How to Choose the Right Window

NRFC labels help you evaluate the energy performance of new windows and allow you to comparison shop for the most efficient options. Use them when you make your choice of windows. But whether you are replacing windows or installing them in a newly constructed home or building, there are considerations other than just efficiency to keep in mind.

Different combinations of frame style, frame material, and glazing will yield very different results when comparing energy efficiency and cost. A fixed-pane window is the most airtight and the least expensive, for example -- it would be the best choice if you wanted to add sunlight to a room without increasing ventilation. If you're seeking efficiency, a double- pane, low-e window would be just as efficient as a triple-pane untreated window, but it would cost and weigh less. Consider the benefits carefully.

No one window is suitable for every application. Many windows are available that serve different purposes, and you may discover that you need different types, depending on the directions that your windows face and your local climate. To make wise purchases, first examine your heating and cooling needs and weigh the following considerations.

New Construction vs. Replacement (Retrofit) Windows

You will often hear contractors and manufacturers use the terms New Construction or Replacement (Retrofit) when discussing residential windows. While neither window must be used exclusively for the project after which they're named, each has specific advantages designed for these different installation methods.

New Construction Windows

New construction windows typically have a nail fin. When homes are built, the framing is likely constructed of wood studs. The nail fin rests against the outside of the stud, and nails or screws are driven through the holes in the fin. All other exterior materials are then applied and butted up to the frame of the window or trim.

New construction windows also can be used in a replacement project. The exterior materials, such as window trim (if it exists), siding, stucco or flashing, are removed, exposing the wood studs. The new window is then installed as it would have been when the home was originally built. Exposing the original studs also allows your contractor to see potential damage (typically rot) or home settling that may have occurred. The damage can be repaired, and the new window installed with proper insulation to minimize air infiltration between the new window and the studs. As you can imagine, this method can be more time consuming and will cost more than other replacement (retrofit) methods.

Replacement (Retrofit) Windows

Replacement windows have been developed as a labor and cost-cutting alternative. There are two main types of replacement windows:

• "Flush fin" (also called Z-bar) replacement windows are typically used in California and other markets with aluminum windows in stucco home exteriors. This method leaves the original aluminum window frame intact and provides very little opportunity for the stucco siding to be damaged.
• "Block frame," or insert replacement windows, are typically found in markets where wood windows are in place, and the exterior is siding or brick. In most parts of the country, the block frame window is simply a new construction window frame with the nail fin removed. Your contractor will want to ensure that there's been no damage to the studs and there is proper insulation and flashing before using this type of window.

Think About the Window's Appearance

• Choose the right size and shape
• Pick a window style that matches your home's design
• French doors or sliding glass doors?
• Do you want grid lines for appearance in you windows?
• Match the materials used in the frame
• Consider the color and clarity of the glass
  

Consider the Functions You Want this Window to Perform 

In the location it will be installed, what should this window do:

• Light the room with daylight?
• Control glare?
• Meet and exceed the forced entry code requirements?
• Is laminated safety glass important to you?
• Reduce fading of furniture, flooring and window coverings?
• Insulate and aid in maximum thermal comfort?
• Would you like to greatly reduce your annual energy cost?
• Prevent condensation?
• Improve ventilation?
• Dampen sound?
• Is curb appeal important to you?
• Is self cleaning "Sun Clean" glass important to you?
• Is a lifetime glass breakage warranty important to you?
• Is a lifetime warranty important to you? 

Think About the Costs of a Window in this Particular Location

Consider more than just the initial price of a window. These factors are also important:

• What's if the glass accidentally gets broken?
• What's the cost of maintenance, over time?
• What sort of warranty does it have?
• How long will this window last before you need to replace it?
• Will you need to buy any extra interior and exterior window treatments, like shutters, shades & blinds?
• How will this window affect your heating and cooling costs over time?
• How will this window impact the resale value of your house?
• Various information courtesy of the Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR www.eneravstar.gov, and the California Energy Commission www.consumerenemvcenter.org

We know that planning a new home or renovation can feel overwhelming at times. Windows come in a huge variety of types, with many options for style and energy efficiency. We can help you narrow down your choices to what you really need and take the stress out. Below is a checklist of 15 things to think about when shopping for windows.

