Wood windows that were built 100 or more years ago (the double-framed variety) were built to last; however, those that were built 30 or 40 years ago were not. These windows are subject to wood rot and window shrinkage. The energy efficiency of the glass is often under question in windows of this age. For this reason, once these more recently constructed wood windows start showing these signs of aging (wood rot, cracking, mold, etc.) it is time to think about replacing them.
Wood rots when it stays wet for a lengthy period of time. Usually, for wood rot to occur the moisture content of the wood has to stay at more than 20 percent. This moisture level provides the best breeding ground for the fungi that cause wood rot. Other types of mold can also grow to extremely problematic levels in wetter areas, and this can contribute to wood window decay.
Cracks are self-explanatory, and they are not difficult to detect. Wood cracks when it gets old or wet, or when it is
exposed to extreme temperature changes and/or severe, harsh weather. Small cracks in the wood usually aren’t problematic, although if left untreated they could become much more of a problem.
Some cases of mold, wood rot, and cracking can be repaired, rather than replaced. This saves the homeowner time and money. But this quick fix may not be able to protect the window and the surrounding structure of the home from experiencing further damage. In this case, it is important to have a better idea of the extent of the wood damage.
How does one know when a wood window needs to be replaced? Basically, a wood window needs to be replaced if the wood rot, mold, and cracks penetrate the surface and cause significant structural damage to the home. Also, there are many homes in the region that still have windows that are over 50 years old and the technology is simply outdated and no longer effective because they can’t maintain the home’s temperature. It will be difficult for most homeowners to fully assess the condition of their wood windows by themselves, as there may be many hidden problem areas they might not see or know to look for. It is recommended that anyone concerned with the condition of the windows consult with the professional at United Home Experts.
These experts will be able to help assess whether the window simply needs to be repaired or whether a total 
window replacement is in order. They will also be able to help homeowners decide on which type of replacement window is best for the needs of their homes. There are three main types of replacement windows: full-frame units, insert replacements and sash kits. Sash replacement kits are very popular these days because they provide an old window frame with all new, fully movable parts. But the other replacement window types also have their advantages.
It is incredibly difficult for the do-it-yourself homeowner to decide on and to complete a wood window replacement project of this magnitude, and it is not recommended that it be attempted without professional help, due to the complicated installation process and the possibility that warranties will be voided if installation errors occur. The professionals at United Home Experts are more than willing to provide a free consultation to help homeowners understand and take care of all their window replacement needs. For more information about window replacement, click here for our main window page!
Choosing from among all the different types and styles of windows available and cutting through the clutter of conflicting “facts” from each manufacturer is an almost impossible job. And there is no reason for the homeowner to walk this minefield alone. Talk to the experts at United Home Experts. They know everything there is to know about windows, and they install virtually every type of window there is, so their recommendations can be based solely on what is best for the homeowner and not on where their next commission check is coming from.
The Advantages of Vinyl-Framed Windows
Vinyl windows can be ordered to fit the exact size of a home’s window openings. This can be especially advantageous on older homes which may have odd-sized openings. By purchasing windows that are made to fit a home’s current openings exactly, vinyl windows can be installed quickly and easily with little or no damage to the surrounding siding. Naturally, there may be a modest additional charge for custom sizes, but even with the additional charge, vinyl windows can still be less costly than many other alternatives.
Vinyl is not affected by salt spray or most air-born contaminants. Homes near the ocean, which are subject to almost continual salt spray, have discovered that vinyl does not rust, absorb moisture and swell or cause any of the other problems which other window frames are subject to under similar conditions. Vinyl is also unaffected by air pollution, even in heavily industrialized areas, which is something many other frames cannot boast of.
The Disadvantages of Vinyl-Framed Windows
Vinyl windows cannot be painted. While the fact that vinyl windows come with the color imbued into the vinyl
itself can be an advantage, if the color is not quite right or if the homeowner wants to change the color of the house in the future, the vinyl window frames do not accept paint well, and this may detract from the overall appearance of a home.
If the vinyl frame is not held together by screws then it is welded. Unfortunately, welding can cause as many problems as using screws. Poor welding can result in drainage problems which are not readily apparent and welds can also allow for air leakage, which negates most of the window’s insulating properties.
