FIBREX REPLACEMENT WINDOWS CHANGE WINTER ROUTINE, PROVIDE LIGHT, WARMTH AND SAVE ENERGY COSTS

Most families have fall and winter decorating traditions that begin with ghosts, goblins and jack-o-lanterns, and end with taking down Christmas lights from around the fireplace and dragging a needle-dropping tree carcass to the curb.

Our family dutifully and cheerfully subscribes to this program, pulling the first carefully marked boxes from the attic in October and putting the last ones back in mid-January. But until this past fall, our family had another decorating tradition that I’m pleased to say we’ve done away with—the annual taping of clear plastic wrap to the inside of our home’s windows. For as long as I can remember, when the first pumpkin came out at the farmer’s market, we were indoors trimming pieces of plastic, untangling double-stick tape, and blow drying each window covering to a drum-like tautness.

This past fall, however, I dreaded spending another winter living like a cheese sandwich, listening to plastic rustle every time the wind blew. It was time for replacement windows. The process of window replacement was a real learning experience that I would like to share with other homeowners who might have similar needs.

Window Fundamentals

As with most home improvements, you have a number of options when selecting replacement windows. A good replacement window should withstand all that Washington’s weather can unleash, including years of exposure to wind, rain, snow, heat and cold, all while letting a sufficient amount of light into a room. Keep in mind that because an insert replacement window's frame is installed inside the old window's existing frame, the window's overall glass area can be reduced. With some replacement windows, you could lose up to three inches of glass on each side. So take your measuring tape along when shopping and see whose window lets in more light.

Typically, windows are assembled either with mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails or staples, or by fusing or welding parts together. Different materials require different construction techniques. But you can't always tell how well a window will hold up by looking at it, so ask about the manufacturer's quality control, engineering and testing standards. Choose a reputable manufacturer who will stand behind the product and will provide repair or replacement service if needed years down the road. Remember, many smaller companies may not be around when you need them.

Weather-stripping should provide a tight barrier against drafts and leaks, but still operate easily. Some manufacturers will give up one feature to maximize the other, but a well-made window should do both. Open and shut the window to see how easily it operates. Then look for weather-stripping on all areas where the sash and frame make contact.

Any window will look good new. But the key is how it will look - and perform - after it's been opened and shut a few hundred (or a few thousand) times. So try out the windows when you're shopping. See if they work smoothly, and if the fit is snug. And see if the operating mechanisms and locks feel solid. Check out tilt-sash and pivot designs that let you wash both sides of a window from inside the house. Look for windows that tilt or pivot without requiring you to first remove the insect screens. And make sure the manufacturer hasn't compromised on weather tightness to gain convenience. Is it the right size? Windows come in two types: standard and custom. Standard-sized windows are generally made for the new construction market, where openings can be easily adjusted to fit the window. When replacing windows, though, you will most likely need custom sizes because of the variety of brands and sizes used over the years in home construction. Precise engineering and snug fit are key to a long-lasting, energy-efficient installation.

Frame Materials

Replacement windows come in a variety of frame materials, and you should be aware of the pros and cons of each. Here's a comparison of the most common options.

Wood offers good strength and energy efficiency and can be painted or stained to match any color scheme. The problem is, most solid wood windows are only available in standard sizes; non-standard sizes must be custom-made and are generally more expensive. Also, wood requires more long-term maintenance over its lifetime than other materials – it can warp, rot and stick; it provides a perfect host for wood-boring insects and UV rays can break down wood fibers over time.

Aluminum is easy to maintain, but can be relatively expensive. Also, keep in mind that aluminum is a conductor of heat rather than an insulator, which means the area around the window will feel cold as heat escapes through the frame (although some manufacturers may incorporate a "thermal break" or plastic strip inside the frame to act as an insulator). Even worse, water condenses on aluminum, sometimes leading it to pool on your windowsills and run down your walls.

Vinyl is one of the less expensive options, but doesn’t last as long as the others. While it is a better insulator than aluminum and easy to maintain, vinyl is not paintable and is only available in a limited number of solid colors and printed patterns, so it may not offer an acceptable color match to existing woodwork in older homes. It is also likely to warp and expand when subjected to low and high temperatures – this leads to seal failure, which can cloud your windows. One last factor to take into account with vinyl windows: light. Vinyl has the highest seal-failure rate of any window material, which can prevent light from coming through the windows. It also requires a heavier frame to hold the glass in the window – which further reduces the amount of light coming through.

