There are a number of reasons people replace their windows—from energy efficiency to security to maintenance to pure aesthetics. One of the biggest reasons is energy efficiency. If you’re in the market for new windows, there’s a good chance your current ones are old and drafty and causing your energy bills to increase!

This is why it’s so important to get energy-efficient windows.

Energy-Efficient Windows: Insulated Glass

One of the components of an energy-efficient window is the glass. In fact, most windows manufactured today have insulated glass (glazing).

What Is Insulated Window Glass?

Windows with insulated glass are double-pane windows. Insulated glass refers to two panes, separated by what’s known as a spacer, which is usually filled with argon or krypton gas. This spacer seals the gas between the two panes. It can be made of different materials (aluminum, structural foam, etc.). Panes vary in thickness.

What Are the Benefits of Insulated Glass?

Insulated window glass maximizes energy efficiency and offers several benefits related to this. Double-pane windows:

• Can help reduce your energy bills
• Can help eliminate drafts and make your home more comfortable all year round
• Provide better soundproofing and help reduce outside noises
• Tend to be more durable
• Are more secure (double-pane windows are harder to break)
• Can help reduce moisture infiltration problems and related problems, like mold growth

If you’re replacing your old windows, there’s no reason to not buy energy-efficient windows with double glazing!

Double-Pane Window Installation in the Indianapolis Area

For those in central Indiana, Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie has your window needs covered. We offer energy-efficient products from American Window and Great Lakes Window.

Windows from American Window have ¾-inch thick insulated glass, argon filled spacers and double-coated low-E glass. Some of the features may vary depending on the product line.

Windows from Great Lakes Window have 7/8-inch thick insulated glass and polyurethane R-Core® insulation filled mainframes.

No matter your window energy efficiency needs, let us help. Contact us to learn more about our services or if you’re ready to schedule an initial window replacement consultation!

Do you need to replace your home’s old windows? You’re probably trying to decide on a material—and you have numerous options to choose from! Perhaps you’re considering vinyl and aluminum.

Which one should you get? Which is better—vinyl windows or aluminum windows? Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie can answer all your window questions, so continue reading to learn more about vinyl windows compared to aluminum.

Aluminum Windows vs. Vinyl Windows

No one window material is the best—it all depends on your needs and priorities. All materials have their own advantages. The factors most people look at when determining which type of windows they want include:

• Energy efficiency
• Durability
• Maintenance
• Price

Let’s see how vinyl windows and aluminum windows compare! Take a look at the table below.

Difference Between Vinyl and Aluminum Windows

Aluminum windows only trump vinyl in terms of strength. These two windows have similar qualities, but vinyl is better in terms of:

• Energy efficiency
• Price

Aluminum windows tended to be more popular when energy prices were less of a concern. So if high energy efficiency and affordability are your biggest priorities, you may want to go with vinyl windows.

Vinyl Window Installation in Indianapolis

If you’re interested in replacing your old, drafty windows with new vinyl ones, you’ve come to the right place! Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie installs high-quality vinyl replacement windows from American Window and Great Lakes Window for homes throughout central Indiana.

We can install vinyl:

• Casement windows
• Awning windows
• Single-hung windows
• Double-hung windows
• Slider windows
• Bay and bow windows

Contact us today to learn more about our vinyl replacement window services!

Do you need new windows for your home? Failing to replace your old, drafty windows in a timely manner can cost you extra money, but the thought of installing new windows can be daunting to some homeowners, in terms of both price and duration.

We often hear the question, “how much do replacement windows cost?” There’s not a simple answer. Window installation depends on several different factors:

Window Materials

The material of the window frame can greatly affect the overall price of a window replacement project. Wood windows are on the more expensive end of the spectrum, while vinyl windows tend to be less costly.

Window Panes

While more energy-efficient windows, such as ones with double or triple panes and gas fills (typically argon or krypton), can be more expensive upfront, they pay for themselves in the long run by helping you save money on your energy bills. They can also make your home’s interior more comfortable, whatever the season.

Window Sizes

How large are the replacement windows you want to install? Installing a large bay window in the kitchen or a small double-hung window in the bathroom? Usually, the smaller the window, the lower the price—however, special shape/specialty windows can sometimes cost more to install.

Number of Windows

How many windows do you need to replace? Obviously, the more windows you install, the more expensive the project will be. Keep in mind, though, that window professionals sometimes charge less per window if you install several at the same time. So if you’re thinking about replacing multiple windows, be sure to talk to your local window company!

