Home Improvement FAQ's

Don't all energy star rated windows qualify for the federal rebate?

2011-12-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

No, you need to do your research when purchasing new windows. In fact, while doing your research you will be surprised about how the BIG names in windows compare against their competition. Each manufacture should

have a NFRC label on their window. I looks like the label above. In order for you to receive your federal credit, both the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient need to be 0.30 or lower.

We Are Looking To Remodel, Do You Have Any Advise?

2011-11-14T12:11:00.001-08:00

My wife & I are looking to remodel our home which was built in the 1960's. The roof had been replaced about 20 years ago but it looks like it needs to be replaced again. Do you have any suggestions for us before we begin.

Yes, but if I were to be detailed in explaining what to look for I would need to write a book, so I will just touch on each area.

First you need to be specific as to what work needs to be completed. Both you and your wife need to agree on what it is that you're going to have completed, the roof replaced, replacement windows installed and/or siding replaced for example. Once you both agree on the scope and size of your project, you need to locate contractors which can perform that type of work. Try to get contractors that can complete the entire project, this usually saves you money. Trying to use a contractor for each project separately can get expensive and time consuming.

Many homeowners rely on some online services to request free estimates. The only down side to these types of services is they sell your information to three or more contractors. Because of this you will be inundated with phone calls. Other homeowners research companies on the internet and call the ones they select for a consultation and estimates. Most all remodeling contractors will provide free estimates for home improvement projects.

When selecting a contractor, here are a few common sense & simple things to look for.

Make sure they issue a free written estimate and written proposal. No verbal agreements!
Look them up on the internet. (In today's business climate, almost all business have web sites)
Ask them for references. (if they have been in business for any length of time they should be able to provide them)
Find out if they belong to any organizations. (BBB, Remodeling Associations etc...)
Ask for an insurance certificate. Make sure you request a copy before they start your project. When you read the certificate make sure they have both Liability and Workman's Compensation coverage.
Ask about an approximate start and completion dates for your project. They should agree to list them on your proposal.

When selecting building products for your project, you need to do your homework. When using any big box name brand products you will most likely pay more than the generic brand products. That being said, their are many generic brand products on the market which are as equally good and may even cost less and preform better than the big name brands. In some cases though, the difference in pricing between the generic brands and the big name brands may only be a few cents. Both you & your contractor need to do the comparisons to see which would be best for your project. In today's construction market, performance, efficiency and product fit should be your measurement of comparison for all building products for your project. Use both labor and product warranties in your comparison process as well.

The most important and mostly overlooked factor is finding a contractor that you feel comfortable with. Now, I'm not saying that you need to go out and have a beer with them, but you will need to be able to have an open communication with them. This becomes a bit more difficult with the larger big box companies since they mostly send out sales people on the initial call. You need to be able to effectively and efficiently communicate with them on a daily bases. Trust me, this is construction. Every day while your project is in the process of being completed, thier will be issues that pop up. You need to be able to either pick up the phone and speak with your contractor or wait until they start in the morning to speak with them. In any case YOU NEED TO HAVE A CONTACT PERSON.

Because of the above, I recommend that you meet with your contractor 2-3 times before signing an agreement to define the scope of work, have them get the pricing for your proposal and than go over all the details for the job. Make sure when you go over the details you cover any issues that you have concerns over.

Should We Install Aluminum Capping Or Use PVC Lumber?

2011-11-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

My husband and I would like to replace the siding on our home. My husband has been insisting that we use PVC lumber for the trim vs capping the existing wood trim with aluminum. His main reasoning for replacing the trim is because the bees are boring holes in the trim and have destroyed them. Whats your recommendation?

The first question I need to ask is - is it your plan to remove the existing trim boards either way? If the wood is too damaged to save, than your husband is correct. In other words the difference in cost to replace the trim boards and than cap them with aluminum verses installing PVC Lumber trim should be negligible.

If your existing trim boards do not need to be replaced, you will need to give this a bit more consideration. With that being said using PVC Lumber to replace your homes exterior trim is a great idea. The main reasons to use PVC Lumber is

1) it's maintenance free
2) bees can't penetrate them
3) it available in a variety of shapes and sizes
4) you can paint the lumber with special paint which lasts a long time
5) will not blow off as easily as aluminum trim
6) doesn't weather or rot like exposed wood trim
7) can be power washed easily.
8) increase your homes value.

