The Verdun Blog

Why Cleaning Your Windows Is Important

Posted on Wednesday January 25th, 2012 by chris

We’re serious about manufacturing products that are of a renovation grade and that maintain a standard of excellence, however, we wanted to shed some light on something very important. Regardless of how well a window is made, keeping them clean is important. Sounds obvious, right? You’d be surprised how infrequently many of us actually clean our windows. Sometimes never!

Why is this important? We’ll explain.

Window glass appear to be smooth but they’re actually porous if you were to view them under a microscope. Glass contains many microscopic peaks and valleys that can capture and trap debris, road salt, pollen, rust, and even calcium deposits. Windows glass that has never been cleaned can become water spotted and appear weathered over time. These things can gradually etch the window and lead to a loss of integrity within the glass itself.

Windows are designed to provide an “R-Value” – also commonly known as the value that indicates it’s resistance to heat gain or loss – it’s “efficiency”. This value is based on the assumption that windows are clean. The accumulation of debris in the porous element of window glass can compromise the R-Value of even the most expensive and most energy efficient windows on the market. Keeping your windows clean can improve this resistance to heat gain or loss and allows the glass to better regulate the effects of the exterior temperature.  There’s a great article on cleaning your windows at TLC Home. Read it here. We recommend cleaning your windows at least twice a year.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. You can also view our gallery for images of some our custom made products.

 

 

 

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Why Getting Your Windows Installed In The Winter Is A Great Idea

Posted on Friday December 23rd, 2011 by chris

Many of our customers visit us at what they consider to be the optimum time of the year to consider a window replacement – the spring or the summer. There’s a common misconception out there – that you need to get your windows installed during the warm months. We’re here to tell you that simply just isn’t the case.

How do we manage to remove an old window and replace it without having your home exposed to the cold for a prolonged period of time? We manufacture your windows on site in our factory within the greater Ottawa area, meaning, that we custom size at the point of measurement, and create a product that is literally and perfectly fabricated for the opening it is being put into – regardless of the season. After the removal of your old product, the new one can go into the opening within minutes. The process of taking an average sized window out and replacing it is a 20 to 30 minute procedure. The finishing – both interior and exterior- is what takes time, but at that point, insulating foam has already been applied and heat is no longer allowed to escape.  The same principles also apply to a door replacement. We also use silicone based sealants, which are tolerant to freezing temperatures during the curing cycle.

The best part about considering a window replacement in the winter months is that installation schedules are typically less busy during these times. In other words, you get your windows installed faster. Through a combination of efficiency, precision, and other heat retention techniques on site through the course of a replacement installation, our winter customers are often surprised at how simple it can be even if snow is on the ground.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. You can also view our gallery for images of some our custom made products.

 

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Looking At The Big Picture Before Renovating

Posted on Thursday November 10th, 2011 by chris

We came across this great article by Shelley Busey at the Edmonton Journal. She talks about federal and provincial home energy grants, the “Your Home As A System” approach to energy audits for those who are concerned about consumption when renovating their homes,  and the importance of speaking with a qualified energy advisor prior to planning out the work. What particularly attracted us to this article was her call out about how a window – if installed properly – can change your home and how it works as a unified  and efficient system. You can check out the this link from the Canadian Home Builder’s Association to get a bit of a better understanding of the philosophy.

In short – it explains how items and functions in the home are more interconnected than previously thought when considering how heat circulates and how energy is consumed. As an example, a simple window replacement is but one area to start if looking at the house on the whole in an attempt to reduce energy consumption. A qualified energy advisor will help you look at other considerations – like ventilation, draft proofing, window coverings and decoration, and weather stripping.

You can read the article here: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/homes/Look+picture+before+renovating/5487651/story.html

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home.

 

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Window Condensation: Why It Happens

Posted on Tuesday September 20th, 2011 by chris

Condensation is water that forms when warm, moist air hits a cooler surface. In homes, it might occur on surfaces such as windows or on cold-water pipes. Excessive humidity is what causes condensation. Is it bad beyond some irritating fogging up? Yes. Excessive condensation can eventually damage windows and may also eventually lead to mold – and no one wants that.

When interior humidity levels are too high in comparison to the cooler outdoor temperatures, condensation can form on the coldest surface in a room – often times the glass in a window or door. While windows and doors do not cause condensation, they may be one of the first places it shows up.

Can you control or reduce window condensation? Yes. Here’s some tips:

  • Monitor the furnace humidifier and employ and monitor a interior humidifier.
  • Ensure vents for the attic, basement, and crawl space are open, adequately sized and cross-ventilated.
  • Run the exhaust fans for kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms for longer periods.
  • Make sure exhaust fans vent directly outside and not into attics or crawl spaces.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for venting gas appliances.
  • Make sure your furnace is in proper working order and is serviced regularly.
  • Open a door or window for several minutes each day to refresh the inside air.
  • Open window coverings – like blinds or drapes – during the day to increase airflow over the glass.

There’s also a great link here concerning condensation and humidity from Natural Resources Canada.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. Our team can answer your questions about window condensation and how you can prevent it further through product selection and other considerations prior to the purchase of replacement windows.

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Why Proper Window Installation Is The Most Important Step In Replacement

Posted on Thursday September 15th, 2011 by chris

Having your windows properly installed is hands down the most important part of the replacement process in your home. You could spend a small fortune in purchasing the most expensive product on the market, thinking that you’ve enhanced your home’s value and improving the windows you’re replacing, but many times, when we’re installing, deterioration and problems created as a result of poor and careless installation are the reason why we’re there in the first place.

