Monthly Archives: September 2016

How to Budget for Replacement Windows

If you keep feeling a draft in your home or your energy bills are rising, you probably know you need replacement windows. As much as you’d like to deny it, windows don’t last forever. When it comes to your home in Camarillo, CA, you want nothing but the best. However, what you want and what you can afford may be two different things. Replacement windows are a big purchase and you may have to budget in order to get what you want for your home. Here are a few tips to help.

Tip 1: Slow Down

Before you begin the budgeting process, take a moment to step back and see the big picture. There are a lot of factors that need to come together in order to get your Camarillo CA replacement windows. Keep in mind that you will have a large cost up front, but you will be saving a lot of money on energy bills in the long run. You may be able to get rebates and energy financing from the government. The bottom line of the project is still the bottom line, but there are benefits that will come along with the task as well.

Tip 2: Set Up a Household Budget

If you don’t already have one, set up a household budget. Keep track of every expense for a few months and then you can make overall goals. See how much money you have left over each month and what you can afford to use on home improvement projects. If you don’t have a comfortable amount to spend on windows, you might want to consider financing the project. Either decide on an amount to start saving for the venture, or what you can afford in the budget for financing the project.

Tip 3: Don’t Budge

Once you reach an amount you are comfortable with, don’t budget from that amount. Promise yourself and your family you won’t get windows that go above that threshold. You don’t want to get yourself in a tight spot just to get new windows. If you really want windows that are higher in cost, save longer in order to get what you need.

Windows are a big expense and it is a good idea to have professionals on your side to help you make the important decisions. Quality Windows & Doors can help you with every aspect of the project from beginning to end. Give us a call today at 805-564-7600. We can give you a free in-home estimate, or you can stop in our showroom and see the different windows we have available. Visit us at 534 N. Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, CA. We always have friendly staff members on hand who know windows like the back of their hands. They can discuss your project with you and answer any questions you have about the project. Our high-quality manufacturers provide the design and efficiency solutions you need and your budget can help determine the overall parameters.

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Choosing Replacement Windows

If you have lived in your Santa Barbara, CA home for a while, you may start to notice you need new windows. The signs are easy enough. You’ll feel a draft, see water damage, or have higher utility bills. While you will know you need windows, you may not know what types of windows are best for your needs. There are three main replacement options available to you, which include sash replacement, frame and sash replacement and complete unit replacement. You have benefits with each, but you need to know which is best for your situation. Here are some details on each.

-Sash Replacement

If your window frame is still in good condition and you don’t have water damage around the opening, sash replacement is a viable option. All you have to do is remove the old sash and part the stops in order to install new jamb liners. Replacement sashes are compression fit into liners so they make an airtight seal. You get an energy efficient upgrade without having too much cost involved. This option can work well for the short term, but it is not a good long-term solution for replacement windows.

-Sash and Frame Replacement

If your windowsill has some moisture damage or you feel air leaking through the sash and frame, but the rest of the window still looks and functions all right, you can simply replace the sash and frame. You would fit a single unit into the existing jambs against both the interior and exterior stops and then screw or nail them to the jambs. This is the most expensive unit to buy, but many homeowners can do the job on their own. This option can reduce the amount of daylight opening the window makes available within the home.

-Complete Replacement Windows

When you live in Santa Barbara, CA, you want to have good, functioning windows. High-quality windows will let in the natural light and allow fresh air to flow through the home. If the old windows are damaged or compromised in one or more ways, it might be best to completely replace them with new windows. Adding new replacement windows will raise the value of any home and lower the cost of utility bills on a regular basis. Replacement windows cost more than the other options, but they are the best long-term option for older windows that are starting to show their age.

As you think through your options, contact Quality Windows & Doors for advice. You can call us at 805-564-7600 or stop by 534 N. Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, CA. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to talk to you about your Santa Barbara replacement windows project. Whether you need to repair or replace one window or outfit an entire home, we can help. We are partners with fine window manufacturers who can give you design and efficiency options to suit your needs in every area. Visit our showroom or give us a call today to upgrade your home with replacement windows.

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Benefits of Vinyl Windows

If you are looking into replacing your windows, vinyl windows are a great option. Windows manufactured with vinyl are some of the most popular windows homeowners use for replacements. There are many benefits of vinyl windows for those who live in Santa Barbara, CA. Here are just a few.

-High Energy Efficiency

It can get mighty hot and humid in Santa Barbara, CA, but windows made from vinyl are able to save energy even on the hottest day. They are resistant to heat flow and will save you on your cooling costs. If you want to see your air conditioning bills lower instead of continuously raising, vinyl windows can help.

