Massachusetts Vinyl Replacement Windows

It has been a bitter, cold winter in Massachusetts. If you are a homeowner that has old and drafty windows, I didn't need to tell you that. Replacing your old windows with energy efficient vinyl replacements windows will make your home more comfortable.

One of the first things we hear from our customers is how much quieter their new replacement windows have made their home. The new double or triple pane glass, combined with insulating all the voids during installation, greatly reduces the noise level.

The second is the decline of their energy bills. A high quality vinyl replacement window will lower your heating and cooling costs on average by 25%. There have been some cases where even greater savings are realized.

Not only do new replacement windows look great, they make window maintenance a thing of the past and make cleaning a breeze with the tilt-in feature.

Save $1500 on your Vinyl Replacement Windows

The Stimulus bill has been signed. This is great news if you have been considering having replacement windows installed in your home. Not only will you reap all the benefits of your new replacement windows, you will also be eligible for a tax credit.

The tax credit has certain requirements attached:

1) Your new replacement windows must have a U-Factor rating .30 or less.

2)Your new windows must have a SHGC rating of .30 or less.

You will be eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to a maximum of $1500 dollars. This is a credit and not a deduction. This means your tax liability will be reduced by $1500. If your replacement window project costs $5000 or more, you will be eligible for the the maximum credit of $1500.

$ 1500 Tax Credit for Installing Replacement Windows.

Part of the Stimulus Bill includes a tax credit available to homeowners that make their homes more energy efficient. Replacement windows are one of those energy efficient improvements. You can receive a credit of 30% of the cost up to a maximum credit of $ 1,500.00. The replacement windows must be installed by a professional contractor. There are certain energy related requirements tied to the tax credit. The windows must have a U-FACTOR rating of .30 or lower and also have a SHGC rating of .30 or lower. Not all replacement windows will meet these requirements. I will have more information on this tax credit over the next few days.

Fiberglass Replacement Windows

Fiberglass replacement windows are becoming more and more popular. The cost is considerably more expensive than a vinyl replacement window and comparable to a wood clad replacement window. As their popularity increases, the price will become competitive to your other options.

There are some significant benefits with a fiberglass replacement window. The fiberglass window is made the same way a boat hull is made. Making it extremely strong and durable. This makes it a good candidate for larger openings and high use applications. The insulating qualities of the fiberglass replacement window surpasses both the vinyl replacement window and the wood clad replacement window. It has the highest R-Value which will reduce your energy costs.

Fiberglass replacement windows are available in all sizes, styles and many colors. Fiberglass replacement windows can also be painted, unlike vinyl and wood clad windows. This will give you the piece of mind knowing you are not stuck with a white window for as long as you own your home.

Fiberglass replacement windows will continue to gain market share as time goes on.

If you are looking for replacement windows, fiberglass is worth a look.

Replacement Window Styles

The most common type of replacement window is the double hung window. This window allows you to open either the top sash(slides down) or the bottom sash (slides up) or a combination of both.This window is available with double or triple pane glass. You can also obtain the same look with a single hung window. However, the single hung window will only allow you to open the bottom sash.

A casement window has a more contemporary look. This window is hinged on either the right or left side and opens outward. It is operated by a hand crank. This window is also available in double or triple pane glass.

A sliding or rolling window looks similar to a casement window. The rolling window slides left or right within the window frame itself. It operates just like a sliding patio door operates.

Installing Replacement Windows During The Winter Months

Having your windows replaced in the cold weather is perfectly acceptable in most cases. With proper planning and installation techniques, the amount of time each window opening is without coverage, is minimal. There may be a small amount of heat loss during installation, but the benefits of your new energy efficient windows will recoup that loss immediately.

Replacement Window Q & A

Q: Why should I replace my windows?

A: Three reasons:
1) Replacing your windows is a great way to improve your homes value.
2) Your new replacement windows can reduce your energy costs by up to 40%
3) No more maintenance. Vinyl replacement windows are virtually maintenance free.

Q: How much will my new replacement windows cost?

A: Great question… 1st Choice Home Improvement Associates is here to help you purchase the right replacement window for your home, at the right price. As with most products, there is a price range. You can purchase cheap replacement windows and outrageously priced replacement windows. If you end up with a window on either end of the scale, you probably made a mistake.
A well built window, with the features you want will usually fall in the middle of the price range. 1st Choice Home Improvement Associates will be happy to discuss pricing over the phone. Please give us a call at your convenience 508-801-3482

Q: I had one of your competitors over last night to give us an estimate on replacing our windows. I have never felt so pressured. The salesman was here for three hours. I also thought their price was extremely high. I would like to have you out to give me an estimate but I want to be sure I don’t have to go through another one of those marathon sales presentations.

A: We will be happy to come out and give you an estimate for “FREE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE”. We are well aware of some of our competitors’ tactics. We do not believe in this technique. 1st Choice Home Improvement Associates values your time. We do not need you to give us an answer before we leave (it’s ok if you do!!). We will leave you with the knowledge you need to make a decision. As far as their “extremely high” price, we are generally less than half the cost of those guys.