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At Siding & Windows Wizards LLC we like to take care about people's houses and like to share ideas about vinyl siding, replacement windows, fiber cement siding, roofing, or anything else that can make people's life easier. Categories
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June 2018
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What is in colors of a vinyl window5/20/2017 Most of the vinyl windows come in white color. That's the most popular color and the cheapest one to get. Today replacement windows are available in many other different colors. Let us see what is the most durable color of vinyl replacement window.
Solid vinyl Color is achieved by added pigments to the window profiles. Vinyl windows made this way are not painted, but they have the true color of vinyl. Most of white, tan and bronze windows are made this way. The replacement windows with solid vinyl colors are not subject to peeling, chirping or warping. That's the most durable colors of the windows. Painted vinyl When the window has to have double color, let's say bronze outside and white inside, then the outside part of the window has to be painted. The downside of this color is that it is more labor extensive and more expensive. If the paint applied improperly, it can peel off after twenty years or so. Laminated color These colors are hot glued to the profiles of the vinyl window after extrusion. In other words the color is added by gluing the special film to the frame of the window. This technic is mostly used to the interior of the window frame. If done properly it adds shiny and durable look to the window. Aluminum cladding color Usually the color is added to finished windows to achieve superior coating performance. This technic is usually used when the window has wood exterior. So the exterior of the window is made from aluminum for extra durability and beauty. Usually windows with aluminum cladding can be painted into more than 28 colors. Aluminum cladding colors are durable and stay unchanged for the life of the window.
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Weep Holes in a replacement window5/16/2017 When you buy new windows you look at the overall window design and beauty. Very often you do not look at the small details of the replacement window. One of the smallest parts of the window are weep holes. Let us see why are they important.
Window weep holes are located on the exterior of the replacement window in the bottom of the window sill as you can see in the pictures. Water drainage The most important job weep holes do is draining all the water that gets into the frame of the window. When it is heavy rain, some of the water gets trapped in the bottom of the window and then it comes out from these weep holes. Problems with window weep holes When you buy your windows, make sure that weep holes are one inch higher from the lowest point of the window. This way you can be sure that they are not gonna be accidentally caulked or clogged with dust. If the weep holes get clogged with dirt or spider web, then the water is not properly drained from the window. After some time water is gonna start leaking into the house and destroy two by fours and eventually cause mould build up in the house. Weep holes maintenance So you bought vinyl maintenance free windows, but here we go I have just used this nasty word Maintenance. Yep, if your Windows have weep holes, you will have to clean them from time to time. If you have in your house twenty windows, it doesn't mean that you will have to clean weep holes in each one window. Clean the weep holes that you can visually see are dirty. May be on the side of the house where you have a lot of trees and spider nets. How to clean weep holes Take some piece of wire and gently insert into the weep hole and move back and forth till you pull out dirt or spider web. Then pour water on to the sill of the window and see if it is flowing out from the weep holes. How to eliminate completely weep holes problems When you don't want to do any kind of maintenance, then when buying your new replacement windows make sure that a window does not have weep holes. Yep all the windows we sell are without weep holes. It means the whole frame is fusion welded and the bottom sill is sloped. So all the water does not get inside the frame of the window, but diverted away from the house.
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Before getting to the window let’s talk about the manufacturer. Harvey Building Products was founded in 1961 and it is among the top 15 on Windows & Doors Top 100 Manufacturers list. All of Harvey products are made and designed in America. The company has in house window testing lab and vinyl recycling facilities. Harvey Building Products has been a sponsor for Homes For Our Troops since 2009, a top performing non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.
In other words we can see, that Harvey is well established company and is going be able to take care about window warranties. The company is involved in charity giving, it can make you feel better about your window purchase as well. Now let us talk about the window itself. Specifications of Harvey Slimline Window The U- Factor of the window is 0.30, SHGC rating is 0.27. The rating is not the highest. Still, the window is qualified for Energy Star rating in North Eastern States of U.S. The Slimline replacement window comes with an optional clear or Low-E glass, as well as argon gas fill. The design pressure rating for that window is 35, which means it can withstand the wind blows of up to 70 miles mph. Interior of the window The frame and sashes of the Harvey Slimline replacement window are fusion welded. No screws are used to hold them together. The window comes with balance covers and vent stops. The thickness of the frame and the sash is 2 1/4. It means if you have smaller windows, you are not gonna loose glass area. So all in all Harvey Slimline window has slick and clean interior, that will make your house more comfortable. Exterior of the window Harvey Slimline replacement window has modern exterior look as well. It has slightly beveled exterior, that becomes part of your house. The replacement window comes with half screen or full screen option. The screen frame is made from extruded aluminum, which adds strength and durability. The screen does not have the lock mechanism. Energy Efficiency Slimline replacement window is Energy star window. Both sashes of the window have double weather stripping and heavy duty bulb at the bottom. The window has one of the highest air infiltration rating in the industry of 0.09. So the window does a good job at preventing the air from coming into the house or out of the house without your permission. Harvey Slimline Replacement window Key points: Pluses: —Energy Star qualified — Fusion welded frame and sashes, built like one solid piece —Heavy extruded aluminum screen — Balance covers are standard —Double weather stripping with heavy duty bulb at the bottom —Block and Tackle sash balances, never need adjustment or lubrication — solid lifetime warranty on all the hardware and 20 year warranty on a glass — the window has beveled sill, no weep holes Minuses: — the screen does not have locks — the window is available in white color only —the hardware is available in white only
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the process of wood window replacement3/30/2017 When you are planning to replace your old wood windows with new vinyl replacements, you are wondering how it is done. So we are presenting to you this short video, so you can see how wood window replacement is done. Please enjoy watching and if you have any questions feel free to let us know.
