New windows can help improve your home’s appeal, comfort and energy efficiency. They provide your home protection from ultraviolet rays and harsh elements.
Here’s a basic shopping guide from Windows by Toll, one of your leading window contractors.
Energy Savings
The savings you can get from new windows depends on various factors, including the material of your existing windows and how well your home is insulated. Then there is the size of your home and how many windows it has. Your area’s climate can also affect the money you can save.
Materials & Style
The window frame material can affect the look, durability, and insulation of your window. For instance, wood windows offer good insulation but are high-maintenance. Vinyl windows are good insulators and don’t require painting. Moreover, the style of a window affects its insulating properties.
Glazing & Glass Technologies
Glazes and glasses may improve insulation, light quality and condensation resistance. Windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings are more energy-efficient than ones without it.
Installation
Your contractor should perform the window installation according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Improper installation can result in early window failure, wasted energy and a voided warranty.
Window Label
Look for the National Fenestration Rating Council’s label when shopping for windows. The ratings on the labels measure how well a window blocks cold, heat and outside air.
U-factor refers to how well a window stops heat from passing through the window. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is how much heat a window allows into your home. The closer the air leakage number is to 0.1, the more outside air a window allows indoors.
Visible transmittance ratings measure how much light a window allows inside. The closer its number is to 1, the more natural light the window lets in. Moreover, you also need to look for condensation resistance ratings.
At Windows by Toll, you can count on our team to handle every aspect of your window replacement. We are a full-service windows and doors company, offering products from leading manufacturers in the industry. Call us at (203) 200-7808 or fill out our online form to request a free quote.
