Archive for the ‘Window Replacements’ Category
Install Vinyl Replacement Windows
If we could physically see the energy seeping through our windows when we looked out, we would be much more inclined to install vinyl replacement windows that meet Energy Star Ratings and really insulate your windows. Since we can’t really see the dollars moving out through our old windows, perhaps some statistics will help demonstrate the actual savings. For this I’ve visited the energystar.gov website and browsed through several pages of estimated savings. First I should explain the program though.
On August 29, 2003, the government set four climate zones for windows, doors and skylights. The goal of the ENERGY STAR program is to increase the efficiency of the nation’s use of energy. You can go to the energystar.gov website to see the savings PDF, and it shows that national annual savings by using phase 2 Energy Star Windows, Doors and Skylights will save the US 11.4 million dollars.
The criteria are divided into 4 zones because weather conditions warrant different levels of penetration and U glass to be the most efficient. Heat savings are due to U-factor improvements. Cool savings are mostly due to penetration.
The website states that For a typical home, ENERGY STAR windows will save:
* $126–$465 a year when replacing single-pane windows
* $27–$111 a year over double-pane, clear glass replacement windows
So it is easy to see how the idea to install vinyl replacement windows can really save you money, save the entire nation money, and make our earth a greener place so that it can be preserved for future generations.
Replacement Window
There are really several types of replacement windows. Replacement windows can be separated into several categories.
Replacement Double Hung Windows – these windows have an upper and lower sash each of which may be opened to increase ventilation. In addition, most double hung windows tilt-in for easy cleaning.
Casement – these windows are very energy-efficient and ventilate well because they can be cranked outward to let in fresh air in. They can be used above cabinets where someone would have to reach to open a window. They can also be easily cleaned on both sides.
Bay and Bow – These windows can be gently arched or angled to make a space in your home feel bigger and brighter. They can almost be considered a room addition.
Picture – These windows showcase a room, especially if it has a beautiful view. Surprisingly, these large openings can also be very energy efficient with the correct Energy Star Rated replacement window.
Gliding or Sliding Replacement Windows – These windows function similarly to a sliding door, but are positioned higher on a wall. They have the most glass of any type window. The windows slide on tracks and lift out easily for cleaning.
With all these options available, homeowners can chose the replacement window that perfectly compliments their room requirements.
Vinyl Window Maintenance Tips
Although maintenance free for the most part, when Vinyl windows get dirty they need to be cleaned. Sometimes just a heavy rain will clean them, but sometimes they need to be washed – especially after a long stormy winter, or if your windows are under trees. If you have older windows and live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, there are professionals available to install replacement windows in NJ and replacement windows in PA.
One thing that is tempting is to pressure wash them along with your vinyl siding, because this can damage the thermal glass or insulation around the window. It is suggested that you instead use a cloth or soft bristle brush and a readily available household cleaner. Sometimes you will have to remove a stain that doesn’t come off readily, like crayon, grease or mold.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners like Ajax® or any solvent that could harm vinyl like chlorine or nail polish remover.
Suggested cleansers to use include a 70/30 solution of vinegar and water, Fantastik®, Windex®, Lestoil®, and Murphy’s Oil Soap®.
Noisy Vinyl Windows
If you live in Baltimore, you may find that your windows make a whining and howling noise on windy days, perhaps they were not capped correctly, or weep holes were left where wind can get in. In a way you are lucky that this is happening because you absolutely know that there is a problem that can most likely be fixed quickly. Vinyl replacement windows in Baltimore are available to fix your window problems.
If the capping is loose, missing, or installed improperly, you will be able to see caulking around the exterior of the window. Capping is a vinyl covering that applied to the exterior casing of a window. To apply it, it must be cut and bent to the shape of the window frame, caulked and sealed. Capping is the seal from the window to the edge of the siding and it should be flat with no bends in it.
Another problem may be screw holes or weep holes that need to be filled. If you live in the Baltimore area, allow a professional to do your vinyl window replacement in Baltimore.
Casement Replacement Window
Before we discuss casement replacement windows, let’s define a casement window. It is a attached to its frame by a hinge, usually on the side. Shutters that open outward to keep out drafts and weather usually cover these windows. Casement windows can be opened with a crank, lever or handle which often locks the window as well.
