Blog Archives - Page 16 of 26 - Aluplex Glass and Skylights

Front Door Replacements That Last

December 31, 2020 By Ezra Vogel

Most of us take for granted the important role our front door plays. It acts as a focal point for the front of our home, it provides a warm welcome to guests, and it keeps out those who don’t belong. Not to mention, it helps shield us from the harsh weather outdoors, all while letting us come and go as we please. But, what about those front doors that are coming up short on one of these responsibilities? If you feel like your front door isn’t doing its job, it might be time to look into front door replacements. Aluplex can help.

Front Door Replacements

Here at Aluplex, while our primary focus is on windows and glass. However, we take it upon ourselves to provide for these higher-traffic openings in our houses as well. After all, windows and doors have a lot alike. They’re an important factor in security, safety, and the blocking out of the elements.

If your front door isn’t doing what it’s meant to, we want to help. We can do so by sharing with you our selection of beautiful, quality, fiberglass doors. Fiberglass doors are exactly what most people think of when they imagine a front door, even if they didn’t know the name for it. They’re thick, heavy, and durable. Fiberglass doors provide great insulation, and are hard to damage. Plus, they’re some of the most attractive and customizable doors available.

Why It’s Time for a Replacement

If you’re unsure of whether front door replacements should be on your mind, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Is my front door an attractive feature of my home?
Am I confident in the strength of my front door against potential intruders?
Are my locks functioning and effective?
Does my front door have the features I want it to?
Does my front door seal properly?

If you can say ‘no’ to any of these questions, it’s worth considering front door replacements.

Replace Ineffective Front Doors

While appearance may be the most influential part to many people, the functional aspects are even more important in reality.

If your locks aren’t working or are weak, your inadequate front door could lead to a break-in. The same goes for if your front door is broken in any way. A home with gaps in its security can make a house a target to burglars.

If your front door isn’t sealing properly – evidenced by wind noises, whistling, or drafts – you’re also losing money. Doors and windows with failing seals allow cold air to get in during winter and hot air to get in during summer. That makes your heating and cooling bills higher during each respective season. The cost difference when your doors and windows seal properly can be astounding.

Quality Design from Aluplex

When you’re ready to take front door replacements into serious consideration, check out the gorgeous front door options that are available from Aluplex. Not only are they attractive, they’re front door replacements that last for decades. Call us today if you want more information on our fiberglass front doors. Or, come by our store to see them in person and get more direct customer service.

Improve University Building Design with Skylights

November 30, 2020 By Ezra Vogel

Universities are always expanding. With more funding and with more research, putting in a new building is often a necessity. Plus, because so many universities are becoming aged, having been built decades ago, they also must be updated. While there are many parts of a university building that may need improvement, today, we want to talk about how university building design can be improved with skylights.

Eco Friendly

The first thing to note is that including skylights in a university building’s design is an eco-friendly improvement. Instead of relying on large, overhead lights to brighten a main room, skylights will take advantage of the natural light outdoors. This is incredibly beneficial because the amount of money it costs to electrically light large, university classrooms or entry rooms can add up very quickly.

Not only do skylights save universities money by allowing them to spend less on electricity, less electricity use is better for the environment. The less energy we use overall, the less we rely on energy production, which is important until we, as a country, are using entirely renewable energy.

Morale Boost

If you’ve ever walked into a large building with a central room that has electrical lighting, you know it can be pretty depressing. Buildings with multistory foyers or common areas surrounded by floor lofts are wonderful. They’re spacious, tall, and offer a sense of breathing room. However, those effects can be entirely ruined if the only lighting is coming from ceiling lights. The lack of natural light and inadequate windows can quickly turn something spacious into something cavernous.

With large skylights overhead, however, it gives us a sense that there is no ceiling. The building’s space just goes on and on. Plus, everything can be its truest color under the crystal clear light provided by the outdoors. Sunlight coming in from overhead will reveal crisply and cleanly, signage, artwork, and other people. Electric lights just can’t compete.

Beautiful Appearance

Skylights are gorgeous. This is especially true of large, expansive skylights that are so sought after for university building design. They are so attractive, in fact, that most universities are implementing them in buildings with large, central rooms. The boost in appearance that skylights lend to university buildings is not just a huge morale boost. Additionally, they improve the value of the building. While university buildings are not likely to get sold or need additional appeal for profit margins, their value does increase the overall property value of the university.

Improve University Building Design with Aluplex

Aluplex is Toronto’s #1 skylight manufacturer and installer. If you want skylights for your university building design, give us a call today. We don’t just produce skylights, we also install them and provide 24 hour, emergency maintenance. Plus, we make other windows too. If you’re constructing a new university building, we can provide all the windows you need – not just skylights. For the highest quality windows around, Aluplex is the clear choice.

