Fiberglass Windows
Towards the high end of the replacement window market is the option of fiberglass windows. Fiberglass is a structural material recently adopted into the replacement window industry and has become quite popular. Some of the properties that make fiberglass a superior alternative to simple wood, or vinyl frames are its stability, efficiency and durability. Perhaps this is why it is priced higher than the other options.
The reasons why you should go for fiberglass windows are:
Fiberglass windows do not warp
Fiberglass expands and contracts (with increase and decrease in temperature respectively) at almost the same rate as glass, and hence the window does not change shape with change in ambient temperature. In contrast, aluminum and wood expands / contracts at 3 times and 7 times the rate of glass respectively, and thus, the windows get bent (and ‘bow’-ed outwards) when the temperature changes significantly. As fiberglass windows remain ‘square’ at all times, it endures, less air leakage and less stress of the locks on the windows.
Fiberglass windows are energy efficient
Fiberglass is an insulating material – thus it keeps the temperature difference between the interior and the exterior of the house constant to a fair degree. This means that the house, overall, becomes more energy efficient in terms of energy consumed to heat or cool the house as required.
Fiberglass windows are more durable
As these windows do not bend or warp with changing temperatures, they undergo lesser stress the year round, and thus they are longer lasting and more durable. This is an immense advantage over wood, which has chances of rotting or warping; and vinyl, which has chances of shrinking or cracking.
Apart from these basic, fundamental advantages, fiberglass windows have a host of other plus points that are worth noting. They are chemically inert, thereby making them resistant to dust, rain and pollutants in the atmosphere. This type of windows is also rot resistant, unlike wooden windows, where rotting is a serious problem that has to be taken care of at regular intervals. Also, fiberglass windows can be painted over, and have a low environmental impact. This is because fiberglass windows constitute primarily of glass, which can be recycled repeatedly, making these windows ‘planet earth friendly’.
However, there might be a few possible drawbacks of installing fiberglass windows in your home. First, fiberglass windows might turn out to be heavier than vinyl windows, making them harder to clean and maintain. Also, fiberglass windows are more expensive than wood or vinyl windows, making them out of reach for many people.
The decision of whether or not you choose fiberglass lies with you and you have to decide it taking in to account the background of your house. Some important factors that you might consider while making this decision are – if the difference in the extreme temperatures (i.e. highest and lowest) of the year in your city is not that large then fiberglass does not give any added advantage. Also, think about how often you need to heat / cool your house – and how much it is going to cost you to get fiberglass windows than wood or vinyl ones. The offset price should give you an idea of how much you should ideally be saving on energy by using fiberglass. If fiberglass cannot deliver that much savings, you can ditch the idea.
Being Comfortable in Your Own Home: Replacement Windows Make the Difference
Are you comfortable in your own home? Do you feel safe and secure? Are you warm and cozy? Are you free from stress and anxiety, especially when you think about your financial situation? Replacement windows can directly and positively improve all of these areas of your own life. Read on to find out more about how replacement windows can help make you more comfortable in your own home.
Replacement Windows Make Your Home More Secure
The best replacement windows, such as Alside Casement and Awning Windows, feature multi-point locking systems. This means it’s harder for criminal-types to force entry to your home — and as study after study has shown us, when criminals find it difficult to break into a place, they simply move on to an easier target, leaving your home alone.
Replacement Windows Make Your Family Safer
Because high quality vinyl replacement windows open and close easily and smoothly, your family has multiple accessible routes should they need to escape from a fire, gas leak, or other emergency. When there’s a crisis, every second counts: you don’t want your children struggling to lift a heavy sash or cutting themselves wide open on broken glass! The functionality of Alside Windows and doors keeps your family safe.
Replacement Windows Make Your House Warmer in the Winter and Cooler in the Summer
Vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows and wood replacement windows that incorporate the latest energy efficiency technology, such as triple pane glass, insulated frames, and pockets of insulating gas, help your home retain warmed air. This makes you warmer in the winter. The same technology works to retain cooled air, so when you’re running the air conditioner, that cool air stays inside, keeping you comfortable.
