Key Things to Look for with Vinyl Windows

The moment you decide to purchase vinyl windows in Pinole, CA, you’ve made a great decision that can actually increase the value of your home, if you choose the right windows. You’re going to find a wide range of prices when it comes to vinyl windows. You might be able to purchase some basic double hung windows from your local home improvement superstore for just about $100 per window. Sounds great, doesn’t it, especially if they will fit the rough opening? 

But they’re not as great a deal as you may initially think. Those cheap vinyl windows are made from the lowest quality materials and don’t offer the same protection against the cold and other elements as higher quality windows will. 

Below are a few key things you should look for when it comes to vinyl windows for your home. 

Construction materials.

Vinyl is vinyl, right? Not exactly. Just as you could choose various types of wood for joists and wall studs, and each one will provide different quality (for durability, strength, and other factors), the type of materials used in vinyl windows can make a difference. 

Higher quality vinyl windows will protect against the temperatures outside, outdoor noise, and other aspects much better than cheaper windows. You will also need to look at how those vinyl windows are put together. Are they welded at the edges of the frame or simply folded over? That can make a difference in protecting against the cold air outside and in some cases the rain. 

Hardware.

Quality hardware is essential for just about any window you have, whether it’s a wood window or vinyl window. You could end up with cheap plastic components that make snap if you open the window too fast. 

Focus on hardware that will withstand the humidity in this part of the world. Humidity can corrode steel, brass, and other materials much too quickly, especially if you live closer to the shore. 

Durability.

Cheaper vinyl windows will not last as long as better constructed ones. That’s what durability is all about. Those cheap windows we mentioned that you could probably find at your local home improvement mega store might last 8 to 10 years while higher quality windows will last between 15 to 20, on average. What sounds better to you? 

Energy efficiency.

While we don’t have to worry about the kind of harsh winters people up north do, we still get some cold air moving through. That means you’re going to run your heating system to stay warm. 

For every dollar you spend heating your home during the late autumn and winter months, 40 cents is flying right out old, cheap vinyl windows. If you invest in higher quality vinyl windows, you’ll be able to save 60, 70, and up to almost 90 percent on your home’s heating and cooling expenses year round.  

If you end up saving $20 a month, on average, that’s $240 per year, which equals about $2,400 every 10 years, and that’s just based on current utility expenses. 

Now that you know some key things to focus on with regard to vinyl windows, you’re more likely to make the right decision for your home, your budget, and your family. 

Call A-Taylor Made Window today at 510-559-5530 or come by our showroom at 5327 Jacuzzi St. #5E, Richmond, CA 94804 for more information. 

5 Ways Quality Matters for Entry Doors

When you’re talking about entry doors in Kensington, CA, you will notice a significant range of prices. It can be tempting to immediately consider the cheapest entry doors you can find, but that’s not going to do your home or yourself any good. Sure, they will be new and they might look fine, but quality does matter, a lot, when it comes to entry doors. 

Below are 5 ways (or reasons) why quality matters when it comes to your entry doors. 

Security.

Perhaps the most important is security. You want your home and your family to feel secure. You also want to protect your assets (such as your furniture and other items that you have in it) and the best way to do that is to ensure you have the optimal security for your home. 

You could install a security system and an alarm, but it doesn’t take long for someone to abscond with your personal possessions once they get in. If they can get in easily (because of cheap quality doors), you’re basically leaving the door open for them.  

Safety.

While some people would consider safety to be the same as security, it’s not. Safety refers to more than just preventing someone from breaking into your home. It refers to protecting your family from the risk of a fire and other issues. 

High quality doors will help to keep your home and family as safe as possible, not just from smoke and other risks, but also from cold temperatures outside. Did you know that 40 percent of your heat and cool air escapes through old, drafty windows and doors? That’s not going to keep you or your family safe. 

Style.

When you purchase cheap replacement doors, you’re not going to be taking advantage of the different styles that more well made replacement doors offer. Don’t fall into the trap of being tempted by the cheapest entry doors you can find. You may end up choosing the cheapest entry doors, and if you’re happy with your decision, that’s fine, but be sure to look at all of the various styles you could choose from. 

Curb appeal.

Curb appeal is so important when it comes to boosting the value of your home. When someone (a potential homebuyer, if you’re looking to sell, or a guest) pulls into your driveway, you want to have your home look its best, right? 

That’s curb appeal and the entry doors can make a significant impact on that curb appeal. 

Comfort.

Finally, the most important thing for any homeowner is comfort. If you pull into your driveway after a long, hard day at work and you’re not pleased with the look of your home, if you struggle to open your entry door because it’s old and warped, or notice how cracked and loose it is, you’re not going to be as comfortable as you could or should be. 

Any of these 5 reasons should be enough to highlight how important quality is for entry doors. 

