My Condo Windows Leak - Now What?

Posted by:  Ken Mariotti

Woodlandwindows.com

You loved the place and could afford it. You bought the home of your dreams and moved in. Then came the first winter and the windows leak, air, water, heat and anything else that can pass through the cracks. What are you going to do? You live in a condominium, which belongs to a homeowner’s association (HOA), so your first instinct is to contact them.

Know the process

Your window replacement options will vary depending on the number of units (condos), the age of the buildings, the number of stories and/or the unique bi-laws of your association. Generally speaking, homeowners, that would be you, are responsible for replacing your unit’s windows within guidelines that pertain to matching the existing windows and maybe newer energy regulations. It is common however for an HOA to organize an association-wide replacement project charging each unit their portion of the total cost.

Let’s assume you’re handed a HOA window replacement guide, including requirements, and told that it’s up to you to replace your old leaky windows.

MK Property.com

Typically, there are two key requirements to keep clear about. The first is you’ll need to use a professional installer who will need to provide proof of licensing and insurance. Almost all associations require the work to be done by a professional installer due to potential liability that the association would have to assume if something goes wrong.

The second key requirement is architectural compliance. The HOA board is compelled to enforce architectural compliance, so clearly understand your options for selecting replacement windows before you buy them. Remember, the building exterior is the domain of the HOA board and you will have to remove replacement windows that are not in architectural compliance.

There are lots of options so don’t get locked into the wrong one

Sometimes your HOA will give you a list of windows and contractors, but you’re usually not required to select your replacement windows and installation from that list. Replacement window choices are changing every year as new styles and technologies are introduced. That list might be old. Shop around for what you want as long as it’s within the guidelines for replacement that closely matches the existing windows, such as size, profile, color, or glass options.

Winnetka, IL

Whether to buy an entirely new window frame and sash – full replacement or just replace the sash – partial replacement is a critical choice for you to make. A partial replacement will save you money, but it is likely to reduce the glass size and thereby alter the window such that it no longer matches other windows in the complex. A thicker sash profile than your current windows could likewise alter the look, so be sure what you select closely matches the original.

For more information about key decisions you need to make when replacing your windows go to our previous blogs about failing windows and key replacement selection criteria.

There is one last thing you need to know. You won’t regret your decision to replace old leaky windows and create a beautiful comfortable space.

Replacing Windows. To Everything There Is A Season

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

How do I know if my windows need to be replaced? It’s a question we get nearly every day and I   Everything eventually wears out and is replaced with something else. In the case of windows that ‘something else’ is far and away better than what it is replacing.

Marvin awnings

must admit that when I hear that question a song plays in my head. The song goes something like this; to everything there is a season…a time for this and a time for that. That sentiment is indeed the best way to answer the question.

Older homes often have extremely durable original wood windows that with regular maintenance and repair can last 100 years. On the other hand, homes built within the past 50-60 years usually require wood windows to be replaced around 20 years after installation. These wood windows are more prone to rotting primarily due to the fact the wood is not old growth and so not the hardwoods of yesteryear. Additionally, techniques such as finger joints and the environmental restrictions placed on paint ingredients, reduces the paint’s preservative and anti-microbial properties.

While it’s possible to repair surface damage caused by mold, wood rot or cracks, these may be an indication of deeper damage or a precursor to future infrastructure damage because the window system is slowly failing. The most important thing to determine is whether the surrounding structure of the home has sustained any damage. Inefficient windows can leak, allowing water to enter your house both in front of and behind the walls, inviting mold and mildew to grow.

Failing wood window

New materials

Back to the song in my head, to everything there is a season and the season of amazing building materials is indisputably now. Today’s highly energy-efficient windows and design selection, cost-savings, comfort, aesthetics and easy maintenance are compelling reasons to replace old windows.

Improve comfort

It’s not necessary to replace the windows in your entire home in order to obtain the benefits of a

quieter and more comfortable home. Keep in mind that windows can deteriorate much faster on one side of your home that has been exposed to sunlight, wind, rain and other weather conditions. Consider replacing all of the windows on one side of your home at the same time in order to ensure the exterior appearance is consistent.

Lower energy costs

Low E, you’ve probably heard this term a hundred times and still may not quite grasp its significance. Low E or low emissivity glass coatings used on modern windows has a huge impact on your wallet. The coating protects your furnishings from fading and deterioration caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays and it lowers your heating and cooling costs by deflecting unwanted heat gain or loss. Simply said, Low E glass reflects heat back to its source, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Low E coating is specified according to the climate where you live in order to have the maximum impact.  Another reason to replace all of the windows on one side of your home at the same time is because Low-E windows will appear slightly darker than standard glass from the exterior view of the home.

