Selecting the best windows for your home can be a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. Windows should look tasteful as they are one of the most prominently visible external features of a home. They should also be functional to meet the needs of the home’s residents.
Here is a simple guide for choosing the right windows for your home.
Window styles
If you’re interested in replacing the existing windows in your home with new windows that are of a different style, you should look into styles that would suit the look of your home and are also easy to clean.
Double hung windows
Most homes have double hung windows which provide great ventilation and are also easy to clean thanks to their tilting designs.
Awning windows
Awning windows are popular for bathrooms and basements due to their design which allows for good ventilation and also prevents weather elements such as rain from entering the home. Horizontal awning window designs feature hinges at the top that allow the bottom of the window to swing outward.
Awning windows also prevent heat from escaping homes due to their design which creates a firm seal when the window is in the closed position.
Sliding windows
Sliding windows can be a great option for homeowners who are interested in getting large vertical windows for their homes. Sliding windows require less maintenance than other window types due to their simple design, and tend to last longer because they don’t rely on springs or pulleys to open and close.
Window glass
Selecting the right glass for your windows is important to prevent heat loss, especially in Minnesota where the winters can be quite harsh.
Double paned glass
Windows that provide better insulation usually feature multiple panes of glass. Double paned windows are the most popular type of windows due to their insulative properties that prevent heat loss far better than single pane windows.
Double paned windows feature a layer of gas that is sandwiched between the two panes of glass to reduce heat loss. This gas is usually a noble gas such as Argon or Krypton. Both these gases are denser than air and slow down the rate at which heat escapes through the window glass.
Most double paned windows feature a layer of Argon gas; however, Krypton is believed to provide windows with better insulation than Argon.
Low e-glass
Some window glass features a thin coating of a chemical that limits the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that passes through the window. This coating can prevent some of the heat from sunlight entering your home in the summer, and also stop heat from escaping your home in the winter time.
Low e-glass is a great option for homeowners that would like to keep their home cool during the summer and warm during winter.
Once you’ve selected the best windows for your home, consider having them installed by professionals such as Northland Home Exteriors. Well-fitted windows can provide superior insulation compared to poorly fitted windows, so it is important to use the services of experienced window installers.