For these reasons I would tend to agree with him. The only downside would be the initial cost if your existing trim work is in good shape.

Can I Install A New Roof Myself?

2011-11-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

Yes but I do not recommend it. Over the years like everything else, the roofing industry has evolved. It used to be that their were limited products and installation techniques. Now the industry has many roofing products each having their own installation requirements. Also the safety factor of climbing the ladder and walking on your roof needs to be considered.

With so many products and techniques, every installer needs to understand which products work together, which don't, and which products to use (or not use) on a project. Using the wrong combination of products, or using an incorrect installation method can cause huge costly issues after completion. Since roofing material has doubled in cost over the past several years, installing it correctly the first time is imperative! For those of you considering choosing the lowest price contractor, DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST! After installing a roof the first time incorrectly, having to reinstall it again can become cost prohibitive.

Once getting past the product and installation issues, the next consideration needs to be your ability to finish the job once it's started. Your physical condition must be excellent. The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles. Even the lowest quality asphalt shingle bundles start at almost 80lbs per bundle. That's just to lift them, now you must carry them up a ladder and across the roof. To complicate matters, if your roof has a steep pitch, it can become a challenging nightmare for even a veteran installer.

Unless you are extremely handy, have the proper tools, equipment and knowledge, hiring a professional is highly recommended for any roofing job.

Just Installed A New Roof And It Leaks - Is This Common?

2011-11-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, it's becoming more common, but it is unacceptable. Lately I have received several calls regarding this type of issue. It seams that the property owner gets several quotes and chooses the cheapest one. They normally hire a roofing company to install a 3 dimensional roof system such as a GAF Timberline or Ultra Timberline. After the roof is installed the homeowner pays the contractor and everything is fine.

After about 5 months they notice stains on the ceiling sheet rock. These leaks appear in various spots even with in several rooms or hallways. What I find is that these installers are installing the roof incorrectly. The truth is that many of these installers filtered down from the new construction market when the economy turned. They may have been concrete labors and now they are installing roofs. After all they have family's to feed too. Unfortunately, since they have done a limited number of roof installations or worst yet, your home will be their first, they really have no experience. I have found is that they are installing these 3-D roof shingles the same as we would install a 3 tab roof shingle roof. If they do this, you will experience leaks all over the roof. Now depending on the pitch and the direction of the roof, it will effect the leaks. You may only experience leaking if you get a window driven rain from a certain direction.

Another big issue that we have seen lately is roofing companies installing asphalt roof shingles on flat or semi flat roofs. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED! Their are products for these types of roofs. If asphalt roof shingles are installed on roofs with less than a 4/12 pitch, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE LEAKS. Also, the single manufacture will not warranty the job.

My recommendation for homeowners is to hire a respected contractor that specializes in home remodeling and has a good reputation. Also, check with your local Better Business Bureau and make sure they offer a written labor warranty. While choosing the least expensive looks good up front, it can be extremely costly if the new roof has to be removed and another installed because of a bad roofing install job.

We already have double pane windows, why should I replace them?

2011-09-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

If they are the old aluminum dual pane windows, they do not have the technology that is available today and are really not energy efficient.

Aluminum is a conductor of heat and cold, and although the space between the two panes of glass help to slow down the movement of cold air between the panes, it does very little for heat. The problem is the heat escaping, which allows the cold air to enter. Even Aluminum windows with a built in thermal barrier have this issue.

The other problem with older dual pane windows (even vinyl) is the older technology such as the aluminum spacer which is between the two panes, as well as not having the Low E glass. Generally speaking, most builders do not put the highest quality windows in, and building codes did not always require an emphasis on energy efficiency. As a result nearly 50% of the windows being replaced today are already Dual pane windows.
Many of these dual pane windows are being replaced because they say “the seals failed” or the windows are “fogged up”

The reality is that the windows were poor quality with aluminum spacers . As the glass heated up, so did the aluminum spacer that was touching the glass. With repeated heating up and cooling down the metal and glass would expand and contract. Eventually the rubber seal around the glass would dry up, with all the expansion and contracting the rubber seal would crack, allowing moisture in. The little holes in the aluminum spacer would allow the moisture to be absorbed by the Desiccant (white absorbant material). When that became saturated, the white material would seep out and “fog up” the window. Some companies suggest just changing the glass (which is an option). However the problem is more than the glass unit, as we have just described. It is Time for new windows.