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Old Vinyl Window2/10/2017 When you buy new replacement windows, you want to get the best quality. But to know what is the best, you should should know how the old vinyl windows looked like. Just the same way when you buy your new car you know why is it better. In the window world believe or not, progress moves forward as well. So to give you some ideas what should you avoid in your new windows. We presented this short video about old vinyl window.
Balance System of the Window You want to replace your existing old windows with new ones, because you want to use them. Simple as that. You want to be able to open and close them when you need . That’s is why the balance system of the replacement window is one of the important parts of the story. In this old vinyl window the balance system is spiral. This type of balance is not the best one, because it needs maintenance and adjustments. So when you buy your new replacement windows, make sure that you get something better. Like block and tackle or constant force balance systems. Window Glass Spacer In this old window, the spacer between the glass is aluminum. In most new windows, new technology is used which is warm edge spacer. Why is that important? Well, because aluminum is a good conductor of heat. In summer time the spacer overheats and may break the seals around the glass. If that happens, the argon gas is gonna escape. The moisture will start to accumulate between the two glass panes of the window. That will reduce energy efficiency of your windows. Fading will obstruct the viewing through the window glass. Fusion Welded Frame and Sashes The last point, but not the least is the frame of the window. Your new replacement windows should have fusion welded both the top and the bottom of the window. When you watch the video, you can see that the top of the window frame is fusion welded. While the bottom is connected together with screws. This makes the window shaky and not durable. When some years pass, you may have problems in operating the window. So make sure that in your new windows you are going to have fully welded the frame and sashes. The bottom line. Be prepared to ask questions about new windows that you are considering to buy. Now you know what should be new in your replacement windows.
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 Every part of the replacement window is important. In many cases you replace your old windows, because you couldn't open or close them. Every window is as good as it balance system. So let’s have a look what types of balance systems are used in replacement windows. Block and Tackle Balance System This type of balance system uses composite cords to connect the coil spring to the balance shoe. Many manufacturers guarantee, that you can use window sashes for about 28000 times. The big plus of the block and tackle balance system is that it does not need lubrication. So you don't have to worry about your window sashes getting stuck. The minus of this system is that it can be used in double pane glass windows. It can’t be applied to triple pane glass windows.  Constant Force Balance System This balance system works by utilizing a rolled coil steel spring to counter the balance of the weight of a window sash. Constant force balance system is widely used. Both in double and triple pane replacement windows. Many manufacturers guarantee that both sashes can be opened and closed for up to 15000 times. The negative side of this balance system is that all the dirt and dust accumulates in spring casing. It makes the operation of the window harder. Replacement windows with constant force balance systems may need maintenance after 20-25 years.  Spiral Balance System
The spiral balance relies on tension applied to spiral rod inside a balance tube. When you open or close the window, some tension is applied by turning the spiral rod that extends out from the bottom of the tube counter clockwise. Spiral Balance system was widely used in replacement windows. Lately most window manufacturers switched to constant force or block and tackle balance systems. The main problem with this balance system is that it provides of up to 1000 cycles of usage. The more you use the window the weaker the spiral spring becomes and sashes are not stay open, they fall down. The other negative side of this balance system is that it needs lubrication from time to time.
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 Many people do not pay a lot of attention to the small details of a new replacement window. But as always small parts may play an important part in functionality and security of the window. We would like to point to your attention vent stops and why are they matter in a replacement window.
Security Vent stops enhance security when you ventilate your room. Let’s say want to have some fresh air into the house, but you need to leave the house for a couple of hours. You can pull out the vent stops, knowing that nobody is going to be able to get inside. If burglar tries to break these vent stops, he is going to make a lot of noise and draw attention to your neighbors. Who will call cops. Vent stops are helpful at night as well. They allow you to keep the window opened just two inches at the bottom or at the top. Protection of Little Children and Pets. When you have kids in the house. You should definitely use vent stops when ventilating the room. Especially when you have window sills less than three feet from the floor. With vent stops you can prevent children and pets falling from the window. According to national statistics, more than 3000 children are injured with window falls each year. So as you can see vent stops seemed to be insignificant small part of the replacement window. But such a little part is enhancing security and protecting lives.
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Why Argon Gas in Replacement Windows1/24/2017  All the new replacement windows have double pane glass. Between each glass pane there is a space of up to one inch. In the past that space was filled with air, now you have an option to fill it with Argon Gas. So Why do you need Argon Gas in your Replacement Windows?
