Replacing Entrance Doors in Anchorage Alaska
In life, first impressions are almost always based on appearance. This goes equally for your house and home, and the first thing people see up close when they visit your home is your front door. You want it to look good, make a good first impression — and be functional, energy-conscious, and secure. That’s a lot to ask, so if you’re thinking of replacing entrance doors in Anchorage, Alaska, where do you start? Choose a Style First Obviously, you want your door to be secure and work properly. But really you first need to know exactly what type of door you want. Will your entrance door be a single or double? Glass or no glass? If you want glass, how much, and in what style? Do you want glass on either side of the door as well? These questions are important because they’ll guide the materials used to construct the door. This, in turn, will determine the overall cost you can be expected to pay to make the door. Once You Have the Style, Choose the Right Brand Not all entrance doors are made equal. Especially somewhere cold like Alaska, you need to ensure that it’s weather sealed and properly insulated. A solid or hollow carved piece of wood might look inviting, but it probably won’t be enough to keep you warm and safe indoors. ProVia doors are designed to provide the security and insulation needed for Anchorage’s harsh climate. The frames are made of either steel or fiberglass. They’re filled with insulation material to keep the winter months warm and the summer months cool. You might be thinking...What’s the Best Window for Alaskan Weather?
Alaska is renowned for its nature. Part of that is its infamous winters of blistering cold temperatures and lengthy stretches of almost pure darkness. If you’re renovating a home in Alaska, you want to pay special attention to choose the best window; it could be the difference between ongoing power and repair costs, and a wallet and environment-friendly investment. You might be asking, is there really that much of a difference between windows? The answer is a very simple yes. Too many homeowners don’t pay enough attention to what their windows are constructed with and get complacent. If you have the wrong window, you could be spending hundreds of dollars more a year than you need to be. So, what should you be looking for in your windows? Choosing the Best Window for Alaskan Weather Firstly, if your home was built with single pane windows, it’s either very old or made by someone who was more concerned with saving money than making an Alaska-friendly house. Single pane windows are terrible insulators. Alaska, as we said, is renowned world over for its winters. They’re some of the coldest and harshest on Earth. Choosing The Best Window Coating for Alaskan Weather From freezing winters to the blaring sun in summer, Alaskans and their windows have a lot thrown at them over a year. The ideal glass coating should act as an insulator, block harmful UV radiation, and not spoil those remarkable Alaskan views. SmartSun glass coating ticks these boxes. It’s also formulated to be easier to clean than plane glass or other glass coatings, making maintenance a breeze. Whether it’s a deluge of rain or...Vinyl Windows Alaska: Yes or No?
Vinyl is a popular material for window frames. It’s affordable, it’s low maintenance, and it’s easy to clean. But, like any material, it has both its pros and its cons. This can be particularly noticeable somewhere like Alaska, which can experience extremes of weather throughout the year. So the question is, vinyl windows Alaska: yes or no? We go over the pros and cons and suggest an amazing alternative below. The Pros of Vinyl One of the most attractive things about vinyl is that it’s about the cheapest option. It’s substantially more affordable than aluminum or wooden frames, for example. Maintaining vinyl frames is generally much quicker than wood and aluminum as well. It’s less prone to staining and most marks can be easily wiped off. However, as you’ll see in the cons, there are some upkeep considerations to keep in mind. Vinyl is a very good insulator for a window frame. It’s far superior to, say, aluminum, which has a much higher thermal conductivity rating. That means it’s easier for heat to transfer through aluminum, letting cold in and heat out. Last, but not least, is that vinyl has a very slim profile compared to other materials. This gives you more glass area and thus more light into your home. The Cons of Vinyl Remember how we mentioned some maintenance issues? One of the biggest problems, especially when considering vinyl in Alaska, is its tendency to sag. This affects darker colored vinyl frames in particular, as they absorb more heat over time. Since vinyl has a very low warping temperature, it will deform quickly and leave gaps around the...
Why It’s Important to Replace Old Windows in Your Home
Sunlight makes us happier. There’s a sense of warmth and relaxation when you throw back the shades and let the sunlight shine into the room. But, as winter sets in, the sun likes to play hide-and-seek with us. We all know that we must start preparing for cold winter temperatures. That means it’s time to make sure your home is in top condition to handle freezing temperatures and snowy days in Alaska. One essential element of your home, in both functionality and aesthetics, is your windows. Windows play various important roles, from protecting you from the elements to adding more value to your home. If your windows aren’t in good condition, it’s important to replace them as soon as possible. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider window replacement in Alaska: 1. Better Energy Efficiency We’ll be the first to admit that original, historic windows have a certain appeal to them. But, while they look amazing, they aren’t as energy efficient as new windows. And, with heating and cooling costs on the rise, you simply can’t afford to throw money out the window (pun intended.) Replacing your old windows with new ones that offer insulating features such as heat reflecting low-E coatings can save you between 10% and 25% each year on heating and cooling costs. 2. Old Windows May Cause Harm to Your Home If your windows are poorly sealed, worn or damaged, they might cause damage to your home. For instance, if your window is poorly sealed, you might lose warm air during winter. Moreover, a leak in your windows could cause water damage to the...