This winter saw some incredible winter storms, with temperatures reaching record lows all across the country. In some places, power outages were common, making the need for a home that can cope when such situations occur even greater.

Visitors to The Jayden show home in the Triple Crown community of Cincinnati found exciting style and design surprises in every room during the 2013 Homefest sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky. The custom home, designed and constructed by Drees Homes, features 4,319-square feet of active living space along with top quality, easy-care building products to make the home appealing for future homebuyers.

Can colorful windows really help add curb appeal to a home? According to color expert Kate Smith, the answer is "definitely!"

During Hurricane Sandy’s severe weather on October 29, 2012, toddler Tripp Halstead was critically injured when a large branch fell on his head. Months later, the Halstead family struggles with daily life, but has received help from thousands of individuals, plus contractors and companies like ABC Supply and Simonton Windows.

During July’s UV Safety Month, experts at Simonton Windows remind homeowners to make sure their home interiors are protected from the harmful effects of the sun.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – For the fourth consecutive year, consumers nationwide have rated Simonton Windows highest in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power & Associates 2013 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction StudySM. The leading vinyl window and patio door manufacturer tied in the study.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – In conjunction with June’s National Safety Month, sponsored by the National Safety Council, experts at Simonton Windows remind homeowners it is always important to practice window safety.

And the winner is … Dennis and Pat Hodkinson, of Paris, Tenn., have won the $5,000 cash grand prize in the nationwide DaVinci Roofscapes® “Shake it Up” Exterior Color Contest. The Hodkinsons were named the contest winner after receiving more public votes than four other finalists out of 757 online votes cast. They can now use the cash prize to help add color to the exterior of their home.

May 26 – June 1, 2013: National Hurricane Preparedness Week

While springtime was slow to arrive this year, the warmer weather is now here just in time for May’s National Home Improvement Month. With so many home projects to tackle, where do you start? According to Mark Clement, a professional contractor and host of MyFixitUpLife home improvement radio show, begin by selecting those projects that give your home a curb appeal “pick-me-up” while also enhancing the functionality of your house.

According to “What Home Buyers Really Want”, a 2012 study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), energy efficiency is the prime consideration for consumers when purchasing windows. The nationwide survey shows that ENERGY STAR® rated windows (89 percent of respondents), triple-pane insulating glass windows (69 percent of respondents) and Low-E insulating glass windows (67 percent of respondents) are the three top “essential/must have” and “desirable” types of windows identified by surveyed new and potential home buyers.

Whether you’re making a fast trip to the store or leaving on a two-week vacation, are you confident that locking your doors is enough to keep your home safe and secure?

Whether you believe in global warming or just think our weather patterns have been stretched to extremes in recent years, there’s no doubt that homeowners nationwide need to prepare their homes for tougher weather conditions.

When it comes to windows, homeowners need to be vigilant in making sure that children understand the importance of safety. As part of National Window Safety Week, April 7-13, 2013, the experts at Simonton Windows recommend parents of youngsters adopt an extremely cautious attitude with children and the windows in their home.

According to the REMODELING 2012-13 Cost vs. Value Report homeowners can recoup 71.2 percent of their costs when replacing existing windows in their home with energy efficient vinyl windows. This results in a vinyl window replacement project having more return on investment for consumers than adding another major home upgrade, like remodeling a bathroom, kitchen or sunroom.

Fypon, Simonton Windows and Therma-Tru® have joined together with DaVinci Roofscapes® to launch the “Shake it Up” Exterior Color Contest. Open to homeowners nationwide, the online contest includes a $5,000 cash grand prize to help the winner add color to the exterior of his or her home.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of replacement and new construction vinyl windows and patio doors, has provided an abundance of energy-efficient windows for the new MainStreet America® park, located in Houston, Texas. The innovative park is situated on a 14-acre site and features 12 fully-appointed showcase homes representing many of the home styles and architectural features found across America.