Add ventilation

Consider replacing fixed units (windows that do not open) with operable windows that open in order to improve the airflow throughout your home. Awnings and hoppers are excellent replacements for fixed transoms or fixed bathroom windows. Replacing your old single-pane glass with today’s double or triple-pane glazing will significantly reduce heat loss and regulate heat gain making ventilation more important than ever.

Windows wear out and with the new building materials; there has never been a better time to replace your windows. For additional information about window replacement check out our website.

Replacing Your Windows? Review the Advantages of Vinyl.

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

Replacement window frames come in a number of different materials and for some homeowners’ vinyl maybe the best choice. While clad-wood and fiberglass each offer a menu of finishes or custom styling, vinyl comes at a price that is hard to beat. Homeowners who need to replace old worn out windows, on a fixed budget should consider vinyl-frame windows as a suitable choice. If Woodland Windows and Doors didn’t think so, we wouldn’t include them among our selection.

Vinyl-frame windows first appeared in the 1970s when small manufacturers began to offer an alternative to wood windows. Vinyl (PVC) Poly Vinyl Chloride is a durable material that has gained popularity as a building material for a variety of purposes in recent years.

There are clear advantages to vinyl windows such as, less expensive than wood, don’t absorb moisture, don’t rot, don’t need to be repainted and offer improved thermal efficiency. However, just as a vinyl deck looks and feels like plastic and not wood, the biggest drawback for many homeowners upon seeing vinyl windows is that they do not have the character of wood.

So for durability and strength, low maintenance and energy efficiency, we give vinyl windows high marks. If you have an older home, many homeowners find it difficult to find a color that matches their style. Vinyl windows are not as strong as clad-wood windows, can appear thicker than other window types and can’t be repainted.

The relatively short 45-year history, compared to the history of wood windows provides us with only limited data about the long-term performance. How will these modern vinyl windows look and perform over time?

To bridge this uncertainty gap, it’s critical that the vinyl window you choose is certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and is made by a reputable well established manufacturer with a track record. This is what Woodland Windows and Doors did when we added a vinyl replacement window to our product line in order to meet the needs of every customer.

The Woodland Vinyl Replacement window meets the AAMA certification test and comes in a variety of profiles fit for classic homes. Our windows offer fusion-welded master frame and sashes, five exterior colors, energy efficiency features, tilt sashes, and come in double-hung, casement, sliders, awnings, and bow and bay styles.

We’ve put our name on the very best choice in vinyl windows in order to bring the best value to our customers.

Vinyl windows don’t have the 160 or more year track record of wood windows, but our selection, which Woodland will install with care, may make modern vinyl windows the right choice for you.

Replacing Your Windows? Review the Advantages of Wood.

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

The surest way to use up two idle hours in a day is to Google ‘replacement windows’. After researching replacement windows for hours at home, homeowners come into our showroom more confused than ever. The last thing Woodland Windows and Doors wants to do is to add to the confusion, so we've pledged to make the subject understandable and help you make an informed decision about the option you choose.

Making the subject of replacement windows understandable begins easily enough, but informing customers about specifics that will make a difference for their application is our goal.

After talking about your home, the subject of replacement windows naturally progresses to the following categories.

Do you need a partial or full window replacement?

What material do you prefer, wood, fiberglass, composite, vinyl or aluminum?

This is the end of simple categories that make things understandable because your answer to the two questions creates a rubric cube of possibilities. Most salespeople will focus on explaining the differences between window materials, but we’re not like most because we know everything there is to know about the products available in the market. Woodland thinks it’s more helpful to focus on our customers’ home and explore the range of products that meet and exceed their expectations. Each product has unique attributes and options that go beyond the type of material, so our goal is to introduce our customers to the right products from the start.

Wood replacement windows are the preferred choice if you want to preserve the original character of your home. Woodland recommends clad-wood, not all-wood replacement windows. Even when a customer wants to perfectly match a historical window, we can recommend a product such as Marvin Signature Series, which can replicate an original custom milled window. In most cases however, clad-wood, which has an exterior layer of aluminum or vinyl to protect the frame from weather and minimize maintenance, is the best premium wood replacement window.

Marvin Ultimate comes in double-hung or casement styles and offers a superior clad-wood replacement window.

Wood interior finish options offer six different wood species including cherry and mahogany in six different stain choices. You have other options as well, painted, primed only or clear coat. Customers who select the primed only option can have the windows finished in their own custom color. 

The exterior of the window features an extruded aluminum clad-wood finished in commercial-grade anodized paint that resists fading or chalking. Customers can choose from nineteen colors or order a custom color. The anodized finish is said to be as hard as diamonds and is one of the most durable finishes made. The anodizing process places the aluminum in a chemically stable and non-toxic bath. An electric current is passed through the bath, causing the surface of the aluminum to oxidize and form a stronger coating than the original aluminum surface. The result is a surface that is resistant to abrasion, erosion, and ultraviolet light degradation.

