A Buyer’s Guide to the Best Replacement Windows
High Energy Bills
Much of the energy generated in your home to maintain a conducive indoor living space environment escapes from your home if you lack proper insulation. One of the common culprits for energy loss is your window. If you feel that you have had enough of relatively high energy bills and want to have a more valuable yet energy-efficient home, then it’s time to replace those windows.
Post-Storm Repairs
Severe storms can take a toll on any home. Your property might still be standing, but a lot of the structures could be compromised, waiting for that moment to fall apart. So, before you go back to your everyday life, taking precautionary measures such as repairing electrical wiring is essential. However, when it comes to your windows, it is almost sure that they will need a replacement, especially if they are old.
When You Want a Makeover
Renovating a home brings about a sense of joy that every homeowner looks forward to with a measure of satisfaction. You get to enjoy a new, improved, and more efficient design in your old house. However, going through the makeover process involves your windows in no small part. You could want to introduce new windows or replace the old ones for a more efficient and attractive view.
When The Windows Are A Threat To Your Safety
Though many house break-ins happen through the front door, the second most common entry point is the windows. When your window fails to open or close well, is a single pane with no added security feature, or has a damaged lock, then they are a threat to your safety. To protect your property and family, then a window replacement would come in handy.
If You Have Warped, Damaged Or Broken Windows
Here, consider the cost of repair vis-à-vis replacement. If your windows need new weather-stripping, locks, or other minor hardware changes, then a repair is the cost-effective approach. However, if you need significant changes, such as damaged, deformed, and broken window frames, then a replacement becomes the plausible solution to avoid inconveniences in the future.
Moisture Damage
When you notice that the walls near your windows are experiencing water damage, your windows are probably leaking. The repair solution for this concern entails sealing the window with a waterproof material, but this can only last for so long. Instead, you can choose to replace the window to avoid any more breaches on your windows.
Read This Categories Before Replacing Your Windows
How to Reinforce Your Windows
Types of Glasses to Use on Your Windows
The Proper Maintenance for Your Windows
Final Remarks
Hiring A Windows Contractor
The Most Common Materials Used To Make
Window Frames For Homes Include:
Wood
Wood is famous for its natural beauty and diversity. It is best used for the interior parts of the structure, rather than the exterior. This is because water, humidity, extreme temperature fluctuations, scorching sun, and insects are not best friends with wood.
Pros
Wood has an elegant and warm look, which naturally improves your curb appeal.
Wood is a poor conductor of heat. It offers thermal insulation when used as a frame, which helps you save on energy bills.
Wood is durable, meaning you get value for your money. High-quality wood could last for years with proper maintenance and care.
Wood rarely expands and contracts with fluctuation in temperature. Therefore, it is unlikely to warp and remains versatile for a wide range of designs.
Cons
Well, nothing is perfect, including the impeccable piece of wood. Some of the disadvantages associated with the use of wooden frames include:
You need to paint
wood Since wood is a biodegradable material, it starts to wear out with time. To maintain the beautiful aesthetics associated with it, you need to paint the wood.
Wood is expensive-getting new, high-quality, treated wooden window frames relatively more costly than other materials.
High maintenance
Since wood attracts an array of insects like termites and does not interact well with water, you need to keep up with high-grade maintenance for the wood to last long.
Vinyl
This rigid, high-strength poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) material is impact-resistant and is very durable. Its construction design features air pockets in the material to help slow down the heat transfer, meaning that they are energy-efficient.
Pros
Energy-efficient
Vinyl window frames have an excellent thermal performance rating. With the right brand, you get an air-tight, efficient, and smooth operating design for your home.
Low maintenance
Unlike wood, you do not need to paint vinyl window frames to preserve them. Also, vinyl windows are easier to remove and clean, making them a favorable choice for homes.
Lasts longer
Vinyl is more durable compared to other window frame materials in the market.
Cheap
Vinyl windows are more affordable compared to wood and fiberglass
Cons
Well, nothing is perfect, including the impeccable piece of wood. Some of the disadvantages associated with the use of wooden frames include:
You need to paint wood Since wood is a biodegradable material, it starts to wear out with time. To maintain the beautiful aesthetics associated with it, you need to paint the wood.
Wood is expensive-getting new, high-quality, treated wooden window frames relatively more costly than other materials.
High maintenance Since wood attracts an array of insects like termites and does not interact well with water, you need to keep up with high-grade maintenance for the wood to last long.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is another excellent choice for window frames. It is a composite material, meaning it is highly eco-friendly, among other benefits.
Pros
It is durable Fiberglass can easily outlive metal, wood, and wooden-clad window frames.
Low maintenance
When a stray stone, hail, or baseball hits your fiberglass window, you can replace the glass instead of the whole unit. This is better compared to vinyl, whereby you may have to replace the entire window.
Versatility
Fiberglass is highly adaptable. You can change the appearance of the window to match your home. The multiple designs and allowance for painting the window give you the freedom to choose your preferred appearance.
Energy-efficiency
Fiberglass windows are highly efficient, both for your pocket and the environment. They have a hollow space, which reduces heat transfer. And since the fiberglass window frames comprise of recycled glass, they are more eco-friendly.
