Prepare for Winter with Window Replacement
The weather outside is becoming dreary. The wind is biting a little harder and the daylight hours are diminished. How does it feel inside your home? It’s around this time of year that Chicagoland residents begin feeling a nip outside as well as inside their homes, and it’s probably because of their windows.
Heat loss is a serious issue, not only in terms of comfort, but also in terms of money that essentially drifts from your furnace and out the window in the form of utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Americans lose around $35 billion a year in energy costs due to the condition of their windows. While it’s true that energy is also lost through poorly insulated walls and attics, and through improper siding and roofing systems on homes, today we’re going to focus on the benefits of replacing windows with more attractive and energy efficient windows.
First, to determine if your windows are due for replacement, inspect the weather stripping on your windows and look for areas where leaks might be occurring. Do you see any deterioration around the frames of your windows? This is a sure sign that they need to be replaced. Broken glass, gaps and cracks all represent areas that are costing your comfort and money. Schedule a free inspection with your trusted local window contractor to determine if you require a replacement, or if a repair will suffice.
Do you have single pane windows? If so, you’re experiencing a massive transfer of heat from the inside of your home to the outdoors. Today’s window manufacturers are using double pane manufacturing processes that are at least twice as energy efficient as single pane windows. Also, keep in mind that sound transfers much easier through a single pane than a double pane window. If you want to keep the outside noises from penetrating your home, replace your single pane windows with double pane windows.
Choosing the right window material
If you’ve made the decision to replace your windows, it’s time to think about what material you’ll want your new windows manufactured from. Not many vendors are offering a quality wood product today as most lumber is farmed too fast (unlike decades ago when old-growth forests were farmed, providing a more stable, solid material for windows). Wood windows today just don’t hold up to the elements like they once did. A more cost effective and efficient material to consider now is vinyl.
When you choose a vinyl window product, you can have it in just about any color you can think of, and it’s all taken care of for you at the manufacturer’s plant. Also, make sure you’re getting a warrantee on your new windows. Many vendors will guarantee their product for 20 years, so consider that when you’re shopping for windows.
Choosing the right product isn’t difficult anymore. The U.S. government has developed an energy efficient identification program that helps contractors and homeowners decide which windows to install. Any window with the “Energy Star” moniker has been identified as an energy efficient product that will reduce the transfer of heat, save natural resources and lower your utility bills.
Performance is definitely important, but so too are the look of your new windows. At VIS Exteriors, we install high quality windows that reduce outside noise, increase a home’s privacy and improve energy efficiency. The window manufacturers we work with create attractive windows in a range of styles that will fit homes of any style in the Chicagoland area. Contact us today and let’s go over some options that fit your budget and your design sensibilities.
