Maintenance freedom is as big of a reason, if not the biggest reason, to consider a window replacement project.  We bring this up because of the replacement window industry coming under fire recently from many “Energy Conservation Experts.”  Rightfully so, window replacement companies should be honest and forthright regarding realistic energy savings and let you know it probably won’t be 50% like some replacement window companies claim…unless you didn’t have windows to start with!

Many experts in the energy conservation field often discourage window replacement as an effective way to earn a return on your investment.  This is simply because energy auditors and such are only considering the return of the project on one dimension—energy savings.

However, I challenge the energy auditors, and especially home and office owners, to consider a replacement window project for the real return(s) on your investment when the right window is used and a reputable company like North Georgia Replacement Windows does the work.

1. Freedom from costly wood rot repair and costly painting maintenance.  Painting windows and trim is the most tedious and expensive part of painting jobs that you can eliminate with our windows.
2. Lower utility bills and stress reduction on your HVAC units, which prolongs the life of your system.
3. Increased comfort in a room from radiant heat off the sun and drafts from cold winds.
4. Sound reduction from outside sources and condensation resistance that lead to mold, mildew and other health concerns, and structural damage from water.
5. U.V. Protection from fading your painted walls, flooring, window treatments and household furnishings.
6. Easy and safe cleaning from the interior of your home.  One fall from a ladder could be dangerous or even fatal.
7. Enhanced views and security with new glass, screen and style options.
8. New windows open and close easier for better ventilation and in case you needed to escape because of a fire or other emergency.
9. You’re investing in an appreciating asset instead of a depreciating asset like a car.
10. Add instant value for resell and curb appeal to your home to help you sell quicker and pass along a warranty to new owners.

When you replace your windows, you improve your home, both on the interior and exterior, and there are not many home improvement projects you can say that about.  So if you’ve had a quality window replacement project, you should feel good about your decision, no matter what the energy experts are telling you.  If you haven’t replaced your windows yet, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of North Georgia Replacement Windows’ value prices and special financing options.  It’s time to start earning your return on your investment and become the envy of your neighborhood with new replacement windows.

If you live in the south and you have not already gotten replacement windows, you’ve probably experienced a room you just can’t enjoy on a hot day. A window replacement project can be a good start to reducing the solar heat gain radiated through windows, doors and skylights. New glass technology has made energy efficient windows much better than the average “Low E” window.

High-performance solar control insulated glass packages have many benefits like reducing the stress on your air conditioning units, protecting your floors, furnishings, paint finishes, and simply making your room more comfortable. To understand how the new technology works, let us explain some of the technical terms that are extremely important when it comes to choosing the best replacement window for solar control.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the ratio of solar heat passing through the glass to the amount of solar heat falling on the glass at a 90 degree angle. This includes both the radiant heat that is being transmitted and the solar heat absorbed and re-radiated indoors. The solar heat gain coefficient number is generally specified on a scale of (0 to 1) with the lower the number representing better performance in warmer climate areas. For example, clear single pane glass is usually around 0.87 and the better insulated glass is closer to 0.19.

Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much visible light is admitted through the window glass. Visible light is usually important because it directly relates to letting the light shine in, which is one of a window’s main functions. Also represented on a scale from (0 to 1), the higher the number, the more light is allowed to pass through the window. Newer glass technology does a much better job of balancing more light while getting the solar control performance desired.

Ultraviolet Light Radiation (UV) is most commonly associated with sun burns. However, these invisible rays are also responsible for the fading of floors, home furnishings, wall paints, window treatments, etc. Whereas many typical Low E coated windows may only block out about 60% of the harmful rays, the solar control, high efficiency windows block out about 95%.

The terms we’ve defined above are all directly related to the solar control of replacement windows. These properties are associated closely with the type of Low Emissivity (Low E) glass that is being used in energy efficient windows. Sure, U-factors are important, especially in colder climates, and we could discuss many more technical types of Low E like hard coatings, soft coatings, layers, and the various metallic oxides used. There are also various gases, fill rates, condensation, seal systems, air leakage and many window frame aspects to consider when shopping for new windows; however, we’ll save these for a later time.

