Replacement Windows Make For Easy, Affordable Home Improvements
Replacement windows quickly upgrade an older home. New windows add value, curb appeal and improve energy conservation. Cracked glazing, rotting frames and drafty panes are clear indicators that old windows need to be replaced. Many homes can benefit from new windows even if the current ones aren’t showing blatant signs of age. Investing in replacement windows immediately pays off in reduced energy costs, increased light and ventilation and improved aesthetics.
Older windows have much smaller glass panes and larger frames due to the limitations of older materials. Improvements in material and structural technology allow larger glass surfaces within much smaller frames. Rooms that may feel dark and small will open up with more light and the elimination of a bulky frame within the window opening.
A clear indicator that a replacement windows are in your future is if the current ones are single pane. While single pane windows use to be the standard, the double pane window was introduced in the 1950’s. The addition of the second pane solves a lot of problems single panes encounter. During the winter, single pane windows feel icy and cold to the touch, occasionally frost will form on the inside of the glass. When even double pane windows begin to fail there may be moisture and frost between the panes. If the frost is bad enough it can crack the glass.
Single pane windows also don’t protect a home particularly well from street noise. For homes in urban areas, on busy streets, near construction or airports, noise pollution may be a problem that you don’t even realize you’re suffering. Window replacement can quiet every room of your home, creating a peaceful oasis.
In historic homes or if replacement windows aren’t an option, replacing the glazing can address many of the downfalls of the single pane. Old glazing becomes hard, and its inflexibility causes it to crack, break and fall away. Replacing the glazing can keep out moisture, drafts and help insulate the home from sound. Glazing can last for years but it’s important to check for hardening, as high quality glazing saves money in energy costs and keeps glass in better condition longer.
The mullions of a window can also be replaced when full window replacement isn’t an option. Mullions are the pieces of wood or aluminum that divide the light and keep the window panes in place. Cracked, broken and old mullions can let in moisture and create poor seals with old glazing around the glass panes. When single pane windows are set properly in high quality mullions they can protect better against weather and noise.
Replacement windows, up-to-date glazing and mullions all save money on energy costs. Replacing or maintaining the condition of single pane windows can save hundreds of dollars a year in utility costs. In addition to looking smart on your energy bill, replacement windows gets homes looking great both inside and from the curb.
Learn more about replacement windows at aladdinhomepros.com or call us at 678-528-7115