Deciding on New Replacement Windows

Deciding on New Replacement Windows

Deciding on New Replacement Windows

Homeowners find that the work of maintaining a home never ends. Something always needs to be replaced or repaired, and the windows in your home will eventually come up for replacement, too. Not a pretty thought, is it, because replacement windows are expensive; however, if you want to maintain the energy efficiency in your home, it's a task that will need to be performed at least once during the life of the home. If you have the skills it will take to install the windows yourself, you can save yourself a lot of money. Most homeowners, however, will choose to have someone else do the job for them. The new windows that you purchase can be made of wood, aluminum, or vinyl that are designed for easy installation as long as the frames and sills of your windows are in good shape. You will choose the best replacement windows by matching them to the style of your home so that your dcor will benefit from them both inside and out.

In addition, the climate you live in will also determine how important U-value is to your situation. If you live in a colder climate you will want the lowest U-value you can find. A low U-value means that the heat inside the house will stay inside. However, if you live in a warmer climate, the solar heat gain coefficient is more important because it measures how much of the sun's radiant heat is transferred across the window. The lower the SHGC the better the window is in a warmer climate. In a colder climate you want to try and capture as much of the sun's radiant heat as you can so a better SHGC number is not as important as a good U-value rating. While U-value is important when selecting a replacement window, it is not the most important factor when determining energy efficiency.

Take into account how you would like your new replacement windows to open. There are windows that open with the use of a crank and windows that slide up and down on the sashes. Many modern replacement windows can swing open from the top inwards to allow for easy cleaning. Double hung windows are the most popular, with a top and bottom panel. Both panels should be able to slide up and down. Crank-style windows (or casement windows) are not as prevalent in today's homes because they are cumbersome to open and usually not made with energy efficient glass and materials.

Once you have made the decision on the type of replacement windows you want for your home, you must next determine the way you wish to install them. If your home has had damage to the existing window frames - including mold, rot, warping and termite infestation - you should remove the entire interior trim and total window unit completely. You will have to replace all aspects of the window in order to get the most energy efficiency, safety and security from your new replacement windows. In other cases, you may not have to remove too much of the interior unit if the wood is in good condition. Replacing a window can be as easy as removing the old and replacing it with the new, as long as the interior structure is in sound condition and has not been subject to moisture or pest infestation.

Many people are hesitant to undertake a window replacement project because they are afraid that it will require tearing out brick, stucco, sheet rock and more to have the windows replaced. Usually this is not the case. Most good window installers can replace a window without disturbing the existing structure. This is nice because it limits the amount of finish work required and it allows the project to be done fairly quickly. Most window installation projects are complete within two days and do not require any additional masonry, stucco, or sheet rock work. Find a window installer that is comfortable explaining their installation process to you so that you know what to expect when they start installing windows.

This, unfortunately, is the biggest misconception people have about installing replacement windows: anyone can do it. While it is not rocket science, installing windows is an acquired skill, and the better you are at it, the better the installation will be. There are many contractors out there that say they can install windows, but few that will say they can do it well. It is important that you determine your window installers comfort level with installing replacement windows before you hire them to do the work. A window will only perform well if it was installed correctly. A poorly installed window can be difficult to open and close, it can leak, it can be drafty, just to name a few. It is as important to find the right window installer as it is to find the right replacement window for your project. Take the time to find the right window installer and ask the right questions before they start the work. This will insure a well executed window replacement project and long term performance of your replacement windows.

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