Insider Tips for Purchasing Replacement

Windows

From the experts at

Legacy Remodeling

WE SPEAK REMODELING

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Table of Contents

Introduction Page 3

Window Styles Page 4

Window Materials Page 6

Window Efficiency Page 9

Window Ratings Page 11

Choosing the Right Window

for You

Page 13

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Introduction

Dear Homeowner:

Replacing the windows in your home is one of the smartest investments that you can make.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010-2011 Cost Vs. Value Report, homeowners can expect

to recoup an average of 72% of their investment in new replacement windows. This is in addition

to the monthly savings from lower energy bills and the added benefit of beautifying your home.

While updating your home with new replacement windows is exciting, it can also be a daunting

process due to the amount of choices available. That’s why we’ve compiled this easy-to-follow

“how-to” guide for buying windows.

By downloading this guide, you are taking the first step towards becoming more knowledgeable

about the windows in your home and how they work. After reading the following guide, you’ll be

ready to take the next step towards increasing your home’s value and efficiency with new

replacement windows. Lower energy bills are just around the corner…

Let’s get started!

Jeff Moeslein,

Legacy Remodeling President

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Window Styles

Replacement windows come in a variety of styles, and the options can be overwhelming. When

choosing the right style of windows for your home, it’s important to consider the following fac-

tors:

The age and style of your home

Where your home is located

How you want to use your windows

Here we’ve outlined the most popular window styles and explained some of their benefits.

We’ve also included an image to illustrate what each one looks like, so no more wondering what

bay vs. bow means!

Double-hung – The most common type of replacement window, double-hung win-

dows have an upper and a lower sash that can both be moved up and down.

Single-hung windows are the same style of window, but with only one sash on the bot-

tom that can be moved up and down.

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Slider – A slider window is often referred to as a double hung window on its

side. Slider windows feature two sashes on either end and open by sliding the

sash from side-to-side.

Casement –Popular in Europe and experiencing a resurgence in the United States,

casement windows open from the side, usually with a crank at the bottom of the win-

dow. Casement windows provide excellent ventilation because they can open wide to

let fresh air into the home.

Awning – Awning windows are hinged on the top and open upward and out-

ward using a crank handle on the bottom of the window. Often found in his-

toric homes, awning windows provide excellent ventilation while still protect-

ing the inside of the home from rain and other outdoor elements.

Picture – A large window with little or no glazing bars, picture windows are

designed to frame an outside view and bring light into a living space. This win-

dow does not open.

Bay – Bay windows are comprised of three windows joined together to pro-

ject outward and form a bay. Popular in Victorian-era homes, bay windows

are a great way to increase sunlight and make a living space appear larger

because of the deep sill.

Bow – Similar to a bay window, bow windows project outward from the home

and contain a deep sill. However, bow windows are curved, while bay win-

dows are straight.

Hopper –Hopper windows open inward into the home at either a 30 or 45 de-

gree angle. Hoppers are usually found in basements, where they can increase

ventilation on the lower level of the home.

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Window Materials

While the style of your window is important, the material that the window frame is comprised of

makes all the difference in the window’s look, performance, and cost. Let’s explore the most

common types of replacement window materials:

Aluminum

Aluminum used to be one of the primary window materials used in residential

homes due to its affordability, light weight, and relative strength. However,

improvements in replacement window technology have led to a decline in alu-

minum windows over the years. The main reason for the decline is aluminum’s

lack of energy efficiency. Aluminum is highly conductive, causing the win-

dows to transfer the heat or cold from the exterior of the home into the interior,

and vice versa. This trait also causes the windows to expand and contract,

leading to breakage in the window seals. Aluminum windows also are known

to rattle and can be difficult to operate, making them impractical for the home-

owner.

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Fiberglass

Fiberglass replacement windows are relatively new, having been around for about twenty years

and accounting for less than 1% of the replacement window market. Made with recycled glass

that is formed into pultrusions, fiberglass has become the window of choice for many “green”

projects because of its low carbon footprint. It has also attracted fans because of its strength and

ability to be painted if the homeowner chooses.

Fiberglass windows do have some drawbacks, though, that have

made them a relatively small player in the replacement window

market. One of these is cost. The typical fiberglass window will

cost about the same as a wood window, which can be triple the

price of vinyl. Also, fiberglass windows are not fusion welded,

which can lead to air leakage in the corners of the window.

