Grand Rapids, Michigan Window Replacement
Last updated on 11/15/2019
Grand Rapids window replacement companies can help you make sure that your new windows fit your need and your home perfectly. Sometimes knowing when you need to get new windows can be difficult. If you suspect that you may need a window replacement, a great way to find out for sure is to contact a Grand Rapids window replacement company for advice on the signs and symptoms that you might need a replacement window or two. These Michigan window companies have experts with all the experience they need to help you make sure you don't purchase a product you don't need, but that you absolutely do get the replacement window you do need.
Needing Window Replacement
There are a couple of signs and symptoms that you can look for that tell you without a doubt that you do need to contact a Grand Rapids, MI window replacement company about getting a couple of new windows. One of the primary, although belated, signs that your current windows are not doing everything they need to do is when you start noticing drafts within your home in Grand Rapids. You may notice the draft in front a couple of particular windows, or you may notice a general draft in an area of your Michigan home. Whichever the case may be, when you start feeling the outside air inside your home without any windows open, you will probably be wanting to call a Grand Rapids window replacement company.
The problem with waiting until you need a window replacement in your Grand Rapids, MI home is that by that point your project will likely be a lot more expensive. By the time you are feeling significant drafts in your home, you are probably already experiencing a higher electric bill and you may have a bigger Grand Rapids window replacement project to do than you expected. By contacting a local Grand Rapids, Michigan supplier of windows, you can get some great advice on how to notice a need for new windows sooner and thereby save yourself some money.
Replacing Frames
Getting new windows from your Grand Rapids window replacement company may need to involve more than just new windows. Some homes in Grand Rapids have problems with drafts and windows that won't open fully or correctly because the frames for those windows have become damaged in some way. Most of the time, frames naturally deteriorate over the course of time. This is particularly true of wooden frames. Being consistently exposed to the elements, precipitation, harsh sunlight, and so forth, causes the wood to degrade and to warp.
Warping is a significant cause of drafts, because it leaves a space between the frames and the panes of your windows. Before you purchase windows for your Grand Rapids, MI home and have them installed, make sure that your frames are in as good a shape as the new replacement windows you bought. If the windows are brand new but the frames are still warped or deficient in some way, then you will end up with many of the same problems as you had before your Grand Rapids window replacement project.
Finding a Good Supplier
Grand Rapids window replacement companies tend to each have a different approach to doing business. There are some companies that have a particular focus that they concentrate on the majority of the time while they perform adequately in other areas. An example would be a company that prides itself on excellent customer service. They may not have the best availability of product in the city, or the lowest prices, but their dedication to helping you get exactly what you need is unparalleled.
Another kind of Grand Rapids window replacement company you might find is one that tries to do above average in many areas, but not exceptional in any one area necessarily. You might find a company that has a reasonable volume of windows to choose from, fair prices that aren't the lowest or the highest you've ever seen, and good customer service. There are benefits to each kind of company depending on what level of assistance with your project you need from them. If you already know the style of windows that you want for your home, maybe you don't need to find a company with the largest variety of windows. If you're not sure, however, then many a business that has a lot to choose from would be a better route for you. Before going shopping, try to figure out what you want from the company you choose, and that will make your choice easier.
Grand Rapids window replacement companies want to help make putting new windows in to your home an easy and even pleasant experience. With the right company, your home improvement project can be fast, fun, and can even save you money.
Grand Rapids, Michigan U-Factor and SHGC Ratings for Replacement Windows
When shopping for replacement windows in Grand Rapids, Michigan - located in Kent County - it is extremely important to purchase windows (and doors) with the correct u-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) as rated by Energy Star.
Energy Star determines the u-factor and SHGC that will give you the most energy efficienct replacement windows, skylights, and doors based on your county's climate zone.
The climate zone assigned to your county takes into account how extreme the seasons are in your area. How warm and cold it gets in Grand Rapids determines how well your new windows will need to keep out the cold air and the hot sun.
Below, you will find a table with the climate zones and corresponding u-factor and SHGC ratings for Grand Rapids, Michigan and Grand Rapids's metro area counties including: Ionia County MI, Kent County MI, Montcalm County MI, and Ottawa County MI.
The climate zone, u-factor and SHGC listed for your county in the Grand Rapids, MI area will help you to determine which replacement windows, skylights, and doors will maximize energy savings for your home.
To find the Energy Star recommended u-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for your county in the Grand Rapids metro area, simply do the following:
- Find your county in the left most column.
- Find your climate zone in the orange box to the right of the column with your county's name.
- Under the orange box with your climate zone, find the dark grey box with the product you are looking for - window replacements, new doors, or skylights.
- Under the product type, you will find the best u-factor and shgc as determined by Energy Star.
- When getting quotes from contractors, be sure that your window replacements, new skylights, and/or replacement doors have these ratings to maximize energy efficiency in your home.
| Counties | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ionia County MI Kent County MI Montcalm County MI Ottawa County MI |
Northern Climate Zone | |
| Windows | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.30 or less | 0.00 or more | |
| 0.31 | 0.35 or more | |
| 0.32 | 0.40 or more | |
| Skylights | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.50 or less | Any | |
| Solid Doors (No Glass) | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.17 or less | No Rating | |
| Doors with Less than Half Glass | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.25 or less | 0.25 or less | |
| Doors with More than Half Glass | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.30 or less | 0.40 or less | |
If you don't see your home's county above, use the u-factor and solar heat gain co-efficient (SHGC) search tool below to search for your Grand Rapids, MI area county's recommended window efficiency ratings.
Use the table above or the tool below to search for the specific u-factor and SHGC for your county so that you are educated and have this information on hand in order to maximize the financial return on your investment in new windows, new skylights and/or new doors in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
Remember to research thoroughly prior to making a window replacement or replacement door purchase, regardless of whether you are installing the windows and doors yourself or having them installed by a licensed professional contractor.
Grand Rapids Window Suppliers
Below you will find a list of local window retailers, contractors, installers, and manufacturers in the Grand Rapids area.
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