We can all feel it. A cold wind blows across the Rocky Mountains, and in Colorado, that means that snow and a harsh winter aren't far behind.

Because the weather in Colorado can change in an instant, we often find ourselves unprepared when it finally does arrive. One way in which homeowners often find themselves unprepared is with energy-efficient windows.

If you just walk around your home, you may notice that there are drafts coming from underneath your front door, back door, or the seams around your windows. If there aren't drafts, you may simply notice the cold air that gathers near your windows. Installing energy-efficient windows in your Colorado home can combat this problem at the core - especially when you consider double or triple pane windows that insulate your home.

Not only this, but all of us here in Northern Colorado know that the real estate market is out of control, and having Superior Replacement Windows can dramatically increase the value of your home. Many home experts will attest that replacement windows and doors can be one of the best investments that you can make for a home - whether you intend on keeping or selling the home.

So what are you waiting for? Call Fort Collins Windows today to learn more about new replacement windows!

Thank you for visiting Fort Collins Windows & Doors, and give us a call at 970-372-5120 today if you’d like to get started on affordable window replacement!
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Greetings again Northern Colorado homeowners.

As we are all well aware, the housing market in Northern Colorado is booming, and many homeowners and investors are flipping houses to make some serious money. Investing in real estate is its own beast, with its own pitfalls – but what we are concerned about is the actual process of improving an investment property and preparing it for sale.

It’s pretty obvious that one of the most important steps of flipping a house is renovation and home remodeling. Being an owner of an investment property is a good place to be in right now, as you can likely sell for much more than the value that you bought at. Having an investment property that is doing nothing for you is like having lost car keys in that you have a huge asset that is doing nothing for you. Being active with an investment property is paramount! You’d be surprised how investing money into renovating a home can return your value…and then some.

Flooring, roofing, cabinets, fixtures, and paint are all important aspects of a home remodel. But you know what gets left behind? Home windows and doors.

According to most home investment advisers and real estate experts, you can recoup anywhere between 80%-120% of the value of your investment in home windows. In Colorado, it tends to be on the high end of this spectrum because of the cold weather climate, where new energy-efficient windows make a much larger difference than in hot climates. In addition, when a real estate market is booming, home improvements return much more than the investment put into them. Put these two factors together, and getting new replacement windows for an investment property in Northern Colorado is a no-brainer.

Thank you for visiting Fort Collins Windows & Doors, and give us a call at 970-372-5120 today if you’d like to get started on affordable window replacement!
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Hello my Northern Colorado friends. 
 
Thanks again for stopping by our blog and we hope that you continue to find the information we share helpful as well as a tad bit light hearted as we share some home improvement tips with you all.
 
If you have not had a chance to read last week’s blog, I want to stop reading this page, and go back and check out what we had to say on the I Got Money On My Mind Part I.
 
We kicked our first blog of the year off by giving our viewers some ideas creative ideas for decreasing the amount of money spent each month on their homes energy bills.  Be sure to check out tip #2, which is our favorite. Yep you guessed it….installing new replacement windows was our favorite money saving tip, but can you fault us for our honesty.
 
Today we will share 3 more tips, however these tips will not merely save you monthly, rather the aim of these tips are to help increase the value of your home.  Home owners should always be on the lookout for practical ways to increase the value of your home, especially in cases when your home is your greatest asset. 
 
So, shall we begin…thought so!
 
Tip #1: Chromed Out Kitchen
 
When I hear the term “chromed out” I immediately think about a new set of shiny wheels, however, in this case we are talking about adding chrome or whatever your favorite surface may be to your kitchen.  For example, updating some appliances like our refrigerator, sink, faucet, and microwave can add a modern appeal to your home.  Outside of the bedroom, the kitchen is the most occupied room in the home so you are essentially guaranteed to get a return on this upgrade whether you decide to sell your home or not.
 
Tip #2: Finish that Basement
 
Alright fellas, many of you may think this means that you should build a man cave, but that could not be further from the truth here.  Finishing a basement can prove to be great investment in your home, but that doesn’t necessarily include dropping a rug down and adding a pool table. Finishing the basement provides the opportunity to add more bedrooms and even a bathroom, which adds to value of your home.  Now after these rooms have been established, IF there is still room for your Broncos memorabilia then go for it.  Don’t forget to run that by the boss first though…please don’t blame us.

You don't need to know How to invest in Gold for Retirement to redo your basement!
 
Tip #3: Upgrade the Throne
 
Sorry, we couldn’t resist this one here.  On a serious note, bathroom remodeling is becoming more popular each and everyday.  Let the modernization of your home continue by upgrading your bathroom with a new faucet like this one, or installing a new tub and or shower.  There are many professionals out there who specialize in bathroom remodeling and we recommend that you hop on Google and do some research just like you did when you found Fort Collins Windows and Doors.
 
