Replacement Windows in Philadelphia

Replacement windows actually pay for themselves through noticeable energy savings. They dramatically improve the appeal and value of your home both inside & out while providing more comfort: warmer winters and cooler summers-significantly. Your new windows will be energy efficient, add value to your home, and reduce the cost of heating and cooling. Listed below are the types replacement windows you can have installed in your Philadelphia home.

Types Of Replacement Windows

Windows are made from wood, vinyl, metal, or a combination of all. There are all-wood windows, vinyl-clad wood windows, aluminum-clad wood, all-aluminum, all-vinyl, fiberglass, and steel. Each has positive qualities and drawbacks when looking for replacement windows in Philadelphia:

Wood: Widely considered the best because of its strength, insulating qualities, and because it can be painted or stained. However, it will expand or contract in wet and dry weather, sometimes causing a window to stick. The wood must be regularly painted to preserve it.

Vinyl-clad wood: Generally more expensive than all wood, it combines wood with a vinyl exterior that is highly resistant to weather damage. Inside, the wood is exposed for painting or staining. The exterior vinyl usually comes only in white or brown.

Aluminum-clad wood: Like vinyl-clad, it offers an aluminum exterior for weather protection and exposed wood inside. Aluminum will eventually corrode, and will do so quickly in a salt air environment.

All-aluminum: Inexpensive windows, generally. The exterior is often anodized to resist corrosion, but will corrode eventually. Automobile wax helps prevent this. These windows have no thermal insulating qualities.

Vinyl: Generally used as replacement windows because they are made by local Philadelphia firms to fit your existing window opening. Quality can vary dramatically.

Fiberglass: Strong and efficient, it readily withstands heat and cold, and can be painted.

Steel: More commonly found in older windows in Philadelphia homes. No insulating values, and subject to rust. Must be painted regularly.

The big advantage of vinyl windows is that they are made specifically for your home, your window openings. This is generally not true of wood windows. Instead, they are made in a variety of stock sizes. For new construction, this is no problem; you choose the window style and size you want and the builder frames the rough window opening appropriately. But for replacement wood windows, you find the closest fit and then shim and trim to make them work.

Replacement Window Manufacturers We Use

Andersens premium double hung window, the Tilt n Wash, 400 series, is one of my favorite choices for wood/new construction windows. Most Philadelphia homeowners replacing their windows dont want to change the exterior and interior trim. Andersen is generally not an option as a custom sized, pocket fit replacement window. Thus, you need to tear everything out if you want Andersen windows.

Andersen Windows are the most popular windows in the world. I get many calls from people requesting Andersen windows because they believe they are the best. Andersen makes a very good, reasonably priced new construction window, but I dont feel like it is the best option given all the other choices. Andersen makes a great window called the Tilt n Wash, 400 series. This is a great new construction window. They also make a great Casement, Awning, and Bay or Bow windows.

Andersen Good Points:

Easy operating sashes, smooth and clean lines
Multiple hardware options
Quality full screen
Nice snap in grids, and now available in simulated divided lite muntins
Maintenance free vinyl clad exteriors
Tilt in for easy cleaning
Great brand name recognition