Window technology has changed significantly over the years.
Wayne Palmer from George Kent Home Improvement in a recent interview with EiEiHome stated, “We love talking about the changes in the window industry because we were actually there 63 years ago and have watched the window industry evolve.”
Window Frames Then…
Frames were made of wood or aluminum. Wood rots over time and requires periodic painting. Aluminum, while never rotting, conducts the cold right through the window frame.
Now…
Vinyl frames are the most popular choice as they last forever, are as strong as aluminum, never require painting and conduct minimal amounts of cold. Some new windows even have insulation inside the vinyl frames.
Glass Technology Then…
The glass in windows was either a single pane or two panes that would slide on two different tracks that allowed cold air to race into the home and warm air to flow out. The glass had no protective coatings against the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which damaged not only the furniture, curtains and hardwood but also damaged your skin. We know now that this can be a contributing factor to certain types of skin cancer.
Now…
Windows today offer an array of glass types and coatings to ensure the greatest amount of energy efficiency and home comfort. Some glass can even clean itself. Heated glass exists that plugs into your electrical outlet. The glass can actually heat the room. Glenn Munro of George Kent Home Improvement offered the following analogy: “We like to consider ourselves window doctors; we sit with the consumer, discuss the problems with their house in terms of energy loss and aesthetics and we provide a cure.”
Ethics Then…
It wasn’t that long ago that Danny DeVito starred in the movie, “Tin Men” (1987). The story highlighted the unethical conduct of the door to door home improvement salesman.
Now…
Companies like George Kent pride themselves on educating consumers on how to intelligently compare one company or product to another. Wayne from George Kent says, “Look carefully at the workmanship warranty for a good indicator of when you can expect to encounter problems.” Finally, always look for credible references. Our service pro directory at EIEIHome.com is an excellent resource where you can find customer reviews and tips on hiring contractors who have successfully worked with homeowners selecting new windows and doing complete window installation.
