Best Replacement Windows For You
When looking for your best replacement windows, the first thing to do is identify your priorities. Is appearance your highest priority, or energy savings? If security is the main issue, you might want to limit your selection to burglar proof windows. Are you planning to do work on your exterior siding, or not? These are all considerations to think about in order to decide which will be the best replacement windows for you. There are 34 types of windows, so you should be able to find something that satisfies your criteria. Before making your selection, I would also consider ease of cleaning, and location of the windows. It's probably not best to put the same window in all locations.
Try the windows in the store to make sure they operate smoothly and without a lot of effort. If a window will be placed over a counter or other obstruction (like a sink), you should probably not have double hung windows there. Casement windows will be much easier to open, and therefore easier on your back. Installation is very important - if the window is not level and plumb, it won't work properly, or seal properly. Unless you're VERY handy, let a pro do it. There are 2 ways you can approach the installation of replacement windows. You can buy the entire assembly - sash, frame, and trim - or you could just replace the sash. This allows the frame and trim to remain and eliminates the need to patch the walls around the windows. Obviously, this saves a lot of money. However, if you choose only to replace the sash, it becomes very important that you take accurate dimensions. Anderson and Pella both make extensive lines of wood and vinyl replacement windows (mostly double hung). The decision will depend on your pocketbook, and on the condition and type of windows you're replacing, as well as the condition and style of your siding. Consumer Reports conducted a study in 2007 where they tested 17 different windows, ranging in price from $180 to $600. All the windows were Energy Star rated. The conclusion was that 4 brand names are consistently well rated: Andersen, Champion, Marvin, and Pella. It's recommended that you limit your selection of best replacement windows to one of these manufacturers. In the category of clad-wood, the top rated model was the Marvin Clad Ultimate at $400. But the 2 "best buys" were the Andersen 200 series tilt wash, costing $235 each, and the Pella ProLine which goes for $215 each. Energy Efficient Windows Windows and insulation are the 2 biggest items to think about when you're trying to make your home more energy efficient. While researching for best replacement windows, I found lots of technical information put out by various government agencies. In the event that you want more than what I am giving, you can contact the U.S. Department of Energy at www.eren.doe.gov, or the Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC). The first issue is CONDENSATION RESISTANCE. Too much condensation can allow mold or mildew to grow, and eventually cause wood to rot. Since metal conducts heat or cold quickly, aluminum framed windows performed the worst for this performance category. The best results were obtained by wood/vinyl windows with a low-E coating on the glass. THERMAL COMFORT is another criteria that can help determine your best replacement windows. Interior window treatments (such as blinds or shades) can substantially offset the thermal radiation that windows allow into the house. The importance of this measure will be determined by the climate, the size of the windows, and how close to the windows will people be sitting. Surprisingly, triple glazing does not perform noticeably better than double glazing in this category. The most consistent performer in both winter and summer conditions was the window with double glazed low-solar-gain, low-E glass. As already mentioned, this glass should be in a wood or vinyl wrapped frame.
High performance home replacement windows not only provide reduced energy bills, they also reduce the peak energy loads. This might enable the homeowner to downsize the heating and cooling equipment in the home which will substantially lower energy costs over the long term. ENERGY COSTS seem to be determined more by the glass than by the window frame. The annual savings achieved by having wood/vinyl frames instead of aluminum frames with thermal breaks, is only about $40 when the same glass is in both. But when you compare clear or tinted glass to the low-solar-gain low-E glass, the savings jumps to about $150 a year. In the coldest areas, triple glazing saves about $200 a year over double glazing. But in the warm-to-hot zones, the additional expense isn't needed. So people in Phoenix get the best money-saving results by using double glazed windows with low-solar-gain low-E glass. In summary, when choosing your best replacement windows, you should consider appearance, energy efficiency, and installation needs. The location of your windows should determine the style of the window in order to achieve ease of use. If you're confused,and want to ask a question about your best replacement windows, contact me by clicking here.
GTA Windows and Doors: Vinyl windows and vinyl patio doors replacement, installation and home improvement services in Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada.
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