| Here are some quick facts for any consumer | | | | lowers energy savings. |
| thinking about purchasing and installing windows | | | | Wood - |
| replacement. At first glance they seem to be | | | | Solid wood looks nice and does a great job |
| simple pieces of glass placed in the wall, but closer | | | | providing insulation. But the material is fairly |
| attention will bring to light important details. Here | | | | expensive, demands maintenance and can |
| are some quick facts on why good windows are | | | | contract over time. |
| worth their cost. | | | | Composite - |
| Energy Savings - | | | | Fabricated composites are tough, good-looking, |
| According to the U.S. Department of Energy | | | | and stand the test of time. They come in |
| (doe.gov), leaky windows account for 25 percent | | | | different styles and colors so homeowners can |
| of the average household energy bill. The Energy | | | | match windows to living space. Prices vary |
| Department says homeowners can cut electricity | | | | depending on manufacturer and materials. |
| costs by about 15 percent if they install Energy | | | | Vinyl - |
| Star rated windows. | | | | Vinyl windows are low-key and reasonably priced. |
| Noise reduction - | | | | But vinyl can fade over the years. |
| Double-pane glass windows reduce noise pollution. | | | | High technology isn’t only limited to |
| Double-pane windows have up to one inch of air | | | | electronics. Modern windows are getting a few |
| between the two panes of glass. According to | | | | upgrades that can cut energy consumption, |
| housing publication Better Homes and Gardens | | | | improve style points and reduce maintenance |
| (bhg.com), thicker glass and more air between | | | | requirements. Here are a few of the |
| panes equals better noise reduction. | | | | improvements. |
| Lifespan - | | | | Keep Heat Where You Want It - |
| Most manufactured windows should be replaced | | | | Low-emissivity glass (low-E) works to reflect heat |
| every 20 years. Ways to tell if a window should | | | | back to where it came from. The thin metallic |
| be replaced include: | | | | coating on each side of the glass reflects energy |
| Holding a candle in front of a closed window to | | | | from being transported through the window. This |
| see if the flame moves from a draft | | | | means sunlight is kept out in the summer and |
| Condensation gathering on the window. | | | | heat is kept in in the winter. This can save the |
| Natural Lighting - | | | | homeowner big bucks on energy bills when it |
| One thing’s a given when it comes to | | | | translates into less air conditioning and decreased |
| windows: they let light into the building. But if | | | | use of the heater. About 95 percent of natural |
| lighting is a prime consideration than skylights | | | | light makes it through low-E windows. |
| might be the way to go. Skylights allow 30 | | | | Window Coatings - |
| percent more light into a home than standard | | | | Homeowners can get window coatings applied to |
| vertical windows or bow windows. | | | | their glass. Coatings can block UV rays that lead |
| Windows are usually made from glass and from | | | | to fading of curtains, carpets or floors. Some |
| something else. That something else makes up | | | | coatings work to cut down on heat transfer and |
| the frame and is usually one of five items. Here | | | | create energy efficiency. Dual-action coating is a |
| are pros and cons to each. | | | | special material that breaks down matter such as |
| Clad - | | | | mold or mildew and makes cleaning much easier. |
| Clad windows are usually the most expensive | | | | Glass Treatments - |
| frame material. Clad windows are made from a | | | | Frosted glass and bubbled glass limit visibility |
| wooden core and a metal or vinyl shell. The wood | | | | through windows and therefore increase privacy. |
| is used to lessen the passing of cold or hot. The | | | | Natural light still makes it through the window, |
| metal is used to protect the wood and lower the | | | | creating a private, well lit room. |
| maintenance required. | | | | Cut Down on Cranks - |
| Aluminum - | | | | Getting sick of hand cranks messing up the |
| Aluminum is affordable, low-maintenance and | | | | smooth flow of your blinds? Well think about |
| tough. Aluminum windows have grown in | | | | installing some casement windows with fold-down |
| popularity in recent years because of a style | | | | handles. These handles are tucked nicely into the |
| factor. The main problem with aluminum is it | | | | window frame allowing for zero interference of |
| transfers heat and cold easily and therefore | | | | treatments. |