Last Updated on February 25, 2022 by Kravelv
Are your home’s windows still doing a good job of providing proper light, ventilation, and protection for your home? If they are nearing their 20-year mark, your windows are likely costing you more than they are serving you. Don’t put up with drafty windows, condensation on your glass, and skyrocketing energy bills just because you’re afraid of the window replacement cost. Done right, replacing your windows can be a worthy investment.
Take Advantage of Cost-Effective Options
It used to be that the high-efficiency windows that would significantly cut your energy use at home cost twice or thrice as much as regular windows. Today, technological advancements have made it possible to not only produce better windows but to manufacture options that offer more value for money. Even when you don’t have to work with a budget, making the most out of what you’re spending is always a good thing.
The Importance of Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient windows eliminate the 30% of heating and air conditioning that disappears out the windows, even allowing for smaller heating and air conditioning systems to further improve how energy is spent in a home. With energy more wisely used in your home, you’re looking at cutting back on needless use of electricity, which will result in energy savings for you. This is good news for the resale value as well. A recent study done for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) revealed that the home’s energy savings is one of the most important factors home buyers consider in their purchase — with most people being familiar with the costs of electrical heating and are more likely to value a home with energy-saving features. Because of this, you can get back nearly 80% of window replacement costs should you decide to sell.
Understanding Window Replacement
It truly does pay to replace your windows but to make the most out of it, it is essential that you choose the right replacements. Part of ensuring that is by understanding a few things that determine window performance, including its parts. For starters:
- Glazing refers to the glass used in the window, and is often used to refer to the number of glass layers. This means then that a double-glazed window, for instance, is a window with two panes of glass. As the number of panes go up, a window’s insulative capabilities improve, so a double-glazed window offers better insulation than a single-glazed model.
- Low-E, or low emissivity, glass refers to window glass with a thin metallic coating that helps reflect heat from the sun without affecting how much natural light a window lets through. This makes low-E windows great for anyone looking to take advantage of daylighting but want to do away with excessive passive heating.
- Frames can be made from different materials, like wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and composite. One of the popular options today is composite because it can be made to look like wood but will not rot and is easy to maintain like vinyl but insulates better.
There are a lot of window options out there and it is important that you take the time to know what’s available to you so you can pick out the best one for your home. Don’t hesitate to talk to a local contractor today for assistance!
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Author Bio:
Born and raised in Wyoming, Andy Stellpflug is the owner of Renewal by Andersen of Wyoming. He’s been in the business for over a decade now and has seen to it that each job is completed with a focus on exemplary service and customer satisfaction. When he’s not dealing with windows and doors, he likes to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing. For updates from Andy, check out the company blog!
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