HouseWindows

House Window

House window home improvement products can help revitalize your residence in many ways. A quality replacement window improves the style and appearance of any house. New window styles can match any existing opening, from a casement to a cathedral, and anything in between. Sizes and shapes of your dream house windows can be customized, if your house has a unique window opening. A new house window will also improve energy performance, reducing drafts and saving you money on heating and cooling expenses. This is especially true if you are replacing vintage, single pane windows in an older house. They will also make your household more secure ensuring that all the locks and latches function, and are the newest technology.

Efficient Windows

If your house is drafty and cold in the cold winter weather, you are a good candidate for a new house window. Likewise if you live in a warm weather climate and it is uncomfortably hot near your home's windows during the day, or if your air conditioner never seems to shut off, you may want to investigate the possibly of replacing some of all of your dwelling's windows. Your home's glass surfaces are a major contributor to the efficiency, or lack thereof, of your household's heating and cooling systems. Some experts say up to half of your heat and/or cool air is lost through the glass of an average house window.

Look for a house window that is rated by Energy Star or other known certifying source. No matter where you shop, they should be marked with a U-value. The LOWER the U-value number, the greater a window's resistance to heat flow, both in and out of the home. This number identifies how well the windows insulate. To be clear, one with a U-17 value is more resistant to heat flow than one marked with a U-35 value.

Another important number to look for is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating. SHGC is the measure of solar energy transmitted through the glass and tells you how the product blocks solar heat (sunlight), which is important in warm climates. The lower the SHGC (just like the U-value, the smaller the number the better here as well), the less solar heat enters your home. This will make being in front of your windows comfortable, no matter how hot it is outside. In a perfect world you would want the U-value and SHGC to both be under .30.

Also, choose the best house window application for your unique climate. For example, a casement catches breezes more easily than a double hung house window. Don't let the current style of your windows dictate what the new ones look like. Perhaps it is time to update the style as well as the functionality of your house windows.

As an additional point to consider, the most energy-efficient windows also provide a better sound barrier; very important if you live in a noisy area, or just like to keep the outdoors, well outdoors. If you live in the Sunbelt you should consider UV protectant tint, which will protect your interior belongs from sun fade, as well as help keep your dwelling comfortable.

Cost of Replacement

This is a big project, and the actual installation is something probably best left to the experts. There are aspects to the job, such as the exterior cladding which helps seal the window, that take skills honed by practice. However, maybe you worked construction during college, or have an experienced brother that can help out.

For the rest of us, you can still influence the project budget by choosing your window's material wisely. For example, a house window made of aluminum is significantly cheaper than the same size in wood or composite. There are distinct advantages based on each window material. Aluminum is inexpensive to purchase, but not as well insulated as vinyl, so heating and cooling costs down the road may be more.

Vinyl windows are easy to maintain and attractive. They are, by far, the most popular window installed currently, and although more expensive that aluminum, still very reasonably priced. Wood is beautiful, and adds visual warmth to your house. For looks, wood is hard to beat, but it does require maintenance for long term efficiency. Composite windows offer the look of wood with the performance on vinyl and require little in the way of maintenance. Composite is one of the more expensive options, usually, but get the best prices by shopping around and taking advantage of good deals when you find them.

Use the free quote form at the top of this page and to get price quotes for your upcoming replacement project. Homeowners can find answers to their questions and get free local quotes on a house window. Being an educated consumer will ensure that you are happy with your project results for years to come.