PART 1: WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS?

Choosing to replace your windows is not a decision to be made lightly; major renovations to your home are a big investment, after all, both in time and in money. Nevertheless, replacing your windows can have significant impact on you and your home. Here are some of the best reasons why you should replace your windows:

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Anywhere from 10 to 25% of your home’s heating and cooling costs is due to heat lost or gained (depending on the season) through your windows. If your windows are no longer capable of keeping air leakages at bay, whether due to aging, physical damage, or an older design, then they will undoubtedly contribute to high energy consumption in your home, which will reflect on your energy bill. As replacement windows can improve energy efficiency in the home, they can help you save on energy-related costs.

GOING GREEN

Aside from helping you save on your energy bills, replacing old, faulty windows can actually let you do your bit for the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. Energy-efficient windows, after all, improve energy use in your home, meaning you’re not needlessly consuming electricity, which helps cut back on demand on the grid.

PART 1: WHY REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS?

FUNCTIONALITY

Working alongside other parts of your home, your windows are there to protect you. If your windows cease to accomplish what they are put there for, then it is time to replace them. Take note that replacing windows does not just affect windows that are too worn or too damaged. Windows that let in drafts, windows that are hard to open, windows that don’t close properly, or even just windows that let in too much noise are all also candidates for replacements.

A NEW LOOK

Never underestimate the effect your windows have on your home’s look and curb appeal. Whether you’re looking to sell or simply want to give your home an upgrade, these are good reasons to consider replacing your windows.

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Part of ensuring your window replacement project is a success is avoiding certain things. In Part 2, we’ll be talking about common mistakes homeowners make during a replacement so you’ll know what to look out for.

PART 2: HOW NOT TO REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS - TOP ERRORS TO AVOID

Poor choices made during a replacement can stay with you long after you’ve chosen, paid for, and installed your windows. This is why you have to do what you can as a homeowner to ensure that your home improvement project goes off without a hitch. There are different ways you can ensure the success of a replacement and one of the most effective means is to avoid common mistakes, such as:

Not considering all costs. Often, all homeowners see when choosing replacements is the price tag. However, just because you get to save on upfront costs doesn’t always mean that you’ve found a bargain down the line. When considering costs, you also need to take note of expenses you can expect over course of a window’s lifetime, like maintenance costs. If you’re bound to spend more with upkeep, reconsider your options.

Not exploring options. A lot of homeowners fall into the trap of simply getting brand-new versions of their old windows as replacements. Technically, there is nothing wrong with this but it does close you off from realizing what other window styles can offer you. Not to mention that you could be facing the same issues because certain problems can be inherent to window styles. Given you’re getting the same window, then you’re likely to experience the same problems, right? Options may vary from contractor to contractor so make sure at least you consider everything the one you’re working with has available.

PART 2: HOW NOT TO REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS - TOP ERRORS TO AVOID

Forgetting the “human” factor. Your home, first and foremost, is a dwelling for human beings. Any change to it then can be expected to affect its inhabitants. Choose the wrong window and your replacement project will have a negative effect on you and your family. To make sure you pick out the right replacement, make sure you thoroughly assess what you and your family want and need to get out of the home improvement project.

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You’ll encounter a variety of terms that may be new to your ears when you get a window replacement. Know what these key terms mean in Part 3 of this blog series.

PART 3: A WINDOW REPLACEMENT GLOSSARY

Like with any product, windows have certain terms specific to them. It’s important to get an idea what these terms mean because many of them pertain to window performance, allowing you to fully understand what a window replacement can do for you. Some of the terms you should take note of include:

AIR LEAKAGE

One of the regular ratings on a National Fenestration Rating Council’s window label, it refers to the measure of how much air a window lets through when closed. A low rating means then that a window lets little air pass through.

CONDENSATION RESISTANCE

Also a rating on the NFRC label but not included all the time, it refers to a window’s ability to resist water and fog build-up. For best condensation resistance, look for the highest rating you can.

PART 3: A WINDOW REPLACEMENT GLOSSARY

These are just some of the terms you’ll encounter when you shop around for a window replacement. Should you have questions or clarifications, don’t hesitate to talk to a local contractor for assistance.

SOLAR HEAT GAIN COEFFICIENT (SHGC)

Also a regular rating on an NFRC label, SHGC measures how much solar heat enters a window during the day, with a low rating means a window doesn’t let in a lot of heat from the sun. A low-E window then will have low SHGC rating.

U-FACTOR

Another regular rating on an NFRC label, it refers to how well a window prevents heat from escaping the home. The lower the U-factor, the better a window is at keeping indoor heat in.

VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE (VT)

Another of the regular ratings on NFRC labels, it refers to the level of natural light that a window will let through, with a higher rating meaning a window is capable of offering more daylight. In the case of a low-E window, it can have a high VT rating despite having a low SHGC score.

Valdicass Inc.

3647 Mccormick Ave, Brookfield IL,60513, United States

(708) 406-6426

Valdicass.com