Vinyl windows are the way to go if you want to conserve energy and give your home a modern upgrade. Professionally installed vinyl windows can save you up to $465 on your energy bill every year. Here are 6 tips to ensure that you get the best vinyl windows for your money in San Diego.
Are vinyl windows good for your home? The bad old days of vinyl are long gone. No more washed out colors and cracked materials. In fact, there are several good reasons to choose vinyl when replacing the windows in your home. These are:
If you want to make the most of these benefits, it’s important to choose top quality windows. Here’s how to go about it.
Take a walk around your house and make notes on how many windows you need and what types you would prefer.
You can get vinyl window frames in all the common configurations. The same applies to all glazing types.
Divided lite windows are less readily available. This can be overcome by installing either between-the-glass grills or snap-in grilles.
Exterior trims could include nominal 4-inch flat casings or brick mold. Snap-on J-channels are optional in the case of fiber cement, wood or vinyl siding.
On the interior, wood extension jambs and drywall returns will work with vinyl window trims.
Don’t expect your window installation contractor to choose on your behalf. It’s a great idea to ask them for advice but you can’t expect them to guess what your personal preferences or needs are.
Poor workmanship has given vinyl windows a bad name, but many manufacturers have gone to great lengths to improve their products. You will still come across these cheap-and-nasty fabrications though.
The key features to look for when buying vinyl windows are:
Internal air chambers add rigidity, strength, and insulation. Double panes should feature inert gas and ”warm edge” spacers. Low e-coatings help to reflect sunlight and protect your interior furnishings from fading.
Be sure to choose windows that meet the AAMA standards for vinyl windows. These windows meet the quality standards for strength, stability, weathering and impact resistance.
Double lifetime warranties are usually the best. They cover issues that could affect the performance of your windows. These include:
Check the fine print for any conditions that you have to meet when you want to claim against the warranty. Different types of windows will have different warranty periods. The shortest term is usually 10 years. Some higher-end windows’ warranties are valid for up to 51 years.
It is important to ensure that the warranty is transferable to the new owner if you decide to sell your house. You usually need to give at least 30 days written notice if you want this transfer to occur.
Energy Star-qualified window units are always best if you want to enjoy real savings from installing vinyl windows. The National Fenestration Rating Council and AAMA verify these windows for factors like efficiency and airtightness.
Energy efficient installations will keep your interiors cool in the summer and cozy in the winter without adding to your heating/cooling bill. Less electricity also means fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
By installing Energy Star windows, you could also get up to $200 in tax credits.
Vinyl windows are easy to care for but there are a few do’s and don’ts involved.
Some pointers include:
Always remove any jewelry items like rings and bracelets before cleaning your windows. These could easily scratch the surface of the window.
Remove items that could scratch the surface such as rings or bracelets
If you want to avoid damaging your vinyl windows, ask your installation contractor for specific instructions about cleaning and maintaining your windows.
When you choose the top of the range vinyl windows you get to select a color that matches or contrasts with your home design.
Choosing a window frame color that stands out, is the norm for a traditional style house. Good colors to choose for this look are yellows, oranges, browns, and reds.
If you want a more modern look, go for a shade that blends in with the color of your house. Greens, purples, blues, and grays work best in this case.
White or black can fit in with either look.
If you want to hide ugly windows, select a trim that matches the wall color of your house. Contrasting colors will help to highlight a feature window.
Always remember that it’s easier to change the paint color of your house than to reinstall your window frames. With this in mind, it pays to be conservative when choosing vinyl window colors.
That said, lighter colors will show the dirt more easily if you live in a dusty area.
It’s important to choose the best vinyl windows if you want the most bang for your buck. Stay informed by reading our blog and get in touch if you have any questions.
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