Broken Glass

If the window frame itself is fine and it’s just the glass that is broken, more than likely you’ll just need to call a local glass company to come out and replace it. But FIRST, check to see if the company or manufacturer you purchased your windows from covers glass breakage, if so give them a call, if not, you have other options.  Replacing glass shouldn’t be too expensive, so if the price from the first company seems high make sure to have a few different companies give you a quote. There is no need to replace the entire window unless there is enough damage done where the cost would be about the same.

All Fogged Up

If your windows have accumulated fog between the panes of glass you can follow the same steps from above. However, you might take into consideration that since this has happened once, it could likely happen again (probably a case where the seal has broken between the panes). This might be a case where you should have a replacement window company come out and give you a quote to replace the entire window. At least for a comparison. Nothing is more aggravating than having windows you cannot see out of!

And that’s today’s QuickFix Friday!

Vinyl Windows Advantages:

Vinyl windows are generally less expensive and do not require much maintenance. They do not require painting, and are normally not affected by moisture. If they have an insulated core, then they offer good thermal and sound resistance. They are considered to be the most popular replacement windows. This is an important point to take into consideration when debating on vinyl windows vs wood windows. Also, vinyl windows go very well with vinyl flooring.

Disadvantages:

Though vinyl windows do not require too much maintenance, they do need an occasional round of window cleaning, and the hinges of vinyl windows also generally require lubrication from time to time. The colors for vinyl windows are mostly limited to white, tan and bronze. In relatively old houses, vinyl windows are not the best choice, because they cannot be painted and hence, will not go with the decor. Vinyl is made of petroleum, and hence, is a serious threat to the environment with the possibility of leeching chemicals into soil and water.

Wood Windows Advantages:

Wood windows bring richness and warmth to a room. They always add elegance to the decor. Also, unlike vinyl windows, you can paint wood windows in different colors to match your decor. Besides looking good, wood windows also offer very good insulation, and condensation is minimal. Most wood windows are available with complete weather stripping that act as excellent aids against exterior elements. And, like vinyl windows, they also act as a sound barrier. Wood being a renewable resource, makes for a very environment friendly window. Wood windows have been around for a long time, and you can be sure that they will last for a long time, provided you maintain them.

Disadvantages:

One very important disadvantage of wood windows is the required maintenance of painting. You also have to guard them against staining, by going in for repeated window treatments. If you neglect the periodical maintenance, then it is likely to result in rotting and weathering of the window. Also, sometimes your wood window may imbibe moisture and swell up, because of which it maybe difficult to open or shut your window.

If you are still debating on vinyl windows vs wood windows, another option is using vinyl clad windows which offer the best of both, wood and vinyl windows. This means, that you will have the beauty of wood on the inside, and the low maintenance of vinyl on the outside. Well, the debate of vinyl windows vs wood windows is never ending. Ultimately, the decision depends on your needs. It’s best to take a professional opinion if you feel that you are not sure. Changing the windows is a sure shot way of home improvement. So whether you are planning to sell your home, or just want to give it a makeover, you can be sure that changing the windows will definitely make a difference!

by K Parwani

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 really wanted the properties of fiberglass but wanted to retain a tradition wood look on the interior.

Another factor to consider is fiberglass will lend itself to larger openings due to greater strength and stiffness properties than vinyl. For standard sized opening this will not be a factor but if you have a particular situation where the opening is a good deal larger, fiberglass could provide a better application. Vinyl has good strength, and again with standard sizes will provide more than you need but as the size of a vinyl window grows eventually you do encounter concerns over stiffness.

HURRY! THERE IS STILL TIME!

If you’re still thinking about buying windows that qualify for the energy tax credit, the time to buy is now! With only a little over two months left for the windows to be installed into your home, window companies are struggling to keep up with demand!

A little about the tax credit:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“the Act”) provides federal tax credits for eligible building envelope components that improve energy efficiency. To meet the eligibility performance criteria under the Act, windows, doors and skylights must have both a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30.