Does Window Film Damage Windows?

November 30, 2020 By Ezra Vogel

If you’ve been researching ways to improve your security or the safety of your home, you might have heard of window film. The next question you may have is, “Does window film damage windows?” However, this is not a yes or no question. Let’s take a look at how window film can affect your windows.

What Is Window Film?

If you don’t know what window film is, let’s take a moment to get you up to speed. Window film is a thin coating applied to windows to strengthen them. This makes them more able to stand up to impact, storms, and intentional attempts at damage, such as during a break-in.

This film is similar to a phone screen protector in that it’s clear and is applied across the window to protect it. Although, in the end, it isn’t just protecting the window; it’s also protecting you, your family, and your belongings.

How Is It Applied?

In order to understand how window film can affect your windows, you need to know how it’s applied. Window film is created using layers of laminated, polyester film. One side is coated in an incredibly strong adhesive while the other has a scratch-resistant coating. The resulting film is completely transparent and is applied to the inside of a window.

The application process is not as simple as sticking the film to the window. You must clean the window of any dust or debris, thoroughly, then apply the film very carefully so as not to trap air or dirt. Any air bubbles or dirt particles trapped between the film and window will remain stuck there. Trying to remove window film after its adhesive has adhered to the glass may result in sticky residue being left behind. This may remain visible after reapplying the film, unless the remaining residue is successfully removed. Therefore, it’s best for professionals to be the ones installing window film.

Bonding

After the window film is applied, the adhesive takes 24 hours to bond completely to the window. Once this bonding has happened, removing window film is nearly impossible. If one does manage to get the film off, there will residual parts of the adhesive left that will be basically impossible to remove or clean off.

The Answer?

So, does window film damage windows? If you try to apply window film and fail to apply it correctly, you may be able to remove adhesive residue before it bonds to the glass. This will require chemical solvents to do.

If you try to remove window film after it has already bonded to the glass, your window will remain solid, but not attractive nor entirely functional.

However, if you are wondering how window film interacts with the window, rather than removing it, the outlook is completely positive. Window film does not hurt your window by bonding to the glass. It is proven to increase the durability as well as improve safety, should any window break. The security benefits are undeniable as well. Nothing about the adhesive bonding to the glass will harm the glass, even after many years. The most important thing is to hire a professional, should you want this kind of film applied. Messing up installation can lead to permanent flaws due to trapped substances or the remaining adhesive, should you remove it.

Window Replacements

Should you remove window film and find your windows in a terrible state, Aluplex will have your back. Our windows are high quality and strong, even without window film reinforcements. Give us a call if you need new windows today.

Sliding Glass Door Replacements in Toronto

October 1, 2020 By Ezra Vogel

Need a new sliding glass door? Aluplex is here to help. There are a lot of reasons why one might be in the market for sliding glass doors. No matter what brings you here, if you need glass doors, we can help. Here’s how we can serve you.

Outdated Doors

One thing that might have brought you here is the need for some more up-to-date, sliding glass doors. If yours have years of built up grime, are no longer insulating your home, or aren’t working right, it’s time for replacements.

Broken Doors

Another reason you’re here might be that your sliding glass door has broken. This is unfortunately not uncommon and happens all the time. Sliding glass doors can shatter if they’re slammed open or closed with a lot of force, are hit with a hard, heavy object, like a rock, etc. If yours have broken, you’re surely in somewhat of a fix. After all, your sliding glass door is what’s keeping out the rain, wind, and seasonal temperatures most of the time.

Fortunately, you can get a new glass door from your Toronto glass specialists at Aluplex.

New Projects

Not everyone in the market for sliding glass doors is looking to replace existing ones. If you’re building a new deck or balcony, you’ll need a door for it. If your back door is solid and feels like it closes your home off from the backyard, a sliding glass door would improve that.

No matter what your renovation project is, we can help you when it comes to glass doors. You can get the size you need, the style you need, and the quality you need, all from Aluplex.

Aluplex Quality

Many glass manufacturers sell low quality glass products. While their windows and doors may be cheaper up front, they frequently cost customers more in the long run. That’s because there’s more to a quality window or door than just what it looks like.

Glass doors and windows are made with two panes of glass. Between them, there’s a gap. That gap is filled with a safe, nontoxic gas that’s denser than air. Because this gas is denser than air, it acts as a completely transparent insulator, making it more difficult for temperatures to leak in or out of a house through the window.

Cheaply-made windows or glass doors will not insulate as well. They’ll be faster to lose their insulating gas due to poorly fitted frames and leakage. That means unreliable windows will cost you more in heat and air prices, while your heat and cooling systems struggle to keep up.

