When choosing your replacement windows, consider the style of the window as well as the efficiency and safety of the window. To help you understand the energy-efficiency qualities of various replacement windows, here are some facts to help you make decisions.

Materials

Some materials that are on replacement windows conduct heat and cold, resulting in energy loss through the window. The replacement window material that loses the most heat or cold is aluminum. Steel conducts about one-third the amount of heat and cold as aluminum, while stainless steel conducts about one-third as much as steel. The most efficient material for windows is wood, conducting 1/1000 the amount lost through aluminum. And just a fraction behind wood is vinyl.

The bottom line is that the most energy-efficient window materials are wood and vinyl. Vinyl, of course, requires less maintenance.

Glass

The next consideration when it comes to the energy efficiency of replacement windows is the glass. Glass by itself is not an efficient barrier between temperature differences outside and inside. When you are trying to cool your house in the summer, the heat from outside is conducted through the glass and passes indoors which means more energy is required to keep your house cool. The same is true in the winter, but in reverse.

Heat and cooling loss through window glass can be reduced by adding a second pane of glass, creating an air space between the panes. Air is a much more efficient insulator than glass and you will experience a significant improvement in window performance simply by adding a second pane of glass. Nearly every manufacturer of replacement windows goes one step further and offers triple-pane windows that have two air spaces and even more insulating efficiency than dual-pane windows.

Gas Filling

Double- and triple-paned replacement windows can also have a fill of gas between the panes to further reduce heat exchange. Filling the space between panes of a double-paned window with Argon gas will make it twice as effective. Filling the space between the panes with Krypton gas increases the R-value of the window from 4.0 to 4.55. Triple-paned windows filled with Argon gas have an R-value of 6.25, and choosing a triple-paned window filled with Krypton gas provides an R-value of 10.0.

Glass Coating

Replacement windows can also be coated with thin films of various kinds, such at Low-E (low emissivity), to block UV (Ultraviolet) and IR (infrared) rays. These coatings protect window treatments, furniture and carpeting from fading as well as reflecting back some of the heating effect of the sun.

Windows of any style, size and shape can be chosen in several colors of vinyl and can be painted any color if your choice of window material is wood. Windows can be purchased with various styles of dividers within the window and even with blinds attached in enclosed compartments or with blinds placed within the window itself.

No matter what style or type of window you choose for an energy-efficient window replacement project, you will do well to look for the “Energy Star” seal first. These windows will meet minimum standards established by the Federal Government.

With more than 20 years of experience serving Minneapolis-St. Paul and surrounding communities from their Bloomington, MN location, Tollefson Bros. Exteriors has brought beauty and comfort to hundreds of homes just like yours. Our estimates are always FREE. We’d love to talk with you about your project plans and help your vision become a reality. Contact us at 952-881-2218 or complete our online form anytime and we’ll be in touch with you promptly.

A leak from one dislodged tile is a small and inexpensive matter, but if you do not inspect your roof regularly, this will go unnoticed. By the time that you DO notice it, it may be because water is dripping into your spare room! This means that this whole area of the roof structure is soaked, the ceiling will need to be replaced and hopefully the flooring will recover.

Always check your roof for storm damage after a wind or hail storm, as most roofing is not designed to withstand fierce winds. Scrutinize the tiles for cracks, splits and torn-off corners; also check for lifting. Lifting is a common cause of roof leaks, and can be easily rectified. Be aware of multiple tiles lifting, as this could be a sign that the roofing material is too old and is warping from all the weathering.

Climb into your attic/loft and ensure that any insulation that you have in your roof is not right up against the roof itself. There has to be a gap for air to circulate; also when a roof heats up and there is insulation directly behind it, this heat is thrown back into the roofing and excessive heating like this can damage and warp the roof. Tollefson Bros. Exteriors will do a free attic inspection to check for proper levels of insulation. Proper insulation will both reduce your energy costs and prolong the life of your roof.

Another weakness in all roofs is the flashing. Flashing is designed to provide a watertight junction between roof materials and structure, especially if the roof projects out or changes design (as with extension roofs). If you are installing a new roof, it is worthwhile to get the flashing ‘inspected’ as it is a common failure area.

Often the simple fact that the gutters, leading into down pipes from the roof, are blocked with leaves and twigs can cause a problem. Roofs must have adequate run off, especially in the areas which may have snow. Water trapped in the gutter will mean that it will back up the roof for a few inches and have time to seep into the edges of the roofing tiles. Consider investing in ‘leafless gutters’ to prevent roof leaks caused by clogged gutters.

Tollefson Bros. Exteriors of Bloomington MN will inspect your roof, gutters and attic for free. To schedule an inspection, please call 952-881-2218 or use our online form 24 hours a day.. Tollefson Bros. Exteriors has been serving the Twin Cities communities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, and Apple Valley for over 25 years.

Having said that, there are many things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of these scammers. Here are some helpful ideas from one of Minnesota’s experienced exterior remodeling contractors, Tollefson Bros. Exteriors located in Bloomington, MN.

