17 Things to Know About Home Windows

17 Things to Know About Home Windows
17 Things to Know About Home Windows

1. In general, window manufacturers recommend replacement after 20 years. Replacement warning signs include draftiness, difficulty opening and closing window, panes collect condensation and just general wear and tear.

2. Homeowners can reduce unwanted outside noises with double-pane windows. Thicker glass and wider air spaces will yield greater noise control.

3. Solid wood home windows provide solid weather insulation. However, they tend costlier and require more maintenance than other types of windows due to moisture induced swelling and contracting.
4. Vinyl home windows require little maintenance and are affordable but overtime the color is likely to fade.

5. Composite home windows are more durable and stronger than vinyl or wood windows. The cost tends to fall somewhere in between the cost of wood and vinyl windows.

6. Aluminum home windows are budget friendly, strong and require little maintenance. The main downside is they conduct cold and heat.

7. Clad home windows, the most expensive type, have inner wood frames and exterior aluminum or vinyl. The benefit is that the wood reduces heat/cold transference and the exterior allows for low-maintenance upkeep.

8. According to the U.S. Department of Energy inefficient and leaky windows and doors account for more than 25 percent of the average household’s energy bills. Homeowners are able to cut these costs through energy efficient windows, coatings and frames.

9. A window’s R-value measures its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the window.

10. A U-factor is the rate of heat transfer from inside to outside of your home. The lower the number, the more efficient the window.

11. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much heat your home gains from the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less heat is gained.

12. Concerning energy efficient windows, Low-emissivity (low-E) glass can keep heat inside a house in the winter and outside during warm summer days. Consequently, Low-E coated windows help to reduce energy costs, while blocking potentially harmful UV rays. Low-emissivity glass has a thin metallic coating that reflects heat back to its source.

13. Shatterproof glass, which is two to four times stronger than regular window glass, offers additional protection during severe weather and against possible break-ins. These windows are now required by code in some hurricane-prone areas. They also offer the added benefit of being as energy efficient as low-E glass, while also offering some noise protection.

14. Opening windows and letting the light stream through is a pleasant way to create the day. However, overtime the sun’s UV rays can cause fading to furniture, floors and fabrics. Some homeowners chose to use professionally applied window coatings to block UV rays, cut glare and reduce energy costs.

15. Home Energy magazine reports that light-color shades reduce a window’s solar heat gain by as much as 43 percent, while awnings reduce it by as much as 77 percent.

16. Here’s some interesting technology. Suspended Particle Device technology, allows homeowners to use a dimmer switch to tint glass panes to regulate the light coming in. This smart system can be applied to new and existing windows.

17. Routine, regular window cleaning can protect and extend the life of home windows. It also offers a way to detect small problems before they become costly issu

7 Benefits of Professional Window Washing

7 Benefits of Window Washing

7 BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL WINDOW WASHING

Save Time and Energy
Cleaning home windows takes time and energy. By hiring a professional cleaner you can focus on other projects or spend time with family and friends. A company like My Window Washing will carefully move furniture, remove/clean screens, clean your windows and clean up. The right experts do all the work, so give your time and energy on something else.
Continue reading “7 Benefits of Professional Window Washing”

How to Keep Your Windows Clean During the Winter

Cleaning Winter Windows

How to Keep Your Windows Clean During the Winter
Keeping windows clean during the winter months poses unique challenges, particularly when you add Chicagoland’s bone chilling wind. Windows are subject to dirt, debris, and grime year-round, which can be harsh on glass. Also, who wants to look out of dirty, grimy windows- while waiting for Spring to arrive.

Select a Good Day
Select a suitable day for window cleaning and avoid days that very cold or when the wind is high. The best days to wash the windows in winter are when the temperatures are above freezing. Once you have chosen a day, it’s important to clean your windows at the right time. Even during the winter months, you should always clean your windows in the shade to avoid streaks.

Assemble Supplies
Equipment
Gather a bucket, squeegee, extension pole, several towels and a sturdy ladder.

Hand Protection
Keep hands warm and protected by wearing water proof warm gloves or dish-washing rubber gloves over thin cotton or wool gloves.

Cleaning Solution
To help prevent water from freezing on windows, add some rubbing alcohol or car windshield washing liquid to warm water with some mild cleaning solution. Adjust the ratio according to the temperature.

