Sliding Glass Patio Doors: Universal WIndows Direct offers Patio Doors

Read about why our Patio Doors are Awesome!

Universal Windows Direct offers Patio Doors

Patio Door Month is here!!

I’m not sure how it happens, but one month a year we realize it has become patio door month.

Maybe it's because we drag that beautiful patio door sample out to the big home shows with us.   Maybe it's because with the the first few inches of snow melted comes the promise of summer nights on the deck or lazy Saturdays by the pool.   Cabin fever slowly transitions into Patio Door Fever.   And Universal Windows Direct is here to help.

Our patio doors are awesome.    Fusion welded frames and sashes mean the door is strong, it is solid on the corners and it is square.   If you’ve ever tried to open or close a patio door that wasn’t square you can really appreciate that statement.

The doors come standard with a 7/8” glass insulating cavity with  argon gas and of course they have the super spacer.   When you have a space that large covered in glass in your home, the last thing you  need is a metal or aluminum spacer pulling all that cold air into your living space.   In addition we offer the stainless steel rollers on the bottom so the operation is smooth and effortless.   (No muscle needed).

Sliding Glass Doors are meant to be open in the summer, right?  So that screen door is included as part of the door.   It is ridiculous to us that it is an add on option with some companies!    Have pets?  No problem.  You can choose to upgrade to the pet screen which is stronger and more resistant to the wear and tear of pets

Do you want your new door to be bright white?   Do you like a softer tan or do you prefer a deep chocolate brown?   None of those?  How about a wood grain?  How about a maintenance free vinyl wood grain in a dark oak, light oak or a cherry?   Are we getting closer?

Finally, lets not be afraid to jazz up that door a bit with grids or an etched glass pattern.  The etched arch in our show sample is always a hit, but I am partial to the etched prairie view grids.  If you've ever found yourself at the cabin stitching red yard stick figures into your screen, you might prefer the etched glass too!

As with all of our UniShield products, our sliding glass patio doors carry a double lifetime warranty.    Let this be the last time you ever replace that patio door.   Contact us today for a free quote.   We’ll send an awesome sales guy right out to you.  =)

Cheers.  Enjoy the spring!  Summer is right around the corner.

Author:  Melissa Brager

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Steve the Window Guy

Radio!: Steve the Window Guy records radio spots!

Steve the Window Guy recorded his first radio spots this morning. Read this blog for a behind the scenes look!

Radio.   Radio!  RADIO!!!   (So many ways you can say it!)   We are taking the plunge into radio advertising!  After talking and planning and writing ad copy for the last few weeks today was the big day and we recorded our spots!

We were both nervous but the kind of nervous where you don’t talk about it – you just both know it is there.    The morning was busy as we got our peanut dropped off at Primrose, we got the installers going, met a contractor who was placing an order, sent in payroll and generally tried to get our desks in order.   By 9:15 we were on our way!

We recorded at Clear Channel Studios in St Louis Park.   From the minute the elevator doors opened we knew we were in a creative space!  Shiny stainless steel looking floors, bright colors and lots of pictures were everywhere!   We got there early, of course, so we were treated to a wonderful conversation with a studio exec who was so warm and positive and genuine that all of our nerves melted away on the spot.

He gave us the quick tour of the offices where we went into the very very cool Studio C and we were able to catch a glimpse of KDWB, KFAN and K102 recording their shows.   We popped in quick to meet Lee Valsvick and we ran into Keri Noble and Adam West in the hallways.     If radio personalities you hear all the time can be normal people in jeans and a cozy hoodie then what could we possibly be worried about, right?

By the time we entered our studio to record we were ready!   Both our marketing guru Loni and the sound genius Dave  made it really easy to get a finished product we are excited about.   Doesn't Steve look professional?

Steve might say it wasn’t really easy, but no one gets it perfect the first time.  We recorded the same words and the same phrases about one hundred times.  We edited copy on the spot, we swapped our phrases, we re-ordered things, and we recorded until it was perfect.

Literally one hour later we walked out with 2 completed 15 second spots.  It felt incredibly productive and wonderful.

Our spots will be running on KFAN and on MYTALK 107.1 starting next week in the 6-9am slots.  Tune in on your way to work and when you hear our ads tell us.   Write on our Facebook Page and tell us what you think.  WE hope you love them as much as we do!

Meanwhile, if you or someone you know is in the market for windows, siding, doors or roofing, contact us for a free quote!   I’ll send Steve The Window Guy out to your home and you’ll have a blast!

Author: Melissa Brager

Operations Manager, Universal Windows Direct

Universal WIndows Direct, MN: Top 5 WInter Activites of Universal Windows Direct

This blog post shares an update on the winter activities of Universal Windows Direct, Twin Cities

Remodeling and Construction businesses typically have a slow period through the winter.     Homeowners hibernate in the winter and spend their time preparing for the holidays, watching more TV, and planning their spring vacations.   Then, the first day the temperature rises to 40 degrees spring fever hits and the phone starts ringing.

No business owner in the home improvement business looks forward to this slower time in the year, but at Universal Windows Direct we really embraced it this year.

Top 5 Winter Activities of Universal Windows Direct

1. We did a bit of remodeling of our own, as we prepared to move into our new office and warehouse.   We stripped the space down, removed a wall, replaced sheetrock, added attic insulation, painted and replaced the carpet.   We are left with a large work space and lots of natural light… with easy access to our warehouse.  We are especially loving the play room area for Tessie and the conference room so we can meet with clients.

