Ever rearrange your furniture or rugs and notice that the hardwood floors underneath the furniture is a darker color? Well that's because the rest of your flooring has faded due to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Just as you do with your skin, you need to protect your furniture, floors and draperies from the sun.

Many consumers aren’t aware of the UV protection benefits of windows incorporating high-performance glass options. Gorell offers various glass systems that achieve the highest FPF rating available – FPF 50!

Fade Protection Factor (FPF) is a measurement of the glass systems ability to block fabric fading UV rays. Like Sun Protection Factor (SPF) for sunscreens, FPF is a rating achieved through independent laboratory testing. A higher FPF number means greater fade protection for household furnishings because the glass and coatings block virtually all of the UVA and UVB rays.

While glass systems can't completely eliminate fabric fading - some can significantly reduce it. Light that gets into a home through open windows and doors can still cause fading. The speed at which fabrics and hardwood floors fade is also affected by temperature and humidity.

Many consumers look at a high FPF as a cost-avoidance benefit because it can significantly delay fading damage to hardwood floors, couches, curtains and artwork. The windows are helping them to protect their investments and increase the lifespan of the furnishings in their home.

If you want to see the FPF ratings of the various glass systems we are offering, they are available on the Glass Selection Chart.

Consumers Digest Releases its Best Window Buys

I just read an article in one of our industry trade journals - Door and Window Maker (DWM) magazine that I found hard to believe. It says three manufacturers were selected by Consumer Digest as the best choice for replacement windows in the premium, mid-range and economy categories. I would not classify any of the three chosen as our competitors, or list them if asked who the best replacement window manufacturers are; all three are heavily new construction oriented. The difference between most new construction windows and most replacement windows is the quality and design characteristics of the windows themselves.

When buying a home, few people even look at the windows, they look at the view, if applicable, but they are looking through the windows not at them. Builders for the most part select the cheapest product they can find for their homes, as they understand that windows are not a key factor in the buying decision for new homes, so they spend the money elsewhere. Consumers really start looking at their windows when they begin to have problems with them. This is why most replacement window have better quality, better features and better design than most new construction windows, the end user is really looking at them before purchasing them.

So in an industry where our company has been listed as one of the top 100 manufacturers in the country for over ten years now, how could Consumer Digest choose three manufacturers that I don’t believe any replacement window manufacture would consider a competitor to be the “best choices for replacement windows”? We were unaware of the study; no one contacted us for our information. It is irritating to smaller manufacturers like us to not even be included in the evaluation process. I’m told the way most of the magazines select who they will evaluate is to go to the “big box” stores and see what products they offer. Well that leaves us out, as we don’t offer our products that way, we feel high performance products need to be explained, they are not like buying a hammer off the shelf. So if you were wondering why Gorell, and the people we would consider our competitors are not part of the story, we join with you, we don’t think we were even considered.

I installed a vent in my attic in August. That was an experience – I should’ve taken a thermometer up with me. It was unbelievably hot up there. Now that we've got cooler, less humid weather in Pennsylvania, being up in the attic is a lot more bearable. It fact, now's a good time to check your attic to see what insulation is up there – colder weather and heating bills aren’t far off.

While you're up there, think about adding reflective insulation. It's a very different kind of insulation (compared to blown-in or batt fiberglass) because it significantly reduces radiant heat transfer (fiberglass insulation only reduces convective and conductive heat transfer). In cold weather, reflective insulation placed over fiberglass insulation on your attic floor reflects heat escaping through the ceiling back into your home. If you have reflective insulation installed on your rafters, it reflects heat back into the home instead of allowing the heat to escape through the roof. Of course, it's really effective to have reflective insulation installed on both the rafters and the attic floor. Every home's different, but it's not uncommon to reduce home heating bill costs by 20% - 25%.

In spring and summer, the results are unbelievable, especially when you have reflective insulation installed on the rafters. With attic temperatures 30-40 degrees lower, you can only imagine the load this takes off your air conditioner!

One more thing: you don't want to procrastinate on adding good reflective insulation to your attic. It qualifies for the $1,500 federal tax credit (see www.radiaflect.com for more info) this year. One catch – it needs to be installed, not just purchased, before January 1st.

Being involved in the manufacturing industry, not only as an employee of a window manufacturing company, but as the president of our county's manufacturing consortium, I've learned to appreciate more and more the importance of what industry means to the survival of our country. Many say that we are moving to a "service" society, and we can purchase our manufactured goods from other countries. There are two major issues here:

First, not having the ability to manufacture things in the United States would require us, especially in emergency situations, to rely on other countries to provide our military equipment, components for our infrastructure and other basic necessities, without which we may not be able to prosper.

