Box Stores – This is the term used to describe large home improvement material vendors, such as Lowes, Home Depot and to some extent Sears. To read more on Box Stores.

Brand – This is the name a certain window is being sold under. Often a window sold under a brand, i.e. “Acme Window”, can be manufactured by a totally different company, or companies. To read more on Window Brands.

Capping – This is the process of finishing off the exterior portion of the newly installed window. To read more on Capping.

Condensation – This is the formation of moisture, and in cold climates, frost on the inside of a window. To read more on Condensation.

Contract – This is the agreement you will make with the company installing your new windows. It will define exactly what the company will do, price, service and warranty. To read more on Contracts.

Contractor License – For any type of home improvement work the company conducting it will need to have a form of license to perform the work. What type, varies from state to state. It is always a good idea to ask for a copy. To read more on a Contractor License.

Fibrex – Is a material made of co-polymers (epoxy) and wood by-products and is manufactured by Andersen and sold through their Renewal by Andersen stores. It is not vinyl, wood or fiberglass. To read more on Andersen Renewal.

Foam Filled Frame – This involves filling the cavity in the frame of a vinyl replacement window with insulating foam. It is generally accepted in the industry that this is not necessary and will not increase the energy efficiency of the window. However there continues to be some debate on the increase in frame rigidity this may cause. To read more on Foam Filled Frames.

Heat Lamp – Is a device a sales man will use to demonstrate the ability of a window to stop heat transfer. A thermometer will be placed on one side of the window, and then the heat lamp will be applied to the other. To read more on Heat Lamp.

Heat Mirror – It is a coated film suspended between the two panes of glass in an insulated unit. It is not the same as low-emissivity costing used widely in the industry today. To read more on Heat Mirror.

Installation – The process of removing the old windows and fitting in the new ones. To read more on Window Installation.

Krypton – Is a gas that is forced in between the panes in a double paned window, it is an alternative to Argon, but is a bit more expensive. To read more on Krypton.

Low E – This designates low emissivity glass which means the pane of glass has had a film applied that will block long wave infra red energy, but allow short wave to enter. To read more on Low E.

R Value – This measures a materials resistance to the ability of heat to flow through it. A high number here is superior. To read more on R Value.

Spacer – This is a very important part of a double or triple pane window. It is the material that separates, but also binds together the panes of glass. To read more on Spacers.

Spiral Balance – There are several ways to help the top half of a double hund window stay up, and make it easier to open and close. Old windows use a lead weight on a rope held inside a pocket cavity in the wall. A spiral balance uses a metal rod that that has spiral groves in it that works against a gear on the sash; sort of like a bolt and not. To read more on Spiral Balance.

Triple Pane – This is a window that is constructed with three panes of glass. Old windows have a single pane, more modern windows have two panes and now you can have a window with three panes of glass improving energy efficiency. To read more on Triple Pane Windows.

U Factor – Is the amount of heat a certain material will allow to be transferred through it. All windows will have this rating. To read more on U Rating.

Wrapping – This is the process of blending the new window into the exterior wall of the home. It involves roll form aluminum stock and bending it to form of the window. To read more on Wrapping.Argon – This is a gas that is forced into the space between the two panes in a double paned window. Its purpose is to increase the energy efficiency of the window. To read more on Argon.

Some windows are hinged, while some types slide. A certain window type can be more common in traditional areas, like double hung windows are a classic design, while horizontal slider or awning windows are a more modern design.

Whatever type of a replacement window that you decide on for the appearance and effectiveness you require, frame construction matters as well. The type of glass that is combined with the frame to make up the window is vital too.

Also, whether you want double or triple paned glass fitted for better insulation (but bringing extra weight) may also affect your choice of window frame.

Cleaning the Frame

Wash using mild detergent (if necessary) and a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled soft bristle brush. Do not wash the window or doors with a high-pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the window or door.

To remove difficult dirt and stains, use the readily available household cleaners listed on the chart. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on use of the cleaners. In some cases you may wish to use a mildly abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub®, but the use of any abrasive material could scratch or dull the surface of the glass and window or door frame. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first.

Do not use liquid grease remover, strong soaps and detergents containing organic solvents, nail polish remover, furniture polish or cleaners containing chlorine bleach. These items could affect the surface appearance of the vinyl.

Cleaning the Glass and Screens

Use only mild soap, water, and a soft brush when cleaning your screens. When finished, rinse with clear water and wipe dry. Use a glass cleaner or mild detergent to clean the glass. Do not use a high-preasure spray, petroleum-based cleaners or caustic cleaners.
Check Your Windows and Door Drainage

Occasionally vacuum the tracks on sliding doors and windows to clear any dirt or debris.

