Common Pitfalls of DIY Window Installation

If the professional method above sounds straightforward, know that each step is painstakingly managed with specialized knowledge and tools. Homeowners attempting this process risk: 

1. Measurement Errors
   Even a minor miscalculation can lead to drafts, leaks, and significant energy loss—problems that could cost more to fix than hiring a pro in the first place. 
2. Inadequate Waterproofing
   Missing or improperly installed flashing can let water seep into wall cavities, potentially causing mold and structural damage. 
3. Potential Damage to the Frame or Siding
   Removing old windows or installing new ones without the correct technique can crack or warp the frame, requiring pricey repairs. 
4. Voiding Manufacturer Warranties
   Many warranties specify professional installation. DIY might leave you unprotected if the product fails. 
5. Safety Risks
   Handling large window units, especially on upper floors, poses a fall hazard. Professionals have the training and equipment to do the job safely. 

The post How to Install Replacement Windows: A Professional Guide for Gulf Coast Homes  appeared first on LAS Shutters + Windows.

How to Choose the Best Replacement Windows for Your Louisiana Home

Selecting the right windows involves careful consideration of several factors. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision: 

1. Assess Your Current Windows 

• Check for Drafts: On a windy day, feel around your windows for air leaks. 
• Look for Condensation: Moisture between panes indicates seal failure. 
• Inspect for Damage: Cracks, warping, or difficulty opening and closing are signs it's time to replace. 

2. Determine Your Goals 

• Energy Efficiency: Aim to reduce energy bills and improve comfort. 
• Storm Protection: Enhance your home's resilience against severe weather. 
• Aesthetics: Update the look of your home inside and out. 
• Noise Reduction: Improve indoor peace by minimizing outside noise. 

3. Research Window Options 

• Materials: Vinyl, wood, aluminum, and fiberglass each have pros and cons. 
• Glass Types: Consider double or triple-pane, Low-E coatings, and gas fills. 
• Styles: Double-hung, casement, picture, and sliding windows offer different functionalities. 

4. Consult with Experts 

Reach out to professionals like LAS who can provide personalized recommendations based on your home's specific needs and your budget. 

5. Consider Installation Quality 

Proper installation is crucial for performance. Ensure the company you choose has experienced installers and offers warranties on their work. 

The post Will Replacing My Windows Add Value to My Home? appeared first on LAS Shutters + Windows.

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How to find the best windows for hot, humid climates

When you’re researching windows, you’ll generally come across a lot of different terms and pieces that make up a window. You can learn more about these in our Windows 101 Guide. One of your biggest choices, though, will come down to the frame.

The major types of window frames are:

• Wooden
• Vinyl
• Aluminum

We lay out the main differences between wood vs. vinyl windows in an earlier post, but one thing is clear. Vinyl windows outperform every other type of frame in a hot, humid climate. Here’s why.

Pros and cons of wood windows

Wood windows serve as great insulators in some climates. They also add warmth and aesthetic appeal to a home.

Homeowners in cooler, less humid states like Minnesota or South Dakota can install wood windows and call it a day. Unfortunately, a hot and humid climate like the one we have in southeast Louisiana requires longer-lasting and more durable materials.

Because of the potential for wood to rot in hot and humid climates, wood windows are not well suited for any area that has a higher amount of humidity or heat during the summers. There’s nothing quite like swollen wood fixtures in the summertime that jam or improperly insulate your home. Over time, these frames can rot leading to expensive repairs or replacements.

If your area doesn’t experience much humidity (but still lots of heat), the risks are just as great. Hot and arid environments can dry out wooden window frames and lead to cracks.

Why we choose vinyl windows for hot, humid climates

In southeast Louisiana, we receive over 216 sunny days a year and have an average of 76% humidity. Monthly averages in the summer hover in the 90s or higher. For over 60 years, we’ve installed windows in this region. Aluminum frames are often low quality and break over time. Wood frames are loads of maintenance, with risks for rotting.

Instead, we know that high-quality vinyl frames are the best option for our southern climate, as well as other hot, humid climates. To start, vinyl windows don’t rot like wood. They won’t fade, chip, dent, or swell like wood does. They have minimal maintenance.   

However, they also look great and stay looking great. Vinyl window frames can mimic the aesthetically appealing qualities of wood, without the upkeep of wooden frames. Further, when vinyl windows are properly manufactured and installed, they meet and exceed the strictest building codes in the world. There’s a reason we choose vinyl windows in a state like Louisiana that is subject to a brush with a hurricane every 2.3 years.

High-performance vinyl windows also add immense value to your home in terms of comfort, resilience, and energy savings. During hot weather, they effectively keep the heat outside and restrict condensation in and around your window units. These types of windows not only maintain a temperate environment on a daily basis; they also reduce your long-term heating and cooling costs.

Learn more about our Weathergard windows at LAS

At LAS, we’re proud to design, build, and install the highest-quality vinyl windows for homeowners across the Gulf South.

