Selecting the perfect new windows can be challenging with all the types, brands, and updates available on the market today. Innovations in the industry have led to new products that are different from the types you may remember. The type you choose may be entirely different from what was there before, and the team at Feazel will help walk you through the options and what they all mean.
Shopping for New Windows
There are several material options for your replacement project. Gaining an understanding of the merits of each type will help you whittle down which to choose for your home.
There Are Numerous Benefits for Having New Windows Installed
1. Reduce Your Heating and Cooling Costs
Heating and cooling bills increase every year. Part of what your home could be experiencing is that you may have older windows that are past their prime. Your windows can cause 25%-30% of heat loss or gain in your home. That's your money going right out the (pun intended) window. Investing in energy-efficient windows not only looks great but will help lower your heating and cooling bills.
2. Safety
Modern glass is designed to splinter into many small pieces. Older panes break into large shards. The smaller pieces keep you and your loved ones safe if the glass were to break.
3. Improved Curb Appeal
We all want lower utility bills. How about lower utility bills and increased curb appeal? The beauty of new windows can shine through on both the interior and exterior of your home. Updating your home can increase your property value as well.
4. Save Time and On Energy
Older windows may require maintenance. Every winter you may find yourself installing clear plastic to keep the drafts out if they are old and drafty. Older panes require maintenance, from cleaning and repainting to refinishing. Opt for a low-maintenance option and spend your time making memories in your home.
5.Reduce Outside Noise
Cars, pets, and lawnmowers can be distracting. Especially during these work-from-home days. New windows reduce sound transfer making getting to sleep or hopping on a video conference call so much easier and quieter.
Wood Window Replacement
Wood windows are a great option for your home. They provide versatility, sophistication, and are excellent insulators. There is a reason that many frames imitate wood, and that’s because there's nothing more beautiful than replacement wood windows.
What Are the Pros of Wood?
They are aesthetically pleasing. If you live in an older home, replacing old worn-out wood with new wood windows keeps your home looking just the way it did when it was built.
Another pro is that you can easily paint wood. Wood accepts paint, so updating the color of your home is a breeze. You won’t be confined to the color or go through a process to prime and paint.
Wood costs more up-front but is considered more durable than others on the market. Coupled with the massive energy efficiency that wood provides and what is expensive up-front looks like a great deal in the long run.
Is Wood Considered to be Energy-Efficient?
Remember the wooden spoon in your kitchen when cooking on high heat? The spoon doesn’t get hot because it is a bad conductor of heat. Take that same principle and apply it to your windows. Wood provides 1,800 times more insulation than aluminum-framed windows.
Wood will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. These properties also prevent warping and cracking in extreme temperatures.
Replacement Fiberglass Windows
If you haven't shopped for new windows in the past 20 years or so, fiberglass is going to be new to you. Fiberglass windows occupy a price point in-between vinyl and wood.
Is Fiberglass Energy-Efficient?
The fibers that makeup fiberglass windows do not expand or shrink with exposure to heat or cold temperatures. This resistance to shrinkage makes them great insulators.
What Are the Benefits of Fiberglass?
Fiberglass has numerous benefits for replacement window options. First, they are extremely resilient. Fiberglass comes in a variety of textures, colors, and can be painted. This flexibility makes fiberglass an attractive option. Additionally, fiberglass is impervious to rot and can last 38% longer than vinyl windows.
Second, fiberglass is sourced from glass, which means it expands and contracts at the same rate as the window glass. This means there is a lower chance of seal failure.
In terms of an eco-friendly option, the fiberglass used in the frames is made of up to 60% recycled glass.
Finally, fiberglass is strong. The strength of fiberglass means that it needs less material in the frames and can provide more glass than other replacement materials.
Vinyl Window Replacement
Replacement vinyl windows are the most common window in homes today. Vinyl windows make-up half of the residential window market.
How Energy-Efficient Are Vinyl?
Vinyl windows are energy-efficient. They are insulated and double-paned. Vinyl is made from PVC plastic which does not conduct heat.
What Are the Advantages of Vinyl?
First, vinyl windows are an affordable option on the market. While they are affordable, it does not mean that they are of poor quality! Vinyl windows can save you money on heating and cooling bills.
Second, vinyl replacement windows are low maintenance. They never need painting or scraping. Give them a rinse and a quick scrub, and you will be good to go. Vinyl windows will never rot.
Third, vinyl windows do have a palette of colors to choose from. In addition, they come in a swath of sizes and styles to make it easy to find the perfect fit for your home.
Replacement Aluminum Clad Windows
Replacing your windows with aluminum-clad windows can make your home look sleek and polished. Modern homes may benefit from using replacement aluminum-clad windows. But are they right for your home?
Aluminum-clad windows are wood windows with a layer of aluminum wrapped around the sash and frame. The aluminum exterior is durable and known for being a long-lasting window material.
