Energy Performance Ratings for Windows & Doors and What They Mean

July 29, 2015 Doug Bennett

Window Energy Ratings When you’re shopping for new windows or doors, there’s a lot to pay attention to. Something you’re sure to see, but probably unsure exactly what it means, are the performance ratings on the labels. This can be confusing for many homeowners, but it’s definitely something that’s worth your time becoming familiar with. These performance ratings can give you a lot of insight into how the window or door will perform in your home when it comes to energy efficiency. While you may not take that performance aspect of a window or door into mind, a product with a good rating can help you save lots when it comes to your heating and cooling bills year round. All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding sums up the top three energy performance ratings and what they mean for you.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) operates a program that tests, certifies, and labels windows, doors, and skylights based on their energy performance ratings. The NFRC label provides a reliable way to determine a window’s energy properties and to compare products. You can find these labels on all ENERGY STAR® qualified window, door, and skylight products. ENERGY STAR bases its qualification only on U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, and air leakage ratings.

U-Factor

This performance rating is based on the rate at which a window, door, or skylight conducts non-solar heat flow. It’s usually expressed in units of Btu/hr-ft2-oF. The lower the U-factor, the more energy-efficient the window, door, or skylight.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

This performance rating is also seen abbreviated as SHGC, and i s the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, door, or skylight. The lower the SHGC rating, the less solar heat it transmits and the greater its ability to provide shade. A product with a high SHGC rating is more effective at collecting solar heat during the winter. A product with a low SHGC rating is more effective at reducing cooling loads during the summer by blocking heat gain from the sun. Which type of SHGC rating you look for in products for your home should depend on your home’s climate, orientation, and external shading, as well as the climate of the area where you live. Arizona homes, for instance would likely look for windows and doors with a low SHGC rating, while a home in Minnesota might look for products with higher SHGC ratings.

Air Leakage

No one likes drafty doors or windows. This performance rating will give you a good idea how airtight a door, window, or skylight is. It measures the rate of air movement around a window, door, or skylight. It’s expressed in units of cubic feet per minute per square foot of frame area (cfm/ft2). A product with a low air leakage rating is tighter, and less likely to become drafty than one with a high air leakage rating.

For more information on how energy-efficient windows and doors can help you save, call your trusted home experts at All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding at 913-262-4380.

Uncategorized

3 Energy-Efficient Window Treatments

July 16, 2015 Doug Bennett

Natural light can be very flattering for your home, and can help open up your home, but it can also cause a lot of heat gain in the summer months. While that can be beneficial in the winter months, it can also exacerbate your air conditioning needs and send your cooling costs through the roof. Nobody likes that. So how can you still reap the benefits of big, bright windows without having to suffer the drawbacks? Make sure you install the right type of window treatments. Here are three energy-efficient window treatment options to check out.

Awnings

Window awnings are a great choice for energy-efficient window treatments. They can help reduce solar heat gain in the summer by as much as 65% on south-facing windows, and as much as 75% on west-facing windows. Choose awnings with tightly woven materials that are lighter in color. These tend to reflect more sunlight, which further helps reduce heat gain.

Draperies

Indoor draperies are another great way to reduce the power of the sun’s rays in your home. Medium colored draperies with a white backing are the most energy efficient. These have been shown to reduce heat gain by as much as 33%. They can also be useful in the winter months, by helping seal the heat inside, and reduce heat loss.

Shades

As long as these are properly installed, they can be one of the most energy-efficient ways to reduce heat gain in your home through windows. Make sure your shades are mounted as close to the glass as possible with the sides of the shade held close to the wall. For greater efficiency, use dual shades—highly reflective, white lined on one side and heat absorbing dark on the other side. These can then be reversed with the seasons. The reflective surface should always face the warmest side.

For helping figuring out which type of window treatment is best for different areas of your home, call the window experts at All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding at 913-262-4380. You can also check out our window guide with 112 Ways to Make Your Windows Stand Out.

