Weighing Windows for an older home in North Huntingdon Township Pennsylvania?
The Roofing Company will walk you through frames, glass and the way a window is set
Phone 412-858-8858 to talk about your windows
A Window Is a Hole in the Wall, Piece by Piece
An opening for a window is a gap in the wall, and the work of sealing that gap decides whether rain and wind stay outside; drafts and drips usually start at the edges and not in the glass.
Snow and ice sit on sills and ledges, and meltwater runs into any gap it finds; a window that was tight when new can loosen after many winters.
Questions about Windows are easier to answer once the problem windows are marked; pictures of the frames and the sills help.
The Main Window Choices, Side by Side
Frame material changes how a window looks and ages, since vinyl is light and low-upkeep, though strong sun and deep cold affect the plastic; frame choice affects how much glass the window shows.
A coating thinner than a hair on the glass can reflect heat back into the room, which helps in winter and in summer; laminated glass cuts sound and holds together when it breaks.
Windows also differ in the way they open, with double-hung, casement, slider and fixed styles each suited to different rooms; the style affects how much of the opening is clear glass.
Each choice has a place, and anyone searching for Windows should hear why one window suits your house better than another; a crew should be able to say what it likes and what it avoids.
Choosing the Scope for an Opening, and What Each Involves
An insert window is made to fit inside the existing opening, so the inside and outside trim can stay in place; the glass area is a little smaller than before.
A full-frame replacement takes out the whole window with its frame, which opens up the wall around the opening for inspection; a crew should say what they expect to find.
Any proposal that follows your search for Windows should say what happens if damage is found behind the old window; a crew that offers only one answer may not have looked closely.
Why Fit Is Everything: the First Step
Window sizes are taken on site and the units are built to match, so the measuring visit is the foundation of the whole job; each window in a house is usually measured separately.
Special shapes, colors and glass types add to the wait, and a crew should say honestly how long it expects to take; storage of the windows before installation matters.
Your questions on Windows should include how long the order will take and what the visits involve; schedule work for a spell of mild weather if you can.
The Details Around the Frame, Edge by Edge
A sloped sill pan catches any water that gets past the frame and sends it back outside; the top of the window needs a drip cap or a flashing tape that laps over it.
Gaps around a frame lose heat and let in drafts, so they are filled with low-expansion foam or insulation and then sealed inside and out; check that the window opens and closes smoothly after the work.
Anyone comparing proposals for Windows should look for the installation details, not just the product name; point out any place you have seen a stain.
Older Houses and Their Windows: Planning for the Unknown
Many older Pittsburgh houses have tall wood sash windows, old interior walls and openings that are no longer square, so every window is a custom fit; sash cords, weights and old paint layers are all part of an older window.
Old houses settle, so a new window has to be set into an opening that is not quite straight; a candid crew admits there may be unknowns.
Any plan that follows your search for Windows on a house of this age should leave room for what the walls reveal; mention the age and style of the house when you call.
Living With the Result: Honest Limits
A cold window pulls heat from a room, and better glass and tighter seals make the area near the glass more comfortable; a crew should be clear about what is and is not included.
Most outside noise comes through windows, so a thicker or laminated pane can quiet a room more than a thin one; ask how a crew would treat a window facing a loud road.
Comfort and noise are fair topics when you are thinking about Windows, so mention them to the crew; the crew can point out what is realistic for each room.
Order of Work Around an Opening, Piece by Piece
First the crew covers the floors, moves the curtains and takes out the old window while keeping the trim and walls in good shape; the opening is flashed and made ready.
The new unit goes in square, then it is flashed and insulated, the sash is tested and the trim and sealant are finished last; the yard is swept for nails and scraps.
- How will each opening be flashed and sealed, and how will it be written down?
- How are the gaps around the frame filled, and what are the trade-offs?
Small Habits That Extend a Window's Life, Spring and Fall
Twice a year, clean the glass, clear the tracks and weep holes, and look closely at the sealant and the sills; keep paint and caulk in good repair around wood frames.
Keep a simple log of what you find, with dates and photographs, so a crew can see how things changed; early action keeps small leaks small.
Upkeep belongs in any conversation about Windows, since a well-made window still needs clean tracks and an owner who looks now and then; a note on cleaning and weatherstripping is a good thing to receive.
Details Beyond the Glass: What to Consider
Hardware, screens and locks are the parts of a window that get used daily, so how they look and feel is worth checking in person; a lock that pulls the sash tight improves the seal.
Trim style and window coverings are easier to decide before the work than after it; a short list written down avoids confusion.
Next Steps for Your Windows, and Plan It Properly
Choosing and installing windows is a big project, and the quality of the details sets the result; the next step is a simple one.
Dial 412-858-8858 and tell us what you have in mind for Windows; tell us about the age and the style of the house.
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