Further, our vinyl windows are manufactured with a protective coating within the window assembly. In addition to reducing heat transfer, this e-glass technology significantly reduces UV and other solar radiation in your home that would otherwise cause your interior furnishings to fade over time.

Ready to learn more about the best windows for hot, humid climates? Our team of experts at LAS Shutters + Windows are here to help. We can answer any questions you have. Give us a call today to learn more and get a free quote for your project!

Originally posted March 15, 2013.

The post What Are The Best Windows For Hot, Humid Climate? appeared first on LAS Shutters + Windows.

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With a beautiful, custom built sunroom from LAS, you can bring the beauty of the outdoors inside, creating a space where you and your family can comfortably relax. A sunroom will allow an abundance of natural light and also provides a great place to enjoy nature without the nuisances of extreme weather or bugs!

At LAS our sunrooms are engineered for today’s modern lifestyle with state-of-the-art technology to provide comfort and beauty to your home. Here is a list of the benefits of our sunrooms:

• Expands the living space in your home – a sunroom can be used a family room, game room, home office, gym, or even a hot tub room!

•Increases value of your home – a sunroom is an attractive selling feature.

•Energy and cost efficient – Made with insulated glass and air-tight construction, these enclosures keep your energy bills down.

•Quick Installation: Installed in about half the time as a conventional construction, your sunroom can even be installed over your existing deck, porch or patio.

•Ease of Maintenance: The Vinyl is easy to clean and is less likely to show wear such as scratches or dents, the glass is maintenance free and the screens provide maximum visibility and resist sagging.

Our Expert Construction

An LAS enclosure will give your space year-round use and utility. In constructing our sunrooms, we utilize use some of the most durable materials available ensuring that you have a gorgeous sunroom to enjoy for years to come. Our EZ system is designed for quick installation and can fit virtually any sized patio, so you can add space where you need it most. Not only do we customize any project to fit your needs, we also offer a wide variety of colors and styles to ensure your new addition blends seamlessly with your home.

Our sales consultants can walk you through all of your custom enclosure options and answer any questions you may have. We would love to help you create the sunroom addition you have been dreaming about.

Patio Covers

Looking to protect your deck or patio from the sun and elements but don’t want to enclose it completely? LAS Patio Covers are custom manufactured to fit virtually any sized patio or driveway surface to keep your guests cool and dry. Engineered for durability and wind-resistance our stationary patio covers offer protection from both the sun’s rays and the elements without the need for an entirely enclosed patio, porch or deck. Our patio covers are perfect for both residential and commercial applications. Each patio cover is custom designed and professionally installed to guarantee quality workmanship and a product that meets your exact needs.

The benefits of a LAS Patio Cover:

•Economical weather protection

•Can fit virtually any sized area

•Increases the value of your home

To learn more about our home additions, contact Patio Enclosures today and schedule a free in-home estimate.

The post The Benefits of Glass Enclosures and Patio Covers appeared first on LAS Shutters + Windows.

At LAS, we do more than just sell custom-made home improvement products.  We build lasting relationships with our customers.  One of the benefits of a local manufacturing facility is that we’re closer to our customers when they need us.  Your LAS windows come with a limited Lifetime Warranty*.  For example, if your window or sash needs repairs, and can be removed, you may bring it to our manufacturing location on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain where LAS will repair.  If your window cannot be removed, LAS will send someone out to repair it**.

See what LAS can do for you on our About Us page.  Visit our Customer Support section to check out warranties, schedule a service call and more; or Contact Us with any questions you may have about a new or a previously installed product.

We’ve been in business for almost 60 years.  We’re local and we’re here to stay.  That’s just one part of the LAS difference.  We want you to love your LAS home improvement products.  We hope that you never enter a situation where you need to call us.  But it’s nice to know that when something is not quite right, we’re close by to help.

*The LAS limited Lifetime Warranty covers 1-5 unit sashes

**Please see your LAS warranty for all details. Terms vary across product lines. Contact your LAS sales consultant with any questions.

The post Can I Drop Off My Window to LAS for Window Repair? appeared first on LAS Shutters + Windows.

We know that if you’re looking to replace your windows, like most consumers, you will research the best options.  You’ll want windows that are easy to operate, energy efficient and that look great.  There are many options out there with a range of features.  By this time, you have likely learned that our line of WeatherGard vinyl windows provide not only superior functionality and storm protection, but will also beautify your home.   To learn more about the manufacturing process, watch our manufacturing video.

Whatever decision you reach, You’ll also want to ensure that your windows are installed properly.  Installation services are another area in which LAS is superior to its competition.  Once the window is installed, we seal it with WINTeQ caulking system.  Many of our competitors don’t warranty their installation.  They also use a silicone caulking to seal the windows after installation.  Our research concludes that some silicone caulking systems do not adhere well to vinyl, thus leading to moisture penetration increasing the potential for mold and mildew, as well as air loss.

