Home window buying guide
Getting started
Finding energy-efficient windows has become easier, as
insulating features such as heat-reflecting low-E coatings and argon gas
between panes have become more standard. You'll also find new options
and extras, including fiberglass window frames. Use this buying guide to
make your selection.
"Stop throwing money out your old windows," some commercials say. With heating costs on the rise, many homeowners may wonder whether it's time to replace aging, drafty windows with efficient, tight-fitting ones.
In addition to reducing your energy bill, new windows can make your home more comfortable, quiet, and attractive. But don't expect to recoup your investment right away. If you now have old-fashioned single-glazed windows, replacement windows might save you from10 percent to 25 percent a year for heating and cooling. But new windows cost from $7,000 to $20,000 for an average house, and custom sizes can add another 15 percent. So it might take 20 years or more before you break even. That's why you might want to wait until your old windows have deteriorated, when you're remodeling, or when you want windows that are easier to wash and maintain.
Replacement windows have become more energy efficient since insulating features such as multiple glazing, Low-E coatings, and inert-gas insulation have proliferated in many manufacturers' lines. We tested replacement windows for air and water leakage, durability, and convenience. Here's what we found.
"Stop throwing money out your old windows," some commercials say. With heating costs on the rise, many homeowners may wonder whether it's time to replace aging, drafty windows with efficient, tight-fitting ones.
In addition to reducing your energy bill, new windows can make your home more comfortable, quiet, and attractive. But don't expect to recoup your investment right away. If you now have old-fashioned single-glazed windows, replacement windows might save you from10 percent to 25 percent a year for heating and cooling. But new windows cost from $7,000 to $20,000 for an average house, and custom sizes can add another 15 percent. So it might take 20 years or more before you break even. That's why you might want to wait until your old windows have deteriorated, when you're remodeling, or when you want windows that are easier to wash and maintain.
Replacement windows have become more energy efficient since insulating features such as multiple glazing, Low-E coatings, and inert-gas insulation have proliferated in many manufacturers' lines. We tested replacement windows for air and water leakage, durability, and convenience. Here's what we found.
Efficiency ratings
Manufacturers mark their replacement windows with a
U-factor, a measure of a window's ability to conduct heat. The U-factor
is the reverse of the R-value, which is a measure of insulating ability.
The lower the U-factor or the higher the R-value, the better a window
can keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. The R-value may be
better known to the general public, but manufacturers avoid listing it
because it might seem less impressive. The R-value of the very best
windows is about 2 or 3, equivalent to that of an uninsulated wall. The
solar heat gain coefficient is shown as a fraction and indicates how
much of the sunlight that hits a window makes it inside as heat. For
cold climates, look for the highest SHGC number you can find; in warm
climates, 0.40 or less; temperate areas, 0.55 or less. Visible
transmittance measures how much visible light a window lets in. The
higher the VT, the better.
Finding an installer
Even the best windows won't deliver the look, comfort, or
savings you expect if they're installed poorly. Many major window
manufacturers, including Andersen, Marvin, and Pella, train and certify
installers for their specific products. Using the same contractor for
purchase and installation can minimize the chances of problems arising
later. Readers who used an installer recommended by the window
manufacturer were more satisfied overall than those who used contractors
employed or recommended by Home Depot or Lowe's, according to our Home
Improvements Survey. Also look for certification from the American
Window & Door Institute (www.awdi.com).
Before work begins, read the installation instructions for the windows you've chosen online, and check that the installer plans to follow those instructions, right down to details such as type, amount, and placement of flashing and insulation. Deviating from the manufacturer's recommendations could void the warranty. If you plan to paint the windows, have the installer use acrylic-latex caulk, which can be painted, not silicone.
Before work begins, read the installation instructions for the windows you've chosen online, and check that the installer plans to follow those instructions, right down to details such as type, amount, and placement of flashing and insulation. Deviating from the manufacturer's recommendations could void the warranty. If you plan to paint the windows, have the installer use acrylic-latex caulk, which can be painted, not silicone.
If you have children
Because open windows can be a hazard to small children,
the standard-setting organization ASTM has developed a nationwide
standard that would prevent a child from opening a window beyond four
inches while allowing an adult to open it fully in case of a fire or
other emergency. At least one manufacturer offers child-safety latch
options for double-hung and casement windows. Overriding the device
requires carrying out a two-step process that would be challenging for a
small child.