Why are you thinking about replacing your Long Island home’s windows with high-quality, custom-built replacement windows from Renewal by Andersen of Long Island? Are you tired of drafty corners or struggling to raise the window when you want some fresh air? Maybe as cooler weather settles in your remembering the drafts and noises of rattling window panes last winter. You could be simply tired of the annual scrape, fix and repaint routine. Whatever brings you to this blog searching for information about upgrading your home windows, we want to help.
This article will explain five key performance metrics you should consider before buying replacement windows and patio doors for your home.
Performance ratings help consumers make informed decisions about how well a particular style or brand of window will work – perform – in certain settings. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) conducts tests on skylights, windows, and doors to find out how well the overall units work when it comes to controlling heat and light transfer and other factors. The better the ratings are, the more energy-efficient the window (or door) is considered. Simply put, if you buy windows and doors with ratings considered acceptable or above, you can expect your windows to eliminate those bone-chilling drafts and rattling panes – and, improve energy-efficiency if you are replacing outdated, single-pane windows.
Even high-quality, custom-built replacement windows may occasionally develop condensation if your indoor environment is too humid. However, excessive condensation poses potential health risks for your family and may damage structural components of your home. The performance scale ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating the window is very unlikely to develop condensation problems.
The rate that air passes through a window, primarily through joints created during manufacturing. New windows should never allow excessive air or moisture leaks. We don’t live in hermetically sealed homes and it’s possible for a window with superior ratings to have a rating above zero; however, the lower the label rating for AL, the better.
If you want to know how well a window controls heat transfer, check the U-factor rating. The performance scale is typically between 0.25 and 1.25, with lower scores being more favorable. Low numbers indicate the window has exceptional insulating properties.
Capturing natural light through your replacement windows is crucial for good health and elevated moods. Natural light can make you feel better and discourages germs and mildew from developing in damp areas. NFRC ratings for light transfer give you an idea about how much light a window lets into your home. The scale ranges from 0 to 1, but you’ll hardly ever see a zero or a one. Normal values range from .20 to .80, with a number closer to 80 being optimal. Remember, too much VT can cause uncomfortable glare through your windows.
While the U-factor considers heat transfer related to insulating properties, the SHGC looks at solar energy transmitted and gives consumers information about how well the window prevents heat generated by the sun outdoors to enter your home. Lower SHGC numbers indicate the window unit is effectively blocking heat caused by the sun.
Performance ratings typically consider all parts of a window. When you compare the performance metric on different brands or window styles, you can have confidence the NFRC has considered the construction materials (like Fibrex, metal and wood used to build the frames) and design features carefully. They provide numbers for the overall unit, not just glass or frames. Keep in mind that performance after installation depends on factors such as the overall health and integrity of your home’s structural elements, buildings and landscaping that could block sunlight hitting your home and how your family uses each room.
Modern replacement window design allows homeowners to choose the style – double-hung, picture window, awning or sliders – along with different glazing and hardware for each window. This means you can choose glass that enhances heat control, or one that obscures the view for more privacy. You can choose to reduce the amount of natural light that flows through your windows or opt for a fixed window that offers the highest energy-efficiency ratings on the market because there are fewer places the window unit can leak over time.
If you are looking for replacement windows that perform exceptionally well year after year, we invite you to fill in the short form on this page to request a Renewal by Andersen of Long Island brochure. You can also reach us toll-free by dialing (866) 609-5033.
Check out this post for more information on replacement window energy efficiency.
Learn Everything You Need to Know BEFORE Buying Replacement Windows
