Are Your Atlanta Replacement Windows Drafty

In an earlier post, we started to look at four myths concerning Atlanta replacement windows. We went over the comparative significance of two window performance factors, the SHGC (otherwise referred to as the Solar-Heat-Gain-Coefficient) and the U Factor. As we previously talked about, in accordance with energy star ratings for Atlanta’s weather, the top replacement window options for your house will need a U Factor of less than .30 and a Solar-Heat-Gain-Coefficient of less than .25 to give you the proper summer and winter defense.

In this post, we will tell you about one of the most possibly financially detrimental myths concerning Atlanta replacement windows…

    Myth # 2: If I purchase ANY kind of new Atlanta replacement windows, my issues with air leaking into and out of my home from the  windows will end.

As we previously stated, such as myth could be very expensive, and frequently one of the chief reasons why purchasers end up feeling like the money they work so hard for was wasted. That brings us back to Atlanta replacement windows, and a way of thinking that tells us that any kind of window is better than no window at all.  While that might be accurate to a point, when all is said and done and it comes to drafty windows, what is better is a comparative term. It all starts with a comprehension of the entire theory. If you were to ask the majority of homeowners, and, sadly, the majority of window engineers and their dealer agents why brand new windows develop drafts, they probably would say to you, “If you purchase just any replacement window, and you install it adequately, the new window ought to be airtight.” Regrettably, that declaration is definitely a myth.

The Dirty Little Secret About Atlanta Replacement Windows

One of the long held secrets about replacement windows and that industry is the virtual non-drafty new home windows theory. If you were to thumb through nearly every window manufacturer’s advertising information, you would probably locate references to some type of feature (such as inter-locking window sashes or weather stripping pieces), which help make any kind of window airtight. The actual evidence, however, lies within a factor that is usually absent on the window stickers, regarding U Factors and SHGC that we mentioned in an earlier post. If you were to perform a bit of research, on the NFRC site, for example, you would see that the ratings for air leaking windows (the fourth factor) is completely left to the producer’s discretion as to whether to publish it or not. As you will notice while researching, the NFRC site will list digits like .1, .2 and/or .3 on window stickers (as mentioned previously, lower numbers are best), if a window manufacturer elects to list the number. The vast majority of engineers producing windows do not opt to list that factor, which continuously poses questions, ones like, “Why would manufacturers choose not to list numbers regarding window airtightness?”

A comprehension of these details will help you a lot in the end and will assist you with cutting through all the confusion and sales pitches. Let us use the following correlation…if the tire on your automobile developed three holes but you only plugged two of them, what would be the outcome? You are correct! You would still get a FLAT TIRE! I could have the finest window framing and glass; however, if my brand new Atlanta replacement windows are not completely airtight, what type of windows do I actually end up with, especially when it comes to the money I spent on them? It is important to ask your window merchant to show you the sticker. Be sure to look for a sticker number no larger than .1, if the manufacturer publishes the number.

In our next post, we will talk about the next myth “having Atlanta replacement windows work done necessitates vast home renovations.”

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The choice of dealer to install your Atlanta replacement window may be the most important choice of all. In this post/article, we’ll look at three different options that you’ll have to choose from.

First we’ll take a look at the guy we’ll call Tommy Two-Truck. Tommy’s a good old boy, he may even be a neighbor of yours. Then we’ll discuss the owner-operated franchise. This might be a person that worked in the corporate world until retirement, but may not yet be fully ready to retire. Finally we’ll review a locally owned and operated business.

As we mentioned Tommy Two Truck is a local guy that is probably a jack of all trades; he does a roof today, installs gutter tomorrow and may put up some sheet rock the next day. The problem with most jacks of all trades is that they are masters of none. Tommy typically buys his materials from the local wholesale supply. Tommy is not often loyal to a particular replacement window, more often he’ll choose whatever brand the wholesaler is offering a discount on. For this reason, Tommy rarely becomes an expert on product quality.

Tommy is often the first guy that is here today, gone tomorrow, especially when economic times are rough. If you go this route, make sure Tommy sells you a product with an exceptional window manufacturer’s warranty, because the odds are they will be the ones to provide you service in the event of problems. But maybe the biggest concerns with Tommy have to do with insurance, especially Workman’s Comp. Make sure you see and verify Tommy’s certificate up front because many homeowner’s insurance policies don’t protect you in the event and uninsured worker gets injured on your property.

The owner operated franchise is a definite step up from Tommy, but is still not without issues. As we discussed, this might be a guy that worked in corporate life until retirement, but still wanted to do something. He might have looked at several franchises, say McDonald’s, Quiznos, etc, and settled on a replacement window franchise.

These are often marketed to the public as windows that are only 172 installed. You probably couldn’t question the business acumen of these owners, but their knowledge of the industry is often very limited. Add to that the fact that their franchise agreement locks them in to a certain window product might make you question the overall sensibility of going this route.

Because of the low advertised price, most often they use subcontractors to install the replacement windows (see Tommy’s insurance issues above) and pay them as little as half of the industry standard install rate.

For sure, no matter how good of a window that you purchase, the install is a major determinant in how well it performs. The thing that may be the biggest indicator of your long term outcome in going this route is the high franchisee turnover rate found in many of these replacement window franchises. Couple that with the bait and switch claims that have been leveled against some of these operators and you’d best be careful if you decide to go this route.

Finally, we have the locally owned and operated business. These people are most often long-term local residents who have a strong industry background. That background allows them to sort through the thousands of choices they have and allow them to find the best replacement windows for their clientele.

You’ll typically find they have made investments in their businesses, such as well designed showrooms, that offer their customers the ability to see and feel their new windows in an easy, non-threatening environment. Additionally, this type of owner, with their strong window industry background, can give the consumer overall the best window education.

As a long term operator, these owners know that the best overall customer experience comes from having all employees, including the people who install your replacement windows, work for the company itself. When you put all of this together the locally owned and operated window replacement company may be your best bet in helping you determine how to change your Atlanta replacement windows.

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