News Release
Contact: Kathy Ziprik
828-890-8065
Kathy_Ziprik@simonton.com
Tips for Knowing When It's Time to Replace Windows
on Your Home
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Experts at Simonton Windows, a leading vinyl window and patio door
manufacturer, offer a variety of tips for consumers who wish to perform a window and patio
door “check-up” to gauge the energy efficiency of these products in their homes.
“Virtually every building component in a home needs to be replaced at some point, and windows
are no exception,” says Matt Minerd of Simonton Windows. “We’d like to think that our roof,
siding and windows will last forever, but they won’t.
“Mark your calendar for each October --- which is Home Improvement Month --- to routinely
check your windows and patio doors to ensure they are performing the way they were designed
to perform. These checks also help determine when it’s time to consider a window replacement
project that can offer you long-term energy savings—especially if you live in an older home.”
Minerd recommends the following do-it-yourself tips to gain an initial impression of how well
your current windows and patio doors are functioning:
Tip #1 - Examine the inside of your windows and patio doors for hot and cold “drafty” spots (or
drafty areas). This indicates air infiltration which can lead to reduced energy efficiency.
Tip #2 - Check every window and door to make sure there is adequate weatherstripping and
caulking around the units. This helps eliminate air infiltration and ensure a weather tight, secure
seal.
Tip #3 – Look for “burnt out” or faded areas on your furnishings and carpeting. This could
indicate harmful, damaging UV rays are entering your home through your windows or doors.
You may want to consider replacement with more energy efficient units containing Low E
coatings on the glass.
Tip #4 – If your windows no longer open or close easily--or if they need to be propped open--it
could mean key components within the units are damaged or need adjustment. It could also mean
the unit needs to be replaced entirely.
Tip #5 – Check the “fit” of your current windows or patio doors by having someone stand
outside the units at night. With a small flashlight, stand inside and “travel” around the edge of
the units. If the person outside sees light coming through the edges, this indicates a poor
installation and is resulting in energy loss.
If your evaluation turns up one or more problem areas, it may be time to consider replacing your
windows or doors. Be sure to contact an experienced window installation professional, such as a
Simonton ProNetworkTM member.
“Window replacements are both a short- and long-term investment in your home,” says Minerd.
“You’ll immediately help reduce your energy bills. And, having newer, more energy-efficient
windows is a great selling point when it comes time to put a house on the market.”
Vinyl is an excellent insulator and many people choose low-maintenance vinyl frames with an
Argon or Krypton gas fill and Low E glass. These harmless gasses are denser than air and serve
as an excellent thermal barrier. These components all work together to reduce thermal
conductivity, or the transfer of heat and cold through a window. Visit
http://www.simonton.com/Information/EnergyEfficiency/ for more details on energy-efficient
glass options.
“Do your homework and research the windows you’re buying and the company that
manufactures them,” advises Minerd. “Not all windows, nor window companies, are equal. Price
is important, but it’s not the critical factor. The key is investing wisely and making sure your
replacement windows meet ENERGY STAR® guidelines for your geographic area.”
For more energy saving ideas visit www.energystar.gov or www.efficientwindows.org.
And, for free booklets on energy tips and selecting replacement windows, visit
www.simonton.com or call 1-800-SIMONTON.
About Simonton Windows
Simonton Windows has been ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and
Doors, Four Years in a Row. Tied in 2013.” by J.D. Power and Associates. Simonton produces
ENERGY STAR® qualified vinyl replacement and new construction windows and doors,
including a line of impact-resistant products.
Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2013, 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use
Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best In Class Awards administered by
LBM Journal Research Institute.
Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver the industry’s shortest, most
dependable lead-times. Part of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. (NYSE: FBHS), Simonton
delivers award-recognized products throughout the United States and North America. Simonton
is a Founding Sponsor of The Weather Museum, a Lifetime Founding Sponsor of the Lead Safe
America Foundation, and a supporter of Homes for Our Troops. For information, call (800)
SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.
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Simonton Windows received the highest numerical score among window and door manufacturers in a tie in the
proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010-2013 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Studies SM. (Tied in 2013).
2013 study based on responses from more than 2,554 consumers measuring 11 brands and measures opinions of
consumers who purchased new windows or patio doors in the previous 12 months. Proprietary study results are
based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January – February 2013. Your experiences may
vary. Visit jdpower.com.
ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy
efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.