If it’s time to replace your New Jersey or New York home’s windows, you know you need to do some research, but you aren’t sure where to start. Good news. Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey and New York Metro put together this list of 7 resources every homeowner in our area needs to make wise buying decisions.
Honest, unbiased reviews provide valuable information a first-time replacement window buyer needs to start the journey. You can visit business review sites like Google and Angie’s List. Ask your friends. Ask your family. Ask your expanded circle on social media sites. When visiting sites take time to verify businesses cannot pay for reviews in-cash or in-kind. We invite you to also check out our reviews on this site. These are not hand-picked testimonials, but real reviews from real customers. We’ll be glad to discuss current projects in the works with you so you can see what dramatic changes installing new windows can make to your curb appeal and the overall appearance of your home.
While honest reviews are a terrific starting place to gather information about personal experiences, fact-based information that explains why one replacement window style is more energy-efficient or which frame material is the best insulator will come from research and industry experts. Browsing the blogs, new releases and informational education on sites like the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and Energy.gov don’t just give you their opinion, they provide research-based guidance and non-biased data about home windows you can use to compare different brands and fixtures.
Home builders and real estate agents don’t sell replacement windows, but they have a vested interest in keeping up with current research and development. After all, new homes aren’t usually built without windows. And, real estate agents want to guide potential home owners to homes on the market with value-added features, such as modern energy-efficient appliances and home windows. You can learn a great deal by reading industry blogs, online articles and new releases. For example, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) published information about 5 companies who were making exaggerated claims about how much homeowners could save on utility bills by installing their brands of replacement windows and the sanctions filed against them by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Another great resource for first-time window buyers comes from the glass industry. You can review information about code restrictions in Glass Magazine articles and find design inspiration in architecture trade journals. The point is to gather as much information about the replacement window market as you can during the research phase so you make well-informed decisions regarding your investment.
Now that you have some basic terminology – gathered by reading the FAQs and watching videos on the NFRC site – you are ready to start comparing brands. Most replacement window and patio door dealers today have an online presence. You can click through web pages to compare styles and accessories. We published a free e-book to give potential customers a comprehensive guide that covers the design processes, ordering, manufacturing, installation and service after the sale. Download a copy today to learn everything you need to know about the construction options and features, glass types, window unit performance, and warranty coverage and limitations.
If you’re still reading this article, you have probably realized that we believe the more you know, the more satisfied you are likely to be with your home renovation. The fifth resource vital for navigating the replacement window journey successfully is a dealer committed to excellence. Ralph Marston, an American author, is credited with this saying:
“Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations.”
At Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey and New York Metro we continuously strive to provide better home improvement products, better customer service and better experiences for our clients.
Armed with solid research to guide your decisions, and a dealer committed to helping you achieve your vision for a more comfortable, energy-efficient home that requires less maintenance, you can now design replacement windows and patio doors you will be proud of, but you need a full portfolio of window components to bring your vision to life. That’s why we offer:
We consider this last item a resource because every replacement window is only as good as the installation. Since we only hired skilled, experienced workmen to install our windows, we proudly guarantee the window performance and both labor and parts should anything go wrong during the installation that impacts performance.
Updating your home with replacement windows isn’t something you should take lightly. We hope the seven resources we outlined above help you make wise decisions about your investment. If you still have questions, or you want more information about individual components and performance, simply fill in the short form on this page or call us toll-free at (866) 609-5033.
Check out this post for answers to frequently asked questions about replacement windows:
Learn Everything You Need to Know BEFORE Buying Replacement Windows
