Tag Archive for: Vinyl Replacement Windows & Doors

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Windows

l

One of the things that many homeowners have discovered in recent years is that replacing windows is not as easy as it used to be.  There was a time when there were very few choices when it came to replacement windows; today just the opposite seems to be true.  Now it feels that there are almost too many choices!  It is enough to confuse even the most experienced homeowner.

One of the top choices that will be offered to a homeowner when it comes to replacement windows is the vinyl window.  How good are vinyl windows?  How long do they last?  Are they a good choice as a replacement window?  What are vinyl window pros and cons?

The answers to these questions depend on several factors.  If the home is more than 100 years old and sided in mwood then vinyl may not be a good choice, simply from an aesthetic viewpoint.  But if the home is more modern in appearance, then vinyl may be an excellent choice.

For one thing, vinyl-framed windows are probably the most economical window on the market.  They are also relatively light-weight and easy to install.  Because they are quick and easy to install, the cost of installing vinyl windows is usually low compared to other alternatives.

The primary drawback to vinyl is that many people do not care for its appearance, but from an aesthetic standpoint, modern vinyl windows have been greatly improved over windows made just a few years ago. Today’s vinyl-framed windows can be patterned in virtually any wood grain and pre-colored to pass as most common framing woods, even from only a few feet away.

Because vinyl comes pre-colored, with coloring that is actually a part of the vinyl itself, vinyl windows need no npainting. And because the color lasts for years, they require virtually no maintenance. Both of these factors can be big pluses for many homeowners.

Vinyl is also a good insulator, though not quite as good as wood.  Still, given the cost difference between wood-framed and vinyl-framed windows, the slight difference in insulating properties may not amount to very much.

The other thing homeowners must bear in mind is that not all vinyl windows are created equal.  Some are better than others and it can be difficult for the novice to tell the difference.  That’s one reason it is strongly recommended that homeowners consult with a window professional like United Home Experts before making any final decisions.

One window you might want to consider is Simonton.  Simonton is a well-respected name in the vinyl window obusiness, and Simonton windows come in virtually every style of window imaginable and in a wide range of colors and textures, including interior wood grain finishes.  Simonton windows are double-paned, with argon gas between the sheets of glass for added insulation.  Simonton windows use the most modern low E-glass for the best thermal insulating properties in the business.  Not only that, Simonton windows are simply breathtaking and add instant value to just about any home.

The bottom line is that there are a lot of vinyl window pros and cons, but for many people the benefits far outweigh the negatives.  Buying vinyl windows from today’s vast selection of makes and models can feel a little like walking through a mine field. Homeowners embarking on any window project can consult with the dedicated window experts at United Home Experts for free estimates and excellent advice.

2 Comments/by

Window Replacement in Franklin, MA 02038

MarvinWindowTopPic

There aren’t many towns in the country where one of the biggest attractions is the public library, but Franklin’s public library on Main Street has the distinction of being the first free public library in the United States.  And let’s not forget the red brick one-room schoolhouse at the corner of Maple and Lincoln – the oldest one room schoolhouse still in use in the country, with about 700 years left on its lease!

There are dozens of old, historic buildings along Main Street in Franklin, but a house doesn’t have to be part of the LHT_DH_Kitchen_10state’s Historical Register to mean something to the people of Franklin.  The homeowners of Franklin are extremely proud of each and every home in Franklin.  That’s why window replacement in Franklin is so important.  The problem is, a homeowner almost needs a degree in windows from the local university just to choose the right windows these days without the worry of complications years later.

That’s why homeowners in Franklin are looking to experts in window replacement whenever their homes need a makeover.  Windows today are far different from the windows of just a few years ago.  Fiberglass windows, especially those made by the Marvin Window Company, are the new norm in replacement windows now.

Homeowners in Franklinare still picky about the people they choose to replace their windows.  They demand thatICAIntSetAFfirepla2_07_ITc3 any window contractor meet some rather stiff criteria.  For one thing, any window contractor has to know all of Franklin’s building codes and permits inside and out.

They also need to know everything there is to know about Energy Star Ratings and how those ratings apply to new windows.  And perhaps most importantly, anyone doing window replacement in Franklin must have a spotless local reputation.

That’s a lot to ask for, but the homeowners of Franklin can rest easy because of United Home Experts.  United Home Experts has replaced more windows in Franklin than just about any other contractor around and they are experts when it comes to local buildings codes and permits.  It is almost impossible to walk down the streets in Franklin without finding at least one home or business where UHE has replaced the windows.  As a homeowner you can relax and let the experts at UHE handle all of the paperwork for your new windows.

