Blog

Texas Home and Garden Show February 10-12

The team at Renaissance Windows and Doors invites you to join us at the 26th annual Houston Home & Garden Show at Reliant Center, February 10-12, 2012. This is Houston’s premier “One Stop Shopping Opportunity” for your home and garden needs. Not only will you find windows and doors, but ceilings, floors—and everything that goes in between! Visit Reliant Center February 10-12 and find over 700 experts, products, services, and ideas to every home improvement and lifestyle project you can imagine.

Cold Weather Insulation

We have been blessed with a very mild winter this year in Houston, but don’t let the unseasonably warm temperatures fool you—your home needs to be insulated against cold temperatures in the winter just like it needs to stay cool during the sweltering summer months.

Take Advantage of 20% Savings through February

Have you heard about our latest ongoing promotion at Renaissance Windows and Doors? From now through the end of February you can save 20% off all windows and doors with our New Year sale*! Due to popular demand we have extended the sale for an additional month so you can save big on all the windows and doors you need to make your home more energy efficient and even more beautiful.

Brand Spotlight: Infinity by Marvin

Infinity by Marvin is a line of fiberglass replacement windows and doors, designed for homeowners who are looking for a low-maintenance, high-efficiency replacement for their current windows and doors. Infinity by Marvin windows maintain the traditional look of wood with revolutionary design, engineering, and manufacturing.

Window & Door Trends for 2012

From our team at Renaissance Windows and Doors to your family, we wish everyone a happy, healthy New Year in 2012! We hope you had a wonderful, relaxing holiday season, surrounded by friends and family. As the New Year swings into action, we know that you are thinking to what the year has in store, including new and exciting projects for your home.

Brand Spotlight: Showcase Custom Vinyl Windows

At Renaissance Windows & Doors we take great pride in giving our customers the best products to choose from when it comes to window and door replacement. This week we are dedicating our blog to a spotlight on Showcase Custom Vinyl Windows—the first name in lasting impressions.

JELD-WEN Aurora Doors

A JELD-WEN door is a piece of functional art, designed to feel and look like solid wood-right down to the knots and cracks, details that offer each piece distinction. The JELD-WEN line of Aurora exterior doors will consistently stand up to any climate; hot or cold, wet or dry, the doors are virtually indistinguishable from solid wood doors. Get the look of wood while benefiting from the durability, energy efficiency, and weather resistance of fiberglass.

Windows: Wood Types and Materials

Many of our clients have questions about wood windows versus other window material types. There are pros and cons to any material you choose, so let’s start with a brief background of some of the pluses and minuses for each.

Financing a Window or Door Replacement: Investing in your home

In our December newsletter we offered you some of our favorite suggestions and tips for decorating your homes for the holiday season. As you hang lights, garland and wreaths, take a closer look at your windows and doors and ask yourself if you are getting the most for your money. When you were putting lights in the windows, did you feel a draft? Perhaps after you hung the wreath and closed the front door you felt cool air seeping in at your feet. Or maybe you just noticed with dismay that it’s almost time to paint the windows ... again. 

Testing Windows and Doors for Drafts

It seemed like summer might never end here in Houston, but this last week has finally brought cooler temperatures. With these cooler temperatures comes a new set of energy efficiency concerns, as we move from keeping cool to staying warm and cozy. You have certainly noticed the chill in the air when venturing outside, but if you are experiencing a chill inside your home it may be time to evaluate your windows and doors to determine whether they are letting in drafts.  

Houston Heights Holiday Home Tour

The best way to get into the holiday spirit, while also getting a fix of local home design and renovation inspiration, is to attend the 2011 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour. On Friday December 2 and Saturday December 3, you can tour six of Houston’s most unique home spaces, which reflect the rich architectural tradition of the Heights, one of our city’s most charming neighborhoods.

JELD WEN Wood Tilt & Turn Windows

We’ve talked about JELD WEN doors on our blog in the past, so you already know how much we love their amazing products. Their fiberglass doors are truly works of art, with the look and feel of solid wood, right down to knots and cracks that give each one an individual character. Today we want to talk to you about JELD WEN windows; specifically, their incredible “Tilt and turn” windows, a custom window package that offers form, function, and versatility for homeowners looking for something special.