General News

All-Weather Cuts The Ribbon & Celebrates New Ownership

June 30, 2015 Doug Bennett

This past month the All-Weather team celebrated our new ownership. Formerly owned by Kim and Oanh Blake, the torch was passed on to Doug & Jolene Bennett on June 18^th and was made official with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Thank You To The Mission Community

“All-Weather has spent 29 years in Mission and hopes to be here for 29 more,” Doug Bennett shared. The All-Weather team wanted to give a big thank you to all who came out to help us celebrate. We were joined by family, friends, members of the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Mayor of Mission, Steve Schowengerdt. Be sure to check out the photos from the ribbon cutting below!

Weren’t able to attend the celebration? We invite you to stop by our Mission showroom to meet the All-Weather team.

Windows

Replacing Your Windows? Try These Design Recommendations

June 2, 2015 Doug Bennett

If you’re replacing the windows in your Kansas City area home, you know that you have many options. While performance is always a top priority, design can often be overlooked when it comes to the big picture. While you might like the style of one window, it might not have the right design aspects to mesh with your home. All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding has lots of experience with this sort of problem. Check out these window design recommendations from the Kansas City window experts.

Capture More Light

A common complaint among homeowners is that they can’t get enough natural light to illuminate the inside of their home. Natural light not only makes everything look better and more welcoming, but it naturally attracts people. One way to harness the power of sunlight is to create a window design that captures more of it. Choose a window installment that includes transoms and sidelights to maximize the amount of light that comes into your home.

Use Windows To Freshen Up Your Home

Windows don’t just have to be a way to add light into you home. When installed correctly, they can also increase the amount of fresh air that ventilates throughout your home. Installing roof windows directly above wall windows creates updrafts that funnel warm air outdoors and away from living areas.

Proper Window Placement Is Key

Window placement is very important to get a more aesthetically pleasing look, both inside and out. Installing windows in a way that complements the layout of your home can take a room from drab to fab. Placing a window on a wall opposite your front doorway creates a warm, welcoming effect. When your exterior view isn’t the most desirable, proper window placement can focus your sights on the more appealing part of your surroundings, and keep the unwanted views hidden from sight.

Personalize It

Lastly, personalizing your windows is a great way to ensure that you’ll always enjoy looking at it. Little things like grille patterns, a splash of color, even latches and handles can make a huge difference. Play around with combinations until you find the one that suits your style and your home.

For more design ideas, take a peek at our guide to 112 Ways to Make Your Home’s Windows Stand Out.

Doors, General News, Windows

Summer Energy Savings: Windows & Doors Checklist

May 19, 2015 Doug Bennett

When the Kansas City temperatures start rising, so do your cooling bills. But just because All-Weather isn’t a heating and cooling company doesn’t mean we can’t help you save money on your monthly energy bills. Here are a few things we can help you do today to help you save on your bills tomorrow and beyond.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows

One of the biggest ways we can help you save is by helping you choose the right windows for your home. We offer many styles and options, but if you’re looking to save on your summer cooling bills, you should look at our energy-efficient windows. Our Andersen Windows come with a variety of glass options, many of them having superior thermal and UV-shielding properties. Plus, their weatherstripping and closing functions are airtight, meaning you won’t feel a draft.

Pick the Proper Window Treatments

One way to help you keep the sun’s warm rays from heating up your home like a greenhouse is by installing the right type of window treatments. Utilizing your window treatments during the day can help you deflect the light and heat, and keep your home cooler, thereby decreasing the need for your air conditioner to keep running on high. Install white or light colored blinds or shades that won’t absorb the heat from the sun. Also, the more opaque your window treatments are, the less likely the sun’s rays are to seep through.

