American Architectural Windows and Doors
Formerly New Jersey Window Erectors, Inc.
By Heather Kamasa
By replacing your windows, you can update the look of your building; improve the amount of light and air flow; increase your building’s energy efficiency, and provide easier window operation, cleaning and maintenance. If you are still uncertain about replacing your windows, here are some indications as to whether your current windows are past their useful life:
On a windy day, hold a lit candle near the window's edge. If the flame flickers or goes out, your weather stripping could be damaged or past it’s life span.
In the winter, have you noticed an ice buildup or a frosty glaze on the interior of the window panes? If so, you may have inadequate ventilation in your building, or your windows may not be providing enough insulation, and lots of heat will be lost. (If so, your windows are costing you money!)
Do you feel cold air coming in during the winter or warm air during the summer? If you do, your windows are not providing enough insulation. As a result, you will be paying more money to heat and cool your building.
If your windows get fogged with condensation, they may have a seal failure. The glazing or the entire window may need replacing.
If you need to prop your window open with a book or a stick, the window may have lost its functionality.
If you have noticed any of these signs, it is time to replace your windows. In some cases, you may be able to delay the inevitable by replacing broken panes and tending to loose or missing weather stripping. But if your windows are old and don't fit properly, you should seriously consider new windows. Keep in mind especially in older buildings, faulty windows can account for 1/3 of the total heat loss in winter and as much as 3/4 of heat gain in summer.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but your windows are costing you money!
Once the decision to replace your windows has been made, how do you decide on what type of windows to purchase? Here are several types of windows you can choose from:
Wood Windows
Many owners choose wood for its visual appeal and its good insulation value. Wood windows perform well in extreme temperatures, and condensation is not usually a factor. Wood is versatile. It can be painted, stained or finished in a variety of ways, although the exterior also requires periodic painting or staining. If not properly protected from moisture, wood frames can warp, stick, crack and rot. Wood windows are generally more expensive than other types of replacement windows, and they will degrade over time. Wood windows are also susceptible to shrinking and swelling, which could affect their performance.
Aluminum Windows
Aluminum windows made their place in the window market as a low-cost alternative to wood and vinyl windows. Most owners gloss over the other built-in advantages of aluminum windows; they resist splitting, shrinking, cracking, swelling, and rust. Aluminum windows are also three times stronger than vinyl windows and over forty times stronger than wood windows. While this strength protects windows from high winds and other inclement weather, it also increases the window space allowing for greater design versatility.
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl is the most popular type of replacement window and it is an excellent alternative to wood windows. Like wood windows, vinyl offers a good insulation value and does not require any maintenance (i.e. no painting or staining). Vinyl windows provide you with the greatest variety of sizes and styles to choose from. They can be easily customized for your unique needs and preferences. Vinyl windows are also available in a wide range of prices to suit virtually any budget. However, the down fall with vinyl windows is extreme weather changes. Vinyl is plastic and when plastic is subjected to extreme heat changes, swelling and shrinking may occur. Over time, the vinyl windows may rack or bow resulting in a window that does not operate properly.
Clad Windows Are the Best of Both Worlds
Combination windows (or "clad" windows) are a best-of-both-worlds solution, with wood on the interior and vinyl or aluminum on the exterior. You get the look and versatility of wood indoors with a low-maintenance exterior.
Aluminum frames are three times stronger than vinyl and forty-three times stronger than wood, and unlike vinyl, they can be painted - although it won't look as good as a paint job on wood. Aluminum windows also resist deterioration and won't shrink, swell, split, or crack.
Fiberglass Offers Strength and Excellent Insulation
Fiberglass windows are still fairly new, and are not as widely available as the other types of windows. And when you do find them, there will be fewer options available for sizes and styles. Fiberglass combines the higher strength and stability of aluminum with even better insulating properties than wood and vinyl. They won't warp, shrink, swell, rot or corrode, and their excellent strength allows them to hold large panes of glass. Fiberglass window frames can be made in a variety of colors, and can be painted if you want to change the color, which is not an option with vinyl windows. Fiberglass windows are extremely durable, and combine many of the best qualities of other types of windows; however, you will pay more for fiberglass - up to double the cost of vinyl.
When purchasing windows, you should consider factors other then the up-front purchase price. Windows with higher energy efficiency ratings may initially cost more, but will save you money on your heating and cooling costs for years to come. Remember also that windows with a no-maintenance exterior won’t incur costs for painting, both now and in the future. Less expensive windows may need to be replaced sooner than more durable windows.
Let the window professionals at American Architectural Windows and Doors help you determine what product and installation method works best for your building. You may contact us at our website: www.njwindow.com or give us a call at 1-800-495-8175
