Foggy Window Solutions

Condensation is the fog that suddenly appears in cold weather on the glass of windows and sliding glass doors. It can block out the view, drip on the floor, freeze on glass...it's annoying! It's natural to blame the windows...but you shouldn't.

What causes window condensation?

1. Condensation can develop between the panes if the seal fails. When this happens, the vacuum or gas escapes and the outside air is free to invade the space between the panes, resulting in a bbuild-upof moisture or condensation. Seals can fail due to faulty installation, inferior sealants or extreme temperatures and weather conditions

If you have an older home subject to frequent temperature changes, our insulated glass (IG) units can help balance the indoor climate. If your home already has double-pane windows, but there is condensation or a “milky” appearance between the panes of glass, it’s time to contact our glass specialists. 

2. Window condensation can also be the result of excess humidity in your home. The glass only provides a cold surface on which humidity can visibly condense. The fog on your windows is a form of condensation; so is the water that forms on the outside of a glass of iced tea in the summer and on the bathroom mirrors and walls after someone takes a hot shower. Condensation usually occurs first on windows because glass surfaces have the lowest temperature of any of the interior surfaces in the house. When the warm, moist air comes into contact with the cooler glass surfaces, the moisture condenses.

The important thing is, your foggy windows and sliding doors are trying to tell you to reduce indoor humidity before it causes hidden, costly problems elsewhere in your home - problems like peeling paint, rotting wood, buckling floors, insulation deterioration, mildew, even moisture spots in ceilings and walls. Foggy windows and sliding doors are the indicators, the warning signs, that humidity could be damaging your home.

Double Pane windows can help increase your home’s insulation. Contact us today and we would be happy to come to your home and assisit in assessing your home and find you a solution to your foggy window’s. 604-929-7292

TIPS FOR FURTHER REDUCING YOUR HOMES HUMIDITY

1. Use Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans are common in bathrooms, kitchens, and other places that are likely locations for hot water usage. Make sure to use these fans whenever necessary as they will keep the moist air from escaping to other parts of the house as well as decreasing humidity levels at the source.

2. Take Shorter Showers: Most of the moisture in the air in your home will get there from one source: steam. The most likely culprit for this is long, hot showers in improperly vented bathrooms. By reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower, you will not only reduce the amount of water that escapes into the air, you will also use less water and spend less money on heating that water.

3. Hang Damp Clothes Outside: Except in the case of adverse weather conditions, there is no good reason to hang wet or damp clothing to dry inside if you already have a humidity problem. The water evaporating from your clothing or towels has nowhere to go but into the air of your home. Instead, hang these items outside whenever possible so the unwanted moisture stays outside where it belongs!

4. Only Run Washers When Full: Some clothes or dishwashers have settings for the size of the load but many do not. Prevent unnecessary water wastage and unnecessary humidity by only running these appliances when they are full.

5. Don’t Turn Your Home into a Jungle: Plants can be a great addition to a home: they purify the air and are great decoration but they also create extra humidity in your home. If plants are forming mold, you may have too many. Consider giving one or two away and see if that helps the atmosphere of your home.

6. Open Windows and Doors: Air circulation will do a lot in reducing the stuffy, sticky feeling of a humid home so open up those windows and doors when possible to let in fresh air. Keep inside doors open so air flows freely through the home.

7. Do a Moisture Audit: Once you have taken care of these easy ways of reducing humidity, perform one final check around your property to look for any less obvious problems that could be contributing to the moisture in the air:

Glass is't just for Windows

Glass isn’t just for Windows!

When thinking of glass, most people think windows for their home, car or business. But you would be amazed at how many other things Glass Doctor works on. Glass is often used in home décor on items such as tabletops, cabinets, shelving, showers and patio doors.

Glass-topped dining tables are very stylish and don’t stain or warp like wooden tables can. They also don’t require polishing, and you can place hot dishes directly on the glass. Many people choose a glass top for a table so they can customize the shape and size such as round, rectangle, square or to custom fit a specific area.

Many homeowners opt for glass shelves, as they appear to float and don’t detract from the items being showcased. This leads to clean lines in a home and can be utilized in all rooms for displaying items such as books, candles, flowers and more. And new technology allows for tongue and groove glass shelves that require no unsightly hardware.  

Shower doors are often used in place of shower curtains. A beautiful shower is the centerpiece of any bathroom. It allows light into the space and can make showering more enjoyable. A well-appointed bathroom can greatly increase the value of your home. Glass Doctor has many shapes, sizes, designs and colors available for handling your updating needs. 

