How to Identify Inferior Windows

October 31, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide for Smart Homeowners

When it comes to replacement windows, there are times when saving a few bucks can seriously compromise the quality of what you get. Some brands offer high-quality products at a great price, but others fall short, leaving homeowners with drafts, condensation issues, premature wear and insufficient warranty coverage.

So how can you tell the difference? Rosie on the House Certified Partner DunRite Windows & Doors identifies a few easy ways to spot potential issues with quality or workmanship.

Vinyl Windows: Look for Virgin Vinyl & Multiple Channels in the Frame
1. Known for durability and low maintenance, quality vinyl windows are made from virgin PVC, with a frame that offers minimal flex or movement. Homeowners should avoid window products that include recycled vinyl. While it might sound like an environmentally smart choice, it’s not what you want in a window. Recycled vinyl is softer than virgin vinyl, which can lead to window issues like warping and fading.
2. It’s also important to look for vinyl that has multiple channels inside the frame, which you can see if you look at a crosscut corner section. This provides structural integrity, so the more channels the better. Low quality vinyl windows have one or no channels, since they add to the manufacturing costs.
Wood Windows: Choose Hardwoods, Avoid Vinyl-Clad
1. When you purchase wood windows, most brands offer a variety of woods to choose from… and this choice directly impacts the lifespan of the window. It’s better to choose a hardwood, which is big improvement in quality over a softer, cheaper wood, such as pine. Even if it’s hidden behind cladding, a hardwood frame is more durable and strong.
2. Homeowners should also confirm the lumber’s kiln dried, and treated with water repellent and preservatives to improve its durability. Inferior wood windows are often made from low-quality, untreated, air-dried timber that can warp, rot, or swell.
3. Wood quality can be very difficult to identify visually, so purchasing a reputable product with a solid warranty is especially important for a wood window.
4. If you’re shopping for clad windows, look for aluminum cladding with a thick, well-applied powder coat finish, smooth joints and reinforced corners. Avoid vinyl-clad wood, since the vinyl is too thin to withstand our extreme weather; the only exception we’ve found is the Andersen 200 Series door, which is dipped in vinyl and fully encased. We’ve not found a vinyl-clad product that lasts.
Fiberglass: Negligible Differences in Quality, Check Craftsmanship
1. Highly durable and energy-efficient, fiberglass windows are our #1 choice when it comes to quality, longevity and energy efficiency. If you intend to stay in a home long-term, it’s the best investment you can make. It’s the only material that can successfully withstand temperature changes without expanding or contracting significantly.
2. When it comes to quality, however, differences are so subtle they’re indistinguishable. It’s rare to see inferior fiberglass, when it comes to quality, but you can come across worksmanship and quality control issues. You’ll want to closely inspect corner joints to make sure they line up, look at the quality of the locking mechanisms, test how smoothly the window opens and closes, and choose something with a solid warranty. Because fiberglass is one of the top material choices available, almost any fiberglass window is better than a window made from other materials.
Energy Efficiency: Better Efficiency Usually Means Higher Quality
1. This might seem strange, but energy efficiency can be a sign of quality in a window, since it requires a more substantial build to achieve these ratings. Look for windows with this certification, along with a low U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating. The simplest way to explore this might be to compare the information of the product you’re considering with a comparable product known for its energy efficiency. For example, you might ask the salesperson what their most energy efficient product available is, then compare that U-factor and SHGC with the product you’re considering. Or you can compare it to a Pella Impervia fiberglass window, a Milgard Ultra fiberglass window, or the Andersen 100 Series Fibrex window, which are excellent products with similar ratings. This can help you easily identify significant differences in the ratings, which can signify a quality issue.
Manufacturer’s Stamp: Look for an Easily Visible Name
1. A company that’s proud of their product wants everyone to know about it, so windows that have a clearly stamped name of the manufacturer can indicate a better quality window.
2. If you can’t find that name, it’s a potential sign that they want to make it harder for homeowners to discover who made that window, which can be especially problematic when a home is sold, and that second owner needs to open a warranty claim.
Glass Quality: Seek Perfection
1. Wavy or irregular surfaces on glass indicates lower quality manufacturing processes, and minor blemishes or scratches may point to low-quality materials or sloppy workmanship.
Warranty: Lengthy Warranties Inspire Confidence
1. The length of a manufacturer’s warranty can indicate how long the manufacturer expects product to last with minimal issues. If you notice a short warranty with an inordinate number of exclusions or limitations, that could signify quality issues, especially for a vinyl product. Lifetime warranty? Now that’s what we like to hear.
2. Don’t forget the installation warranty is completely separate from the manufacturer’s warranty. Even the best windows available can have poor performance if installed incorrectly, so ensuring you choose an experienced installation partner is just as important as the product you select.

We hope these tips help you shop more knowledgeably. If you have questions about quality versus inferior windows, reach out to us today on Facebook or call (602) 962-8848. We’re happy to help!

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CONTENT PARTNER | DunRite Windows & Doors

(602) 962-8848

DunRite Windows & Doors is a locally owned and operated family business in Scottsdale, with a solid reputation, incredible customer reviews, and competitive pricing on top brands. In addition to being a Rosie on the House Certified Partner, they are certified and authorized dealers for multiple manufacturers, and have several FGIA Installation Master certified installers on the team, ensuring you the best workmanship possible. Schedule a quote and ask for the Rosie on the House discount today!

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