This problem is especially large with sliding glass doors. Because of their size, they have more surface area for temperature leakage. Also, because the door is opened and closed frequently, there’s more opportunity for cheap sliding glass doors to lose their seal, allowing their insulating gases to dissipate.

Instead of risking money on cheap sliding glass doors, come check out our products at Aluplex. Give us a call if you have questions or would like to order yourself a new sliding glass door. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Windows Can Improve A Small House

October 1, 2020 By Ezra Vogel

Is your house feeling a little on the small side? Many people live in a small house at some point in their lives. Sometimes we buy a starter house that’s in the budget of a newlywed or a college graduate. Sometimes we buy a small house because we just don’t need the space – yet. As we all move up in the world, so does the amount of space we need and we may begin to feel cramped. If you’re not quite ready to move on to bigger things, it’s time to look for ways to improve your small house for the rest of your stay. Here’s how windows can improve a small house.

Adding Space

The first way that more windows or bigger windows can improve a small house is by adding to the perceived space. While windows won’t give you new storage closets and bedrooms, they will give you a great view of the outdoors. This sudden ability to see beyond the interior of your home will make it feel a lot less cramped.

This spacial trick is mainly because glass is transparent. When you’re surrounded by regular walls, you feel boxed in. Having transparent barriers makes your mind feel like there’s nothing blocking you in. The world is your oyster!

Adding Light

The next way additional or expanded windows can improve a small house is by adding more light to the mix. One of the main reasons small spaces begin to feel cramped is because light travel is less than optimal. This is especially true if you continue adding more furniture and decor over the years. The more you have in your home – even if its not infringing on movement space – the more things you have blocking light flow.

When you have more window area, you get more light in your home. This light reveals walls, floor space, and makes the entire room easier to see. If your eyes are having a hard time seeing the space, your brain is having a hard time perceiving that it even exists. Some additional light will solve that problem entirely.

Improved Airflow

Last but not least, small homes tend to get stuffy really fast. There’s not a ton of space for air to flow. If your home doesn’t have a lot of space around furniture and decor, this also reduces airflow. By having more windows to open, you can easily bring fresh air into your home and remove that stuffy, cramped smell and feel in the atmosphere.

Shop Aluplex

If you’re looking to improve a small house in Toronto, Aluplex is the best source for glass you can ask for. Whether you’re taking on DIY construction or hiring a contractor, remember to shop Aluplex for the best quality available. Our windows are durable, long-lasting, and fantastic insulators. You can count on us to deliver great results. Give us a call if you have questions about our windows or how to place your order. We look forward to hearing from you.

Is It Possible to Make Windows Bigger?

August 31, 2020 By Ezra Vogel

If you’re attached to your home or just can’t afford to move houses, you might be considering a remodel. Or, even if you haven’t looked into remodeling yet, you may just be looking at your small windows and longing for them to be bigger. Either way, you want to know, “Is it possible to make windows bigger?” The answer is, probably! Let’s take a closer look at the details of altering windows.

Wall Structure

The first thing that determines whether you can make your windows bigger is how your wall is structured. Having a professional contractor or construction worker do an in-home consult is the best way to start. They will check over your walls to see where the studs are. Studs are the wooden beams that make up the structure of the wall. If you’ve ever seen a picture of home construction where the house is only a wooden frame – that’s what they’re looking for.

Support Beams

If your windows have supports on either side of them that are vital to the integrity of the building, you will not be able to expand them. Cutting into those supports would be dangerous at best. However, if your window is on a wide, flat wall and the supports are not bearing a significant amount of weight, they may be cut and altered to allow for a bigger window.

Window Type

Whether you can have bigger windows also depends on how big you want them. For instance, you may be able to get a window thats 1.5x the size of the old one. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get floor-to-ceiling windows in the same place. There are limits in place based on the structure of your home.

Structural Alterations

While many places won’t be good spots for bigger windows, it isn’t necessarily the end of consideration. Many places can’t be simply cut into but may be able to be altered. If you hire a very competent crew, it’s possible in some locations to put up replacement supports in a slightly different spot, allowing for expanded windows.

Buy Quality

When it comes time for you to buy yourself those new, bigger windows you were after, just remember to buy quality windows. You’re likely to be stuck with them for the duration of your time living in your current home. Aluplex is Toronto’s highest quality window manufacturer. If you want a crystal clear view, good insulation, and highly durable glass, buy Aluplex. Plus, you can order windows custom from us. Get the right size and shape for your home by relying on Aluplex professionals.

Give us a call when you’re ready to put in your order. Or, if you have questions about our windows, let us know. We’re more than happy to clear up any questions or concerns you may have.