Shopping for energy efficient windows can be confusing if you don't know what questions to ask. Make the right decision and you will never have to think about windows again, but make the wrong decision and you may be back in the market for windows in just a few years. Relax. We're going to give you the questions to ask and the things to look for. These tips will make shopping for replacement windows easy and will guide you in selecting a proven, high quality, energy efficient window, professionally installed and backed by a solid warranty. There are 7 things that you should evaluate when shopping for replacement windows:

Company
Make sure that you are dealing with a well-established and reputable company. How long have they been in business? Make sure that they have a showroom that you can visit to see working, full-sized products. The company you choose should be a member of NARI and the Better Business Bureau. They should be able to provide you with proof of licensing, bonding, and be insured to $1,000,000.00. Attempt to deal directly with the manufacturer and cut out the middleman.

Materials
Wood is good, but vinyl is final. You are probably replacing old wood or aluminum windows so it's plain to see why vinyl products are a better value. Wood is prone to swelling and rotting, it will also require painting or staining to maintain its appeal. Wood clad windows may just hide problems. Aluminum will oxidize, and is either hot or cold to the touch depending on the season (not to mention the potential condensation problems). Vinyl windows are a great choice if they are fusion welded and made with steel reinforced uPVC.

Frame
Your windows should be custom made to fit your opening without the use of expansion pieces. You should not have to alter your openings to fit the windows. If you are interested in purchasing casement or awning windows, make sure that the frames are fully steel reinforced. Make sure that the company guarantees in writing that the windows will not sag. Look for multi-chambered, fusion welded designs, which increase strength and thermo-efficiency. Make sure that the products you choose are certified, and accept nothing with a structural grade lower than a R-50. A full screen system is a must.

Sash
The sash is the part of the window that holds the glass. The frame surrounds the sashes. The sashes must also be multi-chambered, fusion welded, and steel reinforced. Non-reinforced sashes can and will distort over time, resulting in a leaky, poorly locking window. Quality windows use steel reinforcement in the sash to provide added strength. Wood reinforcements in the sash are too small to offer any real improvement, and aluminum is not as strong as steel and is conductive. Insist on galvanized steel reinforcements.

Glass
Thermo panes are a must. The more energy efficient the glass the more comfortable you will be while enjoying reduced gas and electric bills. Quality glass systems like Heat Mirror® can offer you center of glass R-Values up to R 12.5 and reduce outside noise by up to 30% while blocking up to 99.5% of harmful UV rays, virtually eliminating fading damage to your homes contents. If you live in a high wind zone, look for impact resistant glass which will eliminate the need for impact shutters. Eighty percent of the window is glass and for this reason it makes sense to limit consideration only to products offering the highest, energy efficient insulated glass packages.

Installation
Do not accept a "caulk and walk" installation. Make sure that the contractor that you choose uses both an inside and outside (buckframe) stop system. Make sure that the opening is left 100% maintenance free. There should be no exposed external wood remaining around recently installed windows. Insist on PVC coated aluminum trim capping, and 100% silicone caulk for the outside. Make sure that the installation crew is factory trained and fully insured. Get a waiver of lien at the time of final payment. If you are not dealing directly with the manufacturer, then you must also obtain a waiver of lien from the supplier, the installing contractor, and the dealer at the time of final payment. (If the dealer fails to pay his supplier or his installers, they can place a lien on your home).

Warranty
A warranty is only as good as the product on which it is placed, and only as good as the company providing it. Make sure that the installation is covered for the full-term of the warranty. Insist on reading a copy of the warranty. Find out who would actually be performing the service work if necessary. Would the service person be from the dealer or the manufacturer? Find out what would happen if the dealer goes out of business or no longer carries the brand. The warranty should be non-prorated on both the parts and labor for as long as you own the home. The warranty should be transferable. Accept no verbal promises! If you don't get it in writing, then you will likely not get it at all. What is the value of a lifetime warranty that comes from a company that has only been in business for a few years?