call now - CO, TX
call now - CO, TX
There's no doubt that picking out new windows for your home can be exciting. When selecting windows, it's important to take into account how they will affect the overall efficiency of your home throughout the year, but especially during the winter. We're going to discuss with you some of our best tips for ensuring you choose the best windows to enhance your home's winter efficiency below.
Be Mindful About Window Frame Material
One of the important factors to consider about your windows is the type of frame that they have. A typical frame is comprised of the sash, the perimeter, and the sill. With most of your interior heat escaping through the window's frame, it's vital that you choose a material that can resist harsh winter conditions and prevent heat loss from occurring. Some of the best materials to choose from include wood, wood composite, fiberglass, and vinyl. Avoid choosing an aluminum frame as aluminum doesn't hold in heat very well.
Glass Construction
One factor to consider is the construction of the glass that you use. There are three different types of glass construction that you can choose from, which are single-pane, double-pane, and triple-pane. As its name suggests, a single-pane window only has one pane of glass between the indoors and outdoors.
A double-pane window has two panes of glass with specialized air space between them. This offers more energy efficiency as compared to single-pane windows. Triple-pane windows offer the most efficiency, come at the highest price, and will provide you with the most savings on your winter heating bills. It's important to consider what balance of efficiency and price best meets your individual needs.
Low-E Coatings
Probably of the most important factors to consider for your new windows is their Low-E coating. This is a specific type of coating that's applied to the glass to allow for protection from heat transfer. Contrary to what you may think, these coatings are very thin and transparent.
The specific type of Low-E coating that you choose will be highly dependent on the climate. In Denver, there's going to be a wide variance in temperatures throughout the winter. Choosing a four-seasons Low-E coating is going to offer you the best of heat absorption during the colder months. This type of coating can significantly work to reduce the runtime of your heating system, which means lower utility bills for you.
ENERGY STAR Rating
Another factor to consider is getting windows with an ENERGY STAR rating. This rating showcases the window's ability to effectively reduce heat transfer. Crafted by the Environmental Protection Agency, any windows with an ENERGY STAR rating will be verified to enhance the overall efficiency of your home. During the winter months, this means that your windows will keep more of your heat indoors instead of letting it escape. This leads to a more comfortable home environment where you can run your furnace less often.
Apart from enjoying more energy-efficient windows, those with an ENERGY STAR rating can also make you eligible to receive a tax credit from the federal government. Homeowners who purchase ENERGY STAR-rated windows are eligible to receive up to 30% back in the form of a credit on their taxes up to a total amount of $600 per year. You may even find that some local governments and utility companies also offer rebates that you can take advantage of.
U-Factor
Windows are given a U-factor rating that describes how well they actually insulate. Most windows will have a rating anywhere between .2 to 1.20, with the lower rating translating to a better insulating ability. For climates like Denver, all ENERGY STAR windows must have a U-factor of .30 or less. Getting low-rated U-factor windows can help prevent the cold outside air from entering into your home. This means you can run your heating system less often while still remaining comfortable in your home throughout the winter season.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
Known as SHGC for short, this measures how much of the sun's heat is able to penetrate through the window. Windows can have an SHGC rating of anywhere between zero and one, with a lower rating translated to less heat coming into your home.
Air Space Gas
When you select a double or triple-pane glass, there's going to be air space between each pane. Instead of just using any air to fill this space, you can further maximize your energy savings with the right style of gas.
Two of the most common are argon and krypton. Argon offers a good bit of insulating efficiency at a cost-effective price. Krypton offers the highest insulating ability but does come at a higher up-front cost. The more insulating ability your windows have, the more heat you can keep indoors.
Benefits of Getting New Windows for Your Home
When it becomes time to invest in new windows for your home, there are many great benefits that you can gain. The first and most important is that you can enjoy a more efficient home. When your windows are able to stop the cold air from seeping into your residence, you can pay less throughout the winter season on your heating bills while still remaining safe and comfortable.
Another great benefit of updating the windows in your home is that it will do wonders for enhancing your property's aesthetic appeal. When your home looks better and has newer features, its resale value increases. Consider new windows a worthy investment for boosting the value of your place.
Furthermore, new windows can help to reduce outside noise levels, making your home quieter and more peaceful to be in. During the window installation process, our installers will take care of insulating the area around the window to ensure an airtight seal. This will further help enhance the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems throughout the years as they won't have to compete with outside air seeping into your home.
With no more air drafts around your window frames, you can enjoy less dust accumulation in your home. This is because the outside air won't be able to bring in unwanted airborne particles. Plus, you can enjoy more comfort by having a better-controlled interior temperature for your home. You may even feel more secure with newer windows that lock well.
Upgrading your windows gives you the opportunity to invest in specialized glazing. This can help protect your belongings from harmful UV radiation. When you invest in these specialized glassing options, your furniture, carpeting, and other household materials won't fade due to being in the sunlight. This can go a long way in helping extend the overall life span of these items and keeping your home looking great.
The Importance of Professional Installation
It's important to realize that the quality of installation that your windows receive will have a large impact on their overall efficiency. If your window is out of plumb, doesn't get proper insulation, or lacks other features of a good installation process, it can drastically reduce the efficiency of your new windows. It's always best to avoid DIY window installation and let an experienced professional do the job for you.
Reliable Window Installation Services
Rise Renovation offers reliable window installation services to the Denver, CO area. We can also help with all your door, window, siding, and roofing needs. Call our friendly staff today to book your next service consultation.