Windows are on of the few components of your home that have a significant impact on both your interior and exterior design. They have a big impact on curb appeal and interior design—but they also work to protect your home from the elements, insulate your living spaces and bring in natural light and fresh air.
As the years go by, however, windows can deteriorate and lose their effectiveness. In some cases, units may have never been installed correctly in the first place. Regardless of why the windows aren’t as functional as they should be, investing in window replacement yields a number of benefits for your home’s appearance, as well as your energy bill.
BETTER THAN EVER: New windows today are manufactured with beauty, efficiency and comfort in mind. They now offer various innovative features that will help improve your home’s functionality and comfort.
Selecting new windows requires lots of planning and careful consideration of key factors. Thanks to modern technology, most of the windows manufactured today offer advanced looks and performance. Read on to learn about which features to consider when getting replacement windows for your home.
- Versatile Style – Windows contribute greatly to the aesthetic appeal of a home. When looking for new windows, it’s important to look for a product that complements the architectural style of your home. If you have a traditional-style home, such as Victorian or Colonial, it’s best to look for equally traditional window styles, like double-hung and casement. For modern homes, look for contemporary window styles, such as specialty and sliding windows. Fortunately, many window companies today offer a wide range of window styles that go well with different architectural styles. Before choosing your window style, be sure to consult a window specialist to find out which options are most ideal for your home.
RIGHT FRAMING: Your windows rely on their frames to remain sturdy and durable despite ongoing exposure to harsh conditions. With the right material, though, they can also help boost your energy efficiency.
- Insulated Frames – The frame serves as the structural foundation of your windows. It keeps your units intact while reinforcing their performance against harsh weather. However, there’s more to window frames than meets the eye; in fact, the frame plays a big role in the energy efficiency of the window. If you’re in the market for new windows, be sure to look for units with insulated frames. These frames have the ability to prevent excessive energy loss and keep cold drafts out. Composite frame materials like Fibrex®, for instance, offer high insulation levels to help boost a home’s energy efficiency. With minimal energy loss, you can save significantly on your utility bills. Fibrex has twice the strength of vinyl and is just as low-maintenance. It will not rot, chip or fade, helping you save on maintenance costs, too.
- Low-Emissivity Glass – Special glass coatings can reflect infrared light to keep heat outside during summer and inside during winter. They also prevent harmful ultraviolet rays from entering your home through windows, preventing the fading of your carpeting, draping and furniture. Before buying new windows, make sure they have the ENERGY STAR® label on them, as this guarantees your new units are tested and proven to be energy efficient. Furthermore, look for topnotch glass packages, such as High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass, which is built with advanced materials designed to reduce the amount of heat that enters and leaves your home. In addition, this special glass minimizes water spots when exposed to daylight, ensuring lasting protection for your home.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN: Many windows today come with customization features that ensure the product meets your functional and aesthetic needs perfectly.
- Customization Options – Not all homes are created equal. This why you should look for new windows that allow you to customize according to your needs and home’s design. Fortunately, many newer windows include an extensive selection of customization features, letting you “dress” your windows the way you want. From the grills and screens to color finishes and hardware, you have endless options when it comes to personalizing your replacement windows.
- Gas Fills – Argon gas as fillers in between your window panes drastically improve the energy efficiency of the window. An inert, naturally occuring gas, argon offers better thermal performance in your home, helping improve your overall energy efficiency by several percentage points. When used together with insulated frames and Low-E glass, this feature will save you a lot of money on heating and cooling.
- Intercept Spacers – Temperatures fluctuate drastically throughout the year, which is why you need windows that can handle extreme variations in temperatures. Intercept spacers, which have the ability to expand and contract along with temperature changes, help keep the distance of your window panes just right and make sure that your new units will perform their best year-round.
- Weatherstripping – This is an effective way to seal your new windows. If done correctly, it can last for many years. Weatherstripping helps prevent cold air from seeping into your home and boosting your energy use. It also blocks moisture from penetrating your window materials, reinforcing the durability of your units.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional Installer
Even high-quality windows won’t perform well if they aren’t properly installed. Rather than dealing with the window selection process, labor and cleanup all on your own, not to mention follow-up assessments to ensure proper placement and ventilation, you’re far better off hiring a knowledgeable and deeply experienced professional to guide you through the process and handle the installation. You can also rest easy knowing they’ll have the foresight to spot issues you might not notice.
Protect your home improvement investment by working with qualified and reliable contractor. With their knowledge and expertise, you can be sure they’ll help you choose and install the right windows for your home.
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Author Bio:
Kenneth Biddle has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. The team of professionals in Dallas are committed to working tirelessly each day to earn the trust and confidence of their great community, one homeowner at a time. Kenneth is blessed to be married to the most wonderful person on the planet, his beautiful wife of 20 years. Kenneth is all about family and has two amazing sons and a beautiful seven- year old granddaughter. His oldest is 34, a Military veteran who served our country in Afghanistan and now is in law enforcement in Florida and his youngest is 24 also residing in Florida. Ken is a former collegiate athlete and holds two bachelors’ degrees from Kennedy Western University – one in civil engineering and one in economics.
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