Choosing the type and style of window that is right for a particular home and fits into the homeowner’s pocketbook can be a real challenge. After all, a homeowner has several different window frames to choose from and each manufacturer is making confusing and competing claims to grab the homeowner’s cash. Hopefully, the information in this article will equip the homeowner with at least some ammunition in the hunt for the perfect window.
Energy-efficient windows save the homeowner money on utility costs each and every month. On the surface that sounds like a wonderful thing and in many cases, it is. But everything comes at a price, so what exactly are the pros and cons of energy efficient windows?
Windows have changed a great deal in just the past ten years. Today’s energy windows are almost invisibly sprayed with a metallic coating that reflects more than half of the sun’s harmful UV rays back into the outdoors while allowing almost 100% of the sun’s natural light to shine through. A room supplied with UV-protected windows is not the gloomy place it was just a few years ago.
Advantages of Energy-Saving Windows
Windows used to be energy sinkholes, robbing a room of its warmth and causing utility bills to soar. Fortunately, 
that is not true any longer. An energy efficient window consists of two or more panes of specially treated glass with a layer of an inert gas, such as argon, trapped between the panes. Argon does not transfer heat well and so acts as an energy “blanket” between the sheets of glass, preventing the room’s warmth from escaping through the window.
But there is a lot more to an efficient window than simply an argon heat barrier. As previously alluded to, energy-efficient window glass is specially treated with a thin film of metallic particles which are designed to reflect away the sun’s UV rays while at the same time trapping the heat that is in a room and reflecting it back into the home. The result is an immediate saving on utility bills for the homeowner, but more than that, the view through an energy efficient double-paned window is virtually as clear and unobstructed as the view through an untreated single-pane window.
The National Fenestration Rating Council (the NFRC) rates windows for their insulating properties, their visual transmittance (how easily they can be seen through), their solar gain coefficient (how well they protect a room from the sun’s heat and UV rays) and air leakage around the edges of the windows. Homeowners should pay special attention to NFRC ratings and should look for the Energy Star ratings that are based on the homeowner’s region of the country.
If windows are 20 years old or older, if the windows have begun to leak, or if the homeowner is simply tired of paying utility bills that seem too high, the homeowner should look into replacing them with new energy efficient windows.
The new energy-efficient glass is more expensive than old-fashioned standard windows. However, the initial cost should not be the only factor when deciding on new windows. The window experts at United Home Experts, for example, can help a homeowner calculate the energy savings that can be expected with new windows. By calculating the energy saved each month, these experts can help the homeowner determine how much money will be saved each month on utility costs. In this way, the homeowner can see exactly how long it will take for the new windows to pay for themselves and how much extra money the homeowner can enjoy each month. The homeowner should also keep in mind that as energy prices rise in the future, their savings will also increase with time.
One final advantage to double-paned windows is outside noise reduction. Homeowners who replace single pane windows with double paned windows, especially windows with a high Energy Star rating, report that street noise is reduced considerably, making for an overall more comfortable living environment.
Disadvantages of Energy-Saving Windows
Probably the biggest drawback to energy windows is the initial cost. Many homeowners, especially if they are 
planning to replace a number of windows, might see costs of 10% to 15% more for double-paned energy windows as opposed to double paned non-energy efficient windows. For a home with several windows, the added cost can increase the bottom line quite a lot.
Double-paned windows are heavier than single paned windows, and for some homeowners that might be a drawback.
Also, in order to see any significant energy savings each month, a homeowner must replace all older windows with the new, higher-priced energy windows at the same time. No appreciable savings will result from simply replacing one old, leaky window with a new high-efficiency window while leaving all the others in place. However, replacing all the windows at the same time can be a large job and can also be expensive.
It is also necessary for homeowners to be quality-conscious when buying high-efficiency windows. Off brands or cut-rate windows may not be properly sealed and can cause more problems than they solve. Poorly insulated double-paned windows can allow condensation to form between the windowpanes, indicating that the windows are not doing their job properly. Saving money up-front by buying lower-priced windows may not result in the energy savings that the homeowner had planned on. This situation can be eliminated by only dealing with reputable companies such as United Home Experts, who have years of experience installing high-efficiency windows in the Northeast, and who only sell quality windows.
To sum up, the advantage of high-efficiency windows is a reduction in harmful UV radiation entering the home 
from the outside while at the same time reflecting the heat inside the home back into the home. This results in substantially lower monthly utility bills. Modern high-efficiency windows are also virtually clear, affording almost perfect views, as opposed to the film-coated windows of only a few years ago.
