Which Windows Are Best for Keeping Your Home Warm?

Home heating and cooling prices probably aren’t going down anytime soon, so homeowners throughout the Capital Region and Hudson Valley are doing whatever they can to make their homes more energy efficient. When the discussion turns to changes that can be made to improve a home’s thermal performance, windows are often the focal point. There’s a good reason, as the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that inefficient windows can be responsible for up to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy usage. This is a significant statistic—one that will likely prompt many local homeowners to wonder which type of windows is best at keeping their homes warm during the frigid winter months.

Comparing Replacement Windows

There are a lot of different options available these days, and they range from builder-grade aluminum windows to high-performance composite windows. If you’re trying to determine which product is the best fit for your window replacement needs, there are three main factors to consider:

Frame Material

There was a time when most replacement windows had wood frames. And while wood windows look nice and can do a good job of preventing heat transfer, they need to be properly maintained or they will deteriorate. Other frame options include:

• Aluminum – Aluminum windows are usually inexpensive, and in turn, they’re the worst in terms of energy efficiency.
• Vinyl – Vinyl windows have changed the game by delivering excellent durability and energy efficiency while needing little upkeep.
• Fiberglass – Fiberglass windows are also extremely durable and good at preventing thermal transfer, but they’re often a little pricier than vinyl windows.
• Composite – Plenty of research and development has gone into the composite windows available on today’s market, and in some cases, the result is windows that outperform all others.

Glass Package

Another variable to consider before embarking on your window installation project is the glass package. The most energy-efficient windows have multiple glass panes (two or three) that are treated with a low-E coating to help reduce UV rays. Multiple glass panes significantly reduce heat transfer, and inert gases are often used between the glass panes to further improve performance.

Installation

Perhaps the most important factor in whether your replacement windows will help your home’s thermal performance is the installation process. You can select top-of-the-line windows with all the bells and whistles, but they’re not going to perform as advertised if they’re not installed correctly by factory-trained technicians. Poorly installed windows can easily allow air drafts that will render their advanced design meaningless.

The Area’s Window Replacement Leader

If you’re ready to embark on a window replacement project and are searching for a company that offers energy-efficient windows and flawless installation services, look to Renewal by Andersen of Eastern NY. We’re the only window replacement company serving the Capital Region and Hudson Valley that offers state-of-the-art Renewal by Andersen^® replacement windows. Our windows feature:

• Frames and sashes made from our exclusive Fibrex^® composite material, which is more durable and energy-efficient than vinyl
• Multi-pane glass packages featuring Low-E4^® glass that is up to 70% more energy efficient than ordinary dual-pane glass *

Allow Us to Improve Your Home’s Thermal Performance

Contact Renewal by Andersen of Eastern NY today if you would like to learn more about the window replacement services we offer to homeowners throughout the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

* Values are based on comparison of Renewal by Andersen^® double-hung inserted window SHGC to the SHGC for clear dual pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006 and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.