If you are considering buying replacement windows, don’t make the mistake of commoditizing these products. If you utilize the educational resources available online like the Efficient Windows Collaborative and the third party certifications like the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), you will likely make a much better decision. Some of the more energy efficient glass packages for solar control are the Cardinal Low E^3-366, PPG Solarban 70XL and other double and triple glazed windows offered by North Georgia Replacement Windows.

U.V. Protecting Windows

For more information, please call (770)888-1604 or visit www.ngwindows.com

Click here to view the article with pictures!

If you’re considering new windows for your next home improvement project, North Georgia Replacement Windows (NGRW) can fit your needs with a variety of products, no matter your style, architecture or budget. The company offers all types of replacement windows, including wood-clad, milled PVC composite and new PVC resin vinyl in any color, using only premium products made by Weathershield, Pella, Vytex, ThermaTru, Clark Hall and more. And they can help with more than just windows, offering installation for insulated fiberglass doors, custom hand-forged iron doors, door hardware, blown-in fiberglass and thermal reflective insulation, sunrooms, decorative glass overlays and no-rot shutters. In order to help customers make an educated decision about the products, NGRW has a showroom conveniently located at the corner of Mansell and Warsaw roads, just 1 mile west of GA 400, displaying a wide variety of windows and doors. In addition, their new and improved Web site, which launched last year, allows potential customers to request a free, in-home proposal, see products, read blogs and more.

NGRW is well-qualified for your home improvement project. The company is a state-licensed residential and light commercial general contractor and is fully insured with general liability and bonded insurance as well as workers comp. They are also an EPA lead-certified firm to work on homes built before 1978. In addition, NGRW has received numerous accolades for their premium service, including:

• Consumers’ Choice Award winner for business excellence from 2009 – 2011
• Rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau
• Rated 5-Star on Kudzu.com
• Super Service Award winner from Angie’s List in 2011

But perhaps the company’s greatest honors have been the positive testimonies from past customers.

“They are very professional about the way that everyone conducts themselves,” said customers Mike & Mary Thomas of Alpharetta. “They deal in facts and back their talk with positive actions. They do not try to sell you. Their methodology is to educate you to become an informed buyer. In the past two years, we have now used them to replace 50 of our windows via three separate installations. Each experience was perfect. Quality, professionalism, a fair price.”

The option to spread your project out among multiple installations is appealing to many customers, and NGRW allows customers to choose to complete as many windows as they would like to do at one time with no minimum quantities, all while creating a plan to achieve consistency in look and a price guarantee for the entire project.

“We are constantly trying to improve,” said co-owner Ted Kirk. “We have an independent third party, Guild Quality, which conducts surveys with every customer to make sure we are exceeding expectations. Guild Quality does this by phone, mail or e-mail and it takes only 3 – 5 minutes.”
This commitment to continual improvement has benefitted numerous customers and led to great success for NGRW.

Kirk attributes the company’s success to creating a business plan every year, not just the first year of business. “We use this plan as our road map to outline our goals and how we will get there. We have a clear understanding of our organization’s unique selling proposition, how we will conduct our marketing and understand our finances. We create a successful strategy involving our entire team and hold everyone accountable for the execution. That’s how we thrived even in a tough economy. Serve and honor your customers like they are the reason you’re in business … because they are.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
North Georgia Replacement Windows
Owners: Ted Kirk and Jonathan Collum
1210 Warsaw Road, Suite 1000
Roswell, GA 30076
770-888-1604
www.ngwindows.com
www.facebook.com/NGWindows
www.twitter.com/NGWindows

And the winner is…

Extreme Home Energy Makeover winner Jerry Watkins and wife Marsha

Last week, Jerry Watkins of Mableton, GA was notified that he was the sole winner of ‘The Extreme Home Energy Makeover’ contest being held by 104.7 FM The Fish. However, the reason why he is so deserving of such a makeover dates back a decade ago. Watkins was in a major car accident that not only left him paralyzed below the waist, but removed his body’s ability to sweat.

