New Home Draw
Resume:
The Ultimate
Replacement
Window Guide
A simple guide to choosing the
best replacement windows
for your home
Replacement window quality
plays a significant role in
performance and lifespan.
According to Door & Window Market Magazine, the
glass package and the window itself have different lifespan expectancies, but there are numerous
characteristics that determine the window’s quality and energy saving capability1.
A quality window frame can last up to 50 years, while the best glass packages can perform for 20 to 25 years. Determining the quality of replacement windows is
difficult for many homeowners. Two double hung vinyl replacement windows can look identical when placed side-by-side, regardless of quality. Installation of poor quality windows has several consequences though,
such as warping or peeling frames, seal failure, and underperformance in terms of energy savings.
The goal of this white paper is to help you
understand the following on quality replacement
windows:
•Defining characteristics of quality vinyl
replacement windows.
•Performance expectations of quality windows.
•Advanced technologies that further enhance
window quality.
•The importance of professional window
installation.
The Ultimate
Replacement
Window Guide
Why Replacement Window
Quality counts for Performance,
Energy Savings, and Lifetime Value
Chapter 1:
1 Identifying Quality
Window Frame Materials
2 Quality Vinyl Frame
Construction
Chapter 2:
3 Glass Packages
5 Installation’s Impact on
Quality
Chapter 3:
6 UniShield® Replacement
Windows
About UWD
1 https://www.dwmmag.com/how-long-should-a-window-last/ 1
Identifying Quality
Window Frame Materials
Vinyl windows are one of the most
popular window frame materials
in America, serving as 36% of all
replacement windows sold today2. This
window is popular for its durability, low-
maintenance, and long lifespan.
The material makeup of vinyl window frames play a
major role in performance and quality. The best quality frames are engineered by using polyvinyl chloride with ultraviolet stabilizers. These stabilizers ensure that the window frames do not break down from sun exposure.
Low quality vinyl frames can fade from the sun and turn yellow from color washout. They may also crack or
split from extreme temperature variations.
The best quality vinyl window frames will not yellow from age or the elements. The color will remain vi- brant for decades without the need to sand, stain, or paint the product.
According to the Department of Energy, vinyl is the best at resisting all types of weather and moisture3. 2 https://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/articles/windows-understanding-energy-efficient-performance/ 3 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/window-types-and-technologies 2
Quality Vinyl Frame
Construction
Quality vinyl window frames feature high-end construction with fusion-welded frames, including the sashes and main frames. Fusion-welded frames are engineered using hot plate welding where the corners are permanently bonded together4. The process involves pressing the parts to join either side of a heated plate. The plate is removed after the joints are sufficiently molten, and the components are pressed together and held until cooled5.
not cause an immediate threat to wood window frames, the long-term effects can ultimately destroy the frame. It takes roughly one week for wood decay fungi to begin breaking down untreated wood8.Other indicators of quality vinyl frame construction include:
•Sashes that are easy to operate. Double hung windows that are difficult to open and close may have dirt and dust buildup or have problems with the internal spring mechanism.
•Hardware that secures the window, such as sash limit locks that allow for partial opening while preventing entry from intruders. Cam-style locks pull sashes together for extra security while creating a weatherproof seal.
•For windows that open on a hinge, look for multipoint locking and triple seal systems to prevent drafts and moisture from entering into the home.
The construction of the window frame
is critical for a window that essentially
lasts a lifetime.
Weather and Moisture-Resistant
Technologies
Quality replacement windows can prevent energy loss and make the home more comfortable. Heat gain and loss through inefficient windows is responsible for 25-30% of a home’s energy consumption6. A quality replacement window
prevents moisture damage, mold and mildew, and
continuously saves energy.
