Find a Dealer in Your AreaThree Important Considerations To Choosing Replacement Windows:
First of all, never choose replacement windows based on price alone. Those billboards around town advertising $199 or $299 windows replacements…any size, in a nutshell, are very misleading.
They will be inferior quality windows. Even if they state “Energy Star” rated, they probably only marginally pass the the tests and meet the criteria. They are not built to maximum efficiency, won’t last beyond 5 years or so, and are probably installed by unqualified personnel.
Educate yourself with our helpful videos. Know the details on what makes a superior window and avoid the mistakes other homeowners make when they sign a deal that is “too good to be true”.
The Perfect Window Three Point Checklist!
#1: Choosing The Frame
- Vinyl Window Frames: Vinyl is an excellent insulator. Today’s premium vinyl available from our curated list of vinyl window manufacturers includes more “sunscreen” (titanium dioxide) in the raw materials to resist fading, cracking, shrinking. Cheap vinyl windows simply do not have enough UV blocking protection. They can’t withstand the punishing Texas climate we live in. In addition, the vinyl on our windows is thicker and includes strategically inserted foam insulation and premium weather stripping you just don’t get on cheap windows. Even with our upscale features, vinyl windows are still the most affordable option.
- Wood Window Frames: All wood windows (wood inside and outside) are rare in today’s market. Homeowners and manufacturers have moved away from them due to the periodic maintenance issues of stripping, sanding, and painting. For those who really want wood interior window surfaces, we present the “clad” type window. This typically means two separate structures fused together. The great look of wood interior frame with the near maintenance-free aluminum exterior frame.
- Aluminum Window Frames: All aluminum frames got a bad rap years ago. Aluminum is a great recyclable material that is strong and resilient but, unless the interior is somehow separate from exterior, heat transfer will occur. Modern aluminum framed windows include a “thermal break” between the interior and exterior surfaces to eliminate heat transfer. Now we’re talking energy efficiency in aluminum.
- Composite (Fiberglass) Window Frames: By far the most energy efficient and longest lasting window frame of them all is the composite or fiberglass framed window. Both Pella and Marvin make composite windows. Our favorite is the pultrated fiberglass (Ultrex) manufactured by Infinity from Marvin. It’s 8 times stronger than vinyl! If you want a wood interior, take a look at the composite wood look alike Everwood. Everwood is stainable and paintable just like wood so you get the luxurious “wood” interior to match complement your decor. Naturally, Infinity from Marvin in our top of the line in both quality and price point.
#2: Choosing The Glass Package
Those billboard cheap windows will advertise that they are in fact double pane glass. But, is that enough and are all double pane glass units the same? Read on for the facts and if you have not watched the video on this page yet, take a moment to watch the spectrometer readings. Impressive!
- Double Pane Clear Glass: Having two panes of clear glass only offers the minimum amount of insulation against heat gain. There is very little UV and IR protection but does offer the most visible light.
- Double Pane 2 Low-E Coats: Low-e coatings are invisible silver oxide layers on “surface two” of the first pane of glass. That’s the inside surface of the first pane. Two coatings or low-e silver oxide offers dramatic reductions in UV and IR penetration with a modest amount of lost visible light. Your home will be a little dark due to a “tinted” look to the windows.
- Double Pane 3 Low-E Coats: For increased efficiency, three coats offers the most popular energy efficiency but also a slightly greater loss of visible light coming in to your home.
- The Grand Daddy: 4 Low-E Coats: In order to get the Ultraviolet and Infrared light filtered out to zero, the 4 coats of low-e is the way to go. This will also result in an even darker room with only 36% of the visible light coming through.
#3: Choosing A Great Installation Company
Let’s face it, even if you choose a great window but it’s installed by an inexperienced, unprofessional installation crew, It’s a Bad Window.
We’ve been installing windows around the Texas region for many years. Our crews are professionally trained AAMA Approved, licensed window installers. All our windows qualify for our Lifetime Leak-Free Guarantee. We have already curated the Best Windows from all the reputable manufacturers in the market.
Couple that with the Best People who always treat you with honesty, respect, and dignity. The Window Experts serves clients in the Houston Metro market and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro market. If you don’t live in our service area, we can help you find a reputable, qualified window company through our Jeff’s List website.
Call us or complete one of our Free Quote Request Forms today!