Thanks for stopping by today and if you are interested in learning more about option #2 give us a call today at 970-372-5120. 

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Hello friends and Happy New Year to each of you.  As always, we would like to thank you for stopping by our blog today, and we will commit to doing our best to add a little value to your home improvement ambitions.
 
As you know the home building and remodeling industry is vastly growing, and each year there is a wave of new strategies and tactics that homeowners implement to do one of two things:
 
1.Save them money on their annual or monthly home expenses

2.Increase the market value of their home
 
After all, for most people their greatest investment and asset so we at Fort Collins Windows and Doors dutifully applaud such individuals for making the smart decision to invest back in their home. 
 
When we speak of investment, many automatically assume that this involves money. Well friends, while yes, things do cost money, many of the strategies that can improve one’s home can be done the weekend DIY’er with a quick trip to their local hardware store to snatch up a few supplies.  However, keep in mind that the greater the initial investment maybe often means the greater value in the long run.
 
In order to paint a clear and concise message we will focus on money saving strategies today, and share strategies for increasing the value of your home later this week.
 
Today, we are going to focus on some trends in home improvement that will help you save money on your monthly expenses in 2017 and beyond. 
 
Are you ready?  Let’s go.
 
Tip #1: Install a Whole House Fan
 
Now, if we were having this discussion in Phoenix, I’d authorize you to call me crazy and leave this blog right now. However, this is Northern Colorado so this is definitely a viable option for those who are committed to keeping more $$$ in your pocket this year.  I’ll have you know that a whole house fans only uses 10% of what a typical air conditioning unit does.  Going “green” is in and this move helps both the environment and your wallet. 
 
Tip #2:  Consider Window Replacement
 
Alright, alright, I know what you’re thinking. This is an obvious response from a window company.  Well, yes and no.  Window replacement is definitely not one of the “cheapest” options for improving your home, however, it is most certainly an investment that can save money every month of the year on your home’s energy bill.  Each of our custom window options are energy efficient and will also protect the value of your home.  Yes, the answer is a little bias, but when you put your long-term thinking caps on with us, we’re sure you agree.
 
Tip #3:  Install a Water Filtration System
 
Have you ever stopped and calculated the amount of money you spend each month on bottled water?  Each year Americans spend approximately $100 per person in the home on bottled water alone.  However, tap water (which we’re not recommending) is 2,000 times less expensive. So how do we provide a viable solution to this equation?  Water filtration!  Hop on Amazon get overwhelmed with options and you’ll be sure to find an option that will save you money in 2017 and beyond.
 
Thanks for stopping by today and if you are interested in learning more about option #2 give us a call today at 970-372-5120. 

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​Welcome back to our blog here at Fort Collins Windows and Doors. We know that it has been a little while since we last spoke, but rest assured we have a few more golden nuggets to share with you before we put a bow on 2016. 
 
This week we are excited to discuss a topic that we have all experienced this, yet most have no idea how to fix. That would be those stubborn and sticky sliding doors that don’t move seamlessly back and forth on the track as they were designed to do.  
 
You know the feeling of frustration when you want to let little Charlie out back to handle his business, yet your door gets stuck and starts to tip back after retracting all of six inches.  You push and pull, push and pull only to final throw the entire thing off track, creating a bigger mess than already existed.  Oh, and Charlie decided that he’d had enough of waiting for you to finish your fight with the door, so he handled business right there in the living room.  
 
Yep, we’ve been there too, but fortunately for you today we are going to give you 3 preventative maintenance tips to keep you out of the dreaded situation. 
 
Tip #1-Get Your Groove On
 
If you journey down to the bottom of your door you will likely identify a screw with a hole above, known as the access hole.  Below the screw you will see a groove which the rollers slide back and forth on.  Over time the weight of the door compresses the grooves and this can be reversed simply sticking a screwdriver in the access hole and turning it clockwise.  Just a couple of rotations will give the rollers a little more breathing and help provide a smooth slide on the track. 
 
Tip #2-Get Rid of the Dust
 
The majority of sticky doors will be fixed with the first solution, however, if your door still wants to be stubborn, your next amateur solution if to clean out the door track. Now this involves more than grabbing the nozzle on the vacuum cleaner and giving it a couple of strokes.  Before grabbing a vacuum, first grab a wire brush, and if you are above 40, a pair of kneepads.  Thoroughly scrape the entire track area and ensure to get up as much grime as possible. Once done grab the vacuum and clean up the mess, then hopefully your door will be back in business. 
 
 
Tip #3-Replace Your Roller Assembly
 
If the first two tips do not do the trick, chances are you have a faulty roller assembly.  Although this step will require much more manpower than the first, the good news is that you still do not have to call a professional at this point. Just hop in your car and head over to your local Joseph’s Hardware Store to pick up a new roller assembly kit.  You may want to grab a six pack on your back since this step will require you to take the door off and detach and attach the new rollers. 

