs this winter by bringing your broken screens into All-Weather. We can even fix them while you wait.

Call All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding today at (913) 210-8810 or (816) 673-2480 to prepare your home for the long winter ahead.

If you’re looking to replace the windows in your Kansas City area home, make sure you know your facts. You can go one of two ways; pocket replacement windows or full replacement windows. The industry-specific terminology can be confusing, so the All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding experts will break it down for you.

First of all, most companies do not offer full frames because it costs them additional work. But, at All-Weather, you can choose from both styles or mix and match in different areas of your home. This could be a great way to spend top dollars on the windows you’ll see the most, and save on other, less prominent windows.

Pocket Insert Windows

A pocket window is manufactured to fit inside an existing window frame already installed in your house. These are very popular because they don’t require a lot of intensive work inside or outside your home, they tend to be less expensive, and they can be installed in 1-2 days. One drawback is that you lose some window space because the pocket windows have a frame of their own, which must fit in the existing frame shrinking the overall glass dimensions in the process.

Full Frame Windows

Full frame windows require more work on your installer’s part. These require new wood or vinyl framing on the inside and outside of your home before the window can even be installed, which means more labor, which of course means they are more expensive. But, full frame replacement windows allow you more glass space, which means more light.

Whichever replacement window option you choose All-Weather carries the materials you need. And you can rest assured we will walk you through the entire process.

Call us at (913) 210-8810 or (816) 673-2480 today to talk about your replacement window options with All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding. Or head down to one of our showrooms to see the products in person.

With spring right around the corner in Kansas City, it’s time to get windows prepped and ready for a summer of use. To maximize the life of your windows and your enjoyment of the beautiful weather, follow these simple steps:

1) Wash exteriors thoroughly from top to bottom. A winter’s worth of grime will cut down on your exposure to the sunlight. Be sure to wash the sash and window casing as well. To wash like a pro, take it from Brent Weingard, owner of Expert Window Cleaners in New York and avoid the newspaper, spray cleaners, and rubbing. He says “You’re just moving dirt around from one spot to another and putting a static charge on the glass, which attracts dust and dirt.”

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