Energy Efficiency Argon Gas increases the R-Value of the replacement windows. It is much heavier than air. Once the space between the two glass panes is filled with AG you add an extra layer of insulation. The good thing about it, that argon gas does not obstruct the view and it does not harmful in any way. AG keeps all the cold outside of the house and all the heat inside the house. Reduces Possibility of Condensation and Frost Because argon gas is heavier than air, it reduces a chance of accumulation of frost. When you have freezing temperatures outside the house. There is a small chance that your glass will be frosty. Argon gas fills the glass pane space and makes it tighter. There is a higher chance that your glass seals will not fail. You are not going to see any condensation between the glass panes.
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Why Low-E Coating is important1/23/2017  Any window in your house is as good as it’s glass. About eighty percent of the window is glass. Windows are the weakest spots in a wall assembly. If you have clear glass in your windows. It means that all the ultraviolet and infrared sun light can pass through glass. So why is Low-E Coating important?
Energy Savings In summer time the Low-E coating reflects heat from the glass back to the outside. It keeps the ultraviolet rays of sun outside of the house. It means you can have savings while cooling your house. Your A/C is not gonna be running all day long. In winter time all the heat is going to be reflected back into the house from the Low-E glass. So when you sit close to the window, you are not gonna feel any cold air circulating. Protection Against Fading Low-E coating blocks the the infrared rays of the sun. It protects your valuable couch and carpet from fading. With plain glass your carpet or furniture is going to fade. You are going to see the faded spots in your living room, bedroom or any other room. With Low-E it is not gonna happen. Makes Your Windows More Inviting Believe it or not it adds beauty. Let’s say when you go to the beach and put sunglasses on. You will look more fashionable and stylish. The same way your house will be more inviting and have richer look with Low-E coating on the glass of your windows. With the sun out, you can tell, that the glass of the windows stands out.
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United Window 8000 Series Review12/20/2016 Windows are the eyes of your house. At Siding & Windows Wizards LLC we understand that. We offer several choices of replacement windows. Our premium option is United 8000 series replacement window. Let us talk a bit about the manufacturer of these windows. United Window and Door Company is local manufacturer, located in Springfield NJ. This is a privately owned company with more than 50 years in business. We like the window products of this company, because they are well designed, durable and reliable. Specifications of the United 8000 Replacement Window The U-Factor of window is 0.26-0.28, which means that the R value of the window is around 4. The SHGC rating 0.24-0.27. With these rating the window is qualified for Energy Star Rating in most states. The glass of the window has Low-E coating and Argon Gas between the two glass panes. Glass pane thickness is 1''. The Design Pressure rate for that window is 50, which means it can withstand wind blows of up to 140 mph. When you install these windows into your house, definetly you are going to see energy savings and less noise coming from the outside into the house.  Interior of the window The window frame is solidly built. The frame and both sashes of the window are fusion welded for extra strength and stability. This is a Double Hung Window, so both sashes move up and down for ease of use and maintenance. When you look at this window from the inside, you can notice that it looks different. The one thing that strikes is the clean look of the bottom sash of the window. You can see, that there is no tilt in locks on each side of the sash. This window has high-tech Lock-N-Tilt System. To release the sash for cleaning, all you have to do is twist the two window locks to the opposite side and the bottom sash tilts in. The window comes with balance covers for extra beauty and cleanliness. United 8000 has vent latches as well. If you want to vent just three inches of the top or the bottom of the window, you can pull them out. The thickness of the frame and the sash combined is 3.25’’. When you have smaller windows in the house, you might loose a bit of the viewing area.  Exterior of the window United 8000 window has rich exterior, that blends in to your house and makes it look like a million bucks. The frame of the window has a nice beveled exterior. Around the window glass there is a beautiful casing, which enhances the look of the window. The window comes with a half fiber screen or full optional screen. The screen is made from fully extruded aluminum and locks at the bottom. When it is windy, your window screens will stay in the windows and are not gonna be blown off and damaged. At the bottom of the window there are no weep holes, because all the frame is fusion welded and water does not get inside the window frame. Wheather Stripping
When you open the window, you notice that bottom and top sashes have three weather stripping. On the bottom of the window there are two weather stripping. United 8000 series window has the vinyl lag that part of the window and locks inside the bottom sash. Energy Efficiency The window has enhanced energy Efficiency. As you can see, all the way around the window frame there is a weather stripping to improve energy saving capabilities. This channel protects the walls of the house for any moisture accumulation. United 8000 Replacement Window Conclusions:
Pluses: — High Energy Efficiency — Lock-N-Tilt System — 140 mph wind resistance — Heavy Extruded Aluminum Screen, that locks into the frame — 1’’ Insulated Glass — heavy duty weather stripping — rich interior and exterior design — balance covers are standard —available in six colors Minuses: —The frame a bit thick — the price is higher United 8000 Series window has solid non prorated Lifetime Limited Warranty. It is easy to understand and easy to use. You don't have to be a lawyer to figure out what your warranty covers. |
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