Call A-Taylor Made Window today at 510-559-5530 or come by our showroom at 5327 Jacuzzi St. #5E, Richmond, CA 94804 for more information. 

Three Reasons Replacement Windows Are the Right Decision for Your Family

You’re sitting around trying to figure out what projects are important to help improve the look, feel, comfort, or even value of your home. One thing that you may or may not have considered, but that can be incredibly important, are replacement windows. 

Most people have a tendency to avoid replacement windows in San Francisco, CA as a major home improvement projects because they don’t see much value in it. They see the old, dirty, worn out windows, but they aren’t cracked, are opening and closing (for the most part), and performing their job. 

While most people could probably say the same thing about all of the appliances in their old, outdated kitchen, this is one of the first home improvement projects people take on. Why? They see inherent value in it. 

So let’s talk about the three key reasons why replacement windows might very well be an important decision for you and your family. 

They help save money on utility bills.

While living in the San Francisco Bay area means that we don’t have to worry about frigid cold winters and exceptionally hot summers, it doesn’t mean we don’t heat and cool our homes. 

Forty percent of the heat and cool air in your home is usually lost through draft, outdated windows and doors. Consider how much you spend on average per month on your utility bills (for heat and air conditioning) and then calculate 40 percent. That will give you an idea of just how much you could save when you choose the right replacement windows for your home. 

Replacement windows improve the comfort of your home.

Many people have a tendency to keep their basic window treatments closed over their windows when they notice the condition of those particular windows are in poor shape. For example, maybe you purchased your home a few years ago and it was built in the 1970s. For all you know, it still has the original windows in it (because of the condition of those windows). 

As a result, you keep the blinds closed so you don’t have to be reminded of how poor those windows are. If you’ve installed replacement windows (the right kind, of some quality), you’re going to be more inclined to throw open those curtains and blinds and that can make a world of difference for you and your family as far as comfort is concerned. 

Open window treatments let sunlight in and that can add tremendous comfort for everyone in your family. 

The right replacement windows can add value to your home.

Did you know there are about 5 different home improvement projects that can actually help to increase the value of your home? A kitchen renovation is one. Bathroom remodel is another. And yes, replacement windows are another. (Finishing a basement and replacing the roof are the two others). 

Not only could you end up saving money on your utility bills every month with replacement windows, you could also boost the value of your home. Those are some pretty good reasons to consider replacement windows right now. 

Call A-Taylor Made Window today at 510-559-5530 or come by our showroom at 5327 Jacuzzi St. #5E, Richmond, CA 94804 for more information. 

Three Ways the Right Patio Door Can Transform Your Living Style

Trying to determine the right home improvement projects to take on for your home may be daunting at times. You know it’s going to be a considerable expense, no matter which one you take on. However, it’s always best to focus on it as an investment, rather than an expense. 

The moment you begin thinking about any type of home improvement project as an expense is the moment you begin focusing on trying to save as much money as possible, and that’s not going to do you, your home, or your home improvement project any service. 

When you’re talking about the prospect of replacing your old, outdated, or simply worn out patio door in Albany, CA with a new one, you have some great opportunities to not only make it more appealing to use your outdoor living space, but also to boost the comfort and possibly even appeal of your home as a whole unit. 

Every little detail matters when you’re talking about appeal and comfort for your home. For example, replacing your existing sliding glass door with a beautiful French door can make a world of difference for not only the way you see your room and outdoor living space, but also how you use it. 

Below are three ways that the right patio door can actually make a world of difference in your home and how it can also transform your living style from basically functional to exquisite. 

1. The right patio doors make it easy to get in and out.

When you have an old, worn out patio door, it’s going to be harder to open and close it on a regular basis. No one really wants to deal with a door that is a pain to open and close. But that’s exactly what happens with old, corroded sliding glass doors, so homeowners have a tendency to ignore the door, either going through a different door, leaving it wide open when that’s not practical, or just not using their outdoor living space when they can. 

2. Much more appealing.

When you have a patio door that is much more appealing, you’re going to want to take the time to decorate the room to accommodate that new door. You’re also going to spend more time focused on improving (and using) your outdoor living space. 

Appealing patio doors can do so much to completely transform the look and feel of your home, making it that much more appealing to you, your family, guests, and even potential homebuyers, if you’re in the market to sell your home. 

3. They can become a centerpiece, of sorts.

As with what we just mentioned, certain entry doors, like patio doors, can become a centerpiece of sorts. A gorgeous French door, for example, could become the central focus for a specific room, such as a bedroom, family room, or even a dining room. When you add this type of door as your patio door, people will take notice, it will be easier to get in and out of your home, and you’ll take advantage of all of that living space so much more. 

Call A-Taylor Made Window today at 510-559-5530 or come by our showroom at 5327 Jacuzzi St. #5E, Richmond, CA 94804 for more information.