According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Older style windows, lack of weatherstripping or deteriorating rubber gaskets, and rotting frames all contribute to that inefficiency. Mold resulting from moisture presents problems as well.
We at G. Fedale are highly credentialed when it comes to window replacement – as Pella-certified installers, we have earned a reputation in the industry. Our recent recognition as a Pella Platinum Service awardee coupled with our existing Pella Platinum Contractor designation are a testament to our workmanship. Furthermore, our workmanship warranty of 12 years is above and beyond the standard two-year offering. This extension is in addition to Pella’s 20-year warranty on vinyl and 10-year warranty on the glass.
For most suppliers and installers, windows and doors go hand-in-hand. Pella offers a variety of styles ranging from sliding glass patio doors to front-entry doors. Today’s state-of-the-art door offers the added benefits of a tri-lock system, an electronic keypad, and often the ability to lock or unlock from afar with an app.
The window replacement process begins with assessment. We use a thermal gun to detect the degree of inefficiency. Still, a homeowner can check for leaks using a couple of fast and easy methods, aside from feeling a draft in the colder months. Cloudy windows that can’t be wiped clean are one indicator. Another simple test: hold an ice cube close to the window, and allow it to frost up. Any moisture that remains should be wipeable.
“Windows account for 15-20 percent of our business,” says Dave Kibler, our windows project consultant. Today, vinyl is the more typical choice, although fiberglass windows are an option as well. Wooden replacement windows are still available too, as these are often a requirement or aesthetic choice for historic homes. While it’s a given that windows in older homes will benefit from eventual replacement, Dave says replacement for the sake of efficiency can also be a concern with newer construction.
“Contractor grade windows are vacuum sealed. Ours are sealed with argon gas. This keeps the temperature constant and keeps moisture out,” he says, adding that while a low-E film is placed on the glass, most installers extend the film to the edge for sealing. At G. Fedale, we prefer a method called edge deletion. The process entails removing ¼ inch of the coating in order to create better adherence to the glass.
Window replacement is a sizable investment and, as such, it’s tempting to approach replacement in a piecemeal fashion. While finances may dictate this decision, Dave cautions that homeowners who wait too long in between projects may find the line previously used has since been discontinued. “Realistically, the bulk of the expense is in the labor,” he says. He recommends a homeowner tackle three-to-four windows at a time if breaking up the project.
“Contractor grade windows are vacuum sealed. Ours are sealed with argon gas. This keeps the temperature constant and keeps moisture out,” he says, adding that while a low-E film is placed on the glass, most installers extend the film to the edge for sealing. At G. Fedale, we prefer a method called edge deletion. The process entails removing ¼ inch of the coating in order to create better adherence to the glass.
Window replacement is a sizable investment and, as such, it’s tempting to approach replacement in a piecemeal fashion. While finances may dictate this decision, Dave cautions that homeowners who wait too long in between projects may find the line previously used has since been discontinued. “Realistically, the bulk of the expense is in the labor,” he says. He recommends a homeowner tackle three-to-four windows at a time if breaking up the project.