Second, many economists feel that manufacturing is the only true industry that creates wealth — taking raw materials, developing them into products and selling them at a profit. This process creates the value needed by this country to grow. Service industries are often called negative wealth industries, since they only trade dollars for services and, after that transaction, the government takes its share, leaving less for the provider.

Despite what you may read or hear in the news, even though the large auto and steel manufacturing companies may be struggling, there are thousands of small- and medium-size entrepreneurs that have created companies to supply many of the items that we buy every day. It's important that we support the manufacturing industry, and encourage our youth to consider careers in manufacturing to keep our industry growing.

So, as you consider product purchases, be they windows, refrigerators, or vacuum cleaners, think about looking for products that are built by American workers. In addition, encourage your representatives to do what they can to support and strengthen the backbone of our economy — manufacturing.

Every consumer needs to be aware of the dramatic ability of some very special window products that can save you significant amounts of energy, while adding aesthetics, convenience and comfort to your home. The United States Department of Energy has created a program to promote very high-performance products for use by homeowners as well as commercial building owners. It is not well known, nor well publicized, but this is really a valuable program to the consumer. Here is a link that explains the details of the program: http://www.windowsvolumepurchase.org/ This R5 program goes well beyond the Energy Star performance requirements for really dramatic energy-saving results. It is designed to help you get the best-performing windows available today, at affordable prices. Gorell Windows & Doors is one of the select manufacturers approved by USDOE to participate in the R5 volume purchase window program. We at Gorell are constantly striving to improve on the already excellent energy savings performance we offer. We are looking for more products, more options and more ways to help you save energy and enjoy your home more.

We recently undertook a project at Gorell to determine the impact of energy-efficient windows and doors in terms of energy saved.  Having kept detailed records of all the windows and doors built—including the various high-performance glass systems used in each—since we began manufacturing in 1994, we were able to compute the approximate number of BTUs our products have saved.

Next we went to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for help in converting our data into information consumers could more easily relate to. We were directed to IUP professor Dr. Keith Kyler, who worked with one of his chemistry classes to calculate formulas to convert the BTUs being saved by Gorell products to relevant consumer measures.

We were astounded by the results and, now knowing the savings, were able to create a counter on our web site that continually shows the approximate amount of energy, money and gallons of gas being saved.

Special thanks to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and especially to Dr. Kyler of IUP’s Chemistry Department and his chemistry class.  The energy savings counter was just placed on Gorell’s home page this past weekend. To see it, visit http://www.gorell.com

If you’re planning to purchase windows—or appliances, lighting, computers, or many other products—you’ve probably heard the term "ENERGY STAR" being tossed around. You may have been told that ENERGY STAR labeled products are more energy efficient and that they’ll help save you money on your home energy bills. But do you know what the ENERGY STAR program really is? Or what it means for a product to be ENERGY STAR qualified?

ENERGY STAR is a government/industry program designed to help consumers and businesses quickly and easily identify energy-efficient products that help save money and protect the environment for future generations. 

In 1992, the EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify energy-efficient computers and monitors. Through 1995, EPA expanded the program to include additional office equipment, as well as residential heating and cooling products. In 1996, EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy for specific product categories. It’s pretty amazing that the ENERGY STAR label is now displayed on over 40 product categories—everything from major appliances to office equipment, home lighting, home electronics, windows and more. 

As for windows and doors, that specific ENERGY STAR program was created in 1999.  Not all windows qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. They first must be tested by an independent laboratory to meet strict criteria pertaining to energy efficiency and light transmittance. The ratings they achieve differ because of variables such as the glass used, style, and product design and construction. 

The benefits? ENERGY STAR labeled windows help reduce energy costs, increase a home’s comfort, and protect against UV damage. Plus, they’re better for the environment—because they reduce green house gas emissions—and for the country because they reduce the America’s dependency on foreign oil. More information on the program is available at www.energystar.gov

The way consumers shop has changed drastically over the past 20 years. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for electronics, home-improvement services, or another big-ticket item—you really don’t need to make all those trips from store to store to compare products and prices. That’s because now most of us do the research right from our own homes—on-line.

The Internet has opened up a whole new world to consumers. You can research brands, compare prices and warranties, and even get other consumers’ opinions and ratings—all from the comfort of your home.

