How to select energy efficient windows and doors. When it’s time to replace your older windows and doors, you should replace them with environmentally friendly green windows and doors.

When it’s time to replace your older windows and doors, you should replace them with environmentally friendly green windows and doors. Thanks to a joint program sponsored by the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Agency most of these energy saving products are marked with an energy star logo that sets them apart from other less energy efficient products. In 2007 alone, using energy star windows and doors, saved consumers an estimated $16 billion dollars in energy bills. 

If you’re not sure what to look for this program has made it easy to find environmentally friendly products by marking them with an energy star logo. But what you are looking for at the very minimum when you are looking for an energy efficient window is a window that has double pane insulated glass with a low-E coating and an airtight frame. 

The double pane glass should be separated by a spacer that reduces the heat transfer and prevents condensation. The low E coating on the glass does several things. It helps to diffuse harmful ultra violet light from coming in and it helps to keep heat in your home in the winter and keep heat out in the summertime. And if properly designed, the airtight frame will mean a minimal transfer of thermal heat through the window. 

When it comes to energy efficient doors, there are plenty to choose from in the energy star program. Wood is a natural insulating product but you can also select a door made from steel or fiberglass with insulation built in. Of course even the most energy efficient door won’t be very energy efficient if it’s not properly installed and it doesn’t have a good seal. Your energy efficient door should also have a door sweep to help maintain that tight seal. Door sweeps come in aluminum and vinyl but aluminum conducts heat and cold and is less efficient than a vinyl sweep.

And of course if you are looking for a door with glass, you will want to consider the R value. The R value will tell you how insulating the door is, so the higher the R value the better. You can also look at the U value. The U value will tell you how much heat is passing through the glass door. Here, a lower U value is good; it means less heat is getting through your door. And of course just as you looked for a Low E coating on your windows, you want to have a low E coating on your glass impact door installation. The lower the E coating is the better insulation value for your impact windows and door.

All energy star products have met the strict guidelines to be energy efficient but of course some are better than others, so if in doubt be sure to do your own research and learn to be a savvy consumer.

IMPACT WINDOWS AND DOORS

When it comes to having new windows and doors installed in your home, there should not be a lot of aggravation involved in the process. Finding the right company that will make the work as seamless and easy as possible can be as important as finding the best price.  When it comes to deciding on which company you will eventually go with to have your new windows and doors installed, you should always consider the entire picture rather than just the end result. Many companies can offer good products and efficient services, but the ones that are most consumer-friendly and that are able to offer you piece of mind in both the quality and durability of their work are the ones that are most worth your business.

So how do you go about finding such companies, or differentiating between those who are worth hiring and those that are not? Depending on your individual job, there are a number of factors you should look for to determine the right window contractors. Yet for any potential consumer, there are several basic qualities you should start with and make sure that a contractor can meet or uphold.

For starters, the cost of new windows and doors should always play a significant role in the decision-making process. Because you typically pay for what you get, it is often not as simple as taking the lowest bidder and contracting out the job to them. Factors such as the materials used, how long the job will take and other important aspects play a significant role. With this in mind, you should receive a free estimate from any reputable company that details all of the costs associated with the job.

Beyond that, any company that deals in or works with windows and doors should be able to provide proof of their license and insurance to legally complete such work. While this is typically something you may need to ask to see, proof of license and insurance should always be able to be provided. Anyone can tell you what type of job they will do, but seeing the actual work done on someone else’s home is the best way to give you an idea of what to expect.

Finally, any windows and doors you have installed should leave you completely satisfied after the work is done. The most reputable companies like us, impact windows hallandale, should offer you a warranty or a satisfaction guarantee that ensures that you will be satisfied with the products and the work once it is completed.

http://superiorimpactwindows.com/

As home improvement projects go, one of the most popular is reinstalling windows and outside doors. With such a project, there are many choice when you wish to select the materials for replacement windows and doors. Here are a few reasons to consider PVC.

Not all replacement windows and doors are alike. It is important to make the best choice when reinstalling windows or outside doors. If you want to give your home a new look and improve the exterior, home improvement articles suggest that it is easy to achieve this by changing doors and windows. Although this face lift might be expensive at the start, in the long run you will save money by using replacement windows and doors and your home will look better too.

So what material should you choose when replacing outside doors or reinstalling windows? Many people like the appearance of wood. As a living material which is available in a variety of finishes, wood certainly has some appeal – and we have been building with it since the earliest times. Depending on the wood you choose, getting doors and windows need not cost the earth, though you should beware of the longer term hidden costs.

Wood may look good at the start but sooner or later the weather will take a toll and the paint will start to flake. If you don’t want your home to look shabby then you will have to sand and paint doors and windows which can be expensive. It is also a time consuming and messy DIY job which you will have to repeat every few years.

Luckily, there is an alternative to wood which has lower maintenance costs as well as other advantages. UPVC, also called PVC or vinyl is ideal for replacement windows and doors. This material can be kept clean with soap and water so there’s very little maintenance required to keep replacement doors and windows looking as good as the day you installed them. And think about this when reinstalling windows and replacing outside doors – this material conserves heat well, so your central heating bills will be reduced if you install vinyl windows. This energy saving property is one of the main advantages of this material.

Many people feel that PVC or vinyl gives your home a bland look, but there are many options available that mean that this material can compete on level terms with other window and door materials. If you like the look of wood, then you can get doors and windows with a light or dark wood effect that is almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Of course, you will know the difference, especially if you are putting your feet up while your neighbour sands and paints his wooden window frames.

When reinstalling windows and outside doors, PVC really is a sensible choice and you may want to use it for other doors and windows. Vinyl is a good choice for replacement windows and doors for your conservatory. And why not add a touch of glitz to windows and doors with a stained glass panel. Not only will it let in light, but it will make your home stand out. If your tastes are more conservative, frosted glass or tinted glass will enhance your home’s appearance without making too much of a show.

INTERIOR SHUTTERS, SHADES & BLINDS