Looking for our most frequently asked question? You've come to the right place!

Q: WILL THE REPLACEMENT WINDOWS BE INSTALLED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE?

A: Our replacement windows are installed from both the inside and the outside. Therefore, every situation differs, and our expert installers will decide based on the most favorable outcome.

Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY REPLACEMENT WINDOWS? HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I ALLOW FOR THE INSTALLATION?

A: After the final measurements, your replacement windows usually arrive between 6-10 weeks due to COVID-19. The average job will generally take a day, including cleanup and trim work.

Q: HOW CAN I PREPARE MY HOUSE FOR REPLACEMENT WINDOWS?

A: Please clear the area where the window will be installed. This includes curtains, blinds, security sensors, and any wall decorations. Also, please move any furniture to ensure the site is easily accessible.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTY IS AVAILABLE FOR MY WINDOWS?

A: Please check out our warranties page to see the ones included with our windows.

Q: I NOTICED CONDENSATION ON THE EXTERIOR OF MY NEW WINDOWS. IS THIS NORMAL?

A: Yes. Our windows don’t let the warm air out. Thus, the outside pane will stay colder. It will dissipate when the weather changes. It’s entirely normal, and there is nothing wrong with your window.
If anything, it shows how well your window works to keep the good in and the bad out.

Q: HOW DO YOUR WINDOWS COMPARE IN PRICE TO NATIONAL BRANDS?

A: The windows we offer are reasonably priced and market-competitive. Our windows are of the highest quality and a significant investment. Along with our lifetime warranty, there’s no comparison.

Q: HOW DOES PRICING COMPARE TO OTHER NAME-BRAND COMPETITORS?

A: Our warranty, durability, and longevity are unmatched. We are the best value for price and quality.

Q: HOW EASY ARE YOUR WINDOWS TO CLEAN?

A: Our windows are effortless to clean. Not only do the panes tilt in for convenient access, but our vinyl window frames can be cleaned with soap and water.

Q: WHAT IS BETTER, WOOD OR VINYL WINDOWS?

A: Sure, wood and vinyl windows may perform similarly when it comes to energy efficiency, but when you consider ease of installation, wood’s high maintenance requirements, and the availability of rich, textured, realistic woodgrain laminates for vinyl windows, vinyl becomes the outstanding choice for several reasons.
Vinyl windows are low-maintenance and provide excellent insulating value and the beauty and appearance of wood without the hassle of maintaining it. Furthermore, vinyl offers strength, durability, and high-level resistance to rotting, corrosion, salt air, termites, and air pollutants.

Q: WHICH WINDOWS BLOCK OUT THE MOST EXTERIOR NOISE?

A: Our superior triple-pane windows are the best in the business. Triple-pane windows typically have U-factors about 20-30% better than a similar double-pane window. That’s a pretty substantial improvement.
They will also have better SHGC ratings as they tend to have two surfaces coated with a low-e coating. These coatings will leave you with a lower visible transmission rating, typically darker in a home with triple-pane windows.

Q: HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO REPLACE MY WINDOWS?

A: One of the first signs to look for is energy loss. If your utility bills are consistently becoming more expensive despite the weather and regular HVAC system maintenance, your windows likely need to be replaced.
Furthermore, drafts may signal that it’s time for a replacement. A new window replacement is recommended if you notice a chill in the air during winter or air generally making its way between the frames.
You’ll also need to consider the window’s age and the frames’ condition.

Q: CAN I INSTALL MY REPLACEMENT WINDOWS?

A: Yes, we can even deliver them to you! However, attempting installation alone can downgrade the window’s performance and void the included warranty. We have a crew of experienced, certified installers who install Windows 365 days per year. In addition, our installation team knows how to install our windows to create an airtight seal to maximize energy efficiency.

Q: HOW DO I KNOW IF MY NEW WINDOWS ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT?

A: The best way to tell if your new windows are energy efficient is to check for an Energy Star certification. This shows that the windows have up-to-date technology in terms of energy savings, including argon gas, krypton gas, low-e glazing, and dual or triple-pane glass.

Front & Patio Doors

Q: WHAT TYPES OF ENTRY DOOR MATERIALS DO YOU OFFER?

A: Our entry door line includes steel and fiberglass entry doors. These two-door materials are the most popular due to their durability and aesthetics. Fiberglass doors are the best choice if you want the look of wood without maintenance, and steel is the best for return on investment at roughly 90%.

Q: WHAT IS TEMPERED GLASS?

A: Tempered glass is a heat-treated safety glass, so when it breaks, it shatters into tiny pieces instead of large shards.

Q: DO UWD ENTRY DOORS MEET ENERGY STAR® QUALIFICATIONS?

A: Yes, when an approved Energy Star partner assembles our fiberglass and steel entry doors into entry units, the assembled unit is considered Energy Star compliant.

Q: WHAT MAKES YOUR ENTRY DOORS ENERGY EFFICIENT?

A: The entry doors from Universal Windows Direct are engineered with a polyurethane foam core for maximum energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the doors include weathertight features such as high-performance weatherstripping and an airtight threshold.

Sliding Glass Doors

Q: HOW SAFE ARE YOUR SLIDING GLASS DOORS?

A: Extremely safe. Our glass is either 5 mm tempered or 7 mm laminated safety glass. Most of our competitors use only 3 mm or 4 mm glass. We also use proprietary roller and locking systems to ensure that our doors won’t leave their tracks.

Q: HOW EASILY DO THEY SLIDE?

A: Easy enough for everyone — even a young child — to open and close them with one finger. Thanks to our exclusive roller system, you will enjoy easy and nearly silent operation for many years.

Q: CAN THEY ACCIDENTALLY COME OUT OF THEIR TRACKS?

A: No. Our exclusive locking system ensures that our doors will not leave their tracks, giving peace of mind for a durable and high-performing product.

Q: CAN YOUR DOORS BE LOCKED OPEN OR CLOSED?

A: Yes. We offer exclusive “Wheel Locks” so that our glass panels can slide or remain stationary at the touch of a lever.

Q: HOW THICK IS THE GLASS?

A: Our glass is either 5 mm tempered or 7 mm laminated safety glass. Most of our competitors only use 3—or 4-mm glass, and some even use plastic. We believe safety shouldn’t be an option.

Q: IS THE FRAMEWORK VINYL, ALUMINUM, OR WOOD?

A: Our frames are made from our proprietary vinyl formula and reinforced with aluminum. Our vinyl is light yet super strong and durable, and it is also more environmentally friendly than wood.

Q: HOW SOUNDPROOF ARE THE PANELS?

A: Our door products are intended to offer privacy and not aimed to provide soundproofing, although they do conceal the sound quite a bit. All of our glass panels reduce sound, although none are entirely soundproof. If the sound reduction is a primary concern, choose a triple pane unit with 7mm laminated glass.