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6 Tips for Choosing Energy Efficient Windows for Your Home

Published on February 19, 2021

Nowadays, when renovating and upgrading their homes, people want to go with top-notch energy-efficient technology. Besides making their homes more comfortable, it can also help them cut down expenses and save money. Naturally, the biggest benefit of it is to reduce the carbon footprint, and therefore, protect the environment.

In this article, we will focus on energy-efficient windows. After all, these are an essential part of your property, meaning that you have to be careful when choosing them. If you are thinking about investing in these, keep on reading because we will provide you with some tips.

Think about the frame

It may seem odd that this is one of the first things you have to consider since the frame is a small portion of the overall surface, but it can really make a difference. Up until recently, wood was the most popular choice, but the truth is that there are better options today. For example, wood requires a lot of maintenance since weather conditions can have a hazardous effect on it. Durability is probably one of your top requirements, so you may want to go with a material that can be easily maintained and that, at the same time, will last you for many years to come. The best part is that now you can choose the design and finish according to your liking, so it will be very easy to create something that matches the overall appearance of your home.

Learn about different types

The next thing you have to think about is the type of window. You know what we are talking about, right? You can choose between tilt-and-turn, casement, sliding, double-hung, and so on. When considering these, people usually think about the appearance and convenience, but you also have to learn about the air seals.

From the insulation point of view, you should go with windows that swing instead of slide. Why? Well, when you close these, you push them into weatherstripping, meaning that they seal better, which gives them a significant advantage when it comes to insulation and energy efficiency.

Inquire about the glass

Naturally, the most important feature of an energy-efficient window is the glass, and nowadays, you have a couple of options. Dual-pane type has become a standard since it can significantly reduce the amount of heat that the glass lets through, that is, it can lower the U-factor.

Next, if you want to go a step further, you can choose to add a third pane and get a triple-pane glass. As you can assume, this glass can take the energy efficiency feature to a whole new level, but the truth is that it can be quite costly, so not many people decide to invest in it. Finally, there is another trick manufacturer use. They add inert argon gas between the panes to further increase the window’s insulation property.

Go with low-E glass

Depending on the company you choose, you may be restricted when it comes to frames and window types, but there is one thing all companies have in common – they offer a wide range of different films and coatings. When considering this, our advice is to go with the low-E glass since it reflects the energy and heat while, at the same time, it enables light to pass through. What’s more, it even restricts the UV rays that enter your home. As you know, the UV rays can damage objects that are exposed to it directly, so the vibrant color of your couch or rug can fade after a longer period of time.

Energy efficiency label

If you want to be certain that you are making the right investment and that you won’t be throwing your money down the drain, you should only investigate options that are approved by the professionals. In addition, you also have to understand these recommendations. These windows are created for different areas and weather conditions, so you should consider these factors before making the decision. Also, you have to think about the topography of your area as well as the number of windows to get the best results.

Installation

Let’s be honest, proper installation is important regardless of the upgrade you are making to your home. If an item isn’t installed correctly, not only will it not function as it should, but the fact is that it can cause further damage. This is especially true when it comes to windows. First of all, the main reason for investing in these is to benefit from their energy efficiency feature and reduce monthly expenses. Well, if you don’t go with a reputable company, the chances are that you won’t see any of these benefits. Due to this reason, you should visit klarfonster.se and investigate not only the products they offer but learn details about the installation process.

Moreover, if the windows aren’t placed correctly, you may face the problems of leaks and water damage. Is it even necessary to explain how serious these can be? Plus, if you don’t act immediately, there is always a risk of black mold, which is a whole new issue that can take a lot of time, effort, and money to resolve.

Don’t go with the cheapest option

We understand that home renovation is not only a lengthy but also a very expensive process. Obviously, you should set a budget and make sure not to exceed it to avoid the trouble of spending more than you can afford. However, at the same time, you shouldn’t always choose the least expensive items on the market. If you find an offer that seems too good to be true, well, it probably is, which means that there may be numerous downsides and defects to those items. Even though the initial cost is low, it probably means that you will have to do a lot of repairs in the future.

Wrapping up

To conclude, when looking for new windows, you have to do thorough research, not only to understand what your home needs, but also to find those that meet all of your requirements. Finally, you have to professionals that can guarantee for their product, and at the same time, that can provide you with top-notch service.

