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Month: July 2019

2019 Make-A-Wish

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Aria, 6
Walt Disney World Wish
 
Advanced Window Products is a proud, regular sponsor of Utah’s Make-A-Wish Program. Each year Make-A-Wish helps grant wishes to children, and in June of 2019, they were able to grant 171 wishes for kids in our state.

With your help, we recently granted the wish of six-year-old Aria, who wished to go to Walt Disney World with her family. After returning home, Aria’s mom sent us this heartfelt message of gratitude:
 
“Thank you for granting my daughter’s wish! Before the trip, Aria showed little to no interest in anything and showed no real desire to even keep going. After her trip, she’s a different kid. She’s full of life, full of energy, and so happy all the time, now. She does more imaginative play, has a joy for learning, and it’s like she has the desire to live now. THANK YOU for that!!! You’ve truly saved my daughter’s life!”
 
Thank you for giving kids like Aria the hope and strength they need to fight harder. Your generosity gives children who are battling a critical illness and their families the chance to believe anything is possible – even surviving a life-threatening medical condition.
 

How Energy Efficient Windows Absorb Sound

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You live on a busy street with traffic whizzing by continuously. Or on a cul-de-sac, but you contend with lawn mowers and exuberant neighborhood kids. Maybe your family home is near a hospital, and ambulance sirens keep you up half the night. Or there’s an airport within 10 miles.

Whatever your unique situation, it’s likely that you’re aware of more outside activity than you’d like to hear from the comfort of your home. It’s called noise pollution, and it’s a problem in most American cities, suburbs and even smaller communities.

Fortunately, the replacement window industry is on it. Today’s quality energy efficient windows add a variety of technologies and smart construction strategies to buffer noise and add aural comfort to your home life.

How Today’s Energy Efficient Windows Cut Noise

Modern windows are built and designed to keep the cold out in the winter and to block solar radiance so that your house stays cooler in the summertime. But that’s not all that energy efficient windows keep out. They also reduce noise levels from the outside in much the same way that they block sun, cold and rain.

For instance, weather stripping to keep out the cold also goes far toward blocking noise. Multiple panes of glass or the addition of storm windows similarly create soundproof windows in addition to maintaining temperature comfort.

The point is, if you can interrupt the air flow you’ll also block the sound path between your interior and the great big, noisy outside world.

But that’s just a start. There are more technologically advanced ways of reducing noise penetration.

Asymmetrical Panes and Other Strategies

Asymmetrical window glass glazing is a strategy to help reduce sound transmission. It involves the construction of windows with glass layers of varying thicknesses. The idea here is that all of these barriers of different dimensions breaks up sound into various frequencies, dissipating its intensity.

Another approach is through the use of laminated glass, which absorbs sound by breaking it up. Furthermore, window frames constructed of wood, composite materials, PVC or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) rather than metal offer superior sound insulation qualities.

The most effective soundproof windows combine several of these strategies to keep noise pollution at the very minimum.

What’s the Goal?

Your sound reduction end game should be to attempt coming as close as possible to the sound absorbency potential of the walls in which your windows are placed. (It wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to meet better sound reduction standards with your window than you can achieve with the wall, after all.)

Upgrade Your Home Today

You’ll find today’s top vinyl replacement windows with superior soundproofing qualities at Advanced Window Products, Utah’s #1 window company.

We’ve made it especially easy now to upgrade your home with sound-buffering energy efficient replacement windows by offering our $0 down, 0% interest financing for six months.

If you need even more motivation to switch to energy efficient windows — on top of comfort, energy bill savings and dramatic sound reduction — another key advantage can be the tax savings. You can read more about that here.

Tour our showroom in downtown Salt Lake City. Or call us at (801) 505-9622 for a free estimate at your home, at your convenience. Check out our hours and location information.

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Signs A Patio Door Needs Replaced

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On average, sliding patio doors last 20 years. However, this average lifespan assumes normal wear and tear conditions. The lifespan also assumes the doors have not been repeatedly exposed to harsh conditions. Unless a homeowner has been the sole owner of the property or has had the doors installed, it can be difficult to determine these factors. Fortunately, we can help homeowners recognize the telltale signs that it is time to replace a home’s patio doors.

