3 Tips on How to Choose a Patio Door for Your Home

Did you know that insulated steel and fiberglass doors are more energy efficient than wood doors? The screen door is exceptionally easy to install and remove and filter in the fresh air and keep out pesky insects; while regulating the thermal conditions too.

Changing the door gives the patio space a different feel, and can have a big impact. Consider a door with glass panes to virtually enlarge the patio space and lighten up a heavy façade. Your choice should blend in with the architectural style of your home, and should bring in more natural lighting.

Increase the charm of your home’s exterior by personalizing your patio; with so many options to choose from, you can order your custom door from us. The right exterior enhancements blend seamlessly with your exterior and can add value to your home.

Consider these tips while selecting your patio door.

Energy certification

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency certifies energy efficient appliances; not only house electronics but also the materials that build the exterior patio doors. Energy certified doors deliver an extra level of thermal performance, reducing your heating and cooling costs all year round.

Patio door material

The base material of the patio door determines its durability, resilience against the elements and its beauty. Whether your fancy a wood grain finish with internal blinds or just a standard white door, we have it all.
The standard dual point grappling hook locks are a security feature of the sliding door, which comes in various design variations such as the monorail track design for easy gliding. These four materials are the most common.

• Wood
Fir, pine, and mahogany are the most common construction materials. Proper maintenance prevents warping, cracking or rotting, and enhances their durability. Occasional polishing with wax preserves the natural elegance and gives it value.

• Vinyl
Vinyl doors won’t peel, fade, rot or warp, and they’ll weather cold or hot climates. Custom faux finishes that match the décor of your home add a unique touch to the room with the added benefits of strength and energy efficiency.

• Aluminum or steel
Treatment using other metal additives during manufacturing of metal doors ensures they remain corrosion free and rust resistant. Metal doors are more cost effective in the long term and highly durable.

• Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a weather resistant material made out of fine fibers of spun glass held together with a special resin. The door is lightweight and durable.

Door Security and Locks

An ideal patio door should possess multiple locking mechanisms for added security. Sliding patio doors have dual point locks with hooks that latch onto the frame or sliding part of the door.
The deadbolt locking system of the French patio doors is quite secure and durable too.
Choose a professional
For over 26 years, we transform homes with window and door treatments to ensure home security and timeless elegance. Contact Advanced Window USA today to get your free quote, order our Utah-made products, or have them installed in your home.


About the Author:
Craig Marsh is the owner of Advanced Window Products in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has proudly been operating since 1986. His company offers energy efficient sliding glass doors, replacement windows in wood or vinyl options, and vinyl siding.

Advanced Window Products
3052 S 460 W
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
801-505-9622
http://advancedwindowsusa.com/

3 Signs it's Time to Replace Your Home Windows

Though there are Utah homeowners who claim that their Victorian house still has its original windows, the windows of most homes simply don’t last that long. Experts claim that windows last about 20 years on average before it’s time to replace them. However, the signs that a window needs replacing can be subtle. Here are three signs that tell a homeowner it’s time to invest in some replacement windows:

The Window no longer works as well as it should.

This means that the window is difficult to open and difficult to close once it’s open. Air is able to leak in and leak out, and if it’s a double-paned window, condensation can be seen between the glass panes. Windows that have been nailed or painted to the point where they simply can’t be opened also need to be replaced.

The window may be difficult to clean and is so old that the homeowner can’t find replacement parts for it even if they were willing and able to fix it.

Nowadays, part of the work of a window is to be energy efficient. Newer windows have double or triple panes with inert gas between the glass that help lower energy bills. Low-E, or low emissivity window panes are coated in ways that allow in light but lessen the ultraviolet rays that enter the house and fade or discolor carpets, furniture and books. They also keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The Window is no longer attractive.

The frame around the window is cracked, splintered or rotting because water has leaked in behind it. Paint may be flaking off the frame, and water stains are visible. The style of the window is outdated. A window that has a hole or crack in it can make the very exterior of a house look unattractive and clearly needs to be replaced.

One caveat for windows that were installed before 1980 is that there might be lead in the paint of the frames and mullions. If the homeowner is worried about this, they hour have an expert come in and test the windows for lead before they're replaced.

