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These two terms get thrown around a good deal in many industries today, but what exactly does it mean to be bonded and insured? Being bonded and insured provides a level of safety for the customer and for the business.
Bonded
A bond is simply that – a bond between the company and the customer. In the event that any contractor stops working hallway through and does not complete the project, the bond states that the customer will be reimbursed for the incomplete work. If a company is bonded, you will likely find the information on their marketing materials: business cards, websites, etc. Being bonded does not provide full coverage against financial liability. Damages must be covered by the insurance policy.
Insured
If something goes wrong when an installation is taking place, you want to be sure that the company will make it right. If a company is insured and the contractor damages anything in the house, the customer will receive financial compensation.
At the same time, this insurance provides the employer with financial compensation if anything happens while performing an installation. The insurance will cover any lost hours because of an inability to work. This does not mean that you are protected if anything happens. It is important to read any insurance policy so you understand what happens when an injury occurs. Don’t just assume you’re safe.
Bonded and Insured
When a company is bonded and insured, they are providing full financial coverage in any event concerning damages, incomplete work or anything else that can crop up.
You will likely see companies out there that do not offer a bonded and insured service and/or product. Of course, their prices will be cheaper, because the premiums for being bonded and insured can be costly. They will pass these costs on to you, the customer. Before you jump at the opportunity, the costs that may occur after something goes wrong during the installation may be significantly higher than if you were to pay for a bonded and insured company in the first place.
Licensed
You may also hear this term thrown around with the previous two. If a company is licensed, it means they are licensed to perform in that city, country or province. It does not mean they are qualified to perform any job- it just means they have completed the required standards and paperwork to be licensed.
By letting a company into your home that isn’t bonded and insured means that you are taking a risk. Even if their services are cheaper, you may end up paying for much more than you bargained for if somebody gets injured somewhere along the way.
Vinyl windows have some big advantages over other materials. Not only are they more secure, but they have no maintenance, better energy efficiency, stylistic, quiet and are easy to install.
Security
Vinyl windows are steel reinforced, keeping your home more secure against unwanted visitors.
Low Maintenance
All you need to clean your windows is a bit of soap, water and elbow grease. Vinyl windows are nearly 100% scratch-free, they do not need to be painted, stained or scraped, so you can feel confident that your windows will look as good as the day you bought them for years to come.
Clera’s vinyl windows are made with 100% UPVC, providing complete protection from fading.
Efficient
Vinyl windows do an excellent job of keeping the cold out during the winter months, and keeping the heat out during the summer months. R-Value is the measurement by which windows’ insulation is gauged. Vinyl windows have a high R-Value, giving you some of the best insulation for your home.
The money that you spend on vinyl windows will be easily returned to you in the form of savings on energy bills over the course of a few years. Not only are they efficient for your home, but they are environmentally friendly as well. Vinyl windows can be recycled.
Clera’s windows are ENERGY STAR approved and Envirosealed. Most people who choose products approved by ENERGY STAR save an average of 7% on their energy bill. Envirosealed windows a cleaner space for your home, helping you to create less Co2 emissions.
Style and Value
Vinyl windows are one of the most cost-efficient ways to increase the aesthetic value of your home. Many styles available can be customized to you desires. You can choose the number of panes, the type of finish you want, the width of the trim or sill and more. Whether you need big or small, each window can be made to fit to your home’s specifications. You can be as meticulous as you like choosing your vinyl windows.
Noise Cancellation
Because of the way vinyl windows are made, they keep the outside noise where it belongs – outside.
Installation
If you are a DIY guru, vinyl windows can be installed with relative ease. If you would rather sit back with a glass of lemonade, Clera offers an installation program that can help with the process.
Clera ensures that all of your windows will be installed professionally and properly. Clera maintains a high quality of standards to ensure that every window installation meets or exceeds your expectations.
If you are considering new vinyl windows, Clera has excellent options available to you. Just browse our site, and Clera will have you seeing clearly!
The search for quality window and door replacement can be tough. That’s why at Clera Windows &Doors, we’ve made it easy. Our Value Detective Check List outlines the most important questions you should be asking and provides a quick and easy way to compare. Just to give you a head start – we’ve filled out our own information for you.
Value Detective Check List
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Even after investigating our competitors, we are confident you’ll find the best value with Clera Windows & Doors. Our complete product line and service is centered around you – our customer. We provide only high-quality materials, installations, technicians and customer service. Do you still have questions?
Visit us at www.clerawindows.com today or call 1-888-738-0738!