Checklist

Material Type. The most common materials used for windows are vinyl, wood, clad-wood and aluminum. For wood, nearly 90 percent of the market is pine, which can be stained to look like many species. Other species available from The Window Fashion Pros include fir, alder and mahogany. To choose the material that will work best, homeowners should consider the architectural style of their home along with energy efficiency, budget and maintenance requirements. In general, Custom Wood Windows offer the most design flexibility. Primed wood can be painted in any shade and cladding comes in many color choices. However, increasingly versatile vinyl can appear quite similar to many popular wood moulding styles and can blend with classic architectural styles.

Energy Efficiency. A combination of factors contribute to the energy efficiency of windows. Wood and vinyl reduce heat transfer and help insulate. Look for Solarban 60 & 70XL Low E glass, a special glass coating designed to reflect infared light, keeping heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. Solarban 60 &70XL Low-E also reflects ultraviolet light to protect interior furnishings. Dual glass panes insulate much better than single panes. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label, which means the window will meet the efficiency requirements for your particular region.

Type. Casement, awning, single-hung, double-hung and sliding windows are available in many shapes and sizes, including radius and geometric, and combination units. When choosing the type of a window, first consider practical factors such as how it opens, then consider aesthetic options such as how it will affect the curb appeal of your home. Picking the right opening method may depend on whether there are obstacles, such as furniture or plants, on either side.

Budget. In general, wood is more expensive than vinyl or aluminum, and may require more maintenance. The Window Fashion Pros also offers different pricing scales within its window lines – from Custom and Economy, to more modest, Standard options. When it comes to budget, consider the long term value beyond the initial purchase price. Energy efficiency and a longer warranty can all help save maintenance and replacement costs over time. Resale value is also a key consideration – beautiful, more efficient windows are a big selling feature. You can also defray some of your initial costs if you qualify for a tax credit.

Maintenance . In the past, wood has required more maintenance than vinyl or aluminum. In fact, vinyl is virtually maintenance free. However, for homeowners that want real wood with less maintenance, The Window Fashion Pros has spearheaded a number of innovations. Windows in Wood Clad feature Cladding which is an aluminum “cap” that covers the exterior of some wood window and comes in an array of different colors. It never needs painting, and the interior side can remain un-clad to display the natural beauty of wood. We estimate that nearly 90 percent of our wood windows are sold with cladding.

Sun Clean Glass. For the glass, our Wood and Vinyl Windows come with optional Sun Clean glass that has a layer of titanium dioxide and reacts with the sun’s UV rays (even on cloudy days) to break down and loosen dirt. This allows rainwater to easily rinse away grime. A thin layer of silicon dioxide lets water disperse evenly and evaporate quickly, which greatly reduces spots. You virtually will not need to wash your windows in most environments.

Replacement Solutions. If you are replacing your old wood and aluminum windows, then vinyl is the most popular choice today. The easy-to-install pocket replacement window made popular in vinyl is now available in reliable Synergy Pro and Synergy Pro Plus. The Worry-Free Wood. Our wood and clad-wood double-hung pocket windows are designed for installation into existing window frames. The process is simple, quick, and preserves more of the home’s structure, which is especially important to historic buildings. Experienced DIYers who replace existing windows with pocket windows or sash replacement kits can save as much as 60 percent on material, time and labor costs when compared to traditional window replacements.

Climate and Geographic Requirements. Wet, humid, hot, severe storms, salty air – different climates have different needs when it comes to the material and glass choices for windows. Other factors to consider include privacy, sound control, home safety and issues such as moisture or termites. In particular, residents in coastal zones that experience hurricanes may need to meet strict, local building standards. We offer a variety of options to meet any standard in the country.

Optional Features. Add style and functionality to your windows with a variety of optional features, especially for our Custom Windows. For example, for screens, The Window Fashion Pros offers invisible screens that allow the screen to roll up and out of sight when not in use. Hardware finishes are important to consider for any windows and The Window Fashion Pros has a wide variety to choose from. Vinyl window options included on The Synergy Pro Series offers a clean contemporary window design with a variety of grid options and configurations. optional features of the Synergy Pro window include Solarban® 70XL Glass, Argon Gas, Insulated Frames, Equal Sight Lines, SunClean Glass, 3 1/4" frames, Edgetech Super Spacer’s Warm Edge Technology, Set Back Glass and Lifetime Glass Breakage Warranty.

Reliability. Warranties are important: proper installation and following the manufacturer’s specific maintenance requirements are a must to maintain warranties and keep windows looking and performing beautifully for years to come. The Window Fashion Pros offers an industry leading lifetime warranty on energy efficient, low maintenance vinyl windows.

