Replacement Windows
Save on Home Energy Bills by Installing
Replacement Windows
By Mark J. Donovan
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Window replacement is one
of the best investments you can make in your home. With energy costs
continuing to rise, you can save significantly on your home heating
and air condition bills by replacing your old windows. Today's replacement
windows are offered in single, double and even triple pane low-E
glass options, thus protecting your home from ultraviolet light damage
and keeping your house more comfortable.
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In addition, today’s window technology allows for windows to open and close
much easier than your old windows. And with tilt-out options, window cleaning is
a relative breeze.
Replacement Window
Shapes and Styles
Replacement Windows come in a wide
variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Replacement windows include double hung
windows, casement windows, bay windows, awning windows, bow windows, and even
skylights. They are also manufactured in a number of materials, including wood,
aluminum fiberglass, and vinyl. There are solid vinyl, wood, and aluminum window
frames, aluminum or vinyl clad window frames, and composite window frames
available today.
With all of the window replacement
options on the market today, there is a window solution for almost any
homeowner’s budget.
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Window Replacement
Material Types
Vinyl window replacements are
frequently selected by homeowners as they do not require painting and are easy
to maintain. Pricing varies depending upon the quality of the window. Some
vinyl replacement windows are actually wood windows with vinyl cladding (the
exterior of the window is coated in vinyl). The nice thing about these windows
is that you get the natural wood look on the inside, and the low maintenance
features on the outside.
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Wood replacement windows are also
still very popular, as they can be quite affordable and offer that natural look
inside the home. The only downside is that they require painting and
maintenance. Also, over the years, the window sills frequently end up checking
(splitting).
Metal/Steel window replacements are
also another good alternative. The only downside of these windows is that they
can be dented resulting in permanent damage.
Window Replacement
Technology
Besides low-E glass options, window
replacements are also offered in a variety of high insulation R-values, R-values
that are not seen in older windows. The higher the R-value offered by the window
manufacturer the less heat transfer, and thus the more efficient the window is.
U-factor is another key specification
associated with replacement windows. The U-factor indicates the rate of heat
transfer from the inside of your home to the outside via the window.
Also, many of the window replacement
options come with shatterproof glass. This technology involves the process of
sandwiching a piece of plastic between the glass panes. The result is a much
stronger window that is more resistant to breaking.
The most interesting of all window
technology features is light controlled windows. With this technology, suspended
black particles can be moved/rotated in such a way to limit light passing
through the window. These types of windows can be manually or automatically
controlled to block light. This technology may eventually eliminate the need for
window shades.
Find the Right
Replacement Window and Installer for Your Home
If your windows are old and you feel
drafts around them, then consider dressing up your home with new window
replacements. They look great, are easy to install, and are more affordable than ever
with today’s high energy costs.
If you need more help on choosing the
right window replacement for your home, contact one of our
pre-screened window
installation contractors. They can help you select the replacement windows that
are right for your home and budget, and perform the installation.
For more information on
Installing a New Window, see the
Installing a New Window Ebook from
HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides easy to
understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window and
install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.
Get Free Window Price Quotes,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on windows from one of our prescreened and licensed window contractors. This
process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your
window replacement price estimate.
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