What Makes a Window The Best Replacement Window

FHI Windows · Site Admin Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 198

Over the past several years I have been asked hundreds of times what makes a window the best, or how do I rate a replacement window. It is a hard question to answer unless I know what people expect for the results. Since most windows are 80% glass telling people to shop for the best glass in a quick and easy answer....or is it?

Glass= 80% of the total window area, the best glass will save you the most on your heating and cooling bills.

Window Frame= what holds the glass, if the frame falls apart, rots or attracts moisture then the window is a waste of money.

Window gas= the air of gas between the pane of glass. While triple pane windows have the best rating, if they are filled with air and not Krypton gas the will not work to their full potential.

Spacer system=this is what provides to spaces between the layers of glass. Expert agree that metal spacers will attract cold air and harm the insulating value of the window. Having a great spacer system like rubber or foam will ensure the full potential of an insulated glass unit.

Balance system= what makes the windows go up and down and what makes them stay in position. A window that will not open and close properly is just a waste of money.

We have just touched on a few of the major components of new replacement windows. It is easy to see that you can not judge a product by examining just one of the components. In other threads we will discuss how the window installer and the window company is actually where your focus should be when shopping for replacement windows.

A short preview; a window company with integrity will only sell great products, offer a great warranty, use excellent installers and will be in business to service your windows if the need ever arises. Find a window company with integrity and you will find the best replacement windows.

Kim1974 · Forum Member Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Well get on with telling about how to find a window company with integrity, it's getting cold and we need windows. Do you know anything about the windows at Lowes? My husband likes the price but the displays did not work that well. Some of their stock sizes are a few inches smaller than ours, can we add some wood? Question

FHI Windows · Site Admin Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 198

All good window companies will custom order all of your windows to the correct size. Home centers will stock a few sizes in order to have something on the rack. I do not know of any professional window companies that install windows from the home centers, most feel that they are of a lower quality.

In reference to your question about finding a window company with integrity:

Check your local BBB website, it doesn't matter if a company is a member or not they will still track complaints.

Check your state's contractor database for complaints.

Google the company's name and search for negative results.

Look at the on-line consumer complaint databases, they are filled with horror stories.

Check out ripoffreport.com.

I'll try to post my full list but this should get you started.

This replacement window blog has a good article on the topic.

Kim1974 · Forum Member Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

We filled out the request for a quote form this evening and the guy called us within an hour! They are coming out Saturday morning to look at our windows. They requested that we both are home for the measure, why is this needed?

davidjones · Forum Member Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 10

It would probably be because they want to know the opinion of both of you before installing it

visionexteriors · Forum Member Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 10

Or maybe that they know a decision will never be made when only one of you are present.

AGM_WINDOWS · Forum Member Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Posts: 9

FHI,
I also mention the quality and thickness of the vinyl extrusion as well. that's something that can be overlooked.

FHI Windows · Site Admin Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 198

AGM_WINDOWS · Forum Member Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Posts: 9

OKNA IS COMING OUT WITH A NEW 800 SERIES IN A FEW WEEKS. the guage of the vinyl is a bit thicker than the 500. it will have a composite reinforcement in the meeting rails and will have lift handles opposed to rails to give it more of a wood window look. i am very excited about this.
it will also have the duralite spacer which i think is the best in the industry.

Weatherglaze · Forum Member Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 3

thesidingman · Forum Member Joined: 16 Jan 2011 Posts: 6

I have sold and installed windows for nearly 30 years. I have found the the most important part of a replacement window to be the seal between the panes of glass. Any type of metal seal is bad. Metal conducts heat and cold. In the winter heat goes out and in the summer heats comes in. This is not good for energy savings. Super Spacer is a butyl infused foam product that contains no metal. IMHO ithis is the best seal for your windows. Season Smart windows from Shelby Vinyl Products Co., LLC have just such a seal. Check us out at the link below.

JackofallTrades · Forum Member Joined: 22 Jun 2011 Posts: 3

It is absolutely important to consider the window as a whole rather then just one feature or component when buying replacement windows. Thermal retention is one of the most important aspects of the functionality of a window in my eyes because no one aims to have a glass hole in the wall that costs large amounts of money, due to energy consumption via heating and cooling bills. There has been mention made--in this thread-- about the use of Krypton gas between the layers of glass to aide in thermal retention. If a client where to ask about whether or not Krypton is safe to use as it slowly seeps from the window over the course of time, what would be the correct answer to give?