WINDOWS

We replace and install top quality windows in vinyl, wood, and storm protection styles from America's leading brands.

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TYPES OF WINDOWS

Single Hung Window

Pros

They have one less moving part, so there is one less thing that can go wrong
Great for larger-size windows

Cons

If installed on the second level of a home, it will be challenging to clean the exterior part of the window.

Double Hung Window

Pros

They make cleaning the exterior of the window from inside the home very simple

Cons

On large windows, over time, the weight of the upper sash will weaken the counter-balance system of the window, which can make locking the window cumbersome

Slider Window

Pros

Sliders can accommodate large openings and even take the place of 2 to 3 windows, allowing you to purchase a single window

Cons

Although sliders have gotten better, of all the windows listed, sliders generally have the lowest performance rating

Casement Window

Pros

Casement windows allow for the most ventilation of any window. They also have the best performance rating of any operational window and generally have the best site lines

Cons

Are more susceptible to damage from high winds if left open. We also recommend not installing them in high traffic areas on the exterior of your home, such as decks and patios, to avoid damage caused by people walking into them.

Awning Window

Pros

Awning windows boast the same qualities as casements because they are constructed in the same way, with the exception to the way it is hinged. The one advantage is that it allows for ventilation during rain events without taking in water

Cons

Awning windows are flawed in the same way as casements. They also have more moving parts, which increases the chances of failure

Hopper Window

Pros

Hopper windows are the same as awnings, just reverse operation.

Cons

Hoppers have the same flaws as awning and casements, but they are even more problematic if left open during inclement weather, as they will funnel that weather into your home.

Picture Window

Pros

Picture windows offer the highest efficiency of all windows. Like sliders, they can be used in place of multiple windows to keep costs down. They also have the best site lines

Cons

Can’t create ventilation

Special Shapes Window

Pros

Can come in a wide variety of shapes and enhance the facade of home dramatically. They are basically picture windows that are made into many shapes. They do allow for uniquely adding natural light to a space

Cons

Do not offer any ventilation. They can also be labor intensive to install

Garden Window

Pros

Garden windows are mini greenhouses that you can extend from your home. There are multiple options for ventilation, and they allow for lots of natural light

Cons

Any window that protrudes from a wall should consider exterior traffic flow for the same reasons as casement type windows. Garden windows are also the most likely to fail because of all the different sections

Bay Window

Pros

Bay windows are a combination of three windows that project from the home. You can add almost any type of window to configure the functionality of a bay. They are a great way to enhance the interior and exterior look of your home

Cons

Because they are a combination of windows, the cons can vary. Bays often require structural work to support their load

Bow Window

Pros

Bow windows are more than three windows that protrude from the home. Like bay windows, they can be configured with different style windows.

Cons

Bow windows have the same cons as bay windows.

Egress Window

Egress windows allow for a person to evacuate an area in the case of an emergency. There are certain requirements that have to be met before a window can be considered egress compliant.

WINDOW MATERIALS

Wood

Pros

Have sturdy, rigid frames that don’t have issues with deflection. Deflection is how much a window will bend or give under high wind loads. Wood has also been used longer than any other material, so you know what to expect.

Cons

Wood windows can be susceptible to wood rot and termite damage. Wood windows require the most maintenance and upkeep. High humidity can cause the window to swell, causing the window to stick.

Vinyl

Pros

Offer a very high performance rating and have a proven track record. Vinyl windows are very low maintenance and have a lot of options and features that other windows don’t have.

Cons

There is a lot of misinformation about vinyl windows. The bad is that not all vinyl windows are made equal. Like most products, there are good versions and really bad ones. If you get a cheap vinyl window, they are highly susceptible to deflection and the bigger the window the more deflection you can expect.

Fiberglass & Composite

Pros

Are incredibly strong and very thermally stable. The fact that the windows are thermally stable means that, because they don’t expand and contract as much as wood or vinyl, the risk of caulking failure is minimized. It is believed that the life expectancy is 33% greater than that of vinyl and wood windows, but they haven’t been on the market long enough to prove it

Cons

Fiberglass windows don’t have color throughout the substrate of the window, so if they get scratched by something the fiber glass will show through. The cost of fiberglass windows will also typically be 30% to 50% higher than other window materials

Aluminum

Pros

Are incredibly strong and lightweight. The fact that they are made of metal allows for them to be made into unique shapes. They can also be finished in a way that other materials are not able to, giving them a superior finish

Cons

Solid aluminum windows are not recommended for our region because of their thermal conduciveness, which can lead to heat loss and condensation on the interior of your home

GLASS OPTIONS

Low-e Argon These come standard on every window we sell unless requested otherwise. This is the energy efficiency stuff!
Tinted Glass Lowers the amount of visible light that can pass through the glass. It can also accent the exterior if using a color such as bronze.
Obscure Glass There are many options in this category to achieve obscureness. Typically it’s done in bathrooms of homes to allow for natural light but retain some privacy. It can also be done as just half a window if the window has sashes.
Beveled or Etched The windows are typically done of front entry door or the center window of bay as a way to accent a certain window.
Grids or Muntins There are multiple selections that can be made to design your grids.
- The configurations of your grids, such as a traditional pattern or prairie configuration.
- The profile and thickness of the grids themselves.
- The color options of the grids, such as a two-tone option of having the interior with a stain and the exterior as a solid color.
- The placement or location of the grids, such as external removable grids or grids between the glass (GBG).

WINDOW FEATURES

Blinds Some manufacturers offer blinds between the glass (BBG). This can be a nice feature, but it should be understood that there’s not a way to add argon with the BBG option, which is a major factor of the efficiency rating of the window.
Locks Most manufacturers will only place one lock on a window as standard, but there is the option to add additional locks for added security.
Screens Screens have several different options. A lot of double hung, single hung, and sliders are coming standard with only half screens, it is now an upgrade to have a full screen over the whole window.

WINDOW INSTALLATIONS

Exterior Trim Options

Full Frame Replacement

Replace trim to match existing trim
Picture frame with flat lineals
Picture frame with brick mold
Custom trim options

Pocket Insert

Replace stops with like material
Replace stops with Restoration Millwork
Wrap trim with PVC-coated aluminum

Exterior Material Options

Full Frame Replacement

Pine
Cedar
L.P. Smart Trim
James Hardie
Restoration Millwork
Boral

Pocket Insert

Restoration Millwork
Trim coil

Exterior Finish Options for Trim

Full Frame Replacement

Factory-applied prefinish
Paint
Prime

Pocket Insert

Prefinished PVC-coated aluminum
Paint

Interior Trim Options

Full Frame Replacement

Casing profile
Casing size
Stool and/or apron
Custom profile

Pocket Insert

Reuse existing

Interior Material Options

Full Frame Replacement

Oak
Poplar
Select Pine
Other

Pocket Insert

Reuse existing

Interior Finish Options for Trim

Full Frame Replacement

Paint
Stain
Other

Pocket Insert

Reuse existing

Other Considerations

Alarm Systems We don’t attach or reattach any alarm systems. They should be disconnected prior to our arrival on scheduled installation dates.
Blinds, Curtains, and Window Treatments There is no guarantee that the new windows will accommodate the previous blinds or window treatments. It is expected that all of these will be taken down before the scheduled start date. We are willing to take them down and reinstall them upon completion of the windows for a fee, but there is no guarantee that they will fit as they did before.
Wood Rot If your original windows were installed more than ten years ago, chances are the redundancies we use today were not done correctly or at all back then. It’s not uncommon to find some wood rot on a window project. Acumen protocol is to take pictures as soon as it’s discovered and notify the home owner and discuss the best course of action. This is not included in the original estimate and will be billed as time and material.

Full Frame Window Replacement vs Insert Window Replacement

Acumen Renovations is headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, where some of the largest variance in temperature swings occur in the world. Temperatures can range from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 121 degrees Fahrenheit. There are numerous freeze/thaw cycles in any given year.

How your window is installed can have a dramatic impact on the overall efficiency of the window. Some of the best advances in adhesives and caulkings have only happened in recent years. There are multiple methods to correctly install a window. Acumen follows the procedures outlined by OSI.

OSI’s credentials and warranty are applied when their best practices are followed. The warranty and installation best practices only apply to new construction or full frame replacements. Both installation practices have their place, but certain criteria need to be taken into consideration when choosing the installation practice that best fits your needs.

To make an informed decision, the following is an explanation of how both window replacements are installed, and the pros and cons of each installation type.

Full Frame Replacement A full frame replacement requires installing the window to a rough opening with a nail fin. A rough opening is the exposed area between studs where the new window(s) will be installed.

Diapering After the rough opening is covered with house wrap, the installation specialist cuts the wrap diagonally from corner to corner in an ‘X’ shape. The wrap is then fastened to the studs, and the excess wrap is cut off as close to the drywall as possible.

Sill Shim The next step is to install a sill shim. A sill shim acts as one of the many lines of defense against rain or other water sources. It creates a water dam, or diverter, to prevent water from coming into the house.

Sill Pans A sill pan is the barrier between your window and the studs. It acts as rot protection for the wood underneath. The sill pan goes over the sill shim. This is developed using one of two methods: the custom fabrication method and the window tape method. To comply with OSI standards, Acumen uses the window tape method. A simple sill shim can be crafted using a piece of vinyl utility strip, cutting the window tape bow ties for the lower exterior corners and applying the window tape over the sill shim.

Back Caulking Back caulking is one of the single most important steps. It is often done incorrectly, or overlooked altogether. Quad Max, an OSI product, has an elasticity rating of 50% and very high adhesion, creating a superior gasket. To create the window gasket, a ¼” bead of caulking should be applied completely around the sides and top of the outside wall and nail flange. The caulking is beaded across the bottom, but there should be two openings on each side (approximately 1”) to allow for drainage in the event water makes it to the sill.

Fasteners At this point the window is ready to be set to the wall. Once the window has been leveled, it is installed with the appropriate fasteners. Fasteners used depend on the type of window, manufacturer specifications, and nailing patterns. Typically, a galvanized nail or screw is applied every 3”- 6.”

Applying Window Tape After the window is set, window tape is applied to the sides and top of the window, giving it an additional layer of protection. It’s important to note that the bottom portion of the window has already been taped. Taping it again would prevent water from escaping should it find its way in. The sides are taped first. Then, the top strip of tape is applied. This creates a seam that allows water to flow over the top rather than catching behind.

Installing Trim A common scenario using James Hardie or LP Diamond Kote is referred to as a ‘picture frame trim out.’ Typically, most window manufacturers would like for you to leave a 3/16” to 1/4” gap between the trim and window for expansion and contraction purposes. More importantly you need to have a void large enough to accept the appropriate amount of caulking to avoid thinning out the UV and mold inhibitors. It’s important to ensure that there is enough caulking in contact with all sides to avoid caulking failure due to freeze/thaw cycles that cause expansion and contraction. This is another area where untrained or under-qualified installers make errors that void the warranty of the window and the OSI process. The final exterior step is properly applying the z-bar flashing over the trim. Z-bar flashing is a piece of metal that attaches to the wall and serves as a water diverter and protects from rot. Caulking should never take the place of flashing. A slit is cut in the house wrap and window tape approximately 2” up, in which the back side of the flashing fastens to the wall behind the house wrap. The open seams are then retaped with house wrap tape.

Insert (Pocket) Window Replacement The first step in replacing a wood window with an insert is removing the exterior stops. Standard protocol for removing the exterior stops is to cut the stop with a flush cut saw or a fine saw. The stops are cut flush to the exterior brick molding so that new stops can be installed. Removing stops also allows the inner sashes and pieces to come out with little effort. There may be some type of jamb liner or middle stop that has to come out. It’s important that you have two people to set the window in the jamb opening—one on the inside to check the reveal of the window to the existing trim and one on the outside to ensure proper gaping and insert shims. The window should be set tentatively in the jamb opening, level and plumb. The window will then be set at four points with screws. At each of these points the window should be shimmed to prevent over-tightening. After the screws are set, low-expanding insulating foam is applied. As the foam is setting up, the sill expander should be installed on the bottom of the window. The sill expander extends the bottom of the new window to the old window sill. At this point, the only thing left to do is apply new stops. Acumen makes new stops out of restoration millwork, a brand of PVC cellulose trim. Technically, the window is completely installed, but there are multiple options for finishing the exterior of the window.

Full Frame

Pros

Besides the warranty, you will know the window has been installed 100% to best practice guidelines so you won’t have issues of wind infiltration and thermal bridging
You will get to retain the full view of your window

Cons

You will have to do some interior work that will add to the cost and duration of the job

Insert

Pros

Usually don’t have to replace the interior trim so the change-out is minimally invasive and can be done quickly.
The cost per window replacement versus full frame is less expensive

Cons

You would be reusing the old frame of the window which could be compromised in several ways. The first is that the original frame probably has some damage that should be repaired before a new replacement is put in. The second reason is the way that the original window was installed. Most people aren’t replacing windows that are five years old; the’re replacing windows that are twenty to thirty years old. The standards at that time and concerns for energy efficiency were not the same as they are now. Even if you install a very good window, chances are that you would never meet the efficiency rating that the window was intended to have because of the old frame installation.
You lose a portion of your viewing area because you’re putting a new frame into an old frame.
NO OSI WARRANTY

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