Project Feature: Double Hung Storm Windows

The Window Man is proud of its recent Arlington, VA residential window project. The home features Mon-Ray white storm window on white double hung frames. The project boasts lowE 1/8" on original wood windows. To view more featured projects, visit our site. And to speak to a consultant about which windows are perfect for your residential or commercial project, visit any of our three Northern Virginia showrooms.

Free In Home Consultations

Here at Northern Virginia's The Window Man, we're happy to offer free in home consultations for: blinds and shades; gutters; and entry doors. Just call 703-978-9888 to set up an appointment today.

And don't forget the visit the Promotion section on our website for valuable coupons for 10% off any custom window treatment, $200 gutter tune up with the purchase of a complete gutter system, and $250 off qualifying entry door.

What Makes A Great Window?

What makes a great window, many ask us here at The Window Man of Northern Virginia. There are 6 factors all great windows share: energy efficiency; durability; maintenance free; easy to operate; strong warranty; and reliable, established mfg and installation. There are even Third Party Independent Certifications that help guide you to what the industry considers a great window. Certifications include: AAMA; NFRC; and Energy Star.

Foam-Fill & Vinyl Windows

Today, many vinyl windows include some form of insulation in the frame members. Injection foam-filling is generally the most energy efficient, since it completely fills the frame cavities when properly installed. Manually installed, ridged foam pieces are better than nothing, so choose to have those installed when staying within budget is critical. Your attic and walls are insulated to increase your home's energy efficiency, so make sure that your window frames and sashes are too!

For more information on windows, visit our website or come to one of our Northern Virginia showrooms.

Optimum's Self-Closing Sliding Steel Windows.

The Window Man is proud to carry Optimum;s 7600 Series self-closing steel windows. These fire rated sliding steel windows feature a self-closing mechanism that automatically closes the window in the event of fire. This sliding steel window incorporates the same type of fusible link utilized in Optimum's other fire rated products.

SC7600 Series Specifications

The Steel horizontal sliding window shall be Series SC7600 as manufactured by Optimum Steel Window Corporation. All windows carry either an MEA or Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) fire resistance rating of 45 minutes in accordance with the fire standards for Fire Tests of Window Assemblies, ANSI/UL9 (NFPA 257, ASTM E163).

Materials: All principal cold rolled formed members shall be ASTM A528 low carbon steel. Frame members shall have a minimum thickness of 20 gauge.

Weatherstripping: Sliding sash panel shall have EPDM gaskets throughout entire perimeter (unless otherwise noted).

Finish: All units shall be reasonably free from scratches and blemishes having the following:

- Zinc coating (ASTM A525 Z200) on both surfaces, applied by a continuous hot dipped process (the Sendzimir system) followed by a "skin pass" (smoothing) procedure which eliminates roughness.
- Primer consisting of a thermosetting epoxy-ureic paint, applied at a thickness of 5 microns on both surfaces.
- Baked polyester powder coating, (baked at 180-200° C for 18 to 20 minutes) with an average thickness of 80 microns.

Glazing: Windows shall be factory glazed with obscure or clear 1/4" wire glass. Lites shall have a minimum of 24 gauge wire and a maximum mesh size of one square inch, as per Underwriters Laboratories requirements. Individual lites of glass shall not exceed a day lite dimension of 895 square inches each. Glass shall comply with ANSI Z97.1 and ASTM C1036.

Construction: Frame to be formed of 20 gauge steel sections, with corners which are mechanically assembled and reinforced. Sash members shall be 20 guage formed sections which are coped and assembled. Corner joints shall be fully sealed to prevent leakage. Vent sash shall roll on a 18 gauge track with 1/4" diameter steel ball bearing rollers. Horizontal muntins, when required, shall consist of two sections of 20 gauge steel forming an "H" section. Approved 1/4" wire glass to be held in a 3/4" uniform edge bite.

Hardware: Sliding panel shall be furnished with a white bronze operating handle, which is attached to the jamb of the operable sash. A spring activated automatic closing device is used in conjunction with a 165 degree fusible link assembly mounted on the unit. This assembly functions as a self-closing mechanism.

Installation: The installer shall set all window frames in a level, plumb and square condition without distortion. Units shall be promptly anchored, flashed and caulked in accordance with good window installation practice.

For more information on the 7600 series or other Optimum windows, visit any of The Window Man's three Northern Virginia showrooms.

Recent Projects: Rockhall, MD

The Window Man is proud of its recent project on Rockhall, MD: new windows for the Rockhall elementary school! We installed DeVAC 450 bronze anodized sliders with fixed bronze tint glass, lowE on the inside panes and standard panning.

