Spring 2009: Consumers Have Remodeling on the Mind
Vinyl window replacement is predicted to be a top renovation project for 2009

Klamath Falls, Ore. November 10, 2008 — After a long, cold winter, spring is all about revitalization. And the best place to start is at home.

Homeowners usually kick off remodeling and improvement projects when the weather turns warmer, after they’ve had time during the winter months to glean ideas from home renovation magazines and pick color swatches.

This year, building product manufacturers like JELD-WEN Windows and Doors are noticing homeowners are eager for replacement products that make a big impact without breaking the bank. That’s why the company has introduced three new vinyl replacement window lines – Primo, Bravo and Ipex.

“More than 50 percent of all replacement windows in the U.S. are vinyl, so homeowners know the tremendous value of this versatile material,” said Les Stephens, window marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “Vinyl replacement windows can make an immediate impact on a home’s energy efficiency and curb appeal, plus reduce maintenance for busy owners.”

Curb appeal adds value
Windows that appear worn, damaged or dated can bring down a home’s perceived value, experts say. That’s why more homeowners are turning to vinyl replacement windows to elevate a home’s appearance from the street.

“Vinyl window technology gives homeowners many choices to meet their specific needs,” said Stephens. “Appearance upgrades like simulated divided lites and decorative glass can make a tremendous improvement on a home’s curb appeal.”

Many homeowners are looking for a vinyl replacement option that retains a home’s original character and regional style. For example, Midwesterners can choose from JELD-WEN’s new Ipex vinyl line when replacing original, wood-frame, double-hung windows commonly found in the region’s older homes because they provide a similar look and feel. Ipex features the look of wood – Chestnut Bronze, Hunter Green and Mesa Red exterior color options and Light Oak, Dark Oak and Cherry wood grain interior options – that remind many of the windows in their childhood homes.

Upgrading curb appeal is a good investment when selling a home. Window projects can practically pay for themselves at closing. Typically, homeowners can expect between an 80-90 percent return on window upgrades, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Energy efficiency and longevity
JELD-WEN experts say the two key points driving the demand for vinyl window upgrades this year are homeowners’ desire to save money on energy bills and reduce maintenance demands.

The average home loses up to 30 percent of its energy through inefficient windows and doors. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing energy efficient windows and doors can save homeowners an average of $125 to $450 a year on utility bills. To maximize window replacement value, it’s important that homeowners do their homework before they buy.

Replacing older windows with ENERGY STAR qualified JELD-WEN replacement vinyl windows can substantially lower utility bills. Standard Low-E glass on the company’s new Primo, Bravo and Ipex vinyl window lines is designed to prevent drafts and help make a home more comfortable by keeping heat inside a home during the winter and outside during the hot weather.

JELD-WEN Primo windows and patio doors, sold in the West, can be upgraded with an energy saver package that includes argon gas between two panes of insulated, silver-coated Low-E glass and improves energy performance on average by 10 percent over the standard offering. In the Midwest, the company’s Ipex line offers the maximum energy saver upgrade with three glass layers, argon gas and a Low-E coated surfaces.

To take energy efficiency to the highest level, an optional feature on all three lines includes LoE3-366 glass, which protects against heat gain and reduces ultraviolet light transmittance by 95 percent.

Longevity is also drawing homeowners to vinyl replacement windows. With no painting or staining requirements, vinyl windows are practically maintenance-free. The Primo, Bravo and Ipex products are supported by JELD-WEN’s industry-leading limited lifetime warranty, which includes accidental glass breakage. 

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with nearly 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. Today the company manufactures a full breadth of windows, doors and garage doors, and has earned numerous awards and endorsements for reliability, innovation and excellence. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.