Considerations When Choosing Energy Efficient Windows |
Posted: May 11, 2022 |
Switching to a double-glazing energy-efficient window can save up to $250 per year, which means that the sooner you make this investment, the sooner it will pay off. However, energy-efficient is more of a description of what they do rather than the exact classification of the window type. This means that instead of looking for an energy-efficient window, you need to learn how to recognize energy-efficient properties and pick a window that embodies all these traits. It's also important that you avoid tunnel vision when choosing these windows. Sure, you want your home to be more energy-efficient, but this is not the only thing that you’re looking for. You also want something that fits your budget, provides an aesthetic value to your home, as well as something that’s durable (and, therefore, easy for maintenance). With all of this in mind and without further ado, here are a couple of guidelines you need to follow and considerations you should make when choosing energy-efficient windows. Adequate Window GlassThe first thing you should consider is whether the glass is adequately optimized for your local climate. The key thing to focus on here is the number of panes. Single-pane windows are a thing of the past, and you need to look for either double-glazing (two panes) or triple-glazing (three glass panes). Another thing you need to focus on is the tint of the glass. Some of the newest glass-manufacturing technologies include tints that provide protection from UV lights, which is also a consideration worth making. Also, some of the most expensive (but also most efficient) glass types are the ones where argon gas is inserted between the panes. This drastically improves the insulating properties of the glass. Needless to say, those who aren’t concerned with the cost but just want to make their home as close to zero-energy as possible need to consider this investment. Frame ConstructionThe next logical step when choosing energy efficient windows is to pay close attention to the frame construction (material). Previously, we’ve mentioned that you also need to focus on durability, maintenance, and aesthetics of your windows – well, frames are what make the difference. Panes are what they are (transparent or translucent), which is why the visuals are always determined by the frame. Some of the most popular options are:
When thinking about aesthetics, it’s also important to take other design elements into account. For instance, the material and the style of your blinds, the façade of your home, as well as the curtains that you envision when designing the interior. Proper Window DesignDepending on their design, these windows can greatly differ in functionality. For instance:
As you can see, while it is true that each of these window types determines the aesthetics of your home, the differences are primarily oriented toward their functionality. In other words, it might be a good idea to compare these advantages and disadvantages to the climate conditions in your home region. Proper InstallationEven with the best windows, if the installation process is botched, you’ll have a huge problem with your home’s energy-efficiency. So, what you’re aiming for is to hire someone who can do the job right. The services of professionals, however, will not come cheap. This is why it’s so important that you add the costs of installation to the overall budget. Finding the right people for the job won’t be easy. However, you need to invest quite a bit of research. In today’s digital era, looking for reviews and ratings is quite easy. Still, when looking for a handyman, it’s always best to look for WOM recommendations. It’s also important that you figure out where your windows are located. This will affect the installation in more ways than one. Will they need some extra tools? How long is it going to take? Factors that affect the installation affect the cost of the process, as well. In other words, it’s essential that you know exactly what you’re dealing with in advance. Set a BudgetThe biggest challenge lies in actually setting the budget. You see, this is not a minor investment. Replacing all the windows on your home (depending on their size and number) will end up costing thousands and thousands of dollars. Still, it’s always worth it. First of all, it boosts the energy efficiency of your home. Previously, we’ve talked about the amount of money that a window replacement saves over the course of the year. You may want to try and calculate this ROI ratio and figure out how long it will take for this project to pay itself off. Other than this, you need to understand that eco-friendliness comes with a moral reward of its own. Finally, the project itself will increase the resale value of your home. In other words, there are so many potential justifications for this investment (not that you needed any to begin with). In ConclusionIn the end, the more research you invest, the better the results you can look forward to. Sure, it may be arduous work to read about all these pane and frame types, but it is something that you simply have to do. Why? Well, this is a decision that will have consequences that will span over the course of years and decades. Spending a bit more time, effort, and resources now can make a massive difference in the future. It’s an opportunity that you cannot afford to let slip.
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