An opening that is wider than it is tall:
If the space for the window is wide and short, then a horizontal sliding window will usually work the best. Because of the slider’s construction (having a center support) they are usually the best choice for wide openings. This is also where you can use a style called a picture window or an XOX. These windows work especially well in openings that are 5 feet wide or more. If you like the operation of an up-and-down window, or hung window, you can still use them but it is wisest to use a double or twin unit, or even triple unit. If you make a hung window too wide, they will not operate properly and may eventually start to sag in the middle due to the weight of the glass. For this reason, most companies have maximum sizes they won’t exceed when building a hung window. Keep in mind that when you start putting separate windows into the same space, like a twin or triple unit, you are paying for separately framed windows. A slider, or a picture slider will be less expensive than a twin or triple unit.

An opening that is taller than it is wide:
If the space for the window is tall and skinny, then either a single hung window or a double hung window will work the best. Because a hung window has a center support that is horizontal, they do much better in a tall opening than a sliding window. If a sliding window is built too tall, or if it is built with panels that are tall and skinny, then the panels tend to rock in the track, and do not operate as smoothly as they should. In a tall space you also have the option of making the hung window have a smaller bottom panel. Having the uneven divide, especially in something very tall, will give you more of an un-obstructed view. Double-hung windows are also a good fit here. On a double-hung window both top and bottom panel can slide. This is nice to give extra ventilation, or just for top ventilation. Double-hung windows will include a full screen. The panels also usually tilt inwards for easy cleaning. Because of the extra mechanism and extra weight of the double-hung panels, they also have some size limitations, and you would not want a double-hung that has an uneven divide.

Casements & Awnings:
If you like the idea of a crank style window, where the glass panel moves away from the house, then there are several options for you to consider. Casement type windows typically work well in a square opening, or one that is taller than it is wide. Because the entire glass panel of the window moves in this style, there are some size limitations. You don’t want a moving panel that is so large it could be a hazard. The same applies to awning windows. Awning style windows have a hinge at the top of the frame so the glass panel moves out and up. Because there is significant weight on the frame and glass, you don’t want a very large panel there either. Awnings work best in wide and short openings. However casements and awnings can be combined in a variety of ways. Instead of a sliding window or twin hung unit, you could do two or casements together. On tall openings instead of a single-hung window you could have a fixed panel on top of an awning. Awnings and casements typically cost a little bit more than sling or hung windows, mostly because of the extra mechanism and framing.

Very large openings:
When you have a very large opening, it is tempting to put in a large fixed window to maximize your view. There are some important factors you have to take into account. Large windows are great, but the larger you make glass panels the heavier they are. The larger the panels are, the thicker the glass has to be to support itself. When you get into glass that is 3/16th’s of an inch thick, or 1⁄4 inch glass, the cost of the unit goes up quite a bit. These units are also very expensive to replace if the glass is broken. In large units, if you can break up the space, you can save some money. There are hundreds of options in this case, and most companies should be able to build whatever you can dream up.
In conclusion, there are virtually no limitations when it comes to style. There are many options and combinations of windows to pick from, not even counting special shaped windows, half-round windows or triangles. Because we manufacture our windows right here at Glass-Rite in Albuquerque, we can build down to the 1/8th of an inch to match whatever design you’re looking for. Call us for a free no pressure estimate and see what options will work best for you.

Finding a good window contractor- A qualified window contractor will more than likely have a yellow pages advertisement or a website.  So, start by conducting a web search, which is an easy way to find a list of suitable companies from which to begin.  If a contractor sticks out, check what local associations they belong to such as: the Home Builders Association.  Also look them up on an independent and honest forum like Angie’s List to see what previous customers have said about the company.  Good window contractors will usually have a decent online presence with several positive reviews.  If you can’t find much information about a window contractor online, it isn’t an absolute, but that may not be a great sign.

Gathering bids- Getting several quotes for your replacement window project is a good way to see what might work best for your needs.  Not only will multiple bids provide a good price comparison, but it also can be educational in terms of the different types of window replacement options available.  A good window contractor should be willing to work with you, and will do their best to stay within budget.  It’s tough to deal with contractors who play the “today only price” card or advertising special.  Here’s a typical story: “You’re getting this price because we want to use your home as a method of promoting us in your neighborhood.”  Do not be pressured.

What to consider when reviewing the window replacement bids- In the process of getting a window replacement bid, looking for the lowest price tag is not always the best answer. Ask yourself these questions:

• What is being left out?
• What shortcuts are being taken that will come back to haunt me?
• Does this bid reflect what I have asked for and/or been told?

