We sat down with Home Improvement Consultant Jason Iwig from Hoffman Weber Construction to discuss windows trends and to answer common window questions that we get.
A. The truth is most people don’t know much about how windows are made and many contractors are partial to one brand or another. Full disclosure, my wife works for Marvin. Windows are a big investment so I try to understand each client’s look, performance and budget goals. Hoffman Weber handles a lot of hail damage claims, so we see a real difference in clad wood windows impact resistance. On a Marvin window the cladding gauge is as thick as a quarter. With Pella it’s more like a soda can. And Anderson is vinyl. Lindsay and Marvin Integrity use Fiberglass frames.
A. About 95 percent of the windows I sell are full frame. We only recommend inserts in historic homes where the interior woodwork would be compromised with a full frame installation. When we replace the entire window, we address rotted jambs, foam insulate the rough opening and seal the perimeter with flex wrap and Quad caulk. And the glass panes stay the same size.
A. We buy Lindsay vinyl windows direct so we can offer the best prices on them. But we also install Anderson, Pella and Marvin windows.
A. Fiberglass window frames are rigid and they expand and contract during seasonal temperature shifts at much the same rate as the glass. That’s good for seals. And unlike wood, fiberglass cannot rot from moisture exposure.
Read: Ask A Contractor - Roofing, Siding, and Window Trends With Jason IwigA. Black is different and bold because we’re not used to it, but it actually is fairly neutral. Black goes with almost any inside or out. It complements natural wood and a variety of colors. The contrast also can be effective framing natural light and the outdoor view. It often is used to achieve a contemporary or updated look. But you may have to dust a bit more often.