Reliable Siding and Windows
Denver Replacement Windows
Replacement Window Information
Window Brands
Reliable Siding and Windows is an established, licensed and insured window company. We only deal with windows that are fabricated from established companies (Traco, Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Milgard, Kensington, Simonton, etc.) and come with a full, written warranty. Our installation team is one of the best in Colorado.
Replacement Window Benefits
Product: Strong and beautiful. Most replacement vinyl windows come with the ENERGY STAR® label and a commercial AAMA rating. With custom replacement windows, you have the option to select combinations of color, size and energy glass packages.
Maintenance Free: Never climb a ladder again! Vinyl windows are maintenance free.
Lifetime Transferable Warranty: All replacment windows come with a written lifetime warranty issued by reputable manufacturers who have been in business many years. Also, most warranties are transferable.
Energy Efficient: Warmer winters and cooler summers. Window efficiency means lower monthly bills for you.
Grades of Glass
Windows and doors are the single biggest source of home energy loss. Inefficient windows can lose 15 times as much heat as an equal area of wall space. With the majority of walls having at least one window, this can significantly affect your heating and cooling bills. There are different glass options to consider when purchasing replacement windows; here is an explanation of the different glass choices to help guide your decision:
Double-Pane: The double-pane (insulated) glass traps air between the two panes of glass increasing insulation.
Low-E (Hard Coat): Low-emissivity is a thin, metal, transparent coating applied to the pane of glass to reduce heat transfer through the window. This coating reflects solar heat outside in the summer and reflects radiant (furnace) heat inside in the winter. In addition, it blocks about 30-45% of UV rays protecting furniture, wood and artwork. On a cold day, low-e will be 40 degrees warmer than a single-pane glazing and 10 degrees warmer than a double-pane glazing. (R-Value of 2.85 to 3.8, U-Value 0.35 to 0.30) Learn what R-Value is here.
Low-E(2) or Sputtered Low-E (Soft Coat): The difference between this and regular low-e is that it includes a sputtered (layered) coating instead of a single coating. This further increases insulation and UV protection.
Gas Fills: To further insulate, you can fill the airspace between two panes of glass with Argon or Krypton gas. This tends to work better in lower elevations and is not as beneficial in the Colorado elevations. (R-Vale of 3.3, U-0.30)
Heat Mirror: An alternative to low-e is Heat Mirror. This is a polyester substrate installed between two panes of glass. It has a greater energy efficiency than low-e and low-e(2) and it also filters out 99.5% of UV rays. Heat mirror can be combined with low-e or low-e(2) for even greater energy efficiency.
Window Frames
Wood, vinyl, aluminum and fiberglass are the choices you have in window frames. As the Colorado sunshine and harsh weather can damage even the best of frames, vinyl is usually the best option for Colorado. Here is a comparison of the different types:
Aluminum: Strong and customizable but conducts heat rapidly, scratches easily and is prone to condensation and corrosion.
Wood: High-maintenance, which requires frequent painting or staining. Wood frames are prone to rotting and warping.
Vinyl: Come in a variety of styles and shapes. Vinyl windows have a high R-value and are low maintenance. Vinyl insulates better than steel or aluminum because it is a non-conductive material. Not all vinyl replacement windows are constructed well. It is best to stick with a proven, reliable manufacturer.
Fiberglass: New and not yet fully tested. Fiberglass theoretically can have a high R-value but has not been around long enough to understand the implications, especially in Colorado.
Installation: Along with your window selection, maximizing your energy efficiency depends on the skill of the installer. Poor installation or an improper fit reduces window efficiency benefits. For example, a window surrounded by drafty holes will counteract any low-e or heat mirror window's heat retention or reflection. Reliable Windows and Siding offers first-rate installation by a team of experienced window installers.
Types of Replacement Windows
You may be overwhelmed by the many window-specific terms you will run into while researching your options with replacement windows. Here is a brief description of some common terms you will run across.
Fixed Pane: Similar to what you would find in a corporate building, these windows are less expensive but cannot be opened and do not provide ventilation.
Casements: These windows open sideways with a hand crank.
Awning: These windows have hinges at the top or bottom and open outward with a hand crank.
Double Hung: These windows can be slid open from the top OR the bottom, and tilt in for easy cleaning.
Single Hung: These windows can only be opened from the bottom and also tilt in for easy cleaning.
Double Slider: Both sides move and lift out for easy cleaning.
Single Slider: One side moves and lifts out for easy cleaning.
Bays: Come with double hung windows or casement windows (three sections.)
Bows: Come with double hung windows or casement windows (similar to a bay but with four to six sections.)
Reliable installs all these window types. We also carry doors, patio doors, storm doors and garage doors.
Window Shopping Tips
As replacement vinyl windows are built to last longer than you will own your house, it is important to be well informed before you upgrade. Here are some tips to help guide your decision. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email Ed at Reliable Siding and Windows.
When shopping for new windows for your home, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind:
Ask about warranties: Are they written or just spoken? It is important to know if the manufacturer will stand behind the warranty therefore it is important to check how long the manufacturer has been in business. If a small, un-established, relatively new manufacturing company goes out of business, your warranty may be void.
Contractor Research: Find out if the contractor is licensed and insured. Check how long the company has been in business. Also check the Better Business Bureau for the company's status. Reliable Siding and Windows is a member of the Pikes Peak Region Better Business Bureau.
ENERGY STAR®: Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on your windows. The Department of Energy created this label for use on products that meet certain specifications. The R-values and U-values are impossible for a homeowner to determine without specialized equipment so this third-party inspection a quality product that truly meets the efficiency values given. Learn what an R-value is here.
Installers: You may want to find out if your replacement window company uses a professional installation team and if the window company will ultimately be responsible should there be any installation problems. A poor installation will leave your house drafty and your heating and cooling bills higher than they should be.
Reliable Siding and Windows is an established, licensed and insured window company. We only deal with windows that are fabricated from established companies (Traco, Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Milgard, Kensington, Simington, etc.) and come with a full, written warranty. Our installation team is one of the best in Colorado. Call now for a replacement window consultation.