All our windows and doors are designed with a drainage system to protect the inside of your home. Proper maintenance of the drainage system is helps to ensure proper drainage. Periodically inspect the drainage holes to make certain they are clear of any dirt or debris. Use a soft bottle brush to clear openings.

1. Rebates from utility companies are given for new, energy efficient windows. Rebates are often given for homes that purchase new energy efficient windows. For more information, you can contact your local energy company to obtain specific details on these energy incentives. These incentives could save you hundreds per year.
2. Utility bills become less expensive with good quality windows. Quality windows ensure that the home uses less gas to heat the home. This commonly results in a noticeable reduction in your monthly utility bills. Imagine the money that will be saved each month and at the end of the year! When you add up the savings, the new windows will essentially pay for themselves.
3. Cracked and broken windows are dangerous. Cracked and broken become even more dangerous once winter arrives, as the glass becomes brittle and cold. If you have children in the home, they are in great danger if they play or sleep in a room with old windows. Further concerns are the drafts that old windows cause, as well as the potential illnesses these drafts can cause your family members.
4. Save the environment. Windows that are energy efficient use less natural gas, which is most often used to heat homes. Using less natural gas decreases green house gases emitted into the environment, thereby protecting our planet from global warming.
5. Many old windows are made of dangerous materials. Old windows may contain lead paint, which is dangerous for children and adults alike. Upgrading not only reduces bills and increases the aesthetics of a home, but it may also protect your health.

Replace Windows vs. Old Windows

• Inefficient windows leak. Leaking windows allow water to come into the home, both in front and behind the walls. Mold is a dangerous by product of moisture entering the home, and it can be detrimental to your family’s health and the resale value of your home.
• Old windows are commonly single paned. Double paned windows lock out more moisture and cold than old, single paned windows. These old windows have a tendency to freeze open or shut, and they feel icy to the touch. In addition, they are known to develop frost on the inside of the window, increasing the chances of breakage, which causes damage to the home.
• Old windows may mean old sealing. Old sealing could let in moisture and lead to mold – putting your family and your home in danger. Mold can spread quickly throughout your entire home, and it has the potential to be life threatening.

Vinyl Windows are Inexpensive

• New efficient windows are on sale, at a price that can’t be beat! Some stores offer rebates make new windows nearly impossible to resist! Many retailers not only offer great deals on the windows themselves, but on installation as well.
• New windows are aesthetically pleasing. Whether you are renovating or painting the outside of your home, windows instantly perk up the aesthetics of your house.
• If you are simply looking to enhance the safety, security and overall health of your home, new windows offer countless benefits. New windows will increase the value of the home and assist in obtaining a higher resale value, which is critical in today’s real estate market.

Our installers typically move through a series of 10 steps to properly replace windows:

1. Remove Operable Sash.
2. Remove Fixed part.
3. Remove Meeting Rail.
4. Insert New Window.
5. Level, Align, and Shim As Necessary.
6. Anchor The Window.
7. Apply Insulation If Necessary.
8. Apply Slope Sill Adapter If Necessary.
9. Caulk Exterior Flush Fin.
10. Apply Interior Trim and Caulk.

Window Replacements – Why Replace Your Windows?

When was your home built? Does it still have the original windows? As with any part of your home, windows will also age. The changes may be obvious, once you really start looking. They may appear outdated or worn. Wood windows may rot, warp, or become termite infested. Vinyl can peel. Cranks in casement windows may no longer work. The ways in which windows can fail over time are numerous, but the most significant failures may be invisible.

Today’s window technology is simply more advanced than ever. With the recent focus on the environment and prevention, conservation, and sustainability, window manufacturers have made energy efficiency a priority and have developed creative innovations that make it a reality.

Regular maintenance can help you better assess the state of your windows. If you notice any deterioration, you can take quick steps to remedy the situation. You might want to contact a professional to inspect your windows and make suggestions about repair or replacement.

Single-pane windows are the biggest reason to update your windows. Single glazings are enormously inefficient; a vampire draining your home of energy. If you upgrade to double-pane windows, you can expect less chilly winter drafts, condensation, and heat loss during the winter months. When it’s warmer, you’ll notice that your home is much cooler.

Many recent improvements in windows include coatings that can help reduce heat transfer and protect your interiors from the sun’s light. Carpets and furniture will be less likely to fade, and you can protect your artwork as well.

Replacing Your Windows Can Lower Costs and Save Money

As windows aren’t the most glamorous home improvement project, the argument for energy savings is usually the most convincing reason for homeowners to replace their windows. After all, who doesn’t want to save money? Replacement windows are somewhat unique among home improvement projects in that the project can save you money monthly by reducing your energy consumption and lowering those heating and cooling bills.

