Replacing Windows - Keep Your Criteria to Three

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

To broaden your chance of selecting the right replacement window, narrow your criteria.

Choosing the right replacement window can be an overwhelming task because of the seemingly limitless options available today. If you focus on only three criteria, you’ll triple your chance of choosing successfully.

The three essential criteria to weigh are, your window budget, the window U-factor and the window warranty – everything else is ancillary.

How much do you want to spend?

It’s common when asked, what is your budget for replacing your windows most people try to skirt the question, because they think it will prematurely eliminate options. Replacement windows can range from inexpensive windows at around $150-400 all the way up to $750-1000 per window. The reality is that when it comes to replacement windows knowing what you want to spend per window is the best place to start. Price narrows the material choices, wood, fiberglass, composite or vinyl.

In a nutshell, wood windows will be the most expensive and if you want stain options, you’ll add additional costs. Fiberglass windows look like wood and will also be in the higher price range. Composites usually cost less than Fiberglass and promise similar durability. If you want a less expensive window you can select from a range of vinyl options.

Marvin Integrity Series

Vinyl windows may not be as durable as the other three options, but if you select the best vinyl windows you’ll have a better product. Window manufacturers offer a range of products and within a particular product category; such as vinyl, they will offer lower end lines and high quality lines. The upper end lines typically have lifetime warranties, better U-factors, higher quality weather stripping and extrusions.

What is the U-Factor?

One of the primary reasons to replace your old windows is to realize the benefits of more energy efficient window technologies. How well the window insulates is measured by how much heat transfers from the inside to the outside, this is the U-factor.

Warm air always travels toward cold air, so without a well insulated window, you home looses heat in the winter and gains heat in the summer. High performance double-pane windows can have U-factors of 0.30 or lower. The lower the U-factor number, the better. The full glass pack U-factor is the only number that matters, so if someone gives you a very low number, it likely being measured from the center of the glass, which frankly is meaningless.

Ask for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) sicker, which contains the window’s U-factor among other measurements. Window lines offer different features, which makes direct comparisons difficult. Rest assured that it doesn’t matter what additional features a window has if it’s not as good in energy efficiency.

Who is the manufacturer and what is the warranty?

Many window manufacturers offer lifetime warranties, but what good is a lifetime warranty from a company that ceases to be in business? Our advice is to read the fine print in the warranty and buy your windows from a known manufacturer who has a proven track record.

Again, to broaden your chance of selecting the right replacement windows, it’s simply a matter of narrowing your criteria to three essential items, your window budget, the window U-factor and the window warranty.

No Regrets Remodeling – Start with the Basics

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

When we think about remodeling our homes, we imagine a kitchen, bathroom, more space or maybe an outdoor patio. Few people dream about remodeling their home’s infrastructure, windows, doors, siding, heating and cooling systems, that sort of thing. The secret to no regrets remodeling is to start with basic home improvement and finish with the nice to have luxuries.

Home Maintenance

Marvin Integrity

It’s a well know fact among realtors and contractors that homebuyers prefer homes that have been well maintained.  If the windows are leaking or the patio slider won’t slide, buyers don’t care how beautiful the kitchen is. Buyers want the basic systems to work, well aware that maintenance can be costly, and people are afraid of that. On the other hand, if a buyer knows they don’t have to spend money replacing the basics, they’re more likely to buy the house and dream of their new kitchen.

Curb Appeal

The old adage that curb appeal speaks volumes about your home still holds true for real estate today.  If your home doesn’t feel welcoming because the windows need painting, the original front door is dated or perhaps the siding is faded, prospective buyers will simply drive by.

Where to Start

Don’t assume that every window or door has to be replaced. Take an inventory and note the location and condition of the windows and doors. You can begin by replacing the most damaged, highly visible or frequently used with new products.

If your home currently has wood windows and you want to do a partial replacement and you’re best advised to select from the new clad-wood replacement windows. With a wide range of color choices, including the option, with some brands to choose a custom exterior color, you’ll get the best match to your existing windows and the benefit of low maintenance. Marvin Ultimate is a good place to start. We also recommend other clad-wood replacement windows such as Marvin Integrity as a less expensive alternative or compare other top products like Andersen 400 Series or Woodwright and Pella Proline Designer or Architectural Series.

Ultimately if your plan is to replace all of your windows, then you may also wish to explore fiberglass windows as a less expensive replacement option. With fiberglass replacement windows you can get the look of wood exterior windows and choose to have a real wood interior to match your existing wood windows. Marvin Infinity windows are a great choice if you’re trying to match existing wood windows because they are made of Ultrex®,a pultruded fiberglass that offers greater strength than the comparable alternatives. This means that Marvin Infinity can create narrow profiles more similar to wood windows.

If your home currently has vinyl windows and you simply want to replace your old windows new vinyl windows it’s likely that they can be matched closely enough to allow you to replace them in phases as well.

New windows shine brightly and work effortlessly and that doesn’t go unnoticed from the curb or close up.

If you start with the basics, you’ll never regret your home investment and prospective buyers will be reassured that your home has been well cared for.

Next week we’ll look at where to start when replacing your old doors.