Window Styles

It's fun to imagine replacement windows for your home, sprucing up the curb appeal and increasing the energy efficiency from your old windows. Windows are a major investment, but generally add to your resale value and save money on heating and cooling costs. Here's a quick checklist to help select windows that meet your needs:

• Appropriate window styles for the architectural design of your home.
• Energy efficiency - summer and winter.
• Materials to match your home style and energy requirements. Windows are available in aluminum, fiberglass, wood and vinyl, or a combination of different materials.
• Fixed vs. operational - determined by style and ventilation needs.
• Other features, such as tilt-out hardware, that will make maintenance or cleaning easier.

One of the major considerations is as clear as day - what type of glass works will work best for your requirements. According to the U. S. Department of Energy, windows can account for 10% to 25% of your heating bill and during the summer, sunny windows make your air conditioner work two to three times harder.

Approximately half of the U.S. homes have single pane windows, which have a low insulation value and lose heat in the winter and increase the warmth in the summer. Double panes have two layers with an air space in between for increased energy efficiency, especially helpful in colder climates. Clear glass has been the traditional material, but in warmer regions, consider reflective glass or low emissive glass (low-E), which cuts heat transfer. Tinted, heat-absorbing glass is an alternative to reflective glass, reducing the effects of the sun.

When shopping for windows, researching the available window styles and materials will help you find the best solution, prices and the right contractor for your needs. Please check our other articles on various window styles and have fun!