Frequenty Asked Questions
Q. Why should I choose Vinyl Maintenance Free Replacement Windows?
A. Vinyl windows are durable, energy efficient and make an excellent investment. Of the various materials used to manufacture windows, Vinyl windows are the most popular. Another important factor to consider when purchasing windows for your home is the installer. A bad install can quickly subtract the benefits of upgrading your windows. This is why we hire our own professional installers to install your vinyl replacement windows. Replacing the windows in your home will enhance its overall beauty while giving your budget a boost by helping conserve costly energy.
Q. Where is Maintenance Free Windows based out of and do you have a showroom?
A. Maintenance Free Windows has offices in Marietta and Duluth (serving metro Atlanta) and Gainesville (serving North Georgia). Yes, we do meet with customers at our office, although a pre-set appointment must be made. Ideally, Maintenance Free needs to see the windows you are trying to replace so an accurate, thorough quote can be presented. Because of this, we bring the showroom to the comfort of your own home.
Q. How long does it take to manufacture the windows and how long does the installation take?
A. All windows are locally made right here in Georgia. Each window is custom manufactured for your home. It takes 2-3 weeks to build your windows. Installation is normally done in one to two days, depending on the size of the project. Customers are normally installed within 4 weeks from the order date.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Unlike many of our competitors, Maintenance Free Windows does not subject our customers to high-pressure sales tactics. Maintenance Free Windows firmly believes in providing customers with a direct and honest approach to pricing each project. All our products and installation costs are provided in a pre-printed, easy-to-understand format. This allows our customers to build windows to their specifications and to their budgets.
Q. How does the process work?
A. After the windows are priced to the customer's specifications, each window is individually measured. These measurements are then submitted to manufacturing for production. Manufacturing builds the windows and ships them to the Maintenance Free Windows warehouse. Customers are then called and a convenient installation date is set.
Q. How can I prepare my house for my replacement windows?
A. Please take down curtains, blinds, or any other window treatments. Security sensors should also be removed and turned off by your security company. Please provide our installation expert with a clear path to the window(s) being replaced by moving anything that may be in the way. We can assist with heavy furniture items as necessary.
Q. What is standard installation?
A. Standard installation is removing the old wooden window from inside the home. The interior trim is removed, the old window is taken out, and the new window is inserted, insulated, and caulked. The existing trim is put back on. You won’t know we were there except that you have new windows. If you are replacing aluminum or steel windows, there will be a small additional charge since it is a bit more difficult to get your old windows out and additional exterior trim work is required.
Q. How will the outside of the windows be finished?
A. If desired, when the new windows are being installed, we can go outside and cover all exterior wood casing on each window with a custom fit, finished aluminum trim for a maintenance free exterior. This is normally added to your standard installation cost. On some homes this exterior trim is not necessary.
Q. How long will the total installation take?
A. A typical job (12 to 20 windows) takes one to two days.
Q. How long will my house be open to the weather without windows in place?
A. Normally no longer than 30 minutes per window.
Q. What type of warranty is available for my windows?
A. All of our replacement windows come with a lifetime all-inclusive, transferable warranty to include a glass breakage and a seal failure warranty (no foggy windows). It’s simple, all product, materials and workmanship is covered…guaranteed! Click here for a copy of our warranty.
Q. What happens to my old windows?
A. After installing your new replacement windows, Maintenance Free will remove your old windows and every bit of debris from your property and dispose of it properly. You won’t know we were there except you have new windows.
Q. What do I do if there is a problem with the windows?
A. Most of the issues encountered by our customers are easily corrected and don’t necessarily mean that there is a problem with your window. In the rare occasion that you do have a problem with your new windows, feel free to email us or contact us via phone and we gladly repair or replace it, free of charge.
Q. What is Low-E glass?
A. Low-E glass has a non-visible, microscopic layer of silver sandwiched between layers of anti-reflective metal oxide coatings for greater energy efficiency and comfort. Low-E stands for low emissivity. Low-E glass reflects the part of the light spectrum that transmits heat, and in turn decreases a window's U-Value and increase it’s R-Value.
Q. What are U-Values and R-Values?
A. U-Value represents the amount of heat that escapes through a wall, window, roof, or other surface. The lower the U-Value, the more energy efficient the given material is. R-Values are the direct opposite. These measure an object's resistance to heat flow. The higher a material's R-Value, the lower its U-Value, the less energy it will lose. R-Value in a window depends on the number of layers of glass, the type of gas between those layers, and whether one or more of those layers has been treated with a Low-E coating.
Q. What is Argon gas used for?
A. Argon and other inert gasses also will reduce the loss of heat through an insulating glass unit. Since inert gasses are heavier than air, their molecules do not move as easily. This makes the space between the panes of glass in the window less conductive. Inert gasses between the panes of glass make it more difficult for the warmer inside air to pass through the glass to the colder outside. With lower heat loss, the R-Value is increased.
Q. Why do windows sweat?
A. Air is composed of several gases, one of which is moisture vapor. When air comes in contact with the dew-point temperature, that air is chilled and condensation takes place with a residue of water on the surface of the glass. Condensation is the result of excess humidity or excess water vapor in the air coming in contact with a cooler surface such as a window. Maintenance Free builds windows with features to keep the surface of the glass warmer to reduce the likelihood of condensation. When humidity conditions are extremely high, use the following suggestions to help reduce the moisture in the air. Open windows frequently to air out your home. Use a dehumidifier. Use venting fans in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.
Q. Will new windows eliminate condensation?
A. Actually, no. Condensation is caused by moisture vapor suspended in the air, and that's something no one can guarantee to eliminate. However, high quality vinyl windows, incorporating warm edge technology and glazing systems, help reduce condensation because they're much less thermally conductive than other window types. They also help keep the temperature of the window warmer, minimizing the hot and cold differences that turn moisture vapor into condensation.
Q. Where can I go to find more information on energy efficient windows so I know I'm choosing the right product?
A. www.efficientwindows.org |
