What To Look For in a Energy Efficient Window Replacements

In Queens and Brooklyn NY, the buildings are old, the winters are cold, and energy bills are through the roof. Any homeowner knows that from December to March, we cringe when that National Grid letter comes in the mail. Any way you can save energy during the winters is a win, and one of the best ways you can do that is by going with energy efficient window replacements.

With so many options out there, it can seem overwhelming when you sit down and start window shopping. What features should you be looking for that will help you save money? This article will educate you on what to look for in a window and what questions to ask your contractor.

Window Frame

The frame of your window can come with mechanically fastened corners or welded corners. Cheap windows come with fastened corners that are held together with screws, which over time come loose. This will make it difficult to open the window, but more importantly, will create openings where cold air can come into the house. Also, many windows come with foam-injected frames, meaning they fill the hollow cavity of the frame with a high R-value foam that insulates and blocks out noise pollution.

Window Glass

When it comes to glass, you have many choices to make as a homeowner. There’s double pane, triple pane, low E, argon gas filled, and much more. Obviously a triple pane will insulate better than a double pane, but it’s not always a practical option. A window gets very heavy with 3 panes of glass, and they’re expensive as well. Many window manufacturers are building windows with argon gas sealed in-between the window panes. Argon is an extremely heavy and dense gas, preventing any air from transferring from the outside to the inside. This is a good option to look for in an energy efficient window.

Meeting Rails

Usually, the meeting rails aren’t on the top of your priority list when window shopping, but they have a huge impact on the longevity of the window. Most people have experienced a window where the locks on the meeting rails don’t meet up, and the window doesn’t lock. Over time, vinyl will sag and the meeting rails are no longer flush against one another. Not only does it pose a security threat because you can’t lock them, but it creates a large gap where cold air comes swirling into the house. The best way to prevent this is to find a window that has metal reinforced meeting rails as opposed to hollow vinyl. This will help the window maintain its structural integrity over time, ensuring the meeting rails are always tight against one another and no cold air is leaking in.

Window Installation

This is by far the most important part of the window. You can buy the most energy efficient window in the world, but if it’s not installed properly, it will be just as drafty as a $100 window. Five Borough uses an expandable foam with a high R-value to seal the small gap between the window frame and the house frame. This seals up the entire perimeter of the window so no air can leak in. Many contractors will use caulk, which will dry & crack over time, creating space for cold air to make its way in.

These are the some of the more important factors when looking at energy efficiency. Be sure to ask the right questions and make sure the window replacement company you hire uses the right materials and best practices when installing windows in your home. If you’re in Queens or Brooklyn, be sure to call Five Borough for a window estimate!