The House is slated for Renovation

Old windows rarely make sense in a house that’s about to undergo a major renovation. Now is the time to buy windows that not only complement the overall look of the house and its rooms, but to install energy efficient replacement windows if the old windows were of the inefficient single pane variety. Other tips are to install windows that can be opened if the older windows were fixed and to put in larger windows to let in more light.

A Utah homeowner who needs to have their windows replaced shouldn’t hesitate to engage our professionals at Advanced Window Products. In business for over 30 years, we pride ourselves in installing superior windows at affordable prices for our customers in the Salt Lake City Area. For beautiful, energy efficient windows, give us a call at 801-505-9622.

About the Author:

Craig Marsh is the owner of Advanced Window Products in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has proudly been operating since 1986. His company offers energy efficient sliding glass doors, replacement windows in wood or vinyl options, and vinyl siding.

Advanced Window Products
3052 S 460 W
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
801-505-9622

Winter Window Replacement Options

When the temps drop and frozen winds begin whipping, cold air can discover its way into your house. Any break in your house's "envelope" – the house's outer shell of that secures the within from the aspects – is a prime source for air leak. Usually, windows account for the most surface location in your home's envelope openings. And when you have old or inefficient windows, air leakages can make the temperatures inside annoyingly cold throughout the winter-- not to mention the included wear on your HVAC system as it struggles to preserve the set temperature.

Advanced Window Products can help change the windows in your home. We have more than 30 years of experience serving Utah for their window replacement requirements.

Won't Replacing My Windows in the Winter Make My Home a Freezer?

Your old, dripping windows may have you thinking about a window replacement job, specifically if the inside of your home is cold during the winter. 'However, wait,' you question. 'Why would I replace my windows in the winter? My house will be freezing throughout the task!' This is where research comes in helpful.

Best Practices for Winter Season Window Replacement

Here are four key practices installers need to utilize during winter season window replacements:

• Replace one window at a time: During a window replacement project, installers must eliminate just one window at a time and replace it with the brand-new window prior to moving on to the next one. That method, they restrict the amount of openings exposed to the cold air exterior.
•  Usage plastic floor-to-ceiling barriers: For bigger openings, the installer needs to cover the opening with plastic flooring to ceiling barriers. One example is setting up bay or bow window, which are made from a variety of windows such as double pane and image windows.
•  Keep doors closed: When replacing a window, the installer needs to keep the door to that space closed, restricting the quantity of cold air that can discover its method into adjoining areas of the house.
• Tidiness: Together with winter cold comes mud, whether from rain or snowfall. Installers should utilize tarps, shoe-covering booties and other practices to guarantee your home stays tidy.

Reasons to Replace Your Windows in the Winter

As soon as you select an installer, you now feel more comfortable about arranging your window replacement in the winter. But there are other benefits to changing your windows during the winter season:

1.  Scheduling: Frequently, contractors and installers experience a lull in organisation during the cold weather, especially after the vacations. Possibilities are you can get your window replacement set up rather than you might in the spring or fall.
2. Affordability: Together with simpler scheduling, professionals and providers may use discounts, sales or other rewards throughout this slower season.
3. Lower monthly costs: When your brand-new windows are set up, you will experience the advantages of energy effective windows. In addition to warmer rooms, you should start seeing instant cost savings on your winter season energy costs.

Installing Replacement Windows Can be a Winter Job

Old, leaking windows can make your house uncomfortably chilly in the winter season. Employing the specialists at Advanced Window Products to install your replacement windows will keep your house comfy during this winter job. And will you gain the benefits of simple scheduling, possible discount rates and reduced energy expenses. Call us at 801-505-9622, or contact us here to schedule your window replacement!

Protecting Your Home: Window Security

More than 2.1 million burglaries were reported in the United States in 2012, according to the FBI, proving just how simple it is for intruders to break in. Nevertheless prior to make a big purchase of a security system, take a close, tough look at your home. A couple of simple, low- or no-cost measures will substantially prevent a potential burglar from targeting your home.