Top Signs

The top signs we can use to determine whether a home needs replacement patio doors include:

  • The door functions poorly or is broken
  • Poor energy efficiency, including drafts and condensation on the inside of the glass
  • An appearance that no longer fits the desired look of the home

As property owners, we can fall into the trap of complacency if a door starts sticking, not working properly, or not shutting all the way. Doors that seem to be in constant need of repair and are not working the way they should could become a safety hazard. Doors that do not shut all the way and do not lock properly can increase the chance that someone can break in or enter the home. Sliding glass doors, for instance, should be replaced when the rollers become difficult to use or the doors no longer stay on the track.

Concerns about energy efficiency are a sign it is time to invest in replacement patio doors. If the doors are more than ten years, there’s a high chance that they are not as efficient as the latest options. Telltale signs such as moisture on the inside of the glass during cooler months or drafts means the doors are no longer keeping air in the home. We can install doors that meet the latest energy efficient standards and ratings. Doors that meet the latest standards not only provide improved insulation but help homeowners save on utility bills in the summer and winter.

The appearance of the home’s current sliding patio doors may not fit with the overall look of the room. A previous owner could have updated the windows and the doors no longer match. It is also possible the look of the room has changed, more light or a different look is desired. Installing French doors is a popular way to update a room with a more sophisticated look and increase resale value.

Replacement Costs

If one or more of the signs are present, it can be natural to worry about financing. While an owner should get at least two or three quotes from different vendors, choose one that offers a warranty and zero interest payment options. At Advanced Window Products, we offer a double lifetime warranty, zero down and zero percent financing for 60 months. We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Putting off the decision to replace a home’s doors can result in higher long-term costs. If doors are no longer functioning properly, are showing signs of poor energy efficiency, or no longer fit the home’s look, don’t put it off any longer. We’re happy to help with replacement quotes and affordable payment options.

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How to Clean Your Siding

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By 2017, vinyl siding had become the leading exterior cladding in the US, owing to the numerous benefits it offers property owners. The building material is versatile, resilient, and durable. However, to enjoy these benefits, you should not only ensure that it is properly installed but also stick to routine care and cleaning. As an exterior product, the material is bound to accumulate dirt, stains, and mildew, making it necessary to take steps to keep it looking clean and attractive.

Here is how to be sure you are doing a proper job when cleaning vinyl siding.

Getting started

Start by removing outdoor furniture and objects that could get in your way while cleaning. Also, make sure you wear comfortable clothing, rubber gloves, closed-toe shoes, safety goggles to protect your eyes and a face mask to safeguard against breathing in fumes from the chemicals. Close doors and windows so that water does not spray inside the house. Cover plants to prevent any damage from the cleaning products and switch off, unplug and cover your lights and electrical units. Lastly, consider working on a cloudy day so that the sun does not dry spots unevenly or too quickly.

Choose a cleaning solution

Some of the items you will need for the cleaning exercise include a soft cloth, a soft-bristle brush, buckets of water, pressure washer and store-bought vinyl siding cleaning products. You can choose to use a bleach cleaning solution or vinegar cleaning solution. However, you must ensure that they are mixed properly. Some of the options available to you if you choose to clean on your own are scrubbing with a soapy brush and a bucket, pressure washing, and soft washing. This will largely depend on the dirt that has accumulated on the vinyl siding.

The cleaning process

  • Workaround the house in 3 to 5-foot sections
  • Mix ¼ cup of laundry detergent with 4 gallons of water in a bucket
  • Gather your cleaning tools such as brushes, brooms, mop or an old towel
  • Use a hose or pressure washer to spray away loose dirt and debris and lessen the amount of scrubbing needed
  • Use your cleaning tool to scrub away dirt and debris, working from the top downwards
  • Use the hose to rinse away soapy water

Removing dirt, mold, and mildew from vinyl siding

In case dirt has accumulated or mildew has grown on the vinyl siding, you will need to have it removed. While using a spray nozzle or pressure washer will help remove dirt, you will require bleach to treat mold and mildew.

