Figuring out what types of windows to install in your home can take a bit of time, research, and patience, but when you select the right one, you'll be glad you put in the effort. Windows can breathe life back into your home and connect you with the outside world in a fantastic way. New windows are a great way to increase the natural light throughout your home, as well as increase its overall energy efficiency. Considering window installation in Edmonton is a renovation project that will also add value to your home.

Throughout the last couple of decades, the technology behind windows has advanced a fair amount. The windows on the market today provide a great deal of insulation for a home. Windows are designed to keep the cool air outside throughout the summer months while keeping the warm air inside in the colder months of the year.

Insulation In Your House

Not many put a lot of thought into how homes are insulated against the elements, and it's helpful to know because it'll give you a better idea of what to look for in windows. Insulating a home involves a number of factors:

● Design of your home
● The way your eaves are pointing
● The layout of the home
● The thickness of the walls
● How the windows are manufactured

When a home is finished being constructed, it's not as easy to change as something like your windows. Old windows tend to get drafty over time, and windows are something that are much easier to replace in comparison to changing up the entire design of your home. Replacing your windows is one of the best ways to increase the insulation and energy efficiency of a home.

Damage From UV Rays

The nice thing about the newer windows on the market is that they are manufactured with UV reducing qualities that will prevent the harmful rays from the sun from getting into your home and fading furniture and flooring. Low-E coatings on windows will prevent these harmful UV rays as well as heat loss by between 40 to 70%.

People that are thinking about installing new windows in their home don't really know where to start if they've never had to do it before. It's helpful to at least have a couple of pointers so that you don't end up in a frustrating rabbit hole of not knowing what to look for.

What Should I Consider When Thinking Of Getting New Windows?

● Efficiency
● Tempered or standard
● Energy certification and ratings
● Style
● Functionality
● Installation

Efficiency

With today's windows, you can decide on one, two, or three panes of glass. The more panes of glass you get, the more energy-efficient your window will be. You might also see window panes being referred to as glazing. Single-pane windows are cheaply priced, but provide terrible energy efficiency throughout the year. Many older homes come with only one pane, and a lot of people get them replaced because of that.

Double-pane windows are more common nowadays, and people notice a boost in energy efficiency when they get them installed. These types of windows will end up costing a little more than single-pane ones. With triple pane windows, you'll get up to 20% better energy efficiency. Some people just stick with double-pane windows, but if money isn't a factor, then triple-pane windows are the ones to go with, especially if you're living in an area in Northern Canada.

Tempered Glass

When you're looking into windows, you'll want to see what the building codes are around the tempered glass. If you're getting a window installed on a part of your home that's lower to the ground, there is a chance that it needs to be tempered. Tempered glass windows use a process that involves heat and chemicals to increase the strength of the window. If the window is ever smashed, it will shatter apart in round pebbles instead of glass splinters, which can be much more dangerous in comparison to pebbles. Tempered glass costs a little more, but it can potentially be a requirement for certain areas.

Insulated Frames

Window frames are another thing that can provide an increased measure of insulation. A lot of vinyl windows have a certain measure of insulation. For those that have windows that have a wooden frame, you might see small cracks in the frame. If you replace these frames, you'll get better insulation and less cold and drafty air getting into your home in the cold months of the year.

Low-E Coatings

Low-E stands for low emissivity and it is a rating factor for windows films. New windows have a layer of metallic film that you can't see, and this film will prevent the UV rays of the sun from getting inside your home and causing things to fade in color. Some people like to think of this film as somewhat of a sunscreen safety net for the interior of their homes. The more layers you have of this film on the windows, the more they will cost. Low-E windows typically have a certain tint to them, and the higher-end homes usually always have this feature in their windows.

Low-E coatings make a home feel comfortable and pleasant. Windows with Low-E are known to be the most efficient ones that you can purchase.

Air

When you're inspecting your windows, you should ask yourself a few questions:

● Do you see any cracks in the glass?
● Are the seams wide in the window frames?
● Are the seals cracking apart?

These are things that can reduce the energy efficiency of a window. A symptom of it is condensation inside of the window frames. If you notice that, you'll want to consider replacing the window.

If you’re considering window installation in Edmonton, Canglow Windows & Doors is one of the best and most professional window contractors in the region. If you think that you’re long overdue for a window replacement, get a window inspection done and see about getting them replaced.