On January 1, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was approved, providing federal tax credits for homeowners who made energy-efficient upgrades to their homes in 2012 or plan to make such changes in 2013. Simonton Windows has launched a dedicated website page to provide consumers with details of the tax credits they may be eligible for when installing ENERGY STAR® qualified windows or doors in their homes.

People love the look of natural wood throughout the home. From kitchen cabinets to hardwood flooring to natural cedar shake roofs, wood appeals to almost every homeowner. What doesn’t appeal to people are the inherent problems of having real wood products, such as rotting and decaying of wood, insect infestations, warping and high maintenance needs.

Thanks to a smart decision and good timing, the Providence Rehabilitation Centre in Nassau, the Bahamas, successfully withstood the severe weather associated with Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012. Just weeks before the superstorm hit, the 100-year-old structure had all of its old windows replaced with Simonton StormBreaker Plus® vinyl windows.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of replacement and new construction vinyl windows and patio doors, has launched a new company website at www.simonton.com. The new site features strong visual appeal and a variety of new tools and resources for trade professionals.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of replacement and new construction vinyl windows and patio doors, has been ranked highest in quality in the vinyl window category of the 2013 Brand Use Study published by Builder magazine. This marks the fifth time Simonton Windows has received the highest quality ranking in this particular study.

A unique Key West conch-style home design and almost 50 energy-efficient Simonton vinyl windows helped make builder Allan Yuhasz’s entry in the 2012 Brunswick Parade of Homes a Diamond Award winner. Presented in conjunction with the 10th Annual Brunswick County (North Carolina) Home Builders Association Parade of Homes, the Diamond Award recognizes a handful of top builders participating in the 50-home show.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of vinyl windows and patio doors, has partnered with national color expert Kate Smith, CMG of Sensational Color, to offer a comprehensive color certification program for architects. The free eight-course program is certified by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and allows architects to earn both AIA Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) and a Color Certification designation from Sensational Color.

What’s disturbing your afternoon nap? Is it barking dogs, airplanes flying overhead, or boisterous children playing basketball in your neighbor’s driveway? These can all be annoying sounds that enter your house through your closed windows, making it difficult to enjoy your valuable quiet time.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of top-quality vinyl windows and patio doors, now offers a variety of enhancements to its popular Simonton ProFinish® series. Exterior color options, interior upgraded hardware, a new Sliding Patio Door, and several new window styles have all been added to the new construction product line.

Builder Pat Patteson believes in change – when appropriate. The custom home builder out of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, has constructed more than 100 homes during the past 20 years. Recently he embraced the challenge of building green and was pleased to learn that his preferred window manufacturer – Simonton Windows – was more than ready for the challenge.

What do houseplants, a boiling pot of pasta, and your shower all have in common? They all add moisture to your home’s interior. While some humidity in the home is good, excessive moisture can be uncomfortable.

Back in 1966 business was booming at the Blue Surf Motel in Bethany Beach, Delaware. The oceanfront property was the “in place” for seaside family vacations.

Homeowners looking to make smart, energy-efficient investments in their homes should always start with ENERGY STAR® qualified products. That’s the advice of Mark Clement, host of the MyFixitUpLife home improvement radio show and website.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of October as National Energy Awareness Month. Experts at Simonton Windows, ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and Doors, Three Years in a Row” by J.D. Power and Associates, offer a variety of tips for consumers who wish to perform a window and patio door “check-up” to gauge the energy efficiency of these products in their homes.

Contractors installing windows in harsh environments know that durable hardware matters to homeowners. Simonton Windows, a leader in the manufacturing of vinyl windows and patio doors, has announced that stainless steel casement and awning window hardware is now available as an upgrade option on these popular styles – in all Simonton brand products.

Leading vinyl window and patio door manufacturer Simonton Windows now offers an award-winning Lead RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) YouTube™ video to educate homeowners on the dangers of homes built prior to 1978 with lead-based paint. The informative one-minute message can be viewed here.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading suppliers of quality vinyl windows and patio doors, has introduced the new Asure™ line of energy-efficient replacement windows and patio doors. Designed to maximize the amount of natural daylight that enters the home, Asure products are available in Double Hung, Slider, and Picture window styles, along with a variety of popular geometric styles and patio doors.

