Glass Doctor Goes to Washington, Talks Healthcare Reform

Ed Sieber, owner of the Glass Doctor of Charlotte franchise, discussed the impact of healthcare reform on small businesses across the country with U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and U.S. Senator Kay Hagen (D-NC). Ed was in Washington D.C. as part of the International Franchise Association (IFA) 10th Annual Public Affairs Conference.

“We urged our congressional leaders to focus on reducing the cost of health care, improving the quality and efficiency of the health care system, and making health insurance affordable for businesses to offer to their employees,” said Sieber, who is the Glass Doctor national Franchisee of the Year. “There are more than 900,000 franchised businesses responsible for 21 million jobs and $2.3 trillion of private-sector output in the U.S. We will have a great impact on the economic recovery, so we appreciate having our voices heard.”

In addition to health care, Sieber and other franchise owners are concerned about the state of short-term financing.

“The government has offered some limited short-term loans through the Small Business Administration, but to really jump-start the economy we feel Congress should promote more lending so that we can offer more jobs and invest in our businesses,” Sieber said. “A 40 percent reduction in franchise lending is expected this year, which would result in the loss of an estimated 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.”

Sieber’s business was directly affected by the stagnant economy earlier this year. He closed one of his three Charlotte-area glass shops in January. Now business is slowly returning, but Sieber does not have the cash to add glass service technicians and his business does not qualify for a short-term loan.

“Ultimately if the short-term loan and revolving credit logjam is broken and meaningful health care reform is enacted, then the consumer will benefit the most,” Sieber said. “Small businesses like ours will be able to expand our products and services, and then we can hire more people. Hopefully both parties in Congress will work together so that the economic recovery will take off.”

How to Save Energy and Money by Preparing Windows for Winter - Part 2

Permanent window draft solutions are best for homes that experience all four seasons, and especially those homes in colder climates These solutions may set you back a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, depending on the size of your home and the number of windows.

• Start by replacing cracked glass panes. Full-service glass shops such as Glass Doctor can replace a single pane without having the replace the entire window.
• Foggy Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) have leaks, so they are not insulating like they should. Many products claim to remove moisture from IGUs, but the seal will never be the same. Full-service glass shops can repair or replace bad IGUs so that your home has the original insulation factor. If your home does not have IGUs, in 2009 and 2010 there is a federal income tax credit of 30% of product cost up to $1,500 for energy efficient replacement windows that can help you afford new windows.
• If you cannot afford replacement windows even with the tax credit, storm windows may be a more viable option. They can be installed on the interior or exterior of the existing windows to provide additional layers of glass. Storm windows do not reduce energy loss like IGUs, but they can prevent drafts.

For more information about energy-efficient window options, go to the Energy Savers Web site by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Glass Doctor Opens in Frederick, MD

The Glass Doctor® of Frederick franchise owned by Kevin and Jennifer Cuozzo is now open and ready to “fix your panes!” Glass Doctor of Frederick offers mobile residential, automotive, and commercial glass services in Frederick County and the surrounding area. The shop is open 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday. For businesses 24-hour emergency service is available.

“We’re pleased to be a part of Glass Doctor, because we know it will fit with our existing businesses,” Jennifer Cuozzo said. “We also own Doctor Tint and Details, Doctor Details Auto Salon, and A Touch of Class Limousines. Now we can add window and windshield repair and replacement to the services we can offer our current customers. Plus we can expand our customer base with services like entry door glass, custom mirrors, tabletops and storefronts.”

Glass Doctor of Frederick also will offer G12, a one-year guarantee on windshield replacement. If an OEM replacement windshield that a Glass Doctor franchise has installed is damaged or broken within 12 months of the replacement date, Glass Doctor will repair or replace the windshield glass only at no additional charge to the customer (some vehicle restrictions apply, contact Glass Doctor of Frederick for complete details).

Upon purchasing the franchise, the Cuozzos attended the most in-depth training in the glass services industry, a 10-day training course on the latest glass repair technology, customer service techniques and marketing methods held at the Glass Doctor University Training Center in Waco, Texas.

The Glass Doctor of Frederick shop is located at 575 N. East St. For more information or to schedule service, call (301) 418-6049.

How to Save Energy and Money by Winterizing Windows - Part 1

Winterizing your home windows can help save up to 10% on energy bills right away. Most heat escapes from a home through gaps around the windows, not through the glass itself. Failed caulk, gaps between the trim and the window, and bad window seals are the most likely culprits. The solutions depend upon the climate where you live.

To find out if your window seals have drafts, hold up a candle or incense stick near the window on a windy day. The more the smoke moves, the worse the draft. Don’t just go by the temperature of the glass and whether or not there is condensation. Find where the draft is coming from.

Temporary window draft solutions are best for warmer, temperate climates that have occasional cold snaps. These solutions are generally cheaper, too.

