Choosing the Best Replacement Windows For Your Syracuse Home
If you’ve already made the decision to replace the windows in your Syracuse home, you are probably well aware of the energy and cost saving benefits replacement windows can provide. Perhaps it is time to replace your old windows because the glass is shattered. Or maybe the there are leaks and gaps in the aged window frame that are beyond repair. Or, quite possibly, your energy bills have gone up tremendously in the past few years due to the poor insulation quality of your old windows. No matter what the reason you wish to replace your current windows with modern energy efficient ones, it is important that you choose the right Syracuse replacement windows for your home.
There are certain factors that you should consider when shopping for new replacement windows. It is important to understand the different parts of a window and their function to make an informed decision and a smart purchase.
Take into account how you would like your new replacement windows to open. There are windows that open with the use of a crank and windows that slide up and down on the sashes. Many modern replacement windows can swing open from the top inwards to allow for easy cleaning. Double hung windows are the most popular, with a top and bottom panel. Both panels should be able to slide up and down. Crank-style windows (or casement windows) are not as prevalent in today’s homes because they are cumbersome to open and usually not made with energy efficient glass and materials.
Once you have made the decision on the type of replacement windows you want for your home, you must next determine the way you wish to install them. If your home has had damage to the existing window frames – including mold, rot, warping and termite infestation – you should remove the entire interior trim and total window unit completely. You will have to replace all aspects of the window in order to get the most energy efficiency, safety and security from your new replacement windows. In other cases, you may not have to remove too much of the interior unit if the wood is in good condition. Replacing a window can be as easy as removing the old and replacing it with the new, as long as the interior structure is in sound condition and has not been subject to moisture or pest infestation.
You can also replace windows by doing a sash replacement. This keeps your existing window frame in tact, but adds new sashes so the updated windows can tilt outwards or inwards for easy cleaning. You can install energy efficient windows with double or triple pane glass into the new tracks and receive the benefits of new replacement windows without majorly renovating your home.
Talk to a Syracuse window installation professional to discuss window replacement and installation options that are right for your home. Once your new windows are installed, your home will be better insulated with a modern look, all while saving you money on energy bills.
What is Involved in Getting Vinyl Replacement Windows for Your Syracuse Home?
You have come to the conclusion that you need to replace the windows in your Syracuse
home. Perhaps they don’t work well or they are leaking copious amounts of cooled air. After serious consideration, you decide that your best choice will be vinyl replacement windows.
This article deals with the steps in the process; from finding a Syracuse
replacement window contractor who knows how to do the job right to the things you should look for in your new windows.
1. Finding the Right Windows - There are many, many different brands of Syracuse vinyl replacement windows
Pella, Anderson, Don Young, and Milgard are but a few of the well known name brands, but you can also find quite a few “no-name” brands as well. This is one time you don’t want to consider generic.
Quality is a huge consideration when it comes to windows, and poorly made windows are a waste of your money. Shoddy construction and devoid of the factors that make replacement windows a good investment, “no-name” brands often need replacement soon.
Look for windows that offer double panes, are gas filled, have solid construction, and come with a good warranty.
2. Interview the Contractors - I don’t know how many times a week I find something stuck in my door offering me a great deal on replacement windows. These contractors, if you can call them that, are often fly-by-night operators who come through an area, put up low quality windows, and move on before the problems start.
Take the time to ask around amongst your neighbors to see if they have had window work done. Call around or check online to see who is a member of the local Better Business Bureau and NARI. Make sure the contractor is insured and offers workers compensation. Get references and check them. Remember, you are not only going to invest a lot of money in your windows, you will trust these people to be in your home.
3. Make a Plan - The chances are that you will want a different look in different areas of your home; opaque widows in the bath, split pane in the front of the house, a clear view towards the surf. Go through the house and make up a written plan of what you want. Make sure that you and the contractor agree and understand everything on your plan.
4. Step Back and Watch it Happen - Assuming you did your homework, all you will need to do once the work begins is to stay out of the way. Each old window will be removed, the area prepared, and the new window installed. Old trim will probably all be replaced at one time, or each area completed at the same time. To redo an entire home may take a few days, but as you watch your home transformed and see those energy bills drop over the next few months, you will know you made the right decision.
Your local contractors can help you with more than just vinyl window replacement. If you are considering replacing your siding, building an outbuilding, or adding on a carport, think about doing it all together, that way you will only have to deal with the mess once.
