Southern Window Design News

Thank you for you a wonderful year!

courtney@eswd.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:32:00 -0200

This year has been an amazing one thanks to you! We would like to thank our customers, old and new! You are the reason we continue to grow and remain successful when the economy says we shouldn't be. These economic times have encouraged us to go beyond our typical job. We have expanded our vendors, available products, and client base!

We look forward to this coming year. We are always looking for new and innovative products to bring you. The latest is the folding door system. Please take a few moments and flip through our gallery at some that we have already installed in Central Florida.

Give us a call and let us spruce up your home in the New Year!

Have a safe, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Your staff at Southern Window Design

4 Totally New Ways of Upgrading Your Home.

dmurdoch — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:41:00 -0200

Your house may be be "lived in," brand new, or under construction; in any case, you should be mindful of what you can do to bring/keep your home up-to-date with the current styles, products, and efficiencies. Starting from the outside and working our way in, we'll touch on 6 New Ways to Upgrade your home.

1. Programmable Water Sprinklers.

Programmable timers allow one time programming for automatic watering.

Most are electronic, running on AA or 9 volt batteries and some can be hard wired into your home or plugged into an outlet.

There are several types of programmable sprinkler systems. You should ensure your needs will be covered by the programmable spinkler system. Some details to focus on are:

Daily, alternate day, weekly or other repeat mode.
Range of on-time duration (minutes).
Number of on/off cycles per day.
Misting feature, great for keeping animals cool (provides brief on/off cycles every few minutes).
Rain sensor to cease watering if it is raining.
Manual hold to temporarily pause the watering cycle (a must if you host lawn parties and don't want to tinker with the program to keep your guest from getting soaked).
Manual override to water on extra dry days; once again, without changing the program.

Advantages

Flexible. Complex on/off timings can be programmed.
Automatic. Can be used for long periods of unattended operation: especially useful during vacations.

Disadvantages

Can cometimes be confusing to program. Make sure yo read the manual...you don't want to waste any water by accidedentally setting an all-day on cycle.
In battery operated models: batteries need to be replaced every few months (Valves may lock in the open position if the batteries die during an on-cycle.)

2. Windows and Doors

Not only do your windows and doors bring natural light into your home but they can also save you money!

On February 17 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 which extends and modifies the tax credits for windows, doors, and skylights established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

To qualify for the tax credit, windows, doors, and skylights placed in service after February 17, 2009 must have a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) less than or equal to 0.30. You can find the U-factor and SHGC on the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label. NFRC is the only federally recognized organization for determining the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights.
Qualifying products purchased between February 17, 2009 and December 31, 2010 are eligible for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the product cost. The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements combined is $1,500 during 2009 and 2010.
For products purchased between January 1, 2009 and February 16, 2009, the terms of the tax credit are less clear. The Internal Revenue Service will likely clarify these terms in guidance documents, which are expected to be released later this year.
On April 22, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service issued a news release about tax credits for home energy efficiency improvements.

Your money isn't only saved via the Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act...don't overlook the savings you may find on your electric bill from having properly sealed windows and doors with energy efficient glass.

3. Insulation

Similar to the savings resulting from energry efficient windows and doors, properly installed insulation can be a realy money saver.

4. Programmable AC Units

Turn your AC up when you aren't home. You can purchase a programmable unit that only turns on down you'll need it. Set it and forget it.

LaCantina LCD3 Wood Bifold System

dmurdoch — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:11:00 -0200

LCD3 Wood Bifold System

The LaCantina Wood Bifold System is LaCantina's original folding door system and is still one of their most popular. These wood doors are available in Vertical-grain Douglas Fir, Clear Alder, and African Mahogany. Custom wood species can be sources to match your design requirements. These doors can be sealed or stained.

Options

Wood Species: Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, Clear Alder, and African Mahogany (Custom Wood Sourcing is Available)

Glass Options: Dual-Paned Clear or Low-E (Custom Glass options available)

Custom Configurations: Zero Post Corners, Door/Window Combinations, Matching French and Swing Doors, Specialty Storefronts, and many others.

Sill Options: Standard Weather Sill, Flush, or ADA compliant

Swing: Outswing or Inswing

SDL Options: 1" Sculptured Profile - Standard or Custom Patterns Available

Custom Panel & Frame Sizes available.

LaCantina LCD3 Clad-Wood BiFold System

dmurdoch — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:10:00 -0200

LCD3 Clad-Wood BiFold System

The LaCantina Clad-Wood System features a custom extruded aluminum exterior and solid core construction. This system can be custom color matched and is one of the most popular options. The Clad-Wood system has a 3 5/8" narrow stile and rail profile.