A common sign of trouble begins with a window contractor whose prices are much less than the other bids acquired.  This also covers the contractor who requires excessive amounts of money up-front, which may indicate they are having financial problems.  As with most industries, low price does not always equate to good value.

What questions to ask a window contractor- When communicating with potential contractors, ask how much experience they have, or how long they have been in business.  The usual answer, of course, is “lots of experience!”, so ask follow up questions to get specifics.  The best real answer is often anecdotal and comes from the contractor’s past clients, so ask for referrals.

Make sure when comparing multiple bids that they all represent the same type of product and services.  A bid for a lower grade window with clear glass will certainly not be the same as a quote for premium grade Energy Star rated windows.  Make sure to compare ‘apples to apples’, and pay attention to specific product details.

Ask questions about the warranty that comes with the windows. Is there a separate warranty for the labor?  What kinds of issues are covered?  Will the window still be under warranty in 10 years?  Most companies are willing to supply a copy of their warranty, so make sure you get something in writing.  Be sure to understand what the warranty will cover, and what it won’t.

At Glass-Rite, we offer free, no pressure estimates for any sized window replacement projects, whether you need wood windows, aluminum windows or vinyl windows.  We’re happy to supply referrals as well as the addresses or maps of reference projects in your neighborhood.  We’ve been in business for over 25 years, and our professional crew knows how to remove old windows with the least disruption to you and your home. Glass-Rite is family-owned and operated and is totally committed to quality products and service.  Our goal is complete customer satisfaction.  If you’d like additional help in determining which window is best for your New Mexico home, contact our office. We’ll be glad to walk you through a window comparison and installation plan that works within your budget and provides long-term purchase satisfaction.

In terms of window glass, it is by nature highly thermal emissive and clear glass absorbs a ton of energy without reflecting much. This means if you have clear glass in your windows, you are absorbing all of the heat energy from the sun as well as radiant heat from inside, but none of it is being put to use in creating energy efficient windows.  Any heat taken in through the glass during the day is being released right back out through the window at night.  This is why in some houses a room can be very hot during the day and freezing when the sun goes down.  The net result is that we end up using our heating and cooling appliances more than we need to.

To improve insulation or thermal efficiency in a window, a thin film coating is applied to the raw glass.  The process is done at the glass manufacturing plant where specially designed coatings are applied to one or more surfaces of an insulated glass unit.  For example: usually the glass is coated on the inside of the outer pane for double-pane windows.  This film coating reflects radiant infrared energy, which is meant to keep the energy on the same side it originates from while still letting in visible light.  So when the sun shines, a Low-E coated window reflects a lot of that unwanted energy back towards the sun instead of letting the heat pass through the glass.  It works the same way if you are running your heater.  The energy from your heater comes up against the Low-E window and is reflected back toward the inside of the house so it isn’t lost. 

There are a couple different methods used for coating Low-E windows.  Pyrolytic coatings are applied at very high temperatures at the plant when the glass is manufactured.  Pyrolytic coatings are usually tin dioxide and are also called ‘hard-coat’.  Hard coat Low-E glass surfaces are considered to be medium grade energy efficient windows and perform much better than plain clear glass.  The second method is called Magnetron Sputtering.  This process takes place when the glass is placed in a vacuum chamber and has several thin layers of silver with antireflective properties applied to it.  This is considered ‘soft-coat’ and must be enclosed in double-pane window units to protect it.  Soft coat Low-E glass is the most efficient and highest performing of the two energy efficient window types.  Soft coat Low-E windows are the type we sell at Glass-Rite.

Most companies will offer both hard and soft coat Low-E windows.  Hard coat Low-E windows are relatively durable, can be handled easily, and are something most often used in single-pane applications; however, hard coat surfaces have a higher solar gain than soft coat and have the possibility of developing a slight haze over time.  On the other hand, soft coat Low-E windows must be in a double-pane unit and are nearly invisible coatings which provide more visible light.  Soft coat windows have much better U-value than hard coat surfaces and allow less UV transmittance by almost 75% over clear glass.

No matter what type of Low-E windows you get, they will perform better than windows that have only clear glass.  Low-E windows are definitely the way to go and will soon be the standard that all builders use.  There have been some concerns about the effects of Low-E glass on house plants, but the quick answer is that Low-E glass is designed to block heat; not light.  The visible spectrum is what’s necessary for plant growth.  In fact, some studies show that Low-E windows can actually improve plant growth over clear uncoated glass. 