After a three month stay in the Shepherd Center Hospital, Watkins was in search of a house that would accommodate his new health conditions. Beyond the obvious need for wheelchair accessibility, Watkins’ body also required an energy efficient home that would regulate the temperature for him since his body no longer could.

Unfortunately, the true condition of the home he purchased was discovered after the fact. The single pane windows and AC unit leaks and repairs are some of the obstacles Watkins has been dealing with throughout the years.

Until now.

We at North Georgia Replacement Windows, along with Vytex Windows, are more than honored to be able to donate a house full of double pane, energy efficient Vytex windows for Watkins. This added insulation will not only help keep his air inside the home, putting less stress on his AC unit, but also help keep the heat out in the summer.

Although it pales in comparison to the obstacles Watkins has faced in the past- and will continue to endure- it is a pleasure for us to be able to provide some relief. We are excited to see the transformation the new windows make on his home, but more thrilled to know that these windows will help improve his living condition.

If you travel around the state of Georgia, there is one common window type and style that you will find on most of the homes. Everyone seems to have double hung style windows with grids (also called dividers, muntins). Why is this? Because this is what we’ve always had. Well, there’s good news for those who want to improve upon the old and not always go with the status quo.

It’s true; most people still replace their windows with the same style that is currently in their home. However, there are many more options available when it comes to replacement windows. A couple of years ago, I replaced all the double hung windows in my home with casement style windows. I also know of four other window business owners who did the same. It was a decision that I couldn’t be happier with. So what do we know that the average window buyer may not…

Unlike double hung windows that lift up and down vertically, casement windows operate outward by cranking a handle. The newer casement style windows have many advantages over the older models like new sleek folding handles and even a feature that allows the windows to be cleaned from the inside. Casement windows can be made to open ventilating to the left or right depending on your preference and/or your home’s orientation. Casement windows are also available with most of the same aesthetic options as double hung style windows, like the grids in between or bonded on the glass.

Casement style windows also have some advantages over the traditional double hung windows, such as expansive open views with no horizontal obstruction. Casement windows are a perfect fit for kitchen applications where it’s difficult to reach over a sink to open. They can usually be mixed seamlessly with double hung style windows because, in the closed position, they look like most any other fixed window. One of the biggest advantages to casement windows is they are some of the most energy efficient windows available. Casement windows seal up tighter than double hung windows, providing superior protection against the elements.

Most window manufacturers make casement style windows and they are available in a variety of different frame materials. North Georgia Replacement Windows recommends casement windows that are made from maintenance free materials such as new PVC resin vinyl, composite milled PVC, and wood clad options. We also offer plenty of premium brands of casement windows like Peachtree, Pella, Vytex, Alside and more. The cost of casement windows are only about 10% more than the cost of double hungs (depending on the brand), therefore they are also a great value.

If it fits your style, home architecture and budget, consider a casement style window over a traditional double hung on your next window replacement project. You may be surprised at the beautiful and energy efficient transformation that casement windows can provide for your home.

How often have we heard the phrase, ‘Nothing in life is free?’ And 99% of the time, that is absolutely true. But not always.

North Georgia Replacement Windows' owners with last year's contest winners, the Winfields.

Together, North Georgia Replacement Windows is partnering with 104.7 F.M. The Fish to allow one lucky winner to be that 1% and win a FREE Home Energy Makeover. This makeover, worth $30,000, includes new windows and a new HVAC system. Plus, each week someone will be chosen to win free gas for their home.

To enter, simply go to www.thefishatlanta.com and tell them why you think your home deserves an energy upgrade. The contest ends January 29th.

This is the second year that NGRW has participated in the contest. Last year’s winners, pictured, received fifteen new Vytex Heritage Series windows installed throughout their home. This provided them with a window solution that was not only energy efficient, but maintenance free as well.

It feels good to be able to help someone in need, and North Georgia Replacement Windows is excited to participate in the contest again this year. We look forward to meeting the winner soon!

