Learning Centre

Maintenance is important for the longevity of your hardwood floors just as it is for anything you hope to use for years. Flooring is often neglected and abused more than any other purchased item and the fact we walk all over it doesn't help. Here are some helpful tips you can use to ensure your hardwood floor maintains its beauty and for as long as you need it to.

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Supplier Links

27 October 2011

Administrator

Published in Resources

KWD Hardwood Disclaimer

27 October 2011

Administrator

DISCLAIMER

If your floor is cupping, this does not mean that there is anything wrong with the product.
You should expect more shrinking in the areas directly over the furnace, near heat vents or in front of a fireplace since there is direct heat being applied in these places.
If you have a large space between boards, this may be from the house settling or the plywood beneath it shrinking which may pull the flooring apart.
The floor may also make strange noises when you walk over it. However, this is normal and over time these noises will cease to exist.
Scratching and denting are an evitable aspect of owning hardwood floors. Manufacturers do not cover scratches and dents in their warranties so it is the responsibility of homeowners to take care of their flooring.

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Canada EcoEnergy Program for Windows and doors

27 October 2011

Administrator

Kingston Windows and Doors can help you with energy efficient windows and doors for your new home. More importantl,y we can help you choose and install new energy efficient windows and doors that meet the requirements of the Canada ecoENERGYRetrofit - Home Program.

The Government of Canada has renewed the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit – Home program.

From June 6, 2011, until March 31, 2012, homeowners are eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient. Homeowners who participated in the program to date have saved 20 percent on their energy bills.

There are two important changes to the program.

First, there is a requirement for participants to register directly with the program before booking their evaluation.
Second, homeowners will now be required to provide receipts to their energy advisor at the time of the post-retrofit evaluation to confirm eligibility for the grant.

The first step in the renewed ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program is to register:

New participants - If you or a previous owner have not obtained an energy evaluation of the property between April 1, 2007 and June 5, 2011.
Past participants - Homeowners who participated in the program between April 1, 2007 and June 5, 2011, and who did not receive the maximum amount of $5,000 can submit another application for improvements purchased and installed after June 6, 2011.

For more imformation on the Canada ecoENERGYRetrofit - Home Program please visit: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/ecoenergy.shtml.

Visit our windows and doors products pages to get some ideas or drop by our Kingston Windows and Doors showroom at 1259 Gardiners Road Kingston, Ontario.

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Resources

20 April 2011

Administrator

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F.A.Q.'s

20 April 2011

Administrator

Our F.A.Q.'s can help you answer some common questions our clients have had in the past and save you time and effort before calling us for a quote on your next project. Find out about Installation Timelines, Moisture Barriers, Low E Argon and more.

DO YOU OFFER FREE ESTIMATES?

We offer you free, no obligation quotes. We have appointments Monday to Friday from 8AM till 5PM.

WHAT IS LOW E ARGON?

Low E is a coating applied to the inside of the glass unit. It keeps the heat in during the winter and the heat out in the summer. Argon is an insulation gas that is used between two panes of glass.

HOW LONG WILL TAKE FOR MY PRODUCTS TO BE INSTALLED?

All of our products are custom made to order. We require six to eight weeks from the date ordered.

WHERE DOES CONDENSATION COME FROM?

Today's energy-efficient homes are built more airtight than ever. But in addition to sealing in warmth and air conditioning, they also tend to hold in too much moisture-laden air.

If your home contains excessive moisture and it's cold outside, the first place you'll see it is on your windows. You may think this means there's a problem with your windows, but it doesn't. In fact, the vast majority of window condensation problems are not the result of faulty windows. The windows are just indicating that your home needs added ventilation to lower the amount of moisture in the air.

CAN CONDENSATION DAMAGE YOUR WINDOWS?

Occasional beads of moisture on the glass of your windows usually isn't a problem.

For example, it's likely your bathroom mirror and windows will steam up after a hot shower. Or your kitchen window may fog up when you're boiling food on the stove. But in both these cases, the moisture clears in a matter of minutes.

