Time to replace those ugly, worn-out windows in your Colorado home? You need to make sure the job’s done right.
First, of course, you want the best windows you can find, for the best price you can get. Make sure your new windows are made from the highest-quality vinyl materials. And make sure they’re manufactured locally, and designed to hold up well to our specific altitude and weather conditions.
But it’s also important to ensure that your installers know and use the best, most up-to-date techniques in replacement window installation.
Here are questions you can ask your windows salesman, before the project begins, to satisfy yourself that the job will be done right.
Start With These “Top Ten” Questions
- Any recent updates? Ask your installation company whether they’ve checked with the manufacturer to see if there are any new installation “best practices” to be considered when installing their products.
- Inspection? How does your installer check the windows after installation to ensure they’re all soundly in place (and weather-tight)?
- Attention to detail? What does your installer do to ensure your new windows will be plumb, square, and water-tight? How will they be sure the installation will be well-integrated with your house (using the right flashing, drip caps, and weather-resistant barrier materials)? What’s their procedure for making sure the windows are well anchored and sealed?
- Are these the right windows? Does the installer have a procedure in place to make sure your new windows are the right ones?
- Up to code? Does your installation company have procedures in place to make sure the job is done in accordance with local permitting and inspection codes?
- Licensed? Are the installers performing your window replacement work properly licensed, if required locally? Can they verify this, to your satisfaction?
- Handle with care? How do your installers verify that they won’t damage the existing water barriers protecting your home and that they’ll notify you (and fix the problem) if damage occurs?
- Proper installation materials? Will your installers use the best materials to install your new windows? Will the caulking they use, for instance, be robust and compatible with your home’s current conditions?
- Keep us informed? How do your installers let you know what you need to do (if anything) to maintain your new windows? Do they clearly spell-out their installation warranty, and anything else you need to know?
- Relationship with the manufacturer and/or dealer? If the installation company has any questions, do they have solid relationships with the manufacturer and/or dealer of your windows? Will they be up-to-speed on the latest recommendations regarding the installation of the product?
The Relationship Matters
And, speaking of relationships, one more thing you should make sure of is your relationship with your installation company. The best installers hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism, customer service, and follow-up.
No matter what happens, you should know that you can call someone at the installation company at any time after your project is completed, and get straightforward answers to your questions.
And if something goes wrong, you need to know your installers will stand behind their work.
How often do you replace the windows in your home? Maybe it isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime thing… but a quality window replacement is something you’ll only do once in several years’ time. Take the time to ask the right questions of your installers.
You’ll be glad you did.
Jay Lillien is the owner of 303Windows. For the past 18 years, 303Windows has been dedicated to providing their customers the best service possible. As part of their commitment to their customers, 303Windows installs only Amerimax Windows. These windows are built to withstand the extreme Colorado climate that causes most other windows to fail.
