Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of windows do you carry?
- Is Vinyl better than wood?
- Do I have to buy a name brand window to get a good window?
- What are U values? Are they important when you pick a window for your new house or replacing windows?
- What is Low E glass? Do I need it on my windows?
- Do I need Gas filled windows?
- What do they mean by BRANDING?
- Does it make a difference where I buy my windows?
- Can all windows be repaired if they break or if the glass has to be changed?
- Can customers buy their own windows or do they leave that decision to the contractor?
1. What types of windows do you carry?
We carry Sun, Anderson, Pozzi, Weathershield, Quaker, Lindsay, MGM, Sunrise and others. See our Products, Door or Window pages.
2. Is Vinyl better than wood?
It depends on the manufacturers. Vinyl windows are great for replacement applications in older houses etc. When it comes to new construction applications a wood window usually out performs a vinyl window, because of their thicker frames. Wood being a better insulator. The draw back on wood windows are that most wood windows manufacturers don't design wood windows to last like a vinyl window. To get a good wood window you will have to purchase the most expensive window the manufacturers has.
3. Do I have to buy a name brand window to get a good window?
No you don't. Actually, the name brand manufacturers, Anderson, Pella, Marvin, all make a Bldr series window. These windows are inferior in their quality. You don't have a lot of selections with sizes, type or glass, grills, etc. So that new house you see when you're out driving around, just might have the cheapest window that the manufacturers make. Most people wouldn't know the difference between a good window or a bad window. A lot of builders use the cheapest because the home owner doesn't know the difference. Home owners think they are getting a great window. The no name brand manufacturers don't advertise, very much, they allow the windows and their dealers to show the customer the difference. The money they don't spend on advertising they spend on making their product better. Who Actually pays for window advertisements? WE DO the dealers and the customers. So that is why the major manufacturers products are more expensive. Most customers just don't know the difference between a good window and a bad window. Major Manufacturers make 3 different grades of windows, bad, better, and their best. Small manufacturers make one grade, their best. That is why their entry level windows are usually better than the major manufactures. The best windows are quality windows and quality will always sell.
4. What are U values? Are they important when you pick a window for your new house or replacing windows?
U Factor is the only way to measure a window rating. U Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower the U factor the better a window is at keeping heat in and cold out during the winter, and the cold in during the summer. U Factor is particularly important during the winter heating season in our region as fuel cost have doubled. U factors are even more important in the decision making process of purchasing windows.
5. What is Low E glass? Do I need it on my windows?
Low_E coatings make glass more efficient. A transparent metallic oxide coating is applied to the glass surface. It will allow short wave energy to pass through and will reflect the long waves infrared energy for great thermal efficiency.
6. Do I need Gas filled windows?
Yes, Gas filled windows are made with an insulated gas right between the two or three panes of glass. They maybe filled with Argon gas, an odorless, non-toxic gas that is six times denser than air. The gas acts as an added barrier for a higher level of efficiency, a better insulation. An optional type is Krypton gas which may be specified in some glass packages.
7. What do they mean by BRANDING?
This is what the advertisers call a jingle, a rhyme, a logo, anything to get you to remember their products. Our subconscious makes buying decisions for us and sometimes allows us to make non informed decisions for us as home owners. We automatically trust a company that has been in business over 50 years, that they make a great product. We trust the Logo, the name. The problem with that concept is if we don't investigate the product, open it, go to the showrooms, take the sash's out and set them on the floor, put them back in we don't know much about the window. Remember buying windows is an investment we are stuck with as long as we live in that home. If we make a bad buying decision we will pay the utility companies more than we should for the utility bill. Remember there is a lot more window companies out there that make bad windows than good windows. Most customers just are not informed. What makes a good window a good window? Buying windows are like buying a car. Kick the tires open the hood drive it. Look for consumer reports magazines, as for phone numbers of their customers that have purchase the product. You will want to speak with the people who have had the product over five years. The three major manufactures of windows spend over 300 million dollars to convince you they make a good product. Remember seeing is believing. Go to a company that carries a lot of different brands. This way you can see the difference between the products.
8. Does it make a difference where I buy my windows?
Yes is does matter where you buy windows when you purchase windows. When they are new and your not having problems with them it's fine, but if you do have problems with a window does a big box store or lumber yard have people on location that fix or repair these products? No, they don't after a year, they hand you a 1-800 phone number and you have to call to have a person show up to look at the problem. But if you buy from a company that employs people to fix your problems you get faster and better service. Most customers don't realize they only have a 6 or 7 year warranty on wood windows or a limited warranty on vinyl windows.
9. Can all windows be repaired if they break or if the glass has to be changed?
With most wood manufactures you can't replace the glass in the window, so what do you do? You have to buy a new sash that holds the glass and it has to be installed . A lot of times by the home owners. The problem then is that windows fade and the new window won't match color wise with the old one, inside or out. The major manufactures don't want you thinking that way. They want your business now but don't think about problems 20 years from now. Yes there are manufactures that make windows last and last for the life of your home. Most customers don't realize that a lot of these manufactures companies and plants are hundreds of miles away from your house. To look at and repair your windows we at Jackson Door and Window have manufactures that show up weekly just to service their products. The larger manufacture are spread to thin and their services are almost non existent.
10. Can customers buy their own windows or do they leave that decision to the contractor?
Do you as a consumer let the car manufacturers tell you what kind of car you should buy? Of course you don't! An educated consumer can save thousands of dollar on a new construction project because they become involved. Most houses are built by a blueprint, on the blue print are sizes of your windows. If you bring that with you a window and door person can teach you how to read those numbers and convert them to sizes you can understand. It's a very simple process. You see when you let a contractor buy for you. He puts his mark up on the windows also. This is common practice. His marks up can be 6% to 10%. When you mark these totals up you'll see their substantial totals. Also when you buy windows you self you really will get what you want and if you have problems with windows or doors you'll already have a working relationship with that person. This important because most companies give the customer an 800 number and lets the customers take care of it himself. But what about Service?