Ditch the Drafty Door

Your doors are meant to keep many things out of your home, from intruders, to debris, to wind. Don’t let that hot and humid summer air leak into your home and make you uncomfortable and a few dollars poorer. If your current door isn’t up to par, replace it with an energy-efficient door from All-Weather that can withstand the elements. We only sell the best quality doors from Andersen Windows and Therma-Tru. These doors have great insulation and thermal properties that shield your home from the exterior temperature changes. They also come installed with airtight weatherstripping and framing.

Bet you didn’t think of turning to a window, door and siding company to keep your energy bills down? Call All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding at 913-262-4380 to install your energy-efficient windows and doors today.

Doors

So You Want to Buy a Door . . . Your Guide to Replacing Any Exterior Door In Your Home

May 7, 2015 Doug Bennett

Your exterior doors are like the entrance gates into your castle. Since you are the ruler, you get to make the final decisions about what is right for your castle. All-Weather can help you make those tough decisions by arming you with all your options, and guiding you towards the best fit for you and your home. Here’s an outline of all the points you should consider when replacing any exterior door.

Decide on Performance Features

One of the most important things to look at when replacing an exterior door in your Kansas City area home is the performance features. A great way to assess this is to ask yourself what problem you are trying to fix by replacing your door in the first place? From there you’ll be better able to pinpoint the types of doors that will be the best fit. If your old door was drafty, you’ll want to look at doors with good thermal retainment properties. If you’re afraid of intruders, you should look at doors that have stronger locking systems and frames.

Pick a Style & Material That Mesh With Your Home

The next most important decision is picking the right style for your home. Would a rustic door mesh well with the rest of your home, or would a more traditional door bring harmony to the aesthetics of your home? Once you have the style down, then you can choose the material. Many rustic doors are wood, but traditional and modern doors come in a larger selection of material options. There’s wood, steel, and fiberglass. But just because your door isn’t wood doesn’t mean it will look like a prison door. Many of the fiberglass and steel doors are beautifully crafted and can be designed to look like real wood, but with more durability and security.

Decide on a Color or Finish

After you have the most important aspects of your door buying decision, the fun begins. Your door can be an understated beauty that blends in beautifully with the rest of your home, or you can make it a focal point. One way to do either is to pick the right color or finish. For an understated door go for more natural wood finishes, or muted paint colors, like greys, warm browns, and beiges. For doors that stand out, use vibrant wood finishes or colors like red, blue, yellow or green.

Finish It Off With the Right Door Accessories

Lastly, pick out the door accessories you want. Your door hardware and handles can have a big impact on the style. With many handle shapes and finishes, your options are extensive . Also decide if you want a door sweep to help keep debris and dirt from entering your home. Another addition to think about is a door stop. These are most commonly installed on storm and patio doors. It ensures that a closing door doesn’t close too hard, or open beyond the angle its hinges will allow.

For a more detailed outline of how to replace each specific type of exterior door in your home (or castle), download our complete All-Weather Guide to Replacing Any Exterior Door in Your Home.

Doors

Phantom Screens-Now You See Them, Now You Don’t

May 6, 2015 Doug Bennett

Do you have a beautiful entry door that you’d like to be able to open up for fresh air but don’t want to ruin its aesthetic appeal with a clunky screen door? All-Weather Window, Doors, and Siding has a solution – Phantom Screens. Phantom Screens are there when you need them and gone when you don’t.

Benefits of Adding Phantom Retractable Screen Doors

Phantom screen doors offer a host of benefits that you will come to enjoy. Besides being durable and beautiful, you’ll appreciate these advantages as well:

Breathe fresh air without the bugs
Enjoy uninterrupted views of the beautiful outdoors
Reduce the harsh glare of the sun
Lower energy costs-turn the air conditioner off and let the cool night air in when the sun goes down.
Expand your living space – turn a covered patio or porch into an extension of your home with retractable screens.

Get Peace of Mind with a Limited Lifetime Warranty

The biggest concern most customers have about these screens is durability. Most of their products are designed and manufactured in their North American facility. To allow them to deliver customization and quality, their retractable screens are built primarily by hand. From extruded aluminum housing and tracks to corrosion resistant finishes and components, these quality screens are designed to last a lifetime. That’s why they’re covered by a lifetime warranty, so you can buy with confidence.

