You Have Questions –
We Have Answers.

Why should I consider replacing my old windows?

Because the fact of the matter is that if your windows are just 8 years old or older, you’re literally throwing money out your windows (pun intended.) Here is what the E.P.A. and ENERGY STAR have to say about your windows:

Energy star labeled windows are TWICE as efficient as the average windows manufactured just 10 years ago.

Windows are rated on how “energy efficient” they are in the following areas: U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, Air Leakage, and Condensation Resistance.

This sounds highly technical and confusing, we know. But in reality, it’s really not that confusing at all. In fact, the only rating you really need to concern yourself with is a windows U-Factor and here is why: A well-insulated window is going to keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round while cutting your energy costs. The only thing you need to remember is that the lower the number, the better the window insulates.

Consider This:

You can save approximately $30 per year in energy costs for every .01 you lower the U-value of your windows.

Now consider that our high-performance Low-E4 glass is 45% more efficient in winter and you can see how quickly your savings on your energy bills will add up. In fact, our windows start paying for themselves almost as soon as you install them.

Why don’t you offer fiberglass, wood, or vinyl windows?

Simply stated, none of these windows will last in Canadian weather. Many windows on the market today are mass-produced and designed to be “all-weather” windows that work in “average” weather climates. Once you get these windows into weather extremes, like the blistering cold winters of Canada, they simply fail… and a lot sooner than you think.

The reality is that expansion and contraction are the death knell of windows. It causes fractures, cracks, and weld seams to fail. Have you ever taken a piece of metal and folded it back and forth a bunch of times until it finally breaks? The same principle applies here. Our exclusive FIBREX material is specifically engineered and built to offer the lowest expansion and contraction rates in the industry. Bottom Line: our windows will not fail in Canadian weather.

Is all glass used in replacement windows the same?

No. Special consideration should be given to glass options such as tempered glass, Low-E glass, Argon gas, Krypton gas, and heat mirror. Each option offers various levels of energy efficiency and safety. For example, our HighPerformance Low-E4 Smart Sun glass™ is our most energy-efficient glass option. It has our highest efficiency rating in cool weather and is exceptional in the summer where solar heat gain can lead to a just plain uncomfortable home. SmartSun™ glass lets in almost as much natural daylight as clear glass.

• 45% more energy-efficient in winter*
• 70% more efficient in summer*
• Blocks 95% of harmful UV rays

What should I look for in a replacement window warranty?

We believe that a manufacturer’s faith in its own product should be reflected in its product warranty. Simply put, if the manufacturer believes in its own product, that product should have a great warranty. Remember, any warranty is only as valid as the stability of the manufacturer that’s providing it.

With that being said, Andersen Windows has been around for over 115 years and is the leader in window technology and manufacturing.

Are all frames and sashes made the same?

No. However, it is hard to tell, just by looking, which frames and sashes are made of high-quality materials and which are not. Window frames and sashes made from low-quality materials have a slight blue or grayish hue. Without painting your window frames should be a bright, brilliant white.

Which is more important in saving energy, the frame or the glass?

This is a GREAT question. Here is what you need to know, over seventy percent of an average window is the glass. Therefore, your biggest opportunity to save on energy comes from the glass. So it might be worth spending a little more money for a higher grade glass. But, the frame still makes up 30% of the window. In other words, even if you spend money on the best glass in the world, if the frame isn’t “up-to-snuff” you’re wasting your money. So make sure you are getting a good balance between the frame and the glass.

How Come Your Windows Aren’t As Cheap As Those Other Guys?

Again, great questions. Window Installations cost money, that isn’t a secret. There are window installation companies out there that advertise windows for less than $200 a window. That is an incredible price! Why don’t we offer something like that?

The answer is that those windows aren’t very good. In the industry, they are referred to as either “builder grade” or “contractor grade” windows. In other words, they are the cheapest windows made that are purchased in bulk by contractors/builders. They are just good enough to pass inspection—and that’s about it. Honestly, these types of “sales” are simply hooks to get you to dial the number.

They will then explain that the windows you really want cost a lot more. The windows they are advertising for that incredible price have design flaws that cause them to not be a very energy-efficient window.

We sell windows at what they actually cost, and the windows we carry are energy efficient and built to fit your window frames. That means they cost more, but they will save you money on energy bills and will make your home look fantastic. Our prices are what they are, but you will know it before you sign up for our services and you know EXACTLY what you are paying for. At Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia, there are no games, no gimmicks, and never any “gotcha’s.”