Categories Blog

Emergency Window Damage Checklist – What You Need to Know

Your home’s windows may rarely cross your mind. But, when sudden damage strikes, you’ll realize that the windows are crucial to the safety and comfort of your entire home. Emergency window damage can pose a serious security risk to your home and needs to be addressed ASAP. 

For homeowners who find cracked panes, broken panes, broken locks, faulty seals, or other serious window issues, acting quickly is important. But, what exactly should you do to restore the condition of your windows promptly? This article will discuss emergency window damage and how you can secure window replacement services before further damage is done. 

Types of Urgent Damage

Broken Window Panes

Broken or cracked window panes may be caused by anything from a hailstorm to a poorly-aimed ball and expansion and contraction due to fluctuating outdoor temperatures. This type of window damage can expose the interior of your home and make it accessible to intruders. So, you’ll need to have it taken care of promptly. 

Immediately after a window pane breaks, safely clean up the broken glass and, if you can’t get a window repair team to your home immediately, board up the window. Then, make sure to have the window replaced as soon as possible. 

Broken Window Locks

Locking your windows is an important security measure. Window locks may break due to deterioration or poor installation. Luckily, broken window locks are fairly straightforward to fix. The lock may need to be replaced to restore the security of your window, but this task won’t be as large of an ordeal as a full window replacement. 

Damaged Window Casing

Window casings can become damaged. Whether due to gradual rotting over time or sudden impact damage, a broken window casing will likely require a full window replacement. Note that when the window is replaced, it’s crucial to check for mold damage and insect infestation so that those problems can be addressed, too. These issues can lead to further window casing damage. 

Window Maintenance To Avoid Damage

It’s worth noting that some types of emergency window damage can be avoided with proper window installation and maintenance. As far as installation goes, ensuring to enlist the help of a trusted, experienced window team will go a long way in preventing damage. Poorly installed windows are far more likely to break down, especially in harsh weather conditions. Maintenance, such as cleaning your windows and lubricating the hardware as needed, can also protect your windows against certain types of damage. Of course, a broken window due to a stray baseball or damage after a major hailstorm aren’t preventable. But, you’ll still benefit from taking great care of your windows throughout their lifespan. 

Finding The Source of The Damage

When window damage occurs, one of the first steps that you take should be to determine its cause. If it was an accident or a sudden storm, there aren’t really measures that you can take to prevent the same type of damage from happening again. But, if it was caused by water damage, poor installation, or other avoidable factors, you should take steps to prevent future damage. In the case of water damage, for example, there may be a leak somewhere in your home that should be repaired to preserve the condition of your windows. 

Contact the Window Damage Experts

If you have a damaged window, it poses the risk for weather problems, home intruders, and animals or insects infesting your home. These types of damage can quickly rack up repair expenses resulting from a single broken window. 

Reach out to your local Minneapolis window specialists as soon as you notice the damage. Professionals can advise you on the best next steps to take, whether it be to wait for technicians to arrive or have the window boarded up until it can be addressed. 

Insurance Claims For Window Damage

In addition to contacting your local window professionals, you should reach out to your insurance company after your window becomes damaged. Some types of window damage are covered under homeowners insurance. You’ll need to check with your insurance agent to find out whether or not the type of window damage at hand is covered under your policy. If it is, you can file a claim to receive compensation for the repair costs. 


Contact Superior Windows today for window replacement services across the Twin Cities.

Categories Blog

Double-Hung Windows: Pros, Cons, and Maintenance

Double-hung windows are among the most popular designs for window replacements in Minneapolis. There are several reasons why double-hung windows are preferred among homeowners, namely convenience and energy-efficiency. However, no window design is perfect; each has its own set of drawbacks to go along with the advantages. 

This article will cover the pros and cons of double-hung windows for your window replacement, as well as the typical maintenance required for this window design. By learning more about double-hung windows and other available window models, you can make the best choice for your Denver home.  

Defining Double-Hung Windows

Before we dive in, let’s clarify what exactly double-hung windows are. Double-hung windows often get mixed up with single-hung windows. Both of these windows contain both an upper and lower sash. With two separate sashes, these window types are split into two functionally and aesthetically. From afar, it’s easy to confuse a single-hung window with a double-hung window, and vice-versa. But, these window designs have a big distinction. While a single-hung window has only one sash that moves, with a double-hung window, both sashes are operational. 

Pros of Double-Hung Windows

Color Options

Given that double-hung windows are among the most popular residential window designs in Minneapolis, you can find double-hung windows in just about any color. This is an excellent perk for homeowners seeking something more eye-catching than the typical white window. Additionally, you can get double-hung windows in all different materials. Vinyl and wood are the most common window material picks.

Energy-Efficiency

In this era, homeowners are more environmentally-conscious than ever before. So, the energy-efficiency of double-hung windows is a major benefit. With a double-locking design, double-hung windows have a very tight seal. This prevents air from leaking out of your home. Especially during the winter, when your heater will likely be running, double-hung windows will stop heated air in your home from seeping outside. This will allow your heater to operate more efficiently and will even lead to lower energy bills. 

