Windows: Far More Valuable Than You’d Think

With windows making up 15% of a home’s wall space, it’s not a matter of if you should install windows, but where. Windows are obviously the best sources of natural light, which not only brightens up a home and making those within it happier and healthier. But windows are not simply sources of light, and their benefits are not merely aesthetic or emotional. The right windows provide many other qualities that you wouldn’t think of until they were offered, and some of them could end up saving money.

Energy Efficient Windows: Cutting Down On Waste
An inefficient window may seem like a minor problem, but in fact it can end up costing homeowners a shocking amount of money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, inefficient and leaky windows, along with skylights and glazed doors, account for 25% of the average household’s energy bills. This is partially due to windows with inefficient u-factors. Before you install windows, check a window’s u-factor. Ranging from .02 to 1, these rate a window’s ability to prevent heat from escaping. Once you know that the u-factor is satisfactory, you can move forward with the window installation process.

Noise Cancelling Through Windows
Before deciding to install windows, you may wish to look into noise cancellation. Noise can be a major problem, especially in more crowded neighborhoods and suburbs. In some areas, a home’s value can even be decreased if noise is too loud. You’d be surprised at how much windows can change the noise factor – to the point of reducing the need for other noise-cancelling implements . Double-pane windows – and insulated windows – with ¼ to 1 inch of air between panes are excellent for cancelling noise. Your new windows also have the advantage of cancelling noise without being obvious, and looking good rather than simply being practical.

Reducing Solar Heat Through Awnings
Awnings are among the most surprisingly valuable window products available. Solar heat is a major issue when it comes to energy consumption. It can also contribute to the wear and tear a window can withstand. Generally speaking, windows that absorb more solar heat are less likely to last as long as they should. But with the right awnings, that can become much less of a problem. A window’s solar heat gain can be reduce by as much as 77% once awnings are installed.

The most important thing to remember when choosing new windows is all of their advantages, not just their aesthetic appeal. Their durability and added benefits ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy them much more, for much longer than you would have had you chosen the basic package. Windows shouldn’t be seen as simple cheery wannabe-skylights, but as valuable features of your home.