Have you ever had a “suspicious” knock at your door causing you to carefully creep up to the door while hoping and praying that who or whatever is not a monster ready to break down your door and enter your home? We
 
If so, no worries, you’re normal as we now know that most burglaries begin with someone kicking down a door to force entry.  However, chances you are like many Americans who have an outdated, low security, and possibly warped wood front door.   Speaking from experience, your home feels much more secure merely based on the quality of your entry door. 
 
If you have never considered installing a quality door in your home, this post will give you some of the pros and cons to a variety of door types on today’s market.
 
First off, a common theme for the products we use and recommend are that they must be energy efficient. With the rising prices of energy in our country it is important to install as many energy efficient appliances in your home as possible.  Trust me, whoever does the monthly budget in your home with thank you. 
 
The most common doors are fiberglass, steel, and wood. 
 
Wood doors remain the gold standard in regards to looks and appeal of front doors.  Wood offers the most design options and with today’s construction wood doors are extremely secure.  On the flip side, a high quality wood door may possibly extend your budget as they tend to be the most expensive option of the top 3.
 
Fiberglass doors are a great option as well as they are great at resisting the wear and tear of its peers.  You can also spruce these puppies up so that they provide a more traditional look for your home or office.
 
Last but not least, there is steel.  Consumers speak with their $, and steel doors are by far the most popular choice.  They offer quality security, come in energy efficient models, and are less likely to crack or warp. 
 
We could go on and on about the various types of doors, but we think you’re pretty sharp. You get it. There’s options so don’t just settle for the first thing you see, and ensure that whatever decision you make is one that considers the doors ability to protect your family and home, reduce you energy bill, and provide a modern, stylish look for your home.
 
We would love the opportunity to provide a free consultation to help you make the best decision for you home. 
 
Be sure to check out this video for more door security tips.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gtnf7eRiIQ

For any and all of your Door Replacement needs in Fort Collins, visit our website at www.ftcollinswindows.com

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In last weeks post we discussed the topic of rotting wood windows, and provided multiple solutions for you to preserve and extend the life of your windows.   This week we decided to keep the conversation in the same lane and discuss the benefits of installing classic wood windows in your home.
 
If you have had the opportunity to visit our home location, you will see an array of window options such as fiberglass, vinyl, energy efficient, and of course, classic.  While technological advances have definitely created more options for customers and installers, there is still something to be said about having classic wood windows installed in your home.
 
Right now energy efficient windows are all the rage, and justifiably so. We here are Fort Collins Windows and Doors are well aware of the rising prices in gas and energy. However, in our humbly opinion, when it comes to the aesthetics of your home, nothing can compare to the look of classic wood windows. 
 
In addition to offering a classic look, wood windows still provide some of the best insulation for your home that money can buy. With ratings reporting that wood windows provide more the 300 times the insulation than steel, and over 1,500 times more insulation as vinyl and aluminum, rest assured that your decision to “Keep It Classy” will not be one that you will ever regret.
 
We would remiss if we did not mention one key component to consider when looking into purchasing wood windows, which is who you select to install your windows.  There are numerous nightmare stories of shady companies installing subpar windows in homes. You know those companies that are out to make a buck, and could care less about providing top quality products and building long lasting relationships with customers. We pride ourselves on being the exact opposite, and we only use high quality materials that have been proven to survive the test of time.
 
If you are interested in learning more about our selection of wood windows, please give us a call to set up a no-hassle consultation.
 
And remember…

When you look at the windows of your precious home from the outside, do you sometimes wonder if our little beloved friend from 1940, Woody Woodpecker has paid your windows a visit?
 
If so, chances are that it is not Woody Woodpecker, rather due to a variety of circumstances you are suffering from rotting wood around your windows.  Trust us, we know the feeling of seeing this for the first time. You cringe just at the site of it, and worst of all, most people have no clue as to how it happened or better yet, how they can fix it.
 
Well today is your lucky day, because in this weeks article we are going to give a 3 powerful tips for rectifying this issue.
 
Tip #1: Put on a New Coat
 
When was the last time you broke out that painting coverall and got it dirty?  If it has been longer than 5 years, then you are running the risk of experiencing rotting  wood windows on your home.  By adding a fresh coat of paint every 5-6 years you will protect the wood from rotting, while also bolstering the appearance of your home.  Oh, be sure to prime your wood.  It’s makes all the difference in the world.
 
Tip #2: Can’t Stop the Rain?
 
Missy Elliott said it best-“I Can’t Stop the Rain”, and neither can you.  That means your windows will be exposed to Colorado’s harsh winters and occasionally wet summers.  In order for your windows to have a chance at surviving these conditions you will need to have a proper drainage system to allow the wood to breath.  Ensure that extra water from gutters and such are not providing further moisture than necessary.  We know, we know…this is a no brainer.   
 