Prepare Work Area
If necessary, clear show and any accumulated ice on the ground or around windows.

Prep Windows
Dry wipe windows and ledges before washing panes. Clean off dirt, dust, or debris on the surface and within groves. They tend to build up in the tracks and grooves, which can affect the window mechanisms that allow the window to open and close. Skipping this step can lead to a difficult muddy mess.

Water Temperature
Do not use hot water it can cause harm. Avoid cold water since it’s difficult to work with under cold conditions and may free immediately. Warm water is the ideal temperature for cleaning winter windows.

If the temperatures are hovering at the freezing mark or have dipped below, add rubbing alcohol to the soap and water solution. alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will help keep the soapy water from freezing.

Cleaning Glass Pane Tips
• Work quickly to reduce the chance of freezing or frosting.
• With large windows, work in sections.
• Squeegee water from top to bottom; make sure to wipe blade after each swipe.
• Use new towels often to avoid freezing and limit streaks.

Hire Professionals
Homeowners can also forgo climbing ladders and washing cold windows by hiring professionals. My Window Washing offers year-round services. As an award-winning professional window washing company, the company has served residential and business customers throughout Chicagoland for over 15 years.

8 Inexpensive Ways to Weatherize Your Home

Winterize Home

8 Inexpensive Ways to Weatherize Your Home

As chilly days settle over Chicagoland, heating bills tend to rise. However, there are several inexpensive ways to weatherize your home to reduce costs.

Window Insulation Kits
Window insulation kits offer a low-cost way to reduce and eliminate drafty windows. The kits include clear, oversized plastic that fits over a window’s interior. A hair dryer or similar heat source is used to shrink the plastic for a secure fit that adheres to the window. This approach also eliminates wrinkles and leads to a less noticeable outcome. Some claim it this window insulation can almost double the R-value of a single-pain window.

Weatherstrip Doors and Windows
Weatherstripping, doors and windows, is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent unwanted drafts, dust and moisture from entering your home. Experts suggest that weatherstripping is necessary if you can stick a finger nail into a gap between the window and window frame. (This Old House: The Essential Guide to Weatherstripping)

Seal Window Gaps and Cracks
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, seemingly small air leaks can reduce a home’s energy efficiency levels by 5 to 30 percent a year. Use expanding foam sealants or caulk to seal cracks and gaps around non-moving parts of your home windows.

Cover Water Heater Tank
Simply covering your water tank with a water heater blanket can reduce heat lose by 25%+. This can translate into reducing your water heating costs by 4% or more.

Attic Doors
Many attic doors can, unwittingly, lead to significant energy loss during cold, warm and hot months. The smallest gap in an attic door can lead to significant energy loss all year. There are several ways to insulate your attic door, based on the type.

Switches and Outlets
Surprisingly, nearly 2-5% of air infiltration is caused by outside wall outlets. Homeowners seldomly consider this aspect when winterizing their home. Yet, sealing exterior wall switches and outlets is simple, inexpensive and effective way to eliminate up to 5% of a home’s air infiltration.

Door Sweeps
Experts say that a small 1/8 inch gap around a doors allows as much air into a home as a halfway opened small window. An easy solution is to attach door sweeps to exterior doors. A door sweep seals the gaps between the bottom of the door and the threshold. Not only will you save energy costs, it can also offer protection against dust, moisture and insects.

Change Furnace Filters
It’s important to clean or replace your home’s furnace filters once a month during the heating season because dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy requirements.

Chicago- 2018 Cost vs. Value Report

Home Remodel

Chicago- 2018 Cost vs. Value Report

Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report compares the cost of 20 popular mid-range to upscale home remodeling projects in 100 U.S. markets. The annual Cost vs Value reports are based on data gathered on real remodeling projects for the purposes of determining average cost and return on investment for specific project categories.

The 20 project types used in the report include backyard patio, bathroom addition (midrange and upscale), bathroom remodel (midrange and upscale), deck addition (composite), deck addition (wood), entry door replacement (steel), Garage Door Replacement (midrange and upscale), garage door replacement, grand entrance (fiberglass), major kitchen remodel (midrange and upscale), manufactured stone veneer, master suite addition (midrange and upscale), minor kitchen remodel, roofing replacement, siding replacement, universal design bathroom, window replacement (vinyl and upscale), window replacement (wood and upscale).

