The decision to move forward with replacement windows on your home is an important one. It’s the type renovation project that most homeowners don’t have to consider often, but when the time does come, it requires a lot of thought and consideration. Knowing all the options and window types available is much like foreign territory for the average person. Once there were windows that open, closed, and locked. Now, there are windows that hang, glide, slide, and awn. What’s the difference anyway?
There’s a big difference between various window types, each having it’s own set of features and benefits. Once you get to know them a little better, you’ll be able to know for sure what best suits your home for optimal comfort and security.
Double or Single Hung Vinyl Windows
Functionality
Double or single hung windows are your classic colonial style windows. With a double hung window, both top and bottom sash moves to open vertically while on a single hung window, only the bottom sash opens. Understanding more about how these windows operate, the greatest benefit is the superior ventilation capabilities. Opening the bottom sash will allow cool outside air to flow directly into your home. Opening the top sash will allow warm indoor air to be expelled outward, naturally cooling and ventilating the air in your home.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The second major benefit to double or single hung windows is the easy maintenance. These windows are designed to offer the ease of cleaning and maintenance because you are able to clean the exterior of the windows from the inside. The tilt out sash makes window cleaning go from daunting to dainty! For most people, this is the main selling feature for them because they won’t need to consider the cost for exterior window cleaning services over the next decade or more.
Safety
In terms of home security from intruders, double or single hung windows offer a high level of security, they seal tightly and are fully lockable making it quite difficult from anyone to get through. In addition to this, double or single hung windows don’t crank outward from the home, eliminating risks of damage in high traffic areas such as patios, front yards, and walkways. They won’t getting in anyone’s way!
Double or Single Slider Tilt Vinyl Windows
Functionality
Unlike the traditional double or single hung windows, double slider tilt windows function with both sashes smoothly slide horizontally and tilt to open. Single slider style have one fixed and one operating sash. If you’re looking for windows that will offer the best view of the outdoors, this window type will be the perfect choice. Large slider windows when open, offer an unobstructed view of the outside. It makes complete sense because in any room indoors, your eyes will take in more horizontally as opposed to looking up and down, providing a more natural view of the outdoors, not to mention having better ventilation and increased natural light capabilities.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Double or single slider tilt windows are famous for being very low maintenance and it’s mostly due to the fact that they have fewer moving parts than other window types. Having less moving parts simply means, with professional installation done right, you can expect these windows to last many years without needing replacement parts. The tilt feature gives these windows easy access to clean the exterior from inside, another bonus for homeowners to cut down on costs to maintain over the years.
Safety
Again, the fact that these window types having fewer complicated moving parts only mean that they close, tighten, seal, and lock with much ease providing much needed security for your home. Some window installers offer designs with Built-in safety latches for extra security and peace of mind. These windows can also be made available as Double Slider Lift Out which is ideal for locations where egress capabilities from the window are desired. Such as a ground floor bedroom or basement. With this option, the panels slide and lift out of the frame, as opposed to tilting into the room making it a viable escape route during emergencies.
Vinyl Awning Windows
Awning windows are the kind of windows that you can open even when it’s raining. You can let the soothing sound of the rain trickling off your roof top be the soundtrack for the evening without soaking your window sill. Awning windows much like casement windows, open outward open from the bottom outward with the top remaining fixed. They are built with an uninterrupted glass area provides an aesthetically pleasing view of the outside. Awnings are very popular and have many benefits over other styles of windows, such as improved ventilation, and design versatility. They are also a very popular option as people look to replace their traditional casement windows
In all cases, you’ll want your brand new replacement windows to be ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR is a government backed organization that identifies the most energy efficient products in a variety of industries, such as the window replacement industry. Buying ENERGY STAR certified windows can save you money. Even though windows and doors do not consume energy, they can be a significant source of energy loss in your home or business. ENERGY STAR certified models can save you an average of 8% on your energy bills.
As you can see there’s no major disadvantage to any of these three window types, it’s really how you prefer to ventilate your home with the ease and comfort that each window provides. Each window type has it’s own set of features and benefits which is often reflected in the price. If you’re in the market for windows and need the advice of an expert to help you choose the best options to suit your budget, contact Clera Windows and Doors for a free consultation.
