FREE SHIPPING • + To select handles, locks, sash, insect screens, weatherstrip and more, select a Window Style below! Double and Single Hung Andersen Connect Window Products Trim, Locksets, Handles, Insect Screens, Panels, Weatherstrip and more! Andersen Connect Patio Door Products Top Selling Door Parts Paint, Sealants, Adhesives, Lubricants and Installation Kits Window and Patio Door Maintenance TipsRegularly inspecting your Andersen® windows or patio doors will maximize their longevity. Inspecting your products and performing simple routine maintenance before winter may decrease your home's heating cost.Understanding CondensationHave you wondered why is there condensation on your window or patio door glass? View this helpful video on understanding condensation.Condensation can form on interior glass surfaces when there is too much moisture in the air. If the interior of a structure exceeds certain limits of moisture in the air, the moisture will condense and show up on comparatively cooler surfaces, such as glass.
Recommended humidity levels in winter months should not exceed 30-35%. If these humidity levels are exceeded, you may want to take measures to reduce the interior humidity level; our video can provide tips on reducing humidity in your home.For more information on condensation and lowering humidity, visit our Help Center.Inspect WeatherstrippingOn the next windy day check around the edge of your windows or patio doors; do you feel a draft? Exposure to light, moisture, temperatures, wear and compression may cause weatherstripping to lose its ability to seal properly over time.Open the window and check the weatherstripping around the window sash or frame. Different types of windows will have weatherstripping in different locations. Is your weatherstrip cracked, torn, smashed or missing? Replacing damaged weatherstripping greatly increases the efficiency of your window or patio door.Shop for window weatherstrip.Shop for patio door weatherstrip.Andersen's YouTube Weatherstrip Videos You May Find Helpful: 400 Series Tilt-Wash Weatherstrip Replacement Narroline® Double-Hung Weatherstrip Replacement 200 and 400 Series Gliding Door Weatherstrip Replacement 200 and 400 Series Hinged Patio Door Gasket Weatherstrip ReplacementInspect Locks & SealantBe sure your products close and lock properly.
Windows that are not locked securely may leak. Inspect the lock to be sure it secures the window or patio door properly.Inspect the sealant around the window or patio door for any cracking, voids or deterioration. Use sealant to fill any holes, gaps, or air leaks to prevent heat from escaping. This may help reduce your winter utility bill. Andersen has sealant available to match the color of your window's exterior.Click here for available Andersen® colored sealant optionsRemove and Store Insect ScreensNow is the time to remove insect screens for winter storage; keep in mind it is best to store insect screens either upright or flat; avoid storing at an angle.When installing or removing the insect screens take advantage of this time to clean and inspect the interior and exterior of your windows.How Efficient is your Glass?Consider upgrading your glass to a more efficient glass. If you own a double-hung window.Installing a self-storing combination unit with annealed glass storm panels can improve energy efficiency by as much as 60% in winter and 56% in summer over Low-E glass.*A combination unit is also ideal for sound reduction in noisy environments.*Values are based on camparison of Andersen® 400 Series Tilt-Wash double-hung window with Lowe-E4® glass and combination unit U-Factor to the U-Factor for clear dual pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006
, 2009 and 2012 International Energy Conservation Code "Glazed Fenestration" Default Tables.Weatherize your patio door to keep drafts out. A sliding glass door can be your window to the outdoors, but it can also allow the outdoors to come into your home if it is not properly weatherized. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sliding glass patio doors tend to lose heat faster than other doors, but with proper weatherstripping, you can decrease the amount of air leakage around the door and reduce drafts. Avoid losing heat in the winter and cool air in the summer by weatherizing your sliding glass door. Remove the sliding panel from its frame. Depending on the style of sliding glass door, there are different ways to accomplish this. One method requires grasping both sides of the sliding panel and lifting it up inside the track as far as possible to clear the bottom track. Tilt the bottom of the panel toward you and carefully lower the panel from the top track. Another method requires removing the screws from the top railing covering the door track to release the railing from the frame.
Tilt the top of the panel toward you and then lift it from the bottom track. Or, your door may have two roller adjustment screws along the bottom of the panel. Turn the screws counterclockwise to retract the rollers on the panel. This allows you to tilt the top of the panel toward you and then lift the panel from the bottom track. Move the panel to a sturdy work surface or carefully lay it on an old blanket on the ground. Pull the old vinyl weatherstripping from inside the sliding glass door frame. Some weatherstripping slides into grooves and is held to the frame by pressure, while other weatherstripping is held by adhesive. Use a safety scraper to remove any adhesive residue. Insert a flat-heat screwdriver beneath the old brush-fin weatherstripping inside the top and bottom sliding glass door tracks. Peel the old brush-fin from the tracks. Vacuum the sliding glass door track to remove any dirt and debris. Spray a multipurpose cleaner and degreaser into the track and scrub with a nylon scrub brush.
Rinse the cleaner from the track and wipe it dry with paper towels. Peel the old weatherstripping from the upright end of the stationary glass door panel where the sliding panel overlaps the stationary panel. If your door has a vinyl frame instead of aluminum, the weatherstripping may be secured to the stationary panel with staples. Use needle-nosed pliers to pull the staples from the panel to release the old weatherstripping. Scrape any adhesive residue from the upright with the safety scraper. Clean the upright with the cleaner and wipe it dry. Remove the old weatherstripping from the sliding panel that corresponds with the weatherstripping on the upright. Clean the sliding panel with the cleaner and wipe it dry. Install the side of the interlock pile weatherstrip that has brushlike fibers onto the stationary upright. Use a self-adhesive interlock pile on an aluminum door or secure it to the upright with a staple gun loaded with heavy-duty staples if your sliding glass door frame is made of vinyl.
Place the other side of the interlock weatherstrip onto the sliding panel. Staple the weatherstrip in place if you have a vinyl door. Insert new brush-fin weatherstripping into the top and bottom sliding glass door tracks. Peel the protective paper from the adhesive backing before inserting each weatherstrip. Firmly push the strip into place. Use a utility knife to trim both ends to ensure that the weatherstrip sits flush inside each track. Install the sliding panel into the door frame. Reverse the steps you used to remove your door from the track and frame. Replace the vinyl weatherstripping along the inside edge of your sliding glass door frame. Make sure you match the new weatherstripping to the old weatherstripping you removed previously. Some weatherstripping snaps into a small groove along the inside edge of the frame, and other weatherstripping adheres to the frame with a self-stick backing. Remove the old caulk from around the outside edge of your sliding glass doorframe. Peel the old caulk from the frame with a putty knife.
Use the utility knife to cut through areas of caulk that the putty knife cannot get under. Use your fingers to peel the remainder of the caulk from around the door frame. Brush around the sliding glass door frame with an old paintbrush to remove any dirt and debris. Insert a tube of acrylic latex caulk with silicone into a caulking gun. Some caulks come in colors that can match your brick or paint, saving you the trouble of painting the caulk once it dries. Cut the tip from the end of the caulk with the utility knife, ensuring that the width of the tip is slightly wider than the gap between the door frame and your exterior wall. Position the tip of the caulk tube against the top corner of the sliding glass door frame. Apply pressure to the caulking gun trigger to apply an even bead of caulk down the edge of the frame. Apply the caulk along the top of the frame and then down the remaining side. Smooth the bead of caulk with your finger. Start at the top corner and work your way down the sides of the sliding glass door.