Patio Doors take a lot of abuse at home with people in and out on a daily basis. Ensuring that you have energy efficient glass in these doors will help keep the heat in and reduce your energy costs. Not only are these doors an outlet to your yard but also they serve as security and a light source. Make sure you select and maintain your patio glass with care.

Whatever your glass needs, Glass Doctor has many different styles to best suit your home and your décor needs.

Sunscreen Your Windows

Sunscreen Your Windows

Most people are aware of global warming and concerned with constant weather changes. With global warming comes higher UV Rays, and the need for lots of sunscreen. Many of us take safety precautions outside to prevent sun damage, but did you realize it is also important to keep UV Rays outside of your home?

Harmful Rays

There are two types of radiation that can harm the skin and in some cases can lead to possible skin damage and even cancer; UVA Rays and UVB Rays.

According to studies, at least 50% of the sun’s rays penetrate through your windows and blinds. There are now products available that keep your skin protected when indoors, such as window films. These films block most of the UV rays from entering your home. Studies say that these films can block up to 99.9% of UV radiation.

If you are unaware of the damage that sunrays can do to your skin, take a look at furniture or an object in your house that has been left by the window for a while. Usually the color of the object will fade, and your skin is no exception.

Keeping The Sun Out

Window films are not just there to block out the sun’s UV Rays and prevent damage to your furniture, but it also helps your home’s energy costs.

Another option to consider is some sort of “safety” film. These safety films help glass windows from being shattered, which is great for anyone who is concerned about break-ins and property damage.

As you can see there are many benefits of installing film for your windows. Consider these options today and cut down on the risk of sun damage to your family and to your home.

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How To Remove Fingerprints From Glass

Picture this…it’s a beautiful sunshiny day.  The curtains are open just enough to let the gorgeous, natural light beam into the room.  You sit down with your morning cup of coffee and gaze out the window at your picturesque backyard.  The children are playing; the puppy’s running and the hummingbirds are feeding.  You would love to sit back and enjoy the moment, but there are fingerprints all over the windows.  These aren’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill fingerprints.  These fingerprints are vicious.  They’re practically shouting at you and insulting your house-cleaning abilities.  These insidious fingerprints cut you to your very core.  With a huff, you’re determined to take out the intruder.  As your coffee cools, you struggle to find your window-cleaning supplies.  What once was a glorious morning has now turned in to a frustrating, fingerprinted mess.

Your Glass Doctor® professionals don’t want you to fall victim to intruding fingerprints.  Let us help you fix your glass-cleaning panes by helping you prepare a glass-cleaning kit, so you won’t ever have to let a cup of coffee cool unnecessarily.

Glass-Cleaning Kit

• Glass Cleaner
• White Cotton Cloth
• Old Newspaper
• Microfiber Cloth
• Dish Detergent
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• Grapefruit
• Salt

Windows: glass cleaner, white cotton cloth, old newspaper

Photo courtesy of mom4real.com

TV Screen: microfiber cloth

Photo courtesy of goodhousekeeping.com

Stove Tops: dish detergent, white cotton cloth, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Photo courtesy of howtocleanstuff.com

Shower Door: grapefruit, salt

Photo courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

Glasses: white cotton cloth

Photo courtesy of lifehacker.com

Being prepared is the first step.  Don’t let unsightly fingerprints catch you off guard.

Clearing the Fog

Your Glass Doctor can diagnose whether a fogged IGU window can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

IG units are windows made from two or more pieces of flat pane glass separated by a sealed air space. If your home already has double-pane windows, but there is condensation or a “milky” appearance between the panes of glass, Glass Doctor needs to diagnose whether or not we can repair the foggy windows or recommend replacing the windows. Glass Doctor can upgrade your existing IGU windows with new energy-efficient glass replacements.

Foggy windows cause your home to lose energy efficiency. If you have an older home subject to frequent temperature changes IG units can help balance the indoor climate. In the winter IG units reduce cold transmittance at windows and help maintain a consistent temperature in the home. In the summer IG units reduce heat gain from outside. As a result your home’s air conditioning and heating system should run less, saving energy and money. In general IG units may cost three times more than single pane glass windows. But that cost can be recovered in a few short years through lower energy bills.

Glass Doctor of North Vancouver can help you select the best IG units for your home’s climate, from a wide variety of manufacturers. Call 604-984-4527  for an appointment today.

How Efficient Are Your Windows?

How Efficient Are Your Windows?

Windows are more than just a great way to see what the weather is like outside. Not only do they provide warmth and light, they also have an impact on how energy efficient your home is, or isn’t!

