| Many homeowners are looking to replace their | | | | to seal on an edge, which makes the quality of the |
| worn-out windows with new windows that operate | | | | installation more critical. |
| and perform better, are more durable, require | | | | Make sure that you are also clear about the details of |
| considerably less maintenance and are more energy | | | | the installation. Find out about the interior and exterior |
| efficient than the wood, steel or aluminum windows | | | | trim packages. Is all the exposed wood on the exterior |
| that were used when their homes were built. | | | | covered with custom formed trim? What about the |
| Most people look at new windows as an expense, | | | | interior? There are a wide variety of options available |
| they're not. New windows are an investment in your | | | | depending upon the look you want, and the price that |
| home. An investment which, if made wisely, not only | | | | fits your budget. Make sure that fiberglass batt |
| increases the value of your home, but at the same | | | | insulation is added in any space created between the |
| time, cuts your energy bills, increases your comfort and | | | | new window and the frame of the opening. Doing this |
| reduces maintenance cost. However, like any | | | | cuts air leakage around the window and insulates the |
| investment decision, you need to determine what gives | | | | space. Even things that appear to be insignificant, such |
| you the greatest value, not necessarily the lowest | | | | as the quality of the caulking, are important. |
| price. You need to educate yourself so you really | | | | Be sure you are getting the total job, and that there |
| understand what you are getting for your money. This | | | | are no hidden charges, like delivery or clean up. But |
| is why it is important for a homeowner to work with | | | | even worse than hidden charges are things that were |
| someone they trust who walks them through the | | | | ignored to reduce the price. Even though it costs you a |
| various options so they can make an educated buying | | | | little more money to do the job right initially, you will be |
| decision. | | | | much better off in the long run. Make sure that |
| In most cases, style is already determined by the | | | | everything you are getting is clearly spelled out on the |
| architecture of the house and the type of windows | | | | contract or a spec sheet linked to the contract. Under |
| that are presently there. However, it is possible to | | | | no circumstances should you accept a proposal |
| change window styles, change opening sizes, add | | | | written on the back of a business card. |
| bays and bows, or do a variety of other things that will | | | | Not only are all windows not the same, but there are |
| dramatically change the appearance of your home | | | | also huge differences in window companies. It is |
| inside and out. | | | | important for you to have trust and confidence in the |
| Since it represents the largest area of the window, | | | | company and the people with whom you are going to |
| glass obviously has the biggest impact on energy loss. | | | | be doing business. Clearly understand from whom you |
| Glass technology has made tremendous strides over | | | | are getting your windows. You could actually be buying |
| the last few years. Things like low conductivity | | | | your windows from three different companies; the |
| spacers, low emissivity, or Low-E, coatings and gas | | | | sales organization, the company who actually makes |
| filling have drastically cut the amount of energy that | | | | the windows, and a subcontractor who installs them. |
| flows through the glass. | | | | While this may not seem like a big deal initially, it can be |
| Low-E is an almost invisible metallic coating that works | | | | a real issue after the products are installed. Generally, it |
| like a one-way mirror, reflecting heat back into your | | | | makes sense to do business with one company who |
| home during the winter and reflecting it out during the | | | | has control over all three aspects of the business. |
| summer. There are different types of Low-E coatings | | | | There are many other things that you need to |
| with different performance levels. Better performing | | | | understand and consider before you commit to |
| coatings, like Titanium, cost a little more, but are well | | | | anyone. Is the company a member of reputable |
| worth the money. Don't settle for products made with | | | | industry organizations focused on customer |
| regular clear glass that is not coated. | | | | satisfaction, like the Better Business Bureau, the |
| Inert gases, like argon and krypton, are also used to | | | | Chamber of Commerce, and the Certified Contractors |
| improve the energy efficiency of the glass. They are | | | | Network? Do they have solid references? Is the |
| less conductive than normal air, reducing energy losses | | | | company insured and bonded? Do they carry liability |
| across the air space between the two panes of glass. | | | | insurance? Do they use subcontractors? If they do, |
| Warm edge spacers that separate the glass pains | | | | are they covered with Workman's Compensation |
| decrease heat loss through the spacer channel and | | | | Insurance? This is important for your protection! |
| also reduce condensation on the edges of the glass | | | | Warranties are also very important. Be sure you |
| compared to conventional metal spacers. | | | | understand them fully. Just because it says Lifetime |
| Windows are also available with different framing | | | | don't assume every component of the window and |
| materials. Overall, vinyl is the most widely used material | | | | installation is covered forever. And remember, the |
| for most residential applications. Today's vinyl | | | | warranty is only as good as the people who back it. |
| compounds have great weather-ability, are easy to | | | | Having one company responsible for the whole |
| clean, and are virtually maintenance free. The low | | | | process is probably preferable compared to having |
| thermal conductivity of vinyl also makes it a great | | | | split responsibilities, which is typical of the replacement |
| material for minimizing energy loss through the framing | | | | window business. |
| materials. By itself, vinyl tends not to be as strong as | | | | A good sales consultant's responsibility is to listen so |
| some other materials, and screws in vinyl tend to | | | | they understand the homeowner needs in order to |
| loosen under stress. However, if the vinyl shapes are | | | | educate the homeowner on the various products and |
| designed with multi-hollow cavities for stiffness, and | | | | options that provide the right solution. While price is |
| properly reinforced with aluminum in all the major | | | | always important, even more important is the value |
| structural areas, it does a great job. Vinyl's market | | | | you receive for what you paid. All things being equal, |
| share continues to grow while those of other framing | | | | selecting the lowest price makes sense. But in almost |
| materials are falling. | | | | every transaction we make as consumers, things are |
| Other window framing materials have features that | | | | not equal. We need to fully understand these |
| appeal to some people. For example, wood has great | | | | differences so we can make an educated buying |
| warmth and visual appeal, but long-term maintenance | | | | decision. |
| and durability can be a concern. Wood windows with | | | | Bottom line; take the time to understand what you're |
| exterior cladding materials can improve their exterior | | | | getting for your money. Take the time to look for the |
| durability. | | | | investment that gives you the greatest value, not the |
| There are a number of other design details to | | | | lowest price. It's also important that all concerned |
| consider. For example, be sure the windows are | | | | buying parties be present for any discussions. It |
| custom made to precisely fit the existing openings in | | | | eliminates confusion and allows everyone to be clear |
| your home. How easy is the window for you to open | | | | on what you are getting and agree on what options |
| and operate for cleaning? How are the windows | | | | make your investment complete. |
| weather-stripped? Is it trapped in a track or does it try | | | | |