Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions answered
Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your home or business. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team for further assistance.
FAQs
Clear the Windows:
Remove all blinds, shades, or shutters, including the mounting brackets.
Create Space:
Move furniture at least 3 to 4 feet away from the windows and ensure there is a clear walking path for the installers.
Clear the Driveway:
Please leave the driveway open so our work vehicles can park close to the home.
Staging Area:
Identify a covered area, such as a garage or carport, where we can safely offload and store your new windows.
Protect Wall Decor:
Remove any pictures, mirrors, or fragile trinkets from nearby walls and shelves, as vibrations during installation may cause items to shift or fall.
Dust Prevention:
While we strive to keep the workspace clean, we recommend covering electronics or delicate items with sheets to protect them from fine dust.
Selecting high-quality windows is only half the battle—the installation is what ensures they actually perform. At Excel Window Solutions, we treat every home as a unique project, using custom application techniques rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
The Arrival:
Your lead installer will introduce the team and walk you through the day’s agenda. We’ll start by offloading your new windows into a protected area and connecting our mobile workshop to a power source.
The Workflow:
As we remove your old windows, we load them directly onto our truck for disposal, keeping your property tidy. Our mobile workshops are fully equipped to handle the "surprises" that often come with home renovations.
Daily Cleanup:
We respect your home. At the end of each workday, we clean our work areas to minimize the impact on your daily life.
Final Inspection:
Once the job is finished, the lead installer will conduct a joint quality control walkthrough with you. We’ll address any minor touch-ups immediately and document any items that require a warranty claim.
Completion:
You’ll receive a completion package with all your warranty details and a link to provide feedback. Your reviews help us grow and assist other homeowners in making informed decisions.
Yes. To ensure the long-term durability of your home’s exterior and interior, some finishing work is usually required:
Painting:
We use high-quality building materials—such as smart-trims, interior casings, and sealants—that come factory-primed but are not final-coated. To fully protect these materials from the elements and ensure their longevity, they must be painted.
Sealants:
Both interior and exterior caulking should be painted over once fully cured to provide an extra layer of protection and a seamless look.
Pro-Tip:
If your project involves exterior trims and you would like to paint them before they are installed, let us know! We are happy to drop off the materials ahead of your scheduled installation date.
Age
There are not many types of window seals that come with a lifetime guarantee, and this will especially be the case when it comes to older windows. You are likely to find that the older the method of weather protection, the more likely it is to fail. By updating the weather stripping on your windows as and when it is required, you can ensure that it continues to work effectively.
Elements
Though window seals are designed to withstand whatever the elements can throw at them, there is a limit to what they can take! For example, where certain types of seals are deluged with a large volume of rain on a regular basis, the water can seep behind it and cause it to lift. This can make the failure even worse as the seal will not be flush with the window frame and will allow water and cold air to pass through. Where water comes into contact with metal parts of some types of weather stripping, rust can result which will eventually cause corrosion if it is not rectified as soon as it is noticed.
Mold
If your window regularly suffers condensation which is not wiped away, the window seal can often be affected by mold. This can destroy the effectiveness of the seal, especially when it is made from materials such as rubber. If you notice any mold or discoloration, ensure that you clean it immediately with an alcohol-based cleaner to kill the spores, or with vinegar if you want to use a more natural cleaning substance.
Temperature
The proximity of window seals to the external facade of your home means that it can be subject to extreme ranges of temperature. As well as prolonged exposure to extremes of heat or cold, sudden changes to the temperature can cause some types of window seal to crack, shrink, or sag which will make the weather protection less effective if it does not negate it completely.
Movement
If the window seal has not been fitted correctly or has become dislodged over time, it will not work well as a weatherization method as the weather stripping needs to be fitted in a particular place depending on the variety used and the type of window. All the correct tools and fasteners should be used to fit all weather stripping and replacements must be made when it is necessary.
Maintenance
The instructions that come with most types of weather stripping will often outline what needs to be done in order to maintain it and keep it at its best. Though this will usually mean nothing more than wiping it to keep it dry and clean, it may also outline particular cleaning substances that can be used. Make sure that you undertake the work required to maintain the stripping in line with the material it is made from.
The Science: Condensation occurs when warm, moist indoor air hits a cold surface (like a window pane) and reaches its "dew point," turning gas into water droplets.
The Upgrade: New, energy-efficient windows have warmer interior glass surfaces, which helps lower the chance of condensation. However, because new windows are much more airtight than old, drafty ones, they trap humidity inside rather than letting it leak out.
The Result: You may actually notice more condensation initially because your home is now properly sealed. This is often a sign that the humidity levels inside your home need to be adjusted (by using fans, dehumidifiers, or HRV systems).
If you’re concerned about moisture levels in your home, our team is happy to discuss how to balance high-performance windows with proper ventilation.
Minor Damage: If the damage is surface-level, our team can often clean or repair the area on the spot to ensure a solid foundation for your new windows.
Preventative Action: We always take the necessary steps during installation to address the source of the moisture and prevent future issues.
