Warroad, Minn., March 15, 2010 – Spring is a great time to give your home a check-up. The cold, ice and snow of winter can be tough on a house. You may be able to make a few small fixes now that will save you big money later. And if everything checks out perfectly — great. You’ve just given yourself peace of mind for the rest of the year.

Here are some spring maintenance tips from Marvin Windows and Doors.

• Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean. If your gutters or downspouts are blocked, water can infiltrate your home through the eaves. And if your downspouts don’t carry water well away from your foundation, you could get water in the basement during spring rains.
• Look at your roof. The freeze-thaw cycle can lead to cracked or broken shingles. Also look for shingles that are missing, curling or cupping. If you have a flat roof, look for any pools of water – a sign that your flat roof isn’t draining properly.
• If you can do it safely, check the flashing around chimneys and vents, and in the valleys between roof pitches. This is a common area for leaks.
• Check the caulk and seals around your window frames, both where the window glass meets frame and where the frame meets the side of your house. If there are any gaps, seal them with caulk or a foam sealing product.
• Test your windows from inside the house to make sure they’re operating smoothly. Check to be sure the weatherstripping is in good shape. Lubricate the mechanism with a dry lubricant — oily lubricants attract dust and dirt, which can eventually restrict the window’s movement.
• Give your patios and decks a pressure washing. Also check your patio door. As with the windows, inspect the caulking where the door frame meets the side of the house. Make sure the tracks are free of debris and check to see that the door slides smoothly.
• If your windows or patio doors need replacement, remember that the federal government is offering a tax credit of up to $1,500 for energy-efficient products purchased in 2010.
• Look at the siding on your house. For wood siding, make sure the paint is in good shape and check for loose nails. For vinyl siding, look for cracking, warping or gaps between the panels.
• If you have brick siding, check for “spalling.” That’s when the face of the brick chips or pops away, leaving the interior of the brick exposed to moisture.
• If you have air conditioning, clean away any leaves or debris that have accumulated on the outdoor condenser unit. Then get the AC inspected and serviced by a professional contractor.
• Trim the shrubs around your home so they’re not touching the house. Make sure the ground slopes away from your foundation, to drain away water. If there are depressions or gaps, fill them in with stones and soil.
• Change the air filter on your furnace and check around the base of your water heater for leaks.
• And don’t forget to get your barbecue grill out of the garage!

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In 2000, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, green construction starts were valued at approximately $200 million. In 2010, that number is projected to be $60 billion – a 300-fold increase.

Today’s benchmark for going green is LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), issued by the United States Green Building Council.

Marvin Windows and Doors is a member of the USGBC and supports the LEED program.

LEED guidelines have become a template for builders and designers not only in the United States, but around the world, with thousands of commercial and residential projects being certified each year.

A recent study by the CoStar group – an information provider to commercial realtors – indicates significant increases in value to LEED property owners, both renting and selling:

• 4% higher occupancy rates
• $11.33 more in per square foot rent premiums
• $171 more in per square foot resale prices

Criteria for LEED certification include:

• Sustainable Site Development
• Water Savings
• Energy Efficiency
• Materials
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Locations & Linkages
• Awareness & Education
• Innovation in Design

With flexible designs and thousands of customization options, Marvin’s long-lasting and energy-efficient windows and doors can be an integral part of any project’s LEED certification.

We make significant use of recycled glass and aluminum in our products and our recyclable packaging minimizes waste. We’re members of and support many major organizations devoted to sustainable building.

Marvin is dedicated to producing enduring, energy efficient products in ways that will support a greener future.

Image credit: Army Environmental Update via flickr.com

Americans are moving less frequently than ever, and that’s opening opportunities in remodeling, renovation and home improvement.

According to the Census Bureau, about 10 percent of Americans moved in 2009, the lowest number since World War II. In the postwar era, it’s been common for as many as 20 percent of Americans to relocate in a given year.

“With more consumers staying in their existing homes, they’re interested in improving their homes to make them more efficient and better suit their lifestyle,” said Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors.

This is one of several trends driving an increased share of spending on home improvement. According to the U.S. Commerce Department’s monthly construction index, spending on home improvement in 2009 increased its share by 20 percent compared to new construction spending.

Meanwhile, sales of existing homes and foreclosed homes have been strong compared to new home sales.

“And if people are buying a home, they are far more likely to replace products or upgrade products,” Susan Marvin said.

The NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index has been trending upward in recent months, with even greater increases seen in the index of future market indicators. The indicator of remodeling calls for bids jumped 20 percent from the second to third quarter of 2009, while the indicator of work committed for the next three months also increased by 20 percent.

Marvin Windows and Doors is offering resources for consumers considering a remodeling or replacement project. Download Marvin’s free, 20-page guide to remodeling that walks you through the most important considerations — from how to know when you should consider replacing windows and doors, to what to shop for, to working with a contractor on installation.

And don’t forget the $1,500 federal energy efficiency tax credit, available in 2010 for qualifying home improvement projects including energy-efficient windows and doors from Marvin.

(Photo courtesy of brockbuilders via flickr.)

Marvin responds with innovative replacement window and door products, consumer information

Warroad, Minn., December 2, 2009 – Spending on home improvement surged 8.7 percent in October as American homeowners responded to tax credits, according to Marvin Windows and Doors, the nation’s largest manufacturer of made-to-order wood and clad wood windows and doors.

Data from the U.S. Commerce Department’s monthly construction spending index showed spending on home improvements at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $114 billion in October – a jump of 8.7 percent from $104.9 billion in September. Meanwhile, spending on new, private residential construction crept up 1.1 percent to $136.3 billion, from $134.8 billion.

