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You’ve heard this advice before: replace your old windows with high-quality replacement windows for energy savings and durability. This advice is wise and it certainly makes sense, but it may leave you wondering how to tell which windows are high-quality. Here are some of the qualities you’ll see in the best replacement windows for your Cincinnati home.
Composite Frames and Sashes
These days, you’ll see vinyl replacement windows advertised at home improvement stores and online. Many people opt for these windows because they’re inexpensive and because vinyl is marketed as a low-maintenance material. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for — and cheap vinyl windows don’t offer the best quality. The vinyl tends to warp and crack, leading to leaks within a few short years. Plus, vinyl is not a great insulator; a lot of heat will be lost through cheap, vinyl windows.
If you’re looking for truly high-quality windows for your Cincinnati home, choose ones with Fibrex® composite sashes and frames. Although a little more costly than vinyl windows, they are much more durable. Fibrex does not bow or crack in response to changes in temperature and humidity, which are so common in the Midwest. Fibrex is also a great insulator, and it’s made with reclaimed wood fibers, making it a smart choice for your earth-friendly home.
Specialty Glass
The majority of a window is made from glass, so the quality of that glass is very important. Ordinary, plain glass — which window makers used a few decades ago and still found in lower-end windows today — has some qualities that make it undesirable. Heat passes right through it, leading to higher energy bills. It also breaks easily, leading to a lack of security and potentially a mess.
Higher-end windows come with specialty glass, which is carefully designed to address the challenges of insulation, security, and comfort. Low-e glass, like SmartSun™ glass, is designed to reflect heat waves back into your space, so more heat stays inside your home during the winter. It also reflects the sun’s heat waves back outside, keeping your home cooler in the summer. You should also look for windows made with double-pane rather than single-pane glass. Double-pane windows are more efficient and more secure.
Professional Installation
Even the best-quality window won’t perform well if it is not properly installed. Poor installation can cause the window to shift within the frame, leak around its edges, or be exposed to excessive moisture. Some homeowners attempt to save money with a DIY installation, but this costs more in the long run when, a few years down the road, the window becomes damaged and leads to higher energy bills.
The best window replacement companies always include installation with their high-quality windows. That’s because their trained technicians know how to install the windows in a way that will maximize their benefits and allow them to perform properly. If a company sells windows but it unwilling to install them, that’s a sign that the windows are not as high-quality as you may have thought.Windows have to satisfy a delicate balance when it comes to letting sunshine and air into your home. High-quality windows, made with Fibrex composite and specialty glass, are a smart investment in your future. Contact Renewal by Andersen to schedule a free, in-home consultation and learn more about our high-quality window features.