What does it mean when the glass is foggy inbetween the insulated glass?

2011-08-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

It simply means that the insulated seal is broke. Several years ago most window manufactures used a simple square aluminum spacer with holes to separate the glass panes. After filling this aluminum bar with a product called desiccant (it absorbs moisture) they would put a rubber sealer on the sides of the aluminum spacer and press the glass to it with special equipment.

After several years this sealer material gets brittle. As the glass expands and contracts, due to heat and cold, the sealer material starts to crack and finally it just breaks. At this point moisture starts to accumulate in-between the glass especially with drastic temperature changes. As the moisture is pulled from the insulated unit by the desiccant material, the desiccant becomes saturated and cannot handle any more moisture. It is at this point the moisture begins to heat up and steam is created. Along with the steam is the residual from the desiccant in gas form. This gas gradually spreads through the entire sash and creates a film in-between the glass which you cannot clean. Making it look dirty.

The only 2 solutions are to replace the glass, or replace the window. Before you go replacing the glass though, you need to realize that you will most likely have to use the same aluminum spacer system that was previously used. This is because of the glazing space restrictions which are components of the window sash. Therefore, you may have the same problem again. If your plans for living there are short term, by all means replace the glass. Although it is not cheap, glass replacement can start at $150.00 or more per sash. If your replacing 1 - 2 sashes, its not bad. If you need several windows reglazed, call a contractor for a price on new windows.

A decent new vinyl replacement windows can start as low as $300.00 installed. However most contractors usually have a minimum order of 5 windows.

Water In Our Basement

2011-03-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

We are looking to remodel our basement but we keep getting water in the basement every time it rains. What can we do and do you have any suggestions?

Whenever planning a basement remodel, many things will need to be taken into consideration. One of the main concerns will be moisture or water in the basement. First, you’ll need to determine the source of the moisture. The best way to determine that is with a visual inspection of all interior basement walls.

While this may sound straight forward, it can be tricky. Just because you do not see any damp areas or water coming through the wall, doesn't mean that water or moisture is not penetrating the foundation walls. What you want to look for in addition to wet stains on the wall is white crystalized lines and/or large cracks in the basement wall. If you find either one of this situations, you’ll need to correct the cause.

Determining the cause is sort of trial & error. One of the most common water issues in a basement are on the outside of the home. It’s the downspouts also known as leaders. Downspouts are connected to the gutters which carry rain water, which is generated during rainy days. This water is funneled down into the downspouts and than it is supposed to be directed away from the home. If your home does not have gutters and leaders on it, and your looking at remodeling your basement it would be a good idea to install them before starting your basement project

If you have gutters and leaders installed on your home, you need to inspect them to make sure that the water which is collected is directed away from the home. If you see any area which accumulates water (puddles) you need to fill the void or extend the downspout away from the home. The further away you can direct the water, the better. Keep in mind that if your home is under 20 years old, it’s highly likely that when it was built, a layer of tar was installed on the exterior of the foundation wall.

Now, If you have gutters and leaders installed - all the rain water is diverted away from the house, and you still have water in your basement, you may have a high water table. If this is the case you should locate a local water proofing expert to determine the extent and cause of the issue before starting your project. In some cases, it may be as simple as installing a dehumidifier, while others may require installing french drains and waterproofing your basement.

Just to be clear, I do not advise starting a basement remodeling project without making sure that the moisture or water problem is completely resolved. In fact, if you have a moisture or water problem and you do not address it before starting or completing your basement remodel, the results could be devastating. I have personally have witnessed basement walls completely that were completely collapsed into the basement because the water issues were not dealt with. Hydrostatic pressure can be devastating. Please do not make that mistake.

Why should I consider Window Replacement?

2011-03-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

Window replacement is a smart idea if your home is over 25 years old and you still have the original builders windows installed. The only exception would be if your windows are double pane windows and in good shape. By good shape I mean easy to open and close, you don’t feel cold air coming thru during the winter, all the hardware is still operable, and most of all – can you see through the glass?

