People call Neighborly Window Installation all the time with questions about upgrading their old, drafty windows. Living right here in Crawford County means dealing with freezing winter winds and muggy, 90-degree summer afternoons, so your windows take a real beating year-round. Neighborly Window Installation hears the same concerns pop up over and over from homeowners in Pittsburg, KS. The answers to the most common questions local homeowners ask are detailed below.
How long does a typical double-pane window installation take?
For an average house around town with ten to twelve standard windows, the crew from Neighborly Window Installation usually knocks out the whole job in about two to three days. If you have a historic home near Pittsburg State University with custom woodwork or oversized openings, the Window Installation process might take a little longer. Neighborly Window Installation never rushes the sealing process because a quick job leads to air leaks down the road.
Will double-pane windows actually lower my energy bills?
Yes, but it is important to be realistic about the numbers. If you are replacing single-pane glass or warped 1970s aluminum frames, you will notice an immediate drop in your monthly utility bills. Kansas weather swings hard from season to season, and a quality double-pane unit with Low-E glass and argon gas fill stops that heat transfer dead in its tracks. Window Installation takes the load off your HVAC system, which is a massive relief during our freezing Januarys and humid Julys in Pittsburg, KS.
What causes double-pane windows to fog up between the glass?
That fog means the seal has failed. Once the perimeter seal breaks down, moisture and air get trapped inside the sealed unit, and there is no way to squeegee it clean from the inside. When Neighborly Window Installation sees this happen on cheap windows, it is usually due to poor manufacturing or shifting structural framing. That is why Neighborly Window Installation always recommends products with solid warranty coverage on the insulated glass unit itself for homes in Pittsburg, KS.
Can I install these windows myself to save money?
You can find DIY window kits at big box stores, but that approach is not recommended unless you really know your way around framing and flashing. If a window is not plumb and square down to the millimeter, the Window Installation will not operate right, and water will find a way into your walls during our heavy spring storms. Plus, most major window manufacturers will void their warranties if a certified pro did not put them in.
How do I know if I need full-frame replacement or an insert?
It all depends on the condition of your existing wood framing. If the studs and sills around the opening are rotting or water-damaged—something Neighborly Window Installation runs into a lot in older local homes—an insert will not fix the root problem. Neighborly Window Installation has to tear it down to the studs with a full-frame replacement, clean out the rot, and install fresh flashing so your new windows stay dry and secure in Pittsburg, KS.
What maintenance do double-pane windows require?
Not much, honestly. Wash the glass a couple of times a year and check the exterior caulking every few seasons to make sure it has not cracked or pulled away. Modern vinyl and fiberglass frames do not need scraping or painting, which saves you a weekend of chores every spring after your Window Installation.