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3 Ways to Use Your Windows This Winter

If you’re considering having replacement windows installed in your home before winter rolls around, the team at West Knox Windows and Siding would be glad to help! Whether it’s double hung windows in a living room or a sliding door installation off of the dining room, having new windows in your home can really make a night and day difference—quite literally, as a matter of fact, because you might just be surprised at how much extra light new windows can let in.

Either way, window installation is something that we excel at (which is good, of course, because it is right there in our name). We represent more than five decades of experience in our industry. Combine that with the fact that new windows can save you up to 30% on your monthly utility bills and it can start to feel like a no brainer. Whether you’re craving a change of pace in terms of looks or your home is starting to show its age and you need to replace your windows because they aren’t functioning properly, we can help.

Window Installation Made Easy

When it comes to new windows, no matter the reason you need them you’ll likely find them a worthwhile investment. If your windows aren’t opening right, they’re letting all of the inside air out and the outside air in, or the style isn’t quite right, it might be time to make the upgrade. But with winter just around the corner, what can you do to make the most of your new windows? That’s the topic of today’s post, so keep reading to find out.

Let in Some Natural Light

We know, we know. Who would’ve thunk that a person should be using their windows to let the light in? The truth of the matter is that people tend to hibernate in the winter. The days are shorter, so it’s often dark out when most of us get home from work. Why open the blinds when it’s dark outside and bright inside? It kind of makes people feel like they are living in a fish bowl.

Unfortunately because we’re not in the habit of opening up the blinds, it’s something that we don’t do on the rare occasions that we’re home during the day. It’s time to break that habit! Whether you open the windows to enjoy the look of a winter wonderland or you’re simply being treated to a view of the neighborhood, keeping the blinds open can provide you with a little energy boost that you need to make it through such a long, cold period of darkness.

Pull Up a Chair and Enjoy a Good Book

Numerous studies have shown that reading without having enough light can cause long term damage to your eyes. Unlike windows, you can’t upgrade your eyes if they go out on you. Okay, sure, you can get a new pair of glasses, but you see the point we’re making here.

Rather than squinting at your book and hoping for the best, why not pull up a chair by your favorite window and do a little bit of reading with the help of the abundant natural light you’ll be letting in? A good book on a winter day sounds about as idyllic as it gets to us. Whether you’re diving into a Stephen King book (a plus to do with lots of light, because it will no doubt scare the pants off of you) or you are revisiting an old favorite, having a dedicated area to enjoy the view from a window while reading a good book sounds like a great way to spend some time to us.

Take Up Birdwatching

Whether you build birdhouses for fun in your woodshop or you just purchased a bird feeder to hang on the oak tree out front, why not make it a point to enjoy the fruits of your labor (or your purchase). From Carolina wrens to northern mockingbirds to cranes to hummingbirds, there is no shortage of winged wonders to enjoy in Tennessee. While you’re not likely to see a wood duck or a mallard unless you live on the water, a good bird feeder and the right bird feed might just allow you to see something amazing like a red-shouldered hawk or a ruby-crowned kinglet.

The point here is that there are a lot of creatures to keep your eye out for in Knoxville and the surrounding area and we think you should make the time to do just that. What better place to do it this winter than from the comfort of your own home while enjoying a view from your new windows? Sure, some of these birds will be flying south for the winter, but trust us when we say that the ones you catch a glimpse of make this a hobby that is completely worthwhile.

The Windows Installer You Can Count On

With an unbeatable lifetime guarantee, there’s no reason not to choose West Knox Windows and Siding for your next project. Before we know it, the winter weather will have arrived in our neck of the woods in full force. The most snow we get usually comes in January, so even if we’re not quite there yet it doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to start preparing for whatever moisture gets thrown our way this year.

Fortunately, if you’re using your new windows for one of the recommendations above then we think that this might just be your favorite winter yet. It’s the time of year that causes people to slow down and enjoy the little things. The holidays mean celebrations with family and friends. The weather means a change in scenery. Either way, winter represents the perfect time to find new ways to relax and enjoy the parts of life that you might not make time for otherwise.

If that sounds up your alley, new windows might just be the perfect option for you. There’s still time to have our team install replacement windows in your home, so contact us today to get a free quote!

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What to Look For in a Window Replacement Company

Finding the right replacement window company can be a tricky process, but the team at West Knox Windows and Siding has a few tips for you in today’s post. When it comes to finding a source for replacement windows in Knoxville, we know that you have options, but at the end of the day our goal is to lend a helping hand so that you can know exactly what to keep an eye out for. We want to make sure that you end up with the right thing for your home.

As a matter of fact, we’ve put together a video that can help to clue you in on what to keep your eyes open for, but we’d also like to elaborate a bit on a few of the points that we made in today’s post. Check out the video below, and keep reading to learn more about what you should be on the lookout for when you’re looking for a replacement window company in Knoxville or the surrounding area.

A Few Things You Should Do When Searching for a Window Installer

Get a Warranty

First and foremost, get a copy of the company’s warranty. Many companies will not even cover the actual installation work in their warranties. Unfortunately, more than 50% of future problems for the homeowner are directly attributed to the install.