-Economical

Replacing windows is never going to be a cheap venture, but as far as cost goes, vinyl windows are one of the least expensive materials you can find. They also come in a wide range of prices so you can choose something according to your budget and your other household goals.

-Assortment of Styles

Vinyl windows come in virtually any color and style. You can pick something that blends in with your existing colors or something that brings a pop of color to the exterior of your home. The only downside is that once you choose a color, you cannot change it. Vinyl windows offer a permanent, long-lasting color, but cannot be painted.

-Customizable Options

Vinyl windows can come in any shape, size, and style. You get to choose the specifics and find the windows to match or have them made to fit your specifications. When you are replacing a window, you want to get exactly what you need for the space you have to fill.

-Maintenance Free

You may not be able to change their color, but on the other side, that is a very good thing. Vinyl windows don’t have to be stained, scraped or painted. They are highly scratch resistant and they will look great no matter how old they get.

-Easy Installation

You will want to hire a professional to install the new vinyl windows you purchase, but you should not run into any big issues. Vinyl windows are quick and easy to install by a professional who knows the industry well and has the right amount of experience.

Now that you know the benefits of vinyl windows, it’s time to speak with a Santa Barbara windows replacement professional about getting the right windows for your home. Quality Windows & Doors is located at 534 N. Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, California. Whether you need to put windows in a new house, new windows in an old house, or you simply need a small repair, we are the company to call. You can reach us at 805-564-7600 with your questions or to set up a consultation. We will take a look at your home and give you friendly, knowledgeable advice so you are comfortable with the project from start to finish. Vinyl windows bring with them a long list of benefits. Hiring the right company to provide and install the windows only adds to that list.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vinyl Windows

If you are thinking about replacing the old windows in your home with vinyl windows, you will want to know as much about them as possible. Vinyl windows have a lot of advantages for any home in Ventura, CA. But with advantages, there are always a few downsides that homeowners will need to consider. Use these points to weigh your options with care before you make a final decision.

Advantages

-Energy Efficiency

Vinyl windows can keep the heat in during the winter months and the hot summer sun out the other times of the year. That alone will help to reduce your heating and air conditioning bills. Lower energy bills will help make up for the initial cost you put into buying the new vinyl windows.

-Maintenance Free

Vinyl windows are close to 100 percent scratch resistant. You don’t have to paint, scrape or stain them because they are permanent in every way. They can also easily be cleaned with soap and water. They don’t age as fast as many other windows because they can resist many of the elements.

-Cost

Vinyl is the least expensive type of window materials and it is highly durable and will not rust, rot, or peel. Just because the vinyl material is cheap doesn’t mean all vinyl windows are going to be inexpensive. State-of-the-art manufacturing has brought significant improvements to today’s vinyl windows. Keep in mind that what you are getting won’t corrode in any way and will last for many many years.

-Options

Vinyl windows have style, size and color options so varied, it is hard to consider them all. These windows can also be customized in a number of ways. Colors and style options are permanent so consider them with care so you get what you want long term.

Disadvantages

-Permanency

Because everything about vinyl windows is permanent, you cannot make changes to them later. If you decide to paint your house, you will have to make sure the new color goes with the existing vinyl windows because they cannot be painted themselves.

-Customization Costs

If you want to get windows in a certain shape that is out of the norm, the customization costs can be high. The scale of the project will determine how high, but you are looking at a decent chunk of money above the average costs.

-Vulnerability

Extreme weather conditions can cause vinyl to fade and discolor. Since the windows can’t be painted, they have to be replaced when the discoloration is bad enough. Luckily, Ventura, CA doesn’t see many extreme cold or adverse conditions often, so vinyl windows are a great option in this region.

If you want to ask questions about vinyl windows or when you are ready to move forward with your Ventura, CA replacement windows project, call Quality Windows & Doors at 805-564-7600. We have friendly, knowledgeable staff members on hand at all times to ensure that you have the help you need to make important decisions. Stop by our showroom at 534 N. Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, CA and take a look at our high-quality windows for yourself.

