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These Web sites may also offer tutorials to help you
understand window and door construction and terminology. A good place to start:
Peachtree Doors & Windows offers tutorials on windows and doors at:
www.peachtreedoor.com.
 “The
Internet is an excellent way for homeowners to become acquainted with window and
door manufacturers and their products, and to develop a short list of preferred
manufacturers,” says John Anderson of Peachtree. “The Internet shouldn’t be the
only stop in researching windows and doors though. Homeowners should see
products in person and talk with a knowledgeable salesperson or contractor
before making a decision.”
After conducting initial research on the Internet, get a firsthand account of a
product’s performance, actual price and features from a home improvement
retailer, window and door dealer, or a building or remodeling contractor. Many
manufacturers’ Web sites can direct you to the store or dealer nearest you.
Home Improvement Retailer
Home improvement retail stores display a selection of window and door brands
and styles, and often inventory many standard sizes and most-requested styles.
If you’d like particular options or a specialty shape, the salespeople can place
a special order with one of the manufacturers they sell. Keep in mind, if you’re
perusing for the brand you saw on the Internet, it may not be carried at the
store down the street as these stores carry only a few brands.
These stores have the corner on convenience. Many carry a large variety of
millwork and other products, so you can pick up caulking and shims at the same
time. Many also can handle installation for you or recommend a contractor to
install your windows.
Window and Door Dealer
At a window and door dealer, you’ll generally find a more consultative sales
approach. The salespeople are well versed in product lines, home construction,
remodeling and even building codes, and can help you determine what will work
best for your project. Larger dealers often have extensive showrooms that give
you an up-close look at many different product lines and design options in
display walls, which provide context as to how a product looks installed.
“Window and door dealers offer consumers a broad level of expertise,” Anderson
says. “They are in the window and door business to educate builders, remodelers
and homeowners on the latest product innovations and can also be a source for
installation or design consultation.”
Dealers primarily serve professional contractors but welcome homeowners as well.
If you are unsure of the more complex components of windows and doors (which is
why background research is important), well-versed dealers may skim over product
details quicker than you’d like.
Installed Sales
Maybe you’ve already been contacted by a person soliciting window and door
installations. Installed sales companies pique homeowners’ interest through
direct mail flyers or door-to-door sales of replacement windows. They offer
convenience because you can buy their windows and doors and have them installed
by the same company, making the project’s turnaround time relatively quick. You
also don’t have to do any research on window professionals; instead, they come
to you.
Installed sales are convenient, but like a doctor’s analysis, you may want a
second opinion to verify the quality and performance of the windows and doors to
be installed. If you’re a person “on the go,” you might enjoy the no-hassle
treatment, because it saves you time and mileage.
Choosing where to buy your windows and doors is an important decision, but it
doesn’t have to be a lengthy undertaking. By researching brands, products,
styles and options online before visiting a retailer or showroom, you’ll be more
comfortable talking with a salesperson and more likely to choose the windows and
doors best suited for your home and your lifestyle.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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