Mike Armstrong

Fixed windows are windows that can't be opened and tend to be inexpensive to install. This type of window is most suitable for higher locations where you're not going to want to open it anyway.

A hollow-core door does a great job of closing off an entryway. However, as it is hollow in the middle, it probably isn't the best thing to use as a main door. For this area, a solid-core door is recommended.

When it comes to residential windows, double glazed vinyl windows are a great option. They offer excellent heat and sound insulation and require very little maintenance. If you are looking to upgrade for energy efficiency, vinyl windows will be your best bet.

Do you know who invented the overhead door and when? Well, it was invented by C G Johnson in the year 1921. In fact, the automatic garage door was also invented by him in the year 1926.

While upgrading to energy efficient windows may seem expensive at first, keep in mind the long-term savings. You will experience and immediate reduction in heating and cooling costs and, since the windows will last as long as your home, these savings are permanent.

Are metal doors energy efficient? Yes, some metal doors are more energy efficient than others. The variation depends on certain factors such as the choice of material.

Installing new windows can immediately update the look of your home. That can be appealing to potential home buyers who are willing to pay more for a modern-looking, more energy-efficient home.

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Did you know Janus was the ancient Roman god of doors, gates, beginnings, transitions and endings? In order to welcome Janus and their guests in, Romans built their doors to swing into their homes.

The first glass factory in the United States was built in Jamestown, Virginia in 1608. In the early 1800s there was a great demand for window glass which was called crown glass.

Wooden doors are perhaps the most common doors around. However, this isn't to say that there is a shortage of choices as different materials can be used as well. Some of these include: steel, fiberglass. PVC, aluminum and vinyl.

Did you know that Americans in 2010 saved an estimated $18 billion on their utility bills by purchasing products with the Energy Star? Products with an Energy Star label, such as windows, have been determined to be energy-efficient by the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

Sherlock Holmes lived at the fictional 221b Baker Street address. In 1930, the street was lengthened, and the doors of the real-life 221b Baker Street now welcome visitors into the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

The window’s ‘R-value’ measures its resistance to heat flow. The higher the number, the more efficient it is. A typical Energy Star qualified window has a 3-5 for it’s R-value, however, some can reach even higher!

Looking for an alternative to wooden doors? A steel door is a great option that also provides the functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal a wooden door without the upkeep.

One popular type of residential windows is casement windows, which are hinged on one side and can swing out or in. You can arrange these as a single window or pair them.

Did you know that one of ancient Rome’s most impressive landmarks, the Pantheon, has double doors 21 feet high? According to a tourist guide, each of the doors weighs 20 tons, as they were made with pure bronze.

Since fiberglass is a great insulator, fiberglass windows prevent mold and mildew by reducing moisture and condensation because of the tight seals. It also prevents expanding and contracting that causes cracking and warping in other materials that would let weather in.

Composite doors are made up of a variety of materials such as PVC, wood, insulation foam and glass reinforced polyester. They are secure, long lasting and provide great insulation and noise reduction.