Windows that have a .28 u factor or. Slightly lower, if installed correctly sealing the perimeter with foam are generally adequate for most homes. They will have low -e and argon normally in the csvity between the insulated glass. Now if you want to go for triple glazed glass and low e and Krypton glass, you can get down to .17 u. Generally the additional cost and added weight do not pay for the added expense. You may do well to also add insulation in the attic and make sure you ventilate the soffit and fascia. Heat tends to travel up. Make sure you get a good installer that know s how to insulate and do a quality install. 

Cheri,

Did this just happen three years after installation or could this have been there from the time of installation and you didn't notice.  Sometimes this can happen, especially on older homes that have old wooden windows where the installers use something like a chisel to literally "bust out" the old exterior blind stops on the window when installing replacement windows from the exterior.  The old wood can be very dense and hard to chip off.  The force of hitting on the exterior could cause this type of thing or as someone else said, could have a shim putting pressure against the back side of the interior trim.  You probably would have noticed that kind of damage right away though.

Typically a 70 year old house has already settled so you wouldn't think that was the cause, unless you are having some other kind of structural problems with the home.  If it were water, I would imagine you would see some kind of staining or drips on the interior as well.  

It's really difficult to say, unfortunately.  It could be installation related, but would be hard to say without pulling off the metal wrap on the exterior (assuming they were wrapped) and seeing what is going on.  

I dont really see any water damage. They could have by accident impacted the trim with the shims. Maybe send a pcture of the outside and that should tell us a little more

Hello! I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with your windows. From viewing your photos, it appears that there is water coming from up above the window. That being said, it could have been from improper installation or just bad windows. 

Please feel free to reach out to us and we can send one of our salemen out to have a look at what's going on with your windows.

Christy

EntryPoint Doors and Windows

5018 Bristol Industrial Way Suite 209

Buford, GA 30518

770-904-0094

Hello Aleric,
This is a great question as we get this all the time. Let's compare the two

Design
Vinyl windows are more attractive and has more options for finishes, but they are thicker than aluminum.

Aluminum has a thinner frame that give it a modern look.

Durability
Vinyl Windows are durable and don't dent easily.

Aluminum windows are a little better at resisting to scratching and cracking, but they do dent easily.

Energy efficiency
Vinyl Windows are better period. They are specifically designed to provide the very best in energy efficiency.

Aluminum Windows are like radiators, when it's hot outside, it will bring in the heat inside the rooms. It goes the same for the cold weather. Yes, Southern California has pretty much nice weather year around, but think about it's one of those times when it gets super hot or super cold. You can keep your condo at a comfortable level without having to use an air conditioner or turning on the heater.

Thermal Breaks
Vinyl windows is the best in thermal breaks. It minimizes heat transfer from the outside to the inside rooms.

Modern aluminum windows come with thermal breaks that are made of vinyl. It does help in making them a little more energy efficient, but overall vinyl beats it.


Cost
Vinyl windows are a better value and less expensive than aluminum.

Another benefit of vinyl windows is the noise reduction. They are more effective than aluminum. Something you might take into consideration if you live by a busy area. Of course every homeowner is different but overall vinyl windows are better in many situations. Here is a blog giving better details on the difference. Hope this helps https://www.sandiegobestwindows.com/blog/vinyl-vs-aluminum-windows/

Hi Aleric Stone,

We are a vinyl window replacement company located in Ontario, Canada. Of course, our weather is much different than that of California. I can however tell you a few pros and cons with Vinyl vs. Aluminum. 

Aluminum windows are well known for being lightweight and overall, very durable. Since they're aluminum, they are very malleable. Meaning they can really be tailored for almost any frame shape you can think of. Vinyl windows, however, carry the same qualities but are significantly better insulators. So when the temperatures in California get on the hotter side you can crank your A/C up and the cold air will stay in and the hot, outside air will remain outside. The Polyvinyl Chloride, otherwise known as PVC does not require painting, meaning maintenance is kept to the absolute minimum.