Wood

The traditional window material of choice, wood windows are still popular in many upscale and

historic homes. When preserved properly, wood windows can add a beautiful, classic element to

a home.

Because of the nature of the material, though, wood windows do have some drawbacks. One of

these is cost. Since wood is a more expensive material than vinyl, the average wood window will

cost two to three times that of a vinyl window. Another drawback is maintenance. As wood win-

dows are exposed to outside elements, such as rain, the wood can warp and rot. Because of this,

wood windows will generally not come with a lifetime guarantee like most vinyl or fiberglass

windows. Finally, wood windows must be screwed or glued together, making them less energy

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Vinyl

The most popular type of window in the United

States today, vinyl windows have come a long

way since they were first introduced to the re-

modeling market in the 1960s. These initial win-

dows were actually wood windows clad with vi-

nyl and lacked strength and efficiency. Since

then, however, the technology behind vinyl win-

dows has made leaps and bounds, and the vinyl

windows on the market today can be much more

durable and energy efficient than those of the

past.

However, not all vinyl is created equal. When

considering vinyl windows, it’s important to re-

member that you get what you pay for. Understanding the different grades of vinyl on the market

and the difference in how they perform will help you make the right purchase. To help you out,

we’ve broken down the three different grades of vinyl available:

Recycled vinyl is the lowest grade of vinyl available on the market. This material is compa-

rable to the $2 plastic chairs you can purchase at your local retailer. Just like the inexpensive

chairs, these windows may initially look okay, but they will be-

come brittle, crack, warp, and be difficult to clean over time.

They are also unable to be fusion welded, which lowers their

energy efficiency.

Virgin vinyl windows are composed of at least 51% virgin

vinyl, so they are a step above recycled vinyl. However, since a large portion of them is still

made of recycled vinyl, usually 49%, they still have many of

the same issues as recycled vinyl windows, making them a

risky choice for homeowners.

100% virgin vinyl windows are the highest grade of vinyl

windows available on the market. Made purely of polyvinyl

chloride (PVC), 100% virgin vinyl windows are extremely

low maintenance, making them easy to clean and requiring

absolutely no painting as they age and are exposed to outside

elements. They are extremely energy efficient and can be fu-

sion welded together to avoid air leakage. Finally, virgin vi-

nyl windows are also low conductors of energy, making them

unaffected by temperatures on the exterior of your home.

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Window Efficiency

While the frame of your replacement window is important, it only constitutes a small part of the

structure. In order to have a replacement window that is energy efficient, you must consider the

number of glass panes, the emissivity, the spacer, and the type of gas between the panes.

Here we’ve broken down the most important elements of an energy efficient window:

Single, Double, and Triple Pane – The number of panes refers to the layers of glass that com-

prise your window. Single pane windows are the most basic type of window, and were the pri-

mary choice for residential homes until technology evolved in the 1970s. Since then, double and

triple pane windows have increased in popularity due to their increased energy efficiency. Dou-

ble pane windows contain two panes of glass which or may not have a layer of insulation be-

tween them, and triple pane windows contain three panes of glass with space for two layers of

insulation in between them, offering the ultimate option in energy efficiency.

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Low-E – This stands for low emissivity and refers to the thin metal coating on a pane of glass that

helps control the transfer of heat. Purchasing a window with Low-E coating will increase the

price, but also the energy savings. This is because the coating reflects heat energy either out-

ward or inward from the home, depending upon where it is placed. To keep the heat out, Low-E

would be applied to the outside pane of glass. To keep the heat inside, the Low-E would be ap-

plied to the inside pane of glass.

There are two types of Low-E, hard coat and soft

coat. Hard coat Low-E glass is produced by

pouring a thin coat of tin onto the surface of the

glass while it is still molten. Soft coat, on the

other hand, is created by diffusing molecules of

silver, tin, or zinc onto the glass using a special

vacuum device. Out of the two types, soft coat

Low-E usually has better insulating qualities be-

cause it is better able to reflect heat back to the

source.

Window Spacer – A window spacer refers to the

insert between glass panes that helps prevent

the build-up of moisture. While spacers used to

be produced primarily in aluminum, surgical stainless steel is now popular and recommended

because it has lower conductivity and won’t transfer heat from one window pane to the next.