What You Need to Know about Replacement Window Glass

Experts say it’s important to choose the kind of replacement window glass that best suits your climate. The NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label on a window includes information about the glass. All retailers and contractors use this same terminology, so learning glass keywords is helpful:

  • Double-paned (double-glazed) windows. Double-paned windows are the industry standard today. They have two layered panes of glass. Since the glass itself is not a good insulator, the air in the space between the panes functions as insulation.
  • Triple-glazed windows. Triple-glazed windows are a special feature offered by many premium manufacturers. They have three layered panes and provide even more insulation than their double-paned counterparts.
  • Gas-filled windows. Gas-filled windows come in double- or triple-paned and have an inert gas, usually argon or krypton, filling the space between the panes of glass. The gas ensures better insulation than just a layer of air does. The NFRC label will list what type of gas in used in each window.
  • Warm-edge spacers. Warm-edge spacers (sometimes called warm-edge technology) are what hold the panes of glass in a double- or triple-paned window apart. They are made of a specialized material that reduces heat transfer and thus improves insulation.
  • Low-E (low-emissivity) glass. Low-E glass is coated with a virtually transparent metal film that reflects radiant heat. Low-E coatings reflect radiant heat off the inside of the windows and back into the house to help keep it warm in the winter. Most Low-E coatings also reflect some of the sun’s heat off the outside of the windows which will limit how much of it enters the house as solar heat gain.
  • Low-E 2, Low-E 3 glass. As the term suggests, Low-E 2 glass has two layers of Low-E coating, while Low-E 3 glass has three layers. In this generation of windows, manufacturers use a technique called sputtering to help apply the metal solution. Ongoing improvements to these techniques have lead to the use of silver flakes in the process. This provides an even greater reflective surface for the windows. Low-E3 windows are great all climate windows because they offer improved performance in cold weather (U-Factor) and enhanced performance in the summer (SHGC). The third coating is extra protection for keeping unwanted heat out. Low-E coatings also block damaging UV rays which prevents furniture, carpeting and walls in the home from fading.
  • High-performance glazing. High-performance glazing refers to glass that has several features designed to make it more energy efficient, such as two or three low-E gas-filled panes with warm-edge spacers.

These are just a few of the terms you will come across when discussing glass decisions for your new windows. The experts at Quality Windows and Doors would be happy to review all these options and help you determine the best choice for your Santa Barbara home. Visit our Ventura County Showroom at 1430 S Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93030. The Ventura phone number is 805.984.5895 or our Santa Barbara Showroom at 534 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 where the phone number is 805.564.7600. You can also call our Malibu location at 310.456.3979. One of our Santa Barbara, CA windows replacement and installation experts would be delighted to talk to you about your window project.

Could Aluminum Windows be the Right Choice for Your Ventura Home?

There are many window materials on the market today. When starting your window search, it is important to learn the pros and cons of each material so you can make an educated choice for your Ventura home. Quality Windows offers high quality Milgard aluminum windows. Milgard is a premium brand that offers all the options and features you would expect from top-of-the-line windows. Following are a few of the advantages and disadvantages to consider. We hope this will be helpful in your window material research.

Advantages of Aluminum Windows

One of the greatest advantages of aluminum is that it is lightweight yet robust. It is heavy-duty and does not require much maintenance. If you need unique or unusual shapes for your windows, aluminum may be a wise choice as it can be easily manipulated into any shape.

Disadvantages of Aluminum Windows

The biggest drawback to aluminum is that it does not hold in heat well. This means that aluminum is not conducive to colder climates. Frost and condensation will form inside the windows which presents a variety of problems.

Therefore, aluminum windows can be a good option when cold weather is not a factor. New production practices have brought higher tolerances and standards to aluminum frames on today’s market. This means they keep heat in much more efficiently than they once did. They remain popular in commercial buildings because they are much cheaper than some other options.

Aluminum vs. Wood

Wood windows deliver a more classic look and feel than aluminum making them a popular choice.   Another benefit is that wood windows are more effective thermally so they hold the heat more efficiently.

Wood windows however require much more maintenance than aluminum. Wood needs ongoing scraping, painting or staining to keep them looking beautiful. They also can warp, peel and rot which is not a concern with aluminum windows.

Aluminum vs. Vinyl

Just like aluminum windows, vinyl windows require no maintenance once they’ve been installed. Vinyl, however, has a low thermal conductance so they will hold heat more effectively. The welded frames on vinyl windows mean no water or air infiltration.

Aluminum windows are extremely effective at keeping noise out of your house, even though vinyl windows can be very efficient too.

Milgard has brought its state-of-the-art technology to their aluminum windows and provide homeowners with an excellent alternative option to vinyl, wood, and fiberglass. Special features such as SunCoat® Low-E high-performance insulating glass makes their aluminum windows a step above competing brands. They even offer their aluminum line in four color finishes ensuring a perfect match for your design taste.

Learning all you can about available Ventura, CA window replacement options will allow you to make educated decisions. Let the experts at Quality Windows and Doors show you the pros and cons of all your choices. Visit our Ventura County Showroom at 1430 S Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93030. The Ventura phone number is 805.984.5895 or our Santa Barbara Showroom at 534 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 where the phone number is 805.564.7600. You can also call our Malibu location at 310.456.3979. One of our window experts would be delighted to talk to you about your window replacement project.

