5 Ways To Know You’re Choosing The Right Windows

Choosing the right windows can be a difficult task. Are you looking for energy efficient windows or aesthetically pleasing windows? Are there windows that offer both? What’s the right price to pay? All of these questions and many others are important when it comes to choosing the right window for your home. Here are 5 important factors to take into consideration when choosing windows.

1. Ways to Stay Cool When browsing for windows, you should always be aware at how well a window will block out the natural heat from the sun. You will want to pay close attention to the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) number. This number gives you a good estimate at how well the window blocks or absorbs heat. The numbers range between 0 and 1, with the lower numbers blocking the most heat.
2. Ways to Stay Warm If you live in a colder climate, or just like your home to be warmer than conventional households, you need to be aware of how well a window will keep heat inside. For this, look at the U-Factor number. A U-Factor number, ranging from 0.20-1.20 will tell you how efficient a window is. The lower the number, the better a window is at keeping heat inside the home.
3. Way to Stay in the Shade How much light is too much light? This is an important question to ask before choosing new windows for your home. Every window is administered a Visible Transmittance (VT) value. This number ranges between 0 and 1. The higher the number, the more natural light a window will allow in.
4. Ways to Boost Energy-Efficiency There are several ways to boost the energy-efficiency of your windows. This will not only result in great savings over time, but will also make your house’s carbon footprint much lower.First of all, consider the frame of the window: fiberglass is one of the best on the market due to its durability, along with vinyl. In contrast, wood and aluminum have the opposite effect and therefore should be avoided.In general, look for windows that have a high R-value, which is a measure of thermal resistance (this is the opposite of U-Value). Consider windows with low-e coatings, which will control heat transfer. Lastly, always choose windows that are certified by Energy Star. This change will result in a 12 percent reduction on your energy bill. For more information, click here.
5. Single Pane vs. Double Pane Double Pane windows are considered to be more modern. They are more efficient and more resistant in rough weather. However, double pane windows will drive up the price of your final bill. If you’re on a budget, consider going single pane. However, if you have room in your budget it may be easier to spend the money now and watch the double pane windows pay for themselves in the long run through energy efficiency.

Window shopping doesn’t have to be hard. While there are many choices, it is important to know what to look for. Numbers and ratings can be a big help when choosing the right window. You’ll want something that is appropriate for your climate as well as your budget.