2. We attended a national sales meeting in January where we immersed ourselves in networking, business planning, and goal setting for 2014.   It is amazing how dedicating time to something as important as that can set your whole year off on the right path.

3. We hosted a job fair at our new location so we could bring the right talent in to our company.   Within a week we were blessed to hire both Zach and Ryan.  These guys are awesome.   They are smart, they take in new information quickly, they ask good questions and they made training very easy.   We are so pleased with the contributions they have already brought to us

4. We prepped for the big Minneapolis Home and Garden Show.  We have a large 20x20 booth with all of our full size samples and we sit on a main aisle.    We added a video monitor on our bay window this year to attract more attention and we hired the BEST SHOW STAFF of all time to help us work.   We seriously have never felt more confident or more proud of the people in our booth representing us.

5. We kept working.   Yup.  We started and finished several siding jobs over the winter and we were installing windows every week.  We ran appointments every week.   We started working home shows in January.   We never stopped working.

Now that it is “spring”  (ignore the snow from earlier this week) we are poised for a fantastic spring!   We are actively quoting home improvent jobs for window replacement, sliding glass doors, front entry doors, siding, and roofing.   If you've been waiting until spring to start your window, siding, door or roofing project, it is here.   Contact us today to get started.

Author:  Melissa Brager, Operations Manager, Universal Windows Direct MN

Last 3 Articles

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Ice Dams: What is a Roof Ice Dam and How Do You Prevent it?

Ice Dams are a thick ridge of ice that build up on the eaves of your home. This blog shares more detail on how roof ice dams form in MN and offers attic insulation as one way to prevent them.

Ice Dams.   We’ve all heard about them but what is an ice dam?

Ice Dams are a thick ridge of ice that build up on the eaves of your home.  They are caused when snow starts to melt and run down the roof, and then re-freezes when it reaches the eaves.   The warm air on the top of your roof causes the snow to melt, and it runs down the pitch of your house to the cold eaves where it gets trapped and then freezes.

Moisture is always attracted to the coldest surface it can find.  If it is cold enough, it will freeze.  This is the same reason you may find frost on the bottom of your old windows or patio doors inside your home.   On your roof it is just worse because the melt off literally rolls down-hill to the eave where it collects.

Once the ice dam has been formed, it only gets worse.   Any additional water that rolls down towards it gets trapped underneath the dam and it can seep into your home, causing water damage.   On a large scale that damage can cause paint to peel, ceilings to be replaced, floors to be warped, insulation to rot, and window treatments to be replaced.

**Fun fact**  Glacial ice dams are the same thing, but on a much larger scale.   With a glacial ice dam the frozen glacier moves until it gets blocked by a river, and the backup of water causes a lake.   In Minnesota that gives us a place to go visit in the summer.   In your home, the backup could result in an insurance claim.

How do you prevent an ice dam?  There are several actions you can take to prevent an ice dam.

When snow starts to pile up take a large roof rake and remove the snow from the eaves.  Pay special attention to any snow buildup around roof vents and make sure the downspouts on your gutters are clear so drainage can occur.

Attic insulation is a great way to prevent ice dams.   By making sure your attic is properly insulated you are both trapping the warm air inside your home, and with proper ventilation, you are ensuring that the roof is staying cool.   A cool roof will not melt the snow, therefore working to prevent the main cause of ice dams.

Universal Windows Direct can help prevent ice dams from forming.

Is your attic insulated?   Do you have the proper ventilation in your attic to keep your roof cool?   Contact Universal Windows Direct, MN today for a FREE consultation on your current attic.   A small amount of time now can prevent huge problems later.

Call us today at 612-866-2888 to schedule your appointment!

Author:  Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct, MN

Heat Stopper Technology: UniShield Windows Now Offer Heat Stopper Technology

This blog provides a brief overview of the Heat Stopper Technology found in the exclusive UniShield line of Windows from Universal Windows Direct, Twin Cities

The heat stopper technology, as shown in a window sill

Heat Stopper technology.   It’s one of the latest enhancements to the exclusive UniShield line of replacement windows!    We know you have so many options when choosing a brand of replacement windows for your home; and we are confident that the heat stopper technology is going to make you love the UniShield windows even more!

What is heat stopper technology?  Simply put, it is technology that will stop the heat from escaping your home, keeping you more comfortable all winter long.  Put another way,  It is an ENVIRONMENTAL GREEN™  polyurethane foam-filled window frame and sash.

Replacement windows with heat stopper technology will provide you with increased energy savings all year.   This is because windows with heat stopper actually have an increased level of thermal performance.  They stop any cold air from circulating inside a hollow frame, which would cool down the overall window unit.  Stopping that cold air keeps the window warmer.  The performance of the heat stopper technology will lower the window’s U-value and increase the R-value.    Savvy homeowners know that better ratings equal better investments and lower heating and cooling costs.  The UniShield line of replacement windows can do both.

Heat Stopper technology is environmentally safe.   It provides a higher energy efficiency rating.   And it’s available exclusively in the UniShield window offered by Universal Windows Direct, Twin Cities.  Take advantage of our factory direct pricing and start saving  money this winter!

What are you waiting for?  Contact us today for an in home demonstration and free, no obligation estimate.     We will show you samples of the windows and you can see the benefits of the heat stopper with your own eyes.

Author:  Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct, MN

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