When builders from around the world came to Orlando, Florida, in February for the 2012 NAHB International Builders’ Show® they had the opportunity to tour the Cool Energy House Project created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America program. Throughout the home, a variety of energy-efficient Simonton Windows help keep this home cooler in the summer and comfortable in the winter.

Even during these belt-tightening economic times, homeowners are adding value to their homes by continuing to invest in remodeling projects. According to the Remodeling 2011–12 Cost vs. Value Report, the replacement of older, inefficient windows with upscale vinyl replacement windows is one of the 10 most popular projects with payback for homeowners.

When Daniel and Cathleen Martini purchased a second home in the Moraga Country Club community, they envisioned peaceful days spent close to family members. Instead, they found themselves immediately embroiled in a battle with the local homeowners association (HOA) to gain approval on their selection of Simonton Windows to replace nearly 40-year-old leaky single-pane metal frame windows.

Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of vinyl windows and patio doors, has launched the Simonton ProNetwork™ program for builders, remodelers, contractors and dealers. The comprehensive program offers a wide variety of business-building and lead generation tools; educational training programs; marketing and sales support; and reward incentives.

Starting in early May each year, thousands of sea turtle hatchlings break through their shells along beaches on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Their first decision in life is crucial --- how to head back to the sea. Often confused by bright lights in coastal homes, the turtles can make the wrong choice. Rather than follow the moon back to the ocean, they head toward artificial lights from houses and streets, resulting in an almost certain death.

Thanks to the new SafePoint™ impact-resistant laminated glass package from Simonton Windows, constructing a secure, quiet, and energy-efficient home just got easier. Engineered to withstand high winds and flying debris, deter intruders, and reduce outside noise in the home, the SafePoint glass package is now available nationwide as an option on Simonton ProFinish® Brickmould 600 windows and doors.

The Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center is a very special place, with extremely special residents. More than 130 children, each with a variety of serious medical conditions, live at this long-term care facility in Yonkers, New York.

Replacing the windows in a home or business is one of the most common remodeling jobs an owner will have done. It can also be one of the most expensive. The owner of a typical two-story home can expect to replace between 15 and 20 windows total. Each window will usually cost between $500 and $700 installed. (Please note that this price is an estimate : prices will vary depending on region, manufacturer, type of window installed, and type of window being replaced). That puts the average total cost of replacing windows for a two-story home at more than $10,000 in most cases. However, if the replacement windows installed are upgraded (such as with low-e glass, triple-pane windows, and argon gas) for appearance and energy efficiency, the total can easily approach $20,000.

This topic includes information related to metal storm windows installed during construction. Metal storm windows are installed on the interior or exterior side of existing openings. They assist the existing window by enhancing it's ability to provide thermal protection, by reducing air movement in and out of existing windows. Better thermal protection will reduce heating and cooling costs.

This topic includes information related to fiberglass windows installed during construction. Fiberglass windows are durable windows that offer resistance to wood destroying insects and water intrusion damage. Insulated frames offer significant thermal protection for both new and replacement installations.

This topic includes information related to metal windows installed during construction. Metal windows are operable or fixed openings with a buildings facade. The frames are manufactured from aluminum, bronze, stainless steel and steel materials. Glazing is set into the metal frame, screen and storm windows are commonly attached or a frame has integral grooves which allow them to be secured to the opening. Metal windows are durable and desirable in renewal or upscale structures, where they offer modern design features.

This topic includes information related to vinyl windows installed during construction. Vinyl windows are budget friendly, durable windows that offer various design options for both new and replacement installations.

Wood windows are the traditional favorite for residential and light commercial construction. Prospective home buyers value wood for its natural warmth and perceived quality. Wood, with its cellular structure, is a natural insulator, giving wood windows an advantage over windows made with other materials in terms of energy efficiency and resistance to condensation. The dimensional stability of wood makes for a strong and rigid frame.