Vinyl Patio Doors - As the least expensive and most energy efficient option, more people these days are putting vinyl sliding patio doors in their homes. Vinyl patio doors are lighter weight than the older aluminum sliding doors, and the frames are much more energy efficient. One of the major benefits of vinyl patio doors is that the frame has welded corners. This essentially makes the frame one solid piece of vinyl, so there is little to no possibility for air infiltration. Vinyl patio doors typically come with energy efficient Low-E glass and are available with many styles and options. Using a Low-E insulated glass unit instead of single or double-pane clear glass will make a big difference in comfort due to the large volume of glass.  Our vinyl sliding doors are almost always sold with the screen included.

Aluminum Patio Doors - Aluminum patio doors have a smaller market because they are less thermally efficient. As a result, most consumers are turning to the more popular vinyl patio sliders, or the French style patio doors.

French Patio Doors – If you are looking for French style patio doors, vinyl is usually not an option because of the weight of the glass in the swinging panels.  If French style patio doors are built in vinyl, there is a greater possibility that the frame could warp. Because of the heavy glass panels, French patio doors are usually built using metal, wood, or wood clad-aluminum frames. The wood clad-aluminum frames are the most popular and are available in many wood types and color options. The door itself has a stainable wood frame with aluminum facing on the outside. This is especially great in the New Mexico climate, because it protects the outside of the door from the elements.

French patio doors are available in lots of options, but there are a few key factors to keep in mind.

• Be aware of the cost. French style patio doors can sometimes be twice as much as the more energy efficient vinyl doors. However; if style is what you’re after, French patio doors are the best looking!

• The locking mechanism on French doors is something to consider. Some French doors have a single latch hook, while others have a multi-point lock. The single latch lock is the cheaper option, but the multi-point lock is the most secure. The multi-point lock is a deadbolt lock, along with a post lock that secures the top and bottom frame of the door. The multi-point locks are typically only found on the better quality doors. This lock also helps to keep the door panel from moving. In the long run, keeping the door more stable will prevent the possibility of warping the wood frame, which is the most common cause of air infiltration.

• French style patio doors also have a better seal than a vinyl or aluminum sliding doors. Because of the design of French doors, the compression seal created by the two panels closing together is more air-tight than a sliding door.

• French patio doors don’t usually come with a matching screen door, but most often, one can be ordered for an extra cost.

Another factor that might influence your decision is what kind of space you have. It may not be practical to have in-swinging French patio doors where a vinyl sliding door or aluminum slide door will provide more space. Since sliding doors move against themselves, they require no room to swing and thus take up a lot less space. However; if you have the space for a French patio door, the swinging doors offer a much larger opening.

Whether you’re looking for vinyl patio doors or French style doors, they will all increase the value and bring much more light into your home! As always, we at Glass-Rite offer free, no pressure on-site estimates and would be pleased to give you an estimate on your next patio door project.

            The first cold snap hits!  The windows fog up and water drips down the glass.  Don’t worry, this is not and indication that your windows have failed.  The moisture on the glass is condensation, a natural occurrence that in most cases can be eliminated.  Condensation occurs when excess humidity in the air comes up against a cool surface.  The glass in windows and patio doors provides a cooler surface that can show the first signs of condensation.  This phenomenon can usually be corrected by increasing the air flow in the room.

            Homes that are built today are more energy efficient and more air-tight than homes built even a few years ago.  Because of this there is less exchange with outside air.  This saves energy, but tends to increase interior humidity.  Because the humidity levels inside the home tend to rise, you may notice condensation in your new home that you never had in your old home.

            Older homes with newer windows may experience condensation due to increased efficiency.  Old windows allowed a lot of air exchange with outside, allowing the inside air to dry out.  New windows are installed in an airtight manner, which is great, but it traps humid air inside.

            Why is there so much humidity?  Family lifestyle has the most impact.  Cooking meals, long showers or baths, even washing clothes all contribute to humidity levels.  People often experience the condensation in a bedroom where they spend a lot of time.  Variations in these and other moisture generating activities or products (like a humidifier) can result in one neighbor experiencing condensation and another not.

            What can we do?  Controlling indoor humidity is the key. 

• If you don’t already have new windows, consider installing a window that has a dual paned insulated glass unit.  For further protection, we always recommend getting windows with an insulated glass unit that includes a Low-E coating.  This coating on the glass reduces radiant heat-loss and the passage of ultraviolet rays.  The better the Low-E the more it stops condensation.  A ‘soft coat’ Low-E is the best.

