Energy-efficient windows are an especially important choice for budget-conscious homeowners, as they can help you see a significant decrease in your utility bills while creating a more comfortable interior environment. Window Replacement Denver To better understand the benefits of energy-efficient windows, you might first note how these windows work and what sets them apart from standard residential windows. It’s also good to understand a few basic features of residential windows and entryway doors.
- Glazing or glaze refers to the number of panes or sheets of glass in a window; the more panes in a window, the better its overall insulating properties.
- Panes of glass in double-glazed or triple-glazed windows are placed very close to each other, and the gap between them is often filled with argon, a type of gas that adds to the window’s insulating properties.
- Window panes can also be tinted or covered with reflective coatings; these glazing options reflect hot sunlight and cold wind, and help to keep a home’s heating and cooling inside the house.
- Low-emissivity or low-E glass blocks the sun’s UV rays, keeping those rays from entering the home. Your home’s interior will then be bright and sunny but not hot and stuffy during warm summer months.
- Vinyl and PVC window frames don’t conduct heat and cold as do aluminum frames, also improving the home’s overall insulation. Vinyl and PVC windows might also contain a foam core that adds to their insulating properties.
- Bits of plastic might be added to the glass mixture during the manufacturing process of today’s glass panes. Plastic doesn’t conduct heat and cold as well as pure glass, also adding to the insulating properties of a home’s windows.