The Right Window Materials for Any Maryland Home

There are four main materials used to create replacement windows. Each one has their own set up unique benefits, ranging from energy efficiency, to beauty, to tradition. At HomeTech we work with Soft Lite to provide our clients with top-of-the-line replacement windows that are specifically designed for Maryland homes. That is why we are the Maryland roofing contractors that residents depend on for their replacement window needs.


Here is a short explanation of each window material we at HomeTech install:

Fiberglass
Fiberglass windows are primarily used in commercial properties because of their strength and durability. We install EnergyTech fiberglass windows from Soft Lite, whose fiberglass windows and replacement fiberglass windows are designed to match the beauty of Maryland homes and businesses. They are also guaranteed to be durable and low maintenance.

Wood
Wood is the traditional choice for new replacement windows, but is not the efficient choice. Most Maryland homeowners discover that as the years pass, wood windows require a lot of maintenance, including painting and caulking. In the end, most wooden windows eventually give way to rot and need replacing.

Aluminum
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and cold so residential use is not recommended. However, for commercial buildings aluminum is a very durable option when replacing windows. We install durable aluminum windows and commercial roofing Columbia MD and all of Maryland’s commercial property owners need.

Vinyl
Vinyl windows offer excellent insulation value, never need painting or scraping, and do not rot. The Maryland home improvement industry has started installing vinyl windows in new homes as part of an effort to market a more maintenance free home. Vinyl windows are durable and energy efficient, keeping your home safe from the elements that could cause damage to your home if they penetrated your old windows. Soft Lite is one our nation’s top manufacturers of vinyl replacement windows.

Why Replace Your Window, MD?

There can be many individual reasons to replace your windows, Maryland. Anything from storm debris to neighborhood ball games can lead to cracks and leaks. However, there are several reasons beyond accidents that may indicate the need for new, expertly crafted replacement windows. HomeTech has compiled a list of questions and answers about replacement windows that we believe can be very helpful to Maryland home and business owners when deciding whether or not to replace their windows. Just another reason we are the Laurel roofing contractors and Silver Spring roofing contractors that Maryland residents turn to for their replacement window needs.

Why should I consider replacing my old windows?

New windows give your home added beauty, security, and energy efficiency. You will see a significant savings in your energy bill in the very first month after replacing your existing windows with new, energy efficient replacement windows.


Are there differences in how vinyl windows are made?

There are two types of construction. Some vinyl windows are mechanically fastened, or screwed and glued together at the corners. Others are welded. Welded windows use a chemical or heat process to join the corners. The result of this process produces a much stronger, longer lasting bond. Every window we install uses state of the art equipment to weld our corners.


Is all glass used in replacement windows the same?

No. Special consideration should be given to glass options such as tempered glass, Low-E glass, Argon gas, Krypton gas, and heat mirror. Each option offers various levels of energy efficiency and safety.


What should I look for in a replacement window warranty?

We believe that a manufacturers faith in it’s own product should be reflected in their product warranty. Simply put, if the manufacturer believes in its own product, that product should have a great warranty. Our windows are covered by a Lifetime Transferable Warranty, as well as the warranties we gained when we became certified by Soft Lite to install their EnergyTech windows.


What are various windows made of and what will work best for me?

There are three basic materials used in making windows: aluminum, wood, and vinyl.
Aluminum windows are primarily used in commercial applications. They are very strong. However, aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and cold so residential use is not recommended.
Wood is the conventional choice for new construction. Most people discover that as the years pass, wood windows require a lot of maintenance, including painting and caulking. In the end, most wooden windows eventually give way to rot and need replacing.
Vinyl windows offer excellent insulation value, never need painting or scraping, and do not rot. The new construction market has started installing vinyl windows in new homes as part of an effort to market a more maintenance free home. For homeowners that prefer the look and warmth of wood inside their homes, we offer a wood replacement window with an extruded aluminum exterior that will eliminate problems associated with their original wood window exteriors.


Are all vinyl frames and sashes the same?

