The Benefits of High-Performance Windows During the Summer

As temperatures start to rise in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, you may notice your energy consumption starts to increase as well. If you’re like most homeowners, you may be looking for ways to keep your house cool in the summer without breaking the bank. Upgrading to high-performance windows is one option that can increase curb appeal and provide substantial cooling.

What Are High-Performance Windows?

Heat can transfer into your home in several ways, resulting in high interior temperatures that require more frequent use of air conditioning equipment. Conduction occurs as heat passes through the glass panes of your windows as well as the materials the frame is made from. As air warms up near the surface of your window, convection currents transfer heat into your home.

Lastly, radiation from the sun can penetrate windows with low levels of efficiency, easily heating up your home in the summer months. The older your windows get, the less efficient they are. Not only do older windows allow UV rays to pass through them, but it's typical for seals and frame materials to break down over time, allowing for substantial heat transfer to occur.

High-performance windows use innovative materials to provide substantial thermal performance. Standard windows usually consist of plain panes of glass that allow a lot of solar heat through. Not only do high-performance models have two or more layers of glass, but they may also have fillers like argon gas, which can protect against unwanted heat gain. Microscopic layers of metal oxide are often used as a coating that reflects infrared energy while still allowing light to pass through.

Non-conductive materials are often used in between conductive components of high-performance windows to reduce conduction. These thermal breaks are often found as part of the metal frame design. Frame materials are carefully selected for optimal insulation. Commonly used materials include wood, fiberglass or vinyl. Fiberglass provides exceptional longevity, often resulting in windows that are structurally sound for 50 years or more. Vinyl also lasts a long time, providing a life expectancy of approximately 40 years.

The Benefits of High-Performance Windows

If your windows are allowing your home to heat up during the summer months, you may find that you’re running your AC equipment frequently. This can raise your monthly energy bills while also causing strain and wear and tear on your AC unit. By investing in high-performance window replacement, you can protect your air conditioning system and maintain affordable cooling costs.

It's also beneficial to the environment to invest in high-performance windows. If you’re using your AC equipment less, this reduces carbon emissions and your personal carbon footprint.

Maintaining healthy indoor air quality is beneficial for your health and well-being. High-performance, energy-efficient windows not only keep your home cool, but they can also provide a tight barrier against outdoor pollution, pollen and more.

UV rays from the sun can come through older windows and fade flooring materials, furniture, bedding and curtains. It can be expensive to address this damage. Blocking UV rays from coming inside in the first place is ideal.

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor

Manufacturers follow guidelines for low U-values, which represent heat transfer, along with a low SHGC. Our team can help you compare your options, providing you with the best performance within your budget.

SHGC measures how much solar radiation can pass through your window. The lower the SHGC rating, the lower the amount of solar heat that can enter. People who live in warm climates should invest in windows with a low SHGC rating for year-round protection and a cool home interior.

The U-factor rating measures heat transfer that can occur through a window. A low U-factor represents a window that does a good job of insulating against heat flow. If you’re specifically looking for high-performance windows, they will have low U-factors.

By paying close attention to these two ratings, you can choose new windows that will help you maintain a cool home during the summer without spending an astronomical amount of money on running your cooling equipment.

Window Technology Advancements

There are several innovations that have had a profound impact on the high-performance window market. This includes smart windows technology, which can adjust their tint according to the amount of sunlight they are encountering. Also, different gases are being used between the panes of glass.

In addition to argon, krypton and xenon are frequently used. This provides improved insulation and a reduction in conductivity. When you combine these advancements with other cooling techniques and equipment in your home, you can achieve a comfortable and efficient home environment throughout the warm weather months.

Considering Aesthetics

While the goal is to achieve a comfortable and efficient home, aesthetics are still very important. High-performance windows are designed to provide exceptional comfort while adding to the overall architectural appeal of a residence. Take notice that high-performance, modern windows tend to have very sleek frames with clean lines. You can also find traditional varieties that provide a classic aesthetic with optimal cooling ability.

The Use of Blinds and Shutters

In addition to upgrading your windows, you should also give special consideration to the types of blinds, shutters and window treatments you’re using. Closing your reflective blinds and shutters when the sun is at its highest point during the afternoon can help keep your home cool. Also, select blackout curtains to provide ideal insulation. There are smart window treatments that you can control remotely or have close and open automatically based on the time of day.

You may also want to use awnings, pergolas or overhangs to provide outdoor shade. This can keep direct sunlight from reaching your windows.

Thinking About Window Placement

Working with our team of professionals for the installation of your high-performance windows is always ideal. We will strategically plan the placement of your windows to ensure protection from solar heat. If you have windows on one side of your home that are directly exposed to sunlight in the middle of the afternoon when the sun is at its highest point, it may be beneficial to choose windows that provide extra protection or a lower SHGC compared to other ones in the home.

During the installation process, we will properly seal around each window to prevent air leaks and promote performance. We also recommend that you have your windows routinely inspected and maintained to spot issues early. This can prolong the lifespan of your windows and ensure efficiency.

Rise Renovation can help you select high-performance and custom windows for your Denver or Austin home. We also serve the surrounding areas of these cities. We can also assist with window repairs and routine maintenance to help you protect the integrity of your windows. It’s likely we will see further advancements in high-performance window technology in the future. Our team stays current on these new innovations, making them available to our customers.

Reach out to Rise Renovation for window assistance in Denver or Austin today.