Purchasing the best energy efficient windows is a great way for homeowners to reduce the cost of heating and cooling their homes. Choosing the right windows can be tricky, but the key is finding the upgrades that save money without delivering a blow to your bottom line. When choosing energy efficient windows, homeowners should focus on four key aspects: frame, glass, design, and installation.

The Frame

There are a variety of window frame materials available, each with its own pros and cons. It is up to you to choose the material that works best for your budget.

Vinyl

Pros: less expensive without being “cheap,” can offer excellent energy efficient options through insulated glass and tight construction that reduces air leakage

Cons: limited color choices

Wood

Pros: best value for insulation, can stand the test of time if well-built

Cons: prone to rot (especially in humid or rainy climates), require more upkeep

Aluminum

Pros: practical in rainy and humid climates, meets coastal building codes (strong against hurricanes)

Cons: not the best choice to prevent heat transfer and loss

Wood-clad

Pros: offers the low-maintenance of vinyl or aluminum with the temperature-transfer resistance of wood

Cons: prone to rotting in wetter climates

The Glass

Experts suggest going with a double-paned window with Low-E glass, with a vacuum-sealed argon fill. The feature will cost about $40 extra per window, but it’s worth the price in energy savings. Low-E argon filled windows offer much more insulation than single-pane windows. This will make a big difference in your monthly energy bill. You should also check the window glass for its energy-efficient features.

The Design

The best energy efficient window designs include:

Double-hung windows – These are found in many homes across the United States, particularly in pre-war buildings. The windows are double-hung and the bottom slides up to open the unit. This can be an efficient option, but is not the best choice for extreme climates because of the potential for air intrusion between sliders.

Casement windows – These units are popular in climates where wind is an issue. These windows have a crank that swings the window outward to open and they seal tighter when wind blows in towards the house.

Picture windows – These are typically large units that do not open. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be energy efficient with the right glass choice and gas-filled interiors.

The Installation

A proper installation is important to keeping your windows energy efficient. Even the best windows will not perform effectively if installed incorrectly. Be wary of any contractor who relies too heavily on expanding foams or sealants to get windows to fit well. These materials aren’t waterproof and can cause problems later down the road. Pre-installation water proofing done well before installation is the best option to seal your windows from the elements.

If you need professional help to install new windows, use TalkLocal to find a local service provider in minutes!

This entry was updated on Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 at 10:55 am. This entry was originally posted on Friday, November 2nd, 2012 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Window Replacement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.