A customer recently showed me a sales agreement from Pella that only gave you five days in which to inspect the windows and inform them of any defects—in writing. And if you fail to inform them of a defect within those five days, it says you’ve taken “final acceptance” of the goods. And that leaves little recourse if, say, you do happen to find a cracked frame or crooked sashes a week later. Final is final, and those windows are your responsibility!

It doesn’t work that way at Mr. Rogers. Take for example one recent customer who notified us of a problem after his windows were installed—the bottom sash rails were not fitting right. In fact, the left side was almost 100% misaligned, and not just one window either—all nineteen! Our rep got right on it. He inspected the windows, took photos and contacted the manufacturer, because these windows weren’t up to the company’s usual high standards.

Turns out it was a case of faulty equipment at the factory causing the problem. But by working together, Mr. Rogers Windows and Renewal by Anderson resolved the problem, replacing all of the bottom sashes promptly, with little concern from the homeowner who trusted it would be handled.

Look, we’re not perfect—no one is—but what the guarantee at Mr. Rogers Windows tells you is this: we will work to make it perfect—and we don’t stop until it is perfect. Your problems are our problems. Five days later or five years later. That’s the attitude that guides our entire team.

If you want to read more about the story, check out my new web article!

Another option for side-by-side casement windows is a gliding window. Gliding windows can appear like double hungs in a wide space and they increase the glass area by eliminating the wood frame in the center. Even picture windows can be effective, depending on whether you open your windows or not. Creative solutions to window replacement can save you money and give you a more desirable outcome.

Depending on your location, the best way to explore creative window replacement options is to work with a window design consultant. You are under no obligation to purchase from them, however, you will benefit from spending a few hours with an expert like this who can give you great ideas, with the knowledge and experience of what works.

You will get your questions answered, a quote for the project you design, and plenty of workable ideas and solutions. Appointments like this are free and well worth the time and effort. Although there is plenty of information on the Internet, having an expert in your home is far more valuable in this case.

Let me explain.

Most window replacements involve removing an existing window and inserting a replacement window. During the installation, we take out the sashes and track, but leave the buck frame, the brick molding and the interior trim intact. By “buck frame” we just mean the core frame of your window, you know, the “openings” in which your windows and doors are set. Then we cap over the brick mold with the maintenance-free coil stock. The existing sill stays too, and it is also capped with the maintenance free material.

When we do a full frame installation, all of the existing window is removed, all the way down to the 2 by 4s of the house. In other words, the buck frame is removed. We call what’s left the “rough opening.” We’ve taken out the sashes, the sills, as well as the exterior and interior trims.

So with a full frame window installation, everything gets replaced! Including your interior trim, which will be unfinished, so you will have to decide whether to stain or paint it. But you are getting a fully assembled window, with the exterior brick molding pre-assembled.

Now, when do you want to do a full frame replacement? It’s really up to you, but there are a couple of situations where full frame may or may not be the right choice.

First, if there is a significant amount of deterioration or wood rot, a full frame replacement is highly recommended.

Second, if you live in a heritage home, full frame installations are not typically permitted. That’s because the historical society really doesn’t want to see any alterations or changes done to the exterior trim of the home—their priority is preservation!

But another determining factor might be price. Full frame installations are more time consuming and require more detailed manufacturing and materials, therefore they’re going to cost you a little more. (20-25% on average).

Read more about full frames versus inserts in my latest article!

As you know, UV (ultra violet) rays are quite harmful, not only to our skin but to the fabrics and furnishings inside our homes, too. Fabrics will fade when exposed to UV rays for long periods.

Now, there are claims that would lead you to believe that 60% of UV rays can still pass through energy-efficient windows with Low-E glass. This is simply not accurate.

Low-E glass windows are highly effective at blocking out UV rays.

In fact, Andersen’s High-Performance™ SmartSun glass blocks out 95% of damaging UV rays, regardless of the type of window you purchase—casement, awning, double hung or gliding!

Which means you don’t have to go out and buy another product for your windows when the right choice of energy-efficient window can do an excellent job for you.

When reading the spec sheets for windows, you will want to make note of the ratings for TUV (Transmission Ultra-Violet Energy) and the TDW (Transmission Damage Function) that measure UV factors. The lower percentages indicate less fading potential.

But if you want a more technical look at this UV issue, check out my article. Not too techie, mind you, but it will give you an idea of how the testing is done and what’s important to look at in terms of the UV specifications when comparing and reviewing replacement windows.

And we’re breathing that all the time we’re inside.

Best way to clear your home of indoor pollutants is to let the fresh air in and the bad air out. And of course you want windows that are easy to open. So if you’re in the market for replacement windows, consider sliding windows for those “fresh breeze” areas. Over a kitchen sink, for example, is a great place for a sliding window. Let the fresh air in when you’re cooking or baking or doing the dishes.

Family rooms, great rooms, and entertainment are another ideal area where open windows are appreciated. And they’re so easy to open—they move smoothly and effortlessly on their tracks. Nothing to crank, push or lift.

You get the biggest view too, because unlike double-hungs or casements, gliding replacement windows have as little frame as possible. And they combine nicely with traditional double hung styles without interrupting the style of your home

So for fresh air buffs, sliding windows bring the outdoors indoors, both in terms of ease of use and all that lovely light. Like I say on our website—they’re like a light switch for you to turn the outdoors on and off when you choose.

