Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few of the frequently asked questions about The Window Gallery and our services. If you do not see an answer to a particular question you may have, you can always call 706-724-9424.

What are your hours?

We will meet you whenever it is convenient for you. The office is open during normal business hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and evenings and weekends by appointment. If you wish we will schedule an appointment at your residence. We are closed major holidays.

Where is The Window Gallery?

1129 Broad Street in Augusta, Georgia. Parking is safe and plentiful.

Do you sell windows and doors for replacement as well as new construction?

Yes. We have been installing replacement windows and doors for more than a quarter century.

Do you charge for a home visit?

No, if you are in our general trade area, we are happy to see you at your residence for a free in-home consultation.

What assurance do we have that we won’t be pressured into signing a contract before we are ready?

Unlike most companies in this business, we never pressure you to make a decision.  We will evaluate your situation and suggest the best course of action.

Isn’t replacing windows difficult?

Not at all. We can make this process very easy for you. Our in-house installation team will protect your home and your valuables every step of the way. We use only highly trained and experienced employees. You can trust us to recommend the best window and the best solution for your particular need.

What’s different about The Window Gallery?

Our approach to serving our customers. We focus on a narrow product niche (windows and doors) so we can concentrate on providing the highest level of service and the best products. Because we don’t have to know about the hundreds of products carried in lumber yards, we can truly be experts in our category. Information is common these days, but wisdom about the best application is rare. We really are the best source of help in the Central Savannah River Area.

So, we should expect a different experience in The Window Gallery?

Absolutely. Our approach springs from Dave Steele’s experience as a social worker. When the energy crisis hit in 1980 he was working with the elderly in Aiken County. This business grew out of that experience. Helping people is the foundation of our business. Listening skills are taught to all employees so we can first understand your preferences before we propose solutions. It is common to have customers say that they had a great experience with us. No one does it better. Two of our salesmen were licensed builders; two worked for Andersen Windows - one for 31 years. All of us have many years of experience selling the leading doors and windows in the industry. Each of us is committed to doing what’s best for you.

How does your commitment to “doing what’s best for us” benefit us?

First, we buy in large volume, and we pass our savings on to you. Second, we know how to get you the best value for your dollar. We work hard to get you the best-finished product at the lowest price. Maximizing our profit is not our primary motivation. We carry the best products to suit any need, from fully custom windows and doors to products designed for value.

What about price?

You’ll be pleasantly surprised. We don’t quote low prices to get you into The Window Gallery and then jack our prices up. We provide the best products at reasonable prices. It is rare for a competitor of similar products to come in more than 5 to 8 percent below our price. When all the features and benefits are compared, we offer a much better value. Usually we try to learn whether price or value is most important. If you only plan to stay in your home for a few years, we’ll suggest our lowest-cost products. However, if you plan to stay longer, it is well worth the extra investment to buy better windows and doors.

Doors and windows, unlike carpet, are expensive to change down the road. If you are planning to stay, it is less expensive to get the better windows and doors in the long run. Our energy savings alone will usually offset the monthly increase in your mortgage payments on a new home. If you are buying a replacement package for your home or commercial property, the same or similar energy savings will apply.

Why should we buy better windows and doors?

Beauty, comfort and durability lead the list. As a wise man once said “quality will be remembered long after price is forgotten.” Energy savings will be significant in winter and summer. In short, you’ll need to go outdoors to know what the weather is like. Fading of fabrics will be dramatically reduced. Your home or building will also be noticeably quieter. And most of our windows have Low-E4®, a coating of titanium dioxide to keep your windows cleaner. Lastly, improved resale value is significant. Consumers understand the value of good windows and doors, especially as energy costs rise.

Do you have financing?

Yes, we have financing through Wells Fargo. It is a very simple 3- to 5-minute application process with approval in as quick as sixty seconds. We offer competitive interest rates and even a no-interest option plan. We have a plan that is right for everyone.

We’ve heard you’re great at value engineering. What does that mean?

It means we are committed to giving our customers the best value possible, often saving them thousands of dollars in the process. When you bring in a list of window specifications, we don’t simply give you a quote back.

Let’s imagine that your window and door package, as drawn, is estimated to cost $16,000, but your limit is $13,000. We collaborate with you to find ways to lower your cost without compromising the quality of the products or their performance in your home. We always start with what’s on your plans, then as needed we make suggestions to lower the cost. We itemize your quotes so you can make informed decisions. We’ll keep looking for ways to save you money.

Tell us more about value engineering.

We prefer to meet you for an initial appointment in our showroom at The Window Gallery. We have a wonderful showroom, and it will definitely help you to see the exterior colors available, the fine woods and hardware, to operate the windows and walk through the doors before you make any final decisions.

After we review your plans and discuss your preferences, we prepare a quote from your plan as it’s drawn. Then we review the plan for the following issues:

  • code compliance (egress/emergency exit in the case of fire, and safety glass in hazardous locations);
  • energy efficiency (fine-tuning the glass types used to minimize heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer);
  • privacy issues (we recommend changes to provide privacy where needed);
  • furniture placement (we help you think through this issue so there are no unpleasant surprises down the road);
  • lighting (we understand the “tricks of the trade” to ensure your home is filled with light - day-lighting is a science we understand);
  • traffic flow (we consider traffic patterns and ventilation to maximize the enjoyment of your home).

Most importantly, we are well-grounded in our understanding of architectural styles, proportion and balance. We are sensitive to the intent of the design and your desires.

How do you help us with the aesthetics of our home?

