Understanding Replacement Window Options for Your Home
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Categories:
Windows & Doors
Replacing the windows in your home involves a lot of
decisions. Many people don’t consider the many decisions involved beyond the
more obvious visual characteristics of color and accessory options. Homeowners
should do their research and narrow down the options before strolling into
their local home improvement store.
Contrary to what some advertisements tout, saving money on
your energy bills should not be the only reason you replace your windows. If you do the math, it could take decades for
you to recoup the $8,000 - $24,000 that you will spend on having new windows
installed.
It is true that Energy Star-qualified windows can lower your
energy bills by 7 to 15 percent.
However, that only equates to $27 to $111 annually for a 2,000 square
foot single-story home that already has double pane or storm windows. Only $126
to $465 annually for homes with just single-pane glass. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother.
New windows can make your home quieter, more attractive, and
less drafty, and they don’t need painting. They are also easier to clean and
operate than old windows and can reduce your carbon footprint. Changing the style and configuration of
windows can also dramatically change the look of your home for the better.
So now that you’ve decided to replace your windows, what are
the other critical factors to consider before giving a deposit?
Window Operating Type
The most common ventilating windows are Double Hungs, Sliders, Casements, and
Awnings. Double Hungs and Sliders have two or more sash that slide up and down
in the case of a Double Hung, and left to right in the case of a slider. Double
Hungs are the most common style of window found in most traditional American
homes including: cape cods, colonials, victorians, craftsman homes, ranch
homes, cottages, farmhouses, or tudors. They generally cost less than Casement and
Awnings due, primarily, to the fact that they don’t have complex operating
hardware. The sash simply slide in the jamb tracks.
Casements and Awnings (or top-hinge casements) have a single
sash that is hinged on one side. Casements can be ordered with the hinged side
on either the right or the left. Awnings are always hinged at the top. These window styles are best suited for
modern home styles such as mid-century modern, prairie, tudor, ranch or art
deco. Although slightly higher in cost than Double Hungs, Casements and Awnings
generally seal more tightly, giving them higher air and water infiltration
ratings.
Wood, Vinyl, or
Fiberglass Frames
The most common materials used to manufacture replacement window components
are wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. Wood windows are clad on the exterior with
either vinyl or aluminum. Aluminum-clad windows offer the greatest variety of exterior colors. Wood windows can be
ordered with either a natural wood interior for staining or with a prefinished
white interior paint. The most common
quality manufacturers of wood windows are Andersen Windows and Sierra Pacific Windows.
Vinyl windows are the least expensive option. There are fewer color options available with
vinyl although white is by far the most common. A reputable top manufacturer of
vinyl windows is Simonton Windows.
Fiberglass windows are the newest technology on the market,
providing strength and durability, plus longevity. They are also available in a
wider variety of colors. A top fiberglass window manufacturer is Integrity
Windows.
Glass Options
When it comes to saving energy and keeping your home more comfortable, choosing
the right glass package is important. A variety of optional glass packages are
available that combine the most effective features and advanced designs to
achieve year-round thermal performance and energy savings. Low-E coatings
reflect infrared light keeping heat inside in the winter and outside in the
summer. It can also reduce fading of carpet, artwork and photos by helping block
damaging ultraviolet rays.
There are also a variety of odorless, colorless non-toxic
gases that can be placed in the insulating glass unit to provide greater
insulation values. Different spacer systems keeps a window and door’s glass
panes the correct distance apart and are designed to reduce heat transfer at
the edge of the insulating glass unit. Check your home’s location on the
Climate Zone Map at http://energystar.gov
and choose a glass package that meets or exceeds the Energy Star requirements
for that region.
NOISE REDUCTION
Most experts agree that if you want superior noise reduction in your windows, you should choose laminated glass. Two panes of glass are adhered to a durable plastic interlayer,
much like a car windshield. When these factors come together as a double-pane insulated glass panel with dead air space between the panes, they reduce the vibrations sound creates and muffle most sounds that would come right through ordinary glass. This is popular on homes that are very close to
busy roads, industry or airports as it can reduce the sound transmission by more than 80%. Laminated glass reduces the sound transmission far better than single pane or standard double pane glass. And, yes, more than triple pane glass. The additional pane doesn’t reduce outside noise any more than double pane windows.
ADDED SECURITY
Laminated glass also adds a higher degree of security to
your home. If a stray baseball hits a window, the glass will shatter, but
broken pieces remain adhered to the interlayer, preventing glass fallout inside
the home. The plastic interlayer is also puncture-resistant, frustrating
potential intruders. Laminated glass can
be expensive so depending on one’s budget, it is only added on the side of the
house facing the noise source for noise reduction, or only on the first floor
when considering security.
DOUBLE PANE VS TRIPLE PANE
Triple pane windows cost approximately 1/3 more than a double pane window. The energy saving cost is minimal over that of a double pane window with Low-E coating and Argon gas. When you break down the math, it can take up to 35 years to recoup the additional cost. So if you plan on staying in your home a very long time, we suppose you can consider triple pane a better investment. In general, they probably are not. Triple pane windows are heavier than double pane, so you need to make sure your home can handle the weight. And they do not reduce the sound transmission any better than double pane.
Additional options with glass include a wide variety of
obscure options for rooms that require year-around privacy, but where natural
light and ventilation are still desired.
Tagged:windows, replacement