News from Larson

Storm Windows are Cost Effective Energy Savers

2008-10-09T13:31:05Z

Home energy costs are painful enough in good times, but during economic instability, smart consumers should be looking for the most cost effective ways to save energy in their homes.

If you’re looking at options, don’t overlook storm windows. They have been proven energy savers for years because they provide an extra layer of insulating glass and are easily installed right over existing windows.

So, despite their name, they’re not really about storms, they’re about saving money. And they’re very good at it, in both cold and hot weather. A good one can cut a window’s energy loss by as much as 50% according to the Department of Energy.

Storm windows have a lot of advantages worth considering. First, they’re inexpensive. An average size storm window costs about $40. The same size replacement window can run $400-600 or more installed.

That cost difference dramatically affects the “pay back” timeframe. Storm windows can pay for themselves in just three years through energy savings. It can take 20+ years for replacement windows to do that.

Another big difference is the ease of installation. If you can read a tape measure and use a power screwdriver or drill, you can install storm windows yourself. Not the case with big, heavy replacement products.

Additionally, storm windows will result in a more comfortable, less drafty home.

Most styles are designed to install over “double hung” windows that open and close by moving up and down. Since storm windows generally have both glass and screens, they can be left on your home year-round. They can even work on picture windows, sliders or basement window openings … areas often overlooked for energy loss.

Quality Larson Storm windows can be found at all major home centers near the “millwork” department.

SecureElegance Secures Your Home With Style

2008-10-09T13:25:54Z

Larson Manufacturing Introduces New Impact-Resistant Storm Door

Combining several design innovations with the performance of impact-resistant glass, Larson Manufacturing, the nation’s largest manufacturer of storm doors, has developed what may be the world’s toughest and most beautiful storm door. With the introduction of SecureElegance storm doors, homeowners will no longer need to hide the beauty of their entry doors behind the “iron bar” look.

The new SecureElegance storm door combines innovative design, durable components and KeepSafe® laminated glass by Solutia Inc. The glass features a tough layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) fused between two panes of tempered glass. If the glass is broken, the laminated interlayer is designed to remain intact to reduce the risk of penetration. The glass performs similarly to the glass in automotive windshields, which is designed to keep occupants safe from shards of glass following an impact to the front of the car.

“SecureElegance storm doors are impervious to blows from crowbars, baseball bats and even sledge hammers. It will break on the surface, but an intruder will be unable to get through,” according to Jeff Rief, Chief Operating Officer of marketing for Larson Manufacturing. “Our goal was to develop a storm door that looks like a conventional glass door, but doesn’t appear to be an obvious barrier from inside out. We wanted people to be able to open their homes and let in light without compromising their safety, or the look of their homes.”

In addition to functioning as a deterrent to burglary, the KeepSafe impact-resistant glass offers 24/7 protection from severe weather and shards of shattered glass. The laminated glass also minimizes exterior noise and protects carpets and other valuables from fading by providing 99 percent ultraviolet (UV) ray blockage.

In addition to the KeepSafe glass, the SecureElegance line of doors also boasts a tough metal frame, hidden hinges and the Guardian 3 triple locking system that is unique to the industry. The Guardian 3 lock system secures the door to the jamb at the top, middle and bottom of the door. It requires two steps to lock and unlock, making it child-safe yet adult-friendly.

SecureElegance is the first storm door of its kind to incorporate this type of lock system. “Combined, these doors offer the same level of security performance as traditional ‘barred’ storm doors, but are infinitely more attractive,” says Rief. Priced at around $300, they are well within reach of most homeowners.

The SecureElegance line of storm doors is currently available at Lowe’s Stores and other fine home improvement dealers nationwide. For more information about SecureElegance doors, click here.

Founded in 1954, Larson Manufacturing is the largest manufacturer of storm doors and storm windows in the United States.

Screen Away Doors from Larson offer Curb Appeal and Functionality

2008-10-09T13:09:04Z

Bridging the gap between style and function, a new series of storm doors help make beautifying your entrance a breeze. And, they’re practical. No longer do you have to compromise a beautiful clear view with the appearance
of a screen thanks to the innovative SCREEN AWAY doors from Larson.

The SCREEN AWAY doors feature a retractable screen that hides into a slim cassette at the top of the door.

The screen moves up and down to ventilate the home when you need it. When not in use, the screen retracts into a slim cassette providing a clear view of the outdoors.

“We’re changing the way people look at storm doors,” says June Eng, Director of Marketing for Larson Manufacturing. “By incorporating style with function, storm doors serve multiple purposes including energy efficiency, curb appeal, light and ventilation.”

Larson Manufacturing has been making storm doors for over 50 years. Today, the company is the largest manufacturer of storm doors in the U.S. In addition to its storm door line, Larson manufactures storm windows and retractable screen units for patio door applications.

Larson Manufacturing wins Better Business Bureau Integrity Award

2008-10-09T13:02:55Z

Brookings, SD (September 13, 2007) – Larson Manufacturing announced today that the company has been honored by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as the first company in the state of South Dakota to be named a 2007 finalist for the organization’s prestigious Integrity Award.

The BBB Integrity Award recognizes businesses which have consistently set exceptionally high standards of behavior in the marketplace.

The awards are presented to companies that honor their promises, treat customers and employees with respect and provide the highest quality service with excellence and consistency.

The Better Business Bureau is a private, non-profit organization that provides services and programs to assist businesses and consumers.

Representatives from Larson Manufacturing Customer Service Group attended a recognition banquet in Omaha, Nebraska, for the BBB which serves Nebraska, South Dakota and southwest Iowa.

Larson storm door products are available nationwide through home improvement retail channels. The company was founded in 1954 and has grown to be the largest manufacturer of storm doors and storm windows in the United States. Brookings continues to serve the company’s corporate offices and largest manufacturing base.

Save Energy While You Beautify Your Home

2008-10-09T12:58:28Z

New all weather “storm doors” work in hot or cold climates
With the energy issue back in the headlines, it’s the perfect time to improve the thermal integrity of a home while beautifying an entrance with a new storm door.

Installing a new, energy efficient storm door is one such step that can make a difference in energy bills as well as the appearance of a home’s entrance. A good storm door can cut energy loss through a doorway as much as 45%. The R-value of the door plus the air space created when the door is closed, adds to the insulation of the entrance.

According to the leading manufacturer of storm doors, Larson Manufacturing, a good storm door is actually an all-weather energy management tool.

“Most people think of a storm door as a way to keep out the cold. But a good storm door is just as effective all year,” says June Eng, Marketing Director. “Larson doors are carefully designed and constructed with features for any climate and benefits for any lifestyle.”

A screen with every door allows for the home to be opened for the early morning breezes and cool summer nights of summer. Other features such as magnetic weather stripping and overlapping frames keep the chilly winter wind away from the primary door.

Aside from generating energy savings, a new storm door can also be an inexpensive “make over” for the exterior of your home. An investment of only $150-200 can update the look of the home, let in more light and improve security.

Finding a color and style that will look good on any home should not be a challenge.

“Many people have chosen to upgrade their front entrance and invest in decorative storm doors while others prefer a more traditional approach. Larson has created over 40 different colors and styles to choose from to meet any need,” says Eng. “It’s a beautiful way to save energy all year ‘round.”

Family owned and based in Brookings, South Dakota, Larson Manufacturing has been building storm doors over 50 years.