Posted by Bradley Chazin on Fri, Oct 23, 2009
Western Construction, Inc. a Minnesota Replacement Window, Door and Siding Contractor would like to announce that we are now an official retail partner of ENERGY STAR for windows, doors and skylights.
What is ENERGY STAR?
“ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that helps us all save money and protect our environment with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help. More than 60 types of products, including appliances, televisions, computers, heating and cooling equipment, and even new homes can earn the government’s ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR also offers best-practice solutions to make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy costs.”
Additional information is available at the ENERGY STAR Web site www.energystar.gov.
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Tue, Aug 25, 2009
Cleaning/Stain Removal
- Wash the siding with an ordinary long-handled car washing brush that fastens to your hose, available at your auto supply store. It lets you wash the siding just like you wash your car.
- If the dirt is hard to remove, such as soot and grime found in industrial areas, wipe the siding with a solution of:
- 1/3 cup powder detergent
- 2/3 cup household cleaner
- 1 gallon water
- If mildew is a problem in your area, use the solution above, but substitute 1 quart liquid laundry bleach for 1 quart of water.
- If stubborn stains exist, check with your siding manufacture. Observe the precautionary labeling instructions on the cleaning agent container. Protect shrubs from contact with cleaning agents.
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Sun, Aug 09, 2009
The Top 6 Reasons Western Construction, Inc. Choose Gorell Windows and Doors to be their Vinyl Replacement Window supplier.
1-6. Gorell Receives ENERGY STAR® Award for Sixth Consecutive Year.
Gorell Windows & Doors has again been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the winner of the prestigious ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for the sixth straight year. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and again in 2009.
“The ENERGY STAR awards represent achievements the Department of Energy is proud to recognize, as they represent notable progress or sustained excellence in working to secure our energy future,” said Richard H. Karney, DOE ENERGY STAR Program Manager. “In 2009, our partners receiving these awards demonstrated superb commitment to advancing the adoption of energy-efficient products and addressing our environmental challenges.”
Gorell received the “Sustained Excellence” Award—bestowed only on organizations that have won the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award three or more consecutive times—for the fourth consecutive year. Gorell won for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through manufacturing highly energy-efficient windows and doors and promoting the ENERGY STAR program as part of its Green efforts.
The “Sustained Excellence” award reflects Gorell’s exceptional record of manufacturing “green” ENERGY STAR qualified products as well as the company’s work in promoting the ENERGY STAR program.
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Fri, Aug 07, 2009
If you’re looking to build a attached or detached garage, reside your Minnesota home or build a sunroom addition I have a siding I’d like you to consider.
Several years ago I was walking the floor at the International Builders Show. My eyes were drawn to a display that I thought had cedar siding on it. I love the way cedar looks and feels so I went over to check out the display.
To my surprise it wasn’t cedar after all. It was a beautiful siding made my LP Building Products called SmartSide. I wasn’t impressed with the name but the wood grain texture it had was nearly perfect.
Like so many other products you see at trade shows that large I soon forgot about the SmartSide siding and came back to Minneapolis.
This happened year after year until our local rep came into my office to demonstrate the benefits of SmartSide siding over fiber cement siding.
Here are a few benefits.
- LP SmartSide has the best warranty in the industry with a 5/50 year warranty. This means that Twin Cities homeowners have 100% labor and material replacement for the first 5 years. From years 6-50, there is a prorated material warranty.
- I often have Minneapolis and St Paul homeowners asking for a replacement siding that has the least amount of seams. SmartSide comes in 16’ lengths vs. fiber cement’s 12’ lengths. On a typical Twin Cities home you’ll have 33% less seams.
- In Minnesota we really know what the look of cedar siding is and SmartSide has a more realistic cedar texture than fiber cement.
- Installers tend to prefer applying LP SmartSide vs. fiber cement. It’s easier and quicker to install, no special cutting tools are required which translates into $$ savings to you.
- LP SmartSide scores very high in regards to green building.
- LP SmartSide is produced locally which is good for our economy. They have local mills in Two Harbors MN, Hayward WI, and Tomahawk WI.
- LP SmartSide is a time tested proven product that has been in the market since 1996/1997. It has not had a documented claim against rot or decay in the history of the product.
If you would like more information on LP SmartSide siding for your siding job please contact Western Construction, Inc. for a free estimate.