The disadvantages are a higher initial cost (although high-efficiency windows generally pay for themselves within three to four years through lower monthly utility bills) and the fact that in order to get any real monthly savings all the windows in a home must be replaced at the same time.
The experts at United Home Experts have helped out many families pick and choose the right window for their homes while saving them on the utility bills. The team at United are certified window installers by major brand manufacturers and our members have over 20 years of experience of installing windows, so you can count on us.
A casement window, or casement, is affixed to a frame at the side by one hinge or multiple hinges. They differ from awning windows, which have top hinges, and from hoppers, which have bottom hinges. This type of window can either be used by itself or as part of a pair within the same frame. What are the casement window pros and cons? Read on to find out.
Pros
Ventilation
These windows offer the best ventilation of any other window type. Since they open outward, they can catch fresh 
air, side breezes, and light more easily than other window types. While open, the standard casement window is 100% open to the outside, except in the case of a pair of casement flanking windows on either side of a fixed picture window.
Energy Efficiency
When these windows are closed, they are the most energy-efficient of all window types. Because the casement window sash is movable, it is able to fasten very securely to the weather-stripping when in a locked position; thus, very little outside air can get in. This type of window is especially good to have in a very windy climate.
Ease of Washing
Because of its design, this type of window is usually a very good choice for hard to reach places. This is why it is so often found over kitchen sinks. Because they are cranked open instead of being slid up and down, casement windows are easier to open and close, and this also makes it easier to wash them.
Most of today’s better-constructed casements pivot on their hinges as they open, moving the entire sash away from the hinge side of the window frame. This provides a space to reach through to wash the outside of the window while still being able to stand inside the house.
Brand Quality
There are major power players in this industry, including Marvin, Simonton, Pella, and Andersen. There are many quality window manufacturers, but our caution is to evaluate each brand because quality varies with pricing and brand. We can walk through the best recommendations with tailored estimates with different window brands and pricing.
Cons
Easier to Break Into
Casement hardware and hinges should be checked thoroughly before installation, and they should be checked periodically to make sure they are maintaining their stability. This type of window is usually very difficult to break into even if they are locked, but as they age and their hardware becomes rusty or faulty, they become an easy target for burglars. Consult with the professionals at United Home Experts, and they will send a contractor out to inspect older casements and make recommendations as needed.
More Expensive
This type of window is can be more expensive than other types of windows. If casement windows are desired, a quality window is a must. Because of the weight added by multiple glazed sashes, both the hardware and structure of the casement window selected need to be top-notch.
Size Limitations
There is a reason for never seeing large casements. There are limitations, when it comes to size, even given the best hardware and construction techniques. The consultants at United Home Experts can give customers a much better idea of the maximum sizes available.
There are many reasons to invest in casement windows for the home, but there are also some major disadvantages to using them. Discussing these and other issues with a qualified professional like the ones at United Home Experts will help savvy homeowners made an informed decision.
ENERGY = MONEY
Almost every homeowner is concerned these days with energy efficiency. The reason for such concern has to do with saving money. Energy efficiency translates into savings on utility bills each and every month. Over the course of a year even small monthly savings can add up to a fair amount of money saved.
One way that homeowners can save on utilities each month is to make certain that their windows are energy efficient.
HOW ARE DATED WINDOWS COSTING ME?
Old-fashioned windows that allowed heat and air conditioning to escape quickly and easily are now a thing of the past. Today’s highly energy efficient windows are nothing like the windows of even twenty years ago. With older-style windows, a home could lose as much as 30% of its energy costs through its single-pane windows. In fact, windows used to be considered thermal holes, but no more. Today’s windows are closer to being thermal blankets than they are to being thermal holes.
HOW EXACTLY DO THESE WINDOWS WORK?
How energy efficient windows work is not difficult to understand. Nor is it difficult to compute just how much the average homeowner can expect to save on utility bills each month.
High-efficiency windows consist of two or more panes of glass with an inert gas, generally argon, filling the space between the panes. This inert gas does not conduct either heat or cold well, thus providing an excellent thermal barrier. But that is not the only way an energy efficient window prevents heat from escaping a home.