To see more of our projects click here.

To speak to one of The Window Man's consultants, stop by any of our three Northern Virginia showrooms.

Clad Wood Windows

Clad wood windows are a great choice for many DC Metro area homeowners. They offer low exterior maintenance, come in a variety of color choices, the window interior is paintable/stainable, they offer he look and feel of real wood and come in a variety of hardware choices.

On the other hand, clad wood windows can be quite costly, often lack exterior detail, do take quite a bit of interior maintenance, and the quality can vary from brand to brand.

To find out if clad wood windows are right for your Washington, DC, Virginia or Maryland residential project, stop by any of The Window Man's three Northern Virginia showrooms today.

Gutter Genius At The Window Man

Here at The Window Man we're proud to offer Gutter Genius. Gutter Genius boasts solid, heavy-duty aluminum; installs over existing gutters; and eliminates gutter cleaning. Your gutter will no longer be clogged by leaves, pollen, pine tags or other fallen debris.

Click here to learn what The Window Man's Gutter Genius different.

Parrett Windows

The Window Man is pleased to carry Parrett Windows at all three of our Northern Virginia locations.

Parrett Manufacturing, Inc. has grown from a start up operation in 1982 to a family of 130 dedicated employees. Operating from two modern manufacturing facilities in Dorchester and Stetsonville, WI, Parrett is recognized for being a leading national manufacturer of quality crafted specialty windows. Gradually, their facilities have grown to 130,000 square feet of manufacturing with 13,000 square feet of office.
Parrett builds quality products to your specification. They do have standard profiles and designs but also pride themselves in their ability to efficiently take your specification and produce a high quality, high performance product. Every window and door is individually engineered and constructed with a level of care and quality that you desire and expect. Size, shape, style, profiles are all part of the carefully considered design to meet your specific order requirements.

Parrett’s employees take a tremendous amount of pride in their work. Once the order is released to production, Parrett will begin by using a solid foundation for building their products. They use the best materials, incorporate quality design and then follow it up with superb craftsmanship using modern equipment to compliment their skilled workers craft.

Parrett’s size and extensive capabilities allow them to produce your order very efficiently. From start to finish their goal is to provide you with the Best Value in the Specialty Window and Door Industry. Experience the difference - use Parrett products for your next project.

The Window Man offers the following by Parrett:

Inswing/Outswing Casements
French Casements
Awnings and Hoppers
Single of Double Hung
Transoms
Fixed/Architectural
Euro Style Tilt Turn
Bifold Window & Door Systems
Rotating Windows
Rotating Awnings
Weight & Chain
Single/double hung concealed balance
Lift and Slide Doors
Pocket/Telescoping
Front Entry and Patio Doors

Stop by any of The Window Man's three Northern Virginia show rooms to find out more about Parrett.

Follow The Window Man on Twitter

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Window Facts

The Window Man prides itself on educating customers about windows and doors for commercial and residential properties.

FACT #1:
Yes, we are the educational window company! Did you know that most window companies prefer to sell one particular brand of window because...well, because that's the ONLY brand of window they carry! Did you know that every home has unique window needs? Sound abatement, view, energy efficiency, material type -- these are just a few critical points each individual homeowner must consider. Every home has its own unique character, so choosing the right window for your home is important. Did you know that The Window Man carries 15 of America's top brands? Our windows can be made from every available material, come in any color you can imagine and will increase energy efficiency. The Window Man...we educate, you decide.

FACT #14:
VINYL WINDOWS MOVE. We know what you're thinking. "So, what does that mean to me?" Well, vinyl expands and contracts as much as ten times more than other window materials. You must know the AAMA Air Infiltration Rating of your vinyl window. That great summer window might be a lousy winter window, wasting energy and money.

FACT #19:
To foam-fill or not to foam-fill -- that is the question! Today, many vinyl windows include some form of insulation in the frame members. Injection foam-filling is generally the most energy efficient, since it completely fills the frame cavities...when properly installed. Manually installed, ridged foam pieces are better than nothing, so choose to have those installed, if nothing else, when staying within budget is critical. Your attic and walls are insulated to increase your home's energy efficiency, so make sure that your window frames and sashes are too!

FACT #21:
Shhh...We sell peace & quiet. Everyone could use a little bit of golden silence in their lives, right? Well, three letters are the key to increasing your home's solitude and preventing outdoor noise pollution from entering your home: S.T.C. Sound Transmission Class ratings tell you how well a window performs in blocking noise. The Window Man sells the nation's highest-rated S.T.C. windows, and these beauties will look just perfect on your historic district home. Come visit our Alexandria showroom (Route 1) - the area's only acoustical showroom...Come hear the difference!

