Choosing a Window Installation Contractor

First let’s start off by saying that the many different window companies may have their own dedicated installers. Also, there are many specialized products or niches within the replacement window market.  Some companies focus on energy efficient windows and some consumers have a demand for this pricey product as it saves them money and provides a tax credit.  For hurricane impact windows this is tricky issue since a vinyl window will provide better energy efficiency but also much lower design pressures. And the list of different products continues with high design pressures for impact windows on beach front properties (those also often need “turtle glass”), hurricane windows with lower design pressures (& therefore lower cost) for inland properties, Miami-Dade approved hurricane windows for store front operations, etc. 

Benefits and features offered between the different companies will also somewhat overlap and also differ in some areas. Companies try to offer exclusive and different styles, grid options and colors to differentiate themselves from other competitors. Other companies will simply sell you just the window units and you’ll have to find your own installer or install them yourself.

Ask each contractor which you are considering if they will furnish you with a Certificate of Insurance. This will cost them nothing but will greatly add to your peace of mind. A company that won’t do this must be immediately crossed off your list for consideration.  Get this before work begins. When a home owner asks for a Certificate of Insurance, it also sends a subliminal message to the company that you expect a high quality and professional job.

Check each company’s record with the Better Business Bureau online. If a company is very large and has been in business for a very long time, don’t be too scared by a complaint or two; some people will complain as a way of negotiating the final price down and other particular people are just unreasonable and can’t be satisfied. Usually a complaint listed will detail the nature of the consumer problem.

Check with the local Bureau of Consumer Protection or Attorney General’s office for any complaints about contractors you are considering. This is free and will give you a good background history of any legal or informal complaints against a company.

The very most important tip is to ask for at least 10 references of customers who had the same product you are considering installed. Because any company can manage to have a few good references, it is best to call all 10 to get an accurate view of each company’s product and service quality. People who have already invested money with a particular company will usually give you very heartfelt and accurate advice. Consumers are just aching to brag about a good contractor they have found and equally energized to make other homeowners aware of problems they may have had. Consumers are anxious to reward good professionals for a job well done and also, exact some pay back for contractors who don’t live up to their promises.

This time spent in advance of purchasing, will assure you a professional window replacement job.

The Impact of Hurricane Impact Windows – part 2 of 2

(for the first half of this post, see The Impact of Hurricane Impact Windows – part 1)

INSTALLATION
For the window to withstand hurricane conditions, something similar to the 9,000 cycles of positive and negative air pressure they undergo in impact testing, the installation is every bit as important as the quality of the window.  Dave Olmstead, spokesman for PGT Industries in Venice, Florida, agrees that no matter how strong a window is the attachment to the building structure is critical. Olmstead says a window that is 53-inches by 76-inches would have 28 square feet of exposure, and with a wind speed of 146 mph from a category 4 hurricane would result in a load on the window equivalent to 1,958 pounds of pressure. For the window to perform correctly, the load has to be transferred to the building itself, which is done by using suitable anchors to transfer the load from the window or door frame to the rough opening without causing failure. Therefore, the installer needs to be knowledgeable in how to use this system and its different anchoring mechanisms.

Through the construction side of our business, we have had to make major repairs to structures as a result of poor window installations by other contractors – everything from using the wrong sealant to the extreme of installing regular windows instead of the hurricane impact windows the customer paid for. Something as small as the using the wrong sealant can cause significant damage to a home – rotting framing members, structural damage, mold, etc. Since leaks are often inside the walls long before a homeowner notices them inside the house, they are often not detected until there is major damage and then expensive repairs have to be made. This experience is invaluable for our installers. In addition to the installation training we give them, they get to experience firsthand the things that can go wrong with window and door installations and how to prevent them in the work that they do.

SECURITY, HEALTH & FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Benefits from impact-resistant windows extend beyond the storm belt to broader security and environmental concerns. Impact-resistant windows are considered to be security features because they are so difficult to penetrate or separate from their frames that they reduce break-ins, theft, and property damage. On top of physical and financial protection, impact-resistant windows also can preserve mental health. Who hasn’t been disturbed by car alarms, barking dogs or noisy neighbors?

“They do a good job of keeping outside noise outside,” Olmstead says. “With almost every homeowner, that’s the first thing they notice: How quiet the home [became]. Noise abatement is far more important than people realize.”

There are insurance breaks for new homes built with impact resistant windows, and for existing homes remodeled to include the tougher windows and frames. This discount can be as much as 50%. Check with your homeowner’s insurance carrier to see what kind of a discount is available.

The Impact of Hurricane Impact Windows – part 1 of 2

1992 was the year that changed everything. That was the year Hurricane Andrew blew through South Florida and wreaked havoc to the tune of $25 billion. Building officials blamed much of the destruction on wind pressure leaking in through broken windows and doors, causing roofs to blow off and walls to collapse. To reduce the potential of future damage resulting from big blows, the code was changed to fortify buildings against wind penetration, thus the advent of impact resistant window.

THE CODE
The code basically breaks down the method to meet the higher window load requirements in two ways: the window itself, and its installation. It says that the impact resistant window must be able to withstand the “large missile impact” of a 9lb 2×4 hitting the window at a speed of 34 miles per hour without penetrating the window. The glass may break, but the opening must not be penetrated. In addition, the windows and doors  have to withstand 9,000 cycles of positive and negative air pressure, conditions in a real hurricane that could pull a regular windows right out of its frame.

