subject: A Window Of Opportunity: What Can Window Replacement Do For You? [print this page] Window replacement is a perfect opportunity to reduce your energy costs, improve the comfort of your home, and give your home a facelift. The main ways to ensure that your new windows are energy efficient and stay that way are:
Install double pane windows. This can reduce heat transfer by half, with an optimal gap of 20mm between the panes.
Install low emissivity (low-E) glass. Low-E glass has a thin coating that reflects heat back into the room but allows heat from the sun through, giving energy conservation equivalent to triple glazing without the added weight.
Install double pane windows with gas between the panes. An inert gas such as argon that is often found in these types of windows provides greater insulation than air.
With energy costs so high, these measures can significantly reduce your heating bills. Replacement windows have other advantages as well:
The inner pane of low-E, double pane windows with inert gas between the panes is warmer than standard double or single panes. This reduces drafts around windows, making the room more comfortable, and also reduces condensation, which in turn reduces damage to the window frames and sills.
Double pane windows help sound-proof your home, which can be a great advantage if you live close to a busy highway.
Replacement windows can greatly improve the curb appeal of your home and can completely transform its style.
Installing new windows offers an opportunity to improve your home security. Double pane windows are more difficult to break. Fit new windows with locks and avoid certain window styles, such as louver windows or leaded windows, if they are easy to reach.
Replacement windows may seem like a big job, but the disruption can be very minor and soon forgotten when you start enjoying the benefits of your new windows.
