by Paul Rogers on February 11, 2011
When it comes to solid surface window well covers nothing is better, stronger or more durable than Lexan. Lexan has been around since 1953 and has a long storied history. Chemist Dr. Daniel Fox of GE made a discover while working on a wire coating. In his research, he had created a gooey substance that once hardened, could not be broken or destroyed. He was amazed and impressed by the remarkable toughness of the material. This material was later patented in 1955 and became known as Lexan Polycarbonate plastic.
In the 1960s, NASA used Lexan brand polycarbonate for astronaut helmet assemblies and visors, including those used by the Apollo moon astronauts. In 1968, Lexan was being used in windows, signs, greenhouses and other large applications. Today, it is used in hundreds if not thousands of applications including football and other sports helmets and bullet proof glass.
So, knowing a little history about the product you can see it is the de facto standard in the industry. When you are making a decision about your window well covers don’t buy an inferior product. Ask the following questions of my competitors:
Do you use Lexan solid surface tops?
If yes, ask what thickness of Lexan they use? – some competitors use 1/8” thick Lexan while still charging the premium price for the thicker 3/16” Lexan. I have used 3/16″ Lexan from the beginning.
If no, ask what they do use? Beware, some competitors use fiberglass for their tops. It may look similar to Lexan but it is significantly weaker and more susceptible to UV sun damage.
Of course, it is less expensive but they do not pass that savings on. Their covers are still
more expensive than mine.
by Paul Rogers on February 11, 2011
When it comes to the overall strength of our window well covers nothing is more important than the aluminum supports. P.A.R. Window Well Cover Co. uses structural grade solid angle aluminum back supports and structural grade solid angle aluminum cross supports. Furthermore, each cover we install comes standard with 1 back support and 3 cross support regardless of size. In the event of an oversized window well we add cross supports at no additional cost to you.
It is very important to understand not every window well cover company uses the same high quality aluminum supports. In fact, some don’t use any cross support. So, when you are talking to my competitors ask them the following questions:
Do You Use Structural Grade Aluminum Angle Supports?
If yes, ask how many cross supports they use? Beware, some competitors use 1 back support and 1 or 2 cross supports. I always use 1 back support and 3 cross supports regardless of size. After all, the supports are what provide the strength for each cover. Don’t skimp here!!
If no, ask what do they use? Some companies use flat bar aluminum supports(not angle). Flat bar supports are significantly weaker than aluminum angle supports. Other companies don’t use aluminum supports at all. In these cases there is a good chance the supports used will rust or corrode over time in the damp/humid well environment. Finally, other companies use a channeled back support whereby the plastic top recesses into the channel of the back support. Although functional, a channeled back support does not have the tensile strength of a solid piece of aluminum.
by Paul Rogers on February 11, 2011
P.A.R. Window Well Cover Co. is the only company in the industry using all aluminum fasteners to construct its covers. Why? Quality, Strength and durability. There is no question our covers are the finest in the industry. We have been using all aluminum fasteners since day one. In doing so, we ensure our covers will hold-up over the long term. Other companies use small weaker pop rivets to hold their covers together. Although, functional rivets are prone to pop over time and are much smaller when compared to the 1/4 x 20 nuts and bolts we use. In addition, the bolts we use have pan head tops which have a much greater surface area than do rivets providing additional strength and a clean finished appearance.
Although, our aluminum fasteners are more expensive than rivets we feel the benefits far outweigh the added expense to our company. There is no price you can put on safety and security. Here are P.A.R. Window Well Cover Co. we have your interest at heart. Again, when talking with my competitors ask them the following questions:
Do You Use Aluminum Carriage Bolts, Washers and Hex Nuts?
If yes, you must be talking with P.A.R. Window Well Cover Co. Again, we are the only window well cover company using all aluminum hardware. We use heavy duty aluminum carriage bolts, washers and hex nuts. This is particularly important because it adds additional strength and ensures our connections never rust or corrode.
If no, ask what they use? Most competitors use rivets to build their covers. Rivets are much cheaper, light weight and not nearly as strong as carriage bolts, washers and nuts.
by Paul Rogers on February 11, 2011
P.A.R. Window Well Cover Co. is the only company in the industry who provides a free locking system with each and every window well cover installed. Not only is it free, but it is the best locking system in the industry. Why? Our locking system is all aluminum and custom manufactured exclusively for our company. This means it will never rust or corrode like some of our competitors locking systems. This is critically important. You don’t want to come across a rusted locking component when you are trying to egress out your basement in an emergency. Do you? Well, that is exactly what can happen with non-aluminum locking systems. Believe me, I have replaced competitors locking systems with my own…at the customer’s request. Sure, initially their locking systems look great. However, over time non-aluminum components begin to rust in the hot and humid window well environment.
ALERT: DO NOT BUY COVERS WITH CLIPS. I feel strongly about this! These covers offer little protection from intruders and from tenacious children searching for frogs. In fact, a 6-8 year old probably has enough strength to remove these covers. Of course, once removed seldom would they be reseated properly. As a result, it would certainly create a possible fall-in scenario. So, why would you buy a competitors covers with clips when you could buy a superior cover from P.A.R. Window Well Covers Co. with locks? Ask my competitors the following question:
Do You Include a FREE Locking System With Each Installed Cover?
If yes, you must be talking with P.A.R. Window Well Cover Co. Since 2005, our company has offered free security locks with every installed cover. Our Vault Locking System components are custom manufactured and installed. Again, the components are all aluminum so they will never rust or corrode.
If no, you are talking to my competitors. Most of my competitors will charge you an additional $20 – $40 dollars for their locking system. Also, most of their locking systems are made of steel components which will rust or corrode over time. Lastly, most of my competitors use steel cotter pins/hitch pins to secure their covers. Since most are not aluminum they will rust or corrode over time making them difficult to remove in an emergency. My locking clips are all aluminum and spring loaded making them simple to remove.