Most often we make minor suggestions. For example, if you want to put a front door with an oval insert into a Georgian home, we will see a conflict in style and point it out. Issues of size and scale are what we deal with the most. We collaborate with your architect and builder to ensure that there is agreement between the floor plans, elevations and specifications. It can be difficult to keep these straight as designs change. We find that most customers want “understated elegance” to define their homes. We provide a final check to be sure your dream home is built the way you want it.

While all of this could improve our home, how do you save us money?

Once we’ve accomplished what we described above, we go to work looking for ideas that can save you money. For example, if your living room has three sets of French doors and we’ve heard you say you entertain a lot, we would propose a Four Panel Sliding French Door. The view will be enhanced at a cost hundreds of dollars less than the initial estimate. After more than a quarter century, we know where savings can be found.

Can all this be done in one appointment?

It depends. We have customers who come in multiple times before making their final selections. We also have customers who never come in. Most often we’ll have one meeting that lasts an hour or so, depending on the specifics of your plans and the amount of information you desire. We put our quote in writing, then email or mail it to you for your convenience. Typically changes follow. We’ll continue working with you and revise your quote as much as needed to help you get exactly what you want.

What other services do you offer?

We coordinate all-needed information with your builder and the framing contractor. We’ll mark up your plans and copy them so all the information is available to the contractor. Our warehouse labels everything and will deliver the product to your home free of charge within our market area. We’ll also store all your miscellaneous items (screens, hardware, etc.) at no charge to keep them clean and protected during construction.

If desired, we will install your purchase. We have full-time employees fully-trained to provide professional installation of everything we sell. While there are good contractors who install windows and doors properly, many don’t. Unfortunately, a poorly-installed product will not perform as you expect. If we sell the product and install it, then all finger-pointing is eliminated. We like to own responsibility for what we sell.

Is installation expensive?

No. We generally charge only slightly more than the framing contractors’ estimate. Most framing contractors know they don’t make money installing windows and usually determine sooner or later it is better to let us do the installation. We install windows and doors level, plumb and square. We shim them properly, and then we install DuPont flashing to prevent water from intruding around them. 

Who handles service after the sale?

Joe Wilson has been with us since 1991 and is now our full-time service manager. Joe has been exhaustively trained in all the products we sell. We know of no one who does a better job - our customers love Joe. Besides Joe, we have six other folks here certified through extensive training with our manufacturers.

We’ve heard you have a great back-office system. How does this system help us?

We created our own system to help us give you the best possible service. All orders are placed electronically to avoid key stroke error; next we import this data into a system that is available 24/7 on the Internet. Information on your order is available instantly. For example, if a window is damaged at any time during or after construction, that information is entered and, once entered, is tracked automatically. Then, the system updates us by email so small details won’t get overlooked. Our system escalates the emails up the channel based on preset standards for clearing up issues. First the service manager is alerted, then the COO and ultimately it comes to Dave Steele’s desk if the problem has not been resolved by a pre-set time limit. 

How do you determine what products to recommend?

We are honest brokers of information. We never want to be accused of selling what’s best for us. Our job is to discover your needs and then have the best products available to satisfy you. Our tag line is: Window and Door Solutions. We see ourselves as your aide in finding the best solution to your needs.

Why do you recommend Andersen Windows and Doors?

Andersen Windows makes the best-engineered and most durable products in the window and door industry. No one offers better value for the dollar. Andersen, the world’s largest window and door company, has been the leading innovator in the industry since 1903. The company introduced the first standard-size windows, the first insulated glass and the first vinyl-clad wood window. In the 1980’s, they were the first to make High-Performance™ Low-E glass standard so that all Andersen windows shield against the sun’s heat without diminishing light. Since then they have improved this glass many times. The latest innovation introduced - at no extra charge - is Low-E4®, a revolutionary glass coated with titanium dioxide to virtually eliminate the need to wash windows. (See the video) Andersen’s newly-introduced TruScene™ invisible insect screen is truly amazing, and the new Woodwright® insert replacement window is the best replacement window solution available. Andersen’s commitment to best-engineering practices includes minimizing harmful effects on the environment in every step of the manufacturing process. Lastly, they have been the best “partner” we could have asked for since we opened the business more than a quarter century ago. Their service after a sale and their commitment to doing the right thing is unsurpassed.

Tell us more about Andersen’s environmental stewardship.

This is another example of Andersen taking a leadership role among corporations. Andersen’s windows carry the Energy Star® in all geographic regions - one of the first window companies in the United States to earn that rating. It was the first in the state of Minnesota and the 13th in the United States to achieve an XL Permit under the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s pilot program, Project XL. The permits put innovative green manufacturing methods on a fast track and measures the results. Andersen has been a charter member of several green associations and is pledged to continual improvement to benefit the global community.

Is Andersen the only choice?

No. Within the Andersen family of companies we are proud to offer products for virtually every need and budget. We also recommend Therma-Tru fiberglass doors (distributed by Andersen) when price is the main concern.

The Andersen family of companies now includes Eagle Windows & Doors, Andersen Architectural custom windows and residential and commercial entry doors, KML Doors and Windows, and Silver Line Windows and Doors in vinyl. Andersen has a very broad product line at a variety of price points. Andersen recognized that consumers wanted more choice. Andersen-KML is the largest custom window company in the world. One-of-a-kind feature windows are the norm for this division. KML Doors builds some of the finest doors available anywhere, and Eagle is one of the most flexible manufacturers in the industry. For example, Eagle offers fifty standard colors, nine standard species of wood and unlimited size and feature choices.