Address: 1857 Sal St. Green Bay, WI 54302 | Licensed, Bonded, Insured
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Replacement windows provide an aesthetic upgrade to the home, especially if the old windows have damaged or warped glass and frames. You have many choices in modern windows, so understand the different options before making a decision.
Frames
Several different types of frame options are available for replacement windows. The type you choose depends upon a combination of value, aesthetics, and maintenance concerns.
Low Maintenance
Aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass frames require almost no maintenance. Aluminum may have a longer lifespan, since vinyl and fiberglass can fade or develop cracks over time. Composite frames, which are a combination of wood with either vinyl or aluminum, are another low-maintenance option that stands the test of time. Composite frames are one of the more expensive options, so they may not provide good value.
Insulation Qualities
The insulation value matters, especially in an area with cold winters. Aluminum, unfortunately, does not provide the best insulation quality. Vinyl and fiberglass frames can both have extra insulation, making them excellent options. Wood is also prized for both its aesthetics and its natural insulation, but keep in mind that wood frames require more maintenance with painting and sealing.
Glass Options
When choosing the actual window glass, insulation is usually the main concern. Fortunately, you can find a variety of options, no matter what style of window you prefer for your home.
Multiple Panes
Single-pane windows are rarely the best choice when keeping warm air inside and lowering energy costs. At a bare minimum, choose double-pane windows. For superior insulation, triple-pane can be the better choice, but you need to compare the cost against the energy savings to decide if these are a good value. As an added benefit, double- and triple-pane windows also block outside sound better.
Gas Fills
Most double- and triple-pane windows feature a harmless and inert gas fill between the panes, which further improves insulation quality. Argon is the most common due to its low cost. Its thermal conductivity, or ability to lose heat, is only 67% of that air so you lose 33% less heat.
The other option is krypton, which loses even less heat than argon but is also more costly. While the gases can leak out, this is rare with newer windows.
Coatings and Treatments
You can apply special coatings to your windows to increase energy savings or to add privacy. You can apply these coatings after the windows are installed or at the time of manufacture, so the coating can also be an option for the existing windows in your home.
Energy Savings
Most window coatings provide less energy loss. Low emissivity, or Low-E, coatings reduce the amount of heat or cold transfer between the glass and the air on either side. The coating consists of metal particles that go on the outside of the glass. The coating will not obscure or distort the view from the window, although you may notice a slightly green hue.
Privacy
For privacy, reflective and tinted coatings are a good option. Reflective coatings do appear silvery on the outside, whereas tint simply darkens the glass so you cannot easily see into the home.
Both also provide some energy savings in the summer by blocking the heat of the sun. Privacy coatings can obscure the view slightly due to the darkened glass. Frosted or etched glass provides another privacy option that is suitable for bathroom windows.
Contact Neville's Inc. today to learn more about your replacement window options. We can easily and happily answer all of your questions and concerns about replacement windows and point you to the best choices for your specific home's window needs.
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1857 Sal St. Green Bay, WI 54302