Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Reasons To Install Vinyl Windows And Garage Doors
There are many benefits of using this material instead of aluminium and more homeowners are going this route when it is time to replace their old windows and garage doors.
The benefits of Vinyl Replacement Windows And Garage Doors
One of the most typical reasons that folks choose vinyl window is perhaps because they look better. Many times the aluminium frames are painted and as they age the paint chips and it does not look very good in any way. With the vinyl products they come in uniform colors and with many various finishes and the look will last well into the future so you know that your windows will continue to look great.
With energy costs rising another good excuse to go this route is to form a more energy saving home. If you have aluminium windows you'll probably find that the heat and the cold comes right through the Denver windows, and when the wind blows your curtains or blinds may sway in the breeze! If you need to reduce the price of heating and cooling vinyl is the way to go. This kind of window offers the twin panes and even coating on the glass that may keep out UV rays.
One more reason to make this change is for security reasons. Chances are if you have older windows they can be tapped a number of times or knocked on and the locks will give way. With the replacement windows you can lock the windows and you know that they are going to stay this way.
Many home burglaries happen not through the particular breaking of a door or window, but simply working a lock open and crawling in through a window or door with flawed locks! Security is an important thing to think about when buying windows in Denver!
Noise reduction is another very common reason to pick these windows and garage doors rather than the aluminium variations. Vinyl options give you dual panes, which provide you with a barrier to all the noise outside of your home like the neighbor's dogs, the noisy birds, traffic, and naturally loud neighbours. You are going to be able to enjoy the comfort of your home without considering what is going outside, and isn't that what we all need when we are at home?
There are a lot of people out there which will tell you that you don't wish to have a garage door or windows made from this material, but overall you will find that there are more benefits than there are pitfalls.
In some climates you may realize that you have to pressure wash the surface to keep it free of mildew, but this is a tiny price to pay for the savings, security, and great look that you get from the product.
The Best Replacement Windows for Warm Climates
SHGC is the most important figure in mild and warmer areas. It is important that the amount of heat, entering the home as sunlight, be minimal. In the south-central climate zone, this figure should be less than .3; in the southern zone, less than .27
Windows Home
Energy Star Ratings for High Performance Windows
Energy Star Standards for high-performance Windows
What makes Energy Star replacement windows different from superseded models? When a product comes with the Energy Star sticker, it is certain to have met specific tenets set by the office of Energy. Energy Star hi-performance windows are tested by the independent agency, the national Fenestration Rating Council to give each new model its explicit ratings.
Generally, these windows are made with at least two panes of glass. Having two, 3, or four panes of glass, either empty, or full of a non-poisonous gas like krypton, provides extra insulation. They must be created with fine quality framing material, such as fiberglass or vinyl. Energy Star windows are usually coated to reflect both infrared and ultraviolet light. This assists in keeping heat within in winter, and outside in the summer. They are also made with warm edge spacers to keep glass panes separated.
Energy Star Ratings
Hi-performance replacement windows are rated according to four different standards. The U-factor, the solar heat gain coefficient ( SHGC ), air leakage, and plain transmittance ( VT ). The first 2 are the first factors ; air leaking and VT are secondary, and don't have to be mentioned on all labels.
-U-factor explains the rate that non-solar heat flows thru the window. This figure reflects the overall performance, due to framing, coatings, and design. The most energy efficient windows have lower figures.
-SHGC represents the solar energy that enters the home through the window. Depending on geographic region, either a higher or lower number may be desirable.
-Air seepage represents the rate that air is able to flow around a product. A low number means a tighter, and more practical window.
-VT is the amount daylight which is visible to the human eye, that's transmitted thru the glass panes and glazing.
The Most Energy Efficient Windows in Cooler Climates
In cooler climates, the most energy efficient replacement windows will be those that keep the cold air outside and have minimum air leaking. The goal is to reduce the requirement for heat energy, by defending the indoors from cold winter air, and sealing in and absorbing warm air. This means that awfully low U-factor and air leaking figures on the Energy Star label are perfect. For example, in the northwards climate zone, the U-factor rating for hi-performance windows should be less than or equivalent to .3 ; in the north-central climate section, it should be less than or equivalent to .32. Similarly, the lowest air leakage figure indicates the greatest quality for cooler climates.
As the SHGC and VT have to do with daylight, both plain rays and heat energy, entering the home, a larger number might be desirable. As an example, in the northerly climate section, the SHGC should be greater than or equivalent to .35. Determine individual climate section by taking a look at the Energy Star informational website.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Installing your Basement Windows
Once you choose the type of Denver windows you want for your basement, you'll be ready to start the installation process. This is where the average homeowner may want to call on the professional window company to make sure their window installation project is completed correctly. If you don't feel comfortable embarking on this project yourself, hire a local contractor to do the job for you. They'll be able to assist you with your choices, and bring an invaluable level of knowledge to the table to ensure that you get the results you want from your window installation.
You can start your window replacement today by receiving free estimates from local windows contractors now! For more information on window replacement projects or for other home remodeling tips check out more articles.
Choosing Replacement Windows for Your Basement
As you are examining your current basement windows you may notice that they are single paned. Upgrading to a double pane window with a high insulation value is a great choice. If you've taken the time to insulate your home and your finished basements walls, why not make sure your windows are equally as insulated. Don't let cold air seep into your basement, install windows that have a high R value. The higher the R value of your new windows, the better the insulation value will be for you.
Installing Replacement Windows in your Basement
If your basement windows have drafts, leaks or often get covered with moisture, it's probably time for you to consider installing basement replacement windows in Denver. Installing new windows can reduce energy costs, improve your home's value and prevent other problems from occurring down the road. A basement window also acts as the barrier that prevents water, pests and rodents from entering your basement, so making sure you have Denver windows that truly work to keep these things out is essential.
Choosing the right Denver replacement windows is an important step when installing new basement windows. If you install the wrong kind of replacement window it's possible you'll see little, if any, of the kind of improvements you were expecting. Sure, they'll look better, but the functionality may not be at the level it should be. To make sure that you pick the right windows take a look at the kind of windows you have now, and look at the new options that are available for replacements.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Lakewood Window Company
The first thing you should ask yourself about the Lakewood window companies you are looking at is do they have experience installing similar windows to what you desire in Colorado? This is important because the weather in Colorado is quite different from other locations in the US. You want to make sure you are getting quality windows that are ideal for the Colorado climate and if the window company you hire has experience installing windows in the area for awhile, they will be able to help you pick a good brand. Its also important to find someone who has installed windows like you want so they know how to do it. You do not want to pay an individual to learn how to install a bay window on your home.
Some other things you will want to find out from the window company is their time frame to work on your project, costs, do they have insurance, will they give you what you want? When buying Denver replacement windows, these are critical questions to have answered!