Significant Damage: If the damage is extensive or affects the structural integrity of your home, we will recommend a specialized third-party contractor to perform the necessary repairs before we finalize the window installation.
When it occurs: Off-gassing typically only happens while the materials are wet or curing. This process can be slightly faster in warmer temperatures.
Common substances: You may notice faint scents of acetic acid (vinegar-like), alcohols, or mild cleaning agents.
Your comfort: These odors dissipate quickly once the product is dry. If you or anyone in your household has a high sensitivity to chemical smells, please let us know in advance so we can take extra steps to ensure your comfort.
It’s natural to look very closely at your brand-new windows! However, the glass industry recognizes that "perfect" glass doesn't exist—if you look hard enough at any piece of glass, you will eventually find a tiny bubble or faint mark.
To help homeowners understand what is "normal," we use the 10-foot rule: Stand 10 feet away from your window in natural light. If you can see a blemish while looking straight through the glass, then it shouldn't be there! However, if you can only see it by standing inches away or looking at a specific angle in the sun, it is considered a standard characteristic of the glass-making process.
If you’re unsure whether a mark is a defect, just let us know. We can walk you through the ASTM standards and ensure your windows meet the high quality we promised.
Misc
Household condensation, or "sweating," occurs when water vapor in the air contacts a cold surface, like a window, and turns into liquid droplets. While occasional fogging is normal, excessive moisture can lead to damage like peeling paint or wall stains.
Why Windows Aren't the Problem
A common myth is that windows cause condensation. In reality, they act as indicators of high indoor humidity.
Energy Efficiency:
New,energy-efficient windows often show more condensation than old ones because they create a tighter seal that prevents moisture from escaping.
Temperature Extremes:
Condensation is more frequent in climates where January temperatures drop below 35°F due to the extreme temperature difference between the glass and the indoor air.
Common Sources of Humidity
Daily Activities:
Cooking, showering, mopping, and heating systems all add moisture to the air.
Seasonal Changes:
Homes often "perspire" at the start of a heating season as moisture absorbed during the summer is released.
Construction:
New building materials like wood and plaster can release moisture for several weeks.
Recommended Humidity Levels
To maintain comfort and minimize condensation during the winter months, indoor humidity levels should be adjusted based on the temperature outside. When outdoor temperatures are extremely cold, between -20°F and -10°F, the recommended indoor relative humidity is 15% to 20%. As the weather warms slightly to 0°F, the indoor humidity can be increased to a range of 20% to 25%. At an outdoor temperature of 10°F, the ideal indoor level is 25% to 30%, and when it reaches 20°F outside, the humidity inside should be maintained between 30% and 35%.
Six Ways to Control Moisture
1. Use Exhaust Fans:
Run fans in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room during and after use.
2. Ventilate Daily:
Open windows for a few minutes each day to exchange moist air for fresh, dry air.
3. Adjust Humidifiers:
Use the table above to set your humidifier correctly.
4. Open Vents:
Ensure attic and basement louvers are open; you can also open fireplace dampers.
5. Manage Houseplants:
Group plants in one area and avoid over-watering them.
6. Consult Professionals:
If problems persist, a contractor can install outside air intakes or specialized ventilation.
When inspecting newly installed windows, it is important to understand that glass is not perfect and is governed by specific industry standards from the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). These standards define what qualifies as a "visual defect" versus an acceptable minor imperfection
How to Properly Inspect Your Glass
The industry rule of thumb is that if a blemish isn't visible under specific conditions, it is not considered a defect. Glass is meant to be looked through, not at.
Distance:
Stand 10 feet back from the glass.
Angle:
Face the glass straight-on at a 90-degree angle.
Lighting:
View in daylight, but not in direct sunlight, as direct sun reveals tiny imperfections that are considered acceptable.
Time Limit:
Inspection should only last 5 to 10 seconds depending on the size of the glass.
Allowable Defects by Glass Size
To ensure your window glass meets industry standards, the number of allowable visual defects—such as scratches, bubbles, or dirt—is determined by the total surface area of the individual pane.
For smaller glass panes measuring up to 6 square feet, only one viewable defect is permitted for the entire lite. In this size category, the border area is defined as the outer 2 inches of the glass.
As the pane size increases to between 6 and 35 square feet, the allowance increases to two total defects, provided they are separated by at least 24 inches. For these mid-sized windows, the border area expands to the outer 4 inches.
Finally, for large glass lites exceeding 35 square feet, up to three viewable defects are allowed per lite. Similar to the mid-sized panes, any defects must be separated by at least 24 inches, and the designated border area for these large panes is the outer 6 inches.
Key Definitions
Central Area:
This is the middle 80% of the glass surface where the most stringent inspection rules apply.
Border Area:
The outer edge of the glass (varying from 2 to 6 inches depending on size).
Sight Line:
A 1/2 inch area at the very edge of the lite.
If a blemish is visible from 10 feet within the specified time frame and exceeds these quantities or sizes, the glass may be eligible for rejection.
Get in touch
At Excel Window Solutions, customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we are committed to providing the highest level of service. If you have any additional questions or require further information about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We're here to help you make your home or business shine!