Let There Be Light: The Benefits of Replacement Windows
Replacement windows can dramatically enhance the look and feel of your home, inside and outside. Windows play an integral role in creating the look and a feel of any home. Apart from the pleasure you can derive from new windows, replacement windows could make the difference between a quick and a drawn-out sale, and will almost certainly boost the sale price. The benefits are manyfold.Energy Efficiency: According to the US Department of Energy, energy loss through windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of your heating bill. In addition, during the summer, sunshine on your windows can make your air conditioner work two to three times harder. The right replacement windows can save you energy by cutting down on heating and air conditioner bills.Curb Appeal: The first impression home buyers have of your residence is its exterior, and the right window style can definitely enhance your home's appearance. Space: Maybe you'd like to increase the sense of space in your home's interior. The rounds on the top of arched windows emphasize the height of your room. They can also provide welcome contrast if a d©cor has too many right angles. Arched windows give a feeling of tall, stately elegance, while showing off more of the outside.Indoor Garden: Garden windows take the shape of a greenhouse box built into your wall, jutting out to let your plants enjoy the sunshine while you enjoy a lush, green view. Atrium windows in your roof are also great for plants. They create an area of natural reflection and sunlight.Investment: You will reap the benefits of replacement windows in the increased comfort of your home. In addition, a survey of over 60 U.S. housing markets completed by Remodeling magazine found that around 84 percent of the cost can be recouped through a higher resale price for your home. This is based on opinions of over 350 real estate agents and appraisers and based on calculations using an average-size home sold within a year of the window replacement project.Window Frame MaterialsReplacement window frames come in a variety of materials and you need to think about the pros and cons of each type when making your choice.Vinyl Windows: Vinyl replacement windows are a quick way to change your home's color accent. They are made primarily from relatively flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As a result, vinyl windows can be customized easily to fit almost any opening. They can be installed quickly and are competitively priced. What's more, a vinyl window doesn't need to be painted, and the color is uniform throughout. Windows will not corrode, shrink, peel, or swell, which is good for homes near the ocean or heavy industry. There are trade-offs with vinyl windows. There is a maximum frame and glass size that they can support because they are flexible, not rigid. Sometimes the frame is reinforced with metal, but this lowers the R-value. The R-value is a measure of a window's insulating ability. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating value. Vinyl windows can also soften or warp if heat is intense. Window frame color can fade. For this reason, in hot climates, vinyl windows are often sold only in white.Fiberglass Windows: Fiberglass replacement windows offer outstanding insulation qualities. Fiberglass will not shrink, swell, warp, or corrode. It comes in many colors and does not need to be painted. It is up to three times stronger than wood and up to eight times stronger than vinyl, and so it can support larger pieces of glass. It also resists salt, air, and corrosion.Aluminum Windows: Aluminum replacement windows can be customized easily. However, aluminum loses heat through conduction. The result is a lower R-value and a vulnerability to condensation. Add plastic strips of thermal insulation between the frame and sash to reduce this effect.Wooden Windows: Wooden replacement windows might be considered old-fashioned, but they tend to have higher R-values than aluminum. Of course, they need periodic painting, but some see this as a benefit as they like to freshen or change the appearance of their houses from time to time. Without regular maintenance, wooden windows can warp, crack, and stick.Glass Block Windows: While not frames, it's worth thinking about glass block or acrylic block windows as they are useful for creating custom window shapes. They can also be assembled in many traditional window forms, including casement, awning, round top, arch top, and octagon. In addition, glass blocks can be used for walls, partitions, sidelights, transoms, showers, and much more. Octagon windows come in many styles and let you choose from a variety of trim and grill options. They make a very eye-catching statement.Window StylesReplacement windows come in a wide range of designs and allow you to achieve a variety of architectural goals. Is there a view you've been missing? Perhaps you have a new flowerbed you'd like to show off? Maybe you need natural light in a studio. The right window can help you see your home in a whole new light.Storm Windows: People who wish to preserve existing windows sometimes choose to add insulating storm windows. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, storm windows can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent. They add a second layer to your existing window, keeping out cold in winter and heat in summer. Today's interior storm windows can be a nearly invisible layer of glass.Bay Windows: With bay windows you can enjoy side as well as front views. The side windows can project out in 30, 45, or 90-degree angles. A bay window design can include sections that open, allowing for many ventilation options. Bow Windows: Bow windows are like bay windows except that they form a smooth outward curve. They're often made up of a series of other window styles, such as fixed, casement, or double-hung. In the sill area, you could put a window seat or a large shelf for displaying plants. Bow windows grandly open up your room and bring in more of the view.Picture Windows: Huge, rectangular, flat picture windows are a great way to frame the beauty of an outside view. To truly let the outside in, combine picture windows with sliding doors. Viewed from outside, picture windows often accentuate your home's height.Transom Windows: Some window types can be easily combined with other windows to add ventilation. One of these is transom windows. A transom window above or below a picture window, for instance, will expand the view and increase fresh air flow. Transom windows are also a great accent over doors.Casement Windows: Casement windows are good alongside other windows. Because they open from the side, they leak less air than traditional double-hung windows, and the casement sash compresses on the frame when closed. Casement windows open outward, so they let in more air than the equivalent sliding window.Seeing the LightModern replacement windows are beautiful, energy efficient, and a good investment. If you haven't seen the light after reading this article, perhaps some professional advice will convince you that replacement windows are a bright idea. By Katrina Boydon© QuinStreet Media, Inc. 2005
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