Driving rain, gale-force winds, sun exposure and high humidity. For residents in harsh climates, these destructive forces can be dreaded and frequent occurrences. Moreover, last year's hurricanes vividly illustrated to homeowners nationwide the need for protection from the worst that weather can offer.
“ Reliable windows and doors are essential for any building that experiences extreme conditions because they help protect the entire building envelop... ”
When properly selected and installed, the home's exterior openings - windows and doors - can be steadfast guardians of weather resistance, energy efficiency and security, experts say. And thanks to advancements in manufacturing technology, there's no longer any need to sacrifice style for the strongest, most durable materials.
"Reliable windows and doors are essential for any building that experiences extreme conditions because they help protect the entire building envelope," said Rod Clark, a window and door expert from JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. "If windows and doors aren't performing, they can cause major problems down the road that are much more costly and labor-intensive to repair."
To demonstrate the company's claim of reliability, JELD-WEN participated in the restoration of a building famous for standing up to stormy weather - the first lighthouse constructed on the Oregon coast. The company replaced the lighthouse's unattractive, aluminum windows and a warped front door with the latest in high-tech, weather-resistant building products.
Replacement windows and doors selected for this project are historically accurate in their architectural style and will protect the lighthouse for years to come. The new pine windows made with AuraLast wood are guaranteed to resist decay and termites for 20 years. The IWP Aurora Custom Fiberglass entry door is visually indistinguishable from wood, yet requires very little maintenance. Most importantly, the new door won't expand, swell or absorb moisture - an essential prerequisite for an area that receives nearly 70 inches of rain each year.
What can homeowners throughout the country learn from this lighthouse restoration project? Understanding the weather-resistant benefits of new, high-tech building materials is key. For residents who want to protect their homes against the ill effects of extreme weather, consider these tips:
* Seek out building materials that will help combat the destructive forces of nature, such as wind, moisture and UV rays. Depending on your home's specific needs, investigate the latest fiberglass technology, AuraLast wood, energy efficient Low-E glass, laminated glass that is impact-tested and UV-resistant, and exterior cladding for wood windows.
* In addition to selecting energy efficient products, shade windows that will experience high sun exposure. Make sure windows and doors are properly installed, finished and sealed. Look for windows with Low-E glass and the ENERGY STAR label.
* If you are installing windows yourself, it's crucial to obtain the correct measurements and select products that are the right size. Installers must be careful to tie in the moisture barriers that protect both windows and doors and the exterior faces of the home. Measuring and installation tips can be found at www.jeld-wen.com/resources.
* Consider your home's current architecture. Styles that are common today include Craftsman, Victorian, Old World and Colonial. Evaluate your home's current windows, exterior and interior doors, cabinetry, colors and finishes to determine which style works best.
* What is the budget? There are energy efficient and weather-resistant windows and doors that fit any budget, and costs vary depending on size, materials selected, style and design options.
* What is the anticipated return on investment? As an example, the return on replacing windows alone can be 87 percent, according to Remodeling Magazine's recent survey of national averages.
For more information on coastal windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call (800) 877-9482, ext. PR-036.
Courtesy of ARA Content