Your Home is an investment.

Weather you look at it as an investment or not, it is. For many of us, it is the largest investment that we make. And like all investments, it has it’s ups and downs in the market. When homeowners install new Vinyl Replacement windows into there homes, it actually increases the value of the property immediately while making it more appealing to look at. In fact, many realtors will tell us that curb appeal is very important when selling a property in today's market.

Moisture On The Inside Of My New Vinyl Windows.

2011-01-25T04:41:00.000-08:00

Recently I received a call from a customer letting me know that they had a seal break in their new Double Hung vinyl replacement windows. As always, I let them know that I would come and inspect the problem.

When I arrived at the home, I found that they were correct about the moisture on the inside of the glass. However, as I mentioned to them, the windows are doing exactly what they are suppose to do. As long as the moisture is not in-between the glass, you do not have a window issue. When insulated windows produce moisture from the inside, the insulated glass unit is blocking the warm air from leaving the home and the moisture from the air is collected on the glass.

Whenever the moisture appears on the interior of the glass, you have a high humidity issue within the home. This normally happens when homeowners replace single pane window units with double pane window units. Most homeowners can dublicate the issue by cooking a large meal in the kitchen. All the windows get steamed up. The reason this happens is because the home has a high humidity level. This is more common with homes built with crawl spaces or mobile homes, or any home where directly under the home is land. The best way to combat this is to purchase a good dehumidifier. They are relatively inexpensive and will reduce the moisture level. In the mean time, try to keep the glass dry. With vinyl replacement windows the window will not be damaged, however if a lot of moisture is present the wood frame and rough opening can be damaged if left unattended for a long period of time.

Just as a note: The lower the U-Rating the more the unit insulates. And therefore the more moisture that will be trapped until removed with a dehumidifier.

I Can Not Clean My Windows - No matter How Hard I Try

2011-01-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

Many homeowners find themselves in a situation where no matter how hard they try, they cannot clean their windows. It appears that when they clean the inside and the outside, the window is still dirty. The chances are that it is not the lack of your cleaning ability.

On older windows, and some newer ones, it is not uncommon for the seals to go bad and crack. This happens because the seals dry out, while the glass continues to expand and contract. Once a seal has cracked, you'll notice condensation or water vapor in between the two panes of glass, which is also called the insulated unit. This reaction is caused by the differences of temperature on each side of the glass. As the area in between the two panes of glass develops condensation, water vapor drops down into the middle bar which separates the two pieces of glass. If you look closely at a bar, it should have tiny little holes in it. The water enters these tiny holes which allows it to get inside the hollow metal tube. Once the condensation enters, it mixes with a product called desiccant. This product is used to collect condensation. Once this product mixes with the condensation it absorbs it. Once the desiccant absorbs as much moisture as it can, can no longer do its job.

As we enter into the spring and summer months the insulated area between the glass gets extremely hot. Temperatures easily exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this, steam is created and vapor rises within the insulated glass area bringing with it the impurities found in the desiccant. These impurities are what fogs the glass up and makes it so it will never look clean. Over time the condition gets worst. So severer, you may not be able to see out of the window.

At this point you may be asking yourself, How do I fix it? - Well the only real way to correct this issue is to replace the glass. Now on some of the newer big name window units, you may have to replace the entire sash. Many of these larger companies use extremly thin glass and a differant type of IG unit. Either way the insulated unit should be replaced.

The question that needs to be answered is, Is it worth it to just replace the glass? The answer is yes if it's just 1 or 2 sashes. The glass replacement can be done by a professional glazier who specializes in glass replacement. You should be able to find a local glazier on the internet or in your local phone book.

If you have 5 or more windows all with this issue, consider Replacement Windows. Reason being is that each insulated glass replacement sash could run you as much as $120 - $190 per sash. On a double hung that would be around $240 - $400 per window. For that amount of money you could by new Vinyl Replacement Windows and have them installed

Will Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows Really Save Energy?

2010-12-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

This all depends on the condition of your existing windows. Do you have:

• single pane metal or wood windows?
• you have storm windows installed?
• you feel cold air coming in during the winter?
• you can see thru the glass because it is all fogged up?
• a hard time opening and closing the window?

