Window Properties and Design
The
doors and windows that are right for you will depend on the
climate you live in and the design of your house.
Windows
can make or break a building project. Choose wisely and your
home will be comfortable, attractive, and easy to maintain.
Buy the wrong ones and you can spend more than you need to
up front or in higher utility bills for years to come.
Windows and Energy
Windows
should let light in and keep weather out. That's a tall order,
because glass has almost no insulative value and is a poor
barrier to radiant energy. So, if you can't control the way
energy passes in and out through your windows, you won't be
comfortable in your home. While some people augment compensate
for inadequate windows by using their heating and cooling
systems, this doesn't produce true comfort, and means spending
more on utilities.
Cold Climate Design
By
design, cold climate windows should help keep heat in a building.
U-value is the energy term used to describe a unit's ability
to prevent heat loss through the glazing or glass, sash, or
frame. Choosing a unit with the wrong U-value is like wearing
a swimsuit in a blizzard: There's not much keeping the heat
in. Heat can also escape through windows as radiant energy.
Warm is attracted to cool, so radiant energy from people and
objects is drawn out through the glass. You can actually feel
this happen when the air temperature is warm, but you feel
chilly whenever you approach a window.
Another
way to increase efficiency is to use insulated glass units
(IGUs), or windows with an air pocket sealed between two layers
of glass. The trapped air insulates much like a layer of down
in a coat. In gas-filled IGUs, manufacturers use exotic gases
like argon or krypton to fill the pocket and achieve lower
U-values.
Hot Climate Design
In
a hot climate, the goal is to keep heat out. One way heat
enters a building is by conduction, when cool inside air comes
in contact with warm exterior glazing. Again, the cool air
draws in the warmth, defeating the cooling effect indoors.
A lower U-value makes this less likely to happen. Solar heat
gain happens when radiant energy from direct or reflected
sunlight enters through the window glass. High-tech prevention
is available in low-e coatings which prevent the passage of
radiant energy or solar heat into the home. An easy, low-tech
solution is to minimize the amount of sun that hits your windows.
Shading the windows with vegetation, awnings, or overhangs
such as porches and eaves provides respite from the sun's
burning rays. Another option is to decrease the size and number
of windows on the east and west sides of the building.
Ventilating Windows
Most
windows open and close so bring air flow to your home. Operable
units open many different ways. Double hung windows slide
up and down, while sliding units move from side to side. Casement
and European-style windows swing in or out like doors. Hopper
and awning units are hinged to tilt in from the bottom or
out from the top. Windows and doors are major architectural
elements, so be sure to choose those that match the design
of your home. For example, a 1920's bungalow looks utterly
ridiculous with modern sliders. Likewise, a 1960's ranch may
look silly with the multi-paned double-hung units commonly
found on a colonial.
Material and Design
The
material employed for sashes, frames, and doors affects energy
efficiency, durability, aesthetics, and cost. Wood is often
used for doors and windows. It's paintable, stainable, and
a good thermal insulator. Unfortunately, it rots if you don't
keep paint on it. Steel and aluminum are strong, durable materials
for windows, but both have fallen out of favor because of
the way they conduct heat and cold. Vinyl is cheap, durable,
and relatively energy efficient. You can't paint it, but it
does come in a number of colors. Fiberglass windows, while
expensive, are durable, paintable, and strong.Wood windows
clad or faced in vinyl or aluminum is another option. The
cladding enhances the durability of the window without compromising
the thermal performance and design flexibility of wood.
It
is critical to keep design and style in mind when selecting
windows for your home. Windows are a huge investment and will
significantly impact the look, feel, and operation of your
home, so take the time before you buy to select a material,
style, and model that is right for you.
How can I find out more information?
You can start by Requesting a Free Insider's Guide and
Free No Obligation Quote. When
you request your free replacement windows quote you will
receive the Free Insider’s
Guide to Replacement Windows. Giving you the chance
to learn even more about your options and speak with a licensed
local home improvement professional in your area.
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