Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below are ones that customers frequently ask. If you have a question that you don't see here, contact us for a quick answer.
Q. My windows are old and drafty. What's the best way to replace them?
A. If you want the best fit, custom sized windows are the way to go. Using stock size windows can actually be more expensive and inconvenient in the long run. Stock windows can mean more extensive carpentry in the installation process both inside and outside your house. The New Windows for America American Classic windows are custom made to fit your existing openings, measured up to 1/8" giving you the style and options you want while maintaining your glass area.
Q. How do I know what materials are most durable and which would give me the best performance for my money?
A. Windows are made typically of three different materials: Aluminum, which scratches easily because of their painted surface and they are great conductors of heat and cold making them poor for insulation. Wood, which are high in maintenance, involving painting, caulking and refinishing of the wood because they tend to absorb moisture causing them to rot and peel and can even make opening and closing them a chore. The American Classic window by New Windows for America is made of solid 100% virgin vinyl that will never peel, chip, or need painting. This is one of the many reasons vinyl is becoming the material of choice for both replacement windows and new construction.
Q. What is the weather ability of vinyl?
A. Vinyl is engineered with different chemicals to make it very durable over time. Titanium dioxide is added to make it very resistant to UV damage. Impact modifiers are added to make the vinyl resistant to cracking and chipping from sharp blow. Color stabilizing chemicals are added to make the color uniform and resistant to change.
Q. Is there a difference in the construction of different brands of windows?
A. Most definitely. The two basic types of construction for windows are: Mechanically fastened windows and a fusion welding process using either chemicals or a heating process for joining the corners together. New Windows for America uses state of the art heat welding equipment that uses pinch fusion welding on both the sash and the frame for a stronger, longer lasting product. You want to be careful of windows that are mitered together with screws in the corners or chemically welded corners as they will not give you the durability and performance of a heat welded corner.
Q. There are numerous vinyl window companies to choose from, what are the differences?
A. On the surface you may not see a difference in one sash and frame from another, but don't be fooled, there is a big difference. Some manufactures cut corners by using inexpensive extrusion techniques giving you a product that is brittle and less durable. You can tell this by the dull blue or gray cast to them. At New Windows for America we use only virgin vinyl PVC powder. This, quite simply, means that the vinyl is not from recycled material.
Q. Do I have to put in the same style window that I have now?
A. That is not always necessary. With New Windows for America windows, you can change the style of window to fit your specific needs. You will want to keep in mind the style of your home and what would compliment your design to the fullest. Our professional window consultant will be able to help you with these and other decisions you need to make in this area. What ever you decide, New Windows for America can custom-manufacture it to meet your individual needs.
Q. Why should I use New Windows for America instead of another company?
A. Because not all the window companies are created equally. The American Classic vinyl window is more than TWICE AS EFFICIENT as windows manufactured ten years ago. High quality PVC Vinyl extrusions are the building blocks of every American Classic window. Multi-chambered frames, specifically designed for fusion welding, provide unparallel energy efficiency and strength. Because safety and quality are our top priorities, we offer the finest quality vinyl with no harmful additives. The vinyl in every American Classic window is warranted for a lifetime against seal failure, glass breakage, fading, warping, peeling and rotting.
Q. What about the glass? Don't all windows come with the same glass?
A. No they don't. We offer what is called Warm edge glass technology with PPG's Intercept insulating glass system. This gives every American Classic window an advantage over old-fashioned insulating systems. Under normal weather conditions, I.G. units expand and contract with temperature changes. In old-fashioned glass units, the sealant takes up the stress of the movement, which can cause seal failures and insulating gas loss. In an Intercept I.G. unit, the spacer flexes instead of the sealant, so it resists spacer movement and seal failures.
Q. I've heard about different tests done on windows. Should I consider these tests when making my decision on the window I should buy?
A. You need to be cautious when looking at test results. They are not necessarily the best indicator of how the window will perform in your situation. They concentrate on certain parts of the window like the frame and its R-Value and not the complete window performance. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples. The American Classic windows from New Windows for America are engineered to provide optimal energy savings and are rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council.
Q. In saving energy is the frame or the glass more important?
A. Approximately 70% of a window is glass, so the real heating and cooling savings come from improved glass performance, and not a high R-Value on the frame. New Windows for America uses the latest technology, known as a high performance warm edge spacer system. This spacer system helps to improve the performance and the life of the insulated glass unit, and comes standard on all New Windows for America windows.
Q. What energy-saving options should I know about?
A. You should give careful consideration to New Windows for America's Intercept Insulating Glass System, featuring double pane Low-E glass and argon glass. This package is called the Energy Saver Plus; Low-E glass is one of the best barriers against ultraviolet rays, which can fade carpet, furniture, draperies, and even woodwork. It also helps improve the energy efficiency of the window.
Argon gas is colorless, odorless, nonflammable, nontoxic, and above all, a safe, inert gas that is heavier than air. This helps to keep your house more energy efficient and argon gas also helps keep out unwanted noise. When New Windows for America windows are equipped with the Intercept Insulating Glass System, they automatically meet or exceed the energy - saving requirements for all three-climate zones set forth by the Energy Star Window program. Or you can get the Plus package with a foam spacer that provides additional energy efficiency as an option.
