subject: Finding the Best Windows or Patio Doors for Bitter Cold Temperatures [print this page] Author: Gerry Rogers Author: Gerry Rogers
There is nothing quite like an icy cold winter day to let you know just how drafty your windows and doors really are. You might be able to ignore these drafts in the summer, but come winter, it can be downright miserable. You shouldn't be shivering inside your home! There are a number of reasons why you may be feeling drafts around your windows and doors. First, many windows, patio doors and French doors have just a single pane of glass, which really can't be insulated. The area around the window will feel just as cold as the outside. Have you ever noticed that the glass feels like ice when you touch it? For a long time homeowners used to install storm windows and doors on many single pane (or old double pane windows) for insulation, which kept a layer of air between the window glass and the storm window. That helped a little, but today's technology of using insulating gas between the panes of glass has rendered storm windows virtually obsolete. There are still many low-cost windows and doors manufactured without insulation between the glass and within the frame of the window or door. Modern double pane window and door products can only be truly effective in the cold (and heat) if the glass has a Low-E coating and gas insulation between the panes! So these "cheap" windows and doors aren't really a bargain in the long run. Manufacturers continue to improve the efficiency ratings and features of window glass. In fact, the Andersen Corporation has a High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass that has one of the highest energy efficiency ratings in cool weather, blocks UV rays that can damage furniture and fade fabrics, and is virtually self cleaning. (This proprietary glass even has a coating that reacts with sunlight to dry faster, virtually eliminating water spots and dirt build-up on the outside.) Crazy, huh? Another major reason for drafty windows and doors is the gaps around the frames. This is simply due to poor installation. When cold and drafty gaps are left around windows and doors at installationeither from an improper fit, or from not insulating around the frameyou will never achieve the energy savings or long-term value you hoped for in the first place. Proper installation is so critical to the performance of windows and doors that many manufacturers' warrantees will be voided if they are improperly installed. Even the best quality, most expensive and highest thermally rated windows will underperform if they aren't installed correctly. Make sure your windows and doors are custom-built and fit the openings in your wall properly! There's no denying the cold air you feel from drafty windows, an improperly hung door, or one with gaps between the door jam and the door itself. It's true that weatherproofing and weatherization measures do help, but if your windows and doors are still letting a lot of cold air in, the solution is to replace them with new, modern, energy-efficient ones. After all aside from the energy savings provided all year long, in today's economy, replacement patio doors and windows pay for themselves in just a short amount of time, thanks to the Fed's energy tax credits, promotional discounts and financing deals available. Just make sure you get ENERGY STAR qualified windows for the tax credit. Drafty windows and doors just create large holes in your home's energy envelope, wasting money and making life miserable. So keep the winter chill outside where it belongs. Consider having new replacement windows and doors professionally installed this winter.About the Author:
Gerry Rogers is the founder and president of Mr. Rogers Windows. He has been selling and installing home improvement products for over 20 years. After introducing his Lifetime Performance Guarantee, Gerry has earned the trust of thousands of clients by "doing the right thing" to ensure complete satisfaction when it comes to quality products and installation. All windows and doors are installed by fully trained and certified installers. At Mr. Rogers Windows, each window is custom made to fit your home perfectly.
