Replacement Windows: Performance Factors

Before you buy and install replacement windows in Denver, CO, you need to take into account several important labels and ratings. Window performance in terms of energy efficiency must be prioritized over aesthetic value as this will determine the savings and return on investment you can potentially enjoy in the long run. The NFRC conducted standardized and independent test methods to complete the following energy performance ratings:

U-Factor (U-value) measures the rate of heat loss and the insulating capacity of the product–with general ratings between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower the U-factor, the less heat will be lost as the window is more resistive so a reduction in wasted heating expenses can be achieved.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)measures how well a window blocks unwanted solar heat—with ratings expressed between 0 and 1. A lower rating indicates lower heat transmission, which is favorable in warmer climates.

Visible Transmittance (VT) measures daylight or visible light transmission through the window. The rating is between 0 and 1—the higher the number, the more you can maximize the available daylight.

Air Leakage (AL) is an optional rating thatmeasures the window’s ability to keep air out. The lower the AL value, the lesser the amount of air that passes through joints or cracks. Lower air leakage consequently reduces heating/cooling costs.

Condensation Resistance (CR) is another optional rating that measures the window’s resistance to water build-up; expressed in numbers between 0 and 100. A higher CR rating indicates better resistance.

Picking the Right Replacement Window

For optimum protection against the elements, your home needs well-insulated, energy-saving windows aside from sturdy roofing and siding. If you’ve had the same windows for quite a number of years, you might want to consider replacing them with more modern and energy-efficient varieties. However, considering the cost of a window replacement project, you need to be careful when choosing any type of replacement window for your home.

One of the factors you have to consider is the type of materials used. Both the frame and the window panes play a significant role in reflecting heat and cold. Wood, aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass are considered some of the most thermal-efficient materials among today’s commercially available replacement windows.

Traditional window panes used to be rather thin, which is why they easily absorb heat and cold into the house. Today’s replacement windows have thicker glass panes with inert gas layers that reduce the amount of light and heat that get transferred into and out of your home.

Finding a replacement window with the above qualities is not always easy, especially if you have limited knowledge about window design and technology. To make a proper choice, look for products with high ENERGY STAR ratings. In any case, be sure to have a professional install your new windows to ensure optimum durability and thermal efficiency.

What to Look for in Windows from Colorado Springs

In most cases, the only time you’d want to replace your windows is when they’re finally too deteriorated or broken to be repaired. However, you’d also want to switch to brand-new windows if your existing ones are no longer as efficient as they used to be. “Efficiency” refers to windows’ capacity to regulate heat and cold inside your home, block excess sunlight, and even muffle outside noise. These would be the things you’d generally want to look for in your new windows.

However, there are still mundane factors to consider such as aesthetics and durability. The former may not be as important as the latter, but a beautiful set of windows can make your home more comfortable and pleasing to look at. Durability is another important consideration because windows need to be sturdy enough to withstand physical impact (within reasonable limits, of course), especially if you live in area that is regularly battered by high-gale winds.

The other things you should look for are warranties and certifications: common indicators that your new windows are, indeed, of high quality. Warranties allow you to enjoy discounts or incentives from the manufacturer in the event that your windows fail to meet their standards. Certifications, meanwhile, serve as proof that the windows have been tested thoroughly and can, thus, be safe for sale.

Pretty Portals: On Installing Patio Doors

Patio doors are perhaps one of the most stunning fixtures a house could have. Doubling as both windows and doors, these glass sliding doors offer convenient access to the patio, lawn, or garden. It helps that patio doors allow a lot of natural light to filter indoors, which allows them to enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space where they happen to be installed.

Unlike windows, however, patio doors have to be large enough to allow people to walk through. The minimum height of a patio door is around 6 feet and 8 inches tall, while larger ones can reach up to 6 feet and 11 inches. Homeowners should choose which door to use based on how much space they want the fixture to occupy on the wall.

A good rule of thumb would be to select a sliding door with a frame that’s slightly smaller than the opening designed to house the assembly. This makes it possible to easily fit the door and seal off the seams with as little cement or caulking as possible. Other considerations should be made prior to installing a sliding door, such as its position relative to the sun’s rise and fall each day, or which part of the exterior the door should lead to.

Wintertime Installation of Replacement Windows

Kids in Colorado Springs look forward to snowy days when they can go for a ride on their sleds. Homeowners, on the other hand, dread heavy snowfall because of the numerous problems it brings. Among other things, snow increases the chances of windows accumulating moisture, and magnifies problems like poor insulation.

Homeowners who are forced to deal with such problems may need to look into effective replacement window solutions, particularly if window mold growth has become a chronic problem during winter. While starting a window installation project in winter may not be the first thing on most homeowners’ minds, they can actually benefit from this move. For one, homeowners are likely to have an easier time of scheduling window installation with reliable window specialists in their respective areas due to the potential slowdown in job requests.

Consequently, window specialists can give their undivided attention to each project and thereby deliver high-quality work. Window installers are also likely to be more accommodating of homeowners’ concerns and requests. Another advantage of window installation in winter is that the effects of such a worthwhile investment can be experienced right away. Newer and better windows, after all, enable optimum insulation and adequate warmth throughout the household.

Insulation Tips for Denver Residents

Denver is a cruel place for thermometers during winter: the average temperature of the city during winter is 17.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold temperature of the Mile High City usually leads to astronomically-high electricity bills that can hurt every Denver family’s finances.

Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the heating bill. One of the most effective ways is to insulate the windows to keep the heat inside the house. There are different ways to insulate these windows, and here are three of them:

Window Insulation Kits

There are a lot of window insulation kits out on the market. These kits are perfect for the occasional weekend warrior who would want to work on their windows. The kits usually come with the necessary equipment and instructions to make the work as easy as possible.

Heavy Vinyl Installation

Installing heavy vinyl is another great option, but the biggest problem that comes with heavy vinyl installation would be keeping the vinyl in place. Staples and duct tape usually do the trick. The downside to doing this would be the damage inflicted upon the frames that are needed to be mended with wood putty and re-varnishing.

Replacement Windows

This option if perfect for those who have little or no time in the day to do DIY work. Going for replacement windows means that you can keep your home insulated for a long time.