Installing your Basement Windows

Once you choose the type of Denver windows you want for your basement, you'll be ready to start the installation process. This is where the average homeowner may want to call on the professional window company to make sure their window installation project is completed correctly. If you don't feel comfortable embarking on this project yourself, hire a local contractor to do the job for you. They'll be able to assist you with your choices, and bring an invaluable level of knowledge to the table to ensure that you get the results you want from your window installation.

You can start your window replacement today by receiving free estimates from local windows contractors now! For more information on window replacement projects or for other home remodeling tips check out more articles.

Choosing Replacement Windows for Your Basement

As you are examining your current basement windows you may notice that they are single paned. Upgrading to a double pane window with a high insulation value is a great choice. If you've taken the time to insulate your home and your finished basements walls, why not make sure your windows are equally as insulated. Don't let cold air seep into your basement, install windows that have a high R value. The higher the R value of your new windows, the better the insulation value will be for you.

You'll also need to decide the material of your new windows. Vinyl windows are a good choice for installing basement replacement windows because they are rust, rot and mildew resistant. They are also termite proof. Many homeowners also prefer this type of window because once it is installed it is practically maintenance free. While other replacement window materials are available, vinyl windows are becoming an industry standard. You'll have lots of color and style options to choose from, so you'll be able to match your new windows to your current decor.

Installing Replacement Windows in your Basement

If your basement windows have drafts, leaks or often get covered with moisture, it's probably time for you to consider installing basement replacement windows in Denver. Installing new windows can reduce energy costs, improve your home's value and prevent other problems from occurring down the road. A basement window also acts as the barrier that prevents water, pests and rodents from entering your basement, so making sure you have Denver windows that truly work to keep these things out is essential.

Choosing the right Denver replacement windows is an important step when installing new basement windows. If you install the wrong kind of replacement window it's possible you'll see little, if any, of the kind of improvements you were expecting. Sure, they'll look better, but the functionality may not be at the level it should be. To make sure that you pick the right windows take a look at the kind of windows you have now, and look at the new options that are available for replacements.

Lakewood Window Company

If you are shopping for windows in Denver, you are probably looking for a reputable window company that has a nice showroom, has many years in the industry and is somewhat close to your location so you do not have to drive all over the place. If you live in Lakewood, CO you should look for a Lakewood window company, there are many out there to choose from!

The first thing you should ask yourself about the Lakewood window companies you are looking at is do they have experience installing similar windows to what you desire in Colorado? This is important because the weather in Colorado is quite different from other locations in the US. You want to make sure you are getting quality windows that are ideal for the Colorado climate and if the window company you hire has experience installing windows in the area for awhile, they will be able to help you pick a good brand. Its also important to find someone who has installed windows like you want so they know how to do it. You do not want to pay an individual to learn how to install a bay window on your home.

Some other things you will want to find out from the window company is their time frame to work on your project, costs, do they have insurance, will they give you what you want? When buying Denver replacement windows, these are critical questions to have answered!

How to Buy Replacement Windows in Denver

By: Arlene Miles

While homeowners often buy multiple cars and sometimes several homes during a lifetime, purchasing windows may occur only once or twice. Because this is a purchase that's going to stay with you for years to come, it's important to do your homework on what you'll be up against.

Look at Samples Before You Buy

Visiting a big box home improvement store, such as a Home Depot or Lowe's, is one place to start to get an idea of what today's windows look like. Another source is searching manufacturers' websites. The "big three" manufacturers of wood windows are Marvin, Andersen, and Pella, with Marvin generally considered to be the top of the line.

Reliable manufacturers of vinyl windows include Simonton, Certainteed, Allside, Sunrise, and Great Lakes. If you can't find samples at your local store, many contractor showrooms will have samples. If your prospective contractor does not have a showroom, ask the company's representative to bring samples when you obtain a quote.

Differences Between Wood and Vinyl Windows

The biggest difference between Denver windows is the price. To refit a home with vinyl windows costs thousands less, with the price difference increasing as the number of windows rises higher. Prices of individual vinyl windows range from $500-$600 installed, depending on the size. Windows manufactured by Andersen range from $750-$875, with Marvin topping out at $900-$1,100 each.

For some people, the beauty of wood windows surpasses the drawbacks. Because of the different types of wood available, i.e., pine, oak, etc., there are different "looks." Wood windows, however, require more maintenance and are more labor intensive as they must be stained or painted. This also adds to the installation cost.