However, if your windows are "sweating" at other times - or stay that way for any length of time - you probably do have a problem.

Although the glass itself may not be affected, dripping condensation and excess moisture can not only damage your windows but potentially your entire home.

• Wood frames and sash can warp and become difficult to operate
• Paint can peel and other finishes become mottled or stained
• Insulation can become damp, damaging ceilings and walls
• Exterior siding and finishes can become blistered and warped
• Interior surfaces can become breeding grounds for mold and mildew
This is why it's so important to take steps to control and eliminate excess moisture.

WHERE DOES ALL THE MOISTURE COME FROM?

In a word, everywhere.

• In the kitchen, moisture is generated by cooking food, using the sink, running the dishwasher
• In the bathroom, from showers, hot tubs and spas
• Washers and indoor-vented dryers contribute as well
• Basements and crawl spaces can channel dampness from the ground into your home
• Even breathing and perspiration add moisture to indoor air

Collectively, a family of four can easily generate up to 18 gallons of water a week in the form of humidity inside your home.

HOW CAN YOU GET RID OF EXCESSIVE MOISTURE?

To lower your home's humidity levels, you need to increase ventilation and decrease the sources of moisture.

• Make sure you have good ventilation in high-humidity areas: bathrooms, the kitchen, laundry
areas and in the basement
• If you already have adequate exhaust fans and dehumidifiers in these areas, try running them for longer periods of time
• Take shorter showers and install water-restricting faucets - you'll lower the humidity and your energy bills as well
• Cook a little differently. Keep pots and pans covered to hold moisture in. Use your microwave instead of boiling on the stove. Slow-cooking crock pots are energy-efficient and moisture-efficient too.
• Check and reroute drainage away from your home, to minimize the moisture in and around your basement and foundation

HOW MUCH HUMIDITY IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT?

You've probably heard that your home will feel warmer in winter if the humidity is higher. That's true, and why many people use humidifiers to counteract dry, static-filled air during the heating season.

In older homes, excess moisture usually isn't a problem because the structure "breathes" through unsealed cracks and crannies in the construction, creating a regular exchange of outdoor and indoor air. That's why it is often a struggle to keep enough moisture inside older homes.

But with today's modern construction techniques, homes are much tighter and energy-efficient. As a result, newer homes don't usually need a way to add moisture - they're more likely to have trouble getting rid of it.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO LOWER EXCESSIVE INDOOR MOISTURE LEVELS?

The basic principle of reducing window condensation is simple. When there's too much condensation on your windows it means the humidity is too high in your home for the current condition outside.

Here are some additional actions that may help reduce excessive humidity levels:

• Open your windows occasionally to vent excess moisture
• If the condensation is on the storm window, open it periodically to vent excess moisture
• Open drapes and blinds to allow warm house air to circulate against the window
• Turn off your furnace humidifier or other home humidifiers
• Make sure dehumidifiers are working properly and well drained
• Be sure that louvers in the attic or basement crawl space are open and are of adequate size
• Run ventilating fans in the kitchen and bathrooms longer and more often
• Air out your house by opening a door or window for a few minutes after the bathroom, kitchen or laundry has steamed up
If moisture problems still persist, talk to a HVAC professional or your gas or electric company. They may have additional suggestions for reducing humidity, including venting gas-burning heaters and appliances, adding ventilation fans or getting an outside air intake for your furnace.

IS THERE ANY CONDENSATION THAT'S TEMPORARY?

There are two causes of temporary window condensation, and they normally disappear after a few weeks.

First, there is moisture that comes from new construction or re-modeling. There's moisture in new wood, plaster and other building materials. When the heating season starts, this moisture gradually flows into the air of the home. After a few weeks, or at the most, a season of heating, this moisture will disappear.

Second, this same type of moisture can accumulate in a milder form at the beginning of each heating season. During the summer, your house absorbs moisture. After the first few weeks of heating, your home will "dry out" and you'll have less trouble with window condensation.

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