Making your home more energy efficient also boosts your home’s resale value, so the likelihood that you will recoup your costs is very high. In fact, Remodeling magazine’s 2007 “Cost vs. Value Report” stated that upscale vinyl and midrange wood window replacements resulted in national recovery rates of 81% and 81.2%. Replacement windows are a truly solid investment.

Follow the Star For Your Window Replacement

Government-approved Energy Star labels can make a significant impact on your energy savings. According the US government (www.energystar.gov), Energy Star windows, doors, and skylights are “independently certified to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy.”

The government states that Energy Star windows are even more efficient than new double-paned, clear glass windows. Energy Star windows are nearly twice as efficient as windows that were made just ten years ago!

Energy Star windows are designed to save you energy and money, protect your interiors, and increase the comfort of your home. They do this by protecting from winter cold and summer sun, reducing condensation and heat transfer, and preventing fading from sun damage. Using Energy Star windows reduces your carbon footprint as well, as it means you are taxing power plants less, and thus causing less air pollution.

Choosing Energy Star windows won’t limit your style options, either. Energy-efficient windows come in all types, such as double-hung and casement, awning and hopper, sliding patio doors, skylights, and many more.

Window Replacement Energy Star Savings

The government estimates that a typical home that uses Energy Star windows to replace its old single-pane windows can save $126-$465 per year. Replacing double-pane, clear glass windows can yield savings of $27-$111 per year. Certainly nothing to sneeze at!

Of course, the savings depends on your area’s climate, weather extremes, and resulting energy demands. The government has a graphic that depicts approximate annual savings by region at http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/windows_doors/images/Windows_AnnualSavings3.jpg. By their calculations, a typical home in Florida would save $186 annually by upgrading from single-pane windows. A home in New England would save roughly $465. Similarly, an average Florida home would save $111 annually by upgrading to Energy Star from double-paned, clear glass windows and a New England home would save $91.

Clearly, replacing single-pane windows would be a dramatic cost-saver. There’s simply no excuse not to upgrade your single-pane windows!

Elegant, Sophisticated, and Contemporary

With all this talk of cost and energy savings, it’s easy to overlook the aesthetic advantages of new windows. You would probably be surprised at how new windows can make your home’s exterior sparkle and shine. New windows will make your home look brighter inside and out, giving it a cleaner, polished look – especially if your old windows are chipped, peeling, or blistering.

Today’s windows come in a staggering array of colors to coordinate with your home’s color palette. Choosing different interior and exterior frame colors can help create depth and complexity, reinforce your personal style, and make an intriguing visual statement.

You can also be creative with your window choices, introducing new and different window sizes and types. You don’t have to do a standard A-for-A swap. Consider adding a bay window with a window seat. Replace a picture window with a picture window and an awning window on top for ventilation. Any number of configurations is possible!

Windows can create interesting focal points, let natural light provide most of the illumination, and establish a welcoming environment for you and your family to enjoy.

But whether you are replacing a window or installing one in a newly constructed building, there are considerations other than just efficiency to keep in mind.

Different combination of frame style, frame material, and glazing will yield very different results when comparing energy efficiency and cost. A fixed-pane window is the most airtight and the least expensive, for example — it would be the best choice if you wanted to add sunlight to a room without increasing ventilation. A window with a wood frame will usually conduct less heat than one with an aluminum frame. If you’re seeking efficiency, a double-pane, low-e window would be just as efficient as a triple-pane untreated window, but it would cost and weigh less. Consider the benefits carefully.

No one window is suitable for every application. Many windows are available that serve different purposes, and you may discover that you need different types, depending on the directions that your windows face and your local climate. To make wise purchases, first examine your heating and cooling needs and weigh the following considerations.

Think About the Window’s Appearance.

• Choose the right size and shape.
• Pick a style that matches your home’s design.
• Match the materials used in the frame.
• Consider the color and clarity of the glass.

Think of the Functions You Want this Window to Perform.

In the location it will be installed, what should this window do?

• Light the room with daylight?
• Control glare?
• Reduce fading of furniture and drapes?
• Insulate and aid in thermal comfort?
• Prevent condensation?
• Improve ventilation?
• Dampen sound?

Think About the Costs of a Window in this Particular Location.

Consider more than just the initial price of a window. These factors are also important.

• What’s the cost of installation?
• What’s the cost of maintenance, over time?
• What sort of warranty does it have?
• How long will this window last before you need to replace it?
• Will you need to buy any extra interior and exterior window treatments, like awnings and blinds?
• How will this window affect your heating and cooling costs over time?
• How will this window impact the resale value of your house?