In many cases, the reason that other companies won’t tell you about their warranty is simple–they can’t afford for you to read it.  Most companies will not even cover the actual installation work. At the end of the day, wouldn’t you prefer to have your work covered? Getting a warranty means you know exactly what you can expect and that’s invaluable.

View a Copy of the Business License and Insurance Plan

Ask to see a copy of their business license and insurance. Due to rising expenses in the home-improvement industry, many companies are under-insured or have no insurance at all. So guess who is first in line to face legal action should a worker get hurt on your property and the company’s insurance is no good? That person would be you! Pretty scary, huh?

If the company you are considering has a business license and are properly insured, they should have no reason not to show you. Just ask because it is certainly not worth losing your home to a lawsuit, and when it comes right down to it, you want to know that the company you’re working with is reputable or you could get taken for a ride.

Beware Fake Discounts

Watch out for indicators that a company doesn’t have your best interest in mind. Look out for multiple “make believe” price drops or discounts, or the offering of “good, better, or best” services that indicate a willingness to compromise on quality.

What we mean by that is that you should be on the lookout for different grades of quality in their product and their work. If they’re willing to compromise, you could end up with a less than ideal outcome. Both of these are strictly fabrications. These key indicators are nothing but smoke and mirrors. These are individuals that have no interest in the well being of your family, property or your budget. Stay alert and you should be just fine.

Contact Knoxville’s #1 Replacement Window Team Today!

Are you considering replacement windows in Knoxville or the surrounding area? If so, we’d absolutely love to help make sure that you’re well taken care of at every step of the way. With a dedication to quality and a commitment to doing right by our clients, you can count on us to provide you with a quality product that’s installed by real craftsmen.

We represent 50-years of quality products and service and we hope that today’s post and its accompanying video have been helpful. No phony discounts or make-believe price drops with us. Every project includes our exclusive lifetime warranty that includes labor, installation, and even accidental glass breakage. Contact us today for a free estimate on your next project and rest assured that you’ll be in good hands with the team at West Knox Windows and Siding.

Real products. Real value. Real affordable. It doesn’t get much better than that!

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A Few More Ways to Make Your House Feel Like Home

At West Knox Windows and Siding, we’re known for offering exceptional work on everything from replacement windows to siding installation to gutter repair. But as you may have noticed if you’ve been following along with our blog, we decided to try our hands at offering a bit of interior decorating. We did this in a blog about how you can make your house feel like home and we have to say, it feels good to make a difference on the inside of the home because we’re so used to doing that on the outside!

Well, as luck would have it, we actually have a few more tips on how to improve the interior of your home. If you’re looking for ways to make your living space a little bit cozier, we can help! We mentioned this in our last post, but because our homes are where we retreat to at the end of a tough day, it just makes sense to do a few little things to make that living space a bit more enjoyable. Keep reading to see what you can do for your home!

More Tips for Making Your Home Cozier

Rearrange Your Belongings

Some of the best design tips are the ones that are absolutely free, and that’s the case with this particular tip! Has it been awhile since you’ve considered how your furniture is arranged? It might just be time to move a few things around and see what other configurations you can come up with. This isn’t possible in every living space, of course, but you’d be surprised by how rearranging the furniture can help to transform a home.

And in those situations where your furniture seems to be arranged in the only way that’s logical? In those instances, you can still rearrange a few things to great effect. For example, the painting that’s always been in the bedroom could be moved into the living space, the books on your bookshelf could be moved to the coffee table, or you could move a lamp from one room to another. The wonderful thing about rethinking the arrangement of items in your home is that the possibilities are pretty much endless!

Whichever route you decide to take, we think that you will be surprised at how well items that you had relegated to certain rooms fit perfectly into others and refreshing your living space every now and again is never a bad idea. After all, if it doesn’t work out, you can always move it back!

Consider Your Lighting

Another thing that people don’t give much thought to is how lighting can affect the mood of their homes. Many people have a preference for types of light bulbs. Whether you’re the type of person that prefers soft light or bright lighting in your light fixtures, have you considered how that light casts shadows around your home? It’s not an issue in the day, of course, but when night comes around, what does the lighting look like?

If you’re finding that you don’t love the vibe of your home when the sun goes down, new lighting could be the answer. Our suggestion is to have different forms of light on different levels. For example, you have your overhead lights, but you might also choose to turn on a tableside lamp, light a candle, or even hang a mirror near a light source to help bounce the light around the room a bit.

You could also take our “consider your lighting” suggestion literally and invest in different light fixtures throughout your home. The good news is that light fixtures are more affordable than ever, making it relatively easy to upgrade from the items that your home currently has. Your local home center is sure to have plenty of great options to choose from that suit pretty much any type of style out there, making new light fixtures a win/win.

In Need of New Siding or Replacement Windows in Knoxville, TN?

At West Knox Windows and Siding, our goal is to help make your home a better place to live, whether that’s with tips for what you can do to the inside or by offering our services for the outside. We offer a number of different services as well. From gutter installation and repair to siding installation to replacement window installation to sliding door installation, we know what it takes to get the job done the right way the first time around.

Of course we also offer a true Lifetime Guarantee that covers every aspect of your project including labor, materials, and installation. In short, we want to offer you peace of mind that when you choose to work with us, we’ll do exceptional work at every time. No matter the project, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you!

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