Enjoying your home this summer starts with a smooth breeze.
As the weather starts to warm up, our windows and doors work harder. Between letting in fresh air and keeping out pesky flies, it's important to keep the gateways to our home in tip-top condition all summer long.
Loose latches or faulty window stays can make the first warm breeze more frustrating than refreshing. Functionality is key: there’s no indoor-outdoor flow if sliders stick, no fresh air if windows won’t open.
“If you're struggling to open your sliding door, get it sorted: don't sit there waiting for the day you can't move it, or someone tries too hard and breaks it or hurts themselves,” says Exceed franchise owner Patrick Stevens.
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“You need to deal with something like that sooner rather than later. Nothing lasts forever when it comes to moving parts.”
For more than 30 years, Exceed has repaired New Zealanders’ windows and doors with premium solutions that let the breeze in and keep the flies out. With repairs, upgrades and advice, the company helps Kiwi homes breathe again.
And with summer right around the corner, many homeowners will be anticipating a return to outdoor entertaining, from family barbecues to poolside afternoons. But enjoying your home, and sharing it with others, means everything should be in working order. That’s where an assessment with a qualified Exceed service technician can help.
These are the main issues to look out for.
Sticky sliders
It’s time to test your sliding or bifold door to see if it’s opening smoothly and easily. If your sliding door or bifold is stubborn or hard to move, it’s time to call in the experts.
“You want your sliding door to work properly. You don't want it to be hard to move, or make a loud noise and rumble along. You don't want to have to lift it and force it to open or close. You want a nice, easy, operating door, and that's where we come in with rollers to get it gliding like new,” says Stevens.
Breeze without bugs
Opening your home to the outdoors shouldn’t mean sharing it with unwanted guests. Exceed’s range of insect screens – custom-made to fit French doors, sliders, bifolds, or sliding or awning windows – make it easy to enjoy the breeze without the flying pests. Choose from a range of retractable screens that are designed to blend seamlessly with your joinery.
Stevens recommends ordering your insect screens sooner rather than later, to ensure they’re fitted before the height of summer.
“Your insect screens are made to measure – designed in Japan and custom-built to fit your home, then professionally installed. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you’ll have them.”
Stay cool
As the temperature climbs, you’ll be wanting to stay cool inside your home. Heat pumps do their bit, but if you have faulty latches or window stays, that cool air is on a one-way ticket back outside – just like warm air in winter.
Before you crank the air con, restoring natural airflow with functional windows and stays is a simpler, more sustainable and cost-effective way to keep your home comfortable.
A tell-tale sign of worn window stays is when the window struggles to stay open or slams shut at the smallest breeze, says Stevens.
Exceed has practical solutions to manage airflow, reduce heat and stay breezy. Repairing or replacing faulty hardware lets you ventilate your home efficiently.
Stay safe and secure
Kiwis love to spend time at the bach, beach or boat over summer, but leaving your home for extended periods can lead to security concerns. Exceed can help upgrade the security of your home with window latches, door locks, smart locks, and security options for your windows.
Safety stays and security stays allow you to leave windows ajar, letting hot air escape and fresh air circulate, even when you’re not around. It’s a small upgrade with a big payoff, especially in newer homes where passive airflow can be harder to achieve, says Stevens.
“We can do a check and see exactly what you want to make sure all your doors lock properly and all your windows are adequately secured.”
Whether you’re a landlord making sure tenants stay comfortable, or a homeowner heading away on a summer break, Exceed’s security and maintenance solutions keep your place safe, functional and ready to enjoy.
General maintenance
We all love the sun, but over time it can be rough on the rubber seals of your window and doors causing them to shrink. General maintenance year-round will ensure your windows and doors are always ready to tackle the conditions.
A simple tip? “If any part of your joinery is not working properly, it's not going to get better by itself,” says Stevens.
To get your home summer-ready, call 0800 25 25 00 or visit exceed.co.nz to book an assessment.
