When Choosing a Vinyl Replacement Window, Look Carefully at Its Construction

by Bob Mamerow

Today I want to blog about what a homeowner needs to know when choosing a vinyl replacement window.

Like any replacement window, a vinyl window will improve your home’s appearance and increase energy efficiency.  But all vinyl windows are not made the same.  They may look the same from the outside, but how the window is constructed directly affects how it performs.

Here are some components you should keep in mind when making your selection.

Multi-Chambered Extrusion

Look for a window that has a multi-chambered extrusion, which adds strength to the window and slows heat transfer.  The more chambers, the stronger the window.  If the extrusion isn’t strong enough, that leads to bowing.

To avoid bowing, some vinyl window manufacturers add metal to the vinyl frame, which is a heat conductor, not desirable in a window.  If the extrusion were strong enough, that wouldn’t be necessary.  Others put vinyl around a wood core; since wood expands and contracts; that also is not desirable in a window frame.

When shopping for replacement windows, you should be able to view brochures where you can see a cutaway of the frame.  Or, there may be a sample cutaway in the installer’s Design Center.  You should always ask what is on the inside.

Glass

Glass makes a difference in how the window performs too.  Glass should have a low-e (low emissivity) coating applied to each side of the glass in order to reflect heat back out in the summer and reflect heat in during the winter.  In many of the better windows, there are multiple layers of silver oxide and titanium, eliminating a high percentage of the UV rays.

Argon or Krypton Gas

In conjunction with a low-e coating, additional insulation is achieved by pumping either argon or krypton gas between the panes.  The colorless, inert gases are heavier than air and improve the windows’ efficiency and overall energy performance.  Some manufacturer’s offer triple panes instead of gas, which add a little bit of energy efficiency, but the drawback is that it makes the  sash heavier and because there is another pane of glass, visible light transmission is lower.

U-Factor

The U-Factor refers to the energy efficiency of the complete window assembly.  The lower the U-Factor, the greater the window resists the heat flow and the better its insulating value.  The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), a nonprofit group that administers a uniform, independent rating and labeling system for energy efficiency, devised the U-Factor rating system.  The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program take the U-Factor into account when evaluating the energy efficiency of windows for product certifications, and federal incentive and rebate programs.   Federal Energy Star Certification is a good way of comparing window to window.

Installation and Workmanship

The quality of installation is very important.  There are two ways to put in vinyl windows – full frame and insert.  An insert installation is taking out the old sashes and rails and putting in the new window inside the frame of the old one.  An insert can be used when the window frame is in good condition, not rotted or warped, and when the insulation is still functional.

A full frame replacement means a new frame, new interior casing, and new exterior molding and trim.  In most cases, full-frame replacement is a better choice in the long run.

Companies that have their own employees, not subs, and who offer a warranty on their work typically do the best installation.  Companies who have their own employees do installation have a much stronger warranty compared to other companies where the products are put in by subcontractors.

Callen has a lifetime workmanship warranty.  That gives our clients great peace of mind that if something happens, we’re here to back it up.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

Warranties are another factor where window companies vary.  Look for a manufacturer that is well established.  There is a correlation between the quality of the vinyl and length and breadth of the manufacturer’s warranty.  You can get a lot of information about vinyl window comparison by looking at the warranty.

There are a lot of choices for replacement windows, and just like Baskin-Robbins, one choice doesn’t fit everybody.  So when shopping for replacement windows, look for installation, look for a quality product, and a quality company that stands behind its warranties, both for workmanship and the product itself.