Jeremy Stacy, online content producer
Interview with Ron Staffa, general manager of Nyberg Exteriors
Sept. 2, 2009
Ron Staffa: My name is Ron Staffa and the company I work for is Nyberg Exteriors. My title is general manager and I’m also in charge of research and development of new products.
Jeremy Stacy: What is the most common material used for replacement windows?
RS: The most common material used today is vinyl for a replacement window.
JS: Why?
RS: I believe it's price. It's also got a lot to with the people who are selling vinyl windows seem to be making them sound like they're the greatest window, which is not always the case.
In my opinion the most durable window that's made today would be a fiberglass window. The advantage to a fiberglass window is minimal expansion and contraction and maximum strength. It's stronger than steel, but you don't have the expansion and contraction you would with a vinyl window. And because the whole window is fiberglass, you have all the same materials that are bonded together so you don't have dissimilar expansion and contraction in relation to say an exterior aluminum clad window and the interior is wood. Those two materials will expand and contract at different rates. That can cause problems over time.
I think most of the time when we're replacing a window, it's because people are just tired of their old, worn out windows. They say they don't go up and down the way they used to. “They need to be painted.” “I don't like the stain that's on them.” It's mainly aesthetic.
It's more of a touchy feely thing and with energy prices the way they've been over the last couple of years, people were really sensitive to the idea that they could save money by replacing what they have with a vinyl window.
That's not always the case. Windows are extremely difficult to insulate well. Windows are kind of strange. They're not rated the way the rest of the house is. Everything else is rated in R-value – the resistance of transmission of thermal material from change in temperature. I think probably the window industry came up with their rating because the R-rating of the very best window is so low that homeowners wouldn't be thinking that it’s an advantage to replace them.
From my understanding, the highest R-value on the highest rated thermal window is anywhere in the area of R-5 to R-6 and the government is mandating a minimum on new construction of R-21 in the walls.
I think a lot of the people that sell windows – mostly vinyl windows that have these super deals and attractions – they're working on people's emotions to get them all excited and pumped up to sell the products more on an emotional level instead of a practical one.
Really, when everything is said and done, if somebody has an older home that has windows that can be refurbished, they're far better off refurbishing them than putting in a vinyl window. A good example would be to refurbish the interior of the window, replace the chains or the ropes and weights so the windows function properly mechanically. And if you put on a storm window, a nice new storm window, you are going to be very close to the R-value of the very best window on the market today. Most people don't know that.
I'm kind of the non-salesman salesman. I'm the one that if I'm in someone's house and they say, "I've been saving my money forever and I would really love to have new windows. I just can't afford these utility bills anymore," I'm going to tell them, "Don't put your money in windows. Let's see how much insulation you've got in your attic."
There's another company that I own and we do thermal imaging. For $200 we come in and test the house with a thermal imaging camera and we can see exactly what's leaking and for just a question of hundreds of dollars you can fix leaks and insulation and get a better payoff than you would spending a lot of money on windows. I don't like people to be taken advantage of – myself, the elderly, anybody.
In the window industry, there are a lot of sharks that go out there and all they want to do is make money with total disregard to the people they're selling the product to. I'm not going to say they're lying, but they could be advocates for improving this person's home without going to extremes.
JS: How do you decide if a window needs to be replaced?
RS: We sell plenty of windows. The big thing is, I think people just want them to function again. There's not a lot of people who refurbish windows anymore. I've never had somebody ask me. I wouldn't even know who to refer them to. I've done it on my own, but I don't want to do it as a business.
Let's say a customer calls in and I'll call them back and I'll say, "Do you have an idea of what kind of window you want?" Sometimes they'll know exactly what they want and we just go and we measure them and we quote them, which is fine. We don't really go around giving advice unless people ask for it. I think it's a great way to raise your kids, too. You know, let them get bruises and bumps on their own. I've been to visit too many customers where I'm telling them what I think they should do and I think they think that I'm just crazy or not interested.
I've had people say, "Gee, you really sound like you're not interested in selling us something," because I'm basically telling them they don't need new windows. But they wanted them, so I'm sure somebody sold them new windows.