Varieties of Windows In Syracuse
Those that are not experts on windows may not know or may not think about the fact that there a great deal of different types. There are a variety of standard and specialty windows that are made to complement traditional to modern Syracuse architecture. Whether you want a replica of your existing style or you’re looking for new possibilities, there are assortments of choices out there that will augment your Syracuse home.
One popular type of window is the double hung. This is a traditional sort that is made up of lightly curved lines for the purpose of being graceful looking. Double hung’s have a sash at the top and the bottom so that it can be used for ventilation.
Another type of window would be the gliding. These are a have a very contemporary design and are slim, but still allow for a projecting outlook. These also have a sash, but the sash is located on the sides as opposed to the top and bottom. These are made easy for cleaning purposes as well.
For those that are looking for a window that is the most energy capable the best choice is a casement. This is traditional in design and allows for much ventilation. This is the type that instead of being opened side to side or up and down it opens using a crank that can be wound, projecting the panes outward.
Some homeowners prefer combinations of window types. When different types are combined together they are often referred to as picture windows. These choose a certain unit for the center and a different type of unit for the sides.
Bay windows are a very elegant choice. These are very large and spacious and can bring a great deal of style to a home. This type of unit is also nice for bringing in a large amount of outdoor light into a room.
Windows can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Besides the ones mentioned above they can come in as triangles, springline, circles, chord, octagon and an assortment of others.
How Many Ways Can a Syracuse Window Open?
Many of us don’t pay too much attention to how windows open unless we are either trying (without success) to open one or we are thinking about installing Syracuse replacement windows in a home.
Choosing replacement windows for a home remodeling project will undoubtedly make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient. It will also give you an opportunity to change the size and the style of your windows, as well as the material. You might, for example, want to change from wood-framed windows to vinyl windows. This would also reduce the work necessary to maintain the windows.
Replacing windows provides the perfect opportunity to choose the windows that are best suited to each particular part of your Syracuse home. In addition to shape and material, you will also want to consider how the windows open. How many ways can a window open? There are six basic types of windows:
1. Fixed panel windows do not open. Whether the window is made of a single pane of glass or a set of framed glass blocks, the glass is fixed. Fixed-pane windows are made in a number of sizes and shapes. They can be used as basement windows, highly decorative windows, large panels in sun rooms, etc.
2. An Awning Window is opened by swinging the glass panel upward to form an “awning” over the outside of the window. Awning windows can operate with the use of several devices and designs. Some work by turning a crank to lift the edge of the window. Others are simply manually pushed outward and upward and then braced or latched into place.
3. Casement windows open outward by turning a crank which swings the glass panel open from the center to the outside of the opening. Casement windows are typically used in areas where it would be difficult to reach or slide a window up and down because of limited access (such as over a sink).
4. Double Hung Windows are made of two partially overlapping panes of glass or windows which each move up and down on a track at the side of the window frame. Many new styles of double hung windows are also designed to allow one or both panes to tilt inward for ease of cleaning.
5. Single Hung Windows are made essentially like double hung windows except that only the lower window panel moves up and down or tilts inward. Single hung windows are frequently used just like double hung windows.
6. Sliding windows are windows that open by sliding one panel in front of or behind the panel beside it. Sliding windows were very popular for a time in many locations. Sliding windows are used today in new construction and remodeling primarily as replacements or in areas of the house that do not offer enough vertical space for a double-hung window.
All of these window styles are available in several materials and designs, making it easy to find the right window for any remodeling need. With a little thought and planning, you can choose the perfect window for each part of your Syracuse home.
Knowing How Your Energy Efficient Insulation Works in Your Syracuse Home
In order to keep costs down and to keep the temperatures in your Syracuse home from being too hot or too cold, it is important to have adequate energy efficient insulation. Four components contribute to your household’s energy efficiency and they are:
1) The amount of ventilation that is present, 2) the moisture control that is evident, 3) the insulation, and 4) air sealing. Make certain that yours is in proper balance to have the most comfortable and cost effective system.
The term ventilation refers to the movement of air through the home. While it is not a good idea to have cracks which allow cold air to seep in during the winter or heat in the summer, there needs to be adequate air movement in order to eliminate the accumulation of pollutants or stale air. This can be achieved by using exhaust fans, as are often present in bathrooms or kitchen areas. Vents and duct-work can also aid in proper ventilation.
Moisture control can be achieved by ventilation systems, as well. While some moisture is necessary in an environment, too much moisture, as in damp basements, attics or crawl spaces can lead to mold problems and other health challenges.
Insulation provides resistance to heat and energy loss in your Syracuse home. The less heat you lose in the winter, the lower your bills will be. It will also keep the coolness provided by your summertime air conditioning system better contained.