Replacement Windows Reduce Stress And Anxiety
Let’s look at what your replacement windows have already done for you. They’ve kept your family safe from criminals. They’ve provided safe escape in the face of fire and emergency. They’re keeping heated air in during the winter, which means you’re warm and saving money. They’re keeping cool air in during the summer, meaning you’re comfortable and saving money. Now, doesn’t that reduce some of your stress and anxiety?
Replacement Windows Cited as A Smart Home Maintenance Move to Make Now
The economy is tight, meaning that every home improvement dollar spent has to yield maximum return on investment. It’s hard to imagine a home upgrade that does more to improve a home’s energy efficiency, comfort, appearance, and security than replacement windows. Additionally, replacement windows are consistently cited among the upgrades homeowners report being the most satisfied with.
The news has made it out to the media. We’re pleased to report that a large number of media outlets have picked up on the fact that vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, and wood replacement windows offer many benefits to homeowners. Selecting the best home replacement windows can be difficult. You want to work with a qualified replacement window specialist, one who is well versed in the environmental conditions your home experiences and what type of windows perform well in that environment.
Additionally, you want to work with a replacement window installation team that is well trained, professional and proficient, the authorized representative of a reputable replacement window company, such as Harvey, Pella, Alside, or Champion.
With all that in mind, you need look no closer than your nearest newspaper or online media to find the news: replacement windows make good sense.
To wit, we’d like to quote the Homer Horizon:
“First and foremost, replacing old, inefficient windows can reap major dividends,” said Molidor, who recommends casement or double-hung, wood-clad windows with double-pane low-E glass and Argon or Krypton gas insulation. “New windows immediately improve the esthetic appeal of your property. Also, they can decrease fading of interior colors and fabrics caused by ultraviolet light intrusion. You won’t have to worry about putting up and taking down storm windows. And, most importantly, quality new windows that are properly installed will reduce air intrusion and extrusion, thus shrinking your energy bills.”
In fact, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders, efficient replacement windows can reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 30 percent.
Molidor’s mom Mary Lou, owner of a two-story Prairie-style home in La Grange built in the 1920s, can testify to the benefits of replacement windows. Her son installed new Pella Architectural Series windows in her older abode a few years back, and Mrs. Molidor can’t say enough about the perks.
“I used to have to call up Tom to come over and help me crank open my older, slatted jalousie windows, which seemed to constantly need maintenance,” she said. “Not only were they a headache to operate, but they were making my house too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter. But my new windows are simple to open and have greatly increased the climate comfort in my home.”
Installing Replacement Windows Increases Comfort, Enhances Pest Control
The quality of education received at an institute of higher learning is dependent upon many things. One of those things is the comfort of the faculty, staff and students. Windows can play a pivotal role in comfot according to a recent article in The News Gazette.
With old, single pane leaky and in some cases broken windows, the University of Illinois has had difficulty maintaining consistent interior temperatures. Additionally, the poor repair of the windows allows pests to come into the building — namely bees, which aren’t anyone’s favorite visitor!
This situation is not unfamiliar to many homeowners, who find themselves with less than adequate windows. They may have single pane leaky or damaged windows, such as those the University of Illinois has, or newer original construction windows, selected by the builder to save money, and offering shoddy construction and limited functionality.
Replacing inadequate windows with high quality vinyl replacement windows, such as Alside Excalibur, can change the picture entirely. Because replacement windows are very highly energy efficient, it becomes possible to maintain a consistent interior temperature. No longer do homeowners have to worry about being too cold one moment, far too hot the next: by preventing the loss of heated or cooled air, replacement windows allow homeowners to have the ambient interior temperature of their choosing!
As a nice bonus, replacement windows save you money: retaining the heated or cooled air means you don’t have to generate any more. This means you run your furnace or your air conditioner less: good for the earth, good for your wallet. Replacement windows are ‘green friendly’ on many levels!
Obviously, replacement windows — whether they’re vinyl replacement windows, wood replacement windows, or fiberglass replacement windows — come with two or three intact panes of glass. There are no cracks or breaks allowing pests to come in. When properly installed, not only do replacement windows keep bugs out, they can also significantly reduce or even eliminate entry by air and moisture. This adds years to the life of your home
Understanding Payback: How Vinyl Replacement Windows Pay for Themselves
“Home replacement windows pay for themselves!” It’s a common phrase you’ll hear time and again while shopping for replacement windows. But how true is it? How does payback work? How much money will you save, and how quickly can you recoup the cost of having replacement windows installed?