Vinyl is a moisture-resistant material that prevents the growth of mold and mildew. According to the Federal Management Agency, mold and mildew begin to grow within 24-48 hours after water exposure. With untreated wood windows, mold feeds off the surface of the wood frames7. While mold does In order for mold to grow,three environmental factors must be present:
Moisture
Organic food source
Ideal temperature, between 68
and 86 Fahrenheit
Unlike wood, vinyl is not an organic material. Without an organic food source, mold is unable to grow. Vinyl is highly moisture resistant and will not peel, chip, rot, or decay from moisture damage.
4 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/vnl.10161 5 http://www.5stardrilling.com/Plasticsjoining.htm 6 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/windows-doors-and-skylights/update-or-replace-windows 7 http://web.utk.edu/~mtaylo29/pages/mold%20on%20wood.html 8 http://www.kktruss.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ttbmold.pdf 3
Energy Efficient
Glass Packages
The glass package enhances a window’s quality by increasing its performance. A high-performing window uses a combination of technologies for maximized performance through the seasons.
Argon and Krypton Gases
Argon and krypton gases are invisible, odorless gases that exist in the airspace of energy efficient replacement windows. The gases are denser than air, with krypton gas 2.8 times more dense than air12. Both gases make the window more thermally efficient and keep the glass temperature as close to the interior temperature as possible. According to Energy Star, krypton is the best insulator for windows13.
Triple Pane Glass
Triple pane windows go beyond today’s standard dual pane window units. Triple pane is less likely to have condensation than dual pane windows9 and provides sound-barrier technology for a quieter home. Triple pane is exceptionally beneficial in cooler climates where condensation is more of an issue, especially in homes that are well-sealed and retain higher moisture levels during the winter10. A triple pane window is also heavier than a dual pane window, but it’s engineered to handle the extra weight and improve the home’s structural integrity.
Homeowners can experience roughly 3% more in energy savings with triple pane windows11. Those who switch from single pane to triple pane will experience the most dramatic change with indoor comfort and energy savings, with some saving over $400 per year.
9 https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2017/09/18/triple-pane-windows-for-performance-and-comfort 10 https://www.angieslist.com/articles/are-triple-pane-windows-worth-investment.htm 11 https://www.familyhandyman.com/windows/are-tripleglazed-windows-worth-the-extra-cost/view-all/ 12 http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/C-K/Krypton.html 13 https://energystar.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/211439478-What-are-the-differences-between-argon-gas-or- krypton-gas-filled-windows-Which-is-the-better-option-and-why- 4
Energy Efficient
Glass Packages
Air leakage from windows has a significant
impact on a home’s thermal envelope.
Drafts are one of the primary reasons
that homeowners replace windows, as it
directly leads to energy loss. According to
the American Architectural Manufacturers
Association, fixed windows—those that do
not open—are the most airtight windows
available. For operable windows such
as double hung or casement, the AAMA
suggests keeping the windows locked to
help reduce air infiltration15. Durable and
quality weatherstripping also adds another
barrier against drafts and energy loss.
Low-E
Low-e is another invisible component for quality windows, which is a metallic oxide layer14. It’s applied in several ways, with a soft coat going on the interior surface of the pane. A soft coat is highly effective at reflecting light during the summer to keep the home cool. In the winter, it allows light to naturally heat the home.
With a low-e application, homeowners can save as
much as 50% on their energy bills.
Super Spacer
Super Spacer technology is exclusive to Universal Windows Direct’s UniShield® replacement windows. This product holds the panes of glass together and increases the window’s insulation power. Instead of using metal, Super Spacer is an acrylic-bonded dual technology that lowers energy bills, protects against pests, and reduces drafts in the home. Innergy Thermal Reinforcements
Innergy thermal reinforcements are advanced fiberglass polyurethane resin inserts. Their precise design allows them to easily slide into the window during manufacturing. It provides extra structural strength to the window, prevents condensation, and was tested as 700 times better than metal reinforcements. Air Infiltration
A window’s quality is downgraded if it’s incorrectly installed. Professional window installation is essential for reducing air infiltration, where energy can escape through the areas of the window including:
•The sash
•The sill
•Where the sash meets the sill
•Where the sash meets the rail
•The sash perimeter
14 https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/low-e-windows/
15 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/window-types-and-technologies 5
Installation’s Impact
on Quality
Air infiltration is one of the major
issues with incorrect window
installation. However, there are other
elements that affect the window’s
quality in terms of installation.