Accessibility & Safety. We offer a variety of window types, handles, cranks and locks that are ADA compliant or recommended for home owners with limited mobility. If you have small children, then you may want consider the distance between the bottom of the window and the floor, especially on upper stories, If you are a Do-It-Yourselfer, then be sure to research local building codes, which may have additional requirements, before planning your project.

Privacy. The Window Fashion Pros offers a variety of textured, tinted, self cleaning and Low E glass options for windows that provides privacy while still allowing natural light to enter. They also help reduce fading of interior furnishings and increase energy efficiency.

Noise reduction. The Window Fashion Pros offers a QUIET LINE of windows where sound transmission is reduced. Compared to a single pane of glass that has a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of around 27, an insulated laminated glass unit can achieve an STC rating of up to 35, which has the ability to block even loud construction noises. Even without laminated glass, there are other options for reducing sound transmission with insulated replacement windows.

Security. Consider glass strength and the locking mechanism. Most of The Window Fashion Pros windows meet forced entry test requirements. Other technologies such as Low-E glass use thicker double strength glass, which is twice as resistant to breakage compared to single strength glass. Our vinyl windows with our Positive Action locking mechanism with a tamper-resistant design that is easy to operate with one hand, locks automatically when shut, and can’t be seen from the outside, which offers additional protection. The Window Fashion Pros offers high line laminated glass protection, made for extreme weather conditions, also provides added security.

Termites. Termites can be found in nearly every state in the nation, causing billions of dollars worth of damage to buildings and homes. Choose a material specifically designed to prevent insect damage, such as The Window Fashion Pros Synergy Pro or Synergy Pro Plus vinyl or aluminum windows.

Green Building. In addition to energy efficient windows, The Window Fashion Pros offers windows made from sustainable materials, such as Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certified wood. Green building also encourages home builders and owners to take advantage of natural process for heating and cooling. When planning your windows, consider which direction they face to maximize use of sunlight and shade.

You can reduce your reliance on air conditioning by taking advantage of natural air currents. Hot air rises, and cool air sinks. If you have double-hung windows, open the top sashes on the sunny or warmest side of the room, and the bottom sashes on the cooler side: this will create a cross-breeze. The same principal may be applied to different floors in your house. Open the top floor windows on the hottest side of the house, and the bottom floor windows on the coolest side. Ceiling or window fans can also help, and still use less energy than air conditioning.

Components of an Energy-Efficient Window

What's an energy-efficient window? Most will have at a minimum:

• Double-pane insulated glass
• Heat-resistant (Low E) glass coating
• Airtight frames
• ENERGY STAR® rating

Three Dimensions of Energy Efficient Window Design — An energy-efficient window is a synergy of its components. At the Window Fashion Pros, we call this the "three dimensions of energy efficient window design." Here's what you should look for in each of the three dimensions: glass, spacer and frame.

How to Determine if it is Time to Replace your Windows

Here are some guidelines for evaluating the current condition for your windows and assessing if replacement is needed. If a window simply shows signs of wear and tear or exposure such as cracked paint but operates normally, then it’s likely time to refinish it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, if a window shows clear signs of the following, then replacement is needed.

Fog or moisture between the glass. If the seal between glass panes is broken, cold air and water can leak into the window. Moisture or fog in between the panes is a good indicator that the seal is broken.

Moisture or condensation. Windows that let in moisture can lead to more severe problems such as mold growth. Look out for condensation on the window or standing pools of water on the windowsill.

Wood decay. Windows without protected wood can decay and rot if they are exposed to the harsh elements or if a home has termites. Signs that wood may be decaying include soft wood that breaks away easily in irregular pieces or wood that has moisture in it.

Problems opening or closing. In older homes, wood windows may have been painted over numerous times or may have become severely warped due to age and weather conditions. Windows that don’t open and close easily or properly is more than just annoying; it’s a safety issue and a sign that it’s time for a replacement.

Drafts. There are many tests to determine if a window is drafty, such as placing a lighted candle next to the window to see if the flame moves. If it does, you have a draft and your energy bills are paying the price.

Excess noise. Typically, older, single pane windows don’t block as much noise as new double pane windows. If you can hear your neighbors chatting across the street as they are getting their mail, it is probably time to upgrade your windows.