Choosing New Windows

Posted on: 2 October 2015

Your home's windows are more than just part of the décor, they have a heavy impact on your home's energy costs. Because of this, you need to look for certain features in custom windows so that you get the most energy efficient ones available in your budget. Here are some features of custom windows you should pay carefully attention to.

R-Value/U-Factor

One of the most important aspects of replacement windows is the R-value. The R-value of the window refers to how well it insulates.  As equally important is the U-factor. The U-factor measures how well a window keeps the heat in. 

When choosing a window, the higher the R-value rating, the better the insulation. This means less heat and cold air from the outside are able to get into your home. By contrast, the lower the U-factor rating, the better it keeps heat inside. 

Gas Fill

If you opt for double or triple-paned windows, there will be a space between the panes. What happens to incoming air from outside in between those panes is important. If there is nothing but dead space or air between the panes, the energy efficiency of the window is impacted. To increase its efficiency, you can select a gas to fill the space between the panes. 

Gas, such as krypton and argon, are routinely added to energy efficient windows. The gas acts as an added layer of insulation to keep out hot and cold air. Krypton tends to be the more expensive gas and offers the most benefit.

Low-Emittance Coatings

Low-emittance, or low-e, coating is another added protection for your windows. The coating works by allowing in warm sunlight on cold days, but deflecting it on warm days. The coating helps to minimize the infrared light and ultraviolet rays, while allowing in visible light. 

At the same time, the coating helps to keep heat energy from escaping your home by reflecting it back inside. As a result, your heating system does not have to work as hard to keep your home warm during the cold weather months. The additional coating can add to the cost of your windows, but your savings on the energy bill could help offset the additional price.

There are many other features you should take into consideration when selecting new windows for your home. Work with a custom designer and installer, such as Valley Glass Inc to find which features are most important in ensuring that your windows are energy efficient.