Taking care of your vinyl windows will save you time and money down the road. So, it is necessary to take a little bit of time each year to do some at-home inspections for any cracks, damages, or leaks. At-home maintenance for vinyl windows is relatively minute; but, you will need to perform a few tasks, periodically, in order to ensure you achieve the longest “life” out of them.
The professionals here at NuView Windows have created this guide just for you and your San Clemente, CA, home. We want you to get the most out of your windows, whether they were manufactured and installed by our team or not. And, should you come across a problem you do not feel fully qualified to address alone—give us a call.
Your Quick Guide to Vinyl Window Inspections:
The insect screen: This is an important part of keeping a good-looking and functional window in top shape.
- What to look for:
- Holes
- Scratches
- Cuts
- Looseness—tighten any loose screws
- Replace or repair any damaged screen
- Maintenance:
- Clean the tracks with a vacuum as needed
- During colder months, retract any screens which can be retracted
- Lightly lubricate tracks with silicon spray, as needed (keyword: lightly)
- Remove dirt:
- First, remove the screen
- Remove dirt with a soft bristle brush (soap and water added, if necessary) ‘
- Rinse clean and reinstall when dry
Sash / Pane inspection: This is especially important in coastal areas—suggested more frequently. If your window has a removable sash, consider removing it for a complete inspection.
- Operation:
- Check hardware for proper function (cracks, locks, etc.)
- Open/close the window to check for resistance in either direction
- Glass:
- Diligently inspect for any cracks in the glass (a small crack can quickly grow and is a compromise to your safety)
- Check for moisture or fogging between panes (usually visible most easily in the mornings)—this could indicate a worn or improperly working seal
Weather-stripping: Keeping a good eye on your weather-stripping can help you to avoid expensive structural damages to your home from energy loss and water leakage. Compromised weather-stripping must be replaced immediately.
- Unfit weather-stripping—how to know:
- Missing
- Cracked
- Brittle
- Discolored
- No “bounce”
- Torn
- How to clean:
- Damp cloth with a mild soap and water
- Rinse and dry, repeat as needed
- How to repair (if you feel qualified to do so):
- Remove weather-stripping, carefully
- Apply a thin layer of silicone sealant to the edge from where old strip was removed
- Reinstall new stripping
- Hold in place with painter’s tape for 24 hours
For more tips like these, come visit us here at NuView Windows. We can’t wait to meet you!
For details, you can check San Clemente vinyl windows.
NuView Windows | 24378 Swartz Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Phone: (949) 855-0130
Here in San Clemente, CA, it is important to be sure your home windows make sense for this climate. Do yours? How do you know?
The team at NuView Windows can help with this! Check out this short guide to understanding how to choose the right replacement windows for various climates.
Climate: COLD
I know, this doesn’t seem applicable to us Californians. But, knowing what a cold climate requires helps us further understand what we require for our replacement windows. What to look for: overall scores; hone-in on windows with ratings which excel at low-temp and wind resistance (if your home is exposed to these conditions). Also consider (from us here at NuView):
- Duralite warm edge spacer technology: This feature is specifically designed to help the window and frame deal with harsh weather conditions—including freezing temperatures!
- Slide ‘n’ Hide Retractable Screen: This is not an add-on! This screen disappears into the window’s frame when not in use for better views, better energy efficiency, and 50% more natural light—which helps during cold months!
Climate: RAINY
Beware: prices on windows designed for rainy climates will vary a lot, depending on the manufacturer. Here at NuView, our prices are reasonable and competitive because we manufacture our own! What to look for: Consider vinyl frames for a wet climate. This material stands up to the conditions well, without the threat of rust, warp, or rot. Also, consider (from us here at NuView):
- Hi-Flo Drainage System: This drain eliminates the buildup of water through an auto-trigger which allows the water to escape away from the frame.
Climate: Warm
Those who live in the cold envy our California climate. That’s ok; jealousy is flattery, right? When it comes to your windows, though—replacing them can be tricky. What to look for: here at NuView, all our windows are manufactured with the Californian climate in mind. To keep the temperatures regulated indoors and the heating/cooling bills low, our windows offer the following features:
- Multi-chamber pocketed frames: The air within our strategically engineered air pockets adapts to the outside temps to maximize the insulation and energy efficiency.
- Duralite warm edge spacer technology: as mentioned above, this feature ensures optimal performance through the harshest weather conditions.
- Energy blind technology: ask us about our solar screens and thermal blinds. During those extremely hot months, this add-on feature will help lower utility bills, prevent the fading of your furniture upholstery and floors from harmful UV rays, and greatly improve your home’s overall energy efficiency.
See some features you want for your home? There is so much more to learn about our window replacement options here at NuView Windows! Our professionals have been manufacturing residential window and door products for almost 40 years! We know what works and what does not. If you are in the market for an upgrade to your home or want to begin brainstorming for your next window replacement project, we would be honored to work with you. Come visit us soon!
For details, you can check San Clemente, CA windows replacement.
