Industry Standards

Industry standards. Don't beleive it. Hogwash!!!!!!!!!!! This has always been an excuse for companies to deny warranty problems. I always ask, "prove it". This is a way to convey to a customer a way to make them think their product complies with the way it's made. Whose industry standards? There is not a book or article on industry standards.

Low-E Glass

How does Low-E glass work?
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 (#2 or #3 surface) dictate how the window will perform.
*When installed on the number #3 surface 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 cold months, thereby reducing heating loss.

* When installed on the #2 surface of an IG unit, the Low-E coating will reflect or absorb IR heat from the outside, thereby reducing solar gain and cooling cost during warm months.

Insulation

Needing replacement windows? Before purchasing replacement windows you need to be sure that your walls, ceiling, and floors are insulated. If you install (quality)replacement windows and your walls and ceilings are not insulated you will only notice up close to the window any difference. Insulation plays a big in energy savings. Do research with your local gas and electricy company and you will find that they encourage insulating as a energy savings and in some areas they offer saving discounts or even credits per window or door that passes on the energy savings programs.

Cheap Windows

$189.00 window. Are you sure? Most of these windows offered at below $200.00 need a closer look. Remember when they get through with the quote that if you total the entire amount and divide by the quanity that there will a difference. There are so many hidden fees that are added that your head will be spinning at the end. You will find in some cases that the seller will tell you that they manufacture their own windows. It takes over one million dollars to get into the process of making real quality windows.

Secrets

There are people selling vinyl windows (replacement and new) that claim they are all welded units. Some of these people are not saying they are not. How can you tell? When you look at the mitre joint on the sash it will have a vinyl cement to cover the gap of they mitre. Look at the edge of the sash and you see a screw near they edge you will see that it is screwed together to look like a welded sash. The sash has to be assembled with the glass at the same time. A "TRUE" welded vinyl sash will have a glass bead around the perimter of the sash on the outside or inside to secure the glass in place with either double face tape or silicone. (The outside bead is my preference)

Tell The Truth

Don't beleive everything you hear. In these days some people will say anything you want to hear to make a sale. For example I asked a window salesman the brand name of the window he was demonstrating. He informed me the window was made by their own manufacturing facility. After going over the window I saw that this window was made in another state other than what he said. (Lie) he stated that the window would pass all the test required. (Lie) What makes people say these things is troubling.

Energy Savings

Do we in North Carolina know what our actual savings is when we have replacement windows installed? Go to the website of Zen Windows in Ohio to see the chart of every state to compare.
It will suprise you.Every retail window company has a gimmick that is used to get the homeowner to buy their product. Knowledge is powerful.