Air Conditioners vs. Heat Pumps: Choosing the Best Option for Your Home
The pros and cons of each cooling option to help you decide between the two.
Tips to help you pick the best replacement windows for your budget and lifestyle.
Published November 29, 2021
As long lasting as windows are, there will come a time when your home’s windows are no longer effective and will require replacing. It’s a reality many homeowners have to face because the signs it’s time to replace your windows are hard to overlook. From difficulties opening and closing the windows and locking them shut, to drafts, leaks, and condensation build-up, there are many warnings when a window has reached the end of its usefulness.
Fortunately, buying new windows isn’t an everyday home maintenance project. It’s likely your old windows have been in place for up to 25 years, and you can usually expect the same from your new ones.
Choosing the best windows for your home starts with picking the window frame material best suited for your budget and lifestyle. One of the most popular choices is vinyl, although you can get frames made of wood, metal, composite, or fiberglass.
Vinyl replacement windows are popular for many reasons:
There are many types of replacement windows, you’ve likely got several styles within your own home. Some of the most common types of vinyl replacement windows include:
Where you live isn’t likely to affect your decision on whether you buy a double hung window, slider window, or casement window, for example. It will, however, affect other choices you make regarding your new windows.
Are impact windows needed? An impact-resistant window is ideal for areas prone to hurricanes and tornadoes. If an impact window is compromised, the glass doesn’t shatter into jagged sharp pieces. Instead the glass typically cracks into a spider web-like pattern and stays intact to minimize the risk of injury. Impact windows are available for double-hung windows, casement, and sliding windows as well as many other popular options.
Do you want to maximize your home’s energy efficiency? To help save money on your energy bills look for windows with the ENERGY STAR® label because the label maps where the window is best for use. Make sure the zone on the window’s label matches the area where you live.
There are also four performance ratings on the label you should pay attention to as well: U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, and Air Leakage. Out of these four, the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient ratings are most geographically relevant because some windows are better at keeping the warm air inside, while others are better at keeping it out:
The remaining two ratings, the Visible Transmittance and Air Leakage, are less specific to where you live but are important to your window buying purchase regardless.
Help improve your home’s curb appeal, indoor comfort, and energy efficiency with new replacement windows. Get a free, no obligation quote from a window installation professional in your area.
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