What Type of Doors Will Phantom Screens Fit?

Phantom screen doors will fit just about any kind of door. They are available for out-swinging doors and as a double door for French style patio doors. These disappearing screen doors are gaining popularity because today’s entry doors are so efficient, there really is no need for a storm door in the winter. Phantom screens are the perfect solution when you need ventilation during the pleasant times of the year like spring and fall. Plus, these screens blend with any architectural style. They are perfect for both new and existing homes.

If you’re ready to let the fresh air in and keep the bugs out, give the Phantom screen experts at All-Weather Window, Doors, and Siding a call. We can answer any questions you have and give you a quote for your home. Call us at (913) 210-8810 or (816) 673-2480.

Uncategorized

5 Reasons We Love Andersen Windows

March 26, 2015 Doug Bennett

At All-Weather Window, Doors and Siding, we’ve been keeping customers happy for over 25 years. One of the keys to our success is Andersen windows. We chose to sell Andersen replacement windows because they are a company that has always stood for quality and innovation. We feel both are of the utmost importance in providing what our Kansas City customers want. So whether you’re looking for economy or variety, energy efficiency or architectural authenticity, hi-tech materials or low-maintenance design, you can count on Andersen for quality craftsmanship and reliable performance. Here are some of the things you’ll get with Andersen windows that you won’t get with others.

Andersen’s Perma Shield Cladded Exteriors for Low Maintenance

One of the things our customers love about Andersen windows is the fact that they are maintenance free. Andersen’s Perma Shield cladded exteriors create a tough, protective shell that resists dents, repels water, and won’t peel, flake, blister or corrode. This means your windows will look great and be virtually maintenance-free permanently. The Perma Shield completely seals out moisture, unlike many of the other wood window brands. Other manufacturers use formed aluminum to cover the wood, which can leak and cause wood rot. The unique way that Andersen clads your window will insure a lifetime of protection from the elements and freedom from wood rot.

Exclusive Fibrex Material for Strength

Andersen’s Fibrex material is strong and durable like wood but low maintenance like vinyl. It is also a sustainable, green building material. Andersen uses Fibrex material across its product lines. With 40% pre-consumer reclaimed wood fiber by weight, and twice the strength of vinyl, Fibrex blocks thermal transfer nearly 700 times better than aluminum for improved overall energy efficiency. Because of it’s great thermal performance, we can even offer Fibrex windows with dark colors like Black and Dark Bronze without the worry of heat damage to the frames.

Beautiful Real Wood Interiors that can be stained or painted to match your decor

Andersen has always represented quality and beauty, along with efficiency. Most window manufacturers focus solely on low cost, and low maintenance. As a result you have very few choices when it comes to interiors. Some offer an imitation veneer that looks like wood-grained contact paper and only comes in a few colors that don’t usually match anything. Or you are limited to just 1 or 2 colors. Andersen’s Replacement choices can be custom stained or painted to match your home perfectly. With Andersen, you have unlimited colors and options to match virtually any architectural style so you won’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for convenience.

Andersen TruScene Window Screens Are Clearly Better

We buy windows because they provide light and a way to see outside. So why ruin that with a screen that dulls the light and obscures the view? Andersen’s TruScene screens provide more than 50% greater clarity than conventional aluminum screens, letting in more fresh air and sunlight while keeping out small insects.

Andersen’s 400 Series Is a Consumer’s Digest Best Buy

With all of these advantages, it’s no wonder that Andersen® 400 Series windows have been named a Best Buy for Replacement Windows by Consumers Digest. Windows were judged on performance ratings, quality of construction and materials, ease of operation and warranty.

