Weather Tight's Money Saving Blog

If you have been browsing our website lately, you might have caught onto our newest addition: Weather Tight’s Bridal Registry! This program allows engaged couples to skip the toasters and food processors and register for something they really need: improvements to their homes. Let’s face the facts: more couples are waiting to get married and are working hard to invest in properties. Most of these “first” homes are homes that need some remodeling to get them from a starter home to a dream home.

We are able to offer couples a bridal registry, where the couple chooses the products they need for their home and we offer a 25% discount on the entire price of the products! Once the invites go out, friends and family members are able to contribute to the project via the Weather Tight website, or at either of our showrooms. If friends and family are looking to do some work on their homes, we offer them a 10% discount—and the bridal couple receive a cash bonus from each completed project! To top it off, brides are welcome to use our special events room to host their bridal shower, for FREE!

With so much to offer, couples are saying “No more toasters!” and talking with our bridal consultation team to sign up for a home remodeling bridal registry! To find out more information about our Bridal Registry, visit our web site.  http://www.weathertightcorp.com/wedding/

The governments’ $1,500 tax credit program is ending in December.  The windows, doors, and attic insulation need to be INSTALLED by December 31, 2010, which means the products need to be ordered by September 30, 2010.  Weather Tight is encouraging its customers to take advantage of this great program by offering a Tax Credit Match up to $1,500, giving a total savings of up to $3,000.  This is your last chance, the promotion ends September 30th.

Most people don’t think of windows & doors as being the cutting edge of technology.  New advancements in energy efficiency and design are changing that perception.

Some window manufacturers now offer a windows that is designed to reduce glare, reduce solar heat gain, and dramatically reduce fading on furniture.  With the touch of a button, windows are electronically glazed and can reduce glare to a homeowners preference.  There is also a new technology being used between the panes of glass.  They can use surgical stainless steel alloys instead of traditional aluminum spacers.  This will greatly reduce seal failures and cold edges that allow condensation into the edges of the glass.

Entry door technology has also changed over the past few years.  The materials have become more durable in addition to becoming more energy efficient.  Fiberglass and steel with polyurethane foam is now being used on several models.  Having weather stripping around the door including the bottom helps keep the drafts out and improve energy efficiency.

Weather Tight has jumped up to number 32 (from 52 in 2009) of 170 replacement remodelers in the nation, according to Remodeling Magazine. This ranking is placed in the magazine’s annual review of the top 550 remodelers in the country.

The list of 550 of the best remodelers nationwide is sub-divided into four categories: full-service remodelers, replacement remodelers, insurance restoration and franchises. By subdividing the list, these companies are better compared to companies that do similar types of work. Weather Tight has been placed in the replacement contractors category, since we specialize in the replacement of windows, doors, roofing, siding, gutters, gutter protection and attic insulation.

Remodelers from throughout the United States have been listed in the rankings. See the full article for more information: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/2010-remodeling-550.aspx

Weather Tight has partnered with the $20,000 Custom Rockin Remodel benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin, Inc.  Volunteers from Weather Tight along with several other local businesses will be selling raffle tickets.  Fairgoers can enter to win $20,000 worth of home remodeling options from Affordable Bath & Kitchen, America in Home, Bath Fitter, Kitchen Creators, Malkin’s Carpets, Milwaukee Appliance, Seider Heating, Stone Oak Landscapes, Water Doctors and Weather Tight Corp. Raffle tickets will be sold for $2 each, 3 for $5 or 6 for $10, and proceeds go to a fantastic cause, the Ronald McDonald House. The winner of the $20,000 Custom Remodel will be drawn on Sunday, August 15 at 6pm.  The Rockin Remodel will be located at the South end of the Wisconsin Exposition Center.

Patio doors are a great way to extend your home into your yard.  They are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and increase the resale value of your home.  They look nice and can be more convenient if you are frequently going from the inside our and vise versa.  When the weather is good you can open to let in the warmth and the sunshine.

Patio doors have become much more energy efficient through the years.  The number of options and color choices has increased.  There is the option of having blinds built in between the pane of glass.  You will never need to worry about dusting blinds again, and its a great way to block the sun when you want to cool off a room.

Patio doors can be installed in a day.  If you have an existing door or window often times it can be enlarged to accomodate a patio door.  Patio doors can also be installed in a room without an existing opening.

