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OUR BLOG

9 01, 2017

Dangers of Improper Installations

Dangers of Improper Installations There’s a lot more to putting new windows and doors in your home than picking the best models on the market.  More important than the model is the installation and whether that was done properly.  Its akin to having a Mercedes with the engine installed backwards...it looks great but won't do what you were hoping it would do. Improper installations can lead to a variety of problems, including: Structural Damage to Your Home from Poor Installation Windows and doors basically are attacked by extreme weather, temperature changes, humidity levels and more.  The extremes of the Gulf Coast will wreck havoc on your home, its just a matter of time. When products are installed improperly, you run the risk of cracked joints, water damage, resulting mold issues, rot, insect intrusion and a whole lot of other potential issues.  Also imagine what hurricane force winds and rain would do to an improperly installed window or door.   Improperly [...]

23 12, 2016

Save With New Windows and Doors

The Department of Energy studies indicate that new windows and doors can save the average homeowner between 10% and 40% on their power bill. More savings (or waste) is related to insulation in attics and walls, HVAC inefficiencies and other related products. So if you have a great HVAC system and good insulation, energy savings will be toward the higher end of the scale with new windows and doors. Conversely, the opposite will leave you toward the lower end of the savings scale.   Save on Engery Costs with New Windows and Doors Get this. We had a customer actually track their energy savings. And over an 8 month period after purchasing Folkers' replacement windows, you know what they found? A 32% savings on their power bill each month for 8 months. We shared their results on our Facebook page, check it out. Add the federal tax credit for installing energy efficient improvements to the above savings and any power [...]

9 09, 2016

Myths About Hurricane Preparedness

"If I tape my windows, they won't shatter." Incorrect.  Taping windows can actually cause a larger problem.  When untaped windows get hit with flying debris, they will shatter into a million tiny pieces.  That's horrible, right?  When taped windows are hit with debris, they still break, but into larger and more dangerous pieces.  These are the shards that could cause really damage to you.  The tape will not keep the windows in one piece nor will it stop foreign objects from penetrating into your living room.  So forget the tape; it's just a pain to clean up afterwards anyway. "If I crack the windows, that will stabilize pressure." This is one we've heard for years for not only hurricanes but also tornadoes.  Think about it this way, when a storm hits and you open the window to let vicious, violent air into the home, it's going to look for a way to escape.  Your windows will be broken from the [...]

29 07, 2016

Impact Window Care Tips

Get the most of your impact windows. Proper upkeep of your windows will extend their useful lifespan. Follow these impact window care tips and they'll be protecting you for years to come. Impact Window Care The Do's After washing your windows and doors, apply a clear polymer coating to the exterior glass pane to protect again mineral stains, such as salt. Dust often - keep your windows and doors cobweb-free. Combat condensation with a squeegee instead of a towel so you're not swirling the dirty condensation around on the windows or doors. Wash regularly with a microfiber cloth and gentle soap. Rinse your windows with water before washing with soap to remove solid dirt that can scratch your windows. The Don'ts Don't use solvent or petroleum-based products on your windows. Don't use abrasive towels or cloth when wiping or cleaning your windows. Don't use scraping tools to clean your windows or doors. Don't paint your vinyl or aluminum windows or [...]

28 07, 2016

Does Impact Glass Break?

Impact glass is designed to resist impact-based damage, which is why it first became popular as a car windshield. Such impact glass is constructed to sustain heavy wind gusts of up to 200 mph and its miscellaneous debris. For this reason it's becoming highly favorable for homeowners in hurricane zones. Impact windows are designed with three layers. The outer layers are constructed of glass while the inner layer consists of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). When all three of these layers are fused together via heat and pressure, or lamination, these layers become stronger and more durable. The result is an impact window. Does impact glass break? So, does impact glass break? The short answer is yes, impact glass can break. However, as these glass panes receive and impact, the inner layer of PVB keeps the structure from breaking down. The inner later keeps the window standing even though the glass shatters, much like a car windshield. There are varying types of impact window [...]

8 07, 2016

Why Choose Folkers?

What makes Folkers Window and Home Improvement different than the other guys? Why should you consider using Folkers instead of other contractors? It's really pretty simple... we're the best at what we do. Folkers has been in business for over 44 years. Folkers does not use subcontractors, which means our installers are employees and their work standards and practices are controlled by us. Legally, subcontractors cannot be told how to do the work or when to show up to work. In addition, many subcontractors are here today and gone tomorrow. Folkers is a veteran-owned business and we instill the same military discipline into the organization. Our staff of 25 has over 350 years of combined experience. Folkers installers have an average of 15 years experience. Our sales staff has over 20 years experience each, meaning they know the code, know the products, know the installation issues that may arise and can answer all of your questions. We play by the book. [...]

1 07, 2016

Window and Door Installation

Have you had the "sales person" out to provide a free estimate for window and door installation? Have you done your homework on the internet and now have more questions than you started with? Do you have a fist full of brochures and they all look the same? You're not alone. In many cases, a white window is a white window is a white window and they all look relatively the same. In many cases, they are relatively the same with minor differences in the locks or the frames, etc. Folkers Window and Door Installation What really sets a home improvement company apart from the rest is the window and door installation process. Folkers has a documented 9-step process that is followed every time. We do not outsource to subcontractors, like many window and door installers. Instead, we have a team of full-time employees who are highly trained in our window and door installation process. We use only the highest [...]

17 06, 2016

Lifetime Warranty

Most folks these days hear the words "Lifetime Warranty" and think, "That's great but it's not really a lifetime warranty," due to all of the exclusions typically found in a lifetime warranty. There's always the except in this case or the doesn't cover that situation type of exclusions. With Folkers' lifetime warranty, this is not the case, with one exception. . . acts of God, which is what the insurance is for.   Folkers' Lifetime Warranty covers windows and sliding glass doors. In addition, we have a dedicated service department that handles issues and problems that might occur after the initial installation. Thus, we do not have to farm out the repairs and we never use subcontractors so we don't have to chase down the installer(s) who might or might not still be in business. Here's an example, if Johnny Baseball next door throws a ball through your window, we'll replace the glass.  If Allstate's Mayhem is mowing the yard [...]

10 06, 2016

Do You Know The Code?

Do I have to follow the building code? This should be first question that pops into your head when you're considering new home windows or doors. The answer is quite simply, YES! The building code is law, first of all. Secondly, the code is designed to protect you and your property from unscrupulous contractors who prey on folks. Yes, there is a fee for a building permit. And yes, "Big Brother" is dictating what we can and cannot do with our property, so to speak. With that said, the cost is minimal. The code provides protection by dictating, to us contractors, what we can and cannot sell and install in your home. Alabama is not quite as stringent as Florida. However, the coastal counties do have a variety of storm-related regulations depending the municipality and county in which you reside. If you have questions about the building code in Alabama and/or Florida, call us and we'll be happy to walk [...]

11 03, 2016

8 Warning Signs That You Need a New Front Door

8 Warning Signs That You Need a New Front Door Here are eight questions you should ask when considering a new front door for your home. 1. What is the age of your doors? This really is the first question to ask yourself when considering new doors.  If your home has the original builder grade doors and your home is over 8 years old, then you are a candidate for replacements. Builder grade doors is an industry term that refers to a grade of doors used by builders during new construction of homes. Builder grade doors are actually low-quality, stripped down products. The term comes from the fact that many builders and developers purchase a low-end door product. They use these in new developments as a way to save themselves thousands of dollars. Most people don’t inspect the door quality when buying and/or building a new home but rather folks will view the aesthetics of the home… the look of [...]