We carry the top brands in windows and doors and we’re dedicated to protecting your purchase. Below are some tips and instructions for keeping your purchase looking and working like new.

How do I remove stickers from the glass?
The manufacturer stickers should remove easily without leaving any residue. If it does not, wet the glass with soapy water using a sponge or spray. Using a sharp scraper, or razor blade scrape under and remove the sticker. After the sticker is removed use a degreaser to remove any glue left over. Finish by cleaning the glass with the cleaning procedure noted below.

How should I clean the glass on my new windows?
You may clean the glass surface with any commercial glass cleaner or a mild detergent. A soft cloth or paper towel will do the job. If you use a squeegee, please make sure there aren’t any metal edges as this will permanently damage the dirt repelling coating and scratch the glass.

How do I clean the vinyl?
Vinyl is easy to clean and never need painting. We recommend wiping with a damp cloth and dishwashing soap in water. Do not use a high pressure sprayer or abrasive cleaning agents to clean your windows and doors. For stubborn dirt use non-abrasive sink and counter cleaning creams or specialized vinyl cleaning agents. Do not use solvents or stripping compounds.

How do I clean the Screens?
Window screens deal with the elements and over time they can deteriorate. Dirt and grime can also build up on your window screens. Simply remove the screens lay it on a flat surface and hose them off with water. Do not use a high-pressure sprayer or any cleaning solvents. Let your screens air dry completely before reinstalling.

How do I clean the Tracks?
This step is important in your annual window maintenance regardless of the type of window you have. The tracks in your windows are prone to moisture, dirt and debris. Using an appropriate cleaner will remove any build up on your windows and keep them functioning properly.

How do I clean the Hardware?
When cleaning your window hardware you should take into account the finish of your hardware. There will be different cleaning procedures depending on if they’re powder coated or plated.

Powder coated hardware should be cleaned with a wet sponge or with soap and a wash cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Always rinse with water afterwards to remove any soapy residue.

Plated hardware should be cleaned with a dry duster or a damp cloth. Make sure to avoid any abrasive cleaners that could potentially damage the surface.

Regular cleaning to remove build-up will ensure that the window fasteners retain smooth operation. WD-40 can be used to lubricate your window locks if they become stuck. Keeping your window hardware clean and maintained will help keep your windows functioning properly.

I have condensation on my windows. Is this normal?
Condensation forms when the inside window surface temperature falls below the dew-point temperature of the room. Condensation on your window surfaces is not an indication that the glass or insulating unit is defective; they simply are doing what they’re meant to do. By keeping the warm air in your home the windows also stop the humidity from escaping and that humidity becomes visible on the glass. Poor air circulation in the home, high humidity levels, and temperature are some of the factors that could lead to condensation on your windows.

The tighter a home is, the more likely it is that humidity generated inside will remain inside and cause problems—unless the home is properly ventilated. But even if moisture levels stay constant, condensation can occur if surfaces get very cold, as they often do in the depths of January nights. Finally, adding moisture to the air will raise indoor humidity levels and make condensation more likely.

Air movement also influences moisture problems. In the winter, the warm air inside the house has a natural tendency to rise. Warm, moist air leaves the house through the attic or the upper story and is replaced by dry, cold air pulled in through the lower level. This is called the stack effect. The stack effect causes moisture problems to be most pronounced in the upper stories of a house. For example, the windows on the lower level may be clear while the second story windows are frosted over.

How to reduce condensation on windows:

• Lower or turn off your furnace humidifier.
• Raise the temperature on your furnace.
• Vent clothes dryers, gas burners, etc. to the outdoors.
• Don’t hang clothes to dry indoors.
• Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans.
• Open blinds shutters or curtains to allow warm air to circulate around your windows.
• Don’t dry firewood in the house.
• Repair plumbing leaks and leaky roofs.
• Ensure that gutters are properly drained away from the house.
• Seal ductwork in damp basements or crawl spaces especially the ducts that return cold air.

For more information and details about Condensation, click here

How To Get Maximum Energy Savings From Your Windows

We all want to save money and with energy costs soaring, especially in the winter months, people are always looking at ways to cut those energy bills. Did you know that one of the best ways to do this is to get new energy efficient windows?

Older windows may let in way too much air in the form of a draft. These drafts are cold and cause us to up the thermostat in order to remain comfortable. There are things that you can do short of replacing the window, but they are more of a quick fix than a cure. Weather stripping and new caulking may help temporarily.

Caulking:
When you are re-caulking a window you first need to remove the old and then apply the new. This works best when the temperatures are over 45F and the humidity is low, so before winter sets in is key. For weather stripping you must work with dry surfaces and in temperatures over 20F which gives you a bit more leeway. Both of these applications can block the drafts and help to lower your energy bills.

Storm doors or windows:
Installing storm and/or screen windows can also add insulation to your home and block pesky drafts, however, interior rather than exterior varieties do work better to keep your home warm and cozy.

Blinds:
Another strong option would be to outfit your windows with blinds.  While they don’t have the benefit of holding heat in during the winter they do have the capacity to massively reduce the amount of heat entering your home via the windows during the summer months. In some cases, if you move to purchase high quality Blinds , you can reduce the amount of heat entering your home by 45 percent.

Shutters:
One option that may seem rather old-fashioned (yet highly effective) is to install shutters around your windows.  These come available in either interior or exterior varieties (though one major benefit of the exterior is that it doesn’t detract away from the usable space present within your home).

Essentially these Shutters offer a system by which you can temporarily close-off your window and prevent sunlight from entering and therefore allowing it to heat up and disturb your treated air.

To really improve your energy efficiency and get maximum energy savings though, you will have to replace those old windows. New windows with Low E gas coatings help reduce the heat transfer and the pesky UV rays that can damage carpets and furniture by fading them out. It reflects the heat back to the source which helps keep the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

New double or triple pane windows also help to minimize those energy bills because there are two or three barriers for the air rather than one which we see with older single pane varieties. New windows fit better, allow in no drafts and are made with better materials than that of their older counterparts. Coatings and configurations are newer and updated and they all lend themselves to being much more energy efficient while significantly lowering those energy bills.

In the summer months we can also save on energy costs by replacing fixed windows with ones that open to allow the cool breezes in which means you may not have to rely so heavily on your air conditioner to keep your space comfortable. Better ventilation and air flow benefits both that bill and our family at the same time, and what can be better than that?

If you have plan to replace your windows or doors or blinds, Call us anytime whether have asset budget and our sales team at Window Door Specialist will get back to you with the answers you need. Call us today to get a free in-home estimate in GTA!

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