Window FAQs

While all of these materials have their unique benefits, the best choice for most homeowners will be the frame that offers the best combination of strength, durability, insulation value, ease of maintenance, and attractive look. Wood looks great but does not offer good insulating properties and requires frequent scraping and painting. Vinyl windows can be inexpensive and, if the frame is filled, insulate well. But vinyl can warp, opening gaps and causing the window to stick. Aluminum is very strong and lasts for many years, but it offers virtually no insulation against cold or heat. The right composite material, like Renewal by Andersen’s Fibrex® frame, is engineered to have the strength to remain rigid over its entire lifespan, insulates in all weather conditions, requires virtually no maintenance, and is fabricated with the look and feel of natural wood.

The NFRC is the National Fenestration Research Council, an independent laboratory that tests windows and doors to see how they will perform in your home. (“Fenestration” is the word for an opening in a wall.) The NFRC tests for energy efficiency, rating windows on the basis of several key performance measures. The results are printed on a label that is affixed to all windows that have been submitted by the manufacturer for evaluation. If a window does not have an NFRC label, it has not been tested and any energy claim has not been proven. So, look for the label!

To stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer! Modern windows use two or even three panes of glass to build up a “sandwich” that creates a thermal barrier to prevent the transfer of energy –  in the form of heat or cold – between your home and the outside. The space between the glass panes is filled with argon or krypton gas that acts as a very efficient insulator. Properly made and sealed, your window’s “glass sandwich” can significantly reduce energy loss.

Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass comes with a microscopically thin metal coating that does a very good job of reflecting UV rays and heat energy. The coating is so thin that you can’t really see it. But you will notice when it is doing its job, as direct sunlight does not penetrate into your home, and fading of your carpets, drapes, and upholstered furniture is greatly reduced. The Low-E coating reduces the infrared radiation from a warm pane of glass to a cooler pane.

That’s like comparing apples to oranges. The windows on sale “off the shelf” at the hardware store are made to be as inexpensive as possible, and it shows. You will seldom find windows made with high-quality materials or thermally efficient glass at a “big box” store. Plus, you are limited to taking the sizes they have in stock, which may or may not fit your home. For example, every Renewal by Andersen replacement window is custom-sized and individually manufactured to fit your home perfectly. So, there is no reconstruction necessary, and no gaps or cracks are left around the frame.

That all depends on the size and style of the window, and which options you choose to include, such as Low-E glass. We size each window individually and give you an upfront cost before starting your window replacement project. And all of our costs include professional installation, which is often an extra cost when you buy from a hardware store or some window companies.

Yes. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 30% of a home’s energy (in the form of warm air in winter and cooled air in summer) is lost through inefficient windows and doors. That’s like throwing 30 cents out of every dollar you spend on energy right out the window – literally! Energy- efficient windows and doors can significantly reduce this energy loss. You’ll start seeing savings on your monthly energy bills right away!