Posted by Michael Woods on Tue, Jun 15, 2010 @ 11:00 PM
People have been replacing the drafty old windows in their homes for over fifty years. Several methods and technologies have come and gone over those years. Overall though, the products themselves have improved tremendously. When vinyl replacement windows first came on the market you wouldn't have wanted to touch them with a ten foot pole. The frames were simply screwed together and the vinyl would fade, chalk, and warp at the sight of the sun. Most of these products had to be replaced themselves in a few short years.
Today, all of that has changed with the advent of fusion welding and polyvinyl resins that are highly successful at resisting fading, warping, and chalking. What hasn't changed for a lot of companies is the aesthetics of their product and the manner in which the windows are installed. Their windows are bulky looking and when installed they definitely yell "I'M A REPLACEMENT WINDOW!"
I agree with Jim Cory, editor of Replacement Contractor Magazine, when he says, “If the job's done well, it should look as if the windows were never replaced at all. Ultimately, the homeowner gets the best of all possible worlds: the comfort and energy-saving of modern replacement windows, smoothly integrated into the architectural look and feel of the home. And, as with any project that's complex and requires investment, you're best bet is to entrust it to those who specialize.”
Unfortunately, too many window salesman go for the quick sale and don't give the customer a true picture of how their new windows will look. Even if they do, they leave the customer feeling like it was the only choice in order to have "energy efficient" windows.
Thankfully, there are several manufacturers that truly do make a replacement window that combines the beauty of wood with the efficiency, low maintenance, and afford ability of vinyl. This is only half of the equation, though. You can have the greatest looking window, but if it isn't measured and installed correctly it will defeat the purpose.
Look for a company that will address these concerns during the sales process and you will be glad you did!
Posted by Michael Woods on Sun, Jun 13, 2010 @ 10:57 PM
Or actually northern states. Or better "Any part of the world that has more heating days than cooling." This simply means homeowners in these climates heat their homes more days out of the year than they cool them.
There really are many reasons people replace windows in their home. I will address what I feel are the three most important. These address the efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality of the home.
1. Old windows are not insulated. Glass has virtually no R-value. An old window with a single pane of glass and a storm window has very little resistance to energy loss. The heat created inside the home (which costs $$) escapes quite easily.
2. Old windows allow wind to enter the home. Most old windows have little or no weatherstripping. Wind blows through making the home feel colder yet. This makes the homeowner feel like she must constantly tweak the thermostat to be comfortable.
3. Condensation is hard to control. Because the glass is so poorly insulated, inside glass temperature is very cold. The moisture in the inside air will always be attracted to the coldest surface in the home. This leads to condinsation and even frost. A wood window with moisture on it always leads to mold and mildew problems. This in turn causes air quality issues.
Quality replacement vinyl windows, when installed properly can easily handle all three of these concerns. We will discuss how this works in an upcoming post.