| ALL AMERICAN EXTERIORS - PROFESSIONAL
REPLACEMENT WINDOW CONTRACTORS IN CENTRAL IOWA |
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| Information About Windows |
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| Quality window installation depends
upon finding a quality window contractor. Finding the window
style is usually the first step for window installation. A
window contractor can walk you through the trade-offs between
single-hung or double-hung windows, casement or horizontal
sliding windows. You may only be looking for replacement windows,
where your window opening will dictate the style, but changing
the style may not cost as much as you think, and it's good
to hear from an expert before you make up your mind. Even
replacement window installation requires expertise to ensure
your windows will provide you with the performance and longevity
the manufacturer promises. |
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| Window Manufacturers |
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| One of the most difficult decisions
for homeowners can be choosing a window brand. Small window
manufacturers tend to provide specialty and customized glass
for a small niche of window installations, but there are still
close to a dozen major window manufacturers and knowing which
one is right for you can be a crap shoot. We are CERTIFIED
PELLA window installers, however we can install any window
you prefer. We are happy to visit with you about your needs
and the options open to you, as we are a good source of general
information, about these manufacturers and many others. |
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| Energy-Efficient Windows |
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| One of the most common reasons
to replace existing windows is to increase the energy-efficiency
performance of your windows. For poor performing windows,
as much as 90% of your heat loss can occur through your windows.
Our customers report our window replacement options pay for
themselves in an average of 3 years with energy savings. Double
or triple insulated windows will greatly increase the insulating
value of your windows. The highest performing windows can
even approach the insulation performance of the walls that
surround them. Reflective glass windows will deflect much
of the sun's rays, making them perform well, not just in the
winter, but in the summer, too. |
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| Most of the heat loss occurs through
the glass but an energy-efficient window frame shouldn't be
overlooked. Wood frames are great for energy-efficiency but
are also expensive and require maintenance. Aluminum is inexpensive
and durable but has a poorer insulation rating. Our selections
of Vinyl windows are more energy-efficient than some wood
framed windows and with our options you have plenty of choices
of colors, textures, stiles and hardware! R-factors are the
measure of a material's insulating performance. U-factors
refer to the total window unit's insulating performance. The
U-factor is the reciprocal of the R-factor, which means you
should look for window installations that have a high R-factor
and a low U-factor. |
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| Hiring a Window
Contractor |
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| Window contracting is open to
would-be scammers. Because window installation and repair
is a common home improvement project, it's not uncommon for
a dishonest person to blow through town, line up a bunch of
quick customers, make promises, falsify supply orders, take
your money, and take off. At the very least, check to make
sure your window contractor is licensed. This is your first
line of defense, but you should also check references and
talk to some of the contractors’ previous customers.
Never hire someone who comes to your door and solicits a window
installation to be completed that day. Also, to the untrained
eye most windows look a like. This being said let me tell
you of something my mother told me once when I was a kid and
learned a very valuable lesson that I still remember today
“If you buy a diamond for a dime, you probably have a
diamond that isn’t worth a dime”. Quote by Angie
Snodgrass 1978. |
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