• Remember, the objective isn't really to make your house completely break-in proof. It is just to make your house a less attractive target than the other homes in your area. Take a look at the surrounding homes and change accordingly. Do not be the lowest-hanging fruit!
• Most house robberies happen throughout the daytime when the majority of people are away at work or school. 70% of the robbers use some quantity force to go into a dwelling, however their choice is to get easy access through an open door or window.
• Although house robberies may seem random in event, they actually involve a choice procedure. The robber's choice process is easy: Choose a vacant home with the easiest access, the best quantity of cover, and with the very best escape routes.

Window Security

Windows are left unlocked and open at a much higher rate than doors. An open window, visible from the street or alley, might be the sole reason for your the home of be selected by an intruder. Ground story windows are more susceptible to burglaries for apparent factors. Upper floor windows end up being appealing if they can be accessed from a stairs, tree, fence, or by getting on verandas. Windows have latches, not locks and so they should have secondary obstructing devices to avoid sliding them open from the exterior. Low-cost wooden dowels and sticks work well for horizontal sliding windows and through-the-frame pins work well for vertical sliding windows. For ventilation, block the window open no more than 6 inches and make certain you can't reach in from the outdoors and get rid of the obstructing device or reach through and unlock the door.

Brand new windows often are more secure. Here's why:

Sash Windows

The sash window is thought about the most protected kind of window due to the fact that, with no way to turn the crank from the outside, there's truly no chance an intruder could enter your home through the window if you're sure to close and lock it. No additional hardware is had to make the casement window more safe.

Sliding Windows

A sliding window comes with a lock designed to stop the operable pane from moving back and forth. For included security, you can install a burglar bar between the window frame and sliding sash. With the tension set properly, there's no other way anyone can operate the window from the exterior.

Double-Hung Windows

A double-hung window includes the very same lock as a moving window. This lock holds both sashes in location so they cannot move. To increase security further, many brand-new double-hung windows featured an additional piece of hardware set up on the face of the leading sash's frame. When the tab is pushed in, the bottom sash moves easily, but when extended, the window is locked safely in location. If you have older double-hung windows, you can buy this hardware separately and install it on each window for added home security.

Indications It's Time to Replace Your Sliding Glass Door

If you are lucky adequate to have sliding glass doors in your house, you understand how convenient and beautiful they are. Sliding glass doors permit lots of sunshine into a room as well as offer a wide stretch from which to look the outdoors. If you notice any of the following signs, replacing your sliding glass doors should be at the top of your house upkeep list.

You Feel a Draft When Near the Door

This goes for any and all exterior doors in the house. If it is cold outside and you go and stand by your front door and you immediately feel a chill or a modification in the temperature, that is bad. Either your doors have spaces and are leaking or they are just inadequately insulated. Wood and metal or steel doors do not insulate as well as vinyl sliding glass doors.

Condensation Between Panes of Glass

Do you see any condensation between the two insulated panes of glass of your sliding glass door? Condensation in between the glass is indicative of seal failure. When your sliding glass door shows fog and the weather forecast does not, you're looking at an issue with the door's double-pane building and construction. These 2 panes of glass are usually separated by a little area which is closed off to the external world with rubberized gaskets along the edges. This design supplies stronger insulation against externally noises and temperature modifications. Drying agents called desiccants are placed within this area to keep humidity out of it. When the vacuum seal against the external world has been breached, the desiccants can no longer control the wetness level in between the two panes-- and you get condensation. When the seal of your sliding glass door breaks, it permits moisture to enter the area between your glass panes, which causes condensation. White film is another indication of broken seals. The movie is caused due to a calcium construct up from the condensation.

You Can See Light Around the Door

If you can see light through, under, in between or around your doors, that is not good. Where there is light, there is air loss and where there is air loss, there is cash being gotten rid of. Even a small gap can allow a large quantity of heat or cool air out and into your home. Over simply a few months, you could actually be throwing cash right from the door. You may have the ability to get away with a modification or new weather-strip, but if that does not solve the problem, replacing the door ought to definitely be on your radar.