We are proud to announce that Weather Tight will be sponsoring the Waukesha County Fair for the second time this year!  On Saturday, July 24^th and Sunday, July 25^th we will have our prize team back in action on the grounds of the fair giving away prizes for people wearing their FREE Weather Tight T-Shirts.

How do you get your own FREE Weather Tight T-shirt?  Stop by one of our two showrooms:

-          146^th & Capitol Dr., Brookfield

-          114^th & Oklahoma Ave., West Allis

and sign up for our sweepstakes. By signing up for the sweepstakes you will receive two FREE tickets to the Waukesha County Fair as well as a Free T-shirt to wear during the fair for your chance to be stopped by our prize team! While you’re at the showroom, ask us how you can win FREE tickets to the Wisconsin State Fair as well!

The prize team will be sweeping the Waukesha County Fairgrounds for the Weather Tight T-shirts every hour, on the hour the fair is open on both Saturday, July 24^th and Sunday, July 25^th.

See you at the fair!

(all free giveaways are only available while supplies last, or until the last day of the fair; ask for full details).

Weather Tight has launched a new website that will improve the customer’s experience.  Some of the new features include: live chat where you can interact with an employee online, improved product information, more pictures of the products, and an overall easier navigational structure.  If you haven’t seen the new site, check it out now.  http://www.weathertightcorp.com

Weather Tight has assembled a team to ride in this year’s Ride for the Arts on June 6^th, 2010, to benefit the United Performing Arts Fund and is welcoming more participants! The arts programs are very excited for the opportunity.

Riding with Weather Tight will help keep the performing arts a part of our community, but Weather Tight has added a bonus: 10% off of your purchase when you ride on the Weather Tight team! We will also be donating 5% of all sales earned from the Ride for the Arts back to the United Performing Arts Fund.

Go to https://events.upaf.org/OFR/dsp_EventRegistration.cfm?IDER=1&reginit=1 to register for the Weather Tight Ride for the Arts team, and Weather Tight will pay $5 towards your registration fee. The password to join the Weather Tight team is window1. Happy Cycling!

Entry doors are one of the improvements that will pay for themselves and add value to your home. A high-quality entry door provides visitors and passersby a great first impression. A new entry door can also provide an added layer of security. Below are a few tips on how to choose your next entry door.

-Don’t be afraid to be fancy-Bring natural light in the front of your home with a glass door panel, transom or sidelights. Frosted, beveled and leaded stain glass patterns can add a simple touch of elegance.

-Spruce it up with hardware-You may think that handles and hinges are just functional, however they can add the finishing touches that give your door a first-class look. Ask your sales representative which color and style will work best with your home.

-Complement your home’s architecture with your style choices- Simple moldings and raised panels will complement a traditional house well, sleek lines work well with a contemporary style, and ornate carvings will match a Victorian style.

If you have been considering replacing your entry door, 2010 is a great time. Most Weather Tight entry doors qualify for the $1,500 Federal Energy Tax Credit.

You may think that the little leak from your gutters is no big deal and not a top priority. If ignored a leaky gutter can cause serious damage to your home and even cause health problems for your family. Here are a few issues that can stem from leaky gutters:

-Over time water can create mold, mildew, and stains sometimes in places you can’t see. Most mold is usually an easy thing to take care of, however it can cause people with allergies and asthma some complications.

-A gutter leak that finds its way into your home can damage wood, drywall, and even carpeting which can be costly for your family.

-A larger leak can inhibit rainwater from saturating your lawn and eventually causing a leak into your basement. This can cause foundation problems.

The important thing to remember is that as soon as you notice a leaky gutter, you should take the time to fix or replace it as soon as you can. If you need your gutters replaced, call Weather Tight at 414-459-3874 for a free consultation.

1. Better Business Bureau-The Better Business Bureau is a great place to start researching a company’s reputation. The BBB is an impartial non-profit organization. Each and every complaint is thoroughly investigated and companies are allowed an opportunity to fix misunderstandings. Each company is given a letter grade, don’t even consider a company whose rating is less than a B.

2. Check for Referrals-Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is very powerful, if a company has a history of ripping off consumers, chances are you’ll hear about it. If you know someone who has had a positive experience, most likely you’ll have the same experience.

