Selecting windows that reflect your style, comfort and energy efficiency can have a dramatic impact on the look, comfort and efficiency of your home. Look for Energy Star products with low U-factors and VT ratings, which help lower heating and cooling bills.
Consider selecting a window installation company with multiple manufacturers’ options so you can obtain both design and performance at an affordable cost.
Double-pane
Double-pane windows can help lower energy costs, provide peace and quiet, or add value to your home – they insulate against seasonal temperatures while simultaneously cutting noise pollution outside. Furthermore, double pane windows are more eco-friendly and cost-efficient than single pane ones.
Single and double pane windows differ by featuring only one layer of glass, while double pane windows feature two layers separated by an air gap filled with non-toxic gas such as argon or krypton to act as an insulating layer between them.
Double pane windows are an ideal choice for cold climates as they help to regulate indoor temperature in both winter and summer, keeping your home more cozy during those seasons when temperatures plummet and refreshing it in warmer months. In areas near busy roads or railways they also help reduce noise pollution.
Low-E
Low-e glass’s insulative qualities help conserve heat during the harsh winter, while reflecting solar rays and blocking infrared radiation from entering, thus keeping your home cooler during summer.
Low-e windows also block harmful UV rays, which can fade furniture and ruin interiors in sunny climates. This feature makes low-e windows especially beneficial.
When purchasing windows, it is essential that your decision takes your climate zone and features such as U-factors and visible transmittance (VT ratings) into account. By doing this, you will ensure maximum energy efficiency – further increasing it by selecting double pane windows with Argon gas.
Argon gas
Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere and accounts for approximately 0.93% of total atmospheric air volume. It derives its name from Greek word argos meaning laziness or inactivity and it is non-flammable as well as being one of six noble gases present on our planet in small quantities.
Double-pane windows often utilize an effective insulator made of foam insulation for better soundproofing, and fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs use foam insulators to prevent their filaments from oxidizing quickly. Furthermore, it’s often found on SCUBA diving suits and the tires of some luxury vehicles.
Energy Star
Have you seen the ENERGY STAR label on appliances, furnaces and AC equipment before? Did you know it also applies to replacement windows? This government program encourages energy-saving innovations by certifying products which fulfill certain standards.
Select windows with low U-factors and high visible transmittance ratings to reduce heat transfer and energy bills. Qualifying ENERGY STAR products also qualify for tax credits. To maximize energy savings, ensure the right windows are selected for your climate – south-facing windows should feature higher SHGC values to let in more sunlight, while west and north-facing ones should feature lower U-factors to minimize heat loss.
Frame material
Your frame material selection can have an enormous effect on how well your window insulates and withstands weather elements. Wood frames offer traditional looks as well as natural insulating properties; fiberglass offers superior strength with plenty of color choices available.
Assuring long-lasting and energy-efficient windows is best done through working with a reliable Lexington SC window installation company that employs background-checked workers with factory direct warranties. A professional will also know the ideal size and style to complement the existing window frame – double-hung windows allow both sashes to slide up and down for increased airflow control.
New construction
When building or expanding, new construction windows provide you with maximum customization of size, style and configuration options for an opening that needs filling. They give you total control of size, style and configuration options available to you.
Double-hung windows offer more versatility than their single-hung counterparts and allow both upper and lower sashes to open or close with ease, making ventilation easy in your home. Look for models with Low-E coatings, low U-factors, and high VT ratings to maximize energy savings and ensure optimal ventilation.
Consider filling the space between glass panes with argon gas to enhance insulation, and opt for vinyl or fiberglass frames which are more efficient than aluminum and wood materials.