Shopping Tips Vinyl Windows.

by Dependable Construction | Sep 20, 2017 | Uncategorized

When you buy a home, whether it’s your first house, or not, you’re making an investment. As with any investment you may make, you want to take care of it and not only make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, but also saving & making money on it when possible.

This is why maintaining your home is so important. Keeping a well maintained or updated home can not only help you to make back your money when you decide to sell, but it sometimes can increase the value of the home too.

Making timely home improvements can lower your energy costs, beautify your home and increase its resale value, but it is important that you search out the best contractors like Dependable Construction who use only quality materials. When it comes to completing projects like new siding and window replacement it’s important to seek a professional’s opinion. They can help you choose which projects can get you a good bang for your buck. One of the best is investing in vinyl windows.

Shopping Tips for Vinyl Windows

Even if you’re an expert on upkeep with a house, it’s always good to go to an expert when it comes to something as important as windows. Vinyl Windows are so popular these days because they are an energy efficient solution that works well in almost any home needing a facelift, but there are dramatic differences between windows. They are low maintenance and usually a top choice when replacing a leaky or rotting wood window, but there are still some issues to get past when picking vinyl windows.

Over time, white vinyl can yellow, colors can fade, and the material can even crack. Usually you can tell the difference in the types of vinyl windows because they are labeled. This shows the different AAMA certifications on the frames of their windows. In order to get the most bang for your buck and keep from having to replace your vinyl windows constantly, there are a few ways to really take into consideration what windows you’re getting.

One of the most important things to think about when buying vinyl windows is to aim for the best quality windows you can get. Yes, sometimes other windows may be more affordable, but the better the vinyl, the more likely your windows will be protected against fading, yellowing and even becoming brittle or splinter like. The extrusions on the sash and frame should have well welded corners, as well as well made internal air chambers.

You should also be ready to assess the glass in the window. Dependable Construction recommends a window that has spacers between the double panes, this helps to minimize heat loss. Special coatings can help your windows to reflect heat in the summer and keep out cold in the winter. They also help to keep furniture or photos in the house protected from fading due to sunshine.

As with any home project/investment, you really need to take the time to study the warranty and read the fine print. Make sure the warranty covers any potential problems and that it can be transferred to a new homeowner if you sell the home. Also be sure to read that the windows are Energy Star qualified, and that it has been verified by the National Fenestration Rating Council, which will let you know that you can depend on the window’s efficiency and air-tightness.

Although choosing a color is more of a fun part of buying vinyl windows, it is still important when it comes to how you’ll care for and maintain your new windows. Colors can fade or go out of style, so keep this in mind when picking what you want. You can order colors to match your exterior paint or to contrast like a trim would. Yellowing can sometimes occur in sunny areas, so if that is something you want to avoid, a white trim facing the sun may not be a good plan.

Talk to your window contractor

No matter how much research you may do on your own, it never hurts to seek the help of an expert like Dependable Construction. If you feel comfortable, ask a few contractors what they’d recommend and sort through the quotes before making a firm decision. Sometimes the lowest price isn’t the best, and the most expensive isn’t the highest quality. Talking to them about how you’ll need to care for your new vinyl windows is also important. Your vinyl windows contractor should be able to answer any question, as well as give you any resources to help you in the future.

Why do homeowners choose vinyl windows?

by Dependable Construction | Sep 6, 2017 | Uncategorized

There are plenty of reasons why homeowners should choose vinyl for their window replacements. So Dependable Construction wants to take a minute and review a couple.

Home repairs and updates aren’t always fun. Especially when the change is something that doesn’t seem like it’s going to make a big impact in your everyday life, like a kitchen renovation does, it can be hard to be excited about repairs and replacements. Window repairs can sometimes feel that way. It’s difficult to fully understand why you should spend the time and money to buy new windows, but there are plenty of benefits to it, especially if you invest in vinyl windows.

Simonton windows are a popular choice for vinyl windows and doors and are what many Dayton area residents and contractors use, including Dependable Construction. Despite feeling overwhelmed from choices and a lack of knowledge, you can feel confident in investing in Simonton vinyl windows for your home or business.

They are energy efficient.

One of the biggest reasons people decide to replace their windows is because of the affect the windows are having on their energy bills. Older homes with original windows don’t always keep the hot or cold air out as well as they could. There’s usually cracks in the framing or they no longer fit perfectly after years of weathering. In general, any new windows can mean more energy efficiency if a home has windows that are letting in air, however Simonton vinyl windows do more than that. The company is an ENERGY STAR partner, and the vinyl helps reduce the cost of heating and cooling because of the density of the windows. Not only are drafts near the window a thing of the past, but the windows will prevent the air from outside from cooling or heating the inside of the house as easily, meaning the heater or A/C will run much less than usual.

Vinyl windows can keep noise out.

These windows don’t just keep the cold air out. If you live in a neighborhood with a lot of traffic or a lot of social activity, the noise can be distracting and annoying. Replacement windows with laminate glass can truly keep noise out and keep you sleeping or relaxing when you want to. There’s no need to let your neighbors’ noisy decisions affect you from inside your house.

Protect your belongings in more than one way.

Windows can either damage or protect your home in more than one way, and a window contractor like Dependable Construction can help prevent both of them. The first is the damage caused by UV rays entering your home through windows. Choosing windows with Low E glass can not only provide great energy efficiency, but reduce the damage on furniture from the sun. Sunlight can cause photos on the wall or fabric on couches and chairs to lose their color, but using vinyl windows will keep the UV out and your belongings looking good.

