Replacing Hot Aluminum Windows Offers Efficiency All Year Long

If you swear that this will be the last summer you put up with heat-conducting aluminum windows, this week’s column is for you. Around this time of year, I get calls from lots of people looking for advice and information on replacing their windows. Not only do old windows let lots of warm air in and cold air out, but they are also difficult to clean and maintain.

These days, many people are looking to replace their aluminum windows and sliding doors with a more durable option - something made from vinyl, wood, or fiberglass that can withstand the test of time. There are lots of options out there and the one you pick will be based on four very important factors: the climate where you live, the amount of moisture and condensation your home is prone to, the kind of aesthetic you want for your home, and the maintenance required to keep them looking great. Keeping these four deciding features in mind, let’s go through the options.

When it comes to temperature, aluminum conducts heat and cold, which is why it’s a popular choice for cookware. Aluminum windows and doors are notorious for transferring the outside temperature in, which makes them very inefficient in both the winter and the summer. Wood fares better in the extreme seasons, but vinyl and fiberglass windows and doors are made for all-weather and are built specifically to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Remember that only 10 percent of the window is the frame, so investing in double-pane, energy-efficient glass is your best option, no matter what frame you go with.

With our humid summers and damp winters, moisture is a major factor in deciding whether to upgrade your old windows and doors. Because aluminum transfers heat, it can attract condensation and moisture, which can lead to leaks, mold buildup, and rot inside your wall. The mold build-up I see around old windows would scare the life out of you, especially when you remember that you’re breathing those spores in every day! If you have signs of mildew or corrosion from your aluminum frames, it’s time to get them replaced.

Then there is the “look and feel” factor. Many people started replacing their aluminum windows and doors with vinyl so they could achieve a more contemporary look with the various finishes and designs that vinyl offers. Of course, aluminum products can be painted or powder coated to match the style of your home, but there will be maintenance to keep them looking great.

That brings us to upkeep. Be aware that any painted product will begin to chip and peel over time. The look of wood is elegant and timeless but it requires regular painting or staining, just like aluminum. Vinyl and fiberglass are very easy to care for and they don’t peel, fade, or need to be repainted. These products are not prone to scratches, dings, or dents and can give you a longer, hassle-free lifespan if you take care of them properly.

With summer nearly behind us and autumn on the way, now is a good time to think about replacing old windows and doors for products with maximum energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. If your home still has aluminum and you’re experiencing some of the problems I’ve mentioned, it might be time for an update.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Keep Your Home Cooler and Your Outlook Bright

This week I visited a homeowner whose curtains were drawn tight as I arrived outside. I told her I wasn’t sure if she was home and she laughed, explaining that the reason for the dark was to avoid the heat radiating from her old aluminum windows in the afternoon sun. I was at her house to discuss a roof but it soon became clear that her windows were a priority, making her home increasingly uncomfortable before the first heatwave of the summer.

I see this situation a lot in older homes with elderly residents. People don’t want to replace their windows even though they are the most obvious place for warm air to enter the home in the summer and cold air to enter in the winter. New energy-efficient windows can take care of this problem and will also make cleaning and maintaining a whole lot easier too. 

These days, many people are looking to replace their aluminum windows and sliding doors with a more durable option - a product made from vinyl, wood or fiberglass that can withstand the test of time. There are lots of options out there and the one you pick will be based on four very important factors: the climate where you live, the amount of moisture and condensation your home is prone to, the kind of aesthetic you want for your home, and the maintenance required to keep them looking great. Keeping these four deciding features in mind, let’s go through the options.

When it comes to temperature, aluminum conducts heat and cold, which is why it’s a popular choice for cookware. Aluminum windows and doors are notorious for transferring the outside temperature in, which makes them very inefficient in both the winter and the summer. Wood fares better in the extreme seasons, but vinyl and fiberglass windows and doors are made for all-weather and are built specifically to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Remember that only 10 percent of the window is the frame, so investing in double-pane, energy-efficient glass is your best option, no matter what frame you go with.

With our humid summers and damp winters, moisture is a major factor in deciding whether to upgrade your old windows and doors. Because aluminum transfers heat, it can attract condensation and moisture, which can lead to leaks, mold buildup, and rot inside your wall. The mold build-up I see around old windows would scare the life out of you, especially when you remember that you’re breathing those spores in every day. If you have signs of mildew or corrosion from your aluminum frames, it’s time to get them replaced.

Then there is the “look and feel” factor. Many people started replacing their aluminum windows and doors with vinyl so they could achieve a more contemporary look with the various finishes and designs that vinyl offers. Of course, aluminum products can be painted or powder coated to match the style of your home, but there will be maintenance to keep them looking great.

That brings us to upkeep. Be aware that any painted product will begin to chip and peel over time. The look of wood is elegant and timeless but it requires regular painting or staining, just like aluminum. Vinyl and fiberglass are very easy to care for and they don’t peel, fade or need to be repainted. These products are not prone to scratches, dings or dents and can give you a longer, hassle-free lifespan if you take care of them properly.

With summer in full swing, now is a good time to think about replacing old windows and doors for products with maximum energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. If your home still has aluminum and you’re experiencing some of the problems I’ve mentioned, it might be time for an update.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Ladybugs in the House?

This week I received an email from a reader that read: Hi Bob, I was wondering if you know why I recently started finding ladybugs in my house. They seem to be congregating around the windows in one bedroom specifically. Why are they coming in and how do I get rid of them? Help!

This is a great question and a popular problem. My reader was surprised when I asked her if she has a light colored house, which she does. Strangely, ladybugs are attracted to light colored houses and the heat that reflects off them, which makes her home more susceptible to an infestation. I then asked her if the windows in question face southwest, which they do. I’m not a psychic but the reason I am getting the answers to these questions right is because ladybugs are very specific creatures of habit and certain traits make a house the perfect home for them. Warm and bright are the key components for a dream den.

Like many insects and animals, ladybugs hibernate during the winter and wake up in the spring. They find tiny cracks and crevices, generally around windows, to creep into a home and rest for the colder months. When they find a comfortable spot, they release a pheromone to attract others, which is why you generally find more than one or two. Then they rest through the winter and start to wake up around now, not unlike our bear population. 

While ladybugs might seem problematic, they are actually harmless. Unlike other wood and fabric eating insects, ladybugs won’t feast on your home. On the contrary, as the weather warms, they actually look to get back outside. So if you are willing to be patient, the bugs will leave on their own. However, if you have a large infestation or just hate the idea of bugs in your house, the best thing to do is to vacuum them up and dispose of them outdoors. Why a vacuum? Killing the bugs in a way that is stressful will cause them to release their own blood, a yellow substance called hemolymph. This is a ladybug’s way of telling a predator that they are a no good meal, but hemolymph also stains and stinks. Using a vacuum is gentler and will allow you to get the bugs back outside alive which is exactly where they want to be. 

As I mentioned, ladybugs will make their way back outside in the next few weeks but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back in the fall. Your best bet is to seal those southwest facing windows to keep the bugs out and the heat in. Use caulk for small gaps or buy some weatherstripping to create a tighter seal around windows. Also, be sure to remove air conditioning units once the summer is over. Leaving them in will absolutely give ladybugs and opportunity to settle in for another season of comfort in your home. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.