Yesterday when the severe weather sirens went off did you look at the sky? Or did you quickly try and remember what day and time it was? I did it. I heard the siren, I turned my head to the window, then back to the person I was talking to as I realized it was not 1:00 on a Wednesday. My very next thought was.. “It really IS spring!!”.

I don’t like severe weather.   Tornadoes scare me. 

I’m not one of those contractors that gets the glimmer in her eye when she sees a storm might roll in. You won’t find me devilishly rubbing my hands together in anticipation of serious damage in a neighborhood. I’m too soft hearted for that. I don’t want anyone’s home ripped apart or destroyed and I certainly don’t want anyone getting hurt or forced to move. It happened to me once and it was too stressful. I didn’t like it one bit.

But I digress.

National Severe Weather Awareness week is an important right of passage into spring storm season. Cities check their sirens, school children practice their “duck and cover” and evacuation routes and families talk about what would happen if they were home when they heard the sirens or experienced bad weather. The best way to stay safe is to have a plan. Know where to go. Stock the freezer with popsicles so in the middle of the night when you hear the sirens and grab sleeping kids out of their beds to rush to the basement at least you can offer them an icy treat. Life is less scary with a Popsicle. (right, Mom?)

When the storm has passed and you realize your home has seen some damage you don’t need to dread the onslaught of hungry contractors knocking on your door every 5 minutes. Just call Universal Windows Direct. We’ll stop out and give you our factory direct price on replacing your windows, siding, front doors or sliding glass patio doors. We can price the job with or without installation. Take that price to your insurance company or to your contractor and call us when you’re ready. We know you’ll love our prices and our non pressure sales after a storm. We also know you’ll love the solid construction and energy efficiency of our UniShield Windows, the construction of our doors that repel moisture from getting in to your home, and the hail resistant properties of our insulated backed siding products.

Here is to a safe and storm free spring!   (eat a Popsicle anyway!)

Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct

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How Universal Windows Direct can repair your home after a storm

What to look for when replacing your siding

Spring has Sprung!

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Spring is still all about anticipation for me.   I look forward to winter finally being over and leaving that heavy coat in the closet.  I look forward to the promise of a sunny summer where I can work outside and run around barefoot if I choose.   This year, I look forward to the birth of our baby girl who is certain to keep things interesting around the house!

Spring also bring anticipation to our business, Universal Windows Direct MN,  as well.    To start with we finally get to get out and start talking to homeowners about their upcoming home improvement projects, like replacing their windows, vinyl siding, entry doors and patio doors. We look forward to product enhancements on our exclusive UniShield windows and doors that we know you’re going to love.   And this year, we look forward to the addition of Adam, who is going to be our next great salesman!

It may be raining today but April showers just mean we get to look forward to more May flowers and who doesn’t look forward to that?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct, MN

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Visiting The Home & Garden Show is a fantastic way to talk with company representatives, see their products and determine who you want to get estimates from and work with.  But with so many different companies available how do you choose?  Fear not, dear reader, we have tips for you!

1. Evaluate their booth and display.   Think about that booth being your home during the project.    It is dusty, disorganized and cluttered?  Or is it clean, approachable and bright?   How has that company chosen to give you their first impression?
2. Is the booth staffed with knowledgeable and friendly staff?   Are they able to talk to you about the company and their products or does it seem they are just warm bodies working their hours?
3. When the booth staff is knowledgeable do they spend their time with you educating you on their product and the value they can provide or are they too busy pointing out flaws in the competition?   If it seems that the only way they think they can earn your business is by lying about the competition is that really the type of company you want to work with?  Consider how important professionalism and integrity is to you. 
4. Avoid signing up for “FREE” prizes or giveaways.   While there is a chance you could win the stated prize,  you know for sure you will win solicitation phone calls and emails from those companies for months or even years.  Unless you change your phone number.    Choose carefully who you provide your contact information to!
5. Do you LIKE what you see?  What better opportunity to view examples of work, or to touch and feel the various products side by side.  When shopping for windows, for example, you might think they all look alike…  but when you start opening and closing them and viewing the details in construction, you’ll notice in a hurry what cheap feels like.    Don’t you deserve quality?

Enjoy the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show and when you’re there..  stop by and say hi to Universal Windows Direct.   We are located in Booth #3537…  not far from the kitchen stage at aisle 3700.    See you there!

Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct

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You'll LOVE UniShield Windows by Universal Windows Direct!

Whether you love the holiday or you dread it, it happens.      You don’t need to break the bank by buying overpriced flowers or purchasing a token gift.   You don’t even need to choose the best of the picked over Valentine’s Day Cards for your sweetie.    All you need to do is spread the love.   Be kind; and share the good that surrounds you.

