Replacement Windows to Improve Your Home

Installing new windows will also cut down on maintenance since the newer windows do not require the continuous scraping and replacement of putty and paint. You can also get the type that fold inside for easy cleaning on the inside and the outside.

You can install windows that open by sliding up or to the side. Some will even open to the inside to allow easy exit should there be a fire or need to get out of the house quickly. Whichever type you choose they should close tightly so they will keep out the cold and hot air. Long gone are the days when you sit at the table and feel a draft of cold air from the windows.

It is a good rule of thumb to replace your windows after 25 years of use. Usually there are more modern windows on the market that are more energy efficient and provide greater eye appeal. You might want to consider getting windows that protect your furniture from sun exposure. Excessive exposure to the sun can bleach out the fabric and the wood of your fine furnishings. Coated glass windows will help preserve your furnishings for many more years.

You will obviously want to purchase the best windows for your home. This will mean comparing different types of windows and determining the best value for you. Buying double pane windows may be something for you to consider if you expect to sell your home soon or if you think energy prices will remain about the same as they are now.

Triple pane windows may be called for if you expect to live in your home for at least the next 10 years and if you expect energy prices to rise. Triple pane windows will give you added protection from energy loss but they are also the most expensive.

There are many different types of windows from which you can choose. Some windows are fixed and cannot be raised or lowered. Single hung windows will allow the bottom window to be raised. Double hung windows will allow the top window to slide down and the bottom window to slide up. Horizontal sliders will slide from side to side and a casement window will crank open and has a hinge on one side. Choosing the right window for your home will depend on the style of your home and the functionality you expect from the windows.

You will also have a choice in the type of frame you hang your windows in. Vinyl frames have gotten a bad rap in the past but they are much improved today. Aluminum is another choice but it does not provide the durability and beauty that you can find with vinyl frames.

Wood is another choice for window frames but you must consider that wood will require painting every few years and it will not look as good for as long as the vinyl will. Vinyl will provide you with the least amount of maintenance and will last as long as you own your home.

Installing new windows can be a great asset to your home. Even if you have to pay more for them initially, they will pay for themselves in the long run by lowering your energy costs.

Craftsmen Network
New York, NY

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at 12:35 am and is filed under Windows & Doors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.