Not only do these windows eventually wear out, but the older models are not very energy efficient. According to the Department of Energy, most homes lose over a quarter of their heat through windows. Homeowners can choose casement replacement windows with Energy Star-labeled and can cut energy bills by up to 30%. You can read more about Energy Star Ratings here: www.energystar.gov.
Sometimes, to make the casement replacement window decision, a homeowner may decide to schedule a home energy audit. You can do this yourself by following the steps outlined at hes.lbl.gov. You may find that replacing your windows will put you in the group of people who can save up to 30% on their energy bills, and in this tight economy, these casement replacement windows will pay for themselves very quickly!
Vinyl Windows Prices
Home prices hit bottom in 2009, and it seems like a great time to get a deal on a new home, except that it is also harder for people to move because they can’t sell their house, and especially they can’t get the price for their house that they would like. So many people have turned to home improvement projects to make their homes more livable and functional until housing prices rebound.
Stores like Home Depot have reported increases in building materials and tools. People are trying to save money by doing these home improvement projects themselves, like tiling, painting and customizing closets. One home improvement project that is guaranteed to increase the value of a home is replacing windows with vinyl energy efficient windows.
This is a job that is worth paying for though. Replacing windows is messy and needs to be done with precision, and experts are already set up with the proper tools, waste containers, and know-how to do a great job.
All the homeowner really needs to do is compare vinyl window prices and choose a contractor to install them. Vinyl window prices are relatively inexpensive when compared to the tax break initiative offered, the savings in energy costs, and the increase in the worth of the home.
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We are so pleased with our new sunroom addition. We investigated 3 companies but the presentation and price for Install America was far above the rest. The installation, from beginning to end was beyond our expectations. The installer was meticulous in his craftmanship and his knowledge of construction was amazing. Install America finished our job in every aspect and our sunroom/addition is a wonderful addition to our home.
The Benefits of Energy Efficient Vinyl Replacement Windows: Why Are Vinyl Replacement Windows the Best Option for My Home?
If you’re living with old single-pane windows and are looking for an affordable and efficient window replacement option, vinyl replacement windows are the best and most affordable way to update your house’s energy performance. Especially if you live in an older building, vinyl replacement windows can dramatically increase energy efficiency and keep your home interior at a comfortable internal temperature. Vinyl windows are also extremely affordable and customizable. Non-vinyl windows (or fiberglass windows) are sometimes twice as expensive as vinyl replacement windows.
What are Vinyl Replacement Windows?
Vinyl Replacement Windows can be quickly installed without any disturbance to the existing exterior siding or interior drywall, and easily fit within existing window openings. Vinyl replacement windows keep warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer. While you may experience slight air leakage around the framing gaps and window openings, vinyl replacements are significantly more energy efficient then old types of windows, which only have single-panes.
When choosing vinyl replacement windows for your home, there are a few variables to consider when making your decision:
- Environmental Factors
- Aesthetics
- Pricing
- Energy Efficiency
What Benefits do Vinyl Replacement Windows Offer?
Energy efficient windows save you money on heating and cooling and in turn use less energy to heat or cool your home. In that aspect, vinyl replacement windows are good for the environment. Your home will be able to maintain an ideal internal temperature and you’ll be able to enjoy a more comfortable living space with no drafts.
As previously mentioned, vinyl windows feature double, sometimes triple paned glass to keep air and moisture out, resulting in a consistent interior temperature. The moisture barrier prevents mold and allergens from making it into your living space, providing a healthier environment for children and people suffering from allergies.
Vinyl windows have moderate to high “R-Values” meaning they’re more resistant to heat flow. The “R-Value” measures how efficient a window is at insulating—the higher the “R-Value” the better the insulation abilities. When purchasing windows, look for a high “R-Value”. The “U-Factor” or “U-Value” tells you how quickly the window allows heat to escape, so the lower the “U-Factor” the better. A vinyl replacement window with a high “R-Value” and a low “U-Factor” is a top-performing window.
Vinyl windows are extremely durable, long lasting, and can be easily customized in a wide selection of sizes and styles of your choice. There are products available for every style and budget. Vinyl is also naturally scratch resistant and highly durable. Vinyl cannot be painted so your window units will not need to be scraped or stained. Whether you’re considering vinyl replacement windows for aesthetic reasons, energy efficiency, affordability, or their ease of installation and maintenance, they’re your best option on the window market.
Are Protector Windows the Most Advanced Replacement Window Available?