Physical Damage to Sliding Glass Door

If you see noticeable signs of wear and tear such as enormous decomposing or breaking, then you absolutely require a new outdoor patio door. Strong winds, extreme heat, and heavy rain can all take their toll on your sliding glass doors. Our vinyl sliding doors, have exteriors that do not need much care. They will not peel, blister, flake or rust, making them an excellent low-maintenance alternative.

Contact Advanced Window Products immediately if you see any of these indications. Our sliding glass doors are long lasting, safe, and energy-efficient. We are the leading choice amongst house owners in Salt Lake City, Utah and the surrounding areas because of our exceptional customer care and superior products. Offer us a call to get more information about our sliding glass door choices or to get a no-obligation quote.

How to Know It Is Time for Window Replacement

As home-owners find out more about increasing their household's energy efficiency and begin seeking out ways to minimize their costs, they find out that replacing windows is a major part of the puzzle. How can you determine if your household needs replacement windows? Below are 3 clues it is time to replace your windows.

The Window Frame is Cracking or Rotting

You would obviously replace a window if a ball went through its pane, but the pane itself is just one part of a window's total structure. Everything surrounding it-- including the sill, jambs and frames-- can also degrade, creating air openings in a window. Wooden window devices is particularly well known for this, as wood rots and warps with time. Regardless of whether such damage isn't evident on the hardware's exterior, it can still be an internal problem, so if your vinyl window hardware is wooden, assume the window needs replacing.

You Notice Rising Energy Bills

View your energy bills monthly. If you sense that you are spending a bit much on home heating and cooling costs monthly, perhaps its because your windows are not performing good enough of a job to insulate your house. Switching out these with new household windows can really help to reduce energy fees.

If It Is Noisy Inside Your Home

You should be able to be seated in your home and have peace and quiet. When you are unable to indulge in a relaxing night in your living room perhaps its caused by the fact that your house windows need to be removed and replaced. Aging windows that are single-paned are going to permit the racket to proceed right through the windows from the street. If your home is loud on the inside, it could be due to the fact that you need new windows.

#1 Window Replacement Company in Salt Lake City, Utah

If you are dealing with several of these problems, then it is time to think about what replacement windows could do for you. Many people are discovering significant financial benefits in their home heating and air conditioning bills with recently installed windows that are energy efficient and keep the heat in throughout the winter season and keep the air-conditioned air in during the summer. If you are seeking Salt Lake City window replacements for your old and drafty windows, search no further than Advanced Window Products.

How to Clean Your Sliding Glass Door Tracks

How to Clean Your Sliding Glass Door Tracks

Much like many typical families, we all have those days dedicated to cleaning your home from floor to ceiling. You spend the entire day cleaning every nook and cranny; at least that is what you think. Odds are, those of you with sliding glass doors scrubbed them down until not even one streak was visible, except you probably missed an area that almost every family misses; the track to the door. Even when you grow frustrated as the doors open less smoothly, you still don’t even think to give it a good scrubbing; it seems like too daunting of a task. But on the contrary, there are multiple ways to clean them up in a jiffy and get on with your spring (summer, fall, and winter) cleaning!

First, you can whip up a bowl of good old fashion soap and water! Simply create the mixture using your preferred cleaning product with warm water, then take an old rag and simply wipe down your door tracks; taking special care to the bottom one. This will sweep away dirt and leave you with a cleaner track. To get out that hard to remove dirt, you should consider using an old butter knife to carve it out of any cracks or corners.

Additionally, there are multiple spray products to use if you’d prefer an easier method. Many people love to use WD-40 in order to create a smoother slide for their doors. Simply spray your track and slide the door back and forth several times in order to spread the product along the entire track. Or, if you want a deeper clean for a smoother track; take a vacuum hose to suck up the loose dirt located on the track, then take a safe surface spray such as Windex and wipe down the track with a clean towel.

Chances are you spent good money when installing your sliding glass doors, or maybe an existing one was a deciding choice when choosing your home, therefore they should be taken in great care. They are a great addition to any home, and are easy to maintain if you take the time to do so! We suggest giving your tracks a good cleaning at least once a month, if not twice in order to keep them as clean as possible and avoid any possible problems with the doors.

To read more about sliding glass doors, check out our homeonwer's guide blog here.