• Thicker Curtains – Replace light curtains with thicker curtains in the fall and winter months. Curtains restrict air movement, but they do not block it completely. They can refresh the whole look of the room, though.
• Shutters or Shades – These can change the look of a room as well, and they restrict the air flow better than curtains.
• Caulking – Most warm air escapes around window and door glass trim. Replace caulk annually and paint over it to complete the seal and protect the caulk.
• Rope Caulk – Rope caulk is easier to use than glazing caulk, and it can be easily removed and reused. It does not completely seal the window, but it restricts more air flow.
• Weather Stripping – Older windows that are not opened can be fitted with weather stripping to prevent leaks. To find out how much you need, measure the perimeter of the window and add at least 10% to account for overlap and waste.
• Frame Inserts – These custom-built sheets of clear plastic can be attached to window trim with clips. They cover the entire window. Just make sure the window trim is caulked too.

Glass Doctor Rookie of the Year Franchise Profile

Three years ago, David Kozlowski was tired. He was tired of corporate life and he was tired of moving his family every two years. He thought if he could find the right franchise system, he could start his own business and stay in one place for a while. In June 2007 David bought a stagnant 14-year-old Glass Doctor shop in Milwaukee, Wis., and turned it into a full-service glass machine. It earned him the 2008 Glass Doctor Rookie of the Year Award. Little did David know that staying put can actually move someone in unexpected ways.

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Keep Kids Safe from Glass Injuries

Young children can be hurt by broken glass a number of ways, including stepping on glass shards, falling through windows, or running through sliding glass doors. The most common childhood injuries involving glass are severe cuts when a child picks up pieces of glass after a drinking glass, window, light bulb or lamp breaks. On their own, children often find stray pieces of glass on sidewalks, sports fields, parking lots and playgrounds. Even though injury prevention is best, you can use the Glass Safety tips below to teach children what they should do after glass breaks, when adults may or may not be nearby.

G – Get a parent.
L – Let the parent pick up the glass.
A – Avoid the area of the broken glass.
S – Stay clear of the area until it is cleaned up.
S – Safe habits will keep you safe.

Glass Doctor can replace broken glass or older, dangerous glass with new laminated glass or tempered safety glass. When these newer types of glass panes break, they form fragments instead of dangerous shards. Laminated glass has a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two or more glass panes. If broken, the glass “sticks” to the PVB. This is the same principle behind laminated glass windshields.

If installing laminated or tempered safety glass is not possible, consider tinting films that can protect against breakage and shattered glass. Films also can reduce ultraviolet light, glare and heat in a room, which saves energy. You can even tape your child’s artwork to glass doors and windows at eye level to remind them about glass safety.

Custom Glass Shower Rooms?

Glass Doctor loves glass shower enclosures. They’re a great way to improve the whole look of a bathroom without a complete renovation. Some glass shower enclosures are more challenging than others, though. Here’s a custom glass shower enclosure by Stephen Beavers and his team at Glass Doctor of Greers Ferry, AR, that became something more.

“This one was a challenge for us that eventually came out beautiful and we have used it for bragging rights ever since,” Stephen said. “The unit is a steam room with a partial glass ceiling. We fabricated the ceiling ourselves. I think it works great, I’ve never gotten to use it but I haven ‘t had a complaint saying otherwise.”

Tulsa Police target unsecured loads | KJRH.com

John Vestring of Glass Doctor of Tulsa, OK was featured in this TV news story about windshield damage caused by gravel from unsecured loads. Glass Doctor can repair many windshield chips before they turn into cracks. Most windshield chip repairs are free to the customer when filed with insurance. However, if the chip turns into a crack, the windshield must be replaced. That usually costs $200 - $400, which is less than most deductible limits people carry on their auto insurance. So watch out for those gravel trucks and get chips repaired quickly.

Tulsa Police target unsecured loads KJRH.com

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The Dwyer Group CEO Dina Dwyer-Owens re: Franchising in Tough Economy

The Dwyer Group CEO Dina Dwyer-Owens was featured on Fox Business today to discuss franchise challenges in a tough economy. While consumers are fixing immediate problems, they are putting off larger fixes and home renovations. Financing is available at participating Glass Doctor locations, so be sure to ask before writing off window replacement or glass shower enclosures.

(Glass Doctor is one of six service brands in The Dwyer Group family of companies, including Aire Serv, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter, and Rainbow Restoration.)

New Texas Law Requires Safety Compliance Sticker on Tinted Car Windows

A new law went into effect in Texas that requires a label to be posted on all aftermarket glass certifying that it complies with the law that limits the thickness of car window tint to greater than 25 percent light transmission.

Glass Doctor of Amarillo was featured in a story on KFDA NewsChannel 10 to talk about how glass shops can help customers comply with the new law.

New Law Requires Safety Compliance Sticker on Tinted Windows - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo, TX: newschannel10.com