Whether you are building a new home or boosting your curb appeal with a remodel, choosing the right new or replacement windows and patio doors can do wonders for your home.
New Construction Windows
Some Tips to Consider:
Depending on your climate zone, heat from sunlight entering south-facing windows can provide from 20% to 80% of the heat required to keep a home warm in the winter. If you’re looking for maximum solar gain to reduce heating requirements, you’ll want to have an expansive southern exposure with lots of windows. To reduce the amount of solar gain in the summer when you don’t want it, consider using overhangs to provide shade.
If you’re in a hot climate and looking for ways to reduce cooling requirements, you’ll want to maximize the amount of windows you place on the north side of the house, allowing in natural light without the direct rays of the sun. Windows on the east side may bring in unwanted morning heat. Windows on the west side may bring in unwanted afternoon heat. Overhangs and extra high efficiency forms of Low-E insulated glass reject more of the sun’s heat and fabric-fading rays while letting you enjoy window light.
If you’re a morning person and like to get up with the light, you’ll want a bedroom in the southeast corner of a home.
If you’re a night owl, avoid the eastern sunrise. By choosing a west-facing bedroom, the rising sun won’t wake you up in the morning.
If you’re considering skylights, a smaller skylight with a deep splayed light well can provide a great deal of light with fewer thermal disadvantages than a bigger skylight with a light well that has straight sides.
If you’re looking for the most effective ventilation, balance window light and cooling by placing windows on at least two sides of each room.
Replacement Windows
Window replacement is one of the best ways to improve your home’s value, add comfort, and even save on heating and cooling costs.
Tips to Consider When Replacing Windows in Your Home
The style of your home plays a big role in the type of window you choose for each room. Several other factors affect the window glass and other features you’ll want to use for a particular room. Let’s consider some of the things that will influence your home window replacement decision.
-Window Operating Styles
-View
-Privacy
-Solar Heat Gain
-Curb Appeal
-Safety & Security
-Ventilation
-Weatherization
Replacement Doors
Replacing old patio doors can open up your home to more light and ventilation. In some cases, you may enjoy greater comfort by upgrading old patio doors to more energy efficient ones.
One of the most important aspects of choosing a replacement door is the operation style. Choose between In-Swing, Out-Swing or Sliding patio doors to best fit your space.
In-swing – The hinges are located inside the home and not visible to the outside. You need adequate space on the interior of the door to accommodate the swing space.
Out-swing – Out-swing patio doors needs a clear path on the outside. Hurricane doors and doors in high wind areas are often out-swing because of the greater strength it provides when the wind is pushing against the doors.
Sliding – Sliding patio doors are a good solution in spaces that simply cannot accommodate a full swinging door such as a balcony or sun room.
All our patio doors are custom made to fit your existing opening so you don’t need to worry about finding an existing size to fit. The first thing you would do is measure your entrance space. Make sure you assess the condition of the opening. Look for structural or weather issues on the surrounding wall space. It is important to complete any needed repairs before proceeding with the window replacement project.
Replacement patio doors are installed using a block frame or z-bar, which does not require access to exposed studs. This means there is less removal of exterior materials such as siding and trim.
In a replacement project, the installer can remove the entire frame of the old patio door or leave in the jambs and cut out the sill.