Not to mention, vinyl windows are significantly cheaper than aluminum options.  You'll find that vinyl windows are much more popular in home builds and less popular in commercial. Aluminum is undoubtably much more popular in commercial builds, and less frequently seen in home renovation. 

In the end, my suggestion would be vinyl - all the way!

If you have any further questions, pelase feel free to reach out, spotter@brockwindows.com.

As with the previous comments, you can use sandpaper to smooth out some of the damage, but be sure to rub the scratches along the grain of the wood. Next, apply mineral spirits (these are solvents made from paint thinner and petroleum) over the sanded area. Spread on wood filler with a Spackle knife to the damaged parts and allow it to dry as per the filler’s directions. After the wood filler has dried, lightly sand the area once again and brush away any dust before priming and painting your door.

While the image shows damage to the inside of your door, your pet may try scratching on the outside of door and its weather stripping in an attempt to be let inside. In order to prevent future damage to that part of your door, you can add a piece of vinyl lattice that matches the color of your doorframe. Cut the lattice to the length of the doorjamb. Place it over your foam weather stripping. Check to see that your door continues to close properly. Use finishing nails every foot to tack the vinyl lattice securely in place. A small amount of spackling will cover up the nail heads. Now the lattice will protect your weather stripping from further damage.

The right type of door for your home can make a huge difference. We install ProVia doors and they offer DuraGuard Series Storm Doors, which are ideal for keeping pets safely inside with their non-removable stainless steel screening.  

Best of luck with your dog and your door repair! 

They are definitely measured differently.  The insert window you would measure inside the existint window frame, which in most cases is built out of 3/4" lumber all the way around.  For a full replacement window, you can remove the interior casing and include that frame within your measurement.  In regards to our answer, better late than never.  If this process becomes a pain in the "sash" simply consult a professional.  Make it a great day!

I would concur with the above answers.  If you are able to fill with wood putty and paint that would prove to be the most cost effective option.  If you would like to go further, determine the brand of the door and I'm sure you could find a replacement sash.  I am like you, I love my dog like my children, continue to be patient and show your bowser the love he deserves.

Hi Peggy,

It can vary widely based on what kind of window you have now (aluminum, wood, vinyl, etcl) as well as if you have brickmould casing on the exterior etc.  It can be up to 5" different.  Just let the professionals who are going to order your windows take exact measurements for you so they can take all of that into consideration.  I agree with Michael that you should defnitely NOT order based on those measurements. You don't want to be repsonsible for purchasing wrong sized product if it doesn't fit. They can't be returned.

Hi Peggy,

The difference really varies based on the existing windows. For pricing purposes, you could add a couple inches to the L and W. However, DO NOT order windows based on those numbers.

Consider, a new dog

There are a few options depending on the circumstances, if the dog has scratched the slab and depending on material, you'll need an entirely new slab. You have the option of painting over the scratch, but the odds of that peeling into the future are high. Our doors are steel and fibreglass, fibreglass would require an entirely new door slab to be installed if you wish to rid the problem for good. To surely rid the problem, the dog or puppy should be trained before repair unless you want to experience a fruitness endeavour. 

When dealing with a wooden door, their are a few DIY solutions like sanding, filling sanding again and painting/staining over. 

It looks like the pup teaches classes on how to be a beaver 101. Sanding, filling and matching the colour back would be the best option in this circumstance, or simply an entirely new replacement. 

It looks like the dog did a pretty good job on the door. Since the door is painted, you could sand the area down with some 150 grit sand paper. After it is sanded then you can apply some High performance wood filler or car bondo.

Apply a thin layer over the damaged area and allow it dry ( a few minutes or more depending on the amount of hardener you use). After it is dry, sand untill smooth and then apply a second layer if you need to and then sand smooth. After the area is the way you want it, prime it and paint it.