| A window replacement project can reduce your | | | | it doesn't take much of a gap for air infiltration to |
| home's energy costs, improve indoor climate, comfort | | | | become a major problem. |
| for your family, and enhance your home's overall | | | | Frame - Frame materials can deteriorate as the result |
| appearance. It can even qualify you for Tax Credits up | | | | of rot, corrosion, physical damage, weathering and |
| to $1500! But window replacement projects should not | | | | other factors. As they deteriorate, more air and water |
| be entered into lightly. The choices made must be lived | | | | will enter into your home. |
| with for several years, so make sure to consider all | | | | Deterioration of nearly any frame materials beyond |
| factors. Here are some things to keep in mind when | | | | surface corrosion will usually require the replacement |
| choosing your replacement windows. | | | | of the entire window. |
| Appearance - Even minor changes in window | | | | Glazing - In homes with large areas of glass, the solar |
| construction can make a significant difference in how | | | | heat gain through the windows can make spaces near |
| your home looks. The type of frame, the color of the | | | | the windows difficult to cool, even during the heating |
| frame, the tint of the glazing all affect how the window | | | | season. |
| and home appear. | | | | Today's glazings can eliminate as much as 80 percent |
| The appearance of any window will deteriorate with | | | | of the solar heat gain while allowing nearly 90 percent |
| time and exposure to the elements. In some cases, | | | | of the sun's visible light to pass through. |
| routine and preventive maintenance can restore them | | | | When considering which solar control option is |
| to their original appearance. In other cases, the cost of | | | | best-suited for your home, consider the overall |
| restoration will add up to a significant portion of the | | | | condition of the windows and the other performance |
| cost of replacement windows. | | | | characteristics needed. |
| If new windows are being considered and are | | | | Hardware - Window hardware is subject to wear with |
| determined to be the best option for your home, | | | | normal use. If maintenance requirements for your |
| consider having one of the new units installed as a test | | | | window hardware are increasing as a result of the |
| case to determine how it will affect your home's | | | | age, or if the existing hardware is not adequate, then |
| appearance. | | | | window replacement is recommended. |
| Energy Efficiency - The promise of improved energy | | | | Operability - One of the most common window issues |
| efficiency is one of the most often-cited reasons for | | | | is difficult or impossible operability. Over time, |
| replacing windows here in Lancaster County. | | | | components swell, warp, and bind. Often, the cost of |
| Increasing the number of glazings, reducing the rate of | | | | restoring these units to operable condition can exceed |
| air infiltration and using a heat-reflective coating will all | | | | the cost of a replacement window. |
| improve your homes energy performance. | | | | Suitability - Finally, no matter how good the windows |
| Fit - As windows age, their components wear and | | | | are, if they do not meet your needs, they will need to |
| deteriorate. Some components shrink and dry out, | | | | be replaced. Homes and homeowners change over |
| resulting in gaps that can allow air to infiltrate into your | | | | time and windows that were once acceptable can |
| home. The looser the fit, the greater the infiltration, and | | | | easily become unsuitable for your current needs. |