What Makes a Difference in Vinyl Windows?

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You may have never thought about vinyl windows before reaching this blog and then taking the time to read through this article. You probably thought all windows were the same and even thought the windows in your home were just fine. As long as they’re not rotting and falling apart or fogged up between the panes of glass, why even think about it?

Well there is a difference and picking the right window is a decision you’ll live with for years to come. Either you’ll pick a window that will need replacing 10 years later or a window you’ll be proud to keep in your home saving you money on energy costs for years to come. So what makes one window different than the other? With so many windows out there how in the world do you pick one and live with it? It can seem daunting and in fact is a quite a big sea in which to swim.

Here’s some things to think about that we hope will help the process.

Pick a window that looks good to you. Start off by looking the window over and seeing what kind of things you like aesthetically about the appearance of the window. Does it look cheap or does it look well put together? Does its design suit your style taste or even the decor of your home? Are their elements to the window that look like they could break off easily or are unsightly? Appearances can tell you something about a window and first impressions are important.
Does the window stand up thermally and structurally? Do you like the way the window is built and designed when it comes to withstanding years of exposure to the elements and use? Do the thermal numbers on the window come from a third party rating system? (For instance NFRC for thermal rating and AAMA for structural ratings). Do you know what the numbers mean and are they the best you can get for your dollar? Choosing thermally energy efficient windows is important. But when comparing thermal numbers think about what a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is, as well U-Factors, R-Values and visible transmittance.
What kind of warranty are you getting and what kind of company are you getting it from? A good, thermal, vinyl window, should last a lifetime. That means the glass should never have fog or condensation between the panes, you should never experience rot of any kind, you should not be getting moisture or excessive draftiness in the house and even if something should go wrong with the components (tilt pins, sash locks, balances, vent locks etc) they should be serviced. Does the manufacturer carry a lifetime warranty on their product. In many cases even glass breakage is covered by most window manufacturers for a number of years. Do they have a long tack record of being in business for a number of years? What about the company that is providing you with these windows? Do they carry a lifetime labor warranty? Will they service the windows years later if something goes wrong? Are they reliable, easy to contact, and have a good reputation in the community they serve?

All of these issues are crucial in choosing the best replacement window for your money. If you want to settle for less, then these tips are of no use. But if you’re looking for window that will look good, keep your home energy efficient for years to come and save you the hassle of replacing them again, then ask yourself these questions as you’re looking through your various options for window replacement.

For more information or questions contact us at info@atlantawindows.com or visit our website http://atlantawindows.com

Know the Difference between what’s between the glass

Brought you by Atlantawindows.com

There’s a little element to your replacement windows that makes a big difference. When meeting with homeowners, most times I have found that they aren’t aware of what spacer system is in their current windows, what spacer system they want in their new ones, and why one is better than the other. But there is a difference! Here are the basics and some tips to help you know the difference.

Lesson One: Every double paned replacement window has a spacer system. What IS a spacer system you ask? If you notice the picture just to the right, you’ll see a spacer system in between two panes of glass. This little piece serves many purposes. First of all, it creates an obvious separation between the two panes of glass. By doing so, window manufacturers are able to build a window that has a layer of low-e coating (a commonly used insulating film) and the spacer provides an additional insulation value because of its ability to keep heat from passing through the window. A good spacer also acts to provide a tight seal that keeps the gas filling (usually Argon or Krypton gas, click here for more information on gas filled windows) from leaking out of the window.

Now you know basically what a spacer does. Let’s discuss the different types of spacers and what makes one better than the other.

Lesson Two: Spacer types. There are two main types of spacers you’ll find in builder grade double paned windows in Atlanta; swiggle and aluminum. Without getting into too much detail I’ll give you one big reason for each of these two spacer systems as to why these technologies fail by comparison to superior systems crafted today.
Aluminum conducts heat rather well which means makes the passage of heat easier rather than slowing heat gain and heat loss which is what good insulators do.

Swiggle among it’s many other cosmetic defects tends to buckle or even crack with time since it is a rubberized black material. It’s insulation value is fairly low but the main drawback is the unsightliness that it creates over the years.

So which spacer systems do you want to look to have in your replacement windows? Unlike aluminum spacers, upgraded windows use “warm edge technology” to ensure a better seal than the conductive aluminum spacers do. Most premiere replacement vinyl windows will use either Super Spacer or Intercept Spacers.

The Super Spacer which uses warm edge technology is found commonly in vinyl replacement windows in standard energy packages that include low-e and argon gas.

For an upgraded system homeowners can turn to the Intercept Spacer which has continued to receive high marks from consumers and window manufacturers alike. Intercept Spacers tend to outperform most other spacer systems and protect against gas leakage, seal failure, and provide higher insulation values.

While Intercept and Super Spacers are not the extent of spacer systems available, they are two of the most commonly found systems and are used in manufacturers such as Softlite Windows, Thermal Industries and Vista Windows.


For more information visit us at Atlantawindows.com or give us a call at 770-499-8894 for an in home consultation.