Windows and doors are a key component of any home, they protect your home from the elements and even intruders. Windows and doors also provide natural light, outside views, insulation, and a level of security. The ideal window for any home will provide all of these benefits while blocking out wind drafts and UV rays. A window must also be fully functional and easy to open and close while also being energy efficient.
Key features to consider
Energy efficiency – The ideal windows for home usage are intended to prevent air from passing between the outside and the inside of a home. As a result, your home will be more comfortable throughout the year’s hot and cold seasons. When heat waves hit, the appropriate type of windows will help to keep you cool by blocking off the heat. Solid windows help seal in warmth and limit the passage of exterior coldness when wind, snow, and subzero conditions attack.
If your energy expenditures have progressively climbed in recent months, the cause may be your windows. If you see drafts flowing in from the edges of a window glass or frame, it is likely that a gap has been created due to age and countless expansion and contraction cycles. When choosing new windows energy efficiency is a feature that needs to be considered when choosing the frame and glass type.
Ease of use – One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing windows is their ease of use. A window should open and close easily without requiring any exerted physical effort on your part. A window might become more difficult to open and shut over time due to the expansion and contraction of the frames caused by seasonal temperature changes. As a result, it is critical to have a window that is well-equipped to withstand these effects.
Choosing a frame
One of the first aspects of new windows for your home to consider is the frame material you would like to implement. A wooden window frame is less susceptible to heat and cold transmission than an aluminum frame since metals transport temperature far more easily than wood. However, it does not imply wood is always the greatest choice for an energy-efficient window. A number of materials are available for window frames, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Vinyl – Vinyl is a relatively affordable material when compared to other window materials. However, a well-built, professionally fitted vinyl window may be a cost-effective option while still providing high energy efficiency through insulated glass and tight construction that decreases air leakage. Vinyl material tends to have limited color options, which may pose as a deal-breaker for homeowners with different preferences for their home exterior.
Wood – Wood windows provide the highest insulating value, but they require more maintenance than vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass frames. Wood window frames may not be the ideal choice for particularly humid or wet locations due to the possibility of decay. A well-built wood window, on the other hand, will endure the test of time. This is evident with many original wood windows in older homes, and they are still in good condition due to the high-quality cut and species of wood used.
Aluminum – Aluminum may not be the best material in regards to heat transfer and loss, but aluminum windows are useful in wet, humid regions, and their robustness allows them to fulfill demanding coastal building requirements in places that have heavy storms.
Fiberglass – Fiberglass windows have several advantages when compared to other window frame materials. This is because of their low thermal conductivity, they are exceptionally energy-efficient and they are the strongest and most lasting window frames on the market. Fiberglass frames are also versatile when compared to vinyl window frames because they can be repainted numerous times. Fiberglass also does not twist or warp like vinyl or wood frames when exposed to extreme temperatures.
Glass types and options
After selecting a frame, there are a variety of window options to consider. The glass in the window can have a number of different features that can increase the window’s overall benefits to your home.
Clear – The most basic material for window panes is clear glass. With rising energy expenses, many homeowners are opting for glass with specific glazing choices, such as Low-E coating, to improve energy efficiency.
Low-e – Low-E coating is a microscopically thin metal oxide finish applied to the surface of transparent glass that reflects a high proportion of heat. This layer lets the sun’s heat and light penetrate through the glass into the residence while also preventing heat from exiting the space, resulting in reduced heat loss.
Heat absorbing – Glass tinted with gray, green, or bronze absorbs up to 45 percent of incoming solar radiation, reducing heat absorption and enhancing window energy efficiency.
Glass layers and air spaces – Homeowners can pick between one, two, and in some cases three panes of glass for their new windows. A single pane of glass is the least energy-efficient alternative, giving just a thin barrier to the elements and very little insulating effect. Multiple layers of glass improve a window’s capacity to resist heat transfer resulting in enhancing energy efficiency significantly. When the double or triple-paned glass is also Low-E insulating glass with argon, the window becomes, even more, energy-efficient.
Select a style
The style is another aspect to consider when purchasing new windows. Different window types offer differing degrees of natural light and ventilation. Window types range from many different forms of functionalities that affect the way they open and are dependent on the specific situations they can be used. Here are some of the popular styles of windows and their functionalities.
Single-hung – Single-hung windows are made up of two horizontal sashes that can be fitted with or without grilles. The lower sash slides open while the upper sash remains closed. The lower sash is lifted internally in front of the upper sash to open the window.
Double-hung – Double-hung windows have two horizontal sashes, either with or without grilles, and both sashes open. Internally, the lower sash rises in front of the higher sash, but outwardly, the upper sash falls in front of the lower sash.
Sliding – Sliding windows are made up of two or three vertical sashes. The opening sash slides from side to side rather than up and down. In two-sash setups, the right sash unfolds internally leftward in front of the stationary left sash. The two end sashes of a three-sash set may open in front of the fixed middle sash.
Casement – Casement sets are made out of a single vertical window with or without grilles that slides outward from one end. The window may be gently cracked to allow for modest drafts or opened to 45-degree angles to allow for better ventilation. Casement windows open using a crank handle that you spin until the desired level of openness is reached.
When you consider all of the benefits of windows, it is clear they are essential to a home’s comfort, convenience, and value. As a result, high-quality windows are a key investment that bring a variety of benefits. When choosing new windows for your home take into account the frame material, glass specific features, and the type of window to ensure you get a window that fits your needs and preferences.