Community Involvement

What do you think about a home improvement company that works with police to make our communities safer? Well, thatÕs exactly the case with Windows Plus. Owners Reg and Tom have developed a special relationship with crime prevention. Since 2000, Reg and Tom have collaborated with local police departments and crime prevention officers to help deter crime in the communities. This all came about from a local networking meeting in which a Fairfax County police officer listened to Reg speak on home improvement products. The officerÕs interest peaked when Reg mentioned the benefits of laminated glass in windows as an added measure for home security. From that a decade of involvement with crime prevention began.

ÊWindows Plus is involved in the community in a number of great ways: We support the annual Prince William County Golf tournament, The Knights of Columbus programs to feed the hungry, Christmas in July, Neighborhood Watch Associations, Annual Security & Safety Fairs, are members of the local and national Crime Prevention Associations, and exhibit regularly at local fairs in which the proceeds support community development.

We hope that you will contact us at 703-916-8372 for more information on how we can help make your neighborhood a safer environment for your family.

What is Condensation?

Condensation, ÒThe process by which a gas or vapor changes to a liquid.Ó The American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition, 1993. You may recall this definition from chemistry class, but now that term takes on a whole new meaning for you in your home. At Windows Plus, we get phone calls frequently at this time of year from homeowners who are dismayed by the condensation on their windows. ÒWhat can they do?Ó they ask. ÒWhy does this happen with my new windows?Ó they question. And, although it may seem logical to you that your windows would be the reason for condensation, the fact is, barring a seal failure, they simply are not. To the contrary, energy-efficient windows prevent the moisture from escaping to the outside.

Windows provide the clear surface on which you will notice moisture. Condensation first forms on glass because glass surfaces have a lower temperature than other areas in the home. For example, when you see moisture on the bathroom mirror after a steamy shower or on your glass of soda, these surfaces are not the cause of the condensation; rather, they merely reflect the existence of moisture. You will notice that the inside or the outside of your bathroom window may ÒsweatÓ due to the differences in the temperatures. Moist air joins cool dry air = condensation.

You may notice more condensation in your home after you install energy-efficient products because the materials used in these products are intended to keep the cold air on the outside. Naturally, by keeping the cold air on the exterior, these same products will keep the warm air on the interior. We have heard homeowners say that they did not have any condensation with their old windows. Well, this is probably true because the older windows allowed for a great escape of moisture and cold Ð surely you remember they were drafty? Remember how cold you felt inside your home? There were no barriers to block the exchange of air in the home. That was the problem.
What to do, you ask to reduce condensation? It all has to do with controlling the humidity factor in your home. When you have excess humidity inside, it is going to show up on the coldest area of a wall, that is usually the windows. As the inside air becomes warmer and comes into contact with the colder glass, moisture forms. With your new energy-efficient products, your home is sealed tighter, thereby retaining more humidity Ð it cannot escape. But, you can control the level of humidity by taking a few steps.
Your goal is to increase the ventilation in your home and control excessive humidity. You can: 1) open fireplace dampers to let moisture escape; 2) ensure that the louvers in your crawl spaces and attics are open; 3) turn off humidifiers and other devices that have humidifiers; 4) be sure to vent clothes dryers and gas burners to the outside; 5) always use exhaust fans when cooking, doing laundry and in the bathrooms during showers and baths; 6) take time to air out your home several minutes a day Ð open a window or door briefly; 7) keep plants in a sunroom or in any room that is used less frequently during the winter.

Should you worry about condensation? You probably will only experience any window condensation during times of extreme temperature differences. During winter, you will see condensation on the inside; during the summer, you will see it on the outside. Occasional condensation causes no significant problems and is normal. But, if you see condensation in between the two glass panels, this signals a seal failure and in that case, you will need to replace the glass. If you have too much moisture inside your home you will notice this during the winter and summer months. More serious signs of moisture show up with cracked or peeling paint, rotting wood, and fungus or mildew growth Ð all indicate problems that need to be addressed by a contractor.
If you have questions about your home and would like to talk with one of the company owners, call Reg Wayland or Tom Camarca at Windows Plus Ð 703-916-8372.

