How Do You Choose Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows for All Seasons?

If you’re thinking about replacement windows here in Glen Burnie and throughout Anne Arundel County, MD, you’re to be forgiven if you’ve gotten overwhelmed by all the options. Due to our climate, we need something that can handle both a freezing winter and a really hot summer, so the question is whether there are energy-efficient windows that work for all seasons. There are, but you have to know how to pick them.

Understanding Energy Ratings

Energy ratings can be useful if you know what they mean. First there’s the U-factor. This tells you how much heat escapes from a window, and the lower the U-factor, the better the insulation. This is generally important to both prevent heat loss from your home during the winter and keep the outside heat from seeping in during the summer. In general, you want a U factor of no more than 0.30.

Next, you want to consider the SHGC: solar heat gain coefficient. This is a measure of how much solar heat comes through the glass, and while you might want to block some, here in Maryland you might want some of that solar heat to keep you naturally warmer in the winter. Ask us about the best compromises based on your home’s location and angle to the sun.

Visible transmittance is another rating to look for, and this tells you how much natural light comes in. The higher the value here, the brighter the room will be when the sun shines through it, but this is often inversely correlated with heat control. In other words, the better the heat control, the more the window blocks visible light.

Selecting Replacement Windows

Frames

Vinyl frames resist heat transfer, don’t require much maintenance, and don’t expand and contract much in temperature changes. Fiberglass frames are also strong, and they provide great insulation. Wood frames are naturally insulated, but they have to be well protected from moisture, and you need to keep up with them to make sure they’re not rotting or developing leaks. Aluminum frames conduct heat easily, so they’re very inefficient unless you get thermal breaks put into them.

Opening Mechanism

Double-hung windows that slide up and down are most common in older homes, but they are also the most vulnerable to air infiltration. Casement windows, which swing out like a door, tend to seal more tightly. And then you have fixed windows that don’t open at all, and obviously they work the best for air control because there’s no mechanism at all to create a gap.

Glass

Double-pane windows usually have two layers of glass with a space in between, and that space actually acts as the insulation. That space is usually filled with a gas that conducts heat less well than regular air. Also look for Low-E coatings on the glass, which are thin layers that block UV rays and keep heat from escaping in the winter or coming in during the summer.

Get Advice for Your Anne Arundel County, MD Home

If you’re planning an upgrade, reach out to us at Green Solutions Remodeling serving Anne Arundel County, and we can help you decide what’s right for your home or business.

Tags: Anne Arundel County, window installation, window replacement
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