The ladder can support a lot of weight—several adults at a time—yet it’s lightweight, easy enough for a child to use, and can be deployed in seconds. The ease of use is really important, because in home fires seconds really do count. A few seconds can mean the difference between safety and injury. You know, it’s not pleasant to think about, but the sad reality is that most fire-related deaths result from smoke inhalation when people get trapped in upstairs rooms.

So it’s a great for homeowners because it’s such a wonderful innovation and it will give you such peace of mind… just knowing that it’s installed in your home. Neat, discreet, and ready if you need it. So visit this website for information about the permanent fire safety ladder. It can be professionally installed or if you’re handy, you can do it yourself.

WSOC-TV interviewed me recently about replacement windows. I spoke with Caroline Renfro who posed some of the important questions homeowners ask about window replacement. “What do windows cost?” It’s a very good question because homeowners are confused by the different prices they see advertised, especially the windows that are promoted at $165 to $189.

Let’s begin with what America’s leading consumer magazine says: on average, a quality replacement window—installed—should cost somewhere between $600 and $900 a window. The variance there, of course, is due to the size of the window, the options you choose, as well as the difficulty of the installation.

My advice is, research, research, research! Do your research first! And get a written price quote. You are making an important update to your home and you want to make decision that works for you.

And there are some questions you should be asking. For example, are the windows going to be insulated? Insulation should be included in the quote because it’s such a big part of the job. And yet we replace windows that were installed without insulation. Brrrrr… no wonder these windows needed replacing.

Ask who will be doing the installing. And how are the installers being paid? By the hour or by the window? Ask about their warranty. What’s covered and for how long?

Also, look for an Energy Star label. That Energy Star label tells you that you’ll be able to save at least 15% on your annual utility bill.

These are all components of a good quality replacement window—proper installation by experienced professionals, windows that meet federal energy efficiency standards or exceed them, and finally a great warranty. It’s not just about the glass, you know!

All of Mr. Rogers Windows are insulated to keep your home comfortable winter and summer. We do not subcontract. Our contractors are paid by the hour, not by the window. So you know you are getting a good job, not a rush job. And we offer an unconditional lifetime warranty. Worry-free windows for life! Check out my video on why buy Andersen windows and details about window installation.

However, the key to understanding energy efficiency in windows is based on understanding window science. And really, that’s not hard, because it’s all about the glass—low-e glass and argon gas fill, to be exact!

Everyone who reads my blog probably knows by now what I mean by these two terms: Low-e glass, just to recap, is glass that has been coated with a very thin metallic (usually silver oxide) layer that deflects radiant heat away from your windows. And when argon gas is filled between the two panes of glass, it slows down the transfer of heat even more.

That’s the energy efficiency package – and it resides in the glass unit and in the construction of the window itself. Now, you go putting something inside that “glass sandwich” and you are effectively “compromising” your window’s energy efficiency, even if it is a pretty “mini blind”.

And here’s why. Some of these windows and doors are manufactured with two panes of glass and the blind is set inside, reducing the practicality for argon fill and simply eliminating the use of a low-e coating because silver oxide is easily scratched. (So you can see why the low-e would not be used in this construction.) No energy efficiency features here, just a blind.

To be fair, there is also a triple pane design available these days that is constructed so that the blinds sit in their own glass “sandwich” and a separate third pane, with low-e coating, is placed on top. Some argon gas is filled between the space, but that space, is now much smaller…

And then there is a popular snap-in design that cannot possibly contain argon gas, because every time you open it to clean or service the blind inside, the argon would vanish into thin air! And of course the low-e coating is not there either.

So bottom line—blinds inside the glass do affect the energy package on windows and sliding doors. A blind inside the glass can only eliminate heat the same way any curtain will—by blocking the transmission of light into the home. Sure some “heat” gets blocked when you draw your curtains, but low-e glass is absolutely essential for energy efficiency—it’s the only way to reflect radiant heat back to its source.

So if you really like the idea of blinds between the glass, just remember when you’re out shopping for them to ask the company or the manufacturer how they’re constructed—with a single insulated glass unit or with a third low-e coated pane? For more info before you shop, check out my article on blinds between the glass.

You know, your windows really are a decorating feature, just like the furniture or the art you put on the walls. I mean, just think about it. They are a huge part of the space in any room. So you want them to look right. (Read my article about decorating with windows!)

So to answer your question, you can get Renewal by Andersen’s energy saving FIBREX interior and exterior window frames with trims not just in any style but in a full range of colors too, from classic white to cocoa—even forest green now! In the wood veneers you have oak, pine and maple to choose from.

In total, we can offer 27 color combinations. Just take a peek at the full selection of ]]> http://askmrrogers.com/window-gray-cream/feed/ 0 http://askmrrogers.com/keeping-honest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=keeping-honest http://askmrrogers.com/keeping-honest/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:40:01 +0000 Gerry Rogers http://askmrrogers.com/?p=859 Recently the Better Business Bureau of Dallas challenged a well-known window company as part of their ongoing local advertising review. They just want to make sure that the company’s ads are not misleading to consumers.