Home replacement windows are an excellent way to make your home more energy efficient. With today’s rising heating costs it makes sense to evaluate the need to replace your old drafty windows. Replacement windows can be purchased to fit any opening and match most any house style. Before ordering replacement windows you should consider some basic options.

Window Type – The architectural style of your home will dictate the most appropriate window type. If you live in a colonial home for instance you’ll want to consider double-hung windows. If you live in a contemporary home you may want to consider casement windows. Ideally you’ll want to choose a window type that matches the existing windows unless that style wasn’t appropriate for the house.

Window Construction – There are several basic construction types available. You can choose vinyl replacement windows, wood replacement windows or fiberglass replacement windows. Typically the driving force with this decision is the cost. Vinyl replacement windows will be the cheapest option and wood windows are typically the most expensive option.

Energy Rating – Regardless of which type of replacement window you buy, make sure that you buy the most energy efficient window you can afford. There are several factors to pay attention to, they include: U values (0.33 or lower is good), solar heat gain coefficient (0.40 to 0.55 is good) and an Air leakage of less than 0.30 cfm/ft^2 is recommended.

So if you have old windows you should really consider replacement windows. By installing high quality replacement windows you should be able to save energy and therefore save money over time.

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

Share
Published by
Todd Fratzel

Recent Posts

Framing Stick Nailer vs Coil Nailer

Which is Better a Stick Nailer or Coil Nailer? Framers have many choices in nailers…

12 months ago

How Many Roofing Nails Per Square of Shingles

Estimating How Many Nails for a New Roof When it comes to estimating materials for…

1 year ago

Composite / PVC Decking – Layout Tips & Advice

Composite / PVC Decking Layout Tips and Advice Composite and PVC decking have really changed…

1 year ago

Benefits of an ERV System (Energy Recovery Ventilator)

Benefits of ERV Systems (Energy Recovery Ventilator) If you're building a new home or doing…

2 years ago

Vermiculite Attic Insulation Abatement

Vermiculite Attic Insulation If your home was built before 1990 there is a chance it…

2 years ago

Nuisance Tripping of AFCI (Arc Fault) Circuit Breakers

Arc Fault (AFCI) Circuit Breakers Tripping Often An arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) or arc-fault detection…

3 years ago