Aluminum cladding can be rolled or extruded – the two are very different and Marvin Ultimate products have extruded aluminum cladding. The standard for roll-form aluminum components requires only a 0.9 mil finish thickness instead 1.2 mil coating required for extruded aluminum. Imagine a typical Midwest storm with hail and debris knocking against your windows and you’ll understand the difference in aluminum cladding. Roll-form can dent far more easily than an extruded finish, which is why Marvin stands behind a 20-year warranty against loss of adhesion, chalking or fading.

The double-hung tilt-wash style allows the sashes to tilt in for easy cleaning like many new windows and, unlike most manufacturers, the Marvin Ultimate casement window can also rotate inward, making both sides of the glass washable.

The sizes and styles are numerous, including multiple glass options most suitable to your home and your personal preferences. For example, Woodland most often recommends Low E1 for our northern climate because it blocks heat loss and reflects heat back into the room. Or depending on whether the window is a south wall, north wall, upstairs or downstairs, we may recommend another glazing option to take advantage of the sun’s radiant heat.

Woodland also carries other recommended clad-wood replacement windows such as Marvin Integrity as a less expensive alternative to the Ultimate or Signature for a highly custom design. We can also show you a comparison of top products like Andersen 400 Series or Woodwright and Pella  Proline (standard sizes only), Designer or Architectural Series.

Replacing your old windows can be as fun as selecting windows for a new home. So stop Googling and come in to our showroom where you can touch and feel the products.


Next week we’ll review the fiberglass replacement windows.

Winter is a Good Time to Replace Your Old Windows

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

Tired of a cold house?
Tired of trying to heat a cold house?
Tired of winter already when it's only January?

Old leaky windows can account for as much as 10-25% of the heat loss in your home, so why wait until Spring to replace your old windows. Leave the cold outside.

No gaping holes throughout the house.

Woodland's installers work in teams replacing one window at a time. One installer works outside the window and one works inside. When ever possible, we close off each room we're working in to reduce the amount of cold air flowing through the house. Each window takes about 30 minutes and many homes can be completed in one day.

Immediate difference in comfort.

The new windows are manufactured to 1/8" of your window opening. Our installers then add insulation around your window frame and the windows once they are in place to maximize energy efficiency. Homeowners feel the immediate effects of new windows in their homes.

Update old painted windows with new finishes.

Woodland's selection of stylish wood replacement windows from Marvin, Andersen and Pella means you can update the look of your windows. These new windows can be stained and varnished to the natural look of wood adding warmth and charm to your home. You may choose factory painted windows for the sleek and resilient finish of a contemporary look. Or maybe you want to match the current windows in your home - that's possible too.

Schedule a free consultation.

If you've read to this point, you probably need to call us 630.869.1450 and visit our website to learn more about replacing your windows.

For 45 years, Woodland has made our customer's lives a little easier because we worry about all the details for you. See what people say about Woodland installers.

What are the Benefits of Argon Gas Replacement Windows?

When it comes to purchasing replacement windows, one of the main concerns for most homeowners, besides the style and the design selected, is how efficient the windows are. It is obvious that most people purchase replacement windows for energy saving purposes. Argon gas is used in modern replacement windows. Argon provides energy-efficiency, hence reducing heating and cooling bills.
 

Argon is one of the noble gases that make an important part of energy efficient windows. Argon gas is about 30% heavier than air and transfers approximately 48% less heat than air. For this reason, it is used to make a barrier to prevent heat transfer. Noise, as well as heat energy, has a difficult time moving through Argon.
 

Argon gas makes about 1.28% of the air we breathe, and is the third most common gas in the atmosphere. It is inflammable and nonreactive. Argon is odorless, colorless and absolutely nontoxic as a liquid, solid, or gas. It is totally harmless. Even if the window breaks, there is no need to panic at all since the gas is completely safe.
 

Xenon and krypton are also noble gases, but they are slightly heavier than argon. Although Krypton is also used in windows, it is quite expensive to produce. Thus, when it comes to replacement windows, Argon is the most preferred inert gas. The measure of thermal resistance or incremental R-Value that shows the level of energy efficiency may improve the performance of your windows. Adding an Argon gas to the panes of the window may help top boost energy efficiency as it minimizes solar heat gain.
 

While replacement windows filled with argon gas are expensive, the extra costs for these windows are usually offset by their long term benefits. In other words, the energy savings you will enjoy in the future will eventually cover the huge money used to purchase these windows. The amount you will save on heating costs over the course of their lifetime is more than worth the initial cost.

Unlike other systems of measurements such as U-value and R-value, windows with argon gas are capable of limiting leakages. For example, during the summer, windows featuring argon will keep the air inside the house cool. In the winter seasons, these windows will keep warm air inside the home saving on cooling bills.