THE WINDOW
To meet the penetration restriction, window manufacturers all use a similar type of impact window glass that’s much like a heavy duty car window. Florida’s best windows and doors manufacturing process is basically the same as it is with most window manufacturers: their design consists of a clear plastic interlayer sandwiched between two panes of glass. Two types of interlayer are used: Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and SentryGlas Plus (SGP). The SGP is more rigid and less likely to tear than PVB. For that reason, some manufacturers use it in their larger windows, or those windows designed for the highest wind zones.

The glazing system is also an important factor: a silicone sealant that may be strong enough to hold the glass in place in a Zone 3 impact test, but would likely fail in a Zone 4 test, causing the window to fly out of its frame. Windows in the higher test category would instead use something more like a construction adhesive for its glazing system. “The difference, says Kurt Mendez of Florida’s Best, is between Elmer’s glue and super glue.”

Window manufacturers also reinforce the frames in order to meet requirements. Lawson Industries uses a one piece sill plate (this also helps to prevent water leaks into the home) and interlocking meeting rails which ties the sash together when shut. Heavier locks also place a role in meeting impact tests, as they can be critical on certain types of windows, such as casements. For a casement window, the only thing holding the window sash in place under negative pressure is the hinge on one side and the lock on the other.

Today, virtually all of the major window manufacturers make a high-grade, impact-resistant window that has been certified to meet protective standards. The current gold standard in testing is the Miami-Dade County hurricane impact test. Remember, it is your life and your property. Essentially all of Florida, and all the coastal regions of the United States should prepare for possible wind speeds of 110 mph or greater.

Get more information about purchasing impact windows.

Choosing Replacement Windows

Replacement windows for your home can be significant investment in both time and money. There are many manufacturers, window types and styles, and a wide price range from which to choose, and the decisions you must make can seem endless. Which manufacturer should you go with? Do you want aluminum windows or vinyl windows? Should you choose hurricane impact resistant windows or non-impact windows with hurricane shutters? What about double pane-thermal insulated or thermal insulated with hurricane impact resistant glass? How can you take advantage of the new Energy tax credit of up to $1,500.00? Of course, as you make these choices you’re reminded that buying windows is like buying anything else: the more items we put in our ‘cart’, the higher the price. Choosing the right windows and a reputable company to install them for you can take a lot of time and homework, so read on for some helpful information to get you well on your way.

Read the rest of this entry »

Benefits of Green

Headlines have continued to decry this historic correction in the first quarter of 2009.  But despite the foreboding coverage, green building has proved sustainable in more than one sense.  Firms and consumers are embracing the trend and proving that the economic downturn will not discourage the practice.

In fact, quite the opposite appears to be happening.  According to Turner Construction’s 2008 Green Building Barometer, 75% of commercial real estate executives said that credit market conditions would not stop them from constructing green buildings.  Citing reduced energy costs, higher building values and lower overall operating costs, the respondents suggest that the current economic doldrums will not take the wind out of green building’s sail.

Why replace your windows and doors?

Improve appearance, energy efficiency, and value by replacing windows

You walk or look through them every single day. But how often do you really think about the impact your home’’s doors and windows have on its value, beauty and livability? Home improvement experts agree that updating your windows and doors can help you save on energy bills, improve the look and infrastructure of your home and add long-lasting value.

“One of the most valuable investments you can make in your home is window and door replacement,” says Lou “Mr. Fix It” Manfredini, home improvement editor for the Today Show and “USA Today Weekend Magazine.”

Replacing your windows can mean making many decisions: Is it time to replace? And if so, how do you go about choosing the best replacement windows?

“There are four main reasons why a homeowner might need to replace windows or doors: performance, energy efficiency, maintenance and aesthetics,” Manfredini says. To receive information on window and door replacement in Florida, visit http://www.arttofimpactwindows.com/.

Performance

This is the most compelling reason to change a door or window, Manfredini says. On top of testing your patience, windows and doors that stick aren”t giving you the optimum benefit in terms of convenience and efficiency. Performance is also tied to safety-if doors are windows are not opening properly they can be a safety hazard.

Energy Efficiency

Check for drafts around doors and windows by moving a lit candle slowly around the edges. If the flame flickers, you have a draft — one of the biggest drains on the energy efficiency of your home. Drafts add up to real dollars on your heating and cooling bills, so this is, for many people, the impetus to replace their windows or doors.

Maintenance

Older windows and doors require maintenance — scraping, painting and caulking. Newer windows and doors feature low maintenance cladding, a protective exterior covering that requires minimal maintenance. Many newer windows also make cleaning easy with a convenient tilt feature that allows you to wash them from inside your house.

Aesthetics

Curb appeal is vital if you”re selling your house and a satisfying lifestyle enhancement if you plan to stay in your home for years to come. Updated windows and doors not only improve energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs, they make your house look more appealing as well.

When choosing your replacement doors and windows, consider quality, design flexibility and the reputation of the manufacturer, Manfredini advises. “The number one attribute you should look for in a replacement window or door is quality.” Windows are one of the most noticeable parts of your home, so make sure you look for windows that are of furniture-grade quality.

Harry Artt Construction, LLC, a leading supplier and installer in Florida of replacement windows and doors, offers homeowners, condo associations and homeowner associations, free consultations to help them learn more about their options. To request a free consultation, call 954-687-6060 or visit http://www.arttofimpactwindows.com/.