Before investing in any major purchases—home improvement or otherwise—I highly recommend “knowing your stuff.” What I mean is this: you no longer have to depend solely on what a salesperson tells you. Instead, check out a number of different products on-line. If, for instance, you are researching windows, some of your questions might be: What frame material is more energy efficient, wood or vinyl? What do all NFRC ratings mean, and what are the ratings for the products I’m considering? Do the products qualify for the ENERGY STAR label? Which window operating style will work best for my home? Which manufacturers have the best reputation for quality? Who offers the best warranties?

Research a number of manufacturers and products and, once you decide what type of product you like, compare “apples to apples”—in terms of cost, energy efficiency, installation, expected life, warranty, etc. Visit blogs or chat rooms and find out what experiences other consumers have had with various products and companies.

The Internet has opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to researching and making buying decisions. We should all take advantage of this valuable tool to make educated buying decisions!

It’s getting more and more difficult to watch network news anymore. It seems chaos and crises are the only things discussed in the news. Good news is seldom given, and it’s rarely acknowledged that there may be some good news to talk about. The economy “may” be going into a double dip, the job picture “could” get worse, consumer confidence and spending “may” decline, etc.

Why can’t news be given with more of a positive spin instead of one that’s constantly negative? For example, why not report on the positive signs that the economy is recovering? Why not look at the positive side of the job picture that shows improvement, even if may be occurring at a slower rate than we’d like? And surely there are areas where consumer confidence is stronger or at least holding steady. It’s all about how the news is given -- a positive spin instead of “doom and gloom” can be a contributing element to our recovering economy.

I spend a lot of time reading and watching business-oriented news. I sincerely believe things ARE getting better—maybe not very quickly or dramatically--and probably not as quickly as we would all like, but unquestionably things are better today than they were six months ago, a year ago, and even two years ago. Why can’t any of the networks’ talking heads acknowledge that?

I’m convinced that if people start hearing some good news, they will begin feeling better about themselves and their situations. It feeds on itself: If you start feeling better about your situation, then you might buy something you need for yourself, your family or your home. If you’re overwhelmed with negative news, it’s pretty hard to part with your hard-earned money, even when you really need something.

Think about where the economy was a year ago. We’ve improved dramatically. Why isn’t anyone saying that? Because it isn’t of interest-- or because it’s more newsworthy to be negative? I just don’t understand the why’s, but I do recognize the facts: positive news must not be interesting. Well, I’ve decided I’m just not going to listen to network news or read most newspapers anymore. Cable and business news will be my source for news. There I can read or hear about how the personal savings rate is much higher, consumer debt is much lower, income for the 90-plus percent of employed working families is up --- there’s a LOT of positive news to talk about if you only want to.

Yes, housing is still a problem, as is the remodeling industry because it's linked to housing, but as consumer confidence improves, these industries will improve, too. That’s what we need—consumer confidence and positive thinking. Chin up, it’s already gotten better, and it is continuing to get better every day.

Despite the economic weakness of the last few years, I’m optimistic that the economy will continue to improve during the rest of 2010. We sincerely hope homeowners take advantage of the excellent tax credit program for purchasing energy-efficient windows that expires at the end of this year. That could have a very positive effect on the economy and reduce energy consumption. The Home Star program has evidently made it into a funding bill in Congress, but it won’t come to a vote until later in the year, if at all. It’s far too soon to know what exactly it will do for the construction industry, but I believe it can reinvigorate the U.S. economy if it passes. The people who make, sell and install replacement windows and doors are virtually all small businesses that create actual, good jobs.

Personally, I believe government is too big and that too often it makes bad decisions. Yet I also believe that programs like Energy Star – that reduce energy usage in homes and buildings, make people more comfortable in their homes, improve the value of their homes, and create real lasting jobs -- are worth the investment. I’m sure we’ll all be closely watching the elections this Fall. Who knows. Maybe voters will send the kind of message to Congress that will actually stimulate consumer confidence— although it’s hard to know for sure what will happen.

I wonder how many people think about replacing patio doors in their homes. I remember several years back when we had to replace our wooden patio door -- which would have been around 10 years old at the time -- because the frame was rotted through at the bottom. I know other people who replaced their metal patio doors because the metal had corroded over time and the doors looked pretty bad.  But there's another reason -- maybe a much more important one -- for replacing those doors: energy efficiency.  