3. Verify licenses & insurance-Licenses and insurance are a big deal in the home improvement industry. Companies who are legit will have no problem showing you their credentials. Be skeptical if a company refuses to show you. If one of their employees gets hurt at your house and they don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for their medical bills.

4. Ask for references-Quality home improvement contractors will be able to provide a list of references relatively quickly. Make sure to call these references and ask not only about the quality of work, but also the experience working with the company. For large purchases like roofing or siding stop by a home that they have completed to check on the quality of work.

5. Look for reviews online-Although online reviews can be manipulated by contractors, take the time to look for red flags. If multiple sites have negative reviews about a company, be very skeptical. Angie’s list is a great subscription based site that closely monitors their reviews to maintain integrity.

Each year, Sunrise Windows (the manufacturer of Restorations Windows – the brand that is carried by Weather Tight) looks at customer feedback and ranks the retailers in the replacement window business. The companies are ranked according to performance and trustworthiness.

Sunrise Windows has chosen Weather Tight as the replacement window retailer that demonstrates high levels of professional leadership in customer service, technical knowledge, installation, and after the sale support to our customers.

The owner of Sunrise Windows, Gary Delman, also added that he can see the energy, enthusiasm and values that Weather Tight has that allows us to offer our customers “the best overall value in replacement windows.” We are honored to have earned this award.

Weather Tight appeared on the Fall 2009 cover of Replacement Contractor Magazine. Below is the article that appeared:

In May 2008, Weather Tight opened a 4,500-square-foot home improvement showroom in Milwaukee featuring window, door, roofing, and siding displays in a brand new 25,000-square-foot building that also houses the company’s offices and warehouse. The $3.5 million investment could be seen in several ways. The first is that it was just plain nuts. The U.S. economy was five months into the worst recession since the 1930s, and consumers were already reining in their spending. Who would come?
The other way to see it was the way Weather Tight’s owners and managers did. Given the level of planning and how hard the company’s people had worked to make the project a success, how could it possibly fail?
Read the entire article

1. Shopping based on price only- If you choose to get several quotes and notice that one company is well below the average, there may be a reason why. Cost alone should not be your determining factor. Professionalism, reputation, and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily on your decision.

Questions you need to ask include: What is the total price of the job? Does this include sales tax? Can I obtain financing through the contractor? When are the payments due? What is the interest rate? Does the price include removal of the old roof? Any hidden costs? Does this company carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance? What is their Better Business Bureau rating?

2. Going with your first quote-The process of calling, meeting, and evaluating roofing contractors can be a long process. Don’t allow yourself to take the shortcut and go with the first company that comes out. Make sure to get at least 3 detailed quotes and take the time to fully understand how each company is going to approach the project.

3. Not comparing apples to apples- When you receive your quotes make sure that the contractor puts in writing what brand and style of materials they will be using. Some contractors will use high quality long lasting materials while others will use inexpensive unreliable materials.

4. Choosing a company because they can start right away- It’s understandable that you want your roof project completed as soon as possible, but be careful. This is usually a red flag. If a company has no other work you should take a close look at why that is.

5. Falling for a deal that is too good to be true- Good respected contractors will not be offering half off deals for roofing. Most roofing contractors have very little wiggle room in their prices. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, but be leery of a deal that is too good to be true.

When thinking about home improvements and ways to make your home more energy efficient, most think about purchasing new windows, or watching how they use electricity in their homes. Attic insulation can be just as important as other home improvement projects to ensure that your home is ready for all of the climates Wisconsin has to offer.

-Most homes in the U.S. do not have enough insulation. An estimated 60% of homes do not meet the level of needed insulation to keep energy bills at their lowest. The odds are stacked against us, since more than half of all homes do not have proper attic insulation.

-Adequate insulation provides temperature control. Feel the ceiling in the top level of your home on any given afternoon. Can you feel a temperature difference? The difference can come from the sun beating down on your roof all day long, heating your attic. Oftentimes when the attic is not properly insulated, you can feel the temperature difference as you climb the stairs during the summertime. Adequate attic insulation can help keep the warmth in the attic and avoid unnecessary hot flashes every time you go upstairs.

-My home is more than 10 years old. Chances are, unless you have recently added insulation to your attic, the levels of insulation are lacking. Newer homes may or may not have the proper levels of insulation and should also be checked.

