Common causes include:

1. Deteriorating seals: over time, the seals around the window frames can deteriorate, allowing air to enter or escape.
2. Poor window installation: improper installation can leave gaps between the window frame and the wall, creating a pathway for air leakage.
3. Worn weatherstripping: weatherstripping creates a tight seal between the moving parts of a window. When it wears out or becomes damaged, drafts can occur.
4. Single-pane windows: single-pane windows lack the insulating properties of double or triple-pane windows, making them more susceptible to drafts.
5. Structural issues: in some cases, drafts can result from structural problems, such as gaps in the wall or poorly fitting windows.

How Renewal by Andersen can help

We specialize in high-quality replacement windows and doors. Here’s how we can help fix drafty windows:

1. Custom window solutions: our custom-made windows ensure a precise fit in your home. Every window is customized to your precise measurements.
2. Energy-efficient glass: our windows are equipped with advanced glass technology, including low-emissivity coatings and insulating gases, which help reduce drafts and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
3. Durable window frames: our window frames are made with Fibrex®, a patented material that combines wood’s strength with vinyl’s low-maintenance features. This prevents warping and shrinkage, ensuring a tight seal against drafts.
4. Professional installation: our team of certified master installers will ensure that your new windows are correctly installed to eliminate any drafts caused by gaps or other installation errors.
5. Warranty protection: we offer one of the industry’s best warranties, giving homeowners peace of mind that their windows are protected against defects or future draft issues.

Drafty windows are not only uncomfortable but also have a negative impact on your energy bills. If you’re having this problem, you can contact us to learn more about our custom window options, energy-efficient glass, durable frames, and professional installation services. We’ll help eliminate drafts and create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home environment. Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We offer window and door replacement services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, and the Okanagan.

The post What Causes Drafty Windows? appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

These three styles of windows—casement, gliding, and double-hung, are the best to let in summer breezes. They’ll maximize comfort and energy efficiency while allowing plenty of natural light to enter your home. All three of these windows will help you maintain a comfortable room temperature over the summer and keep your energy bills down.

Casement Windows

Our most energy-efficient ventilating style, casement windows have an openable sash on a hinge that swings outwards, either vertically (called a casement window) or horizontally (called an awning window). Both styles have a crank handle that opens up the window, directing fresh air indoors.

Gliding Windows

Also called “sliding” windows, our gliding windows are built with an operable passive sash unlike most gliding windows that have a fixed sash. This allows for more versatility, such as easier cleaning or better placement of a window air conditioner. Gliding windows are popular because they’re easy to use and maintain, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of fresh air with the push of a finger.

Double-hung Windows

Unlike most companies that sell a single hung, meaning the top sash is fixed, our double-hung has two sashes that slide up and down separately from each other, allowing for more ventilation and easier cleaning. Having both sashes open allows hot air to escape out the top and cool air to come in the bottom, perfect for catching a cool breeze in hot weather.

Helping you find the right windows to make your home comfortable while still enjoying the view is what Renewal by Andersen does best. We offer window replacement services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River. Give us a call today and schedule your free consultation with our team of experts.

The post Maximize Airflow in Your Home With These 3 Windows appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

How Does Passive Ventilation Work?

Passive ventilation is the use of openings such as windows, doors, and vents to bring fresh air into your indoor space. But in order for it to work, the size and placement of these openings should be carefully considered.

Relying on your HVAC system alone can drive up your energy bill costs. This is where passive ventilation can help!

How To Integrate Passive Ventilation Into Your Home:

1. Allow time for ventilation. When ventilating your home using your windows, keep them open for 15 minutes at least 5 times a week.

2. Location is key. Windows on the south and east sides of your home allow cool breezes to come in early in the day. It is best to open these windows during this time to let fresh air inside. On the other hand, your windows on the north and west sides of your home help keep the air moving. Make sure to open windows on the opposite sides to achieve the best results.

3. Choose side-opening windows. Side-opening windows are great at catching breezes over other types of operable windows.

• Passive ventilation also becomes more effective with the right window style. Casement and double-hung windows are great for this.

4. Open windows on opposite sides of your home. By creating a pathway for the outdoor air to come in while also pushing stale air out, you can ensure your home has continuous airflow throughout.

