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TOTAL HOME MAGAZINE
SPRING 2015
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9
VENTING SIDEL ITES
MASONRY S I LLS
HARDWARE OPTIONS
Venting sidelights are a popular new option for homeowners who do not want
to cover up their door with a storm or screen door. Venting sidelites allow you
to enjoy fresh air without opening your front door because they crank open
similar to a casement window. The integrated screens keep bugs out while
allowing airflow and more natural light into your home. They can be installed
as a single or a matching pair on each side of the door - either way, venting
sidelites are designed to complement the principle door creating a complete
entrance system.
Finding the right hardware for your door
does not have to be an overwhelming
experience even though there is an almost
endless selection of levers, deadbolts and
entry sets available on the market today.
Electronic Keypads
A popular choice for many homeowners is
an electronic deadbolt lock. These “key-
less” entry systems provide the conve-
nience of a keypad or touchscreen without
the need for a traditional key to unlock
your door.
Earlier models of electronic locks quickly
drained batteries because a motor mechan-
ically moved the deadbolt lock. Current
models simply electronically lock or
unlock the mechanism and then the user
manually moves the deadbolt with a lever
or handle.
If a battery does drain unexpectedly, the
entryset has a key override to bypass the
electronic system. They are fully program-
mable so you can change your code as
often as you like providing you with secure
and reliable access to your home.
Door Handles
Way-Mar customers are increasingly
choosing lever handles over traditional
door knobs. A lever can usually be opened
even when your hands are full by simply
pushing down with a forearm or elbow.
Elderly homeowners find them much
easier to use as well.
MAKING THE
RIGHT CHOICE
Way-Mar is always happy to work with
their customers to find the best option that
fits the home owner’s needs and budget.
They will direct customers to a hardware
supplier so they can put their hands on the
various options before making a decision.
Way-Mar also has the expertise to find the
right hardware based on the homeowners
input when the customer does not have
the time or desire to choose it themselves.
In either case, Way-Mar will perform the
hardware installation and can take care of
other services like keying to existing door
locks or putting new matching deadbolts
on all exterior doors.
In each era of home construction, Way-Mar
often sees common building techniques that
were employed by builders at the time.
Many homes built in the 1960’s have a large
masonry sill directly under the front door
without the addition of a threshold. Unfor-
tunately this masonry conducts cold directly
into the home so when replacing the front
door, it is an ideal time to consider a perma-
nent solution to this issue.
New doors are installed with a threshold
which creates a barrier to solve the cold
problem. The downside of leaving the
existing masonry sill is that the original step
height of the door is raised creating a safety
hazard. The new door may also have to be
custom sized to properly fit the opening
which is an added expense.
Way-Mar’s recommended approach to
homeowners in this situation is to remove
the original masonry sill entirely and replace
it with a lower profile sill. Then a new
standard size door can be installed and the
original step height is maintained at the top
of the threshold. The sill replacement is an
additional expense but generally would not
exceed the cost of a custom fitted door.
The solution is a better, energy saving en-
trance with minimal impact to the original
look of the home or the step height.