There are several things to consider when you are in the market for new home windows. Your decision isn't as easy as choosing an installer and frame color. There are several other decisions that also must be made. The following can help you make these decisions.
Frame Material
There are three main choices when it comes to frame material: vinyl, metal, or wood. Frames made of vinyl or metal like aluminum are durable, rarely require any maintenance, and never need to be repainted. Wood is traditional and attractive, but it does need to be repainted and checked for rot issues periodically. Opt for vinyl if the cost is an important factor in your decision, but you want low maintenance frames. Choose metal if the ability to paint and change the color of the frames is important to you.
Coatings
Window coatings can serve different purposes. Tinting can help keep your house cooler, while a UV coating goes a step further and blocks even more light. There are also privacy coatings available that allow you to see out but prevent others from seeing in. If security or storm damage is a concern, then a safety coating that prevents glass from shattering may be a welcome addition to your windows.
Insulation
Insulation needs depend greatly on your local climate. In areas that are mild year-round, you may choose to forgo insulated windows entirely. In areas with cold winters or extremely hot summers, insulation can help prevent temperature fluctuations in the house that would be impacted by outdoor conditions. You will have the choice of double or triple-paned windows with a variety of different insulation gas options. The gases used are transparent and sandwiched between the windowpanes to increase the insulation ability of the window. Choose the windows with the highest R-value (a measurement of insulation ability) that fits your budget.
Extras
There are a variety of extras that you can choose for your windows, both useful and purely aesthetic. One popular option is enclosed window blinds. The blinds are sandwiched between glass panes, so you never have to dust or clean them. Decorative muntins, which are metal grids that make a window look as though it is multi-paned, are purely decorative. However, they do add a lot to the appearance of certain home styles, like cottages and Tudor homes. Your window installer can walk you through all these extras so you can choose the best ones for your house.
Contact a window installation service in your area for more help.
