The Complete Windows Shopping Guide

April 04, 2008 —  

SHOPPING TIPS: THE PRIMER

How To Choose Windows
According to recent JELD-WEN research, 67 percent of homeowners surveyed said that they need to replace their existing windows. When it comes to windows, the choices are nearly endless. Because windows can make a significant impact on the overall style, comfort and efficiency of your home, it’s important to consider these factors:

1. Material type
The most common materials used for windows are vinyl, wood, clad-wood and aluminum. For wood, nearly 90 percent of the market is pine, which can be stained to look like many species. Other species available from JELD-WEN include fir, alder and mahogany. To choose the material that will work best, homeowners should consider the architectural style of their home along with energy efficiency needs, budget and maintenance requirements.
 
In general, custom wood windows offer the most design flexibility. Primed wood can be painted in any shade and cladding comes in many color choices. However, increasingly versatile vinyl can appear quite similar to many popular wood moulding styles and can blend with classic architectural styles. Aluminum is typically selected for contemporary homes in warmer regions.

2. Energy efficiency
Window energy efficiency is achieved by a combination of factors. Wood and vinyl reduce heat transfer and help insulate.  Look for Low-E glass, a special glass coating designed to reflect infared light, keeping heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. Low-E also reflects ultraviolet light to protect interior furnishings. Dual glass panes insulate much better than single panes. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label, which means the window will meet the efficiency requirements for your particular region.

3. Style
Casement, awning, single-hung, double-hung and slider – windows are available in many shapes and sizes, including radius and geometric, and combination units. 

4. Budget
In general, wood is more expensive than vinyl or aluminum. JELD-WEN also offers different pricing scales within its window lines – from custom and premium, to more modest options. When it comes to budget, it’s important to factor in long term value beyond the initial purchase price. Energy efficiency and a longer warranty can all help save maintenance and replacement costs over time. Resale value is also a key consideration – beautiful, more efficient windows are a big selling feature.

5. Maintenance requirements
In the past, wood has required more maintenance than vinyl or aluminum. In fact, vinyl is virtually maintenance free. However, for homeowners that want real wood with less maintenance, JELD-WEN has spearheaded a number of innovations. JELD-WEN® Windows with AuraLast® wood feature a proprietary process that protects the wood against decay and termites, all the way to the core. Cladding, an aluminum “cap” that covers some wood window exteriors and comes in an array of different colors, is also a popular option that never needs painting. JELD-WEN estimates that nearly 90 percent of its wood windows are sold with cladding. JELD-WEN Wood windows come with optional Neat™ glass that has a layer of titanium dioxide and reacts with the sun’s UV rays (even on cloudy days) to break down and loosen dirt. This allows rainwater to easily rinse away grime. A thin layer of silicon dioxide lets water disperse evenly and evaporate quickly, which greatly reduces spots.

6. Replacement solutions
Vinyl is today’s dominant choice for updating old wood and aluminum windows, representing 65 percent of the replacement market. The easy-to-install pocket replacement window made popular in vinyl is now available in reliable AuraLast® wood. JELD-WEN® Wood and Clad-Wood Double-Hung Pocket Windows are designed for installation into existing window frames. The process is simple, quick, and preserves more of the home’s structure, which is especially important to historic buildings. Experienced DIYers who replace existing windows with pocket windows or sash replacement kits can save as much as 60 percent on material, time and labor costs when compared to traditional window replacements.

7. Geographic requirements
Wet, humid, hot, severe storms, salty air – different climates have different window needs when it comes to material and glass choices. Additionally, other factors to consider include privacy, sound control, home safety and issues such as moisture or termites. Different window options work to help control these factors.

8. Option considerations
Different options can add maximum functionality and style – an important purchasing consideration. For example, for screens, JELD-WEN offers integrated Phantom Screens® Technology that allows the screen to roll up and out of sight when not in use, as well as BetterVue™ screen which is a finer mesh that allows for better views.  Hardware finishes and wood species preferences are important to consider for wood windows. Vinyl window options include adding blinds between the glass and rollaway screens. Ordering these options as part of a new window package helps avoid potentially costly add-ons later.

