Green solutions that save time and money

BY SCOTT GLADISH

Oftentimes “green” products cost more or don’t work as well. Here are four things you can do that are good for the environment as well as your wallet.

EASY-CLEAN TREATMENTS FOR GLASS, TILE AND STONE
The “Time Bandit” fishing boat in Alaska, the Nike world headquarters, and the Monterrey Bay Aquarium are all using Diamon-Fusion to keep their glass surfaces cleaner longer with less effort. Diamon-Fusion is particularly useful for glass shower enclosures and granite countertops, and eliminates the need for any harsh, toxic chemical cleaning sprays – shower doors come clean with the swipe of a sponge and any fingerprints on glass tables, doors or mirrors can be wiped off with a dry microfiber towel.

REPLACE FOGGY INSULATED GLASS AND NOT THE WHOLE WINDOW
Save money and keep products out of the landfills! If your windows are in great shape but the glass has failed and gotten fogged, just have the glass replaced. No need to repaint, re-shingle, patch drywall and otherwise disturb your home or office.

GIVE NEW LIFE TO COMMERCIAL DOORS
Commercial storefront doors have hinges that break, sag or get bent by a gust of wind. Rather than replacing the entire door, why not have a continuous geared lifetime hinge installed to make the door new again. This keeps the old door in service and saves you money as well. You can also get replacement door closers and weatherstripping, seals and baffl es to keep the heat or air conditioning in.

GET A CHIP REPAIR INSTEAD OF A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT
If you get a chip repaired right away, it seals out moisture and stabilizes the break, making it more likely that the crack will not spread. By repairing a chip, you keep a windshield out of the landfills (laminated glass is not recyclable). You also save time (it’s about a 15-minute process) and money (chip repairs are often covered 100 percent by insurance with zero deductible). ■

Scott Gladish is owner of Cape & Islands Glass and Emergency Contractors. He can be reached at (800) 540-7742 or scott@capeandislandsglass.com.


Published in Cape & Plymouth Business July 2010