So, you’ve selected a replacement window with low-E glass and high-quality frame material designed to last for years with only minimal maintenance. While these qualities aptly describe Renewal by Andersen’s product line, one element is missing – quality installation.
Poor installation, essentially, undermines the effectiveness of your windows. Glass that blocks up to 95-percent of all UV rays is useless when gaps allow sunlight and moisture to enter your home.
If you were hoping high-quality replacement windows would ultimately lower your home’s energy consumption but you have yet to see the savings after nearly a year, consider how installation was done – particularly if a third-party contractor and not the window manufacturer did the procedure. What signs should you look for?
1. Sashes are too small for the frame
Inevitably, this sign brings air and moisture into your home.
2. Evidence of leaks
In certain cases, moisture enters and gets trapped. This factor results in water damage, mildew, and mold.
3. The manufacturer’s procedure wasn’t followed
Every window product comes with procedures a contractor must follow during installation. Not following these steps, including substituting recommended materials, results in windows that don’t function up to par. Unfortunately, most homeowners using a third-party contractor aren’t aware of this factor, and as a result, may never know if proper installation procedures were followed.
4. No warranty
For many window manufacturers, warranties do not cover installation. While not a direct sign of poor installation, it’s a factor all homeowners must pay attention to before ordering a replacement window. Essentially, any damage a window experiences from installation won’t be covered, requiring, instead, the homeowner to foot the bill.
Poor installation’s ramifications extend beyond windows that don’t function up to their full potential. As pointed out in a 2008 Wall Street Journal piece, pervasive below-par installation has resulted in repairs costing almost as much as the property itself or expensive lawsuits.
Confusing warranties aren’t the case for all manufacturers, however. For all Renewal by Andersen windows and doors, warranty includes not only the products but also professional installation services.