Should You Repair or Replace Your Glass Windows – 2020 Guide

Published on October 29, 2020October 31, 2020

House

Repairing or replacing your old windows can improve various aspects of your home like the appearance, energy efficiency, better heating, and more. Also, it can improve the ambient in rooms by providing more natural light. Moreover, having high-quality windows can increase the value of your house or apartment. There are many types of frames and windows, which means that you can easily choose the type that will fit perfectly into the design of your living room. Proper maintenance is important for various things in your home, as well as for windows, and if you notice that some frames cannot be repaired, the best solution is to order new ones. you will need to hire a newmarket replacement windows company such as Canadian Choice, that can provide you with great terms, a wide selection of windows, a long-lasting warranty, and convenience. In this article, we are going to introduce you to some of the important reasons to repair or replace your windows.

High Energy Bills

The first sign that your old frames are not capable of providing good isolation in your home is if you notice that your bills are getting higher every month. You could have issues in both heating and cooling seasons because the heating system will consume more energy to keep you warm, while the air-conditioning system won’t be able to keep a steady temperature in the home since the windows are letting heat inside. The best way to check if your windows are letting heat is to stand by the window and see if it is cooler next to it. The main reason why there are common issues with old windows is that they have only one glaze. If you choose to invest in proper double glazed windows, you will save a lot on your energy bills.

They Aren’t Soundproof

It can be annoying when you live next to some road, and there is always a crowd with lots of vehicles. Also, lots of people are having problems with sleeping because of the loud engines they hear from the outside. Therefore, investing in good frames and windows is beneficial because it can significantly reduce the sounds from the outside. On the other hand, you might have problems with your neighbors because of the louder music and noises that you make in your home. The best solution for these problems is to replace your old windows with modern and soundproof ones.

Issues with Leaking

There is a common problem with old models of double glazed windows with deposits of water stuck between the panels. That might cause your windows to become muddy, and that will affect the whole appearance and ambient in your home since you won’t be able to enjoy on a sunny day like when you have crystal clear ones. The biggest issue is that you might face problems with condensation that can affect the humidity and quality of air in your home. Moreover, higher deposits of condensation could cause some health issues like bronchitis, asthma, and more. If you don’t react on time and don’t fix your leaking frames or windows, you might face a problem with a lot of water getting in during the heavy rain weather.

Worn-Out Windows

Depending on the quality, each window has its limited expiration date. Many factors can affect the lasting time of frames. Also, there is a big difference between wooden frames and PVC, where wooden ones could last for a much longer time, but only if you pay attention to proper maintenance. If you choose a high-quality material, your wooden windows might serve you for more than 60 years. PVC is also a great material that can last for 30 years, but those with poor quality might dissolve over time and start leaking and letting heat out. Worn-out windows might cause leaks, condensation, cracks, and many other issues.

It Gets Difficult to Open or Close Windows

In most cases, you can fix this issue with a simple replacement of some parts on the frame. However, if you cannot open or close the window because it got deformed over time, you should replace it along with the whole frame. There is a common reason where people are facing issues with the opening and closing process, and that is during the new paint job you applied to them, and did not leave enough time for the paint to dry or you applied too many layers. The best way to deal with this situation is to call a professional who can determine whether you need a repair or new windows.

Poor Isolation

I case that there are leaks in the frames or windows, you might get your bills increased by over 20%. Besides the frames, there might be an issue with an opening and closing mechanism as well, where you are not able to close your windows properly. Moreover, that could represent a security issue as well, because anyone can open the window from the outside. By providing you home with proper isolation around windows, you will save a lot of money on both air conditioning and heating systems. Therefore, investing in proper windows is always a good solution.

Choose Effective Windows

In case you have good isolation in your home, and there are no leaks around frames, but you are still facing issues with proper heating, especially when you are sitting near a window, you should check the quality of the glass. Many old frames have glasses that are not capable of providing you with enough isolation, and you will keep having problems with heating even if there are no indications about cracks, leaking, and other potential problems with windows. In that case, the best solution is to replace the old glass with a new model that has double panels and double glaze that will provide you with much better isolation. There is a wide selection of materials and glasses for windows available on the market today, and the best solution to be sure that your home will have proper isolation is to invest more money in a high-quality product.