A proper window installation will include the following steps – widely considered to be best practice in the industry.

  • Accurate measurements: A visit or assessment being done in your home by a seasoned installer with credentials is a must. If you are dealing with a window installer that hasn’t pulled out a measuring tape and taken the time to record precise measurements of the existing window, you may have reason for concern. A seasoned installer will double and triple check in this first step and then verify those measurements before selection or production of the replacement windows.
  • Removal: The removal of the old window is a delicate procedure. A good installer will be mindful of damaging a work area by removing an existing window too quickly – paying special attention to mouldings and fixtures that will need to be put back into place when the new window is put in.
  • Post removal inspection: Good installation includes inspecting the exposed area once the old window is removed. Ensuring that the existing area – including any wood or drywall – is in good condition. Inspection also entails making sure that the opening is adjusted if need be to ensure proper support for the replacement window.
  • Installation and Securing: An installer who simply swaps the window and adds caulking or silicone is something to watch out for. This step in the process is arguably  the most important. A properly secured window will be done with quality shims – not wood chips or fragments. The window must be perfectly level and square. If the window is properly secured, there will be no retraction when the temperature changes.

These are just a few of the key steps in the process and don’t reflect all of tasks that an installer will run through as they are replacing a window, but we hope this creates an appreciation for the details, and what sets apart a “quality installation” versus a quick one.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home, and let our seasoned team of professionals simplify the process of enhancing what we consider to be the most important investment you have – your home.

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How Do You Know That You Need To Replace Your Windows?

Posted on Saturday August 6th, 2011 by chris

Not sure if you need to replace the existing windows on your home? Perhaps it’s hard to gauge, but if you’re curious, here’s a few things you can do to determine whether it’s something you should begin considering.

  • Check for broken components, parts, and seals.
  • Carefully check the glass of your windows, especially at edges, for cracks – either hairline or large. Is the glass intact?
  • Check for moisture between the panes If you see any, this is evidence of a broken seal and will in most cases require the window to be replaced.
  • Do you find the windows difficult to open? If they are, they shouldn’t be.
  • Can you see daylight emanating from visible cracks around the edges? Do you see any evidence of mold or water staining?

Any of these can indicate that a window is either broken or has deteriorated enough to justify a replacement. Many times, window coverings will prevent you from sometimes seeing the obvious. After each winter, we’re advocates of a quick check of your existing windows while simultaneously checking for signs of draft or moisture during the colder season. Even a small crack in the glass of your window that isn’t noticed will result in heat loss during the colder months, and can hike up a hydro bill during the colder season. Pull the drapes back or roll up the blinds to see if you can spot the obvious.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home, and let our seasoned team of professionals simplify the process of enhancing what we consider to be the most important investment you have – your home.

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Things To Consider Prior To Replacing Windows In Your Home

Posted on Thursday August 4th, 2011 by chris

Replacing windows in your home is often thought of to be as simple a situation as having a professional window installer or contractor visit your home, take some measurements, and make a trip to a big box retailer for the pickup of a new product to swap. In our view, this couldn’t be further from the truth, and is in many ways, a Cole’s Notes version of what really is an important decision that needs to be made with a variety of factors in mind.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has a great article that sums up a few key items to take into account. You can find the article here. The article sums up 5 core points (we’ve cited them below) of things to think about before moving ahead, but we wanted to home in on 3 of them specifically.

Style and design of a replacement window is important. If you own a home that was built in a certain style and that emphasizes that style with a particular type of window, you can inadvertently change the look and feel of it’s exterior by being too ambitious with energy efficiency and less concerned with aesthetics. Windows and doors fitting in with the visual presentation of your home is an important first factor in replacement. It’s essential to choose a window that looks consistent with your home’s design, is an improvement on what it was replacing, and functions as it is required to in relation to the construction of your home.

Components used in replacement windows are also important. Not all windows are created equal. You can read a bit about this in our Products section. There are two types of windows on the market. New construction type windows and renovation grade windows. Even renovation grade windows are not all created equal. Just because it’s sold at a big box renovation store, it doesn’t guarantee a truly “renovation” grade quality product that uses components that have been designed to truly last and resist the elements.

It’s not always as easy as swapping out one window for another. In many cases, structural problems with a home affect the proper function or contribute to the deterioration of windows and doors. A professional window installer can determine if any issues related to a dwelling exist before making recommendations on a replacement. This is an important step before considering products, and usually involves a visit from a specialist. A replacement assessment is an important first step in the process that can’t be ignored.

Window and door replacements, when done properly, can increase the curb appeal and market value of your home, while simultaneously improving energy efficiency and function in relation to the house (i.e. improving air circulation or light passage). Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home, and let our seasoned team of professionals simplify the process of enhancing what we consider to be the most important investment you have – your home.

 

 

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Welcome to the New Verdun Windows Website!

Posted on Friday June 3rd, 2011 by admin

Welcome to our new website, and our new blog – where we’re dedicated to talking about anything and everything about window and door fabrication and installation. Stay tuned for informative posts and useful information about the variety of products we produce, their applications in the home, and how our “renovation” grade windows and doors are some of the best investments you can make for your residence . Contact us or request a quote.

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments