Your home could have the best windows in the world but if they are not installed correctly, they will not perform correctly. Cracks, rotting, and mold buildup are only a few signs that your windows were poorly installed, and now is the time to call in the experts. All-Weather Windows, Doors & Siding has been installing windows throughout the Kansas City metro for more than 30 years and we have witnessed, firsthand, the importance of quality window installation.
Signs of a Bad Window Installation
There are many signs of poor window installation. Unfortunately, many times they don’t show up until your windows have been in place for a year or more. Here are the most common issues:
Condensation
Condensation between the window panes is one of the first things homeowners notice after having windows installed improperly. It’s one of the top reasons people replace their windows. Windows are designed to complement the vapor barrier created by your walls. The goal is to prevent moisture from passing through from the outside around the window frame. But if proper steps are not followed during the installation process, vapor will condense on cold surfaces between the frame and the wall. Where there is condensation (moisture), rotting will follow. People think condensation is a problem with the window itself, but 9 times out of 10, it is the result of poor installation.
With All-Weather, you won’t have to worry about rot, mold, and mildew in your home. Properly installed windows can eliminate these health risks and improve your home’s indoor air quality. Never settle for anything less than professionally installed windows!
High Energy Bills
Professional window installation will reduce heating costs in winter and air conditioning costs in summer. If your energy bills are not decreasing, or even worse, increasing, your windows probably weren’t installed properly. Your wall’s air barrier is critical to keeping your home snug. Any break in this barrier is a potential area for heat exchange – in the winter your heat will seep out and in the summer, the heat will seep in. Even tiny cracks around the window frame can lead to air infiltration and substantial heat and energy loss. Add this up over years and you’re looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars in energy loss and higher bills.
Leaks
One of the main purposes of windows is to keep out harsh weather. Sure, we also want them to let in sunlight and allow us to have a nice view, but those are all secondary reasons to have windows. Proper window installation will create a continuous water barrier between the window and the wall keeping moisture from rain and snow outside. Even the smallest gap or crack will grow to be a big problem. Mold, rot, and if left untreated, even structural damage can occur severely affecting your property value, not to mention your comfort level. With All-Weather’s experience and unique weatherproofing installation techniques, your property will be as weather-tight as possible.
We Are Andersen Certified Window Installers
Most window and door installers in Kansas City are trained on the job by other installers. While this is not the best way, it is the way it has been done for decades. Because we are on the service side of this industry, we have learned that most of the issues that people have with their windows and doors are installation-related. Most times the failure of the product could have been prevented had the window installer been properly trained. At All-Weather, all of our installers are Andersen Certified Installers.
Our Installation Skills Were Tested to the Limits and the Windows Held Strong
Our installers undergo an intensive certification course that includes both classroom and hands-on training at the Andersen Factory in Bayport, MN. This training includes subjecting our window installations to wind loads in excess of 120 mph, and rain the equivalent of seven inches per hour at the Research and Testing Lab. Our installers passed with flying colors! All-Weather now has more Andersen Certified Installers than any other company in Kansas City! Why do we go the extra mile? We want to ensure that we are offering only the best value to our customers. Even if you do not select us for your window project, insist the contractor you hire be properly certified by the company that makes your windows.
The Best Installation Guarantees in the Business
Every certified installed project comes with a 2-year installation limited warranty from Andersen Corporation. In addition to the manufacturer-provided labor warranty, All-Weather also offers our exclusive 5-Year Installation Warranty! We are that confident in our product and our installation. And we’re also confident in our customer service. That’s why we can offer our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee! Simply put, we’re not happy unless you’re happy. Our goal is to help you lower your energy bills and create a more comfortable, beautiful home for years to come.
The Best Replacement Windows in Kansas City
We choose Andersen windows because we know replacement windows. For over a century, The Andersen brand has demonstrated integrity and innovation. It is the most recognized and most used brand in the window industry. Andersen replacement windows are simply the best replacement windows. We know Andersen windows and doors inside and out, so we can bring you the best product and the best service in Kansas City. Our customers are not just a number to us. They are our lifeblood.
These types of homes are square, symmetrical and formal. Double-hung windows divided into four, six, nine or even more panes complement the traditional theme and symmetrical lines. This design is often called a colonial grille pattern. These grille patterns also look great on Gregorian-style homes, popular in the south. 
With their classic wide porches and gabled roofs, cottage farmhouses speak to utility and simplicity with a bit of charm for good measure. A basic two-pane double-hung window separated by a muntin on both the top and bottom of the window sash creates a simple four-pane glass window when closed that fits this style perfectly.
Window styles get a little fancier with the Tudor architecture. You’ll find clustered casement windows with diamond pattern grids with six or more panes. These diamond patterns echo the criss-crossing of exposed timbers over stucco or brick facades and amps up the old-world European charm.
Another old-world European style of architecture, Victorian homes are anything but plain. Embellished, decorative, and ornate are words that fit this style of architecture. Diamond-pattern grids are common on the top panel of windows in Victorian homes and sometimes even more intricate designs, but the lower panel is usually more plain, and may have only one glass pane.
Contemporary is sometimes confused with Mid-Century Modern architecture. Let’s face it, in the big picture, they are close on the timeline. A Contemporary home means a current style. A Mid-Century Modern home refers to an era and home style that lasted from the mid 1930’s to mid 1960’s. But because they are fairly similar as far as architectural styles go, they have similar window styles. Sleek and clean is the look, so the windows are usually casement and aren’t obstructed with grilles to block the view. However, d
Craftsman homes with their covered front porches, tapered columns and exposed rafter tails peeking out from under the eaves, are charming and simple, but with custom details that add some personality. Double-hung windows with elongated grille panes on the top sash of the window and no grille on the bottom sash provide the perfect look. 
If you’re in the market for 
There’s nothing worse than sitting at your kitchen table having coffee one morning and noticing a small crack in your sunny kitchen window! Next, you ask yourself questions like: 
A stress crack in an insulated glass window is a crack that starts small, near the edge of the window, and often continues to grow and spread across the glass. Extreme fluctuations in temperature are the most common cause of small thermal stress cracks. For instance, when it’s a cold day and you crank your heat up drastically to stay warm. 
An impact break is just what it sounds like — a broken window caused by a neighborhood ballgame hit gone astray, a rock propelled by a weed eater or a lawn mower, or a golf swing gone wrong if you live on a golf course. These are usually characterized and easily identifiable due to the starburst pattern that radiates outward from the point of impact. 
Pressure cracks are less common and always seem to come out of nowhere. Most commonly seen in insulated glass, or double-paned windows, pressure cracks can be caused by drastic pressure system changes in the weather or when windows are installed at too high or too low of an elevation level. These cracks tend to curve in the shape of an hourglass and will most likely result in a complete window replacement. 
