Compliments of Zen Windows Des Moines

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO

(515) 207-8789 ZenWindowsDesMoines.com

4 Why should you replace your windows?

6 Types of replacement windows

7 Energy labels and what they mean

8 What type of frame materials should you use?

10 What type of glass should you choose?

11 How to choose the right replacement window contractor

12 What an exact price for replacement window installation should include

13 What should you expect to pay for a good replacement window?

Back About Zen Windows

Table of Contents

(515) 207-8789 ZenWindowsDesMoines.com

Dear Des Moines-Area Homeowner, this free replacement window report reveals the truth, the secrets, and the insider information many window contractors want to keep under wraps.

Are you tired of cleaning and painting your windows? Are your windows outdated wood, aluminum, or vinyl? Is air and moisture infiltrating your home? Or do you simply want to improve your home’s appearance?

Hi, I’m Alix Wenninger, Owner of Zen Windows Des Moines. When it comes to replacement windows, I insist on offering the highest-quality materials and installation—with none of the sales pressure and hassles.

I created this report to help you, the homeowner, select the best replacement windows and contractor for your project. Now, before you get the wrong idea about the partiality of this report, you should know that I try to be as unbiased as possible. I believe in providing homeowners with the best possible information, and then letting THEM make the decision. As such, you’ll find that this report on replacement windows is not a “sales” piece to market my company, but an informational tool you can use to make the right decision for your home and budget.

Because here’s the truth: Times have changed. It’s hard to trust a company when it makes claims about their work. I believe it’s my responsibility to share what I know with you, so you can make an informed decision about your project. This includes not only providing you with great information about replacement windows, but also little-known information that replacement windows companies tend to keep under wraps.

So keep reading to find out EVERYTHING you need to know to get the best window project for your home.

Sincerely,

Alix Wenninger Owner of Zen Windows Des Moines

From saving on energy bills to improving the exterior of their homes, people replace their windows for many reasons. No matter the reason for your window replacement, it’s ideal to have the most (and most accurate) information possible. This will help you make the best decision about your proj-ect.

With that in mind, we’ve listed some of the most common reasons homeowners replace their windows, along with im-portant information to go along with it.

ENERGY SAVINGS

Windows are the single biggest source of energy loss (and large energy bills!) in the home. Energy exits windows in three scenarios: infiltration, conduction, and radiation.

Infiltration occurs when cold air leaks into your home through your windows, making your home drafty and un-comfortable. To make matters worse, the warm air in your home exits through other leaks. The most common leak areas are windows, entry door, attics, and recessed lights. (Does that sound like your home?)

Conduction happens when the window is heated and cooled from the outside, while your home tries to do the same from

the inside. This can form icicles around the edge of the window. It’s no accident that heating and cooling vents are placed in front of windows.

Radiation is just what it means. Like a car’s radiator, your windows radiate your heating and cooling dollars right out the window.

The big question: What makes windows energy efficient? It’s not just one thing, but a variety of components. New advanced technologies and designs have dramatically im-proved performance in most of today’s energy efficient win-dows. Turn to the “Window Ratings And What They Mean” section of this report for more information.

Bottom Line: Purchase energy efficient windows, as they’ll cut your energy costs and pay for themselves over time.

ELIMINATING MAINTENANCE

Many replacement vinyl window companies claim that their windows are “100% maintenance free.” But is this really the case?

Here’s the truth: Unlike wood windows, replacement vinyl windows do not require painting, staining, or scraping. Re-

Why Should You Replace Your Windows?

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placement vinyl windows also do not rot or become dam-aged by moisture. By switching to vinyl windows, you save a lot of money on painting and upkeep.

That said, replacement vinyl windows do require cleaning. This is an easy process that normally involves a simple wipe down with a cleaner (see your windows’ product manual for specific instructions). And since many of today’s replace-ment vinyl windows feature a tilt-in sash, you can clean the exterior glass from inside your home!

Bottom Line: While replacement vinyl windows require the occasional easy cleaning, they will save you a TON of time, effort, and money when compared wood windows.

COMFORT

Consumer Energy Alliance surveyed homeowners and found that 67% of respondents say that HOME COMFORT was the most important factor in buying replacement win-dows. Fortunately, today’s replacement vinyl windows help ensure a comfortable home throughout the year.

During cold months, the inside surface of an inefficient win-dow pulls heat away from your body. As a result, you’re still cold even if you close the window and crank up the thermo-stat. With proper replacement windows, the inside window glass stays warmer, so you can relax in your favorite win-dow seat, even when temperatures dip below freezing.

