Selecting the right replacement windows for your home can be a daunting task. Like any specialized area, window manufacturing and technology are constantly changing and understanding them can be difficult. Before you make any decisions and commit to what will likely be a substantial home-improvement investment, learn more about windows. Here are some tips to help evaluate the effectiveness of windows and doors in a home you're going to purchase. - Determine how many panes of glass are in the windows. Single-paned windows are the least energy efficient. You can replace them with double- or triple-paned ENERGY STAR® compliant windows to enhance energy efficiency and make a home more comfortable during all seasons.
- Look for condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows. This could indicate seal failure. If this is the case, you might need to replace the glass or the entire window.
- Do your windows open and close easily? If your windows are hard to open or close—or they won’t stay open or locked—this could be a sign that the windows need replacing.
- Have someone stand outside your window. With a small flashlight, stand inside and “travel” around the window’s perimeter. If the person outside sees areas of light coming through, this is an indication of seal failure—and probably energy loss.
- Does it seems especially noisy in your house? If you live near an airport or busy street, consider replacing your windows with laminated glass windows to help reduce noise transmission.
- Did your neighbors just build a new home that’s too close to your bathroom? For added privacy, request decorative obscure glass in your windows. This will allow light to flow into the home, but will keep your privacy!
If you’re considering installing aluminum windows then make sure the aluminum window frames have thermal breaks in them. Otherwise aluminum is a poor insulator. If you are going to install new windows with vinyl frames, as many folks do. Check with the window companies you get estimates from that their windows are manufactured from virgin vinyl, and not recycled vinyl from other products, which is known as regrind vinyl. These will not have the same guarantee of color fastness as the virgin vinyl window. It may however, explain why their windows are cheaper than rival replacement window suppliers are. Another must thing to look out for is an air space of between 1/2 and3/4 of an inch between the glass panels in a double ortriple paned window. If the air space is more or less than this, the insulating and noise reduction benefits that these type of replacement windows can bring will be lessened. You may intend for the new windows which will replace your existing ones to contain tinted glass, which is designed to reduce glare from too bright sunshine. If so, ask if you can see a sample of the actual glass that will be put into your windows. This is because no industry standard color chart exists. It is therefore impossible to guarantee exactly the color ordered.
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