Windows have a tremendous environmental influence on a house, affecting the light, ventilation, and temperature of the interior--and the comfort of the occupants. In addition, windows are part of a home's architectural identity, immediately conveying period and style. When you are choosing new windows, make sure the styles you select will suit your home both practically and aesthetically.
Window styles
Home windows, either fixed or operable, come in many shapes, sizes, and types and are made from a variety of materials. How do you select the right ones?
There are several criteria to consider: your budget, your home's style, and your needs for a given window's performance.
Think about the relative importance of ventilation and security; consider what you need in terms of ease of maintenance. And decide whether you want to emphasize the window as an architectural focal point or simply have it serve in a predominantly practical manner.
Window orientation
In addition to their size, where your windows are placed and what type they are have a significant effect on the amount of light and ventilation they provide.
A south-facing window lets in the most light and is desirable in all but the hottest climates; a north window provides soft, diffuse light. Because of the low angle of the sun in the morning and late afternoon, light and heat from east- and west-facing windows can be too intense.
The view out a window is just as important as the light and ventilation the window provides. Windows connect us to the outdoors and enhance our sense of interior space. Consider the view before you decide the placement and size of your windows.
MATERIALS:
Windows are made from wood, aluminum, steel, vinyl, or fiberglass--or from a combination of these materials. In general, those that offer better weather protection cost more, but they pay off in low maintenance and energy savings.
Wood windows
Wood tends to be the most popular window material, particularly for the parts of a window seen from indoors. Wood does not conduct cold or allow condensation as much as other materials do. However, wood is subject to shrinkage and swelling, so it will warp and rot over time--especially on the exterior--unless it is protected.
Wood windows typically come unfinished unless you order them otherwise. If you intend to paint them, you can save work by purchasing them already primed on the exterior and/or interior surfaces of the frame and sash. Or you may be able to eliminate painting altogether--some manufacturers offer pre-painted windows in a number of standard colors.
Clad-wood windows
You will find that many of today's windows have wood inside and a tough, attractive exterior jacket of extruded aluminum or vinyl on the outside. The cladding, available in a few stock colors, covers both the sash and frame; it will keep windows virtually maintenance-free for years. With vinyl, the color permeates the material so scratches do not show. Aluminum will scratch, but it is tougher and easier to paint, and it comes in a wider variety of colors (though neither vinyl nor aluminum should require painting). Both types will resist rust and rot.
Vinyl windows
Vinyl windows are made from rigid, impact-resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and have hollow spaces inside that make them resistant to heat loss and condensation. Inexpensive vinyl windows have a tendency to distort when exposed to extremes of heat and cold, making them harder to operate and allowing air leakage. Vinyl windows cannot be painted, and darker shades may fade over time.
Steel windows
Steel is more resistant to the elements than both aluminum and wood. But because of their expense, steel windows generally are not used in homes. If you have the budget, however, these attractive, low-maintenance windows will last for years.
Aluminum windows
Aluminum windows are more durable than bare wood and are also thinner, lighter, and easier to handle. They are insulated with a thermal break of extruded vinyl and sometimes also foam, which reduces heat loss and condensation. Finishes protect the aluminum from corrosion but deteriorate in coastal areas because of the moist, salty air.
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