Installing replacement windows in your Long Island home is a practical solution for many woes, from energy inefficiency to inoperability, to plain old ugliness. Local brands, like Renewal by Andersen of Long Island, often tout improved energy efficiency as the most beneficial reason to make the investment, but home windows do much more than simply make your home less expensive to maintain.
Here are 10 things you may not know about replacement windows, and new home windows in general.
Leaky, aging home windows (and patio doors) account for 25-30% of the average Long Island home energy bill. According to the Department of Energy, buying double-pane insulated glass windows with airtight frames and factory applied coating technologies can help you cut heating and cooling bills by as much as 15%, month after month and year after year.
A lot of custom embellishments on your windows, from window grilles, to colored hardware, don’t have to significantly increase the overall price of your windows. Standard window grille layouts and special designs add visual texture, without blocking your line-of-sight or breaking the budget.
Window frame materials matter. Composites,like Fibrex, are stronger than wood, offer superior insulating performance, and are less expensive than similar custom-built, solid wood options. And, they never rot, mildew, flake or fade. They are also stronger and more dimensionally stable than frames made solely of vinyl.
Special, glass coatings applied during the manufacturing process can help break down organic matter, virtually eliminating water spots when activated by direct sunlight. Your windows will be much easier to clean, freeing you up to spend time doing something you love. Other coatings can dramatically impact both your comfort and the energy efficiency of your windows by reflecting heat (back in during winter, back out in summer) or glare.
Casement replacement windows have a specially designed handle that folds down, eliminating the traditional crank lever that interferes with drapery and curtain choices, and can also be a safety hazard.
Renewal by Andersen of Long Island replacement windows are built for longevity. High-quality home windows should last at least 20 years before you notice any signs of aging – moisture leaks,drafts, excessive condensation build up or diminishing beauty and performance.
Double-pane window units with ¼ to ½inch gas fill and Argon gas can boost insulating performance, but some people don’t know that this feature can also improves reduce sound transfer. The extra buffer means you’ll hear less traffic noise and other neighborhood sounds. The wider the space between panels, and thicker the glass equals better noise control.
Glass choices do more than provide a view of the outside world while controlling heat loss and gain. They can also:
Home windows typically account for15-25 percent of your building envelope. This means high-quality replacement windows are just as important as siding, roofing and other construction materials necessary to keep your indoor environment comfortable, secure and fully protected from outside elements. You would never leave a gaping hole in a house wall that exposed your interior to pests, intruders and inclement weather, and you shouldn’t ignore window problems either.
Window ratings provide valuable information about window performance. The higher the R-value rating is, the better a window unit is at insulating against weather elements. A lower U-value measurement means less indoor heat passes through the window from inside your home,resulting in less wasted energy. Lower Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)ratings mean less heat passes through the window from the outside, resulting in lower air conditioning bills.
As you can see, home windows play an essential role in how well your home performs, looks and feels. Please accept our invitation to learn more about our replacement window and patio door product lines. Schedule a private, in-home consultation by filling in the short form on this page or calling (866) 609-5033 today.