5. Make sure there are windows on every level of your home. If your home has more than one level, make sure that there are operable windows on each level. Keep in mind that hot air rises, so it’s best to leave the windows on the upper levels open to ventilate your home well. This is also a good way of releasing hot air that has accumulated in your home while also letting in the fresh air.

You can get the most out of passive ventilation in your home by using only high-quality windows from Renewal by Andersen® of British Columbia. Our Fibrex® material offers windows that have superior durability and insulating properties to wood and the low-maintenance performance of vinyl.

Fibrex material has earned Renewal by Andersen® numerous environmental certifications for leadership in using and reclaiming safe materials that reduce indoor off-gassing of harmful chemicals.

Ready to replace? Give us a call today at (604) 800-5176 and schedule your free consultation with our team of experts who can assist in choosing the best window for your home.

The post Passive Home Ventilation Strategies appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

Supplies

• 1 small glass
• 1 large glass
• Water
• Food colouring (optional) 

Directions

Step 1 – Add the water to the large glass.  It should fill about 75% of the glass.

Step 2 – *optional* Add 5 – 10 drops of food colouring, depending on how strong you want the color.  

Step 3 – Take the small glass and vertically lower it slowly into the water with the open end towards the water.  Watch how water does not enter the glass.

Step 4 – Slowly tilt the small glass to one side.  Watch how water now enters the glass.

Key Principles

• Air pressure.  The glass slowly lowered into the water isn’t empty.  It’s full of air.  As the water is trying to get up into the glass from underneath, the air inside has nowhere to go.  As water is pushing to get inside the glass, it compresses the air, causing the air pressure to rise, which pushes against the water, causing the glass to not fill with water.  
• When the glass is tilted, air bubbles come up and water enters.  The more you tilt; the more air bubbles are formed, and more water enters.

Want to do more?

• What do you think would happen if you tilt the glass at different angles?  5 degrees, 30 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees (like when you are upside down underwater)?

Share your experiment fun

Did your experiment go as planned? Were there any surprises? What might you do differently next time? Tell us about your experience through words and pictures on our Facebook page! Be sure to tag @AndersenWindows and use #AndersenWindows with #SummerScience. 

Thanks for joining our Andersen scientists and adding STEM into your summer! 

The post Summer Science – Episode 4: Why Water Doesn’t Go Up My Nose appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

This groovy science experiment is courtesy of Ben Goebel, a Renewal by Andersen RD&I Engineer Manager.

Supplies

• 1 Glass
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• Food colouring
• Alka-Seltzer tablet

Instructions 

Step 1 – Add the water to the glass. It should fill only about the bottom 25% of the glass.

Step 2 – Slowly add the oil to the glass. With water and oil together, it should fill about 75% of the glass. Notice the water and oil remain separated.

Step 3 – Add 5-10 drops of food colouring to the glass, depending on how strong you want the colour.

Step 4 – Finally, add 1 Alka-Seltzer tablet to the glass. Watch as the tablet dissolves in the water layer, releasing bubbles that mix with the food colouring and rise through the oil layer.

Key Principles

• Chemical compounds, such as oil and water, are made up of different elements. These elements are bonded together to make molecules. Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen. Oil is made up of mostly carbon and hydrogen. Because oxygen and hydrogen form polar bonds and carbon and hydrogen form non-polar bonds, these materials do not mix. They behave like magnets repelling each other, but on a molecular level.
• The Alka-Seltzer is made of citric acid (powder) and sodium bicarbonate (powder), which is a base. When the Alka-Seltzer is added to water, the water allows the acid and base powders to react together. The reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, released as bubbles, and sodium citrate salt, which you see on the bottom of the glass after the reaction.
• Since gas is less dense than liquid, the bubbles rise through the water layer, mix the food colouring, and carry it through the oil layer, before they pop on the surface. The food colouring is water based, so it falls back through the oil layer, settling in the water layer.
• It’s interesting to note that the acid-base reaction in this experiment is “endothermic.” That means it absorbs heat from the water while reacting, which actually cools the water by the end of the reaction. 

Want to do more?

• What do you think would happen if you did this with very cold water? 
• What about very hot water?
• What if, instead of water, you used a clear soda, such as 7-Up or Sprite?
• If you add different liquids to the glass, do they settle into the water layer or the oil layer? This can tell you if the liquid is “water-based” or “oil-based.” What about juice? Salad dressing? Ketchup? Mustard? Vinegar?

