When we hear about the construction or housing industry being down, it’s usually more in reference to new home construction. Unfortunately, the recovery of this segment of building may take a while. An article posted June 10 on Window & Door magazine’s web site predicts that it could take several years.

There are currently too many existing homes on the market, mortgage money remains tight, unemployment is close to double digits and many employed homeowners—unsure of their job future—are not thinking about investing in new homes now.

The home-improvement business, on the other hand, is expected to recover much sooner, as early as this year. Homeowners not planning to build new homes soon may be deciding to do something with their present homes to make them better and nicer places to live in.

A smart home-improvement idea is to replace windows. It’s a good decision, economically and otherwise. New windows add to a home’s value. Remodeling magazine reported in January that 77.2% (national average) of the cost of replacing windows is recouped when the home is sold. And that doesn’t factor in the big 2009-2010 federal energy tax credit of up to $1,500. (See http://www.gorell.com/pages/energy_tax_incentive_act.htm for more details on the tax credit.)

Premium-quality replacement windows also save homeowners money because of lower home heating and cooling bills. Window replacement also contributes to a cleaner environment and reduced dependency on foreign oil. 

When Gorell Windows and Doors was started 15 years ago, it was classified as a start up business or small business.  I was doing some research and found that 50% of small business fail within the first year.  After 10 years, only 29% of start up business are still around.  After 15 years of being in business, Gorell has certainly defied the odds.

Gorell continues to carve its own path in the industry.  When many window companies are laying off or cutting back on their product offerings, Gorell is actually in a hiring mode as well as expanding its breadth of product offering. 

Wayne Gorell, who has been in this busines for 40+ years, acknowledges the 15 year anniversary by saying this.  'According to industry publication sources, there are over 6000 window companies in the United States, of which, approximately 2000 go out of business every year, and about 2000 more start up every year.  Gorell has not only weathered different economic storms over the past 15 years, but we have continued to expand.'

Gorell continues to be innovative by introducing more product offerings than any other company in the industry.  Gorell recently kicked off a new glass package called Eco Master available exclusively on its 5100 series.  Gorell will also be making the Better Vue screen standard on all its products, July 1st.  In addition, over the past year, Gorell has introduced new energy efficient glass packages, an unlimited amount of exterior color options, and newly designed products.

Gorell has won the National Energy Star Partner of the Year a record six consecutive times and has been named the National Sustained Excellence Energy Star Partner a record four consecutive times.  In addition, Gorell was the first vinyl window company to have its products Green Seal certified.

After 15 years, Wayne Gorell says he isn't ready to rest.  He is continuing to make his mark on the industry by setting even higher standards and expectations for windows being manufactured across the United States.

On June 1, the U.S. Energy Tax Credit reverted to the original window and door criteria established in February as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  In April, the government had announced that it would allow any ENERGY STAR qualified windows or exterior doors purchased between January 1 and May 31 of 2009 to be eligible for the $1,500 tax credit.  The main criteria now is that windows and doors must have a U-value (U-factor) of 0.30 or less and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less. Note: Not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors meet these criteria.

So if you purchased ENERGY STAR qualified windows or doors between January 1 and May 31 of 2009 -- regardless of their U-value and SHGC ratings --  you are eligible for a tax credit up to $1,500. If you purchase them from June 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, you are eligible for the same tax credit as long as they meet the 0.30/0.30 criteria. There are other criteria, by the way. See ENERGY STAR's web page www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for more details.

For windows and doors qualifying from January 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009, you can use (for tax purposes) the ENERGY STAR labels that came with them. You can also use applicable Manufacturer's Certification Statements for this period. 

From June 1 to December 31, 2010, you cannot use the ENERGY STAR labels for tax purposes; you can only use applicable Manufacturer’s Certification Statements from the manufacturer.

Gorell's statements for both time periods are available on its web site, http://www.gorell.com/pages/energy_tax_incentive_act.htm