Frequently asked questions

1.) What are the benefits of replacement windows and patio doors?

Replacement windows and patio doors are energy efficient and will reduce your heating and cooling costs.  In addition they look nice, they will reduce exterior noise, and they have an interlocking system that helps keep drafts and dusts from coming inside.

2.) Does the Window XChange have its own installers?

Yes, we do!  And we get a lot of compliments on them.

3.) Does the Window XChange carry Workers Compensation and Liability Insurance?

We sure do. 

3.) Can the Window XChange make my window bigger or smaller, or convert my window into a door?

We can do that!  Kent Valmassy, the owner of the Window XChange, is a licensed (#458651) and bonded contractor.  So we can do that kind of work.

4.) How much money will I save on my heating a cooling costs?

Studies indicate that the average savings in Los Angeles County is more than 15%.

5.) What is a Low-E coating?

Low-E stands for Low Emittance.  It is a metal oxide coating that is applied to window glass.  It reflects heat.  It keeps heat outside during the summer and inside during the winter.   Most Low-E coatings give the glass a slightly greenish tint.  The Low-E is applied to the inside of the dual-paned glass unit, so you don't have to worry about cleaning it.

6.) How can I reduce the amount of noise coming into my house?

One of the first things our customers notice, after we install new windows, is that it's quieter inside.  There are several ways to make it even quieter inside.  You can use different thicknesses of glass on the dual-paned unit.  The different thicknesses filter out different wavelengths of sound.  You can also use a laminated glass, which has a piece of plastic between the glass -- but it looks like regular glass.  You can also install a special sound-control window.

7.) What are U-Factors and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients?

The U-Factor measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping.  It is a number between .25 and 1.25.  The lower the U-Factor, the better its insulating value.  The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much heat is transmitted through a window from the outside.  It is a number between 0 and 1.  The lower the SHGC, the less heat is transmitted.

8.) Do I need tempered glass?

Tempered glass is safety glass that is very difficult to break.  When it does break, it breaks into little pieces that are safer than the shards of glass that you see with standard glass.  Tempered glass is always used on patio doors.  It is also used in other circumstances, such as when a window is within 18 inches of the floor, 5 feet from the drain line of a tub or shower, or within two feet of a swinging door.

9.) Does the Window XChange replace broken glass, do window tinting, or do window repairs?

Unfortunately, we don't do any of these things.  We only replace the entire window, including the frame.  But we are happy to recommend other companies that do these things.