Their energy efficiency is rated by R-values. The R-values refer to resistance to heat flow. This can be determined by the material that it’s made out of, the thickness, the number of layers and its density. A new home that is being constructed or an older home can be made more efficient by adding insulation.
There are different types of insulation that may be used including 1) blankets, which can be made of rock wool or fiberglass, and must be carefully installed for optimum efficiency, 2) spray, which is made from a polyurethane product and is injected into spaces where it expands to fit the area, 3) loose fill type, which can be made up of pellets or fiber and is also blown into the spaces, and 4) Rigid formed sheets which are often used in basements and walls.
Air sealing refers to the tightening up of the structure in terms of leaks and cracks. Inclement weather can slip into your home via ill fitting doors, windows, and cracks around every room’s light and electrical switch-plates. Sealing all with weather-stripping or silicone caulking can keep the outside weather out of doors where it belongs.
Keep your energy costs lower this year by upgrading with energy efficient insulation. You’ll be glad you did as the temperatures continue to drop with winter’s approach.
Reap the Rewards of Replacement Windows
Replacing your windows could bring huge benefits that far outweigh the cost of the windows and installation. New York Windows are one of the biggest factors in heat exchange between the inside of your home and the air outside. New windows that reduce the exchange of heat from the exterior to the interior are both a very smart remodeling decision and, for that reason, the most popular home improvement project in the U.S. today. Old, inefficient windows mean that you are wasting natural resources and spending money for heating and cooling inside your Syracuse home that is actually going right out the windows.
A study by the Rocky Mountain Institute found that the heating cost with a single pane window is $356. Using double pane windows reduces the cost to $178. Adding a low-e coating and exterior storm windows reduces that cost even more, down to just $100. Other studies by various window manufacturers show that replacement windows can save one-fourth to one-half of the energy needed to heat and cool a home.
When you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your Syracuse home, you save money and you reduce your demand for electricity, natural gas, heating oil, or whatever means you use. Another important fact about window replacement is that installing new windows will also increase the value of your home by as much as 90% of the cost for the windows.
The best windows to prevent transfer of heat through windows are wood, vinyl, fiberglass and foam. Metal frames, such as aluminum, are the worst because they don’t have insulating properties. Glass, itself, also conducts a lot of heat. But there are ways to make windows more efficient. Double-pane windows have a space between the panes of glass. This provides insulation when the air between the panes absorbs some of the heat and some of the cooler air and stays at a temperature between the two extremes. This will make your windows more efficient. If you buy windows that have a gas in the space between the panes, such as argon, the window will be twice as efficient as a plain double-pane window. If the gas used is Krypton, instead of Argon, the window becomes another 50% more efficient.
The next step up would be to install triple-pane windows. This offers two neutralizing air chambers between the three panes of glass. A triple-pane window filled with Argon gas will be 50% more efficient than a double-pane window with Argon. If you upgrade to a triple-pane window filled with Krypton gas, the windows become 2.5 times more efficient in insulating your home than a double-pane window filled with Argon. Finally, if you add a low-e (low emissivity) coating to that window, you will allow light to pass through but you will block heat loss due to the heat of the sunlight (UV) by 40% to 70%.
If you want to make your home more energy efficient and save on your heating and cooling bills, new replacement windows will certainly accomplish your goal. You will also increase the value of your home. If you live in a region that experiences some extremes of heat and cold, you will probably find that the reduction in your heating and cooling bills will pay off very quickly. The investment will certainly pay for itself in a matter of years. And with your new windows, you can enjoy the view even more because you will know you are saving cost and valuable natural resources.
How to Do Air Sealing at Your Home to Prevent Energy Loss
For most residential Syracuse homes simple air leaks are a major contributor to energy loss. This lost energy leads to uncomfortable living and higher utility bills. The typical home can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on annual energy costs) by sealing air leaks. For certain areas around the country that experience extreme weather, the savings could even be more.
Some of the most common air leaks are found around doors and Syracuse windows, electric receptacles on exterior walls, attic hatches, duct registers in floors, walls and ceilings. On exterior doors check the weather seal around the opening. Simply replacing old and worn weatherstrip is a cost effective way to weather seal this area. Using polyurethane foam in 12 oz cans to seal duct registers and other air gaps is a very inexpensive and effective way to seal leaks in these areas.