NuView Windows | 24378 Swartz Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Phone: (949) 855-0130
Are you a homeowner in the Viejo, CA, area with vinyl windows throughout your home? If so, you are likely among the countless people who would say choosing vinyl windows to upgrade your home was the best, most affordable, quality decision you could have made. And, if your windows were installed by our team here at NuView Windows, you can add “beautiful” to that list, too!
Now, wouldn’t you agree that your vinyl windows have provided you with a bit more freedom than whatever material frames you once had? For example, you no longer have to worry about any of the following:
- Staining
- Repainting
- Rust, rot, warp, pitting
- Fading color
It’s nice to have windows that require less fuss! We find that each year, more residents are inquiring about and choosing vinyl for this very reason. But, just because vinyl windows are known as low-maintenance, easy to clean, and affordable, this does not mean they require ZERO upkeep! So, let us help guide you in keeping the longest-lasting windows possible. Check out these tips:
- Avoid power washing directly onto the windows
It is unlikely, but possible to cause seal failure if the frames are hit too hard and too often with such a powerful force. - No aggressive cleaners
No matter what the infomercial or advertisements claim, harsh chemicals and solvents can damage vinyl surfaces and even cause yellowing. - Clean from the top, down
If you have multiple stories at home, be sure to start with the upper story and work your way down, so as not to dirty the windows below. - No puddling
Be sure not to let any cleaners—even soap—puddling or collect at the edges of the glass. This can hurt the glazing material (if you have it). - Avoid excessiveness
There’s no need to scrub and over-clean your vinyl windows. Because of its smooth material (even if it is faux wood grain), debris should come off easily. - Plan on twice per year
With vinyl, you should have no reason to clean your windows more than twice each year (unless a bird decides to target your home!). - No after-market
We strongly advise against after-market tints and films to be added. These can cause damage to the glass and/or sealant and hinder or null your warranty. - Recommended cleaning materials:
- Baby shampoo, a mild soap and water mixture, or a vinegar and water mixture.
- Clean, non-abrasive, lint-free dry cloths.
- Spray bottle.
- Vacuum cleaner.
- Sponge.
- Soft bristle brush.
- Appropriate hardware only cleaning solvents (check with us on this!).
- Glass cleaner (for stubborn stains).
- Plastic putty knife (for really tough stains or label remover)
See how easy it really is to maintain your vinyl windows with NuView? No wonder you chose them! If you have any questions regarding what you’ve learned here or are interested in looking at some window options, give NuView Windows a call!
For details, you can check Viejo, CA vinyl windows.
NuView Windows | 24378 Swartz Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Phone: (949) 855-0130
There is always a right way and a wrong way to handle an upgrade to your home. Unfortunately, too many homeowners in the Viejo, CA, area simply do not realize they are going about their home renovations in all the wrong ways. And, the team here at NuView Windows wants to address this, head-on.
You see, we know windows. We know what the pros and cons are of all various types and we have done our research on competing manufacturers to ensure the products we offer are top-of-the-line. But, it does not matter what our experts know—it matters what you, the homeowner, knows! So, let’s review together what you need to know about the most popular window material on the market today: Vinyl Windows.
As mentioned, there are pros and cons to everything. It follows that there will be pros and cons to any window you choose. The trick is to minimize the cons and find what works best for you and your home. Considering out vinyl windows for your next home reno project? Check these out:
Pros vs. Cons: your vinyl windows
- PRO: They are extremely energy efficient!
This feature has become more and more important to homeowners over the years for many reasons. First, it saves us all money in the long-run because energy-efficient windows take the strain off your HVAC system (which lightens your monthly bill!). Second, we as a culture have become environmentally conscious about what we do and the impact we’re having on Mother Earth—this means, the windows we choose for our homes should be efficient! - CON: They can’t boast that “traditionally rustic” feel
Vinyl window frames have come a long way. In fact, you can get frames which look and are textured with a “wood grain” look. No, you can’t claim they’re real wood—but you don’t have to! - PRO: They are easy to clean!
This may be my favorite “pro.” Anything that’s easy to clean in my home I thoroughly appreciate. A damp, soapy wipe-down and your frames look as good as they did when they were first installed! - CON: They can’t easily be painted.
For some homeowners, this is a drawback; especially those who want to make changes to their exterior façade every 5-10 years or so (I know people like this!)—if that’s you, consider the semi-permanence of vinyl windows. - PRO: They are quite durable!
No need to worry about rust, warp, fading, or pitting—vinyl can withstand a LOT, without its integrity being compromised. - CON: they may not work for historic buildings
Vinyl windows look perfect for most structures—but if yours is a historic structure, this may not be the window frame material for you. - PRO: They are very affordable
You may already know this, but, vinyl is one of the most affordable building materials on the market. Who doesn’t love it when their money goes a long way?
The team here at NuView knows windows. Bring us your questions! We can’t wait to work with you!
For details, you can check vinyl windows Viejo.
NuView Windows | 24378 Swartz Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Phone: (949) 855-0130