Home Remodeling & Construction Blog

New windows can dramatically alter the look and feel of your home, but more often than not this home renovation is necessary to improve energy efficiency. That doesn’t mean shopping for Virginia replacement windows is boring. On the contrary, with a little bit of direction and some time to consider your options, buying new windows can change the comfort level in your home significantly.

Follow these easy steps when shopping for replacement windows and you’re bound to end up with the best products for your home.

Start With the Budget

Setting a budget ahead of time is a wise first step. Consider the cost of financing if you are planning to borrow the money and don’t forget to incorporate the energy savings you are likely to experience once the new windows are in. It also pays to investigate whether there are any rebates available in your city or county – these can add up and help you cover some of this cost of this renovation.

Remember that should the project be more expensive than you originally budgeted, it is possible to install the windows in batches, a few at a time. This will allow you to spread the cost of this home improvement project over a longer period of time.

Do Your Research

Be sure to read up on which window manufacturers have the highest ratings for both energy efficiency and overall quality. You do not want to invest in Virginia replacement windows that will require repairs or present issues a short time after being installed. High quality products are often made from superior materials and will follow strict designs that incorporate the latest technology and industry knowledge.

You may need to pay more for these windows, but it will be well worth the investment. Read reviews, contact each manufacturer with your questions and ask your neighbors and the local contractors which brands they would recommend.

Think About the Window Design

Consider which materials would suit your home best, whether that is vinyl windows, wood or composite designs. The style of your home may dictate your choices, but the degree of maintenance, costs and the durability of each material should also be taken into consideration.

Other factors in window design include added efficiency features such as argon gas injections, low emissivity coatings and improved security measures. Only you can decide which of these features is most important to you and whether or not they are worth any additional investment. The shape and appearance of your new windows should also be taken into account at this stage.

Choosing a Contractor

Besides deciding on which window manufacturer you will invest in, it’s important to hire a contractor with the expertise and experience necessary for this type of home renovation. Be sure they have the insurance coverage required, as well as the trained staff and a list of current references you can check. Ask about their warranty coverage and how many years they have been in business. These factors will influence your choice of contractor, which will in turn have an affect on the overall quality of the project.

Shopping for Virginia replacement windows is straightforward with these tips in mind. Budget first, do your homework on the products and consider the different window designs. Finally, choose an experienced, reputable contractor and watch how this home improvement will transform your house.

Home is a place where you can rest peacefully, spend time with your loved ones and rejuvenate from the everyday stresses of life. Safety and security are two important factors to a comfortable home. Many home improvement projects are designed to add or improve these factors and Virginia replacement windows can make a significant impact in many different ways.

Avoiding Injuries From Breakage

Sliding patio doors and window inserts in your entrance and garage doors should be fitted with safety glass. If you have an older window installed in these crucial points of your home consider upgrading to newer models that utilize tempered glass or laminated glass to provide more protection.

Not only are these products more difficult to break in order to gain entry, they also present less of a danger to your family when a breakage happens accidentally. Tempered glass shatters into many small pieces instead of leaving large, extremely sharp edges and the risk of serious cuts and lacerations. Laminated glass is similar to a vehicle windshield and will remain in the frame, stuck fast together even when broken. Either of these two options makes for a wise choice when replacing windows on or in the entrance ways to your home.

Avoiding Falls From the Windows

Every year many serious and fatal injuries occur when children and pets fall through windows. This is a major risk when certain types of windows are installed in second and third storey rooms – casements, single and double hung windows can all present a danger when opened and accessible to kids.

There are certain guidelines set out by the National Safety Council that pertain to residential windows. Parents and guardians should never rely on screens to keep their young ones and pets inside the house – screens are meant to keep pests and bugs out of your home only. It’s a good idea to keep furniture and other climbable objects away from the windows, reducing the accessibility for curious little ones. Always keep the locks engaged on your windows when they are closed, as an extra safety measure for those attempting to break in and as an added barrier for children who may attempt to open them from the inside.

With weaker frames, single pane glass and fewer locking mechanisms, your existing windows may be presenting a serious danger if you have young children and pets in the house. Virginia replacement windows will not only improve the appearance and energy efficiency of your home, they will also increase the safety and security through a better design and stronger construction.

Increasing Strength to Resist Outside Forces

With intense storms raging throughout the country, the possibility of your older windows shattering from outside forces is increasing. Besides burglaries, weaker windows are also at risk of breakage from high winds, hail and heavy storms. But newer products such as impact resistant glass can substantially improve the security level of your home.

In certain cases building code requires that replacement windows in Virginia be designed with impact resistant glass. Although these windows may still break due to exterior forces, the glass will not shatter and cause harm to those sheltering inside your home. These products often use technology similar to laminated glass to provide this added protection for your family.

