Replacement Window Features

Choosing Windows

Brighten your addition with windows that feature low-maintenance frames, innovative glass technology, and custom design options.

Chances are you want an addition that feels brighter and more spacious than your existing rooms. Installing windows to capture light and frame views offers the best way to reach that goal. Fortunately, today's new windows match nearly every architectural style and proportion, while they boost energy efficiency and require little maintenance.

Most new windows sold today are double pane windows. Most also include a low-E coating. The E stands for emissivity, or the ability of a surface to emit or reflect heat. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that from 1978 to 1999, use of low-E windows grew by almost 30 percent. A low-E coating typically adds about 10 - 15 percent to the cost of a window, but it cuts energy costs by about 25 percent when compared with plain insulated glass. The coatings allow window manufacturers to maximize glass area yet produce windows that minimize heat loss, heat gain, and glare.

There is no single perfect window for all applications. Before choosing a style or material for your windows, evaluate your aesthetic, maintenance, and budget concerns. When selecting glazing or the glass in the window, consider your climate, sun exposure, and heating and cooling needs.

When comparing windows, be sure to find out each window's Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), a number that measures the amount of heat your house gains from the sun. If you live in a southern region, look for windows with a low SHGC. In the north, look for draft-free, double-glazed windows with any SHGC. In central regions, where both heating and cooling are concerns, windows with double glazing and a moderate SHGC are your best bet.