Q: Dear Jim: I want to get the most efficient, easy-to-clean vinyl replacement windows. I am not sure whether to get them from a local manufacturer or a major national one? And what design features should I look for to evaluate them? -Gary J.

A: Dear Gary: There are many local and smaller regional vinyl replacement window manufacturers throughout the country. Many of these smaller companies make vinyl windows equal to or better than some of the major national manufacturers. However, not all do, so you have to be selective.

The vinyl replacement windows I installed in my own home 12 years ago were manufactured by a regional company. I have had absolutely no problems or seal failures. The obvious advantage of using a local company, or a large company with a regional office in your area, is you can actually visit them if you have problems. When a tornado hit here several years ago and tree limbs crashed into the screens, I was able to stop by the manufacturer to pick up some new screen clips.

There can be a great variation in the quality of vinyl windows. Some of the major manufacturers offer window product lines of different qualities with different warranties and prices. Within an individual manufacturer's product line, price is often a good indicator of quality, although when comparing the windows of several different manufacturers, price is not always the best comparison.

Some of the important features and design factors to compare are the thickness of the frame wall, corner assembly method, interior frame insulation, type of spacer, and security. Also, when dealing with a smaller local company, check references and how long it has been in business. A lifetime warranty on a window is only effective as long as the life of the company offering the warranty.

Since you are looking for easy-to-clean windows, tilt-in, double-hung styles are generally your best choice. They are not quite as energy efficient as casement windows, but the outside surface of casements can be more difficult to reach and to clean. Casement windows close and seal tightly on compression weather stripping as opposed to a sliding seal on double-hung and slider windows. Smaller sliding windows are also fairly easy to clean because you can lift out the movable sash and reach around to clean the outside of the fixed one.

When comparing various vinyl windows, look at a sample cross-section of the frame and ask about

18 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop

the vinyl thickness. Greater thickness and more interior webs are indications of better quality and rigidity, especially useful in hot weather where dark frame colors are exposed to the afternoon sun. For large vinyl windows, interior metal reinforcing rods are often used to increase frame rigidity.

Make sure the window sashes have welded corners and are not just screwed together. Almost all good quality vinyl windows have welded corners. If the corners are just screwed together, the corners may become loose with the natural expansion and contraction of vinyl with temperature changes throughout the year. Welded corners in the main window frame are also good.

Some vinyl windows, such as mine, have insulating foam inside the hollow vinyl frame. Some companies inject polyurethane foam (best method) and others slip rigid polystyrene (similar to coolers) inside the cavity in the frame. This does increase the overall efficiency of the window assembly somewhat and makes the frame stiffer. With the interior webs that create many dead air spaces inside the frame, even a non-insulated vinyl frame is a fairly good insulator.

Look for an insulating spacer that separates the panes of glass. This is called "warm edge" technology because it keeps the edge of the windowpane from getting cold and sweating during the winter. Most of the major window manufacturers usually use various designs of rigid insulated spacers. Some smaller local manufacturers may still use insulating flexible swiggle strip spacers.

Just take a close look at the finishing details on the windows to gauge overall quality. Check the latches on the sashes. Double latches increase security and lock the sashes closed squarely against the weather stripping. Die cast metal latches are stronger, smaller, and better looking than plastic ones. On double-hung windows, interior pop-out stops add security by allowing the windows to be opened only a few inches for ventilation.

Write for (instantly download - www.dulley.com) Utility Bills Update No. 700 - buyer's guide of 15 high quality efficient vinyl window manufacturers listing frame/glass options, insulation type, styles, colors, features, and a glass selector chart. Please include $3 and a business-size SASE. James Dulley, Illinois Country Living, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer who writes on a wide variety of energy and utility topics. His column appears in a large number of daily newspapers.

OCTOBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 19