Replacement windows pay for themselves by saving you money on other expenses — namely heating and cooling. Much of a home’s energy can be completely lost through leaky windows and doors — if you have single pane glass windows, you can have as much as 40% of your home’s heat escaping to the great outdoors without ever noticing it!
Modern replacement windows, particularly highly efficient vinyl replacement windows, such as Alside Excalibur, keep that heated, expensive air inside where it belongs. This allows you to maintain a more comfortable living environment without continually running your heat. If you look at the money saved by running your heating system less often, and compare it to the costs of having replacement windows installed, it’s pretty easy to extrapolate the rate of payback. Realistic estimates (which are dependent upon home size and the type of windows being replaced, as well as the type of replacement windows you’re installing) for payback range between 8-15 years. If you’re planning on staying in your home, that’s the blink of an eye. If you’re planning on selling your home before the payback period plays out, you should know that home replacement windows are one of the most attractive, appealing upgrades buyers are looking for.
Bear in mind that heating and cooling costs are not the only savings associated with home replacement windows. Let’s look at some of the other ways replacement windows can save you money.
By preventing or minimizing air and moisture intrusion, replacement windows can make it easier to control the humidity within your home — a major contributing factor in controlling the growth of mold and mildew, including the dreaded toxic black mold. Reclaiming a home from black mold growth can easily cost thousands of dollars.
The same air and moisture penetration that facilitates mold and mildew growth within your home also brings in environmental allergens and irritants. How much do you spend on over the counter allergy remedies? How about doctor’s visits, co-pays, testing? How much time do you miss from work, bringing children with stuffy heads and runny eyes to see the pediatrician? These costs add up: compare them to the cost of installing replacement windows. While replacement windows can’t eliminate all exposure to environmental allergies, they can certainly help you control and minimize the effect pollen, dander, and chemicals have on your life.
Finally, can you put a price on peace of mind and security? Broken, weak, and sub-standard windows present two security hazards to your family: bad guys can get in, and if there’s a fire or other emergency, these windows can slow your ability to get out! Fully functional, working, secure replacement windows offer safety and security: a priceless commodity that’s hard to value.
Factor in the health benefits, safety and security, and energy savings, and it’s clear how replacement windows pay for themselves!
Installing Replacement Windows: A Do It Yourself Job?
Considering home replacement windows? There are many reasons to do so. Home replacement windows offer the homeowner enhanced energy efficiency, which means more affordable heating and cooling bills. The insulated frames and rigid construction of high quality replacement windows, such as the Alside Excalibur Vinyl replacement windows, help reduce air and moisture penetration, which can positively impact your health, and make your family more secure.
High quality replacement windows are an investment: most homeowners can reasonable expect to spend several thousand dollars on the job. With economic circumstances tighter than ever, many homeowners are looking for ways to save money. This raises the immediate question: is installing replacement windows a do it yourself job?
Most construction and home renovation experts say “No!” even if the homeowner possesses better than average remodeling skills. Here’s why:
Look at the Time
If you’ve never installed home replacement windows before, you’re going to be learning ‘on the job’. This, in and of itself, adds a considerable amount of time to the job. Where is this time coming from? Are you taking hours off from work? Losing precious weekend time with your family or friends? Trying to squeeze extra hours in an already packed day? A home replacement window installation team already knows how to do the job and can get the task done in a minimal amount of time.
Look At the Logistics
Replacement windows — vinyl replacement windows, wood replacement windows, and fiberglass replacement windows — are heavy. They’re awkward to move around — not to mention lifting up into place on a second or third floor! Add sliding glass doors, patio doors, or French doors into the mix, and you compound the problem. A home replacement window installation team has the manpower and training to make moving multiple heavy windows a snap.