•  Having windows that include Argon gas between the panes helps out as well.  Since Argon is an inert gas, and heavier than air, it makes a great buffer for heat transfer.  Having windows that have both Low-E and Argon gas is the way to go for energy efficiency.  Look for the Star.  Energy Star rated windows will have an NFRC rating sticker that will tell you the efficiency ratings for the window.

•   You can raise the temperature of your home.  Even just one or two degrees can make a difference and greatly reduce condensation.

• Open your blinds or curtains for air circulation.  Closed blinds or drapes trap warm air in the space between the glass and the blinds.  This air cools and releases moisture.  Blinds should be at least 4” away from window glass.

• Use a ceiling fan to move warm air toward your windows.

•  For an unoccupied or unheated room, keep interior doors open to promote air circulation.

• Run the exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.

•  Make sure all vents and ducts are clear of lint and other obstructions.

           There are some causes why the condensation may be only temporary as well.  If it is a new home, building materials in construction contribute gallons of water to the inside air.  It often takes a whole year for all that moisture to escape.  Condensation can also be a problem during the first few weeks you run your heater.  This is due to the release of moisture the house has absorbed during the summer.  Quick temperature changes can also be a cause of condensation.

            If you have excessive condensation in your house, it is important to measure your humidity.  Very high interior humidity can leave to structural damage to your home (wood decay) and even health hazards such as mold growth.  Because these effects usually happen unseen in the wall cavity, condensation on the windows is a good clue that the humidity is too high.  Get a hygrometer, an instrument that measures relative humidity in the air, to monitor indoor levels.  If high condensation persists after trying some of the above remedies, contact a qualified heating and air conditioning professional.

            Aluminum windows are especially subject to condensation because of its ability to transfer heat.  The temperature of aluminum will quickly change to the air temperature around it.  An aluminum window including a thermal break has a much lower chance of condensation.  Vinyl windows are the least susceptible to the condensation phenomenon. 

            Condensation is a natural occurrence that happens on the exterior and interior glass surfaces.  In nearly all cases, it is not the result of a defective window or patio door.  Take steps to reduce humidity with proper air circulation and the problem should be solved!

Vinyl window frames are the most popular Glass-Rite windows. The reason being is that they are incredibly energy efficient; more so than thermally broken aluminum and even most wood windows.

Vinyl windows also never need painting and are guaranteed not to peel, chip, or warp. Our vinyl windows come in two light colors: white or almond as dark colored vinyl frames gain too much heat
in the New Mexico climate.

Good quality vinyl windows are welded together and not held together with screws.  Because screws tend to pull out of vinyl, we produce vinyl windows with metal reinforcements in the parts where required hardware (such as locks) are screwed in. 

Vinyl windows maintain their appearance and do not require any post-installation maintenance.  Because the frame is the same color all the way through, scratches and other marks can easily be buffed out and are generally unnoticeable. 

Aluminum window frames maintain their popularity, especially with the thermal break technology.

Thermal breaks prevent the frame from conducting as much heat or cold, while also reducing condensation. In addition, thermal breaks have significantly decreased aluminum frame u-factors or heat loss rate which will be especially useful in the hot New Mexico climate.

Our thermal break aluminum windows are available in dark bronze.  Though  aluminum windows are generally stronger than vinyl, they are not always as efficient at blocking outside temperatures, even with thermal break technology.  The frame, while being a harder material than vinyl, may require some maintenance and touch-up paint occasionally. 

Whether choosing a vinyl window or thermal break aluminum window, we recommend the window’s air space between the panes of glass be at least ½ inch to maximize noise reduction, and that sashes be interlocking for a tighter seal. Any window you choose should be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council to ensure a positive energy performance rating. 

Here at Glass-Rite, we provide these performance labels to help you determine how well a window will perform. By using the information on the label, customers can reliably compare one product with another, and make informed decisions about which windows to buy.

At Glass-Rite, integrity is a top priority in everything that we sell and install. If you’d like additional help in determining which window is best for your New Mexico home, contact us at our office. We’ll be glad to walk you through a window comparison and installation plan that works within your budget.

Because of the Energy Star rating our product carries, our windows are built specifically to reduce use of heating and cooling appliances. This saves our customers money right away on their gas and electricity bills. Look for the Star: The typical U.S household spends about $1,300 on its home energy bills. Energy Star qualified products including windows and heating and cooling equipment can reduce that energy bill by up to 40%- a potential savings of hundreds of dollars each year.