Buying Guide

When some homeowners think about getting replacement windows it can seem a bit overwhelming because it’s a project that can takes a good deal of time. And, with our ocean water in the air, the humidity, the heat, the tropical weather, and other such thing, Hawaii is unique and different. You will want to find windows that work well for your home. Once you look at the long list of benefits, you’ll receive from having new windows and doors installed, you will recognize that it’s worth your investment, time, and effort. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy with new windows and doors:

Tested in Hurricane-Strength Winds

High-Impact Aluminum Reinforced Frames — providing durability and strength

Paintable Virgin Vinyl Frames — won’t EVER discolor or become brittle

Double-Strength Glass — protection against storms and intruders

Glass Options:

NEAT Self-Cleaning Glass — let the sun do the work

Triple Coat High-Performance Low E Glass — for a cooler home

Laminated and High-Impact Hurricane-Proof Glass — protection and security

Marine-Grade Stainless Steel Hardware — resists corrosion

Lifetime Transferable Warranty — quality you can trust

No other window in Hawaii can match the quality, strength, longevity and value of Makai Vinyl Windows and Doors. Makai Windows, sold exclusively by Discount Windows & Doors are specifically engineered for Hawaii. These products are designed for strength and to withstand our intense UV exposure, salt, humidity, and weather conditions.

Makai Vinyl Windows are available in all styles: horizontal sliding, single-hung, double-hung, awning, casement, picture, garden and bay windows. We offer sliding doors in various configurations. Window and door frames are available in white and almond as standard options but can also be custom painted to match your home and decor.

We offer one of the largest window and door showrooms on Oahu. Don’t let our name fool you. Although our prices are very competitive, we only sell the highest quality products. We specialize in the supply of windows, doors, hurricane-proof impact windows and doors for retro fit and new construction for all types of homes, apartments, and condos in the state of Hawaii.

We’re passionate about bringing innovative products to you, Hawaii’s homeowners, and builders. Lending more than 25 years of experience and success in the building industry, we’re excited to share these benefits with our customers. We offer you free in-house estimates, but be sure to visit our showroom for an in-person tour at all our products or visit our photo gallery to see completed projects. Discount Windows & Doors has earned an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. See our BBB listing.

Visit our photo gallery to see completed projec

1. Damaged Windows
   If your window sash or frame is warped or broken, it’s almost always better to replace it.
2. Fog
   If your double-paned windows get fog in the middle, it means the airtight seal has been compromised, and it’s no longer insulating as well as it should.
3. Single Paned – Fading Furniture
   Speaking of window panes, if you have a home built before 1970 that still has its original windows, it has single-pane windows, and those are seriously out of date. I don’t mean style-wise, although that is probably true too. I mean that we have better technology now. Your furniture, rugs, and window treatments will likely fade from the UV rays let in by single-pane windows. In addition, single-pane windows are drafty and sometimes unsafe.
4. Sticky Windows
   If your windows are hard to open and close, it means they aren’t working well. They may be too cheap, in which case they’re never going to do the job right. Or they’re too old and need to be replaced.
5. Refuse to Stay Open
   If you have vertically opening windows that refuse to stay open, this a serious safety hazard. It also means the same thing as windows that won’t open or close. They are too cheap or too old.
6. Drafty
   If you can feel a cold draft in winter or if it’s much hotter by the windows in summer, they may not be providing enough insulation from the weather. Although caulking and weatherproofing can be a stop-gap measure, rest assured that quality windows will not be drafty. It’s time to get new ones.
7. Hot or Cold To The Touch
   Similarly, if your windows are hot to the touch in summer or ice-cold in the winter, they’re not insulated enough. It’s time to replace them.
8. Energy Bill
   If your windows are drafty and cold in winter and hot to touch in summer, they are letting out way too much of your carefully climate-controlled air. In addition, they are a drain on your pocketbook. New windows – if you buy quality – will eventually earn back what you paid in energy savings.
9. Hard To Clean
   New models of windows are a breeze to clean. Don’t spend another year wrestling with your stubborn windows, or unsafely trying to wash them from outside, or simply not washing them at all.
10. Replacement Parts Discontinued
    If you’ve carefully maintained the windows you have but are having a hard time getting replacement parts because they’re not being made anymore, that’s a sign you need to throw in the towel. There are better, easier options out there now.
11. Outside Noise
    If you can hear outside noise through your closed windows, they’re not insulated enough.
12. Renovations
    Windows can have a significant effect on the look and feel of your home. It might simply be time to switch out the old ones you have to make your home look and feel brighter and cleaner. Old windows can be a huge pain to keep clean and drag down the overall feel of your home. New windows will add instant curb appeal, sales appeal, and energy savings.

