About MI Windows and doors

People Dedicated to Seeing You Through

With plants across the country, MI Windows and Doors is one of America's most respected manufacturers of vinyl, aluminum and composite window and door products. Since 1947, we've focused on great people making great products. To us, "Seeing You Through" is a philosophy that goes beyond the factory, beyond the warehouse, and right into each home and construction site. It's what drives us to manufacture products that are complete, accurate and delivered on time. But most of all, it's why our customers place their trust in us

Window Condensation

Reduce and Control Household Humidity Aged-over or frost-coated vinyl replacement windows: A problem or a symptom? It should be pointed out that a little fogging or frosting that comes and goes on the lower corners of our windows is nothing to be concerned about. Condensation that blocks the whole window with fog or frost, though, presents more of a problem. Runoff can cause staining on woodwork, wallpaper and plaster. Heavy condensation of this type on your windows is symptomatic of moisture damage that can be occurring throughout your home. Household humidity is a modern problem. That’s because more and more of us are living in moisture-trapping homes that are more economical as well as being cleaner and more comfortable. So…were we unwise or even a little hasty in hoping for the energy-efficient “tight” home? Definitely not. This information explains the moisture challenges of the modern home and offers practical and easy to follow suggestions for solving the problem of excess indoor humidity.

How does excessive humidity cause home damage? Outside air is usually drier than the air in your home. The moisture in wet air is compelled to flow toward and mix with the outside drier air, and it does so with a force of nature that is known as vapor pressure. A relentless force, vapor pressure can even go upstream to airflow as it forces moisture through wood, plaster, brick, cement and most of the other materials we use to build our homes. This phenomenon can force excessive indoor humidity through siding to form blisters under the exterior paint. Why do modern homes trap more humidity inside? Because, in achieving today’s “tight” homes, builders and remodelers have made increasing use of moisture-trapping material such as glass, less permeable varnishes and paints, tiles and plastic wall coverings. These materials, plus the application of vapor-seal wall insulation, combine to keep moisture inside where it can condense and cause fogging on cooler window surfaces as well as dampness on other interior surfaces. What heightens the indoor humidity problem? Life-style changes are elevating water-vapor levels in today’s homes. There is more washing, more bathing, more showering... and there are more appliances and gas furnaces. How much water vapor do day-to-day family activities generate? How does excessive humidity cause home damage? Outside air is usually drier than the air in your home. The moisture in wet air is compelled to flow toward and mix with the outside drier air, and it does so with a force of nature that is known as vapor pressure. A relentless force, vapor pressure can even go upstream to airflow as it forces moisture through wood, plaster, brick, cement and most of the other materials we use to build our homes. This phenomenon can force excessive indoor humidity through siding to form blisters under the exterior paint. Why do modern homes trap more humidity inside? Because, in achieving today’s “tight” homes, builders and remodelers have made increasing use of moisture-trapping material such as glass, less permeable varnishes and paints, tiles and plastic wall coverings. These materials, plus the application of vapor-seal wall insulation, combine to keep moisture inside where it can condense and cause fogging on cooler window surfaces as well as dampness on other interior surfaces. What heightens the indoor humidity problem? Life-style changes are elevating water-vapor levels in today’s homes. There is more washing, more bathing, more showering... and there are more appliances and gas furnaces. How much water vapor do day-to-day family activities generate?

Remember, windows do not cause condensation, but excessive humidity levels can. The reasons for excessive window condensation and humidity can be complicated. Sometimes the diagnosis requires the service of a qualified expert who can make recommendations based on an overall evaluation that includes: the number and type of windows; the type of double glazing system used; the heating system (hot air or hot water, perimeter or interior wall heating); the type of insulation and vapor barrier; and the type of soil and quality of drainage. One thing is clear. Whatever is required, homeowners cannot afford to let humidity go unchecked. A Few Additional Comments… Condensation is visible evidence of excessive moisture in the air. It may appear as water, frost, or ice on the room surface of windows and doors. The warmer the air, the more water the air can hold, which means that the air in the center of any given room will hold more water than the air adjacent to the window or door walls, since this area is always cooler. When the warm, moisture laden air moves toward the cooler window or door wall, it becomes cooler and cannot hold the moisture it held when it was warmer, and is dropped and appears as water on the glass and frames of windows and doors. This occurs more frequently during the winter months because of the extreme difference between the inside and outside temperatures. If you wish to avoid condensation during the winter months, when the average outdoor temperature drops to 35 degrees or less, it would be wise to maintain a 25-30 degree relative indoor humidity. Ventilation is a very effective way to remove excessive moisture from the air, which is why old, poorly insulated houses with single glazed windows, often do not have condensation