Tip #3: Get the Real Deal Holyfield
 
What, are boxing now? Nope. But what we mean by telling you to get the Real Deal Holyfield is that the best way to prevent rotting in the future is by replacing the current wood around your windows with wood that is resistant to rotting. When you have the “Real Deal” you no longer have to take some of the tedious steps as mentioned above. Get the real deal and rest assured that you never have to worry about your windows rotting.
 
Need help with finding the Real Deal?  No problem. The Fort Collins Windows and Door team would happy to install the wood windows of your dreams.
 
We look forward to seeing you again real soon.  Be sure to give Woody a click as we are sure that you will be tickled as you reminisce on his distinct, classic laugh.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNxujJGnbB4

It’s the middle of August and we are proud to announce that it is almost draft time. 
 
You may be saying, “Of course it’s draft time as the NFL season kicks off in less than 30 days”, however, we are not referring to the NFL draft.
 
We are referring to a draft that doesn’t involve trash talk, two laptops, cheat seat, or a bottle of your favorite brew. Nope, the draft we speak of is that pesky and annoying draft that likes to seep through your windows each winter.  

We’ve all been there.  You’re laying on your couch with the heat on 74 degrees, yet for some reason you continue to get a draft of cool air to cross your path and make you squeeze your Snuggie a little tighter.
 
If that sounds like your home, chances are you may benefit from adding some insulation  to your home, particularly your windows. 
 
Today we are going to show you how to add insulation to your windows for less than $20 so that you can stay warm and comfortable all winter long.
 
Once you have identified the window that you would like to insulate here is a list of items that you will need to get the job done.
 
·      Window Insulation Kit (Option 1)
·      Great Stuff Foam Spray (Option 2)
·      Wood Glue
·      Hammer
·      Nails
 
You’ll also benefit from the following accessories
 
·      Putty Knife
·      Gloves
·      Safety Glasses
·      Small Tarp
 
Now that you have all the gear needed for the job, follow these steps and you will be on your way to cutting down the cost of your energy bill, while establishing a warm climate in your home.
 
1.     Use your putty knife to remove the molding around your window
2.     Apply spray foam or window insulation in the gaps around the window
3.     Use putty knife to fully stuff insulation into gap, or allow foam to expand, ensuring that the gap is fully secured (may take 6-8 hours)
4.      Reattach molding with hammer and nails. 
 
All done! It’s as simple as that and only takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
 
We love bringing our fans tips and tricks to keep your home warm, but we recognize that sometimes things just need to be replaced.  If you want to explore that idea of new custom windows in your home, feel free to reach out to our team to schedule a complimentary consultation.
 
See ya next week!
 

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As I was perusing my local hardware store today I happened to take a quick glance up at one of their new promotional displays.  Soon after my eyes focused on the products on the display my face dropped and a thought ran through my head that could only be served justice by watching this lil’ fella below…
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k
 
Yes, I was in shock to see snow blowers already filling the shelves of this store.  I thought we were supposed to be in the dog days of August? Well, I guess its safe to say that times have change, and if The Home Depot says that we should begin preparing the for the upcoming winter months, then who am I to judge. 
 
With that said we thought it would be a great time to give you the tools and resources to take care of a common problems or nuances that occur in homes across Fort Collins every winter.  The problem that we speak of today would be the issue of having cold air seeping through your windows.  While we at Fort Collins Windows & Doors pride ourselves on installing windows that are virtually impenetrable by winter’s wind, we understand that purchasing all new windows for your home may not feasible for everyone at this time.  If you had to wrap up in your blanket extra tight last winter because your windows couldn’t keep “The Hawk” out, then follow these quick and easy this year so you and your loved ones remain nice and warm all winter long.
 
Step 1: Visit your local hardware store (or Wal-mart if all else fails) and pick up a window insulation kit.  A company called Frost King makes the most common and trusted brand.
 
Step 2: Grab your accessories. To complete this job you will need a hair dryer, scissors, and packing tape.
 
Step 3: Bonus Tip: Add Bubble Wrap (not the stuff left over from your birthday present).  Adding bubble wrap in front of your insulation film give you another line of defense against cold air.  It will cost you a few more dollars, but on February 11th you’ll be thanking me.
 
Step 4: Time to install.   For lack of redundancy we’ll spare you every detailed step for installing the film. After all, you’re going to read the instructions again on your Frost King window kit.
 
Just be sure not to forget the bubble wrap. 
 
The beautiful thing about this process is that it is simple and can be set up effortlessly in every room throughout your house. 
 
Thanks again for stopping by our blog. We hope you found it to be informational as well as a little entertaining. 
 
Come back soon!

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