High Performance Windows: Understanding Your Options | Window Installers in Southlake, TX
Windows are an important component of your home, contributing not only to the style, but lighting, ventilation and energy efficiency as well. Additionally, windows should be inexpensive, look attractive, require low maintenance, and last for years on end. Not to forget that windows should be energy efficient as well – you so don’t want to lose all that heat or cold, and end up paying too much for your energy bills.
Which kind of window ticks off all the above features? High performance windows are what reputed windows installers in Southlake, TX suggest these days. High performance windows offer several notable improvements over traditional ones in terms of thermal comfort, solar control and of course, energy efficiency. Comprising of inert gas fillers, better frames and spacers and low E-coatings, these windows serve the purposeimpressively well, helping you minimize your energy bills and contributing to the aesthetics of your space.
Interested in getting these windows installed? Reach out to us at Energy Window Solutions– the number one windows installers in Southlake, TX.
When you’re replacing your windows
Assess your current situation
You should do some planning and decide what you want before asking windows installers in Southlake, TX to replace your windows with high performance ones. Schedule a session with our windows installers in Southlake, TX, and we’ll evaluate your current windows to determine what’s wrong with them. We’ll then discuss your requirements and budget with you, and accordingly suggest possible window options.
For instance, if air leakage is a problem, then sealants or new hardware can fix the issue. Sometimes your frame may have reached its end of life, in which case, it’ll probably have to be replaced.
Reglaze, retrofit, replace – which option is the best in your case?
If you’re upgrading your current windows, then our windows installers in Southlake, TX will ask you to choose from three main options: reglaze, retrofit and replace.
Assume that your double hung windows, featuring a single pane have now grown old, but the frames and sashes are still intact. So why not continue using them but replace the single pane glass with a doubled paned insulated unit? In other words, you’re re-glazing the window and getting customized panes to fit within your current opening. But remember one point here: you can’t reglaze your window if the sash isn’t of an appropriate thickness.
Now consider another scenario in which your windowsashes are in a poor condition; the frame is fine though, and can be still be used. So you change the glazing as well as the sash, but use your old frame, meaning you’re retrofitting the window. Choosing retrofitted windows means you can’t change the current style of your window.
The last option isreplacement which is the best choice if the frame, trim, sash and glaze are all in a poor condition. So you replace the unit completely. In this case, you have the option of selecting a different window style if you are tired of your current one.
When you’re getting new windows
Let’s talk a bit about designing now
Solar energy does have its long list of lighting and comfortbenefits, but it can heat up the space in both summers and winters if your home is getting too much of it. Thus, windows installers in Southlake, TX suggest that you should carefully make decisions the planning stage. Make sure that the location and size of your windows provide sufficient solar light for a comfortable environment round the year. Too little or too much of it will lead to discomfort.
Let’s consider an example. If you want to decrease yourheating costs in winter, then ideally you should have windows facing the sun, but these same windows can provide undesired solar gain in the summer, so you’ll also have to get over-hangings or blinds installed. The exact design requirements depend on where you live and the orientation of your house. Talk to our windows installers in Southlake, TX, and they’ll come up with appropriate window designs.
While higher performance windows give you a lot of room to play around with designing and style, you should keep in mind some general rules. Maintain a ratio of 1:10 between the window and the floor area to avoid unwanted solar gain and prevent overheating. You may also have to comply with certain building requirements which you can discuss with our windows installers in Southlake, TX.
What should you look for?
Windows are available in a wide variety in the market, offered atdifferent prices spread over ahuge range. But price alone isn’t the only consideration factor because cheapest units don’t always perform up to your expectations; nonetheless, there can be exceptions.
Compared to the standard double glazed windows, the cost of high performance and energyefficient windows are around 10% to 15% more. As a rule of thumb, you should select a window that meets your requirements, has an acceptable energy efficiency rating and is within your budget. Consider the Energy Rating to understand the benefits provided by these windows. Ideally, you should choose higher values, but then again, ensure the prices aren’t outside of your budget.
Also consider the framing materials, hardware durability and the required maintenance levels. Check out sampleswith your windows installers in Southlake, TX or at the retail store, and then make a decision based on the following factors.
- Window type– choose from fixed or operable
- Glazing– determines window efficiency and the amount of light passing through the glass. Options include single, double and triple low E glazing, each of which can be divided further into different types.
- Frame material– is important because it affects strength, durability, insulation and maintenance. Aluminum, vinyl and wood are popular choices.
- Energy Rating– measures the total window performancecalculated using three factors: solar gain, heat loss and air leakage loss.
- Warranties– depend on your chosen company
If you want more information about replacing or repairing windows, reach out to our expert team of windows installers in Southlake, TX Energy Window Solutions.at