JELD-WEN BLOG

Window & Door advice you can use

«I’ve hired a contractor to replace my old windows. Can you walk me through what they’ll be doing?»

Installing new windows is a great way to save energy and money, but only if the job is done correctly. Here are some of the steps your contractor will be following to replace them. Before any work has begun, your installer will verify all window measurements and remove any facings or mouldings that will be reinstalled after the work has been completed. After your old window has been removed, your installer will inspect the rough opening to make sure all materials and wall pieces are in good condition. At this stage, necessary repairs will be made to ensure that your window will be completely airtight and watertight. After the opening has been cleaned and repaired, your new window will be positioned with shims to ensure the window is square, level and plumb. It will then be secured permanently to the frame with screws. Following the installation, your window will be insulated. Make sure you discuss insulation options with your contractor prior to replacing your windows.

Finally, your window will be caulked to ensure water tightness between the window frame and the exterior siding and new or the original mouldings will be replaced on the interior of your home. Once the installation is complete, the contractor will inspect it with you for your approval. At the same time, they will explain how the window operates, go over warranty coverage and give advice on how to maintain the product.

Subsidy ending earlier than expected

We learned just a few days ago that the EcoENERGY subsidy program aimed at assisting homeowners with their renovations will be coming to an end before its scheduled March 31, 2012, expiration date.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver announced at the end of January that because it had achieved its initial objective of 250,000 homeowners registered in the program, EcoENERGY would be ending ahead of schedule.

Specifically, the EcoENERGY program is now closed to new registrations (effective January 28, 2012). For those already registered, all renovations must be completed by March 31, 2012, and the final deadline for post-retrofit evaluation is June 30, 2012.

EcoENERGY, you’ll remember, gave owners the chance to obtain up to $5000 for energy-efficient renovations to their homes, such as replacing doors and windows.

For more information: http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/residentiel/personnel/8515

Other source:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1123966

JELD-­WEN and McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Proud To Sponsor Safeway Curling Championship

Continuing its tradition as a steadfast supporter of curling in Canada, JELD-­WEN has teamed with McMunn & Yates Building Supplies as co-­‐presenting sponsors of the 2012 Safeway Men’s Curling Championship, taking place from February 8­‐12 in Dauphin, Manitoba.

For their sponsorship, JELD-­WEN will feature prominently throughout the preliminary double knockout round and into the Linals, maintaining a strong presence at both Dauphin’s Credit Union Place as well as during the televised broadcasts.

“We’re delighted to be the co‐presenting sponsor of the Safeway Championships. To help enable the best men’s curling teams in the province compete is always such a real treat and we wish all of the teams the best of luck in the tournament,” says Eric Palmer, Marketing Manager at JELD-­WEN Canada.

In addition to JELD-­WEN’s sponsorship of men’s curling in Manitoba, JELD-WEN continues to support the pinnacle of woman’s curling in the province as well.

As a key sponsor of the Jennifer Jones rink, JELD-WEN is proud to contribute to their success on and off the ice. JELD-WEN would like to congratulate Jennifer Jones and her team on another jobl well done on their recent victory at the Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts Pronvincial Championship in Portage la Prairie on January 29, 2012. The Jones rink will now move on the Red Deer, Alberta to face off against the best teams in Canadian women’s curling at the National Scotties.

JELD­‐WEN wishes skip Jennifer Jones and her St. Vital teammates, vice Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill OfLicer and lead Dawn Askin the best of luck at the national competition.

Subsidies available to replace your windows and doors

We wrote about this a few months ago but you may have put your project off for a few months… because of time… or because of money. Well, now’s a great time to talk about it again because the opportunity exists to get a home subsidy.

This government program is called ecoENERGY Retrofit, and it was developed to lighten the energy cost load for Canadian citizens. The ecoENERGY Retrofit program allows homeowners to save and make their homes more energy efficient by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Obviously, there are some steps to follow to find out if you’re eligible for the program. To help you get started, we’ve prepared a synopsis of what you’ll need to know to guide you through the submission process. You’ll find this information at www.eco-reno.ca.

We also suggest that you move quickly because the program is ending March 31, 2012.

Some reference material:

http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoenergy-ecoenergie/retrofithomes-renovationmaisons-eng.cfm

http://www.eco-reno.ca/

At this festive time of year, we would like to offer you our best wishes and thank you once again for your support and confidence in us over the last year.

We would also like to thank all our colleagues in the window and door industry, all our clients and partners as well as JELD-WEN personnel at every one of our factories.

Furthermore, we would like to thank you personally for your contribution to our blog and other JELD-WEN social media. We appreciate this incredible opportunity for meaningful exchange with you; it’s been a profound pleasure to stay connected, always ready to respond to your suggestions and questions. This, in turn, allows us to offer content that is tailored to your needs and interests.

The end of the year promises much hope for the new one to come. It is our profound wish that you and those close to you experience abundance and success in 2012.

Sincerely,

Your team at JELD-WEN

Earlier this year, an Ontario family was picked as one of JELD-WEN’s “Make Your Home a Star” contest winners.

Well, their new windows and doors were installed just a few weeks ago—and the happy, winning couple were beaming!

We thought it would be a good idea to share with you their thoughts and a few photos of the transformation. Maybe you’ll get a few ideas?

Comments from the winners

“We wanted the JELD-WEN team to know just how happy we are with our new windows and doors, and we wanted to thank you for this magnificent prize. As soon as they were installed, we noticed an immediate improvement in energy consumption. The products we chose are exceptionally well made and look just amazing in our home. We would also like to point out the professionalism and competence of the retailer, Schell Lumber, where we selected our products. Communication was free flowing and the installation process was smooth and beyond our expectations. The quality of the installers’ work was incredible and we really see a continual difference in energy savings, not to mention the wonderful look of the JELD-WEN products themselves… both things we’ll enjoy for years to come! We unhesitatingly recommend JELD-WEN products as well as Schell Lumber to our friends and family.” -       Jean and Mike Godawa, Ontario

BEFORE

READY? ACTION!

THANKS TO SCHELL LUMBER AND JELD-WEN TEAMS!

WELL DONE!

To take a look at our windows and doors collections, please click here.

Installing an interior door is an easy upgrade that can dramatically improve the appearance of your home. Here is a list of the tools you will need to complete the project:

-Utility Knife

-Tape Measure

-Four Foot Level

-Paint & Paint Brush

-Shims

-Hammer or Nail Gun

-Finishing nails.

***  Warning: Don’t forget to use proper eye protection when using hand tools. (Safety Glasses)

Step 1: Measure the opening

Once you’ve removed your old doorframe, take the opening measurements and give them to your local home improvement retailer. They will be able to assist you in choosing the right size product for your home.

Step 2: Check the measurements

When you’ve received your new interior door, you will need to remove the packaging.  Measure the door and the component pieces to ensure sure the product is the right size.

Step 3: Paint door

Interior doors come pre primed so this is a good time to put a quick coat of paint on the door and component pieces.

Step 4: Position door in opening

Because pre hung doors already come with their frame preassembled, position the door in the opening and place temporary shims to secure it into place.

Step 5: Level door with shims

At this point, make sure the door is level and plumb. You also want to ensure proper spacing along the door opening (about 1/8 of an inch) and adjust the shims accordingly.

Step 6: Fasten jamb with finishing nails

Once the door is positioned correctly, fasten the jamb with finishing nails. Start on the inside, work your away around the door, nailing the frame through the shims.

Step 7: Remove shims and install trim

Score and break up the remaining shims and replace the old trim.

Step 8: Install hardware

Finally, install the door hardware according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Watch the video here:

Interior Pre Hung Door Installation

If you are planning on selling your house in the next few years, this article is just for you. We called on two real estate professionals to answer some of your frequently asked questions. Happy reading!

New windows: a possible return on investment?

“Should a couple wishing to sell their home in the coming years think about changing the doors and windows for better performing ones?”

Whether you should invest in new doors and windows is directly linked to their current condition. A property with doors and windows that clearly show signs of wear and tear will certainly sell for less than if they had been replaced beforehand. According to various sources, owners reportedly recoup between 50% and 80% of their investment when the house is sold. I also think that the older the property, the greater the return on investment. That said, an investment just to freshen up appearances may not necessarily be recognized by potential buyers.

“Do houses with recent or energy efficient doors and windows sell faster and/or for higher prices compared with other homes?”

There are no available statistics showing a link between the speed of house sales and the quality of their windows. However, a property with quality features will clearly attract more interest and sell more quickly. Buyers naturally pay more when the desired property has value-added characteristics, but the quality of the materials must be line with the product. For example, a property valued at $200,000 can mean an investment of $10,000 to $15,000 for new windows, but it would not be wise to invest $40,000. Being properly advised really helps you to make decisions that are in your best interest.

Do I have a chance of selling my house with outdated windows? Conversely, does a house with old windows and doors have less chance of finding a buyer?”

Since every product has a market value, a property with outdated doors and windows  will be worth less than a property with newer, good quality ones. Each product is intended for a specific buyer, so a property requiring renovations suits someone who wants to pay less but who will eventually need to invest in having items such as new doors and windows installed.