I'd say that in general, we will only use products where the manufacturer gives good service. I don't mean to give a bum rap on anybody, but there's very few companies out that give very good service. They run customers around, they don't come out to fix the windows.
The window is a mechanical thing. It's not like a roof that just sits. You open and close it. You lock it. The kids’ baseball hits it. It's more sensitive to impact than most things in your house and it can need repair. To me, it's by the [window manufacturer] as much as the window.
JS: How can you make sure you're getting a good manufacturer?
RS: That's very difficult. The Internet is fabulous. There are no boundaries to the knowledge that you can gain if you can read. People can visit the website for the manufacturer that makes the windows and every manufacturer describes their window as the best. You don't really know until you buy it what's the best. I'd say you've got to trust the company that's installing the window.
I think you should always buy from a company where the person that comes out and quotes the windows for you is the one that's there making sure they get installed properly. A lot of companies, you see the salesman and he sells the work and you never see him again.
The salesperson or the project manager has got to be there. He measures the windows and he specifying and he's got to make sure that they get installed properly. You've really got to count on that guy.
I had a really super customer a couple of years ago – an elderly gentleman, just really chatty. I would go and visit him whenever I had a chance in the neighborhood. There was a large Midwestern window manufacturer that this gentleman called and their salesman came out and this gentleman ordered windows for his whole house to be replaced.
A few months after that, I visited him to give him a quote for siding and the siding we needed to install came up against the windows and I pointed out how we had to redo the exteriors on all the windows. They weren't plumb. It was a very poor installation.
I hate to bring that up to anybody because to me you're insulting them because now they don't like you because they made a choice and they're thinking "Now you made me look bad." I asked him who installed the windows and he told me the name of the company and he said, "Ron, but I loved this salesman. I would have bought anything in the world if he told me I needed it. He was just a master salesman. When he walked out the door, I bowed."
There are some real slick guys out there and they can talk a lot of people into a lot of things. That's going to happen today, tomorrow, forever. To me, that's what's good about Angie's List because people can see what other people are saying and the experience they're having.
The only bad thing I have to say about Angie's List is they need to get more people giving [reports]. I would say we have one out of 30 people submit a report. People need that. They need to know that so and so came out and I wouldn't even let them in the door. All you hear is, I hired them and they did a good job or they didn't do a good job. What about these other people that they saw that didn't use?
I watch the List a lot because it keeps us on task. It's just a super barometer of letting us know where we stand with people. It's helped us become a better company.
JS: How do you help homeowners decide whether or not to get new windows?
RS: We get a few emails off our website where people will ask for a quote and I will email them back and ask for different information. The email I sent to a person this morning in regard to their window quote was "Why do you want to replace the windows?" I listed questions. Is it because you don't like the way the windows you have right now look? Is it because the windows are drafty? Is it because the windows don't function? Is it because you want to save energy?
I think if someone wants to save energy, you don't go to your windows. These big companies that advertise on television and everything, they try to make everyone think that replacing your windows is just going to be a major advantage in lowering their heating and air conditioning costs and it's not.
JS: What does help with energy costs?
RS: It depends on the age of the house. Insulation. Air infiltration around the windows. Air infiltration in general in the wall. Those are the kinds of things that can be tested for and is something that the general public doesn't ask for too much.
Everyone needs to ask themselves why are we replacing the window? The wife might say, "I'm just tired of these windows. I'm tired of cleaning them." And that's a good point. An older window isn't going to be a tilt in window. A vinyl window is going to be easy to clean. But, do you want to go out and spend $20,000 on windows for your whole house when you can spend $150 a year to have them all cleaned?
The same holds true for the people that want these gutter guards to keep leaves out of their gutters. I'll quote a gutter guard installation and it's $1,500, $2,000, $3,000 and they're like "Oh great, I'll never have to get on the ladder again." And I say, "You ever had them cleaned?"
"No, I've never had them cleaned."
"Well, why don't you get a quote for cleaning your gutters?" You can have your gutters cleaned for $100. What is that, 30 years or more worth of gutter cleaning?