Regardless if you are looking at vinyl windows, wood windows or aluminum windows, Glass-Rite windows come standard with soft coat Low-E glass.  We use PPG’s Solarban60 and Solarban70 solar control glass.  This glass has a very low U-value, which means a higher performance.  Our products also help with furnace heat loss, protect fabrics and carpet from fading, provide glare control, and of course reduce heating and cooling energy costs.  When considering ways to make your home more energy efficient, we definitely recommend going with Glass-Rite Low-E windows!

Vinyl Patio Doors - As the least expensive and most energy efficient option, more people these days are putting vinyl sliding patio doors in their homes. Vinyl patio doors are lighter weight than the older aluminum sliding doors, and the frames are much more energy efficient. One of the major benefits of vinyl patio doors is that the frame has welded corners. This essentially makes the frame one solid piece of vinyl, so there is little to no possibility for air infiltration. Vinyl patio doors typically come with energy efficient Low-E glass and are available with many styles and options. Using a Low-E insulated glass unit instead of single or double-pane clear glass will make a big difference in comfort due to the large volume of glass.  Our vinyl sliding doors are almost always sold with the screen included.

Aluminum Patio Doors - Aluminum patio doors have a smaller market because they are less thermally efficient. As a result, most consumers are turning to the more popular vinyl patio sliders, or the French style patio doors.

French Patio Doors – If you are looking for French style patio doors, vinyl is usually not an option because of the weight of the glass in the swinging panels.  If French style patio doors are built in vinyl, there is a greater possibility that the frame could warp. Because of the heavy glass panels, French patio doors are usually built using metal, wood, or wood clad-aluminum frames. The wood clad-aluminum frames are the most popular and are available in many wood types and color options. The door itself has a stainable wood frame with aluminum facing on the outside. This is especially great in the New Mexico climate, because it protects the outside of the door from the elements.

French patio doors are available in lots of options, but there are a few key factors to keep in mind.

• Be aware of the cost. French style patio doors can sometimes be twice as much as the more energy efficient vinyl doors. However; if style is what you’re after, French patio doors are the best looking!

• The locking mechanism on French doors is something to consider. Some French doors have a single latch hook, while others have a multi-point lock. The single latch lock is the cheaper option, but the multi-point lock is the most secure. The multi-point lock is a deadbolt lock, along with a post lock that secures the top and bottom frame of the door. The multi-point locks are typically only found on the better quality doors. This lock also helps to keep the door panel from moving. In the long run, keeping the door more stable will prevent the possibility of warping the wood frame, which is the most common cause of air infiltration.

• French style patio doors also have a better seal than a vinyl or aluminum sliding doors. Because of the design of French doors, the compression seal created by the two panels closing together is more air-tight than a sliding door.

• French patio doors don’t usually come with a matching screen door, but most often, one can be ordered for an extra cost.

Another factor that might influence your decision is what kind of space you have. It may not be practical to have in-swinging French patio doors where a vinyl sliding door or aluminum slide door will provide more space. Since sliding doors move against themselves, they require no room to swing and thus take up a lot less space. However; if you have the space for a French patio door, the swinging doors offer a much larger opening.

Whether you’re looking for vinyl patio doors or French style doors, they will all increase the value and bring much more light into your home! As always, we at Glass-Rite offer free, no pressure on-site estimates and would be pleased to give you an estimate on your next patio door project.

            The first cold snap hits!  The windows fog up and water drips down the glass.  Don’t worry, this is not and indication that your windows have failed.  The moisture on the glass is condensation, a natural occurrence that in most cases can be eliminated.  Condensation occurs when excess humidity in the air comes up against a cool surface.  The glass in windows and patio doors provides a cooler surface that can show the first signs of condensation.  This phenomenon can usually be corrected by increasing the air flow in the room.

            Homes that are built today are more energy efficient and more air-tight than homes built even a few years ago.  Because of this there is less exchange with outside air.  This saves energy, but tends to increase interior humidity.  Because the humidity levels inside the home tend to rise, you may notice condensation in your new home that you never had in your old home.

            Older homes with newer windows may experience condensation due to increased efficiency.  Old windows allowed a lot of air exchange with outside, allowing the inside air to dry out.  New windows are installed in an airtight manner, which is great, but it traps humid air inside.

            Why is there so much humidity?  Family lifestyle has the most impact.  Cooking meals, long showers or baths, even washing clothes all contribute to humidity levels.  People often experience the condensation in a bedroom where they spend a lot of time.  Variations in these and other moisture generating activities or products (like a humidifier) can result in one neighbor experiencing condensation and another not.

            What can we do?  Controlling indoor humidity is the key. 

• If you don’t already have new windows, consider installing a window that has a dual paned insulated glass unit.  For further protection, we always recommend getting windows with an insulated glass unit that includes a Low-E coating.  This coating on the glass reduces radiant heat-loss and the passage of ultraviolet rays.  The better the Low-E the more it stops condensation.  A ‘soft coat’ Low-E is the best.