“We’ve definitely seen a greater emphasis on replacement and remodeling in our business,” said Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors, a premium manufacturer based in Warroad, Minn. “With more consumers staying in their existing homes, they’re interested in improving their homes to make them more efficient and better suit their lifestyle.

“The $1,500 federal tax credit for energy-efficient windows and doors has also boosted interest in replacement products,” Marvin said. “We’ve responded to this demand with some of the most innovative replacement and remodeling products on the market, including our Ultimate Casement Collection and fiberglass Infinity replacement windows and doors.”

For the year to date (January – October), statistics from the Commerce Department’s monthly construction spending index(1) reinforce the finding that homeowners are devoting a much greater share of spending to home improvements vs. new construction.

Home improvement spending as a share of private residential construction spending jumped by 21.3 percent in the first 10 months of 2009 compared to last year, as homeowners devoted a larger proportion of their construction dollars to renovation and remodeling, rather than building new homes.

Recognizing this shift in consumer spending priorities, Marvin Windows and Doors is offering resources for consumers who may be considering a remodeling or renovation. At www.marvin.com, homeowners can download a free, 20-page guide to window and door replacement; get tips from “TODAY Show” home expert Lou Manfredini in a series of informative videos and podcasts; and use an interactive assessment tool to determine their home improvement needs.

“We’re committed to offering products and resources that serve our customers’ needs, whether for a remodeling, replacement or new construction,” Susan Marvin said. “But right now, the heightened interest in remodeling and replacement has clearly gotten our attention.”

(1) – http://www.census.gov/const/C30/privsa.pdf

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• The Ultimate Casement features a design exclusive: the revolutionary wash mode. In three simple steps, homeowners can rotate the exterior glass to the interior to wash it:
  • Crank handle twice.
  • Push down on the hardware arm and push the window away. Then crank the handle back.
  • Swing window all the way open, pulling it across towards the lock for accessibility to exterior glass.

• With the wash mode, there is no need for ladders or scaffolding to keep windows clean.  And since the Ultimate Casement can be washed entirely from the interior, there is no risk of falling from upper floors.

• In addition to the Ultimate Casement, Marvin Windows and Doors will offer the Ultimate Awning and an Ultimate Picture Window. Each window has matching profiles to seamlessly blend together in various configurations.

• When the look of a double hung is preferred, but casement windows are needed for egress purposes, or because homeowners prefer the performance of a casement, the Ultimate Casement can be designed with a simulated check rail and a wide bottom rail  to mimic the look of a double hung.

• The Ultimate Casement’s largest size is 40″ wide x 92″ tall or 36″ wide x 96″ tall and the awning window can reach a maximum size of 6′ x 6′.

• The Ultimate Casement offers superior performance with a Design Pressure (DP) rating of 50. The commercial-grade hardware, the most durable on the market today, allows the window to operate smoothly while supporting a sash weight of up to 150 lbs.

• Unlike other casement windows, which can take up to 14 cranks to open, the Ultimate Casement opens in only nine cranks.

• The Ultimate Casement meets egress even at smaller sizes and is perfect for homeowners looking to expand their view. Opening close to the jamb, the Ultimate Casement lets in the maximum amount of fresh air and gives unobstructed views.

• Installation of the Ultimate Casement is easy. Removable interior covers and pre-drilled jamb holes provide a clean, finished appearance. Adjustable hinges allow for fine-tuned installation and provide a snug fit over time.

• To complete the exterior look of the Ultimate Casement, Marvin’s extruded aluminum cladding with a Kynar 500^® finish is available in 19 colors and nine casings.

• The Ultimate Casement helps improve a home’s energy efficiency with low E II insulating glass with argon to keep heat inside in the winter and out in the summer, lowering heating and cooling bills.

“We’ve seen how successful our Ultimate Replacement Casement has been and we are thrilled to offer the Ultimate Casement for expanded uses of this highly innovative window.  A new home or an addition will be greatly enhanced by the Ultimate Casement’s strength and beauty, as well as its convenient wash mode.”

Thomas Goetz, Senior Product Planner, Marvin Windows and Doors

For more information about the Ultimate Casement, visit MarvinCasement.com.

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• new and improved ultimate casement windows from marvin (materialicio.us)
• Universal upgrades for a better, safer home (TODAY Show MSNBC.com)

• Easily installs as a frame-in-frame insert into virtually any existing window. There is no need to remove the entire window, disturb existing wallpaper, siding or replace millwork. In addition, the window is ideal for full tear-out replacement or even new construction.
• Versatile, narrow jamb size provides the perfect replacement solution, particularly for old vinyl or aluminum windows.
• Durable hardware system provides the widest open views even at extra-large sizes
• Various congurations are available, including awning and picture varieties.
• Replacing drafty windows with the Ultimate Replacement Casement can help homes increase their energy e-ciency. Low E II glass with argon helps keep heat in during the winter and out in the summer, lowering heating and cooling bills.
• Can replace old double hung windows. A simulated checkrail and wide bottom rail approximate the look of a double hung, allowing a home to keep its architectural style.

QUOTE

The Ultimate Replacement Casement is the most innovative casement window on the market today. Its versatility and fine construction make it appropriate for any sort of home and the wash feature’s easy cleaning makes it perfect for our busy lifestyles.”

- Thomas Goetz, Senior Product Planner, Marvin Windows and Doors

What others are saying:

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• Hot Stuff: Ultimate Replacement Casement (San Francisco Chronicle)
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