Learning About Windows For Your Home

Learning About Windows For Your Home is often a necessary step in the design process of any homeowner – you are not alone. As one of the most essential components of any living space, affecting not only its appearance but its performance as well, windows do more than simply provide natural light, ventilation, and beautiful views of your surroundings – they affect the way in which your house regulates its interior temperature throughout the year. Regardless of the windows you decide to install, eventually the quality of your window installation is going to show itself in your heating and cooling bills. So whether you decide to install wood, fiberglass, aluminum, composite or vinyl, it is imperative that your windows be installed by qualified professionals who can guarantee that your products have been installed and sealed properly.

Learning About Windows For Your Home: Design

Learning About Windows For Your Home: Whether you are replacing existing windows, planning a renovation, or building a new house, there are many design options to consider. Before deciding on which windows are the perfect fit for your house, it is often a good idea to ask yourself the following:

• Is it to provide a great view?
• Is it to bring more natural light into the space?
• Is it to allow for better ventilation?

Casement Window Structure

Learning About Windows For Your Home: Energy Efficiency

This is the most practical aspect of selecting a new window. The three areas that determine energy efficiency properties of a window are the frame, seal and glass.

Window Frames

The primary materials are wood, vinyl, composite, fiberglass and aluminum. Of these aluminum is the least efficient because is readily conducts heat and cold. With the proper manufacturing and frame construction all of these material can be made to meet Energy Star ratings.

Window Glass

The two most important contributions to the improved energy efficiency of glass are Low_E and double glazing. Low-E is clear coating applied to one side of the glass. The term Low_E stands for low emissivity. Emissivity is simply the measures of the surface’s ability to absorb or reflect radiant heat. The lower the rating the better in preventing heat loss. Double glazing is the use of two sheets of glass separated by an air space to improve insulation against heat transfer. Note many companies also offer triple glazing options for added energy efficiency.

Window Seal

A spacer is inserted between the panes of glass and bonded to the glass with a primary and secondary seal to create and airtight seal between the two sheets of glass. The most common spacers are aluminum spacer bars, intercept spacers or warm edge spacers. To further improve the efficiency argon gas is injected into the space.

Window Maintenance

For many homeowners easy cleaning tops the list of important considerations. Double hungs tilt-in units are the easiest to clean. Single hung, slider and casements are also easy to clean.For proper function of operable windows choose a quality manufacturer. The operational hardware such as block and tackle system on double and single hungs, rollers on sliders and crank hardware on casements is extremely important.

Window Warranty

The best indications of a quality manufacturer is to measure the strength of their product warranty. If a manufacturer knows they make a great product they will stand behind it with the warranty terms.

How much do windows cost?

From least-to-most expensive, here is the average price scale per one window unit, minus installation: