At one point or another, every homeowner has hoped and dreamt for their home to be better than the neighbor’s. Working on this, however, requires having high-performing home parts and components – and one of the aspects that you should put focus on are your windows.To have good performing windows, you must consider three important factors: materials, installation, and maintenance. In this post, we will discuss the importance of choosing the right materials and features.

FRAMING

Different window frame materials offer different advantages and disadvantages, so learning about them is important to choosing which is best for your home and will give you the most value for your money. Here’s a quick rundown of the framing materials available on the market today.

• Wood. This material is known for its outstanding insulating properties and natural beauty. However, it can be expensive and difficult to maintain.

• Aluminum. Windows made of this material are known for their strength and ability to stay weathertight for years, making them ideal for installation in coastal areas. Its primary disadvantage is its inferiority when it comes to insulating against heat and cold.

PART I – THE RIGHT MATERIALS & FEATURES

• Vinyl. One of the most popular materials today because of its affordability, vinyl window products are said to have considerable insulation capacities. However, they have the tendency to expand and contract when exposed to changing temperatures, which may cause them to break.

• Fiberglass. This material is known for durability and insulation. It is, however, expensive.

• Fibrex. Considered as one of the most innovative and advanced framing materials in the industry today, Fibrex is a type of composite framing that combines the durability and beauty of wood with an ease of maintenance that is comparable to those of vinyl and fiberglass. These make it one of the most practical and valuable choices for windows. Additionally, it offers superior insulation, which adds to a home’s energy efficiency.

GLASS

Glass or glazing plays a huge part in how a window performs and lasts. Below are the features that you should check for when shopping for new or replacement windows.

• Low-E4 Glass. Low-E or low-emissivity glass is glass that has specially formulated coatings that allow in natural light while blocking out harmful solar heat and UV rays. By dint of its design, it helps with enhancing a home’s energy efficiency by minimizing the need for artificial daylighting, as well as helping keep indoor temperatures at comfortable levels. Today, Low-E4 glass is the top choice.

PART I – THE RIGHT MATERIALS & FEATURES

• Multiple Panes. Double- or triple panes are better than single panes for better energy management. They are also designed to accommodate gas filling to improve the insulating performance of the entire unit.

• Gas Fills. Inert gases such as argon are better filling materials than regular air. They assist in minimizing heat conduction, helping make an indoor space more comfortable.

OTHER HARDWARE AND ACCESSORIES

The spacers, seals, and caulking in your windows may seem to make up just a small part of the equation for having good windows but they are actually more important than you may realize. A good rule of thumb is to always consider the quality of those parts to ensure that the entire window assembly will perform as you hope they would.

The spacers between the glass panes must remain intact to ensure that the gas fill will not escape and condensation will not form. Meanwhile, seals and caulks must be maintained to keep the window weathertight.

Now that you already have an idea about the materials and features that you should consider, it’s time to learn about the importance of professional installation. We will discuss that in the next post, so stay tuned!

PART I – THE RIGHT MATERIALS & FEATURES

Even if you buy expensive or high-quality windows, they won’t perform well if they are not installed correctly. This is the reason why professional installation is an important aspect in your new or replacement window installation. Do-it-yourself projects may be a good way to hone your creativity, but window installation is one home update that you should leave to the pros.

Here are some reasons why:

They have the knowledge and experience.

Window installation involves more than just nailing the window assembly to the wall. There are intricacies that must be carefully considered such as measurements and leveling, among others, and reliable window contractors can ensure that all of these are carefully considered. Professional window contractors have also undergone necessary training to acquire certifications. They have more-than-adequate experience and knowledge in performing tasks integral to a window project – from preparing the area for the project up to cleaning up after the windows have been installed. Lastly, they can extend their knowledge to you, making sure that you know how your windows work and giving you advice on how to take care of them.

PART II – THE PROFESSIONAL WORK: INSTALLATION

They have the right materials and tools

Windows can only be installed properly when the right tools and equipment are used. Professional window contractors do not just know which ones to use, and exactly how to use them, but are also trained in the safe use of the equipment. Furthermore, they have access to the best materials and products in the industry, which can enhance the quality of the installed windows.

They offer warranties

The best products are backed by the best warranties, and you need warranties to make sure that you can still reap the benefits of your investment after several years or so.

Ensuring proper window installation means being able to find the right contractor. Here are a few tips to do just that:

• Check their background and track record. • Verify their legitimacy by checking their license and certifications. • Ask for recommendations and referrals. • Find and read customer reviews and testimonials.

But no information about what makes good windows can be complete without a section on how to make sure they stay good windows. And that’s what we will tackle in the last instalment of this series: maintenance. Stay tuned!

PART II – THE PROFESSIONAL WORK: INSTALLATION

You’ll no doubt be amazed with the quality of installation when you have professional installers do the job. However, their responsibility ends once the installation and cleanup is complete. The responsibility of maintaining your windows now falls in your hands. Fortunately, windows aren’t that difficult to maintain. All you need is to dedicate some time and your windows will look good and perform well for a long time. Check out these maintenance tips that will add years to the life of your windows.

Cleaning

While the statement “you need to keep your windows clean” might seem too obvious, there’s a little bit more to cleaning than meets the eye – especially with modern windows. In the past, windows were made of wood and glass. They were simple, effective, and could easily be cleaned with water, detergent, or a glass cleaning solution.

Today, windows are a bit more sophisticated. A window can have double glass panels, gas fills, or be made with materials other than glass. Instead of just going with a bucket of water and detergent, make sure that you go through the maintenance manual from the manufacturer and learn about the chemicals and cleaning solutions that you can or can’t use.

PART III – THE RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNER: MAINTENANCE

Maintaining Window Seals

Window seals are mostly made of rubber and they don’t last forever, no matter how much we’d like them to. Luckily, replacements can be purchased from the manufacturer or the dealer. It is important, however, that you purchase and install authentic replacements to ensure that your windows are sealed properly and can prevent energy loss.

Replacing Damaged Parts

In the event that you need replacement parts for your windows, purchase them from the dealer or the manufacturer. Even if you discover something else that you might be able to use as a replacement, it’s best to purchase original parts because they were made specifically for your window and not as a general replacement for any type of windows.

Painting

Some windows require a new coat of paint every four years or so, but others don’t. Again, go through your maintenance manual and find out what type of paint the window needs or if it even needs to be re-painted at all. Keep in mind that some types of paint may not cling to certain types of materials, so use the right type of paint if the window frames do require a fresh coat in the future.

PART III – THE RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNER: MAINTENANCE

Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement

5850 Sawmill Rd, Dublin,Ohio 43017

(888) 693-2830316.712.0206

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