FACT #24: SOLAR TUNING:
Which Low-E Option is Right For You? Choosing the right Low-E for your home is critical to maximizing energy efficiency. Hard coat, soft coat, Low-E squared or Low-E cubed? Many brands only offer one Low-E option, which may be fine for Florida or Minnesota, but in this region "Solar Tuning" to maximize your windows' performance is something you need to consider. Passive-solar heat gain in the winter can be an enormous energy saver, but you will no get that with Low-E cubed, 365, 366, or Solar Bane 70. Ask us about "Solar Tuning" your home.

FACT #32:
Are They Four-Pt. Fusion Welded? Are your windows four-point fusion welded? And if so, are both the frame and sash welded? These should be two of the first questions asked by any vinyl window shopper. Sadly, and surprisingly, many window companies still use outdated, inefficient mechanical windows. With mechanical windows, there is only one question to ask -- not will these windows begin to leak, waste energy and become unreliable, but when will they? With The Window Man, you'll find only four-point, fusion-welded, vinyl replacement windows. And our windows still cost less than many of the other companies' inferior windows.

FACT #33:
Which Material is Right for Your Home? Every home is different. One-story ranch, two-story colonial, brick, vinyl-sided, downtown, historic district? These are all factors that must be considered when purchasing windows. We offer vinyl, wood, aluminum, wood-clad, fiberglass, and now, even composite windows. Nobody provides a better window selection than The Window Man. We educate, you decide.

FACT #41:
Oops! What codes & ordinances? At The Window Man we are actually aware of all federal, state and local remodeling codes, including the recently-passed EPA Lead-Safe legislation. This new law requires all contractors, remodelers and anyone involved in home renovations to be certified as an EPA Lead-Safe company. Anyone considering replacement windows (especially those in the Historic District) needs to verify that the company you're considering will not only meet, but ultimately surpass required code specifications. After all, you don't want your new windows installed twice, do you? We've installed millions of window over the last 21 years -- you can trust us!

FACT #66:
Great Window? Who said so? Has the window you're considering for purchase been tested for energy-efficiency, durability and functionality? Is it maintenance-free and easy to operate? Does it include a strong, easy-to-understand warranty? How does it stand up to solar UV rays, noise and air infiltration? Well, unless your window has been tested and certified by AAMA, the NFRC and is Energy Star compliant, you don't know. Many window companies install windows that have NO certification of ANY kind. We don't! Our selection, quality and value will amaze you.

To learn more about windows, visit the Education section of The Window Man's website or stop by any of our three area showrooms.

Meet Our Founder

Tom Patterson founded P.B.S. Inc, trading as “The Window Man”, in August of 1989 after being a partner in a small building supply company (Contractors Discount Supply) that sold just to builders.

The new construction industry is primarily about “price”. That lead me to the “replacement” window & door market, which is value driven.

We at The Window Man, have always aimed to offer the “best value” in all types of windows & doors; whether vinyl, wood, wood clad, fiberglass, composite, aluminum, or steel.

We became involved in the commercial window industry in the mid nineties when we became the area dealer for Mon-Ray/DeVAC windows. This has allowed us to work with architects, structural engineers, & acoustical engineers on many large and small scale projects.

We have also worked on Federal projects including historical and acoustical.

By incorporating many of the things we have learned in the commercial and Federal construction arena, we can better serve our residential customers as well.
Our industry is a combination of old (low tech) and new (high tech) that is always interesting and challenging as it continues to evolve. We enjoy the challenge of staying on top of the latest technology.

The Residences At Ritz-Carlton

Here at The Window Man we're proud of our recent project at The Residences At Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC's Georgetown neighborhood. You would be too! Take a look.

Project details include:

DeVac 400 acoustic with 1/2" laminate clear glass, interior mount.

Mon-Ray 802 storm door with full view with 1/4" laminate glass, with 5" air space for noise reduction.

Stop by any of our three area showrooms to talk about which window or door is perfect for your residential or commercial project.

How To Compare Windows

Shopping for new windows for your commercial or residential property in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC and haven't a clue as to how to begin selecting the perfect product? Start by visiting the education section of The Window Man website. We'll teach you:

Glass Basics

Sound Abatement

The Greener Side of Things

What Makes a Great Window?

Window Facts

Window Materials

Window Terms

And if that isn't enough, stop by any of our three area showrooms. Our consultants are happy to discuss the details of your particular project.