HOW HEAT IS LOST BY CONVENTIONAL WINDOWS
- When heat is lost by simply passing straight through an object and then escaping onto the other side of an object
(such as heat passing through a single-pane window glass), this is known as conductivity. - Heat can also escape in other ways. It can pass through glass directly as infrared energy this is known as radiation.
- It can also be lost through convection. When the warm air inside a home touches a cold pane of glass, the warm air gives up its energy, sinks to the floor and pulls more warm air against the cold glass, causing drafts.
- The final way in which heat escapes is through poorly insulated areas as simple air leakage.
(such as heat passing through a single-pane window glass), this is known as conductivity.HOW DO I CALCULATE MY SAVINGS?
The speed with which heat dissipates has a U value. The lower the U rating, the better a material blocks the dissipation of heat. Insulation has an R rating. The higher the R-value, the better a material insulates.
Energy efficient windows sometimes have both an insulation rating (an R rating) and a U rating to indicate how quickly heat passes through the window. What the homeowner is looking for is a window with the highest R rating and the lowest U rating that is affordable. Many windows only have an R rating. Remember, the higher the R-value, the better.
INSTALLATION COST VS. MONTHLY SAVINGS
Highly energy-efficient windows have a higher initial cost than normal windows, but initial cost is not the whole story.
Depending on weather conditions, high-efficiency windows can save the homeowner a quarter of their cost or even more in energy savings each year, meaning that high-efficiency windows can pay for themselves in four years or even less, and each year after that they are putting money into the homeowner’s pocket through utility savings.
With only a little maintenance, high-efficiency windows can last for fifteen to twenty years, or even longer, meaning that over their lifetime they pay for themselves over and over in energy savings.
Plus, as the price of energy continues to go up, the monthly savings grow even higher.
THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS
So how exactly does a high-efficiency window keep the sun’s heat out and keep the heat from the house in? Part of it has to do with the double panes and the argon gas as described earlier. However, a very large part of the “secret” of high efficiency windows is in the glass itself. There is an almost invisible coating on the high-efficiency glass. The coating contains tiny particles of metal, which reflect the sun’s damaging UV rays back outside the window to keep a home cool in the summer, and which also bounce the heat inside the home back into the interior of the house keeping the house snugly warm in the winter.
LOW-E WINDOWS
These windows, often called Low-E windows, in effect have an almost invisible mirror built into them that holds the home’s heat in and keeps the sun’s UV heat out.
An even higher R-value window has triple panes of glass, and two hollow chambers filled with argon gas. The 
primary problem with this type of window is the weight. Three panes of glass in a single window are heavy as well as bulky and require extra time and cost to mount properly. Such windows do, however, save a considerable amount of energy and so save the homeowner money on utility bills each and every month.
Possibly a better window yet has a sheet of a suspended film hung between two panes of coated glass. The suspended clear sheet is also coated with reflective metal particles just like the glass, but the suspended sheet is much lighter and slightly more transparent, allowing a clearer view than a heavier three-pane window while providing virtually the same high R-value of insulation. Suspended film windows are both lighter in weight and less costly.
The last element in energy-efficient windows are the low conductivity spacers mounted all the way around the edge of each piece of glass. The edges of glass represent the area most susceptible to the transfer of heat, but modern windows have placed low-conductivity spaces in this area to totally minimize the conduction of heat around the edges of the glass.
Thus an entire window system is created with one goal and only one goal: to keep harmful UV radiation out and to keep the good, clean heat of the building from escaping to the outside.
THE RESULTS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS
The result is a warm, comfortable living environment with utility costs kept to an absolute minimum. Homeowners considering replacing existing windows would do well to consider energy efficient windows and the long-term savings that they represent.
Those in the Northeast who are seriously looking at the monthly savings that high-efficiency windows provide should talk to the window experts at United Home Experts. The highly trained installers at UHE have years of training and real-world experience in installing high-efficiency windows and they can answer any questions that a homeowner may have including calculating how long it will take for the high-efficiency windows to pay for themselves in monthly utility savings.
Most people don’t often think about window replacement unless there is a major problem. The fact is, though, that are many good reasons for home window replacement, even without a major emergency necessitating the change. Andersen Windows with Stormwatch(R) are some of the best on the market today. Here are just a few of the benefits of adding these amazing accessories to any home.
