Installation key to safety
When the time comes to pick a company to install new windows and doors at home, Hawaii homeowners remember installation is key. Anyone can buy the best window product, but if it’s not installed correctly, you might as well have kept the old windows.
Hawaii has unique weather conditions, such as strong trade winds, humidity, and hurricanes. The trades keep us cool and comfortable but blow the salt air on our home. Our Islands are surrounded by heavy salt air from the Pacific Ocean. The salt air constantly blows at our homes, rusting and corroding almost everything in sight. The humidity and ultraviolet rays here daily in Hawaii remind us that we live in paradise. But the UV rays and humidity also deteriorate our homes. And, with hurricane season here, we all know we are overdue for a hurricane. Be ready for any hurricane by having the best installed, impact-resistant windows and doors that will make a real difference during a storm.
When protecting our homes by installing new windows and doors, installation is the key. When researching window installation issues in Hawaii, I asked the foremost expert in Hawaii, the owner of Tropical Windows and Siding, Matthew Houar. Mr. Houar owned the first vinyl window factory in Hawaii and has been installing windows and doors in Hawaii for over 30 years. When asked what the keys are to the best window installation in Hawaii, he said:
• Use the best materials. Although we have many logistical issues getting materials to Hawaii, we always start with the best available. Do your research.
• Salesmen usually sell windows in Hawaii; they will tell you anything to make a sale. Talk to the contractor or the company owner directly. Be sure to ask about installation techniques.
• There are a lot of shortcut installation techniques that save money on labor and materials. These shortcut techniques are a recipe for failure. Be careful because Hawaii only requires a one-year workmanship warranty. If you receive a shortcut job, the work may last only a year. But nine out of 10 times after that, you will be sorry. Having to redo your windows five years later can get really expensive.
• Find a company that takes pride in their work and will do the job right. Do your research on different installation techniques. Today, with the Internet, there is YouTube and many other easy ways to figure out how to install your new windows and doors.
The tip of the day from Mr. Houar is to “buy local.” Tropical is the oldest window and siding company in Hawaii. It has a showroom at 1351 S. Beretania St., open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. With more than 10,000 Hawaii customers and hundreds of thousands of windows installed in Hawaii, trust your home to Tropical. Call the company at 593-2000.
