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Dayton, Ohio is notorious for its ever-challenging climate. The winters are cold, dry, and windy. The summers are hot and muggy, with temperatures often topping 90 degrees. It’s always important to consider climate when choosing new windows for your home, but it’s even more important in Dayton homes where your windows need to keep both extreme cold and heat outside.
Here’s a look at a few window options that fare well in Dayton’s climate.
Most modern windows have two panes of glass. The layer of air sandwiched between the two glass panes is an insulating material, slowing heat transfer. Though these standard, double-pane windows would not be a bad choice in Dayton, you can go one step further.
Double-pane windows with argon gas, rather than air, between the panes do an even better job of insulating. This keeps your home more comfortable year-round while also reducing your heating and cooling bills.
The type of glass you choose is also important. One of the best options in areas with hot summers is Low-E glass, like Andersen’s SmartSun™ glass. This type of glass is coated with a special, silver-based material that reflects heat waves. In the summer, it reflects heat waves back outside, keeping your home cooler. In the winter, it reflects heat waves back inside so your furnace does not have to work as hard to keep your home warm.
You can also find Low-E windows that are designed to block UV rays. These are a good choice if you want to keep your decor from being bleached out or limit your UV exposure when inside your home.
The main challenge faced by the window frames in your Dayton home will be humidity. The high humidity in the summers, as well as the fluctuations in humidity throughout the year, will cause wood frames to warp and chip. Aluminum frames are not a good choice, either, since they are such poor insulators.
Renewal by Andersen’s Fibrex® window frames are built to stand up to the most challenging climates. They resist expansion and contraction with changes in humidity, and they won’t rot when exposed to moisture. Made with reclaimed wood fibers, they also look like wood frames and are an eco-friendly choice.
Many homes in the Dayton area have double-hung windows, which slide up and down in their frames. While these are not a bad choice for challenging climates, casement replacement windows do an even better job of sealing in the heat. They sit more tightly in their frames, so you don’t get as much cold air seeping in.
Casement windows are the style that opens on a side hinge that you operate with a small crank. Even if you do not currently have casement windows, your window contractor should be able to incorporate this style when you get replacement windows installed.
To learn more about the window replacement options that are best suited to your Dayton home, schedule an appointment with Renewal by Andersen. We offer free, in-home consultations and our estimates are good for one year.