Replacement Window Vocabulary 101

Buying replacement windows for your Ventura, CA home are a big investment. It is important to carefully determine the type of replacement windows that are best for your specific home and needs. There are so many materials, styles and companies to choose from, these decisions can be a challenge. Because windows are not replaced frequently, most consumers are not familiar with some of the industry vocabulary they may encounter while tackling the search. The following are some jargon you may come across as you search for your new replacement windows.

Air Chambers:  Air chambers are the spaces between the frame and the sash that help strengthen and insulate the window.

Argon Gas Fill:  This is an option for new replacement windows. Argon gas is odorless, colorless, gas that is non-toxic. The gas is 6 times denser than air. Argon gas is used in windows as a replacement for the air between the two panes as a way of reducing the transfer of temperature.

Double Hung Window: Double hung windows are those with two sashes that operate vertically

Energy Star: Energy Star is a program created by the United States government that has established a set of standards regarding energy efficiency of different products, including windows.

Jamb: The jamb is the vertical sections in the main frame of the window.

Low-E Insulating Glass: Low E Insulating Glass has a metallic, transparent coating applied to it. The coating reflects infrared energy so the damaging rays from the sun are prevented from passing through. The coating increases the U-value of the window.

R-Value:   R-Value is the measure of the resistance that the material has to the flow of heat. Higher R-values equate to greater resistance.

Sash:  The sash is the portion of the window where the glass is contained.

Shading Coefficient:  Shading coefficient is the ratio of heat that transfers through the glazing material, lower numbers mean that the window is more efficient ant reducing gains from solar heat,

Sill: The sill is the bottom area of the window’s main frame.

Sill Extender:  A sill also known as the apron, this is attached to the bottom of the window to cover the gap between the sill and the opening.

Single Hung:  Single hung windows are those that have only one sash that slides.

Spacer:  The spacer is the material that is between the glass as a way to maintain the uniform width of the glass and the sealant distortion.

U-Value:  The U-Value is the amount of heat that is transferred through the material. Lower U-values mean that the heat flow is slower and the insulating quality is higher.

Choosing the right replacement windows in Ventura, CA is very important. Let the experts at Quality Windows introduce you to all our premium brands. We will help educate you on all the options available. Please visit our Ventura County Showroom at 1430 S Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93030. The Ventura phone number is 805.984.5895 or our Santa Barbara Showroom at 534 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 where the phone number is 805.564.7600. You can also call our Malibu location at 310.456.3979. One of our window experts would be delighted to talk to you about your window replacement project.

What to Consider When Replacing Your Windows

Whether you are looking to conserve energy, save money, or just update the look of you home, window replacement is a task that more and more Thousand Oaks homeowners are taking on. Replacing your windows has the ability to slash your energy in half and even add to the property value of your home. Still, getting new windows requires making important decisions and trusting the job to the right professionals, so before you buy be sure to take the following factors into consideration:

Frame Material: When it comes to buying windows there’s a wide variety of material options to choose from each with their own pros and cons. You will have to choose from aluminum or metal frames, composite frames, vinyl frames, and wood frames. Aluminum and metal are strong, light, and practically maintenance free. They hold heat which may be an inconvenience in already warm areas. Fiberglass is stable and has air cavities that can hold insulation. This gives them a leg up on wood and vinyl frames. Wood frames insulate fairly well, but are also easily affected by weather conditions. Finally, vinyl window frames require no maintenance. They are durable and insulate well which makes them a desirable choice.

Architecture: You want to pay particular attention to the preexisting architecture in your home, not just for style cues but to get an idea of how old your current windows may be. Older homes, while often stunning, may have wooden window frames that have become warped over time. While taking these things into consideration, you will have a better idea of exactly how much of your window needs to be replaced.

Warranties: Window manufacturers usually offer some kind of warranty, and you should try to avoid those that do not. Minimum warranties typically last 20 years and protect you from crack or seal failure. The warranty also should cover things like window locks or balance systems. Windows have a tendency to go through changes once installed, so try to follow up on this one.

Budget: There are multiple factors that will play into the cost of your window replacement. Style, material, features, size and installation will all come into play, so it’s wise to consider in advance where you are willing to make compromises if certain products aren’t fitting your budget. The good news is your return on investment for windows are 71-78%.

It’s always wise to discuss all of these factors and any concerns with a qualified window professional. At Quality Windows & Doors you can speak to a trained associate who can help you find the perfect option for you, as well as help you compares costs and benefits. You can also receive a quote on custom window installations in Thousand Oaks, CA. Call us at (805) 984-5895 or visit us at 140 S Oxnard Blvd. Oxnard, CA 93030.