New windows can also protect your belongings, and you, with safety features that some old windows are not equipped with. Feeling unsafe in your own home is the worst way to feel, so why not ensure a feeling of ease by choosing windows that can help prevent break-ins? Simonton windows are designed to protect your home from intruders and must pass forced entry requirements. Some old windows just don’t lock correctly or have glass that is easily broken. With new vinyl windows, you can rest easy knowing that the laminated glass is just one extra layer of protection for you and your family.

Maintenance free windows save time.

Nothing is less fun than spending your weekend or savings for a rainy day on repairing or maintaining parts of the home. With vinyl windows, that doesn’t happen. Because vinyl doesn’t flake or require repainting like aluminum or wood does, there’s absolutely no maintenance except for the occasional washing. These windows can stand all sorts of environmental pollutants, from salt spray in winter to dirt year round.

They can also increase your home’s resale value.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, windows can be one of the most important investments you will get a return of investment on. Newer windows are one of the top things home-buyers look for when house hunting, and most times you’ll recoup up to 70%+ of your investment. Sometimes if money is tight or you don’t plan on making something a forever home, it’s hard to justify upgrades or updates, but with vinyl windows, the investment is worth it when it comes time to move.

New windows can create a beautiful home.

Another way new windows can help the resale value is because they can create a beautiful look on the inside and outside of a home. New windows look clean, fresh and can help a house to seem as if it’s newer than it actually is. Whether you’re selling your house or living there until the end of your days, the investment to make your home something you actually enjoy living in is priceless.

Buying replacement windows sometimes seems like you’re throwing away money, but the benefits of getting windows from Dependable Construction is worth it. To get the most bang for your buck, make sure the vinyl windows you choose have a warranty. Simonton not only tests its products, but it offers solid warranties to help customers and professionals know how great their windows are. Be sure to choose a window brand that offers those similar warranty or guarantees. If you’re unsure what windows will be best for your home, then it’s time to call and speak with a representative at Dependable Construction for their advice and expertise.

Which windows are best for your home?

by Dependable Construction | Aug 23, 2017 | Uncategorized

If you’ve never shopped for replacement windows or met with a Dependable Construction window installer, you may be surprised to learn just how many options are available.

Now that summer is here, homeowners are starting to take a serious look at the condition of their homes. Exterior siding, roofs, garage doors, and driveways are all major considerations when looking at cosmetic improvements, and while they all have a place in seasonal projects, nothing is more beneficial than replacing windows. Windows not only add beauty to the outside of your home; they also help reduce heating and cooling costs.

Whether you are heating or cooling your home, the type of window you choose will determine how energy efficient it is. It may be pleasant outside now, but when the weather turns stormy and cold, you will be happy you chose new replacement windows as your warm-weather project. One thing to remember, however, is to choose the right windows. Depending on the quality, you could spend anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars on new replacement windows.

As a contractor in Dayton, Ohio that replaces plenty of windows each year, we are often asked to explain the differences in windows to our customers. For many years, homeowners in the Dayton area were stuck on wood windows, and many were sold on their beauty, but then this became overly expensive. While there are always a few homeowners that say wood is a “must,” they are a lot more expensive to install and maintain.

Which type of window should you choose?

Despite the obvious differences in curb appeal and aesthetics, vinyl windows are a better choice for your replacement windows. If you are searching for replacement windows for your home, then you may want to choose vinyl. It stands up better to high heat and cold winter weather, and because of the way they are mechanically fastened, they also are more efficient. While wood windows naturally absorb water, vinyl windows are able to repel it. This prevents the window frames from deteriorating over time.

If you’ve never shopped for replacement windows or met with a Dependable Construction window installer, you may be surprised to learn just how many options are available. Customers must choose the type and the color of their interior hardware; decide on grilles and whether to opt for self-cleaning glass, and then choose the level of insulation needed. Your installer will walk you through the process and help you select each of these options, and then provide you with a written order detail about the type of window you selected.

What should you ask your window installer?

Before setting up appointments with window contractors, it’s important to screen them over the phone. This will save a lot of time and it eliminates the temptation to choose installers based solely on their salesmanship. Asking a few simple questions first will ensure that the contractor really has the experience you need for the job.

Before asking questions, be prepared to share some details about the project, such as the type of window you are looking to buy, the number of windows, your budget and timeline for the project. Only after they know the scope of your project can they answer your first round of questions.

Here 9 questions we believe are important to ask a potential window contractor:

1. Is there a specific brand or type of window that frequently recommend? Why?
2. How long have you been in the window installation business? What is your specific experience with vinyl window installations in my area?
3. Do you have a permanent installation crew or do you subcontract the work whenever you get a new job?
4. What are your payment terms?
5. How do you handle service issues after the installation is complete?
6. Can you provide me with customer referrals?
7. What is your standard procedure for finishing out a window’s interior after installation? Is painting ever a part of your installation package?
8. How long would my window installation project take you to complete?
9. Do you offer any warranties on the installation of the window, which would be above and beyond the window’s warranty?

When you’ve completed this interview process with a handful of prospective contractors, take a few minutes to compare the answers and you will discover which 3 window installers to call back for an appointment.