-How much insulation should I have? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s all in the R value. (A number used to measure the resistance of heat flow a material has – the larger the number, the more resistant.) This number should be between 49 and 60 for attic insulation.

Weather Tight was honored by Replacement Contractor Magazine as their Contractor of the Year. This is a national award honoring Weather Tight for its quality, ethics and integrity.

Windows help maintain the temperature in your home, keeping the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. To capture upon the benefits of windows, it is important to have well sealed, efficient, and double or triple paned glass window. The benefits to having quality windows are endless, including tax rebates and improving the look of your home. Below are the top 5 reasons to replace your windows before winter.

Energy Efficient Windows : Savings
1. 2009-2010 $1500 Tax Credit. The Government is offering a $1500 tax credit on qualifying windows. The credit is applied to your taxes and is 30% of the cost of the window not including installation. The windows need to be installed in the tax year to qualify for that years credit. Since ordering and installation can take 8 weeks or more, you should really act soon.

2. Save money on energy bills. Quality windows ensure that the home uses less gas to heat the home. This commonly results in a noticeable reduction in your monthly utility bills. Imagine the money that will be saved each month and at the end of the year! When you add up the savings, the new windows will essentially pay for themselves.

3. Old windows are dangerous. Cracked and broken windows become even more dangerous once winter arrives, as the glass becomes brittle and cold. If you have children in the home, they are in great danger if they play or sleep in a room with old windows. Further concerns are the drafts that old windows cause, as well as the potential illnesses these drafts can cause your family members.

4. Many old windows are made of dangerous materials. Old windows may contain lead paint, which is dangerous for children and adults alike. Upgrading not only reduces bills and increases the aesthetics of a home, but it may also protect your health.

5. Old windows are commonly single paned. Double paned windows lock out more moisture and cold than old, single paned windows. These old windows have a tendency to freeze open or shut, and they feel icy to the touch. In addition, they are known to develop frost on the inside of the window, increasing the chances of breakage, which causes damage to the home.

All conscientious homeowners should be aware of ice damming and how it works. It is really quite simple…An ice dam is ice that forms a ridge on the edge of a roof and therefore prevents melting snow (water) from draining off.

 What causes Ice Dams?

 There is a complex interaction among the amount of heat loss from a house, snow cover and outside temperatures that lead to ice dam formation. The snow on a roof surface that is above 32° F will melt. As water flows down the roof, it reaches the portion of the roof that is below 32° F and it freezes.  Voila!—an ice dam.

What damages occur from Ice Dams?

 The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Moisture in your home can lead to the growth of mold and mildew which we all know can cause a variety of health concerns.

As their money literally “flies out the roof”, homeowners are looking at their existing roofs and wondering what they need to do to protect themselves from such occurrences.

Short term solutions include using your ladder and a “roof rake” and/or broom to clear the snow from your roof. (Be careful, you can damage your shingles!) If water is already leaking in, you can make a channel in the ice dam to help drain away the water.

A long term solution could be increasing the insulation in your ceiling/roof. (Codes suggest  R-Value 38)

The perfect solution would be a new roof system. Weather Tight did a lot of research to make sure we could offer our customers the very best, most protective, energy efficient, attractive roof system out there. The roofs we install are Owens Corning, a familiar household name. They offer high performance roofs that contain a well balanced ventilation system consisting of both under-eave soffit vents for intake and rooftop vents for exhaust.  In addition, they have a rubberized ice and water shield and Hip & Ridge shingles which increase protection and durability. It takes more than just shingles to create a high performance roof.

• Ceiling fans are useful all year round. With their direction reversed in the winter, they create a gentle updraft that moves warm air from the ceiling and distributes it evenly throughout the room.
• Set your hot water temperature at the “normal” setting — no higher than 120 degrees F. This can cut your water heating costs by 10%.
• Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can be very dry. Moister air feels warmer, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable even though your thermostat is set at a lower temperature.
• Purchase a timer to set the thermostat on your furnace. Set the temperature to 62-65 degrees while you are sleeping and at  work. Auto-set it to turn on 30 minutes before you rise or return home. The energy savings will help with your winter fuel bills.
• Dispose of older incandescent lights and buy new LED lights. Older incandescent lights can use up to 99 percent more energy than new LED lights.
• Make sure your heating vents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes and the dampers are open. Vacuum out dust and pet hair from warm air registers and cold air returns so your furnace runs more efficiently.