Replacing old windows will add value, style to your home

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Replacing old windows will add value, style to your home

The right windows can provide privacy — with frosted glass — and extensive views outside — with clear multipaned glass.

Today’s energy-efficient windows are more than just window dressing in a home.

New windows are becoming more warp-resistant and secure, with appearances that don’t compromise their function.

Replacing worn-out windows can perk up the appearance of a home, all while making rooms more comfortable and easing cooling and heating costs, says Senior Building Green Program Manager Kevin Morrow with the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, D.C.

“Homeowners should inspect their windows at least once a year. If you’re feeling a draft by a window in the wintertime, the cool air inside your home in the summertime is escaping through the same opening,” he says. “Windows, by their very nature, have a lower insulation value, but having low-emissive (low-e) windows can help mitigate the loss of heating and air-conditioning.”

Morrow says caulking openings around the frame can be a quick, inexpensive fix to leaky windows, but that isn’t always enough to solve a sill that resembles a sieve. Three years ago, Morrow had the windows replaced in his 100-year-old Washington townhouse with energy-efficient ones, and he immediately noticed a reduction in drafts and ambient noise from the street.

“Today, there are minimum energy-efficiency standards for replacement windows, and the technology to manufacture a better window continues to improve from even 20 years ago,” he says. “A qualified professional can pop out an existing window, and replace it with an entirely new unit, usually within a day.”

There are many options for homeowners who want to open new windows to suit their lifestyles. Before buying replacement windows, homeowners should know their pane priorities, based on the climate zone and a home’s site orientation.

Two of the most important factors to consider when purchasing replacement windows are the U-factor – which measures the rate of heat loss – and the solar heat gain coefficient – which measures how effectively the window blocks heat coming from the sun.

The lower the designated number on these two ratings, the better the insulation value of the window. The United States Department of Energy steps consumers through determining the best window options at its website: efficientwindows.org/energystar.cfm.

There are two types of windows: fixed style (picture, transom or half-round windows) and operable style (double-hung or casement windows). Common sense dictates that fixed windows – ones that don’t open or close – have better insulation value than operable ones.

The type of glass – ranging from triple to impact-resistant panes – also varies and affects a home’s energy efficiency. Morrow says there are also many choices in window frames, which are most commonly made from wood, aluminum, fiberglass or vinyl.

While each material has benefits and drawbacks, the most popular new windows in the United States are vinyl, with a projected 33.1 million units to ship in 2012, according to market studies conducted by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association. Morrow says a friendly price point and low maintenance help contribute to vinyl windows’ popularity.

When replacing windows, homeowners should also think outside the window box, says Marty Davis, marketing manager for Simonton Windows, a leading vinyl window manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio.

“Replacing windows isn’t just about energy savings,” Davis says. “It can also open up many design possibilities.”

Instead of replacing many small windows on a wall, a homeowner may choose to open up views to the outside and create a single large bank of windows. Also, vinyl windows come in different colors, so homeowners can match or complement the color of an internal or external wall.

“Vinyl windows can also mimic the color and grain of woods, without any of the maintenance of painting or staining attached to real wood windows,” Davis says. “When choosing the style of window, it’s important to pay attention to the aesthetic of the home.”

Davis says you don’t want to replace windows in a Victorian home with casement – or crank – windows. Conversely, windows with a diamond grid would look out of place on a contemporary-style home.

Replacing windows in homes that were built in 1978 and earlier could also impact your family’s health. In older homes, there could be products that contain lead, according to Davis.

“The areas around single-pane windows are especially at-risk for lead dust in older homes,” he says. “The friction created by opening and closing windows can generate lead dust, and only contractors certified by EPA-approved training providers are qualified to complete home improvement projects in homes that contain lead.”

Homeowners should pre-qualify window replacement contractors, using the following guidelines:

– Check a contractor’s permanent place of business, telephone number, tax identification number and business license. Look for a company with a proven track record that offers client references and a list of completed projects.

– Insist on a detailed, written proposal and examine it for a complete description of the work, including approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures.

– Check to see if the contractor is a member of any regional or national industry associations and check with local Better Business Bureau, to check for possible complaints filed against the contractor.

– Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. Price should be only one factor for selecting a window replacement contractor. Professionalism, experience and quality workmanship should also weigh into your decision.

Davis encourages consumers to research windows online first, to know options that companies can offer. “Replacing your windows can give you an excellent return on your cost investment,” he says. “Even if you’re not selling your home, replacing old ones can give you a new window to the outside world.”

Even though there are no longer federal tax credits available for installing energy-efficient windows, you can check for local incentives at www.dsireusa.org, by clicking on the state of residence.

HT: A large grouping of windows – including the fixed half-moon shape and the operable casement windows beneath – open up dramatic views in a home. CREDIT: Simonton Windows

HT_EXT_1: A bank of double-hung vinyl windows brings the outside views into this Ohio home. CREDIT: Simonton Windows

HT_EXT_2: The right windows can provide privacy – with frosted glass – and extensive views outside – with clear multipaned glass. CREDIT: Simonton Windows

HT_EXT_3: Vinyl is one of the most popular window frames used in America and the style comes in a variety of colors that don’t require painting. These brick-colored windows match a home’s exterior shingles. CREDIT: Simonton Windows

HT_EXT_4: Windows with impact-resistant or storm-breaker glass can withstand strong winds and are both a durable and beautiful choice for beachside homes. CREDIT: Simonton Windows

You are viewing this post: Replacing old windows will add value, style to your home. Information curated and compiled by Kayaknv.com along with other related topics.

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