FAQ

■ Everything you need to feel confident.

Windows & Skylights

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  • We carry a full range of styles including single and double hung, casement, awning, sliding, picture, bay and bow, and specialty shapes, available through top brands like Andersen, Marvin, WeatherShield, Ply Gem, Simonton, and MW Manufacturing.

    Are custom sizes available?

    • Yes, custom sizes are available through almost all of our manufacturers, including Andersen, Marvin, and WeatherShield, allowing us to accommodate virtually any opening.

    What about Skylights?

    • We carry Velux skylights, one of the most trusted names in the industry, offering a wide range of fixed, vented, and solar-powered options for any application.

  • Climate plays a big role - we can recommend the right glass packages, frame materials, and weatherstripping to handle everything from high winds and heavy snow loads to extreme heat, depending on your location.

    Do you provide energy-efficiency ratings?

    • Yes, all of our windows come with ENERGY STAR ratings and NFRC-certified U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) data so you can make an informed choice.

  • A typical window replacement takes one to two days for most homes, though larger or more complex projects may vary.

    Yes, we have our own professional installation team to handle your project from start to finish, all in house, ensuring your windows and skylights are installed correctly and efficiently.

  • In many cases yes - insert or pocket replacements allow us to install new windows within your existing frame and trim with minimal disruption.

    Warranties vary by manufacturer, but brands like Andersen, Marvin, and WeatherShield offer strong warranties on frames and glass; we'll walk you through the specifics for whichever product you choose.

  • Absolutely — we work regularly with contractors and builders on new construction projects and can accommodate large orders, job site deliveries, and project-specific scheduling.

  • You bet we do — and we carry the same Andersen product line at competitive pricing. If you've received a quote from Renewal by Andersen, we're happy to go through it with you and see how we compare.

  • Yes, we work with industry leaders to meet industry standards and offer flexible payment options, including no payments for up to 12 months on qualifying purchases. Ask a team member for details.

Glass & Mirrors

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  • We offer a wide variety of glass including clear, tinted, frosted, tempered, laminated, insulated, low-iron, and decorative glass for both residential and commercial applications.

    Specialty Glass includes non-glare, frosted, tinted, rain glass, low-iron (ultra-clear), and more — perfect for adding privacy, style, or function to any space.

  • Yes — we provide custom mirrors in virtually any shape or size, including cut-to-order pieces for bathrooms, closets, gyms, accent walls, and more.

  • Low-E (low emissivity) glass has a microscopically thin coating that reflects heat while still allowing natural light to pass through, helping keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer — which is especially valuable here in the Tahoe area where temperatures can swing dramatically between seasons.

    Tempered glass is safety glass that has been heat-treated to be significantly stronger than standard glass and to break into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. It is required by code in shower enclosures, doors, sidelights, and other high-risk areas.

    Insulated glass units (IGUs) consist of two or more panes of glass separated by a sealed spacer often filled with air or an inert gas, however gas is not used in the Tahoe region due to altitude constraints.

    Laminated glass has a plastic interlayer bonded between two glass panes for safety and sound reduction, while insulated glass consists of two or more panes sealed with an air spacer between them for thermal efficiency. Both serve very different purposes and we can help you determine which is right for your project.

  • Yes, we design and install custom frameless, semi-frameless, and framed shower enclosures using tempered safety glass to meet code requirements and suit your bathroom's style.

  • Yes! We offer a variety of mirrors and edge treatments including flat polish, beveled, pencil polish, and seamed edges depending on the application and your preference.

  • In many cases yes — if your frame is in good condition but your glass has lost its seal or become foggy, we can replace just the glass unit and restore the window's performance without the cost of a full replacement.

  • Fogging between the panes means the airtight seal on your insulated unit has failed, allowing moisture to enter the space between the glass. Once the seal is broken the insulating gas escapes and the thermal performance drops significantly. We can assess whether a glass replacement or full window replacement is the right solution.

    The most common sign is condensation, fogging, or a hazy film that appears between the panes and cannot be cleaned from either side. If you are seeing this in your Tahoe home, especially heading into winter, it is worth getting it addressed before the cold sets in.