A window that is installed correctly will:
Not have gaps around the
window frame.
Sometimes the gaps are large enough
that you can see sunlight coming
through the frames. These large gaps
will need filled with low-expansion
polyurethane foam which can close gaps
that are up to 3” wide16. Other times, the
gaps are nearly invisible and you might
not notice them at all.
Clean and neat caulking.
Professional window installers have steady
hands that precisely apply caulking. A
quick and sloppy job shows that the
window contractor likely took shortcuts
with your window installation. Without
proper caulking, the window can lose
energy and it can compromise the structure
of the window.
Be free of drafts.
If there are gaps around the frame, this
will allow drafts to enter and energy to
escape. Drafty windows can result in 25%
energy loss17.
Prevent water damage.
Water damage around your windows is
a sign of incorrect installation. It allows
the rain to trickle inside and can cause
discoloration on the walls as well as
mold and mildew growth.
Straight and uniform
appearance.
Along with clean and neat caulking, precise
measurements are critically important
for accurate installation. Vinyl windows
need room to expand and contract, and
they need room to move inside the frame
when temperature and humidity fluctuates.
If a window is installed too tightly, you most
likely won’t be able to open the window
due to swelling. If there is too much room
between the window and the frame, energy
loss becomes an issue.
No fog inside the panes.
Foggy window panes are often the result of
a malfunctioning seal inside the glass panes.
If the seal is compromised during installation,
the window panes will become foggy and the
gases will escape. This causes the window
to become much less energy efficient.
16 https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/home-air-leak-seal-tips/ 17 https://www.thisoldhouse.com/windows/21017584/budget-fixes-for-drafty-windows UniShield®
Replacement Windows
6
Homeowners do not have to pay
top dollar to receive the best quality
replacement windows. Studies have
shown that the most expensive
windows from recognizable brand
names are not an indicator of better
performance or quality18.
The key is to combine a quality window at the
best value possible without settling for bottom-
of-the-barrel products. Universal Windows Direct
meets homeowners right in the middle with quality, performance, and price with UniShield® replacement windows. UniShield® is engineered with only the best quality vinyl at competitive market prices. To fit a wide range of budgets, UniShield® is available in four glass package options:
UniShield® Classic: A high-quality dual pane vinyl replacement window. Uses a double coating of low-e, argon gas in the airspace, and intercept spacer.
UniShield® Plus: A high-quality dual pane vinyl
replacement window with a double coat of low-e. Argon gas increases thermal efficiency while low Super Spacer reduces drafts and condensation.
UniShield® Premium: A high-quality triple pane
replacement window with argon gas in both airspaces and Super Spacer technology. This window is superior at sound reduction, reducing condensation, and keeping the home at a consistent indoor temperature.
UniShield® Supreme: Top-of-the-line triple pane
replacement window with krypton gas in both airspaces. Provides ultimate solar control, sound reduction, and energy savings. Super Spacer technology reduces drafts and condensation while professional window installation reduces air infiltration.
Universal Windows Direct’s installation team is top-of-the-line and professionally trained. All of our window products are installed by knowledgeable professionals, following the best industry practices for your satisfaction.
Guaranteed Performance and Quality with
Our True Lifetime Warranty
Universal Windows Direct’s True Lifetime warranty
provides industry-leading coverage for UniShield®
window products. Protection is included for UniShield® windows with glass packages, craftsmanship,
installation, labor, pieces, parts, and more.
UWD offers quality and professional installation with all UniShield® window replacement products.
Experience a lifetime of quality and performance
with UniShield® replacement windows. Contact us
today to schedule a free in-home estimate.
18 https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/replacement-windows/buying-guide/index.htm
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