A window has three main functions—provide view of the outdoors, let in sunlight (sometimes the breeze), and home’s façade—while keeping your home fully insulated. Without windows, you’ll be dependent on artificial lighting and heating. Your home will look odd on the outside, too.
Depending on your building’s architecture, your preferred exterior design, or the climate in your area, you can pick any of the multitudes of window types and styles available on the market today. It’s quite easy to get lost in the ocean of choices though if you don’t have a background in basic window installation. You need help from top window companies in Chicago like Muller Exteriors to pick the best window type for your building.
Popular Window Types
Choosing the right type of window can make a huge difference in your home’s energy efficiency. While this is usually included in the architectural plan, you can always discuss your preference with your home builders to make sure you’ll have the type of window you like. Here are some choices that are worth exploring.
- Double-Hung
- – Almost every home in the United States have double-hung windows, and for good reasons. Its two sashes that slide vertically up and down make it possible to let in the breeze by pulling down the upper sash while preventing children from falling off the window by keeping the lower half closed.
- Casement
- – The most popular of all window types, a casement window has either one or two sashes that open outward or inward by pivoting through a hinge. This is not the ideal choice if you want to save on space since its mechanism requires a leeway equivalent to the span of the sashes.
- Awning
- – Like a casement window, an awning window operates via a hinge, except it is hinged at the top to let air in from the bottom. This is often found in toilets and storage rooms where maximum ventilation is necessary.
- Picture
- – Want a full view of your outdoor space so you can look at it as if you are looking at a framed picture? Then you should install a picture window. This is normally designed to be permanently shut with large clear glass panes.
- Slider
- – If you want to have a full view of your outdoor space while still able to operate your window as you please, write off picture window and choose a slider window instead. This window is made of sashes with large glass panes that slide horizontally past each other.
- Bay or Bow
- – Increase your indoor space by installing a window that protrudes from your home’s exterior wall or siding. This window can be a casement, awning, double-hung, or a combination.
When to Replace Your Windows
Window replacement is pricier and more invasive than you probably think—definitely not a decision you should make thoughtlessly. The last thing you want is to dismantle windows that have a few more years in its value. You must keep an eye out for the signs so you won’t end up squandering money on new windows. Here are some of the obvious signs that it is the best time to replace house windows.
- Draft
- – Your windows are supposed to be well sealed in all corners. So, if you feel draft seeping in through their frame, they are either poorly installed or heavily deteriorated. Sometimes, this can happen if the window frame is made of poor materials. The best solution is to replace your existing windows altogether.
- Hard to Operate
- – Do you find yourself straining whenever you’re opening or closing your windows? Are there instances when you have to leave some of the windows partly open because they won’t shut all the way? Instead of getting them fixed, consider installing new, easy-to-operate windows.
- Condensation
- – One quick way to determine if your windows are energy-efficient enough is by checking for condensate forming on the surface of their glass panes. Condensation indicates that the glass panes are absorbing outside cold. When warm indoor air touches the cold glass panes, it condensates and forms tiny droplets of water. This is a telltale sign that you need windows with double or triple glazing.
- It’s Noisier
- – Apart from the cold, your windows must also be able to block sound. Of course, you can’t expect them to make your home interior 100 percent sound-proof, but they should be able to reduce outside noise down to a tolerable level. If you notice the same noise getting louder each day, then your windows must be worn down or damaged.
- Rotten or Corroded Frames
- – Perhaps the most apparent indicator that your windows have reached the end of their useful life and must be replaced right away is when their frames are already dilapidated. While you can replace broken glass panes by simply inserting new glass panes into the same frame, but a damaged frame can’t be fixed anymore and need to be replaced.
As previously mentioned, replacing windows in a house is not as simple as it seems. It requires a special set of skills to pull off seamlessly. If you are not confident of your current skills, don’t compromise. Leave it to professional window and roofing contractors such as Muller Exterior. They will not just install your new windows, but they will also help you pick the best type of windows , one that will last for many years.