9. Reliability
Warranties are important: proper installation and following the manufacturer’s specific maintenance requirements are a must to maintain warranties and keep windows looking and performing beautifully for years to come. JELD-WEN offers an industry-leading 20-year warranty on its wood windows built with AuraLast, 10 years on aluminum windows, and a limited lifetime warranty on energy efficient, low maintenance vinyl windows.

SHOPPING TIPS: WINDOWS DESIGNED FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS

Finding the window that’s right for you
Climate conditions and other environmental factors are key criteria when it comes to selecting the right window. Below are some general tips for materials and options to consider. It’s important to note that every homeowner’s circumstance is different, so this information includes general suggestions, not recommendations – homeowners should talk to a reputable contractor or window dealer in their particular area to help select products that may work best for them. If your home experiences:

• Coastal climates, wet and damp and/or high humidity
  JELD-WEN® Wood Windows with AuraLast® wood, which is specially treated to help reduce moisture saturation, and JELD-WEN®  Vinyl Windows both offer good moisture protection. Because these conditions can require more maintenance, including regular repainting and touch-ups, windows that won’t need painting such as vinyl, and metal-clad-wood windows are a good choice.

• Exceptionally hot/harsh sun exposure
  Rather than window material type, glass and window location is key. The right glass can help protect against UV exposure and keep interior furnishings from fading. Choose insulated Low-E glass, which reduces the amount of heat entering the home and lowers cooling needs. It also blocks up to 85 percent of harmful UV rays that cause interior fading. In addition, JELD-WEN offers a higher performing LoE3-366 glass for extra protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Look for the ENERGY STAR label suitable for your region. Pay attention to window labels including the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), which indicates the ability to block heat generated by sunlight. The greater the protection, the lower the SHGC. U-factor is also important, which is the amount of heat flowing through a product. The lower the number, the more energy efficient it is. Proper overhangs and where windows are located are also important. When building a home in a sunny region, place larger windows facing north.

• Severe, hurricane-force storms
  In hurricane-prone regions, JELD-WEN® Wood, Vinyl and Aluminum windows offer optional ImpactGard™ protection, which is designed to meet the nation’s toughest building codes. ImpactGard protection resists impacts from wind borne debris and keeps windows sealed and intact during storms. There are five impact glass options available to fit different regions and budgets. More information can be found at JELD-WEN.com

If you are concerned about other issues, such as:

• Privacy
  JELD-WEN offers a variety of obscure and decorative glass for windows that provides privacy while still allowing natural light to enter. Clear glass can still be private with optional Blinds Between the Glass now offered for JELD-WEN® Premium Vinyl Patio Doors. Given that the blinds are thermally sealed between clear insulating glass, this option provides healthy home benefits as they require less dusting and reduce exposure to allergens. They also help reduce fading of interior furnishings and increase energy efficiency. Available with clear insulating glass only.

• Noise reduction
  JELD-WEN® ImpactGard® protection also offers benefits beyond severe storm protection. Sound transmission is reduced. Compared to a single pane of glass that has a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of around 27, an insulated laminated glass unit can achieve an STC rating of up to 35, which has the ability to block even loud construction noises. Even without laminated glass, there are other options for reducing sound transmission with insulated replacement windows.

• Home safety and security
  Consider glass strength and the locking mechanism. Most JELD-WEN windows meet forced entry test requirements. Other technologies such as Low-E glass use thicker double strength glass, which is twice as resistant to breakage compared to single strength glass. JELD-WEN® Vinyl Windows with the new MAG-Lock™ have a locking mechanism with a tamper-resistant design that is easy to operate with one hand, locks automatically when shut, and can’t be seen from the outside, which offers additional protection. ImpactGard protection, made for extreme weather conditions, also provides added security.

• Termites
  Termites can be found in nearly every state in the nation, causing billions of dollars worth of damage to buildings and homes. Choose a material specifically designed to prevent insect damage, such as JELD-WEN Wood Windows with AuraLast, or vinyl or aluminum windows.