On average, the return on home remodeling projects varied from 98.3% for garage door replacements to 47.6% for a backyard patio. In general, the return on remodeling projects was calculated at 56.0%, while the return on replacement project hit 76.15.

Overall, the 2018 Cost vs. Value Report revealed a general decline in remodeled project values, compared to prior years. Moreover, the decline in remodel project payback is attributed to the rising cost for all 20 projects.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Replacing windows, doors and siding offer respectable payback percentages (74%-98%).
  •  Geography impacts value and cost. The Pacific region (e.g. California, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, ect) was the only region that had remodel projects that recoupled 100% or more of cost.
  • Projects that add curb appeal continue to generate the highest return. These are projects viewable from the street such as wood deck addition, garage door replacements, and more.
  • Minor kitchen and bathroom remodels yielded a better return than major kitchen and bathroom remodels.
  • There is a 20-point difference between remodeling and replacement projects: 76.1% for replacement compared to 56.0% for remodels.
  • The return on investment for expensive projects, such as a major kitchen remodel or master suite addition, is decline.

CHICAGO HIGHLIGHTS

  • The highest cost recoup remodeling projects are midrange steel energy door replacement (105.1%) and midrange manufactured stone veneer (111.7%)
  • The lowest cost recoup remodeling projects are midrange backyard patio and upscale master suite addition.
  • The upscale vinyl window replacements have a 72.9% recoup value, while wood window replacement projects recoup 70.9%

Download Chicago’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report

 

How Often Should Business Windows Be Cleaned?

Restaurant Windows

How Often Should Business Windows Be Cleaned?

Given the demands of day-to-day business operations windows can get overlooked. However, business windows impact the overall aesthetic quality and professional impression. This can impact how clients and customers perceive your business. Moreover, unaddressed dirty windows can negatively impact the lifespan of commercial windows. With the changing seasons and weather conditions, debris can gather on windows.

Savvy business owners work with a professional window cleaning company and make regular cleaning appointments. This allows them to ensure the work is getting done, while freeing their time, resources and focus on more important business matters. Following are general guidelines on how often a business should have their windows cleaned.

Several factors determine how frequently a businesses’ windows need to be cleaned. This includes business time, location, foot traffic, number of windows, weather exposure, landscaping and more. For example, some restaurant windows need to be cleaned bi-monthly because of the grease circulating in the air and heavy foot traffic. Also, businesses near busy streets or highway tend to be exposed to more dirt, grime, and debris; and therefore, the windows need to be cleaned more often than businesses located on light traffic roads.

GENERAL FREQUENCY RULES OF THUMB

-Offices (no visitors/clients)- Once a month

-Offices (frequent visitors/clients- Bi-monthly

-Office Buildings- Twice a Year

-Office Building Lobbies- Monthly

-Retail Stores (Low traffic)-Once a month

-Retail Stores (High traffic)- Bi-monthly

-Restaurants- Bi-weekly

-Healthcare facilities- Monthly

-Healthcare buildings- Bi-Annual

-Healthcare lobbies- Bi- Monthly

Most businesses do not wash their own windows. Instead, they hire an experienced commercial cleaning service, such as My Window Washing. Professional window washers have the knowledge, experience and equipment to properly clean and maintain windows.

 

CHICAGOLAND RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS

As an award-winning professional window washing company, My Window Washing Inc., has served residential and business customers throughout Chicagoland for over 15 years. The company offers excellent service with 100% money back guarantee. Contact us for a free estimate (1-800-947-2790).

7 Reasons Why Window Cleaning Is Important

Why clean windows is important.
7 Reasons Why Window Cleaning Is Important

Windows play a vital role in any home in terms of beauty, fresh air quality, functionality and energy efficiency. Experts claim windows should be cleaned at least two times per year. Following are six reasons why it’s important to keep a home or business’s panes crystal clean.

1. Extends the Life of Windows, Panes and Screens.
2. Enhances a Home or Businesses Overall Appearance
3. Improves Energy Efficiency
4. Elevates Comfort Level
5. Better Air Quality
6. Identify Potential Issues
7. Adds Curb Appeal and Increases Perceived Home Value

Why Hire a Professional Window Cleaning Service?
If you dread the idea of cleaning your home’s windows (inside and out), there is an easy and affordable solution- hire a professional window cleaning service. An experience provider will deliver professional results. Following are some reasons why many homeowners choose to hire a professional cleaning service.

