Energy-efficient windows help maintain consistent temperatures in your home. They work by providing a thermal break, harnessing the energy from the sun, or blocking it. They prevent the loss of conditioned air from your home, and their smart design can handle the impact of the sun. Heat gain or loss can account for 25% to 30% of your energy use.
If you choose the wrong windows, your home’s interior temperatures can rise, requiring the AC to run longer. Also, poorly insulated windows can allow warm air to escape, requiring the heater to run more often. If you want to replace or install new windows, consider the following factors for energy-efficient windows.
Consider the Frame
A wooden frame is less likely to transfer heat or cold than aluminum since metals are better conductors. But this doesn’t imply that wood is the best energy-efficient choice. Window frames are available in different materials, each with positive and negative aspects. Ultimately, you have to decide which one fits your style and budget. Let’s look at the materials in detail.
Aluminum
This material is not a top performer in heat loss and heat transfer, but windows with an aluminum frame are favorable in humid climates like Shingle Springs, CA. Their strength makes them practical during winters.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a less expensive material, and a well-constructed vinyl window is a practical choice. Budget-wise, it’s a smart choice while offering energy-efficient measures through tight construction and insulated glass.
Wood
Wood offers the best insulative value, although it requires more maintenance than aluminum and vinyl frames. Their rotting potential makes them unsuitable for humid climates. A well-built wood window can last a long time. However, the species of wood used impacts its longevity.
Wood Clad
Wood-clad windows offer a low-maintenance exterior made of aluminum or vinyl and a conduction-resistant wooden interior. During wet winters, these windows are prone to water intrusion, causing rotting in the jambs and sills where water pools. Proper installation of wood clad includes waterproof rubber membranes around the cladding. It also has a standalone flashing assembly that drains water from the jambs and windowsills, minimizing moisture intrusion and deterioration of wood.
Consider the Glazing
Different window glasses provide different UV-blocking insulation capabilities. A basic eco-friendly window comprises a double-paned, low-e coated glass filled with argon and vacuum-sealed between the panes. You can choose thicker glass, a gas denser than argon, and different insulation materials to boost your window’s insulation power. The most common glass types include the following.
Annealed Glass
This glass type is also called float glass, and most windows use this glass type. During its production, the manufacturers cool the glass through a process known as annealing. Annealed glass is not heat-treated or as durable as other glass types.
Toughened Glass
Manufacturers produce toughened glass by heating two panes to strengthen them. This process shatters the glass into small chunks, which are safer to handle.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is a good option if you consider safety. It offers a high acoustic performance level, which insulates against noise. The glass features a soft vinyl layer between the two pieces, minimizing noise transmission.
Low Emissivity Glass
This glass type, often known as low-e glass, can contain the heat from the sun in a room. Also, it can reflect the sun rays from outside and prevent the heat from entering your home. Low-e glasses are of two types: low-e hard coat and low-e soft coat. The low-e hard coat has a hard coating that the manufacturer applies when making the glass. A coating is sprayed on the glass while it’s still hot and flexible, forming a chemical bond. You can choose the glass as a single-glaze window for your property because it’s more robust.
On the other hand, the low-e soft coat is manufactured by spraying a soft coating on the glass after the production process, once the pane cools. The coat offers better energy efficiency, but it isn’t robust. If you scratch the surface, you can remove the soft coat. If you select the low-e soft coat, you can only use it inside a double-glaze unit in the inside windowpane.
Consider the Window Designs
Your window design can affect its efficiency. The common design types include the following.
Double-Hung Windows
There are traditional units common in pre-war buildings. You open the unit by sliding it up from the bottom. They have the potential for air intrusion between their sliders, making them unsuitable in extreme climates.
Casement Windows
These units are more suitable in areas prone to winds. They have a crank that swings the window outward when you open it. When the wind blows toward your house, the window seals itself tighter. These windows do not require seal and hinge maintenance to ensure efficiency and stability.
Picture Windows
Picture windows don’t open and are available in various sizes and shapes. They are larger units, with gas filling and glass choices contributing to their efficiency.
Installation
Proper installation can ensure that your window is energy-efficient. Even the most expensive unit won’t provide effective performance if you don’t find an expert to install it. Avoid contractors who use sealants or expanding foams to fit a window in a building. These materials aren’t waterproof and may cause problems after a while. At Taylor Made Construction, our experts ensure waterproofing before installing the windows for an effective finish.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
The process of choosing energy-efficient windows can be demanding. But is all the trouble worth it? Here are the benefits you’ll derive from your energy-efficient windows.
Improved Comfort
Energy-efficient windows help stabilize indoor temperature fluctuations. Their advanced construction designs featuring multiple layers of glass and insulated frames create a thermal barrier. This shield reduces the infiltration of cold drafts in the winter and reduces solar penetration in the summer.
UV Protection
Sunlight can cause your fabrics, artwork, and flooring to fade. If you use ordinary windows, you may notice that the furnishings and flooring exposed to sunlight lose color over time. This is because of the bleaching effect of ultraviolet rays. The coatings in energy-efficient windows are crucial in blocking harmful UV rays and ensuring that the interior of your house and its components retain their visual appeal and integrity. This can also extend the useful life of your interior décor.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Installing energy-efficient windows contributes toward reducing your home’s carbon footprint. They can significantly reduce the energy used to heat and cool your home, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional windows can lead to heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, making your HVAC system work harder to stabilize your home’s temperature.
Increased Property Value
Energy-efficient windows can enhance your property’s appeal and market value. Most homebuyers today are concerned about the environmental impact of energy efficiency. Equipping your house with such windows can attract a compelling selling point in the real estate market.
Professional Window Installation in Shingle Springs, CA
After choosing an energy-efficient window, you need a professional to install it properly. At Taylor Made Construction, we work closely with our clients to ensure customer satisfaction. We offer kitchen and bathroom remodeling, dry rot repair, and more. Contact us today for more information.