2009/2010 FEDERAL ENERGY TAX CREDIT DETAILS

• Tax credit applies to “qualified energy efficient improvements” which include exterior windows, doors and skylights, for the taxpayer’s principal residence in the United States.**
• Tax credit is for the cost of the product only and does not include installation costs. Be sure to ask for a sales receipt that shows the cost of the product only.
• Tax credit is 30% of the amount paid for the product up to a maximum of $1,500 combined for 2009 and 2010 (including other eligible items listed in the IRS Notice).**

Similar to garden windows, which we wrote about a few weeks ago, bay and bow windows do more than offer great viewing possibilities. Bay and bow windows add an extra dimension to your kitchen, living room or even your bedroom. Before we go any further, let’s point out the difference between a bay window and a bow window. Bay windows are 3 panel windows with the middle panel “fixed” and the side windows are able to open. Bow windows are generally 3, 4, 5 or even 6 panels with several venting options.

Window sizes can vary and so can the styles but generally these types of windows are usually fixed glass windows, for optimal viewing pleasure. If a homeowner would rather have venting options for their bay and bow windows, casement windows are a great option because there are no obstructions in the glass. Sometimes the windows that make up the bow are all fastened or mulled together and other times the windows are separated by brick or wood.

Window options for bay windows and bow windows are the same as they are for other types of windows. They can be wood, vinyl or aluminum and can come in a few different colors. They come with low-e glass and argon gas and can be energy star certified. The most recognizable bay and bow windows are usually found in Victorian style homes in a bow like structure that runs the entire height of the home.

For more information on bay and bow windows or if you would like a Dallas-Fort Worth window replacement contractor to come give you a bid on a bay or bow window, look in our contractor directory today to find a contractor near you.

Low E Glass

If you’ve been shopping around for new replacement windows, chances are that you have seen and heard about low-e glass several times. Because you might not be too familiar with the terminology, there are a few things you can study to give you a better understanding. Low E glass coatings work by reflecting or absorbing IR light (heat energy). The thickness of the Low E coating and the position in the window dictate how the window will perform.

• When installed on the inside glass pane of an insulated glass unit (IG), the Low E coating will reflect IR heat from inside the room to help reduce the energy loss during the cold months, thereby reducing heating costs.
• When installed on the outside glass pane of an IG unit, the Low E coating will reflect or absorb IR heat from the outside, thereby reducing solar heat gain and cooling costs during the warm months.

Below are a few terms to help familiarize you with low-e terminology. If you would like to talk to a window expert about low-e, there are several reliable Dallas Fort Worth window contractors in our directory.

CVD – CVD, or Chemical Vapor Deposition, is one of two main technologies used to manufacture Low Emissivity glass. In the CVD process, vapor directed to the hot glass surface reacts to form a ceramic coating. The resulting Low E product is often referred to as “hard coat”.

Emissivity – Emissivity refers to the ability of a surface to absorb or reflect heat. An energy efficient glazing technology, Low Emissivity glass is a poor absorber of heat!

Hard Coat – Also known as “pyrolytic”, hard coat refers to Low E glass manufactured via the CVD process. Because the coating is covalently bonded to the glass, hard coat Low E is extremely durable.

MSVD – MSVD, or Magnetron Sputterering Vacuum Deposition (also known as “sputtering”), is one of two main technologies used to manufacture Low Emissivity glass. In MSVD, a metal or ceramic target bombarded with ions releases atoms to form a thin coating on a sheet of glass. The resulting Low E product is often called “soft coat” or “sputtered”.

Pyrolytic – See “Hard Coat” or “CVD”

Soft Coat – Also know as “sputtered”, soft coat refers to Low E glass manufactured via the MSVD process. Less durable than its hard coat counterpart, soft coat Low E requires special storage and handling to prevent damage to the coating.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (or SHGC) refers to a window’s ability to transmit solar radiation. The SHGC ranges from 0-1. A value of 0 indicates that the window functions like a wall, essentially preventing any solar energy from entering the building. A value of 1 indicates that the window functions like an opening, allowing all solar energy in. In cold climates, a high SHGC can lower heating costs by using passive solar heating. In warm climates, a low SHGC is desired to keep unwanted heat out and reduce cooling costs.

Solar Selective Low E – Specifically designed to enhance comfort in warm climates, solar selective Low E is a Low E glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient.

Sputtered – See “Soft Coat” or “MSVD”

U-Value – Also known as the K-value, the U-value is a measure of a window’s ability to transfer heat (usually given in W/m²K or Btu/hr ft^{2 o}F). Windows with a low U-value, like Low Emissivity windows, are efficient insulators against heat loss.