So I think we’ll do just that.   At Universal Windows Direct, MN we have been surrounded for years by customers that started out hating their windows.  They desperately wanted and needed a change.   And once they made their purchase of UniShield Replacement Windows, they were thrilled.    You might even say they were in love.    See what they had to say!

Reasons Customer Love UniShield Replacement Windows:

1. “We loved the direct sales approach with honesty and product knowledge.   The estimate given on site was appreciated and the install crew was nothing but professional.”
2. “What other contractor actually cleans up after himself?”
3. “After receiving other estimates,   Universal Windows Direct offered the best product and the best price by far!  No hidden fees, no extra charges.  It was amazing how quick they were able to install windows in the whole house!”
4. “I’m so happy with the final product.   My new windows look amazing!”
5. “We  are extremely happy with our new windows!  Quality of the workmanship exceeded our own expectations.  JOB WELL DONE!   We love our new look!”
6. “I could immediately tell the difference.   My home is already warmer!”

What will your reason be?  Contact us today to get your free, no obligation estimate and before you know it, you’ll LOVE your new windows too!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct, Twin Cities

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So then why do we sometimes see more condensation on the inside of our windows after they’ve been replaced?

Easy.   They are working.

Energy efficient windows might fog up if your humidity is high.

Before when you had those old drafty windows the normal moisture in your home  (from showering, cooking, breathing, etc)  could escape right outside.   Your new, custom sized energy efficient windows are just keeping everything inside.  They are blocking air movement between the inside and outside of your home.  This is good.   They are also lowering your heating and cooling costs,  and keeping you more comfortable in your home.

More importantly, as the temperatures outside get colder and the humidity inside your home increases, you might notice more condensation building up on your windows.    Obviously we can’t control the outside temperatures but we can control the humidity levels in our homes.   So if you have some indoor condensation or you want to make sure you don’t get any, keep reading.

5 Tips for Reducing Indoor Humidity

1. Turn off your indoor humidifier.
2. Ventilate your home regularly.  Open it up for a few minutes each day.
3. Run your exhaust fans more often, and for longer.
4. Add a basement dehumidifier.
5. Make sure your clothes dryers are adequately vented.

Remember, if you’re seeing condensation build up between the panes of glass that means your window has failed and it’s time to start thinking about a replacement windows. When this happens contact Universal Windows Direct for a free, no obligation estimate.   We offer windows styles and options for every home and our factory direct pricing will save you money.

Melissa Brager, Universal Windows Direct, MN Operations

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Award reflects businesses’ consistently high level of customer service

Universal Windows Direct, MN has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.

“It is our goal to treat every customer of ours as if they are family.    Offering a fair price on a quality product and sending out the best installers are several aspects of our business we pride ourselves on.   We are honored to receive this award.PR”  says Stephen Brager, President.

“Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Universal Windows Direct, MN can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 2 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Take a quick tour of Angie’s List and view the latest Angie’s List news.

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Here is the thing. I am behind on my blogging because I have been caught up in the excitement of planning our wedding!!   We are celebrating with 200 people we love and are planning the whole big party in 5 weeks. Crazy, maybe, but fun.

As I get ready for my final dress fitting it comes to me.   Choosing replacement windows and choosing a wedding dress actually have quite a bit in common.

1. Choose your perfect look.   Are you thinking traditional, modern, or purely functional?    Do you want to stick with white or something more interesting like a color?  What options do you have to choose from?
2. Know your deadline and order in advance!   Wedding dresses can take up to 6 months to come in but you can get your custom vinyl replacement windows installed in as little as 6 weeks.   Family coming to town?  Hosting for the holidays?  No problem.  Call today to get started!
3. Order the right size!   Doesn’t it make more sense to order the exact size you need so you don’t have to force fit the product, or worse, pay for the labor of unnecessary alterations later?  Our UniShield windows are all custom sizes for your convenience!  Not only that, but with a custom fit they are guaranteed to reduce drafts and keep your family  more comfortable in your home!
4. Think about how you want to complete your final look.   With your dress you think about shoes, jewelry and veils.  With your windows you consider trimwork, painting or staining, and new custom window treatments.   It’s really the same.
5. Show it off!!   Once everything is decided and paid for and complete don’t you want to show it to everyone you know?   Take pictures!!  Post them on Facebook!

See?   Replacement windows and wedding dresses actually have more in common than you think!   While we can’t help you choose your wedding dress, we can certainly help you make a replacement window decision.   Quotes are always free and we’d love to visit with you.   Contact us today!

