Page 5 - Hawaii Renovation - Sep 11, 2022

SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 HAWAII RENOVATION 5
TROPICAL WHOLESALE
Purchasing vinyl windows for your home? Be akamai, homeowners. If you’re thinking of installing vinyl windows, take a minute and learn to be akamai. As we all know, akamai means “be smart.” In every home improvement pur- chase, there are do’s and don’ts for products and product installations. Matt, the owner at Tropical — the top expert in the Hawaii industry — was asked, “If I am purchasing windows, what do I look out for to be confi- dent in my purchase?” Matt’s response was, “There are five for sure dos for purchasing windows.” They are:
1) Pick a solid company that has been in business in Hawaii for 20 or more years. Tropical, my company, is the old- est — 62 years. That is a real track record and comfort.
2) Pick a company with a manufac- turer that has materials that will hold up to Hawaii’s harsh weather conditions. Stainless hardware is a must. Tropical’s windows are all designed to withstand Hawaii’s harsh conditions. Tropical has hurricane windows that are designed for
Hawaii. With Hurricane season upon us, call Tropical.
3) Check Hawaii Contractor Licensing for Hawaii insurance and Hawaii bonding. Sept. 30 is relicensing for all Hawaii con- tractors. This happens every two years, so be sure you are dealing with a reputable firm. The state of Hawaii checks state and federal tax records and many other criteria to requalify every two years. Be careful, not all businesses will requalify Sept. 30 of this year for the next two years.
4) Ask about warranties. Many mainland manufactures void out warranties in Ha- waii due to salt air conditions, so be careful. Mainland companies are naming their vinyl windows local names to keep homeowners from directly calling mainland factories for true warranty information. Plus, many main- land companies even warranty themselves, which is not worth much in a couple of years. Don’t be caught holding the bag.
5) Ask about delivery and install times. Even in today’s rough circumstances, anything over 12-16 weeks is unaccept-
able. I have heard up to one-year instal- lation lead times from mainland outfits. Be careful, a year is a long time. And a quick note: 50% deposits are too much. Give all the money and there is no incen- tive to do the job. Be akamai.
What about installation? Matt re- sponded to this, saying, “Installation is key.” Homeowners can purchase the best window ever, but with the wrong installa- tion, you might as well have purchased the cheapest window. The biggest don’ts are:
1) Do not retrofit. This window-install technique is a mainland shortcut installa- tion/contractor money-saving, or kapulu, or kapakahi job. Ask your contractor if they plan to retrofit. If they say yes, run the other way as fast as you can. Then, call Tropical. We get it right.
2) Make sure to repair rotten wood. And make sure to repair and paint all drywall and exterior areas during the window install process. Otherwise, it’s like putting on a new suit without taking a bath. It all stinks.
3) Use the correct tools and wood. For example, use termite-treated wood. And don’t use a hammer as your main tool. Also, watch for unlicensed con- tractors as well as unlicensed subcon- tractors. Homeowners have a right to know and it’s the law.
So, in summary, be akamai and call Tropical for windows and even vinyl siding. Where, after 62 years, “Vinyl is Final” and you can deal with the only Hawaii company where Hawaii home- owners can “buy local.”
Call Tropical at 808-593-2000 or come to our showroom at 1351 S. Bere- tania St. in Honolulu.
TROPICAL WHOLESALE CONTACT
808-593-2000 • 808-263-1252
ADDRESS
1351 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
WEB
twoahu.com