You know what, Jeremy, nothing is perfect. No window is going to be perfect. People just need to be more aware of how they spend their money, where they put it. Don't let somebody convince you of something that you need, when it comes to saving energy especially.
If it's something that you just love and want to have – I mean there's beautiful windows that I would say "Gosh, I would love to have those windows. They're so pretty and they would complement my home” – great, do it, that's super. But for somebody that just wants to save energy, no, it's not your window.
You don't replace your window for a value of what's 2-R. A window that you have right now has an R-value of three and you go to a five with a new window. That's not practical. If you have an R-value five in your wall and you can convert it to 21, now we're talking.
There's just one other thing that I want to tell the general public. When you're with a person – your initial contact with a company that has come to your home to sell you windows – I think you want to be proactive and ask the right kinds of questions about what you're really gaining from this person and their installation.
You want to try and work with someone who's really interested in doing something for you that's going to help you the best way that it can. And ask the questions like, "Gee, do I really need new windows?" "Am I really going to be saving money every month in my heating and air conditioning?"
When they give an answer, ask them what that's based on because if anybody is telling people they're going to be saving 20 percent on their heating and air conditioning with a window, I have not found anything to back that up. I'd love to.
I always want to try to be the person that is selling something that's a tangible product. I love to save money because the more money you save, the more money you have to spend on your family and the things that you love and appreciate.
People have to stop and think, how much are you going to love and appreciate the $20,000 in these windows? Windows are very expensive.
Don't buy from a salesman, buy from somebody that just wants to help you. If the guy's a salesman, he's obviously there to gain something from you and that's his main concern. If he's there to help you, he's going to make money too. Everybody needs someone to help them with something. Every home I've been in, there's always something that we can help them with.
If you just continually guide someone to what is the proper installation for the job, they'll always come back to you and say you're the guy that was honest enough to tell me five years ago that I didn't need windows and look at how nice they are. We had them repainted, everything's great and now we want our siding done and we trusted you enough to call you back.
Jeremy Stacy, online content producer
Interview with Rhonda Steffes, owner of New Windows for America
Sept. 2, 2009
Rhonda Steffes: Rhonda Steffes, New Windows for America. I'm the owner and vice-president.
Jeremy Stacy: What are the most common types of replacement windows?
RS: Today most windows are replaced with vinyl. The reason is because vinyl is energy efficient, green because you never have to replace it again. There are some people who do wood windows. We do some of them, but I would say 95 percent of everything we sell is vinyl.
JS: When you say they last a lifetime, how long do you mean?
RS: The life span of the [vinyl] window is for the life of the home.
JS: What are trends you’re seeing with replacement windows?
RS: I guess people are looking more and more for something more energy efficient as the price of heating and cooling their home goes up. They're also looking for something to decrease those costs so they're putting in something more energy efficient. I'd say that's more of the trend than anything else. That's everyone's No. 1 concern.
A lot of times they feel drafts or it's cool around their windows or their energy bills are high. New windows can decrease energy costs by anywhere from 20 to 50 percent. There's also triple-pane windows out there that can make your home even more energy efficient.
JS: What are reasons to get replacement windows?
RS: A lot of times they will have frost or mold in their windows. Condensation. Cracked glass. Sometimes people already so have double-paned glass, but they're older or made out of wood and a lot of times there's seal failure in between the two panes of glass. That means the seal is broken and they're not getting the energy efficiency they once were.
JS: Does age of the home have a factor in deciding whether to repair or replace the window?
RS: No, not really. We're replacing windows in houses built in the late 1800s to anything built in the early 2000s.The more modern the house, it seems like the more problems people have with their windows.They're not built as well as they were in the years past.
JS: How can people looking to get new windows make sure they're getting something of quality?
I guess you want to look and see what the energy efficiency ratings are on the windows. Right now with the tax credits, the requirements are for the window to have a solar heat gain coefficient of .30 or less and a U-value, which measures the amount of heat being lost through the window, of .30 or less. Those are real good qualities to look for and make sure they have before you put them into your home.
JS: Is there a time when it's better to repair a window rather than replace it?