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We have successfully finished our summer show and event season.    Gone are the days of hanging in the tent, hoping for good weather overnight, and searching out our next great meal from a food truck.   I think that Taco Cielo from the Dakota County Fair was my favorite this year!   Mmmmmm!!!

Our fall and spring home show season gets underway soon and we have all of our dates finalized.   Sometimes I feel like we’re a rock bank booking our next great tour.   We always have free or discounted tickets for shows so definitely check our website or call us if you’re interested in enjoying a home show and vising your favorite window company!

Speaking of home shows, we are moving forward with some awesome new displays for our larger products.   They will debut in 2012!

New product options!   Our UniShield siding has come out with new colors to provide you with even more options for customizing your home and creating the look you’ve dreamed of.     Our UniShield fiberglass entry doors have just release new styles that include 3/4 glass on the front.   A nice way to get the look on the front of your home “just right”. 

We are growing!   We have brought on another installer and are currently looking to grow our sales department.   If you know anyone looking to get some sales experience, send them our way. 

All work and no play?  No way!!   We have a vacation scheduled in December and are looking forward to our annual sales meeting in January.    Not only that, but with fall TV underway, we are glad to “see”  all of our old friends.    Hey, there is nothing wrong with some quality couch time, right?

Beyond all of that, we are happily selling high quality, energy efficient windows, siding, and doors at factory direct prices to homeowners all across the Twin Cities.    To learn more about our products or to schedule a free, no obligation estimate, contact us today.

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 Summer in MN is the best thing on Earth.  Every weekend you can find a summer festival in a local city,   Celebrations center around everything from raspberries to potatoes to stock cars to just the city itself.   No matter what they are celebrating you are almost guaranteed to find yummy food, activities for kids, a midway, a live band, a car show and a business fair.

Show and event marketing is a huge part of our marketing plan at Universal Windows Direct MN.    Throughout the summer (June – August) we spend the majority of our weekends working in a booth to promote our business, and our awesome line of UniShield windows and doors.  Needless to say, we have it down to a science.

We can go from everything in the truck to “open for business” in about 20 minutes.

We have the perfect size cooler that ensures we drink a gallon of water a day.  

We have perfected the “show food” shopping trip to keep us eating and snacking right in the midst of full on fair food temptation.

We have made events into networki ng and social events.  Building relationships and enjoying the connections with familiar faces and other local business owners.  Some days would get very long without our friends.

We have a section in our closets dedicated to UWD wear – which ensures that no matter how many days the event is, and no matter what the weather has in store for us…  we will be branded.  In layers.

Last but not least, we know that working these summer shows are different than working home improvement expos.  We know you didn’t head out to the fair with a window replacement project in mind.   So we show you our windows, we give stickers to your kids, we answer your questions and if you don’t want to schedule a free estimate, we’ll give you a brochure to take home.   We know that when you’re ready, you’ll call us.

Thanks to every single person this summer who stopped by our tent to talk with us. Days can get long and we can get a little crazy.

Thanks to previous customers who made a point to visit.  Thanks to all the show sponsors who make us feel appreciated and welcome, and thanks to that girl at Pride with the pink and purple pigtails who bounced in to give us a smile because we looked lonely.   It isn’t easy to work those events, but it’s worth it.   We love our company and we  love offering such a great product at a factory direct price.

If you’re looking to get a free quote on replacement windows, sliding glass patio doors, front entry doors or vinyl siding, contact us today.   We’d be happy to stop out.

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Tempered glass turns into tiny pebbles when broken.

Your car windows are tempered, for example.

The State of MN building code actually requires tempered glass in several locations of your house and your window replacement will not pass inspection if certain windows do not have tempered glass in them.   It’s all in the name of protecting you and your family from potential hazards.

This is why it surprises me a little bit when homeowners and/or contractors are confused about why they need tempered glass.   So here we are on the Friday morning blog and I’m going to lay it all out there.   Me.  The office girl.  The advocate for tempered glass.

Ask yourself these questions about a window you are putting in.   If the answer is YES, then tempered – or safety glass is required.

1. Is the window less than 18 inches from the floor?
2. Is it a patio door?   (UniShield Patio Doors come standard with tempered glass)
3. Is it a large window more than 9 square feet?
4. Is the window in a bathroom and close to the bathtub?
5. Is the window within 3 feet of a door?
6. Is the actual top of the window within 3 feet of the floor?

Tempered windows are your safety net.  They are like a little bit of insurance, or peace of mind that if someone falls,  if the furniture gets pushed hard into the glass,  if a lamp falls off the table,  if you slip getting out of the tub, that at least the glass won’t shatter and cause additional harm.

If you are thinking about replacing some windows and are looking for an in home consultation on which windows may need to be tempered, contact us today.

Have a great weekend!

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