Paradise Window Installation & Replacement

Windows are one of the most exposed parts of a foothill home in a fire. Radiant heat can crack single-pane glass and let flame or embers reach the interior, which is why glazing is written directly into the wildfire construction rules Paradise builds under today. Bay Area Siding Company installs replacement and new-construction windows for Paradise homeowners — on standing homes and on rebuilds — with the fire-zone requirements handled as part of the job. We're a Marin-based (Larkspur) siding and window contractor serving Northern California.

Ready to move forward? Request an estimate or call (415) 619-5167.

Fire-zone glazing comes first here

In most markets the lead question about windows is energy and comfort. In Paradise, it's fire performance. The town's rebuild following the 2018 Camp Fire — the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, which destroyed most of the community — has been carried out under California's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) construction rules, and glazing is part of them.

Under Building Code Chapter 7A, exterior windows in fire-prone areas generally must be multi-paned with at least one pane of tempered glass, along with other assembly requirements, so the opening can better withstand radiant heat and ember exposure. Whether that applies to a specific project depends on the parcel's fire-zone designation and whether the work is treated as a repair, an alteration, or new construction — so we confirm the current requirement with the Town of Paradise Building Division before ordering, rather than assuming. On a rebuild the fire-zone glazing standard is typically built in from the start; on a standing home, altering an opening can bring it into play.

Energy and comfort still matter

Fire performance doesn't cancel out the everyday reasons to replace windows — and in the foothills, with hot dry summers and cool winters, they matter. A modern dual-pane unit with a Low-E coating cuts summer heat gain and winter heat loss far better than older single-pane glass. California's Title 24 energy code sets maximum U-factor and SHGC values for replacement windows, and those numbers vary by climate zone and code cycle, so rather than quote fixed figures we confirm the values in effect at permit time and spec units that meet them. A multi-pane, tempered, Low-E window can satisfy the fire-zone requirement and the energy requirement at once.

Retrofit or new-construction install

• Retrofit (insert). The existing frame stays and a new unit sets into it. Less invasive, good where the surrounding wall and flashing are sound.
• New-construction (full-frame). The window comes out to the framing so the opening and flashing can be fully renewed — the right call on rebuilds, and where there's rot or water intrusion around the opening. It's also the natural path when a wall is being re-clad at the same time.

We do both, and we recommend the one that fits the home and the code path for your parcel.

Choosing a window

We install several brands and can compare them for your openings, budget, and the fire-zone spec. Start at the window hub, then read the specifics for Anlin, Milgard, Andersen, Marvin, and Pella. We also install aluminum windows. The tempered/multi-pane requirement can be met across these lines — the choice comes down to frame material, performance, appearance, and price.

Permits and the rebuild process

Window replacement in Paradise is permitted through the Town of Paradise Building Division, which runs permits and inspections through an online portal and supports reconstruction through its Building Resiliency Center and rebuild guides. A Title 24 energy compliance document is generally part of a fenestration submittal. We confirm the current requirements — energy and fire-zone alike — and handle the paperwork, working within the town's rebuild process where the project is a rebuild.

What affects the cost

We don't post prices, because every job differs. The drivers are the number and size of openings; whether it's a retrofit or full-frame install; frame material and brand; the fire-zone glazing spec the parcel requires; the condition of the framing and flashing around each opening (rot repair adds scope); and access. New-construction installs and rebuild coordination carry more scope than a straight insert.

FAQ

Do my Paradise windows need to be tempered? Often, yes. In fire-prone WUI areas, Chapter 7A generally requires exterior windows to be multi-paned with at least one tempered pane. Whether it applies to your project depends on the parcel's designation and whether the work is a repair, alteration, or new construction — we confirm that with the Town of Paradise Building Division before ordering.

Do I need a permit to replace windows in Paradise? Window replacement is permitted through the Town of Paradise Building Division, and a Title 24 energy document is generally part of the submittal. We handle the permitting.

Can the same windows meet both the fire and the energy rules? Usually. A multi-pane, tempered, Low-E unit can satisfy the WUI glazing requirement and Title 24 energy performance at the same time; we spec to both.

Retrofit or new-construction — which do I need? Retrofit keeps the existing frame and is less invasive; new-construction removes the window to the framing so flashing can be fully renewed, which suits rebuilds and openings with rot or water damage. We assess and recommend.

Get your Paradise windows moving

We'll measure your openings or review your plans, confirm the fire-zone and energy requirements, and get the right windows specced and installed. Call (415) 619-5167 or request an estimate. Doing the exterior too? See Paradise siding replacement and James Hardie siding, browse the project gallery, or explore the Butte County service area.