A Guide to Choosing the Right Windows for Your Home

Investing in windows for your home can feel daunting. It’s often confusing for homeowners to know what makes a quality window and how to navigate the research process. Things like style, material, and energy ratings all play a factor in determining what makes the right window for your needs and lifestyle. This blog will guide you toward some essential items to consider when purchasing windows so you can make the best choice for you and your home.

Window Needs and Preferences

Before you dive into the overwhelming world of windows, you must be clear on your needs. What are your specific climate needs? Is durability more important than the look of the windows? Or is it essential to keep your home aesthetic intact? How much are you willing to spend? Is noise reduction needed? Picking the right windows will be a much more difficult task without asking yourself these questions first.

Types of Windows

The average American home has several types of windows: bay windows, picture windows, skylights, sliding windows, etc. But the most common windows that need to be replaced are single-hung, double-hung, sliding, and casement windows. Let’s explore these windows a little more and see if they any are the right choice for your home!

Single vs. Double Hung

Single vs double-hung windows are among the most popular choices when choosing the right windows for your home. Of the two windowpanes that make up a typical home window, if only the bottom is moveable, it’s single-hung; if both panes are moveable, it’s double-hung. Single-hung windows are usually more cost-effective, but if you know you’ll need extra ventilation in areas like the kitchen or bathroom, springing for the double-hung may be worth it for your house!

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows are the type of windows that have at least two panels that slide past each other horizontally to open. These windows can be small, like a typical bedroom window that slides open left to right instead of up and down, or they could be used on a larger scale, like a wall of sliding windows, to open a space. Despite being around for hundreds of years, they have become more prevalent in newer construction homes because of their ease of use.

Casement Windows

Casement windows are windows that open like a door. They have a hinge on them and open outward via a crank mechanism. These are commonly placed in areas of a home to prevent unobstructed views you may possess or to provide significant ventilation to a location of your home. These windows are often used in historic homes as they can give a more historical look while delivering the benefits of modern home windows.

Choose the Right Materials

Selecting window materials that will accommodate both the look and functionality you want can be tricky! Like any purchase, there are pros and cons to each of the material options. However, you know your home best, so only you can choose what makes the most sense for your house.

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows are by far the most popular choice of window replacement for three main reasons: durability, affordability, and low maintenance care. Vinyl is resistant to moisture and rust damage, making it one of the few things homeowners don’t have to worry about maintaining outside of the occasional cleaning. They also come in a variety of style options to fit your home’s architectural characteristics.

Conversely, the customization options with vinyl windows are narrower than some other window options. There is a limit to color selection, as vinyl cannot be painted, and the overall look doesn’t match some older, more traditional-style homes. If you value how the windows look with your home’s older architecture, this may not be the best choice for you. There are also not many repair options for vinyl either. This can be a struggle for homeowners who live in climates with high temperatures. Over time, vinyl can warp, leaving you with a window that can only be replaced.

Wood Windows

 High-quality wooden windows can provide a multitude of benefits for a home. Firstly, wood is a natural insulator, so naturally, it will help regulate the temperature of a house and reduce noise from the outside. Wood is also a durable and easily repairable material, making it a worthy consideration.

On the flip side, wood is only durable if you take proper care of it. Wooden windows require regular maintenance to protect them from crumbling under the elements and exposure to insects. Lastly, the price is the biggest con to purchasing wood windows for your home. This is one of the highest-priced materials for home windows and is no longer the most common choice.

Aluminum Windows

Aluminum windows are among the most robust and most durable materials. They are meant to withstand the harshest weather conditions. Similar to vinyl windows, aluminum is also very low-maintenance and one of the most budget-friendly material options for your home.

However, aluminum has its drawbacks. This material could be more energy-efficient because aluminum is conductive. It is more likely to absorb the heat than to protect from it, likely causing higher utility costs. These windows also provide less be-desired qualities for noise reduction. If you live near a busy road or highway, this may be something to consider before purchasing.

Additional Window Features

When searching for the right windows for your home, you should consider a few other customization options. Security is a significant factor for many of our customers. Having sufficient locking apparatuses or safety glass that makes the homeowners feel at ease is often overlooked. Other examples of customization options would be choosing hardware that matches the aesthetic of your home or selecting windows with a blind system already installed.

Energy Efficiency Options

Energy-efficient ratings are determined by how well a home insulates in terms of heat loss and gain. This is typically important for homeowners because it can significantly affect their heating and air conditioning bills over time. Here is a guide to specific ratings to look out for:

Window Ratings

• SHGC—The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how much heat from the sun transfers through a window into the house. If you’re in a warmer climate and want to keep heat out of the home, you’ll want a low SHGC score. If you’re in a cooler climate, you may want a higher SHGC score to help keep your home warm with solar heat.
• U-factor Score- A U-factor score represents how much heat is lost through the window. A lower U-factor score indicates a well-insulated window that will keep your home warmer for longer.
• Energy Star- Windows with the Energy Star certification means they have met the EPA’s toughest standards for energy performance.
• VT- Visible Transmission measures how much light a window lets in. If you love natural light, this may be an essential rating to look for when searching for the right windows for your home.
• AL- Air Leakage measures how much air leaks through the entire window unit. This may sound similar to the U-factor ratings, but they are calculated differently. AL focuses on how likely a draft will come through the window and into your home. In contrast, the U-factor score focuses more on the difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors and how well the window keeps those temperatures the same.

Durability Matters

When considering a window’s durability, you need to factor in your climate. Humidity and moisture content will be imperative to the lifespan of wooden windows. What kind of natural disasters you may encounter could influence your decision on impact-resistant glass. If the home is located near saltwater, the right windows may need to be made of a material resistant to rot or erosion. How does maintenance factor into the integrity of the windows in the long term? These questions will help guide you in making the best possible choice for your lifestyle and home.

Warranty

Remember to ask about what warranties come with the windows you’d like to purchase! Does the manufacturer offer a warranty at all? If not, we recommend reconsidering another brand, as you are entitled to protection from defects and performance issues. A window’s performance isn’t solely based on how well it was made but is also contingent on the installation. Window installers not well versed in this process can compromise how long your windows will last through improper care and installation techniques. Choose a reputable company with extensive window installation experience. This will give you peace of mind, knowing your windows will perform as intended.

While this is not all there is to know about choosing the right windows for your home, we hope it serves as a starting point in your ongoing search!