Energy Efficiency: Heating vs. Cooling

It was one long, hot summer here in Houston and we have all seen the effects of the high temperatures on our electric bills. Lately temperatures have been dropping into a more comfortable range—in fact, we have had some downright chilly mornings and evenings. It’s quite a roller coaster ride, but it’s also a reminder that our homes need to be energy efficient no matter what the temperatures outside are reading on the thermostat. Whether we are heating or cooling our homes, energy efficiency is important, and that’s where Renaissance Windows & Doors comes in. You will find all the information on energy efficiency you need on our website and you will find all the products you need to make your home more energy efficient when you visit our show room.

Renaissance Windows and Doors

We are excited to bring our customers an incredible, limited-time promotion offer on new replacement windows. Come in between now and Thanksgiving and if you buy five windows you get the sixth window for free! This deal is good on any product we carry in the store, and is good between now and Thanksgiving only. Act now to take advantage of this promotion, before it’s gone! We are thankful to have amazing customers like you, and this is our way of saying thank you for your loyalty to Renaissance Windows and Doors.

Low Maintenance Windows: Glass Makes the Difference

It truly is amazing the difference the right glass can make when choosing replacement windows. The glass has everything to do with light and heat control, as well as visibility. When you choose the right glass you are improving the energy efficiency of your home, protecting your home from the elements (heat, moisture, wind), protecting your furnishings from sun damage, regulating sound and light that enters your home, and providing a measure of privacy and safety for your home and your family. 

Your Windows, Your Furniture

There is a definite relationship between your windows and your furniture; in fact, the two are related in a couple of different ways. The first way is probably one you have thought about before in terms of your windows and your chairs, tables, and couches, in terms of where to place these pieces in a room to maximize comfort from the heat, light, and fresh air that travels through your windows.

Fall Savings Specials at Renaissance Windows and Doors

If you have been thinking about a window replacement project the time to buy is now! At Renaissance Windows and Doors we have some truly incredible money-saving opportunities for our customers coming up!

Choosing the Right Materials for Replacement Windows and Doors

There are many things to consider when choosing the right materials for your replacement windows and doors. You know you have to work within your budget, as well as consider factors such as climate, energy efficiency, and your home’s design aesthetic to determine the best options for your project.

Pros & Cons: Fiberglass vs. Vinyl

Choosing the right materials is an important part of window and door replacement projects. Any choice involves pros and cons, and it is crucial to consider a variety of factors when deciding between one material over another: environment, home design, energy efficiency, and budget must be weighed. In order to help you make this decision, we want to present you with information about the pros and cons of fiberglass and vinyl in window and door replacement.

JELD WEN Fiberglass Doors

At Renaissance Windows and Doors we pride ourselves on bringing our clients the most trusted names in replacement window and door products. We are highly selective when it comes to choosing the right products t

Infinity vs. “Regular” Fiberglass

We talk a lot about our line of Infinity by Marvin windows and doors, and for good reason—Infinity has over 80 years of experience in crafting top-of-the-line windows and doors; products of “superior quality, with a human touch.” Infinity’s fine craftsmanship is the secret to their longevity in the industry, and their windows and doors are both beautiful and long-lasting. When you choose Infinity by Marvin you need not choose between high performance and aesthetics, because Infinity by Marvin products delivers both.

16th Annual Texas Home & Garden Show at Reliant Stadium, September 17-18

Mark your calendars, because the 16th Annual Texas Home and Garden Show is coming to Reliant Stadium on Saturday September 17th and Sunday September 18th. Your favorite vendors in the home and garden industry will be available to answer your questions and show you the latest in innovative, stylish products for your home.

Hurd FeelSafe

At Renaissance Windows and Doors we understand the importance of delivering the most innovative, top-quality products available on the market to our clients. Those of us living in the Gulf Coast region understand the difference a high-quality door and window can make, especially during hurricane season. 

