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About
Windows You probably already know why you want new, energy-efficient, low-maintenance windows in your home. The only question is, what type and brand of windows should you invest in? In this section, we will help you answer this question by covering the following topics: Window anatomy & glossaryWindow styles Construction materials Warranty comparison Installation considerations |
 |
 Cladding: A material
(often aluminum) secured
to the exterior faces of wood windows to create a more durable,
low-maintenance surface.Frame: The outside member of a window unit that encloses the sash. Composed of side jambs, head jamb, and sill. Insulating glass (IG) or Glazing (pane): A combination of two or more panes of glass with a hermetically sealed air space between them, which may or may not be filled with an inert glass. Low-E insulating glass comes with a special low emissisivity coating to restrict the flow of radiant heat. Grid: Ornamental or simulated muntins and bars that don't actually divide the lites of glass. Thin pieces of aluminum can be placed between the glass panes of a double-pane system or can attach on the inside of the window to create the appearance of windows made with smaller panes of glass, known as "divided lites." Lite: A single frame of glass in a window or door. Sash: The moveable framework into which glass is set. It slides in the frame of the window in grooves provided in the frame and is composed of stiles (sides) and rails (top/bottom). Sill: The bottom portion of the window frame. Weatherstripping: Metal, plastic, or felt strips designed to seal a window sash and frame to prevent air and water leakage.
 Wood
windows are the most energy efficient; they are still the best
insulation framing can offer. Wood is structural, so less is
needed--which means less frame and more view. Wood windows also retain
more resale value. Nothing adds as much elegance as wood--and there are
also wood/aluminum clad windows that offer all the
beauty
of wood inside without all the maintenance outside. Energy-efficient
vinyl
windows offer insulating
performance almost equal to wood.
They are low maintenance; they'll never need paint and won't flake,
peel, or chip. At half the cost of wood windows, they allow you to
stretch your investment or add more natural light to your home. They
come in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and colors to fit your needs
and wants, and most of the products we carry include a Manufacturer's
Lifetime Guarantee.
Fiberglass windows
are the next
generation of window technology. As energy efficient and
low-maintenance as vinyl, but structurally strong like wood, fiberglass
offers the best of both worlds. Fiberglass windows also come
prefinished from the factory, but can be repainted any color to match
the changing look of your home. Fiberglass windows cost about
the
same wood windows.
Note:
Nuances in the individual manufacturer warranties not represented in
this table. Tarnish of metal finishes are generally not
considered a
defect. Please check with your sales consultant for warranty
details;
always ask to see the window warranty. Door & Window
Plus, Inc.,
is not reponsible for any changes in warranty or errors in the
information provided.
New windows can
be
installed two ways: nail-on method or the retrofit
method. The California market is dominated by installations
of
the retrofit variety.
A retrofit installation does not completely remove your old wood or aluminum window from your home. In this method, only the sashes are removed, the old window frame is left in the building, and a new retrofit window is inserted into the existing opening. This method has the following advantages: quick installation, no stucco damage to repair and no painting to perform. However, you do lose a few inches of daylight, and the new window frame sits inside the old window frame. This method makes up about 95% of all our installations. A nail-on (or new construction) installation begins with the complete removal of your existing windows, including the surrounding stucco. Then a new window is screwed on to the wall studs. Flashing paper is then applied to the outside and new stucco patched. You will need to find a painter to touch-up and paint the interior drywal and exterior stucco. This process is the most time-consuming and expensive installation method. Most people chose this process if they have leaking windows or if they want to maximize their daylight area. |
| How do you chose a company to
install windows in your home? This is a key questions that thousands of homeowners like you may not know that answer to. Over 30,000 complaints were filed against contractors in California in the last year alone. Unfortunately, most people spend more time deciding what car to buy than deciding on the right contractor for their home. That's why we created a free 15 page report containing insider information that most companies don't want you to see. Don't buy vinyl replacement windows until you read our free consumer information bulletin that explains: * How to tell a good contractor from a bad contractor. * How to avoid scams and sales gimmicks that could cost you thousands of dollars. * The latest window technologies that makes an otherwise average window more energy-efficient and lower-maintenance. * The real truth about lifetime window warranties. * The #1 reason why windows leak. * And much more (of course, it's 15 pages!) Get a FREE in-home window estimate and 15 page report! |