No. However, it is hard to tell, just by looking, which frames and sashes are made of high quality materials and which are not. Window frames and sashes made from low quality materials have a slight blue or gray hue. We sell and install windows using pure PVC powder, not reground or recycled vinyl. The result is a painter’s white or linen white appearance. In addition to looking better, higher quality material produces a stronger frame.


Which is more important in saving energy, the frame or the glass?

Seventy percent of an average window is glass; therefore, your biggest opportunity to save on energy comes from the glass. Remember, however, that the frame still makes up 30% of the window. Quite often, a replacement window will feel drafty around the edges. A frame that lacks insulating value generally causes this problem. That’s why every vinyl window we install includes a frame that is foam filled, giving it superior insulating ability.


Should I use a professional MD exterior home improvement company to install my windows?

The quality of any product is only as good as its installation. An improper installation could reduce the energy efficiency of the window, do structural damage to your home, and even void the manufacturers warranty. Our installation experts are trained to do the job right the first time. This ensures maximum performance from your windows and eliminates future problems. From start to finish, HomeTech guarantees that our expectations will not be met until yours are exceeded!

A Door Type for All Types

At HomeTech, we have the privilege of installing a wide range of expertly crafted doors from Pro Via. We offer a wider range of doors types than any other roofing company in Maryland, and take great pride in seeing our doors when we drive around our service areas.
Here is a short explanation of the types of doors we install. For more information visit the Pro Via website or contact us to set up a FREE in-home consultation.


Entry Doors
The entry way to your home makes the initial impression on visitors. If your door is old, cracking, or no longer aesthetically pleasing not only will your energy costs be increased, your guests will get a bad first impression of your home. A door that has been crafted by Pro Via and installed by HomeTech will be beautiful and energy efficient for years to come, leaving visitors and neighbors with a good impression of your home. They may even get a little jealous, but that’s understandable.

Storm Doors
A sturdy, durable storm door is just as important as your entry door when it comes to functionality. A storm door that has been properly installed by HomeTech will leave your home with a much better chance of keeping in the energy that you pay for year ‘round.

Patio Doors
If you need easy access to a backyard or deck, patio doors are a great way to create a quick and easy escape from your Maryland home. Pro Via patio doors are great for added light and are designed to be easy to open and close with a sliding motion. As with each of their doors, and each product that the expert MD roofing contractors at HomeTech installs, Pro Via patio doors are designed to be both energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
So if it is time for a new entry, storm, or patio door, it is time to give HomeTech a call to set up your FREE in-home consultation.

How to Use the Sun to Lower Your Energy Costs

Constantly rising energy costs are taking a toll on the wallets of all Maryland homeowners. Paying to heat and cool your home year ‘round is an expensive venture, and the structure of your home could be hemorrhaging your hard earned money. That is where HomeTech comes in. Our Maryland solar roofing service is designed to immediately and dramatically decrease the amount of energy that you need to pay for, all by harnessing the natural energy produced by the sun.

As one of the leading solar roofing contractors in Frederick MD, and all of Maryland, HomeTech installs solar roofing for purposes beyond just saving you money, however. We also believe we have a responsibility for our environment, and that by installing solar roofing, Maryland, we are just doing our due diligence. We take great pride in providing solar roofing to homes all over Maryland, from Columbia to Silver Spring. Roofing is our passion, and solar roofing is just another reason that HomeTech is the roofing company in Maryland that home and business owners trust first.

So what are the benefits of hiring HomeTech to install solar roofing onto your MD home? As we explained above, our solar roofs are extremely energy efficient, but they are aesthetically pleasing as well. Installing solar roofing onto your home will add to its curb appeal as well as its resale value if you are thinking of selling. In addition, you remain connected to your electrical utility to provide you with electricity when your home solar power system isn’t producing. One of the biggest bonuses behind solar roofing is that, on sunny days when the amount of energy you receive exceeds the amount you use, you can actually see electrical usage dial spin backwards!

So if you are paying an arm and a leg for energy and need a solution, give us a call and set up a FREE in-home estimate on the installation of energy efficient solar roofing, Maryland.

Have Storm Damage, Maryland? Call HomeTech!

