PART 1 - WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS?
You may have chosen your home’s original windows well, but no matter how high-quality they may be, time will come to have them replaced. If you’re ready to go ahead with your window upgrade and replacement project, first make it a point to understand what you’re getting yourself into. Apart from the budget, there are a lot of other important considerations, including 1) making sure that the timing and the weather are right, 2) that you make the smartest material and design choices, and 3) that you pick the right professionals to do the job for you. In this three-part post, we will take a look at all the basic aspects that should go into your window replacement project plan. WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS? KNOW THE SIGNS Before you get into the actual window replacement planning, you first need to determine if you really do need to get your windows replaced. There are a number of things that come into play, such as the age of the windows and the extent of damage, if any. To make the decision process easier for you, here are some of the signs that can help you tell if window replacement is indeed called for:
• Drafts. Even the best and most weathertight windows will let in some air in the form of drafts, but it should never be strong enough for you to notice it. Stand beside your windows and set your palm close to the area where the frame meets the wall. Do you feel air? You can also take a candle and hold it near the same area. If the light gets snuffed out, then you have a problem with a drafty window. This means that energy and conditioned air iis able to escape through your window, compromising your comfort and the home’s energy efficiency.
PART 1 - WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS?
• Difficulty in operation. At times, this is caused by inadequate lubrication of moving parts, but it can also be caused by a serious issue in the window’s assembly. This is especially true for single or double-hung windows. These types of windows have what is called a balance, or the mechanism that keeps the sash up when you open the window. If the sash of your single or double-hung window cannot stay up, it may be time for a replacement. • Condensation inside the glass. If you have multi-pane windows and notice fogging inside the glass, you are dealing with condensation. This means that the seals between the glass panes have broken, and the window’s ability to insulate has become unreliable. When this happens, you may choose to have the glass replaced, but it may be more costeffective to replace the entire window.
• Outside noise. If you are hearing outside noise when you used not to, this indicates seal failure and lack of insulation. • Softness, chipping, and other signs of decay on window frames. If the window frame shows visible signs of damage, the damage is very likely irreparable.
PART 1 - WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS?
• Unusually high energy bills. When your windows begin to perform poorly, your home’s energy efficiency will dramatically drop, making your energy bills skyrocket.
If you notice any or all of these signs in your windows, then by all means, push through with your window replacement project. Replacement will effectively eliminate the issues and allow you to benefit from improved home aesthetics and energy efficiency. ooooo
In the next post, we take a look at the factors that should go into your planning, so stay tuned!
PART 2 - WHAT GOES INTO YOUR PLANNING?
By now, having decided to replace your old windows, you may be asking, what’s next? In this post, we discuss the basic aspects that you should put into consideration as you proceed with your window replacement plans. • Window materials. Windows come in different framing materials. Among the options available today are wood, metal, aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, and composite. Each has different pros and cons. Some are naturally more beautiful than others, while some are more affordable. Some are more durable and only require minimal maintenance. Find time to learn all about each materials’ characteristics to help you determine which best suits your needs. • Window styles. Different window styles suit different applications. You can choose from double-hung, casement, sliding, picture, bow and bay, picture, awning, and specialty windows. All of them can enhance the look of your home, but you should still consider architectural style as well as the area of the home where you will have the windows installed.
• Durability and cost efficiency. These two factors are equally important and affect each other. A durable window may appear to be more expensive than one made of lower-quality materials, but you should bear in mind, too, that such windows can also give you the best bang for your buck over the long run. Furthermore, durable materials more often than not are easier to maintain, thus minimizing lifetime costs.
PART 2 - WHAT GOES INTO YOUR PLANNING?
• Energy efficiency and sustainability. In order for you to make the most of today’s windows, you should look at energy efficiency values and measurements. Go for ENERGY STAR products and check the NFRC label to see if they meet the recommendations for your area. • Climate. This should play a huge role in your decision-making as different climates have different efficiency requirements. • The contractor. Ultimately, you should look for a professional who can provide you with high-quality products and services, as well as give you tips and recommendations for you to get the best products for your home, budget, and goals.
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In the next post, we will take a closer look at the top two window replacement considerations: material and style. Keep posted!
PART 3 - MATERIAL AND STYLE CONSIDERATIONS
The material and style of replacement windows will affect your home in a number of ways, from aesthetics to energy efficiency. To get the best window material and style, you will need to look at a number of aspects, which we will discuss in this post. MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS • Durability. Of course, you need to look for a material that offers outstanding durability. A durable window has a higher chance of lasting longer. Furthermore, a durable material also looks better in general. • Installability. A material that is easy to handle and install makes labor easier and faster to complete, lowering labor costs. • Maintainability. A window that is well-maintained is likely to last longer. However, if you pick a material that requires a lot of maintenance work, you might end up not doing it at all. Pick a material that’s easy to care for instead.
MATERIAL OPTIONS • Wood. Naturally beautiful and insulative, wood offers classic appeal and strength. However, it needs regular maintenance to keep on looking good and staying strong. • Vinyl. Cheaper than most material, vinyl is easy to maintain. It is also easy to install. However, it can warp or melt when exposed to extreme temperatures. • Metal. Metal such as aluminum is easy to shape and customize. However, it offers poor insulation values.
PART 3 - MATERIAL AND STYLE CONSIDERATIONS
• Fiberglass. Stronger than vinyl and less prone to contracting and expanding, fiberglass windows are also easy to maintain. However, they are expensive. • Composite. This material is composed of wood fibers and other components that help ensure its durability. It is also easy to handle, install, and maintain, and is generally more cost-effective than its counterparts. STYLE CONSIDERATIONS • Aesthetics. The replacement windows you choose will of course need to complement your home’s style and its existing elements. While most window styles are versatile enough, there may be particular ones that would best suit your home’s overall look.
• Operation. Sliding, swinging, or fixed? The operation of a window will determine its functionality when installed in certain areas of the home. For instance, sliding windows are best for areas with high foot traffic, while swinging windows are good for areas that are hard to reach. Fixed windows are good for when you are just after light and views. • Efficiency. A window’s efficiency is directly linked to its operation. Fixed windows are the most efficient as they do not let energy and air escape or enter at all. However, operable windows also offer efficiency in the form of ventilation or air flow, as well as natural light transmission.
PART 3 - MATERIAL AND STYLE CONSIDERATIONS
STYLE OPTIONS • Double hung. These have two operable sashes that slide vertically. • Casement. These are hinged at the sides and crank or swing outward to open. • Sliding. These have one or two sashes that slide horizontally. • Bow and bay. A combination of fixed and operable windows such as double-hung or casement, these protrude from the home’s walls. Bow windows are more rounded while bay windows are polygonal. • Picture. Fixed windows made up of a single glass pane that can be as big as you want it to be – it can even run from the ceiling to the floor. • Awning. Typically hinged at the top, these are perfect for areas that need a balance between privacy and ventilation. • Specialty. These are custom windows that can be made to have different shapes and can be combined with different window styles in one assembly.
Planning a window replacement project can be exciting, but also overwhelming. As long as you know what aspects to consider, it can be breeze to get completed. Make sure to find a window contractor who can help you through the entire process and you will surely enjoy the experience.
Renewal by Andersen of Cape Cod 3 Colonel Drive, Boune, MA 02532 (508) 205-1200 (508) 936-1171 MyFlawlessWindow.com