How to Choose Residential Windows

Windows are a sizable investment and contribute to the long-term value of a home. They also protect a home from the elements and improve its energy efficiency.

Choosing the right window installation company is important. They should offer a wide range of window styles and provide reliable support after the installation is complete.

Energy efficiency

The windows of a home are more than just pretty frames. They play a crucial role in the overall energy efficiency of your home and your comfort throughout the year. New windows with advanced insulation, triple weather strip barriers and foam-filled frames help keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Choose a double-pane argon-filled wood/aluminum clad window to prevent heat loss in the winter and absorb and reflect radiant sunlight to lower your cooling bills. To minimize the impact of harsh UV rays on your carpet, flooring and furniture in Birmingham, opt for spectrally selective low-E coated glass.

Upgrading to energy-efficient solutions can qualify you for financial benefits from federal and state initiatives. Contact our team to learn more about these incentives, which can offset the cost of your new windows. When you prioritize energy efficiency, you will see a noticeable reduction in your monthly utility expenses over time. This translates into significant savings on your heating and cooling costs.

Durability

When you invest in new windows, you want to ensure that they’ll last. Look for windows with durable frames made from materials such as fiberglass and aluminum clad wood, composite, or vinyl. These options can withstand the weather in Alabama and offer superior strength and resistance to rotting, warping, and other damage.

High-quality replacement windows also provide energy efficiency. They help keep heat inside during winter and cool air in during summer, reducing your energy costs. Look for ENERGY STAR certification and double- or triple-pane glass with low-emissivity coatings, warm edge spacers, and argon gas insulation.

Proper installation is essential for ensuring the longevity and performance of your replacement windows. Look for a window installation company that uses best practices and offers lengthy warranties on products, labor, and parts. This will help you save money in the long run and protect your investment. Also, consider choosing a company that offers a variety of glazing options and window styles to match your home’s architectural style and your budget.

Aesthetics

Your windows should enhance the ambiance of your home and blend with its architecture. There are many window styles available, but you must find the one that fits your home’s aesthetic. The windows you choose should complement your home’s architectural style and be durable enough to stand up to Birmingham’s weather.

Aesthetics also include the color, finish and shape of the windows. You can select a color that suits your home, and the frame can be made of wood, vinyl or aluminum-clad. You can also customize your window with different hardware, trim and finishes.

You can choose a wide range of window types, from picture windows that maximize your view to bay and bow windows that add depth to rooms. Other popular choices include casement windows, which open by pushing the bottom of the window sash up and out and are easy to operate by anyone, and awning windows, which open by swinging outward from the top.

Security

Window security bars, also known as burglar bars or window grilles, are a cost effective, practical and highly effective crime prevention measure. Police forces and security professionals strongly recommend that homeowners consider enhancing the window and door security of their property.

Aside from preventing unauthorized entry into the home, these devices keep valuables like drapes, wood floors and favorite photographs from discoloring or fading. In Central Alabama, a basic double-pane argon-filled window can block up to 75 percent of the sun’s heat, which significantly reduces summer energy costs.

Modern replacement windows are manufactured with high-quality materials and reinforced composite frames that resist forced entry attempts, weather events, and temperature fluctuations. They are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes to accommodate many different homes and can be combined with other security measures to ensure the safety and security of the residence. Companies that offer lengthy product and installation warranties earn higher marks with EcoWatch.