When you get your windows replaced, you have a vast choice of materials available to you, for both the frame and the actual glass. If you’re having glass replacement work done anyway, it may be worth looking at replacing the frames at the same time. Newer frames will probably have a higher R-value – that’s the measure of insulation provided by your windows. The higher the R-value, the more money you could be saving on your monthly utility bills. Better insulation means it takes less energy to keep your home or office cool in summer and keep it warm throughout the damp Seattle winter.
What are the different options for frames?
There are five main materials available: fiberglass, vinyl, PVC, wood and aluminum. They each have advantages and disadvantages. Rather than discuss each one, we decided to list the main features you could be looking for in your replacement windows, so you can decide which ones are most important to you.
* Looks like wood. This is an esthetic concern, but it’s important to many people, particularly those with historic Seattle homes. Metal frames can look a little industrial – fine for commercial buildings, but not necessarily what you want in a home. Recommended: wood, fiberglass, vinyl, PVC.
* Resistant to cracking, peeling, bending, or warping. The damp weather around the Seattle area is notoriously hard on buildings. Wood suffers more than most building materials, and will require more maintenance and more frequent replacement, typically every 10-15 years. Fiberglass is the most durable. Recommended: fiberglass, vinyl, PVC, aluminum.
* Won’t stick in hot or cold weather. As your building gets hot or cold, the materials in it expand and contract. This can sometimes result in windows or doors becoming harder to open. Recommended: fiberglass, vinyl, PVC.
* Energy-efficient. Metal frames conduct heat, so they lower the R-value of the window. Recommended: wood, fiberglass, vinyl, PVC.
* Low cost. Fiberglass and PVC can work out up to 30% more expensive than other materials. Recommended: vinyl, wood.
* Eco-friendly. Modern fiberglass windows use recycled glass, which reduces waste. Recommended: fiberglass.
What are the options for replacement glass?
As well as standard glass replacement Seattle, you can opt for Low-E glass, which increases the energy efficiency of your home. Low-E glass has a micro-thin reflective coating on it which helps insulate your home or office and keep out damaging ultra-violet light from the sun. Different grades of Low-E glass provide different levels of protection, and are appropriate for different climates or windows with different levels of sunlight. In Seattle, you will probably find that you need to use stronger protection on south-facing windows.
Glass replacement specialists Glass Doctor of Seattle explain the different materials available for windows for home and business. Call 206.337.2376 today for more information on replacement windows.
