My new windows seem drafty and I haven’t seen a decrease in my energy costs. What is the problem?

Identify Your Home’s Drafts
CHECK FOR OBVIOUS ISSUES. You’ll need to identify these less-obvious air leaks to make an impact on your energy bills. You can do that yourself, with a careful visual inspection inside and out: Look for gaps and cracks at the common points of air leakage (e.g., knee walls, dryer vents, outdoor faucets, attic hatches, sill plates) and pay close attention to the building envelope — the outer walls, doors and other openings of your home. Take notes of any cracks, gaps or other openings, so you can return and air-seal them later.

You can also perform a simple test to supplement your visual inspection. One simple method is a DIY smoke test:
Pick a cool and windy day, and turn off all appliances or stoves that create air disturbances.
Shut all windows, doors and fireplace flues.
Carefully light a stick of incense and hold it near any potential points of air leakage (see the common points of air leakage list above).
If the smoke begins moving unsteadily back and forth, or if it’s sucked out of the room or blown into it, you have an air leak.

Drafts vs. Convection

Windows can draft for a variety of reasons such as cracked caulk, improper window locking, interlocks that are not lined up to seal properly, damaged or missing weather stripping, and poor insulation within the interior walls. These types of problems are easy to remedy.

However, windows may seem “drafty” for another reason; namely a process known in physics as convection. Convection can lead you to believe that your windows are drafty. Convection occurs when air gives up its heat to the cooler glass and sinks towards the floor. This movement sucks new, warmer air toward the glass that is in turn cooled, creating a draft. What you are actually experiencing is the process of warm air forcing colder air to move due to differing density properties. Heated air circulates through the home. When it reaches window glass it effectively pushes the existing cold air off of the glass.

This is an easy experiment and example of how convection works: Fill a glass with ice and water. Let it stand for about ten minutes. When you return, place your hands around (but not touching) the glass. You will feel cold air on your hands as warm air pushes it away from the glass surface. Convection is actually proof that your new windows are working well and energy efficient.

Tips to Reduce Convection: Leave your blinds or window treatments open about a ¼ inch, so that heated air can reach the glass. Make sure that your heat register exchanges are not obstructed by couches or other furnishings.

Why is there condensation on my windows?

Occasional water on your windows during winter is nothing to worry about. However, excessive condensation can damage your window frames and sills in addition to your window coverings and the dry wall, plaster, paint or wallpaper surrounding your windows.

During the winter, your windows will generally be cooler than the rest of the room. When the warm air in the room comes in contact with the colder window and frame, it immediately cools down. Since warm air holds more moisture than cold air, as the air against the window cools down, it can’t hold the same amount of water vapor. The excess moisture condenses into water, frost or ice on the window and frame. This occurs more frequently during the winter because of the extreme difference between the inside and outside temperatures.

All homes will have occasional condensation from things that add moisture to the air such as cooking, showering and venting the exhaust from a dryer into the house. Newly constructed or remodeled homes may have condensation from the moisture in the building materials which should disappear after the first heating season. You may also see temporary condensation following a humid summer when houses absorb moisture. The house should dry out after a few weeks.

You can correct a condensation problem by reducing the humidity in your home. You can do this by lowering the setting on your humidifier if you have one or by increasing your ventilation by controlling the amount of moisture you release into the air. When cooking or showering, use exhaust fans or open a window slightly. When drying clothes, don’t vent the dryer into the house since this air holds a lot of moisture. To help dry out the air, open blinds and drapes during the day.

Insulated windows and frames that don’t transmit the cold outside temperature very well will decrease the difference in temperature between the window and the air in the room. In some cases, however, you may notice more condensation after installing new windows that fit tighter than your old windows because they allow less airflow around them. If this occurs, you should take steps to reduce the humidity in your home.

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What is an air infiltration rate, and why is it important?
Properly made and insulated windows are a must, because if air from the outside can enter your home through cracks in the window, then energy efficiency and comfort are compromised. To combat this, the industry adopted a measurement system from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) called the Air Infiltration Rate.

The air infiltration rate is a measurement of the amount of air that can pass through a window. It is expressed in terms of a number assigned by an independent laboratory after significant testing.

The lower the air infiltration numbers, the lower the amount of air passing through the window, thus less heat loss. Windows that are able to stop drafts will use superior weather stripping and incorporate fusion welded corners that eliminate seams and potential leaks. Cold spots, or that drafty feeling, are eliminated, thereby reducing your energy costs. So look for low numbers on air infiltration test results. Don’t accept any window that has an air infiltration rate of more than 0.07 on double hung or sliding windows, and expect even lower rates on casement windows.

What is an R-Value and how important is it?
“R” stands for resistance. The higher the “R” factors, the better the insulation characteristics. The “R” value of a windows frame and glass is very important since it directly relates to how well the window will reduce energy consumption. A higher R-Value will perform better in reducing energy costs than a lower R-Value.

In fact, you do more to reduce heat loss by switching from an R-2 glass (like in a double pane window) to R-4 glass, than by raising the insulation value of an equal area of R-11 wall all the way up to an R-100!

Building components with low R-Values allow large amounts of heat loss (and gain) to occur. It has been estimated that 25%, or more of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through windows. So even a minor improvement in the insulation value of a single component, such as the glass or the frame, can dramatically reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain.