Commercial Windows & Architectural Window Installation

Here at The Window Man we offer many commercial window solutions such as DeVAC by MonRay, H Windows, Optimum Windows, Gerkin, Universal, and Keystone.

Some of our local commercial projects include Some of our Commercial projects: (HOLC) Home Loan Building in Washington DC, National Research Council in Washington DC, various Interior Mounts in the (USDA) Department of Agriculture in Washington DC, (NIH) National Institutes of Health in Maryland, the Naval Academy's Ward Hall in Annapolis MD, the Seaford Middle School, the Middletown, Delaware Middle School, Seaford High School, the Crestwood Elementary School in Springfield, VA, the Seaford Central Elementary School, the Rock Hall Elementary School, the Blades Elementary School, the Department of State Training Facility in Arlington VA, the National Park Service Building in Harpers Ferry, WVA, the John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, the Greenpeace HQ in Washington DC, the Stewart Building in Baltimore, MD, the Fred Douglas Elementary School, the Seaford West Elementary School, the Garrnet Elementary School in Kent Co. MD.

To find out how The Window Man can help you with your commercial project stop by any of our three Norther Virginia showrooms.

(703) 978-9888

Fairfax Windows
Fairfax, VA
3853-A Pickett Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Mon - Fri: 9am to 5pm
Sat: 9am to 4pm

Alexandria Windows
Alexandria, VA
3000 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Alexandria, Virginia 22305
Mon - Fri: 9am to 5pm
Sat: 9am to 4pm

Chantilly Windows
Chantilly, VA
14017 Lee Jackson Hwy.
Chantilly, Virginia 20151
Mon: 10am to 6pm
Tue - Fri: 12pm to 8pm
Sat: 9am to 4pm

Glass Basics

Want to learn more about window glass? The Window Man is dedicated to educating consumers about residential and commercial windows and doors for properties in the Metro DC area. To learn about things like: the types of residential window glass; if your IG is certified and low-e glass, click here to read our Glass Basics Guide, provided by Softlite.

Windows & Energy Savings

A building's windows can account for up to 40% of its heat loss and gain. There are three primary factors to consider when thinking about your building's energy conservation: Air infiltration; Radiant heat loss/gain; and heat loss/gain through conduction. All three factors can be reduced dramatically using The Window Man's Mon-Ray secondary glazing windows.

Some of The Window Man's Mon-Ray Secondary Glazing projects in the Metro DC area include

* (HOLC) Home Loan Building in Washington DC
* National Research Council in Washington DC
* Various Interior Mounts in the (USDA) Department of Agriculture in Washington DC
* Various Interior Mounts in the (NIH) National Institutes of Health in Maryland
* The Naval Academy's Ward Hall in Annapolis MD
* Seaford Middle School
* Middletown Middle School in Delaware
* Department of State Training Facility in Arlington VA
* National Park Service Building in Harpers Ferry WVA
* John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
* Green Peace Headquarters

To find out how Mon-Ray secondary glazing windows can improve your residential or commercial property's energy conservation stop by any of The Window Man's three area showrooms.

Learn About Windows

Here at The Window Man we're known as The Educational Window Company because we dedicate ourselves to educating potential clients about windows and doors. We want all of our customers to have the necessary information to make informed decisions about windows and doors. Take a look at our website:

The Window Tips section answers the most asked and sought after window questions like interpreting energy ratings, along with what to look of in your next window;

The Window Materials sections reviews the pros and cons of popular window materials so you can choose the best window type for your area or situation;

The Window Terms section defines popular window industry terms and jargon for easy comparison between window brands.

Why Windows & Doors Cost So Much

Justice Clarence Thomas recently asked me why windows and doors cost so much. The answer is:

...Windows are some of only a few parts of your home that impact both the inside and outside of it.
...Windows have to look good and look appropriate to your home as they attract the eye from inside and out and they add curb appeal.
...Windows must also perform! Let light inside, allow fresh air in "ventilation" and at the same time be able to stop air infiltration, stop radiant heat loss & gain and reduce fading. All while keeping a slim profile (most window sash are less than 1/4 as thick as walls) and of course they are not allowed to let in any water!

They must do all of this while looking good! We should give them female names--a lot of multitasking while looking good!!

Tips on Winterizing Your Home

The Window Man's own Tom Patterson was interviewed for this month's VivaTysons about his tips for maintaining and upgrading a fine home winterization.

His top tip? High performance storm windows. Click here to read the article, which appears on page 78.

For a personal consultation about winterizing your home with one of The Window Man's representatives, visit any of our three Northern Virginia showrooms.