A Trio of Window Options to Boost Your Home's Appeal

A Trio of Window Options to Boost Your Home’s Appeal


When considering new windows, homeowners look for both quality and value. How the windows fit in with the style of your home, and the additional curb appeal they can bring will almost certainly impact your home’s value. Homeowners naturally strive to find beautiful, elegant and well-crafted windows, but we also expect our windows to bring about energy savings to help us cut down on the ever-rising cost of power. Besides this, windows today need to be suited to busy modern-day lifestyles—meaning, they should require minimal upkeep.

Picking out windows is no simple matter, so it’s always good to know about the options available. This eBook looks at three of the most common types of windows, and breaks things down so that you know what to expect, what to look for, and the limitations of each.


PART 1

Double Hung


The most common type of window in the U.S. is the double hung. This traditional window type is easy to operate—it simply slides up and down. Newer models of double hung windows feature contoured lift-rails and pre-tensioned, dual pulley balance systems that make them easier to open and close.

Homeowners favor this type of window for many reasons, among them:

Double-hung windows are versatile. They match a wide range of home styles, and come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. They’re available in vinyl, wood, aluminum, and fiberglass.

You can opt to open just the top portion of the window, or open both top and bottom halfway. The first option will allow you to cross ventilate your home and decrease energy costs. The second will allow warm air to escape from the top window and bring cool air in through the lower window. Either way, you can count on improved energy efficiency.

Another benefit is safety. You can have your double hung windows open all day and not have to worry about kids pushing on the screen and falling out. The same can’t be said of single hung windows. To ensure worry-free performance, select an extruded aluminum screen frame with heavy-duty aluminum corner reinforcements. For when you require added security, on the other hand, you can look for windows with recessed pick resistant locks.

Double Hung


Double-hung windows can hold air conditioning units, and you can add or remove screens as needed. You can opt for a full or a half screen, and choose to mount it either inside or outside the window.

Newer double hung windows have tilt-out or removable sashes (which hold the glass in place) to make cleaning them a breeze; you can clean the windows from inside the home.

High quality double hung windows have, at the very least, advanced triple w e a t h e r - s t r i p p i n g seals and feature polyurethane window frame insulation. These features help prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering, giving you top energy performance.

The only disadvantage of double - hung windows is that without quadruple weather stripping, they aren’t quite as airtight as other windows. However, the windows available today are much better constructed than old windows, thus eliminating a lot of issues.

Double Hung


PART 2

SlidingWindows


Sliding windows typically have one fixed pane and one sliding pane. To open or close this type of window, you slide a pane horizontally along a track inside the window frame. They’re similar to double-hung windows, but open side to side instead of up and down.

Sliders are favored by homeowners who’d like to frame a view, but this type of window’s advantages goes beyond aesthetics.

Because they have fewer parts than conventional windows, slider windows require very little maintenance and are a cost-effective choice. Little can go wrong with this type of window, as they require no pulleys or springs—rather, they operate on small wheels that glide along the window’s track. All slider windows really need every now & then is a good vacuuming to get rid of dust & debris, & some lubrication. Standard windows will often have lift out sashes; some offer in-swing sash rails to make cleaning the windows from inside the home possible as well.

Sliding Windows


As mentioned earlier, sliders are durable because they don’t depend on springs and pulleys, which tend to wear down and fail over time. Slider windows don’t rely on these components to function, making them more durable than conventional windows. Better brands boast lift out sliders with dual brass rollers and a stainless steel axel to boot. Glazing can also help add to durability. Yet another plus some windows offer is a coved interior glazing bead that further improves the window’s aesthetic value.

Slider windows aren’t hard to open and close—all you need is to undo the latch to release and simply glide the window along the frame to open, then slide it back and wait till the latch clicks closed to shut. Apart from ease of use, sliding windows have great functionality. Add a fly screen to keep insects out while you let in fresh air. Improve energy efficiency by either single or double-glazing the window, or by opting to use low e-glass.

Sliding windows are a lot cheaper than other window types, making them more cost effective and economical, but it doesn’t stop there. They can last a long time without much maintenance, and they aren’t likely to require expensive repairs or replacements down the line.

Sliding Windows


PART 3

Casement Windows


Casement windows have side hinges and crank outward. They’re perfect for over-the-sink installations, as well as over countertops and appliances. Look for stylish full flip nesting hardware that will allow your windows to open to a 90° angle so the exterior glass pane can be cleaned from inside the home.

Casement windows offer a fresh, open view from your home, and are available in various design and material options. You can pick from French, pushout, flat top, or from colonial, prairie, top down, or no grill designs and from vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, wood, and clad materials. The prettiest casement windows are those designed to maximize the beauty of the outdoors by minimizing the appearance of the window frame and sash.

This window type is one of the top window choices when it comes to energy efficiency, second only to fixed-pane windows. Casement windows have a sash that creates an air-tight seal by pressing tightly against the frame on closing to prevent air leaks. Look for a dual weather-stripping system with compression and primary weather seals to protect against drafts, and go for polyurethane window frame insulation.

Casement windows are fitted with single-lever or tandem latches, which make them easy to open and close. Single-lever casement windows that have a multi-point locking system and heavy-duty metal keepers can also provide added security for your home.

Casement Windows


Casement windows can be opened wide—all the way outward—to provide the greatest amount of natural ventilation and light. It’s also nice that casement windows don’t have a center joint that can mar a really nice view from inside the house. Each window type has its share of advantages as well as disadvantages. Because casement windows crank outwards, though, they sometimes pose a few more challenges than other window types. Consider these:

► Casement windows can’t be fitted with air-conditioners; double-hung windows are more suitable for this purpose.

► Casement windows aren’t designed for screens or storm windows, either. You’ll need to find casement windows that crank inwards if you want to get screens installed.

► If your house has a sidewalk around the perimeter, people can walk into open crank-out windows.

Whichever window type you opt for, however, the important thing is to look for quality windows. Consider carefully the differences in window types and determine what suits your needs best. Keep in mind that the cheapest option will rarely be the best; what you want to find is the best value for your money, especially since you’ll need to live with them for a long time to come. Choose carefully, and choose wisely.

Casement Windows


A&A Services115 North St Salem, MA 01970

978-607-0881www.A-AServices.com

http://www.A-AServices.com

A Trio of Window Options to Boost Your Home's Appeal

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