Foam tape which comes in a variety of sizes is a great way to gasket the area around attic access hatches. This helps keep the conditioned air out of the attic. This is the air you pay each month to heat or cool. One of the most cost effective ways to seal air leaks is by installing gaskets around electric receptacles on exterior walls. These gaskets are made from polyurethane foam and fit outlet and light switches.
Understanding Energy-Efficiency in Replacement Windows
Syracuse window replacement for improved energy efficiency is one of the most popular remodeling projects undertaken by homeowners today. Replacing your windows could result in energy savings of 30% or more in any region of the U.S. Your choices for replacement windows will consider the style of the window as well as the efficiency and safety of the window. To help you understand the energy-efficiency qualities of various replacement windows, here are some facts to help you make decisions.
Some window materials conduct heat and cold. The result is some energy loss through the window materials. The material that loses the most heat or cold is Aluminum. Steel conducts about one-third the amount of heat and cold. Stainless steel conducts about one-third the amount of heat and cold lost with steel. The most efficient material for windows is wood, conducting 1/1000 the amount lost through aluminum. And just a fraction behind wood is vinyl. The bottom line is that the most energy-efficient window materials are wood and vinyl. Vinyl, of course, requires less maintenance.
The next consideration is about the glass in the windows. Heat and cooling loss through glass can be reduced by adding a second pane of glass and leaving space between the panes to trap the outside air which is at a different temperature from the inside air. These double-paned or double-glazed windows are more efficient than single panes. Double-paned windows can also have a fill of gas between the panes to further reduce heat exchange. Filling the space between panes of a double-paned window with Argon gas will make it twice as effective. Filling the space between the panes with Krypton gas increases the R-value of the window from 4.0 to 4.55. Triple-paned or triple-glazed windows filled with Argon gas have an R-value of 6.25, and choosing a triple-paned window filled with Krypton gas provides an R-value of 10.0.
Windows can also be coated with screening finishes of various kinds to block UV (Ultraviolet) rays and IR (infrared) rays. These screening finishes protect window treatments and furniture and carpeting from fading and reflect back some of the heating effect of the sun.
Windows of any style, size and shape can be chosen in several colors of vinyl and can be painted any color if your choice of window material is wood. Windows can be purchased with various styles of dividers within the window and even with blinds attached in enclosed compartments or with blinds placed within the window itself.
No matter what style or type of window you need for an energy-efficient window replacement project, you will do well to look for the “Energy Star” seal first. These windows will meet minimum standards established by the Federal Government.
Replacement Windows Are a Smart Home Improvement
In times of rising costs for home heating and cooling and the need to reduce energy consumption, replacement windows are a very smart home improvement investment. Not only will Syracuse replacement windows make your home more energy efficient, they will reduce your heating and cooling costs by as much as 50%. This energy efficiency will also reduce the amount of energy you use and reduce your demand for petroleum products (electricity, natural gas, heating oil, etc.). The investment in replacement windows will also increase the value of your home.
Heat is transferred through solid surfaces from the warmer side to the colder side through a process called “conduction”. Metal is a good conductors of heat. This means that your windows themselves could be causing your heating and cooling bills to be higher than the cost would be with new insulated windows. In addition, any cracks or gaps around your windows and window frames allow heated or cooled air to escape from the house to the outside and vice versa. Sealing around windows and doors and installing adequate insulation around them is the first step in improving the energy efficiency of your home. New windows, however, will probably result in a far greater savings.
The best insulators (preventing conduction) are wood, vinyl, fiberglass and foam. Metals, such as aluminum, are the worst insulators. Double-paned windows have a space between the two panes of glass. This space provides insulation by allowing air in the space to absorb some of the heat and some of the cooler air to create a mid-range temperature inside the window. If the space between the two panes is filled with a gas, it becomes even more effective in insulating your home. Argon gas in the space between the panes will make your windows twice as effective in insulating your home as simple single-paned windows. If the gas used is Krypton, the effect of the insulating space between panes is 50% more effective than the Argon.
The next alternative is to choose triple-paned windows. This creates two neutralizing spaces in the window, and better insulates your home. With Argon gas in both of the spaces between panes, the triple-paned window will be 50% more effective than the double-paned window filled with Argon. A triple-paned window with Krypton gas in both spaces between panes will be 2.5 times more effective in insulating the home than a double-paned window filled with Argon. The amount of space allowed between the panes is also a factor in the conductivity of the windows.
These energy-efficient windows are easy to identify. They all carry the “EnergyStar” logo, indicating that they meet federal guidelines for efficiency. Talk with your window dealer about the amount of insulation you need in various parts of your Syracuse home, and you can choose the right window for your specific needs.