Heating and cooling costs can be affected just based on the type of windows you have. If you have an older home and new windows were never an upgrade, it may make more sense to get new windows instead of just trying to improve upon the existing windows. New windows will lower heating and cooling costs, eventually covering the initial cost.

Storm windows can reduce the amount of air leaking out and remove drafts. Weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors can assist in this as well.  Weather-stripping is designed for things that move such as doors and windows that open. Use caulk where gaps exist.

Another way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to select different options with regards to curtains and blinds. Window treatments can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Often Energy Star approved windows can eve be zoned for your area you know they can withstand the climate you may regularly endure. When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can help minimize your heating and cooling costs.

Energy efficient windows not only reduce home energy costs and drafts but can reduce noise and help increase light in the home.  Don’t forget about skylights and doors as well. Window replacement in skylights can help reduce condensation that builds up in older models.

If you would like to have a home audit done to see if your windows are energy efficient, or letting your money leak out the door, give us a call! 604-984-4527

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Spring Cleaning Tips from the Experts

Six Expert Spring Cleaning Tips for a Tidy, Healthy Home

It is spring, but along with the blooming of flowers and warmer weather comes the daunting task of spring cleaning. It’s time to open the windows and tackle those chores with these six tips from Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Rooter® and Rainbow International®.

Dishwasher

According to Mr. Appliance, a dishwasher can be cleaned using a small brush dipped in hot soapy water. With the brush, clean the grooves in the rubber seal by going around the door of the dishwasher. Then, place a dishwasher-safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run a normal cycle.




Refrigerator

Using a hand-held vacuum, remove the dust from coils underneath or on the backside of the fridge. Accumulated dust can cause the motor to overheat and increase the cost of running the appliance.








Sink

To achieve a fresh smelling sink, keep leftover citrus peels. Mr. Rooter recommends putting a cupful of ice cubes as well as citrus peels in the garbage disposal. Turn on cold water and then the disposal for 15 to 30 seconds. Then, turn off the disposal and continue to rinse with hot water for 15 seconds.




Windows

When washing windows, wipe vertically outside and horizontally inside, so any missed areas can quickly be spotted. Glass Doctor, suggests drying the windows as you go with a squeegee or a micro-fiber towel to avoid water spots.



Air Conditioner

Have your central air conditioning system inspected by a HVAC professional, like Aire Serv, before the summer hits. The air conditioner keeps your home cool and it dehumidifies to keep mold from growing inside the walls. Clean or replace air filters monthly to help the AC unit run more efficiently. Remove shrubs, grass and leaves from the condenser coil and within three feet of outside unit.

Rain Gutters

Although often forgotten, rain gutters are important for home defense against storms. According to Rainbow International, water from rain can erode soil around the foundation, splash dirt onto the siding and leak into the basement causing expensive damage.
Utilizing these simple tips in your spring cleaning arsenal can help save you time, frustration and money down the line. Not to mention, you can rest easy in a clean and healthy home.



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Best Product at Best Possible Price

Best Product at Best Possible Price

We pride ourselves in offering very competitive pricing and highest level of quality. Glass Doctor® of North Vancouver provides the best quality glass at the best possible price.

Windows
Glass Doctor provides every type of replacement glass for homes and businesses. We also install security glass for high risk environments. Energy efficient windows and replacement glass are essential for managing the energy costs of your home and office. Glass Doctor of North Vancouver uses state of the art glass in all of its replacement products. We provide insulating glass to fit every opening.

Store Fronts
We install and maintain storefront glass and storefront doors. We supply and replace glass, door closers, exit devices, panic hardware, mail slots and package doors.

Table Tops
Glass Doctor provides custom measured and fitted glass table tops. Our experienced technicians will come to your home for an informative consultation on edge work detail, glass color, thickness and safety issues related to glass tops.

Shower/Tub Enclosures
Glass Doctor is the here to help with the design and installation of custom shower enclosures. We offer a wide variety of shower doors to fit any budget. Bring us your bathroom glasspirations today so we can make them a reality.

Mirrors
Mirrors add a new and unique look to any home or business. We furnish and install vanity mirrors, mirrored walls, custom bar mirrors and shelving. 

Doors

All doors require tempered or laminated safety glass. Many doors today are furnished with insulated glass to increase the energy efficiency of the product. We can match almost any Insulated safety glazing product.

Auto Glass
Call Glass Doctor first for a high quality, Original Equipment Manufacturer quality windshield. We handle all the insurance details for you and use certified technicians to guarantee a secure, full warranty installation

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