Options For Upgrading Your Home's Windows For Better Efficiency
Windows are an important and essential detail on your home, as they provide interior light and add to the home's attractive appearance, especially if it is a historical home. So when it is time to update your home's windows to improve their efficiency and your comfort for winter and summer, you want to make the right decision to help you home in all areas. Here are a few options for you to consider and choose from to update the efficiency of your home's windows.
Replace Your Windows With New
One of the best options to improve your window's performance and improve its appearance is to buy all new windows for your home. There are several window frame material options to choose from, such as vinyl, aluminum, and wood, and many types of energy efficient glass, including a layer of inert gas sandwiched between two panes of glass.
You can also have your new window glass coated with a low emissivity (low-E) film. This film layer keeps heat from transferring through your window glass in summer and winter, and to keep the sun's harmful rays from entering your home windows.
Install Window Inserts
When your home is an older or historical home, you cannot always remove all its window and replace them with updated and modern windows. Especially when the old windows contain the original wavy glass common to its period and its frames have historical significance.
In this situation, you can leave your old windows intact and install window inserts inside the window. Interior window inserts give your home the energy efficiency of low-e glass because they are form-fitted to the interior of your home's window frames. This is especially helpful when your older-style home has shifted and the window frame is no longer perfectly square.
Update With Storm Windows
Storm windows are a window that is added onto the outside of your existing home windows. This option is great when you don't want to remove your home's existing windows due to budget constraints and just want to update your existing windows to boost their energy efficiency. Because storm windows add an extra layer of glass to your home's window openings, they provide additional insulation to the window, similar in concept to double pane glass.
Storm windows are also a great option when you want to add an extra layer of protection to your home during the winter months. This option is much more attractive than adding a layer of foam insulation to your window, for example, which can provide similar results but without the ability to open your window when they are installed. Click here for more info on choosing windows for your home.