Look at the Legal-ese
Check out the fine print on the contract and guarantees for your home replacement windows. Many times, the protections offered in these documents are dependent upon having the windows installed by a qualified, approved team. You’re not considered a member of that team — so opting to install your windows yourself can void that guarantee. If something goes wrong, you’ll be on your own.
Is Your Replacement Window Installation Team Doing A Good Job? A Six Point Checklist!
The day your replacement windows arrive is very exciting — and very nerve-wracking. Choosing to invest in your home by installing vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, or wood replacement windows is a smart decision. You want to make sure that your replacement windows are installed correctly to realize the maximum benefit. Here is a six point checklist you can use to help ensure your replacement windows are installed properly.
Point One: Have you researched the team and their warranties?
One of the first steps in selecting replacement windows is researching the company that sells the windows — and the team they use to install the windows. One of the advantages to buying your windows from a replacement window specialist, rather than a discount store, is that replacement window specialists tend to use their own dedicated team of installers, whereas discount stores subcontract the installation job, often to the lowest bidder.
Make sure to check out the warranties on installation. A quality replacement window installation team will stand behind their work with a strong guarantee.
Point Two: Are the replacement windows level and square?
Using a level, you’ll want to check that each window is installed properly. Replacement windows should be level — meaning that when you place a level on the window sill, the bubble should line up precisely between the two markings. Additionally, windows need to be square. You can check this with a carpenter’s square or by measuring the windows corner to corner. The two measurements should be identical.
Point Three: Are the replacement windows plumb?
Replacement windows need to be plumb. Using your level, check to make sure that your replacement windows are installed straight up and down, not angled to one side or the other. If a window is not plumb, you have a greater chance of air infiltration and difficulty operating your windows.
Point Four: Do the replacement windows work properly?
Replacement windows should operate effortlessly: you should be able to open and close your windows easily. Test them all: do they tilt in for easy cleaning? Do the locks work properly? Check this right away! If there is a problem, the replacement window team needs to address it.
Point Five: Are the replacement windows sealed and insulated?
Replacement windows are designed to be installed with exterior sealers and insulation both in the frame and beneath the sills. Check to make sure there are no visible gaps, and that the work is done in a neat, attractive fashion. You don’t want your replacement window team to skimp on caulk or insulation: this will result in subsequent problems.
Point Six: Has the replacement window installation team cleaned up after themselves?
Installing replacement windows can be a messy job. A reputable team will clean up after themselves, making sure that there’s no broken glass, debris, or building materials left behind. Some of these materials can be hazardous, especially to young children, so you want them removed.
Five Ways Home Replacement Windows Improve Your Quality of Life
We hear a lot about how home replacement windows — and here, we’re talking about high quality vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, and wood replacement windows — can enhance the energy efficiency of your home and raise your home’s resale value. And while that’s all lovely, wonderful information, there are times it’s really not enough. If you are going to make a major investment in your home, such as installing replacement windows, you want to know what these windows are actually going to do for you.
Here are five ways home replacement windows improve your quality of life:
- Increase the amount of natural light.
- Create a more comfortable living space.
- Make you healthier.
- Make your home ‘work’ better.
- Make your family safer and more secure.
One of the most common benefits of having replacement windows installed is the increase in the amount of natural light that enters the home. We all need a certain amount of natural light for optimal health: researchers have linked natural light exposure with emotional well being.
Interior decorators also agree: natural lighting can do marvels for the look of your home. Natural light can create a warm, inviting, cheerful space — marvelous to live in and enjoy!
The energy efficiency offered by replacement windows saves you money and is good for the environment — but did you know it also makes the interior of your home more comfortable? By eliminating drafts and keeping warmed or cooled air inside, replacement windows help you control the interior temperature of your home. You decide how warm you want to be — replacement windows makes it easier to stay at that temperature!
There are a number of ways that replacement windows can help make you healthier. Replacement windows with double or triple pane glass, rigid frame construction and other features help minimize air and moisture intrusion. This means that fewer allergen triggers make it into your living space — if you’ve ever had hay fever, you appreciate the value of a pollen-free zone! Additionally, by helping maintain a consistent interior temperature (see the previous point) you’re creating an environment conducive to better health for children and the elderly.