Worth the investment for a variety of reasons, Virginia replacement windows also improve the safety and security of your home making it a more peaceful place to live.

Many home improvement projects are an investment in your home. Some deliver returns in the form of increased comfort or security. Others add to the beauty of your space or create more room for your family. Installing Virginia replacement windows will do all of these things while also reducing the size of your utility bills. Homeowners wonder, with all of those savings realized, will this home improvement project actually pay for itself?

You need to examine the cost of leaving your old windows alone to fully answer that question. This information will help to accurately determine the cost savings as a result of this replacement project.

How Old Windows Cost Money

Worn, deteriorating windows are an enormous source of heat loss, which translates into much higher heating and cooling costs for your family. Wood sashes in particular will result in gaps and drafts over time as the wood shrinks and swells with seasonal shifts in temperature.

Besides the infiltration that occurs through gaps in older window frames and sashes, older styles of windows can result in higher heat radiation. Summer sunshine will cause the heat to radiate inside, pushing your air conditioner to work harder. In the wintertime the heat of your home will radiate to the exterior, causing your furnace to work harder. Both conditions can be stopped with high quality double or triple glazed Virginia replacement windows designed to reduce or eliminate radiation.

Infiltration occurs through gaps or cracks in the frame, while radiation occurs through the windowpanes. Energy lost through heat conduction is the fault of the frame, sash and glass in differing degrees. By choosing replacement windows made from materials that do not conduct heat efficiently you will certainly slow this process down, resulting in much lower utility bills.

How Replacement Windows Save Money

When the condition of your windows has deteriorated beyond being an effective barrier against infiltration, radiation and conduction Virginia window replacements will produce major savings. Sometimes new windows can save as much as 40 to 50 percent of your heating and cooling bills. Over the course of the years these savings may add up to the cost of the replacement windows.

The key is to purchase quality windows and have them installed by a professional. Purchasing cheap windows and expecting them to pay off is likely to leave you disappointed. Unless your window is designed to reduce or eliminate the problems associated with older windows the savings will be minimal and the investment unwise.

But when you put your money into a product that includes the latest efficiencies, high quality materials and a solid warranty the initial purchase price could be considered a valuable investment. And over the years of dependable use of these windows may in fact pay for themselves.

Finding an experienced and reputable contractor who can recommend the best Virginia replacement windows for your budget is the first step. With their advice and the help of skilled laborers your window replacement project will go smoothly and result in impressive savings. Even if the windows do not pay for themselves this home improvement investment is wise.

One of the most common problems with older windows is condensation build up. A serious issue that demands immediate attention, condensation may be a result of faulty windows that are past their prime, but it can also be caused by other conditions in your home. Once you have determined what is triggering this moisture build up you can decide whether Virginia replacement windows will help.

What Is Condensation?

When the air in your home is humid it contains a large amount of water vapor. As that air touches cooler surfaces, the moisture vapor turns back into water droplets and produces what is known as condensation – mainly drops of water on a cool surface.

This often occurs in the winter months when the heat of our homes produces high levels of moisture in the air. Those winter temperatures produce cold glass windowpanes, which then present the ideal circumstances for a build up of condensation.

Dangers of Condensation

Any amount of sitting moisture in your home presents dangers. This water will cause deterioration in the wood framing around the window, as well as in the drywall or plaster that surrounds the area. When left unchecked and alone, condensation will quickly produce mold. Mold in the home can lead to breathing problems, low immunities and various other health issues.

How Can Virginia Replacement Windows Help?

Double and triple paned windows work very well to cut down on that temperature differential. By reducing the amount of heat loss and cutting off the passage of air in these critical locations, new windows will most certainly cut back on condensation.

Insulation created by the air gap between the panes, as well as any gas inserted into that space would reduce heat transfer. The interior pane of your new window will be warmed by heat in your home. This results in a surface temperature very close the air temperature – the moisture will remain trapped in the air, not building up as water droplets on the window.

With new replacement windows Virginia homes will also be more airtight, allowing for less draft and lower levels of condensation on the walls. Your home must have proper airflow, which is taken care of by venting in the heating and cooling systems. The drafts produced by older windows may help with fresh air transfer, but in a way that is inefficient and expensive.

Other Ways to Reduce Condensation

When the airflow is not sufficient condensation will also occur. It’s important to use exhaust fans in areas of high moisture – such as bathrooms and kitchens – to move that air out of the house right away. Fresh air vents will replace that exhausted air, creating a decent level of air exchange that helps you to manage condensation.

Opening the windows whenever possible is another way to create good airflow. By installing high quality Virginia replacement windows that are attractive and simple to open, homeowners can enjoy those warm spring breezes and comfortable autumn temperatures. New windows help in many ways to reduce condensation, increase insulation and produce airflow – all conditions that create a comfortable, efficient home.