How important are your windows to you?

Windows are more than decorative additions to your house. While they improve the overall look and curb appeal of your home, windows are integral to your home's overall energy efficiency.

Windows are made using many materials - wood, vinyl, fiberglass, composite or aluminum. With this kind of variety to select from, it is important to understand what the strengths of each material are and how they are stressed by climate factors.

Weather Affects Window Frames

If you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain or snow throughout the year, then you would want to consider windows made of something other than wood.  However, vinyl is not ideal in hot climates (or areas that get all-day full sun, such as southern exposures), and aluminum windows struggle to perform in cold temperatures. Wood windows are solid choices for many climate conditions, but if they are not well-maintained they become vulnerable to wood rot, cracking, infestations and warping.

The best performer in all climates is a fiberglass window, as fiberglass can endure extreme climates without compromising durability.

While all quality window materials can bolster your home’s energy efficiency, wood or fiberglass windows outperform aluminum and vinyl, but they will cost more. Inexpensive windows are more easily affected by temperatures outside the house. This means your home’s heating and cooling systems have to work harder to maintain to compensate for this loss of energy. Wood and fiberglass windows allow less energy loss which translates to lower energy bills because your home’s heating and cooling systems will not have to work as hard to maintain the temperatures you have set in the thermostat.

When considering replacing your old windows with new windows, you can go with more inexpensive materials. However, these windows just might end up being short-term solutions that need to be constantly repaired or replaced.

While wood windows offer a longer-term solution, they do require frequent maintenance and can be expensive to replace.  Fiberglass windows not only enhance the beauty of your home and its curb appeal, they are an energy-efficient, low-maintenance option that performs well in all weather conditions. And when you consider the durability of fiberglass windows coupled with lower energy bills, the choice is clear:  Fiberglass windows offer you the best return on your investment.

To find out more about a wise window choice for your home, give us a call today for a free estimate.

Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a full-service exterior home remodeling company.  We offer roofing, siding, replacement windows and doors, and more.  Serving homes and businesses in the Minneapolis metro area for over 30 years.