Fenestration Installation is a certification program for qualified individuals to install windows. For a person to become certified, they must demonstrate understanding and ability at using manufacturer instructions, building principles and industry standards, like the CSA A440.4 window installation standard. There are three levels of certification that can be obtained in fenestration installation. The previous level must be acquired in order to obtain the next one.
Level 1 Certification
For the first level of certification, a candidate must have at least 2000 hours of work experience within the past five years or one year of relevant training along with 500 hours of work experience. Basic math, geometry and communication skills will also be required to complete this level of certification successfully.
The first level of certification tests a person’s ability to:
- Understand current building and construction technology
- Understand and use the current standards
- Use and maintain proper tools
- Use appropriate methods and material
The candidate must show understanding of the following components of window installation:
- Combustible residential buildings; three stories or less
- New constructions
- Replacement items
- Factory assembled windows, doors and skylights
Level 2 Certification
Window installers who wish to obtain their level 2 certification should require minimal supervision on the job and should be able to deal with the everyday assignments that come up. Candidates are required to pass 3 required units and 4 optional units.
The required units are:
- Maintaining health and safety requirements on the job
- Contributing to the work of others
- Material handling
Level 3 Certification
The highest level of certification is level 3. This level prepares window and door installers to take on a supervisory role within a company. The focus becomes on assessing products or work procedures and identifying possible improvements. To take this test, candidates should have a high understanding of the procedures, industry, regulations and legislation that applies to fenestration installation. The workload is significantly higher in this level. One group of mandatory units must be completed, along with four groups of optional units.
The mandatory units in level 3 are:
- Maintaining health and safety in working environment
- Identifying and rectifying technical problems in a glass or glass related environment
- Improving the work of the organization
- Identifying and confirming the installation requirements
With the complexity of today’s fenestration, the need for a comprehensive program that provides the necessary information and understanding on the process is great. Fenestration can include many different aspects, such as glazing materials, fixtures, opaque door slabs and many more. If you are thinking about taking these certifications, you can find out more here.
Toronto has a rich history, and its windows certainly have not escaped that. Using the TTC and a few dollars, you can see every window worth seeing in town. These are some of the windows you will not want to miss on your adventures around Toronto.
Osgoode Hall
The Law Society of Upper Canada acquired this building in 1829. Since then it has been a focal point for Torontonians. It has since been declared a heritage site and is protected by the government. The Convocation Hall contains ten beautiful stained glass windows, each of which illustrate 4,000 years of law, making this building one of the most gorgeous set of windows in the city, but not the only one.
Flatiron Building
Costing only $18,000 when it was initially built, this Gothic-Romaesque structure was erected as a testament to the success of the Godenham family. The building has caught much attention over the years, both positive and negative. Its large number of windows fell upon criticism, but they are a distinct and individual part of the heritage building.
Union Station
In 1975,the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada heralded Union Station as one of the finest designs for a station. The building contains fourteen three-story bay windows, with delineated fenestration. The massive windows give the space an even more massive look to it, and were designed with a heavy sense of symmetry in mind. Extensive thought and planning were used to create these massive windows.
St. Michael’s Cathedral
Unlike the jagged and hard lines that make the church seem uninviting from the outside, the inside retains a construction that was very uncommon for cathedrals constructed during the Gothic Revival Period – vibrant, colourful stained glass windows. Every inch of the stained glass within the church is ‘antique,’ which means it has been hand blown in a medieval style. This process gives richer colours. The creator of the largest stained-glass window in the building, Etienne Thevenot, is also credited with creating the stained glass in the fame Notre Dame church in Paris. The picture shown is the window created by Etienne.
Royal Ontario Museum
The sheer design and classical architecture of this building make its windows one of Toronto’s most beautiful. The windows are designed to allow large amounts of light into it, making it an ideal space for some of the museums best kept artifacts. In 2007, The Crystal was built as a main entrance. It is a gorgeous 25% glass, 75% aluminum on a steel frame crystal shape that creates a modern look to the classical architecture of the building. The designer used the glass to create the illusion of having no boundary between the street and the inner museum.
Are you having trouble matching your blinds to your new windows? It can be a tough job installing blinds that compliment and accent your windows. There are a few things to consider before you buy.
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| By sticking with colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel, you can create a complimentary window/blind combination. |
Colour
The easiest way to create a fluid, cohesive look to your windows is to match the colour of the trim to the blinds. This will help the blinds become a quiet feature in the room, blending into the windows. If you would rather have multiple colours on your windows, keep the number of colours that you use to a minimum. Too many colours can make a window or room seem too busy and distracting.
