WHAT TO EXPECT DURING INSTALLATION
Although your windows can typically be replaced in 13 days, it is still a major house remodel and should be taken very seriously. We want all of our customers to be treated the same way we would like our family to be treated, so with that being said, here are the two most important questions you should ask before you replace your windows. 1. How good of a warranty does the window company have? How married to the window is the window company? Are they a large national company? Will they be there 10 years from now? 2. Who is installing you windows? Equally important in replacing your windows is the install. The best window in the world will fail in Wyoming if it isn’t installed properly. All of our installers work for us and only us. We never sub out any of our work. There is a vast difference in our installers versus a “do it yourselfer” or the typical “handy man.” Some of our installers have been installing windows for 15 years, and all they do is install windows and doors. In most areas in life, if we want a second opinion or if something is very important to us we go to a “specialist” and that is exactly what our window installers are — specialists!
Windows and doors must be installed properly to ensure that they operate smoothly and protect
your home from air and water penetrating the wall around the windows. Improper installation may lead to structural damage from rot to the growth of fungus in your walls. Windows and doors in new construction must be installed according to manufacturer’s recommended methods. Failure to do so can compromise the installation and void the manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, installation materials and supplies should conform to American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) specifications. These specifications cover caulk, window and door flashing, and fasteners. Replacement windows and doors require special attention to removal and installation practices. Unlike new construction, careful consideration must be given to the type of window or door to be removed, as well as the exterior of the home (wood siding, brick, stucco, masonry, vinyl siding, metal siding, log construction). The interior finish also affects the type of window and door installation. If the windows are trimmed with wood trim or dry wall returns to the face of the window, and if sills are present, the window installation methods will vary. Many window and door replacement companies cut out the old window or door, or remove all the window components except the old frame and slip in a new window or door, screwing through the frame of the new window/door to fasten it to the home. This is often called a “replacement window, or an insert that is built to fit.” That is true if it is built to fit an 80 year old frame that is weathered. We have found that 8 out of 10 old frames we pull out are not insulated at all. While this is a simple and inexpensive method of replacing windows, in many instances it is not the best method. We like to remove the old window all the way to the rough opening and then put in a new window and frame. We then insulate every new window making sure it is sealed. We then retrim the inside of the window to the trim style and product that you want.