Additional tips and advice

While the basic principles of house washing are not technical, there is the risk of personal injury, property damage and chances of a satisfying outcome are low. The smartest option when it comes to cleaning vinyl siding and taking care of house washing needs is to let the professionals do the job. The process can happen while you sit back and will make for one of the best value investments.

At Advanced Window Products, we provide a range of products that you need when constructing or upgrading your home. We not only manufacture quality energy-efficient products but also make them available at a fair price. Visit our showroom or call us today for a free estimate at your home.

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Replace Your Sliding Glass Door with a French Door

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Are you planning to renovate your home? How about adding a little class while also remaining on the budget? That’s exactly what French doors can do for your home. French doors are becoming popular around the country that nearly every home has replaced their doors with them. Exterior French doors are not expensive as well, which makes them ideal for anyone who is operating within a budget.

Why should anyone upgrade from Slide Doors to French Doors?

The French doors are known to make your home to appear brighter, larger, and most importantly, attractive. The doors are designed to allow an infinite amount of light through, hence lighting up the room and adding elegance and grace to your house. The French doors also come in different shapes and sizes, which offers you the flexibility of customizing them as needed.

Understanding French Doors

French doors are simply glass panel doors that are designed to allow the maximum amount of light in your home. Even though you can buy a single door, it’s recommended that you buy a pair, hence the phrase ‘French doors.’ The glass takes up the majority of the space and can either be a single plane or broken down into smaller pieces. There is an unlimited number of choices which are based on the finishing options, panel designs, and the quality of wood used.

Where is the best Place to Install the French Doors?

The doors have unlimited places where you can install them. However, if you want to improve the look of your home, you need to install them in the right place. You can have these doors installed in the home offices. The best doors for this purpose would be the French patio doors with blinds between glass. The blinds help you to control the amount of light that you want in the room.

Media rooms and crafts rooms are other options to have these doors. Some people have even used the doors to separate the living room from the dining room by using these doors. Your imagination is the only thing that limits the way you can use these doors.

How Do I choose the Right Door?

Your choice of French doors is based on your taste. However, there are some basic standards that the doors need to meet. They are;

  • Your budget
  • The space available
  • Your preferred design
  • Natural wood tone
  • The durability of the doors
  • Customization

Where can you get the Best French Doors?

There is a huge list of vendors that deal with French doors. However, at Advanced Window Products, we have managed to stay ahead of the competition because of our business model. We are the only company that provides you with $0 down, and $0 interest financing. We have a wide variety of French doors that we are confident can fit your needs. Not only are we going to offer our expert opinions, but we can help you to install the doors as well.

French doors will help to transform your home from a boring house to an attractive house. They are also a cheaper alternative of renovating your home and can be done within a day. If you have any questions regarding our services and products, please visit us, or check out our showroom in downtown Salt Lake City.

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The Benefits of Windows & Doors With Internal Blinds

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Internal blinds allow you to control how much light enters your home without being a safety hazard or distraction. Because they are enclosed in a secure vinyl window or door casing, they maintain their beautiful, uniform appearance without needing to be straightened or re-aligned. Internal blinds are easy to maneuver and won’t get tangled in their strings or nearby objects. The benefits they offer are well worth the additional cost and will pay for themselves over time.

Safe and Hazard-Free

From pets to kids, one wrong move and you end up with a mangled mess of blinds of cording that can pose a huge safety hazard. With internal blinds, the entire assembly is enclosed within the door or window’s vinyl casing. There are no outside parts to grab onto or pull on. Children and pets can’t separate the blinds or push them off to the side, bending and breaking the edges. There are no long cords that can get wrapped around nearby objects. Everything is securely enclosed and free of hazards.

Dust-Free/Allergen-Free

The airtight enclosure that contains the blinds is sealed so that dust and allergens can’t make their way inside. With traditional blinds, the additional surface area is an ideal place for dust and allergens to collect. Unless you clean your blinds every few days, the dust/allergen buildup can actually lower the air quality of your home. You never have to worry about cleaning your internal blinds. They are securely enclosed in an airtight space. When you have doors with blinds between the glass, all you have to do is wipe them down to keep them clean and free of fingerprints.

