When it comes to choosing the right high efficiency vinyl
replacement windows, most homeowners are unsure of how to compare windows from
various manufacturers. Some of the most common questions homeowners have when
shopping for replacement windows are:
• What features should I look for in a window?
• How can I differentiate between a quality window and a
poorly constructed one?
• What other factors should I consider before buying
replacement windows?
Unfortunately, there are some businesses that prey upon
unsuspecting homeowners and use their ignorance to sell them inferior
replacement windows, costing them thousands. To help you avoid buying the wrong
replacement windows for your home, here are a few tips.
1. ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTORS
There are a number of environmental factors you also need to
take into account before you begin shopping for replacement windows. These
factors include:
Elevation
In order for replacement windows to be as energy efficient
as possible, it is crucial that they should be produced relatively close to the
elevation of your home. Windows that are produced more than 1000 feet higher or
lower than your home's elevation, have a high probability of failure due to the
pressure of the insulating gas between the window panes.
Temperature
Do you live in a climate that is very hot or very cold? If
so, you should look for windows with the best insulative properties in order to
save the most on your heating and cooling bills. If you live in an area that
regularly sees temperature fluctuations of 30 degrees or more in a 24 hour
period, it is important to shop for a window designed to withstand those
temperature fluctuations.
Ultraviolet Rays
Another factor to consider is how powerful the ultraviolet
(UV) rays are where you live. Homeowners who live at higher elevations or close
to the equator should look for windows built to withstand the stronger UV rays
in the areas they live. Not only does the glass need to block more of these UV
rays, but the window frames should also be able to withstand these powerful UV
rays without peeling, cracking or fading.
Taking these elemental factors into consideration and
eliminating the windows that don't meet your environmental needs will help you
find the ideal replacement windows for your home.
2. CONSTRUCTION
Once you have determined the environmental conditions your
new replacement windows need to endure, a closer look at each window's
construction can help you determine how each window will perform in certain
conditions. A few areas you should focus on when comparing the construction of
each window include:
• FRAME MATERIAL
There are a number of different frame materials on the
market today, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. A few of these
materials include:
• Wood
Wood frame windows are the more expensive than most other
frame materials. While they can be painted or stained to match almost any
decoration, they can rot if exposed to water for too long. They also expand and
contract greatly with changes in humidity and temperature, which leads to
drafts around the window frame. In addition, wooden window frames are highly
susceptible to UV rays and can crack or fade with prolonged exposure.
• Aluminum
One of the least expensive window frame materials, aluminum
is strong and doesn't expand or contract like wood. However, it does conduct
heat and cold. As a result, they are not very energy efficient.
• Vinyl
More expensive than aluminum but far less expensive than
wood, vinyl has become one of the most popular window frame materials on the
market. While they still expand and contract slightly with temperature changes,
if installed properly they don't suffer the draft issues wooden frames do. In
areas with higher than normal UV radiation, look for window frames that have UV
resistant coats to prevent cracking and fading.
• Glass
The glass that is used in your replacement windows is just
as important as the window frame material. Breakthroughs in window technology
have led to high efficiency glass known as low emissivity (lo-e) glass, which
is coated with special metallic oxides that allow light in while reflecting
heat. There are several varieties of lo-e glass, each of which provides
different insulative properties for different climates. Although trying to
understand the differences between the various grades of lo-e glass can be
confusing, most replacement window dealers can tell you which is appropriate
for your climate.
• Seals And
Spacers
In order for replacement windows to be efficient, they need
to keep drafts out and energy in. To do this, your replacement windows need to
have quality seals not only in the window frame, but in the spaces between the
glass panes as well. Known as spacers, these seals keep the special insulative
gas between glass panes from escaping and prevent moisture from entering.
Traditional spacers have been constructed of metal, which is sturdy, but
doesn't flex with the glass. As a result, when exposed to extreme temperature
changes, these seals were likely to fail. If you live in an area where the
temperature fluctuates 30 degrees or more in a 24 hour period, look for
non-metal spacers that can expand and contract with the glass to prevent seal
failure.
WARRANTY
Lastly, it is vital that you read and understand the
warranty that comes with your replacement windows, especially the fine print.
It is important to know exactly what the manufacturer covers and what they
don't. For example, if you live in an area with more intense UV rays, be sure your
windows are warranted against fading or cracking from UV radiation damage.
Because most window manufacturers don't use UV resistant chemicals in their
window frames, most warranties don't cover UV damage. If you don't read the
window warranty, it could cost you a lot of money in the end.
Good post! thanks for sharing.
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