High winds, driving rain, and heavy snow are all dangers to the structural integrity of your home or business. Among the structures that are most vulnerable to storm damage is the roof of your home or business. Any flying debris that strikes your roof will cause damage, even if it is not visible to you. In addition, on the off chance we have a heavy snowstorm, the gutters of your roofing system could be knocked out of place. When that snow melts, a lot of that water will be directed right into your home.

Maryland has a history of unpredictable weather so if a freak storm hits and you find yourself in a home that is exposed to the elements do not wait to call a professional Maryland contractor like HomeTech. It could mean the difference between affordable roof repairs and an expensive roof replacement MD.

In addition to damage to your Maryland roofing system, storms can also cause damage to your siding, windows, and doors. HomeTech is an expert in the inspection and repair of all types of storm damage, to each exterior aspect of your home. During our inspections we actually get up on your roof to inspect the situation. You can’t truly see damage from the ground. We have been promptly responding and quickly repairing storm damage since our inception in 2000, and hundreds of homes have HomeTech to thank for mere repairs rather than full replacements of roofing, siding, windows, and doors.

CertainTeed Siding: Cedar Impressions Straightedge Perfection Shingles

Timeless Style

Whether the view is of a rolling ocean, restful lake, or main street, the finest homes have traditionally been sided with cedar shingles. It is a time-honored style that offers textured beauty as well as outstanding durability. Cedar Impressions® Double 7" Straight Edge Perfection Shingles offer aesthetic and performance qualities second to none.

Ideal for any style home, Double 7" Perfection Shingles straight edge design creates a beautiful, classic appearance found on the most distinctive homes. In addition to the exceptional looks, they resist the damaging effects of the weather, and yet require no heavy maintenance.

Double 7" Straight Edge Perfection Shingles Offer:

• Patented PanelThermometer ™ for precise installation
• TrueTexture ™ finish Designed and tested to withstand hurricane force winds
• Made of injection molded, durable polymer
• 3/4" Panel Projection
• .100" Thick
• Molded Perimeter Lock™ helps create a virtually seamless appearance
• Virtually maintenance free, never needs painting
• Lifetime limited warranty

Beautiful, Energy Efficient Siding

Is the cost of heating or cooling your Maryland home rising month after month? The cause of your increasing costs could be leaks and cracks in the structure of your home, gaps that are letting the costly energy escape to the outdoors. Whether it is hot air in the winter or cool air in the summer, you are paying for energy that your home can not properly hold in. At HomeTech, we are the roofing contractors Maryland residents turn to for low maintenance siding from CertainTeed and Mastic.

Our experts give just as much attention to detail in our siding service as they do to our roofing, Maryland, and it is you who reap the benefits. From the moment we step onto your property for your FREE in-home estimate, our experienced and factory-trained staff will work hard to increase the value and energy efficiency of your home by installing top-notch siding. Our partnerships with CertainTeed and Mastic allow HomeTech to provide our clients with a wide range of colors, textures, and siding materials.

Find more information on our Siding Services right here.

Make sure your contractor is manufacturer certified!

For any Columbia roofing contractor, or any Maryland contractor for that matter, gaining the certification of their manufacturers is a must. If you have a roofing product installed on your home by one of many Maryland roofing companies who is not certified by the product manufacturer, any product warranty may be invalidated.

The expert Ellicott City roofing contractors and Silver Spring roofing contractors at HomeTech are continually educated by our manufacturers to ensure that project we undertake is performed using the latest techniques and advances in technology. Each of our roofers takes this education very seriously, and works hard to master each advance our manufacturers make in order to gain their certification.

Here is a list of manufacturers who have certified HomeTech to install their products:

• GAF Roofing
• HAAG Certified
• HAAG Roof Inspector
• TAMKO Pro Contractor & TAMKO Certified
• Certified Master Shingle Applicator
• CertainTeed Siding
• Mastic Siding
• EnergyTech by Soft Lite Windows
• Pro Via Doors
• Preferred James Hardy Dealer

We also have Green Certifications from:

• Certified Green Building Professional – www.Builditgreen.org
• Energy Auditors – RESNET Accredited IECC Performance Verification Tools
• EnergyStar.gov – Home Performance with energy Star
• Green Seal Certification – www.greenseal.org

Getting to know us at Home Tech Exterior

Founded in 2000, HomeTech has quickly grown into the top choice for roofing in Frederick County, Montgomery County, Howard County, and Prince Georges County. The thing that has separated us from other local contractors is our dedication to using the latest and greatest materials and techniques in each of our services. We are able to do this through solid relationships with each of our manufacturers, which are listed below.