If you are going to get replacement windows for your home, it’s important to think of the different rooms in your house and what they need. If you have windows in the bathroom, you need privacy, for example. In the living room, you want ventilation and natural light. In the bedroom, you might want to infuse a sense of style so you can get some beauty when you enter that space. Here are a few ways to infuse more style into your bedroom when you get new windows.

Bay Or Bow Windows Offer A Focal Point

If your bedroom seems mundane or ordinary, when you get replacement windows installed, you might consider converting your bedroom window bank into a bay or bow window. These windows are valuable and highly aesthetic. They jut out of the house and add architectural interest inside and out. Inside, you also get more natural light, a better view, and a deeper sense of beauty. The windows become a focal point in the room and you don’t have to worry about other things in the space bringing down the style nearly as much.

Double Hung Windows Bring Safety

Bedrooms on the second floor of the house have safety issues when it comes to their windows. If you have kids or pets, placing double hung windows on the second level, including in your bedroom, can be a good idea. Double hung windows open both from the bottom up and the top down. You can leave the bottom closed and open just the top part of the window so no one or no pet can fall out on accident when you aren’t watching.

Casement Windows Increase Fresh Air

Fresh air is something everyone enjoys on a nice day and you might want your bedroom to have a way to ventilate that stuffy, old air out for something clean and fresh. Casement windows are ideal for that because they have one pane that opens and swings all the way out. You can grab the fresh air and bring it into the home with ease. The window opens completely from top to bottom, which can help you to bring more air into the space.

Natural Light With More Windows

Lighting can make your bedroom feel open, welcoming, and larger. If you want the room to feel bigger than it actually is, consider what you can do with natural light through your new windows. Even if you get a similar size and style, you will get better lighting since frames are smaller today and glass spaces are larger. But there are other things you can do during this process that can help you get even more light if that’s what you want.

There are lots of different styles, sizes, colors, and other options available when you are going to get replacement windows on Oahu, and you will want to consider the options that can help your bedroom become everything you want it to be. Increasing style with new windows can certainly help you enjoy the space more.

It’s hard for some homeowners to think about getting replacement windows in Hawaii because it’s an expensive project that takes a good deal of time. However, once you look at the long list of benefits you can get from having new windows and doors installed, you will recognize that it’s worth your investment, time, and effort. Here are some of the things that new windows and doors will bring to your home.

Safety Features That Shore Up The Home

Windows and doors are important to any home and they are safety features that you simply must have. You need the windows to open from the inside so you can exit in an emergency if you need to, but you also want them to stay closed if someone tries to get in from outside. You want your doors to do the same. And they should also all be efficient for your home. Older windows and doors often don’t give you the safety features you need and you should replace them to get those benefits—which your home deserves and needs.

Energy Efficiency Saves Money

Energy efficiency is something you want and need in your home. When your home is operating in an efficient manner, you have further comfort, no leaking air, and lower energy bills. You don’t have to use as much energy because you aren’t wasting any so you don’t have to pay as much for the energy bills. It’s nice to know that you are finally paying for only what you need and that you are actually using what is hitting the home. Once you realize how much you are saving, you can start to pay yourself back for the investment you made in what you save on a monthly basis.

Damage Prevention

Your home is an investment and you will want to make sure you protect it as much as you can. When you get new windows installed, they will help to prevent damage to your home. Older windows might be rotting and that rot can move into the home’s boards and other areas. You can prevent that damage and many other types of damage that could occur to your home with older windows on it. Preventing damage means you will have less to fix and, you won’t have to worry about those repair bills, either.

Insulation From Noise Pollution

If you hear a lot of noise coming in from outside, it’s wise to get replacement windows in Hawaii. New Windows are going to block extra noise from coming into your home. You don’t have to worry about the kids down the street being noisy when you are trying to nap. The dog that barks when it wants to go outside across the street won’t bother you early in the morning, either. It’s nice to know that you can restore peace and quiet to your home with just the installation of new windows. Even standard windows are going to help you get further insulation. If you upgrade, you can get even quieter in the house.

You want nothing but the best for your family and you do the best you can to make those things happen. The air you breathe isn’t really something you think about, but if you know that you are breathing bad air, it’s a concern. You want high-quality air in your home and you can get that with replacement windows among other methods. Here are a few things that new windows can help you do when you install them.

Fresh Air Comes In

In this area of the country, you can open the windows almost all year long. There are going to be some days that are too chilly and some days that are too hot. But for the most part, you have the option of letting fresh air into the home. With older windows, perhaps you couldn’t do that. The windows might have been warped shut so they were hard to open. Or maybe you tried to maintain them over the years and inadvertently painted them shut so they won’t open any longer. Either way, once you have new windows installed, they open and close like a dream. You don’t have to worry about stale air in your home because you can open all of the windows (with ease!) at any time and let the fresh airflow. That can clean your home’s air in a matter of minutes.

