Having issues with your home’s windows? If your property was constructed recently, the problem may be due to a little-known issue among homeowners—inferior “builder-grade” windows.
These features may look good at first glance, especially to the average home buyer. But they don’t give you the performance you deserve. As a result, your home can be at risk of damaging leaks, high energy bills, and break-ins.
But because they help builders cut costs—and corners—they are all too common in newer homes. Read on to learn some of the issues that come with contractor’s windows, and why you should invest in replacement windows sooner rather than later.
What Are Builder-Grade Windows?
Simply put, these windows are inferior, low-quality options that don’t do a good job of protecting your home.
While most builders offer upgrade options, many new home buyers don’t understand the ramifications of choosing the least expensive windows. They may see it as just an added cost, rather than a smart decision that safeguards their home for decades.
In addition, builders may cut corners in the installation or make mistakes due to inexperience. The end result is that your windows won’t be properly sealed, exposing your home to the elements. The damage can multiply without the homeowner realizing it until it’s too late.
How Long Do Contractor’s Windows Last?
Unfortunately, builder-grade windows are less sturdy than other options, and on average, homeowners have to replace them within 5 to 10 years of their installation.
By comparison, higher-quality windows last much longer—ranging from 15 to 30 years of performance, or more.
Why Do Builder-Grade Windows Need Replacing?
Let’s talk about some of the many reasons builder-grade windows should be replaced with high-quality ones as soon as possible.
1. Tendency to Leak
If you see moisture between two window panes, it’s because the seal required to keep the window energy-efficient has failed. This is all too frequent with builder-grade windows. Their parts are cheap and easily break down.
Windows with broken seals are less efficient. They can also let in moisture that can damage the areas around the window. New windows solve that.
2. Cleaning Difficulties
Builder-grade windows are next to impossible to keep clean. Most are single-hung, so you can’t open the upper sash. Windows on second floors require a ladder for a good cleaning, and that’s dangerous.
Better-quality windows usually come double-hung as their preferred style, which are much easier and safer to clean.
3. Foggy Views
Many times, builder-grade windows are made of inferior glass that easily fogs up when the weather changes. You don’t get to enjoy your outdoor views.
This is one of the main reasons people choose new, top-of-the-line windows like Marvin and Pella as their trusted replacements.
4. Draftiness
Drafty builder-grade windows mean that your home’s comfort level isn’t what it should be. This issue can be due to faulty weather stripping that doesn’t properly seal, or a failure to install the windows snugly.
Drafts also increase your energy usage and cause utility bills to spike. Having lower-quality windows replaced by premium Marvin and Pella products will fix this problem.
Want a truly energy-efficient home? The right replacement windows are a must. Here’s why.
5. Poor Noise Reduction
If you can hear every dog barking or lawn mower in the neighborhood, then you probably have builder-grade windows. These products don’t use the latest technology to reduce neighborhood sounds—making your home uncomfortable.
Top-notch replacements can resolve this issue so well, you won’t know what to do with all the peace and quiet you’re getting. But you’ll enjoy it!
6. Difficulty Opening and Closing
When cheaper products are used on a new house, it doesn’t take long for them to stop working properly. You’ll find yourself unable to enjoy the most basic use of your windows because they were poorly made.
With today’s numerous options and features, opening and closing your windows with ease should never be a concern.
7. Poor Insulation
Often, when we replace builder-grade windows, we discover a common installation failure. Either a small, inadequate amount of insulation was used—or none at all. This happens when inexperienced builders are in a rush.
Getting new windows installed by pros eliminates this issue—especially with teams like ours that only do windows, and care about every detail of our craftsmanship.
8. Security Risk
Builder-grade windows compromise your home’s safety. A pry bar can pop out inferior, flimsy windows super-fast, putting you at risk of home invasions and robberies.
What’s great about premier windows like Pella and Marvin is that they offer many custom safety options, including shatterproof glass, high-end locks, and more.
9. No UV Protection
Sunshine is lovely, but its UV rays can cause furniture and fabrics in your home to fade or become damaged.
Low-quality windows typically lack the impressive UV protection that is available for higher-end products.
Choose a Certified Contractor to Upgrade Your Home Windows
Just as you shouldn’t settle for poor windows, you also shouldn’t accept an inferior windows company to do the installation. You deserve to know your replacement windows truly have all the features you want, and are set into place exactly as they need to be—so you get the lasting performance and beauty you desire.
Choose a windows team that knows what they’re doing, and has the training and certification to prove it. At Siding & Windows Group, our windows professionals only do window installations, and we’re certified with Marvin and Pella.
Enjoy a variety of gorgeous styles and impressive features to choose from, as well as the assurance that your windows are installed right the first time—and your manufacturer’s warranty is protected!
Start dreaming of the possibilities for your home by checking out our windows installation services—and remember, we’re here to assist you when you’re ready.