Replacement Windows

What to Look For When Choosing a Window: Part II

Today’s post is part two of last week’s post about how to choose a window for your home; whether as a replacement window or as a window for your new custom home, window choices are vital when ensuring that your AC and heat don’t escape.

Frame

Aluminum and wooden frames are often the two most talked about frames when it comes to windows, but in actuality, there are many more choices that are not as widely known.

Vinyl frames are less expensive than wood or aluminum but that doesn’t make it a bad choice. When a vinyl frame window is made well and installed correctly, it is a viable contender with other frame materials.
Wood-clad windows are a window frame that is typically vinyl or aluminum exterior and wooden interior, this comes with the benefits of a low-maintenance exterior and temperature transfer resistant interior. Unfortunately, they are also somewhat prone to water leaks which can lead to water pooling and eventually sills and jambs rotting. When these are properly installed with a sill pan, it will drain any pooling water away and minimize any wood deterioration.
Composite frames are usually made from recycled plastic resins and wood shavings, these can be made to look like wood but are practically maintenance free. Fiberglass is also a type of composite frame made of polyester resin and glass fibers; this type of composite frame is more expensive than the first type discussed but they are extremely energy efficient and an excellent choice for durability and strength.
Wood frames are the best when it comes to insulation, but the upkeep required is much more than any other type of frame. They also don’t work well for wet or humid climates.
Aluminum frames are practical choices, especially for wet and humid climates. They do not perform well with heat loss and transfer but their superior strength means that they are often used in hurricane-prone regions.

Installation

It doesn’t matter how much you pay for your window if it is not installed properly. Incorrect installation means that your window is not able to perform its job as an effective barrier for heat, cold, air, water, etc. Pre-installing and waterproofing should be completed before your windows are actually installed, this will start your window installation off on the right foot.

Keep an eye out for sealants and expanding foams being used to seal your window in place, they aren’t waterproof and can lead to air leakage or worse over time. Flashing and caulking are both areas which are often ignored or quickly done, these should be done carefully as they are a final barrier to air and water leakage.

What to Look For When Choosing a Window

Last week we touched on four factors to know about when choosing new windows for your home – either as replacements or for your custom home. These four factors are: Glass, Design, Frame, and Installation. Let’s take a closer look at what to know about these four essential parts of a window.

Glass

When it comes to window glass, there are a lot of buzzwords that get tossed around, what is really necessary for a good window that is going to last and be worth the money that you put into it without breaking the bank? Double-pane windows with a vacuum-sealed argon fill and low-E glass. It will probably cost you an additional $30-50 per window but you will see a difference reflected in your energy bill. We have talked in depth about the differences in single, double, and triple pane glass in previous posts.

When looking at windows, you can usually find a sticker directly on the glass that will tell you exactly what the window’s efficiency features are. If the window has an Energy Star sticker on it then it means that it has met the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)’s standards. These standards are measured in two ways: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – measuring the amount of heat entering a house through the glass, and U-Value – measuring a window’s ability to resist heat loss. For each of these factors, the lower the number, the better energy rating it will receive.

South Texas home owners often choose UV-repellent film as a tint for their windows, it’s practically invisible but it will preserve textiles and paint as well as keeping the interior of a house cooler and save money on utility bills.

Design

The design of a window can have huge effects when it comes to energy efficiency, but that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for something utilitarian or boring. In the past, custom home builders focused on aesthetics rather than function, but now the modern approach is functionality and beauty in one. A window can be both décor and an inlet for fresh air, this is especially applicable for transoms (the window above a door or another window).

Decorative windows that are also functional require a deeper casing which can contribute a lot to the aesthetics of your house as “active” transoms. If you’re looking for further benefits to be reflected in your utility bill, don’t choose a semi-circle or half-moon window as these are not as energy efficient.

Come back next week as we explore the last two of our four important window factors: Frame and Installation.

Should I Replace My Home’s Windows: Part II

A few weeks ago, we discussed questions to ask when you are considering replacing your home’s windows. We’ll continue that discussion in today’s post; these situations and questions may help you figure out if your house’s windows should be replaced even if you have a historical home where you would normally want to preserve the original windows.

Here are a few situations to consider:

Windows in poor condition. When your house’s windows are not in good condition: cracked window panes, rotting sashes, sills, or frames, pests coming into your house, inability to open or shut the windows, leaking water, humidity problems in your home are all indicators that you should replace your windows completely.

Windows with safety problems. If your windows are loose, don’t open or shut, or are weak because they haven’t been maintained properly or are damaged, should be replaced.