In hot months, inefficient windows can allow an uncomfort-able amount of heat in your home. An older double paned, clear-glass window allows about 60% of the sun’s heat into your home—that’s nearly as much as a single pane window. Today’s thermal replacement windows, however, will only transmit 30% of the sun’s heat WITHOUT noticeably reduc-ing the light coming into your home.

Bottom Line: Whether you’re in the freezing cold or the dog days of summer, you CAN relax and be comfortable year round with new vinyl energy efficient windows.

SAFETY

In case of an emergency, such as a fire, the ease of operation that new replacement windows provide allow you and your family to make a quick and safe escape from the house. This is not always the case with older windows, as paint, dirt, and weathering can seal a window shut or make it very hard to open (especially for children and the elderly). Since replacement vinyl windows are easy to clean and require no painting, they are much easier to open, even decades down the line.

Another important safety factor with new replacement vinyl windows is egress. This is the amount of space that allows you to escape through a window. Since many of today’s replacement windows have sashes that can be tilted, re-moved, and opened quickly, they have ample emergency-ex-it space.

Bottom Line: New replacement windows can be a lifesaver—literally.

ADDING VALUE TO YOUR HOME

Replacement windows provide one of the best returns on investment of any home improvement project. A recent national research study conducted by Remodeling maga-zine examined the cost of replacement windows in an av-erage-sized home. The study looked at how much windows add to a house’s value if that home is sold a year later. The study determined that new replacement windows add 125% of their cost to value on a home.

In other words, value accrues immediately when you re-place your windows. To ensure the best ROI, invest in re-placement windows that are backed by a Lifetime Warranty on parts and performance.

Bottom Line: Carefully chosen, few investments can add more value to a home than replacement windows.

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SINGLE HUNG

Single-hung windows are a beautiful, practical style that incorporates two sashes, one fixed and one that slides up and down.

DOUBLE HUNG

The most popular style on the market, double-hung windows feature two op-erating sashes and provide both beauty and performance.

CASEMENT

Casement windows, which open out to the side, are one of the most thermally efficient window styles offered.

SLIDER

Sliding windows are similar to double hungs, but they operate horizontally to provide a wider, more unobstructed view.

AWNING

An awning window has a hinge on top and opens outward, allowing air to flow up and into the building while keep-ing out any rain that might fall.

PICTURE

Picture windows come in all shapes and sizes, and are fixed windows, rather than made to be opened and closed.

BAY/BOW

The three-dimensional effects of a bow or bay window will add space, light and viewing area to any home.

GARDEN

Garden windows extend outward from the building and have a sloped glass roof to ensure quick water runoff and allow additional sunlight to stream in.

Types of Replacement Windows

With a wide variety of choices available, choosing the right replacement can be hard. Make sure you have a professional

replacement window contractor to help you make the right decisions. (For advice on how to select the right contractor, see

the “How To Choose The Right Replacement Window Contractor” section of this report.)

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U-Factor measures the rate of heat loss through a window.

The lower the U-Factor, the lower the amount of heat loss.

This is important in colder climates, as windows with low

U-Factor reduce the amount of heat that leaves the home.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures the rate of heat gain

through a window. The lower the solar heat gain, the lower

the amount of heat that enters from outside. This measure-

ment is important in warmer climates, where air condition-

ing is used more frequently.

In addition to U-Factor and SHGC, there is also R-Value.

R-Value is the resistance a window has to heat flow. If a

window has a high R-Value, it will lose less heat than a win-

dow with lower R-Value. Keep in mind that when it comes to

window ratings, U-Factor is more important than R-Value.

When you’re shopping for replacement windows, we rec-

ommend choosing windows that include the NFRC and En-

ergy Star labels. The National Fenestration Rating Council

(NFRC) is a non-profit organization that provides a rating

system for measuring U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain, Visible

Light Transmittance, and Air Leakage. Energy Star was

developed by the US Department of Energy and the Envi-

ronmental Protection Agency for products meeting certain

energy performance criteria. The NFRC and Energy Star are

the two most trusted labels in the window-rating industry.

Replacement window energy efficiency is measured in a few ways. The two most common are U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC).

Energy Labels and What They Mean

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Wood windows have been around for a long time, but they

are not very efficient, since they expand and contract. In

addition, wood windows require a large deal of maintenance

and usually aren’t guaranteed for more than 10 years.

When it comes to vinyl windows, not all of them are created

equal. Replacement vinyl windows that advertise PVC or PVC

with virgin vinyl may have up to 49% or more regrind plastic

in the vinyl. UPVC (un-plasticized vinyl) is the strongest vinyl

material available, and it’s what you want if you’re looking for

the most durable and flexible frame. To determine whether a

vinyl window is UPVC, check the color of the frame—UPVC is

considerably whiter than PVC.

