Upgrading Your Windows to the World

UpgradingYourWindows to the World

By Jennie Renner When it comes to options for replacement windows, there’s not a lack of businesses to choose from in Fort Wayne. If you are in the market for new windows, what do you need to know before you embark on this home improvement project?

First, make sure the company you choose has a good reputation and will likely be in business for years to come. After all, what good is a warranty on a product if the company is not able to make good on the warranty when you need it? “Check the Better Business Bureau, check with your friends, check with your family,” advised Kevin Hunter, owner of Windows, Doors & More. “It’s a big purchase and it’s something you don’t want to get wrong. You want to replace windows once, not twice.” Of course, you’ll also want to be sure that the company you select can do a quality installation. Home construction has changed a lot in recent years and that means that window installations are more complicated than they once were. “You have to tear the whole window out, all the way back to the stud and opening and then redo the trim and siding,” said Hunter. “It requires a much more skilled labor-set than what it once did.” Next, you need to make sure the company you choose offers the styles and colors you want for your windows. There are lots of color options to choose from, with black windows being extremely popular right now. And just like doors, you can choose one color for the inside and a different color for the outside of your windows. Other options for windows include having the muttons sealed within the glass so that you never have to clean around them. “You can also have blinds that are hermetically sealed inside the glass,” said Hunter. “But expect this upgrade to double the cost of the windows.” Once you have selected the company, be sure that you buy ENERGY STAR® certified windows. This is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency and indicates that the windows are designed to withstand the shift in temperatures that we experience in northeast Indiana. “You want to buy windows with the lowest U value that you can get your hands on,” said Hunter. “The lower the U rating, the better; It is the opposite of the R value.” At Windows, Doors & More, they recommend double-pane windows for most customers because there’s a significant difference in the quality of the glass today than what there was even ten years ago. Low-e coatings are applied to the glass as it is made. “We can achieve — with the layers of silver coating — what used to be possible only with triple-pane glass,” said Hunter. “It gets you an R-value that exceeds triple-pane windows and it also doesn’t darken the glass.” As far as the best time of year to upgrade your windows, Hunter said they can install them year-around. But as with other home improvements right now, you may have to get in line. “The only thing I would caution about is being patient,” said Hunter. “A lot of people are replacing windows.” a

What to Consider when Redoing a Roof

• Color: Your new roof will last a long time, so you should select a color that will not only coordinate with your home’s existing exterior, but provide some flexibility when considering different exterior colors. Eliminate the guesswork of what different roof colors will look like with Windows, Doors & More’s ability to alter a digital photo of your home. • Gutters: Homeowners can choose to upgrade their gutters when getting either new roofing or siding. Ask your Windows, Doors & More roofing and siding expert for information about available options. • Roof Measurements: Windows, Doors & More can obtain precise measurements of your roof’s surface area through its use of a satellite service. Many of today’s homes have complex roofs with 40+ facets or individual surfaces. Utilizing a satellite service simplifies the process by ensuring precise measurements are taken, which helps to ensure the correct amount of shingles will be ordered for your roofing project.

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