Natural Lighting Leads To Health

There’s something about the sunlight that just makes you feel better and it can improve the air and attitude in your house as a whole. When you let real light stream into the house, you’ll feel more productive. You can get your sleep patterns into place when you shut the light out at night and you will likely feel better all the way around. New windows are going to improve the air you breathe, the light you have, and the way you feel. That goes for everyone else in your family as well.

Clean Ducts, Too

Once you are able to get clean air into the house through your new windows, you are going to want to make sure the air stays clean. If the air goes through dirty ducts, you won’t have clean air running through the house once it goes through the system any longer. You want your clean air from the windows to work well with the rest of your house. IF it’s been a long time since you had your ducts cleaned out, make sure you have them cleaned so the air can come in clean—and stay clean.

Change HVAC Filters

You are also going to want to put clean filters onto your HVAC on a regular basis. Clean air can push through clean filters easier and your HVAC won’t have to work as hard. The air you breathe will take a big leap if you do this and the other items listed above.

The air you breathe in your home is important and you might want to start with fresh air through replacement windows on Oahu. Contact the professionals at Discount Windows & Doors for a free consultation.

Once you go through the process and choose every detail you want in the replacement windows in Hawaii, you will then have to prepare your home for the installation process. The installers might send you a list of things you should get done before they arrive. Otherwise, you will want to ask what you should do. Or, you can do some of these things that always need to get done so you can allow the installers to start the installation process right away when they arrive.

Move Fragile Items

If you have breakable items sitting on a table near a window, you are going to want to move those things. The professionals are going to be very careful around your home and possessions, but they might bump things and you don’t want any accidents occurring with your most precious items. Move those things to other rooms or place them somewhere safe, like in a closet or under a bed, where they can’t be touched on accident.

Clear A Path To Windows

The installers are going to need to be able to get into your house and to every window that they are replacing. There might be certain things that are in the way of that and you should clear a path from the door to every window in the house. You might have some piles of items in other areas of the house, but that’s okay. You just need those paths clear.

Lay Flooring Protection

If you have delicate flooring, or you want to minimize the dirt you have to clean up later, you might want to lay some plastic or cloths so your flooring is protected. If you have carpeting, for example, the installers likely won’t be able to remove their shows and replace them every time they come in and out carrying a window. It’s better to lay something over the floor to protect it.

Remove Pictures

The walls that have windows are them are going to be moving around a bit with hammering and windows going in and out. You should take any pictures or art you have on those walls off so they don’t fall in the commotion. Place them on the floor along a wall that doesn’t have windows or slide them under the couch or a bed to keep them safe.

Move Furniture

If you have furniture up against a window, like a bed or a couch, you will want to move those items as well. You should create a good-sized space for the installers and the windows to get in and out, even if the furniture is sitting in the middle of the room for a bit.

Take Down Window Coverings

You can’t have anything over the windows when they are being removed and replaced so you will have to take down the window coverings, even if you have curtains that aren’t directly on the windows. Get those things out of the way and getting replacement windows will go easier and faster.

When you have decided that replacement windows in Hawaii are probably a good idea for your home, that’s a big first step. However, if you are married, you have to get your spouse on board with a project that large. Here are a few ways you can go about talking to your significant other about the project to get them on board with what you are thinking.

Showcase Safety Issues

There are some things that might be annoying about older windows, but it’s the safety issues that might really concern you. Show your spouse what is unsafe about your windows and that might get them over on your side in short order. For example, if your windows can’t be opened, they are hazards because you can’t use them as emergency exits if something were to happen. Or, if the windows open, but slam shut suddenly, that can be an issue as well.

Show High Energy Bills

If you are the one who takes care of the household bills, you might know more than your spouse what those old windows are costing you. Show your spouse the energy bills and compare them to bills that you paid in the past. Are they going up fast? Let your spouse in on that fact and the idea that they will only keep going up. If you get new windows, on the other hands, you can save a lot on bills and start to pay yourself back for that initial investment.

Look At Available Windows Together

After you talk about a few things regarding replacement windows, you might want to take your spouse to a window showroom and that will help you to look at what’s out there together. Daydream a little and think about what improvements you could make to your home. You can talk about the things you would want to be different in your home if you could afford those changes. Looking at the options together can help you to move toward the project in little steps.

Talk About Benefits

There are a lot of benefits about getting new windows and your spouse might not know about them. You can have a free consultation with the professionals in order to get a list of benefits, or you can list them yourself or just look up items online. Benefits include things like curb appeal, energy efficiency, higher levels of comfort, and so on. It’s actually a really long list.