Is Aluminum Clad Energy-Efficient?
While aluminum-clad windows stand up to harsh weather conditions, aluminum is a good conductor of heat. Heat and cold air will transfer easily with aluminum-clad windows.
What Are The Benefits of Aluminum Clad?
The biggest benefit of aluminum-clad windows is their durability. They are stronger than vinyl windows. Aluminum is resistant to rot and insects. It is also easy to maintain.
They are available in a palette of color options.
Different Window Styles
There are many different styles on the market. What type do you have in your home?
Casement
Casement windows open inward or outward in the same manner as a door. Typically a crank is used to open and close the window.
Awning Windows
The awning has hinges at the top and swings outward from the bottom. They open and close with a crank handle. Their size makes them versatile and offers opportunities for usage in different scenarios.
Double Hung
Double-hung windows raise from the bottom or lower from the top. The two sashes meet and lock in the middle. They don’t take up much space since they raise up and down instead of in or out.
Single Hung
Single-hung has a single moveable sash that goes up from the bottom. They are great in tight spaces where reaching the top sash may not be possible. With one moving piece, single hung are very energy efficient.
Sliding
Sliding windows open and close horizontally. They operate on a sliding track and do not require additional space. They have large panes of glass to allow plenty of light into your home.
Picture
Picture windows pair energy efficiency and optimal natural light to enhance your home. With a fixed frame and non-opening, they provide a beautiful picture of the outdoors.
Bay and Bow
Bay and bow combine operable and fixed that curve outside the exterior wall of your home. The expanse allows panoramic views of the outdoors and increased natural light.
How Much Do New Windows Increase House Value?
New replacement windows always enhance your curb appeal. Common questions are;
- What is the return on investment?
- Will they increase the value of your home?
Absolutely but the caveat is what quality, brand, and rating factor into the equation. The increased value of your home will not match the amount that you spent.
However, with good new windows comes a good return on investment. The ROI can be as high as 85%. What this means is if you spend $10,000, you can expect the value of your home to rise by $8,500. Your situation may be different and not hit the 85% ROI mark. The real estate market in your area can impact the ROI. Additionally, the material and cost will raise or lower the overall ROI.
How Can I Tell That I Need New Windows?
First, how old are your windows? Some materials last longer than other materials. For instance, vinyl can last between 20 and 40 years. Wood that is well maintained will last for roughly 30 years. Aluminum clad will maintain for roughly 20 years. Fiberglass will last for 30 years before needing replacement. These numbers are for under optimum conditions and we all know that mother nature can throw a curveball at a moment's notice.
Look For These Signs of Window Failure
Look for these telltale signs with your existing windows to get a good gauge of how much life they have left. You may see one or several of these symptoms. If you are experiencing these, call Feazel for an estimate. With issues like the ones below, you can expect decreased heating and cooling efficiencies.
1. Air leaking or draftiness around the edges
Draftiness occurs when the seals fail. The argon gas that is between the panels escapes and your energy efficiency is greatly reduced. Other causes of draftiness could be bad installation or that your old windows are inefficient.
2. Difficulty in opening or closing
Dirt and debris collection will lead to increased difficulty in opening and closing your windows. The shifting of your house will all make opening them harder over time.
3. Seal failure leads to condensation between the panes of glass
When seals fail, condensation can form in between panels of glass. Prolonged condensation can lead to wood rot, mold, and damage to drywall or plaster.
4. Are they increasingly difficult to lock?
Your house shifting over time will ultimately cause your windows to become misaligned. They will be hard to open if they are hard to lock. You shouldn't have to sacrifice safety and security over an exterior home renovation project.
5. Your existing windows have single-pane glass
Single-pane glass used to be the only option available for the average homeowner. Not only does single-pane glass allow the cold in, but it's brittle too. You are due for a window replacement if yours currently contain single-pane glass.
What Kind of Energy Savings Can I Expect?
There are different Energy Star requirements depending on the region you live. Feazel sells and installs Pella products. You can read about the best type of windows for your region.
What Does ENERGY STAR mean?
ENERGY STAR certified products complete rigorous independent tests to meet energy-efficiency standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.
ENERGY STAR rated products from Pella block most of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This prevents your carpet and furniture from fading in the sunlight. Pella’s are outfitted with low-emissivity glass that reflects heat into your home in the winter. During the summer months, the glass reflects the heat away.
Find A Pella Platinum Elite Contractor Near Me
Feazel is a certified Pella Platinum Elite Contractor serving the Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Indianapolis, and Raleigh markets. We began in the roofing industry in 1988 and expanded into all facets of home exteriors including siding replacement and replacement windows. Feazel earned the top honor of Residential Roofer of the Year in 2021. Contact Feazel today to book your free estimate.
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