Argon and Krypton Gas – Both argon and krypton gases are used to fill the space between

panes of glass and slow the heat transfer from one pane to the other. Both gasses are clear, non-

toxic, and improve the thermal performance of your windows. Out of the two, krypton has a bet-

ter thermal performance, but is also more expensive. Krypton also

performs better in small spaces with a gap of a quarter inch or less,

while argon performs best in spaces with a gap of a half an inch or

more. When purchasing windows, you will usually see double pane

windows with an argon gas option, and triple pane windows with an

option of either argon or krypton gasses.

Now that you know the basics, we’ve developed a list of replace-

ment window types, ranging from the least energy efficient to the

most energy efficient:

Single Pane

Double Pane Insulated

Double Pane with Low E

Double Pane with Low E and Argon Gas

Triple Pane

Triple Pane with Low E

Triple Pane with Low E and Argon

Triple Pane with Low E and Krypton

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Window Ratings

Energy Star

When searching for replacement windows, the first question many consumers ask is if the win-

dows are Energy Star qualified. Energy Star is a joint program from the U.S. Departments of En-

ergy and Environmental Protection that was started in 1992 to promote the purchase of environ-

mentally-friendly products. Recently, the Energy Star program has gained more consumer

awareness due to federal tax credits that are available for the purchase of qualifying products.

Replacement windows that are labeled as “Energy Star Qualified” have met energy efficiency

guidelines set by the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection. When purchasing

Energy Star qualified products, you will usually see a blue label like the one below.

When window shopping, though, it’s important to look beyond the Energy Star label. Even

though a window may be Energy Star-qualified, that doesn’t mean it’s the most energy efficient

choice for your home. Educated consumers should look beyond the Energy Star label in order to

gain a great understanding of a window’s efficiency. A great resource for this is the NFRC.

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NFRC

The NFRC stands for the National Fenestration Rating Council. The NFRC is an independent, non-

profit organization that is dedicated to developing and administering a rating system for win-

dows, doors, and skylights.

The NFRC rating system focuses on five factors that affect a window’s performance: U-factor, so-

lar heat gain coefficient, visible transmittance, air leakage, and condensation resistance. Here

we’ve explained each factor:

U-factor – This measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping. The lower the number, the better insulated the window will be.

Solar heat gain coefficient – This measures how well a window blocks sunlight. The lower the number on the label, the less heat it will allow into your home.

Visible transmittance – This measures how much light goes through a window. The higher the number, the more sunlight that will go into your home.

Air leakage – This measures how much air escapes through a window. The lower the number, the more efficient a window will be.

Condensation resistance – This measures the ability of a window to resist condensation on its in-

terior. The higher the number, the less condensation your window will have.

When searching for replacement windows, always examine the NFRC label. Comparing and

contrasting the five factors on the label will help you determine if you are getting the best win-

dow for your money. Here we’ve an example of an NFRC labels for a high efficiency window to

help illustrate the point:

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Choosing the Right Window

Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the basics of replacement windows and given

you a strong foundation to build upon in your search. Research is the first and most important

step in your process.

Moving forward, the best way to know which windows are best for you and your home is to con-

tact an experienced window consultant like the experts at Legacy Remodeling. A consultant can

come to your home, talk to you about your needs, look at your windows, and give you advice on

which windows will be the best fit for your personal lifestyle and budget.

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About Legacy Remodeling,Inc.

Founded as Swing Line Windows in 1987, Legacy Remodeling has grown to become Western

Pennsylvania’s largest specialty remodeler. A multi-million dollar company, Legacy Remodeling

installs more than 700 projects each year and has more than 23,000 customers in the Pittsburgh

area. Legacy specializes in replacement windows, siding, roofing, doors, kitchens, and design

build projects. The company was recognized for its outstanding ethics in 2009 with its receipt of

the Western Pennsylvania Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics and the

company president, Jeff Moeslein, was honored as one of Pittsburgh’s outstanding business lead-

ers with a Pittsburgh Business Times Diamond Award in 2011.

For more information about Legacy Remodeling, please visit our website at

www.legacyremodel.com.

©2011 Legacy Remodeling, Inc.