HomeWindows
Windows are an integral part of your home whether you are having a holiday barbeque or welcoming a spring breeze into your living room. If you want to feel pride with your largest investment and enjoy these moments to the fullest without being concerned how your products are performing Red Carpet Remodeling would love to help. Our goal is to make the extra effort to help you make an educated and informed decision about replacing your windows. We will provide you with some information to make sure you are learning before you invest. Please use this information to help you evaluate windows. We realize it's important to know what your options are because there is a wide variance in quality, cost and craftsmanship to consider. These same ideas can be put towards entry door replacement, getting vinyl siding estimates or any other home projects you need done.
Efficient windows are engineered to virtually eliminate the three ways your windows waste energy:
Air infiltration a typical window with a 1/16 inch gap in a standard size window is equal to having a brick size hole in your wall.
Radiation has two forms. Ultraviolet radiation-although you cannot see UV rays it causes fading of drapes, furniture and carpets. Infrared radiation-this component of the sun’s rays is what we feel as heat causes your furnace and air conditioners to work overtime.
Conduction Heat transfer through a solid material by contact of one molecule
to the next. Conduction wastes three times more energy than infiltration.
What are the most popular type of windows in the DC marketplace? Vinyl windows represent the largest portion of market share in the residential retrofit industry. Schuco and Traco are popular in this category and have the ability to resist heat transfer. In the manufacturing process the frame of a vinyl window can be extruded which is an important attribute to provide the necessary size and strength needed. A well-built window frame will have a great deal of hollow areas (chambers) to it. There needs to be adequate width to the frame in order to bridge the thickness of the exterior wall, for the sides top and bottom. The only downside to vinyl is that there is a limitation on color selection. There are windows produced in different colors, but not all manufacturers bother with that, primarily because of concerns regarding fading. Vinyl does a good job of resisting the heat inside your home from being transferred to the outside. Conversely, if you are in a hot area, and are expending money keeping your home cool, vinyl will perform well by keeping that heat out, and the cool in.
Can replacement windows pay for themselves or is this a marketing tactic? If you are planning to move from your home within three years from install than it will be difficult. High quality, energy efficient vinyl windows with strong transferable warranties can pay for themselves through time if they are custom fit. Between gas and electric savings, added resale value, and maintenance freedom windows they are an amazing investment. 
What are the advantages of custom replacement windows over mass produced products? Stock-sized windows require extensive carpentry work both inside and outside your house. Typical warehouse products cost less at first, but studies show they will cost more in the end. Custom-sized windows are manufactured to fit your existing window opening will provide maintenance freedom, considerably help with energy efficiency, and add beauty. Custom replacement windows will be a lifetime investment.
What is the most important component on a window to save energy? The glass since 80% of a window is glass, real heating and cooling savings come from the type of window, how many panes used, the and the gases deposited in and on the glass. There are two different coatings one for durability (hard coat) while the glass in its molten form and one for energy savings (soft coat) placed on the glass. These coatings reflect from 40% to 70% of the heat that is normally transmitted through clear glass, while allowing the full amount of light to pass through.
What type of glass is used on most windows? Clear glass has been the primary material available for window panes in homes. However, in recent years, the market for glazing--or cutting and fitting window panes into frames--has changed significantly. Now several types of special coatings are available that can help control heat loss and condensation.
What is a low E? Microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface that suppresses heat flow. Low-E coatings are ‘spectrally selective’, i.e. they are transparent to visible light and reflective of infrared (heat) radiation. This is a special surface coating to reduce heat transfer back through the window.
What are the options with adding gas in the panes? The gases other than air used in the high end window marketplace are usually argon or krypton, placed between the panes to reduce the U-factor (see below). Argon and Krypton gases are inert, nontoxic gases sometimes used to fill the space between the two glass panes of an insulating glass unit in place of air.
Does adding argon or krypton gas help with energy efficiency? If air is going to insulate well, it needs to be as still as possible because moving air carries energy. Both argon and krypton are heavier than air and provide a higher level of insulation because they are less prone to thermal movement.
What is a U-value? U value is a measurement of the rate of heat loss or gain through a material or assembly. The lower the number is the more insulation.
What is the National Fenestration Rating Council? NFRC products are tested and certified by an independent testing agency according to NFRC standards. The goal of the NFRC is to provide information so the consumer can easily compare the thermal energy efficiency of products.
What is ENERGY STAR®? This is a voluntary partnership among the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to educate consumers about the benefits of energy efficiency. By choosing ENERGY STAR®-labeled products, you’ll keep your utility bills down and help the environment at the same time.
Are new windows easy to clean? This depends on the style you choose. The three opening mechanisms will determine if your window will remain open and stay in place. The pulley system used with some wood and vinyl products along with the Caldwell spiral balance system can be problematic through time. An internal constant force balance system is the safest choice.
Is there any difference in how windows are made? There are two basic types of construction: Mechanically fastened windows are screwed together at the corners and welded versions utilize state-of-the-art heat welding equipment.