Mr. Martin Desfossés, DuProprio

We would like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Martin Desfossés, Real-Estate Advisor at DuProprio. Mr. Desfossés’ role is to guide owners through the sales process by providing them with advice about putting their home on the market. He has over ten years of experience in the real estate and has helped several hundred owners sell their homes commission-free.

An income property and recent windows

“Will investing in doors and windows automatically be reflected in the value of my income property?”

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. To give you expert, personalized advice, several factors have to be examined. This type of evaluation is an integral part of the daily services we offer at RCGT. To get a more precise answer, do not hesitate to ask for advice from a specialist before you make your purchase.

Mr Jonathan Boissonneault, RCGT

Thanks to Mr. Jonathan Boissonneault, Chartered Appraiser, Senior Director, Real-Estate Consulting and Appraisals at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton & Cie in Sherbrooke.

The  magic of Christmas is all around us… shouldn’t it be all around your home? We thought so too… so we’ve asked a professional interior decorator to be on hand today to provide you with enchanting ideas to create the perfect holiday atmosphere.

That’s one Christmas wish come true!

1. Keep it warm: Put down a carpet where the floor was bare to create a warm and enveloping atmosphere. It’s perfect for Christmas and the entire winter. Match the colour of your carpet with elements from your living room.

2. Even if your Christmas budget it practically non-existent, you can still decorate your home with boughs from any variety of pine. Place them on your mantle, around doors (wrapped with steel wire) or even around your window frames. They also make your home smell wonderful.

3. The colour trends for this year are robin’s egg blue, aubergine, violet, emerald green, silver, gold and white – which is timeless. You don’t need to change everything though, just by adding one or two selected elements in this year’s colour trends, you can refresh all your decorations.

4. At risk of contradicting myself… don’t be too trendy. I think Christmas decor should be beautiful this year and five years from now.

5. Welcome your friends by decorating your house’s exterior. We love to put fresh cranberries in a large vase of water and then put a smaller vase inside of it. Leave it outside for the night and then remove the two containers, leaving a sculpture of festively coloured ice. Make several and use them as candle shades on Christmas eve.

6. Your flower boxes have been empty for a few weeks now and they are beginning to look sad. Bring them back to life with a few pine boughs. Set them in place using snow and water so they freeze into position. Your windows have never been more festive!

7. If you have a small living room, instead of putting up a Christmas tree, try decorating the walls instead. Wreaths and ornaments are perfect for the job.

8. Decorate the room with natural flowers… and not just poinsettias!

9. Match your Christmas wrapping paper with your décor – It’s a great idea.

10. One of the biggest festive decoration mistakes is not enough light. The golden rule for lighting is to use 100 to 125 lights for every foot of your tree’s height. A six foot tree should have between 600 and 750 lights in order for it to look its best.

A heartfelt thank you to Vanessa Sicotte, from Damask & Dentelle, for her special touch and collaborative spirit.

For more information:  Damask & Dentelle, Facebook, Twitter.

Here are just a few ideas on how to incorporate Vanessa’s expertise around your home. Go ahead… have as much fun as you want!

A bit of inspiration:

www.bhg.com , www.fancyhouseroad.com , www.countryliving.com, www.marthastewart.com

Customers Have More Information And Interaction At Their Fingertips

Winnipeg, Manitoba (November 24, 2011)   – JELD‐WEN Windows and Doors announces the launch of its new Door Display Program available to all dealers across Canada. More than 400 dealers have already found the program an engaging way to present their customers with JELD‐WEN doors available nationwide as well as products tailored to specific regions. The Door Display Program helps customers feel informed and empowered through every step of selecting and installing JELD‐WEN doors. Various styles and sizes are presented, as well as the features and benefits of each. Additional information, such as soundproofing and sustainable options, is also available. QR codes give customers even more advice through their smartphones, including links to videos that demonstrate the proper installation of JELD‐WEN doors.

“We’re excited to help our customers feel confident they’re choosing the right doors for their homes and that they can install them without worry,” says Sante Cigana, JELD‐WEN Canada Vice President.“We know this program will make the process easier. It’s the best interactive customer display in Canada.”

The new graphics, colour palette and QR codes of the Door Display Program carry over into point‐of‐sale materials and packaging. It will soon expand to include JELD‐WEN exterior doors. The installation videos can be seen on the JELD‐WEN Canada channel on YouTube.

JELDWEN Windows and Doors was founded in 1960 and currently employs over 1,200 Canadians. A proud member of the ENERGY STAR program in the window, sliding glass door and entry door categories, JELDWEN has also built a solid reputation for reliability. For more information, or to find the JELDWEN dealer nearest you, visit jeldwen.ca.