While not the most popular style of window, casement windows offer many benefits to homeowners. Designed to open either vertically (basic casement window) or horizontally (awning window), casement windows allow homeowners to increase the airflow through their home by the crank of a handle. Casement windows are windows that open on a hinge, much like a door. Casement windows open from the side, usually outward, but occasionally inward.

They are excellent for when a window needs to seal well, because they seal better than traditional slide windows. They also allow for greater ventilation, since the entire window opens. Because they do not always open as wide as slide windows, they may not meet safety codes for use in bedrooms. It is also important to be wary of water damage to the frame if the window is left open during rain or snow.

Casement windows are typically long and narrow; they are stylish but practical. They have a long tradition of use, and can be found in many contemporary home designs. They come in nearly every design that can be desired, whether framed in real wood or vinyl, with or without multiple panes. The gears that are used to open and close the window vary from model to model, but most work by turning a crank. Casement windows can be used alone, or to accent a large picture window. Window treatments for casement windows are typically the same as for other windows, however some casement windows open inward, in which case the treatment will have to be able to move with it.

If you’re unsure about placing casement windows in your home, seek out a couple of local window companies that have showrooms. The showrooms will probably offer some sort of built in casement window that you can look at and get a feel for the functionality. You can use our directory to find local Dallas-Fort Worth window companies that are ready to assist you.

If you’re looking to add an extra dimension to your home, in particular your kitchen, consider installing a garden window. Replacement garden windows allow extra light into the kitchen while bringing some of the outside landscape into the home. In addition to added environment, garden windows add extra space to your kitchen and a place to hold plants picture frames or other valued treasures.

Garden windows are designed and constructed for beauty and functionality. Garden windows will not only enhance the beauty of your home, but make any room feel larger and more open. With new replacement windows, you’ll experience years of trouble-free operation and greater thermal efficiency, assuming the windows were installed properly. You can grow plants and flowers indoors, while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. Or catch a cooling summer breeze with the turn of a handle that usually opens the sides of the garden window.

Kitchens are by far the most popular spot in the home for new garden windows, but they can be used anywhere. The main benefits of these windows are the shelf space you gain along with the added light for knickknacks and to illuminate the room. You can get these windows in various configurations and with many options to fit your needs. Garden windows can come in different materials such as vinyl or wood.

Many times, garden windows are placed just above the sink, allowing added visibility to a spot where kitchen dwellers spend much of their time. These windows offer more sunlight and more visibility because the window protrudes outward from the home. Many homes in the Dallas Fort Worth, Texas region have garden windows in the kitchens, particularly in older neighborhoods.

When buying replacement windows you need to consider that window caulking is just as important to the overall window opening as the window itself. Without a durable, long lasting caulking around your window, the benefits of a new replacement window can be wiped away. Caulking fills the gaps and seals the window edges to keep out warm and cold air, water, dust and more. The options are endless when choosing the brand and type of caulking, but we offer you a few tips to help you narrow your choices.

There are a few circumstances pertaining to where you put the caulking that will make a difference in the type of caulking you need.

Indoors or Outdoors: Some caulks are specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use. If you only want to use it for one place, then buy a caulking designed for it.

Temperature: Some types of caulk are made to withstand extreme heat or cold. If your caulking will be exposed to extreme temps keep this in mind.

Moisture Levels: Make sure your moisture level and caulking are compatible.

Application Process: Some types of caulk are much easier to apply than others. Also use a caulking gun, it’s the only way to go.

Now that you know some of the most important factors in determining the type of caulking to use you need to figure out which type will work best in your replacement window situation.

Silicone Caulk
Because of its durability and effectiveness on a wide variety of surfaces, silicone continues to be a popular choice today. And because it stays flexible after it is dry, silicone caulk rarely breaks or cracks as a result of extreme temperatures or rapid temperature changes. This makes it perfect for filling gaps around your new replacement windows and doors.

Latex Caulk
Latex caulk is becoming an increasingly popular option among many homeowners because it can last for up to 20 years and it can also be painted over. Latex caulk isn’t a good caulking to use outside however, because it doesn’t hold up well with temperature changes.

Acrylic Latex Silicone Blend Caulk
This type of caulk is a hybrid of acrylic, latex, and silicone caulks. It is easier to apply than regular silicone caulk but has a similar durability. Some types of this caulking blend can be painted to match certain color schemes. This type of caulk is good for a number of uses including both indoor and outdoor uses like wood siding, cracks in brick and stone, and for weatherproofing windows and doors.