They are also not as energy efficient as Denver vinyl windows because they are either mechanically or chemically fastened, making them prone to air or water infiltration, which causes drafts and leaks. Wood also absorbs moisture, which means the frame can rot and deteriorate over time. Because of the expansion and contraction that occurs, wood windows lose their energy efficiency more quickly than vinyl ones.

Vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free, requiring no painting or finishing. They resist condensation and are not prone to high heat gain or loss. Higher end vinyl windows generally come with an extra energy strip inside the sash, making them more eneergy efficient. They are also much quicker to install because less work needs to be performed with the window opening. Most vinyl windows are not as architecturally attractive as wood windows and are more difficult to match to decor because of a limit on inside and outside colors.

Types of Windows

• No matter if the windows you choose are vinyl or wood, there are a number of different types. These include:
• Single-hung, where only the lower sash opens and closes.
• Double-hung, in which the upper and lower sashes slide vertically to open and close.
• Casement, which are operated a via crank handle
• Bay or bow windows, generally in a living room or other area where a windows is larger than four feet in width.
• Sliding windows, which are essentially double hung windows that open left to right.

A myriad of options are also available, including types and color of interior hardware, or the presence of grilles in the windows itself. Grilles can be embedded between the glass or removable. Some lines also offer tempered glass which is resistant to breaking. Other manufacturers, such as Pella, offer options that are unique to their lines, such as getting blinds installed inside the glass, an option that's particularly popular for French Doors. Andersen offers self-cleaning glass, making the window truly maintenance-free. This glass has a magnetism in it whereby dirt just falls off.

Find a Reputable Professional Window InstallerUnless you are that rare do-it-yourself who has extensive knowledge of carpentry, you'll want to find an experienced contractor to install your new windows and haul away the old ones. Make sure you get quotes from three or four companies. Check out the reliability of the contractor and references on any past jobs.

Another important consideration is the warranty that comes with the installation. Many Denver vinyl window manufacturers now offer better warranties and wood manufacturers that can cover virtually any misthap over the lifetime of the window.

Once the Denver windows are selected, there is a lag time between when they are ordered and when they are installed. This lag is naturally longer in the summer because that's when most people have them installed.

Selection of wood or vinyl windows also affects the length of the installation wood windows are more labor intensive. For vinyl replacement windows, the old sashes and operating mechanisms are removed, but the installer uses the frame and the interior wood trim of an existing window. For wood windows, everything is tkane out right down to the rough opening, so it must be replace. Vinyl installation run one to two days, while wood replacement can last as long as five or six.

New Storm Windows Add Up to Wise Home Improvement

If you have old windows in your home, in all probability your current windows are leaking quite a bit of air, which makes the house chilly in the winter and costs more to cool in the summer months. Leaky windows could even be harming your house by allowing wind blown rain to seep into the structure. One of the best home improvement tasks you can do as a homeowner is to install some high quality new windows. A good storm window can fend off cold air better much better than a replacement window and it also costs less to install storm windows. You can install the windows yourself in less time than it takes to install a window.

When shopping for storm windows, be sure that you choose good quality windows. Many storm windows sold at home improvement stores are made rather poorly, with weak corners and with weatherstripping that does not fit tightly enough around the edges of the window frame. For a double-hung window, a triple-track storm window is ideal. This type of window has two glass panes and one screen, each on their own track. If you prefer to have your new windows open in the summertime, you can purchase another screen sash and put it in the top of the window by taking out the pane of glass on top.

Once you have measured the windows of your home and have purchased your storm windows, you must first scrape away any built up paint if needed. Next set the storm window in place in the opening. Be sure that it is sitting square and that the windows slide open and closed with ease. If the stop on the window is narrower than the window flange, you can cute the flange using tin snippers if necessary. You will now need to drill screw holes in the flange if holes are not already there. Space the screw holes about eight inches apart. Next you should apply a good amount of silicone or window caulk along the flange along the top and the sides, but not the sill. Home improvement stores sell caulking and silicone, and it is up to you which you prefer to use. Silicone dries clear, while caulking dries white.

Now, in order for the storm window to fit, you will have to tilt it into the opening. Be sure to get it into the correct position the first time so that you do not smear the caulk. Press the flanges into the caulk to ensure that it seals all along the sides as well as the top. Next you must put a screw into the middle of the top flange and into the side flanges near the bottom. Make sure that the window is aligned correctly before driving the remaining screws. Scrape the caulk away that has leaked out due to the pressure applied. For the bottom of the storm windows, you should drive screws into the sill on each side, but be sure to put the screws in on an angle. Apply caulk or silicone along the flange at the sill, wipe away any excess and you are done!