Then the answer would almost definitely be "YES".

The best way to get the answer to this question is to make an appointment to have a professional inspect your windows.

Over the past 20 years or so, replacement window technology has really been progressive. From the replacement of the old metal insulated glass bar (still used in some name brand windows) to the reflective coatings and inert gases used in today’s insulated window units. This is why, even replacement windows purchase as little as 10 years ago are not as energy efficient as today’s replacement window products. Not only that, but testing data now available states that many vinyl replacement window units out perform most comparable major (big name) brand windows. So, the key here is that homeowners looking to install any type of windows, need to do their homework.

If your not sure if your windows need to be replaced, I have a link to a page, which will walk you through evaluating your current windows to make a determination. However, if your reading this article – you already know the answer.

What can we do to stop the leaks?

2010-07-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

My wife & I purchased a new home 10 years ago. While the Double Hung's windows look like they are in good shape, they leak cold air during the winter. What can we do to stop the leaks?

The first thing I would recommend is to make sure the interlocks for the top and bottom sashes closed all the way and are locked together properly. Many times the top sash interlock sits on top of the bottom sash interlock letting air in.

If the sashes are closed properly, then you may have an installation problem which would require the window to be removed and reinstalled. We have seen many windows installed during new construction with broken window flanges and untaped.

If you have to remove the window unit, you might as well install a new unit. This will make life a whole lot easier if you find the flange is broken.

Aren't all replacement windows alike?

2010-04-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Absolutely not!

First, you have the major distinction of either a new construction windows or replacement windows. Just recently a newer window has been added called the replacement windows with a new construction flange. Each of these window types must be used with the correct application or serious problems can occur.

Most people refer to the name brand windows because that's all they know. The fact is that these same window companies spend a fortune in advertising, which is past onto the consumer. Many times we find that local window manufactures products out perform even the best of the name brand windows. When it comes to purchasing any type of window, the consumer really must do there homework if they are serious about making the right purchase.

Is there any difference with IG units?

2010-04-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, the IG units of today (insulating glass units) are not the same as five years ago. The IG units of today are more energy-efficient and last longer. What's more important is that when consumers purchase new windows, they should try to get the most up-to-date IG unit available.

Currently there are two IG units which have been proven to be the latest and state-of-the-art. The first is called sashlight technology. This is where the IG unit is actually part of the sash and the second unit is an aluminum "U" channel which is designed to flex with the glass. Although all of the older insulated glass units are still available with the bigger name Windows.

Reasons To Install Vinyl Replacement Windows

2010-03-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Reasons To Install Vinyl Replacement Windows

Vinyl Replacement Windows are, without a doubt a good investment from a financial standpoint, but what about the practicality point of view?

Most all Vinyl Replacement Double Hung windows (most common window) have tilt-in bottom and top sashes for easy cleaning. Since the insulated glass space between the glass is more then ½” they can put the grills in-between the panes of glass. This way you do not have to remove the grills to clean the glass like so many other windows.

Since Vinyl Replacement windows are made from PVC extrusions, they are waterproof. This means they do not expanded and contract or swell like wood windows do. This means you will have many years of service and the will be easy to open and close.

Vinyl Replacement Windows are a great choice because they do not act like wood, and the expansion and contraction is minimal, because of that the window seal is constant when the window is closed. After many years of service you should continue to feel no drafts - weather you're standing next to the window or in the middle of the room.

With new Vinyl Replacement Double Hung Windows, most have an added security feature called a safety latch. When pressed on, the latch only allows the sashes to open a certain amount. This is a great feature for all floors in the home. On the first floor it can be used to stop someone from opening the windows and breaking — in. On the upper floors in can be used to keep little ones from falling out.

With new technology, you can now paint vinyl windows. While most vinyl windows come in white and almond, you can now paint them. Special Vinyl Paint can be purchased in just about any color.

I hope that this page has been informational for you. If you have a question you would like answered please email me.

Can Vinyl Replacement Window Increase My Homes Value?

2010-03-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

In today’s real-estate market, curb appeal is extremely important. First time homebuyers have a huge selection of homes to choose from. If they do not like what they see at the curb, they simply go to the next house. The bottom line is that you loose that sale from the street.

