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Vinyl Replacement Window Colors

In 2002 I talked with the homeowners association for a multi-floor condo building on St. Pete Beach, the Beau Monde. Like many buildings built in the middle of the century, they had silver aluminum colored single pane windows. Back in the 1950’s there were almost no regulations regarding window strength so these were all in need of replacement. But the condo was leaving that up to the individual owners. The typical condo requirement of not changing the styles of the windows was in the rules. That makes sense because I’ve seen buildings without that rule look like a hodgepodge with different styles from one home to another. They also stipulated that all the frames must maintain the silver color of […]

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Vinyl Window Frames

Plastic, vinyl, PVC, and uPVC are all used almost interchangeably by most of us. Vinyl window frames are plastic. That’s right- plastic. But not all plastics are created equal. Think of the things you know as vinyl, like the stuff that looks and feels pretty much like leather, vinyl porch furniture that is flimsy and gets killed with the Florida sun, and even vinyl flooring. Plastics are everywhere- and we think of all these as completely different products, but they are all some kind of plastic, items with astoundingly different qualities. Your car probably has plastic bumpers. The plastic used there certainly is different than the plastic in the bottle of water you buy. In the 1800’s when vinyl chloride […]

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Replacement Window Styles

There are really only a few replacement window styles to choose from. Single Hung Replacement Window Most Vinyl Single Hung windows are manufactured to allow the bottom sash to be raised and then tilted in for cleaning, eliminating the need to remove the screen. Note that the screen on the bottom half darkens and slightly obscures vision. Double hung windows usually can be ordered with either full screens or half screens. If you plan to open both the top and bottom sashes at the same time you will need full screens. Double Hung Replacement Window This is a replacement window style that most people choose. Note the full screen on this Double Hung. These offer motion of the top and […]

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Replacement Window Limited Warranties

The first place I worked as a replacement window salesman was a window manufacturing company. It really spoiled me. They offered a Lifetime Warranty that covered most everything that could happen to their window. First, it was a heavy aluminum framed window so not much could happen there beyond paint chipping. Second, it was only single pane glass, so there was no fear of seal failure. I was able to offer everyone I sold windows to a Lifetime Warranty that made them feel protected. It was great. Years later I opened my own company as a distributor for many manufacturers. We told customers that we could give them choices. I had single pane aluminum from two or three different manufacturers. […]

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Replacing Windows

Replacing windows in the Tampa Bay area has certainly gotten more difficult. Many people who are good with tools and understand construction consider replacing their own windows themselves. If you are one of these brave folks, this is for you. Sizing When Replacing Windows If you are replacing windows in the typical Florida home you will either have a block constructed home or a wood framed. Chances are standard size windows were used when the home was first build. Florida standard window sizes have remained consistent for years, so you will have an easy time matching the original size with new windows. 53 1/8” x 50 5/8” is a standard size window here in the Tampa Bay region. If your […]

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Impact Windows

Over the last 20 years, while I was offering windows to Tampa Bay area residents, I have seen huge changes in window requirements. The legislated mandate that windows in much of the state be impact rated, to me, is far overblown. I do have mixed feelings when it comes to impact windows. They are expensive, though some manufacturers have found ways to cut corners with cheaper components for their impact windows to bring down prices. I know of one impact window manufacturer that is now using low grade laminate glass that tends to distort the world outside, but it did bring down the cost of their impact windows. Impact windows are heavy. We installed double hung impact windows for a […]

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Best Windows for Energy Saving

To pick the best windows for energy saving you have to consider your local climate. In Maine your windows will drop your energy cost if they allow the sun’s light to heat up your home and help trap that heat inside. Air conditioning isn’t your energy problem. In Florida it’s quite the opposite. You might have a few days each year when you enjoy feeling the heat of the sun taking the chill off the wintery morning, but the best windows for energy saving here need to stop heat flow. They need to keep heat out in the warm months and hold heat in on those days when temperatures drop. When you put your hand on your aluminum framed windows […]

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Insulated Glass Seal Failure

The biggest potential problem that comes with insulated glass is seal failure. When the seal fails, moisture creeps into the air space between the glass panes. There it condenses, and you no longer have clear glass to look through. It usually starts like a slight fog. Years ago when I first got involved selling insulated glass, I remember the pain one customer had. Her name was Agnes. She was a widow living alone in the house where she and her husband had raised a big family. Though she had no need for the big house anymore, she couldn’t bring herself to part with it. All her fondest memories were there, the Christmases, the birthdays, and even the wedding of her […]

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Replacement Windows Cost Versus Value

Replacement Windows Resale Value Remodeling Magazine publishes a cost versus value report every year on many major home improvements. You can get specifics on replacement window cost versus value for the southeastern United States. They generally talk about the cost of a project and the resale value averages. In other words, you pay “X” for replacement windows and you can expect to get “Y” percent back when you sell the home. Replacement Windows Energy Savings Consumer Reports has information on replacement windows too. They look at the replacement windows cost versus value by talking about the return you will get over time from energy savings if you choose energy efficient windows. They use a “cup is half empty” style when […]

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Replacement Window Warranties

Most sales reps will tell you the window they sell has a Lifetime Warranty. It’s true. Most of the replacement windows sold in the Tampa Bay market do come with lifetime warranties. What most sales people neglect to tell you is that these warranties are Limited. Your replacement windows will come with a lifetime limited warranty. Those limits should be a major part of your investigation when buying replacement windows in Tampa Bay- or anywhere for that matter. But here in Florida our harsh climate makes it even more important than other parts of the US. Let’s talk about cars. If your new car warranty covers you bumper to bumper for 36,000 miles, that means you are likely to have […]

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