Month: October 2022

If you are struggling to open or close a stuck window in your house, you may be able to resolve the problem with a few simple steps. Or, if you’re unable to correct the issue with one of the basic methods suggested below, you may have a larger issue that requires professional treatment. But before you decide it’s time to call for warranty service, try one of the approaches explained here for common window types.

How to Open a Stuck Window

Before you resort to installing replacement window units, try troubleshooting to identify a possibly minor window maintenance issue. Take the following actions for the window type indicated below to correct small problems:

Casement Windows

Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to remove and check the sash on a casement window for loose screws and tighten them. Replace any stripped screws. Try lubricating the hinges with a silicone lubricant if needed.

Double and Single Hung Windows

Dirt and dust may cause increasing friction when opening and closing the window. Clean the single or double-hung window frames and apply a little spray lubricant as needed. Or, if the spring in the window jamb is too tight, adjust the spring.

Sliding Windows

Remove the sash from the sliding window to access the track. Use soap and water to clean the track. Lubricate the track and rollers if needed. Replace defective or worn rollers.

Other Reasons Windows are Hard to Open and Close

If the methods recommended above for correcting difficulties opening or closing windows do not work, there may be a different kind of problem. Here are some other common causes of trouble opening and closing windows:

• Warped Wood: If the sealant around your window frame deteriorates, the waterproof seal can fail. As the window frame absorbs moisture, it may swell, making it difficult to open or close, or lock.
• Interference: If the window installation was not well executed, there might be alignment issues that impact the smooth movement of the window. You may need professional service to correct the problem.
• Frame Damage: If the window becomes damaged, then the best approach may be a window replacement. Have a certified professional window installer handle the problem for the best long-term results.
• Foundation Settling: Inspect to determine whether your home has begun to settle. This can cause pressure on window frames, leading them to become misaligned and harder to open or close.

Problems with Hard to Open Windows

Low-quality wood or metal frames are more likely to develop problems that can make windows harder to open and close. For example:

• Worn window frames may leak air and cause damage and mold.
• Warped wood frames can be due to worn paint and excessive moisture.
• Extreme heat loss can occur from using single-pane glass.
• Rotting wood or peeling paint makes wood windows stick open or closed.
• Poor energy efficiency is caused by failing window seals.
• Rusting frames make windows harder to open and close.

If Your Windows Don’t Work, Call Advanced Window Products

Poorly functioning windows can seriously impact home energy efficiency and comfort. Trying to remedy the problem yourself may not be effective long-term. After you try the methods suggested above for a window that is not opening or closing properly, it may be time to have it professionally examined and repaired as needed.

Call Advanced Window Products at (801) 505-9622 or contact us here online for guidance on window maintenance or help with window warranty issues.

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Why is it best to choose a small business in Utah when shopping for products or services in your local area? For example, Advanced Window Products is a local company that has served the Salt Lake City, Utah, area for the past 36 years. We’ve grown by building a great local brand based on superior energy efficiency and durability of our home improvement products and excellence in customer service. That’s all great, but what are some specific reasons why it makes more sense to buy windows from a local small business like ours vs. a local branch of big box stores?

First, Generally Speaking, Why Shop Locally?

What happens when you do business with a locally owned small business like Advanced Window Products instead of at a branch of a national or international retail corporation in your local area?

• The money you spend stays in your local economy: Three times the percentage of each dollar spent at a local business is re-spent in the local economy than of a dollar spent at a national retail location in your market area.
• It helps create local jobs: Small businesses are more effective than large chains at generating new jobs from the same amount of new revenue.
• You receive better quality workmanship and service: A small local company has a more personal interest in providing the people in their community with the very best.
• Your taxes work more for your city: With less corporate overhead to siphon off profits, more tax dollars are left to enhance our community.
• You contribute more to your community: Local businesses donate about double the rate of contributions to charities than large corporations do.
• It helps the environment: It reduces fuel use for transportation of many materials and supplies to and from the point of production, packaging, shipping, etc., and from there to the point of sale.
• You build a successful community around you. Helping nurture entrepreneurship in your city develops a thriving population of aspiring and innovative people around you.

Benefits of Buying from a Local Window Company

Having a window manufacturer in your area that directly serves residential consumers offers many advantages compared to buying from a big corporate retail chain branch location:

The Most Knowledgeable Installer: A major problem when buying from a big box store is that you still need to make sure you’re using the most professional window installer.

Knowledge Gap: There’s a natural shortage of product knowledge of the manufacturer’s windows and a general retailer’s employees who sell them among many thousands of other product types across many departments.

More Custom Product Knowledge: Local companies know more about the right features for your custom windows in your climate area.

Buy Local Factory-Direct: There’s no retail middle-man to cost you higher prices, increase the likelihood of miscommunication, and cause results with lower product and service quality.

Warranty: Having the same company that sells you your windows also installing replacement windows for you and providing the warranty service directly is a major benefit for homeowners.

Wider Range of Custom Options: There is a much wider range of custom window features available to buyers when dealing directly with the manufacturer. Windows can be built to precise specifications, whereas windows from a big box store are much more limited in options.

Higher Quality at the Lowest Price: Naturally, the window manufacturer can sell windows and doors at the lowest possible prices because there is no retail markup.

Certifications: Factory-trained and industry-certified window installers have certifications that big retail stores can only talk about as third parties or not at all, depending on where they bought the windows.

Dealing Directly with the Manufacturer: When you have a problem with a product you bought from a big retailer, they just send you to the manufacturer, especially if they can’t get a refund from the manufacturer. Working directly with the manufacturer is a major service advantage.

Why Choose Advanced Window Products?

We are Utah’s leading energy-efficient replacement window company and the region’s best vinyl window manufacturers. Our customers benefit from superior window quality at the best overall value. That’s because buying factory direct eliminates the retail markup and our factory-trained installers bring the greatest knowledge to help ensure the highest performance from the window and door products to be installed.

For information about locally built custom energy-efficient replacement windows, call Advanced Window Products at (801) 505-9622, or contact us here on the website!

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