Window style and design are important aesthetic factors. But the frame material you choose is critical to your home’s durability, energy efficiency, and maintenance tolerance.
Check out a company’s ratings, qualifications, and reviews before you sign a contract. Also ask about their warranty. A reputable company should include a lifetime warranty on both materials and workmanship. Contact Maryland Window Replacement for professional help.
The frame holds the window in place and serves as the foundation for both its interior and exterior style. While it might seem like a minor detail, the frame material you choose for your replacement windows can impact everything from the energy efficiency to the price tag. The four most common frame materials are vinyl, wood, fiberglass and aluminum. Each comes with its own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your climate, maintenance tolerance and aesthetic preferences when making the final decision.
Wood windows are a popular choice for homeowners who value a classic look. However, these windows are also prone to warping and need frequent upkeep to avoid moisture damage. If you live in a warm or humid area, the constant exposure to moisture can cause mildew and accelerate rot. Additionally, wooden frames have a high cost and might not provide the best return on investment if you plan to sell your home in the future.
Fiberglass frames are a more affordable option with great insulation and color options. They’re durable and resistant to moisture, but they might not hold up well in harsher weather conditions. They’re also a bit heavier than other window frame options, which might affect how they open and close.
Aluminum windows are another affordable option with good insulation, but they have a tendency to conduct heat and can easily rust or warp over time. They don’t withstand moisture very well either, which can lead to the development of mold and rot. There are enhanced aluminum options that reduce the risk of rust and improve energy efficiency, but they’re still not as effective as other alternatives.
Clad wood frames are a great compromise for homeowners who want the natural beauty of wood without the high maintenance demands. The cladding protects the frame from extreme weather conditions while enhancing its durability and strength. Some clad wood frames offer vinyl or aluminum on the outside to further enhance energy efficiency and resistance to moisture.
Glass
When homeowners shop for new windows, they usually consider the type of operation – casement, double hung, glider – as well as how the window’s aesthetics complement the home’s architectural style. But very few consumers think to consider the glass itself, which can have a big impact on performance. The right glass can save homeowners money by enhancing energy efficiency, privacy, safety, and condensation resistance options.
The types of glass available for windows range from annealed float glass (which is budget-friendly but can break into large, sharp shards) to tempered glass, which is a more expensive but safer option. If you live in an area prone to severe weather, like hurricanes, it’s best to choose laminated or tempered glass that can hold together if broken and reduce the risk of injury.
Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded with an interlayer of polyvinyl butyral or ethylene-vinyl acetate that holds the shards of glass in place when they break, providing security and reducing the risk of bodily injury. This glass also cuts down on glare and helps regulate indoor temperatures by limiting heat transfer.
For those concerned about energy bills, the most popular choice is insulated double or triple-pane glass with Low-E coating and either argon or krypton gas filling. The combination of these features reduces the amount of solar heat that enters a home in the summer and prevents it from escaping during the winter, helping to lower heating costs and utility bills.
Consumers can learn more about the energy efficiency of different types of windows by checking their windows’ labels, which should include information on a window’s U-factor and STC/OITC ratings. The higher the rating, the more efficient a window is. If a window doesn’t have a high rating, it will require more effort on the homeowner’s part to control interior temperature, such as closing blinds during the sunniest parts of the day or adding extra weather stripping to keep drafts out in the winter.
Insulation
Window insulation is a great way to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulated windows also help reduce outside noises and enhance home security. Insulated windows also help lower your utility bills and increase the resale value of your home.
New construction and replacement windows offer a number of different insulation options. Insulated frames can be made of vinyl, aluminum, or wood and are available in a variety of colors to match your décor. Vinyl-clad frames are a popular option because they insulate well and require little maintenance. They can also resist fading and are durable in sun-drenched areas.
Another type of window insulation is spray foam. This low-expansion, low-pressure foam creates a tight seal around the frame that helps prevent air leakage. This is an excellent choice for those who want to do a DIY installation, and it can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
Spray foam is also a good choice for insulating older windows. It is designed to easily fit into small cracks and crevices that can cause drafts and moisture damage. It is available as a pre-formed strip or in a can.
For a quick, cheap insulation, plastic window film can be taped to your existing windows. It is self-adhesive and easy to apply. When you run a hair dryer over it, it will shrink and create an airtight seal that can keep the cold out in the winter. However, it won’t do much to protect against heat loss in the summer.
If your old windows have gaps or cracks, they allow outside air to move in and out of your home, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder than necessary. New windows will create an airtight seal and help you save energy. In addition, if you decide to replace your windows with double-paned glass filled with argon or krypton gas, the gap between the panes offers improved noise reduction, as well. This is a great choice for homeowners who live in an area with high street or airport noise.
Warranty
When purchasing new replacement windows, it’s important to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. Choosing a company with a good warranty can ensure that you’re not stuck with defective products after the installation process is over. It’s also helpful to understand how warranties work in general so that you can better compare and evaluate the different options available to you.
Window manufacturers can offer a number of different types of warranties for their products. The most robust type of warranty is known as a double lifetime warranty and offers protection for as long as the homeowner owns their home. This type of warranty can even be passed on (or transferred) to the next homeowner if the home is sold. This type of warranty is a great way to add value to your home and increase its appeal to prospective buyers in the future.
Other types of warranties include limited lifetime and prorated warranties. Limited lifetime warranties tend to be less comprehensive in terms of what they cover and only offer coverage for a set period of time. Prorated warranties, on the other hand, offer coverage for a decreasing percentage of the cost of replacement parts over time. This means that if the window breaks down, the homeowner will be responsible for more of the cost than they would be with a non-prorated warranty.
Another thing to look for in a window replacement warranty is whether or not it covers installation errors and workmanship. Some warranties do not include this option while others will cover installation issues within a certain time frame as long as the installer was chosen by the manufacturer and a professional installer performed the job.
It’s also important to check whether or not a warranty is transferable. This can be an important consideration if you plan on selling your home in the future and want to maintain the added value that your energy-efficient, beautiful new windows provide. This is because many warranties will only be valid if they can be transferred to the buyer of the home. It’s also worth examining whether or not a warranty will be voided if the windows are modified in any way.