Tips for Deciding When to Replace Windows
September 18, 2010
Tips for Deciding When to Replace Windows
Are you looking for tips to help evaluate the effectiveness of your windows and doors in a home, or a home your looking to purchase? Consider some of there for starters:
You can determine how many panes of glass are in the windows. Single-paned windows are the least energy efficient. You can replace them with double- or triple-paned Energy Start compliant windows to enhance energy efficiency and make a home more comfortable during all seasons.
Look for condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows. This could indicate seal failure or an inefficient window.
Do your windows open and close easily? If your windows are hard to open or close—or they won’t stay open or locked—this could be a sign that the windows need replacing.
Have someone stand outside your window. With a small flashlight, stand inside and “travel” around the window’s perimeter. If the person outside sees areas of light coming through, this is an indication of seal failure—and probably energy loss.
Does it seems especially noisy in your house? Do you live near a busy street? You can consider replacing your windows with laminated glass windows to help reduce noise transmission.
Did your neighbors just build a new home that’s too close to your bathroom? For added privacy, request decorative obscure glass in your windows. This will allow light to flow into the home, but will keep your privacy!
For any questions on windows, Contact Modern Homes, Inc.
Upgrade the Window, Improve the Efficiency
January 11, 2010
Single paint windows are one of the largest source for heat loss in a home. They have low insulating value, high air leakage and can be responsible for 25 to 50 percent of the energy use to heat or cool a home.
Almost any windows will improve over single pain and new energy efficient glass/window options can even significantly increase the insulating value of dual pain glass.
An easy way to determine window efficiency would be to choose a window with an “Energy Star” label. They do have a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy performance label on all windows that will help you compare energy rating on windows. There is five factor used.
* U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping.
* Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight.
* Visible transmittance measures how much light comes through a product.
* Air leakage measures how much air will pass through cracks in the window assembly.
* Condensation resistance measures the ability to resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface.
The optimal combination of U-factor and SHGC depends on the climate zone as well as direction.location of your home. Products with the Energy Star label will include a map to help you determine the right window for your area.
There are a variation of different glass types that can be chosen. Low E Glass is typically the standard in efficiency glass. A Low-E coating is a microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layer deposited directly on the surface of one or more of the panes of glass. There are also argon gas than can be filled in the window to help efficiency as well as Super Spacer® solid silicone foam spacer to help reduce heat transfer. There are also Laminated Glass and Sun coatings that are available dependent on the windows manufacturer.
Subscribe to out Blog:
![[BBB Accredited Business]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/accredited-business-blue.gif){kind=small}
![[Homebuilders Association of Greater Chicago]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/logo-hbagc.gif){kind=logo}
![[Certified Green Professional]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/Logo_CGP_2C-copy.gif){kind=logo}
![[Equal Housing Opprotunity]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/fheo50.gif){kind=small}
![[National Association of the Remodeling Industry]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/NARI-Logo-2.gif){kind=logo}
![[National Association of Home Builders]](http://www.modern-homes.com/images/NAHB-Logo-1.gif){kind=logo}