By using colours that contrast one another, the windows jump out and become a focal point for the room. If you have artwork or furniture in your room that has vibrant, lively colours, you may want to keep the same style for your blinds. This will help keep the effect consistent on every wall of your home.
If you are unsure of which colours go with which, you can visit this link for a crash course on colour matching.
Window Type
Blinds are commonly found in four types: wooden, Venetian, vinyl and perforated blinds. Each option is highly customizable, and varies in price.
Your choice of blinds may depend on the size of your window. Smaller windows will allow less light to enter a room than a larger one, but Venetian, roman or wooden blinds can easily allow more light into the room with the pull of a cord or the twist of a stick.
If the windows in your home are tall, you might consider using the vertical lines on roman or Venetian blinds as an accent. Vertical lines on your windows will compliment the windows as well as make them seem even larger than they actually are, giving the room an open feel to it.
When you have windows that are not easily reached, such as those on staircases, it would be wise to select blinds that enable you to open and close them with ease. You can lift roman blinds with the pull of a cord, while Venetian blinds, if the stick is long enough, can be turned.
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| White is a neutral colour, adding the element of relaxation and comfort to the already neutral colours in the room. |
Window Location
The colour of a can affect the way a person feels when they are in that room. Knowing this, by using different colours, you can accent the idea of the room by using different colours. Kitchen blinds can often be vibrant, energeticcolours, since it is a room that should inspire motion and energy. Alternatively, a living room is made for comfort, so more neutral, subdued blinds will help create a relaxing atmosphere.
You Like What you Like
When choosing a style and colour for blinds, choosing blinds that you genuinely like will more often than not help to create a consistent style around your home. Some homes have antique styles mixed with modern styles, and some stick with one or the other. You can be as creative or subdued as you like, as long as it is consistent with your own preferences.
2013
Are you confident that your door and window company is going to do the job they say they are going to do? There are so many companies out there; it can seem like a revolving door system. When you are deciding whether you can really trust a company or not, there are a few things you can do to help your decision along.
Customers
The best advice on which company to choose is not going to be the company, it is going to be the customer. A company has an agenda, but satisfied customers willingly pass on their advice for nothing. If you get consistent good reviews, you can probably bet that the particular company will do a job that will satisfy you as well.
Look online for reviews of the various companies. Most have a customer satisfaction rating in a % form. If you are looking at a specific contractor, try Home Stars and see what other clients have to say. There are more sites than just Home Stars, and they are worth checking out:
Reference Lists
Most companies should have a list of customers they are willing to give up. Testimonials are a part of every company’s record of accomplishment, and if they have them, they will use them to their advantage. Ask the company in question if they are willing to provide you with a list. If they are not, it probably means they do not have any satisfied customers willing to talk them up.
Price
A low or high price is not always the best ruler to measure a company’s worth with. Some companies will charge mass amounts of money and give you horrible service because of the contractors they hire. Do not let the price be your only determining factor when it comes to choosing a window and door company. Many other factors come into play when deciding whom to go with.
Meet and Greet
If you want to be sure the installer knows exactly what he is doing, meet with them beforehand. Ask every question you have until you get the answers you are satisfied with. If you do not get satisfactory answers, do not be afraid to back out and inform someone you do not have the confidence with this particular installer. A professional repairperson should have the answers to your questions, or know where to find them with relative ease.
If you cannot trust the company, then it is not worth spending the money to have the installation done. Take the time to find the right company and the right installer, and you will save yourself any future anxiety and gain a real peace of mind.
The winter months can do a number on your door, making it harder to keep it clean. With spring just around the corner, your front door may need a bit of TLC to give it back that welcoming feel.
Get Clean
You can start by doing a general clean. Remove any cobwebs you see, as well as any dust or dirt that has collected on your front porch. A clean front door feels more inviting than a dirty one.
Repairs
Is your front door chipped or damaged in any way? Perform any needed repairs on the door. Re-varnish it if it is wood or repaint it. Warm colours are inviting. Deep reds, browns and vibrant colours can draw eyes and visitors. If you have been thinking about giving your door a new colour, this is the moment to do it.
New Bling
A great way to improve your front door is to put some new decorations on. With a small investment, you can do a great deal to your home. Think about a new knocker, doorbell or handle – something that fits the scheme of your front porch and home.
New Mat
The winter weather can be rather hard on your doormat. Clean an existing one or purchase a new one to bring out the ‘welcome’ in your front door. If you have trouble finding a mat that fits, use two side by side.