Remember, windows do not cause condensation, but excessive humidity levels can. The reasons for excessive window condensation and humidity can be complicated. Sometimes the diagnosis requires the service of a qualified expert who can make recommendations based on an overall evaluation that includes: the number and type of windows; the type of double glazing system used; the heating system (hot air or hot water, perimeter or interior wall heating); the type of insulation and vapor barrier; and the type of soil and quality of drainage. One thing is clear. Whatever is required, homeowners cannot afford to let humidity go unchecked. A Few Additional Comments… Condensation is visible evidence of excessive moisture in the air. It may appear as water, frost, or ice on the room surface of windows and doors. The warmer the air, the more water the air can hold, which means that the air in the center of any given room will hold more water than the air adjacent to the window or door walls, since this area is always cooler. When the warm, moisture laden air moves toward the cooler window or door wall, it becomes cooler and cannot hold the moisture it held when it was warmer, and is dropped and appears as water on the glass and frames of windows and doors. This occurs more frequently during the winter months because of the extreme difference between the inside and outside temperatures. If you wish to avoid condensation during the winter months, when the average outdoor temperature drops to 35 degrees or less, it would be wise to maintain a 25-30 degree relative indoor humidity. Ventilation is a very effective way to remove excessive moisture from the air, which is why old, poorly insulated houses with single glazed windows, often do not have condensation

MI Windows and doors is one of the largest manufacturers of vinyl, aluminum and cellular Windows and doors in the country. You can count on our nationwide footprint for delivering and manufacturing superb products, and you can count on our people to build a quality relationship that you can depend on.

If the heart of MI is our people, then the strength of MI is our products. As the single source for Windows and doors, our Capitol, BetterBilt and Cellular Collection brands provide reliable new construction products. Capitol Architectural Products serve a wide range of commercial architecture, and our XACT replacement windows boast energy efficiency and easy installation.

MI’s extraordinary control over our manufacturing process is a distinct competitive advantage. Our time-tested relationships with suppliers ensure quality raw materials, while our control over the manufacturing process ensures high quality products.

At MI, we’re committed to every product, as well as every customer. We’re behind every door. We’re behind every window. Seeing You Through.

History of MI Windows and doors

MI Windows and doors is one of the nation’s largest suppliers of vinyl, aluminum and cellular Windows and doors. With plants across the country, MI offers a broad spectrum of windows and patio doors—backed by exemplary customer service.

The company that now manufactures on a nationwide level began with just two people making screens in a Florida airplane hangar back in the forties. These hardworking, visionary founders never forgot the value of good people as the company continued to expand.

Steadily increasing the scope of its business while adding plants from coast to coast, MI began manufacturing storm windows in 1972, storm doors in 1974, then introduced vinyl replacement windows in 1981. In the 1990s, MI brought its hard work and expertise to the new construction market, purchasing Capitol in the early part of the decade and BetterBilt in 1999.

Having kept the focus on people as its greatest asset, MI continues to manufacture quality Windows and doors under our respected brands. Our products serve distributors, architects, builders, remodelers and homeowners alike.

At MI Windows and doors, you can expect us to continue improving. But we promise that our commitment to Seeing You Through will always remain the same.

MI is more than one trusted name for Windows and doors—it’s many trusted names. Our brands—Capitol, BetterBilt, Cellular Collection, Xact and Capitol Architectural Products—are synonymous with quality, making MI the single source for windows and patio doors serving distributors, builders, remodelers and consumers

MI Windows and doors is proud to offer our customers ENERGY STAR qualified Windows and doors. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that helps consumers identify energy saving products. Every ENERGY STAR qualified window and door is independently tested and certified to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Department of Energy.
We recommend that customers save their receipts and any ENERGY STAR labels associated with the product for the Energy Tax Credit.