Here's How To Choose Quality French Patio Doors In St. Louis MO

Patio doors provide a smooth and strong connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces. Today, one of the most popular patio doors is the French door. With its charm and elegance, it is understandable why it is the common choice for many homes in recent years. French patio doors in St. Louis MO can add a modern and classy touch to your home. Although they blend well with almost all types of architectural designs, whether contemporary or traditional, they just seem perfect for homes with conventional style and design.

What is great about French patio doors is that they are generally safe and secure. In fact, they are more secure than other patio door styles. This makes your home safer and protected against possible break-ins. Aside from their central lock, they can also be locked from the top and bottom. In addition, their construction is solid enough to stand up against daily handling and even forced entry. Although they may appear nice and delicate, they are actually more stable and durable than they look.

French patio doors can be opened outwards or inwards depending on your preference. Today, they are made available in a wide range of designs, styles, and color options. In addition, their frames can be made from many different materials like wood, vinyl, aluminum and steel. Each choice comes with its own pros and cons. Vinyl and wood are the most widely-used materials although in terms of aesthetics, the latter is the more preferred choice between the two because of its classic appeal.

When shopping for a French patio door, look for quality construction. Make sure to choose a material for your frame that will last for years if not decades. Today, there are patio doors whose interiors are made of wood while the exterior parts are made of strong composite materials. This results to tougher units without the inconvenience of regular maintenance.

These days, with the availability of a wide range of grille, glass and hardware style, you can actually customize your French doors to perfectly match your needs and preference. By the way, always look for a patio door with a well-designed threshold. This should be able to keep water away from your doorstep and out of your house. Also, to prevent cool or warm air from escaping out, make sure you have a good and sufficient amount of weather stripping on your new patio door to ensure that you have comfortable indoor temperature regardless of the season while keeping your energy bills down.

If you are looking to spruce up your home, consider installing a patio door and give your home an instant makeover. For quality units, look into patio doors in St. Louis MO by Zen today.

How Can You Make Your Home More Secure When Installing Sliding Glass Doors In St. Louis MO?

In recent years, the popularity of modern type of doors has significantly increased. For instance, there’s the sliding glass door that has become widely used in many homes today. Sliding glass doors in St. Louis MO bring in nice aesthetics that instantly transforms your indoor and outdoor spaces providing that touch of style and elegance. They are likewise very functional.

Sliding glass doors offer a clear view of your outdoor setting. This feature is especially helpful when you have kids at home. Even when you’re inside the house, you can still keep an eye on them through your sliding glass door. In addition, this type of door can let in a significant amount of light making your indoor space bright and vibrant. Also, it makes any room of your house appear bigger and more spacious. And what’s more, since it moves parallel to the wall, installing a sliding glass door at home won’t need much space consideration unlike their hinged counterparts. Moreover, since it has a wider opening than traditional style entrance doors, a sliding glass door can easily let you bring any large and bulky item in and out of your home.

But then again, while beautiful and practical, a sliding glass door also has its drawbacks. One of its most significant issues is its lack of security features. In addition, its vast glass section provides easy access for burglars to get into your home. The good news is that nowadays, modern sliding glass doors come with better and improved locking mechanism protecting your home from possible break-ins. In addition, they feature a more durable glass reducing if not totally eliminating the chances of glass breakage.

To help you feel secure at home, it is a good idea to reinforce the lock in your sliding glass door. Get one that is durable and effective. The best and most effective is a deadlock. Get one from trusted and reputable manufacturers. If you have the means, install an alarm system on your sliding glass door. When someone tampers it, it should make a loud piercing sound. Moreover, you should have proper lighting outside your home. Intruders or burglars often avoid a well-lit home.

Just like anything else, sliding glass doors have their advantages and disadvantages. Make sure that you properly weigh these things first before making a decision.

If you are looking to spruce up your home, consider updating your present door. Modern doorways are now getting more and more popular pulling in nice aesthetics and practical functions for your home. Consider getting Zen sliding glass doors in St. Louis MO today and give your home an instant makeover.

When Is It Best To Get New Replacement Windows In St. Louis MO?

Updating your old home windows may require a significant initial outlay, but the benefits you will reap afterwards will be more than every dime you spent. If you get new replacement windows in St. Louis MO, you will not just spruce up your home’s appearance but improve its overall efficiency as well. The good thing about them is that they will be able to pay for themselves in a few years. Quality windows will have you recover your investment in seven years or less. Experts say that by enabling you to lower your energy consumption, your new windows can help you save anywhere from $126 to $465 a year depending on several variables like your local climate, the size of your home and the type of replacement windows you get.

