What Makes the Best Replacement Windows?

Do you want cheap or high-end windows? Low price or high quality- what should you focus on? 

When doing your research, focus on three most important things: windows maintenance, window material and energy-efficiency. These are essential when it comes to choosing the best replacement windows. 

Replacement Window Maintenance

Low-quality windows can be cheap, but they can also be limited in the options you might want, whether it is sizing, color, hardware and more. Plus, they usually last only around 10 years until they start leaking heat or worse, the frame starts warping. 

Low-quality windows are one of the most available windows on the market. They are frequently used for large construction projects and are also effective for flipping houses, a quick fix, or when you are tight on a budget.

While this will benefit you in the short run, it will end up hurting the community as they will require more maintenance, they will do a poor job in thermal insulation and generate high expenses to keep the house in moderate temperatures. Did we mention low-quality windows have a much shorter lifespan and sometimes no warranty? 

On the other hand, high-quality windows provide long lasting endurance and less maintenance. They are custom made for each opening, and they come with a special coating to keep windows cleaning-free for days. Also, high quality windows will usually come with a limited lifetime warranty which gives you a peace of mind. 

Replacement Window Material

In most cases, you will have to choose between vinyl or aluminum windows. 

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows are great if you want a more traditional appearance. They are customizable and provide good thermal insulation. The drawbacks are when they are installed in extreme heat locations which will cause them to lose performance over time.

Aluminum Windows

On the other hand, the strength of aluminum windows means the frames can be thinner to allow for more natural light, oversize windows, and they give a home a modern look.  Many times this will also increase the resale value of the property.

Replacement Windows Energy-Efficiency

The third and most important thing in choosing the best replacement windows is energy-efficiency. There are several factors that influence a windows energy efficiency.

Low-E Coating

Low E glass is essentially standard clear glass with a microscopic, transparent coating on its surface that is better at reflecting heat than the glass itself, creating a composition that has a lower emissivity than standard glass. For just a few more dollars than standard glass, you get the energy savings, improved year-round comfort, and protection. That little extra cost can pay for itself with the money you’ll save on utility bills!

Single-pane, Double-pane or Triple-pane Windows 

Single-pane windows are of the lowest quality and do a poor job in insulating the property from hot or cold temperatures. 

Double-pane windows are great in protecting against hot and cold weather, noise, and condensation. 

If you don’t want to hear any sound, triple pane windows are a logical choice, because the extra layer of glass will offer noise reduction. 

Argon gas

Argon gas is used to increase the energy efficiency and general performance of thermal windows with either double or triple-pane, meaning each section of window has two or three layers of glass with a sealed space in between. The spaces are filled with argon to slow the transfer of heat through the window. Gases like argon are preferable to air because air contains moisture that can condense on the inside of the glass units, making the window cloudy. 

Air also insulates less effectively than gas fills. Argon is an inexpensive, non-toxic, colorless, and odorless gas that occurs naturally.

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