The windows for your home bring comfort and warmth to the property. They also offer a decorative appeal that can help to enhance the design of your home. And so it’s important that you carefully select window options and work with the top specialists in the industry to find the right options for your family home. In this latest post, our experts highlight their guide to choosing new windows for your home.
1. Begin with the frame
Selecting the framing material is the first part of the process. There are many options to consider but perhaps the most popular framing material is wood, as wood can be matched to the new design of the interior space. Many choose wood windows because they provide a classic style that helps to retain the original design of the property. For a newer appeal, options such as vinyl might be preferred. Vinyl products are more cost-effective than wood frames and can provide a similar level of insulation for the property.
2. Review Your Glass Options
Next, you’ll have to consider the full range of glass options available in the marketplace. One of the options that are becoming more outdated in recent years is single pane glass. Single pane is only really suitable in mild climates as it doesn’t offer the requisite level of insulation. Double pane options are usually ideal because they have a sealed air space between the glass, which acts to reduce the amount of heat loss within the home. There are a number of double pane window options, with the most popular including low E variations, which have an invisible coating of metal on one surface and contain an inert gas for additional insulation.
For those in especially cold climates, triple-pane windows might be the ideal option. That’s because they are sealed with a mix of gases, including argon and krypton which provide high levels of insulation within the home and can help homeowners save as much as 3% on their energy bills throughout the year.
3. Look at Energy Efficiency
This brings us to the important factor of energy efficiency. It’s critical that you consider the R-values of your windows, which indicate the level of energy efficiency provided by the product. Triple pane windows have an R rating between 5 and 7. And these are among the most efficient products available for the home.
4. Choose a Window Style
Now that you know a little more about window panes and energy efficiency, it’s time to choose the style of window. Among the most popular and least expensive options are sliding windows, which require little maintenance but may not provide high levels of ventilation, because only one side of the window opens. Another great option is bay windows. Bay windows provide a dramatic design touch and can make a room seem larger. For a more modern look, you might consider casement windows, which offer an unobstructed view and pivot on hinges located on the side of the frame.
5. Your Window Installer
The final element to consider when buying new windows is to research the installation company. Find a specialist that has years of experience and many references for their past work. And make sure you have a basic understanding of the installation process before the installer arrives.
It’s the ideal time to begin reviewing window upgrades! Local window installers can help you choose and integrate the ideal windows for your home space. To discover more about the options available, and to find out which window styles suit your home, call a local company in your area today.
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