Showers

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  • We offer a full range of shower door styles including frameless, semi-frameless, and framed enclosures, as well as sliding bypass doors, pivot doors, hinged doors, barn-door style and fixed panel configurations. Whether your bathroom is modern, classic, or somewhere in between, we have a style to match.

    What’s the difference between frame and frameless?

    Frameless shower doors use thick tempered glass with minimal hardware and no surrounding metal frame, creating a sleek and open look. Semi-frameless designs have a partial frame, typically around the perimeter but not the door itself, offering a balance between a traditional and modern aesthetic at a slightly lower price point.

  • Absolutely — all of our shower glass is cut to your exact measurements, so whether you have a standard alcove or a completely custom tile shower, we will fabricate the glass to fit perfectly – something hardware retailers cannot do.

    Do you offer free estimates?

    Yes, we offer free in-home measurements to ensure your shower glass is fabricated to exact fit. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our team members.

  • Yes! Most shower enclosure installations are completed in one day. Custom or more complex configurations may require an additional visit, but our team works efficiently to minimize disruption to your home.

    We apply a professional-grade silicone sealant along fixed panel edges and joints to ensure a watertight finish and protect your walls and flooring from moisture. However, frameless shower enclosures are not 100% water tight.

  • We carry hardware in a wide range of finishes — brushed nickel, chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and satin brass — and can work with you to find the closest match to your existing faucets, towel bars, and fixtures for a cohesive, polished look. Stop by our shop to browse our display models in person.

  • Beyond standard clear glass we offer a variety of options including frosted, rain, low-iron ultra-clear, and patterned glass, giving you full control over the level of privacy and style in your shower.

    Thickness

    For frameless shower enclosures we typically recommend 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch tempered glass for its strength and premium look and feel. Framed and semi-frameless options can work well with 1/4 inch glass. We will recommend the right thickness based on your specific design and budget.

    Glass Type

    Standard clear glass has a natural slight green tint caused by iron content in the raw materials, which becomes especially visible when looking at the edge of the glass or in thicker applications.

    Starphire low-iron glass is up to 90% clearer, making colors and finishes behind or beneath the glass appear true and vivid. It is a particularly popular choice for frameless shower enclosures where you want the tile, stone, or fixture finishes to show through without any color distortion — and paired with a Diamon Fusion coating, it is truly the premium option for a stunning, easy-to-maintain shower.

    Other options include Rain Glass, Satin-Etched Frost, and more! Feel free to reach out for options or to step in our shop to feel the actual product.

  • Yes, we regularly partner with general contractors, bathroom remodelers, and tile installers throughout the South Lake Tahoe area. We are happy to coordinate scheduling around your project timeline to keep things moving smoothly.

  • Diamon Fusion is a professional-grade glass protection treatment that bonds to the surface of the glass at a molecular level, creating an invisible hydrophobic barrier that causes water, soap scum, and mineral deposits to bead up and roll right off. It significantly reduces the time and effort needed to keep your shower glass clean and helps prevent the buildup of hard water stains — which is especially beneficial in the Tahoe area where mineral-rich water can leave stubborn deposits on glass surfaces. The coating also helps protect the glass from etching and corrosion over time, keeping your shower looking newer for longer. Ask a team member about adding Diamon Fusion to your shower enclosure at the time of installation.

  • Yes — we offer free on-site measurements for shower enclosure projects. Getting eyes on the space before quoting ensures accurate sizing, lets us flag any out-of-plumb walls or tricky conditions, and means no surprises on install day. Contact us to schedule yours.

    How are you different from Home Depot or big box retail?

    Big box stores typically sell off-the-shelf enclosures in standard sizes, installed by third-party contractors with little accountability once the job is done. We're a local, owner-operated glass shop — we fabricate custom glass to fit your exact space, handle the full installation ourselves, and stand behind our work directly. You're talking to the people who will actually measure, build, and install your shower, not a call center scheduling a subcontractor.

Doors & Hardware

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  • We carry a wide selection of entry doors, interior doors, patio doors, sliding glass doors, and French doors in a range of materials including wood, fiberglass, and steel. Before you order, we encourage you to stop by our showroom to see door styles, glass options, and hardware finishes in person — it makes a big difference when you can see and feel the product.