Windows with single-pane glass. If your house’s windows have single-pane glass or temperature conductive sashes or frames, it is typically wise to replace them as much of your heating and cooling will be escaping through these exits. These windows are usually poorly installed, and or cheap windows that were not well made.

Things to keep in mind when choosing a window:

There are generally four factors to consider when choosing a new window. These factors are: glass, design, frame, and installation. We’re going to discuss these factors in more depth in our post next week but here’s a brief overview.

Glass

Double-pane windows with a vacuum-sealed argon fill and low-E glass are probably among the best window options for your money.

Design

This area is fairly subjective to what the home owners want, but keep in mind that half-moon shapes, or semi-circles will decrease the energy efficiency of that window.

Frame

At first glance, wood may seem the best choice: it doesn’t transfer heat or cold as readily as an aluminum frame but these aren’t your only material choices.

Installation

It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a window if it’s not installed correctly. Keep an eye out for sealants and expanding foams being used to seal your window in place, they aren’t waterproof and can lead to air leakage or worse over time.

See you next week when we delve deeper into these four factors!

Replacement vs Storm Windows

Last week, we discussed some of the differences between replacement windows and storm windows and how to make the choice between them. Today, we’ll continue to talk about replacement windows and storm windows and help you better decide what is the right decision for your home.

Pros of Replacement Windows

This is a permanent solution to your window problems because with a quality choice comes the assurance that you won’t have to replace your windows in the coming years just because of their age.
Better climate control, energy efficiency, and insulation.
Better and more design choices.
Increases the value of your home
Outside noise reduction.
Allows for more light.

Cons of Replacement Windows

May cause your home’s value to decrease if you have an older or historic home.
May change the look of your home.
Must be installed by an expert and takes more time for installation.
More expensive than storm windows.

Pros of Storm Windows

Allows for the aesthetic of an older or historic property to remain the same.
Less expensive than replacement windows.
Reduces airflow which leads to better insulation.
Since the installation process is simple they can be installed by yourself or a professional.
Protects the primary window from outside damage and helps to reduce outside noise.

Cons of Storm Windows

May be less attractive.
Should be replaced every 2-4 years.
Moisture can become trapped on interior window.
Less light will be able to come through the windows.
Maintenance once every 12 months is required or oxidation and pitting may occur.
Cleaning and maintenance may require removal of the storm windows.
Regular lubrication and cleaning of tracks is required.
Not as energy efficient as replacement windows.

For those on a budget, storm windows are the easiest and cheapest option, this will effectively solve your air leakage and UV ray problems. That said, if you are not on a tight budget, the best way for energy efficiency improvement is to replace all of your home’s windows with energy efficient windows. The newer technology is of course the best for your home, but for those that don’t have that option (whether due to budget constraints or historical properties) storm windows are a good alternative.

Should I Replace My Home’s Windows?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve covered various parts of understanding how to choose windows for your custom home. Minimizing the cost of cooling and heating is a huge part of the decision for energy-conscious home owners. For existing older homes, home owners are usually faced with the decision of keeping and repairing the current windows in your home or replacing them with new windows.

Initial Steps

One of the first steps in deciding whether or not to replace your windows is to do the math to figure out the cost-effectiveness of new windows. This process is not difficult, you can run a home energy audit. This can be a DIY project or you can hire a professional to assist you. Either way, this will identify where the major energy-loss areas are located. This audit will help determine if you need to replace all of your windows or simply reapply the weatherstrips or replace some caulk.

Storm Windows

Historical or older homes, where the original windows must or should be kept as an essential part of the character of your home, may just need the addition of a storm window that will protect the original window and elevate the energy performance to that of a modern window. A storm window is window is that is typically installed on the exterior of the primary house windows (they are also sometimes installed on the interior), they are installed for weather protection of the original window, and normalizing interior temperatures. They can be custom made to your particular window needs

If you believe that your house’s windows should be completely replaced instead of renovated (it’s a good idea to get a second or third opinion about this), you can still keep with the character of the house and win with substantial energy savings while you’re at it. Another advantage of replacing older windows with new windows is the improvement of durability as well as having a warranty.

Questions to Consider:

Is this a DIY project? Storm windows are relatively simple to install, replacement windows are trickier and you should gauge your skill level carefully.
How old are your windows? Windows that are 30 years old should generally be replaced UNLESS they add historical value to your home. Keeping the esthetics of a historical home is very important.
What is your budget? Replacing windows can be very costly while adding storm windows is relatively inexpensive.