Think about the amount of glass in a patio door that's exposed to the outside. How many of us are familiar with the cold coming off that glass in the winter -- or the heat off the glass in the heat of the summer?

At this point in time, with the advances made in glass technology, it's possible to have a patio door that's so much more energy-efficient than doors made just 10 or 15 years ago. By "technology," I mean things like higher-performing low emissivity coatings in the glass, much more-effective spacer systems separating the glass panes, the use of inert gasses between the glass and even the evolution of triple-glass instead of double-pane glass.

Think also about the other materials that go into doors. Vinyl, especially, has proven to be a superb energy-efficient material -- and advances in vinyl technology have also been huge.  Today a good, quality patio door made with vinyl can easily last decades -- and operate beautifully -- with practically no maintenance.  

The results of having a solid, highly energy-efficient patio door installed are numerous. Significantly lower home energy bills for one, but also a more comfortable room and ease of operating the door.

Hopefully homeowners are also remembering that the $1,500 tax credit that's available for replacement windows also applies to doors.  These last months of 2010 are an ideal time to look at a new door. 

The Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) provides excellent information about utility and state programs homeowners can access to either save or get money back on home improvement projects that result in more energy-efficient homes. The EWC's latest report, "Incentives and Rebates for Energy-Efficient Windows," was published in July. A PDF of the report can be found at http://www.efficientwindows.org/UtilityIncentivesWindows.pdf. In the report's introduction, the EWC poses three questions that set the stage for helping homeowners locate programs in their states.

1. Do you intend to equip your home with high-performance, energy-efficient windows?

2. Do you plan to improve your home in a way that lowers energy costs and provides for a comfortable interior?

3. Are you looking for utility programs within your state that can help you finance such an investment in efficient windows?

According to Nils Petermann of the EWC, The Efficient Windows Collaborative is actually a project operated by non-profit and research organizations such as the Alliance to Save Energy, the University of Minnesota and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It's supported by member organizations the Department of Energy. Hats off to the Efficient Windows Collaborative for providing their excellent work and for this special report.

With all the talk of the Lead Renovate Repair Paint Law (LRRP), I am noticing how this is affecting everyday homeowners. Just to do a quick summary of the LRRP law, it affects homes that were built before 1978. If you are doing any renovation, the remodeling company is required to test your home for lead. If your home tests positive for lead, the contractor is required to use lead-safe practices. It doesn’t matter if you are having windows replaced, having your kitchen redone, etc., the LRRP encompasses 99% of remodeling work.

There was an “opt-out” clause available, where if you didn’t have children under six or pregnant women residing the house, you could opt out of having your contractor use lead-safe practices. The major focus and thrust of the LRRP law is to protect children from lead poisoning. I think this is a worthy endeavor we can all get behind.

If your pre-1978 built house tests positive for lead, and the criteria above don’t exist, homeowners still are required to have their contractors use lead-safe practices. If you are doing replacement windows, the industry has shown that the additional cost for using lead-safe practices is a whopping $120/window (this is on the low end of the scale).

Let’s focus on the point of protecting children. I’m raising two little girls myself, and I certainly don’t want them to be exposed to lead—so I definitely understand the importance of using lead-safe practices. Now removing the opt-out clause is another matter and a discussion for a different time. I want to focus on something that concerns me even more, however.

I ran across an article, http://tinyurl.com/2u2al23about drinking water from household plumbing. I found it both shocking and alarming. In 1986, the federal government enacted a law that reduced the amount of lead in our drinking water plumbing. However, faucets labeled as 'lead free' today still contain up to a quarter pound of lead.

It has been explained to many companies in the construction industry that the amount of lead that can poison a small child is less than the amount of sugar found in a small packet. Yet, a faucet we can purchase today can be labeled lead-free and still contain a whopping quarter pound of lead.

This same article also cited other known alarming facts. For example, lead will leach into our drinking water more so with lead found in pipes as well as the lead found in faucets. The article proceeds to say that children under six will absorb and retain 50% of the lead they ingest. The EPA also concludes that 15-20% of children's exposure to lead comes from drinking water.

I want children to be safe from lead poisoning. I can get behind the LRRP law when it comes to protecting children but not taking away the rights of homeowners who don’t have children. I believe the opt-out rule should be put back in the LRRP law. But what concerns me even more is drinking water—my children drink water everyday. I would rather have the EPA focus on lead in our water rather than on pre-built 1978 homes that don’t have children residing in them.