How to Clean your Windows

Take a look at this short tutorial on window cleaning techniques:

Check Out Our Referral Program

Windows Plus depends on you to spread the word about our services and products. And, for years that is exactly what you have done – shared your experiences with many other homeowners, who in turn, have also become our customers.Ê This is the ideal way for a business to grow and establish long-lasting relationships.Ê We appreciate the fact that you are a satisfied customer and of course, complete satisfaction is always our number one goal.Ê

As a way of thanking you for your business and trust, when your referral results in a signed contract, weÊsend you $100.Ê We continue to build our business on these great referrals and repeat customers and we could not do it without you. We love to send these checks, so please keep us in mind for any home improvements needs that you and your friends may need. Contact us at 703-916-8372 with any questions you may have on changes you would like to make in your home.Ê And, remember, the same Federal Energy Tax Credit applies for qualifying windows and doors in 2010, so if you have not taken the step to make changes yet, you can benefit by doing so in 2010. Again, thank you for your business and the trust you have in Windows Plus.

Supporting Our Community

Windows Plus makes it a regular practice to stay involved in community service and activities. The company sponsors Safety Fairs and Crime Prevention Days for the Fairfax and Prince William County Police Departments, conducts home security presentations for Neighborhood Watch Associations and works with government agencies to educate employees on safety and security in the home. As a result of its work in the communities over the last decade, the owners ofÊWindows Plus, Reg and Tom, have been recognized by local crime prevention associations as industryÊleaders in the sales and marketing of intruder-resistant windows and doors.

In most areas, crime is on the rise and one of the most popular points of entry into the home is through the windows. Sometimes burglars can enter the home due to sheer carelessness through unlocked windows. This, of course, can always be prevented by taking time to check all locks. But, burglars can also gain entryÊby breaking the glassÊpanes with ease.ÊIn a matter of seconds, an intruder can hit the glass panes, thereby shattering the glass, enter the premises , remove items and leave before being detected.

Windows Plus offers a product to homeowners that has proven to help deter crime, one that will discourage intruders at the very least: laminated glass. The manufacturers that Windows Plus works withÊoffer products with double or triple insulating glass. These systems are high performance products designed to provide greater comfort, thermal efficiency, UV-rays protection and most importantly greater security. ÊLaminated glass can take repeated hits from any burglar’s tools and after many tries, at the most a small hole may form. But, a burglar only has a few moments to make entry and leave and laminated glass just simply does not offer that possibility.

Installing laminated glass on all of your windows may not be necessary, but Reg and Tom will help homeowners make the right decisions for any home improvement changes so that the greatest security and efficiency may be reached. When you are ready to make significant changes in the appearance, comfort andÊsecurity of your home, give Windows Plus a call at 703-916-8372. We are ready to make your community a greater place to live!

Siding

Windows Plus offers youÊsuperior siding with the CraneBoard Solid Core Siding System. Products by CraneBoard require no maintenance, no sanding, no caulking, or painting throughout its entireÊlifetime. CraneBoard Solid Core Siding System is designed and engineered to block summer heat and reduce the entry of cold in the winter. CraneBoard provides an extra layer of protection with great insulating power. This system gives the homeowner as much as four times more the insulating capability than the standard vinyl siding with the usual backer board.

CraneBoard is also constructed to withstand much greater impact thanÊfiber cement or typical vinyl siding with standard backer boardÊand stands up to winds as great as 130 miles per hour. In other words, if you choose CraneBoard Solid Core Siding System, your siding will endure the harshest of elementsÊover a lifetime.

Additionally, there are other perks with CraneBoard siding. The Solid Core system offers decorative window and corner systems along with other accessoriesÊdesigned to match your home in color and beauty.

No maintenance, high performance andÊleading technology provide absolute freedom to the homeowner. Give Reg or Tom a call at 703-916-8372 when you are ready for a remarkable look and a lifetime of performance.

Doors

Windows Plus provides exceptional service when installing one of the most used parts of your house…your front door. Patio Doors are available in designs from French doors to traditional models and are engineered to operate smoothly for many years without maintenance.ÊStorm Doors provide superb protection against the harsh elements while providing a stylish fresh look to your home’s entry. ÊPrecision Entry Doors provideÊstyles, finishes, and hardware to complement any home.