Average Cost of Window Installation in Indianapolis

According to HomeAdvisor, the average reported window installation cost in the Indianapolis area is $4,018, with most homeowners spending between $3,151 and $4,885. Although replacement window projects can cost more than this, homeowners have the chance to recoup much of the cost. Remodeling magazine’s 2013 Cost vs. Value Report says that in the region including Indiana, a vinyl window replacement project that costs $9,924 has a resale value of $6,456 and a cost recouped value of 65.1 percent (meaning you can regain back up to 65 percent of the upfront cost).

Need Replacement Windows for Your Home?

If you live in central Indiana and need to replace your home’s windows, look no further. Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie installs high-quality vinyl replacement windows.

Contact us today to learn more about our services!

Winter is truly upon us—the holidays are here and it’s frosty, scarf-and-hat weather. Is your home ready? The windows are a good place to start. If they aren’t prepared for the long cold season ahead, it’s time to take action.

If your windows aren’t ready to handle the winter, your home can be more vulnerable to air leaks—this means potentially higher energy bills and a more uncomfortable house, which no homeowner wants to deal with.

So what can you do to prevent this? Start with the windows!

Winterize Your Windows

Ideally, you took care of your windows (and the rest of your home) in the fall before it got cold, but if you didn’t, better late than never! It’s generally recommended to:

• Check the weatherstripping of your windows and doors to make sure they are sealed (professional air sealing yields the best results).
• Make sure your storm windows are on (if you have them)—and next year, put them on in the fall!
• Make sure your windows have good hardware and can lock properly, as unlocked windows can allow more air to leak in and out.
• Look for drafts near your windows—this can indicate a lack of insulation. The right amount of home insulation is important, especially in the winter, when it comes to helping you lower your energy bills and save money!
• Take care of any window or door repairs as soon as possible.

Most importantly, what condition are your windows in? If they aren’t in good shape and they don’t work as well as they used to, you may want to consider replacing them. Telltale signs that you may need new windows are:

• Excess condensation on the window
• Windows that don’t open and close easily or all the way
• Drafts by the window
• Uncomfortable temperatures in your home as well as the air conditioner or furnace running more than normal
• Corroding caulk, deteriorating sash and other problems with the parts
• More frequent (and increasingly expensive) repairs

Sometimes a repair may be enough, but sometimes installing replacement windows is a more cost-effective solution, particularly if your windows are old.

Window Replacement in Indianapolis

Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie offers replacement windows from American Window and Great Lakes Window in all kinds of styles—from awning to slider to bay and bow. Our professionals can help you with your window replacement project in central Indiana. Whatever your window needs, you can trust us to handle it with the utmost professionalism.

Contact us today and let us put our window installation experience to work for you!

Thinking About Replacing Your Windows? Act Now!

Have you been considering replacing your windows but haven’t gotten around to it yet? Now is the time to install new windows! There is still an energy tax credit available if you install the windows by Dec. 31, 2013.

The tax credit had previously expired at the end of 2011 but was reinstated when Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 to avoid the fiscal cliff.

Known as the 25C tax credit, this federal residential energy efficiency tax credit provides a tax credit of 10 percent, up to $200 on windows.

Requirements:

• Products must be ENERGY STAR qualified.
• Replacing all the windows in the home is not required to qualify.
• Products must be installed in taxpayer’s primary residence
• Products must be installed by Dec. 31, 2013
• Tax credit does not include installation costs

If you have had ENERGY STAR qualified windows (new or replacement) installed in 2012 or will have them installed by the end of December 2013, you are eligible for this tax credit!

Remember that this tax credit is an extension of the 2011 tax credit and that previous federal tax credits are a lifetime maximum credit. Homeowners may receive no more than $500 total lifetime for all energy efficiency tax credits for the taxable years of 2006 – 2013. This means that a homeowner who has already used up the $200 or $500 credit from the 2006/2007 and 2011 tax credit or the $1,500 tax credit from 2009/2010 is no longer eligible for this tax credit.

It’s recommended that you save all available documentation, such as purchase receipts, ENERGY STAR labels, and manufacturers’ certification statements. Talk to a tax professional to determine if you are eligible or not.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Windows from Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie

Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie offers windows that qualify for the tax credit—and if you live in central Indiana, we offer window replacement services in your area!

We offer ENERGY STAR qualified windows from Great Lakes Window, who offers ENERGY STAR qualified vinyl windows. On the Great Lakes Window website, you can learn more about the tax credit extension and read their manufacturer’s certification statement and National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) test reports.

Windows we offer from American Window are also ENERY STAR rated and NFRC certified—learn more.

Want More Information About Tax Credits for Windows?

Now is the time to replace your windows or install new ones. To learn more about the 2012-2013 tax credit and how you can save, visit ENERGY STAR online, and contact Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie to discuss vinyl window installation for your home!