5 Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows and Doors
Switching to energy-efficient windows and doors can offer you a wide array of benefits, besides the reduced energy costs. So, if you are considering investing in energy-efficient windows or doors, here is what you need to know about it. And, of course, we’ve put together a list of the main benefits of energy-efficient solutions.
How Energy Efficient Windows and Doors Work
Energy-efficient windows get their properties from the type of frame, the number of panes, and the specificity of the glass. Vinyl and fiberglass frames are perfect for preventing warm air from escaping in winter and keep the interior colder during summer. Also, two of three panes insulate your house correctly.
Energy-efficient doors are usually made out of fiberglass or steel. Fiberglass doors are light and extremely secure, and they offer extra comfort to any home. Steel doors can be filled with insulation, which provides extended durability and better energy-efficient characteristics.
Main Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows and Doors
1. Great Insulation Abilities
One of the main benefits of investing in either energy-efficient windows or doors is their ability to provide excellent insulation. They act as a barrier against cold or hot weather, which protects the interior from temperature fluctuations.
2. Cost-Effective Solutions
Energy-efficient solutions are cost-effective. That is what you will spend less on heating or cooling your home. Hence, with energy-efficient windows or doors, you will spend your budget wisely while you will be able to protect the environment. These solutions are eco-friendly and lead to a sustainable way of living.
3. Noise Reduction Properties
Another benefit of energy-efficient windows and doors is related to their ability to silence outside noise. They come with qualitative insulation, which ultimately boosts their soundproofing abilities. So, this is a huge plus, particularly if you live in a residential area where roadway traffic is noticeable.
4. Little to No Maintenance Required
Energy-efficient windows and doors diminish the energy transfer or loss in your home. This results in a lower risk of experiencing mold or other interior issues. Besides, the UV-resistant coating for energy-efficient windows prevents water or dirt build-up, which ultimately leads to less maintenance required.
5. Improved Comfort
Well, this might be the essential benefit of energy-efficient windows and doors. Such solutions can boost the convenience of any home due to their ability to diminish the air leakage during both summer and winter. Installing energy-efficient solutions will allow you to enjoy your house without continually worrying about insulation.
Of course, energy-efficient windows and doors represent a long-term investment. This is why these solutions can provide extended benefits. Using such windows or doors will prove to be a great addition to any home, as it will lower the risk of air leakage, while it will shield the home against outside noise.
If you aim to create a more inviting home interior, installing energy-efficient windows and doors is the best solution for you. And you can do so with the help of a professional, as he or she will know how to install your new windows and doors correctly.
5 Types of Window Treatments
Just got your windows replaced by your windows and doors company? So, you must be excited about your new windows. Well, then it’s time to start considering window treatments.
Window treatments are modifications of the window or covering installed over the window to enhance its aesthetics.
There are many reasons for enhancing your replacement windows, such as:
- To enhance the aesthetics of the window
- To improve the functionality of the window
- To control the amount of natural light that enters the house
- To beautify the interior of the house
- To enhance the energy efficiency of the home
Here are the 5 types of window treatments:
1. Window Shutters
Window shutters are window treatments made of plastic or wood. They are usually fixed to the window frames with hinges for smooth operation (opening and shutting). They can be fixed or louvered slats. Window shutters are best suited for protection against weather, boost security, and privacy of the room. Moreover, you can make use of window shutters to improve the aesthetics of a room.
2. Woven Wood Shades
These are hard treatments comprising bamboos that are woven into a mat, and they hang down on the window to provide shade. They are usually called matchstick shades or bamboo shades, and they offer a natural and exotic look to the interior of the house. Woven wood shades look casual but are an excellent window treatment that is suitable for any interior theme or style. They can be made of exotic reeds, grasses, and woods to create unique textures and natural colors.
3. Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are made of cloth-like materials or soft paper imitating a honeycomb pattern. They are available in a single cell, double cell, and triple cell. The cells encase air to create a barrier between the room and the window surface to form effective insulation. Cellular shades enhance the energy efficiency of the home and also help to control the amount of natural light that enters the house from filtering to blackout.
4. Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are window treatments that are made of plastic, wood, or metal. They are usually hung on the windows through cords or tapes that control the slats in unison. The slats overlap and regulate the level of light. The blinds look simple and compatible with a wide range of decor themes. The flexibility that Venetian blinds offer makes them suitable for privacy control.
5. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are another type of windows treatment made of fabric, flat PVC (plastic), embossed PVC, metal, faux wood materials, or wood. Vertical blinds can be used on both windows and doors. They stand vertically and are easy-to-operate. Their build makes them best suited for large windows and patio doors. Vertical blinds can offer insulation and noise attenuation. They operate well on sliding windows and doors.
5 Steps to Choosing a Replacement Windows and Doors Installer
A professional touch to your window installation is a must-have. It always gives you a window and a front door worthy of beholding. It is a fact that it'll cost more but it is always better.
A little mistake or unprofessionalism in your window installation could result in problems. Asides the possibilities of errors from unprofessional installation, you would be saving yourself a lot of time and stress going through a professional installer.
If you are wondering how to go about getting a good professional installer, here are the 5 steps to choosing a replacement windows and doors installer:
1. Certifications & Reviews
Ensure that your window installer is certified by clients. This should be a background of trust for the professional you are hiring. Read their reviews extensively and do not ignore bad signs in their reviews. Reviews show the quality of their work for other clients and it is about the best form of credibility you can trust. If they’ve had a lot of reviews, there is a high chance they'd get your job perfectly done for you.
2. Compare Prices
In achieving quality installation, you do not need to pay more than you should. Look out for a company with a lot of excellent reviews and with a moderate service rate. This is possible by checking through different installers and observing their quotes.
3. Ask about Warranty
You must take note of both manufacturers' warranty and the installation warranty in cases where the company where you purchased is also in charge of your installation. Ensure that the parts have a warranty. See if the possibility of warranty transfer exists and also, remember to check the length of the warranty.
For the installation warranty, are you guaranteed that if a problem occurs with the installation over some time, you are still covered? If you are not the do-it-yourself kind of person, you must consider this. Also, if accidents occur during the installation, will the company bear the damage or will you have to be responsible. These are the areas you should always take a close look at.
4. Delivery Time
How long will it take before your window or door gets delivered and installed? The company you are hiring may be booked to the brim. To avoid disappointments, know exactly when it's possible that you get your windows and doors fixed and if you aren’t comfortable with it, you can always move to the next reputable installer on the list.
5. Operation
It is a culture for professional window and door installers to officially inspect your home. Also, getting to know all the details enables you to evaluate the installer you intend to use. Some companies are dedicated to serving so much that they help you even get rid of the dirt made by the installation and they also take care of the disposition of your old window.
How to Choose the Right Replacement Windows?
Choosing the right replacement window seems just like a decision we can afford to be hasty at. The truth is that although a window may have all the aesthetics; it may not serve you right. It is germane that you choose a window that has the qualities of longevity, durability and energy efficiency. How do you then know what window you should choose as the case applies to you? Here are some tips to help you out on your journey to getting a better window replacement.
1. Style
Select a window style that matches the structure on the ground. The window should naturally blend into the nature of the house and resonate with the general style. It's an advantage that the architectural pattern of your home can give you cues on the kind of window to choose. A modern window blends better with a modern structure and an older version of the window does the direct opposite.
2. Pay Attention to the Frame
Ease of maintenance should be the major factor determining the window frame you choose. Vinyl tends to be the most suitable option most times as regards ease of maintenance. They are energy efficient i.e. they keep your home warm. They are also highly customizable and they come in different colors and patterns. They rarely get affected easily by termite neither do they rot.
3. Select a Suitable Glazing
Carefully select your glass plan. It is one of the most important elements of a good window. You don’t want energy leaking out unnecessarily out of your home and your energy bills on the rise. You could select double or triple glazing, krypton gas, argon gas, and Low-E glazing. You must choose a window that has these technologies as they will allow you to spend significantly less energy bills in the long run.
4. Use a Window Company
You can always depend on reviews from reputable sources online to have your window replacement needs professionally handled. Windows and doors companies can save you the stress associated and reduce the risk of getting an unfavorable window replacement. This is always achievable through their acquired experience, expertise and the information they have in possession.
5. Avoid Certain Mistakes
These mistakes include; letting price be the major determinant of the window you'll choose, replacing with the same type of window and making hasty decisions. Some window replacements pay for themselves through energy-saving while some with their ridiculously low prices do not. Always aspire to get something even more durable and energy-efficient regardless of the price.