Seating
Your front door is a part of your front porch. When people look, they take in the whole scene. By adding some seating around your porch, you can give it the inviting look you are going for. Comfortable seating can be purchased for a small investment, depending on how luxurious you want to go.
Plants
Use plants around your front door to add a decorative element. Potted plants can allow you to improve the design features of your front door, by accenting the colours and drawing the eye to the front door.
Lighting
Use lighting to your advantage. It can be readily apparent during Halloween; dark, unlit houses look uninviting while well-lit ones do not. Think about adding solar lights that lead up your walkway to your front door. This adds not only an aesthetic value, but also better safety for night.
Upkeep
Do not let your front door go too long before you clean it again. Get into the routine and you will prevent your door from getting to the point of no return.
Use your imagination when coming up with new ideas for your front door. Make your door completely personal and individual. The statement that you make is the most important statement of all, and your front door can do that.
Building the home of your dreams does not mean you have to take out a new mortgage. With Clera Windows, you can achieve the look you want, for the price you need. Our large selection and success in energy efficiency makes them worth a long look.
Why Choose Clera Windows?
Clera Windows offers vinyl windows with a number of advantages:
- Better security for your home
- Higher energy efficiency and insulation
- Higher aesthetic value
- No maintenance/no paint/no scratches
- Quieter
- 100% pure virgin UPVC for protection from fading
Wide Selection
vinyl windows, customized to fit your home. You can choose from awning windows, high profile fixed windows, end vent slider, double or single hung tilt, double or single slider tilt, casement windows, low profile fixed, bay and bow, specialty shapes, designer series or custom classic series. For the environmentalist in you, Clera comes with ENERGY STAR and Envirosealed approval. There is a view for everyone.
Specialty Shape Vinyl Windows
Your dream home should be expressive of your individual personality. With specialty Shape vinyl windows, you can add a personal touch to any area of your home. Specialty Shape windows can be made into any shape your heart desires. Learn more by following the link: http://www.clerawindows.com/windows/styles/specialty-shapes
Designer Series
If you are building a home and not just a house, you want the best. Designer series windows are distinctive designs that stand out and give your home a vibrant look. Find out if the designer series are right for you.
Custom Classic Series
With the custom series, six different styles are available that can be customized in multiple ways. You can easily add value to your home by installing Custom Classic windows in your home. Are you ready to get your Custom Classic Windows?
Lifetime View
Along with Clera’s high quality windows, you also get a lifetime warranty. Clera guarantees your hardware, components and glass for as long as you live, and each warranty is transferable. You will never have to purchase a new part for your windows again. Each customer receives a written warranty that is comprehensive and straightforward upon the completion of his or her installation.
Clera has won Consumer’s Choice Awards, and is recognized as one of Canada’s best privately managed companies.
Promotion
If you are still sitting on the fence, Clera is offering a ‘no interest, no payments until 2014’ promotion and are offering 25% off all window and door products. You pay no interest on a 35-month plan. Clera can take your home, and make it a million dollar view.
Check out our selection now!
2013
The Benefits of Working with a Window Manufacturer/Installer
The Streamlined Price
You may think you’d be getting a better price by shopping around and picking and choosing the most affordable options from a factory and then an installation company, but it’s not always the case.
Every time a product goes from business to business, it is marked up. Each business wants to make a cut of the profits, and by the time everyone gets their cut, you’re left paying for at least two businesses – one to manufacture, and one to install. This doesn’t happen with a company that both manufactures and installs the products. When there is only one company, there is only one price. This way, you’re going to get the whole process for a betterrate than you would if you had to go through two or three companies.
Effective Warranties
A warranty from a company that controls every part of the manufacturing and installation process means more than a warranty that can only cover the installation. This makes it easy – there’s just one company you will ever have to approach. No matter what concern you have, there will be no calling two different companies seven or eight times just to find out the answer to your question.
On the same side, you may have two warranties to deal with once the installation is complete. With two warranties, there is the possibility that each company will claim that the other one is responsible for fixing any problem you are having, making both warranties absolutely useless.
Communication
A window and door company that communicates directly with the factory can ensure that the window is built the way it should be. If something has gone wrong during the process, the installation portion goes right to the factory portion and sets it right. On the same token, a company that has to ship a window to an installation company may send it to the wrong address – more than once. This costs time and money, and by the time the window gets to the installation company, nobody can remember whom it was supposed to go out to in the first place.
Having a window factory separate from the installation company is tantamount to ‘too many cooks in the kitchen.’ It can get a bit crowded inside, and the result is more time taken to install windows and more money coming out of your pockets. With a window company that controls the process, you’ve got the advantage of price, warranties and communication.