Once you’ve made the decision to purchase new windows for your home, the next step is determining what type of window meets your needs. Figuring out where to buy windows can be tricky for someone who has never done it before, so it’s important to outline what you should consider when you are looking to find the right window replacement company.
Looking for the Right Place to Buy Windows?
There are various ways to purchase new windows, which includes from your local home improvement store or from a window replacement company.
Buying from a home improvement store is certainly convenient and they tend to carry a wide range of types and styles, making it easy to compare prices. But, home improvement stores don’t necessarily have workers who can be considered window experts, and this means you may not be getting the most knowledgeable advice or information. Plus, how these large stores hire another party to install your windows means there is always the risk of the window having one or more problems down the road. It’s also almost impossible to find replacement windows for windows that aren’t standard size at these stores.
Buying your replacement windows from a window replacement company means you’re getting windows sold to you by experts in the industry. They are highly knowledgeable about their products and provide you with personalized attention. In terms of selection, a home improvement store can’t compare with a window replacement company. These companies can custom-make any sized window, so regardless of your window’s shape and size, a replacement window company can provide you with a high-quality replacement.
What’s more, most window dealers are simply middlemen, buying from another party and marking the product up before it gets to you. The typical replacement window supply chain starts with the manufacturer selling the product to a supplier, who marks it up, and sells it to the dealer, who marks it up and sells it to you. In this situation, you need to ask yourself who is responsible for the warranty if you need to file a claim in the future. The window manufacturer will warrant the window, but not installation. Your best bet is buying replacement windows from a company that designs, builds, and installs their own windows giving you one company totally accountable to you.
What to Look for When Buying New Windows
The first decision you will have to make is the type of window you want. There are several to choose from, like single- and double-hung, casement, sliding, stationary, bay, bow, awning, hopper, and more. Next, you’ll have to choose a material for the frame. You can choose from wood, vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum.
You will also need to choose the type of glass you want. For instance, the most popular type of glass is double-paned. This type of window has a sealed air space between the two panes, which can be filled with argon gas for maximum insulation. You can also choose Low-E glass, which has an invisible coating of metal on one side to help reflect heat while still allowing light in. Or, in cold climates, you might want the extra insulation that a triple-pane window provides. This type of glass is 2% to 3% more energy efficient than double-pane windows, but they can cost as much as 15% more.
A window’s U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) are two other things you should consider. The lower the U-number of the window (this number rates the window’s ability to conduct non-solar heat flow), the more energy efficient it is. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.
With so many different varieties of windows, it might seem imposing to shop for windows. But by doing your research, comparing products, and talking to window experts, you will be able to decide which windows are just right for your needs.
Talk to the Window Experts
Thompson Creek Window Company has been custom-making high-quality windows for more than 39 years. Because of this experience, we know a lot about windows and how to choose the best ones for your home. For nearly four decades we have designed, built, and installed our own windows. If you want well-built windows for less, contact us today and get a free estimate for your replacement windows.