RS: I guess if they were high quality windows that were put in in the first place that have low-e and argon in them, you may want to just repair them. But if the windows are more than 10 or 15 years old, you’re better off replacing them because of the energy efficiencies that are put in the windows now that weren't required 10 years ago.
The only other time you would maybe want to repair the window is if you live in a historical district. A lot of the historical areas do not allow a vinyl replacement to be put in and they will only allow you to repair the window.
JS: What are some benefits of a replacement window?
RS: You actually get a 73 percent return on investment so what realtors have found is that something people are looking for is energy-efficient, maintenance-free windows. You don't have to paint them. They're maintenance-free. They're easier to clean. You can flip it in and clean the outside windows from the inside of the house. Also, you don't need storm windows anymore, which improves the look of the home.
Remodeler Magazine puts out different remodeling projects that people can do in their home and what's the best value – what you get back as a percentage. If you're going to turn around and sell your house within the first year [of the remodel] and you put in $10,000 worth of windows, you would get at least $7,300 dollars back if you sold it within the first year [of the remodel]. Siding is usually No. 1 and windows and kitchen are usually No. 2.
JS: Can you recoup your investment on energy savings alone?
RS: You need to figure out what your energy bill is per year. If you save 30 percent per year, it would take a couple of years, but you eventually get them paid for on their own by just the energy efficiency.
JS: Can you repair replacement windows?
RS: Yeah, everything can be repaired. Most companies, including our own, have a warranty — a lifetime warranty — on [the windows].
JS: What are some tips to select a quality installer?
RS: When you're selecting an installer for windows, a good thing to look for is somebody that's been certified through an association like the American Window and Door Institute or have some type of training certificate would be good to look for. Years of experience and making sure they're a licensed contractor is probably No. 1.
I suppose a red flag would be if they tell them it's not necessary to pull a permit or it's not necessary to be licensed. That would be a good indication to run the other way.
JS: How long does it take to install a window?
RS: That's a good question. The opening is only open 10 or 15 minutes. The time consumption comes from trimming it out and putting the new trim on the exterior and the interior. One window probably takes on average an hour to two hours based on the experience of the installer.
JS: What about the average price of a double-hung, double-pane vinyl window?
JS: I'd say the average price for a window is $400 to $600 depending on the size and that's usually including installation.
JS: What can homeowners do to care for their windows and extend their life?
RS: With a vinyl window there is virtually no maintenance that needs to be done. Just good old Windex.
Jeremy Stacy, online content producer
Interview with Kathy Krafka-Harkema, spokesperson for Pella Window and Door
Aug. 31, 2009
Kathy Krafka-Harkema: My name is Kathy Krafka-Harkema and I'm a spokesperson for Pella Windows and Doors.
Jeremy Stacy: What are the common materials used in replacement windows?
KKH: Well there's a variety of types and styles of windows and door available made from a variety of materials. Everything from vinyl to fiberglass to wood to wood that's protected with aluminum cladding. So it's important to take into consideration your climate, your budget and your style of home when you're choosing the material that's right for you and your home.
JS: What is the most common material used?
KKH: All of the materials are very common. I would say fiberglass windows are newer to the market so you would tend to see more vinyl windows and more windows on the market today, but fiberglass windows are growing in popularity.
JS: How does region play a role in choosing windows?
KKH: You might live in a climate like the Pacific Northwest where it rains all the time so a vinyl window might be a great choice for a wet rainy climate condition or perhaps a climate like Florida. On the other extreme, you might have the extreme heat like Arizona and you might want a product like fiberglass that can really withstand the extremes in terms of heat.
Or you might want the natural warmth and beauty of wood so choosing wood might be the best option for you. And when it's protected with aluminum cladding on the exterior, you can get a variety of colors on the exterior, the protection of the aluminum cladding, but that natural appeal of wood on the interior.
JS: What are the trends in replacement windows?
KKH: One of the biggest trends we're seeing in windows today is people are viewing them as not just a functional item in their home, but also a fashion statement. By that we mean they're accessorizing the window. They're adding stylish grills to convey everything from a contemporary look to a colonial look. People are also accessorizing with screens. A screen that is so sheer that it's nearly invisible is a popular new trend.