A home is actually a complex set of systems, in which windows play an integral role. When windows can’t be opened, this can create problems: every home needs adequate air exchange, particularly in moist environments like kitchen and bathrooms. Often original construction windows do not open at all — or they do not open easily, meaning that the homeowner doesn’t open them. Replacement windows, on the other hand, particularly vinyl replacement windows, open easily, making them a more functional part of your home’s overall systems.
It’s impossible to overrate your family’s safety and security! What value can you put on the well being of your children, your partner, your parents, your loved ones? Flawed and insufficient windows are a common point of entry for many criminals. Replacement windows, on the other hand, offer enhanced security. Additionally, since replacement windows open easily, they allow for rapid exit in case of fire or other emergency — a critical consideration when seconds could mean the difference between life and death!
Replacement Windows: How Do You Know if a Bid is Fair?
Shopping for replacement windows can be confusing and intimidating. Generally, as a homeowner, you’re operating ‘blind’, making a purchase you don’t know a whole lot about. Replacement window technology has advanced tremendously over the past few years, and if you’re not up on the energy efficiency features, construction methods, and what windows are best for your given environment, it’s hard to know if a bid given to you by a replacement window specialist is fair or not.
Here’s how you can discover if you’re being quoted accurate prices or if someone’s trying to rip you off:
The Replacement Windows Being Quoted
Are you considering vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, or wood replacement windows? Each type of replacement window has an appropriate application — but there is a range of prices associated with the different types of replacement windows. Wood replacement windows tend to have the highest prices, while fiberglass and vinyl replacement windows are more cost-effective options. Make sure you understand what type of replacement windows you’re talking about, and what the average price range for that type of window is. Your quote should be in keeping with that range.
The Brand of Replacement Windows
There are a number of companies offering high quality replacement windows, including Alside, Harvey, and Anderson. Other manufacturers present replacement windows that they say ‘are good as’ these top brands — but that’s not necessarily true! Compare the prices of the replacement window brand you’re being quoted with the prices of established industry leading brands: you shouldn’t be paying as much for no-name windows as others pay for the very best!
The Sales Tactics Being Used
High pressure, rapid fire, intense sales techniques are a definite red flag. If a contractor wants you to commit to the replacement windows in a hurry, not allowing you any time to check prices, there’s a better than good chance that the quote you’ve been handed is on the high side. Additionally, look out for quotes given without seeing your house, taking any measurements, or really understanding what your family’s window needs are.
Should You Use A Replacement Window Finding Service?
Here at US Home Improvement, we’re seeing lots of online activity about ‘new’ replacement window finding services. These websites will, for ‘free’, take some information about your upcoming renovation plans. They purport to match you with the best replacement window company for your project.
It sounds ideal, doesn’t it? You tell them your zip code, time frame, your contact information, and a little about your planned project, and they connect you with the very best replacement windows available on the market today. These services are ecuminical: they recommend vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, and wood replacement windows. You don’t have to do any of the legwork: you’ll receive a list of great replacement window companies to choose from without doing making any effort. What could be better?
What could be better is injecting a little bit of reality into the replacement window finding service model. What is presented as a free customer service is, in fact, not necessarily so benign in nature. Remember the first rule of business: There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If someone is willing to do all the work involved in identifying and researching the appropriate replacement window company for your home improvement project, they’re going to be compensated for thier efforts.
Now, they’re not getting that money from you, the consumer. So where is the money coming from?
By and large, replacement window finding services are lead generation services. They gather information from you, the homeowner, package it, and sell it to businesses who are interested in selling replacement windows. The replacement window companies recommended by replacement window finding services have, often, paid to have their company listed among the results for a given range of zip codes. That’s about the extent of the ‘research’ and ‘vetting’ provided by replacement window finding services.
Does this negate the value of their results? Not necessarily — if you’re smart about using the information you’re provided. The list of vendors you’re given? It’s not the end of your ‘find a replacement window company’. It’s the beginning. You can use this information to help you direct your research; identifying companies that do offer replacement windows in your geographical location. But remember, these lists are not exhaustive, nor are they objective. You will need to do additional research to augment these results, particularly if you’re determined to have the best replacement windows for your home.