It doesn’t really matter what materials you are looking into buying, you can find the quality that you are looking for.  There are two independent testing associations that you should check for certification from.  These are the most important aspects to finding the replacement windows that will guide you to the best windows money can buy.  No matter what the salesman will try and convince you of, use these facts and certifications as your authority.

The very best replacement windows are the ones certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).  The AAMA is considered the top standard since they test the quality of the material, how the materials are assembled, and the integrity of the finished product.  The testing is all and random and incredibly rigorous.  Once a manufacturer decides to have the AAMA certify their window they sign a contract that allows the AAMA unannounced, random access to their production line. This ensures that you will get only the best quality.

The NFRC mainly focuses their testing on energy efficiency.  This means they test for R-values of the glass and air infiltration, among others.  But be aware that the NFRC label can be a little bit misleading.  They will put their label on windows that merely meet the minimum standards, so some window will be much more energy efficient than others within the same company.  They do provide the numbers and values that tell you just how energy efficient that particular window is, and they provide a guide to interpret these number.  But ultimately it is your responsibility to figure out the greatest value.  Ideally you want to find windows with both certifications to know you are getting the best.  Be aware that both associations install a label on the side of the window.  So it won’t be seen once the window is installed.  To be entirely sure the certification exists, try to get a peek at the window before installation for this label.

One thing is for sure when you have older windows.  If you decide not to replace them, at some point you will have to repair them.  More likely is that you will have to replace them fairly regularly until replacing them becomes inevitable.  If that repair will require replacing or removing the paint, chances are high that the paint will contain lead.  Be sure to be well informed on all the dangers of lead.  Even small amounts of lead dust can cause massive amounts of damage to you and your family, even the family dog.

Even though it doesn’t seem that the old windows are very leaky, or are not really letting in that much air, they still can be.  Old windows can be the biggest gap in your energy efficiency.  Single-pane windows have a terrible R-value and no insulation, meaning a majority of the air in the home will be lost.  If the caulking is worn and old, that can also allow massive amounts of air in and out.  You can make some other efforts to improve the insulation of these old windows.  For example you can install superb weather-stripping, re-caulk all the windows, and shrink-wrap them in plastic during extreme weather.  This can help you minimize the air loss, but it won’t be as good as higher quality windows.  So if energy efficiency is something that’s important to you, replacement windows are definitely in your future.

Most important you need to determine if your savings will offset the cost of replacement windows.  Sit down with a pen and paper and start adding.  Figure out your current annual expenditures in heating and cooling.  Now you need to figure out the cost of all your replacement windows.  Add up how many windows you need and the cost of each.  Let’s assume for the sake of these numbers that you will save 30% in energy costs.  How many years will it take for you to get back the money you spent replacing the windows in savings?  If it’s more than about five years then it may not be the right time to replace your old windows.  It’s nearly impossible to make completely accurate analyses for this cost-savings projection, but it does give you a rough estimation of whether it will be a good investment.

This how-to will assume that you have already measured your window and ordered the windows with these measurements.  First, you should examine the windowsill to make sure there is not wood rot.  There is no point in installing new windows into a rotten frame that needs replacing itself.  Now that you are sure the windowsill is solid, carefully remove all inside stops of the existing windows.  Be sure not to damage them or throw them out since you can use them again with the new windows.  Now remove the window sashes themselves, cutting through any nails that are holding them in place.  Remove and old caulk and clean the frame up as much as you can.  You need to either pull out any existing nails or completely drive them in.

Now you need to make sure the new window actually fits the frame opening.  Put it in place to ensure a proper fit and then remove it again.  At this point you should run the caulk along the inside edge of the remaining outside window stops.  Also run a bead of caulk along the windowsill.  Place the window back into place and ensure that it is level and square.  Use a level to make sure it is sitting plumb with the frame and measure diagonally from corner to corner each way to make sure it is sitting squarely.  Shim the window as necessary to hold it in place.  Now is the time to reinstall the inside stops, using new finishing nails, and caulk them where they meet the frame of the window.

Also be sure to check the outside of the new windows.  The window should either come with a naturally sloped frame or have an insert that you can use to cover any gap.  If neither of these things is the case, simply cover the gap with a piece of wood and caulk the seams where the insert meets the frame.  With just these few simple and straightforward steps you can save yourself a lot of hassle with hiring a contractor to install the replacement windows for you.  No expertise is needed, just some time and perhaps an extra pair of hands to help with placing the windows.

Sash windows are basically two wooden frames that are mounted in a larger vertical frame.  The frames, called sashes, hold one or sometimes two panes of glass.  The sashes slide up and down on the two tracks in the frame so that the windows may be opened and closed.  If there are two panes of glass then the window is called a double glazed sash window.  There is also a variety of sash window that has multiple panes of glass, called lights, in each sash.  These are held in place by strips of wood or metal known as muntin bars.

When you are considering replacement sash windows, cost can be a big factor.  Replacing a single one can cost several hundred dollars, more so if they are a rare type of window in your area.  The more expensive are the wooden sash windows.  These are popular because the muntin bars are removable, which gives some choice into how the window looks and makes it easier to clean.  But there are also replacement sash windows that are aluminum on the outside and offer more choices in color and style.  Another benefit to aluminum sash windows is that they never require any maintenance or painting.  Aluminum also tends to be more versatile in size and availability as well.  Nearly all sash windows have the feature of tilting inward so that the outside can be cleaned from indoors; this is ideal for second story windows.

With the availability factor most companies who will installing or replace sash windows are also the manufacturers, limiting the number of people you have to deal with.  But with limited manufacturers comes limited competition and increased prices.  You can best benefit from this by finding a company that offers warranties of at least 10 years.  They should also be a well-established company so that you can rest assured that they will not be out of business if you need a repair.  If you do not already have sash windows, you might be better served replacing your windows with the same type of window you have now, simply because of the price factor.  But if sash windows are something that you simply must have, shop smart and look at all your options before committing to one contractor.

Cost is more than likely a big factor in your decisions about home improvement, as it is for most people.  Replacing your windows can mean a very high price tag.  Especially if you are replacing numerous windows of varying size.   If you are on a tight budget vinyl replacement windows are your best bet.  They will be the cheapest and have a larger variety to choose from as well.

If you live in a climate where the temperature has a tendency to fluctuate a lot then vinyl windows will be the most economical choice in the long run.  Even with a mild climate, having old and drafty windows will leave your house perpetually cold or hot depending on the season.  So you turn the heat or air conditioning up, but it never gets better and just costs more money.  Vinyl dual-pane windows will keep out the cold in winter and keep the cold in during the summer.  They will also offer you some degree of sun protection.  A lot of companies apply a low-e coating to the vinyl windows that will block out a lot of harmful rays from the sun.  This can protect your carpets and furniture and save you those replacement costs a few years down the road.

Security can be a great reason to choose vinyl replacement windows, especially if your existing windows are old or flimsy.  All vinyl windows have a solid locking device and should have burglarproof features that come included in the price.  The double paned glass of vinyl windows is also a security measure.  If the family dog or rowdy toddler decide to run into the window at breakneck speed there is a much smaller chance the shatterproof glass will break and injure someone.

Some windows can be very noisy, and this is especially a hassle if you live on a busy street or near a highway.  Single-pane or aluminum windows really do nothing to block out the noise and sound and the last thing you want is that interfering with your sleep or peace and quiet.  But good vinyl double-pane windows will greatly decrease the outside noise and make your home a more peaceful place to be.  Even if your neighbor’s dog barks all night long, you will not be disturbed.