Cons
Fiberglass is expensive, and you end up with a longer wait time when you decide to go for these window frames.
Metal
Most metallic window frames are aluminum-based. It is an economical option for homeowners since it’s light plus durable. Likewise, due to their corrosion-resistant nature, they tend to need less maintenance.
Clad-wood
These materials feature a combination of beautiful wood and the low maintenance of aluminum. The cladding extends the life of the exterior part of the frame by preventing the wood from rotting.
Consult with an expert on your home’s requirements and the cost before you can settle on one type of window frame.
The Various Types of Replacement Windows
The beauty of replacing your windows is that you get the opportunity to fit in a different design and style of windows in your home. Some of the most common types of replacement windows include:
Double-Hung Windows
Double-Hung Windows This type of window has both sashes (a framework of vertical or horizontal rails containing a glass sheet) open. The top one slides down, and the bottom sash opens upwards. These classic windows allow the warm air at the top to escape and let cool air enter your house through the bottom sash.
With a different design, you could have the double-hung windows tilt outwards, making cleaning a lot easier, especially if you live on a higher floor.
If you intend to have a window air conditioning unit, then the double-hung windows are the right choice.
Single-Hung Windows
These windows are similar to the double-hung windows, but only one sash moves. The bottom sash moves up to open the window and down to close it. With a modern design, you can have one that also pivots, making your job of cleaning the window easier.
Casement Windows
Casement windows are the best for people looking for an unobstructed view. The hinges on one side allow you to open the window once you crank the lock open.
Casement windows offer the best ventilation and are also easy to clean. Compared to the double-hung windows, casement style windows provide a more air-tight closure. However, they’re not suited for window air conditioners.
Glider windows
Also called sliding windows. These windows have a rail at the top and the bottom, and the sash slides horizontally to open the window. The maximum you get is a half window open, which is sufficient for ventilation.
These windows are perfect for people who want a broad view but lack interior or external spaces to install any other window that pivots or tilts to open.
Bay and Bow Windows
Both bay and bow designs feature a protruding construction. However, the bow style comprises small windows of the same size, making the curve while protruding. The bow windows feature three or more windows fixed at certain angles so that they protrude outwards.
Bay style windows, on the other hand, have two angled-side windows. There’s one large window at the center and another smaller window.
Hopper Windows
Hopper windows open at the top and have hinges at the bottom. This design is specific for these windows to help prevent water from flowing into the house. They are most common for basements.
Picture Windows
These windows are fixed in place. They do not open but have an unobstructed view to allow maximum lighting for your indoor space.
Skylights
These are windows fixed on the ceiling. You can either have them repaired or operable. And with modern designs, the skylights can distribute light from the ceiling to your hallways and bathrooms.
Since these windows are small in size, they can be used with any roof, without any special reinforcements.
How to Reinforce Your Windows
A few enhancements on your windows can go a long way to ensure their energy-efficiency and safety. And investing in a top-notch replacement window not only saves you cash in the long run but also increases the market value of your home.
So, the better and more efficient you go, the more valuable your home becomes.
Argon Gas Fill
If you’re going for a double or triple-paned window, you can improve the window’s performance and lower heat transfer rates by adding argon gas between the window panes. The argon protects your window from damage caused by temperature fluctuations and increases insulation.
However, you need an expert for this, lest you end up with a leaking window sill.
Low-Emissivity Glass
Low emissivity or Low-E glass windows reduce the UV and infrared light reaching your home. However, they do not affect the amount of light you receive. That means you get adequate but safer natural light.
The Low-E windows have a thin coating that reflects heat, thus keeping your indoor temperature consistent, regardless of the time or season.
And since UV and infrared light are known to increase fading, you can protect your furniture and drapes from losing color.
To measure the effectiveness of low-E glass, you should consider:
• The U-Value
This is a window rating showing how much heat loss it allows.
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
The amount of heat entering your home from the sun’s radiation, compared to the total heat reaching your window.
• Visible Light Transmittance
How much visible light passes through the window into your indoor space.
• Light to Solar Gain
A ration of the visible light transmittance to the solar gain coefficient rating of a window.
Dual Cam Locks
Any high-tech lock on your window is always a plus. The dual-cam locks protect the window, making your home more secure from burglars.
Sloped Window Sills
By choosing a triple-stepped sloping design for your windows, then you offer more protection from damages caused during storms. The slope guides the water away from your window, considerably limiting any damage to your window sill.
Double-Strength Window
Instead of using your regular strength window pane, a double-strength glass offers more protection from bumping and forceful entry. With a thicker glass, the intruders will need a lot more effort to force it open or break the glass.
Fiberglass aMesh Screen
The fiberglass mesh is resistant to the effects of temperature fluctuations. So, it does not crease, meaning that your window retains a vibrant, clean, and pleasant appearance, even years after installation.
Storm-Breakers
As mentioned before, severe storms could be reason enough to get new windows since they compromise your home’s integrity. So, once you replace your windows, it would be wise to install storm-breakers to protect your windows from future damage.
And if the windows can get to withstand strong winds, hail, and everything else in a severe storm, then you can expect it to stop intruders from entering your home.
