Selecting Replacement Windows:
What to Consider
With hundreds of replacement windows on the market, how do you select the brand that will
give you the best combination of appearance, durability, energy efficiency and
value? And, will the people you select to install your windows live up to their
promises?
The Company
Better living of Central PA has completed over 1,000 projects in
central PA. We are a fully insured replacement window contractor and have been in business since 1998. In post installation surveys, our customers rate us 98.7% in
customer satisfaction. We encourage you to review our Better Business Bureau® report.
Our mission on every project is to exceed your expectations. For more
information, see our home page.
What Kind of Replacement Windows Are Best For You?
Wood
Frames: nice appearance but require scraping and painting.
Aluminum Windows: reasonably priced and low maintenance but not
attractive and poor thermal performance.
Composite & Fiberglass Windows: nice looking, low maintenance, and
energy efficient, but VERY expensive.
Vinyl Windows: affordable, attractive, require no maintenance,
and energy efficient, but there are wide variations in quality.
What to Look For in a Vinyl Replacement Window
Low-end
vinyl windows are prone to absorbing dirt, can warp, and become chalky with age. Better living
vinyl windows contain
high quantities of color stabilizers and titanium oxide UV inhibitors for
lasting good looks.
Better living Crusader windows are constructed with fusion welded frames
and sashes to reduce air leakage and provide a square and stable frame. Mechanically fastened windows are less energy
efficient and are prone to
racking
.
Quality vinyl replacement windows are constructed with multi-chambered frames
and filled with
foam for strength and improved thermal efficiency. If a window manufacturer uses
quality vinyl with color stabilizers and UV inhibitors, the most
expensive material in the window is the vinyl. The frames of Better living
replacement windows weigh about double those of economy vinyl windows. Although
Crusader windows are surprisingly affordable, the frames offer tank-like
strength and durability.
Are the windows available in multiple colors to match to your
house? Are screens, installation, aluminum capping of exterior wood, and
disposal of your old windows included? Bargain priced windows are not
always a great deal when you ask questions about the quality and find out what is
not included in the price.
Energy Efficiency
30%
of all energy loss in an average home is through the windows. Inefficient
windows account for even greater loss. The federal government has established a
system that allows consumers to compare the energy efficiency of
any window that has been tested. See our
NFRC Ratings
page to learn how to interpret these ratings and what Better living has done to
become the most efficient double pane vinyl replacement window in America.
Better living
vinyl replacement windows have been engineered to provide performance equal to
many triple pane windows but at a much lower price. Consider these features:
