Founder, Window Universe & TheWindowDog.com
Licensed Contractor • Window Industry Veteran • EPA Lead-Safe Certified

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Introduction

Hi, I’m Dan Schweihs, better known here as The Window Dog. I’ve spent more than 20 years in the replacement window industry, working in manufacturing, distribution, sales, retail operations, product evaluation, and installation oversight. My entire career has been dedicated to helping homeowners cut through the noise, understand the window business, and make confident, informed decisions.

I started this site in 2014 to share real, experience-based information that simply didn’t exist anywhere else. Since then, The Window Dog has grown into one of the most trusted consumer resources on replacement windows—helping thousands of people save money, avoid sales gimmicks, and choose the right products for their homes.

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My Background in the Window Industry

Early Career: Joining the Management Training Program at Associated Materials (2004)

My window industry experience began in 2004, when I was hired into the Management Training Program at Associated Materials, parent company of:

• Alside
• Preservation
• Gentek
• Alpine
• And other major U.S. brands

This program was created by the CEO (a former GE executive) to solve a major industry problem: the extreme “siloing” inside large window manufacturers. Manufacturing experts didn’t understand distribution. Distribution experts didn’t understand corporate operations. And almost nobody understood how retail sales worked.

The goal of the program was to develop future leaders who had firsthand experience across every major function of the company.

What I learned

Across several years, I worked directly in:

• Manufacturing
• Distribution management
• Contractor and dealer support
• Corporate operations
• Product strategy
• Warehouse and logistics supervision
• Wholesale sales & Sales training

This gave me an incredibly broad perspective on how windows are built, sold, priced, distributed, and serviced—a perspective very few people in the industry ever get. There are other people who have spent a long time in this business but almost nobody who has had so much exposure to all aspects of the window industry.

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Supply Center Manager — Alside (Age 25)

At just 25, I was promoted to manage one of the largest Alside Supply Centers in the United States.

I oversaw:

• 20+ full-time warehouse and office employees
• Contractor sales training
• Product education
• Distribution logistics
• Regional business growth

I earned several awards for multi-million-dollar annual sales growth, and developed close relationships with the biggest retail window companies in the area.

Those relationships would eventually lead to a major turning point.

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The Problem I Saw — And the Opportunity

While many of the large retail dealers were financially successful, I repeatedly witnessed:

• Homeowners being massively overcharged
• High-pressure, commission-based sales tactics
• Confusing, misleading presentations
• Products oversold or misrepresented
• Service quality far below what customers deserved

These were my top customers—and yet, I wouldn’t have referred my family or friends to any of them.

That said something loud and clear:

There was a huge need for an honest, transparent, customer-friendly window company.

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Founding Window Universe (2008)

In 2008, my (now) wife and I founded Window Universe from a small apartment in Alexandria, Virginia. We had:

• A little bit of savings
• A credit card with a large limit
• A clear vision:
  Create a retail window company that treats people fairly.

We wanted to do the opposite of what the industry was known for.

What made Window Universe different

• No commission-based salespeople
• Clear, itemized pricing
• No high-pressure sales tactics
• Honest recommendations—not upsells
• Better installers and project managers (because we weren’t paying huge sales commissions)
• Email-based quotes so customers could see pricing without an in-home visit
• Straightforward education instead of sales scripts

It turned out homeowners loved this approach.

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Rapid Growth: Expanding Into 40+ Markets Nationwide

What started as two people in a small apartment quickly grew.

We expanded into:

• Baltimore
• Richmond
• Cleveland
• Pittsburgh
• Philadelphia
  …and many more.

Today, Window Universe operates in over 40 markets across the United States, serving customers from coast to coast.

I have been personally responsible for over 5,000 window replacement projects, and our company continues to grow each year.

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Why I Started The Window Dog (2014)

By 2014, I’d accumulated a massive amount of industry knowledge—product specs, ratings, manufacturing details, failure points, installation considerations, and pricing data.

