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What makes a replacement window
the best?
Is the window designed to be a replacement window?
Obviously, one window will not be the best replacement
window for all applications. If you are replacing old aluminum frame
windows, you will most certainly want a frame with a narrow profile thickness
that will fit into the opening left after removing the old frame. Some
companies manufacture what are referred to as "slim line frames" which
are specifically designed for this application. Some slim lines are basically
budget frames (basic square frame design). Some window manufacturers
cater to the replacement window market with high quality window designs.
The best vinyl replacement window will have a beautiful frame designed
to replace old aluminum framed windows and homes framed with 2' x 4"
construction. A window designed this way will also easily fit into 2
x 6 " construction as well.
The best replacement
window should have great U-Values
Is
the window hi-performance?
It would not make sense to replace your old windows
with new windows that did not perform better, would it? In fact, if
it were my money being spent, they'd better perform a lot better! I'd
want windows that not only meet energy star standards, I'd want windows
that perform a lot better than this minimum standard. Good double paned
windows today will have U-Values in the .29 range, not
the .35 Energy Star standard. Not that that would be bad, but if I
could get better without a higher price tag, who wouldn't want better
performance for the same money spent?
The best replacement window will
prove their claims
You said it...now prove it!
By now you may have gathered that I am a bit of a skeptic. You
are correct! If a claim is made, I want to see it in writing and so
should you! If someone says their window performs better than the other
guys, prove it to me by showing me the NFRC U-value stickers side by
side. Show me the AAMA certification labels! It isn't that I'm not
trusting, but quality windows are not cheap and if I am looking for
the best replacement windows, I expect them to be well documented.
The best vinyl window should
have the best warranty
Let's put on our glasses and read the fine
print
Many window companies have lots of exclusions. The old saying is, "The
big print giveth, and the small print taketh away!" There are warranty
exclusions for weather, being within 2 miles of salt water, cleaning
glass with ammonia based cleaners (eg: Windex), etc. Before spending
your hard earned money read the warranties. The
best replacement warranty should be a strong one without a page of fine
print exclusions!
The best
vinyl window should have the best features
Let's check out what makes the window
special
All windows have frames and glass and should have screens included. The
best vinyl replacement window must have features that take it well beyond
the range of ordinary. I like things that look good. I'd never want a
box shaped picture frame for my artwork and I certainly don't want to
look at a boxy window frame from outside of my home. I want a beautiful
beveled frame design that is mitered.
I'd like the frame to be foam filled. People tell me it doesn't make a difference.
Let's see if you'd rather have hot coffee poured into a paper cup or a styrofoam
cup. Common sense seems to tell me the foam works better.
I like screens that can be removed from inside the home
so I don't have to climb a ladder to clean them as I'm not a young kid anymore.
I'd want the screens to have full length pull rails instead of those funny
little plastic tabs or those pieces of bent metal that always seem to pull
out right when you need them.
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