As a start, ask friends of yours for recommendations. They may have had work done by a particular remodeling contractor previously who carried out a professional job at a fair price. If that’s not possible, make sure the contractor can prove their competence by finding out if they are trained to do the job and whether they are members of a particular trade or business association. The contractor himself should be able to supply that information and give you contact information of associations with whom you can verify their claims.

Always ask for a written estimate or, better still, a fixed quote before any work starts. By getting a few written estimates so you can make comparisons, you will be assured you are paying a fair price for the work you want done. Ask if there is any “small print” and ask them to explain anything you don’t understand. Amend the bid, if necessary, before you sign any contracts.

You should also ask certain questions, in addition to verifying their ability and reputation to do the job as mentioned above. This should include asking how many projects like yours they’ve completed in the past couple of years. If you ask, they should give you a few references so you can contact previous people who have had work carried out by the tradesman. Ask them to produce an insurance certificate so you can be sure that you’ll receive compensation should the job go wrong.

When it comes to payment, try to limit, or even eliminate, any upfront payment as much as possible and always pay by check or by credit card. Never use cash. Quite often, a reputable contractor will not require any payment until the job is completed to your satisfaction. If it’s a big job that’s going to take some time, they may require some form of payment upfront for materials and additional labor costs first. If that’s the case, make sure you have a written receipt and their signature to prove that they have received payment, including the exact amount, before starting the job.

Where possible, negotiate payment in stages. For example, a portion of the total bid is paid at the start of work, another payment after the work is half done, and the rest upon satisfactory completion. Don’t make any final payment until you’re fully satisfied that the work has been completed to your specifications and, if the contractor is using other sub-contractors, ensure that these have all been paid before handing over the final payment to the main contractor. Don’t make any final payment until the residential contractor hands over written warranties for materials and for the quality of workmanship and that you have written proof that all sub-contractors have been paid in full.

Providing you ask the right questions, get satisfactory answers, do your research and get everything put in writing, there should be no problem. But watch out for scams. These include remodeling contractors that only accept cash, those that ask you to pay for the entire job upfront, those who do not provide you with a business or a home address and telephone number or suggest that you borrow money to pay for the job from a lender they know, or those that solicit door-to-door.

Knowledge, vigilance and awareness are your best forms of protection to make sure your home improvement project is finished without any hitches.

Tollefson Bros. Exteriors has been serving the Minnesota communities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville for over 12 years from their central location in Bloomington.

Contact Tollefson Bros. Exteriors by visiting our web site www.tolefsonbros.com, calling us at (952) 881-2218, or use our online contact form 24 hours a day.

Tollefson Bros. Exteriors carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, is a Preferred Contractor for Owens Corning, and is a Certified Vinyl Siding Installation Company by the Vinyl Siding Institute.

Start Right with an Energy Audit

Knowing where your home stands when it comes to energy efficiency and getting specifics on which area of your house and property needs concentration can not only save you money, it can help to keep your home warm and comfortable all year round.  An energy audit conducted by a professional would serve as a great start to assessing what areas need some help. In some cases, you can ask your energy provider for a free inspection. If not, then calling on a qualified contractor to do the energy audit would surely prove to be worth the investment.

Maximize Heating and Cooling

About 50 to 70% of the energy consumption of an average American home is accounted to heating and cooling. And fact is, the entire amount reflected into your energy bill is not what you have entirely used as a good fraction of this goes to waste. Without you knowing, leaks are lurking at places they shouldn’t be and silently wasting precious resources that are not only costing you financially but is also preying on indoor comfort and affecting the quality of living you afford your family. To deal with this and maximize heating and cooling, here are 2 green home improvements to undertake:

• Seal It All Up

A tightly sealed home ensures that what is needed inside is kept inside and what is not, outside.  Plugging every possible source of air leak will maximize the heating and cooling effort of your HVAC system. When essential elements escape while the outdoor air seeps into the house through holes and gaps, your HVAC system is unnecessarily overworked thus energy costs shoot up. There are several areas that leaks are more common especially around the gaps of your windows and doors, attic, basement and more. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency roughly estimates that a fifth of the hot or cold air that ducts carry to various parts of your home does not end up where they should be due to leaks along the way. To get rid of the headache, fill these up with sealants.

• Minnesota Attic Insulation

A well insulated home is not only an energy efficient home but one that is comfortable all year-round.  Before getting on with the work, consider having a qualified contractor do the job for you for an efficient and fast turn around. An evaluation will be done first to know whether the insulation in your exterior and basement walls, attic, floors, ceilings, and crawl spaces meet the DOE recommended R-value for your area. Then you and your hired contractor can discuss the methods and materials suitable to use for your budget and home.

Energy Efficient Products

There are a lot of products that you can replace and add in your green home improvements to achieve better energy efficiency such as replacement widows, insulated siding  HVAC systems, lighting, programmable thermostat, water heater and a whole lot more. Other than the long-term savings on your energy bills, certain products can also qualify you for federal tax credits. So be on the look out for the Energy Star label.

Give Tollefson Bros. Exteriors a call 952-881-2218 or use are online form 24 hours a day for a free no-obligation estimate.