A.B.E. Doors & Windows Blog

A.B.E. Doors and Windows had very humble beginnings. When Jim started the company in June of 1974, he bought a used 1957 F100 Ford Pickup for hauling steel cellar doors and cement bags. It was a used farm truck from Northampton with step sides and painted a cheerful green. 

It’s my favorite time of year—Halloween season! I don’t know about everyone else, but I love horror movies and one of the staples of iconic horror is… broken glass. Whether it’s the killer smashing their way inside to slice up some unsuspecting coeds or taking advantage so the poorly-dressed heroine can get a makeshift knife, broken glass is one of horror’s favorite props.

In 2018, Provia implemented a new packaging system to better protect their windows during shipping. All the windows are individually shipped fully-enclosed in custom-sized boxes. By shipping their windows like that, Provia adds the benefits of lowering the risk of damage, keeping the windows clean, keeping all components together, and allowing for a professional appearance on the job site.  Even better, all Provia’s boxes are recyclable!

Yellowstone National Park

Did you know that A.B.E. Doors and Windows doesn’t have any ‘On Hold’ Music? Instead, we have ‘On Hold’ Trivia.

The question: What is the United States’ first National Park?

The answer: Yellowstone National Park!

We wanted to celebrate and recognize the role of women in construction this month. Often thought of as man’s profession, we’d like to introduce you to a few women who have had a big impact on the construction scene. (Including our own wonderful gals in the ABE office!)

Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham (1632-1705), made a name for herself by drawing up her own designs for grand homes for her extended family. She was also involved in the designs of hundreds of buildings and several churches in the London area, Unfortunately, she was not allowed to take credit for them and they were attributed to another gentlemen at the time. 

A day in the life of an A.B.E. installation technician. After working at A.B.E. Doors & Windows for four years, I finally got to take a field trip out of the office and into the field. I was invited along with two of our technicians who were installing a brand-new Provia entrance door with two sidelights.

In this day and age we have a world of goods at our fingertips via the internet. We can order a product that will be at our door in just a few days or look up information to solve practically any problem. While these solutions are handy, they lack personal service and attention to detail, which are still important. Let's not forget the ways small businesses can enhance your shopping experience.

The difference of knowledge.

Have you ever done a bit of research to replace a part, ordered it, only to have it not fit? Now you’re on the phone, chatting with someone miles away and getting little resolved. Small business owners spend hours making sure they know their inventory inside and out. You can rest assure if a replacement part does not fit or work properly, they will get to the bottom of it. Earning your trust is essential to the heart of their business.

“Can you really work in this kind of weather?” We hear this a lot when the temperatures turn chilly and the snow starts to fly. The answer is YES, we can complete many product installations, so you don’t need to delay areas that need replacement.

Since our humble beginnings over 40 years ago we appreciate the needs of not only the larger companies, but the small Mom & Pop businesses that require commercial windows or entry and garage doors. Here is a brief overview of our commercial products and how they can enhance your business.

Entry Doors

Your front door is the gateway to your business, products and employees. Make sure it gives off a positive first impression, which is so important in today’s business environment. Our doors are constructed with durable steel, provide security and look beautiful. We choose products that are energy efficient and reliable for years to come.

The past few weeks have allowed us to really focus on some areas of our homes that we may not always get to. Many of us have been spring cleaning and getting our homes ready for warmer weather. While you've probably hit all the familiar areas, let's walk you through some spots you may have missed.

In the Kitchen

Your counters are probably wiped clean at the end of the day, but when was the last time you gave some attention to your back-splashes? No doubt they see their fair share of food, splashed beverages and dish water. Wipe them down with warm water with a few drops of soap.

The trash can see all kinds of goodies thrown in it through-out the week, and even the best liner can't stop a tear here and there. All of a sudden, that old spaghetti sauce you thought was contained is inside the can. About once a month, take a peek in there before you replace the liner. Wipe it down inside and out.

This coming April will mark the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day. Originally started to bring awareness to air and water pollution, the event is now recognized in over 190 countries. The environmental issues may have changed over the years, but the focus of helping our planet remains the same. Let's take a look at some of the ways that are making a big impact now.

Sustainable Goods

These are items that are usually made from raw materials (think bamboo, hemp & organic cotton) that serve a function now, but will also be easily broken down or recycled in the future.

Recent examples would be people using metal straws instead of plastic or choosing reusable sandwich bags in lieu of the fold-over baggies.

Home maintenance can be a tricky thing. You can go for years with no issues, and then one day look around and notice not one, but all of your windows are drafty and in sad shape. If you don't have cash set aside to make the necessary improvements to your home's windows, (or door replacement) there are financing options to help you cover this cost. Let's take a look at some common choices.

Using an Existing Credit Card

A great option to consider if the dollar amount is on the lower side. This also avoids you having to open up another loan, which means no waiting for an approval. If you have a credit card that rewards you with cash back that is a nice perk, just make sure you can pay it off in a timely manner so you don't negate that benefit. You may also want to check your current interest rate. If it on the higher side, another loan-type may be a better option.

A trend is starting to take shape in our office. Most of these begin with our general manager, Marc, and I having a conversation whereupon one of us will say something the other one questions. Then, I do research and wind up blogging about it. Most recently, I was talking about our newest recruit being “the Low Man on the Totem Pole.” Marc was confused as he thought that the lower figures on the totem pole were the more important ones. That makes sense, but that wasn’t how I understood the saying. Thus, I began to search for the truth.