In addition to the enhanced aesthetics and overall performance, your new windows will also offer you ease of operation. Also, you will feel comfortable inside your home the whole year round. Some replacement windows are very convenient to have at home since they require very minimal and even zero maintenance. But then again, as mentioned, getting new windows is an expensive endeavor. The cost of the units alone will have you spending thousands of dollars on average homes. Plus, you have to consider the cost of the installation. Realistically, not all homeowners can afford this undertaking.

If you can’t afford to get new window replacements just yet, there are actually cheaper alternatives. These can help boost the energy performance of your present units without spending a lot of money. One alternative is by adding new or used storm windows on your single-glazed units. The only down side to this is that it may be inconvenient on your part to remove the storm windows and put them back again depending on the time of the year. Also, they tend to give your windows that bulky appearance.

Another option is by fixing air leaks. Check your units for leaks particularly around their frames and moving parts. You may caulk or weather strip these leaks. For caulking, make sure to caulk around the exterior and interior parts of the frame. Make sure not to caulk the window weep holes close on the exterior. As for your weather stripping, look for high quality product that attaches easily to make the task quicker and more efficient.

It is important to take note though that although you have repaired and sealed the leaks on your existing units, their overall energy performance will never match those of new replacement windows.

Having defective and unreliable windows at home will not only result in uncomfortable indoor temperature, but also exorbitant heating and cooling bills. If this is your case at home, you should consider getting window replacements in St. Louis MO and see what benefits they can bring to the table. For more information, visit Zen Windows St. Louis today. 

How Can You Find Energy Efficient Replacement Windows In St. Louis MO?

Modern replacement windows will give you more reasons to update your old units at home. With their energy and money saving qualities, you will be able to lower your energy usage at home and have some real savings overtime. According to experts, depending on several factors, you will be able to save anywhere from $126 to $465 a year. If you are looking to upgrade your old units, consider replacement windows in St. Louis MO for quality and affordability.

Choosing your replacement windows is often a difficult task especially for a first timer. There are a lot of issues to consider. Your final choice can have a huge impact on the overall look and performance of your home as well as to your safety and convenience. Often times, superior quality replacement windows are more expensive than others, but you don’t have to get high-end models and spend a whole lot of money. Always consider the quality of the replacement windows, their energy performance and longevity. Don’t be hesitant to pay a little bit more, though if it means you are getting better quality and improved performance.

It is important to know the basic terms and ratings that are often used with replacement windows. For instance, there’s glazing which is simply the type of glass used in the unit. More layers of glazing don’t always indicate higher energy performance. You have to consider the presence (or absence) of other crucial factors as well that contribute to the overall efficiency of the unit.

And then there’s low-e which stands for low emissivity or the ability of the windows to reflect, not absorb, heat when it is coated with the metallic substance. This special coating can affect the total cost of your replacement windows. Also, there are the gas fills to think of, which are actually the gas inserted between the glass layers on your units to improve their insulating power and slow heat transfer. The spacers, on the other hand, separate the sheets of glass and are incorporated to further bolster a window’s insulating ability.

Finally, you also have to consider the type of material for your window frame. Choices include vinyl, wood, fiber glass, aluminum and metal among others. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Vinyl is considered the most popular. Among others, vinyl windows have good insulating capabilities and often require very minimal maintenance. Today, the demand for vinyl windows in the US surpass those of any other alternative options including wood.

Old home windows can give your property the neglected look. Plus, they can drive up your energy bills month after month. To address these issues, consider getting new window replacements in St. Louis MO and boost your home’s appearance and overall performance. For a free online quote, visit Zen Windows St. Louis website today. 

                        

What Makes Sliding Glass Doors St. Louis MO Extremely Popular Among Homeowners?

It used to be that sliding glass doors were only exclusive for the homes of the rich. This was owing to the fact that only few could really afford to have them installed in their homes. It took advances in the field, particularly in the manufacturing techniques, before it became possible to make them available in more budget-friendly price tags. Nowadays, sliding glass doors St. Louis MO are also offered in a wide variety of styles and designs in addition to their affordable price options.

Homeowners often opt for sliding glass doors to have an easy access to their outdoor space. They are also used to serve as a barrier to a three-season porch, a game room or pool room. Regardless of your purpose for installing a sliding glass door in your home, it never fails to bring in a touch of class and elegance along with some very useful functions.

On the other hand, one of the issues attached to sliding glass doors is their cost. Admittedly, they have higher price tags than standard doors. But how much do they really cost? A standard sized sliding glass door made of aluminum and glass can cost you between $400 and $700. Larger dimensions, say an 8 foot door of similar construction, can run you around $950 to $1,200. It goes without saying that the bigger the door, the more expensive its cost.

Aside from the cost of your sliding glass door, you also have to consider the installation fee. This can range anywhere from $400 to $1200. Typically, this price range is the standard rate in many areas and for practically all types of door installation. If you are running on a tight budget, you can actually keep the expenses down by installing the sliding glass door on your own. However, if you don’t have enough knowledge and skills to carry out the job, it is much better to hire a professional even if it will cost you more. A professional installation will reduce if not totally eliminate the odds of bad installation. If you think about it, hiring a contractor for the job given the rewards you will be able to reap, is actually the more practical and cost-effective approach.

Sliding glass doors are functional as they are beautiful and elegant. If you are looking to have one installed in your home, consider sliding glass doors in St. Louis MO by Zen and see how you can obtain excellent value for your money.

What Makes It Necessary To Buy Replacement Windows St. Louis MO For Your Home?

When you have leaky and defective windows at home, this can have a huge impact in your monthly energy bills. Take a moment to absorb this. In the colder parts of the US, a significant amount of energy loss (15% to 30%) in an average household is caused by poorly insulated home windows. You are literally throwing away your money out of the window. It doesn't seem fair that you are paying a significant amount of money for your energy when much of it just escapes out of your home through your leaky windows. This makes it more than necessary to invest in replacement windows St. Louis MO.

Meanwhile, in warmer regions, the same thing takes place during summer months. With their leaky windows at home, much of the cool air just manages to escape outside.

If you are in the same boat, the best thing to do is to insulate your home, which means that there should be a barrier between the outdoors and your indoors that will make your interior living space in comfortable temperature regardless of the time of the year. Insulating your home can be done in several methods ranging from simple to complicated approaches that can cost you anywhere from almost zero to fairly expensive.

For instance, you can add storm windows or you can replace your old and leaky windows. You may also choose to add thermal shades, or just the standard drapes with the proper size and thickness. The only issue with this approach is that they can limit your view of the outdoors and the amount of natural light that gets inside the home. You can also find other devices or products like insulating panels. If you don’t have the money to spare, you can even use the bubble wrap that’s lying around your house.

It is safe to say that the most expensive approach is updating your existing units. This can call for a significant amount. On a positive note, your new replacement windows can offer several benefits making the money you spent all worth it. They will not only boost the energy performance of your home, but will also boost its aesthetics. If you will be selling your home in the future, your efficient windows can improve the overall market price of your property. Just don’t over indulge when you go shopping for new windows, though. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the most expensive windows out there. Concentrate on the quality and performance. Make sure that they can serve you for a long time and will allow you to lower the cost of your energy bills.

Not all windows available in the market are the same. There are good and bad windows out there. To ensure quality and durability, consider home replacement windows St. Louis MO for your home. Check out Zen Windows St. Louis webpage for a free online estimate on the windows that you need. 

The Pros And Cons Of Patio Doors St. Louis MO

While traditional doorways will always be in existence, people now are looking at modern style windows as alternatives. Sliding glass doors for instance are getting more and more common not only in residential areas, but even in offices and other commercial spaces. When you've got a beautiful outdoor environment at home, make the most out of it by installing one of the patio doors St. Louis MO has to offer.

Sliding glass doors come with several advantages. They are practical and more functional than your standard doorway. Because of their wider opening, they allow big and bulky items to be ushered in and out of the home or building. They provide easy and convenient access which may be lacking or missing in standard doors.

Sliding doors are not just functional but aesthetically pleasing as well. They add style and elegance into your home. A patio door for example does not only give you an easy access to your backyard, pool or garden, but will also accentuate its natural beauty. When it opens up to a beautiful garden or lawn, it can add to the market value of your property. In addition, patio doors can invite a significant amount of light indoors which can make any room appear bright, roomy and wider than it actually is. And with a brighter indoor space, your home won’t be a favorite haven for unwanted and unhealthy insects and bugs.

Patio doors are also environment-friendly. Their production won’t require wood but will use alternative materials. Although indirectly, patio doors actually help save and protect the environment.

On the downside, having patio doors at home can be an expensive proposition. They are generally more expensive than your normal door style. Aside from the cost of the unit, you also have to pay for their installation. They also call for regular cleaning and maintenance. They typically need special kind of cleaning materials. In addition, compared to other door types, they may be less effective in enduring harsh outdoor climates. Plus, extreme heat can affect the durability and longevity of these glass doors.

In conclusion, sliding glass doors or patio doors can bring in several benefits that are hard to miss. However, before you have one installed in your home, you really have to weigh the pros and cons to enable you come to a decision that is to your advantage.

Thinking of adding a modern touch to your door? Check out affordable patio doors in St. Louis MO by Zen and see how they can give your home a contemporary look bringing along some useful functionality as well.