Are all windows created equal?

 All modern vinyl replacement windows look alike. It is easy to assume that they all perform alike-A HUGE MISTAKE. The performance and energy savings vary widely. Let’s discuss some key factors.

1.      Frame thickness from interior to exterior. The more space, the more insulating value.

2.      Frame chamber configuration. A cut away of the frame exposes the internal chambers of the frame. The more chambers, the more strength and insulating value.

3.      Interior insulation. A premium window main-frame and sash-frame are often filled with foam, further increasing the insulating value.

4.      Glass thickness.  Double thick double strength glass has twice the strength and less heat transfer than thinner single strength glass thus increasing energy efficiency and security.

5.      Glass spacing. The greater the gap between glass panes in a window or door sash, the more insulating value. A premium window will have a least ¾” spacing.

6.      Spacer material. The spacer is a device to which both panes of glass are attached. A premium window will have a U-Shaped spacer made of rust resistant steel. This spacer conducts heat at a much slower rate than windows with aluminum spacers and helps eliminate seal failure issues.

7.      Filling the void. The space between the glasses can be filled with air or argon gas. Argon gas is an inert element that is 40% more dense than air.  This dense gas helps improve the insulation quality of the space between the glass panes and is also an excellent sound deadening material.

8.      Low E coatings. Low E refers to emisivity of heat. A low E coating reflects the heat back from whence it came. It will reflect the heat away from the home in the summer and reflect the heat from your HVAC system back into the home in the winter. Some states require a single coating of this material. A premium window will have four coatings, reflecting heat at a much higher rate and yielding a much more efficient window.

9.      Meeting rails. The center of the window, where the locks are attached should have a steel reinforcement embedded in the sash. This provides a secure place to attach the locking hardware. Some windows have no reinforcement and actually attach the lock to the vinyl frame with screws. This provides an intruder with a prying device quiet, easy access to your home.

10.  Sealing the sash to the frame. A window will perform poorly if the seals between the sash and frame fail. This is easy to overlook when considering competitive products.

11.  Warranties. Warranties vary widely, read the fine print. Determine the entity offering the warranty. Some contractors are offering a warranty in addition to the manufacturer. Is the contractor likely to be in business when you need him? Check for glass breakage, seal failure (cloudiness between the glass), moving parts, locks, balances for coverage.

As you can see there is a lot to know about windows. They are not all created equal. For a free estimate