6 Things to Consider When Buying New Windows For Your Alabama Home
When it’s time to replace the windows in your home, you’ll want to ensure you’re buying a quality product that meets all of your needs. While aesthetics are important, that’s just one of the factors you should consider. Your home’s windows should offer great functionality, match the architectural style of your home, and come at a great price.
To set you up for success, our Toulmin Windows & Doors team compiled the following list of six things you should consider when buying new windows for your Alabama home.
Energy-Efficient Windows Help Save On Energy Costs
Improving your home's energy efficiency is one of the top reasons homeowners choose new windows. Energy-efficient windows can improve your home's year-round comfort. They also help you save on energy costs.
When researching your new windows, look for these features:
Energy-efficient Glass
Here in West/Central Alabama, the right window glass can help reduce your heating and cooling costs by slowing thermal transfer. Dual-pane or triple-pane windows, with inert argon gas between the panes, improve the window's insulating properties. Laminate, tinted, or low-E coatings also add ultraviolet protection to help keep your home comfortable and increase efficiency.
Proper Window Installation
Another key factor that influences the efficiency of your windows is proper installation. A tightly sealed and properly installed window helps prevent air leaks and drafts. Proper installation can help prevent heat loss in the winter months and keep your home cool during hot Alabama summers.
Frame Construction
The material your window frame is constructed of will greatly influence your window's overall efficiency. Wood windows provide excellent insulation due to their low conductivity. Sierra Pacific's composite frames offer the insulating properties of wood windows and stand up to Alabama's hot, humid climate.
Energy Star and NFRC Labels
For the biggest energy savings, look for windows with energy-efficient labeling that indicates their benefits. ENERGY STAR® labels and NFRC labels designate windows that have been tested to meet specific efficiency standards.
Photo Credit: Sierra Pacific Windows
2. Consider Windows That Are Easy to Clean
Another critical factor to consider when selecting new windows for your home is the maintenance that will be required after installation. The frame material you choose will dictate how much work you’ll have to do to keep the windows clean and maintained. High-quality windows typically require minimal upkeep and are easy to clean. Vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass windows require low maintenance, are durable, and can withstand extreme weather. Wood and steel windows require constant upkeep, which is why most people prefer vinyl, wood composite, or aluminum frames.
3. Know The Benefits of Vinyl VS Clad Windows
Many homeowners choose vinyl windows because they’re the economical choice. However, just because a window is economical doesn't mean it's the right choice for your home. High-quality vinyl windows can be attractive, but they often lack the architectural qualities of clad or wood windows. If one of your goals is to improve your home's curb appeal, or if you must meet strict homeowner association or historical district guidelines, aluminum-clad windows might be the right choice.
Vinyl and aluminum-clad windows are noted for their durability, strength, and for requiring little maintenance. In fact, when it comes to maintenance, there is no significant difference between the two window options. If you opt for clad windows with a wood interior, they will need periodic refinishing. Vinyl windows never need refinishing. For homes located in coastal Alabama, aluminum windows will need an anti-corrosive treatment.
Vinyl windows may need replacing sooner due to the climate in West/Central Alabama. The heat and humidity can impact these types of windows over time. At Toulmin Windows and Doors, we recommend Sierra Pacific aluminum clad or H3 Fusion Tech windows for our West/Central Alabama customers.
Aluminum windows have one drawback to consider when comparing energy efficiency—metal is an excellent conductor of heat. This can negatively impact the energy efficiency of aluminum windows. Even with energy-efficient features like multiple panes of insulated glass, low-E coatings, and warm edge spacers, vinyl windows with similar features are typically superior in terms of energy efficiency.
Photo Credit: Sierra Pacific Windows
4. Finish Options: Wet VS Powder Coated (2405 VS 2406)
Another option to consider when choosing new windows is the finish. You’ll choose a wet finish, where paint is applied under pressure, or powder coating, where a dry powder is applied to the surface of your window frames and then bonded using heat.
A Wet Finish For Windows
A wet finish for windows excels where powder coating is not practical. For example, wood window frames cannot be heated to the proper temperature for bonding. This is one example where a wet finish would be a better option. Wet finish windows come in a range of colors allowing for a much more customized product. Painting can also produce a thin finish, when needed, and is a much more affordable finishing process.
A Powder Coating For Windows
This process involves the electrostatic application of a dry powder, which is applied to a surface and is then set using heat. Powder coating is available in a number of materials like polyurethane, polyester, acrylics, straight epoxy, or polyester epoxy. Powder coating is tough and more durable than paint. The main drawback to powder coating is that it cannot be applied as a thin finish. Another drawback is the cost—powder-coated windows are more expensive.
5. Always Choose Windows With a Warranty
Installing new windows is a significant expense. When shopping for new windows, it is critical that you understand the warranty that comes with the product. You will want long-term support for your investment, and a warranty helps protect your windows from unexpected problems.
If your new windows are expected to last for 25 years, you’ll want them to be under warranty for the same duration of time. At Toulmin Windows and Doors, we sell Sierra Pacific products, which offer the longest warranty protection in the industry!
Photo Credit: Sierra Pacific Windows
6. Consider Customization Options For Your Home’s Windows
Be sure your window manufacturer offers products in a wide range of materials, finishes, features, and options. Customization allows you to create the perfect look for your home and enhance its comfort.
Look for a window manufacturer that offers double-pane and triple-pane glazing, a variety of coatings like low-E, and various finish options, including wet and powder-coated finishes. Also, look for a manufacturer who offers a wide range of window styles and sizes or can manufacture custom windows when needed. Finally, the manufacturer you choose should offer high-quality products in a variety of materials like vinyl, aluminum-clad, wood, fiberglass, and composite to meet the needs of your climate.
Window Shopping: The Bottom Line
Understanding your options and the value new windows can bring to your home helps you know what to look for when buying new windows. Choosing new windows for your home is a big decision that adds value, increases security, improves energy efficiency, and provides comfort for you and your family. At Toulmin Windows and Doors, we offer the entire family of high-quality Sierra Pacific products. Toulmin Windows and Doors and Sierra Pacific stand behind every window we sell!
If you are considering new or replacement windows for your Tuscaloosa, Northport, or Birmingham, Alabama home, call Toulmin Windows and Doors at (205) 579-9793.
We are proud to be the top retailer of beautiful Sierra Pacific windows and doors in Alabama. Sierra Pacific offers a broad selection of glazing options, window styles, and the longest warranty in the business! If you are ready to learn more or for a free estimate, call today!
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