  • Fiberglass doors are engineered to resist the kind of punishment Tahoe weather dishes out — heavy snow loads, freeze-thaw cycles, intense UV exposure, and wide temperature swings. Unlike wood, fiberglass won't warp, crack, or swell with moisture, and it holds its finish far longer. Many fiberglass doors are also available with wood-grain textures, so you get the look of wood without the maintenance headaches. For mountain homes that take a beating from the elements, fiberglass is often the smartest long-term investment.

  • At 6,200 feet elevation, doors take on more stress than they would at lower altitudes — UV is stronger, temperature swings are more extreme, and moisture from snow and ice is a constant factor. Fiberglass is our most recommended material for exterior doors in this environment, followed by steel for security-focused applications. Wood can work well but requires consistent upkeep. On the energy side, we offer doors with insulated cores and weatherstripping systems designed to minimize air infiltration — an important consideration given Tahoe's heating costs.

  • Yes on both counts. If your frame is in good condition and square, we can often replace just the door slab, which saves time and cost. If the frame has settled, rotted, or is out of square — common in older Tahoe homes — a full frame replacement is usually the better call. We measure everything on-site before ordering to make sure the new door fits correctly and all hardware locations line up.

  • We carry door hardware in brushed nickel, chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, satin brass, and more. For long-term care, the main thing is avoiding abrasive cleaners — a soft cloth with mild soap is all most finishes need. In Tahoe's UV-heavy environment, exterior hardware can fade faster than expected, so we can also steer you toward finishes and brands that hold up better outdoors. Periodic lubrication of hinges and locksets goes a long way toward keeping everything operating smoothly through the freeze-thaw season.

  • Yes. Fire-rated doors are available for applications that require them — common in garage-to-home entries and certain commercial settings. For security upgrades, we can source reinforced door slabs, heavy-duty frames, and multi-point locking hardware that significantly increases forced-entry resistance. If you're not sure what your project requires, we're happy to walk through the options with you.

  • Yes — we handle installation on both residential and commercial projects. Lead times vary depending on whether the door is a stock size or a custom order. Stock doors can often be installed within a week or two; custom-sized or special-order doors typically run three to six weeks depending on the manufacturer and time of year. We'll give you a clear timeline at the time of quote so you can plan accordingly.

  • Warranty coverage varies by product and manufacturer, and we'll walk you through what's included for your specific door at the time of purchase. On our end, we stand behind our installation work directly — if something isn't operating correctly after we leave, call us and we'll make it right. As a local, owner-operated business, you're not dealing with a call center or a third-party warranty department. We're here, and we're accountable.

Trims & Accessories

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  • We carry a range of trim profiles and decorative mouldings in various materials, finishes, and styles — from clean and contemporary to more traditional detailed profiles. Whether you're replacing existing trim to match what's already in your home or starting fresh with a new look, we can help you find something that ties the space together. Stop by our showroom to see samples in person before making a decision.

  • Interior trim is primarily decorative — it frames windows and doors and ties your interior finishes together. Exterior trim does double duty: it has to look good and also seal and protect the rough opening from moisture, snow, and UV exposure. At Tahoe's elevation, exterior trim takes a real beating, so material choice matters. Composite and PVC-based trim products hold up significantly better than raw wood in our environment — they won't rot, crack, or absorb moisture the way wood can after years of freeze-thaw cycles. We'll steer you toward options that are proven to perform here.

  • Absolutely — and this is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make in a mountain home. Worn or missing weatherstripping around doors and windows is one of the leading causes of heat loss, and replacing it is a straightforward fix that pays for itself quickly in heating costs. We carry weatherstripping and sealing accessories, and can assess what your openings need when we're on-site.

  • Yes, and it's often underestimated. Exterior trim is one of the first things people notice — clean, well-matched trim gives a home a finished, intentional look that significantly improves curb appeal. On the interior side, quality moulding and casing elevates the feel of a room in a way that's hard to quantify but easy to see. For resale, updated trim work signals to buyers that a home has been well cared for, which supports value.