I originally started TheWindowDog.com simply to help my team and customers understand the truth behind window products, ratings, and sales tactics. Frankly, I didn’t think anyone would spend too much time reading about windows.

But something unexpected happened…

People loved the information.

The site grew quickly because homeowners were desperate for:

• Honest reviews
• Straightforward explanations
• Clarity around NFRC ratings
• Real comparisons
• Someone on their side

Manufacturers sometimes disliked the reviews (especially when their products needed improvement), but that never changed my approach. When a company improves a product, I update the review. Accuracy comes first.

And since the beginning, I have always believed:

• If you tell people the truth, they’ll trust you.
• If you treat people fairly, they’ll come back.

Thousands of homeowners have told me they saved thousands of dollars thanks to the information on this site—whether they hired my company or not.

That’s one of the most rewarding parts of all this.

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Certifications, Credentials & Industry Qualifications

To further reinforce my expertise and ensure compliance and quality, I maintain or lead:

✔ EPA Lead-Safe Certification

Required for safe work on homes built before 1978.

✔ Licensed Contractor (Multiple States)

Experience meeting contractor requirements in many U.S. markets.

✔ BBB A+ Accredited Business

Our company maintains a long-term A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

✔ AAMA Gold Product Line

All window products offered by Window Universe are AAMA Gold rated, the highest certification available from the American Architectural Manufacturers Association.

✔ Experience with All Major Brands

Over the years I’ve worked with or evaluated products from:

• Andersen
• Pella
• Alside
• Preservation
• ProVia
• Gentek
• Simonton
• Vytex
• WeatherShield
• Jeld-Wen
• Okna
• Alpine
  …and many more.

This broad exposure helps me recommend products based on real performance—not marketing.

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My Replacement Window Evaluation Methodology

My recommendations are based on:

• Direct product testing
• NFRC rating analysis
• Manufacturer engineering data
• Installation quality and consistency
• Failure point analysis
• Warranty performance
• Pricing vs. value comparison
• Contractor and installer feedback
• Reader comments & homeowner feedback
• Service history and long-term durability

No manufacturer pays for reviews or rankings and we refer folks to companies I know across the country who treat their customers the way I’d want our readers to be treated. More on my review methodology here.

Every review is based on real-world experience and transparent evaluation—not sponsorship.

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My Review Philosophy: Honesty, Clarity & Fairness

From the beginning, my philosophy has always been simple:

“Sell windows the way I would want to buy windows.”

That means:

• No gimmicks
• No pressure
• No inflated pricing
• No fake discounts
• No made-up ratings

I believe homeowners deserve all the information—not a sales script.

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Industry Experience Timeline (Quick Overview)

2004 — Joined Associated Materials Management Training Program

Worked across manufacturing, distribution, sales, logistics, and corporate operations.

2006 — Promoted to Alside Supply Center Manager

Led large teams, trained contractors, and grew multimillion-dollar territories.

2008 — Founded Window Universe

Launched an honest, transparent alternative to traditional window sales.

2010–2014 — Expanded into multiple U.S. markets

Baltimore, Richmond, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and more.

2014 — Launched TheWindowDog.com

Created the internet’s most transparent resource for window buyers.

2014–Present

Over 5,000 projects personally overseen. Window Universe now serves 40+ markets nationwide.

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How I Help Homeowners Today

Every day, I work to provide:

• Honest product reviews
• Clear explanations of window ratings
• Advice on avoiding high-pressure sales tactics
• Transparent information about pricing
• Real answers to reader questions
• Constant updates on new window technology
• Guidance on choosing the right products

I routinely hear from homeowners who saved thousands of dollars thanks to the resources on this site.

Nothing makes me happier.

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Contact Me

If you have questions about your window project, I’d love to help:

Contact Dan

I try to respond to as many messages as possible.

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Closing Thoughts

The replacement window industry is often confusing on purpose. My mission is to make it simple, honest, and understandable—so every homeowner can make a decision they feel good about.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me and this site. I hope the information here helps you save money, avoid stress, and find the best windows for your home.

— Dan