FAQ’s

It totally depends on your situation. Vinyl windows tend to cost less, and are a good choice for many homes; in fact, about 50% of the windows we sell are vinyl. If you have any color matching needs in your home, then you’ll probably want to go with a wood or wood-clad window. There are also some maintenance and durability issues that need to be evaluated for your situation. Give us a call and we can help you determine what’s best for you—usually in just a few minutes.

The new vinyl technology, with ultraviolet inhibitors built into the product and aluminum reinforcement on long spans, makes for an incredibly durable window that resists warping, discoloring and disfiguring. Yes, the sun is hot here, but our products are up to the challenge. And of course MILGARD backs up this claim with a lifetime warranty!

In a word, “NO!” Having three panes of glass helps a little bit in terms of keeping your house comfortable from November through March because it slows the conduction of energy out through your windows. But the big concern is not conductive heat loss in the winter but rather radiant heat gain in the summer. And the way to address this is through Low E technology. Companies that push triple pane glass are trying to sell you a pricey gimmick that has a poor return on the investment. The only reason to consider this product is if you want your windows to provide maximum noise reduction.

Yes, with some restrictions. As of 2012, federal tax credits equal to 10% of the material cost of a window replacement project are available. The windows must be Energy Star rated and must be installed in your primary residence. The maximum credit allowed is $200.00. Additional information can be found at this link: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Efficient Windows Collaborative, a US department of Energy sponsored site, provides unbiased recommendations on the selection, function and benefits of energy-efficient windows. According to this agency, replacing single pane aluminum windows with Low E vinyl, fiberglass or wood windows, saves a typical Phoenix homeowner approximately 30% on their utility bill. For more information, visit their website: www.efficientwindows.org

No, and truthfully, neither do the $189 window guys. The fact is, that’s a “bait and switch” tactic designed to get their phones to ring. When people do call, they find out that $189 windows are one (small) size only and that they have ZERO “Low E” coatings, which means their energy efficiency is almost non-existent. Selling such a window would be completely irresponsible, and isn’t even legal in several states. Those companies try to upsell you to more expensive windows that are more efficient. We hate playing pricing games, and instead offer a detailed, straight-forward proposal. The cost of our windows is going to depend largely on what material you want—vinyl and aluminum being less expensive than wood and fiberglass. Give us a call and we can walk you through your options in about 8 to 10 minutes.

That mostly depends on you—how many questions you have and how much detail you want us to go into regarding the window. Generally speaking, we’re in and out in about 45 minutes. The record short appointment has been about 5 minutes. We’d be happy to stay as long or short as necessary. Or you can just call us on the phone. It’s up to you. But we guarantee this: we won’t “drop anchor” and sit there making you uncomfortable for 2 or 2 ½ hours the way many of our competitors will.

It's a second skin for your house: long strips of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fashioned to look like traditional wood siding.

You can do this, but for renovation projects installers typically install over existing siding.

Traditionally, this has been the case. More recently, though, techniques have been developed to infuse vinyl siding with richer, deeper colors.

Most siding installation is rated for winds up to 110 mph. If the wind does rip it off, note that vinyl siding is much easier to re-install than other types of siding.

A square is 100 square feet of siding (10 feet by 10 feet). Individual square footage is not used.

No. Actually, you're better off with less water pressure. Just use a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and diluted solutions of Fantastik® or Windex®. Solutions of vinegar (30%) and water (70%) will also do the job.

No. Nothing applied to a house exterior can be expected to last for decades. The color in vinyl siding does retain for quite a long time, though. Compared to traditional exterior house paint, the color in your vinyl siding will last much, much longer.

In recent years, vinyl siding manufacturers have really stepped up to the plate to offer much more than the "plain vanilla" product we have become accustomed to. Even old homes can be sided with vinyl and retain their historic appeal. Really. It's worth investigating.

It's the cheapest siding option around. Try this test. Get a quote for having your house professionally painted. Chances are, the vinyl siding installation quote will very close, if not better. And with vinyl siding, depending on the installer, you might get a lot of extras thrown in — gutters, window cap, insulation under the siding, etc.