JS: What are signs it's time to replace your windows?
KKH: If you feel cold air coming in or around your window, it might be a sign that it's time for that window to go. Or if you see water stains coming in and around the window, again it might be time to replace it with an energy efficient option. If you've got a single-pane window, when it comes to energy efficiency you can do much better with double-or triple pane options.
In fact, now is a great time to think about replacing windows because the U.S. government is offering tax credits for replacing those old, inefficient options with more energy efficient options. You can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 or 30 percent of the cost of the replacement windows like those with the Energy Star or those approved by the government now through 2010.
JS: Is it ever better to repair a window?
KKH: That's going to depend on case-by-case basis. If there's no issue with moisture infiltration into your wall cavity and the window frame itself is intact, you can get a pocket replacement application that allows you to keep your interior trim or wall paper intact, but yet get a more energy efficient window in there.
What you want to do is work with your construction professional or if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, really take a look and see – has the window itself degraded? Has moisture gotten into the wall cavity? If you're seeing those signs, it’s typically a sign that you should do what's called a full tear-out or a full replacement. Likewise, if it's just maybe a sash that's worn, you could do a pocket-type application.
JS: What about older homes in historic districts?
KKH: The beauty is that companies like Pella can make a window that looks like those of historic days gone by, but have the energy efficiency of today's technology. You might be able to replicate the look of a window made 100 years ago and still have today's energy efficiency.
You want to work with you local preservationist and any local building codes that are in effect in your area and you can choose windows that have a very classic look or a very contemporary look depending on your specific code requirements in your area.
We make windows in quarter inch increments. What that means is if your home was built 100 years ago and those sizes that were popular back then, but aren't quite so popular today, we can still make the sizes you need to fit the openings to help seal out air and moisture for the best overall fit and energy efficiency.
JS: What are some benefits of replacement windows?
KKH: You can take a bite out of your utility bill with selecting a well-made, properly installed window. You want to upgrade in terms of panes of glass to go to at least a double-pane or in some cases a triple-pane option with argon for additional efficiency.
Also, today's windows are safer. They tilt in for cleaning in the case of double hung windows. That means you don't have to get up and get outside on a ladder to clean your windows. There are also casement models – many people call those crank out models – and they open more fully to allow you to clean both the interior and exterior of the glass from the inside of your home.
Really, there's many more innovations in today's windows that can help you update the look of your home and add to the value of it. Things like blinds and shades between the panes of glass mean that you have the beauty and style and the flexibility to change those blinds or shades.
When you have blinds or shades protected between glass, you're also accumulating fewer airborne allergens. That's a good thing for people with asthma or allergies or pets or children in the home. Or for people who would just rather do something other than spend time cleaning those blinds and shades.
And you can also have grills that are in between the panes of glass as well. So you have the look of individual panes and divided light, but the ease of cleaning a single interior and exterior surface. Grills ad more character to your home. They add a look of distinction. And, you can have many different grill styles.
In addition to those that are in between the panes of glass, you can have grill that are either permanently adhered to the exterior of the glass, or removable grills so that you can have a colonial look today and a contemporary look tomorrow.
JS: What is the typical life span of a replacement window?
KKH: That's going to vary by product. You're going to want to consult your manufacturer's warranty. Other things that can affect the performance of a window are just your climate, the type of exposure it has to the elements. For example, if you're in a cold climate and you get a lot of snow, a lot of rain, it's exposed to a lot of sunlight, that product may have a different life-span than a product that isn't exposed to as many harsh elements.
JS: Can replacement windows be repaired?
KKH: You want to look at your specific manufacturer. We maintain parts long after we manufacture them. If you're moving into an existing home and you've got Pella windows, you may notice there's a handle missing from a casement crank window, Pella maintains parts for products long after we manufacture them. So just check with your manufacturer. You can replace window sashes, but it's going to depend on what the part is.
To keep your window performing at its best, there are things you can do in terms of maintenance. As we're going into the fall months, it's a good time to give your windows and doors a check up just like you take yourself in for a checkup or your car in for a checkup periodically.