Share your experiment fun

Did your experiment go as planned? Were there any surprises? What might you do differently next time? Tell us about your experience through words and pictures on our Facebook page! Be sure to tag @AndersenWindows and use #AndersenWindows with #SummerScience. 

Thanks for joining our Andersen scientists and adding STEM into your summer! 

The post Summer Science – Episode 3: Alka-Seltzer Lava Lamp appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

This week’s Summer Science activity comes courtesy of Renewal by Andersen Engineer Suzan Cox. 

EPISODE 2: DENSITY OF ICE ACTIVITY  

SUPPLIES 

• 2 glasses or jars 
• Paraffin wax such as Gulf Wax (available in the baking aisle at grocery stores) 
• Ice cubes 
• Medium-sized pot 

Step 1 – An adult should help with this step. Fill the pot 2-3″ high with water. Put a block of wax in a jar and set it in the water. Turn the stove on low and wait for the wax to melt. 

Step 2 – Fill the other jar with water. 

Step 3 – An adult should help with this step. Cut a square of wax in the shape of an ice cube and set it aside.  

Step 4 – Get an ice cube out of the freezer and set it aside. 

Step 5 – An adult should help with this step. When the wax is melted, pull the jar out of the pot and set the it next to the jar of water. 

Step 6 – Drop the ice cube in the water and the wax cube in the melted wax. Watch what is different. Why might that be? 

KEY PRINCIPLES

• Density is how compact a material is. Density is the mass (or weight) divided by the volume it takes up. It is often expressed as grams per ml or kg/m^3.   
• There are three main states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Gases are the least dense. Usually solids are the most dense state of matter. 
• Ice (solid water) has a crystal structure with a lot of open space. That is why it is less dense than liquid water and ice cubes float. Wax has a dense crystal structure that is more typical of solids, that is why solid wax sinks.  

WANT TO DO MORE?

• Can you measure the density of your ice cube and wax cube?  
• Try this: use a kitchen scale to measure the weight of each cube.  
• Then measure the volume by filling a liquid measuring cup with ½ a cup of water. Add your cube. What is the difference in volume? That change in volume is the volume of your cube. 
• Divide the mass by the volume to find the density. 
• Don’t be alarmed if the results aren’t what you expect. Your kitchen equipment may not be precise enough to accurately measure the cube density.  

SHARE YOUR EXPERIMENT FUN! 

Did your experiment go as planned? Were there any surprises? What might you do differently next time? Tell us about your experience through words and pictures on our Facebook page! Be sure to tag @AndersenWindows and use #AndersenWindows with #SummerScience.  

Thanks for joining our Andersen scientists and adding STEM into your summer!

The post Summer Science – Episode 2: Density of Ice Activity appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

Many of us have kids at home with far fewer activities than they have had in the past. The scientists at Andersen want to help you this summer by sharing fun experiments your kids can do at home.

Today is the launch of the new “Summer Science” web series, sponsored by the cross-enterprise STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Steering Committee. The weekly series will allow kids of all ages to stay engaged with science over the summer with hands-on activities.

Volunteers from across Andersen’s RD&I will be creating the bulk of the content, with additional videos being contributed from other Andersen departments across the enterprise. All of the experiments are activities kids can do with common household items, although some may need the help of a parent.

SEE THE ATTACHED INSTRUCTIONS TO GET STARTED WITH YOUR KIDS!

Says Renewal’s Director of RD&I, Katherine Graham, “There will be a wide variety of topics including chemistry, design, mechanical engineering, and physics…to name just a few! These are projects that all ages and skill levels should be able to enjoy and learn from—younger kids can do the basic experiment; older ones can use it as a starting point to play around with the materials to create different outcomes—they can guess what will happen first, then try it out to continue learning in a fun way.”

STEM skills are critical skills for the employment force of the future—and of course, they are the foundation for research and innovation. Access to fun and intriguing activities like those in Summer Science can play a key role in encouraging kids to explore their interests in those areas.

Given that it is summer break—without a lot of summer’s normal activities, coupled with some of the limitations on lab work because of homeschooling, now is the ideal time for the series to launch, continues Graham. “We noticed that virtual learning experiences in science for kids were limited over the past couple of months due to online education. Many school districts were hesitant to require hands-on experimentation. Of course, not all programs were like this, but we saw an opportunity to offer some science content at home that we thought would allow kids to stay engaged with science over the summer.”

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