Are all window warranties the same? There are as many warranties because there are hundreds of window manufacturers. Some brand name factory warranties cover just the sash and frame. The rest is left up to the local fabricator who may or may not cover it. Your warranty is only as good as the company and manufacturer behind it. They will range from one year to lifetime/transferable and remember what the bold print gives the fine print takes away.
How time consuming is the actual window install? The window installation process should take about one hour per window if it is custom made. Vinyl windows are custom fitted windows that provide easy installation. They are screwed into the jambs of the openings and should be level. Our craftsmen can put in up to fifteen windows in one day. If there is a metal opening the installation can be more time consuming.
What does the window installation process consist of? It begins with the careful removal of your old window. The new window is then put into place, plumbed, insulated and secured. The finishing touches are applied on the interior of the window. The trim is then put on the exterior and your new product is completely installed. All old window debris are completely cleaned up and hauled away at no additional charge the finishing process of caulking and trimming is the most notable and can be detected if done improperly. Caulking should be neat around the edges for an extra strong seal.
Will I lose some of my window sill space? Yes. Most windows in homes today have narrower frames than replacement windows. Builders often use new construction (low grade) windows on new homes. Replacement windows are usually one to one and a half inches thicker than new construction windows.
Can I replace my old windows with different types of windows? There are seven different options:
Double Hung windows have been around since colonial times. They can make a fashion statement for your home and provide highly utilitarian features.
Two or three part sliding windows are used for opening that are wider than they are tall offer practical window styles where operational access may be difficult.
Bow and Bays Bows radiate out to form semi-circle. Bays have a 30 -60 degree angle and you can configure these windows with built-in shelves for indoor plants or just sitting around.
Casement One of the most elegant window designs with choices that range from single-vent windows to 5-lite combinations of fixed and operating units.
Awning is the one that opens up horizontally,Picture placed wherever natural light is desired.
Garden windows Create a tropical display while adding space
Special Architectural Shapes You can choose from an array of styles built to suit every situation. We offer shapes from octagons and trapezoids to full circles, half rounds, and more.
How many panes of glass should I look at?
Old drafty single pane windows are very common in older homes. The cheapest but won’t help much to lower heating bills as they permit a lot of heat to escape through them to the outdoors. However, a storm window can help in this concern and are easy to repair. Having a single pane window is like having a leaky faucet. Air is constantly escaping your house. Most consumers now opt for insulated glass (IG) units when replacing existing windows. This means either dual or triple windowpanes.
A double pane window is considered by industry experts the best choice in areas that do not have extreme consistent weather conditions, such as Alaska.
Wood windows normally come in stock sizes. They are very attractive windows but require extensive maintenance because you need to paint both the interior and exterior of these replacement windows. To combat this, window manufacturers can get you a vinyl or aluminum clad, when the window has been covered, on the exterior only, to avoid painting on the outside of the replacement window. Marvin Windows and Pella Windows are two of the leaders in the wood window market. Wood, left to the elements, will eventually degrade and begin to rot. By covering the window with an resistant material, the window will be much better equipped to withstand the outside elements and the effects of damaging UV rays.
Aluminum Windows are a choice but seldom used for residential purposes anymore. Jeld-wen distributes these windows are they are strong and mostly used in high rises and commercial applications. This products are ideal for customized window design, aluminum frames cause conductive heat loss (i.e., they have low R-values) and condensation. The reason for that is builders are willing to give up heat loss/ gain ramifications for the strength that is needed for large openings. Aluminum windows are obviously made of metal, which is a good conductor of differences in temperature. Thus if it is extremely cold outside that cold, will be transferred through the aluminum into the residence. Conversely, if it is very hot outside that heat will also be transferred into the building. They conduct heat very quickly and are 1000 times more conductive than most residential windows with easily scratched painted surfaces.
Fiberglass Windows are relatively new and not yet widely available. Milgard is the leader in this application and fiberglass Windows do have less maintenance than wood but there is still upkeep due to the fiberglass material. . These products are gaining market share, however the jury is still out on these windows since they are relatively new on the market. They have the highest R-values of all frames however they will be more expensive than most replacement windows. These windows are constructed out of fiberglass cloth and epoxy resins, similar to current boat construction applications. The outcome is a smooth, strong finish with the ability to be painted if the homeowner desires to do so. There are a few models available that is essentially a wood window that is clad with fiberglass, which could be a viable option for someone who wants the properties of fiberglass but wants a tradition wood look on the interior.
Fibrex Windows are a unique product that tries to combine the strength and insulation durability properties of wood, and provides the low maintenance of vinyl. It has to be painted and has more of a traditional wood window appearance. They combine a wood fiber (40% by volume) and thermo-plastic polymer (60% by volume). The materials are compounded in an extruder to form composite pellets. Capstock colors are added during the profile extrusion process to create the finished product. This product line is distributed by Renewal by Andersen and they specialize in residential replacement windows, as opposed to Andersen which primarily sells to the new construction industry.