United Home Experts knows absolutely everything there is to know about Energy Star ratings.  UHE recommends SHBeautyInterior-resized-600fiberglass windows by Marvin or Marvin wood frame windows.  Both of these windows have the highest Energy Star ratings and will save local homeowners money on their utility bills month after month, year after year.

One last thing.  Most Franklin homeowners are a little particular about the people they want working on their homes and around their families.  United Home Experts feels the same way which is why they use the same window installation crews all the time, people who have worked for the company for years and are highly skilled and expertly trained.  The sad fact is, however, not all local window contractors feel this way.  Some local contractors pick up their window installers on a day-by-day basis from the parking lot of the local home improvement center.  Think about that when you choose your contractor.

Windows set the tone for a home.  That’s something to keep in mind whether you choose the beautiful wood-grain look of a Marvin fiberglass window or the timeless elegance of a Marvin real wood window frame.  But whichever you choose, you certainly can’t go wrong picking United Home Experts as your window installer, the #1 replacement window expert here in Franklin. For more information about our window replacement services, visit our main replacement window page!

0 Comments/by

Window Replacement in Wayland, MA 01778

To schedule your free estimate, give us a call at 508-881-8555.

MarvinWindowTopPic

The town of Wayland was supposedly named after Doctor Francis Wayland, the president of Brown University.  This was back in the 1830s.  Since then, Wayland has grown to be one of the wealthier towns in all of Massachusetts, with a median household income of over $120,000.

It is not just the relative wealth of the town which accounts for so much pride in the history of this entire area, especially Wayland itself.  Homeowners here are looking for ways to keep their homes looking good as well as historically accurate.

One way to do that is through the choice of replacement windows.  After all, windows help to define not just the marvin-double-hung-window-19-459x540-resized-600way a home looks, but the way an entire neighborhood presents itself.  That means choosing the right type of windows to go with a particular home.

Today homeowners have more window choices than ever before – and it can be extremely confusing.  Every manufacturer is screaming that their product is the best on the market.  So how does a homeowner choose when it comes time for window replacement in Wayland?

For one thing, homeowners in this part of the country overwhelmingly want either fiberglass windows or wood framed windows.  The best company for both fiberglass and wood windows is Marvin, one of the top window manufacturers in the world.

For window replacement in Wayland, homeowners demand a contractor who knows all local codes and permits.  After all, no homeowner wants to discover after it is too late that a contractor failed to file the proper permit.

Windows, perhaps more than any other part of a home, can be a source of lost energy – and lost energy translates andersenexterior-04-075-resized-600in lost dollars in higher heating and cooling bills.  Installing the right windows, with the highest possible Energy Star rating, is extremely important to local homeowners.

It is also important to use a window contractor who is part of the local community.  A contractor needs roots in the area and needs to genuinely care about the quality of work performed.

United Home Experts is the only local contractor who meets all of the criteria demanded by Wayland homeowners.  UHE has been putting windows in Wayland homes for more years than anyone cares to remember and they know every local code and building permit requirement by heart.

UHE recommends Marvin fiberglass windows or wood frame windows and a few other window brands.  Marvinmarvin-double-hung-window-11-635x540-resized-600 is the recognized leader in the manufacture of windows.  Marvin fiberglass windows are textured and colored to look virtually identical to wood.  Their fiberglass windows are light weight, quick, and have one of the highest Energy Star ratings in the business.  Marvin wood frame windows have that classic look and feel to them and they are as “green” as it is possible to get.  Homeowners who choose either Marvin fiberglass windows or Marvin wood frame windows never need to worry about the quality of their choice.

Keep in mind, too, that many lesser contractors hire their window installers as day workers off of some parking lot – but the professional installers who work for United Home Experts have been well trained and work for the company full-time.  Homeowners never need to worry about the quality or the qualifications of the expert installers at UHE.

Price is always a concern, and many homeowners assume that because they are choosing the very best window contractor in Wayland that they are choosing the most expensive.  Not necessarily.  Keep in mind that UHE is one of the largest installers of windows in all of the Northeast which means they purchase their windows in bulk at deeply discounted prices.  They pass their lower costs on to their customers, keeping their prices in line with many lesser contractors.  So give the friendly and knowledgeable folks at UHE a call today and find out for yourself just how affordable replacement windows in Wayland can be. For more information about our replacement window services, visit our main windows page!

0 Comments/by