WINTeQ caulking system uses a silicone specifically designed with vinyl windows in mind.  The WINTeQ system provides a necessary barrier of protection in our humid climate to prevent these issues from occurring.  It’s another way to demonstrate that we provide superior products with our climate and customer in mind.  And, we warranty our windows as well as our installation.  At LAS, “We Know” windows, right down to the final installation process, and it’s why we exclusively use WINTeQ caulking system.

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Did you see us in the Autumn 14 issue of New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine? Our RollGard shutters were featured in an advertorial talking all about the benefits they provide to your home. Read on below!

RollGard

Going Beyond Storm Protection

While homeowners across Louisiana know that LAS is synonymous with storm protection, many aren’t aware that LAS is also leading the way in home security.

Since 1998, LAS has been manufacturing RollGard, a unique, compact roll-down shutter that offers not only protection from sun, wind, rain, and debris, but also from the dangers of home invasions. A longtime go-to option for government and commercial entities, RollGard is increasingly being installed for residential use due to its many benefits, the addition of new features, and its time-tested quality.

Made from interlocking aluminum slats, these strong shutters roll up, down, and away, much like a smoother, sleeker garage door, but one that instead covers windows, sliding glass doors, or other home features that require protection. The slats are custom cut to the needed dimensions and, once installed, slide between guide rails from a hood placed above the window or door.

In the old days, rolling shutters were made with wide slats that necessitated a large hood/box, upwards of a square-foot wide or even larger, and many manufacturers today still produce these unsightly compartments. RollGard from LAS is instead manufactured using thin slats, ranging from 1 5/8” to 2.5”, allowing for smaller boxes that can be easily disguised or installed into a home’s eaves for a more pleasing aesthetic effect.

Historically, this type of shutter has been popular for a number of reasons. In Europe, roll-down shutters are extensively used for creating shade. In South Florida, they are a top option for hurricane protection. Here in South Louisiana, LAS’s RollGard shutters can be used for both purposes and more. RollGard is designed and manufactured locally with this region’s residents and needs in mind. Featuring advanced technology and user-friendly features, RollGard makes protection quick, easy, and convenient.

RollGard incorporates a remote-controlled electric motor eliminating the need for a switch on the wall or manual lifting and pulling. These systems can be wired and programmed to operate on a time sensor, rain sensor, or based on homeowners’ preferences. Great for television watching or removing a glare, these shutters have the ability to remove outside light and reduce outside noise for homes near highways, railways, or new construction.

Outside of its smaller slats, what makes RollGard unique is the interlocking slat system that adds an added layer of protection. The intermediate slats create an uplift force friction that prevents an intruder from being able to lift and raise the shutter. RollGard has undergone forced entry tests of up to 300lbs of upward force. The system is able to serve the same purpose as burglar bars, albeit protection that can be rolled up into the eave of the home and can also serve as shade, keeping the house cool while protecting its contents.

In residential installations, there are many ways to disguise or hide the RollGard hardware so that the system is less detectable when not in use. Guide rails can blend into the sides of window frames, and the boxes can be made to look like a window header exhibiting a crown molding effect. On one-story buildings, placing the box in the eave is a popular and easy way to hide it from sight. On homes with large overhangs, LAS carpenters can cut out the eave, install the box, and then reframe it within the eave. On new construction homes, the boxes can even be built into the walls. Custom framing and paint options are added residential features from LAS.

LAS has manufactured roll-down shutters for fifteen years, installing over 20,000 RollGard systems across the region and using their own experienced installers and service techs. In addition to providing security from home invasions, RollGard meets storm protection requirements and building codes. LAS experts know the varying levels of protection and will customize a system to meet both a home’s building codes and needs. RollGard not only protects a home during hurricane season, it protects your family year-round.

This advertorial was originally featured in New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn ’14 issues.

The post New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles – LAS RollGard Feature appeared first on LAS Shutters + Windows.

So what makes LAS shutters superior to other products?  All HomeGard Shutters can be approved by the Florida Building Code.  We believe that if it’s good enough to meet one of the most rigorous building code standards in the nation, then it’s good enough for our customers.  But we didn’t stop there.  We designed our aluminum shutters to have the look of wooden shutters but with a durability greater than even vinyl shutters.  Finally, when it comes to color, that’s where LAS excels.  We use a Powder Coating finish which is a technology that allows the paint to adhere to the aluminum to provide a more durable finish than the typical wet paint.   It’s a painting system that’s built to last.  This will ensure that the beautiful shutters you buy today will remain so for years to come.  For more information on the actual process, check out our 3 step, pre-treatment, powder coating and curing. 

We think that it is important to share our manufacturing processes with you so that you will understand why LASshutters are superior to other options.  And because we do all of our manufacturing, you can choose between a variety of color options and  even custom matching.  When it comes to shutters,  LAS HomeGard Shutters with Powder Coating technology give you the protection you need with the quality you expect and the color you want.

And don’t forget, at LAS we design, manufacture, install and warrant our shutters.  Simply said, “we know” shutters.  For more information about our shutters or to request a free estimate, click here.

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