The inside brings the natural beauty of wood while the aluminum outside provides and low-maintenance exterior. The LCD3 Clad-Wood BiFold System set the standard for both form and function.

Options

Wood Species: Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, Clear Alder, and African Mahogany (Custom Wood Sourcing is Available)

Glass Options: Dual-Paned Clear or Low-E (Custom Glass options available)

Custom Configurations: Zero Post Corners, Door/Window Combinations, Matching French and Swing Doors, Specialty Storefronts, and many others.

Sill Options: Standard Weather Sill, Flush, or ADA compliant

Swing: Outswing or Inswing

SDL Options: 1" Sculptured Profile - Standard or Custom Patterns Available

Custom Colors and Panel & Frame Sizes available.

LaCantina Doors

dmurdoch — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:10:00 -0200

LaCantina is an Australian company founded over 15 years ago. They were the first company to set up production facilities dedicated to Bi-Fold doors in the United States and Australia and make a great addition to our folding door options.

Development

LaCantina believes they have perfected their bifold door design through customer feedback and product testing. They have developed their own unique door panel with a narrow-stile and rail profile to allow the right balance of glass and light and to emphasize open spaces.

Custom Design

The company has developed and engineered many of their doors components to ensure that the doors are of the highest quality and maintain superior performance and sustainability. Each door can be custom made for each customer with no limit on the quantity of doors ordered. LaCantina doors are backed by a 10-year limited warranty in the United States.

Environment

LaCantina Doors strives to be environmentally responsible and supportive of green building practices by using recycled packaging materials and FSC approved wood products. These folding doors contribute to improved natural daylight and fresh air ventiliation, two major parts of green design.

Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors

dmurdoch — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:12:00 -0200

Jeld-Wen is the first manufacturer we began distributing. The company began in 1960 in Oregon with 15 employees. From their conception they developed the vision to become a company focused on thoughtful planning, diligent crafstmanship and inspired vision. Part of Jeld-Wen's vision is to expand into a worldwide market and remain the comprehensive source for wood, vinyl, and aluminum windows, doors, folding-doors, interior doors, and garage doors.

Folding Doors

Visit Our Jeld-Wen Folding Door Gallery

Jeld-Wen introduced its IWP Folding Door System on May 24, 2006 at the International Builders Show. The doors feature the elegance of a classic French door with the ease and access of a sliding door.

These folding door systems can be customized with solid wood panels with the Jeld-Wen Custom Wood line. The panels and be stained, painted, or primed with Low-E glass (an energy efficient option) and the door frame can be clad with a choice of Jeld-Wen's standard colors to match the building's windows. The doors also feature drop bolts and five-point locking hardware for added security.

"This beautiful door is perfect for traditional, as well as contemporary homes; anywhere you want free-flowing access from inside to out," said Shane Meisel, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN doors. "It is a great combination of bold style that makes a dramatic statement, yet it is also highly functional."

The door system operates "accordion style"; the door panels slide on an overhead track and fold together. Standard configurations range from two doors to up to eight three-foot doors (24 feet wide) and coordinating frame widths. Special-order options include wood door heights up to 12 feet and an opening width of up to 48 feet.

No other folding door system has the option for Jeld-Wen's Custom Fiberglass door panels that "look more like wood than wood." These fiberglass doors can withstand the rigors of hurricane winds, snowy blizzards, and pouring rains with virtually no maintenance.

90 degree Folding Door Systems

On May 30, 2007 Jeld-Wen added a new option to its Exterior Folding Door Systems: a true 90-degree corner that can be completely opened to the outdoors. These folding door units meet at the corner, where two walls would ordinarily join.

When opening the doors, they fold back accordion-style from the corner inward. Beveled door edges and double weatherstrips ensure that the units are sealed against the elements. With no need for a structural corner post.

Shane Meisel, a Jeld-Wen product marketing manager, said that because of the interest in folding door systems the company decided to add new features, like the zero-post and 90-degree options.

Awards

In 2008, Jeld-Wen's wood folding doors doors earned a spot on the 2008 Professional Builder Top 100 Best New Products list.

Hardware

Standard hardware finishes for these folding doors include Brushed Stainless Steel and Brushed Bronze. Optional finishes are also available. The Bronze anodized, low-level combination sill provides easy access.

Southern Window Design New Blog

dmurdoch — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:32:00 -0200

We've just launched our new blog and we are all excited about the new business soon to come. Check back often for updates to our manufacturer availability and new features to our website.