The Verdun Blog

One of the things we like to point out to consumers is that not all window warranties are alike. Surprisingly – many warranties are not very good at all. Here’s the thing…

It’s essential to read the fine print on a warranty when purchasing a new window. Many companies that sell or install windows offer a manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor, but only for the first year. Some companies will offer labour for another year on top of the manufacturer’s original warranty, but they’ll charge you for the replacement of small parts that relate to the window’s function. Not a great scenario to be in when the windows are essentially brand new. Also, interestingly – some companies will offer lifetime warranties  - which sounds fantastic until you learn that the company has only been around for a couple of years. It’s kind of difficult to have comfort in a lifetime warranty with a limited track record to date.

Here’s the kicker. Read this article by Clayton Dekorne at Remodeling. Did you know that 30% of the windows that are replaced are only about 7 years old? The article makes a few great points about the necessity to really read the fine print on the supported warranty with whoever you’re purchasing your windows from, as in many cases, it’s got conditions and exceptions that can be unreasonable and which don’t exactly work in your favour or reflect a quality product. This is a highly important aspect of things in our opinion. So important, that it should be front and center in terms of your decision on a purchase. Here’s a few bullet points from the article to look out for when reading the warranty paperwork on some of the windows you might be considering…

• “Non-prorated” warranties, which will cover the entire purchase price of the window for the term of the warranty. Remodelers are familiar with prorated warranties on roofs. But a well-made window shouldn’t gradually degrade with exposure as rapidly as roofing materials do, so there is little justification for such a warranty structure.
• “Fully transferable” warranties. These are a sign that the window maker means business. For a homeowner selling a home, it can be a value-added feature that the remodeler ought to make available when recommending a window. For the record, our warranty is fully transferable for it’s 20 year duration.
• “Non-glass” component warranty. Hardware, in particular, should carry a minimum 10-year warranty. A good window with bad hardware is a bad window, Mathis insists. If a lock breaks or the crank handle strips out, it will reflect poorly on the remodeler who installed the window. Think about the window manufacturer’s capacity to stock replacement parts well into the future.
• “Labor and installation.” Unless a certified representative of the manufacturer installed the unit, few warranties will cover the cost of installation. Some may, but largely this will fall to the remodeler who installed the window — even more reason for remodelers to stick with brands they can trust.
• “Exclusions.” Some warranties specifically exclude coverage for damage from environmental factors such as high humidity or salt spray, making installation especially inappropriate in many locations. Often the exclusion applies to the glass, as well as the hardware and finishes.
• “Finishes.” Coverage on finishes is rare, but some warranties do cover exterior coatings and finishes on cladding. However, painting or refinishing the exterior to match the home may null this coverage. This is particularly true with warranties on aluminum-clad and vinyl units.

With all of this to say, we’re not just shedding light on this without backing it up with our 28 years in the business and what many consider one of the best warranties in the industry. You can read about our warranty – here. We offer a 20 year warranty on our products that includes the parts AND the labor.

Food for thought? We think so! Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home or have questions about our warranty.

What is Energy Star? Common question.

ENERGY STAR is an international symbol of energy efficiency. It indicates products that meet a premium level of energy efficiency as set out by guidelines by the Canadian Federal Government and the Office of Energy Efficiency. Energy Star labelled products exceed the minimum energy efficient criteria for the climate region you reside in – in some cases by as much as 40% – reducing home energy costs better than products that are not labelled with the accreditation.

As an example – for windows to qualify as an Energy Star product, they must meet strict technical requirements for both thermal and structural performance. They’re qualified based on either their U-value (the rate of heat transfer from a warm area to a cold area) or their overall energy rating (a scale that considers the U-Value, potential solar gain, and seal/air tight factor – as an example, Ottawa requires windows to be Zone B – an ER of 25 or more). The colder the climate you live in, the more stringent the requirement. Energy efficient windows also increase comfort, cut down noise levels from outside the home, have less condensation in cold weather than standard products, and allow fewer U/V rays to pass through glazed areas – protecting from sun damage.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. You can also view our gallery for images of some our custom made products.

Our reputation is key to the success of our business, and as such, from time to time, we like to share the stories of our happy customers. HomeStars.com is a rapidly growing online community of homeowners and home improvement companies throughout Canada and the U.S. It’s also a free service that enables home owners to find reputable service providers, contractors, and retailers based on reviews and discussion forums. Homeowners can have dialogue with each other regarding experiences and service they’ve received, and it’s become a forum for consumers to share and provide constructive feedback to those in the industry as well as with each other.

We were honoured to be the recipients of the Windows and Doors award for 2011 recently. You can find out profile at Home Stars here:

http://homestars.com/companies/2593758-verdun-doors-windows

Condensation is water that forms when warm, moist air hits a cooler surface. In homes, it might occur on surfaces such as windows or on cold-water pipes. Excessive humidity is what causes condensation. Is it bad beyond some irritating fogging up? Yes. Excessive condensation can eventually damage windows and may also eventually lead to mold – and no one wants that.

When interior humidity levels are too high in comparison to the cooler outdoor temperatures, condensation can form on the coldest surface in a room – often times the glass in a window or door. While windows and doors do not cause condensation, they may be one of the first places it shows up.

Can you control or reduce window condensation? Yes. Here’s some tips:

• Monitor the furnace humidifier and employ and monitor a interior humidifier.
• Ensure vents for the attic, basement, and crawl space are open, adequately sized and cross-ventilated.
• Run the exhaust fans for kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms for longer periods.
• Make sure exhaust fans vent directly outside and not into attics or crawl spaces.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for venting gas appliances.
• Make sure your furnace is in proper working order and is serviced regularly.
• Open a door or window for several minutes each day to refresh the inside air.
• Open window coverings – like blinds or drapes – during the day to increase airflow over the glass.

There’s also a great link here concerning condensation and humidity from Natural Resources Canada.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. Our team can answer your questions about window condensation and how you can prevent it further through product selection and other considerations prior to the purchase of replacement windows.