With the holidays approaching we’re sure that you will be using fresh herbs, flowers and vegetables during your many gatherings. What better way to ensure freshness than to grow them yourself? Of course the temperatures are too low to cultivate a garden outdoors but at North Georgia Replacement Windows we can provide you with the perfect indoor solution.

Our Garden Windows have a fully welded mainframe for strength and stability. Which means you can display as many flowers or grow as many herbs as you want without worrying about the integrity of your window.

Top sloped insulating glass panel is tempered for improved safety and unit integrity for a longer lasting window.

Equal sightlines between picture units and operating sashes for perfect symmetry and visual appeal.

Twin sealing, fully screened, operating casement improves weather protection. So there will be no leaks when the weather is inclement and the harsh temperatures won’t affect your greenery. Clear 1″ insulated glass unit provides all-weather protection even on the coldest of days.

You should never worry about your new Garden Window being a safety hazard or a weak security point in your home. Garden Windows feature a multi-point locking system for a tighter seal and added security.

Don’t let your old windows keep costing you energy savings and more. Replace them affordably, efficiently, and beautifully today! Call us at 770.888.1604 to learn more.

At North Georgia Replacement Windows, we put our customer first. The following tips are things that every homeowner should consider when they are having any window work done to ensure that their property is protected and that their daily schedule is impacted as little as possible.

• Move any pictures, mirrors, and other items in neighboring rooms away from walls adjacent to the installation area. You don’t want vibrations from the construction to break them.

• Decide how active you want to be in the design process. Some people want to be involved in every single choice. Others want their contractor to explain the options and then they can simply choose. It will be important to let your contractor know how involved you want to be—it will help them determine how they should work with you.

• You should ask the contractor the order in which the windows in the various rooms will be done. If one is a room you use daily, perhaps you can arrange for it to be done quickly while you’re out on errands or working from another room.

• Remove all necessities and valuables from wherever the work is being done so you have better access to them. It’s a good idea to remove items that could get broken (such as a valuable vase) from the immediate area where windows are being replaced. Contractors are used to working around furnishings, but it never hurts to give them more space and take extra precautions.

• Make plans to keep pets and children as isolated as possible from the work area. While contractors are used to working around people, distractions such as children and pets will only slow the job down and could even prove dangerous. You don’t want children and pets running around in rooms where people are carrying windows with large panes of glass.

• Take down all curtains, blinds, and any other window treatments, and check your yard for any plants or bushes that may need to be trimmed away from the windows. The replacement crew will need about two feet of space in front of each window, so go ahead and prepare this area for them. This will reduce the amount of time it takes the workers to install your windows, which will also save you money if you are being charged by the hour.

• Remove any security sensors from the windows, and turn off your security system. Contact your security company to inform them that you are installing new windows and will need them to reconnect the alarms once the windows are installed.

Don’t let your old windows keep costing you energy savings and more. Replace them affordably, efficiently, and beautifully today! Call us at 770.888.1604 to learn more.

As homeowners, we sometimes take our windows for granted. If the glass isn’t broken, we tend to feel they are working fine. But the fact is, older windows don’t have to be broken to be costing you considerable money all year long.

It all comes down to energy efficiency – the #1 reason people replace their windows. Nearly half of your home’s annual energy budget is spent on heating and cooling. So unless your windows are truly energy efficient, they can be critical points of heating and cooling loss.

Many people wait until their windows become drafty, show signs of rotting, or have moisture in between the glass panes due to seal failure. They then spend money on costly repairs that can be eliminated forever with replacement windows.

Replacement windows transform the extraordinary insulating power of PVC vinyl construction into fusion-welded frames and sashes that provide strength, durability and years of outstanding performance.

Another important point; the majority of homes built prior to 2004 do not have Low E insulated windows. Also, unlike advanced replacement window technology, most builders do not use inert gas insulation in between panes because it is not required by building codes. Having gas insulation between the panes provides much greater insulation over just dead air space.

So make the smart choice – energy efficient replacement windows are a wise investment that will help keep you comfortable all year long while saving on utility costs. Plus, their rugged construction delivers long-term performance and maintenance free enjoyment that is unmatched.