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Home » How To Guide » Purchase Vinyl Windows »
How to purchase vinyl replacement windows
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Energy Efficiency
Replacement windows can dramatically improve the energy-efficiency of your home if they are well made and properly installed. Make the right decision, and you will never have to think about windows again, but make the wrong decision, and you may be back in the market for windows in just a few years. |
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Why vinyl is the king of window materials
Vinyl will soon replace wood as the number one material used in the windows of new homes and is already the leader in the replacement of old or outdated windows.
All major window manufacturers now offer a vinyl window because of its many advantages. It is warm to the touch; when frames and sashes are filled with foam, it offers thermal density comparable to wood; vinyl windows can be made in almost any shape. Unlike wood, however, vinyl windows require no painting or reglazing. Most importantly, today’s vinyl windows are four times more energy-efficient than the state-of-the-art windows installed in new homes just a few years ago.
How can I compare energy performance?
There are many grades of vinyl windows, but it is easy to separate the good from the average. Companies producing the highest quality windows are part of the Energy Star program, operated by the U. S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. These windows are commonly 40 percent more energy-efficient than building codes require, and their performance is certified by the National Fenestration Council (NFRC). Reading the NFRC label allows you to compare the performance between brands of windows, because it rates the efficiency of the entire window unit.
Are all vinyl windows the same?
Advancements in vinyl extrusions allow the best manufacturers to offer structural rigidity without the need for any additional reinforcements. Windows made of lower quality vinyl are reinforced with steel or wood in an attempt to provide strength. The wood is often too thin to provide real rigidity or is exposed to the elements, absorbing moisture and rotting over time. While steel offers strength, it can reduce the energy efficiency of the window by conducting heat and cold.
If you have any questions about the architectural strength of the window, look for an American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) label on the product. A gold label means that the product passed strict tests for load strength and air or water infiltration.
The glass
The energy efficiency rating of the window is referred to by its U-factor and 80 percent of the U-factor rating comes from the performance of the glass. The lower the U-factor, the more energy-efficient the glass, and the more comfortable you will be in your home.
Dual pane glass filled with argon gas and coated with a Low-E rating – multiple microscopic layers of metals and non-metals – perform the best. Some brands of Low-E glass reflect infrared heat waves back to their source. This means that in winter, heat from your home reflects back inside, and during the summer, outside heat is reflected away from your home. Even basic Low-E glass lowers your heating and cooling costs by 30 percent compared to plain dual-pane glass. Recent innovations, like Comfort 365 Glass™ from Champion, cuts summer heat gain by 69 percent and reflects 96 percent of radiant heat back into the home during winter.
Warranty reflects the confidence of the seller
Warranties are only as good as the product covered and the company that stands behind them. Window warranties should not be prorated and should cover seal failure, parts, labor and installation for as long as you own your home. New composite materials are warranted for only 10 years. Replacement windows are a job you should only have to do once, not every 10 years.
Know the company you keep
Over 20 percent of window companies in this year’s Yellow Pages will be gone or will change their name in next year’s book. The most important decision you will make might not be the windows you buy, but the company from whom you bought them. The company should be able to provide proof of licensing and liability insurance and have been in business for more than 10 years. Companies in business for more than ten years are usually the ones that last.
Although many businesses resell and install other manufacturers’ products, there are some window manufacturers such as Champion Window, that sell their own products directly to the consumer. Products from these companies often include more features for the price, because there are no levels of mark-up in their distribution chain. Also, because some factory-direct companies also install their products, you have only one company to deal with when it comes to installation, warranty, repair service, or replacement parts.
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