Custom Made Vs. Stock Windows

       So now that you’ve decided you are moving forward with your window replacement, it’s time to decide what type of replacement window you will choose; custom-made or stock. Custom windows are designed and made to fit the openings in your home, while stock windows are made in one size. Stock windows are typically readily available at big box home improvement stores and are also what many replacement window companies offer to the public. While many homeowners are attracted to stock windows because of their initial low price, there can be considerable cost involved to make the window fit within the space in your home.

       If your stock window is smaller than the opening in your home then generally filler is needed to make stock windows fit in your home properly. This can include using shims, but can also be as extensive as requiring additional brick or siding on the outside of your home as well as drywall on the inside to make it fit. Keep in mind, putting a smaller window in a larger hole also reduces your view of outside.

        If you choose the make install a window that is larger than your current opening, there is a good chance that you will need to make significant changes to the load-bearing parts of the wall. This is something that is not recommended without the help of a reputable contractor.  So, while initially cheaper, homeowners often ultimately find that stock windows can become considerably more expensive than first expected.

       While they might initially take longer to receive, a true replacement window is one that is built to fit an existing opening in your home. They are designed to create an exact fit and can be installed without major disruption to the inside and outside of your home.

       Custom-made windows are the preferred windows in almost every situation, because they fit properly  into your existing space, maximizing energy efficiency and reducing disruptions to your home.

Weathering the Search For A Storm Door

There are several reasons why homeowners in Pittsburgh and other towns in Western Pennsylvania add storm doors to their homes. Some people add storm doors to their home for added ventilation, some are looking to increase energy efficiency, and others choose to add storm doors for security purposes.

Storm doors originated from the widespread popularity of wooden screen doors from many years ago. The wooden screen doors were used to cool and ventilate a home during the hot summer months, while keeping insects out,  and animals and small children in! As manufacturing materials progressed many Pittsburghers began to gravitate towards storm doors made of aluminum frames that did not require as much maintenance. Another upside to the new aluminum doors was the ability to remove the screens and replace them with glass in the winter to better protect homes against the punishing winter conditions often prevalent in Western PA. 

As mentioned above, some people consider adding a storm door in an effort to increase their home’s energy efficiency. Unless you have an older entry door with poor weather stripping, this step is unnecessary. Today’s newer entry doors, with foam filled steel or fiberglass and effective weather stripping provide all the energy efficiency possible, and adding a storm door will not amount to significant savings.

If you are looking for ventilation, a storm door with a screen insert can certainly help the flow of air unto the house when the entry door is open. If you have air conditioning or central air in your home, chances are you will not open the main entry door that often, making a screen door unnecessary. However home owners without air conditioning will certainly welcome the sweet summer breeze a storm door can provide! 

Storm doors come in a variety of designs and sizes. This door features decorative grids to enhance the ornate design of the entry door.

While most screen doors are not true security doors, you can lock them and they do provide an additional barrier between you and the person at your door. If the screen is in place, you can even talk to someone without opening the door. If security truly is what you are looking for, we recommend a storm door with decorative grid work constructed of heavy steel in front of the glass and heavy duty hardware and locking systems. This type of door will prevent access even if the glass is broken.

Ultimately, the need for a storm door is one that is based upon your lifestyle. If are looking for energy savings and already have a well-sealed entry door, a storm door is largely unnecessary. However, if added ventilation and some level of added security is what you had in mind, a storm door just might be the right choice for you!

Which Window Material Is the Right One For You?

There are so many options out there when choosing windows that the decision making process can be quite overwhelming! From glass, frame material, to what type of sill you prefer, choosing the right windows for your home should not be a task that is taken lightly. This post will focus on the types of frames choices you have for your new replacement windows.

