Back in the late 70’s, the government mandated that residential window manufacturers could not use arsenic or other chemicals to treat the wood used in the manufacture of wood windows. All manufacturers decided to use untreated spruce or pine and, in a lot of cases, spliced together scraps to make longer parts. At that moment, the window restoration industry was created, although the first rotten windows did not surface until 10+ years later.
YES!! Your windows are an excellent product that just need to be restored. We’ve been at this over 20 years and we know that not all windows in a home go bad. Typically, deterioration occurs on south and west facing windows, but it can occur on north and east facing instead. Our value is that we save our customers a lot of money versus buying new windows and, because we have our own 12,000sf mill, we custom manufacture your components so they match your original windows.
For a standard construction IG unit, condensation collects between the layers of glass when the perimeter seal has failed and when the desiccant has become saturated, and can generally only be eliminated by replacing the IG. Also, large temperature differences between the inner and outer panes stress the spacer adhesives, which can eventually fail. Units with a small gap between the panes are more prone to failure because of the increased stress. The life of an IG panel varies depending on the quality of materials used, size of gap between inner and outer pane, temperature differences, workmanship and location of installation both in terms of facing direction and geographic location, as well as the treatment the unit receives. IG units typically last from 10 to 25 years, with windows facing the equator often lasting less than 12 years. IGUs typically carry a 10 year warranty depending upon the manufacturer. If IG panes are altered (such as installation of a solar control film) the warranty may be voided by the manufacturer.
Depending on your need, we can build a new IG panel to any size or shape, glass type (annealed or tempered), or tint (Low E or clear), and insert it into your existing window sash frame.
Yes, you can save lots of money by only replacing the glass! However, the entire insulating glass (IG) panel needs to be replaced, not just the broken piece of glass. An IG panel, consists of two glass panes bound together into a single unit with a seal between the edges of the panes. The glass panes are separated by a spacer bar, which separates the two panes of glass and seals the air space between them. An IG panel forms a very compact multi-layer sandwich of air and glass, which creates the insulation barrier needed to protect the interior temperature of your home from the outside.
Depending on your need, we can build a new IG panel to any size or shape, glass type (annealed or tempered), or tint (Low E or clear), and insert it into your existing window.
Typically, within 4 business days, your Project Manager will confirm the estimate, take measurements, and place the orders with our mill and/or our various vendors. In approximately 2 weeks from then, our Scheduling Department will contact you to set a specific day and time for the installation.
Click here to see our Work Day Expectations Guide.
It is our goal to keep our lead time at six (6) to eight (8) weeks. During the fall, which is typically our busiest time of the year, it can stretch out to ten (10) weeks. As fall approaches, we encourage our customers to get on the schedule sooner rather than later. Supply chain issues of certain vendors for certain products may also cause longer delays.
Since we have multiple crews that can handle larger jobs, we typically complete the work in one (1) day or less as we strive to minimize the time our customer’s need to be there.
Exteriors by Window Makeover Installers will respect you, your home and your property. Drop cloths will be used when necessary, and all work areas will be clean at the end of the day or job.
Your Installer will call you on the morning of your installation and let you know the crew is in route and notify you of any delays due to traffic conditions, etc. In the event of inclement weather, Exteriors by Window Makeover will secure all window openings, so your home remains secure overnight.
We need access to your home and garage for the duration of the project. Although 90% of the work is done from the outside, our installers will need to enter periodically. Please plan to remain onsite/accessible until the completion of your project. Please secure your pets and children far away from work areas.
Five feet of clearance is necessary on each side of the window for proper access. For liability purposes, we ask our installers not to move customer’s property. Please move any and all of the following that impede full access to the window(s), or that may fall due to the vibration of tools used.
Wall hangings
Window coverings to include, blinds, drapery, swags, cornice boards, etc.
Furniture
Know that your windows will be open while work is in progress. Plastic and/or tarps are not used to seal off openings during the installation process.
Although rare, please know that minor drywall cracks or nail pops surrounding your windows may appear through the reconstruction process. Although unfortunate, it is unavoidable.
On the exterior
Two feet of clearance on the outside of your windows is required in order to access them. Please ensure bushes and trees are trimmed prior to the day of install. Remove hanging baskets, etc. and know that we often need to position ladders, tools and equipment in landscaped areas. Please prepare to protect your foliage prior to our arrival. Our installers will need to park in close proximity to your home to constantly access equipment and tools. Remove vehicles from your driveway and garage.
In order to give great customer service, we schedule your job on an exact day and time as opposed to “sometime in the next few weeks”. Inclement weather can create havoc on this strategy, so we block out days in our schedule to accommodate changes. If your job needs to be rescheduled, it will be in the first available “blocked out” days. Your job will not move to the back of the line. Since we constantly watch the weather, we know that a forecast can change and we wait until the morning of your job before we make a decision to reschedule.
We require a 50% deposit and the balance is due upon completion. We accept checks and credit cards. Ask your estimator about our current finance options or your bank may offer a loan to help with your window project.
We are not required to be licensed or bonded. We are insured at the proper levels for all liability and Workmen’s Compensation.
No. We are a family-owned business with one owner running the Indianapolis operation and the other owner running the Atlanta operation.
All materials used in our restoration process are primed and painted white on the exterior. There still needs to be a color coat of paint applied after our work is completed. We can apply your final color coat on everything we install and we can paint your entire home if you’d like. The only interior painting required is if you buy a new sash.