If you are thinking about replacing the windows in your home, then you will be well served by learning more about Protector Windows. Unlike single pane windows, these units come with three panes of glass, and other features that make them extremely energy efficient. At the same time, they offer many other benefits that you simply cannot obtain when you make use of conventional windows.
Enjoy the Benefits of UV Protection
Chances are, you would never buy contact lenses or glasses without a UV coating on them. As you may be aware, UV light causes cataracts, as well as many other eye problems. In a similar way, when this form of light hits your furniture, walls, and carpets, it cases fading. Therefore, if you want all those special colors to look good for as long as possible, you will be well served by making use of windows with a UV protection coating in them. Fortunately, Protector windows usually come with this coating.
Insulation Without Walls
Typically, many people would prefer to be outdoors because of the sunlight. In fact, many people routinely become depressed during the winter months because the days are shorter. On the other hand, large windows often come with a larger heating and cooling bill. When you purchase protector windows, you can enjoy having insulated windows that will provide almost as much insulation value as the walls of your home. If you choose windows that have gas filled layers, you will be able to enjoy even more energy saving benefits.
Therefore, if you want a large picture window in your living room, you can have one installed Without worrying about bigger energy bills. You may even decide that you want to install larger windows in your kitchen, or other rooms that can be used for window gardens. At the very least, when you use Protector Windows, you won’t need to constantly rely on curtains to trap heat.
Get Rid of Outdoor Noises
When you first move into a new home, it will take you some time to adapt to new noises. Even though you may learn how to tune these sounds out, it does not mean they aren’t creating an impact on your unconscious mind. Therefore, you will still build up stress and other problems caused by noises coming from outdoors. By contrast, when you install protector windows, most of these sounds will never get through. Without a question, you will enjoy true peace and quiet that will enable you to relax and enjoy your home.
Not so long ago, people began looking for new ways to lower heating cost Without sacrificing light provided by windows. At the same time, researchers were also discovering that UV light causes damage to human health, as well as home decorations. Today, Protector windows provide you with an opportunity to solve a number of problems. In particular, you can enjoy their insulative and sound blocking properties. If you do not need to wear glasses, you can also have peace of mind knowing that the light entering your eyes will not cause cataracts and other kinds of damage.
How To Measure For Replacement Windows
Sometimes windows need to be replaced. There are several possible reasons window need to be replaced, sometimes they break, and sometimes they just deteriorate with age. For whatever reason, it’s important that you get the right measurements so you can get the right windows. If you go through a company you will have to pay for all the supplies, time, and any other fees the company wants to charge. If you measure the windows yourself, buy the windows, and install them.
All you have to pay for is the cost of the windows and any supplies to put them in. It is important to know how to measure for the replacement windows, to avoid buying the wrong sized windows. If you buy windows that are too big you will end having to buy new windows, but if you buy windows that are too small you will either have to resize the sill or add padding. There is a good chance you have the old double hung wood windows. It’s important to be accurate to 1/16 of an inch. Getting the measurements is very simple, and should be recorded as width X height.
To find the width you measure from the top right to the top left corners. Make sure you are measuring from inside the recession created by the wooden stopper. Then measure around the middle, just above where the locking mechanism is, from left to right. Then open the window and measure the bottom from left to right, staying inside the wooden stopper. All three measurements should be the same, but if they are not, take the smallest one. It’s important to subtract 1/4 of an inch from the measurement, after all it’s easier to add padding then to make the window smaller.
Once you have measured the width you need the height. Some window sills have an outside downward slope to help with drainage. If this is the case, it is important to measure from the highest point on the sill. This time you measure from the top left corner to the bottom left corner, then the top middle to the bottom middle, and then the right top corner to the right bottom corner. It is important to include the 5/8 inch sill, and to deduct 3/16 of an inch from the whole measurement.
The last measurement you will need to make is for the thickness of the window. Most windows are either 3 1/4 inch or 3 1/2 inch thick. You can buy a new stopper for the inside the frame and install that, but it is easier to make sure you get the right thickness
Make sure to double check your measurements. There are several common mistakes, such as measuring from the outside of the 1/2 inch pocket that the window sets in. If you need to, open the window to take the measurements. Getting the wrong measurements will cost you more money. Another common mistake is not taking enough measurements. It is important to measure the height and width in three different places each. Most of the time all three measurements for each dimension will be the same.
