Are you considering installing new retrofit windows in your home? This video explores the pros and cons of retrofit windows so you can decide if this is the right choice for your home. We'll look at a variety of popular window types, such as Anlin, Milgard, and Pella windows, to determine if retrofit installation is the best approach for your needs. Whether you're remodeling or replacing an existing window, don't miss this important advice about retrofit windows. Watch now to find out if this is the right choice for your home!
Hey guys, Sean with American Window Concepts.
Today, let's talk a little bit about the pros and cons
of a retro style replacement.
Let's get into this.
So a lot of customers say,
hey Sean, what are the pros and cons
of a retro style replacement
versus new construction or something else?
The pros are if you are not wanting to spend a lot of money
but you still wanna have a high performance window,
if you're not wanting to break stucco or pull siding,
reflash, cut back, drywall,
all these extra things that add to the labor costs,
then retro is a good option for you.
Retrofitting is probably about 95% of what we do here.
Simply just say, hey, listen,
these single pane windows, they're horrible.
I just need something to really help the temperature
on the inside or the drafts.
Yeah, retrofitting is perfect.
A few cons regarding retro replacement.
Number one, if it's installed improperly.
Not every installer is gonna use the proper sealants
or the proper techniques to install your windows.
If they're using the wrong sealants
and you're going out to spray down the house
or you got some rain coming
and all of a sudden you got some dripping
coming from the top of your window frame,
you're like, oh man, what gives?
Well, they probably used the wrong sealants
or they didn't use enough sealants
or apply it the right way.
Then it becomes a nuisance.
The other is gonna be,
well, you're leaving the main frame in,
whether it's 5 1⁄8 of an inch to two inches wide.
The new window frame that you bought
is gonna sit inside the existing window frames.
So you're gonna lose, inherently,
a little bit of that glass surface, right?
The size of your actual overall window
is gonna be slightly smaller.
For some, that's fine.
Others, not so.
And then lastly,
if the installer is not shimming the bottoms very good,
you could have an issue with operations.
Then your sash, the one that slides back and forth,
is not gonna meet the top lock.
The track is going to kind of pinch
at the sash that's sliding back and forth.
And what ends up happening is
you fall out of love with the window.
That is going to be because they did not shim properly.
And I don't mean wood shims or anything like that.
I mean absolute composite or vinyl shims
to go underneath the vinyl window.
That way, there's no collapsing of the frame,
depending on the kind of customer you are.
Retrofin, a little less money, less invasive,
and you're gonna lose a little bit of window.
New construction, maybe that's the aisle for you.
But you're the one who needs to determine that.
Okay, guys?
Hopefully, this helps.
If you have any questions,
you can always go to the comments section.
Try to reach out as soon as possible.
Thanks, guys, for watching this.
Hey, guys, if you live in the Ventura
or Long Beach area
and are interested in a free in-home estimate,
go to our website, americanwindowconcepts.com,
and we'll reach back out to you as soon as possible.
If you guys find this information valuable
and you wanna continue to learn more
about windows and doors, subscribe to our channel.
Thank you so much.
