When it’s time to make a large purchase, it is wise to shop around, and living in a major metropolitan area like San Diego, there are always multiple options for anything you want to buy. Sometimes it’s as simple as going to a couple of different stores and comparing options and prices, but with other things, the process is a bit more involved. Purchasing replacement windows for your San Diego home is a good example.
It’s Not Just About Finding the Best Price on Replacement Windows
With replacement windows, you don’t want to simply shop by price. The cheapest windows are often, well, cheap. They are made with subpar materials that won’t hold up over time—especially when exposed to the almost constant UV rays and the salt air (if you live near the coast). Cheap windows also probably don’t have the insulating technology built into them that homeowners have come to expect.
You don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive replacement windows on the market to get a good result, but buying the cheapest ones you can find is almost certainly not the best option.
Comparing Brands of Replacement Windows in San Diego
So how do you compare brands of replacement windows and decide on the best ones for your specific San Diego home and your budget? This can be complicated, to say the least. When you start researching the various brands of replacement windows sold in San Diego, what you will first discover is that there are a lot of them! You will likely also notice that they all pretty much make the same claims about improving the energy efficiency of your home.
One way to compare the energy efficiency of different brands of windows is to compare their solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). The SHGC value given to a window tells you how much solar heat a properly installed window allows in. The number will fall within the range of 0 to 1. A lower SHGC value is preferable, and indicates that a window allows in less solar heat than a window with a higher value.
You can also compare the warranties offered by various manufacturers of replacement windows. Higher quality windows will typically come with a lifetime warranty, which will cover your windows in case of any defects for as long as you own your home. It can be worth it to pay a little bit more for windows that come with a lengthy, comprehensive warranty.
Finding a San Diego Replacement Window Company You Want to Work With
When you shop around for replacement windows in San Diego, not only can it help you find the best products, it can also help you find a company that will provide you with the type of service you are looking for. A specialty replacement window company in San Diego, such as BM Windows, will help you navigate the process from start to finish. They will help you select the best windows for your home, take careful measurements, place the order for new windows, and then install them once they arrive from the manufacturer.
The good news is, you won’t necessarily pay more for this type of service than you would if you ordered replacement windows through a big box store or through a general contractor. Independent replacement window dealers can provide you with a great price, great products, and great service.