How to Select Replacement Windows

When you’re choosing replacement windows in San Jose, CA, there will be many things to consider that will determine what your final window replacement choices will be for your home.

While energy efficiency is a primary consideration when choosing replacement windows, there are other factors that will determine which replacement windows will be optimal for your home. Choosing energy efficient replacement windows can lower your energy bills by up to 15%. But beyond that, replacement windows can make your home quieter, less drafty, and look updated. Additionally, if you choose non-wood replacement windows, there is very little maintenance that’s required for replacement windows.

The first thing you’ll need to consider when choosing replacement windows is what type of window you want. If you choose vinyl or fiberglass windows, you will have windows the last for many years that are maintenance free. They come in many different colors, and can even be laminated with a faux wood finish.

Wood windows can be customized with designs and with any kind of paint color that you can imagine. Wood windows require more maintenance, since they will need to be painted every few years. Wood windows are also more susceptible to structural changes from moisture, so if you live in an area where humidity is higher or you’re looking for windows for bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements, then you’ll want to choose something other than wood as your window type.

Another thing that you’ll need to consider when you’re selecting replacement Windows is the style of the window. Some styles, such as slider windows, open horizontally. Other styles, such as double hung windows, open vertically. Casement and awning windows open out from the window frame using a crank, while picture and bay windows don’t open it all.

The style of replacement windows you choose for your home may vary from room to room. For example, you may have a picture window in a living room or dining room because you want the window to be a focal point of the room or you want to showcase a beautiful view outdoors. You might have casement or awning windows in your kitchen or in bathrooms. You might have double hung windows in bedrooms and home offices. It is certainly okay to mix-and-match window styles throughout your house to suit the functionality of each room.

The options you choose to add to the windows to optimize their energy efficiency are plentiful.

You may choose double or triple pane glass to maximize the insulating effect of your replacement windows. Double and triple pane glass replacement windows are constructed of two or three separate panes of glass that have an inert gas, such as argon or krypton, between the layers.

You may choose to add low emissivity coating, which is a film that is applied to the glass, to your replacement windows to reduce the amount of heat transfer that takes place in and out of the window. This means heat stays in during the winter and heat stays out during the summer, improving the comfort of your home and lowering power bills.

A final thing that you definitely have to make sure of when choosing replacement windows is that the style, type, and energy efficiency options that are added match the climate where you live. For example, unless you live in a really cold climate, you won’t need triple pane windows, because double pane windows will offer you excellent insulation.

To learn more about replacement windows in San Jose, CA, you can talk with our expert team at California Custom Creations. You can call us at (408) 316-6293 to make an appointment for a free in-home consultation.