WINDOWS
Windows
Replacement and new-construction windows, measured opening by opening and specified for Las Vegas sun.
WINDOW TYPES
Window Types We Install
Four types cover most openings. Each opens differently and fits a different spot in the house.
Only the bottom half moves, so ventilation comes from that lower opening. It's the most common type for bedrooms and living areas where a straightforward, budget-conscious replacement is the goal.
Because the top sash is fixed, there's one less moving part to maintain over time, and one side of the glass to clean instead of two.
Both the top and bottom sash move, which gives more control over airflow — you can crack the top for warm air to escape while the bottom stays closed. Most Double-Hung windows also tilt inward, so the outside glass can be reached from inside the house.
It's a common choice for upper-floor rooms and anywhere cleaning the exterior pane from outside isn't practical.
The sash moves side to side instead of up and down, which suits wide openings — over a kitchen sink, along a hallway, or anywhere a tall window would be awkward.
There's no sash to hold open against gravity, and the horizontal track is simple to operate one-handed.
Arched tops, angled gables, and other non-rectangular openings are typically fixed (non-operable) units built to the exact shape of the opening.
Because each one is cut to a specific opening, we confirm the shape and dimensions on-site before anything is ordered.
TWO PATHS
Replacement vs. New Construction
The opening decides which approach applies. We confirm which one on the visit.
Replacement (Retrofit)
A retrofit (or "insert") window is built to fit inside the existing frame, which stays in the wall. The old sash and hardware come out; the new unit goes into the opening that's already there.
This is the more common path for occupied homes: less disruption to the surrounding stucco, drywall, and paint, because the wall opening itself isn't altered.
On the visit, we check the condition of the existing frame — whether it's sound enough to hold a new insert, or whether the opening needs to go back to the rough frame instead.
New Construction
A new-construction window has a nailing flange and is installed into a rough framed opening before stucco, siding, or drywall goes on. There's no existing frame to work around.
This is the path for additions, new builds, and any replacement where the existing frame has failed and needs to come out entirely.
Because it involves the exterior finish, this route touches more of the surrounding wall than a retrofit does — something we walk through before anything is proposed in writing.
THE LABEL
Reading the Label: U-factor and SHGC
Every window carries an NFRC label with these two numbers. Here's what they mean and why they matter more here than in most climates.
U-factor
U-FACTOR ≤ 0.30
SHGC
SHGC ≤ 0.25
Clark County Energy Conservation Code 2021 (IECC 2021) · Climate Zone 3 · prescriptive fenestration requirement
What U-factor Means
U-factor measures how much heat moves through the window by conduction — through the glass and frame itself, independent of sunlight. The lower the number, the more the window resists that heat transfer. In cold climates, U-factor is usually the number that matters most, because the driver is heat escaping through the glass.
What SHGC Means
SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) measures the fraction of solar heat striking the window that actually makes it into the room. A lower number means less of that heat gets through. In the Mojave, with direct afternoon sun on west- and south-facing walls for much of the year, SHGC is typically the number that affects comfort the most.
Why Orientation Matters
The same window performs differently depending on which direction it faces. A west-facing opening takes the full force of late-afternoon sun; a north-facing one gets very little direct light at all. Roof overhangs, covered patios, and neighboring structures also cast shade that changes how much solar heat an opening actually sees. That's why we walk the exterior and note the orientation of every opening during the visit, before recommending a glass package.
What the Code Requires
Clark County's adopted energy code (IECC 2021, Climate Zone 3) sets a prescriptive fenestration requirement of U-factor ≤ 0.30 and SHGC ≤ 0.25 for windows. Every window's NFRC label shows its own U-factor and SHGC — those are the two numbers compared against that requirement. We cite this as a code requirement, not as a projection of what it will do to a utility bill.
U-factor
How much heat moves through the window by conduction. Lower is more resistant.
SHGC
The fraction of solar heat that passes through into the room. Lower means less solar heat gain.
Visible Transmittance
How much visible light passes through the glass.
Air Leakage
How much air passes through the window assembly at a given pressure difference.
PROCESS
Process
- 01
Visit and Measurement
We measure every opening individually and note its orientation, so the glass package recommended for a west wall isn't the same one recommended for a north wall.
- 02
Written Proposal
The proposal specifies window type, glass package, and the U-factor / SHGC values for what's being installed — in writing, before anything is ordered.
- 03
Installation
For occupied homes: removal of the old unit, protection of the surrounding interior and landscaping, and installation of the new window in the same visit sequence.
- 04
Final Walkthrough
We walk the finished openings with the homeowner — operation, locks, and finish — before considering the job complete.
Can I replace just a few windows instead of the whole house?
Yes. Replacement is priced and scheduled by opening, so a partial project — a few rooms, one elevation — is a normal way to start.
What is a "retrofit" window?
A retrofit (or insert) window is built to fit inside your existing frame, which stays in the wall. It's the more common approach for occupied homes because it disturbs less of the surrounding stucco and drywall. The replacement-vs-new-construction section above explains the difference in more detail.
Do I need a permit to replace windows?
It depends on the scope of the work. We review the specifics during the estimate and note what applies to the project in the written proposal.
What glass should I use on a west-facing room?
That depends on the specific opening, its shade, and the rest of the house — which is exactly what the on-site visit covers. We recommend a glass package with its U-factor and SHGC values listed in writing, not a generic answer in advance.
How long does a window replacement take?
It depends on the number of openings and the window type. We put a schedule in writing as part of the proposal once the openings are measured.
Do you work with HOA approval requirements?
Yes. If your HOA requires documentation before exterior work — window style, color, or grid pattern — we prepare what's requested as part of the proposal.
Measure Before You Decide
An on-site visit puts real numbers on every opening — type, glass, and the label values that go with it. Reach the Windows & Doors line, or send the details.