We have experienced some pretty cold, damp days recently and I am quite concerned about the moisture buildup that I see every morning on my single-pane windows. Like many of the homes built in my area in the mid to late ‘60s, the original windows no longer provide the warmth or the beauty that newer windows provide. So, the big question is: How do I go about changing my old windows? The choices seem endless!

I have had several advertisements hung on my doorknob, and a growing stream of young, energetic door-to-door salespeople trying to persuade me to have an energy audit, or have a company rep drop by to give me a quote. This all seems a bit impersonal and detached from really knowing who these people are or what quality they provide.

I interviewed Jim Mathwig who is a recent transplant to the Seattle area, and who has worked as a General Contractor for over 25 years in California under the name, JR Mathwig Builders. He has considerable experience and expertise in window, door and skylight installations, particularly in high-end homes in California.

Some of the things that I gleaned from our conversation about windows were:

• It is important that installations be done correctly for long-lasting solutions…”Doing it right…once!”
• The sealing system of a window should primarily be mechanical, not just a large bead of caulking filling structural gaps.
• A correctly installed window will be fastened to the sheathing, and then have its fins covered with rubberized tape (such as Vycor).
• Then, the trim should fit tightly to the window, either set-in (an opening, the width of the trim piece, is cut around the window through the siding but not through the sheathing) so that it lays flat on a lap-sided wall; or fastened to the siding (if it is flat) but tight to the window frame.
• Caulking should be used under the trim and then around the perimeter of the trim, paying special attention to the top trim piece (often a source of leaking).
• Stucco provides its own challenges, and usually requires repair of the plaster to complete the job.
• You should check at several places to decipher window quality. Contractors, homeowners and building supply stores will usually give honest answers to your questions about the quality of the product, satisfaction with the installation and value for the price.
• If you work with a contractor, ask for a list of previous customers in your area and chat with a couple of them about their experience and how they feel about their new windows.
• Energy Star ratings are important, plus you should feel that you are getting an attractive, well-made product. (Read more: Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency)
• A good-looking, good-quality window is an important investment.
• Windows are a small percentage of a home’s overall cost, but can dramatically increase the value, appearance and energy efficiency of your home.
• There are lots of choices to make: vinyl or wood frame, UV coated or not, how the window opens, muttons (the grid between the two glass panels that makes the window look like it is several smaller panes of glass), energy rating, and size.
• Look at other homes and find something you really like and then try to match that product.

Enjoy the warmth, beauty and satisfaction of making a valuable improvement to your home.

Find Quality Local Windows Contractors