Comments for SolarGlass

Comment on Chapter Four: Everything In Its Place by Gwenael Hagan

Gwenael Hagan — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:00:03 +0000

It was a pleasure meeting with this homeowner. I arrived just as our installers were putting on the finishing touches. We pride ourselves on the quality of work and in this case, hat’s off to the installation crew.
I was very happy with the stain match and thus happy that we handled that problem (see last week’s chapter). As we dove into the blind fitment problem, I knew that, notwithstanding the effort on the part of our sales consultant, a guy I am proud to have on the SolarGlass team, we were the source of the problem. Moreover, my thoughts and decision were guided by an adage learned long ago and put to use countless times since: problems handled right increase customer trust and satisfaction to a level higher than that which would have been true absent the problem.

Comment on Hurd’s New Ownership and Warranty Changes by Gwenael Hagan

Gwenael Hagan — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:32:14 +0000

The Hurd dealer that sold you the windows originally might offer to sell replacement glass at a discount. Our approach is to purchase replacement glass from a local (non Hurd) provider and discount the glass so our profit covers just our cost of order processing.

Comment on Hurd’s New Ownership and Warranty Changes by Alan Vitous

Alan Vitous — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:22:37 +0000

Hello;

In 2006 I replaced 39 Hurd windows (glass only) because of seal leaks. Because I did not know about the lawsuit or settlement, we had to pay for them. We were told we would receive a 20 yr warranty on those replacement windows. One failed after 9 months and was replaced under warranty. I now have a second window with a seal failure and was told by Hurd that there is nothing I can do. Not even any “good will” offer. We have now purchased essentially 2 homes worth of leaky Hurd windows, have no warranty and are screwed.

Comment on Losing Honorably Is A Winning Formula by Gwenael Hagan

Gwenael Hagan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:14:25 +0000

It turns out that when the dust settled and we had a chance to compare “apples to apples” our price was within 1%, including tipple pane where specified, a motorized awning we did not know about, and FSC certification – something new to Marvin and not known to us at the time of the “battle”.

This was a great learning opportunity for the team in that we can make some changes to make us better.

Onward!

Comment on R5 vs. R3.33 Windows by Gwenael Hagan

Gwenael Hagan — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:25:54 +0000

Vinyl is the weakest window frame material from a rigidity perspective – as compared to fiberglass, aluminum, or wood, has the highest expansion and contraction ratio, and is the most susceptible to deformation due to heat. Given all of that, I would be very uncomfortable looking a customer in the eye and telling them the added weight of triple glazing won’t have negative mid- and long-term consequences. I say this even in light of the “lifetime” parts and labor warranties offered by many vinyl window manufacturers.

On 1″ IG (insulated Glazing Unit), the glass manufacturers have determined that a 1/2 inch airspace is optimal for dual glass units so I don’t see the advantage of a 1″ IG over the standard .75″ IG.

I agree with your comment regarding well made IG and elevation changes of 4600 to 5900. We offer Marvin’s Integrity fiberglass windows which are manufactured in Fargo and shipped to us in Colorado for distribution throughout the front range and lower elevation mountain communities.

These types of discussions always bring me back to the misplaced focus some in the window industry have on the pursuit of R5 windows. If you double, triple or quadruple today’s energy prices, there are many energy efficiency measures that offer much improved return on investment.

Comment on R5 vs. R3.33 Windows by dan

dan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:50:33 +0000

Many vinyl windows can easiliy get the R% with a triple. Many 1″ IG with Argon even. The elevation change of 4600-5900 should not effect a well made IG. over 7500 change would however.

Comment on R5 vs. R3.33 Windows by Gwenael Hagan

Gwenael Hagan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:31:15 +0000

There are a number of R5 fiberglass window manufacturers. The elevation of Toledo averages 600 feet. How would you supply a metro Denver market with elevations of 5,200 to 6,500?

Comment on R5 vs. R3.33 Windows by George Eckerd

George Eckerd — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:39:40 +0000

We have a fiberglass R5 window now.

We are a window manufacturer in Toledo, OH.

Our new web site will be up and running next week. existing site is http://www.comfortlineinc.com