We are extremely proud to offer Andersen windows. We are also proud to be Kansas City’s premier “KC Metro” Andersen Circle of Excellence showroom displaying the finest Andersen windows and patio doors. At All-Weather Window and Doors, we’ve been installing replacement windows and doors for almost 30 years. Combine this quality product with our outstanding personal service and you’ve got a great window-buying experience. Give us a call and experience the difference with All-Weather. Call us at (913) 210-8810 or (816) 673-2480.

Here’s a helpful guide if you’re considering replacement windows for your Kansas City home. Download it for free by clicking below.

Doors, Windows

8 Personal Touches You’ll Appreciate When You Choose All-Weather

March 5, 2015 Doug Bennett

At All-Weather Window, Doors and Siding, we go out of our way to make sure all of our customers are satisfied. That’s one reason we have so many repeat customers. We believe personal service is what sets us apart from our competition. Of course, we realize that if you don’t know what to expect from a window and door company, you may not know what you’re missing when you choose someone else. We came up with this list of extras you get when you choose to purchase your doors and windows from us. When shopping around, don’t forget to ask the others about these personal touches that we always provide our customers.

Match Replacement Window Paint/Stain Color

Many window companies offer 3 or 4 colors to paint or stain your windows. These colors rarely match your interior trim. With All-Weather, we can take a sample of your existing trim and match the color exactly for a professional and seamless look. We even use color matched wood putty so your door and trim looks flawless.

Door Painting/Staining Done Before Installation, In Our Shop, Not In Your Home

When you buy a new replacement door, did you think to ask if it comes painted or not? Most people don’t. An unpainted door, installed in your home requires you to paint it yourself or hire a painter. Either solution involves days of sanding, sealing,
painting, topcoat, drying time, etc. not to mention the mess and inconvenience of not being able to close the door until the finish dries. At All-Weather, we let you select the stain color ahead of time, we finish it our shop with paint you provide, and install it in your home ready to use – no odor, sanding, painting or mess. We spray our doors instead of using brushes for a perfect finish. We even cut all the trim outside to eliminate sawdust in your home.

Match Door & Window Trim Styles

There are dozens of different trim styles available. We take the time to match your new trim to your existing trim so your doors and windows fit seamlessly into your décor. We even have access to companies who specialize in old trim. They have the original knives used to create trim decades ago so they can match trim styles
from the turn of the century! You can even get specific species of wood that aren’t popular today. If you have an older home in Brookside, for instance, we can most likely still match the trim.

Schlage Hardware on All Entry Doors

In industry tests, the part of your door that gives way to let intruders in is often the hardware. Even a deadbolt can be bent if enough pressure is applied. That’s why we use Schlage hardware, the most stylish and secure brand. Schlage has been in business for over 90 years and is one of the most trusted brands in the industry.
All of our doors are installed with Schlage strike plates, deadbolts, knobs and locks, and can usually be keyed alike to minimize the number of keys you need to keep on your key ring. For you minimalists out there, Schlage also offers a keyless entry deadbolt that just needs a number that you enter on a keypad to unlock the door.

Jamb Brace Installed with All Entry Doors

The entry door is only as strong as its weakest point. Usually the first thing to give way when an intruder tries to kick down your door is the wooden jamb surrounding your door itself. Your door and hardware may stay intact, but it will swing open when the wooden jamb is broken. Wood is much softer than metal. That’s why almost all of our exterior replacement doors are installed with a Jamb
Brace. Jamb Brace is a strong metal plate that reinforces your door’s deadbolt with something much sturdier than wood. Simply put, your door cannot be kicked down with a Jamb Brace installed. We recommend a Jamb Brace on every exterior door we install, and many cities require it by code.

Employees with Years of Experience

Experience is a quality that you can’t appreciate until you’ve worked with someone and they ask you the right questions – questions you wouldn’t have even thought to ask because you had no idea they were important. The All-Weather team has over 200 years of collective window, door and siding experience. Our service manager, production manager, and general manager have all been around Andersen windows and doors for over 20 years each. Add our other employees, sales reps and installation crews, and you’ve got a team of smart, savvy, experts on your side.

