Why do we carry so many window brands?

Great question....and sorry for having to answer with a question.

What is the application for your new windows?

• Are you replacing wood windows with vinyl windows?
• Are you replacing aluminum windows with vinyl windows?
• Are you trying to match existing windows?

Do you have certain aesthetic requirements?

• Would you like vinyl windows with external grids (like on wood windows)?
• Would you like a wood interior with a vinyl exterior?

If we had one brand of windows you can be sure that we would SELL you on that brand.

We listen to your needs and then recommend the brands that fit you. Not the other way around.

Please come in and tell us what you want. We listen.


Roy

Vinyl Windows in ANY Color

If you have you been told that the only color choices for your new vinyl windows are white or almond please read on....

Color choices used to be available only on wood windows....and for those with deep pockets. Then some vinyl window manufacturers tried to mix color into the pvc with some disappointing results.

In 1998 Atrium Windows (then called Best Built) came up with a "thermally reflective paint" to apply to the exterior of their white windows. We have been carrying these windows since the beginning and have had no failures of the painted finish. This is a great window if you are planning to replace your old bronze aluminum windows. A bronze exterior to match your old windows and white on the inside to freshen up your home.

The in 2005 we heard about a company, Colorcoat, that made "thermally reflective paint" in any color. We requested that our favorite local Oregonian window manufacturer, Empire Pacific, test this new paint on their windows. They reported back success!

Well we were off. We could now offer you a white or almond window with a dozen standard exterior colors and we could also match the exterior to any paint sample.

This has been so successful that Atrium Windows has decided to join in the fun. They have also contracted with Colorcoat, but with 5 exterior color choices. The good news is that as Atrium has a grayish vinyl color called Adobe this gives you an even wider palette to choose from.

Click here to View the Colorcoat Gallery

A few of caveats:

1. You lose the lifetime warranty on the frame of your window. It drops to 20 years. But you do continue to get the lifetime warranty on the glass. Warranty on the paint is 10 years.
   
2. You can not repaint the windows with regular paint. Any chips or blemishes are easily touched up. If you want to change the color completely you will need to obtain from us the color you wish in "thermally reflective paint".
   
3. Painted grids are only available in white, almond, adobe, brown and brown on white. If you had planned to have grids in your green exterior windows this can be problematic.
   
4. Depending on your exterior color choice we may not recommend casement or awning windows due to their unique weatherstripping applications.

White windows on a wood sided house look like white eye balls. Almond windows tend to disappear. Whereas a green or maroon window highlights the wood and adds additional curb appeal.

The cost is minor in comparison to wood windows and the difference on your home can be huge.

Roy

Indoor Air Quality

For years I've heard how the air in our homes can be as bad as the air outside. The improvement of our auto's emissions have improved the outside air quality, but little has been done to improve the quality of our indoor air.

Masonite has come up with a very unique product. Their new Safe N Sound solid core interior doors are made from pre-consumer wheat straw cores sandwiched between two sheets of molded hardboard. The core is made from a highly renewable resource that has no added formaldehyde.

With 2, 4 or 6 panels, square, arched or plank-style panels or this (see above) pseudo-shaker style door there will be a style that will fit your decore.

And the best part? These doors are available for NOW for the same price as those old particle board doors at Home Depot.

Roy

$1500 Tax Credit

Hidden amongst the hundreds of pages in the new "Stimulus Bill" is lemonade to be had if you have been thinking about new windows and doors for your home.

Replace your old windows and/or doors (you can even add a skylight) and Uncle Sam will pay for 30% of the purchase price, up to $1500.00

We have been advocates of windows that are 15-20% more energy efficient than Energy Star as the extra cost to you is minimal. PLUS depending on your personal circumstances you might qualify for additional rebates from your city or utility company.

Uncle Sam agrees with us and has tied this 30% credit into windows that have a u-factor of .30 (instead of Energy Star's .35).

Average cost for Energy Star Windows.......$1800
Add for .30 U-Factor..................................+ 180
Minus 30% Tax Credit................................- 600
Total cost of windows................................$1380

Average Yearly Energy Savings...................$ 315

Your windows are free in 4.3 years

If you live in Ashland (and have electric heat) you would qualify for an additional rebate of $2.50 per square foot of window. Your windows could be free in 3 years.

That $315.00 in energy savings is at todays energy costs. And it's your savings every year...year after year....in your pocket.

Upgrade the look of your home, increase the value of your home, reduce your energy bills and get money back too.

More info here:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

You can't afford NOT to replace your old windows. Call us today.

Roy

Getting Green to the next level.

I visited the Andersen Windows plant in Minnesota December 2007. Everything is recycled down to the last inch. Every mistake becomes another part until the sawdust is reformulated into Fibrex, which in turn is used to make larger parts. Andersens' means to make more pennys has turned out to be very Green.

What used to be considred corporate greed is now good for our environment.

In my humble opinion, the quickest way to convince the masses to go green is to show them how they can profit from it. If buyers demand green homes then builders will build green homes. Not only don't they want to get stuck with unsold homes they will see building green as the way to profits.

When we show our homeowner customers how they can put extra dollars in their pockets by going beyond Energy Star Compliance on their new windows over 60% go for it. But builders are not, by and large, buying into it. Their buyers are not, yet, demanding it when purchasing their new homes.

I believe in the power of the market place. I know that buyers are just starting to get themselves educated on this subject. The pressure on builders will start sooner rather than later.

We are here to help you apply the pressure.

Roy

What is this blog about?

When I first started our website in 2004 my intent was for it to be a portal to the various manufacturers whose products we carry. In 2007 I noticed that we were getting more hits than a portal of this nature should get. People were looking for information.

In 2008 I revamped our site to provide more details (u-factors, shgc's). From all over the country, and the world, folks keep coming in for info on windows and doors that they can't get anywhere else.

( BTW, our "Go Green Logo" is the 4th most popular on Google. Unbelievable. )

My intent for this blog is to:

• Provide additional info on windows & doors for those that want to know
• Provide window & doors info as it relates to Going Green
• Provide Local Rogue Valley info as it relates to Going Green
• Answer any questions you might have

I hope that this is helpful to you.

Roy