Getting the best window replacement

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Windows greatly contribute to a home’s appearance and comfort. This is why it’s always a good idea to make sure they are in working condition, especially after a major weather event. If you’re dealing with extensive damage due to age or the harsh elements, you should consider window replacement right away. Some of the telltale signs you may be due for new windows include: • Damage to window framing, such as cracks, gaps and rot, which allows air leakage, compromising your home’s energy efficiency and the unit’s structural integrity. • Rusty and broken hardware, which makes it difficult to close or open your windows. • Shattered window glass, which negatively affects aesthetic appeal while leading to significant energy loss. While seemingly straightforward, window replacement still involves careful planning and purchasing decisions. In this three-part blog series, you’ll learn how to ensure your home improvement project goes off without a hitch.



PART 1: KNOW WHAT QUALITY INSTALLATION IS

Given how window replacement can take a considerable amount of your time and money, you’ll want to make sure you get the most from it, which means knowing what quality installation is and how it benefits you. Without proper workmanship, even the highest quality windows available today won’t be able to deliver the superior and long-lasting performance they are designed to offer. Fortunately, you’ll know your windows are properly installed when they: • Protect your home from water damage. Quality window installation results in an effective water barrier where your new units meet the wall. This means no gaps between the frames and the adjacent wall where water or moisture may penetrate and cause unseen damage. • Minimize air leakage. Unless properly sealed, tiny cracks around the window frame can cause substantial regulated indoor air to escape your home. A properly installed window, however, provides greater insulation, helping limit the potential for air leakage. This results in more comfortable living spaces throughout the year without high energy costs. • Prevent condensation. Proper window installation puts a stop to condensation, which can compromise indoor air quality, encourage mold and mildew formation in your home and lead to moisture damage.


PART 1: KNOW WHAT QUALITY INSTALLATION IS

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A QUALITY WINDOW INSTALLATION PROCESS? First things first--hire an experienced contractor to complete the window installation. They should make precise, customized measurements so your new windows perfectly fit your wall’s openings. This ensures a good, tight fit preventing air leakage and energy loss. Your chosen contractor should also work closely with you in picking out the window style that best suits your home’s specific needs.

On installation day, your window contractor should arrive on schedule and perform the necessary installation in a timely and efficient manner. They should also take measures to ensure your home remains safe from unnecessary mess and damage while keeping you in the loop during the whole process, as well, especially if there are some unplanned changes that will have to be made. ooooo

Now that you know just how important quality window installation can be and the role your contractor plays in ensuring window replacement success, it’s time to learn how to find a reliable window installer. Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn more!



PART 2: FIND RELIABLE WINDOW INSTALLERS

Hiring a trusted installer is probably the biggest decision you’ll make in your window replacement. After all, you’ll be relying on their expertise to ensure the process runs smoothly from start to finish. Finding the right contractor isn’t as difficult as you might expect--all you need to do to get local referrals from friends and family. This offers a more accurate description of what your experience will be like with a given contractor because you have easy access to first-hand feedback. A great way to narrow your selection, referrals give you first-hand feedback on a contractor, allowing you to do away with spending hours poring over names online or in the yellow pages. Don’t just stop there, however. Make sure to do a bit of homework, as well. Here are some of the qualities you should look for in your prospective window installer: • Licensed. Make sure your choice is properly licensed or registered to perform window replacement work in your area. You can check with your local contractor’s licensing office for this, request the number and determine if there are existing or current complaints against the company. Hiring a licensed window installer means legitimate workmanship that adheres to local building codes, allowing for a safer and more secure home. • Insured. A fully insured window installer can protect you and your investment better should anything go wrong during the course of the project.


PART 2: FIND RELIABLE WINDOW INSTALLERS

• Certified. When investing in this project, it pays to choose an installer who carries top-shelf replacement windows from the leading manufacturers. Aside from providing access to extensive window options, a certified contractor offers assurance that their workmanship meets the brand’s quality specifications. You’ll also benefit from solid window warranties, which may cover both materials and installation. • Experienced. Find an installer who has already worked on countless window replacement projects. They’ll know what to do and how to do it in the most efficient way possible without compromising quality. This means no callbacks to fix installation mistakes, which may lead to further costs. Home improvement experts recommend choosing an installer with at least five years of experience.

• Established. Does your prospective installer have a physical business location, working phone and email, and an updated website? An established window installer will have these and more. Look for satisfactory reviews and scores as well from prominent trade sites like the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List, ensuring top-notch work and customer service. ooooo

Quality window installation? Check. A trusted contractor to handle the job? Check. All that’s left is to take a closer look at your replacement window technologies. Stay tuned for Part 3 to learn more!



PART 3: CONSIDER ADVANCED WINDOW TECHNOLOGIES

Most replacement windows available are crafted with durability and good looks in mind. Recent advances in window technology, however, have made it possible for them to offer so much more. Now, they don’t just add points to your home’s curb appeal--they can help improve its comfort and energy efficiency, as well. That’s why, when choosing new units, it’s critical to take into account the following essentials: • Frame Material. What your new windows are made of directly affects their performance and longevity. Each material has its own pros and cons, so you might want to learn about them first before making your choice. Wood, for instance, is known for its strength and insulating properties, but is prone to rot. Vinyl, while cost-effective and low-maintenance, easily warps under thermal changes. Given these materials’ shortcomings, you might want to try composite window frames instead, which bring together the better features of wood and vinyl for optimal performance. • Glazing Types. Clear, standard window glass just won’t do when there are already options which offer significantly improved thermal ability. Low-emissivity (low-E) glass, for instance, is an integral component in an energy-saving window because it allows plenty of natural light into your home while reducing solar heat, resulting in a more comfortable indoor temperature. With passive heating avoided, indoor temperatures remain stable, helping minimize utility cost.


PART 3: CONSIDER ADVANCED WINDOW TECHNOLOGIES

• Spacers. Don’t forget about your window’s spacer system! By holding window panes at the right distance, they help reduce heat transfer into your home. Top window manufacturers use low-conductivity stainless steel spacers for better stability and a more airtight seal. • Gas Fills. They enhance your windows’ thermal performance by lowering thermal conductivity in air spaces between window panes. There are a variety of gas fills available and one of the most effective is an inert argon gas blend. It offers improved insulation value, which helps minimize overall heat transfer between the windows’ exterior and interior.

The right mix of window technologies allows for better energy performance. If you want to make sure your replacement units are a cut above the rest, make sure you look for the ENERGY STAR® label. Where it is available, it signifies a replacement window has met stringent performance ratings, ensuring it will be a helpful addition in making your home more energy-efficient. ooooo

Getting the most of your window replacement project isn’t as daunting as you may think, but it does entail some level of work on your end. Fortunately, all you need are these three handy tips. Make sure you have them covered and you can expect a safe, worry-free window replacement experience.


Renewal by Andersen of Long Island 2029 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735 (631) 206-6773 www.rbaofli.com


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