On single-pane windows, condensation can form on the interior of the glass when excessive moisture is present. It is worrisome because condensation, either excessive or constant, leads to mildew, mold and dry rot. Mold is associated with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. This is in addition to single-pane glass being a major loss of heat in a home. If you already have dual-pane windows and condensation forms between the two pieces of glass, it doesn’t cause the problems of condensation being on the inside of the house, but aesthetically it is very unpleasing, and you may want to replace the dual-pane unit.

In conventional dual- or –triple pane window, air fills the spaces between glass elements. The heat conductivity of clear, odorless argon gas is about 30 percent less than that of air, which thereby improves the insulation capabilities of the window. Argon gas is non-toxic, and it works so well that the cases holding precious documents at the U.S. National Archives are immersed within protective argon, as the PBS program NOVA describes.

We are residential property specialists. We work on single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, townhomes, apartment buildings, and non-high-rise student dormitories and residence halls.

That’s a good — and important — question. To assure that the job will be done by technically competent workers, and that the project will be completed, make sure that the contractor you select is licensed, bonded and insured, as a-TaylorMade Window is. The reputation of brand name products a contractor is authorized to sell is a reflection of the professionalism of an installation company. Certification from individual window and door manufacturer further attest to the expertise of a contractor. To further protect yourself, ask contractors to specify the workmanship warranty they offer as well as the terms of manufacturers’ product warranty.

• Check if the contractor employs InstallationMasters™ craftsmen certified by AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association), as a-TaylorMade Window does. That validates that our installers are highly trained, skilled trades people.
• Confirm whether or not the contractor is a U.S. EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovation firm, as a-TaylorMade Window is. That certification adds a layer of assurance for consumers.

Also examine contractors’ ratings and reviews with:

• Angie’s List, on which a-TaylorMade Window has earned top ratings in quality, responsiveness, price and professionalism.
• Better Business Bureau, which classifies a-TaylorMade Window a BBB Accredited Business, with an A+ rating.
• Yelp, on which a-TaylorMade Window has more than three dozen five-star reviews by satisfied customers.

To verify licensure of a contractor, visit the Contractors State License Board website.

Ask about the contractor’s recent experience with window installations such as yours. Find out the terms of the contractor’s installation warranty, distinct from the manufacturer’s product warranty. Inquire if work on your home will be done by the contractor’s own employees or by subcontractors. And ask the contractor to describe the installation process for the types of windows and doors you are discussing.

Yes, a-TaylorMade Window customers are protected by our 10-year workmanship warranty covering installation of windows and doors. That’s in addition to manufacturers’ product quality warranty.

Yes it should — particularly for a homeowner who hires an unlicensed contractor whose worker is injured while working on your property. If that contractor lacks workers’ compensation insurance, the injured employee may sue you, the homeowner, for liability. You’re protected, however, when working with contractors who have valid licenses and workers’ compensation for their employees (as a-TaylorMade Window does). Make certain also that any subcontractors are licensed and covered under workers’ compensation (a-TaylorMade Window normally does not use subcontractors).

Ask your contractor to show you a Certificate of Insurance that lists all of the company’s insurance policies and insured amounts that are currently in effect.

Nearly all jurisdictions — municipal governments or counties in unincorporated areas — require building permits.

You can take confidence in evaluation and rankings performed collaboratively by two nationally recognized nonprofit consumer protection organizations: the Window & Door Manufacturers Association and the National Fenestration Rating Council. An NFRC label indicates product performance in several important criteria: U-factor (a measurement of insulation capabilities); solar heat gain (a window’s resistance to warming caused by sunlight); visible light transmittance (measurement of how much light passes through a window); and air leakage.

Kindly remove any draperies, curtains or blinds, and move any furniture and hanging photos or paintings away from the vicinity of the window(s) to be replaced. Our installers can help you with that, if you wish, and they will place dropcloths and runners to protect your floors. Trimming shrubbery to improve access to window openings from the exterior is helpful.

The process of installing windows and doors is surprisingly neat for most installation types. Our installation crew members will do any necessary sawing on your driveway or other outdoor area to minimize sawdust and particle dispersion within your home. They’ll vacuum particle debris as they proceed, and they’ll tidy up after themselves when they job is done.

Yes, many of the windows and doors from manufacturers we represent have ADA accessibility options available to meet standards established under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. These products are designed and manufactured in compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulations for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. We’ll be glad to discuss how to best meet your needs.

Yes, of course. You can select from our manufacturers’ extensive catalogs of decorative hinges, handles, locks and security viewers, or choose your own, and we’ll mount them as part of any door installation.

Our experts will gladly tell you all you want to know about materials, configurations, durability, energy-saving characteristics, and installation of windows and doors. This online resource section is a good place to start.

• Acquaint yourself with government energy-savings standards and codes 
• Learn the lingo of windows and doors in our glossary of terminology.

Dual-pane windows will reduce noise by about 50%. There are additional ways to reduce even more noise by using different thicknesses of glass, laminated glass, or a sound-control window.