Windows frames come in a plethora of different materials. They are typically composed of one material, but are also available in a combination of materials, like wood windows clad with vinyl or aluminum, or aluminum frames with vinyl reinforcement. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a few popular types of window frame materials available today:

Aluminum Frames: These frames conduct heat, and therefore lose it faster. Because of this, they can be prone to condensation. Be sure to choose aluminum that has been anodized or coated, because without it, you could find your metal deteriorating and critical joints in your structure can fail as a result of two different metals interacting. Choose windows that feature insulation with plastic strips between the interior and exterior of the frames, as this will greatly improve the thermal resistance of your aluminum frames.

Wood Frames: Wood is a good insulator, which reduces the flow of energy from your home. It is critical that the wood frames on the outside of your home are protected to prevent them from swelling, which can lead to rotting, warping and sticking. This can be accomplished by painting or staining, although both will wear away, so plan on doing this every few years. Alternately, some contractors will wrap the outside of your window with a decorative metal in a color of your choice. This is the easiest way to ensure your wood windows are protected.

Vinyl Frames: Vinyl is a good insulator, will not absorb moisture and can withstand a variety of weather conditions. Easily customizable, you can find vinyl window frames in a variety of styles and shapes.  Although vinyl frames don’t have the strength of metal or wood, many high quality vinyl windows that have been strengthened with aluminum, steel, or fiberglass reinforcing bars are available.

Fiberglass Frames: Fiberglass windows are a relatively new. Some fiberglass frames are hollow, while others are insulated.  They have good insulating capabilities and will not warp, shrink, rot or corrode. The catch is that unprotected fiberglass does not fare well in the weather and therefore must be painted to maintain their strength. Because of this, it is extremely important to verify the warranty and maintenance requirements before you invest.

What Type of Entry Door is Right For Your Needs?

One of the biggest decisions you will face when shopping for a new entry door is what type of material your door will be.  There are many options to choose from, including wood, fiberglass and steel. Here is a look at the various aspects of each type of door:

Wood

 Wood doors come in two varieties; solid core and solid wood. A solid core wood door is typically composed of high density fiberboard with a thin piece of plywood or laminate on each side. The core is an  energy- efficient polyurethane designed to insulate and the panels are typically done with thicker plywood and wood pieces, similar to the way cabinetry is constructed. This door will need maintenance over time, and will eventually need refinished due to exposure to outside elements. Many times the thin laminate and plywood will absorb moisture behind the protective clear coat finish, and as a result, will peel or bubble out.  

The second type of wood door is a solid wood door. This type of door is 100% wood, and is the heaviest door on the market. While shifting and expanding is always a risk with this type of door, this problem can usually be minimized by purchasing a door produced by a high-quality manufacturer.  A solid wood door must be maintained annually to preserve the finish, but these doors can be sanded and refinished  if needed. A solid wood door is the most expensive door you can buy, sometimes costing as much as 10 times the price of a steel door.

Despite which type of wood door you choose, sun and humidity are a wood door’s natural enemies. Wood will also start to show its age and use, including scratches and cracks; and can warp when exposed to high moisture. If you decide a wood door is the right choice for you, expect a hefty investment. You get what you pay for and a cheap wood door will simply not stand the test of time.

Fiberglass

  A fiberglass door isn’t entirely fiberglass. The core of a fiberglass door is composed of a framework of wooden or composite stiles and rails, with a surface of compression-molded fiberglass. The framework’s voids are filled with CFC-free polyurethane foam insulation. While some cheaper fiberglass doors are obviously distinguishable from wood, high quality fiberglass doors feature the appearance of deep wood graining that is virtually identical to the real thing in feel and appearance.

The decorative ridges and deep graining in fiberglass doors can create the appearance of wood that many homeowners desire.

Performance between these doors varies. Stay away from cheap fiberglass doors if possible, as they may crack and fall apart (especially in cold weather). Additionally, their finished may deteriorate quickly and the inner cores could rot. If your budget only allows for a cheap door, consider investing in an inexpensive steel one first.

Steel

 Most steel doors have surfaces of heavy-gauge galvanized steel that has been embossed with a wood-grain pattern. Some types feature a wood-fiber coating that allows them to be stained and some high-end doors may even have real-wood veneer laminated to their surfaces.

