Know Your Options for Replacement Windows

If you have been considering replacing your home's windows to update its looks and save energy, you may have been struck by the price. The up front cost of replacing windows can be off-putting. Over time, though, the energy savings and the value added to your home could be well worth it.

Window Technology
Replacement windows St. Louis residents can opt for have improved dramatically in the past couple of decades. Those clad with aluminum or vinyl have eliminated the need for painting and all the sanding and scraping that involves. New glazing methods and coatings have resulted in what are called low-e or models that will reflect radiant energy from the sun and reduce heat loss. Double- and triple-pane windows help lock in the desired warmth or cool comfort of the indoors.

Research is continuing on new technologies to create windows that will allow zero-energy homes, or ones that will not consume any non-renewable energy from the utility grid. While that goal may be some time in coming, current low-e, high efficiency windows already are dramatically cutting residential power demands during peak hours.

There is a lot to be said about the savings in energy bills that can result from taking advantage of the technologies available today. Currently, less than half of windows sold are low-e models. If all of them were low-e, it would cut more than 40 percent from the nation's energy bill that is attributable to residential windows.

Signs New Windows are Needed
Waiting for the latest in technology is not an option for many homeowners who need to replace faulty or damaged windows. Others who think they can live with the windows they have may want to consider some signs that it may be time to bite the bullet and get window replacements.

Windows with single panes definitely are past their prime and probably are adding significantly to your energy bill. Today's multi-pane models will keep your home more comfortable and eliminate those areas that are either always too cold and drafty or too hot.

New window models also can make your windows easier to use and maintain. In addition to those that need no painting, new windows can allow for easy opening and closing for ventilation as well as for cleaning.

Rot is a sure sign new windows are needed, unless you want to commit to completely replacing the rotted wood. Other signs could be sagging casements in crank-out windows and fogging between the glass of double-pane windows. If you want more details, then visit this related website.

Replacement Options
Options for replacement windows St. Louis homeowners can choose from will depend on the type of window and your budget. The fastest and cheapest method most often selected is to remove the window sashes and simply slide the new window into the old frame.

Many times, the simplest solution just is not possible. The replacement of slider and casement windows, for example, typically will require tearing out the old window and its frame as well as the interior and exterior trim. This takes longer, but will leave you with a weather-tight and low maintenance window. The process also allows you to change the size of the window.