Tired of your windows always ending up with streaks on them? Cleaning a window so that it ends up shining and streak free can be a mysterious thing. However, Aluplex is Toronto’s neighborhood expert on windows, so we have a solution or two. Here’s how to clean windows without leaving streaks.

Time of Day

The first reason your windows are getting streaks when washing them is something most people don’t know. The time of day can make a big difference in how your windows clean up. If you’re washing your windows in the warmer half of the year, like most people do, wait until evening to wash them. 

The heat of the sunlight can warm up the windows, making the cleaning solution dry too fast for you to wipe away. This is one of the leading causes of streaky windows. It seems natural to wash your windows when it’s nice and sunny outside. Around noon is the perfect time to get some chores done and it’s so convenient that the sun lets you see where all the dirty spots are. Unfortunately, using the afternoon sun to light your way will only end up adding to the mess being highlighted on your windows. 

Wash your windows in the evening, when the window has cooled off. Then, the cleaning solution will take much longer to evaporate, giving you plenty of time to do the next steps in window-washing.

Dust First

Before spraying any solution onto your windows, start by dry-wiping them. Using some paper towels or a clean, lint-free cloth (microfiber works especially well) wipe the windows down completely. This will clear off any dust along the window’s surface, which is important if you want to clean windows without leaving streaks. Dust is a common culprit to causing streaks. Once it gets wet, it clumps together and drags little dust particles all over the glass.

Apply and Dry

When it’s time to spray on some cleaning solution, start spraying at the top of the window. Give a few good sprays with cleaner before wiping horizontally across the glass with some paper towels. Paper towels are much better at drying than cloth, as they’re ultra absorbent. Plus, if you’re using an eco-friendly cleaning solution, like vinegar, they can be composted.

To avoid streaks, you must dry your window effectively. That means making your horizontal movements tilt back and forth, going over the edge of the last swipe with each new motion. As the cleaning solution runs from the top of the window to the bottom, you’ll be able to dry it and wash at the same time, all in one go. Ensuring all of the solution is dried off is the final step to getting streak-free windows.

Aged Windows

One hurdle that can really cause problems for window appearance is old windows. Old windows can have all kinds of microscopic damage that leads to fogginess or a lack of clarity when looking through. More washing won’t solve this problem. If your windows are outdated and you’re really looking for that bright, clear view of the outdoors, new windows are the answer. Give us a call at Aluplex if you’re in the market, and we’ll be happy to assist.

Many old homes have been changed in many ways throughout the years. Part of the reason is that old homes are usually bought and lived in by one family for a long time – sometimes for generations. One timeless way to improve a long-term home is by converting an outdated and unused porch into a porch enclosure, or sunroom. Unfortunately, after many years of serving their owners faithfully, the windows in these enclosed porches must be replaced, just like those in the rest of the house, to preserve insulation. Here’s why you should replace porch enclosure windows.

Stabilize Temperature

To start, you should know that your porch enclosure windows are a vital part of stabilizing the temperature in your home. All windows in the house are weak points for insulation. Because your porch enclosure has a lot of windows, it’s easy for it to become the weakest link. This is especially true considering people often forget to replace the windows there.

The reason why windows are so important to insulation is because of how they’re made. Old windows are often made of a single pane of glass. These single panes do very little to keep out heat or cold. More modern windows are made with two panes of glass with a layer of insulating gas between them. This insulating gas is heavier than air, making it harder for the heat or cold to travel through it. 

Even if your porch enclosure windows were put in a few decades ago and are double-paned and insulated, this insulating gas leaks out over time. Once the gas has escaped the windows, they no longer insulate much at all. This is why replacing old windows is so important.

Save Money

With stabilizing the interior temperature comes saving yourself money. Because insulation does such a good job blocking out unwanted heat and cold from the outdoors, it keeps your heater or air conditioner from having to run so much. This can save you a significant amount of money on your electric or gas bill. As you can see, buying new windows is a truly worthwhile investment into your home. If you plan to live there for a while longer, it’s always worth it to get new windows sooner, rather than later.

Improve Appearance

Lastly, when you replace porch enclosure windows, you are making a massive improvement to your sunroom. Because closed porches are often the product of decades past, the windows in them can begin to look rather aged. This is especially true if your porch is home to plantlife or if it’s been neglected for a while. Aged windows in a room with low insulation and potentially years of neglect can look pretty bad. 

Older windows without a good seal on the panes can gather condensation between the panes. This condensation rarely wants to go away. Even when it’s not dripping down the panes, it’s often fogging up the edges. Moreover, because of the moisture issues with older windows, they frequently harbor mold. Not only does mold look terrible on your window, it can spread to the windowsill and then even further.

Shop Aluplex

If you want a new set of windows to improve the appearance and functionality of your sunroom, replace porch enclosure windows with Aluplex glass. Our windows are high quality and affordable, making the ideal replacements. Call us today if you have any questions about replacement and installation services.

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.

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.

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. 

Condensation is a common occurrence. You surely deal with it every time you shower and your mirror gets covered in it. Or, if you get a cold glass of water, it will get covered in condensation as well. But, what is it that’s making your windows covered in condensation all the time? How do you prevent it? Let’s take a deeper look!

What is Condensation?

To start, let’s take a peek at what condensation really is. Condensation is caused when a material like glass has two different temperatures on either side. For example, when you get cold water during a hot spell, there’s cold water on one side of the glass and hot air on the other. The moisture in the warm air is attracted to the cold glass. This moisture isn’t much at first, but it builds up until you can see big drops of water rolling down the side of the glass. It can even start pooling under your glass on whatever surface it’s sitting on.

Window Condensation

So, now that we understand condensation, what about the windows? The same principle applies. If it’s cold outside and it’s warm in your house, the windows are likely to collect moisture from inside until they’re dripping with water. This is especially unfortunate because we don’t usually think to wipe down windows. This can mean moisture collecting in the window track or on the sill, leading to mold or water damage.

Window Quality

The question is, why do some windows condensate and others don’t? It all comes down to window quality. A lot of older windows are only a single pane or are two panes with a bad seal. Therefore, these windows do not insulate very well or at all. A single pane of glass can’t do much insulating, leaving the hot and cold directly against both of its sides.

Quality windows are made up of two panes, tightly sealed into their frames. In between the panes, a gas is injected. While the type of gas can vary slightly, it’s something denser than air. This helps insulate and keeps extreme temperatures from moving through the window as easily. Because the cold air and hot air aren’t both touching one pane of glass, there is minimal condensation. These quality windows almost never condensate to a point of dripping or collecting water.

Replace Old Windows

If you have windows covered in condensation, they may be old and need to be replaced. It’s best to get this done sooner rather than later so that they don’t allow your home to get water damage or mold. Aluplex provides high quality windows that don’t condensate excessively. Based out of Toronto, we serve the entire GTA.

Visit us in person or call us for more information. We’re happy to answer your questions and assist in your order of new windows.