Internal Blinds Add Energy Efficiency to Homes 

Internal blinds are also extremely energy efficient. Closing the blinds in the heat of the day will keep your home cool in the summer and prevent your HVAC system from working overtime. Open the blinds to allow in natural light to keep your home bright and cheery. Adjust your blinds as necessary, to keep your home as comfortable as possible, any time of the day. At night, shut the blinds to protect your privacy. Glass doors with blinds inside make it easy to let light inside and still keep your home comfortable.

Low Maintenance

Internal blinds require very little maintenance. Because they are enclosed, they don’t tangle, bend, or get caught up in themselves. Traditional blinds can get caught on curtains or door handles (French doors). Children and pets can easily get caught between the blinds and in the strings, damaging them beyond repair. With internal blinds, there is no way to come in contact with either the strings or the blinds. This means no cleaning, no untangling, and very little maintenance if any at all.

At Advanced Window Products, we offer a wide selection of windows and doors with internal blinds. Securely encased in high-quality vinyl doors and windows, our blinds are easy to adjust and will keep your home radiantly beautiful whether you are inside or out. We can increase your home’s curb appeal and at the same time, provide you with comfort and a beautiful view when you sit down to relax for the evening.

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DOs and DON’Ts for Cleaning Your Vinyl Windows

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If you’ve recently had vinyl windows installed or are in the process of getting them, you’re probably looking forward to years of relatively maintenance-free upkeep. Vinyl windows are an increasingly popular option among homeowners, and one of their major benefits is that they’re easier to clean and maintain than their traditional counterparts. Other advantages include superior energy efficiency than aluminum or wood windows, maximum durability, and a low environmental impact quotient. You can get even more from them if you learn the best way to clean vinyl windows.

Following are several tips and tricks designed to help you learn how clean vinyl windows.

Have the Right Tools

Having the right tools is essential for anyone who wants to take the best possible care of their vinyl windows. You’ll need soft cloths, a soft-bristled brush, a spray bottle, mild detergent, white vinegar, clean sponges, newspapers, a small, hand-held vacuum, and a couple of clean, dry towels.

Follow the Right Procedure

The first step in successfully cleaning your vinyl windows is timing — try not the schedule this task for times when the sun’s rays are directly hitting the area. If you’ve got a morning exposure, for instance, wait until afternoon to wash your windows.

Remove Pane and Screens

The next step is to remove the stains and screens and place them on a flat, stable surface. Frames with multiple chambers provide the convenience of being able to remove the pane for the purpose of providing an easy way to clean vinyl windows. As you’re doing this, closely inspect your vinyl window for any signs of wear-and-tear, such as cracks and rips.

Gently Remove Dirt and Grime

The step in cleaning your vinyl windows is to carefully vacuum any dust or debris on the windowsills and around the window frame up with the hand-held vacuum cleaner. After spraying the area to be cleaned with clean water, use the sponges and soft-bristled brush to remove surface dirt and grime. Repeat the steps if necessary, and take care not to use so much water that it runs down the surface of the window — this can cause water to pool at the bottom and possible result in damage.

Clean the Window Frames and Trim

Use a solution of mild detergent and warm water to gently clean the window frames and trim. Use a sponge or soft cloth and wipe the area dry immediately after cleaning.

Clean the Glass

Using either a mixture of white vinegar and water or a commercially prepared window cleaning solution, clean the window glass thoroughly. Using newspapers to dry it after cleaning helps prevent unsightly streaks.

Clean the Screens

If the weather is nice, take the screens outdoors and rinse them off with the hose. Use the soft-bristled brush and mild detergent on them if necessary to get them clean. If the weather is bad, clean the screens off in your bathtub or shower.

Clean Out the Tracks

The last thing to do before reassembling the window is to thoroughly clean out the tracks.Clear away dirt and dust with the vacuum and use the putty knife to remove stubborn particles. Wash with mild detergent and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.

Please feel free to contact us at your convenience for more information on caring for your vinyl windows.

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