Get Into Affordability/Costs

If you are able to get your spouse on board with the fact that your home really does need new windows, you will want to talk about the costs and what you can afford. Remind your spouse as you look over the budget that you will stand to save a lot of money, in the long run, once the replacement windows in Hawaii are installed. Contact the professionals at Discount Windows & Doors for a free consultation and to get into some of the details.

When you get replacement windows on Oahu, it makes sense that you are going to want different things on your windows than residents in Alaska or somewhere else that doesn’t have nice weather like Hawaii. The issues in this state are different than those in other locations. And while no two houses are identical and you need to take your budget and other elements into account, these are a few of the upgrades you might want to consider in this area of the country.

Low-E Glass Coatings

If you get only one upgrade for your home in Hawaii, let it be the low-E glass coatings. This coating doesn’t show at all. It’s a thin metallic placed right on the panes of glass. Even though you can’t see it, you will definitely feel the difference. The coating reflects heat so on the days when the sun is beating down, you can leave your window shades open and enjoy the natural light, but you won’t get any heat from the sun. This makes your home operate in a more efficient manner and, in the winter, when things get chilly, the windows will reflect your heat back into your home for further efficiency than as well. And, as an added bonus, the windows block UV rays so nothing in your home will fade any longer. Your quilts from grandma, the new floors, and the furniture fabric will all remain vibrant.

Triple Pane Glass

Windows come as a standard today with double pane glass. But you can upgrade to triple pane glass and that upgrade can do great things for your home. You might first notice that your home has more peace and quiet than before. IF you live in a noisy area, maybe near the airport, you won’t hear nearly as much inside as you did before. And, the windows give you an extra layer of glass as insulation, which will help you get more efficiency from your home. Not only does that extra layer of glass help, but the space between the glass adds insulation as well. You won’t have nearly as much air moving in and out of your home.

While there are other upgrades to consider, you will want to match things to your home and budget. Keep in mind that when you see the Energy Star label on windows in the area, the windows have been tested and judged according to your region. These windows meet certain requirements for Hawaii and the elements you experience in this area. It’s good to start with windows that have that label and then compare and upgrade from there.

If you’d like to know more about other upgrades that work well for replacement windows in Kaneohe, HI, the experts at Discount Windows & Doors can help. We know this region and we know windows. Together, we’ll find something within your budget that will suit your home and help you to meet whatever goals you have for the space.

Short answer, YES!

The condition of your current windows plays a significant role in deciding if it’s time to replace them. If your existing windows are old, drafty, or damaged, replacing them can lead to improved energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and a more comfortable living environment. Additionally, new windows can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home and increase its resale value.

Makai Windows are a perfect replacement option for homes here on Oahu as they are created to withstand the elements specific to our island.

-Tested in Hurricane Strength Winds – durability and strength (options to meet or exceed building codes)

-Paintable Virgin Vinyl Frames – won’t EVER discolor or become brittle

-Double Strength Glass – protection against storms and intruders

Glass Options:

-NEAT Self-Cleaning Glass – let the sun do the work

-Triple Coat High Performance Low E Glass – for a cooler home

-Laminated and High Impact Hurricane Proof Glass – protection and security

Marine Grade Stainless Steel Hardware – resists corrosion

Limited Lifetime Transferable Warranty – quality you can count on

Ultimately, if your current windows are causing issues or if you’re looking to enhance your home’s overall value and comfort, window replacements can be a worthwhile investment.

Your home insurance might pay for your new windows, but it depends on a few things. First, how did the windows get damaged? Home insurance only covers certain situations. So, the reason your windows got damaged matters for your claim. Was it a big storm? Did something hit and break them because of strong winds? If so, your home insurance could help pay for the new windows.

Talk to your insurance provider about what they will cover.

If the reason is normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance, your insurance company may not cover the cost. However, Discount Windows and Doors makes the process easy and worry free. Contact us today to discuss what options are available that best fits your home and budget.

Replacing windows can significantly enhance a home’s value by improving both its aesthetics and functionality. As stated in the 2023 Cost vs. Value report by Remodeling, the replacement of vinyl windows typically increases a home’s value. The materials used in the replacements can greatly affect how much your home’s value will increase. New windows often bring a refreshed and modern look to a property, boosting its curb appeal and making a positive first impression on potential buyers. Beyond appearance, updated windows can also lead to increased energy efficiency and better insulation, which are attractive features for buyers seeking reduced utility costs and a more comfortable living environment. The potential for noise reduction and improved natural light further contribute to the appeal. Additionally, when homeowners invest in high-quality windows, it signals a commitment to overall home maintenance and care, which can translate into higher perceived value for the property. As demonstrated by various reports, the tangible increase in value resulting from window replacements makes it a strategic home improvement investment with lasting benefits.

Get in touch with Discount Windows and Doors experts to find out more!