Your Guide to Selecting a New Window or Door
Window and door shopping can be easy—once you know what to look for.
Information is your best friend in the buying process. The more you know, the quicker you’ll narrow the field—and the better you’ll feel about your window and door decisions.
This Selection Guide includes the top qualities to consider when you’re in the market for new or replacement windows and doors.
Materials
You simply can’t beat the value or versatility of vinyl replacement windows and doors. It combines aesthetic curb appeal with flexible design, energy efficiency and structural stability.
Vinyl acts as an excellent insulator. Fusion-welded sash and frame corners provide a tight fit and finish, and there’s no danger of shrinking or expanding in extreme temperatures. Various glazings can create an even stronger barrier against outside conditions.
Best of all, vinyl is virtually maintenance free: You’ll never have to paint or seal vinyl doors or windows, and an occasional cleaning with a cloth and mild detergent is all they need to continue looking like new.
Sound Control
Where do you live? A suburban utopia with lots of children playing and dogs barking? A bustling urban setting?
Look for double weather stripping windows and doors for added noise reduction. Dual pane construction, among other options, minimize outside noise.
Weather/Impact Protection
If you live in a coastal area or near a golf course, consider impact-resistant doors or windows. If you decide to purchase impact-resistant products, inspect their certifications to ensure they meet regional code standards.
Don’t forget draft reduction, particularly in wind-prone areas. Be sure to examine the weather stripping, frames, number of panes (more is better) and the method of installation for each door and window.
Style
Looks matter. That’s why it’s important to go with a manufacturer like YKK AP that offers different colors, inside and out, and helps you match any new windows and doors with your existing structure or the design features of your new home. New colors, grille patterns and screen options can all enhance your façade and augment your current design.
As for architectural proportions, look for products with different frame widths on the tops and sides.
And keep in mind that not all manufacturers allow you to mimic the look of traditional wood windows.
Security
Selecting a new door also means choosing a secure barrier. YKK AP’s two point locks, anti-lift blocks and heavy-duty rollers will meet your security objectives while providing light and beauty from outside.
Warranty
Choose a manufacturer that stands behind the products it sells. Your windows and doors should come with a limited lifetime warranty, providing protection against manufacturing defects to the purchasing owner.