What you want to do is test them. Make sure they open quickly and easily, but they close completely. One good thing to do is when you're cleaning the glass on the windows, always select a cleaner that's vinegar-based rather than one that's ammonia-based. A vinegar-based cleaner will help keep the glass surfaces clean. The danger in using ammonia-based cleaners is they can actually cloud the glass and end up attracting more dirt. Clean glass is more energy efficient too.
Likewise, you'll want to sweep the tracks free of any dirt or debris. A lot of times leaves can get in there. Just take a dry paintbrush and brush that out. Or, if there's more dirt and debris there, just take the brush attachment of your vacuum and clean out those tracks for greater energy efficiency.
JS: How should you go about looking for a replacement window and installer?
KKH: Well, you want to look for a well-made product that's designed and tested to perform. You want to read the warranty that the manufacturer provides to understand explicitly what it does and doesn't cover. You want to do business with a company that has a good reputation and that will be in business in the future. Ways to determine that are to check references. Do your research.
Also check with your Better Business Bureau. Look for things like the J.D. Power and Associates ranking of customer satisfaction. Then, ask your neighbors. You really do want to do your homework to get the most for your time and your money and to get a product that is not only selected well for you home, but one that is installed properly for the best performance.
JS: What's the typical price of a standard double-hung, dual-pane replacement window?
That price is going to vary depending on the material you choose and the options you select like grills and blinds and shades. The best thing to do is get a qualified expert into your home to measure the size that you need for proper fit and then do some comparison shopping yourself comparing the materials and options that are the best fit for your house.
But, you get what you pay for when it comes to windows and doors. It's very important to select quality-made, designed and tested materials because a window and a door are two things that are actually seen from both the inside and outside of your home. You use a door every day. Windows allow natural light and air into your home and help protect it from the elements.
When you want to determine how much to invest in windows and doors, look at the best you can afford. Also check with your utility company. Many are offering rebates for replacing old inefficient windows with more energy efficient options. And now is the time to collect the U.S. tax credit now through the end of 2010 for making those energy upgrades.
A window or door will pay for itself through increased energy efficiency so you can take a bite out of that utility bill every month with a more efficient option. It also helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
JS: Is there anything else you would like to add about windows?
A couple of other things when it comes to maintenance and checking your windows and doors, you'll want to look for the interior and exterior finishes around your windows and doors. If you see flaking and peeling paint, it may mean that its time to refinish the unit or it may be time to replace it all together.
You'll also want to pay attention to the caulk around the windows and doors. You want to make sure your caulk is in place to seal out air and moisture.
If you live in a coastal location, keep in mind the effects of salt spray and [salt] fog can damage components in your home so you may want to rinse those units off with clear water from time to time to help reduce the effects of salt spray and salt fog.
Bottom line, regardless of the type of window or door you choose, its essential to install it properly for best performance. Windows and doors are not only a beautiful item in our home and allow us access to our home, but the can also be an emergency escape route in the event a fire or other emergency. It's important to designate a window and door in every room in your home as an emergency exit and then to plan and practice a home escape drill at least a couple of times a year. Those windows and doors that don't open and close easily are candidates for replacement.
I do have a couple of other thoughts on choosing a contractor. As you're thinking about tackling your remodeling project, some things to think about are will this project add to the overall curb appeal of your home or its value? Can you increase energy efficiency and help reduce energy costs? Will the improvement help make your home more comfortable. And, will it help you cut your maintenance time and expense overall. Those are things to think about when you're remodeling.
If you're think about who to work with on a remodeling project, you may want to think about retaining an architect or a designer if you're thinking about a major facelift for your home. You want to ask for referrals from a reputable contractor and you want to check credentials.
It's really key when working with a contractor to have open, consistent communication. You want to agree on a plan with your contractor, determine the exact needs for your home project — a schedule, a timeline, and then a budget. You want to understand before you get started what your project is likely to cost, when it's likely to be completed and then solicit bids for your project.
Do your comparison shopping upfront and understand how to get the most for your time and for your money.