Running Down Old Window and Door Parts

Andersen windows have been around for 110 years and because they are quality windows, they last. So if you have an older home with older Andersen windows, you may need to replace a part occasionally. All-Weather is the company to call. We once helped a lady find a replacement crank from a 1939 Andersen window! We stock many of the most common replacement parts, and even some not-so-common parts for many different brands as well.

The Only Andersen Showroom in KC Designed for Homeowners

We are proud to be Kansas City’s premier Andersen Circle of Excellence showroom displaying the finest Andersen windows and patio doors. Your other choices are big box stores or showrooms designed for builders and contractors, not homeowners. At All-Weather, we work exclusively with homeowners and we have remodeling oriented knowledge and experience.

At All-Weather Window and Doors, we’ve been installing replacement windows and doors for almost 30 years. Give us a call and experience the difference with All-Weather. Call us at (913) 210-8810 or (816) 673-2480, experience our personal service, and become one of our 40,000+ happy customers.

If you’d like to make your homes windows stand out, download this free guide.

Windows

5 Window Upgrades You’ll Love

February 20, 2015 Doug Bennett

With All-Weather Window, Doors and Siding, replacement windows are anything but boring. When it comes to replacement windows in Kansas City, we offer many, many options for homeowners. You never have to settle for a plain old basic window. Our Andersen line offers a plethora of choices for you to personalize your windows to match your style. Just to whet your appetite for style, here is a brief taste of some of the choices you get when you install new replacement windows.

Energy Efficiency Saves Money

Not all glass performs the same. The glass in your new replacement windows affects energy efficiency more than any other component. Andersen offers one of the industry’s widest arrays of glass options, enabling you to find the right choice for your home.

Low-E4® SmartSun™ Glass Offers our best overall thermal performance. It gives you the benefits of Low-E4® glass, plus it helps shield your home from the sun’s heat and filters out 95% of harmful UV rays while letting sunlight shine through.

Low-E4® Glass Offers outstanding thermal performance for climates where both heating and cooling costs are a concern. Up to 56% more energy efficient than ordinary dual-pane glass.

Low-E4® Sun Glass Offers outstanding thermal performance in southern climates where less solar heat gain is desired. It’s tinted for maximum protection from the effects of intense sunlight while providing all the benefits of Low-E4® glass.

Dual Pane Glass Dual-pane glass is available for projects where codes allow its use. See local code official for requirements in your area.

Patterned Glass Adds Privacy with a Decorative Flair

Besides type of glass, patterns are another option to consider. Patterned glass is available in any of the performance options, yet adds another layer of personality. Patterned glass still lets light in, but it obscures vision providing privacy with a unique decorative touch. Cascade and Reed patterns are available in horizontal and vertical orientations.

Cascade Obscure

Fern Reed

Add Architectural Style with Window Grilles

Grilles add personality to your windows plus an architectural touch as well. Andersen 400 Series windows offer a variety of grille patterns to choose from. They can even create custom grille designs. Here are some patterns for casement windows, but grilles are available for other styles of windows too.

Hardware Adds a Touch of Class

Hardware will affect how your windows look and how they operate. You can choose hardware in a wide array of styles like these pictured here. Andersen offers many different finishes as well including polished, distressed, oil rubbed, antiqued, matte, brushed, satin, and stone in brass, bronze, chrome, nickel, stone, white, and black.

Add Color and Style with Art Glass Windows

Add uncommon elegance and a touch of surprise with Andersen art glass window. They are available in a wide variety of patterns classic, artisan, historic and even a Frank Lloyd Wright series.

Replacement Windows Choices Are Endless

As you can see, at All-Weather Window, Doors, and Siding, the replacement window choices go on and on. Interested in seeing more options? Click the button below to download our guide 112 Ways To Make Your Home’s Windows Stand Out to see dozens of customizable options.

Simply The Best in Replacement Windows, Doors, and Siding in Kansas City...Guaranteed!