We recommend replacement windows that have been heat-

welded on all four sides at once. This technique gives the

window a sturdier frame that will remain square. Ensure

that the welds go all the way through the frame without

interruption, and avoid manufacturers that make “cut and

notch” products. Cut and notch windows include a weld that

only goes part way through the frame, so the notched area

looks like a crack that allows air and moisture infiltration.

The frame of your replacement window should be thick and contain multiple air spaces. Many replacement windows are reinforced with metal or include insulation within the frame air spaces. In higher quality replacement windows, metal typically supports the weight of the glass to avoid potential sagging. Metal reinforcement conducts heat and cold, so an energy efficient replacement window will avoid contact between the metal reinforcement and the vinyl frame.

Some window companies claim that the foam insulation inside a window frame provides an R-Value of R-24; however, this is a waste if your walls are R-19 (the standard rating). The NFRC does not recognize significant energy saving benefits from inside frame insulation. That said, one benefit of insulated frames is that they reduce noise levels coming from outside of your home.

If you want your windows to provide mold/moisture protection and energy benefits, you’ll want a replacement window with an outside sill that steeply slops to drain

What Type Of Frame Materials Should You Use?

The overall effectiveness of a window is determined by the quality of the frame. Two of the most common frame materials are wood and vinyl.

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away rainwater. And while foam insulation is not necessary inside the frame, a flexible foam or fiberglass warp is critical outside the frame. Many water and air infiltration issues are caused by gaps around the frame that are created during installation. A foam or fiberglass frame wrap will eliminate frame infiltration.

Above is an example of a great frame. Note the numerous air chambers and I-Beam construction. The window sits in a pocket on both the sill and header, and on the bottom you can see a steep exterior slope.

A word on window trim: Even the best replacement windows can fail without proper exterior trim work. Proper trimming seals gaps and enhances the appearance of your home. When getting estimates for your replacement windows, make sure the trim is covered in the cost; some companies tend to add the cost of trim only after you agree to the project.

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Multiple panes improve a window’s energy efficiency and increase impact resistance; however, because of the rising costs of heating and air conditioning, other glass technologies are necessary to ensure the greatest efficiency. These include Low-E coatings, gas fill, warm-edge spaces, and framing materials.

The type of glass in a replacement window influences not only energy efficiency, but also flare, furniture fading, comfort, and view of the outside. A good portion of today’s replacement windows are double pane and insulated with Argon gas, which is four times denser than air. There are also triple pane replacement windows, which accommodate for even more gas between the panes.

Almost all glass packages include Low-E (Low-Emissivity) glass. Low-E reflects the heat from the outside and inside of your home. It also decreases the UV light entering your home, so your furniture and drapes will not fade as much as with clear glass. Less expensive replacement windows will use Hard-Coat Low-E (tin finish), which will look splotchy on the glass. Quality windows will have double-layered Soft-Coat Low-E (silver finish), which will be more efficient and look more uniform.

Anatomy of an Energy Efficient Replacement Window

As we mentioned earlier, multi-pane glass is no longer the single main measure of energy efficiency. New advanced technologies and designs have dramatically improved the performance of replacement windows. Features such as glass coatings, gas fills, warm-edge spaces, and improved framing materials enable Energy Star-qualified windows to produce better efficiency than simple double pane windows.

On the right is a look at the components of an energy efficient replacement window.

What Type Of Glass Should You Choose?

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Buying new replacement windows can be daunting. Home improvement projects are rare for most homeowners, so the lack of experience can easily induce uneasiness and the fear of making the wrong decision.

Unless you have a trustworthy relative or a good friend in the home improvement industry, it will be necessary for you to work with a window dealer. Since your success in finding a reliable, honest, and dependable dealer will dictate your project outcome, we’ve compiled a list of qualities you should look for in a replacement window company in Des Moines.

How To Choose The Right Replacement Window Contractor

A Reputable Replacement Window Contractor Should Provide You With The Following:

• Customer references

• Pictures of completed work

• Detailed proposal of the work and specific costs of the work to be done

• Written warranties for both products and workmanship

• Proper liability insurance

• Financing options

• Standards for installation and installation crews

Do NOT be afraid to ask a replacement window contractor for these items! Your window project is a big investment; you NEED to be sure you’re hiring a competent, quality contractor to do the job.

