Read This If You’re Planning a Spring Window Replacement

Spring is the perfect time to get your home improvement projects done. On the top of your list should be replacing your old or damaged windows with better, more energy-efficient custom windows. This is because old windows can significantly affect your home’s visual appeal and make it look poorly maintained. This will affect its marketability and won’t attract many potential buyers if you plan on selling your house soon.

Spring Window Replacement

Upgrade to Better Windows

Even if your windows still look mostly intact, you wouldn’t know if you have drafts or any other problems unless you have them inspected by a professional. If your windows already look foggy, then you can be sure that they’ve lost their effectiveness in keeping your home energy efficient. They won’t be able to retain the indoor temperatures while keeping the outdoor heat out. Your HVAC system will also be forced to consume more energy to keep your home within comfortable levels. When this happens, you’ll end up with higher monthly energy bills.

If you don’t want your home to lose its visual appeal and energy efficiency, you’ll want to consider getting a full window replacement. Modern windows are now more efficient than ever, as they’re created with quality materials to improve your home’s comfort. And if you’re looking to get custom windows, our team from Renewal by Andersen® of Knoxville has got you covered.

As you browse through different window types, you’ll find that each is made for specific purposes in a home. It can also be a daunting task to figure out which ones you need for your home, especially with all the styles and options available. Of course, you shouldn’t just choose any window for your replacement, so if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, take a step back and keep these considerations in mind.

Window Frame 

Whether you’re planning to get custom-made or standard-sized bay windows, you’d want them in a material that best suits your needs and preferences. Out of all the materials available, some of the most popular include wood, vinyl and fiberglass. Wood can be a good choice if you’re looking for beauty and energy efficiency, but then you should keep in mind that wood can be one of the most expensive materials available. Wood windows also tend to be high maintenance as you’ll have to reapply a treatment every few years to preserve its beauty.

Vinyl windows are more affordable compared to wood and they’re also highly energy efficient. But then you have to consider how vinyl fares against extreme temperatures; the material can warp and become brittle, which can easily affect your home’s energy efficiency. Fiberglass, on the other hand, does better in extreme weather conditions and is even available in thinner frames. This means more glass space so you get a bigger view of your natural surroundings, but they’re more expensive than vinyl and they can’t be painted.

If you want your sliding windows to last for years while withstanding different weather conditions, you’ll want to choose a framing material that can take on the natural elements with ease. Looking at the available materials out there, you won’t go wrong with composite materials such as Fibrex®. This is an exclusive Renewal by Andersen® composite material that combines the strength and durability of wood and the low-maintenance properties of vinyl. Our material allows us to use narrower frames so that you get more glass area and therefore a bigger view of the outdoors. With our Fibrex windows, you get the stability, reliability and longevity that many Oak Ridge, TN, homeowners love.

Window Glass

The type of glass you choose for your window will determine its energy efficiency, maintenance levels and the amount of sunlight it allows. Single-pane windows may seem like a good choice at first, but don’t be fooled by their affordability. They’re hardly energy efficient and are ineffective in keeping the indoor temperatures within comfortable levels. They also let most of the sunlight in your home without blocking the ultraviolet rays, which can damage your furniture, fabrics, photos and other indoor fixtures and decorations.

Multipaned glass is your best choice in ensuring your home’s comfort. Also known as insulated glass units (IGUs), these are made by sealing inert gas between glass panes, acting as a layer of insulation to keep out the outdoor noise pollution as well as retain indoor room temperatures. They’re also safer and more secure than their single-pane counterparts, as it takes a longer time to break an IGU. And with our High-Performance™ Low E4® glass, the amount of UV rays and sunlight entering your home is reduced, which means the glass keeps your furniture, fabrics, photos and carpets from fading. So, whether you’re looking for custom-made or standard sliding windows, we’ve got you covered.

The glass you choose for your windows will also make a big difference in your home’s overall energy efficiency. All our windows are ENERGY STAR®-rated, so you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. But it also helps to know some of the other features so that you can make a more informed decision about what works best for your home. These features include the following:

  • U-Factor – This rating measures how well the window keeps heat from escaping from the inside of a room. The lower the rating, the better the window is at keeping heat in.
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – Also known as SHGC, this indicates how well the window can resist unwanted heat gain, which is a vital trait in all modern windows. Choose windows with lower SHGC ratings.
  • Visible Transmittance – This tells how well the window effectively lights your home. Choose the highest possible rating between 0 and 1 for this rating.
  • Air Leakage – This shows you how much air can pass through the window and into the room when closed. You’ll want to look at a lower air leakage rating so that you’ll get a weathertight window.

Installation Process

Even top-quality windows won’t be effective in improving your home’s efficiency and comfort if they’re not installed properly. Faulty installations won’t always be immediately detected, but they can cost you more in the long run. Window installation is more than a step-by-step process; you’ll need to work with a contractor who has the knowledge and experience to get the job done professionally. 

When you choose to work with Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville, our start-to-finish installation process makes your replacement project smooth and easy. So, if you’re looking for a reputable contractor for custom bay windows, we’ll get the job done with speed and efficiency. Call us at (866) 609-5033 or you can visit our website to schedule a FREE in-home consultation. We serve customers in Tennessee, including Oak Ridge and the surrounding areas.

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