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Recognizing Worn-Out Windows
In older houses, faulty windows can account for a
third of the total heat loss in winter and as much as 75 percent
of interior heat gain in summer. Look for the following telltale
signs that a window has lost its effectiveness.
• Stand inside your house on a windy day with a lit
candle near the window's operative edge. If the flame flickers
or goes out, your weather stripping might be damaged.
• During the winter, if a window develops ice buildup
or a frosty glaze on the interior of the pane, the ventilation
in your home may not be adequate. Another possibility is that
your window may not be providing enough insulation value,
a situation that can make your heating bills soar.
• If you need to prop open your window with a book or
a stick, the window may have lost its functionality.
• Sit near your window. If you feel cold air coming
in during the winter or warm air during the summer, your windows
have little insulation value. This means you're paying more
to heat and cool your house to compensate for the exterior
air entering your home.
• Do your windows get fogged with condensation? If so,
you may have a seal failure and need to replace the glazing
or the entire window.
In some cases, replacing broken panes and tending to loose
or missing weather stripping may buy some time. If your windows
are old and ill-fitting, however, you need more than stopgaps.
In older houses, faulty windows can account for a third of
the total heat loss in winter and as much as 75 percent of
interior heat gain in summer. Look for the following telltale
signs that a window has lost its effectiveness.
In some cases, replacing broken panes and tending to loose
or missing weather stripping may buy some time. If your windows
are old and ill-fitting, however, you need more than stopgaps.
| Replacement Window Options |
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Types of windows
Wood is the choice of most homeowners. Wood
is strong, insulates well, and has natural appeal and a warm
look. It needs exterior maintenance, and interior surfaces
can be painted, stained, or finished any number of ways.
Vinyl windows do not need to be painted
or stained—a plus on the exterior. They offer good insulation
value and strength, making them a viable alternative to wood.
Aluminum windows have a stronger frame but
poorer insulation than wood or vinyl. They're fine in areas
with a mild climate, and are also used for commercial applications.
Fiberglass combines the higher strength
and stability of aluminum with the insulating properties of
wood and vinyl. Fewer options are available at this time,
as fiberglass is just beginning to show up in the window market.
Combination windows are available with wood
on the interior and vinyl or aluminum on the exterior, combining
the look of wood with a low-maintenance exterior material.
This is known as "cladding" (as in vinyl-clad or
aluminum-clad).
Features to Consider
Energy efficiency. Almost any good-quality
window available today incorporates two pieces of glass with
a sealed airspace between then as a buffer between indoors
and out. Some windows are even triple-paned. You may have
the option of argon gas instead of air between the glass to
further the window's insulating abilities. Most window manufacturers
also offer such options as low-E glass, which reflects heat
and screens out the sun's rays.
Design. Windows are available in shapes
ranging from quarter rounds to ovals. Consider an arrangement
of smaller windows instead of one large one, or vice versa.
Ease of installation. The easiest type of
replacement window is a frame-within-a-frame design that can
be installed in an existing frame without disturbing walls
or trim work. Some are sold in kit form, complete with hardware,
for standard sizes. If your original windows have divided
lights, or panes, look for multi-pane replacements or snap-in
grilles that match glass dividers on the old units as closely
as possible. If your windowsills are rotting or damaged, however,
you'll need to replace the old frame as well.
Ease of maintenance. Weather-resistant materials
will reduce your regular maintenance; vinyl or aluminum-clad
exteriors need no painting. For ease of cleaning, choose windows
that tilt in or open from the side. Many double-hung windows
now come with tilting sashes so both interior and exterior
glass surfaces can be cleaned from inside the house.
Function. Tempered glass is required by
code for certain applications, such as glass doors and some
window installations with low sill height. For more extreme
conditions, such as coastal environments, consider laminated
impact-resistant glass designed to withstand hurricane-force
winds and the impact of airborne debris.
Hardware. Some manufacturers offer improved
hardware for crank-out windows such as casements and awnings—specifically,
collapsible or low-profile handles that don't interfere with
blinds or other window coverings. Others offer a variety of
style options for latches and locks. To be safe, ask about
these and any other convenience features before the units
end up in your walls. Also, try the hardware in the showroom.
Does the window lock, unlock, and open easily? This test gives
you a feel for the window's usability and its overall quality
as well.
Cost Guidelines
Broadly, vinyl and wood are the least expensive, fiberglass
costs more, and clad windows are even more. That said, a general
price range for an average size (30-inch by 48-inch) window
is $200 to $400, installed by a professional.
More features—like tilting versions and higher E-ratings—increase
the cost, although sometimes as the price and quality increase,
more options are included. Differences in the up-front purchase
price of a window may eventually be offset by other factors.
Energy efficiency and a no-maintenance exterior will offset
the up-front cost difference over time. Second, installation
and labor costs could actually be higher for an "economy-grade"
all-wood window, if you factor in charges for painting, and
how much sooner you may have to replace it than a window made
from more durable material.
Call Siegrist and Associates, ProHome at (757)
479-4800
We hope this information is helpful. If you need further
information please contact us. Currently we are running a
special for vinyl replacement windows installed starting at
just $199.95. |
