3 Abilities of Windows to Consider When Replacing Your Old Ones
Making the decision to replace your old, worn-out windows with brand-new ones is a great idea if you want your house to look nicer and be more energy efficient, but do you know what to look for in the windows you choose for your new home? With so many options to choose from, this decision can be confusing. To help you with this decision, here are three different functions of windows that might be important to you. Knowing these things may help you select the right windows for your home.
Reduce Outdoor Noise
Windows are designed for a lot of different purposes, but not all windows are created equally. All the different types available offer different features and functions, and some windows are great to choose if one of your main goals is to reduce outdoor noise. If you live on a busy street or simply like your home staying quiet, this is something you could achieve by selecting the right type of windows.
One option you have for this is to choose double- or triple-pane windows. Double-pane windows contain two sheets of glass. There is a small gap between the two sheets of glass, and this gap contains gas. This gap is beneficial for a few things, including blocking noise. The gap filled with gas is great for stopping sounds from entering your home from outside, and it can also stop noise produced on the inside of your home from exiting your home.
If you really want to block out sound, triple-pane windows might be your best option. This type contains three layers of glass, with two layers of gaps full of gas in between.
You can compare windows by looking at their sound transmission class (STC) ratings. Higher numbers on windows represent a better ability to block out sound.
Block UV Rays and Heat
If one of your top goals when replacing your windows is to stop harmful UV rays from entering in your home or to stop heat from getting in, you should look for windows with good low-emissivity (low-E) ratings. Low-E is a coating that is placed on windows, and it is designed to help stop UV rays from coming in. UV rays are not only harmful for your skin but can also cause your furniture to fade.
Choosing windows with low-E coating will be a great choice if you want to protect yourself, your family, and your things. In addition, if you live in an area that is hot, this type of coating will help keep your house cooler without using as much air conditioning.
Stop Air from Passing Through
If energy efficiency is your number-one goal for your windows, you should choose windows based on their U-factor. U-factor is a rating that tells you how well a window is at stopping airflow from coming through. The ratings on most windows fall between 0.15 to 1.20, and lower U-factors are better than higher ones. A low U-factor means that very little air will pass through the windows.
This is vital if you want windows that will be energy efficient because windows with great U-factors will stop most heat from leaving a home in the winter. They will also stop heat from entering a home during the summer.
Windows serve many roles and functions in a home, but there are many options to choose from. If you would like to learn more about your options and other features available with windows, contact a company in your area that specializes in window replacement. They can give you the information you need as well as an estimate for getting your old windows replaced.
Visit sites like http://www.newmanroof.com to find a window-replacement company near you.