Now Available at Renaissance Windows and Doors: Infinity by Marvin Half-Rounds

We are always thrilled to show our clients our Infinity by Marvin line of replacement windows, and now Renaissance Windows and Doors can offer you even more from this innovative line. We have added the Round Top Infinity windows to our line of Infinity products, giving you more options for your window replacement project. Increase light and visibility, and add distinctive style with these beautiful half-round windows that add visual interest to any space in your home.

The Answers You Need: Online and In-store

Online and in-store, the staff at Renaissance Windows and Doors has the answers you need. We know that window and door replacement projects are huge investments of your time and money, and that going forward is a big decision. We’re here for you every step of the way, and that is why we have provided so much information for you right here on our website. Today’s blog is going to take you on a guided tour of the Renaissance Windows and Doors website, and we hope that when you are done you will stop in to our showroom to continue the tour!

Renaissance Windows and Doors: August and Ongoing Promotion News

Is the long, hot summer wearing you out? We have some cool promotions that might just perk you up! Renaissance Windows and Doors has several current, ongoing promotions designed to save you money and improve the look of your home. If you have been thinking about a window and door replacement project, there is no better time than now! Combine our latest promotions with the extended 2011 tax credits to take advantage of incredible savings. 50% off SDL Bars in August

Increasing your home’s value through renovation

There are many reasons to consider a window and door replacement renovation project, especially right now. First, if you decide to replace your windows and doors before the end of the year, you will benefit from the extended tax credits, held over from 2010 into 2011. Then of course there are the aesthetic benefits: new windows and doors immediately improve the look of your home. Cutting-edge technology and innovative products mean that you can customize new windows and doors to blend seamlessly with your home’s architectural style and décor. Whether you need something ready-to-install or customizable, our products—like the line of Infinity by Marvin replacement windows—will give you the options you need to make the right choice for your home.

Tax Credits Are Still Available

Have you been considering a window and door replacement project for your home? We are now more than halfway through 2011, and the tax credits for qualifying windows and/or exterior doors for your home will expire at the end of the year.  The federal government extended the 2010 tax cuts on replacement windows and doors; incentives are being offered to encourage homeowners like you to make energy efficient improvements to their homes. To qualify, windows and doors must be Energy Star Qualified, like our line of Infinity from Marvin products. There were a few changes to these tax incentives you should be aware of—k ep reading to find out more about these changes. We invite you to come in and talk to one of our representatives to see how you can take advantage of the great savings while there is still time!

Renaissance Windows and Doors iPad2 Contest

Have you been thinking about stopping in to visit us at Renaissance Windows and Doors, but you just haven’t gotten around to it yet? Maybe we can offer you a little incentive: how does a free iPad2 sound? Enter the Renaissance Windows and Doors contest TODAY to be eligible to win a 16GB iPad 2 (with Wi-Fi, of course!); the contest is going on now through December 15th, 2011. And the best part? No purchase necessary! That’s right, there is absolutely no fee to enter—simply stop into our showroom to enter the drawing: 18 or older only , one entry per household (sorry, no exceptions!), and the entry form must be completely filled out to be eligible to win the iPad.  The winner of this contest will be selected on January 10th, 2012; the winner will be contacted to arrange pick up for the prize. Entering is as easy as doing something you were planning on anyway—stopping into our showroom and seeing us! 

Hurricane Season

If you are a Gulf Coast resident, you probably already know that hurricane season started on June 1st. Hurricane season extends from the beginning of June through the end of November, and while that doesn’t mean a hurricane will happen, it means we have to be prepared in the event that it does. We’ve shared some of our thoughts on hurricanes and taping windows in the past, but we thought it would be useful to give you a more comprehensive overview of hurricane preparedness and what it means for your home and family.

Certificate of Completion

From start to finish, Renaissance Windows and Doors makes every client—and their home—a priority. We start by answering your questions when you stop in to our showroom, and every step of the way after that. At Renaissance we understand that your house is more than a house; it’s your home, your safe haven, the center of your family life. In addition to bringing you top-quality products like Infinity by Marvin and Hurd, we also promise you the installation advantage of having those products installed by our professional installation team rather than contract workers hired “by the job.” This installation advantage works to your advantage in several ways: our installers are employees which means we have vetted them and they are insured; all installers are certified for lead paint removal; installers follow step-by-step guidelines for product installation which ensures quality work and protects you via our installation warranty.

