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How Replacement Windows Work - A Review of
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Is your house cold in the winter? Is it drafty?
Or is it too hot in the summer, so you have to retreat to
the confines of your cool basement? It's ok - don't sell your
house. There's an easier answer to your woes - replacement
windows. Replacing old windows is a great way to make your
home life easier - in many ways. So we'd like to show you
how replacement windows work - what to look for and how to
prepare. And when we're done, you'll be done being uncomfortable.
So get out your notebook, and pay attention.
Why would you want replacement windows?
There are many reasons why people decide to
shop for replacement windows for their homes. Most of them
are based on either comfort, or cost. If the windows currently
in your home are drafty, or cold, then you'll probably want
to consider replacing them. If your home gets very hot during
the summer, then that's another reason. If you're having trouble
keeping up with the rising cost of heating and/or cooling
your home, then that, too, creates a need for you to replace
your windows.
They say "Dreams are the windows of the soul".
Well, if your windows are giving you nightmares, then perhaps
your soul is trying to tell you to go shopping for replacement
windows. With the wide selection available these days, we're
sure you can solve your woes with some beautiful windows that'll
not only make your home more attractive, but will make it
more comfortable and less costly, too.
What are replacement windows?
There are several basic types of replacement
windows, with each style having its own special purpose. Pretty
well all windows these days are double-pane. That means that
there are two panes of glass with an airspace between them.
These days, they're even adding insulating gas instead of
air between the panes, to reduce heat loss. Double-pane windows
are much more energy efficient than their predecessor, the
single-pane window. However, there are still some uses for
single-pane windows - wherever warmth isn't a factor, like
in sheds or barns or other outer buildings. But with the focus
on energy efficiency these days, there's not a lot of call
for them in homes.
Another old standard that's slowly making its
way out is clear glass. With technology advancing as fast
as it is these days, glass is changing - not the actual makeup
of the glass, but what they put on it and between it. The
purpose of the replacement window industry is to create a
window that's functional, cost-effective, energy efficient,
and looks good, too. That's a tall order, but they're doing
a great job of it.
What are replacement windows made of?
There are four basic materials used for making
the framework of replacement windows today. The oldest source
of window frames is wood. Wood will always be the best insulator,
but it's the disadvantages that've led to the industry's pursuit
of a higher-quality, more functional material. The first material
to be added to a window frame was vinyl. Vinyl is now added
to wood, in a composite material called Fibrex, that increases
the strength and endurance of the window frame. It also makes
windows more customizable.
Aluminum has been a common material used in
windows for some time. It, too, is easily customizable, but
it's not a very good insulator. How many times have you seen
mildew around the frame of an aluminum window? That's because
it causes condensation and, unless you wipe it up regularly
(which is a pain), you'll have problems. That's why aluminum
windows are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Some replacement windows are made of fiberglass,
but this isn't a very popular choice because it's quite expensive.
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Choose an article to read
• Clearly
Divine
• Glass
Block Windows
• History
of Replacement Windows
• How
Replacement Windows Work
• Glossary
of Terms
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