Coupons and "Sign Today" Discounts? Be aware that there are a group of window companies in Utah and Arizona that will initially quote your windows at double the price of most mainstream window companies. They then begin to offer you special promotions and huge discounts which often apply only if you "sign today". Don't be fooled by these high pressure tactitcs. At Homestar, we never offer fake discounts and our price is just as good after you sleep on it. In Addition, we GUARANTEE the best price!
Choice of Manufacturers? The gap in quality between window manufacturers is not as big as salespeople try to establish. When we come to your home, we will SHOW you some of the minor differences in locks and wheels and frame designs between the various manufacturers. But, to be completely honest, no matter which manufacturer you choose, your windows will likely require some maintenance or replacement parts in your lifetime. The real gap between manufacturers is in their warranty coverages and in their ability to honor warranties without a hassle. Though we carry 7 brands of windows, my strongest selling brand is Milgard. Milgard is an award-winning national brand window with the most comprehensive lifetime parts and labor warranty in the industry. My customers tend to choose Milgard because they love the auto locks and easy glide wheel system, but to me, Milgard's greatest asset is the way they honor their warranty. They truly provide a hassle free warranty experience for my customers.
Disparity in Prices Between Window Contractors? The best way to explain this is "overhead". Many of our competitors build fancy showrooms, warehouses facilities and support middle management personnel (been there, done that!) HomeStar chooses to be a lean, stremlined business, with a modest office and staff providing personalized customer service 40 hours a week. You don't have to visit a showroom... WE BRING OUR SHOWROOM TO YOU! Our windows are delivered directly to your home from the factory, so we don't need a warehouse. This is how we can provide the #1 rated window at the best price and overall value!
Energy Savings and Energy Ratings? Don't be fooled by overstatements about Energy Savings. The Average savings for window replacement is 10-20%.. Not 30-40% as often stated by some window dealers. The most reliable information on the subject is found at Energystar.gov and efficientwindows.org. In order to qualify as an EnergyStar rated window and receive Utility Company Rebates and Federal Tax Credits, your windows must have a U-Factor of .30 or below. NO matter what manufacturer you choose, your new windows will achieve this rating as long as they are vinyl framed with LowE3 coated dual pane glass with Argon Gas. Keep in mind that you achieve about 95-97% of your potential energy savings at this rating. Trying to get much below a .30 U-Factor is like "splitting hairs".
Triple Pane? Foam Filled Frames? Krypton Gas? There are some additional things you can do to drive the U-Factor and SHGC rating down a few more points by upgrading to triple pane glass, adding foam to the hollow cavity in the vinyl frame or adding Krypton Gas in place of Argon Gas. However, you will only gain a nominal amount of additional savings with these upgrades and you probably won't notice any real difference from a comfort level in the home. The cost for upgrading to these features is about 20-40% more or $1500-2000 for the average home. It would take 100 years or more to get a return on your investment!
"High Tech" Glass Spacers? Almost every manufacturer of vinyl windows uses "high-tech, energy efficient galss spacers". These spacers are placed between the layers of glass to seal the glass from condensation. Most manufacturer warranties now cover condensation between the glass for life. It's just not a big selling point anymore, so don't be fooled by all the hype about glass spacers. They are all pretty equal.
"Virgin Vynl"? Failures of vinyl framed windows due to cracking or yellowing are a thing of the past. Industry wide technology has improved since the 80's and 90's and there are only a handful of vinyl extruders in the US. They all use upgraded materials UV inhibitors and titanium oxide that protects the vinyl. Don't be fooled when you hear people talk about how their "virgin vinyl" is so much better than another... the gap is minimal at best. No manufacturer covers the potentiality of vinyl discoloration or yellowing, but bottom line, it's just not happening anymore.
Brass Wheels? Don't be fooled by claims that "brass is better". Brass wheels sound really rich, but are they really the best? Brass wheels tend to patina which leaves a black mark along the vinyl track. They corrode over time, squeak and eventually lock up. Believe it or not, the best wheels in the industry are double carriage Delrin (plastic) wheels with stainless steel axels. The plastic rides quietly and smoothly along vinyl tracks, never corrodes and can be easily replaced in about 60 seconds if they ever fail or get damaged.
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