Installation Process: Step by Step

At Renaissance Windows and Doors we like to say that we deliver world class products along with Old World craftsmanship. How do we do this? We start by offering you products from the top names in the business—like Infinity and Hurd—and we employ the best installers, professionals who take pride in their work because they believe in quality for its own sake.

Installation Materials: Infinity Installation Warranty Comparison

We’ve talked about what makes the Renaissance Windows and Doors installation special in previous blogs: the difference professional installation makes; product warranties and our own installation warranty program; details and testimonials from customers on our professional installation team. Choosing the right products for your home is half the battle, but proper installation is the other half. At Renaissance Windows and Doors we are committed to a positive client experience, from product selection to installation to performance. To that end we know it is important for you to understand the details behind what makes us different from other installers, and what benefits we can offer you to get the most for your money. That’s why we have put together the Infinity Installation Warranty Comparison, so you can see a side-by-side comparison on what we offer compared to other installers, as well as the benefits. This warranty comparison is good when you purchase products from our line of Infinity Windows and Doors.

Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage our clients to ask us questions: about our products, our installers, our warrantees and guarantees, about government lead paint requirements—about anything! We know that replacing your doors and windows can be as overwhelming as it is exciting, and we want you to feel confident and comfortable in choosing Renaissance Windows and Doors as your home renovation partner. We want to review a few Frequently Asked Questions with you here on the blog, and encourage you to contact us with any other questions you might have regarding window and door replacement.

Government Requirements and Lead Paint Certifications

Government regulations and guidelines regarding lead paint are serious business when it comes to your home. There are severe fines and penalties for improper handling and removal of lead-based materials during home construction projects, and more importantly, proper removal of materials containing lead—or even potentially containing lead—will keep your family safe from lead poisoning. At Renaissance Windows and Doors we aren’t just committed to protecting your family, through certification and proper removal guidelines, we are committed to giving you the information you need to understand why this issue is so important.

Energy Conservation: Beyond the Buzz

“Going green” is all the rage. We hear lots of buzzwords these days about reducing carbon footprints, being eco-friendly, and sustainability. But what does it all really mean? And how can you implement energy conservation practices and products in your home? At Renaissance Windows and Doors we know that your questions regarding home energy conservation and efficiency are twofold: how your decisions impact the world around you, and how your decisions reduce the amount of energy you conserve and thus the amount of money you spend on energy. Let’s talk about what some of these buzzwords mean.

Infinity: Look of Wood

At Renaissance Windows and Doors we are dedicated to bringing our customers the highest quality products, installation and service possible. We are ready to advise you every step of the way, from the architectural significance of choosing the right windows and doors for your home to guaranteeing installation, because we know that your house is more than just an investment—it’s your home. When you choose Renaissance Windows and Doors you are choosing experience and the highest possible quality, which is why we are committed to bringing you the top products on the market today. This week we’re talking about our incredible line of Infinity replacement windows and Infinity doors.

Window pros and cons: Wood vs. Fiberglass

Last week on the blog we talked about choosing the right windows for your home based on architecture and style. This week we are talking about the importance of choosing the right materials. The two most popular materials for replacement windows are wood and fiberglass, and there are pros and cons to choosing each. By taking into consideration factors like environment, home design, energy efficiency, and your personal budget, you can make the best, most informed decision for your home.

Architecture & Style: Choosing the right design for your home

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right windows for your home: cost, climate, durability, and energy efficiency, to name a few. In previous blog posts we’ve discussed some of your options for increasing the value and performance of your windows with glazes and glass, taking advantage of extended tax credits, and the importance of manufacturer warranties and installation guarantees like our Peace of Mind maintenance plan. But there is another thing to consider when choosing your doors and windows—something that realtors have been talking about for years: location, location, location. Where you live is important in terms of geography and climate, but beyond that your location in your chosen city matters, too. Read on:

Hurd CoreGuard™ Wood Treatment Warranty

Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about product warranties and installation warranties. It’s important for you, the consumer, to understand all of the guarantees and protections available to you when you purchase and install new windows and doors. When our clients ask us about their options for all-wood windows we tell them about Hurd CoreCard™, the best wood treatment in the window industry. Hurd wood windows are hand-crafted, with the most careful attention to detail, and the superb craftsmanship, innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology that you’ve come to expect from Hurd Windows and Doors.