What is warm edge technology?
“Warm edge technology” is the ability of an insulated glass unit to create a highly effective thermal barrier against the transfer of heat or cold, keeping the edge of the glass “warm”. In an insulated glass unit, the spacer is a primary point of transfer for heat or cold through the window.

To combat this transfer, a barrier is established by isolating the spacer material from the glass. This is accomplished by using a non thermally conductive material, such as a high performance polymer or polyisobutylene, to keep the glass away from the spacer.

The most advanced systems use two separate spacers to create a complete thermal break. If a window manufacturer does not use some type of warm edge technology in the manufacturing of their glass units, you will notice more condensation on the interior pane of glass, and in the winter, the interior pane of glass will be cold to the touch.

Is all window glass the same?
No, not all window glass is the same. There are several different colors of glass available, from gray or bronze to green or blue. Also, window glass comes in a variety of thicknesses, from single strength (3/32″ thick) all the way up to 1/4″ or thicker.

The one thing common about all these glass types is the rating system. Like a window frame, glass is rated by R-Values, the higher the R-Value the better the glass performs. The type of glass, its thickness, the number of panes, the distance between the panes, even the manner in which the glass panes are connected all have a bearing on how well the glass performs.

I’ve heard that the corners of vinyl windows can crack or separate, allowing air or water to enter the home. What’s the best way to put vinyl windows together to avoid this problem?
Wood windows are put together using staples, which over time can come loose, or even fall out. Most vinyl and aluminum windows are screwed together and sometimes caulked. The day they leave the factory, most vinyl windows are “perfect”, meaning they are square in their construction, and free from gaps, cracks or other problems. But the real concern is, in what condition will they be in 5 years, 10 years, or even 25 years later. So, it’s recommended that you look for windows with sashes and master frames that are secured in the best way possible, which is Fusion Welding.

What is Fusion Welding?
Fusion welding is a process that can take four pieces of material, like your sash rails or master frame, and fuse them together into one single piece. This welding process eliminates air infiltration and unsightly joints. Plus, windows that are “fusion welded” do not need to have the corners caulked, or have silicone applied to them and are virtually maintenance free.

What are cam locks and vent limits?
Cam locks are used to tightly draw the sashes or your window together to reduce drafts. But more importantly, they are there to provide security. A good window will utilize two “tamper resistant” cam action locks when the width of the window is 28 inches or more. Companies who try to cut corners will only supply two locks when the width of the window is 32 inches or more.

Vent limits, are “stops” that are placed in the sash to prevent it from easily opening beyond a certain point. This permits the window to remain partially open and allow ventilation, while maintaining a level of security by preventing the sash from being completely opened. Not all manufacturers provide vent limits in their windows, but on our windows, this is a standard feature. Remember, vent limits are not security devices. Always close and lock your windows for added security.

Why should I buy custom-made replacement windows?
First, custom-made windows are designed to fit your home, its opening and its style, all based on your selections. Standard size or stock windows, like those used by builders, or found in home-improvement centers, are available only in certain sizes. More often than not, those sizes are not the same size as your current window, which leaves you with inches of open space to fill so that the “standard” sized window will fit.

Can I install custom-made windows myself?
Sure you can, but perhaps the right question might be “Should I install custom-made windows myself?” Professional installers are trained and equipped to do the job correctly, neatly, and painlessly the first time. This insures the most accurate installation possible. Most are bonded or insured for any damage to your home or window during the installation and are prepared for any unexpected challenges they might encounter while installing the window. Also, measuring for the window is extremely important to insure the proper fit and installation of your new window. Measurements that are off by as little as ¼” will cause a custom-made window not to fit, or even operate, properly.

What’s the difference between vinyl, wood, and aluminum windows?
Unlike wood and aluminum windows, the color in vinyl (PVC) is “clear through”. Because the color is clear through, it never needs painting and doesn’t show scratches, which makes it maintenance free and assures its long lasting beauty. In addition, PVC doesn’t conduct heat or cold, like wood or aluminum do, so it reduces frost and condensation and is much warmer to the touch in the winter than wood or aluminum.

Today, vinyl is the material of choice in replacement windows. More vinyl windows are sold in the US than either aluminum, wood, or fiberglass. Vinyl’s long lasting, easy to clean, energy efficient, and maintenance free characteristics are no match for other window systems. In the years to come, more and more consumers will discover the advantages and cost saving value of vinyl replacement windows.

But just because a window is made of vinyl doesn’t mean it’s superior. The design, engineering, and manufacturing of the window all help distinguish a poor window from a superior window.

The fact that vinyl windows are maintenance free is great, but I like the look of wood. Can I get that look with a vinyl window?
Yes you can! We offer a variety of wood grain interiors on many of our most popular window styles. This durable wood grain finish provides the elegance of wood with the carefree maintenance of vinyl.

Great, but is this wood grain interior durable and long lasting?
Absolutely. Wood grain interiors have been on the market for years, outlasting most wood windows, and have been proven to resist fading, peeling, blistering and chipping. We use only the highest quality wood grain laminate that bonds itself to the vinyl window with heat and pressure, and it’s backed with a limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.