Windows of Today

As more and more home-owners are choosing to remodel rather than build, competition for remodeling projects is getting tougher. The slowdown in new construction has sent many builders into the remodeling field to make up for lost revenue.

Remodelers need to have a few aces up their sleeves to remain competitive. Staying on top of the latest trends and knowing the range of options in the market is a good way to keep customers satisfied and discover some potential upgrades.

The hottest topic today is energy efficiency. Many consumers are choosing to modernize their existing homes through high-end remodeling jobs rather than building new ones. Two extremely popular remodeling projects include upgrading to larger windows and incorporating universal design into the structure. And window manufacturers have produced an incredible array of options in hardware and finishes to coordinate home decor with the variety of windows they’re offering.

Energy Efficiency: Fuel for Thought

According to the U.S Department of Energy, Americans will spend an average of $977 to heat their homes this winter — nearly 10 percent higher than last year. As fuel prices continue to rise, homeowners are paying close attention to ways to reduce their heating bills.

“Energy efficiency is clearly at the top of the list,” says Jeff Kibler, brand manager for Peachtree Doors & Windows.

“Homeowners today are considering energy-efficient products not only to save money on utility bills but also because they want to minimize their impact on the environment and the depletion of nonrenewable energy sources. This is driving their decision to replace outdated windows.”

Peachtree’s new 700 Series is an extruded aluminum-clad replacement window with three sill angles and exterior accessories that eliminate the issue of gaps between the new window and the existing frame. Zo-e-shield 5 with the company’s Real Warm Edge Spacer Systems comes on all 700 Series Replacement Windows for energy efficiency and superior U-values. The 700 Series windows are available in double-hung, casement, awning, single slider and picture styles. Interior wood species on the windows include pine, oak, maple, alder, cherry, mahogany or Douglas fir.

“Energy efficiency will continue to be a top priority for homeowners, especially with reports of heating costs climbing and an increasing demand for environmentally friendly products,” says Brian Hedlund, Jeld-Wen product marketing manager for vinyl windows. “Energy-efficiency issues are also increasingly important in warm weather climates, with air-conditioning costs and use on the rise. According to proprietary research from Jeld-Wen, 24 percent of homeowners hate their existing windows because they are leaky and drafty. That’s a big opportunity for the remodeling market.”

Jeld-Wen’s Premium Wood Double-Hung Pocket Windows are replacement windows designed for installation into existing window frames. Regardless of the brand of the original window, the impact to the exterior of the home is minimal even on brick or stucco. The windows come standard with Low-E glass to decrease energy costs and help homes stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Custom Shield aluminum-clad replacement windows by Weather Shield feature a 3 1/4-in. jamb and fit inside the “pocket” of an existing frame system, eliminating the need to prepare the wall surrounding the window or replace interior or exterior trim. Optional exterior trim accessories, including blind stop covers and retro-z trim, help installers cover gaps that may result between the new window and the existing frame. Zo-e-shield 5 with Real Warm Edge Spacers is standard on Custom Shield products. The product line includes double-hung tilts, casements, and single- and three-panel sliding windows; French sliding and hinged patio doors; and standard sliding patio doors

On the High End