IMPORTANT NOTE— Be Wary if a Company Does One or All of the Following

• Requires a 50% down payment (they likely need the money to pay for your materials, which can be a sign of company instability)

• Advertises low, “too-good-to-be-true” prices

• Uses a bait-and-switch tactic by initially offering a cheap, low-quality window to the customer just to get an in-home meeting, only to upsell aggressively once inside your home

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a Measuring costs

aCosts of materials and ancillary installation materials, such as caulk, trim, and extra insulation

aAny and all necessary options, including Low-E glass, Argon fill insulation, and so on

aInterior and exterior wood replacement, if applicable

aRemoval of obstructions such as old windows or window treatments

aThe cost of COMPLETE installation

aThe cost of window capping (i.e., exterior trim work around the window)

aComplete cleanup, including disposing of the old windows

aA clear and detailed warranty explanation

aExplanation of who is responsible for the warranty work

aExplanation of the homeowner’s responsibilities

No additional costs should arise after the contractor has inspected the existing openings and taken the exact measurements. If an unforeseeable problem arises after the job starts, the contractor should provide a separate quote. In this instance, you can choose to accept the additional cost, find a different contractor to do the work, or complete the work yourself.

Because replacement window installation is highly complex, we recommend having ONE professional responsible for your project from start to finish. This ensures all warranties and guarantees remain valid.

What An Exact Price For Replacement Window Installation Should Include

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$180 To $400? Don’t Bother.

What sounds like a great deal is indeed “too good to be true.” These are what industry insiders call “investment grade” windows. In other words, windows for cheap rental properties. Don’t be fooled by replacement windows that LOOK like they’re quality; they may not even be close. On a scale of 1 to 10 for energy efficiency, these windows are lucky to hit a 2 or 3.

$1,000 To $1,200? Save Your Money.

This is the typical price range for wood windows on a custom home. There are only two reasons to pay this much for a vinyl replacement window: 1) if you want an exterior color other than white with a woodgrain interior color, or 2) if you need a full-frame replacement with new pre-finished interior window trim. Otherwise, $1,000+ is simply too much for a vinyl replacement window. And while vinyl windows at these prices will rate a 9 or 10 for energy efficiency, so will windows that cost half as much. The truth is the extra

money goes into things like fancy showrooms, manufacturer markup, advertising spend, and inflated sales commissions.

$500 To 700? The Sweet Spot.

Replacement windows in this price range from a reputable contractor provide the looks, performance, and energy efficiency you need… but don’t cost an arm and a leg. At this price, you can easily get the highest energy efficiency, longest warranties, and best aesthetics.

Should You Finance Your Replacement Windows?

Financing your replacement window project can help ensure you get exactly what you want for comfortably monthly payments. If the window company you’re considering meets the criteria for a contractor that we listed above, you can feel confident that their financing options will cater to your best interests and budget.

Prices for replacement window installation are all over the map. Here are the three “tiers” of replacement window pricing, so you can ensure you get the best value for your money.

What Should You Pay For A Good Replacement Window?

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At Zen Windows Des Moines, we do replacement windows different. Our goal is to provide you with high-quality, low-stress project from start to finish.

To accomplish this, we’ve flipped the typical window-buying experience on its head. You won’t find pushy salespeople, high pressure, and pricing games at Zen Windows—just the opposite. Here’s a look:

ZERO-HASSLE QUOTES

Email us and provide a little information about your home. We’ll email you back within minutes to schedule a quick assessment call, so we can discuss your project’s details and determine the best products for your needs. After the call, we calculate the price of your project and contact you with a firm, fair quote in less than a day.

NO SALES PRESSURE

Once we provide you with a quote and the information you need, we step back, give you some space, and let YOU decide how to proceed. We NEVER pressure you. You come to us when you are ready.

FAIR PRICES

We truly offer the best prices on windows because we keep our overhead as low as possible. We have no salespeople on payroll, so you always work directly with the owner. We

buy factory direct, which allows us to avoid the “middleman markup.” We do minimal advertising to keep our marketing costs down. All this adds up to  superior replacement windows that are refreshingly affordable.

NO UP-FRONT DEPOSIT

You don’t owe us one dime until we complete the project and you are completely satisfied. This keeps the experience low stress on your end and keeps us 100% accountable to deliver stellar results.

EXPERT INSTALLATION

Our window installation crew is comprised of lead-certified, OSI-certified veteran craftsmen with decades of experience. They hold themselves to the highest standards, ensure even the smallest detail is done 100% correct, and possess true passion for their craft.

LIFETIME WARRANTIES

To ensure your total peace of mind after we’ve installed your windows, we protect your project with a lifetime transferrable warranty on materials  AND  labor. Our warranties contain ZERO fine print, ZERO “gotchas,” and even cover glass breakage. It’s our way of making sure your window project remains “Zen” long after installation.

The Only Des Moines Replacement Window Company That Provides Firm, No-Pressure Quotes Over The Phone!

About Zen Windows

(515) 207-8789 ZenWindowsDesMoines.com

(515) 207-8789 ZenWindowsDesMoines.com