•  Having windows that include Argon gas between the panes helps out as well.  Since Argon is an inert gas, and heavier than air, it makes a great buffer for heat transfer.  Having windows that have both Low-E and Argon gas is the way to go for energy efficiency.  Look for the Star.  Energy Star rated windows will have an NFRC rating sticker that will tell you the efficiency ratings for the window.

•   You can raise the temperature of your home.  Even just one or two degrees can make a difference and greatly reduce condensation.

• Open your blinds or curtains for air circulation.  Closed blinds or drapes trap warm air in the space between the glass and the blinds.  This air cools and releases moisture.  Blinds should be at least 4” away from window glass.

• Use a ceiling fan to move warm air toward your windows.

•  For an unoccupied or unheated room, keep interior doors open to promote air circulation.

• Run the exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.

•  Make sure all vents and ducts are clear of lint and other obstructions.

           There are some causes why the condensation may be only temporary as well.  If it is a new home, building materials in construction contribute gallons of water to the inside air.  It often takes a whole year for all that moisture to escape.  Condensation can also be a problem during the first few weeks you run your heater.  This is due to the release of moisture the house has absorbed during the summer.  Quick temperature changes can also be a cause of condensation.

            If you have excessive condensation in your house, it is important to measure your humidity.  Very high interior humidity can leave to structural damage to your home (wood decay) and even health hazards such as mold growth.  Because these effects usually happen unseen in the wall cavity, condensation on the windows is a good clue that the humidity is too high.  Get a hygrometer, an instrument that measures relative humidity in the air, to monitor indoor levels.  If high condensation persists after trying some of the above remedies, contact a qualified heating and air conditioning professional.

            Aluminum windows are especially subject to condensation because of its ability to transfer heat.  The temperature of aluminum will quickly change to the air temperature around it.  An aluminum window including a thermal break has a much lower chance of condensation.  Vinyl windows are the least susceptible to the condensation phenomenon. 

            Condensation is a natural occurrence that happens on the exterior and interior glass surfaces.  In nearly all cases, it is not the result of a defective window or patio door.  Take steps to reduce humidity with proper air circulation and the problem should be solved!

Vinyl window frames are the most popular Glass-Rite windows. The reason being is that they are incredibly energy efficient; more so than thermally broken aluminum and even most wood windows.

Vinyl windows also never need painting and are guaranteed not to peel, chip, or warp. Our vinyl windows come in two light colors: white or almond as dark colored vinyl frames gain too much heat
in the New Mexico climate.

Good quality vinyl windows are welded together and not held together with screws.  Because screws tend to pull out of vinyl, we produce vinyl windows with metal reinforcements in the parts where required hardware (such as locks) are screwed in. 

Vinyl windows maintain their appearance and do not require any post-installation maintenance.  Because the frame is the same color all the way through, scratches and other marks can easily be buffed out and are generally unnoticeable. 

Aluminum window frames maintain their popularity, especially with the thermal break technology.

Thermal breaks prevent the frame from conducting as much heat or cold, while also reducing condensation. In addition, thermal breaks have significantly decreased aluminum frame u-factors or heat loss rate which will be especially useful in the hot New Mexico climate.

Our thermal break aluminum windows are available in dark bronze.  Though  aluminum windows are generally stronger than vinyl, they are not always as efficient at blocking outside temperatures, even with thermal break technology.  The frame, while being a harder material than vinyl, may require some maintenance and touch-up paint occasionally. 

Whether choosing a vinyl window or thermal break aluminum window, we recommend the window’s air space between the panes of glass be at least ½ inch to maximize noise reduction, and that sashes be interlocking for a tighter seal. Any window you choose should be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council to ensure a positive energy performance rating. 

Here at Glass-Rite, we provide these performance labels to help you determine how well a window will perform. By using the information on the label, customers can reliably compare one product with another, and make informed decisions about which windows to buy.

At Glass-Rite, integrity is a top priority in everything that we sell and install. If you’d like additional help in determining which window is best for your New Mexico home, contact us at our office. We’ll be glad to walk you through a window comparison and installation plan that works within your budget.

Because of the Energy Star rating our product carries, our windows are built specifically to reduce use of heating and cooling appliances. This saves our customers money right away on their gas and electricity bills. Look for the Star: The typical U.S household spends about $1,300 on its home energy bills. Energy Star qualified products including windows and heating and cooling equipment can reduce that energy bill by up to 40%- a potential savings of hundreds of dollars each year.