You can count on just about new window to have better energy efficiency and to be more beautiful than older windows they are replacing. However, there are some window upgrades that might be well worth the money. At Progressive Insulation & Windows we provide an honest assessment of the pros and cons of them so that you can decide what works best for your home.
- Triple Pane Glass
- Inert Gas Fillings
- Low-E Glass Coatings
It is common for people installing new windows to be moving from single pane windows to double pane windows. That is a huge change but if you add a third pane of glass (which will be between the other two) you will see even more benefits. Triple pane glass helps to lower or even eliminate sound outside. This can be essential if you live in the middle of a city or another loud area. The added glass also helps improve window insulation, which lowers energy costs and usage.
Your average window will have air between the panes of glass. The air can do a decent job of insulating a home, but inert gas is better. There are two choices, both of which are denser than air: argon and krypton. Both are invisible, harmful, and add a lot of insulation properties. They help by slowing down any air that might get through the glass and help to make your home more efficient than they would be if you only had air fillings.
Windows let in a lot of light by their very design. There are obviously many advantages to that, but there are drawbacks too. For example, UV rays can not only give you a sunburn while you’re sitting in your own home, but they can fade everything from your carpeting to your couch. Windows can also allow the hot sun rays to increase the temperature in your home.
Is the answer to buy smaller windows or cover your windows with blackout curtains? No – the solution is a Low-E glass coating. It blocks the UV rays, it blocks the sun, but you get the brightness you want. You can choose to have this only on windows that get a lot of sun or on all your windows.
Which of These Upgrades Are Worth it to You?
If you are considering one or more of these upgrades, we’d love to talk to you at Progressive Insulation & Windows. Even if you have decided against them, we have many budget options too. Replacing your windows is one of the best home renovations you can do. Contact us today at (800) 500-6200 to get started.