Easy To Operate

With a double-hung window, either of the sashes can open to allow fresh air into your home. The ability to slide the window open from either sash makes it easy to use, especially for older individuals or those with mobility concerns. 

Easy To Clean

Most of us don’t like window cleaning, especially when it’s a time-consuming chore. With double-hung windows, you can tilt the sashes so that they’re more accessible, making them easier to clean on both sides. You won’t have to head outside to clean double-hung windows, which is a particularly good perk if your windows are situated on the upper floor of your home. 

Cons of Double-Hung Windows

Hardware

Tending to the hardware is an important aspect of maintaining double-hung windows. You’ll need to lubricate the tracks to ensure that the sashes can easily move within the frame. If you don’t lubricate the tracks, the double-hung windows may get stuck and become tricky to operate. 

Price

Since both of the sashes in a double-hung window open up and down, the design is more complex than you’ll find with other window designs. This versatile functionality is a pro, but it also means that the price point of double-hung windows is comparatively high. While double-hung windows aren’t the most expensive type of windows around, they’re not the cheapest option on the market.  

Double-Hung Windows Maintenance

So, if you choose double-hung windows for your window replacement, what type of maintenance will you need to take care of? In addition to the hardware maintenance that we mentioned above, you should clean the window frame and glass. 

Cleaning Double-Hung Windows

Cleaning your double-hung windows will give them a more beautiful appearance and provide the opportunity to inspect your windows for damage. The cleaning tactic that you should take for the frame will depend on its material. For both wood and vinyl frames, use warm water and a dash of a mild detergent, like dish soap.

If you’re interested in window replacement, contact Superior Windows today. We provide double-hung windows along with other popular window designs to upgrade your home’s interiors.

Categories Blog

What Are The Benefits of Sliding Windows?

You’ve undoubtedly seen sliding windows before, but have you ever considered them for your home? Sliding windows are a popular window type for several reasons, from style to functionality and more. Compared to other types of windows, the benefits of sliding windows are convenience and durability that modern homeowners need. 

If you’re seeking out window replacement services, sliding windows are an excellent option to consider. Let’s learn more about the key benefits of sliding windows so that you can decide whether or not they’re right for you. 

What Are Sliding Windows?

Before we get into the benefits of sliding windows, let’s clarify exactly what this window style is. Sliding windows have two panes: one fixed in place and one that slides. The moving pane slides sideways along a track that’s inside of the window frame. This functionality is similar to double-hung windows, but rather than sliding vertically, sliding windows slide horizontally. 

The Benefits of Sliding Windows

Energy-Efficient

Homeowners today are conscious of the environment and the amount of energy that their households consume. By reducing your home’s energy consumption, you can both lessen your impact on our planet and make your monthly energy bills more affordable.  

Sliding windows have fewer components than most other window styles. This streamlined design allows for fewer moving parts. With fewer parts, sliding windows close very tightly and with a great seal. This will reduce air leakage in and out of your home, allowing your HVAC system to operate more efficiently in every season. 

You can even install sliding windows with special panes that are designed for greater insulation. This will bolster the insulation that your home already has installed for increased overall energy efficiency. 

Easy To Use

Sliding windows are one of the easiest types of windows to operate. All you need to do is unlock the window, if applicable, then slide the moving pane sideways to your desired position. To close the window, you’ll simply slide the pane back into place. Compared to crank-operated windows, for example, sliding windows provide more ease in operation, making them a smart choice for elderly or disabled individuals. 

Low Maintenance

Spending your time maintaining your windows is unlikely to be something that you want to do. Thankfully, sliding windows have minimal maintenance requirements. Sliding windows don’t have parts that will need lubricating over time. With few moving parts, in fact, individual components of your sliding windows are unlikely to need replacing. With large, unobstructed panes, sliding windows are also relatively easy to clean. 

Ventilation

Ample ventilation is an important reason to have many windows installed in your Denver home. You can open your windows whenever your home gets stuffy and needs some fresh air. Or, perhaps you’ve been cleaning with bleach or even cooking and need to filter out strong smells. In these cases and more, you’ll be happy to be able to open a few windows for ventilation. 

Sliding windows have expansive panes, meaning that they allow for excellent home ventilation. Some sliding windows even span the space from your ceilings to your floors; with the window open, you’ll get plenty of fresh air in from the outside. 

Natural Light

Natural light: We all need it in our homes, whether we realize it or not. Sunlight is crucial for our mood, productivity, and even aspects of our physical health. People who are exposed to sunlight during the day have better quality sleep and can reap mental health benefits over time. 

Sliding windows provide a wide, uninterrupted view of the outside. This allows for maximum sunlight to enter your home during the daytime hours. Whether in your kitchen, living room, or home office, sliding windows will provide a space through which sunlight can enter your home and brighten up your living space.  

Learn More About the Benefits of Sliding Windows

If your windows are old or damaged, there are several advantages to scheduling a window replacement. As a modern window design, sliding windows will increase the value of your home while providing all of the benefits listed above.

Contact Superior Windows today to learn more about having sliding windows installed in your Twin Cities home.