A lot of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about our windows beyond trying to keep them clean, but the truth is that windows can be a huge help or a huge drain when it comes to heating and cooling the home. The more efficient a home window is at insulating, the more stable the temperature inside the house remains. But if windows are letting in too much light or leaking air they can be a huge drain on your monthly expenses.
It costs quite a bit of money to heat and cool a home or business, so you should be covering all your bases to make sure that you’re doing it right. Some common signs that our windows are not doing you any efficiency favors include: you can feel drafts when the windows are closed, it’s hard to open or close windows, there is visible damage to any of the windows or warping to any of the frames.
When you notice any of those factors with your home window, it’s most likely time for a replacement window. The residential window replacement is fairly straightforward but does require making some choices about what you would like to replace the window with.
These days there are a lot of options for home windows, both in the quality of the window panes and also the frames around them. Many people opt for vinyl replacement windows when they are trying to make their home more efficient. The vinyl refers to the frame as opposed to the window itself, and it’s a popular choice since it doesn’t require any painting or refinishing and it is going to last a really long time following installation. Vinyl frames also have hollow chambers inside of them that help resist heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the home.
Other common frame options include wood (which does require finishing and painting), aluminum which is well liked for its lightweight and durable construction, and clad-wood which is wood frame covered in aluminum for extra strength and protection. They all have their plusses and minuses. When it comes to the actual window pane there are also options such as choosing a two or three pane window that can be reinforced with some layers for even more protection from the weather outside.
It is possible to some home window installation yourself, but it’s generally best to leave the job to a professional and hire a proper window installation company. They will not only be knowledgeable about the various options for window replacement, but they’ll be able to do it the first time so that you know it’s done right. If a window is not properly installed it might not sit flush which would create draft issues all over again. But when its done right you will notice a fast change to the quality of the temperature in home which will also be reflected on your electricity bill.