1. Relax
2. Save time
3. Service provider is equipped with proper tools and products
4. Ensure windows are cleaned correctly
5. Eliminate possible safety concerns (no need to climb ladders!)
6. No need to move furniture or remove window screens (depends on service provider).
7. Detect potential window issues early, perhaps saving you money
8. Expertise in removing stubborn stains/spots
9. Provider will do all the cleanup work
10. Relax and admire your clean windows

CHICAGOLAND RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS
As an award winning professional window washing company, My Window Washing Inc., has served residential and business customers throughout Chicagoland for over 15 years. The company offers excellent service with 100% money back guarantee. Contact us for a free estimate (1-800-947-2790).

12 Facts About Rain Gutters

Facts about Rain Gutters

12 Facts About Rain Gutters

The first gutters were created by ancient civilizations in 3.000 B.C. They started to drain water from one location to another using a system that they made out of stone, brick, and wood.

The Romans established the first drainage systems to drain water away from streets.

Gargoyles were used on buildings to act as rain gutters to guide rain water away from important building areas and some claimed they also warded off evil spirits.

Today’s rain gutters were invented in 1900’s to carry rainwater from the roof of the house and drain it directly into the downspouts.

Rain gutters come in a full range of materials, such as plastic, steel, copper, and aluminum.

Homeowner can choose two shapes of gutters: K-Style Gutters or Half-round gutters.

Gutter cleaning professionals find thousands of children’s toys inside rain gutters every year.

At one time, some vehicles had rain gutters to prevent rain from falling on drivers’ heads when they exited the car. For aerodynamic reasons this feature was dropped in the 1980s.  Located on the roof, the rain gutters dramatically changed the profile of the car, affecting.

Rain gutters with standing water are breeding ground for mosquitoes, insects and other pests.

It is very important to regularly (and safely clean rain guards) to prevent clogs and subsequent structural damage to a home.

Seamless gutters are more durable and stronger than regular rain gutters.

Cleaning gutters comes with some safety risks. Some claim that more than 150,000 people fall from the ladder each year while checking their gutter.

Why Clean Your Gutters?

Only a well functioning gutter system can protect your home from water damage. When gutters and downspouts are filled with debris and/or clogged, they do not perform correctly. Water can back up, become misdirected and damage your roof, basement, foundation, roof, fascia, soffits, paint and siding. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to spot the damage until it’s too late.

Often overlooked, cleaning your gutters is one of the most important home or building maintenance projects you can do. Experts recommend cleaning out your gutters at least twice a year: in the spring and fall. Failing to regularly maintain your gutters can lead to unwanted and expensive problems down the road.

A major problem with clogged gutters is that water doesn’t properly drain away from the home. Instead, it drains in places where it can (and often does) cause damage from the roof to your basement.  Moreover, the weight of water-logged debris often leads to gutter system damages. Acting as Mother Nature’s sponges, as debris absorbs rain water it becomes extremely heavy. This weight puts stress on gutters and fixtures, which can cause them to pull away from your home.

Forgetting or delaying cleaning your gutters can end up being a very costly. Like many other people, you may dread the prospect of climbing up a ladder and cleaning your gutters. Consequently, you may find it easier to have them professionally cleaned in the spring and fall. This will help ensure your gutter system is properly cleaned to prevent costly repairs later.

Serving Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs, My Window Washing offers professional and affordable gutter cleaning services. Call 1.800.941.2790 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Preserve Your Gutters with Gutter Guards

Gutter GuardsPreserve Your Gutters with Gutter Guards

Cleaning your gutters is an extremely important home maintenance task. Failing to regularly maintain your gutters can lead to unwanted and expensive problems down the road. Only a well functioning gutter system can protect your home from water damage. When gutters and downspouts are filled with debris and/or clogged, they do not perform correctly. Water can back up, become misdirected and damage your roof, basement, foundation, roof, fascia, soffits, paint and siding. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to spot the damage until it’s too late. Consequently, Experts recommend a complete gutter cleaning at least twice a year: in the spring and fall.