Another option is the triple pane Low-E glass with krypton gas, called the Energy Saver Supreme. The Energy Saver Supreme is the ultimate in insulating glass with solar control, insulation, and superior UV blocking.
Q. What is the Energy Star rating?
A. ENERGY STAR is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and window manufacturers. The DOE has been assigning ENERGY STAR ratings to appliances for years. This designation indicates an environmentally friendly, energy efficient product. American Classic vinyl windows carrying the ENERGY STAR label can reduce your energy costs up to 15%.
Q. What about air filtration?
A. The American Classic windows offer a full interlock at the meeting rail, which helps protect your home against the elements. The American Classic window more than doubles the acceptable air infiltration rate standard in the industry.
Q. Will I notice a reduction in noise?
A. The American Classic window will reduce the amount of outside noise coming through the window significantly compared to an old single glazed product. It is vibration that allows sound to pass through a solid object and vinyl windows frames resist vibration better than any other window material.
Q. How do I know New Windows for America windows
will be a good investment for me?
A. First, you should see a savings on your heating and cooling bills. Second, because they are completely maintenance free you will eliminate painting and staining costs. The transferability of the strongest warranty in the business could easily add to the resale value of your home.
Q. So what kind of maintenance will I have with New Windows for America windows?
A. With 100% vinyl frames and sashes you will no longer have to paint and caulk your windows. New Windows for America windows won't stick, and you will no longer have to remove storm windows to clean them. In fact, you can clean them from inside your home. Wiping with a damp cloth will keep your windows looking new for years to come. Vinyl is a very tough and stable material. Almost any cleaning product can be used, including paint thinner and other solvents. An abrasive cleaner may scratch or rough up the surface, so these should be avoided. However, vinyl is the same color and material throughout, so careful sanding and polishing may smooth a rough surface.
Q. You say you have the best warranty in the industry.
Could you explain that please?
A. We have what we call the Triple Guarantee. That includes the lowest price guarantee, the energy savings guarantee and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. You will virtually never spend another dime on your windows. Our warranty covers seal failure and even breakage-forever! Your warranty is only as good as the company behind it. New Windows for America stands behind every window it installs meaning peace of mind for you. Our warranty is even transferable should you choose to sell your home.
Q. Is the New Windows for America window an American-made window?
A. Although a lot of manufactures claim their windows are American -made, many in fact may be imported from Canada and other foreign countries. We can assure you that every New Windows for America window is manufactured right here in this country, under the strictest guidelines.
Q. Can I install my windows myself or do I need a professional to do it?
A. You may attempt to do-it-yourself, but if your replacement windows aren't the exact size or installed properly, your warranty is of no use to you. You may be defeating the purpose by reducing the energy efficiency, and even cause structural damage to your home. In the long run it could cost you more to do-it-yourself. A trained professional can help you avoid problems such as these and get the job done in a timely efficient manner. Because we have a wider selection of products than a lumber yard or home center, our window consultant can assist you in selecting the New Windows for America Window System that is absolutely right for you.
Q. Why should I buy custom replacement windows?
A. Because custom windows fit perfectly. Stock windows, like those used by builders or sold in lumber yards, are available only in certain sizes. Since many window openings are not the same "standard" size as stock windows, you could be left with several inches of open space around the entire window. Carpenters generally will fill this space with gypsum board or molding. This not only reduces your viewing area and detracts from your home's beauty, but you have extra wall space to patch, paint and decorate. Custom windows are designed, engineered, and manufactured to fit your home's size, style, and appearance without reducing your viewing area.
Q. What is pinch fusion-welding?
A. Pinch fusion-welding is the latest technology in window construction. It utilizes intense heat and specialized equipment to bond the corners of all four sides of a window's sash and frame into a single unit. Pinch fusion-welding results in a stronger, more stable window. It's more energy efficient because the corners remain fused and airtight for the life of the window. Pinch fusion-welding also results in a more attractive, seamless weld with clean and smooth corners without bulky "flashing" or overlap caused by inferior techniques.
Q. What is a U-factor?
A. The U-factor is a standard measure of heat transfer through an entire window unit. The methods for measuring U-factor ratings were developed by the National Fenestration Rating Counsel (NFRC) at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Trade Commission. The U-factor tells you how much heat would escape through the entire window unit in winter, and how much of your air-conditioning would leak out during the summer. The lower the U-factor, the better the window's insulating ability. (A window's U-factor is the reciprocal of its R-factor, they both measure its insulating ability. Look for windows with low U-factors and high R-factors.)
Q. What is an R-factor and how important is it?
A. "R" stands for resistance. The higher the R-factor, the greater the amount of insulation a window provides. The R-factor rating of a window frame and glass is very important since it directly affects the cost of heating and cooling your home.
Q. What is 101u.i?
A. U.I. is united inches. United inches are the sum of the width and height. (i.e., If window is 28" wide and 53" in height, it is 81 united inches). Our double hung, sliders, and picture windows are the same price up to 101 united inches.
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