Similar to the walls of the house, all windows must withstand the extremes of weather. From heat to cold, wet to dry, sun to shade, wind to calm, every window in the home must facilitate a constant and comfortable interior environment, no matter how inclement or extreme the weather outside.
Make Fourniers your one-stop, go-to source
for the highest-quality, most durable -- and
affordable -- window products. There is no
substitute for knowledge, experience and
expertise.
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When it comes to installing new windows, Fourniers knows it's hard for you to know which window is the right one for you. Windows are complex, precision, and fragile machines that must open and close at a touch to let in air and light. Whether they pivot from the side or top, slide up, down, or sideways -- windows are largely ignored until they don't work, or begin to deteriorate. And, because windows tend to dominate walls, both outside and inside of the house, they are the single greatest design focus in most homes.
Though windows are chosen for function (light and air, and an efficient weather barrier), their form and fashion are equally important to the overall design, comfort, and convenience of a homeowner's lifestyle.
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HOW DO WE JUDGE THE VALUE OF WINDOWS?
Energy Efficiency and Comfort - Having to operate in all kinds of weather and environmental extremes, and
yet maintain stable and comfortable interior temperatures and noise levels, windows should have high R-values
to resist heat loss and maximize energy conservation in all seasons. These features include low conductivity,
low emissivity, and a design that takes advantage of the sun's warmth in the winter, while lessening its effect in
the summer. And, while you're letting the light in, windows should block the fading effects of UV rays.
Drafts, feeling "cold," condensation, and heat loss will make any home feel uncomfortable. In fact, statistics
show that up to 50 percent of the heat loss in the average home can be through old, drafty windows. Windows
also should have high condensation resistance values (CRF) to help avoid annoying condensation. Heat loss
conduction through the glass and frame of an old, inefficient window can lose the equivalent of a pint of oil
every day - for every window.
Air infiltration due to a crack of 1/16-inch around the average window frame is like having a hole in your wall
the size of a brick. In an average home that can be a hole the size of 15 bricks, or leaving a window open six
inches on the coldest day. Additionally, quality replacement windows can significantly reduce interior noise levels.
Beauty and Style - The replacement of windows and doors is the single biggest improvement you can make
to your home because the benefits can be enjoyed inside and outside your home -- at the same time.
Many architectural designs associated with houses have made windows and doors a design focal point. Large
glass areas, angular and circular shapes, colors, grid patterns and decorative glass options all add to the beauty
and style of any home.
Durability - All quality windows operate well the day they are installed, but begin to deteriorate through con-
stant operation and weather extremes. Dirt, rain, sun and the natural expansion and contraction of all homes
take a toll on window units. The quality of the components and the precision of the design can make premium
windows last a lifetime.
Old windows stick, can be hard to operate, or maybe they are just worn out. Old putty, rotted frames, cracked
glass, poor fit, broken hardware, worn or missing weatherstripping, single pane glass, or poor storm windows
can make the best windows old before their time. Trying to stave off the inevitable can take hours of caulking,
painting, repair, and frustration. In fact, most repair costs are greater than replacement costs in severely
damaged windows.
Ease of operation - Windows should be air and water tight but must easily open and close. The weatherstrip-
ping, balances, tilt latches and/or operators need to work smoothly and with precision.
Safety and Security - Broken locks and loose windows are invitations to break-in. The locks and balance
mechanisms of today's modern replacement windows can be a deterrent. From cleaning to locks, windows
need to be safe and secure. The ability to safely clean from inside of the house is important, as are the locking
system. Even the screens need to offer security.
These are important considerations for anyone choosing new windows. That's why it makes sense to go with
the best -- Fourniers Door & Window.
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FOURNIERS OFFERS YOU:
- Consultation services, including a product needs review, appraisal of
your present windows and their performance, and careful measurement
of the window openings to ensure a custom fit -- with no damage.
- Custom manufacture and delivery of your new windows.
- Clean removal of the old window.
- Preparation of the opening.
- Installation of the new window by certified Fourniers installers.
- Sealing the new window and wrapping the exterior molding with cap
stock.
- Complete clean-up and disposal of all old windows, parts and debris.
- Cleaning and inspecting the new windows, and a satisfaction review.
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VINYL WINDOWS BY FOURNIERS
A vinyl window can be inexpensive, durable, and remarkably energy efficient when designed properly to minimize thermal transfer. Vinyl windows are durable and dimensionally stable. Vinyl window frames with heat-welded joints are more rigid than mechanically joined vinyl frames, and provide better resistance to temperature stresses. Interior webs also strengthen the frame and improve its thermal performance.
Vinyl windows are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material has many advantages, including being virtually maintenance-free. It can't be painted, but is often available in white and various neutral colors that complement many house colors. Because the color goes all the way through the material, scratches and dings are nearly impossible to see. Consequently, a vinyl window or patio door can look nearly new for years.
There will be differences in the quality of one manufacturer's vinyl compared to another. This is because a vinyl window frame is made from a compound—a recipe of sorts—that dictates its performance over time. Each additive to a company's vinyl recipe helps determine the long-term characteristics of the final product, like its weather and impact resistance. For example, titanium dioxide makes the vinyl more heat resistant. At first glance, competing windows may look the same, but there can be key differences in the vinyl recipe used and how vinyl parts are formed to make a window structurally strong and optimize insulation performance.
Vinyl Window and Door Frame Benefits
- Exceptionally energy efficient
- Extremely durable
- Non-corroding
- Virtually maintenance-free
- Available in a wide range of styles and shapes
- Cost effective
- Easy to install
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FOURNIERS REMINDS YOU:
New windows won't work right if they're not installed right.
New vinyl replacement windows should be measured to fit, manufactured, and installed according to your
exact requirements and specifications. The big box store retailers are geared toward one-size-fits-all
solutions. In the end, it is likely you will have to compromise regarding your important wants and needs.
Window and door products have become more sophisticated. They are now precision appliances that
control the interior environment, while operating reliably for long periods of time.
You can trust your Fourniers installers. Our skill and technical knowledge will assure you a trouble-free
product and the satisfactory installation of your new vinyl replacement windows. You'll be glad to know
that each window you have purchased has been designed, built, and installed to exacting standards.
Whatever your window requirements, Fourniers has what you need, including: double hung windows,
casement windows, horizontal sliding windows, awning style windows, bay windows, and other styles.
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