Conventional steel doors are factory primed with a baked-on polyester finish; they generally require periodic repainting. Some have a vinyl coating for greater weather resistance. All of them have an inner frame made of wood or steel. The gauge of the steel indicates its strength; the higher the number, the thinner the steel . While 24-guage steel doors are common, they should be considered temporary, due to the fact that they can rust and fall apart.  For a long-term fix, look for at least a 22-gauge door, which offers thicker steel that won’t bend or flex and holds paint well.

If security and durability are your top priorities, a steel door might be your best choice, a steel door is far stronger than either fiberglass or wood and it won’t crack, warp or fall apart.

Despite which option you choose, there are both well-built and poorly-constructed versions of any door. To ensure a durable door, be sure to choose a reputable manufacturing company whose products have received good reviews. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, select a reputable contractor to work with rather than opting for an inexpensive door from the big box store.

Just Say "No" to Estimates Over the Telephone

With the convenience of today’s technology, some homeowners want to get price quotes on new windows via the internet or by calling a company on the telephone. Never trust a company who is willing to give you a quote this way. Many companies will throw out a low price to “bait” you into scheduling a home appointment with them, and then “switch” your low estimate to one that is much higher when they find “issues they were unaware of " upon arriving at your home.  That is because it is impossible to give clients a meaningful price range without discussing their needs and expectations, and taking into consideration the scope of the job.

Remember, there are a number of components that make up the final price of each job, and each job is unique. Don’t make the decision of which companies to actually invite to your home based on casual ballpark prices you receive over the phone. You should be making that decision based on the reputation of a company, not their prices. You need to understand, in detailed writing, exactly what you will be receiving for the money that you are spending. You may eventually decide to invest in a lower quality product or a company that provides less service, but that decision should be based on a thorough understanding of all of the facts.

What Determines the Price of New Windows?

The product and all of the available options, the method of installation, and the quality of installation are all determining factors included in the price of windows. Big differences in the types of warranties and service policies will also have a significant impact. In addition, the style of the windows being removed can vary the cost of window replacement significantly. For example, removing old metal windows is far more difficult and labor-intensive than removing old wood windows. The age and style of your home also will influence the price.  

Another important cost factor is the types of windows you want for your home. Non-operating picture windows are less expensive than operable double hung or sliding styles. Casements usually cost more than double hung or sliding windows. The size of the new windows and the level of insulating glass chosen also play a large part in determining cost. Pre-made big-box-store windows are typically less expensive than custom-made products, although in the long run, with the necessary interior and exterior cosmetic work required to make pre-made windows “fit” a home, it’s highly doubtful that pre-made windows are truly less expensive than custom windows.  

Then there are the costs to the company that sells and installs the windows. The costs of doing business and staying profitable will always exist. You should expect to pay a fair price so these companies can do a professional job installing your windows without cutting corners. Most homeowners don’t mind paying more than originally expected for a home improvement project, as long as they know the reasons for the higher costs. However, by paying more, expectations will be higher. You should expect high quality products, installation, and service. The phrases “cheap” or “lowest price” should not be important when you’re making a large investment for your home. You will get what you pay for -- in terms of product quality, the appropriate options and glass you should have, the quality of work in installing the windows, and even the quality of the company with which you’re doing business. Do you homework up front and make an informed choice.

Understanding U-Value

One common question that we receive from homeowners who are educating themselves on replacement windows is about U-value and what it is. U-value (or U-factor) is the measure of the window's ability to conduct heat—in other words, the amount of heat transmitted through the window. The lower a window's U-value, the better the window is at insulating your home. Generally, heat will flow from the inside towards the outside during the winter. In the summer, it will flow from the outside to the inside. Most manufacturers have run NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) thermal performance tests on assembled units, which are a much better indicator of the unit’s overall performance, compared to glass or window frame values alone

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