Improved Seasonal Comfort
Replacing an old, drafty window – especially a single-paned one – can improve your home’s ability to maintain a 
warmer interior by about fifty percent. Today’s Energy Star-rated version is made with special technology that combines frames that are energy efficient and high-performing glass.
This same glass that keeps the interior air warm is also better able to protect a home against the hot sun during the summer months. This window type with the high-performing glass reduces the amount of heat that comes into your home by at least fifty percent. Just think of how much heating and cooling bills can be reduced by installing it into the home.
Increased Curb Appeal
Switching out some features of your home can have a dramatic, immediate effect on your its exterior appearance. 
United Home Experts has a vast selection of window, door, and siding products that offer many options to homeowners that often complement many homes, whether they have a more traditional or a more contemporary design. And with all the trim packages that are available for both the exterior and the interior, homeowners can be sure that their custom-designed window will have a unique look.
Low Maintenance
Vinyl and fiberglass frames never need to be painted. In many cases, much of the newer hardware used in replacements is constructed from durable stainless steel or die-cast zinc that undergo numerous tests to ensure they will hold up in any home. In fact, most of the best window manufacturers today offer a full lifetime warranty to the original homeowner, covering both materials and labor.
Improved Home Security
In addition, a new window can give your home added security. The Andersen brand has been forced-entry tested
for safety. Most now offer locking systems with multiple points that render lock breakthroughs nearly impossible.
Reduced Sound Transmission
A new window has the often overlooked ability to inhibit the transmission of sound. Noise comes in various frequencies from many different sources. With the world’s population increasing every year, it is becoming more difficult to control noise by the day. These glass features of the home can be the weakest
link when it comes to maintaining sound control.
Environmental Benefits
Last but not least, a new window can aid in improving the environment. When less energy is used to heat and cool the home, fewer natural resources are being used up, and so there is less impact on the environment.
Is It Time for a Replacement?
Many homeowners may be confused as to whether they really are in need of window replacement. A consult with the professionals at United Home Experts can help any homeowner better understand their options in order to make a more informed replacement window decision.
According to architectural practices, “transom” is a term that is given to any transverse horizontal structural bar or beam. It is also used to describe a crosspiece that separates a door from the window located above it.
Transom windows, also known as transom lights or fanlights, are smaller-sized windows that are usually hinged and set above a doorframe or on a particularly high area of a wall. They have been used in architectural constructions for a very long time. The first were used to decorate early Gothic churches. These windows were unglazed windows located directly in the belfry. They also took the form of spire lights, where they were thought to be necessary to strengthen the overall church wall construction.
Toward the end of the Gothic period in architecture, it became common to include these types of windows in the 
designs of all structures, including residences and businesses. They were very popular in building construction before the advent of central air because buildings with these windows stayed cooler and more comfortable in the hot summer months than buildings without them.
Today, these window types are highly prized in a variety of architectural settings for the enhanced cross-ventilation they provide while at the same time maintaining an individual’s security and privacy. There are many different types of transom windows that are available on the market today. Here are descriptions of just a few.
Paneled Glass
This type of transom window is built with a frame that is paneled to create a symmetrical pattern or design similar to a grid. These windows are elegant, simple pieces that can be affixed by hinging either at the base or the top of the frame, or on both frame sides. The glass panels that make up this type of transom are almost always divided by vertical strips of metal or wood, but sometimes larger paneled glass transoms include horizontal pieces of wood.
Solid Window
In contrast to the multi-paneled transom, some transoms feature just one piece of glass inside a solid, sturdy frame. Like the paneled transoms style, these solid windows can be affixed or hinged at the frame’s top, bottom or both sides. These solid transoms often feature a heavy piece of frosted, brightly colored or intricately etched glass. They might also contain a piece of glass that is highly embellished for enhanced beauty.
Fanned Window
These transoms are arched, fan-shaped or semicircular and are often called “fanlights” because they resemble
open decorative fans. This type of window is either fixed in place or hinged at the base to allow the frame to swing from one direction to the other. This style of transom window is usually designed as much for decorative beauty as it is for practicality.
Major Brand Names
Most transom windows that are sold in the Northeast are constructed with vinyl and are manufactured by Pella. There are transoms available in other brand names, but Pella windows are some of the best.
Transoms can add beauty and functionality to any home or office building. To learn more about transom window styles and to see which one might be best for specific architectural needs, individuals should contact the professionals at United Home Experts.