In speaking with several real-estate professionals, another trend going on is that investors offer a price for the home and the owner accepts, only to find out that they want that price reduced because the windows need replacement.

The bottom line here is that if you windows need to be replaced, you will pay either way. Why not replace them and enjoy the benefits now instead of being forced to reimburse a prospective buyer.

2010-02-15T05:20:00.000-08:00

We have a roof leaks. Water stains are viewable by both skylights as well as on the inside, of the outside wall. We originally thought that our asphalt roofing and/or skylights were leaking and we had someone seal around the outside of them and reseal the glass as well. We are still experiencing leaking. What should we do?

Being that this is a repair, it can be tricky. Since you had someone seal the outside of the skylights, and the glass to the skylights and it is still leaking, it may be the roof. If the roof is over 8 years old, trying to fix it may be difficult only because after 8 years of weathering, asphalt shingles become brittle. So trying to remove and replace a shingle or shingles can become challenging. The best option would be to remove the current roof in that area, inspect the decking and than reinstall a new roof if possible. Also, it wouldn't hurt if you installed ice & water shield. If this proves to fix the problem, GREAT! if not you may need to replace the skylights.

Are Vinyl Replacement Window Really Maintenance Free?

2010-02-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

Most of today’s vinyl replacement windows are maintenance free. There are however things to look for when purchasing these windows to make sure they stay that way.

For instance, you want a vinyl window with a weld mainframe and sash frames. This elevates the possibility of any mechanical fasteners such as screws loosing up over the years of use. Another area is the hardware of the window. Make sure is metal or cast and not plastic. The balance system on Double Hung windows is another area, which needs attention. Many Double Hung window manufactures use the old tubular balance system. After about three years or so it need to be continually adjusted. Instead, look for Vinyl Replacement Windows with a Stainless Steel Coil balance system, aka “Constant Force” balance. These are becoming more and more popular since they require little to no maintenance at all.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the window industry is continually changing. Recently a new feature – “ Double Strength Glass” has been added to this list. While it certainly is not necessary, it can protect the windows if stones (from lawnmowers) or even a brick hits the glass. This certainly cuts down on the possibility of glass breakage.

Which Vinyl Window Is The Best?

2010-01-26T13:26:00.000-08:00

To be honest they are all good. Because replacement window technology has been changing so rapidly, manufactures need to keep up or contractors will not purchase their products. With that being said, their is a way to compare windows and determine which window performs better. Compare The NFRC Window Lables.

The National Fenestration Rating CouncilIt is the only federally recognized organization for providing accurate information to measure and compare the energy performance of window, door or skylight products.On every replacement window and replacement door, you'll see a label that provides the NFRC energy performance rating. All energy performance values on the label represent the rating of windows and doors as whole systems (glazing and frame). This label is your assurance that this window has been independently rated by the NFRC. The NFRC label is also the label that determines whether or not your replacement windows and doors qualify for the new energy efficiency tax credit. Pay attention to the U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings. They both must be 0.30 or less to qualify for current $1,500 tax credit. Replacement windows and doors must also meet the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

The main two areas of concern are the U-Factor (1=the yellow star) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (2=the red star).

U-Factor measures the rate of heat transfer and tells you how well the window insulates. The lower the U-Factor, the better the window insulates. U-Factor values generally range from 0.25 to 1.25.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures the fraction of solar energy admitted and tells you how well the product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat the window transmits. SHGC is measured on a scale of 0 to 1; values typically range from 0.25 to 0.80.

9/25/09 - Special Note To All Homeowners: Click here to view NFRC to make sure the manufacture of the window really had the testing completed.


An Example Window Label

I currently have single pane windows and they are not leaking. Why should I replace them?

2009-12-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

According to the EPA as much as 78% of the Heating and Air conditioning in a home leaks out through single pane windows. According to the US Department. of Energy, ” for every 35 sq ft of single pane glass, it is the equivalent of having 1 sq ft of “unobstructed wall space” (isn’t that the same as a hole?) In plain English, if you have 35 sq ft of single pane glass (like 2 6x3 windows, or one 6 ft patio door) it is the same as having a 1 square foot hole in the wall.

The average house has about 200 sq ft of windows, so if they are single pane, then it is like having a 5.71 sq ft hole in your wall. (roughly the size of a 5 foot patio door)