Choosing A Contractor Who Knows Vinyl Window Ratings

Unless you're a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, a vinyl window installation project is one you'll want to leave to the pros. But make sure that the contractor you hire is qualified to do the job--and that includes understanding vinyl window ratings.

Vinyl Window Installation: Choosing a Qualified Contractor

Contractors come in a variety of forms--freelance, company-sponsored and small business, to name a few. Selecting a professional based on price, referral or convenience can spell disaster more often than not. The Minnesota Building Industry Foundation recommends the following guidelines for choosing a contractor to complete your vinyl window installation project.

• Check the Department of Commerce. Ask for the contractor's license number to verify status; check for a disciplinary history
• Verify Experience. Find out how long and in what states the contractor has been in business
• Request References. A good contractor will have a history of satisfied customers

Vinyl Window Ratings: What They Mean

Vinyl window ratings directly impact your home's energy-efficiency as well as your qualification for tax breaks--we're talking potentially thousands of dollars. The National Fenestration Rating Council reveals the components of vinyl window ratings and the standards that products must meet.

• Look for the NFRC Label. A nonprofit organization that provides uniform, accurate information about the energy performance of windows
• Compare Product Performance. U-factor and Solar Heat Gain are the two most important energy ratings
• Look For The ENERGY STAR Label. Certified by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency
• Energy Code Requirements. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) matches product performance with national climate zones

The bottom line? A qualified contractor plus a certified energy-efficient product equals vinyl window installation project success.