Entry Door Accents: Accessories and Décor Ideas

Accessorizing your entry door doesn’t have to be reserved for the holiday season. Choosing the right hardware and decorative accents will help you customize your home’s entry door to create a welcoming feel for family and friends alike.

Glazes and Glass: What’s the Difference?

When choosing replacement windows style is important, but substance is what matters. At Renaissance Windows and Doors we strive to deliver both by carrying top-of-the-line products, and by providing expert installers to install them in your home. When you factor in our Peace of Mind Maintenance program—which warranties windows and doors installed by Renaissance for two years from the date of original installation—you can be confident in our commitment to client satisfaction.

Peace of Mind Maintenance Plan

Product warranties are only half the story at Renaissance Windows and Doors. All of the manufacturers we carry offer product warranties that cover their windows and doors:

The Renaissance Difference: Installation Advantage

Your path to new windows and doors starts on our showroom floor; once you’ve selected the product that is right for you, the next step is the installation process. When you choose Renaissance Windows and Doors for your home project, you are choosing excellence, including a professional installation by a master installer on our staff. We don’t use contract labor for installation, which means that you benefit from experience when our installers are on the job.

Jeld Wen: Fiberglass Doors

For over 50 years JELD-WEN has been dedicated to crafting and manufacturing high-quality, reliable windows and doors. Over the years they have grown from the original one-millwork Oregon plant into a company that employs over 20,000 people across the world. One thing that hasn’t changed is JELD-WEN’s commitment to community, efficiency, quality, and performance. Choosing a JELD-WEN exterior door for your home doesn’t require sacrificing style for energy-efficiency; no matter where you live, JELD-WEN fiberglass doors will contribute to the energy efficiency of your home, and look beautiful in the process.

Financial considerations when buying new windows

Buying new windows for your home is a big financial investment, one that pays off in the long run. That doesn’t meant that you don’t have to worry about the short run, though, and that’s where we come in. We know that new home constructions and remodels can be stressful, so we want to make the process just a little bit easier on you. Peace of mind goes a long way and our special offers are designed to take away some of the burden to let you enjoy the process and in turn, your new windows.Whether you are looking for tax incentives, financing, or money-off-the-top for purchasing in quantity we have a selection of special offers to help make window replacement more affordable and less stressful. Read on:

Industry Links: Why they are important

Have you ever visited our Industry Links page? We are proud of our association with these organizations and we encourage you to take a closer look at them. They will give you insight into our industry and the players who work together to bring you the highest standards in fenestration. • Fenestration: the arrangement, proportioning, and design of windows and doors in a building.

Values: Seeing is Believing

We hope you enjoy our blog and that it provides you with plenty of useful information that helps you make the right decisions for your home. We also hope that you will go a step further and stop into our showroom, talk to one of our professionals, and ask questions to get the answers you need to choose the best windows and doors to fit your home and your budget. We firmly believe in the exceptional quality of our products and the skill and professionalism of our staff.We recently blogged about window styles, and we included information about our Infinity by Marvin line of products. You can see the styles and options “in action”; check it out!

Door Styles

In last week’s blog we brought you an extended feature on window styles, the materials that windows are made of, the environmentally-friendly and energy efficient options they offer, and how to integrate them into your new or existing home design style. This week we are blogging to help you choose the most efficient and stylish doors to fit your budget. Are you ready to update your exterior doors? Or are you building a new home and need to choose doors and windows? Let our experts at Renaissance Windows and Doors help!

Window Styles

Replacing windows is a big step from both a practical and a design perspective. Not only do you get to improve your home’s energy efficiency and increase your home’s value, replacing your windows is a chance to upgrade a major design feature, one that can be enjoyed from both inside and outside of your home. But the question remains: how to choose?