Wood window frames clad with aluminum or vinyl coverings offer the energy efficiency and beauty of wood with easy exterior maintenance. Unfortunately, many are only available in a limited range of standard sizes. Non-standard sizes may be expensive and construction can be questionable, so look for a manufacturer with established credibility that will stand behind the product. Wood windows also have high maintenance costs, including the cost to paint the interiors of the windows. Another factor to be aware of is that aluminum is prone to condensation. Over time, this can cause the wood behind the cladding to rot. Unfortunately, by the time the rotting is noticeable, most manufacturer warranties have long since expired.

In my research, I also came across one other product called Fibrex™. Made exclusively by Renewal by Andersen, Fibrex is a composite material that offers the best of both worlds—a combination of the strength, durability and architectural detail of wood, with the easy maintenance of vinyl. By using this high-tech composite, Renewal by Andersen windows offer superior dimensional stability – they are resistant to temperature changes, so they won't expand or contract as much in heat or cold; are resistant to bowing and cracking, which can cause drafts and water leaks; are excellent insulators-about 700 times better than aluminum; and won't rust, rot, peel or blister.

Glass Options

Glass is the other important consideration when selecting replacement windows. Single-pane windows don't provide much insulation against cold or hot temperatures. Double-pane (or double-glazed) windows have an airspace, typically one-half to one inch, sandwiched between two sheets of glass to provide an extra layer of insulation. If the space is too narrow, temperature is too easily conducted. If the space is too wide, convection currents are created that transfer heat or cold.

Triple-pane windows aren't as popular as they used to be, mainly because the extra layer of glass adds significantly to the weight and cost while only marginally improving the efficiency. Today's double-panes, especially those with advanced low-E coatings, provide a comparable level of energy efficiency. In addition, triple-panes are very heavy and require thicker framing to support their weight, which means less light and view.

In most double-pane windows, air trapped between the glass provides the insulation. In better double-panes, the space is filled with an inert argon gas blend. Argon has a thermal conductivity, or heat transfer rate, that is 30 percent lower than air, making it more efficient.

Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings on window glass can alter the flow of heat and light transmitted through the window. In the summertime, low-E coatings deflect heat from sunlight from entering your home. And in the winter, they prevent the same warmth from sunlight from escaping.

U-factors and R-values are terms are often used by manufacturers in describing the thermal efficiency of a window. U-factor indicates how quickly heat is transferred through a window, and R-value is the opposite. So a window with a low U-factor, or a high R-value, is better at keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

As if this isn’t confusing enough, some manufacturers provide R-values for the center of the glass, but not for the entire window, including its frame. To help sort things out, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has created industry-wide standards to make comparisons accurate and easy. So if a manufacturer's glass has an NFRC label on it, you'll know what you're getting before you buy.

For even more peace of mind, I learned to look for the Energy Star label. The Energy Star program was introduced by the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products. You’ve probably seen the Energy Star logo on your refrigerator or your air conditioner. By choosing Energy Star window products, you can cut your heating and cooling costs by a minimum of 15 up to 50 percent without sacrificing comfort, versatility or style.

Making the Selection

After visiting a number of manufacturers showrooms, several trips to the mega-hardware stores, and reading many articles on the web, I became as knowledgeable as I could about replacement windows. I received references from as many of the manufacturers as I could, and even got to check out windows they had installed in other customers’ homes.

Finally, I selected the Renewal by Andersen Fibrex product from The Window Place, which has been in business for more than 45 years. The Renewal by Andersen windows provide 20 percent more light than other brands, and are 35 percent more energy efficient than common double pane windows. The fact that Renewal By Andersen has been in business for 98 years and is the largest window manufacturer in the world made us more comfortable that the installation process would go smoothly. In fact, The Window Place's Installers are factory certified by Renewal By Andersen and offered us the best warranty in the industry – 20 years on glass and 10 years on all parts with installation included and no labor charges. Just as importantly, Renewal By Andersen’s Fibrex product is accepted in historical districts, which was the final hurdle in our purchasing process.
Aesthetically, the replacement windows fit snuggly, blend perfectly into the decor, and provide more light in the house.

From a comfort standpoint, drafts were gone, rattling from the old windows was eliminated, and we’re now able to open windows during the winter if we want, instead of having to wait until we took the plastic down in the spring.

And as for energy costs, we’re saving money on heating this winter and will save on air conditioning during the summer. And as I read in the paper that the price of oil is at a six-month high and headed higher, I was happy to invite my neighbors over for holiday cheer and discuss my new windows.