Guide To Replacement Windows

Guide To Buying Windows

This guide is perhaps poorly named; most consumers don't actually buy their windows themselves. Instead they hire a local company who sells one or more specific window brands and models. Of course, this isn't always the case - some consumers prefer to purchase their windows directly from the big box stores or other specialty stores and then find the installers either through those same big box stores or on their own. We will cover both of these scenarios.

Guide To Buying Replacement Windows

Disadvantages Of Low E Glass

To be honest, there are not all that many disadvantages of low e glass. However, I will outline a couple of disadvantages, particularly the darker tint that the window takes on and the added cost. Consumers and homeowners certainly ought to be aware of before they purchase replacement windows.

Disadvantages Of Low E Glass

Guide To Prices

Our guide to window prices is NOT a comprehensive list of popular windows and a fair price for each one. It is more of a primer for consumers who want to better understand how the industry prices out their products and services.

On the plus side, there are really only two components to the equation; the cost of the windows themselves and the cost of the installation. On the minus side is how confusing and varied the bid prices can be for the exact same project.

Guide To Window Prices

Vinyl Windows Pricing

Guide To Sales Tactics

Our guide to sales tactics & scams will explore some of the ways window companies take advantage of consumers. Now it should be said that just because a company uses one or more of these, they don't necessarily make a bad window. However, reputable companies that manufacture good products rarely feel the need to use these less than ideal tactics.

Guide To Sales Tactics

Guide To Window Contractors

Our guide to window contractors can help you find a quality contractor or local company for your replacement project. The local company or contractor is responsible for recommending window brands and models, as well as the installation itself. So obviously finding a good solid installer is the most important step you can take.

Guide To Window Contractors

Guide To Window Installation

Our guide to installation provides the basics you will need when it comes to having your replacement windows installed. This is not a do it yourself guide - if this is what you're after, start by searching youtube.com for replacement window installation and you should find plenty of instructional videos. Unless you're a home improvement guru, you should probably leave the installation to the pros - it is a medium to difficult difficulty home improvement project.

Guide To Installation

Guide To Window Bids

Getting at least three bids on your project is the most important first step you should take. There are so many variables that will increase or decrease the per window price that it is nearly impossible to know the fair market price when you start your research. So three independent bids should provide enough project details and pricing to get an accurate idea of the project requirements - four or five bids is better, but it can feel like a grind by the time the 5th one shows up.

Guide To Window Bids

Guide To Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports lists their top replacement windows that are available through retail stores such as Lowes and Home Depot. Their testing and results includes the cost and an overall rating from 1 to 100.The big downside to CR ratings is the windows that they test. This is especially true with vinyl windows, but less so with wood clad and fiberglass options.

Consumer Reports Best Windows

Guide To Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficent windows can save you money over the years and keep your home more comfortable for decades to come. There are many aspects to creating an energy efficient window, items such as spacers, low-e glass, argon fills, double pane glass units and more.

Guide To Energy Efficient Windows

Guide To Low-E Glass

Low E glass is the most popular choice by far for home windows in the United States. Low E stands for low emissivity and is essentially an energy efficient type of window glass. There are tons of options when it comes to low-e glass that we will examine in more detail below.

Guide To Low-E Glass

Guide To Laminated Glass

Our guide to laminated glass will help you understand everything to know about the strong sturdy and costly low-e glass alternative. This glass option is frequently found on both hurricane windows, as well as on soundproof windows (although less commonly used).

Guide To Laminated Glass

Guide To Window Ratings

Window U-Factor

Guide To SHGC

Guide To STC

Window Design Pressure

Guide To Air Infiltration

Guide To Energy Star Windows

Warm Edge Spacers

Guide To Capping Windows

Our guide to capping windows will go through the basics, process and costs associated with capping a home window. Many older homes have an exterior wood casing or molding around the windows that require periodic painting to insure that the wood does not rot or deteriorate.

Guide To Capping Windows

Visible Transmittance

Our guide to visible transmittance explores how window glass transmits and/or reflects light and its effect on window ratings. Visible transmittance or VT is a measure for how much visible-spectrum light enters through a window. The higher the VT value, the more light enters through the window. The lower the VT value, the less light is trasmitted. VT is a lesser explored window rating and with good reason - compared to U-factor, air infiltration and SHGC, visible transmittance is simply not as important for the average homeowner looking to replace their windows.

Guide To Visible Transmittance