Purchasing new construction or replacement windows for your home is exciting. To make the best use of your purchase, it all starts with the installation. A manufacturer can have the best products in the world, but if they’re not installed properly, it can mean you are spending even more money fixing problems later. This is what you should know about the replacement windows installation process.
Who should manage your replacement windows installation?
Window and door replacement should always be left to the professionals. This is not a DIY project for the vast majority of homeowners. The potential savings from a DIY install can be quickly negated by the potential for:
- Repairs and service calls
- Home damage
- Voided warranties
The reasons for leaving this one to the pros are many. Window installation can be complicated, especially for replacements. Manufacturer instructions do not always provide details on how to handle all of the different wall and material site conditions. In a climate like the Gulf South, with a variety of historic homes from different periods, this can quickly become a complex situation.
Further, most manufacturers’ warranties do not cover a poor installation and will include a clause requiring “proper workmanship.”
With replacement windows installation, a professional install is even more important than new construction. With a replacement, the way a window is set and sealed into your home is the only barrier from the outside elements. There is no “fin” that integrates your window’s and home’s framing together. Many pre-manufactured windows are also cut to standard sizes. This may result in a small extra space around the perimeter of your window.
Risks of a poor window installation
At LAS, our windows are some of the best high-performance, locally manufactured windows for our Gulf South climate. However, any window if not properly installed can result in lost energy and more energy costs. Further, you’ll experience repeat service calls to correct air infiltration and water leakage.
Left unchecked, these issues could lead to:
- Improper operation, as in your window sliding incorrectly or not at all
- Wall or home damage
- Significant damage from mold and mildew
Warning signs of a bad window installation include:
- Consistently foggy windowpanes inside glass unit
- Water damage around your window
- Messy or incomplete caulking
- Paint bubbles or stains due to increased moisture
- Drafts or gaps around perimeter of your window
What questions should I ask?
Once you decide to have a professional handle your replacement window installation, you can ask them these questions about their process:
- Which sealant system do you use? The installer should know the brand and type of caulk used as well as have a history with the product or knowledge of a reason a change was made recently if there is no history
- What kinds of fasteners are utilized? The installer should know what type of screws and anchors are to be used. These screws should be coated with ceramic or another corrosion resistant coating. Galvanized screws just don’t cut it in our opinion, LAS uses a specially ordered wood screw coated in a proprietary coating with extreme humidity resistance. Screws, you cant see, corroding can lead to multiple issues as well as reductions in strength and rigidity of the window. “
- Does your team undergo any training or certification programs? Look for programs that meet nationally recognized standards
- Who will handle service requests? A window installer should stand behind their product—ensure a local team is ready and able to help with any service requests after install
Above all else, work with a company who knows the importance of a high-quality installation.
The LAS difference
In order to ensure our windows and doors are properly installed, LAS sends our lead installers to the OSI certified installer program. The program provides best-in-class training on installation techniques that are based on guidance from industry professionals and nationally recognized standards.
LAS installers in the OSI certified installer program receive training on:
- Professionally tested and accepted installation techniques
- Window and door anatomy
- Building envelope and sealant properties
- Proper material selection for a variety of wall and site conditions
- Job site safety and quality control
- Protection of the homeowner’s property
We also use leading window and door sealing systems that have been tested in stronger than hurricane conditions. We warranty our windows and our installation ourselves so there is no corners cut when it comes to the details. If one is installing a window warrantied by another entity, there is no reason to incur the costs of using the best installation materials. “
We know windows
Hiring a certified professional to handle your replacement window installation can save you time and money in the long run. At LAS, we take the necessary steps to make sure you are in good hands from the start of your project to any future service needs.
For a free estimate or more information on our installer certifications, contact LAS today.