Although rain gutters and downspouts are attached to the top of a house, a crucial part of the system is the bottom. This is because it can affect the impact of water on the home’s foundation and it can also lead to unwanted mold and mildew.
It’s important that a home’s gutters be regularly cleaned and kept in tip-top shape. Gutter guards offer a savvy way to prevent gutter clogs. Good guards can successfully prevent dirt and debris from entering your gutters.
The solution to preventing gutter clogs is gutter guards. The use of gutter guards can effectively stop dirt and debris from getting into your gutters. The roof is the brain of the home and needs to stay protected at all times. Debris and dirt can damage a roof as easily as rainwater.

Gutter guards can be beneficial in the following ways to homeowners:
• Prevents Gutter Blockage
• Stops & Mildew Growth
• Save Monday and Time
• Reduce Maintenance Needs
• Reduce/Stop Rusting

Installing a gutter guard is a smart move. It can save homeowners significant time, effort, and money. With a guard attached to the gutters, there is no need to clean out the gutters every month or weekend.
Gutter guards eliminate large build-ups in rain gutters, helping to keep them clear, thereby saving you time, energy and money. Adding gutter guards is really a no brainier.

Based on twelve years of installing gutter guards, My Window Washing recommends and installs two types of gutter guards. They have found these guards to be top performers, easy to maintain and less expensive than similar products.

Plastic Guards with Mesh
Our recommend product keeps leaves and debris out of gutters. It is made of a high quality, rigid PVC and fits any K style aluminum, steel or plastic gutters. This snap-in gutter guard has a mesh filter bonded to the plastic. The filter is designed to keep smallest debris out of the gutter, helping to eliminate clogs. Also, it will not collapse under debris. This guard installs by snapping on to front edge of the gutter and comes in two different colors, dark brown and white.

Aluminum Micro Mesh Gutter Guards
The Micro Mesh Gutter Guard’s convex screen design readily sheds debris; this critical design feature sustains performance and keep gutters free flowing.

It is made from durable aluminum material and coated with an industrial paint system to preserve the finish. Micro Mesh Gutter Guard meets the demand of every contractor and building owner.

Serving Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs, My Window Washing offers professional and affordable gutter cleaning and gutter guard installation services. Call 1.800.941.2790 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Why Hire a Professional Window Cleaner?

Why hire professional window washers

Why Hire a Professional Window Cleaner?

Save Time and Energy
Cleaning home windows takes time and energy. By hiring a professional cleaner you can focus on other projects or spend time with family and friends. A company like My Window Washing will carefully move furniture, remove/clean screens, clean your windows and clean up. The right experts do all the work, so give your time and energy on something else.

Protect Windows
Dirt and debris on windows can cause irreversible damage. Over time, the outside window glass can become infused with contaminates such as hard minerals, acid rain, oxidization, paint, caulking, and other materials. Regular window cleaning will help to prevent permanent damage.

Along with extending the life of your windows, clean panes enhance the overall appearance and feel of a home’s interior and exterior. In general, professional window washers, such as My Window Washing, will clean windows from the inside and outside, leaving you with an aesthetically pleasing view from the inside, out.

Improve Curb Appeal
Clean windows yields better curb appeal. Whether trying to sell your home, or show off the home to your neighbors, professionally cleaned windows will make your home look well kept. Conversely, dirty windows can make your house look unkempt.

“Washing windows is the number one presale improvement that generates the best return on investment as measured by a higher selling price,” according to Money magazine. This means that, on average, a homeowner gains up to 768% return on their investment.
and streak-free.

Safety Concerns
Hiring a professional window cleaner is safer than doing it yourself. Washing windows often involves climbing up and down a ladder. Experienced professionals are trained to do a perfect job cleaning your windows (inside/out) with the right materials and cleaning solution. You don’t have to worry about your own health and safety. You do not even need to more furniture or remove screens. They will do all.

Better Results
Hiring fully insured and licensed professionals, such as My Window Washing will deliver better results than doing it yourself. Your windows will be fully cleaned with shiny, streak-free results.

Difficult Windows
Often homes have different types of windows. Different types of windows clean sometimes require different techniques and cleaning solutions. Also, some can present unique challenges. Savvy homeowners save time and effort by hiring experienced and skilled pros.

Have your windows professionally cleaned by an affordable and professional company like My Window Washing and enjoy all these benefits and more.