• GAF Roofing
• CertainTeed Siding
• Mastic Siding
• EnergyTech by Soft Lite Windows
• Pro Via Entry Doors

These manufacturers are the best in the Maryland home improvement industry, and HomeTech is fully certified to install the products of each one. This certification comes from factory-training that each of our Columbia roofing contractors, siding contractors, replacement window contractors, and replacement door contractors undergoes each year. Thanks to this certification HomeTech is also able to offer our clients the deepest warranties available on the market for each of the products we install. These warranties, on top of our own Workmanship Guarantee, give you the kind of protection you need when remodeling the exterior of your home.

At HomeTech our main goal is to exceed your expectations in every service we provide. We dedicate ourselves to that cause, and that is the reason we are able to provide the top quality siding, windows, doors, and roofing Frederick MD, Germantown MD, Silver Spring MD, Ellicott City MD, and Laurel MD home and business owners have come to expect from us. No other Columbia roofing contractor can offer the same range of services with the same kind of protection that we at HomeTech provide our clients with every day.

Use the Sun to Lower Your Energy Costs

Constantly rising energy costs are taking a toll on the wallets of all Maryland homeowners. Paying to heat and cool your home year ‘round is an expensive venture, and the structure of your home could be hemorrhaging your hard earned money. That is where HomeTech comes in. Our Maryland solar roofing service is designed to immediately and dramatically decrease the amount of energy that you need to pay for, all by harnessing the natural energy produced by the sun.

As one of the leading solar roofing contractors in Frederick MD, and all of Maryland, HomeTech installs solar roofing for purposes beyond just saving you money, however. We also believe we have a responsibility for our environment, and that by installing solar roofing, Maryland, we are just doing our due diligence. We take great pride in providing solar roofing to homes all over Maryland, from Columbia to Silver Spring. Roofing is our passion, and solar roofing is just another reason that HomeTech is the roofing company in Maryland that home and business owners trust first.

So what are the benefits of hiring HomeTech to install solar roofing onto your MD home? As we explained above, our solar roofs are extremely energy efficient, but they are aesthetically pleasing as well. Installing solar roofing onto your home will add to its curb appeal as well as its resale value if you are thinking of selling. In addition, you remain connected to your electrical utility to provide you with electricity when your home solar power system isn’t producing. One of the biggest bonuses behind solar roofing is that, on sunny days when the amount of energy you receive exceeds the amount you use, you can actually see electrical usage dial spin backwards!

EnergyTech Windows from Soft Lite

The windows of your home are key to its energy efficiency, and in many cases they are the leading cause of leaking energy. Aging windows that have become difficult to open and close or windowpanes that are cracked and leaking can lead to skyrocketing energy costs. So how do Maryland homeowners combat these problems? They call the expert roofing contractors Frederick MD and all of Maryland trust to install high quality replacement windows as well- HomeTech.

HomeTech partners with Soft Lite to install their EnergyTech replacement windows. Designed with an increased R-Value, these windows are one of the newest innovations in energy efficient living. When manufactured by Soft Lite and installed by the Germantown roofing professionals at HomeTech, replacement windows will immediately make a positive difference in your energy bills.
Read more here...

Improve Your Energy Efficiency

To improve energy efficiency you may need to update or replace windows.

Energy efficient windows are an important consideration for both new and existing homes. Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use.

If you are selecting windows for new construction or to replace existing windows, it's important to choose the most efficient windows you can afford that work best in your climate.

If your existing windows are in good condition, taking steps to reduce the energy loss through windows can make your home more comfortable and save you money on energy bills.

Windows, doors, and skylights—also known as fenestration—are significant components in a home's envelope. Ensuring they are as energy efficient as possible can save energy; reduce heating, cooling, and lighting costs; and improve the comfort of your home.