What to Look For When Buying New Replacement Windows

When your windows reach the end of their lifespan and you decide it’s time to replace them, you have a few decisions to make. The options when it comes to replacement windows are seemingly endless, but you can narrow down your choices by focusing on these three things.

The Right “Style” For Your Home

From double-hung windows that slide up and down to casement windows that open with a crank, windows come in a variety of styles. You want to pick a style that fits your lifestyle and the architecture of your home. Try using Andersen’s Home Style Library to find the styles that best match your house. Here are a few basic guidelines:

• Ranch style homes tend to look best with double-hung windows featuring multiple panels on top and a single panel on the bottom.
• Tudor homes’ windows often feature grilles in a diamond or square pattern that extends over the entire window. Casement windows are a popular choice.
• Cape Cod homes typically utilize double-hung windows with bottom and top sashes of different heights. Some modern Cape Cod homes use casement windows with a grille pattern that mimics the look of hung windows.
• Craftsman homes utilize a variety of window sizes that are not always in proportion. Grilles are only used in upper windows and are only vertical — never horizontal. Accent windows are common.
• Industrial Modern homes call for simple, single-panel glass windows, sometimes with frosted or etched glass patterns.

Glass That Reduces Heat Transfer

Glass is known for its ability to transfer heat, which is why windows are the main source of heat loss in most homes. So, unless you want sky-high air conditioning and heating bills, you need to pay close attention to the glass in your replacement windows. This is especially important in an area like Michigan where the summers are hot and the winters are freezing cold.

Look into low-e glass, which is glass that’s been coated with a metallic spray to reduce heat transfer. Low-e glass, like SmartSun Glass™ from Renewal By Andersen, blocks the heat of the sun to keep your home cooler during the summer. It filters out harmful UV rays but lets other wavelengths shine through, so your home still looks well-lit and sunny.

To keep winter heat bills in check, consider double-pane windows with Argon gas filling. The layer of Argon gas between the two glass panes acts as an insulator, keeping your heat indoors where it belongs.

Glass That Reduces Heat Transfer

Glass is known for its ability to transfer heat, which is why windows are the main source of heat loss in most homes. So, unless you want sky-high air conditioning and heating bills, you need to pay close attention to the glass in your replacement windows. This is especially important in an area like Michigan where the summers are hot and the winters are freezing cold.

Look into low-e glass, which is glass that’s been coated with a metallic spray to reduce heat transfer. Low-e glass, like SmartSun Glass™ from Renewal By Andersen, blocks the heat of the sun to keep your home cooler during the summer. It filters out harmful UV rays but lets other wavelengths shine through, so your home still looks well-lit and sunny.

To keep winter heat bills in check, consider double-pane windows with Argon gas filling. The layer of Argon gas between the two glass panes acts as an insulator, keeping your heat indoors where it belongs.

A Durable, Low-Maintenance Frame Material

Wooden frames are a classic choice and pair well with home styles like the Craftsman bungalow. However, wood is also high maintenance. It needs to be painted and sealed to keep it in good shape. Many homeowners prefer a lower-maintenance option, like Fibrex.

Fibrex is a composite window frame material. Made with real wood fibers, Fibrex has the strength of wood and can be finished to look like natural wood. However, it won’t rot or mold when it gets wet, and you never have to stain or paint it. All you need to do to maintain Fibrex is wipe it down when it starts to look dirty.

Whatever frame material you choose for your replacement windows, make sure it comes with a good warranty. A warranty not only protects you financially, but it also indicates that the company you’re buying from is willing to stand behind their products.

Focus on choosing the right style, glass and frame material, and the window shopping process becomes a whole lot simpler. If you’re ready to buy replacement windows for your Michigan home, get in touch with Renewal by Andersen today.